OBJECTIVES: Xylitol is an effective anticarious natural sugar substitute, by inhibiting the virulence of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). However, long-term xylitol consumption leads to an emergence of the xylitol-resistant (XR) strains. This study aimed to confirm the general characteristics, mRNA expression of gtf genes, and adhesive ability of the xylitol-sensitive (XS) and XR S. mutans , by xylitol-treated concentrations. METHODS: S. mutans KCTC3065 was maintained in TYE medium, containing 0.4% glucose with 1% xylitol for 30 days at 37degrees C, 10% CO2 to form XR strain and the same procedures, without xylitol, were repeated for the formation of XS S. mutans. Both XS and XR were cultured by xylitol-treated concentrations (0%, 0.1% and 1%), then, general characteristics, such as growth and acid production, mRNA expression of gtf genes and adhesive ability were analyzed. RESULTS: Xylitol reduced the cell growth of XS S. mutans in a dose-dependent manner, but did not reduce the XR. Xylitol inhibited acid production of XS in a dose-dependent manner. However, it did not inhibit that of XR. Xylitol reduced the gtfB and gtfD mRNA expression of the XS S. mutans, which the genes synthesized soluble and insoluble extracellular polysaccharides, but not reduced that of the XR. By a microtiter plate assay, biofilm formation was more reduced in the XR strains, which means biofilm's adhesive ability of XR S. mutans was lower than that of the XS. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that a lower level of adhesive ability for XR S. mutans is related with mRNA expression level of gtf genes, which suggested that the XR strains may be less cariogenic than that of the XS.
Adhesives ; Biofilms ; Glucose ; Glucosyltransferases ; Polysaccharides ; RNA, Messenger ; Sprains and Strains ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus mutans ; Sweetening Agents ; Xylitol

OBJECTIVES: Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the major causative bacteria in dental caries. Xylitol is an effective anticarious natural sugar substitute by inhibiting the virulence of S. mutans. However, long-term xylitol consumption leads to the emergence of the xylitol-resistant S. mutans (XR). The aim of this study is to analyze the difference of gene expression profile of xylitol-sensitive S. mutans (XS) and XR in 0.5% glucose containing TYE media, using a DNA chip. METHODS: S. mutans KCTC3065 was maintained in 0.5% glucose and 1% xylitol containing TYE media, during 30 days at 37degrees C 10% CO2 to form XR. The same procedures without xylitol were repeated for the formation of XS. Both XS and XR were cultured in 0.5% glucose with or without 1% xylitol containing TYE media overnight and total RNA was extracted. RNA from XS was labeled with Cy-3 dye as control, and XR were labeled with Cy-5 as references. DNA chip was hybridized for 18-20 h at 42degrees C. RESULTS: A total of 277 genes of DNA chip data were significantly increased or decreased in XR. There is a total of 174 XR up-regulated genes in 0.5% glucose and 1% xylitol containing TYE media, and a total of 103 down-regulated genes. For compare with results of DNA chip, 11 in up-regulated genes and 10 in down-regulated were verified by RT-PCR. The most abundant increased genes in XR were related to cell envelope, cellular processes, DNA metabolism, transcription, and protein folding and stabilization. The decreased genes in XR were related to amino acid biosynthesis, toxin production and resistance, energy metabolism, ribosomal proteins synthesis, and signal transduction. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the difference of gene expression profile of XS and XR may be in existence. In particular, results of this study for XR up-regulated genes have a lot of similarities with the already published xylitol-related researches and other functional studies.
Bacteria ; Chimera ; Dental Caries ; DNA ; Energy Metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Glucose ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Protein Folding ; Ribosomal Proteins ; RNA ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus mutans ; Sweetening Agents ; Transcriptome ; Xylitol

PURPOSE: To report drug-resistant fungal keratitis that was treated with voriconazole. CASE SUMMARY: A 31-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of ocular pain, conjunctival injection, and visual weakness 7 days after LASIK surgery. At that time, his vision was counting finger at 30 cm and he presented with corneal epithelial defects, stromal infiltration, and inflammation in the anterior chamber of his eye. He was transferred to our hospital because his infection was resistant to gatifloxacin, tobramycin, amphotericin B, and natamycin eyedrops. At the time of transfer, his vision was counting finger at 30 cm and he presented with corneal epithelial defects, stromal infiltration, and hypopyon. He was treated with topical 2% voriconazole every 2 hours and the lesion improved. However, the hypopyon recurred after 12 days. He was then treated with intracameral voriconazole injection (50 microgram/0.1 cc) and topical 5% voriconazole every hour causing the hypopyon to disappear. His vision improved from counting finger to 20/40 six months after this treatment.
Adult ; Amphotericin B ; Anterior Chamber ; Eye ; Fingers ; Fluoroquinolones ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted ; Keratitis ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Natamycin ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Pyrimidines ; Tobramycin ; Triazoles ; Vision, Ocular

Infestation of tissue by fly larvae is termed myiasis, and it is unusual in humans. Nasal myiasis is common in low socioeconomic status individuals due to poor nasal hygiene. It commonly affects the skin and rarely the nasal and paranasal sinuses. Recently an 82-year-old female was admitted to the emergency department because of discharge of live maggots from the nasal cavity. She had been diagnosed with brain infarction and Alzheimer's disease several years previous. We successfully removed all the maggots from the patient's nasal cavity and sinuses via endoscopic surgery under local anesthesia. Subsequently, the patient's nasal problem resolved completely.
Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; Anesthesia, Local ; Brain Infarction ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Diptera ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Larva ; Myiasis* ; Nasal Cavity ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Skin ; Social Class

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign pathological condition of bone in which fibrous tissue gradually expands and replaces normal bone. Histologically, it shows various degrees of osseous metaplasia. Fibrous dysplasia frequently affects the maxilla, frontal bone, and mandible. The sign and symptoms of fibrous dysplasia of head and neck vary and are related to the location and extent of bony abnormalities. Facial asymmetry is the most common sign of fibrous dysplasia, while pain and ocular proptosis are the next most frequent symptoms. Fibrous dysplasia is rare in the nasal cavity, especially involving the turbinate and nasal septum. So we report a case of fibrous dysplasia, which extensively involves the middle turbinate and nasal septum, with a review of literature.
Exophthalmos ; Facial Asymmetry ; Frontal Bone ; Head ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Metaplasia ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Septum* ; Neck ; Turbinates*

Objectives: This study aimed to compare each strain’s number of microorganisms found in oral samples collected using various collection methods. Methods: Twenty-two adults aged 40 and above participated in the study. Oral samples were collected from subjects using three different methods (stimulated saliva, oral biofilm, and calculus), and the collected samples were analyzed using the multiplex real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results: The study included 22 subjects (2 men, 20 women) with an age range of 40-75 years.Healthy oral condition was observed in 10 subjects, while the remaining 12 had periodontitis. The saliva and biofilm collection methods for oral microorganisms detected Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsynthesis (Tf), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), which are the causative bacteria of periodontal disease, more effectively compared with the calculus group. In addition, the saliva group showed a better ability to detect Streptococcus mutans (Sm) which causes dental caries, compared with the biofilm and calculus groups. Comparisons based on the presence or absence of periodontitis and the collection method revealed a statistically significant difference in the number of oral microorganisms only in case of Sm strain. Conclusions The frequency of expression of certain strains varies according to the method of collection of oral microorganisms. Further, the saliva and biofilm methods of collecting oral microorganisms are more suitable for quantitative analysis of bacteria causing periodontal disease.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine methods of dental caries prevention by investigating the use of compounds of Diospyros kaki (D. kaki) peel, Momordica charantia (M. charantia), and Canavalia gladiata (C. gladiata) extracts to limit the cariogenic traits of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), such as their ability to proliferate and adhere to the tooth surface. METHODS: Broth microdilution and the agar spreading assay were used to determine the antimicrobial effect and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of S. mutans extracts. In order to identify the adhesive ability of S. mutans at varying concentrations, culture plates were first stained with 1 ml of 0.01% crystal violet for 15 minutes at room temperature, and then eluted with 1 ml of EtOH:Acetone (8:2) solution for 15 minutes in a 37℃ incubator. Eluted solutions were then evaluated by use of a spectrophotometer at 575 nm. RESULTS: Experiments were conducted in order to investigate the effectiveness of D. kaki peel, M. charantia, and C. gladiata extracts on limiting the proliferation of S. mutans. The MIC was measured as an indication of whether the antibacterial activity of D. kaki peel, M. charantia, and C. gladiata extracts had a significant bacteriostatic effect on S. mutans. M. charantia extract was effective for growth inhibition on S. mutans at a minimum concentration of 0.25%. From the adhesion ability assay, M. charantia extract had an anti-adhesive effect. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that M. charantia extract demonstrates antibacterial activity and has an anti-adhesive effect on S. mutans. Due to these properties, M. charantia extract may be used to prevent dental caries.
Adhesives ; Agar ; Canavalia ; Dental Caries ; Diospyros ; Gentian Violet ; Incubators ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Momordica charantia ; Momordica ; Streptococcus mutans ; Streptococcus ; Thiram ; Tooth

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between periodontal health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a Korean population. METHODS: The Community Periodontal Index (CPI) data of 7,264 subjects, aged over 25 years, who participated in the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used to assess the periodontal status of the population. Severity of COPD in the subjects was classified according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) definition. RESULTS: Subjects with more severe COPD were more likely to have severe periodontal disease. After adjustment for gender, age, monthly income, education, economic activity, and occupation, the odds ratio of COPD was 1.18 (95% Confidence interval [CI], 0.63-2.21) for severe periodontal disease in the study sample. When stratified by smoking status, the odds ratio of current smokers was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.41-2.05) and that of non-smokers was 1.29 (95% CI, 0.64-2.59). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal health was not significantly related to the severity of the COPD, even though smoking was a common risk factor. This is the first study examining the relationship between periodontal health and COPD in a Korean population. Studies that further investigate the causal relationship between the two are recommended.
Aged ; Humans ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys ; Occupations ; Odds Ratio ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontal Index ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 2.9% hydrogen peroxide (HP) whitening strip with a desensitizing agent as a primer. METHODS: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kyungpook National University Hospital. A total of 144 subjects (mean age: 21.7 years) were recruited after they provided informed consent for participation in the study. All participants used the whitening strip and primer for 1.5 h a day for 14 days. ShadeEye-NCC and Vita classical shade guide were used to determine the color changes, with respect to baseline, after 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on satisfaction after bleaching and irritating symptoms during the 14 days. All collected data were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA and one-way ANOVA using SPSS 20.0 for windows. RESULTS: Brightness (ΔL*) was significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 than in the control group after 3 days of the experiment. Chroma (Δb*) started to decrease in groups 2 and 3, compared to control, after 1 day. Perceived symptoms of irritation were significantly lower in groups using the strip combined with the desensitizing primer than in the control group. Satisfaction after bleaching was higher in the experimental groups than in control. CONCLUSIONS: The HP whitening strip with a desensitizing agent as a primer is clinically effective in bleaching human enamel after 3 days of use. It also reduces the prevalence of gingival irritation.
Dental Enamel ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Informed Consent ; Prevalence ; Tooth*

OBJECTIVES: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of dental amalgam, a restorative material, on children by measuring the mercury concentration in the urine as well as the number of teeth filled with dental amalgam. METHODS: Twenty children enrolled in grades 1-4 of two elementary schools in Daegu participated in this study. One trained dentist performed oral examinations and removed amalgam restorations from the teeth with a high and low speed handpiece. In order to measure the urinary mercury concentrations, urine samples were collected from all participants at baseline and immediately and 24 hours after removal of the dental amalgam restorations. RESULTS: The mean number of teeth from which the amalgam restorations was removed was 9.8 while the mean urinary mercury concentrations at baseline, immediately, and 24 hours after removal of dental amalgam restorations were 2.66, 2.76, and 2.76 microg/g creatinine, respectively. The mean urinary mercury concentration increased consistently after amalgam restoration removal. For those participants whose removed amalgamated surfaces were more than 11, the mean urinary mercury concentration immediately after amalgam restoration removal and 24 hours after removal increased consistently but showed no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that dental amalgam restoration was related to urinary mercury concentration, and these findings present a possibility of mercury accumulation in the body. Therefore, we suggest future longitudinal studies to ensure the safety of children exposed to mercury by establishing criteria for amalgam removal.
Child* ; Creatinine ; Daegu ; Dental Amalgam ; Dentists ; Diagnosis, Oral ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Pilot Projects* ; Tooth