BACKGROUND: The growth of elderly population increased the need for oral health care. Elderly patients with poor teeth alignment needs more attention with orthodontic treatment METHODS: Elderly patients visiting department of orthodontics, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital between 2000-2004 were treated with fixed appliances in one or both dental arches. Treatment plans were different from than that of younger patients and included uncommon and strategic removals of teeth and prosthesis. RESULTS: There was decrease in orthodontic treatment forces with increasing age, and the observation made from this study was favorable in the patients' as well as in the orthodontist's, point of view. It was possible to move the remaining teeth considerably, and the retention was made with various fixed appliances. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic treatment is not limited by patient age. However, it is wise not to extend treatment goals too far beyond the patients' objective needs
Aged* ; Dental Arch ; Heart ; Humans ; Oral Health ; Orthodontics ; Prostheses and Implants ; Tooth

No abstract available.
Hyperplasia

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that IFN-gamma producing T cell responses induced by the combined therapy of DNA vaccine and lamivudine for one year are important for the induction of sustained virological response (SVR). However, IFN-gamma production is not sufficient to predict sustained viremia control in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) carriers treated. METHODS: Twelve CHB carriers were intramuscularly immunized 12 times at a 4-week interval with 8 mg of HBV DNA vaccine during the standard lamivudine treatment (100 mg/daily/1 year). The level of cytokines during and after the combined therapy in plasma of all 12 CHB carriers treated was determined by each ELISA kit. Six out of 12 CHB carriers revisited the clinic, and their HBV DNA levels were examined. RESULTS: The combined therapy increased plasma IL-12 and IL-12/p40 ratio during the treatment (baseline vs. peak level: 41.8+/-8.3 vs. 163.1+/-29.2 pg/ml; p<0.01 and 0.96+/-0.25 vs. 3.58+/-0.86; p<0.01, espectively), and the peak level of plasma IL-12 and IL-12/p40 ratio was evoked at 6 to 10 months during the combined therapy. In particular, CHB carriers with SVR had two and three-fold higher level of the peak plasma IL-12 and plasma IL-12/p40 ratio than non-virological responders (NVRs), respectively (218.0+/-41.4 vs. 108.1+/-28.6 pg/ml; p=0.09 and 5.35+/-1.38 vs. 1.80+/-0.29; p<0.05, respectively), while p40 level was consistent during the combined therapy. In addition, there was no significant temporal correlation between the peak IL-12/p40 ratio and the elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in this study, contrast to IFN-alpha therapy which induced peak IL-12 level following ALT flares. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the combined therapy induces the increase of plasma IL-12 and IL-12/p40 ratio, which are associated with long-term SVR in CHB carriers.
Alanine Transaminase ; Corynebacterium ; Cytokines ; DNA ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Interleukin-12 ; Lamivudine ; Plasma ; Viremia

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that IFN-gamma producing T cell responses induced by the combined therapy of DNA vaccine and lamivudine for one year are important for the induction of sustained virological response (SVR). However, IFN-gamma production is not sufficient to predict sustained viremia control in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) carriers treated. METHODS: Twelve CHB carriers were intramuscularly immunized 12 times at a 4-week interval with 8 mg of HBV DNA vaccine during the standard lamivudine treatment (100 mg/daily/1 year). The level of cytokines during and after the combined therapy in plasma of all 12 CHB carriers treated was determined by each ELISA kit. Six out of 12 CHB carriers revisited the clinic, and their HBV DNA levels were examined. RESULTS: The combined therapy increased plasma IL-12 and IL-12/p40 ratio during the treatment (baseline vs. peak level: 41.8+/-8.3 vs. 163.1+/-29.2 pg/ml; p<0.01 and 0.96+/-0.25 vs. 3.58+/-0.86; p<0.01, espectively), and the peak level of plasma IL-12 and IL-12/p40 ratio was evoked at 6 to 10 months during the combined therapy. In particular, CHB carriers with SVR had two and three-fold higher level of the peak plasma IL-12 and plasma IL-12/p40 ratio than non-virological responders (NVRs), respectively (218.0+/-41.4 vs. 108.1+/-28.6 pg/ml; p=0.09 and 5.35+/-1.38 vs. 1.80+/-0.29; p<0.05, respectively), while p40 level was consistent during the combined therapy. In addition, there was no significant temporal correlation between the peak IL-12/p40 ratio and the elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in this study, contrast to IFN-alpha therapy which induced peak IL-12 level following ALT flares. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the combined therapy induces the increase of plasma IL-12 and IL-12/p40 ratio, which are associated with long-term SVR in CHB carriers.
Alanine Transaminase ; Corynebacterium ; Cytokines ; DNA ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Interleukin-12 ; Lamivudine ; Plasma ; Viremia

Although the global prevalence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is decreasing, PUD is still one of the most common upper gastrointestinal diseases in the world due to Helicobacter pylori infection and increased use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In Korea, the prevalence of H. pylori infection is also declining, but it is still the major cause of PUD. The outcomes of H. pylori infection are caused by imbalances between bacterial virulence factors, host factors, and environmental influences. In this review, we describe the prevalence trends of H. pylori infection in Korea, the mechanism of H. pylori infection-related PUD, and treatment strategies.
Epidemiology ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Korea ; Peptic Ulcer* ; Prevalence ; Virulence Factors

STUDY OBJECTIVE: determine the level of medical care required for mass gatherings and describe the types of medical problems encountered in a religious mass gathered ceremony. DESIGN: Standard charts and a four-tiered triage system(minor, moderate, urgent, and emergent) were developed before the event. The triage system was applied to each chart retrospectively by a single emergency physician. SETTING: Medical staff(10 physicians,13 nurses,1 pharmacist, and 54 first-aid attendants) were based in 8 advanced life support (ALS) clinics. INTERVENTIONS: First-aid attendants referred patients to the clinics, where nurses conducted initial assessments and referred patients to physicians at the venue. Three ambulances were stationed at the venues. RESULT: 22 trauma patients were developed and 183 medical complaints were encountered. Only 7 urgent medical problems were encountered.
Ambulances ; Emergencies* ; Humans ; Pharmacists ; Retrospective Studies ; Triage

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), previously called Churg-Strauss syndrome, is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis, accompanied by asthma, hypereosinophilia, nonfixed pulmonary infiltrates, and sinusitis. Peripheral neuropathy is common in patients with EGPA; however, a few cases of EGPA with central nervous system (CNS) involvement have been reported. A 45-year-old female referred for right side weakness and posterior neck pain was diagnosed as EGPA with subarachnoid hemorrhage and mononeuritis multiplex. She was effectively treated with a high dose glucocorticoid, cyclophosphamide, and intravenous immunoglobulin. EGPA with CNS involvement is uncommon and causes significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore more rapid and accurate diagnostic evaluation may be required. EGPA should be considered in patients with neurological symptoms and hypereosinophilia.
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; Asthma ; Central Nervous System ; Churg-Strauss Syndrome ; Cyclophosphamide ; Eosinophils* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Middle Aged ; Mononeuropathies* ; Mortality ; Neck Pain ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Sinusitis ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* ; Vasculitis

This study is to develop M.D.-Ph.D. program of medical school in Korea. The authors examined the related literature focusing on the current status and problems of training biomedical scientists. Next step was to make a collection of data related to American M.D.-Ph.D. program. The search for the materials was made through February 2000. The developed M.D.-Ph.D. program was modified and revised by the experts in the area and through public speech. The results of the study are as follows; first, the validity of M.D.-Ph.D. program was convicted by the need of interdisciplinary study, social needs, current problems of medical education and financial problems. Second, the development M.D.-Ph.D. program consists of educational period, admission procedure, entree examination, curriculum and its administration, degrees, school registration management, medical license examination, grants and problems related to military service. The expectations of the results are; first, M.D.-Ph.D. program will make Korea one of the leading countries in biomedical scientists and medical knowledge, and will activate the interdisciplinary research. Second, M.D.-Ph.D. program will facilitate to revise the educational problems of graduate school of medicine and medical schools.
Curriculum ; Education, Medical ; Financing, Organized ; Humans ; Interdisciplinary Studies ; Korea ; Licensure ; Military Personnel ; Schools, Medical

High-flow vertebral arteriovenous fistulas (VAVF) are rare complications of cervical spine surgery and characterized by iatrogenic direct-communication of the extracranial vertebral artery (VA) to the surrounding venous plexuses. The authors describe two patients with VAVF presenting with ischemic presentation after C1 pedicle screw insertion for a treatment of C2 fracture and nontraumatic atlatoaxial subluxation. The first patient presented with drowsy consciousness with blurred vision. The diffusion MRI showed an acute infarction on bilateral cerebellum and occipital lobes. The second patient presented with pulsatile tinnitus, dysarthria and a subjective weakness and numbness of extremities. In both cases, digital subtraction angiography demonstrated high-flow direct VAVFs adjacent to C1 screws. The VAVF of the second case occurred near the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery originated from the persistent first intersegmental artery of the left VA. Both cases were successfully treated by complete occlusion of the fistulous portion and the involved segment of the left VA using endovascular coil embolization. The authors reviewed the VAVFs after the upper-cervical spine surgery including C1 screw insertion and the feasibility with the attention notes of its endovascular treatment.
Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Arteries ; Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Cerebellum ; Consciousness ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Dysarthria ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Extremities ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Infarction ; Occipital Lobe ; Spine ; Tinnitus ; Vertebral Artery

OBJECTIVE: Minocycline, a second-generation tetracycline-class antibiotic, has been well established to exert a neuroprotective effect in animal models and neurodegenerative disease through the inhibition of microglia. Here, we investigated the effects of minocycline on motor recovery and neuropathic pain in a rat model of spinal cord injury. METHODS: To simulate spinal cord injury, the rats' spinal cords were hemisected at the 10th thoracic level (T10). Minocycline was injected intraperitoneally, and was administered 30 minutes prior surgery and every second postoperative day until sacrifice 28 days after surgery. Motor recovery was assessed via the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan test. Mechanical hyperalgesia was measured throughout the 28-day post-operative course via the von Frey test. Microglial and astrocyte activation was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) at two sites: at the level of hemisection and at the 5th lumbar level (L5). RESULTS: In rats, spinal cord hemisection reduced locomotor function and induced a mechanical hyperalgesia of the ipsilateral hind limb. The expression of Iba1 and GFAP was also increased in the dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord at the site of hemisection and at the L5 level. Intraperitoneal injection of minocycline facilitated overall motor recovery and attenuated mechanical hyperalgesia. The expression of Iba1 and GFAP in the spinal cord was also reduced in rats treated with minocycline. CONCLUSION: By inhibiting microglia and astrocyte activation, minocycline may facilitate motor recovery and attenuate mechanical hyperalgesia in individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Animals ; Astrocytes ; Calcium ; Extremities ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Horns ; Hyperalgesia ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Microglia ; Minocycline ; Models, Animal ; Motor Neurons ; Neuralgia ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Rats ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries