STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Recently, titanium has become popular as superstructure material in implant dentistry because titanium superstructure can be easily milled by means of computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM) technique. But retention form such as nail head or bead cannot be cut as a result of technical limitation of CAD/CAM milling and bond strength between titanium and porcelain is not as strong as that of conventional gold or metal alloy. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of three different materials: heat curing resin, composite resin, porcelain which were bonded to grade II commercially pure Titanium (CP - Ti). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty seven CP - Ti discs with 9 mm diameter, 10 mm height were divided into three groups and were bonded with heat curing resin (Lucitone 199), indirect composite resin (Sinfony), and porcelain (Triceram) which were mounted in a former with 7 mm diameter and 1 mm height. Samples were thermocycled for 1000 cycles at between 5 - 55 degrees C. Shear bond strength (MPa) was measured with Instron Universal Testing Machine with cross head speed of 1 mm/min. The failure pattern was observed at the fractured surface and divided into adhesive, cohesive, and combination failure. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's multiple range test (alpha= 0.05). RESULTS: Lucitone 199 (17.82 +/- 5.13 MPa) showed the highest shear bond strength, followed by Triceram (12.97 +/- 2.11 MPa), and Sinfony (6.00 +/- 1.31 MPa). Most of the failure patterns in Lucitone 199 and Sinfony group were adhesive failure, whereas those in Triceram group were combination failure. CONCLUSION: Heat curing resin formed the strongest bond to titanium which is used as a CAD/CAM milling block. But the bond strength is still low compared with the bond utilizing mechanical interlocking and there are many adhesive failures which suggest that more studies to enhance bond strength are needed.
Acrylic Resins ; Adhesives ; Alloys ; Ceramides ; Collodion ; Computer-Aided Design ; Dental Porcelain ; Dentistry ; Head ; Hot Temperature ; Nails ; Retention (Psychology) ; Titanium

PURPOSE: To compare the shear bond strength of various veneering materials to grade II commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty specimens of CP-Ti disc with 9 mm diameter and 10 mm height were divided into three experimental groups. Each group was bonded to heat-polymerized acrylic resin (Lucitone 199), porcelain (Triceram), and indirect composite (Sinfony) with 7 mm diameter and 2 mm height. For the control group (n=10), Lucitone 199 were applied on type IV gold alloy castings. All samples were thermocycled for 5000 cycles in 5-55degrees C water. The maximum shear bond strength (MPa) was measured with a Universal Testing Machine. After the shear bond strength test, the failure mode was assessed with an optic microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Statistical analysis was carried out with a Kruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney Test. RESULTS: The mean shear bond strength and standard deviations for experimental groups were as follows: Ti-Lucitone 199 (12.11 +/- 4.44 MPa); Ti-Triceram (11.09 +/- 1.66 MPa); Ti-Sinfony (4.32 +/- 0.64 MPa). All of these experimental groups showed lower shear bond strength than the control group (16.14 +/- 1.89 MPa). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the Ti-Lucitone 199 group and the control group, and the Ti-Lucitone 199 group and the Ti-Triceram group. Most of the failure patterns in all experimental groups were adhesive failures. CONCLUSION: The shear bond strength of veneering materials such as heat-polymerized acrylic resin, porcelain, and indirect composite to CP-Ti was compatible to that of heatpolymerized acrylic resin to cast gold alloy.
Adhesives ; Alloys ; Dental Porcelain ; Titanium* ; Water

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Firefighters face serious risks to their health and safety in the performance of their duties. In addition to the diverse occupational hazards well-known to the public, firefighters are also occasionally exposed to high levels of noise, such as sirens, horns, and electronic alerting signals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We first measured the noise emitted by two fire trucks and one ambulance. Next, we enrolled 171 firefighters (164 males, seven females). We designated the employees of a private school as controls for the firefighter group. After selecting workers, including audiometric testing at 1,000 and 4,000 Hz, the groups were age- and gender-matched. Both groups were included separately for the right and left ears at pure-tone test frequencies at 1,000 and 4,000 Hz. We chose the better ear thresholds and analyzed the differences in hearing levels at each frequency and each age group between the firefighters and controls. RESULTS: The sound pressure levels of the siren in and out of an ambulance, the first fire truck, and the second fire truck were 99.3 dB (A) and 108.9 dB (A), 92.3 dB (A) and 108.3, and 78.8 dB (A) and 99.0 dB (A), respectively. At 4,000 Hz, the hearing threshold was significantly increased by work period (p<0.01). Each hearing threshold level was significantly higher than controls (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Many of the noise sources produce sounds exceeding 90 dB (A), and some firefighters may be exposed for brief periods to levels that exceed 105-110 dB (A). The hearing threshold level in firefighters is higher than the general population and noise-induced hearing loss in firefighters is possible. In the future, consistent, effective, and long-standing implementation of hearing conservation programs are needed, and special health examinations for hearing levels in firefighters must be conducted.
Ambulances ; Animals ; Ear ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique ; Firefighters ; Fires ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced ; Horns ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Vehicles ; Noise ; Noise, Occupational

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Firefighters face serious risks to their health and safety in the performance of their duties. In addition to the diverse occupational hazards well-known to the public, firefighters are also occasionally exposed to high levels of noise, such as sirens, horns, and electronic alerting signals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We first measured the noise emitted by two fire trucks and one ambulance. Next, we enrolled 171 firefighters (164 males, seven females). We designated the employees of a private school as controls for the firefighter group. After selecting workers, including audiometric testing at 1,000 and 4,000 Hz, the groups were age- and gender-matched. Both groups were included separately for the right and left ears at pure-tone test frequencies at 1,000 and 4,000 Hz. We chose the better ear thresholds and analyzed the differences in hearing levels at each frequency and each age group between the firefighters and controls. RESULTS: The sound pressure levels of the siren in and out of an ambulance, the first fire truck, and the second fire truck were 99.3 dB (A) and 108.9 dB (A), 92.3 dB (A) and 108.3, and 78.8 dB (A) and 99.0 dB (A), respectively. At 4,000 Hz, the hearing threshold was significantly increased by work period (p<0.01). Each hearing threshold level was significantly higher than controls (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Many of the noise sources produce sounds exceeding 90 dB (A), and some firefighters may be exposed for brief periods to levels that exceed 105-110 dB (A). The hearing threshold level in firefighters is higher than the general population and noise-induced hearing loss in firefighters is possible. In the future, consistent, effective, and long-standing implementation of hearing conservation programs are needed, and special health examinations for hearing levels in firefighters must be conducted.
Ambulances ; Animals ; Ear ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique ; Firefighters ; Fires ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced ; Horns ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Vehicles ; Noise ; Noise, Occupational

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to compare the effect of intravenous anesthesia with fentanyl or alfentanil on the hemodynamic profile, sedation, recovery and side effect in the patients undergoing oocyte retrieval. METHODS: The patients were designed to receive alfentanil (group A, n = 70) or fentanyl (group F, n = 70) intravenous anesthesia. The patients were given midazolam 0.6 mg/kg and alfentanil 15 microgram/kg in group A or fentanyl 1.5 microgram/kg in group F. Propofol 0.7 mg/kg was given if patient was awaken during procedure. Hemodynamic changes, propofol used dosage and initial propofol injecting time, Ramsay Sedation Scales, cough reflex on opioid injection, recovery time, duration of apnea and postoperative nausea, vomiting at the recovery room were recorded. RESULTS: Group A had rapid onset, deep sedation, less amount of propofol used, more frequent apnea than group F. There were no significant differences in postoperative nausea, vomiting and recovery time between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The intravenous anesthesia with fentanyl or alfentanil are suitable for oocyte retreival but apnea happened more frequent in alfentanil group, so the use of alfentanil needs to monitor ventilation and hemodynamic changes carefully.
Alfentanil ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Apnea ; Cough ; Deep Sedation ; Fentanyl ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Midazolam ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Oocytes ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Propofol ; Recovery Room ; Reflex ; Ventilation ; Vomiting ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to compare the effect of intravenous anesthesia with fentanyl or alfentanil on the hemodynamic profile, sedation, recovery and side effect in the patients undergoing oocyte retrieval. METHODS: The patients were designed to receive alfentanil (group A, n = 70) or fentanyl (group F, n = 70) intravenous anesthesia. The patients were given midazolam 0.6 mg/kg and alfentanil 15 microgram/kg in group A or fentanyl 1.5 microgram/kg in group F. Propofol 0.7 mg/kg was given if patient was awaken during procedure. Hemodynamic changes, propofol used dosage and initial propofol injecting time, Ramsay Sedation Scales, cough reflex on opioid injection, recovery time, duration of apnea and postoperative nausea, vomiting at the recovery room were recorded. RESULTS: Group A had rapid onset, deep sedation, less amount of propofol used, more frequent apnea than group F. There were no significant differences in postoperative nausea, vomiting and recovery time between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The intravenous anesthesia with fentanyl or alfentanil are suitable for oocyte retreival but apnea happened more frequent in alfentanil group, so the use of alfentanil needs to monitor ventilation and hemodynamic changes carefully.
Alfentanil ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Apnea ; Cough ; Deep Sedation ; Fentanyl ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Midazolam ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Oocytes ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Propofol ; Recovery Room ; Reflex ; Ventilation ; Vomiting ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVE: Although previous trials suggested a relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic inflammatory response, clinical utility of NLR and PLR in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not well defined. This study was conducted to assess the efficiency of NLR and PLR as an inflammatory index in patients with RA. METHODS: A total of 107 patients with newly diagnosed RA who had never used steroid and a control group of 50 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects whose high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was within normal range were included. Those with cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, malignancies, or any cardiovascular diseases were excluded from both groups. The patients were divided into two groups according to the Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28). Group 1 included patients with a DAS28 score of 3.2 and lower (low disease activity) and group 2 included patients with a score higher than 3.2 (moderate to high disease activity). RESULTS: NLR and PLR in the patient group were 2.99±2.04, 170.90±86.49, significantly higher than that of the control group. NLR and PLR in group 2 were 4.16±2.50, 225.23±93.21, significantly higher than those of group 1 patients (2.26±1.22, 137.15±61.92). NLR and PLR both showed correlation with rheumatoid factor, hsCRP, serum albumin, Korean Heath Assesment Questionnaire, and DAS28. CONCLUSION: These data showed a positive correlation between NLR or PLR level and RA disease activity, suggesting that NLR or PLR can be used as an additional inflammatory marker in patients with RA.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Equidae ; Humans ; Joints ; Reference Values ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Serum Albumin

Gitelman syndrome is a condition caused by a mutation of the thiazide sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter gene on the distal convoluted tubule. It results in a variety of clinical features, including hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria, and metabolic alkalosis. It is often diagnosed in asymptomatic adults presented with unexplained hypokalemia; however, it is sometimes associated with muscular cramps, numbness, fatigue, weakness, or paralysis. We experienced a case of rheumatoid arthritis accompanied by Gitelman syndrome, presented with hand tremor. We diagnosed her using renal clearance study and genetic analysis. Here, we report our experiences regarding this case along with a literature review.
Adult ; Alkalosis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Fatigue ; Furosemide ; Genetic Testing ; Gitelman Syndrome* ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Hypokalemia ; Muscle Cramp ; Paralysis ; Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 3 ; Thiazides ; Tremor

OBJECTIVE: To find a new method and usefulness of study on sensory nerve conduction of lateral sural cutaneous nerve (LSCN). METHOD: The 60 extremities of 30 adults without peripheral neuropathy were placed in a prone position. Next, each subject was administered with an antidromic stimulation at a point 3 cm lateral from the center of the popliteal fossa. With the aid of active electrodes, the sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) were recorded at points 10 cm inferior and 1 cm lateral to the stimulation site. The method of sensory nerve conduction study suggested by Campagnolo et al. was performed simultaneously, to compare of the frequency of SNAPs and the amplitudes. RESULTS: For the sensory nerve conduction study of the LSCN suggested in this report, SNAPs were obtained in 49 extremities, with a revelation rate of 81.7%. The mean amplitude was 11.91+/-3.68micronV. In the results of the tests suggested by Campagnolo et al., the SNAPs were obtained in 29 extremities, with a revelation rate of 48.3%. The mean amplitude was 8.37+/-5.21micronV. Significance testing of the electrodiagnostic method recommended in this study revealed that many SNAPs were observed for the LSCN, with statistically significant action potential amplitudes. CONCLUSION: This study presents the new method and reference values of sensory nerve conduction for LSCN, which is thought to be useful in electrodiagnostic studies to diagnose entrapment neuropathy.
Action Potentials ; Adult ; Electrodes ; Electromyography ; Extremities ; Humans ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Neural Conduction ; Organic Chemicals ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Peroneal Nerve ; Prone Position ; Reference Values ; Sural Nerve

Gitelman syndrome is a condition caused by a mutation of the thiazide sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter gene on the distal convoluted tubule. It results in a variety of clinical features, including hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria, and metabolic alkalosis. It is often diagnosed in asymptomatic adults presented with unexplained hypokalemia; however, it is sometimes associated with muscular cramps, numbness, fatigue, weakness, or paralysis. We experienced a case of rheumatoid arthritis accompanied by Gitelman syndrome, presented with hand tremor. We diagnosed her using renal clearance study and genetic analysis. Here, we report our experiences regarding this case along with a literature review.
Adult ; Alkalosis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Fatigue ; Furosemide ; Genetic Testing ; Gitelman Syndrome ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Hypokalemia ; Muscle Cramp ; Paralysis ; Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 3 ; Thiazides ; Tremor