Porcelain is considered to be one of the materials of choice for restoration where esthetics is of concern. But porcelain surface without final glazing treatment may induce undesirable results such as inflammatory respones on adjacent soft tissues due to plaque accumulation and increased wear of opposing teeth. Therefore, rough porcelain surface must be smoothened by final glazing treatment or chairside polishing procedure. The purpose of this study was to compare the surface roughness among self-glazed, overglazed and polished porcelain with various polishing kit, and to detect which phase of polishing is optimal in clinic. Specimens were fabricated with Vita VMK porcelain. The surface treatment of each group was performed as follows. Group 1 : overglazing treatment Group 2 : self-glazing treatment Group 3 : polishing with the Truluster Polishing System for Porcelain(Brasseler, U.S.A.) Group 4 : polishing with the Exa Cerapol Adjustment kit (Edenta dental products, Switzerland) followed by finishing with diamond-filled polishing paste Group 5 : polishing with the Shofu Porcelain Adjustment kit (Shofu inc., Japan) followed by finishing with diamond-filled polishing paste. At each polishing steps, the measurement of Ra and Rq values were performed, and the surface was examined by scanning electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. Overglazing treatment brought smoother surface than self-glazing treatment. 2. Polishing systems without porcelain polishing paste did not make better result than self-glazing treatment. 3. Polishing system with porcelain polishing paste made similar result to overglazing treatment. 4. Applying diamond-filled polishing paste after using polishing system which has porcelain polishing paste produced surface as smooth as overglazing treatment does.
Dental Porcelain* ; Esthetics ; Tooth

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of extracts of Korean native Cimicifuge species on cell proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). METHODS: VSMC were isolated from rat aorta. Cell proliferation was assessed by measure of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into the cells. Differences in Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were examined after exposure to the extracts of Korean native Cimicifuge species using the detection reagents dichlorofluorecin diacetate. The rhizomes/roots were air-dried and milled with a commercial food mixer. Milled rhizomes/roots of each Cimicifuga species were separately extracted by 80% ethanol, absolute methanol, and 40% 2-propanol using homogenizer and evaporated under reduced pressure at low temperatures. Effects of extracts dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline (0.3 mg/mL) were examined. RESULTS: Ethanolic, methanolic or propanolic extracts of 4 Korean native Cimicifuge species (Cimicifuga [C] davurica, C. japonica, C. heracleifolia var. bifida Nakai, C. simplex) were screened. The addition of extracts of each Korean native Cimicifuge species to cells in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) potently inhibited cell proliferation. Significant decrease of 23%-30% was observed. Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, inhibited 10% FBS-stimulated cell proliferation of VSMC. We also demonstrated that extracts of each Korean native Cimicifuge species decreased intracellular ROS generation induced with 10% FBS. The effect of Korean native Cimicifuge species was not species-specific and solvent-specific. CONCLUSION: TExtracts of Korean native Cimicifuge species inhibit VSMC proliferation via inhibition of intracellular ROS. These findings suggest that Cimicifuge species used for reducing menopause symptoms might be cardioprotective in women.
1-Propanol ; 2-Propanol ; Animals ; Aorta ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cell Proliferation ; Cimicifuga ; Estrogens ; Ethanol ; Female ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Menopause ; Methanol ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells have been investigated as new targets for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. We recently reported that CD133+ colon cancer cells showed chemoresistance to 5-fluorouracil through increased survivin expression and proposed the survivin inhibitor YM155 as an effective therapy for colon cancer in an in vitro study. Here, we investigate the relationship between survivin and CD133 expression in surgically resected CRC to identify whether the results obtained in our in vitro study are applicable to clinical samples. METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical staining for survivin and CD133 in surgically resected tissue from 187 stage II or III CRC patients. We also comparatively analyzed apoptosis according to survivin and CD133 expression using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling. RESULTS: The results of the Mantel-Haenszel test established a linear association between nuclear survivin and CD133 expression (p = .018), although neither had prognostic significance, according to immunohistochemical expression level. No correlation was found between survivin expression and the following pathological parameters: invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, or histologic differentiation (p > .05). The mean apoptotic index in survivin+ and CD133+ tumors was higher than that in negative tumors: 5.116 ± 4.894 in survivin+ versus 4.103 ± 3.691 in survivin– (p = .044); 5.165 ± 4.961 in CD133+ versus 4.231 ± 3.812 in CD133– (p = .034). CONCLUSIONS: As observed in our in vitro study, survivin expression is significantly related to CD133 expression. Survivin may be considered as a new therapeutic target for chemoresistant CRC.
Apoptosis ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Deoxyuridine ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplastic Stem Cells

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common pathogen of chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis. It has been believed that the activity of iron-uptake system (IUS) may play an important role in the growth of S. epidermidis in human peritoneal dialysate (HPD) solution, but there is no report using mutants with defective IUS. A streptonigrin-resistant S. epidermidis (SRSE) strain was isolated from S. epidermidis KCTC 1917 and functionally characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bacterial growth was monitored by measuring the optical densities of culture fluids obtained at appropriate intervals at a wavelength of 600 nm. CAS agar diffusion assay was used for the comparison of siderophore production, 6 M urea-gel electrophoresis for the comparison of the ability to capture iron from transferrin, and bioassay for the observation of the ability to utilize iron-siderophore complexes. RESULTS: The SRSE strain ineffectively utilized transferrin-bound iron for growth despite its ability to produce considerably larger amount of siderophores than its parental strain. The growth of the parental strain, but not the SRSE strain, was stimulated on transferrin-bound iron by its own siderophores each. The growth of the SRSE strain in the HPD solution was retarded compared to that of the parental strain. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the SRSE strain is defective in its ability to utilize the iron-siderophore complexes, rather than its ability to produce siderophores, and that the siderophore-mediated IUS plays an important role in the growth of S. epidermidis in HPD solution.
Agar ; Biological Assay ; Diffusion ; Electrophoresis ; Humans* ; Iron ; Parents ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritonitis ; Siderophores ; Staphylococcus epidermidis* ; Staphylococcus* ; Transferrin

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common pathogen of chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis. It has been believed that the activity of iron-uptake system (IUS) may play an important role in the growth of S. epidermidis in human peritoneal dialysate (HPD) solution, but there is no report using mutants with defective IUS. A streptonigrin-resistant S. epidermidis (SRSE) strain was isolated from S. epidermidis KCTC 1917 and functionally characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bacterial growth was monitored by measuring the optical densities of culture fluids obtained at appropriate intervals at a wavelength of 600 nm. CAS agar diffusion assay was used for the comparison of siderophore production, 6 M urea-gel electrophoresis for the comparison of the ability to capture iron from transferrin, and bioassay for the observation of the ability to utilize iron-siderophore complexes. RESULTS: The SRSE strain ineffectively utilized transferrin-bound iron for growth despite its ability to produce considerably larger amount of siderophores than its parental strain. The growth of the parental strain, but not the SRSE strain, was stimulated on transferrin-bound iron by its own siderophores each. The growth of the SRSE strain in the HPD solution was retarded compared to that of the parental strain. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the SRSE strain is defective in its ability to utilize the iron-siderophore complexes, rather than its ability to produce siderophores, and that the siderophore-mediated IUS plays an important role in the growth of S. epidermidis in HPD solution.
Agar ; Biological Assay ; Diffusion ; Electrophoresis ; Humans* ; Iron ; Parents ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritonitis ; Siderophores ; Staphylococcus epidermidis* ; Staphylococcus* ; Transferrin

BACKGROUND: Although the stapled anastomotic technique has achieved efficacy in gastrointestinal surgery, there are only a few experimental results comparing the physical properties of the anastomotic site, pathologic features of the healing process, and physiologic change after the operation. Moreover, there have been no comparative study among various stapled anastomotic techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of various stapled anastomotic techniques by comparing the physical properties of the anastomotic site, pathologic features of the healing process and physiologic change observed for the classical hand-sewn anastomotic technique with those observed for various stapled anastomotic techniques in the normal porcine colon and rectum. METHODS: Twelve male pigs were grouped into 4 according to the anastomotic techniques; standard Albert-Lembert two-layer hand-sewn anastomosis, stapled end-to-end anastomosis, stapled end-to-side anastomosis, and stapled side-to-side anastomosis. Each anastomotic technique was applied at 3 sites (ascending colon, transverse colon, and rectum). Groups of animals underwent a second surgery on the 4th week postoperatively, and the anastomotic properties were assessed with respect to the first day of defecation, bursting pressure, tensile strength, gross scar formation, microscopic inflammatory cell infiltration, telangiectasia, lymphangiectasia, foreign-body reaction, granulation and fibrosis. RESULTS: No significant difference among the respective anastomotic techniques was found with respect to the first day of defecation, bursting pressure, tensile strength, microscopic inflammatory cell infiltration, telangiectasia, and lymphangiectasia. However, more scar formation, foreign-body reaction, granulation and fibrosis were observed in the hand-sewn anastomosis. There was no significant difference among the groups of various stapled anastomotic techniques. CONCLUSION: According to this animal study, various stapled anastomoses were superior to the standard Albert-Lembert two-layer hand-sewn anastomosis with less scar formation, foreign-body reaction,granulation and fibrosis. In colorectal surgery, various stapled anastomotic techniques can be safely applied in accordance with the respective purpose and the anatomical characteristics.
Animals ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cicatrix ; Colon* ; Colon, Transverse ; Colorectal Surgery ; Defecation ; Fibrosis ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Humans ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Male ; Mastectomy ; Mastectomy, Radical ; Mastectomy, Segmental* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rectum ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Swine ; Telangiectasis ; Tensile Strength

BACKGROUND: Tigecycline resistance has emerged recently and has shown diverse mechanisms. The aim of this study was to assess the role of efflux activity in tigecycline resistance in 120 clinical isolates of A. baumannii using two methods: the H33342 accumulation assay and adeB real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between the expression level of adeB and H33342 accumulation level. METHODS: A. baumannii clinical isolates was divided into tigecycline-resistant (49 strains), intermediate (40 strains), and susceptible (31 strains) groups. The H33342 accumulation was measured in the absence or presence of the efflux pump inhibitor carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). Real-time RT-PCR was performed to determine the relative expression of the adeB gene in A. baumannii clinical isolates. RESULTS: The level of H33342 accumulation in the resistant group was relatively lower than those in the other groups. The addition of CCCP caused a significantly increased fold change in H33342 accumulation in the tigecycline-resistant group. Significant difference in the fold change level in H33342 accumulation was found between tigecycline-susceptible and resistant isolates. Those findings support the role of efflux pumps of which substrates are H33342 in the resistance of tigecycline. Significant differences in the relative expression levels of adeB were shown between tigecycline-susceptible and resistant groups also. CONCLUSION: The results showed that several efflux pumps of which substrates were H33342 can contribute to tigecycline resistance. The adeB overexpression can also contribute to tigecycline resistance. It is possible that efflux pumps other than adeB efflux pumps contribute to tigecycline resistance because there was no correlation between fold change level in H33342 accumulation and adeB expression level.
Acinetobacter baumannii* ; Acinetobacter* ; Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was not only to evaluate the relative mRNA expression of interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta), cyclooxygenase2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by RT-PCR analysis but to observe pattern of edema by light microscopic and electron microscope after topical apply of hyaluronic acid in inflammation-guided mouse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mice of this study were devided into 4 groups: Control group (no inflammation guided), Positive control (inflammation guided + vaselin apply), Protopic group (inflammation guided + protopic apply), Hyaluronic group (inflammation guided + hyaluronic acid apply). RESULTS: Hyaluronic group showed less expressions of IL-1beta, COX-2, PGE2 than those of positive control & protopic group. Hyaluronic group revealed a decreased inflammation than positive control & protopic group in Light Microscope. Hyaluronic group appeared decreased edema of ear compare to positive control & protopic group in Elecron Microscope. CONCLUSION: It was considered that hyaluronic acid has an antiinflammatory effect for intercepting the gene expression of cytokines related to inflammation.
Animals ; Cytokines ; Dinoprostone ; Ear ; Edema ; Electrons ; Gene Expression ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Inflammation ; Light ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the cytotoxic effects of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC), an active component of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL), on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS: VSMCs were derived from rat aorta. Cell death was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, and DNA fragmentation assay. Apoptosis was quantified by propidium iodide staining and fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, and intracellular free radical production was determined using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA). In addition, the changes in caspases, bcl-2 and bax proteins were evaluated by western blot analysis. RESULTS: LysoPC over 25 microM induced more than 50% of the cell death at 10 hours on MTT assay with no change in the level of LDH. The DNA ladder pattern showed that cell death induced by lysoPC was caused by apoptosis, which was associated with increased free radical production. Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant and caffeic acid phenylethyl ester (CAPE), an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), blocked apoptosis. The casepase-3 precursor decreased and the active form of caspase-8 increased. Total bcl-2 and bax proteins did not change with lysoPC treatment, but translocation of bax from cytosole to the mitochondria membrane was observed. CONCLUSION: LysoPC induces apoptosis in VSMCs via an oxidant mechanism, dependent on NF-kappaB.
Animals ; Aorta ; Apoptosis ; Atherosclerosis ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; Blotting, Western ; Caffeic Acids ; Caspase 8 ; Caspases ; Cell Death ; Cytosol ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Fluoresceins ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Lysophosphatidylcholines ; Membranes ; Mitochondria ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; NF-kappa B ; Oxidoreductases ; Propidium ; Rats ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

The balance between tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) regulates fibrinolysis. PAI-1 expression increases in atherosclerotic arteries and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are one of major constituents of atheroma. We investigated the impact of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC), an active component of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, on the plasminogen activator system of the rat VSMCs. The lysoPC stimulated the protein and gene expressions of PAI-1 but did not affect the protein expression of t-PA. Fibrin overlay zymography revealed that lysoPC increased the activity of PAI-1 in the conditioned media, while concurrently decreasing that of free t-PA. Vitamin E inhibited the lysoPC-induced PAI-1 expression. Further, lysoPC increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an inhibitor of NF-kappaB, blocked this lysoPC effect. Indeed, lysoPC induced the NF-kappaB-mediated transcriptional activity as measured by luciferase reporter assay. In addition, genistein, an inhibitor of protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK), diminished the lysoPC effect, while 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, a stimulator of PTK, stimulated PAI-1 production. In conclusion, lysoPC does not affect t-PA expression but induces PAI-1 expression in the VSMC by mediating NF-kappaB and the genistein-sensitive PTK signaling pathways via oxidative stress. Importantly, lysoPC stimulates the enzyme activity of PAI-1 and suppresses that of t-PA.
Animals ; Benz(a)Anthracenes/pharmacology ; Caffeic Acids/pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Genistein/pharmacology ; Lipoproteins, LDL/metabolism ; Lysophosphatidylcholines/*pharmacology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology/*drug effects/metabolism ; NF-kappa B/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Phenylethyl Alcohol/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1/agonists/genetics/*metabolism ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator/*metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic/drug effects ; Up-Regulation/drug effects ; Vitamin E/pharmacology