For the improvement of denture fitness of changed residual ridge, denture liner can be used. Denture liner should be very stable physically in various environments of the mouth as well as be bonded strongly with denture resin. In this study, the specimens bonded with four kinds of soft denture liner and three kinds of hard denture liner were used to test the physical properties of the liners. All experimental groups were stored in 37+/-1degrees C distilled water for 24hours, followed by thermocycling between 15degrees C and 45degrees C with 15 second dwell time. 1000, 2000, 3000 cycles of thermocycling were excuted and physical properties were measured by Instron Universal Testing Machine. The obtained results were as follows: 1. In tensile bond test of soft liners, it was shown that both of Molloplast-B(R) specimens before and after thermocycling had the highest tensile strength, and in case of hard liners, Dura-liner II(R)speimen had the highest tensile strength before and after thermocycling. Depending on thermocycling, Soft-Relining(R), Denture-Relining(R),Molloplast-B(R), Coe-soft(R) and Kooliner(R) specimen showed significant difference(p<0.05). 2. In strain test of soft liners, it was shown that Molloplast-B(R) specimen before thermocycling and the Coe-soft(R) after thermocycling showed highest results, and in case of hard liners, the Dura-Liner II(R) speimen before and after thermocycling had the highest result. Depending on thermocycling. Denture-Relinig(R). Molloplast-B(R) and Dura-Lner II(R) specimen showed significant difference(p<0.05). 3. In Maximum distance test of soft liners, the Molloplast-B(R) specimen before thermocycling and the Coe-soft(R) after thermocycling showed highest results, and in case of hard liners, the Dura-Liner II(R) specimen before and after thermocycling showed highest results. Depending on thermocycling, Denture-Relining(R), Molloplast-B(R) specimens showed significant difference(p<0.05). 4.In elasticity test of soft liners , the Molloplast-B(R) specimen before and after thermocycling showed highest results, and in case of hard liners, the Dura-Liner II(R) specimen before thermocycling and the Tokuso-Rebase (R) after thermocycling showed highest results. Depending on thermocycling, Soft-Relining(R) , Molloplast-B(R) specimens showed significant difference(p<0.05).
Denture Liners* ; Dentures* ; Elasticity ; Mouth ; Tensile Strength ; Water

PURPOSE:Autonomic neuropathy in adult diabetics is known to be common and poor in prognosis. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy increases sudden cardiac death and is present before apparant cardiac symptoms. Subclinical diabetic peripheral neuropathy is common with type 1 diabetes. In children, few studies for subclinical peripheral neuropathy and cardiac autonomic neuropathy were reported but the results were inconsistent. The authors investigated subclinical cardiac and peripheral neuropaties and evaluated correlation between nerve conduction velocity(NCV) and cardiac autonomic function(CAF) test in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents METHODS:Over 5 years from 1997 to 2002, 27 IDDM without clinical neuropathy were registered. Total 57 CAF and NCV were tested every 2 or 3 years. Duration of diabetes, average HbA1c during 1 year prior to the test, and urinary microalbumin excretion for 24 hours were assessed. Diabetic autonomic nervous function was evaluated by cardiovascular reflex test:falling systolic blood pressure in response to standing, heart rate changes in response to standing, beat-to-beat rate variation during deep breathing, RR interval change during and after Valsalva maneuver. Subclinical peripheral neuropathy was evaluated by NCV in both upper and lower extremities. Correlation of parameters according to NCV abnormality and microalbuminuria were analyzed. RESULTS:The age, duration of diabetes and microalbuminuria were not statistically different between children with normal and abnormal NCV. The level of HbA1c was associated with NCV abnormality. In a multivariate logistic model for NCV abnormality, level of HbA1c showed statistical significance after controlling the effects of age, duration of diabetes, and urinary microalbumin level, and the odd ratio was 1.532. The degree of CAF abnormality was marginally significant in the logistic model. Children with microalbuminuria showed older age and longer duration of diabetes than those without microalbuminuria. However, mean HbA1c level was not significantly different between the two groups. Degree of CAF abnormality was not significantly associated with microalbuminuria, either. In a general linear model including urinary albumin level as the dependent variable, none of independent variables was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Therapy against neuropathy should be considered in patients with high HbA1c and abnormal CAF test even without clinically apparent neuropathy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Child* ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Lower Extremity ; Neural Conduction ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Prognosis ; Reflex ; Respiration ; Valsalva Maneuver

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Nevus, Blue* ; Nose*

No abstract available.
Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV* ; Hyperlipoproteinemias ; Xanthomatosis*

PURPOSE: To investigate the results of Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) coupled with "smoothing" to smooth the ablation surface after covering masking fluid. METHODS: ASA was performed in 61 eyes with ablation depth of more than 75 microm. The mean refractive error was -5.88 +/- 1.27 D and mean ablation depth was 102.93 +/- 12.06 microm. Smoothing was performed in all patients (mean depth 16.79 +/- 2.43 microm, mean diameter 8.77 +/- 0.16 mm). Customized Aspheric Transition zone (CATz) was used in the laser algorithm. RESULTS: The mean refractive error was -0.29 +/- 0.41 D at postoperative 6 months and 97% of patients had an UCVA of 1.0 or better at postoperative 6 months. There was no statistically significant difference in magnitude of high-order aberrations at postoperative 6 months. The magnitude of total spherical aberrations increase was 0.084 microm at postoperative 6 months (p<0.05, paired t-test). The cornea was maintained clear in the majority of eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent results were obtained by ASA coupled with "smoothing" in high myopia patients with an ablation depth greater than 75 microm.
Cornea ; Eye ; Humans ; Masks ; Myopia ; Refractive Errors

Purpose: To determine whether travoprost 0.003% has a similar intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction effect to that of travoprost 0.004% while reducing side effects. Methods: This was a prospective study from January 2018 to December 2018 that included 102 patients diagnosed with open angle glaucoma who switched from travoprost 0.004% to travoprost 0.003%. We investigated the changes in IOP, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal erosion, and eyelid pigmentation before and at 3 months after switching to travoprost 0.003%. Additionally, a questionnaire survey of these patients was conducted to determine possible side effects, including hyperemia, stinging, pruritus, irritation, blurred vision, dryness, and foreign body sensation. Results: IOP readings before and after switching to travoprost 0.003% were 12.95 ± 4.25 and 12.94 ± 3.89 mmHg, respectively, showing no significant change (p = 0.974). No changes were observed in corneal erosion or eyelid pigmentation; however, conjunctival hyperemia was reduced significantly from 1.60 ± 0.88 to 1.36 ± 0.84 (p = 0.001). No significant changes in hyperemia, stinging, pruritus, irritation, or foreign body sensation were reported; however, a significant improvement was noted for blurred vision and dryness (p = 0.008, p = 0.007, respectively). Conclusions We were able to show the effectiveness and safety of travoprost 0.003% as being as effective as travoprost 0.004% in reducing IOP and injections while improving blurred vision and dryness.

Purpose: To determine whether travoprost 0.003% has a similar intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction effect to that of travoprost 0.004% while reducing side effects. Methods: This was a prospective study from January 2018 to December 2018 that included 102 patients diagnosed with open angle glaucoma who switched from travoprost 0.004% to travoprost 0.003%. We investigated the changes in IOP, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal erosion, and eyelid pigmentation before and at 3 months after switching to travoprost 0.003%. Additionally, a questionnaire survey of these patients was conducted to determine possible side effects, including hyperemia, stinging, pruritus, irritation, blurred vision, dryness, and foreign body sensation. Results: IOP readings before and after switching to travoprost 0.003% were 12.95 ± 4.25 and 12.94 ± 3.89 mmHg, respectively, showing no significant change (p = 0.974). No changes were observed in corneal erosion or eyelid pigmentation; however, conjunctival hyperemia was reduced significantly from 1.60 ± 0.88 to 1.36 ± 0.84 (p = 0.001). No significant changes in hyperemia, stinging, pruritus, irritation, or foreign body sensation were reported; however, a significant improvement was noted for blurred vision and dryness (p = 0.008, p = 0.007, respectively). Conclusions We were able to show the effectiveness and safety of travoprost 0.003% as being as effective as travoprost 0.004% in reducing IOP and injections while improving blurred vision and dryness.

OBJECTIVE: In addition to bone bridging inside a cage or graft (intragraft bone bridging, InGBB), extragraft bone bridging (ExGBB) is commonly observed after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with a stand-alone cage. However, solid bony fusion without the formation of ExGBB might be a desirable condition. We hypothesized that an insufficient contact area for InGBB might be a causative factor for ExGBB. The objective was to determine the minimal area of InGBB by finite element analysis. METHODS: A validated 3-dimensional, nonlinear ligamentous cervical segment (C3–7) finite element model was used. This study simulated a single-level ACDF at C5–6 with a cylindroid interbody graft. The variables were the properties of the incorporated interbody graft (cancellous bone [Young’s modulus of 100 or 300 MPa] to cortical bone [10000 MPa]) and the contact area between the vertebra and interbody graft (Graft-area, from 10 to 200 mm²). Interspinous motion between the flexion and extension models of less than 2 mm was considered solid fusion. RESULTS: The minimal Graft-areas for solid fusion were 190 mm², 140 mm², and 100 mm² with graft properties of 100, 300, and 10000 MPa, respectively. The minimal Graft-areas were generally unobtainable with only the formation of InGBB after the use of a commercial stand-alone cage. CONCLUSION: ExGBB may be formed to compensate for insufficient InGBB. Although various factors may be involved, solid fusion with less formation of ExGBB may be achieved with refinements in biomaterials, such as the use of osteoinductive cage materials; changes in cage design, such as increasing the area of polyetheretherketone or the inside cage area for bone grafts; or surgical techniques, such as the use of plate/screw systems.
Biocompatible Materials ; Diskectomy* ; Finite Element Analysis* ; Ligaments ; Spinal Fusion ; Spine ; Transplants

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been reported that the difference in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype due to genetic heterogeneity of HCV influence the clinical features, prognosis of HCV associated liver disease and response to interferon therapy. Prevalence of different genotypes of HCV may also vary between geographic areas. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the response to interferon alpha (IFN-a) therapy and HCV genotypes in patients with chronic HCV infection in Taegu and its environs. METHODS: One hundred seventy six patients known to be HCV antibody and HCV-NA positive were evaluated for HCV genotypes by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Among patients who had elevated ALT levels, 67 patients have been investigated for the role of the HCV genotype on disease outcome and the response of IFN-a therapy. RESULTS: Genotype 1b were found in 59.0% of patients (103/176), genotype 2a in 37.5% (66/176). The mode of transmission of HCV infection was guessed as transfusion in genotype 1b, but as parenteral infection in genotype 2a. According to their response to IFN-a therapy, 73 patients were divided into three groups, complete response, 18 (60%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 21 (48.8%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b: partial response, 5 (16.7%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 7 (16.2%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b: no response, 7 (23.3%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 15 (34.9%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b. Good response to IFN-a therapy was observed among patients group showing normal platelet count in patients with genotype 1b and normal GGT in patients with genotype 2a. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequently identified genotype was genotype 1b in Taegu and its environs, followed by genotype 2a. The HCV genotype was not a reliable predictor of response to IFN-a therapy. When a standardized regimen of IFN-a was administered, pretreatment serum platelet counts and GGT level seem to be useful predictor of IFN-a therapy in HCV infection. Further investigations are required in order to establish a correlation between viral factors and therapeutic responses.
Daegu* ; Genetic Heterogeneity ; Genotype* ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons ; Liver Diseases ; Platelet Count ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prevalence ; Prognosis