Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus play important roles in dental caries. Coptis chinensis is a natural product with antimicrobial activity against enterobacteria; however, its effects on oral streptococci are still unknown.Therefore, the effects of C. chinensis on the growth and biofilm formation of the representative cariogenic bacteria S. mutans and S. sobrinus were investigated for the possible use of C. chinensis as an anticaries agent. The C.chinensis extract was diluted with sterile distilled water, and 0.1–2.5% of the extract was used in the experiment. The effects of the C. chinensis extract on the growth and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus were measured by viable cell counting and spectrophotometry at 650 nm absorbance, respectively. Crystal violet staining was also carried out to confirm the C. chinensis extract’s inhibitory effect on biofilm formation. The C. chinensis extract significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus at concentrations of ≥ 0.3% as compared with the control group. The viable cell count of colonies decreased by 1.7-fold and 1.2-fold at 2.5% and 1.25%, respectively, compared with the control group. The biofilm formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was inhibited by > 20-fold at C.chinensis extract concentrations of ≥ 1.25% as compared with the control group. In summary, the C. chinensis extract inhibited the growth and biofilm and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Therefore, C. chinensis might be a potential candidate for controlling dental caries.

OBJECTIVE: In our series, endovascular coiling with Target® Nano™ coils (Stryker Neurovascular, Fremont, CA, USA) with diameters of 1 or 1.5 mm exhibited favorable technical feasibility in the treatment of small cerebral aneurysms (< 4 mm). However, little is known about the recurrence of small cerebral aneurysms treated using Target® Nano™ coils. We investigated recurrence following the treatment of small cerebral aneurysms using Target® Nano™ coils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2012 and November 2013, 143 patients with 148 small cerebral aneurysms (< 4 mm) were included our study. A total of 135 cerebral aneurysms (91.2%) were unruptured; 45 cerebral aneurysms (30.4%) were treated by endovascular coiling using Target® Nano™ coils. Follow-up radiological images were obtained for 132 cerebral aneurysms (89.2%) over a range of 3 to 58 months (mean, 34.3 months; standard deviation, 14.2). RESULTS: In the group treated with Target® Nano™ coils, radiological outcomes revealed complete occlusion in 33 (73.3%), residual necks in eight (17.8%), and residual sacs in four (8.9%) cases. Follow-up radiological outcomes revealed complete occlusion in 35 (77.8%) and residual necks in four (8.9%) cases that exhibited stable coil masses. In the group that was not treated with Target® Nano™ coils, radiological outcomes revealed complete occlusion in 69 (67%), residual necks in 18 (17.5%), and residual sacs in 16 (15.5%) cases. Follow-up radiological outcomes revealed complete occlusion in 87 (84.5%) and residual necks (5.8%) in six cases that exhibited stable coil masses. No significant differences were observed in the radiological outcomes or follow-up radiological outcomes between the two groups. No recurrences or retreatments occurred in our series. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment using Target® Nano™ coils may be a robust treatment option for small cerebral aneurysms (< 4 mm).
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Neck ; Recurrence* ; Retreatment

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of our new video-assisted asthma education program on patients' knowledge regarding asthma and asthma control. METHODS: Adult asthmatics who were diagnosed by primary care physicians and followed for at least 1 year were educated via smart devices and pamphlets. The education sessions were carried out three times at 2-week intervals. Each education period lasted at most 5 minutes. The effectiveness was then evaluated using questionnaires and an asthma control test (ACT). RESULTS: The study enrolled 144 patients (mean age, 56.7±16.7 years). Half of the patients had not been taught how to use their inhalers. After participating in the education program, the participants' understanding of asthma improved significantly across all six items of a questionnaire assessing their general knowledge of asthma. The proportion of patients who made errors while manipulating their inhalers was reduced to less than 10%. The ACT score increased from 16.6±4.6 to 20.0±3.9 (p<0.001). The number of asthmatics whose ACT score was at least 20 increased from 45 (33.3%) to 93 (65.3%) (p<0.001). The magnitude of improvement in the ACT score did not differ between patients who received an education session at least three times within 1 year and those who had not. The majority of patients agreed to the need for an education program (95.8%) and showed a willingness to pay an additional cost for the education (81.9%). CONCLUSION: This study indicated that our newly developed education program would become an effective component of asthma management in primary care clinics.
Adult ; Asthma* ; Education* ; Humans ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Pamphlets ; Physicians, Primary Care ; Primary Health Care*

OBJECTIVE: The Section III of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) proposed nine diagnostic criteria and five cut-point criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). We aimed to examine the efficacy of such criteria. METHODS: Adults (n=3041, men: 1824, women: 1217) who engaged in internet gaming within last 6 months completed a self-report online survey using the suggested wordings of the criteria in DSM-5. Major characteristics, gaming behavior, and psychiatric symptoms of IGD were analyzed using ANOVA, chi-square, and correlation analyses. RESULTS: The sociodemographic variables were not statistically significant between the healthy controls and the risk group. Among the participants, 419 (13.8%) were identified and labeled as the IGD risk group. The IGD risk group scored significantly higher on all motivation subscales (p<0.001). The IGD risk group showed significantly higher scores than healthy controls in all nine psychiatric symptom dimensions, i.e., somatization, obsession-compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The IGD risk group showed differential psychopathological manifestations according to DSM-5 IGD diagnostic criteria. Further studies are needed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the specific criteria, especially for developing screening instruments.
Adult* ; Anxiety ; Depression ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Female ; Hostility ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin D ; Internet* ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Motivation ; Reproducibility of Results

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate condylar surface changes and remodeling after orthognathic surgery using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) imaging, including comparisons between the right and left sides and between the sexes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients (20 males and 20 females) who underwent multi-detector CT examinations before and after surgery were selected. Three-dimensional images comprising thousands of points on the condylar surface were obtained before and after surgery. For the quantitative assessment of condylar surface changes, point-to-point (preoperative-to-postoperative) distances were calculated using D processing software. These point-to-point distances were converted to a color map. In order to evaluate the types of condylar remodeling, the condylar head was divided into six areas (anteromedial, anteromiddle, anterolateral, posteromedial, posteromiddle, and posterolateral areas) and each area was classified into three types of condylar remodeling (bone formation, no change, and bone resorption) based on the color map. Additionally, comparative analyses were performed between the right and left sides and according to sex. RESULTS: The mean of the average point-to-point distances on condylar surface was 0.11±0.03 mm. Bone resorption occurred more frequently than other types of condylar remodeling, especially in the lateral areas. However, bone formation in the anteromedial area was particularly prominent. No significant difference was found between the right and left condyles, but condylar surface changes in males were significantly larger than in females. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that condylar remodeling exhibited a tendency towards bone resorption, especially in the lateral areas. Condylar surface changes occurred, but were small.
Bone Remodeling ; Bone Resorption ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Orthognathic Surgery* ; Osteogenesis

Keratinocytes are constantly exposed to extracellular insults, such as ultraviolet B, toxic chemicals and mechanical stress, all of which can facilitate the aging of keratinocytes via the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that plays a critical role in protecting keratinocytes against oxidants and xenobiotics by binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE), a cis-acting element existing in the promoter of most phase II cytoprotective genes. In the present study, we have attempted to find novel ethanol extract(s) of indigenous plants of Jeju island, Korea that can activate the Nrf2/ARE-dependent gene expression in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. As a result, we identified that ethanol extract of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense Kitamura (ECJUK) elicited strong stimulatory effect on the ARE-dependent gene expression. Supporting this observation, we found that ECJUK induced the expression of Nrf2, hemoxygenase-1, and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 and this event was correlated with Akt1 phosphorylation. We also found that ECJUK increased the intracellular reduced glutathione level and suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate-induced 8-hydroxyguanosine formation without affecting the overall viability. Collectively, our results provide evidence that ECJUK can protect against oxidative stress-mediated damages through the activation of Nrf2/ARE-dependent phase II cytoprotective gene expression.
Aging ; Antioxidant Response Elements* ; Cirsium* ; DNA Damage* ; DNA* ; Ethanol* ; Gene Expression ; Glutathione ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes* ; Korea ; Oxidants ; Phosphorylation ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Stress, Mechanical ; Transcription Factors ; Xenobiotics

BACKGROUND: A schwannoma is a benign, slow-growing peripheral nerve sheath tumor that originates from Schwann cells. Orbital schwannomas are rare, accounting for only 1% of all orbital neoplasms. In this study, we retrospectively review orbital schwannomas and characterize clinical, radiologic, and histologic features of this rare entity. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients with histologically confirmed orbital schwannoma, among a list of 437 patients who had visited our hospital with soft tissue masses within the orbit as the primary presentation between 2010 and 2014. Patient charts and medical records were reviewed for demographic information, relevant medical and family history, physical examination findings relating to ocular and extraocular sensorimotor function, operative details, postoperative complications, pathologic report, and recurrence. RESULTS: Five patients (5/437, 1.1%) were identified as having histologically confirmed orbital schwannoma and underwent complete excision. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were not consistent in predicting histologic diagnosis. There were no complications, and none of the patients experienced significant scar formation. In two cases, patients exhibited a mild postoperative numbness of the forehead, but the patients demonstrated full recovery of sensation within 3 months after the operation. None of the five patients have experienced recurrence. CONCLUSION: Orbital schwannomas are relatively rare tumors. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of its variable presentation and location. Appropriate early assessment of orbital tumors by CT or MRI and prompt management is warranted to prevent the development of severe complications. Therefore, orbital schwannomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of slow-growing orbital masses.
Cicatrix ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Forehead ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Neurilemmoma* ; Orbit* ; Orbital Neoplasms ; Peripheral Nerves ; Physical Examination ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Schwann Cells ; Sensation

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

OBJECTIVE: Unexpected Solitaire stent detachment can occur during mechanical Solitaire thrombectomy. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the influencing factors causing unexpected Solitaire stent detachment and the clinical outcomes. METHODS: Between October 2011 to December 2013, 232 cases of mechanical Solitaire thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke were performed in 3 stroke centers. During this period, we encountered unexpected Solitaire stent detachments during mechanical Solitaire thrombectomies in 9 cases. RESULTS: Solitaire stents unexpectedly detached in 9 cases (3.9%) during the retrieval of Solitaire stents. The median patient age was 76 years. The occlusion sites of the unexpected stent detachment were the proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 7 cases and the internal carotid artery in 2 cases. The sizes of the stents that unexpectedly detached were 6x30 mm in 7 cases, 5x30 mm in 1 case, and 4x20 mm in 1 case. Four patients had unexpected detachment at the first retrieval, 1 patient at the second, 3 patients at the third, and 1 patient at the fifth. In all of the cases of unexpected detachment at the first retrieval, the stent deployment site was the proximal MCA. After detachment, a proximal marker of the Solitaire stent was observed in 3 patients. However, no marker was visible in the remaining 6 patients. CONCLUSION: Unexpected Solitaire stent detachment should be considered in the first instance of stent retrieval for a relatively large-diameter stent, especially in elderly patients with MCA occlusions.
Aged ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Humans ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents* ; Stroke ; Thrombectomy*

Postoperative maxillary cysts are locally aggressive lesions, usually developing as delayed complications many years after radical antral surgery. This report describes a case of bilateral postoperative maxillary cysts following orthognathic surgery performed approximately 21 years previously. The patient complained of stinging pain on her right cheek. Radiographic examination revealed low-attenuation lesions on both maxillary sinuses with discontinuously corticated margins without distinct expansion or bone destruction. The cysts were enucleated with the removal of metal plates and screws for pain relief. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of postoperative maxillary cysts lined by ciliated, pseudostratified columnar cells. The patient has remained asymptomatic thus far, and there was no evidence of local recurrence at 21 months of postoperative follow-up.
Bites and Stings ; Cheek ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Orthognathic Surgery* ; Radiography ; Recurrence