OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effect of clinical clerkship-associated achievements, such as performance of procedures at the student clinic, observation, and attitude towards a clerkship, on the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) scores of dental students graduating in restorative dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The OSCEs consisted of two stations designed to assess students' clinical skills regarding cavity preparation for a class II gold inlay and a class IV composite restoration. The clerkship achievements, consisting of the number of student clinical procedures performed, observation-related OSCE, and scores of their attitudes towards a conservative dentistry clerkship, were assessed. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between the OSCE scores for cavity preparation for a class II gold restoration and clerkship attitude scores was 0.241 (p < 0.05). Regarding a class IV composite restoration, OSCE scores showed statistically significant correlations with the observation (r = 0.344, p < 0.01) and attitude (r = 0.303, p < 0.01) scores. In a multiple regression analysis, attitudes towards a clerkship (p = 0.033) was associated with the cavity preparation for a class II gold inlay OSCE scores, while the number of procedure observations (p = 0.002) was associated with the class IV composite restoration OSCE scores. CONCLUSIONS: The number of clinical procedures performed by students, which is an important requirement for graduation, showed no correlation with either of the OSCEs scores.
Achievement ; Clinical Clerkship ; Clinical Competence ; Dentistry ; Humans ; Inlays ; Students, Dental

This study investigated the effects of soyoligosaccharide consumption on feces bifidobacteria proliferation and feces lipid profiles in Korean young women. Eight healthy young women (25 - 34 years) were fed 15 g/day of soyoligosaccharide solution, containing 3 g of oligosaccharide as form of raffinose and starchyose, for 15 days with their habitual meals. Soyoligosaccharde intake increased the numbers of fecal total bacteria significantly until 10 days (p < 0.05) and the numbers of fecal bifidobactreia were significantly increased until 15 days (p < 0.05). The fecal pH was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) by soyligosaccharide intake. Fecal lipid concentration showed the trend to increse, especially fecal triglyceride level was significantly increased by soyoligosaccharide intake (p < 0.05). The water contents of feces, the amount of feces, evacuation frequency and taking time to evacuation were not affected by soyoligosaccharide intake. The color of feces changed to yellow-brown, and hardness of stool and effort to evacuation were reduced by soyoligosaccharide intake. These results suggest that soyoligosaccharide intake (3 g/day) in young women improved the gut microflora and fecal lipid profile. Therefore, soyoligosaccharide has a potential to be used as one of the promising prebiotics, and controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer duration are need to be studied further.
Bacteria ; Feces ; Female ; Hardness ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Meals ; Prebiotics ; Raffinose ; Sample Size ; Triglycerides ; Water

OBJECTIVE: Human embryonic stem (ES) cells have a great potential in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The human ES cells could be differentiated into specific cell types by treatments of growth factors and alterations of gene expressions. However, the efficacy of guided differentiation and isolation of specific cells are still low. In this study, we characterized isolated cells from differentiated human ES cells by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) system using specific antibodies to cell surface markers. METHODS: The undifferentiated hES cells (Miz-hESC4) were sub-cultured by mechanical isolation of colonies and embryoid bodies were spontaneously differentiated with DMEM containing 10% FBS for 2 weeks. The differentiated cells were isolated to positive and negative cells with MACS system using CD34, human epithelial antigen (HEA) and human fibroblast (HFB) antibodies, respectively. Observation of morphological changes and analysis of marker genes expression were performed during further culture of MACS isolated cells for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Morphology of the CD34 positive cells was firstly round, and then it was changed to small polygonal shape after further culture. The HEA positive cells showed large polygonal, and the HFB positive spindle shape. In RT-PCR analysis of marker genes, the CD34 and HFB positive cells expressed endodermal and mesodermal genes, and HEA positive cells expressed ectodermal genes such as NESTIN and NF68KD. The marker genes expression pattern of CD34 positive cells changed during the extension of culture time. CONCLUSION: Our results showed the possibility of successful isolation of specific cells by MACS system from undirected differentiated human ES cells. Thus, MACS system and marker antibodies for specific cell types might be useful for guided differentiation and isolation of specific cells from human ES cells.
Antibodies ; Ectoderm ; Embryoid Bodies ; Endoderm ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression ; Humans* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mesoderm ; Nestin ; Regenerative Medicine ; Tissue Engineering

Although congenital syphilis can be prevented with prenatal screening, the disease remains problematic. Currently, there are no cases that describe hematuria and pneumonia related to congenital syphilis. We report a case of congenital syphilis that involved nephrotic syndrome and pneumonia alba in a 22-day-old male infant whose mother did not receive adequate prenatal care. The congenital syphilis diagnosis was confirmed with a serologic test and the patient recovered with penicillin treatment. Clinical findings may be subtle in neonates and delayed recognition occurs frequently, thus complete prenatal screening is critical for congenital syphilis prevention. Immediate serologic testing should be performed to obtain a differential diagnosis if an infant is delivered by a mother that has not received appropriate prenatal examinations.
Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Exanthema* ; Hematuria* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mothers ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Penicillins ; Pneumonia* ; Prenatal Care ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Serologic Tests ; Syphilis, Congenital*

Tumor invasion is composed of four steps: cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix, degradation of the extracellular matrix components, tumor cell motility followed by cell detachment. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important proteinases that associated with degradation of matrix component. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a major polyphenolic constituent of green tea. In the study, we examined the anti-invasive and MMP activity suppression effects of EGCG in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were cultured with various concentrations 0 - 100 micrometer of EGCG. EGCG significantly inhibited the cell adhesion to the fibronectin. Cell motility through gelatin filter and invasion to Matrigel were inhibited dose-dependently by EGCG treatment. EGCG also inhibited the activities of MMP-2, -9 and the amount of MMP-9 (alpha = 0.05). Therefore, EGCG may contribute to the potential beneficial food component to prevent the invasion and metastasis in breast cancer.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Movement ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibronectins ; Gelatin ; Humans* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Tea

Curcumin has been known for its anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on several cancer cells. We examined the inhibitory effects of curcumin on cancer cell adhesion, motility, invasion and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured with 0, 5, 10 or 20 micrometer of curcumin. Curcumin significantly inhibited the adhesion of cancer cells to the fibronectin at 20 micrometer and suppressed the motility and invasion of cancer cells at all concentrations. Also, the MMP-9 activity was inhibited by curcumin, but MMP-9 protein amounts were not affected. Our data indicate that curcumin inhibits motility, invasion and MMP-9 activity of MDA-MB- 231 cells. Therefore, curcumin may contribute to the potential beneficial food component to prevent the cancer metastasis in human breast cancer.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Adhesion ; Curcumin* ; Fibronectins ; Humans* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* ; Neoplasm Metastasis

This study investigated the effects of high amylose starch (HAS) consumption on gut functions in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Experimental animals were fed an diet containing HAS for 4 weeks (0, 125, 250, 500 g/kg diet). Stool weights, transit time, the pH of cecum, Bifidobacterium growth, short chain fatty acid production, and prostaglandin E2 production in colon mucus were measured. HAS intake did not affect body weight gain or food efficiency ratio during experimental period. There were no significant differences in kidney weight, epididymal fat pad weights or spleen weights, but the weights of the liver and thymus were significantly lower in the HAS100 group. The length of the large intestine, the weights of the cecum wall and cecum contents, and stool weights significantly increased through HAS intake. But transit time was not affected by the experimental diet. Although Bifidobacterium growth in the cecum increased through the HAS intake dose dependently, there were significant differences in the HAS50 and HAS100 groups. HAS intake increased the production of short chain fatty acid in the cecum contents. In particular, acetate and butyrate concentrations grew significantly. And the production of prostaglandin E2 in the colon mucus significantly decreased through HAS intake. These results demonstrate that high amylose starch intake significantly improves gut function.
Adipose Tissue ; Amylose* ; Animals ; Bifidobacterium ; Body Weight ; Butyrates ; Cecum ; Colon ; Diet ; Dinoprostone ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intestine, Large ; Kidney ; Liver ; Male ; Mucus ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; Starch* ; Thymus Gland ; Weights and Measures

This study investigated the effects of soyoligosaccharide consumption on lipid profile of plasma, liver and feces and immune responses in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats 4-wk-old were provided the soyoligosaccharide containing diets for 4 weeks (0, 100 g/kg diet); each of these diets was supplemented with either 70 or 200 g fat/kg diet, giving a total of 4 experimental groups. The effect of weight reduction was most significantly observed in the group fed low fat and soyoligosacchairde diet. The plasma total lipid and cholesterol contents were not changed by either fat proportion or soyoligosaccharide supplementation in the diets. Also the plasma triglyceride lowering effect by soyoligosaccharide was not observed in rats fed either low fat or high fat diet. However, the significant decrease in TG contents was found with rats fed high fat diets compared to the control/no soyoligosaccharide diet. Elevation of plasma LDL-cholesterol and reduction of HDL-cholesterol by feeding high fat diet was not altered by supplementing soyoligosaccharide. This was also applied to the liver lipid profiles. The significant increases in liver total lipid, triglycerides and cholesterol by high fat diet was not abolished by feeding soyoligosaccharide. However, the desirable effects of feeding soyoligosaccharide were found with total lipid and cholesterol excretion through feces in rats fed high fat diets. Immune organ weights and spleen cell proliferations did not affected by experimental diets. These results demonstrated that soyoligosaccharide intakes increased the lipid output via feces, especially in rats fed the high fat diet, but more researches are needed on immune responses.
Animals ; Cholesterol ; Diet* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Feces ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Liver ; Male ; Organ Size ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; Triglycerides ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: Most surgeons prefer delivering cardioplegia alternatively via the aortic root and coronary sinus in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Recently, some surgeons have delivered cardioplegia via the grafted vessel to the obstructed right coronary artery in order to preserve right ventricular function whenever retrograde cardioplegia is delivered. Thus, we have compared the effect on right ventricular preservation between the aforementioned two methods after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing a right CABG. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients undergoing an elective CABG with significant right coronary artery obstructive disease were allocated into 2 groups. In the alternative cardioplegia delivery group (A-group), cold blood cardioplegia was delivered via the aortic root and coronary sinus alternatively. In the simultaneous cardioplegia delivery group (S-group), cold blood cardioplegia was delivered via the coronary sinus and grafted vessel to the obstructed right coronary artery simultaneously. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained pre-bypass, at pericardial closure and at sternal closure. Data recorded included right ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricular volume index and right and left ventricular hemodynamics. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the right ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups at pre-bypass, pericardial closure and sternal closure. In both groups, the right ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac index were not decreased, and the left ventricular ejection fraction was higher at pericardial closure than pre-bypass. However, in both groups, there was a decrease in the right andleft ventricular stroke work index and right ventricular stroke volume index at sternal closure. CONCLUSIONS: We have concluded that simultaneous cardioplegia delivery via the coronary sinus and grafted vessel to the obstructed right coronary artery was not superior to the alternative cardioplegia delivery via the aortic root and coronary sinus for preservation of right ventricular function in patients undergoing a right CABG.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Sinus ; Coronary Vessels* ; Heart Arrest, Induced* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Stroke ; Stroke Volume ; Transplants ; Ventricular Function, Right

The use of alternative medicine for smoking cessation have been increasing steadily in recent years. A series of clinical group studies was performed to clarify the effect, outcome and success rate of an acupuncture treatment for smoking cessation. This study was conducted for four weeks using 238 smoking students at 2 high schools. The subjects were separated into two groups: 159 students were treated with acupuncture on the anti-smoking acupoints of the ear, which is known to be effective for cessation of smoking (case group), and 79 students were treated at other sites of the ear (control group). The acupuncture treatment was alternately administered at each side of the ears on a weekly basis for 4 weeks. The smoking cessation success was only 1 case (0.6%) in the case group and none in the control group after 4 weeks. The change in the taste of tobacco and the intensity of the desire to smoke were not significantly different between the case and control groups, but the case group showed a tendency of reduction in the taste of tobacco and the intensity of the desire to smoke. In addition, the reduction in cigarette consumption was not significant, but the tendency of reduction in the study group was significant. It is believed that the site of auricular acupuncture for smoking cessation is not important. However, there was a significant tendency in terms of the reduction in cigarette consumption, the taste of tobacco and the intensity of the desire to smoke in the case group, indicating that auricular acupuncture in smoking cessation has some effect.
*Acupuncture, Ear ; Adolescent ; Humans ; Male ; Smoking Cessation/*methods ; *Students ; Treatment Outcome