No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Head* ; Neck* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

This study was designed for comparison of shear bond strengths and failure patterns of four experimental groups which combinated mesh-backed metal brackets and texture based ceramic brackets (Transcend series 2000((TM))) with chemically cured resin (Mono Lok2((TM))) and visible light cured resin (Transbond((TM))). Brackets were bonded on the extracted human bicuspids, after etching them by manufacturer's recommand, and the shear bond strengths were measured on the Instron machine after 24 hrs passed in the 37degrees C water bath. The results were as follows. 1. Ceramic brackets, transcend series 2000((TM)), bonded with MonoLok2((TM)) showed statistically higher shear bond strength than mesh-backed metal brackets bonded with MonoLok2((TM)). 2. There was no significant difference in shear bond strengths between metal and ceramic brackets bonded with Transbond((TM)). 3. Ceramic brackets bonded with both Transbond((TM)) and MonoLok2((TM)) showed primarily fractures bet?ween brackets adhesive interface. 4. Enamel crack was not found in anyone specimen.
Adhesives ; Baths ; Bicuspid ; Ceramics* ; Dental Enamel ; Humans ; Light ; Water

No abstract available.
Humans

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Coxiella burnetii* ; Coxiella* ; Prevalence*

Aconite is a common remedy of herb doctors and is widely used in the Far East. Clinical aspects of the visual disturbance produced by this drug have been described, but little is known about its pathology. Tinctura aconiti (0.6 mg of total alkaloid/kg 2x) was administered intraperitoneally in rabbits to evaluate its toxic effects on the visual system. The alteration in the visual evoked potential following aconite injection consisted of a delay in the onset and peak latency. Histopathologically, there were damages to the myelin sheath of the visual pathway, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. These findings suggest that aconite may cause primarily myelo-optic neuropathy.
Aconitum/administration & dosage/*toxicity ; Animals ; Evoked Potentials, Visual/*drug effects ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Myelin Sheath/*drug effects/ultrastructure ; Optic Nerve/*drug effects/ultrastructure ; Optic Nerve Diseases/*chemically induced/pathology ; Rabbits ; Spinal Cord/*drug effects/ultrastructure

Interdigitating reticulum cell sarcoma is a neoplasm that shows differentiation similar to that of non-neoplastic interdigitating reticulum cells, which normally reside in the paracortical region of the lymph node. Interdigitating reticulum cell sarcoma is extremely rare and its definite identification requires a multiparameter study, including microscopic, enzymatic histochemical, immunophenotypic and molecular findings of the tumor cells. We report a case of interdigitating reticulum cell sarcoma in the right upper jugulodigastric lymph node of a 42-year-old male. The patient wad initially diagnosed as metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma, so we tried to find primary site but failed. The patient was treated by radiation therapy under the diagnosis of metastatic neck node. Two years later, the patient was finally diagnosed to interdigitating reticulum cell sarcoma by pathological review and immunohistochemical studies. The patient has been alive well at 55 month of follow-up.
Adult ; Carcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Male ; Neck ; Reticulum*

Acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) are recently described subtypes of Guillain-Barre syndrome characterized by acute onset of distal weakness, loss of deep tendon reflexes, and sensory symptoms. A 21-yr-old male was transferred to our hospital due to respiration difficulties and progressive weakness. In laboratory findings, immunoglobulin M antibodies against hepatitis A were detected in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The findings of motor nerve conduction studies showed markedly reduced amplitudes of compound muscle action potentials in bilateral peroneal, and posterior tibial nerves, without evidence of demyelination. Based on clinical features, laboratory findings, and electrophysiologic investigation, the patient was diagnosed the AMSAN following acute hepatitis A viral infection. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and recovered slowly. Clinicians should consider this rare but a serious case of AMSAN following acute hepatitis A infection.
Acute Disease ; Electromyography ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome/*diagnosis/drug therapy/etiology ; Hepatitis A/complications/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use ; Male ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) is a powerful indepedent risk factor of ventricular tachycardia and sudden death. Even though it is not clear the mechanism of sudden death in patients with LVH, inhomogenous ventricular repolarization is highly suggested. QT dispersion which reflecting regional inhomogeneity of repolarization is defined as interlead variation in QT intervals of 12 leads ECG. The purpose of this study was to assess whether QT dispersion is associated with LVH in hypertensive patients. METHODS: We assessed 23 untreated hypertensives with echocardiographic LVH and normal left ventricular systolic function. The criteria of 5th Joint National Committee stage I-III was used to define hypertension. Thirty four normotensives was assessed as controls. On a standard 12 lead ECG, the intervals between onset of QRS to end of T wave were measured(QT intervals) and corrected by heart rate(QTc). QT dispersion was calculated by the difference of maximal and minimal QTc. Left ventricular mass(LVM) was calculated from Devereux's formula using the parameters measured by the recommendation of American Society of Echocardiography. LVH was defined by LVM indices over 130 g/m2. RESULTS: LVM indices of hypertensive group were significantly greater than those of controls (162.2+/-39.3 g/m2 vs 84.2+/-16.1 g/m2, p<0.001). Maximal QT and QTc of hypertensive group were significantly prolonged than those of controls(maximal QT=401+/-31 ms vs 380+/-35 ms, p<0.05 ; maximal QTc=432+/-19 ms vs 414+/-17 ms, p<0.001). QT dispersions were significantly greater in hypertensive group than in controls(60.2+/-15.7 ms vs 33.2+/-11.7 ms, p<0.001). In hypertensive group, there was significant association between LVM index and QT dispersion(r=0.492, p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensives with LVH have a prolonged QT and QTc and increased QT dispersion in comparision with controls. QT dispersion in these patients correlates with degree of LVH.
Death, Sudden ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular* ; Joints ; Risk Factors ; Tachycardia, Ventricular

BACKGROUND: Cultural characteristics of taking care of patients with dementia in Korea are based on the influence of Confucianism on the lifestyle of Koreans. In addition, as the family size has been getting smaller, the number of old persons who live alone has been increasing. The purpose of this study is to examine the proportion of the elderly with dementia who live alone and demographics of caregivers when such patients live with their family. METHODS: From the multiple hospital-based cohort, 973 elderly patients with very mild dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR]=0.5), 1,056 patients with mild dementia (CDR=1) and 359 patients with moderate dementia (CDR=2) were recruited. We analyzed the proportion of the patients with dementia who live alone and the demographics of the caregivers if such patients live with and are taken care of by such caregivers depending upon the severity of dementia. RESULTS: The proportion of the patients with dementia who live alone accounts for about 40% of all elderly patients with dementia. Major age groups of caregivers are of 40s and 50s. Sons, daughters, and spouses were ranked in the said order in the proportion of caregivers according to their relationship to patients. CONCLUSIONS: Up to now, family members care for about 60% of elderly patients with dementia, which may suggest that from the objective viewpoint, direct burden borne by caregivers for old patients with dementia would be considerably high. On the other hand, about 40% of dementia patients live alone, implying that the social care system is needed for them.
Aged ; Caregivers ; Cohort Studies ; Confucianism ; Cultural Characteristics ; Dementia ; Demography ; Family Characteristics ; Hand ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Nuclear Family ; Spouses

BACKGROUND: Cultural characteristics of taking care of patients with dementia in Korea are based on the influence of Confucianism on the lifestyle of Koreans. In addition, as the family size has been getting smaller, the number of old persons who live alone has been increasing. The purpose of this study is to examine the proportion of the elderly with dementia who live alone and demographics of caregivers when such patients live with their family. METHODS: From the multiple hospital-based cohort, 973 elderly patients with very mild dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR]=0.5), 1,056 patients with mild dementia (CDR=1) and 359 patients with moderate dementia (CDR=2) were recruited. We analyzed the proportion of the patients with dementia who live alone and the demographics of the caregivers if such patients live with and are taken care of by such caregivers depending upon the severity of dementia. RESULTS: The proportion of the patients with dementia who live alone accounts for about 40% of all elderly patients with dementia. Major age groups of caregivers are of 40s and 50s. Sons, daughters, and spouses were ranked in the said order in the proportion of caregivers according to their relationship to patients. CONCLUSIONS: Up to now, family members care for about 60% of elderly patients with dementia, which may suggest that from the objective viewpoint, direct burden borne by caregivers for old patients with dementia would be considerably high. On the other hand, about 40% of dementia patients live alone, implying that the social care system is needed for them.
Aged ; Caregivers ; Cohort Studies ; Confucianism ; Cultural Characteristics ; Dementia ; Demography ; Family Characteristics ; Hand ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Nuclear Family ; Spouses