OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the patterns of tooth movements when distalization of mandibular molars using a mini-plate took place. A finite element analysis was applied to analyze patterns of tooth movements. METHODS: The model of the mandible and teeth were used to build a finite element analysis model, and a mini-plate was inserted in the mandibular ramus. Two different orthodontic forces were established for displacement of mandibular molars. Orthodontic forces were applied at the level of the bracket and at the level of the cemento-enamel junction in the mandibular canine respectively. RESULTS: orthodontic forces at the level of the cemento-enamel junction resulted in a greater biomechanical bodily movement in distalization of the mandibular molars compared to when the orthodontic forces were applied at the level of the bracket. Applying orthodontic forces to the cemento-enamel junction also resulted in unwanted greater extrusive movements in distalization of the mandibular molars compared to the bracket level. CONCLUSIONS: With considering the mode of orthodontic teeth movement, applying different vertical orthodontic forces for distalization of mandibular molars can lead to more effective distalization of teeth.
Finite Element Analysis ; Mandible ; Molar* ; Tooth ; Tooth Movement

PURPOSE: This study examined the most efficient exercise position to activate the gluteus medius (GM) and tensor fascia latae (TFL) in hip abduction in side-lying (HA-SL), clam in side-lying (CL-SL), and sling bridging in side-lying (SB-SL), which are the most representative GM exercises. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male adults aged from 20 to 40 years, whose body mass index was under 25, participated in this experiment. While all participants conducted three different positions with a counterbalanced manner, such as in AB, CL, and BR, activation of the GM and TFL was measured using 8-channel wireless EMG. Exercise was performed for 10 seconds three times in total with a five minute-break session. RESULTS: Significant differences in GM and TFL activation were observed among the three positions (p<0.05). The highest activation of 60.69 was observed in BR followed in order by 46.03 and 12.92 in HA-SL and CL, respectively. TFL activation in HA-SL was 42.01, followed in order by 35.98 and 14.01 in BR and CL, respectively. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in TFL muscle activation between BR and HA-SL. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that both BR and HA-SL in GM can be done selectively. CL has remarkably low muscle activation in GM and TFL, which makes it less valuable in GM and TFL exercise. In conclusion, selective BR and HA-SL exercise should be applied to maximally and effectively activate the GM.
Adult ; Bivalvia ; Body Mass Index ; Exercise ; Fascia Lata ; Hand ; Hip ; Humans ; Male

PURPOSE: This study examined the most effective exercise while performing shoulder abduction below ninety degrees. METHODS: Thirty two healthy individuals (17 males, 15 females) participated and performed four exercises, 1) Posterior fly, 2) Prone row, 3) Modified prone cobra, and 4) External rotation in the prone position. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to measure the electrical activities for the lower, middle and upper fiber of trapezius and serratus anterior. RESULTS: A significant difference in the muscle activities of the upper/middle/lower trapezius and serratus anterior was observed among the three different positions in terms of the PF (posterior fly), PR (prone row), and MPC (modified prone cobra) (p<0.05). In post-hoc analysis, the activities of the lower and upper trapezius were significantly higher than those of the upper trapezius and serratus anterior (p<0.05). In addition, in ERP (external rotation in prone), there was a significant difference in each activity of the muscles. Post-hoc results indicated that the upper trapezius showed greater EMG activity than the other three muscles. CONCLUSION: External rotation in the prone position revealed the highest activation of the lower trapezius compared to upper trapezius muscle activity. This may be particularly useful in isolating the lower trapezius in cases where excessive scapular elevation is noted. Therefore, the most effective lower trapezius exercise should be performed below ninety degrees of shoulder abduction.
Adult ; Diptera ; Elapidae ; Electromyography ; Exercise ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Prone Position ; Shoulder ; Superficial Back Muscles

PURPOSE: To obtain basic information for studies of female sexual dysfunction, we investigated the sexual activities and attitudes of young Korean women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey via the Internet. From July 2004 to August 2004, we sent e-mail to 43,000 women who registered with an internet research company. The recipients of the e-mail were asked to join our study if they had stable sexual activities more than once a month for the most recent 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 508 subjects completed the questionnaire, a response rate of 24.7%. Among 423 questionnaires analyzed, 176 women were single and 247 were married. The mean frequency of coitus per month was 5.5 3.9. About 40% of the women had experienced masturbation, and 112 women (26.5%) had masturbated regularly, even though they had stable sexual activities with their partner(s). Among the 423 subjects, 349 had no plan to have a baby; however, only 287 subjects (67.8%) had used a contraceptive method(s). Among those who used contraceptive methods, 183 subjects (63.8%) used methods with low success rates, such as menstrual timing or extra-vaginal ejaculation. Most of the women answered that they have a positive attitude toward sex (3.4 0.8 point on a 5 point scale) and their sex life has great importance in their life. CONCLUSIONS: Via an Internet survey, we investigated the sexual life and attitudes of young Korean women. An Internet survey requires less manpower, a shorter study period, and less research funds than classical survey methods such as mail or interview surveys. The study results obtained will be useful as basic data for studies of female sexual function in Korean women.
Coitus ; Contraception ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ejaculation ; Electronic Mail ; Female ; Financial Management ; Humans ; Internet* ; Male ; Masturbation ; Postal Service ; Sexual Behavior

Architectural changes in healthy muscle after denervation have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate architectural changes in the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle (GCM) after aesthetic tibial nerve ablation in healthy adults using ultrasonography (US). The effects of tibial nerve ablation were verified by visual observation and surface electromyography analysis. US images of medial GCMs were taken by one trained physician using B-mode and real-time US with a linear-array probe before nerve ablation, at 1 week after nerve ablation and at 3 months after nerve ablation in an anatomic standing position with the feet about shoulder-width apart in 19 healthy adults (17 females and 2 males). Muscle thickness was significantly reduced on the left side at 1 week and 3 months after the procedure and on the right side at 3 months after the procedure (p<0.050). Although fascicle length was not significantly changed, pennation angle was significantly reduced on both sides at 3 months after the procedure (p<0.050). Muscle thickness and pennation angle of the muscle fascicle were significantly reduced, although fascicle length was not significantly changed, after tibial nerve ablation in the medial GCM of healthy adults.
Adult ; Denervation ; Electromyography ; Female ; Foot ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Head ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Posture ; Tibial Nerve ; Ultrasonography

Arytenoid cartilage dislocation is one of the most common mechanical causes of vocal fold immobility. The most common etiologies are intubation and external trauma, but its incidence is lower than 0.1%. Its symptoms include dysphonia, vocal fatigue, loss of vocal control, breathiness, odynophagia, dysphagia, dyspnea, and cough. Although there are some reports of arytenoid cartilage dislocation in adults, there are only few reports on its occurrence in children. It is particularly difficult to detect the symptoms of arytenoid cartilage dislocation in uncooperative pediatric patients with brain lesions without verbal output or voluntary expression. We report a case of arytenoid cartilage dislocation with incidental findings in a videofluoroscopic swallowing study performed to evaluate the swallowing function.

Sleep disorders and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) are increasingly important issues observed in neurological disorders. However, the correlation between these diseases has not been sufficiently studied. Thus, we discuss the correlation between sleep disorders and the clinical features of NPH. Methods: Overall, 40 patients with idiopathic NPH were included in the study. To evaluate the sleep disorders and psychiatric problems, surveys were administered, including the 36-Item Short Form Survey, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Berlin Questionnaire, STOP-Bang Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, and the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire. To evaluate the severity of dementia and ataxia, all of the patients completed the Korean mini-mental state examination; Korea frontal assessment battery score, amd unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale-motor scores before and after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. The Pearson’s chi-square test, independent Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between sleep disorders and symptom improvement after CSF drainage. Results: Of the 40 patients, 21 patients had poor sleep quality (PSQI>5), 8 patients had insomnia (ISI≥8), 11 patients had daytime sleepiness (ESS≥11), 9 (STOP-Bang≥3) to 13 (Berlin≥2 categories) patients had sleep apnea, 13 patients were anxious (HAS≥8), and 27 patients were depressed (HDS≥8). A linear regression analysis showed that sleep apnea was significantly correlated with cognitive function, and insomnia was correlated with cognitive, motor, and frontal lobe functions. Additionally, patients with severe sleep apnea demonstrated a greater recovery of cognitive function after CSF drainage. Conclusions: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is closely related to the clinical symptoms and treatment effectiveness of NPH. The diagnosis and proper treatment of OSA is expected to improve the prognosis of patients with NPH.

Sleep disorders and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) are increasingly important issues observed in neurological disorders. However, the correlation between these diseases has not been sufficiently studied. Thus, we discuss the correlation between sleep disorders and the clinical features of NPH. Methods: Overall, 40 patients with idiopathic NPH were included in the study. To evaluate the sleep disorders and psychiatric problems, surveys were administered, including the 36-Item Short Form Survey, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Berlin Questionnaire, STOP-Bang Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, and the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire. To evaluate the severity of dementia and ataxia, all of the patients completed the Korean mini-mental state examination; Korea frontal assessment battery score, amd unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale-motor scores before and after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. The Pearson’s chi-square test, independent Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between sleep disorders and symptom improvement after CSF drainage. Results: Of the 40 patients, 21 patients had poor sleep quality (PSQI>5), 8 patients had insomnia (ISI≥8), 11 patients had daytime sleepiness (ESS≥11), 9 (STOP-Bang≥3) to 13 (Berlin≥2 categories) patients had sleep apnea, 13 patients were anxious (HAS≥8), and 27 patients were depressed (HDS≥8). A linear regression analysis showed that sleep apnea was significantly correlated with cognitive function, and insomnia was correlated with cognitive, motor, and frontal lobe functions. Additionally, patients with severe sleep apnea demonstrated a greater recovery of cognitive function after CSF drainage. Conclusions: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is closely related to the clinical symptoms and treatment effectiveness of NPH. The diagnosis and proper treatment of OSA is expected to improve the prognosis of patients with NPH.

Sleep disorders and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) are increasingly important issues observed in neurological disorders. However, the correlation between these diseases has not been sufficiently studied. Thus, we discuss the correlation between sleep disorders and the clinical features of NPH. Methods: Overall, 40 patients with idiopathic NPH were included in the study. To evaluate the sleep disorders and psychiatric problems, surveys were administered, including the 36-Item Short Form Survey, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Berlin Questionnaire, STOP-Bang Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, and the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire. To evaluate the severity of dementia and ataxia, all of the patients completed the Korean mini-mental state examination; Korea frontal assessment battery score, amd unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale-motor scores before and after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. The Pearson’s chi-square test, independent Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between sleep disorders and symptom improvement after CSF drainage. Results: Of the 40 patients, 21 patients had poor sleep quality (PSQI>5), 8 patients had insomnia (ISI≥8), 11 patients had daytime sleepiness (ESS≥11), 9 (STOP-Bang≥3) to 13 (Berlin≥2 categories) patients had sleep apnea, 13 patients were anxious (HAS≥8), and 27 patients were depressed (HDS≥8). A linear regression analysis showed that sleep apnea was significantly correlated with cognitive function, and insomnia was correlated with cognitive, motor, and frontal lobe functions. Additionally, patients with severe sleep apnea demonstrated a greater recovery of cognitive function after CSF drainage. Conclusions: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is closely related to the clinical symptoms and treatment effectiveness of NPH. The diagnosis and proper treatment of OSA is expected to improve the prognosis of patients with NPH.

Radiation is the most useful treatment modality for cancer patients. It initiates a series of signal cascades such as DNA damage response (DDR) signaling for repairing damaged DNA, arresting the cell cycle, and inducing cell death. Until now, few genes have been found to be regulated by radiation, which explains the molecular mechanisms of cellular responses to radiation. Although the transcriptional changes caused by radiation have been widely investigated, little is known about the direct evidence for the transcriptional control of DDR-related genes. Here, we examined the radiosensitivity of two non-small cell lung cancer cell lines (H460 and H1299), which have different p53 status. We monitored the time-dependent changes of 24 DDR-related gene expressions via microarray analysis. Based on the basal expression levels and temporal patterns, we further classified 24 DDR-related genes into four subgroups. Then, we also addressed the protein levels of several DDR-related genes such as TopBP1, Chk1 and Chk2, confirming the results of microarray analysis. Together, these results indicate that the expression patterns of DDR-related genes are associated with radiosensitivity and with the p53 statuses of H460 and H1299, which adds to the understanding of the complex biological responses to radiation.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics ; Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival/radiation effects ; DNA Damage/*radiation effects ; DNA Repair Enzymes/genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/*radiation effects ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Radiation Tolerance/genetics ; Signal Transduction