BACKGROUND: In the osseointegration of dental implants, the implant surface properties have been reported to be some of the most important critical factors. The effect of implant's surfaces created by resorbable blast media (RBM) followed by laser ablation on bone tissue reactions was examined using the removal torque test and histomorphometric analysis. METHODS: Two types of dental implants, RBM-laser implants (experimental group) and RBM implants (control group) (CSM implant system, Daegu, Korea; L=6 mm, diameter=3.75 mm) were placed into the right and left distal femoral metaphysis of 17 adult rabbits. Six weeks after placement, removal torque was measured and histomorphometric analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mean removal torque was 24.0±10.2 Ncm and 46.6±16.4 Ncm for the control and test specimens, respectively. The experimental RBM-laser implants had significantly higher removal torque values than the control RBM implants (p=0.013). The mean values of total and cortical bone to implant contact (BIC) were respectively 46.3±10.8% and 65.3±12.5% for the experimental group, and 41.9±18.5% and 57.6±10.6% for the control group. The experimental RBM-laser implants showed a higher degree of total and cortical BIC compared with RBM implants, but there was no statistical significance (p=0.482, 0.225). CONCLUSION The removal torque and BIC of the test group were higher than those of the control group. In this study, the surface treatment created by RBM treatment followed by laser ablation appears to have a potential in improving bone tissue reactions of dental implants.

BACKGROUND: Oral mucositis during radiotherapy which is harmful to the patients with head and neck is suggested to be related to the oral hygiene and health. Therefore, we evaluated the oral health status in relation to the occurrence of mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer during radiotherapy. METHODS: Tooth plaque index (PI), periodontal depth, and oral mucositis in 50 patients with head and neck cancer were examined by a dentist for 8 weeks after radiotherapy initiation. Cancer type and site were recorded based on the patients’ medical records. In addition, we assessed oral health-related quality of life. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 56.3 ± 11.6 years, with patients aged > 60 years comprising the largest proportion of the mucositis group. The median (range) of the PI index were 0 (0–3) and 1 (0–3) among participants with mucositis and those without, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.761). The median (range) of the total Oral Health Impact Profile score were 54 (42–58) and 41 (14–70) among participants without mucositis and those with mucositis, respectively (P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that patients who developed mucositis during radiotherapy had lower oral health-related quality of life than those who did not. However, there was no difference in oral health status according to mucositis.
Dentists ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Head ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Mucositis ; Neck ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; Stomatitis ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: In the osseointegration of dental implants, the implant surface properties have been reported to be some of the most important critical factors. The effect of implant's surfaces created by resorbable blast media (RBM) followed by laser ablation on bone tissue reactions was examined using the removal torque test and histomorphometric analysis.METHODS: Two types of dental implants, RBM-laser implants (experimental group) and RBM implants (control group) (CSM implant system, Daegu, Korea; L=6 mm, diameter=3.75 mm) were placed into the right and left distal femoral metaphysis of 17 adult rabbits. Six weeks after placement, removal torque was measured and histomorphometric analysis was performed.RESULTS: The mean removal torque was 24.0±10.2 Ncm and 46.6±16.4 Ncm for the control and test specimens, respectively. The experimental RBM-laser implants had significantly higher removal torque values than the control RBM implants (p=0.013). The mean values of total and cortical bone to implant contact (BIC) were respectively 46.3±10.8% and 65.3±12.5% for the experimental group, and 41.9±18.5% and 57.6±10.6% for the control group. The experimental RBM-laser implants showed a higher degree of total and cortical BIC compared with RBM implants, but there was no statistical significance (p=0.482, 0.225).CONCLUSION: The removal torque and BIC of the test group were higher than those of the control group. In this study, the surface treatment created by RBM treatment followed by laser ablation appears to have a potential in improving bone tissue reactions of dental implants.
Adult ; Bone and Bones ; Daegu ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Korea ; Laser Therapy ; Osseointegration ; Rabbits ; Surface Properties ; Torque

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the relationship between oral hygiene and health status and radiationinduced mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer over an 8-week period. METHODS: We recruited 40 patients with head and neck cancer scheduled to receive radiation therapy (RT), and 25 patients were included in the study. Before commencing RT, a dentist examined the patients for plaque, and determined the gingival index and pocket depth. A dental hygienist assessed the patients for radiation-induced mucositis once weekly, for 8 weeks, during RT. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 60.96 (±8.47) years, and 21 (87.5%) patients were male. Twenty patients (83.3%) had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with cancer located in the head region had more severe mucositis than those with cancer in the neck region, but this was not significant statistically (P=0.053). However, toothbrushing frequency, plaque, gingival index, and pocket depth were not related to radiation-induced mucositis. During RT, the severity of mucositis significantly worsened compared to that at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Mucositis severity worsened during RT, but this was not related to oral hygiene and health status among patients with head and neck cancer.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Dental Hygienists ; Dentists ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Mucositis ; Neck ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Index ; Radiotherapy ; Toothbrushing

BACKGROUND: Because conventional echocardiographic parameters have several limitations, strain echocardiography has often been introduced in clinical practice. However, there are also obstacles in using it in clinical practice. Therefore, we wanted to find the current status of awareness on using strain echocardiography in Korea. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide survey to evaluate current use and awareness of strain echocardiography from the members of the Korean Society of Echocardiography. RESULTS: We gathered total 321 questionnaires from 25 cardiology centers in Korea. All participants were able to perform or interpret echocardiographic examinations. All participating institutions performed strain echocardiography. Most of our study participants (97%) were aware of speckle tracking echocardiography and 185 (58%) performed it for clinical and research purposes. Two-dimensional strain echocardiography was the most commonly used modality and left ventricle (LV) was the most commonly used cardiac chamber (99%) for clinical purposes. Most of the participants (89%) did not think LV strain can replace LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in their clinical practice. The common reasons for not performing routine use of strain echocardiography was diversity of strain measurements and lack of normal reference value. Many participants had a favorable view of the future of strain echocardiography. CONCLUSION: Most of our study participants were aware of strain echocardiography, and all institutions performed strain echocardiography for clinical and research purposes. However, they did not think the LV strain values could replace LVEF. The diversity of strain measurements and lack of normal reference values were common reasons for not using strain echocardiography in clinical practice.
Cardiology ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Ventricles ; Korea* ; Reference Values

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the change in oral health-related quality of life among patients with head & neck cancer who received radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 40 patients who were diagnosed as having head and neck cancer and scheduled to have radiotherapy were enrolled in this study; however, only 25 patients were included in the final analysis. Prior to radiotherapy, a dentist performed an oral examination to check for the presence of decayed and missing teeth, plaque, and determine the gingival index. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the OHIP-14 questionnaire. Eight weeks after starting radiotherapy, oral health-related quality of life was re-evaluated using the same questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 60.20 (±7.29) years, and 22 (88.8%) of them were men. The majority of the participants were diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma (68.0%). The total OHIP-14 score was significantly decreased from 56.20 (±13.50) at baseline to 45.72 (±10.98) eight weeks after radiotherapy. In addition, according to subjective oral health at baseline, the observed change in the OHIP-14 score was significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health-related quality of life was significantly lowered after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Dentists ; Diagnosis, Oral ; Head and Neck Neoplasms* ; Head* ; Humans ; Male ; Oral Health ; Periodontal Index ; Quality of Life* ; Radiotherapy* ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic and functional evaluation with Doppler and tissue Doppler study as a part of comprehensive echocardiography is essential but normal reference values have never been reported from Korean normal population especially according to age and sex. METHODS: Using Normal echOcaRdiographic Measurements in a KoreAn popuLation study subjects, we obtained normal reference values for Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiography including tricuspid annular velocities according to current guidelines and compared values according to gender and age groups. RESULTS: Mitral early diastolic (E) and late diastolic (A) velocity as well as E/A ratio were significantly higher in women compared to those in men. Conversely, mitral peak systolic and late diastolic annular velocity in both septal and lateral mitral annulus were significantly lower in women compared to those in men. However, there were no significant differences in both septal and lateral mitral early diastolic annular (e') velocity between men and women. In both men and women, mitral E velocity and its deceleration time as well as both E/A and E/e' ratio considerably increased with age. There were no significant differences in tricuspid inflow velocities and tricuspid lateral annular velocities between men and women except e' velocity, which was significantly higher in women compared to that in men. However, changes in both tricuspid inflow and lateral annular velocities according to age were similar to those in mitral velocities. CONCLUSION: Since there were significant differences in Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiographic variables between men and women and changes according to age were even more considerable in both gender groups, normal Doppler echocardiographic values should be differentially applied based on age and sex.
Deceleration ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Reference Values

BACKGROUND: It is important to understand the distribution of 2-dimensional strain values in normal population. We performed a multicenter trial to measure normal echocardiographic values in the Korean population. METHODS: This was a substudy of the Normal echOcardiogRaphic Measurements in KoreAn popuLation (NORMAL) study. Echocardiographic specialists measured frequently used echocardiographic indices in healthy people according to a standardized method at 23 different university hospitals. The strain values were analyzed from digitally stored images. RESULTS: Of a total of 1003 healthy participants in NORMAL study, 2-dimensional strain values were measured in 501 subjects (265 females, mean age 47 ± 15 years old) with echocardiographic images only by GE echocardiographic machines. Interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular (LV) posterior wall thickness, systolic and diastolic LV dimensions, and LV ejection fraction were 7.5 ± 1.0 mm, 7.4 ± 1.0 mm, 29.9 ± 2.8 mm, 48.9 ± 3.6 mm, and 62 ± 4%, respectively. LV longitudinal systolic strain (LS) values of apical 4-chamber (A4C) view, apical 3-chamber (A3C) view, apical 2-chamber (A2C) view, and LV global LS (LVGLS) were −20.1 ± 2.3, −19.9 ± 2.7, −21.2 ± 2.6, and −20.4 ± 2.2%, respectively. LV longitudinal systolic strain rate (LVLSR) values of the A4C view, A3C view, A2C view, and LV global LSR (LVGLSR) were −1.18 ± 0.18, −1.20 ± 0.21, −1.25 ± 0.21, and −1.21 ± 0.21(−s), respectively. Females had lower LVGLS (−21.2 ± 2.2% vs. −19.5 ± 1.9%, p < 0.001) and LVGLSR (−1.25 ± 0.18(−s) vs. −1.17 ± 0.15(−s), p < 0.001) values than males. CONCLUSION: We measured LV longitudinal strain and strain rate values in the normal Korean population. Since considerable gender differences were observed, normal echocardiographic cutoff values should be differentially applied based on sex.
Echocardiography* ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Ventricles* ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Multicenter Studies as Topic ; Reference Values ; Specialization

BACKGROUND: Measurement of the cardiac chamber is essential, and current guidelines recommend measuring and reporting values for both sides of the cardiac chamber during echocardiographic evaluation. Normal echocardiographic reference values have been suggested previously, but detailed information about right-sided chambers and values according to gender was not included. METHODS: This is a prospective multicenter (23 centers) study evaluating normal Korean adult subjects using comprehensive echocardiography. We included normal adult subjects (age; 20-79 years old) who had no significant cardiac disorders or illnesses, such as hypertension or diabetes, which could affect cardiac structure and function. We measured the cardiac chamber including both right and left ventricles as well as atria according to current echocardiography guidelines and compared values according to gender and age groups. RESULTS: A total of 1003 subjects were evaluated and the mean age was 48 +/- 16 years. Left ventricular (LV) dimensions increased, but LV volume decreased in older subjects. Right ventricular (RV) area decreased in women and older subjects, and the RV long-axis dimension showed a similar trend. Left atrial (LA) volume increased in men but there were no differences in LA volume index between men and women. The dimension of great arteries increased in men and older subjects. CONCLUSION: Since there were considerable differences between men and women and in the different age groups, and the trends differed significantly between different echo variables, normal echocardiographic cutoff values should be differentially applied based on age and gender.
Adult ; Arteries* ; Echocardiography* ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Reference Values

Potocki-Shaffer syndrome (PSS, OMIM #601224) is a rare contiguous gene deletion syndrome caused by haploinsufficiency of genes located on the 11p11.2p12. Affected individuals have a number of characteristic features including multiple exostoses, biparietal foramina, abnormalities of genitourinary system, hypotonia, developmental delay, and intellectual disability. We report here on the first Korean case of an 8-yr-old boy with PSS diagnosed by high resolution microarray. Initial evaluation was done at age 6 months because of a history of developmental delay, hypotonia, and dysmorphic face. Coronal craniosynostosis and enlarged parietal foramina were found on skull radiographs. At age 6 yr, he had severe global developmental delay. Multiple exostoses of long bones were detected during a radiological check-up. Based on the clinical and radiological features, PSS was highly suspected. Subsequently, chromosomal microarray analysis identified an 8.6 Mb deletion at 11p11.2 [arr 11p12p11.2 (Chr11:39,204,770-47,791,278)x1]. The patient continued rehabilitation therapy for profound developmental delay. The progression of multiple exostosis has being monitored. This case confirms and extends data on the genetic basis of PSS. In clinical and radiologic aspect, a patient with multiple exostoses accompanying with syndromic features, including craniofacial abnormalities and mental retardation, the diagnosis of PSS should be considered.
Child ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosome Disorders/diagnosis/*genetics/radiography ; Chromosome Mapping ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11/genetics/radiography ; Craniofacial Abnormalities/genetics ; Developmental Disabilities/genetics ; Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary/diagnosis/*genetics/radiography ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Hypotonia/genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Rare Diseases/*genetics ; Republic of Korea