OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate salivary flow rate, salivary pH, and cariogenic activity using unstimulated saliva of the head and neck cancer patients. Twenty three cancer patients (19 males, 4 females) who had undergone chemotherapy and radiation therapy and twenty four healthy volunteers (14 males, 10 females) as a control were included. Salivary flow rate, salivary pH, and cariogenic activity using unstimulated saliva were examined. Compared to saliva of the control group, salivary flow rate (p<0.001) and salivary pH (p<0.001) were significantly lower in head and neck cancer patients. The colony counts of Lactobacilli was higher in head and neck cancer patients (p<0.05) than in control group. These salivary factors and cariogenic activity can increase the prevalence of dental caries in head and neck cancer patients.
Dental Caries ; Drug Therapy ; Head and Neck Neoplasms* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Prevalence ; Saliva*

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are major etiological agents in enamel demineralization around orthodontic appliances. This study was designed to examine the prevalence of these streptococci on orthodontic brackets in vivo using polymerase chain reaction. Four incisor brackets in the upper and lower arches were removed and collected from 80 patients at the time of debonding. The genomic DNA of adhered bacteria was extracted and each dextranase gene of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was amplified using the specific oligonucleotide primers. The results showed that the maxillary incisor brackets were colonized by both cariogenic streptococci to a somewhat higher degree than that taken from the mandible. The prevalence of S. mutans was 50.0% on the maxillary incisor brackets and 33.8% on the mandibular incisor brackets, and that of S. sobrinus was 17.5% and 15.0%, respectively. Both species were detected on the maxillary incisor brackets of 7 patients (8.8%) and the mandibular incisor brackets of 5 patients (6.3%). These results suggest that cariogenic streptococci can adhere to the incisor brackets and may be resident species on the incisor brackets.
Bacteria ; Colon ; Dental Enamel ; Dextranase ; DNA ; DNA Primers ; Humans ; Incisor ; Mandible ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Prevalence ; Streptococcus mutans ; Streptococcus sobrinus

BACKGROUND: Propofol can be used to provide general anesthesia or sedation. The objectives of this study were to assess propofol as sedative agents for outpatient GI endoscopy, amnestic effects, hemodynamic state and oxygenation during the procedure. METHODS: From April and June 2000, 50 patients scheduled outpatient gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled in this study. 30 healthy outpatients requesting sedation at diagnostic gastroscopy were received a bolus dose of propofol 2.5 mg/kg and compared with 20 patients with non-sedation. Pulse rate, blood-pressure and arterial oxygen saturation was monitored. RESULTS: Statistically significant decrease in arterial oxygen saturation were observed since 5 min after endoscopy in patients receiving propofol (p=0.006). Patients receiving sedative endoscopy, pulse rate during endoscopy was significantly increased compared with propofol group (p=0.009). Patients receiving propofol are more tolerable than patients with non-sedative endoscopy (p=0.001), therefore all patients receiving propofol wanted the same sedative endoscopy in their next endoscopy. CONCLUSION: Propofol is believed to be a useful, safe sedative agent for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with satisfactory sedation and conditions. However, due to its untoward effect of hypoxia, careful monitoring is recommended.
Anesthesia, General ; Anoxia ; Conscious Sedation* ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal* ; Gastroscopy ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Oxygen ; Propofol*

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect a chewable tablet containing sodium fluoride and xylitol (DenPo, Hamizzle, Bucheon, Kyungki) on the oral hygiene state in the orthodontic patients. The subjects consisted of 30 adult orthodontic patients, who have worn the fixed orthodontic appliance at least 6 months. They were instructed to use the tablet forth a day. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and sulcus bleeding index (SBI) of upper and lower anterior and posterior regions were measured before using the tablet (T0), 2 weeks after using the tablet (T1), and 4 weeks after using the tablet (T2). The data were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed ranks tests. The results were as follows ; 1. PI was decreased significantly in the T1 and T2 stage compared with T0 stage in the both anterior and posterior regions (p < 0.05). Although PI was decreased in the T2 stage compared with T1, there was not statistical significance (p > 0.05). 2. GI and SBI showed similar results compared with PI. In the T1 and T2 stage, there was statistically significant decrease in the GI and SBI (p < 0.05). This study showed that the DenPo tablet could be used as an adjunct to improve oral hygiene in the orthodontic patients. The decrease of the indices may suggest that DenPo tablet could be effective in the plaque removal and prevention of gingival inflammation in the orthodontic patients.
Adult ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Oral Hygiene* ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Periodontal Index ; Sodium Fluoride* ; Sodium* ; Xylitol*

PURPOSE: The object of the present study were to clarify the effect of dialysis treatment and residual renal function on olfactory function of patients with chronic renal failure and to assess the correlations between the Cross Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT) scores and various clinical variables. METHODS: Ninety subjects were studied and divided four groups; age- and sex-matched healthy controls (Control, n=20), patients with varying degree of renal insufficiency but not on dialysis (Pre- dialysis, n=20), patients on CAPD (PD, n=22), and patients on hemodialysis (HD, n=28). We performed olfactory function test using the CC-SIT kit and compared the CC-SIT scores of each of the groups. RESULTS: The CC-SIT scores of each of the groups were; Control : 8.6+/-1.5, Pre-dialysis : 7.2+/-2.0, PD : 8.1+/-1.2, HD : 8.5+/-1.4. In Pre-dialysis group, the CC-SIT scores were significantly lower than Control group (p=0.01). But, no significant difference was observed in the CC-SIT scores between HD and PD group and control group (p>0.05). Creatinine clearance was positively correlated with the CC-SIT scores in control and Pre-dialysis group (r=0.58, p= 0.0001). Total Kt/V was positively correlated with the CC-SIT scores only in HD group (r=0.39, p= 0.03). But, no correlation was found between Kt/ Vurea, URR or residual renal function and the CC- SIT scores in HD and PD group (p>0.05). Age was negatively correlated with the CC-SIT scores only in Control group (r=-0.76, p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that smell disturbance in patients with chronic renal faliure can be recovered by adequate dialysis treatment.
Creatinine ; Dialysis* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Smell

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The sense of smell plays an important role in the quality of life. Loss of smell is common in the elderly and it results from respiratory diseases, certain disease states (Alzheimer disease, chronic renal failure (CRF), multiple sclerosis), medications, and surgical interventions. Many studies have shown a declining odor perception in the CRF patients. The objectives of the present study were to test odor identification ability in patients with CRF and the effect of hemodialysis on olfactory recognition, and to examine the possible correlations between smell identification test score and various clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We performed a case-control study comparing the Cross- Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT) scores of CRF patients with hemodialysis, and those without hemodialysis, and age-sex matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Healthy controls had significantly high CC-SIT scores compared to those of CRF patients without hemodialysis. No significant differences were observed in the CC-SIT scores between CRF patients with hemodialysis and healthy controls and in CRF patients before and after the hemodialysis session. No significant positive correlation was found between CC-SIT score and creatinine clearance in the dialysis group. CONCLUSION: Acute removal of uremic toxins by hemodialysis does not correct olfactory disturbances. Odor perception is severly impaired in patients with CRF and is related to the degree of renal impairment.
Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Identification (Psychology) ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Odors ; Quality of Life ; Renal Dialysis* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Smell

Surgical-orthodontic treatment is an increasingly more common dental procedure whose unique psycho-social or psychological feature has not been fairly quantified objectively. Since the treatment of a surgical-orthodontic (or orthodontic) patient is part science and part art, a subjective recognition of a patient about his or her own treatment may be more important than technical success during and after treatment. Therefore, the knowledge of the patient's underlying psychological status could be useful in the prediction of patient's response to surgical-orthodontic (or orthodontic) treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate and evaluate the psychological difference between conventional orthodontic patient and surgical-orthodontic patient by using locus of control (LOC) examination. Locus of control scale has been proven to be extremely useful in the prediction of a variety of human behaviors. Two types of locus of control data (I-score, Internal locus of control score; E-score, External locus of control score) were obtained for 42 surgical-orthodontic patients and randomly selected 42 conventional orthodontic patients (as a control group) matched for age and gender. No statistically significant difference was observed in the scale of internal and external locus of control between the groups of surgical-orthodontic patients and conventional orthodontic patients. However, in the group of surgical-orthodontic patients, males showed lower E-score (external locus of control score, higher internal locus of control tendency) than females. The results of this study suggested that the psychological background of surgical-orthodontic patients, in contrast with that of cosmetic surgery patients, has a similar disposition with that of orthodontic patients.
Female ; Humans ; Internal-External Control* ; Male ; Surgery, Plastic

Ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia are a classical triad of Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS). The experience of dizziness secondary to ophthalmoplegia is also not uncommon. However, nystagmus is rare and vertigo, a symptom of vestibulocerebellar dysfunction, has not been reported yet. A 56-year-old woman visited our hospital due to sudden vertigo. Initial examination revealed nystagmus evoked by a bilateral horizontal gaze with left side dysmetria. The next day, her symptoms rapidly aggravated to ophthalmoplegia, severe ataxia, areflexia, and quadriplegia. She was diag-nosed with MFS and was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. On the fourth day, she developed respiratory fail-ure and a ventilator was applied. Twenty-eight days after her admission, she recovered to the point of walking without any aid and was discharged with minimal disability. There are still controversies surrounding the nosology of MFS and many investigators have reported evidence for brainstem involvement. Vertigo can be additional evidence for the involvement of the central nervous system in MFS.
Ataxia ; Brain Stem ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Dizziness ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Middle Aged ; Miller Fisher Syndrome* ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Quadriplegia ; Research Personnel ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Vertigo* ; Walking

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare form of pancreatic cancer. Its biological behavior and clinical features are known to be similar to the much more common ductal adenocarcinoma or to pure squamous cell carcinoma, another rare form of pancreatic malignancy. However, the unusual manifestations of cancer, including cystic degeneration and extravasation of contrast to the mass, have also been reported. A 64-year-old man was admitted complaining of abdominal pain. An abdomial CT scan demonstrated an ovoid and cyst-like lesion in the pancreatic head and endoscopic retrograde balloon pancreatography showed segmental narrowing of the main pancreatic duct associated with extravasation of contrast into the cyst-like lesion. Under the impression of pancreatic pseudocyst with chronic pancreatitis, medical therapy including pancreatic stent insertion was given to the patient for four weeks. Finally, a laparotomy was performed due to persistent abdominal pain and a poorly demarcated mass with cystic cavity was resected. Histologic findings were consistent with adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas. The unusual features of this rare malignancy which led us to an errorneous initial diagnosis were emphasized.
Abdominal Pain ; Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diagnosis ; Head ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Pancreatic Pseudocyst ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed