In order to find out a valuable control measure for soil-transmitted parasties, the infectivity in mice of Ascaris eggs irradiated with Cobalt(60) were examined. The results were summarised as follows. In vitro, Ascaris eggs irradiated with larger doses of Cobalt(60) developed poorly, and no difference was found between fresh eggs and those cultured for a few days. Ascaris eggs irradiated with doses of 200,000 rad. developed at the rate of 90 percent after 4 weeks, whereas those irradiated with 1,000,000 rad. developed 28 percent. Ascaris eggs irradiated with Cobalt(60) after 2 weeks of culture were poor in development compared with those of 4 week culture. Eggs cultured for 5 weeks showed weaker infectivity in mice than those cultured for 8 weeks. In the control groups, the infectivity in mice of Ascaris eggs was remained the same between 5 and 8 weeks. The minimum dose of Cobalt(60) irradiation effective for preventing infectivity in mice was estimated to be 200,000 rad.
parasiotology ; radiology ; prevention ; Ascaris suum ; nematode ; Cobalt(60) ; irradiation

No abstract available.
Animals ; Interleukin-2 ; Mice*

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to compare and quantify the expressions of RANK and RANKL in the gingival tissues of non-periodontitis patient and patients with chronic periodontitis, in order to understand the contribution of these proteins to periodontal destruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gingival tissue samples were obtained during periodontal surgery or tooth extraction. According to the patient's systemic condition & clinical criteria of gingiva, each gingival sample was divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=8) is clinically healthy gingiva without bleeding and no evidence of bone resorption or periodontal pockets, obtained from non-periodontitis patients. Group 2 (n=8) is inflammed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis. Tissue samples were prepared and analyzed by Western blotting. The quantification of RANK and RANKL were performed using a densitometer and statistically analyzed by Student's t-Test. RESULTS: The expression of RANK were similar in group 1 and 2. The difference between group 1 and 2 was not statistically significant. And the mean amount of RANKL was more increased in group 2 than group 1. The difference between group 1 and group 2 was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The expression level of RANK didn't show any significant difference between healthy tissue from non-periodontitis patients and inflamed tissue from chronic periodontitis, but the expression level of RANKL in inflammed tissue from chronic periodontitis showed significantly increased tendency compared to healthy gingiva from non-periodontitis patients. Threrefore, characteristics of RANK and RANKL in progress of chronic periodontitis would be basis of further studies in diagnostic method and treatment index of the disease.
Blotting, Western ; Bone Resorption ; Chronic Periodontitis* ; Gingiva ; Hemorrhage ; Humans* ; Periodontal Pocket ; Tooth Extraction

Decreased number of the Neuropeptide-Y[NPY] immunoreactive neurons in the corpus striatum and primary motor cortex of aged rat was detected by the immunohistochemical method. The animals were categorized into control and aged group and we used 10 Sprague-Dawley rat weighing 250-300gm for control group. 10 Sprague-Dawley rat weighing over 600gm for aged group. The number of NPY-immunoreactive neurons in corpus striatum and primary motor cortex were counted under the light microscope and the following results were obtained. 1. The NPY-immunoreactive neurons were evenly distributed in corpus striatum and in the primaty motor cortex, the NPY-immunoreactive neurons were concentrated within the layer II, III and layer V, VI. The typical NPY-immunoreactive perikarya was multipolar shape. 2. Decreased number of NPY-immunoreactive neurons were detected in some areas of corpus striatum and primary mortor cortex of the aged rat. 3. Decrease of NPY-immunoreactive neurons were most prominent in the caudate-putamen and there were moderate decrease of NPY-immunoreactive neurons in the primary motor cortex, mild decrease of NPY-immunoreactive neurons in the nucleus accumbens but the NPY-immunoreactive neurons were not observed in the globus pallidus in both control and aged rat. NPY is supposed to act as a neurotransmitter of local circuit neurons in the striatum and may exert its potent vasoconstrictor effects on cerebral vessels which influences on the microcirculation of cerebral cortex and striatum. So our results seems to provide an important data on change of the function in the striatum and primary motor cortex of aged rat brain.
Aging ; Animals ; Brain ; Cerebral Cortex ; Corpus Striatum* ; Globus Pallidus ; Microcirculation ; Motor Cortex ; Neurons* ; Neuropeptide Y* ; Neuropeptides* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nucleus Accumbens ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: There are numerous reports about the usefulness of antibiotics such as doxycycline or metronidazole in the conventional treatment for the patients with chronic periodontal diseases. However, seldom are the reports about effects of vitamins or nutraceuticals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of nutrient supplement including multiple vitamins and neutraceuticals with PRF-K2 from plants and seaweed in treatment of the patients with chronic periodontitis which is needed a nonsurgical or a surgical treatment by evaluating the clinical parameters and the gingival crevicular fluid volume. METHODS:The systemically healthy and nonsmoking patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis were divided into a nonsurgical group and a surgical group. They were also divided into the test group with nutrient supplements and the control group without nutrient supplements. In the nonsurgical group, the clinical parameters (probing depth, clinical attachment level, sulcus bleeding index, and plaque index) and the gingival crevicular fluid volume were checked on baseline, at 1 week, at 3 week and at 9 week after a supplement treatment. In the surgical group, the clinical parameters and the gingival crevicular fluid volume were also checked at 15 week after a surgical treatment. RESULTS: In both nonsurgical and surgical groups, reduction of pocket depth and increment of clinical attachment level were revealed in the test group compared with the control group, but there was not statistically significant difference (p>0.05), and sulcus bleeding index was decreased with statistically significant difference (p<0.05). In addition, plaque index was decreased with statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the nonsurgical group. Gingival crevicular fluid volume was decreased with statistically significant difference (p<0.05) at week 9 in both non-surgical and surgical groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our results demonstrate that providing nutrient supplement in both nonsurgical or surgical periodontal treatments may improve gingival inflammation and gingival crevicular fluid.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ascorbic Acid ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Dietary Supplements ; Doxycycline ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Metronidazole ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontitis ; Seaweed ; Vitamins ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: Tunneling is a periodontal surgical procedure that creates access for patient cleansing and maintenance within the furcal area of a molar tooth with severe furcation involvement. Up to date, there are few studies about a long term clinical and radiographic stability of tunneling. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the long term prognosis after tunnel preparation of molars with through and through furcation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 25 teeth of 23 patients aged 36 to 70 (mean age 51.7) were treated surgically with tunnel preparation. These cases were followed for 2 to 13 years (mean 6.5years) after surgery. Patients were recalled for an evaluation which was based on a questionnaire, a clinical examination, and radiographic analysis. Clinical assessment included plaque index, caries registration, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, tooth mobility. Baseline and over 2-year follow-up radiographs were collected and evaluated for this study. RESULT: 3 teeth(12%) had been extracted and 1 tooth(4%) hemisected. Root caries was detected in 3 teeth(12%). Thus 72% of the teeth were still caries free and in function. Clinical parameters including PI, PD, BOP, mobility showed somewhat favourable results. Radiographic furcal bone loss showed no statistically significant difference compared to interproximal crestal bone loss (3.59+/-1.69% vs 3.42+/-2.95%) when root length was used as reference. There was no correlation between root trunk length and furcal bone loss. CONCLUSION: Over 2 years after tunneling procedure, teeth showed a clinically and radiographically stable condition, despite of slight root caries and alveolar bone loss within clinically acceptable range. The tunnel procedure may be considered as a viable periodontal treatment option for molar teeth with severe furcation involvement in individuals following a regular maintenance program.
Aged ; Alveolar Bone Loss ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Molar ; Periodontitis ; Prognosis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Root Caries ; Tooth ; Tooth Mobility

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition in the elderly is a serious problem, prevalent in both hospitals and care homes. Due to the absence of a gold standard for malnutrition, herein we evaluate the efficacy of five nutritional screening tools developed or used for the elderly. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Elected medical records of 141 elderly patients (86 men and 55 women, aged 73.5 +/- 5.2 years) hospitalized at a geriatric care hospital were analyzed. Nutritional screening was performed using the following tools: Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA), Mini Nutrition Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002). A combined index for malnutrition was also calculated as a reference tool. Each patient evaluated as malnourished to any degree or at risk of malnutrition according to at least four out of five of the aforementioned tools was categorized as malnourished in the combined index classification. RESULTS: According to the combined index, 44.0% of the patients were at risk of malnutrition to some degree. While the nutritional risk and/or malnutrition varied greatly depending on the tool applied, ranging from 36.2% (MUST) to 72.3% (MNA-SF). MUST showed good validity (sensitivity 80.6%, specificity 98.7%) and almost perfect agreement (k = 0.81) with the combined index. In contrast, MNA-SF showed poor validity (sensitivity 100%, specificity 49.4%) and only moderate agreement (k = 0.46) with the combined index. CONCLUSIONS: MNA-SF was found to overestimate the nutritional risk in the elderly. MUST appeared to be the most valid and useful screening tool to predict malnutrition in the elderly at a geriatric care hospital.
Aged* ; Classification ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malnutrition* ; Mass Screening* ; Medical Records ; Nutrition Assessment ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: Glyphosate-surfactant herbicide (GSH) is a widely used herbicide that is generally thought to be safe. When ingested in large quantities, however, it can result in serious toxicity and even lethality. The purpose of this study was to identify predictive factors for early hospital discharge in GSH poisonings. METHODS: GSH poisoning patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of patients who were discharged earlier, within 48 hours, without any complication since ED admission. Group B included patients who were admitted to the ED more than 48 hours earlier and/or who died within 48 hours of ED admission. Patient demographics, drug intoxication information, chest X-ray (CXR) findings and laboratory data during the first 24 hours on ED admission were collected. Those data were analyzed for their effect on the two groups. Univariate and odds ratio analysis were done. Predictive factors for early hospital discharge were then determined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Seventy three patients (51 males, 22 females) were enrolled in our study; 39 patients in group A, and 34 patients in group B. By univariate and odds ratio analysis, the following variables showed statistically significant differences between groups A and B: estimated amount of poison ingested?, GSC score, CXR findings, arterial pH, PO2, bicarbonate, BUN, creatinine, amylase and potassium. In the analysis of clinical symptoms and signs, mental change, dyspnea and voice change were the significant findings in group B (p<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict early discharge in GSH poisonings, 3 variables (normal CXR finding, no metabolic acidosis, BUN level < or = 23) were found to be highly associated with early discharge. We established the following multiple logistic regression model: Log(p/1-p) = -3.02+1.85(normal CXR)+1.98(no metabolic acidosis)+1.46(BUN< or =23) CONCLUSION: Although GSH poisoning causes multi-organ toxicity, its mortality rate is relatively low (5.5%). Acid-base status, chest X-ray finding, and serum BUN level during the first 24 hours are useful predictive factors for early discharge from the hospital in GSH poisonings.
Acidosis ; Amylases ; Creatinine ; Demography ; Dyspnea ; Glycine ; Herbicides ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Potassium ; Thorax ; Voice

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a simulation module for teaching home health care and evaluate the applicability of the program to nursing students' practical training. METHODS: The simulation module was developed based on the National League for Nursing Jeffries Simulation Theory. The theme of the developed scenario was teaching nasogastric tube feeding to the caregiver of patient with Parkinson disease. Participants were 61 nursing students who had learned tube feeding, and participated in the questionnaire survey after the simulation training. RESULTS: The evaluation of simulation design showed the highest score on feedback/guided reflection, and was highly evaluated in the order of objectives/information, problem solving and fidelity. The educational practice of the simulation was highly evaluated in the order of active learning, high expectation and diversity of learning. The nursing students showed high satisfaction and self-confidence after the simulation education. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the developed simulation module can be applied to practical training for home health care. In the future, the change of self-efficacy, clinical judgment and performance ability of the students after the simulation education should be identified. Also, various simulation modules related to the community health nursing competencies should be continuously developed and verified.
Caregivers ; Community Health Nursing ; Delivery of Health Care ; Education ; Enteral Nutrition* ; Home Health Nursing ; Humans ; Judgment ; Learning ; Nursing* ; Parkinson Disease ; Problem Solving ; Problem-Based Learning ; Simulation Training ; Students, Nursing*

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of muscle relaxants (atracurium) on the outcomes of intermittent exotropia surgery under general anesthesia, with a focus on resection procedures. METHODS: Thirty four patients who underwent recession and resection (R&R) were divided into two groups: atracurium usage (group A, n=18) and no atracurium usage (group B, n=16). Patients were divided into two subgroups according to the amount of resection of the medial rectus (MR): less than 5 mm (group 1, n=13) or 5 mm and greater (group 2, n=21). Deviation angles were compared between groups and subgroups. Surgical outcome was defined as successful if distant deviation angles were equal to or less than 10 prism diopters. RESULTS: The overall postoperative deviation angles did not show statistically significant differences between groups A and B. However, in patients with larger MR resections (> or = 5 mm), the 1 week postoperative distant deviation was significantly larger in group A (1.8+/-2.6 PD) than in group B (-1.6+/-4.6 PD, p=0.048 by t-test). The overall undercorrection rate at 3 months postoperatively for group A was 16.7%, which was higher than that of group B (6.3%), and the difference was even larger in subgroups with larger MR resections (> or =5 mm): 18.2% in group A and 0% in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent R&R procedures under general anesthesia with a muscle relaxant tended to be less corrected than those without muscle relaxant, especially in the early postoperative period and with a larger MR resection equal to or greater than 5 mm. However, there was no significant difference in the later postoperative period.
Anesthesia, Inhalation ; Atracurium/*administration & dosage ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Exotropia/*physiopathology/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Muscle Relaxation ; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents/*administration & dosage ; Oculomotor Muscles/*physiopathology ; Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome