OBJECTIVES: Xylitol is an effective anticarious natural sugar substitute, by inhibiting the virulence of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). However, long-term xylitol consumption leads to an emergence of the xylitol-resistant (XR) strains. This study aimed to confirm the general characteristics, mRNA expression of gtf genes, and adhesive ability of the xylitol-sensitive (XS) and XR S. mutans , by xylitol-treated concentrations. METHODS: S. mutans KCTC3065 was maintained in TYE medium, containing 0.4% glucose with 1% xylitol for 30 days at 37degrees C, 10% CO2 to form XR strain and the same procedures, without xylitol, were repeated for the formation of XS S. mutans. Both XS and XR were cultured by xylitol-treated concentrations (0%, 0.1% and 1%), then, general characteristics, such as growth and acid production, mRNA expression of gtf genes and adhesive ability were analyzed. RESULTS: Xylitol reduced the cell growth of XS S. mutans in a dose-dependent manner, but did not reduce the XR. Xylitol inhibited acid production of XS in a dose-dependent manner. However, it did not inhibit that of XR. Xylitol reduced the gtfB and gtfD mRNA expression of the XS S. mutans, which the genes synthesized soluble and insoluble extracellular polysaccharides, but not reduced that of the XR. By a microtiter plate assay, biofilm formation was more reduced in the XR strains, which means biofilm's adhesive ability of XR S. mutans was lower than that of the XS. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that a lower level of adhesive ability for XR S. mutans is related with mRNA expression level of gtf genes, which suggested that the XR strains may be less cariogenic than that of the XS.
Adhesives ; Biofilms ; Glucose ; Glucosyltransferases ; Polysaccharides ; RNA, Messenger ; Sprains and Strains ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus mutans ; Sweetening Agents ; Xylitol

Cysticercosis is due to a larva of Taenia Solium. It is frequently reported in developing countries. It usually affects subcutaneous tissue, muscles and brain. But, spinal cysticercosis is rare and is usually diagnosed at surgery. Authors experienced a case of spinal cysticercosis accompanied with spondylolistheses at the same level. Space occupying lesion and arachnoiditis, confirmed by MMCT and MRI, were noted at the same level of spondylolistheses. So, it was very hard to make dicision whether we should open up the dura or not.
Arachnoid ; Arachnoiditis ; Brain ; Cysticercosis ; Developing Countries ; Larva ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscles ; Spondylolisthesis ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Taenia solium

We Studied 48 patients(62 hips) who were performed hip arthroplasties at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Soonchunhyang University hospital from February 1990 to August 1992. The purpose of the present study was to compare canal filling ratio and clinical results of cases treated by cementless femoral stem with 19 Harris Galante(straight stem), 23 Anatomic(curved stem) and 20 Multilock (straight stem). The follow-up periods ranged from 12 months to 36 months. We assessed canal filling at metaphysis, mid-stem and distal canal, and clinical results according to canal filling. The results were as follows ; 1. The average filling ratio of the medullary canal by each type of stem in the coronal plane were as follows. Harris Galante ; 80. 5%, Anatomic ; 79. 4%, Multilock; 79. 8% in metaphysis. Harris Galante ; 88. 7%, Anatomic ; 88. 3%, Multilock ; 87. 3% in mid-stem. Harris Galante ; 95. 1%, Anatomic 90. 2%, Multilock ; 94. 5% in distal canal. At distal canal, the average canal filling of Harris Galante and Multilock were more excellent than Anatomic in coronal plane. 2. The average filling ratio of the medullary canal by each type of stem in the saggital plane were as follows. Harris Galante ; 64. 0%, Anatomic 69. 6%, Multilock ; 68. 6% in metaphysis. Harris Galante ; 79. 6%, Anatomic; 84. 5%, Multilock; 80. 2 in mid-stem. Harris Galante ; 78. 3%, Anatomic ; 82. 6%, Multilock ; 84. 5% in distal canal. At mid-stem, the average canal filling of Anatomic was more excellent than Multilock and Harris Galante. At metaphysis and distal canal, the average canal filling of Anatomic and Multilock were more excellent than Harris Galante in saggital plane. 3. The average Harris's hip scores of each type of stem at the final follow-up was 89. 9 in Harris Galante, 90. 3 in Anatomic and 91. 9 points in Multilock. There was no significance statistically(p>0.05). 4. The correlation between the average canal filling and thigh pain was not statistically significant (p>0. 05).
Arthroplasty ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Thigh

Objective: To investigate the comprehensive outcomes in aphasic patients, including their cognitive and functional status after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. It also aimed to clarify whether aphasia is a prognostic factor for cognitive and functional improvements in stroke patients. Methods: Sixty-seven ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke patients in the subacute stage who had been diagnosed with aphasia using the Korean version of Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test (K-FAST) were included in the study. Forty-six stroke patients without aphasia were used as controls. All patients were examined with the Korean version of the Western Aphasia Battery (K-WAB). Cognitive and functional assessments of the patients including the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), and the Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) were performed during admission and 4 weeks after the initial assessments. Results: The initial and follow-up total K-MMSE and K-MBI scores were significantly lower in aphasic patients than in non-aphasic controls. The K-WAB scores highly correlated with the total K-MMSE scores at the follow-up stage in all aphasic stroke patients. The K-WAB scores moderately correlated with the follow-up scores of the K-MBI in ischemic stroke patients but not in hemorrhagic stroke patients. Conclusion Aphasia influences the cognitive and functional status of stroke patients and has a greater impact on cognitive improvement. Aphasia severity can be one of the prognostic factors for cognitive status in aphasic patients with stroke.

Posttraumatic volar instability of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint with hyperextensile laxity makes pain and weakness during pinch or grip exercise. Several surgical procedures have been described to eliminate thumb metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension. We treated a patient who had suffered from volar instability with pain for 17 years using volar plate repair and capsulodesis with suture anchor. The result was successful with satisfactory recovery of the hand function.
Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; Suture Anchors ; Thumb ; Palmar Plate

Animals ; Arginine ; Cimetidine ; Diphenhydramine ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Histamine ; Ischemia ; Mast Cells ; Necrosis ; Neutrophils ; Nitric Oxide ; Rats ; Receptors, Histamine ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury ; Skin ; Thrombosis

Epidural hemangioma is a rare neoplasm which consists of 4% of epidural tumors and 12% of hemangiomas of vertebral column. But most of them are secondary involvement of epidural space by vertebral hemangioma and pure epidural hemangioma is very rare. Reported cases involve thoracic & lumbar level. Neural foramen & paraspinal region are usually invaded by the tumor mass. Clinical symptoms are similar to simple low back pain or disc herniation. Myelography, CT & MRI are helpful to make diagnosis but pathologic finding is important for final diagnosis. Authors are reporting a case of epidural hemangioma which was difficult to differentiate from HIVD by symptomatology & radiologic findings alone.
Diagnosis ; Epidural Neoplasms ; Epidural Space ; Hemangioma ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myelography ; Spine

Lipoma Arborescens is rarely encountered in hip joint. This term was first used by Mueller in 1838, to describe a fatty trmor of the knee which presented branched villous-like projection. The etiology is unknown, Suggests its probable reationship to tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthitis, trauma, chronic inflammation, diabetes mellitus and degenerative arthritis. It frequently involves knee joint, hand, wrist, foot, ankle, tendon sheath and hip joint. It usually presents bilaterally. Their nonspecific symptoms and signs are mild pain, joint swelling with minimum effusion, festriction of joint motion, redness, local heating and crepitus. We experienced a case of lipoma arborescens of hip joint, which was treated by synovectomy with excision of lesion.
Ankle ; Arthralgia ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Foot ; Hand ; Heating ; Hip Joint ; Hip ; Hot Temperature ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Lipoma ; Osteoarthritis ; Tendons ; Tuberculosis ; Wrist

In 1971, for purpose of reduction of peak stress occuring in cement and trabecular bone of the acetabulum, Harris reported a series of metal-backed acetabular components with removable polyethylene liners that could be replaced if excessive wear occured. Modular designs of hip prostheses have become popular recently, but they introduce the risk of disassembly of the components postoperatively. And introduce of loosening and infection of femoral or acetabular components by debris of polyethylene liner. We report a case of mechanical disassembly of polyethylene liner in cementless metal backed cup, and review previously reported articles.
Acetabulum ; Hip Prosthesis ; Polyethylene

BACKGROUND: Coronary stenting is one of effective and well-accepted treatments for coronary artery disease. On the other hand, side branch occlusion (SBO) is a known complication of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary stenting. Accordingly, this study was designed to determine the incidence, predictors and acute clinical outcomes of SBO. METHODS: Coronary angiographic findings of 45 patients who had total 98 side branches originating from the stented segments were analized before and just after coronary stenting. Bifurcation lesions were divided into 3 types : type 1, type 2, type 3 and each type was subdivided into type A with significant ostial narrowing (diameter stenosis >or=50%) and type B without significant ostial narrowing of side branches. Side branch occlusion was defined as development of total occlusion or morphologic changes from type B to type A or reduction of TIMI flow more than grade 1 compared with pre-stenting flow of side branches. RESULTS: After coronary stenting, SBO occurred in 20 of 98 side branches (20.4%). SBO was significantly related with history of previous myocardial infarction (p=0.02), threatened side branch morphology (p=0.016) and poor pre-stenting flow of side branches (p=0.014). There were no serious clinical events such as myocardial infaction and death associated with acute SBO. CONCLUSION: Acute SBO can be developed in a few stented patients. Signifiant clinical and angiographic predictors of SBO just after coronary stenting were the history of previous myocardial infarction, threatened side branch morphology and poor pre-stenting flow of side branches.
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Stenosis ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Myocardial Infarction ; Stents*