PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of single- and dual-species in vitro oral biofilms made by static and dynamic methods. METHODS: Hydroxyapatite (HA) disks, 12.7 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick, were coated with processed saliva for 4 hours. The disks were divided into a static method group and a dynamic method group. The disks treated with a static method were cultured in 12-well plates, and the disks in the dynamic method group were cultured in a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) biofilm reactor for 72 hours. In the single- and dual-species biofilms, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis were used, and the amount of adhering bacteria, proportions of species, and bacterial reduction of chlorhexidine were examined. Bacterial adhesion was examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). RESULTS: Compared with the biofilms made using the static method, the biofilms made using the dynamic method had significantly lower amounts of adhering and looser bacterial accumulation in SEM and CLSM images. The proportion of P. gingivalis was higher in the dynamic method group than in the static method group; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the biofilm thickness and bacterial reduction by chlorhexidine showed no significant differences between the 2 methods. CONCLUSIONS: When used to reproduce periodontal biofilms composed of F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis, the dynamic method (CDC biofilm reactor) formed looser biofilms containing fewer bacteria than the well plate. However, this difference did not influence the thickness of the biofilms or the activity of chlorhexidine. Therefore, both methods are useful for mimicking periodontitis-associated oral biofilms.
Bacteria ; Bacterial Adhesion ; Biofilms* ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Chlorhexidine ; Durapatite ; Electron Microscope Tomography ; Fusobacterium nucleatum ; In Vitro Techniques ; Methods ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Periodontitis ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Saliva

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine how a manual therapy (joint mobilization and flexion-distraction technique) would affect pain and function with the chronic low back pain. METHODS: Thirty patients were assigned to either the experimental group (n=15) or the control group (n=15). Patients in the experimental group performed joint mobilization and flexion-distraction technique. Patients in the control group performed spinal decompression therapy. Both exercises were performed for three days per week, for a period of six weeks. Pain was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional disability was measured using the Oswestry disability index (ODI). A paired t-test was used for identify differences before and after treatment, and an independent t-test was used to identify differences between treatment groups. RESULTS: In the within group comparison, the experimental group and control group differed significantly for all variables (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in any variables between groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The above results confirmed that it is necessary to confirm the various benefits of therapy with the joint mobilization and the flexion-distraction technique. The findings of the concerned study will be useful to doctors applying therapy to treat patients with the chronic low back pain.
Decompression ; Exercise ; Humans ; Joints ; Low Back Pain* ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations*

PURPOSE: This study was to identify the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy on pain and function of a frozen shoulder. METHODS: Thirty patients were assigned to two groups: the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Both groups received traditional therapy for 4 weeks, 3 days a week. The experimental group, however, received an additional high intensity laser therapy. Pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The functional ability was measured using the patient specific functional scale (PSFS). A paired t-test was used to determine any differences before and after the treatment, and an independent t-test was used to determine any differences between treatment groups. RESULTS: Both groups showed a statistically significant difference for VAS and PSFS score (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, more experimental group than control group statistically significant difference (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There seems to be a positive effect on pain and function of frozen shoulder from using high intensity laser therapy.
Bursitis* ; Humans ; Laser Therapy*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present the MRI and CT findings of solitary spinal bone lesions (SSBLs) with the aims of aiding the differential diagnoses of malignant tumors and benign lesions, and proposing a diagnostic strategy for obscure SSBLs. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the imaging findings of 19 patients with an obscure SSBL on MRI at our hospital from January 1994 to April 2011. The 19 patients were divided to benign groups and malignant groups according to final diagnosis. MRI and CT findings were evaluated and the results of additional work-up studies were conducted to achieve a differential diagnosis. RESULTS: At final diagnoses, 10 (52.6%) of the 19 SSBLs were malignant tumors and 9 (47.4%) were benign lesions. The malignant tumors included 6 metastatic cancers, 3 multiple myelomas, and 1 chordoma, and the benign lesions included 4 osteomyelitis, 2 hemangiomas, 2 nonspecific chronic inflammations, and 1 giant cell tumor. No MRI characteristics examined was found to be significantly different in the benign and malignant groups. Reactive sclerotic change was observed by CT in 1 (10.0%) of the 10 malignant lesions and in 7 (77.8%) of the 9 benign lesions (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Approximately half of the obscure SSBLs were malignant tumors. CT and MRI findings in combination may aid the differential diagnosis of obscure SSBLs. In particular, sclerotic change on CT images was an important finding implying benign lesion. Finally, we suggest a possible diagnostic strategy for obscure SSBLs on MRI.
Chordoma ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Multiple Myeloma ; Osteomyelitis ; Retrospective Studies

In Korea, many people enjoy eating raw or underkooked freshwater crayfish and crabs which unfortunately may cause paragonimiasis. Here, we describe a case of pulmonary and abdominal paragonimiasis in a 9-year-old girl, who presented with a 1-month history of abdominal pain, especially in the right flank and the right inguinal area, with anorexia. A chest radiograph revealed pleural effusion in both lungs, and her abdominal sonography indicated an inflammatory lesion in the right psoas muscle. Peripheral blood analysis of the patient showed hypereosinophilia (66.0%) and an elevated total serum IgE level (>2,500 IU/ml). The pleural effusion tested by ELISA were also positive for antibodies against paragonimiasis. Her dietary history stated that she had ingested raw freshwater crab, 4 months previously. The diagnosis was pulmonary paragonimiasis accompanied by abdominal muscle involvement. She was improved after 5 cycles of praziquantel treatment and 2 times of pleural effusion drainage. In conclusion, herein, we report a case of pulmonary and abdominal paragonimiasis in a girl who presented with abdominal pain and tenderness in the inguinal area.
Abdominal Muscles/*parasitology/pathology/ultrasonography ; Animals ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Brachyura/*parasitology ; Child ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Lung/parasitology/pathology ; Lung Diseases, Parasitic/*diagnosis/drug therapy/radiography ; Paragonimiasis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/radiography ; Paragonimus/isolation & purification ; Pleural Effusion/parasitology/therapy ; Praziquantel/therapeutic use ; Republic of Korea ; Shellfish/*parasitology ; Treatment Outcome

The aorto-enteric fistula is rarely occurred in patients, however it is clinically important since it is a life threatening condition in association with a massive gastrointestinal bleeding. It is classified as the primary type associated with aortic aneurysm and the secondary type which is complicated with vascular surgery. The fistula is mainly found between the aorta and the third portion of duodenum, and rarely occurred on the other part of gastrointestinal tract. In particular, to our knowledge the fistula between the aorta and transverse colon has not been reported. We report the aorto-transverse colon fistula in a 37 years old man who presented a massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Past history revealed that he had been stabbed in the abdomen 18 years ago, suggesting the pseudoaneurysm of aorta with fistula formation could be related. The aorto-transverse colon fistula was diagnosed by abdominal angiography and the fistula was repaired by operation.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Aneurysm, False* ; Angiography ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Colon ; Colon, Transverse ; Duodenum ; Fistula* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans

PURPOSE: This study was performed to present out experience of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage (NAH) and to help diagnosis and management of NAH. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on 14 neonates diagnosed as NAH from January 1993 to August 2002 at Hallym Medical Center. Their clinical manifestations, risk factors, sonographic findings and progression of NAH were evaluated using medical records. RESULTS: There were 12 male cases and two female cases. All cases were full-term babies. In terms of method of delivery, there were 13 cases of vaginal delivery and one case of cesarean section. The most common symptom was jaundice(10 cases). Poor feeding, vomiting, anemia, scrotal swelling with bluish discoloration, abdominal distension and cyanosis were also noted. The risk factors included perinatal asphyxia(five cases), large baby(three cases), sepsis(one case) and birth trauma(one case). Twelve cases(85.7%) involved the right adrenal gland, one case(7.1%) the left side and one case(7.1%) bilateral. In abdominal sonography, hemorrhage was seen as an isoechoic mass with central anechoic portion(35.7%), a central hypoechoic mass with peripheral hyperechoic portion(28.6%), an anechoic cystic mass(28.6%) and a heterogeneous hyperechoic mass(7.1%). Only a conservative treatment was sufficient in all cases. In the 12 cases(85.7%) followed up, size of hemorrhage was reduced in repetitive sonography without any complications. CONCLUSION: The review of these patients emphasizes the subtle and diverse clinical presentation of adrenal hemorrhage in neonates and stresses the importance of repetitive abdominal sonography in establishing the diagnosis.
Adrenal Glands ; Anemia ; Cesarean Section ; Cyanosis ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography* ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and changes of prevalence for green tobacco sickness (GTS) for 2 years. METHODS: The author conducted a questionnaire survey on the tobacco harvesters (875 persons from 478 out of 555 tobacco harvesting households surveyed last year) in Cheongsong-gun for 4 days from May 26 to 29, 2003. RESULTS: The study subjects comprised 456 males and 419 females. The prevalence of GTS in 2002 was 50.5%, which was significantly higher than the 43.0% in 2001 (p<0.01). The incidence density of GTS in 2002 was 11.3 spells/100 person?working-days, which was lower than the 12.1 spells in 2001. Regardless of risk factors such as smoking, workingdays, and working hours, the prevalence of GTS in 2002 was higher than that in 2001. Among various GTS symptoms reported by the tobacco harvesters in 2002, cases of nausea were increased, while diarrhea, dyspnea and cough were decreased compared with 2001. The degree of GTS symptoms in 2002 was increased in 198 cases (64.5%), and decreased in 42 cases (13.7%). The proportion of harvesters who underwent treatment from their local medical facilities in 2002 was significantly decreased compared with that in 2001. CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, there are many tobacco-harvesting households, most of which may be stricken with GTS. It is very important for doctors to diagnose the disease exactly and to develop prevention methods for GTS. I expect that more extensive epidemiological studies including the incidence and associated risk factors will be needed. In addition, surveillance system and measurements of urinary cotinine should be conducted.
Cotinine ; Cough ; Diarrhea ; Dyspnea ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Nausea ; Nicotine ; Poisoning ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Grapefruit seed extract has been reported to have antimicrobial effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-gingivitis effect of chewing gum containing grapefruit seed extract and xylitol. 40 healthy subjects with gingivitis or early periodontitis were divided into two groups. Subjects in the experimental group chewed gum containing grapefruit seed extract and xylitol while subjects in the control group chewed gum containing only xylitol. All subjects received scaling and tooth brushing instruction. 1 week after scaling was set as baseline. Gingival index and plaque index were scored at baseline, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week. Bleeding index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level were scored at baseline, 2 week and 4 week. The number of total bacteria and Streptococcus mutans in unstimulated saliva of experimental group were counted at 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week. Gingival indices of experimental group and control group at baseline, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 0.850+/-0.298, 0.575+/-0.345, 0.533+/-0.332, 0.459+/-0.311, 0.408+/-0.224 and 0.758+/-0.379, 0.592+/-0.296, 0.563+/-0.281, 0.454+/-0.194, 0.413+/-0.199 (mean+/-SD), respectively. Plaque indices of experimental group and control group at baseline, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 0.497+/-0.500, 0.375+/-0.484, 0.332+/-0.471, 0.286+/-0.452, 0.210+/-0.407 and 0.411+/-0.492, 0.375+/-0.484, 0.354+/-0.479, 0.313+/-0.463, 0.193+/-0.395, respectively. Bleeding indices of experimental group and control group at baseline, 2 week and 4 week were 0.377+/-0.177, 0.298+/-0.152, 0.192+/-0.108 and 0.383+/-0.124, 0.318+/-0.153, 0.225+/-0.126, respectively. Probing pocket depth of experimental group and control group at baseline, 2 week and 4 week were 2.56+/-1.00, 2.40+/-0.65, 2.23+/-0.64 and 2.45+/-0.68, 2.37+/-0.57, 2.19+/-0.57, respectively. Clinical attachment level of experimental group and control group at baseline, 2 week and 4 week were 2.58+/-1.01, 2.43+/-0.67, 2.26+/-0.65 and 2.49+/-0.70, 2.40+/-0.59, 2.22+/-0.62, respectively. The % of reduction of total bacteria in saliva of experimental group at 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 46 +/- 53%, 53 +/- 5% and 69 +/- 33%. The % of reduction of Streptococcus mutans count in saliva of experimental group at 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 52 +/- 69%, 88 +/- 30% and 89 +/- 17%. From these findings, it can be concluded that regular use of grapefruit seed extract /xylitol chewing gum may be effective to control and prevent gingivitis and may have caries-preventive effect.

No abstract available.
Anoxia* ; Neurons*