STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The adjustable dental impression trays were made for being adjusted their width automatically along the width of dental arch. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the best retentive form of adjustable dental impression tray, and so to make it a more satisfactory product. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The eight pairs of adjustable trays were made of ABS(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) with different distribution of holes and with or without the rim on the border area of them. The experiment was done with the horse-shoe shaped metal plate to pull out the set impression body from the tray, and the tray jig which was made for holding the tray on a lower part of Universal Testing achine(UTM, Zwick Z020, Zwick Co., Germany). After the impression in the tray was allowed to set four minutes, a tensile force was applied at right angles to the tray which had been previously seated on the jig. The force was applied to measure a maximum retentive force by use of a UTM at a constant strain rate of 100mm per minute. A 2-factor analysis of variance (p<.05) was used to determine whether differences existed among distribution of retentive holes and between rim existing and not. RESULTS: 1. The retentive force of the upper and lower resin tray with 2mm holes on the tray border was highest(25.83/24.98kg).(p<.05) 2. As the tray had more retentive holes, it was less retentive. 3. There was no significant difference in the retentive force of the varied hole intervals in the case of distributing all the area.(p>.05) 4. The rimless trays were more retentive generally, than the rimmed trays except 2 case: upper tray group-all area / 2 mm. intervals and lower tray group-margin only / 2 mm. intervals.(p<.05) 5. Most of the adjustable trays were showed higher retentive force than perforated metal tray except the lower group that perforated on the all area at intervals of 2 mm.
Dental Arch

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the most important and consistent determinant of the development and progression of COPD(Ed Note : Define COPD). The fact that cigarette smokers develop a different type of COPD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, with different clinical and pathological aspects, suggests that the development of COPD has a relationship with other smoking-associated factors beyoud just a simple smoking history. The aim of this was to analyze the smoking habits and history of patients with COPD and to evaluate the development of different types of COPD accordint to patient's smoking habits. METHOD: To evaluate the differences in the smoking patterens of patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pulmonary function test was conducted, and the smoking history and patterns was obtained through a smoking history questionnaire by a direct personal interview from 333 male cigarette smokers diagnosed with COPD, in the Yeungnam university medical center(190 patients diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, 143 patients diagnosed with emphysema). RESULT: The patients with emphysema smoked earlier and had a higher smoking history(ie, more pachyears, more total amounts of smoked cigarette, and more deep inhalation and longer duration of plain cigarette exposure) than those with chronic bronchitis. The depth of ingalation was also significantly higher in the emphysema patients after taking into account age, cumulative cagarette consumption and the type of cigarette smoked. CONCLUSION: Emphysema was more associated with the increasing degree of inhalation as assessed by the depth of inhalation. A high alveolar smoke exposure may be a significant risk factor for the development of emphysema.
Bronchitis, Chronic* ; Emphysema* ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Risk Factors ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Products

Adrenal cysts are rare lesion that usually present themselves as an incidental finding during surgery, or at the time of autopsy. The cysts are usually small, seldom exceeding 10cm in diameter, and are generally asymptomatic. However, they present a difficult problem in differentiation between benign and malignant lesions of the adrenal gland. In the differential diagnosis, other cystic lesions of the upper abdomen must also be considered, including hepatic, splenic, renal and pancreatic cysts. Herein we report a case of endothelial cyst of lymphangiomatous type of the adrenal gland which was detected in a 44-year-old male patient during a routine health examination by ultrasonography as a pancreatic pseudocyst. Gross examination revealed multiple separate but continuous cysts, measuring 10.6x8x7cm in dimension. Within the wall, compressed adrenal cortex was noted. Microscopically, fibrous wall containing hypertrophied smooth muscle lined by endothelial cells was also noted. We reviewed literatures of the adrenal cyst and report a case.
Male ; Humans ; Cysts

The hallmarks of sleep apnea syndrome include daytime hypersomnolence, snoring, obesity, disturbed nocturnal sleep, and apneic episodes. Thyroid deficiency states are now a well recognized cause of sleep apnea. Central, obstructive, and mixed patterns of sleep apnea may be observed in hypothyroidism. A 33-yr-old man was admitted complaining of daytime hypersomnolence, snoring, sleep apnea and obesity. A polysomnogram showed obstructive pattern of sleep apnea syndrome. Physical examination and hormonal study revealed a narrowing of the upper airway and primary hypothyroidism. Dilated cardiomyopathy was diagnosed by echocardiogram. The poctients was treated for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with nasal continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) for 2 months and the underlying hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone therapy. This successfully controlled the snoring, sleep apnea, and other apnea-related symptoms. Here, we describe our experience of nasal CPAP and thyroid hormone therapy in a patient with primary hypothyroidism associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and dilated cardimyopathy with review of the relevant literature.
Cardiomyopathies ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism* ; Obesity ; Physical Examination ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Snoring ; Thyroid Gland

BACKGROUND: With cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), weight loss and low body weight have been found to correlate with increased mortality and poor prognosis. Therefore, nutritional aspects are an important part of the treatment in cases of COPD. In Korea, there is only limited data available for the changes of resting pulmonary function in relation to nutritional status. This study was carried out to investigated the differences of resting pulmonary function in relation to the nutritional status of patients with COPD. METHOD: 83 stable patients, with moderate to severe COPD, were clinically assessed for their nutritional status and resting pulmonary function. The patients' nutritional status was evaluated by body weight and fat-free mass (FFM), which was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. According to their nutritional status, the 83 patients were divided into two groups, designated as the depleted, and non-depleted, groups. RESULT: Of the 83 patients, 31% were characterized by body weight loss and depletion of FFM, whereas 28% had either weight loss or depleted FFM. In the depleted group, significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate(p<0.05) and Kco(p<0.01), but significantly higher airway resistance(Raw, p<0.05) were noted. There was no difference for the non-depleted group in forced expiratory volume at one second, residual volume, inspiratory vital capacity, or total lung capacity. Maximal inspiratory pressure(PImax) was also significantly lower in the depleted group(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude, from our clinical studies, that nutritional depletion is significantly associated with the change in resting pulmonary function for patients with moderate to severe COPD.
Body Weight ; Electric Impedance ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Nutritional Status* ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Residual Volume ; Total Lung Capacity ; Vital Capacity ; Weight Loss

Paraganglioma is a tumor from the extra adrenal paraganglion system and is rarely observed in the mediastinum. The authors experienced a case of nonfunctioning paraganglioma of the posterior mediastinum. The patient was 34-years-old male in whom abnormal mass lesion was nites in chest radiograph with hemoptysis. His blood pressure and serologic examination were within normal range upon admission to our hospital. Chest CT revealed a tumor in the left lower lobe. Diagnostic thoracoscopy was performed and diagnosed a posterior mediastinal mass. Surgical resection was them performed. Posterior mediastinal mass was removed successfully and histological examination of the surgical specimen diagnosed paraganglioma. He received radiotherapy after surgery and was followed up. Related literature are reviewed.
Blood Pressure ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Male ; Mediastinum* ; Paraganglioma* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Radiotherapy ; Reference Values ; Thoracoscopy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: We investigated the operative outcome after bypass surgery in patients selected using viability criteria on F-18 FDG PET. MATERALS AND METHODS: Rest-24hr delay redistribution imaging of Tl-201 SPECT and F-18 FDG PET were performed in 11 patients. Seven of these 11 patients (6 men, 1 woman) were evaluated to have viable myocardium by F-18 FDG PET. Changes in symptoms and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after operation were evaluated. RESULTS: In seven of 11 patients, a significant amount of viable myocardium was found on F-18 FDG PET and Tl-201 SPECT. Severity of both chest pain and dyspnea improved markedly in all patients. Mean LVEF improved from 22% to 32%. CONCLUSION: F-18 FDG PET could be used to select the patients who will benefit from coronary artery bypass surgery.
Cardiomyopathies* ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardium ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Stroke Volume ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have demonstrated benefits of endovascular recanalization therapy (ERT) contrary to earlier trials. We aimed to estimate the benefits of ERT added to standard therapy in acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: From a literature search of RCTs testing ERT, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate an overall efficacy and safety of ERT for all trials, stent-retriever trials, and RCTs comparing ERT and intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-TPA). RESULTS: We identified 15 relevant RCTs including 2,899 patients. For all trials, ERT was associated with increased good outcomes (odds ratio [OR] 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34, 2.40; P<0.001) compared to the control. ERT also increased no or minimal disability outcomes, good neurological recovery, good activity of daily living, and recanalization. ERT did not significantly increase symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) (OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.83, 1.69; P=0.345) or death (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.71, 1.05; P=0.151). In contrast, ERT significantly reduced extreme disability or death (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.61, 0.97; P=0.025). Restricting to five stent-retriever trials comparing ERT plus IV-TPA vs. IV-TPA alone, the benefit was even greater for good outcome (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.88, 3.04; P<0.001) and extreme disability or death (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.41, 0.78; P=0.001). Restricting to eight RCTs comparing ERT (plus IV-TPA in six trials) with IV-TPA alone showed similar efficacy and safety. CONCLUSIONS: This updated meta-analysis shows that ERT substantially improves clinical outcomes and reduces extreme disability or death without significantly increasing SICH compared to standard therapy.
Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Stroke* ; Thrombectomy ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator

The purpose of this study was to compare the fracture strength of the IPS Empress ceramic crown according to the occlusal depth (1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm) and axial inclination (4degree, 8degree, 12degree) of the lower First Molar. After 10 metal dies were made for each group, the IPS Empress ceramic crowns were fabricated and cemented with resin cement(Bistite resin cement, Tokuyama Soda Co. LTD., Japan). The cemented crowns were mounted on the testing jig with inclination of 30 degrees and the universal testing machine(Zwick Z020, Zwick, Germany)was used to measure the fracture strength. The results of this study were as follows : 1. The fracture strength of the ceramic crown with 2.5mm depth and 12degree inclination was the highest (1789 N). Crowns of 1.5 mm depth and 4degree inclination had the lowest strength (1091 N). 2. There were no significant differences in the fracture strength by axial inclination of the same occlusal depth group. 3. Most fracture lines began at the loading area and extended through proximal surface perpendicular to the margin, irrespective of occlusal depth. Size of fragment was affected by the amount of occlusal reduction.
Ceramics ; Crowns* ; Molar* ; Resin Cements

PURPOSE: To determine the locations and incidences of sesamoids and accessory bones of the forefoot in normal Korean adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The plain radiographs of the forefoot of 400 volunteers, 200 males and 200 females, were taken. The three orthopedic surgeons participated in the radiographic evaluation independently. Persons who had history of foot problem or injury were excluded. RESULTS: Sesamoids of first metatarsophalangeal joint were nearly always present; medial 99% and lateral 100%. The bipartite sesamoid was more common in medial (9.8%) and in female (17.0%) than in lateral (0.3%) and in male (2.5%). Sesamoids of the interphalangeal joint of the first toe were seen in 35.8%. Sesamoids of metatarsophalangeal joints in other four toes were rarely observed. Their incidences were 5% in second toe, 0.8% in third, 0% in fourth, and 2.8% (lateral) and 7.5% (medial) in fifth. Sesamoids of interphalangeal joint in four lesser toes were not observed except two cases (0.5%) in the fifth toe. Accessory bone was very rarely observed. Os vesalianum was observed in five feet (1.3%), Os intermetatarseum in 14 feet (3.5%), and Os cuneo-metatarsal I tibiale in none. CONCLUSION: We determined the location and incidences of sesamoids and accessory bones of the forefoot, and we expected this to help to diagnose the forefoot problem.
Adult* ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Incidence ; Joints ; Male ; Metatarsophalangeal Joint ; Orthopedics ; Toes ; Volunteers