Purpose: This pilot study was conducted to evaluate half-value layer (HVL) measurements obtained using a semi conductor dosimeter for intraoral radiography. Materials and Methods: This study included 8 aluminum plates, 4 of which were low-purity (less than 99.9%) and 4 high-purity (greater than 99.9%). Intraoral radiography was performed using an intraoral X-ray unit in accordance with the dental protocol at the authors’ affiliated hospital: tube voltage, 60 kVp and 70 kVp; tube current, 7 mA;and exposure time, 0.10 s. The accuracy of HVL measurements for intraoral radiography was assessed using a semiconductor dosimeter. A simple regression analysis was performed to compare the aluminum plate thickness and HVL in relation to the tube voltage (60 kVp and 70 kVp) and aluminum purity (low and high). Results: For the low-purity aluminum plates, the HVL at 60 kVp (Y) and 70 kVp (Y) was significantly correlated with the thickness of the aluminum plate (X), with Y = 1.708 + 0.415X (r = 0.999, P<0.05) and Y = 1.980 + 0.484X (r = 0.999, P<0.05), respectively. Similarly, for the high-purity aluminum plates, the HVL at 60 kVp (Y) and 70 kVp (Y) was significantly correlated with the plate thickness (X), with Y = 1.696 + 0.454X (r = 0.999, P<0.05) and Y = 1.968 + 0.515X (r = 0.998, P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion This pilot study examined the relationship between aluminum plate thickness and HVL measurements using a semiconductor dosimeter for intraoral radiography. Semiconductor dosimeters may prove useful in HVL measurement for purposes such as quality assurance in dental X-ray imaging.

OBJECTIVETo understand the mechanism of invasion by Legionella dumoffii.

METHODSThe L. dumoffii strain Tex-KL was mutated using the Tn903 derivative, Tn903dIIlacZ. After screening 799 transposon insertion mutants, we isolated one defective mutant. We then constructed the gene-disrupted mutant, KL16, and studied its invasion of and intracellular growth in HeLa and A549 cells, and in A/J mice survival experiments. The structure of traC-traD operon was analyzed by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe transposon insertion was in a gene homologous to Salmonella typhi traC, which is required for the assembly of F pilin into the mature F pilus structure and for conjugal DNA transmission. Results from RT-PCR suggested that the traC-traD region formed an operon. We found that when the traC gene was disrupted, invasion and intracellular growth of L. dumoffii Tex-KL were impaired in human epithelial cells. When mice were infected by intranasal inoculation with a traC deficient mutant, their survival significantly increased when compared to mice infected with the wild-type strain..

CONCLUSIONOur results indicated that the traC-traD operon is required for the invasion and intracellular growth abilities of L. dumoffii Tex-KL in epithelial cells.

A549 Cells ; Animals ; Genes, Bacterial ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Legionella ; genetics ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Mutation ; Operon

Objective : Scoliosis in cerebral palsy can seriously disturb the patient's daily life. To help alleviate this we developed a new original orthosis and named it the Dynamic Spinal Brace (DSB). In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of the DSB in daily life with patients and caregivers. Methods : We studied 222 cerebral palsy patients treated with the DSB. We carried out a questionnaire survey of the caregivers and measured X-ray results of the scoliosis deformities. Results: In the questionnaire, more than 80% of the patients improved in their sitting position and posture and more than 50 % of the patients improved in the transfer or ambulation assistance and meal assistance requirement by the caregivers. Higher age (over 18 years old) revealed improved muscle tonus. Breathing and muscle tonus showed improvement as scoliosis was advanced. Conclusion : DSB for scoliosis in cerebral palsy showed effectiveness in the sitting position, posture, transfer or ambulation assistance and meal assistance. DSB is also effective for muscle tonus in patients after growth maturity and breathing and muscle tonus in patients with severe scoliosis.

At present, lifestyle-related diseases are one of the most critical health issues worldwide. It has been reported that lipopolysaccharide derived from a Gram-negative bacteria (IP-PA1) symbiotic with wheat exhibited several advantageous biological effects, such as the reduction of plasma glucose levels in NOD mice and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in WHHL rabbits. In this study, the beneficial effects on plasma glucose and lipids of a tea (SI tea) consisting of IP-PA1 and Salacia (which contains an inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase) were investigated in the KK-Ay/TaJcl type 2 diabetic model mice and in human subjects with premetabolic syndrome in a double-blind, randomized study. SI tea significantly decreased plasma glucose levels in KK-Ay/TaJcl mice. A clinical trial of SI tea was performed with 41 subjects between the ages of 40 and 69, who belonged either to a high plasma glucose group (HG: FPG 100-125 mg/dl) or to a hyperlipidemia group (HL: TG > or = 150 mg/dl, or LDL > or = 120 mg/dl, or HDL < 40 mg/dl). These subjects ingested either Salacia without IP-PA1 (the control) or SI tea. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, and 60 days after initiating SI tea treatment, and were measured for FPG, HbA1c, TG, LDL, and HDL. These results showed that SI tea reduced FPG and HbA1c more rapidly than the control in the HL group, and also significantly improved LDL and HDL levels in the HG group. Thus, SI tea may be helpful in preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
Animals ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipoproteins ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Plasma ; Rabbits ; Salacia ; Tea ; Triticum

A correction of a coauthor's name from Chigusa Nakamura to Chigusa Nakagawa on the author list and the abstract.

Purpose: From shortly after the fentanyl patch became commercially available, we have been using it as part of our armamentarium for cancer therapy to produce a reliable analgesic effect from the active treatment period to the terminal stage in patients who are expected to develop resistance to oral analgesics. To confirm the usefulness of fentanyl patch, a retrospective study was conducted to determine its efficacy and safety. Method: A survey was conducted of 28 cancer patients who were undergoing pharmacological pain control. The following parameters were recorded: opioids administered prior to fentanyl patch use, reasons for switching to fentanyl patch, duration of administration and dosage of fentanyl patch, pain score before switching to fentanyl patch, adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, constipation and drowsiness), and the results of clinical tests. Results: The major reasons for switching to fentanyl patch were: "pain control with oral agents was expected to become difficult in future" and "adverse effects of chemotherapy were noted or were likely to develop". The mean duration of fentanyl patch use was 133 days, during which time the pain score and the constipation symptom were significantly reduced. No significant difference was found with nausea, vomiting, drowsiness or the results of clinical tests. Conclusion: It is concluded that fentanyl patch is a highly useful opioid for analgesia when administered during chemotherapy for cancer and continued to the terminal stage.

We report 2 patients with Graves' disease and psychological disorders. In these patients, treatment did not relieve psychological disorders despite normalization of thyroid function, but kampo therapy was effective. Patient 1 was a 24-year-old female. In 2000, she was diagnosed as having Graves' disease. Treatment with an antithyroid drug normalized thyroid function, but did not relieve psychological disorders such as irritation, anxiety, or despair. In February 2005, the patient consulted our hospital. Patient 2 was a 26-year-old female. After graduating from a high school, she developed Graves' disease. Treatment with an antithyroid drug was started. However, thyroid function was unstable ; mild hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism repeatedly occurred. During this period, irritation, fatigue, malaise, and alopecia deteriorated, and she consulted our hospital in January 2005. In the two patients, keishikanzoryukotsuboreitogohangekobokuto was prescribed (the regimen was changed during follow-up in Patient 1), and their conditions markedly subsided after 16 and 9 weeks of administration, respectively, suggesting the usefulness of kampo therapy in the treatment of Graves' disease associated with psychological disorders.
Therapeutic procedure ; Graves' Disease ; seconds ; Patients ; Mental disorders

1) We have implemented a portfolio as a learning and assessment tool into clinical clerkship rotation focusing on primary care medicine.
2) We received favorable responses both from students and teachers.
3) It is further required to promote the understanding of portfolio among teachers and students to enhance its utilization.

We have organized the Seminar and Workshop for Medical Education (SWME) 10 times from 2000 through 2003. More than 1, 200 persons have participated, including teachers, physicians, students, and simulated patients. The themes of the SWME have included a problem-based learning tutorial system, medical interview skills, objective structured clinical examinations, medical ethics, advanced cardiac life support/basic life support, evidence-based medicine, coaching technology, medical English education, and crisis management education. Invited lecturers from throughout the country organized most of these workshops. Advantages of the SWME are two-fold:(1) improving the medical teaching skills of each participant and (2) scouting for good young lecturers. Workshop reports are published in our annual monographs and other materials. The present paper is a historical review of the SWME and also describes the nationwide scope of faculty development.

1) Korean medical education movement into Anglo-Saxon model is more rapid than the change in Japanese medical education. Health personnel licensing examinations have been sponsored by non-Governmental organization, NHPLEB (National Health Personnel Licensing Examination Board) instead of The Ministry of Health since 1994.
2) Though governments in developing countries and former socialistic areas still actively lead medical education system, only a few developed countries stick to such an old system. In Japan, many stakeholders continue to hold consciousness since Edo period that government will determine most of the system. In Korea, the situation is opposite.
3) Korean medical schools began to adopt a new graduate school system (4+4 in 2002; 10 out of 41 medical schools decided to introduce the new system. Such new curriculum structure is compatible with international standard.
4) In Korean medical schools, the budget for human resources seems to be relatively much richer than that in Japan. Reform in Korean medical schools increased the number of professors in each department, though Japanese ones move toward cutback.
5) The Korean Society of Medical Education was established in 1983. The Society holds two annual meetings a year. Spring meeting is similar to the one for the Association for American Medical Colleges and held in conjunction with Nationwide Dean's meeting, including various faculty development workshops and committee meetings as well.