Purpose: To analyze the degree of psychological distress experienced pre- and postoperatively in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy without history of psychiatric disorders were included in this study. The degree of psychological distress was evaluated using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and distress thermometer (DT) questionnaires preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results: Distress was high preoperatively and decreased over the entire period. In addition, HADS-anxiety and HADS-depression scores showed an improved severity, shifting from an abnormal state to a borderline state in some patients. However, the DT score, including emotional problems, spiritual concerns, physical problems, family problems, and practical problems, was slightly higher at 1 month postoperatively compared to preoperatively. Furthermore, even at 12 months postoperatively, about one fifth of patients surveyed had a DT score of 4 or higher, requiring psychiatric intervention. Conclusions Before and after radical prostatectomy, a significant number of patients complained of distress such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and they needed help from a specialist because of psychological distress even 12 months postoperatively.Therefore, a close evaluation of the patient’s psychological distress and supportive treatment are needed during the entire pre- and postoperative period.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the drug survival rate of tacrolimus (TAC) and analyze the potential predictors of this rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in routine care. METHODS: 2018-01-16: In this retrospective longitudinal study, we enrolled 102 RA patients treated with TAC from April 2009 to January 2014 at a tertiary center in South Korea. The causes of TAC discontinuation were classified as lack of efficacy (LOE), adverse events (AEs), and others. The drug survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the predictors of this rate were identified by Cox-regression analyses. RESULTS: TAC was discontinued in 27 of 102 RA patients (26.5%). The overall 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year TAC continuation rates were 81.8%, 78.4%, 74.2%, and 69.1%, respectively and the median follow-up period from the start of TAC was 32.5 months. The number of TAC discontinuations due to LOE, AEs, and others were 15 (55.6%), 11 (40.7 %), and 1 (3.7%), respectively. The baseline high disease activity was a significant risk factor for TAC discontinuation after adjusting for confounding factors (hazard ratio [HR], 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16 to 5.35; p = 0.019). In addition, underlying interstitial lung disease was significantly associated with TAC withdrawal due to AEs (HR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.06 to 11.46; p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS In our study, TAC showed a good overall survival rate in patients with RA in real clinical practice. This suggests that the long-term TAC therapy has a favorable efficacy and safety profile for treating RA.

We already reported that genetically engineered resveratrol-enriched rice (RR) showed to down-regulate skin melanogenesis. To be developed to increase the bioactivity of RR using calli from plants, RR was adopted for mass production using plant tissue culture technologies. In addition, high-pressure homogenization (HPH) was used to increase the biocompatibility and penetration of the calli from RR into the skin. We aimed to develop anti-melanogenic agents incorporating calli of RR (cRR) and nanoparticles by high-pressure homogenization, examining the synergistic effects on the inhibition of UVB-induced hyperpigmentation. Depigmentation was observed following topical application of micro-cRR, nano-calli of normal rice (cNR), and nano-cRR to ultraviolet B (UVB)-stimulated hyperpigmented guinea pig dorsal skin. Colorimetric analysis, tyrosinase immunostaining, and Fontana-Masson staining for UVB-promoted melanin were performed. Nano-cRR inhibited changes in the melanin color index caused by UVB-promoted hyperpigmentation, and demonstrated stronger anti-melanogenic potential than micro-cRR. In epidermal skin, nano-cRR repressed UVB-promoted melanin granules, thereby suppressing hyperpigmentation. The UVB-enhanced, highly expressed tyrosinase in the basal layer of the epidermis was inhibited by nano-cRR more prominently than by micro-cRR and nano-cNR. The anti-melanogenic potency of nano-cRR also depended on pH and particle size. Nano-cRR shows promising potential to regulate skin pigmentation following UVB exposure.
Animals ; Epidermis ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hyperpigmentation* ; Melanins ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Nanoparticles* ; Particle Size ; Plants ; Skin Pigmentation ; Skin*

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by noncaseating epithelioid granuloma formation. Although the relationship between sarcoidosis and malignancy has been noted in recent decades, there are few case reports describing the concurrent diagnosis of sarcoidosis and malignancy. Herein, we describe a case of biopsy-proven splenic sarcoidosis mimicking metastasis at the time of ovarian adenocarcinoma. Imaging studies including positron-emission tomography-computed tomography were not useful for differentiating sarcoidosis from malignancy. Thus, our case highlights the importance of histopathological examination to rule out nonmalignant conditions before the diagnosis of metastatic disease is made.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis* ; Granuloma ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Sarcoidosis*

In systemic sclerosis, digital ulcers and gangrene are somewhat common clinical characteristics of obliterative vasculopathy. These manifestations increase morbidities, such as pain, infections, and acroosteolysis. However, patient responses to the appropriate treatments are often inadequate. We treated a patient with systemic sclerosis who had a refractory digital ulcer and gangrene with bosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist, and observed improvement. Here we systematically review this case.
Acro-Osteolysis ; Gangrene* ; Humans ; Receptors, Endothelin ; Scleroderma, Systemic* ; Ulcer*

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop the Korean version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (K-WEMWBS) and to examine its factorial structure, reliability, and convergent/discriminant validity. METHODS: In this study, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), a self-rating measure for assessment of mental well-being, was translated into Korean. It was completed by 222 respondents, including 117 healthy subjects and 105 psychiatric patients from both inpatient and outpatient clinics at Soonchunhyang University Hospitals in Bucheon, Cheonan, and Seoul. RESULTS: The K-WEMWBS showed good content validity. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a single factor structure. The Cronbach's alpha value for the K-WEMWBS was 0.944, which demonstrated good internal consistency. Test-retest reliability at 2-8 weeks was high (0.789). The K-WEMWBS showed high correlations with mental health, positive affect, and quality of life scales. Moderate negative correlation was observed between the K-WEMWBS and the negative affect scale. Discriminant validity was partially identified. Statistically significant differences in scores were observed between the psychiatric patient group and the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the K-WEMWBS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessment of mental well-being, particularly the positive aspects of mental health.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Mental Health ; Quality of Life ; Seoul ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated on the severity of dry mouth in the hansen people and the association between dry mouth(low, moderate and high) with pre and post wearing denture satisfaction. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 104 hansen people(mean age=69.3). Data were collected by means of a personal interview from April 30 through to Jane 20, 2014. Pre and post wearing denture satisfaction was measured by the 24-items and dry mouth was measured by the 4-items. The data was analysed with t-test, One-way ANOVA, and Logistic regression using the SPSS program. RESULTS: Regarding perception of dry mouth, the subjects achieved a mean of 6.13 out of a maximum 12 points. Scores were categorised as high(8~12), medium(5~7) or low(1~4) and the proportion were 24.5%(9.56), 42.2%(5.81) and 33.3%(4.00) respectively. Those who were older and had fewer natural teeth felt that their perception of dry mouth was more severe. A logistic regression analysis showed that the subjects perception of dry mouth had a significant impact on their gender (OR=2.73), comfort (OR=0.21), aesthetic appreciation (OR=7.56) satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, the perception of dry mouth has a significant and negative impact on denture satisfaction. These results suggest that oral health promotion should be considered various factors related dry mouth in the elderly with removable denture.
Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dentures* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mouth* ; Oral Health ; Tooth

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to prove the effectiveness of professional maintenance care to the periodontal disease by non-surgical approach with the toothpick method to improve the periodontal health. METHODS: The patients of this study were composed of 46 patients( 18 men and 28 women), suffering from chronic adult periodontitis, who had visited the department of dental clinic center. All of the subjects were over 50years old and be treated just by non-surgical method. Professional maintenance care using the toothpick method was performed every 3 months, and evaluations were also done after 1, 2, and 3 year-professional maintenance care based on the indices such as plaque index(O' Leary index), periodontal probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, tooth mobility, the number of tooth loss, and the rate of tooth loss representing the state of periodontal health. RESULTS: 1. The longer the maintenance care, the more the effectiveness of controlling plaque. The rate of decrease in the dental plaque index was 1.5%, 4.2%, and 6.5% in 1, 2, and 3 year maintenance groups respectively(P>0.05). 2. The periodontal pocket depth decreased depends on the severity of periodontal pocket depth in all groups the maintenance years(P<0.05). 3. On the evaluation of the bleeding tendency on probing, there was a significant difference in 1 year- maintenance group(P<0.05), but the other groups did not show any difference statistically(P>0.05). 4. Tooth mobility has decreased in the maintenance years, but did not show any difference statistically(P>0.05). 5. The number and the rate of tooth loss among the patients of 1year-maintenance group was 0.38, 1.44% respectively and that of 3 year-maintenance group was 0.44, 1.73% each. CONCLUSION: The results of this study mentioned above suggest that professional maintenance care should be operated effectively to prevent and to maintain the periodontal disease systematically on the purpose of proving the quality of life, and that it could be applied to the medical insurance system in other to try to make the most of the adult oral health care positively.
Adult ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Dental Clinics ; Dental Plaque Index ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Insurance ; Male ; Methods ; Oral Health ; Periodontal Diseases* ; Periodontal Pocket ; Periodontitis ; Quality of Life ; Tooth Loss ; Tooth Mobility

The upper and the lower master models of Class II mod.1 by the Kennedy of classification were duplicated to the dentists in the dental clinic Suncheon, and the status of the surveying procedure, the form and type of the major connector, the form and type of the direct retainer, the location and status of the indirect retainer, and the modification of abutment were surveyed and analyzed and were compared to the principles of the design rationale of the removable partial denture to evaluate whether or not each component of the removable partial denture framework designed by the dentists. The analyzed results were as follows: 1. The status with or without the surveying procedure was showed 7 cases(10.29%) and 61 cases(89.71%) respectively. 2. Single palatal strap, A-P bar, broad palatal plate, complete coverage palatal major connector, single palatal bar, U-shaped palatal connector, and the others without drawing of the major connector were 27 cases (38.57%), 25 cases(35.71%), 5 cases(7.01%), 4 cases(5.71%), 2 cases (2.86%), 1 cases(1.43%), 6 cases(8.57%) respectively in the design patterns of the maxillary major connectors, and lingual bar, linguoplate, and others without drawing of the major connector were 55 cases(80.88%), 11 cases(16.18%), 2 cases(2.84%), respectively in the pattern of the mandibular major connectors. 3. The direct retainer designed to the 1st bicuspid of the upper left and the lower right adjacent to the free-end edentulous area was that the design of bar clasp was 67.41% in the highest rate and that of Akers clasp was 23.36%. 4. The direct retainer designed to the 1st bicuspid of the upper right and the lower left was that the of Akers clasp was 56.62% in the highest rate and that of bar clasp was 33.82%. 5. The mesial rests of the 1st bicuspid of the upper left and the lower right adjacent to the free-end edentulous area were 77.46%, 66.20% respectively and the distal rests and mesial rests of the 1st bicuspid of the upper left and the lower right were 58.82%, 55.71%, 38.24%, 38.57% respectively and the mesial rests of the 2nd molar of the upper right and the lower left were 95.71%, 95.65% respectively, viewed from the location of the occlusal rest seat. 6. The cases without the design of the indirect retainer were 51.47% in the upper and the lower master models respectively. 7. The modification of abutments(surveyed crown) of upper and lower teeth were 8.82%, 8.82% respectively.
Bicuspid ; Dental Clinics ; Dentists ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Humans ; Leprosy ; Molar ; Tooth

The purpose of this study was to investgate and evaluate whether the recording information contained in the work authorization was performed properly and master casts were designed accurately according to the rationale and principles of the removable partial denture when the work authorization and the master casts were sent to the dental framework. the accurate recording of the work authorization sent to dental laboratory in Hwasun for removable partial denture framework, the normal form of the occlusal rest guiding plan of the surveyed crown using the surveyor, the location analysis of the occlusal rest seat, the design patten of the maxillary and mandibulary major connectors, the use of the surveyor on the master cast, the status of the secondary impression taken in the distal extension edentulous areas were investigated for this study. The following results were obtained : 1. In the status of the occlusal rest seat prepared in the abutment, the occlusal rest seat with normal form was 81.25%, 95.45%, that without form was 6.25%, 0.00%, respectively in Class I and Class II on the maxillary cast and the occlusal rest seat with normal form was 76.92%, 95.45%, that without form was 7.69%, 0.00% respectively in Class I and Class II on the mandibular cast. 2. In the status of the guiding plan, the guiding plan with the normal form was 79.17%, 86.36% that with abnormal form was 20.84%, 13.64% respectively in Class I and Class II on the maxillary cast and the guiding plan with normal form was 79.49%, 77.27%, that with abnormal form was 20.51%, 22.73% respectively in Class I and Class II on the mandibular cast. 3. The abutment splinting in the distal extension removable partial denture was 20.78%, 27.27%, respectively in Class I and Class II on the maxillary cast and was 25.64%, 13.64% respectively in Class I and Class II on the mandibular cast. 4. The location and form of the major connector delineated on the maxillary and mandibular master cast was 95.83%, 98.41% respectively. 5. The delineation and recording on the work authorization was incomplete as group II(73.33%), group I(14.07%), group III(12.59%) and group IV (0.00%) in investigating the contents of the work authorization. 6. Aker's clasp of the types of the direct retainer was nots used 72.22%, 74.60%, in the maxillary and mandibular casts respectively. 7. The location of the indirect retainer delineated on the maxillary and mandibular master cast was 51.43%, 50.82% respectively. 8. The types of metal used were mostly Cr-Co non-precious metal alloy and the cases using color coding on the drawing paper of work authorization were not observed. 9. The cases taking secondary impression in the distal extension removable partial denture were 45.71%, 52.46% respectively in the maxillary and mandibular master cast. 10. The delineation of tripoding or reference line on the master cast was not observed in surveying procedure.
Alloys ; Clinical Coding ; Crowns ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Laboratories, Dental ; Splints