BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) refers to a collection of symptoms of patients who complain about burning sensation of their mouths without any specific causes. Although this is not a rare disease, the etiology and effective treatment are not well established. We tried to compare the efficacy and side effects of the agents that are reported to be relatively effective to BMS. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Fifty-one patients who were diagnosed as BMS were chosen as candidates. Trazodone, Paroxetine, Clonazepam, and Gabapentin, which were known to be effective medicines for BMS in previous research were prescribed randomly. We prescribed medication for two weeks and evaluated patients for the effect and side effects at the end of the treatment. The medication was prescribed for 2 more weeks and the patients were evaluated again. RESULTS: Three of 11 (27.3%) patients were prescribed Trazodone, 8 of 12 (66.7%) Paroxetine, 8 of 14 (57.1%) Clonazepam and 12 of 14 (85.7%) Gabapentin. Q showed improvements after 4 weeks of medication. The differential effectiveness among the medications was not significant, except for the inferiority of Trazodone. Five of 11 (45.5%) patients who had been prescribed Trazodone, 2 of 12 (16.7%) who had been prescribed Paroxetine, 2 of 14 (14.3%) who had been prescribed Clonazepam, 2 of 14 (14.3%) who had been prescribed Gabapentin complained of side effects during 4 weeks of medication. CONCLUSION: We can expect high success rates of treatment for burning mouth syndrome with Paroxetine, Clonazepam and Gabapentin. A further study for long term outcomes and side effects in large groups is warranted.
Amines ; Burning Mouth Syndrome ; Burns ; Clonazepam ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Humans ; Mouth ; Paroxetine ; Rare Diseases ; Sensation ; Trazodone

Background: and Purpose: In this study we evaluated the relationship between amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition and 3 aspects of sleep quality in a group of clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Methods: We used self-report questionnaires to assess the quality of sleep using 3 previously established surveys: the Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale (GSES), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). These questionnaires focused on the sleep effort, sleep efficiency, and circadian rhythm patterns of each participant. Also, we evaluated the regional distribution of Aβ in the brain by amyloid positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) in healthy normal (HN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD dementia groups. The MCI and AD dementia groups were combined to form the group with cognitive impairment due to AD (CIAD). Results: GSES and MEQ scores differed significantly between the HN, MCI, and AD dementia groups (p<0.037), whereas PSQI scores were similar across the groups (p=0.129). GSES and MEQ scores also differed between the HN and CIAD groups (p<0.018). Circadian rhythm scores positively correlated with amyloid PET-CT SUVR in posterior cingulate cortices (p<0.049). Conclusions Sleep effort and abnormal shifts in circadian rhythm were more significant in the CIAD group than in the HN group. At the same time, HN subjects had minimal sleep disturbance, irrespective of clinical status. Thus, alterations in circadian rhythm may be indicative of neurodegeneration due to Aβ deposition.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is gaining popularity as a research tool in neuroscience; however, little is known about its molecular mechanisms of action. The present study aimed to investigate the rTMS-induced transcriptomic changes; we performed microarray messenger RNA, micro RNA, and integrated analyses to explore these molecular events. Eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a single session of unilateral rTMS at 1 Hz (n = 4) or sham (n = 4). The left hemisphere was stimulated for 20 minutes. To evaluate the cumulative effect of rTMS, eight additional rats were assigned to the 1-Hz (n = 4) or sham (n = 4) rTMS groups. The left hemisphere was stimulated for 5 consecutive days using the same protocol. Microarray analysis revealed differentially expressed genes in the rat cortex after rTMS treatment. The overrepresented gene ontology categories included the positive regulation of axon extension, axonogenesis, intracellular transport, and synaptic plasticity after repeated sessions of rTMS. A single session of rTMS primarily induced changes in the early genes, and several miRNAs were significantly related to the mRNAs.Future studies are required to validate the functional significance of selected genes and refine the therapeutic use of rTMS.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Multi-detector CT (MDCT) is becoming more commonly used as a diagnostic tool for various cardiac diseases, and this modality can also incidentally detect a significant number of non-cardiac findings during cardiac work-ups. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the incidence of non-cardiac findings during cardiac MDCT and to compare them with chest CT. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 1,007 consecutive subjects (mean age: 49+/-10 years, males: 63%) who underwent both cardiac and chest CT (64-slice MDCT) as a part of a routine health check-up. The subjects were evaluated for the incidence of non-cardiac findings and the therapeutic consequences according to the CT protocols during the mid-term follow-up (average length of mid-term follow-up: 533+/-39 days). RESULTS: Eight hundred sixty incidental non-cardiac findings were identified in 627 patients (62%) with cardiac CT. Forty-three subjects (4%) had clinically significant lesions that required additional diagnostic work-up or radiological follow-up, and these lesions were 23 cases of non-calcified nodule, 2 cases of ground glass opacity, 6 cases of pneumonia, 1 case of active tuberculosis, 2 cases of focal bronchiolitis, 3 cases of arterial lesion, 1 case of liver cirrhosis and 5 cases of extra-pulmonary masses. Five subjects (0.5%), including 2 cases (0.2%) of malignancy, had therapeutic consequences during their follow-up. Compared with chest CT, 68% (40/59) of the significant intrathoracic lesions and 67% (4/6) of the intrathoracic lesions with therapeutic consequences were documented by cardiac CT. CONCLUSION: In the present study, 4% of the asymptomatic patients who underwent cardiac MDCT were found to have significant non-cardiac findings that required further work-up. To avoid missing a number of clinically important findings, physicians who analyze cardiac MDCT scans should carefully evaluate not only the heart, but all the other organs that are within the scan range.
Bronchiolitis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Lung ; Pneumonia ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis

Background: There is an incomplete understanding of the natural course of mild to moderate aortic stenosis (AS). We aimed to evaluate the natural course of patients with mild to moderate AS and its association with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 787 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate AS using echocardiography between 2004 and 2010. Cardiac death and aortic valve replacement (AVR) for AS were assessed. Results: A median follow-up period was 92 months. Compared to the general population, patients with mild to moderate AS had a higher risk of cardiac death (hazard ratio [HR], 17.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13.65–21.59; P < 0.001). Established CAD was detected in 22.4% and associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiac mortality (adjusted HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.04–2.53; P = 0.033). The risk of cardiac death was lower when patients were taking statin (adjusted HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.41–0.98; P = 0.041), which was clear only after 7 years. Both patients with CAD and on statin tended to undergo more AVR, but the difference was not statistically significant (the presence of established CAD; adjusted HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 0.51–3.51; P = 0.214 and the use of statin; adjusted HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 0.76–4.58; P = 0.177). Conclusion Mild to moderate AS does not have a benign course. The presence of CAD and statin use may affect the long-term prognosis of patients with mild to moderate AS.

Background: There is an incomplete understanding of the natural course of mild to moderate aortic stenosis (AS). We aimed to evaluate the natural course of patients with mild to moderate AS and its association with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 787 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate AS using echocardiography between 2004 and 2010. Cardiac death and aortic valve replacement (AVR) for AS were assessed. Results: A median follow-up period was 92 months. Compared to the general population, patients with mild to moderate AS had a higher risk of cardiac death (hazard ratio [HR], 17.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13.65–21.59; P < 0.001). Established CAD was detected in 22.4% and associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiac mortality (adjusted HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.04–2.53; P = 0.033). The risk of cardiac death was lower when patients were taking statin (adjusted HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.41–0.98; P = 0.041), which was clear only after 7 years. Both patients with CAD and on statin tended to undergo more AVR, but the difference was not statistically significant (the presence of established CAD; adjusted HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 0.51–3.51; P = 0.214 and the use of statin; adjusted HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 0.76–4.58; P = 0.177). Conclusion Mild to moderate AS does not have a benign course. The presence of CAD and statin use may affect the long-term prognosis of patients with mild to moderate AS.

No abstract available.
Cranial Irradiation ; Leukoencephalopathies* ; Parkinsonian Disorders*

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe electrocardiographic (ECG) findings in spontaneous pneumothorax patients before and after closed thoracostomy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study which included patients with spontaneous pneumothorax who presented to an emergency department of a tertiary urban hospital from February 2005 to March 2015. The primary outcome was a difference in ECG findings between before and after closed thoracostomy. We specifically investigated the following ECG elements: PR, QRS, QTc, axis, ST segments, and R waves in each lead. The secondary outcomes were change in ST segment in any lead and change in axis after closed thoracostomy. RESULTS: There were two ECG elements which showed statistically significant difference after thoracostomy. With right pneumothorax volume of greater than 80%, QTc and the R waves in aVF and V5 significantly changed after thoracostomy. With left pneumothorax volume between 31% and 80%, the ST segment in V2 and the R wave in V1 significantly changed after thoracostomy. However, majority of ECG elements did not show statistically significant alteration after thoracostomy. CONCLUSION: We found only minor changes in ECG after closed thoracostomy in spontaneous pneumothorax patients.
Electrocardiography* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hospitals, Urban ; Humans ; Pneumothorax* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracostomy*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although suspension laryngoscopy is a very common procedure in the otolaryngoloical field and suspension force (Fs) is suspected to be related with the complications or laryngeal exposure, Fs has not been objectively measured yet. The objective of this study is to measure suspension force continuously during suspension laryngoscopy. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Sixteen patients who had undergone laryngoscopic surgery were evaluated. The value measured with a load cell during the procedure was converted to Fs with calculation. The maximum force (Fsmax) and the mean force (Fsmean) were evaluated. The angle between the laryngoscope and the chest holder(angle alpha), and the angle between the chest holder and the horizontal plane (angle beta) were gauged. RESULTS: The mean values of Fsmax and Fsmean were 14.2 and 25.5 kgf, respectively. The mean values of angle alpha and angle beta were 124.0+/-4.3 degrees, and 19.0+/-2.6 degrees, respectively. CONCLUSION: The continuous measurement of the suspension force was executed successfully and quantitatively with a simple method.
Humans ; Laryngoscopes ; Laryngoscopy* ; Methods ; Thorax

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring in the asymptomatic population can improve cardiovascular risk prediction. We aimed to assess CAC progression and the impact of coronary risk factors on the CAC progression rate in asymptomatic Korean individuals with a baseline CAC score of zero. METHODS: The study population was derived from the Korea Initiatives on Coronary Artery Calcification (KOICA) registry: a retrospective, single ethnicity, multicenter registry of asymptomatic individuals who underwent CAC scoring as a part of a health checkup. Individuals with at least two CAC scores and an initial score of zero were included. CAC progression was defined as [√CAC score (follow-up) − √CAC score (baseline)] ≥2.5. The 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk was calculated. RESULTS: Among 6,268 participants (mean age, 48.0±7.1 years; male, 80.5%), 719 (11.5%) experienced CAC progression during follow-up (median, 109 months; interquartile range, 78–208 months). The CAC progression rate was 0.3%, 1.9%, 4.3%, 8.6%, and 16.7% in years 1–5, respectively. The chance of CAC progression at 5 years was 13.1%, 22.0%, and 27.9% for individuals with a 10-year ASCVD risk of <5%, ≥5% but <7.5%, and ≥7.5%, respectively. A multivariable analysis revealed age, male sex, waist circumference, diabetes, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level as independently associated with annualized CAC progression (p<0.001, p=0.017, p=0.025, p=0.032, and p=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The probability of CAC progression is very low in Korean individuals with a CAC score of zero. However, the risk of CAC progression increases nonlinearly over time, and increases as the 10-year ASCVD risk increases.
Calcium ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Coronary Vessels ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference