PURPOSE: To analyze the surgical outcomes of conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy(CDCR) with Jones tube on the postoperative management of complications. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 87 eyes (79 patients) with at least 3 months follow-up who had undergone CDCR with Jones tube between January 1993 and December 2002. The patients were divided into several cases according to the results of postoperative management. RESULTS: Thirty eyes (34%) experienced no complications of Jones tube, over a mean follow-up period of 26.77 +/- 34.41 months. Forty-five eyes (52%) were improved by postoperative management of complications, over a mean follow-up period of 45.00 +/- 42.70 months. In these 45 eyes, the medial migration of the tube was corrected in 7 eyes after repositioning without fixed suture, in 9 eyes after repositioning with fixed suture, in 10 eyes after endonasal endoscopy-assisted repositioning with fixed suture, and in 1 eye after endonasal endoscopy-assisted tube exchange. The lateral migration of the tube was corrected in 1 eye after repositioning with fixed suture, and in 7 eyes after endonasal endoscopy-assisted tube exchange with fixed suture. The extrusion of the tube was corrected in 3 eyes after endonasal endoscopy-assisted tube reinsertion with fixed suture. Consecutive dacryocystitis improved in 1 eye after tube exchange with dacryocystectomy. The conjunctival obstruction of the tube was corrected in 6 eyes after resection of conjunctival tissue. Twelve eyes (14%) were not improved by CDCR or postoperative managements of complications, over follow-up period of 38.50 +/- 35.39 months. CONCLUSIONS: The complications of Jones tube occurred anytime during the postoperative period. If extrusion of the tube occurred reinsertion had to be done as soon as possible. Migration or obstruction of the tube was mostly improved by postoperative managements.
Dacryocystitis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Sutures

OBJECTIVE: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is frequently used to localize language areas in a non-invasive manner. Various paradigms for presurgical localization of language areas have been developed, but a systematic quantitative evaluation of the efficiency of those paradigms has not been performed. In the present study, the authors analyzed different language paradigms to see which paradigm is most efficient in localizing frontal language areas. METHODS: Five men and five women with no neurological deficits participated (mean age, 24 years) in this study. All volunteers were right-handed. Each subject performed 4 tasks, including fixation (Fix), sentence reading (SR), pseudoword reading (PR), and word generation (WG). Fixation and pseudoword reading were used as contrasts. The functional area was defined as the area(s) with a t-value of more than 3.92 in fMRI with different tasks. To apply an anatomical constraint, we used a brain atlas mapping system, which is available in AFNI, to define the anatomical frontal language area. The numbers of voxels in overlapped area between anatomical and functional area were individually counted in the frontal expressive language area. RESULTS: Of the various combinations, the word generation task was most effective in delineating the frontal expressive language area when fixation was used as a contrast (p<0.05). The sensitivity of this test for localizing Broca's area was 81% and specificity was 70%. CONCLUSION: Word generation versus fixation could effectively and reliably delineate the frontal language area. A customized effective paradigm should be analyzed in order to evaluate various language functions.
Brain ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the center of resistance of the maxillary teeth in relation to alveolar bone loss. METHODS: A finite element model, which included the upper dentition and periodontal ligament, was designed according to the amount of bone loss (0 mm, 2 mm, 4 mm). The teeth in each group were fixed with buccal and lingual arch wires and splint wires. Retraction and intrusion forces of 200 g for 4 and 6 anterior teeth groups and 400 g for the full dentition group were applied. RESULTS: The centers of resistance were at 13.5 mm, 14.5 mm, 15 mm apical and 12 mm, 12 mm, 12.5 mm posterior in the 4 incisor group; 13.5 mm, 14.5 mm, 15 mm apical and 14 mm, 14 mm, 14.5 mm posterior in the 6 anterior teeth group; and 11 mm, 13 mm, 14.5 mm apical and 26.5 mm, 27 mm, 25.5 mm posterior in the full dentition group respectively according to 0 mm, 2 mm, 4 mm bone loss. CONCLUSIONS: The center of resistance shifted apically and posteriorly as alveolar bone loss increased in 4 and 6 anterior teeth groups. However, in the full dentition group, the center of resistance shifted apically and anteriorly in the 4 mm bone loss model.
Alveolar Bone Loss ; Dentition ; Finite Element Analysis ; Incisor ; Periodontal Ligament ; Splints ; Tooth

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of lacrimal punctal size in patients with dry eye. METHODS: We analyzed 55 patients (110 eyes) who underwent lacrimal punctal plug insertion in dry eye from June to November 2003. We performed BUT and Schirmer test, inquired about the symptoms of dry eye, and measured lower lacrimal punctal size by Punctal Gauging System(R). RESULTS: The mean number of symptoms of dry eye was 4.24 +/- 1.14, 4.57 +/- 1.22, 5.75 +/- 1.00, and 6.95 +/- 0.91 in lower lacrimal punctal size 0.5mm, 0.6mm, 0.7mm, and 0.8mm, and the mean BUT was 4.86 +/- 1.59 sec, 3.94 +/- 1.69 sec, 3.25 +/- 1.57 sec, and 3.53 +/- 0.96 sec, respectively. These differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean result of Schirmer test was 5.76 +/- 3.37mm, 5.44 +/- 3.50mm, 3.50 +/- 2.22mm, and 3.79 +/- 2.99mm in lower lacrimal punctal size 0.5mm, 0.6mm, 0.7mm, and 0.8mm, respectively, but these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an increase of lacrimal punctal size decreases the BUT results and causes discomfort for patients with dry eye symptoms. Thus, an increase of lacrimal punctal size is the causative factor of dry eye, and the measurement of lacrimal punctal size is thought to be helpful to diagnose dry eye and choose the size of lacrimal punctal plug.
Dry Eye Syndromes* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the three dimensional changes of tooth movement using four different types of maxillary molar distalization appliances; pendulum appliance (PD), mini-implant supported pendulum appliance (MPD), stainless steel open coil spring (SP) and mini-implant supported stainless steel open coil spring (MSP). METHODS: These experiments were performed using the Calorific machine? which can simulate dynamic tooth movement. Computed tomography (CT) images of the experimental model were taken before and after tooth movement in 1 mm thicknesses and reconstructed into a three dimensional model using V-works 4.0TM. These reconstructed images were superimposed using Rapidform 2004TM and the direction and amount of tooth movement were measured. RESULTS: The mean reciprocal anchor loss ratio at the first premolar was 17 - 19% for the PD and SP groups. The appliances using mini-implants (MPD or MSP) resulted in less anchorage loss (7 - 8%). On application of a pendulum appliance or MPD, distalization was obtained by tipping rather than by bodily movement. Furthermore, the maxillary second molar tipped distally and bucally. But on application of MSP, distalization was achieved almost by bodily movement. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding tooth movement patterns during molar distalization, stainless steel open coil spring with indirect skeletal anchorage was relatively superior to other methods.
Bicuspid ; Models, Theoretical ; Molar ; Stainless Steel ; Tooth ; Tooth Movement

The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate and compare maxillary arch dimensional and positional changes between first and second premolar extraction groups. The Calorific Machine was used to illustrate tooth movement in three dimensions. The experimental teeth except the first or second premolars were embedded in artificial alveolar bone. The extraction space was closed using arch wires with bull loops into which 15 degree gable bends were placed. Before and after space closure, radiographs were taken in the sagittal and occlusal directions using occlusal films. The results showed greater mean maxillary incisor retraction and less anchorage loss in the maxillary first premolar extraction group than in the maxillary second premolar extraction group. Mesiopalatal rotation of anchor teeth was greater after extraction of a maxillary second premolar than a maxillary first premolar (p<.001).
Bicuspid* ; Decompression Sickness ; Dentition* ; Incisor ; Tooth ; Tooth Movement

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine appropriate magnitude of the Gable bends to produce maximum retraction of the anterior teeth. The Calorific Machine was used to illustrate the tooth movement in three dimension. The experimental teeth except the first premolar were embedded in the artificial alveolar bone part. In a series of experiments, the extraction space was closed using arch wires with bull loops into which the gable bends of 10degrees, 20degrees, 30degrees degrees were incorporated. The experiments were repeated three times for each degree of the gable bend. Before and after the space closure, radiographs were taken in the sagittal and occlusal directions using occlusal films. Analysis of variance and Scheffe post hoc test were used to determine significant differences among the three groups. The following results were obtained. 1. As magnitudes of the gable bends increased, more bodily anterior tooth movement was seen and the distance of retraction also increased. 2. As magnitudes of the gable bends increase, the amount of posterior tooth protraction decreased while intrusive and buccal movement increased. 3. The arch was coordinated by distal-in rotation of the canine and mesial-in rotation of the second premolar adjacent to the extraction space.
Bicuspid ; Decompression Sickness* ; Dentition* ; Tooth Movement* ; Tooth*

BACKGROUND: It is known that the blood collection tube used can cause fluctuations in laboratory test results. We compared test results obtained when blood was collected in V-tube (AB Medical, Korea), BD Vacutainer Tubes (BD, USA), and Greiner Vacuette Tubes (Greiner, USA) in clinical chemistry and thyroid hormone assays. METHODS: One hundred volunteers from three hospitals were recruited and the peripheral blood samples were collected in each of the three serum separation tubes (SSTs). These samples were used for 28 routine clinical chemistry assays and three thyroid hormone assays. The results were analyzed by the Student paired t-test and the Bland-Altman plot. For stability tests, the initial results were compared with the day 1 (24±2 hours), day 3 (72±2 hours), and day 7 (168±2 hours) results, respectively. RESULTS: The difference in the test results obtained from the samples in each tube (V-Tube vs. BD-Tube, V-Tube vs. Greiner-Tube, and BD-Tube vs. Greiner-Tube) were satisfied with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 allowable difference ranges. Except for four analytes (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, magnesium, potassium, and thyroid-stimulating hormone), all analytes were within the allowable critical difference range based on biological variability. The paired t-test revealed significant differences between the results of nine assays for samples in V-Tube vs. BD-Tube and seven assays for samples in V-Tube vs. Greiner-Tube, but each set of results showed good correlations. The test results on different days showed a significant difference in several assays, but they were within the allowable difference range. CONCLUSIONS: The assay results for blood samples collected in SST V-Tubes were comparable to those obtained when blood was collected in BD Tubes and Greiner Tubes, and the blood collected in V-Tubes also showed excellent results in the stability tests.
Chemistry ; Chemistry, Clinical* ; Cholesterol ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Magnesium ; Potassium ; Thyroid Gland* ; Vacuum* ; Volunteers

In the published article, the Figure 4 was published with incorrect y-axis and legend.

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a predictive marker for the occurrence of bacterial infection and the decision to terminate antibiotic treatment in critically ill patients. An unusual increase in PCT, regardless of infection, has been observed during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. We evaluated trends and the predictive value of PCT levels in adult cardiogenic shock during treatment with ECMO. We reviewed the clinical records of 38 adult cardiogenic shock patients undergoing veno-arterial ECMO support between January 2014 and December 2016. The exclusion criteria were age < 18 years, pre-ECMO infection, and less than 48 hours of support. The mean patient age was 56.7±14.7 years and 12 (31.6%) patients were female. The mean duration of ECMO support was 9.0±7.6 days. The rates of successful ECMO weaning and survival to discharge were 55.3% (n=21) and 52.6% (n=20), respectively. There were 17 nosocomial infections in 16 (42.1%) patients. Peak PCT levels (mean 25.6±9.4 ng/mL) were reached within 48 hours after initiation of ECMO support and decreased to ≤5 ng/mL within one week. The change in PCT levels was not useful in predicting the occurrence of new nosocomial infections during the ECMO run. However, a PCT level >10 ng/mL during the first week of ECMO support was significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.01). The change in PCT level was not useful in predicting new infection during ECMO support. However, higher PCT levels within the first week of the ECMO run are associated with significantly higher mortality.
Adult ; Bacterial Infections ; Calcitonin ; Critical Illness ; Cross Infection ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Humans ; Mortality ; Shock ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; Weaning