The advent of the global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) necessitates a thorough study of the stability and transmissibility in the environment. We characterized the stability of SARS-CoV-2 in three water matrices: fresh, tap, and seawater. The minimum infective dose of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cells was confirmed to be 10 3 PFU/mL. The stability of SARS-CoV-2 varied according to the water matrix: infective SARSCoV-2 was undetectable after treatment with fresh water and seawater, but remained detectable for 2 days in tap water, when starting with an initial concentration of 10 4 PFU/mL. When the starting concentration was increased to 10 5 PFU/mL, a similar trend was observed. In addition, viral RNA persisted longer than infectious virus in all water matrices. This study was conducted in stagnant water containing a significantly high titer of virus, thus, human-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the actual aquatic environment is expected to be rare.

In recent years, digital technology has been developed in dentistry, which denture frameworks can be manufactured using DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) technique. A traditional impression method can be replaced by oral scanning and wax pattern production process can be achieved by the use of CAD/CAM techniques. The designed STL files can be sent to DMLS devices to fabricate final components of removable partial dentures (RPD). The advantages of digital dentistry are concision and precision. In this case study, a fracture of occlusal rests providing support and indirect retention was repaired by DMLS and laser welding techniques. It shows satisfactory results in adaptation accuracy and functional properties of the repaired denture.

PURPOSE: We attempted to determine the degree of rotation of the femoral component to achieve an ideal rectangular flexion gap with minimal medial collateral ligament (MCL) release using a modified measured technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group I consisted of 60 osteoarthritis patients (72 cases) who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with minimal MCL release and Group II consisted of 48 patients without osteoarthritis (61 cases). We performed computed tomography (CT) scanning of the knee with 90 degree flexion in all of the patients and analyzed the angles between the distal femur landmarks and the tibial mechanical axis using a Picture Archiving Communication system. External rotation of the femoral component from the Whiteside line and posterior condylar line was measured in group I who underwent TKA with minimum MCL release. The variance in the mediolateral flexion gap according to the degree of rotation was also measured using an Auto-Computer Aided Design program. RESULTS: The CT scans showed that the Whiteside line, posterior condylar line, and transepicondylar line was more internally rotated on average from the longitudinal axis of tibia by 4.12degrees, 5.54degrees, and 4.64degrees, respectively, in group I compared to group II. In group I, the femoral component was inserted with an average external rotation of 5.6degrees from the posterior condylar line and with an average external rotation of 2.0degrees from the Whiteside line with minimal MCL release. From the measurements of the femoral component size and the variance in the degree of rotation using an Auto-CAD program, it was found that the change in the mediolateral flexion gap was greater when the rotation angle was greater and it was greater when the size of femoral component was larger at the same rotation angle. CONCLUSIONS: The average rotation angle of the femoral component to achieve an ideal rectangular flexion gap with minimal MCL release in TKA was an external rotation of 5.6degrees from the posterior condylar line and an external rotation of 2.0degrees from the Whiteside line. We concluded that when a femoral component is small in size, greater than average external rotation needs to be applied and when a femoral component is large in size, less than average external rotation needs to be applied.
Arthroplasty ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Collateral Ligaments ; Femur ; Humans ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Tibia

Seizure-associated nose wiping occurs usually during postictal period and is more frequent in temporal than extratemporal lobe epilepsy. The hand used to wipe the nose is highly suggestive of ipsilateral partial seizure onset. We describe a patient with the left mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, who showed ictal nose wiping by the left hand. The hypothetical mechanism remains unknown but may be a response to olfactory aura or increased ictal nasal secretions. In this patient, subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to MRI (SISCOM) study revealed hyperperfusion mainly in the left temporal lobe, especially amygdala. Our patient may support an important role of amygdala concerned with olfactory system or autonomic activity in provoking nose wiping.
Amygdala ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe* ; Hand ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nose* ; Seizures ; Temporal Lobe* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) can be compensated through the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act. We looked at the characteristics of WMSDs in worker's compensation records and the epidemiological investigation reports from the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI). Based on the records of compensation, the number of cases for WMSDs decreased from 4,532 in 2003 to 1,954 in 2007. However the proportion of WMSDs among the total approved occupational diseases increased from 49.6% in 2003 to 76.5% in 2007, and the total cost of WMSDs increased from 105.3 billion won in 2004 to 163.3 billion won in 2007. The approval rate of WMSDs by the OSHRI accounted for 65.6%. Ergonomic and clinical characteristics were associated with the approval rate; however, the degenerative changes had a minimal affect. This result was in discordance between OSHRI and the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service. We presumed that there were perceptional gaps in work-relatedness interpretation that resulted from the inequality of information in ergonomic analyses. We propose to introduce ergonomic analysis to unapproved WMSDs cases and discuss those results among experts that will be helpful to form a consensus among diverse groups.
Accidents, Occupational ; Adult ; Cumulative Trauma Disorders ; Female ; Human Engineering ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Musculoskeletal Diseases ; *Occupational Diseases ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; *Workers' Compensation/economics/trends

Transglutaminase2 (TGM2) is a multi-functional calcium dependent enzyme that affects angiogenesis, apoptosis, differentiation, attachment, and changes in the extracellular matrix. However, its function in periodontal tissue has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the TGM2 expression and the modulation of inflammatory mediators in inflamed periodontal ligament (PDL) cells induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-1β and the Tumor necrosis factor-α. The expression of TGM2 was increased in the inflamed periodontal tissue and PDL cells. Over-expressed TGM2 in the PDL cells increased expression of MMP1, MMP3, IL-6, CXCL8, and PTGS2. Conversely, inhibition of TGM2 activity using LDN27219, a TGM2 inhibitor, resulted in decreased expression of MMP1, MMP3, IL-6, and CXCL8. The mRNA expression was confirmed by RT-PCR and quantified by qRT-PCR. Protein levels were also confirmed by immunofluoroscence staining. These results suggest that TGM2 plays an important role in the regulation of inflammatory mediators which exacerbate tissue damage in inflamed periodontal tissue.
Apoptosis ; Calcium ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cytokines ; Extracellular Matrix ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Necrosis ; Periodontal Ligament* ; Periodontitis ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: The DPC4/Smad4 gene is known to perform a key role in the TGF-beta group protein signaling pathway, which regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and death. DPC4/ Smad4 gene mutation has been studied in cancers of the breast, ovary, esophagus, colo-rectum, bile duct, as well as the pancreas. The mutation rates depend on the kind of carcinoma sites, and range from 10% to around 50%, but no study has been performed on gallbladder carcinomas. This study was performed to search for mutation of the DPC4/Smad4 gene in the gallbladder carcinomas. METHODS: Eighteen surgically resected gallbladder cancers were screened for mutation of the exons; 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the DPC4/Smad4 gene using dideoxyfingerprinting (ddF), and single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP). The results were confirmed using automatic DNA sequencing, and the expressions examined by immunohistochemical staining with the monoclonal anti-DPC4/Smad4 protein antibody, B8. RESULTS: DdF revealed 3 mutations in two of the exons, which were confirmed by direct sequencing. In one case, a single-base substitution mutation existed in exon 11 with codon change (missense mutation), whereas in two cases such mutations were detected in exon 9 without codon change (silent mutation). Immunohistochemical staining showed negative to weakly positive expression for all three mutated cases, but had high false-positive rates (7/11). CONCLUSION: DPC4/Smad4 gene mutation exists in a certain proportion of gallbladder carcinomas, but the mutation rate seems to be low compared to organogenetically related pancreas or bile duct carcinomas. This suggests somewhat different mechanisms may operate on the carcinogenesis of these organs.
Bile Ducts ; Breast ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Proliferation ; Codon ; Esophagus ; Exons ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Gallbladder* ; Mutation Rate ; Ovary ; Pancreas ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of the standard total knee arthroplasty without internal fixation or extended long stem in tibial bone defect with severe varus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2012 and April 2014, 32 patients (45 cases; 4 men and 41 women with a mean age of 74.2 years) who underwent total knee arthroplasty with autologous bone grafting were enrolled for analysis. The mean follow-up period was 34.4 months. The cancellous bone defect site was exposed, and a longitudinal sulcus was made. Subsequently, a premolded bone graft was inserted in the sulcus at 45°. The defect size was measured, and the radiological and clinical results were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean defect size according to the radiograph was found to be 15.31×30.36 mm in the frontal view and 15.46×45.98 mm in the sagittal view. The mean defect size of depth during the operation was found to be 8.38 mm. The preoperative mean varus angle was 14.1° (4.0°–26.9°), and the follow-up mean valgus angle was 5.4° (0.5°–10.5°). The implant position was α=95.7°, β=90.4°, γ=2.1°, δ=89.1° on the follow-up. No implant loosening was observed, and the mean bone union period was 4.3 months. The Hospital for Special Surgery score was improved from a preoperative mean of 50.1 to a postoperative mean of 90.4. CONCLUSION: Standard total knee arthroplasty using autologous structural bone grafting without internal fixation in a tibial bone defect demonstrated a rapid, stable bone healing and excellent radiological and clinical results. Thus the index procedure was considered to be simple, and effective for bone grafting.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* ; Bone Transplantation ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Transplants*

Metastatic cancers to the thyroid gland are rare, with the most common primary site being the kidney. The next most common sites are the breast, lung, melanoma, colon and larynx. In the case of thyroid metastasis of renal cell carcinoma, the thyroid metastasis may be the initial manifestation and the incidence of this type seems disproportionate to the frequency of the primary renal cell carcinoma. 3Ve have recently experienced two cases of thyroid metastasis of renal cell carcinoma and report them with a brief review of the related literature.
Breast ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Colon ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Larynx ; Lung ; Melanoma ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms

A proper vertical dimension and a harmonious occlusal plane are essential to satisfy a patient esthetically and functionally. A maxillomandibular occlusal vertical dimension is determined by the elevators which repeatedly contracts to a certain length, and a tooth location is determined by a maxillomandibular vertical dimension. The patient of this case came in with the incongruity of the lips and the occlusal plane. The result of clinical test showed the lack of length of the lower anterior due to the reduction of vertical dimension, the deep overbite of anterior, the excessive attrition of anterior, and the incongruity of occlusal plane. After the diagnostic wax-up, the temporary restoration was installed, and final prosthesis was installed after 6 months. As a result, the patient obtained a functionally and esthetically satisfying result.
Dental Occlusion ; Elevators and Escalators ; Humans ; Lip ; Overbite ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rehabilitation ; Tooth ; Vertical Dimension