PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pretreatment of three different universal adhesives (Single Bond Universal [SBU], All-Bond Universal [ABU], and Prime&Bond universal [PBU]) on the bonding durability of an adhesive (Panavia F 2.0, PF) and a conventional (Duo-Link, DL) resin cements to air-abraded zirconia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rectangular-shaped zirconia specimens were prepared. The chemical composition and surface energy parameters of the materials were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and contact angle measurement, respectively. To evaluate resin bonding to the zirconia, all the bonding specimens were immersed in water for 24 h and the specimens to be aged were additionally thermocycled 10000 times before the shear bond strength (SBS) test. RESULTS: The materials showed different surface energy parameters, including the degree of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. While the DL/CON (no pretreatment) showed the lowest SBS and a significant decrease in the value after thermocycling (P < .001), the PF/CON obtained a higher SBS value than the DL/CON (P < .001) and no decrease even after thermocycling (P = .839). When the universal adhesives were used with DL, their SBS values were higher than the CON (P < .05), but the trend was adhesive-specific. In conjunction with PF, the PF/SBU produced the highest SBS followed by the PF/ABU (P = .002), showing no significant decrease after thermocycling (P > .05). The initial SBS of the PF/PBU was similar to the PF/CON (P = .999), but the value decreased after thermocycling (P < .001). CONCLUSION The universal adhesive pretreatment did not necessarily show a synergistic effect on the bonding performance of an adhesive resin cement, whereas the pretreatment was beneficial to bond strength and durability of a conventional resin cement.

In recent years, as interest in maintaining beauty and a youthful appearance has grown, filler procedures such as soft tissue augmentation have become more popular. These fillers are sometimes seen as radiopaque shadows on radiographic images, either due to the fillers themselves or because of secondary reactions; such findings may present a diagnostic challenge to dentists. The present report describes 3 cases of dermal fillers observed in panoramic and cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images. All 3 elderly female patients had filler injected into their cheeks and chin area for cosmetic purposes decades ago. On panoramic images, multiple symmetric radiopacities were observed in the facial area; on CBCT, these calcifications were seen in the subcutaneous tissue in various shapes and with varying density. In conclusion, dentists should be aware of the imaging characteristics of dermal filler, and should be able to differentiate dermal filler from other pathological findings.
Adolescent ; Aged ; Beauty ; Cheek ; Chin ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dentists ; Dermal Fillers ; Female ; Humans ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Subcutaneous Tissue

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an educational intervention that includes information sharing about absolute fracture risk on the knowledge of osteoporosis and modifiable risk factors among Korean patients with osteoporosis. METHODS: Adults aged >50 years who visited the outpatient clinic for osteoporosis were recruited. Subjects with trauma-related fractures or pathological fractures were excluded. The anthropometric data and clinical risk factors for fracture were collected at baseline. The participants completed the survey questionnaire that measured their knowledge regarding osteoporosis at baseline and then received information about the risk of fracture and individual education. Fracture risk was classified into five groups according to degree. The post-survey was conducted 3 months later. The pretest results were compared with the posttest results. RESULTS: In this study, 179 subjects (15 men and 164 women) were enrolled. After the educational intervention, the mean osteoporosis knowledge score significantly increased from 10.6±5.7 at pre-education (baseline) to 11.7±6.3 at post-education (P < 0.001). When comparing the pre- and post-education Korean fracture risk scores, a negligible difference was found between the “very low risk” and “low risk” groups. However, the scores in the “very high risk” and “high risk” groups decreased from 77.6% to 76.0%. We found a difference over time only in physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Simple educational intervention is effective in increasing osteoporosis knowledge among Korean patients with osteoporosis. It may confer some benefit by providing information about osteoporotic fracture risks to improve knowledge and awareness regarding osteoporosis.
Adult ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Education ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Humans ; Information Dissemination ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Osteoporosis* ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Cellulite is a 'cottage cheese-like' cutaneous change caused by subcutaneous fat bulging into the dermis that usually leads to cosmetic problems. Slimming cream containing 3.5% water-soluble caffeine and xanthenes exhibits a lipolytic effect with penetration into the dermis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of slimming cream for the treatment of cellulite. METHODS: Fifteen subjects with cellulite applied slimming cream to the thighs and inner side of the upper arms twice daily for 6 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using a standard visual scale, changes in the circumferences of the thighs and upper arms, and patient satisfaction by a questionnaire at baseline, week 3, and week 6. Safety was assessed by inquiring about adverse events through questionnaires. RESULTS: The standard visual scale score improved significantly by 0.49 points (19.8%) at week 6. Thigh and upper-arm circumferences decreased by 0.7 cm (1.7%) and 0.8 cm (2.3%), respectively, at week 6. Slight itching and transient flushing were commonly reported, but no serious adverse event occurred. CONCLUSION: The slimming cream tested appears to be effective for the treatment of cellulitis without serious adverse effects. However, additional large clinical trials are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of slimming cream for the treatment of cellulitis.
Arm ; Caffeine* ; Cellulitis ; Dermis ; Flushing ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pruritus ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Thigh ; Xanthenes* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Connexin 43-mediated gap junctional communication plays an important role in atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have demonstrated a correlation between mitral valve annular calcification and atherosclerotic disease. However, the relevance of connexin 43 to mitral valve disease remains unclear. We hypothesized that the mechanism contributing to mitral valve disease is associated with alterations in cell-to-cell communication mediated by changes in Connexin 43 expression. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty male New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups: animals in group 1 (n=10) were fed a normal chow diet, whilst those in group 2 (n=10) received a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 12 weeks. After sacrificing the animals, the mitral valves were excised and analyzed with immunohistochemical staining and Real-time Reverse Transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR). RESULT: Myofibroblasts and macrophages were found concentrated within the endothelial layer on the ventricular side of the leaflet in the cholesterol diet group. Immunohistochemial staining showed elevated expression of connexin43 in the cholesterol diet group. Real-time RT-PCR revealed increased connexin43 mRNA levels in mitral valves from hypercholesterolemic animals. CONCLUSION: Our finding that connexin43 expression is increased in mitral valves of hypercholesterolemic rabbits suggests that alterations in cell-to-cell communication via connexin43 containing gap junctions play a role in the development of mitral valve disease in hypercholesterolemia.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Cholesterol ; Connexin 43 ; Diet ; Gap Junctions ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Macrophages ; Male ; Mitral Valve ; Myofibroblasts ; Rabbits ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUND: CATS(Plus) (continuous autotransfusion system, Fresenius Kabi, Friedberg, Germany) is a continuous, chamber type cell salvage system for performing an intraoperative autologous transfusion. We evaluated the quality of intraoperative salvaged red blood cells processed by CATS(Plus). METHODS: A total 20 adult patients undergone lumbar spine surgery were enrolled in this study. Laboratory tests including albumin, potassium, free hemoglobin, and bacterial culture were performed and the % albumin removal was calculated. RESULTS: The average albumin, potassium, and free hemoglobin concentration were 4 g/L, 4.86 mEq/L, 4.50 g/L, respectively. Mean albumin removal was 87%. Bacterial culture was positive in 11 of the 20 cases and staphylococcus species were isolated in all of the culture positive cases. CONCLUSION: For safe use of salvaged red blood cells, laboratory tests for potassium and free hemoglobin concentration would be necessary before administration.
Adult ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Erythrocytes ; Hemoglobins ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Potassium ; Spine ; Staphylococcus

Intestinal hemorrhage, fistula formation, and intestinal obstruction are the common complications associated with intestinal tuberculosis. However, duodenal fistula due to intestinal tuberculosis is very rare. We experienced a case of 26-year-old woman with a fistula in the duodenum referred to our hospital due to abdominal pain. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a fistula at the duodenum with lymph node. After 2 months of anti-tuberculous medication, abdominal pain was improved and fistula size decreased. We report a case of fistula caused by duodenal tuberculosis.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Female ; Fistula* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Lymph Nodes ; Tuberculosis*

Cervical incompetence is one of the main contributors to repeated pregnancy loss and preterm delivery. Typically it results in progressive cervical dilatation, leading to a painless second or early third trimester abortion. Emergency cerclage can be used in the setting of advanced cervical incompetence, even when fetal membranes bulge through the dilated cervix. To facilitate the procedure, various techniques have been developed to replace the fetal membranes into the uterine cavity. We performed six successful cases of emergency cerclage combined with amnioreduction in advanced incompetent internal os of cervix (IIOC). Interval from emergency cerclage to delivery was 8.1 +/- 2.4 weeks (range 4-10 weeks) and we delivered viable fetuses in all but one. Hereby we report our experiences with a brief review of literature.
Cervix Uteri ; Emergencies* ; Extraembryonic Membranes ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Labor Stage, First ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third

Extrapelvic endometriosis is a fairly rare phenomenon. The majority of extrapelvic endometriosis involves scar tissue following obstetric or gynecologic procedures. Abdominal wall endometriosis secondary to cesarean section is a very rare condition, being reported in less than 0.5% of patients undergoing cesarean section. It has a distinct presentation and treatment. An abdominal mass with noncyclical symptoms is a common presentation. Imaging techniques are nonspecific and needle biopsy may confirm the diagnosis. Wide excision is the treatment of choice for abdominal wall endometriosis as well as for recurrent lesions. A patient with a history of cesarean section presented with a painful, enlarging mass. The pain was cyclic and aggravated just prior to menstruation. The patient was treated with surgical scar excision pathologically confirmed as endometriosis. We present this case with a brief review of literature.
Abdominal Wall ; Biopsy, Needle ; Cesarean Section ; Cicatrix* ; Diagnosis ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Menstruation ; Pregnancy

Although tubal pregnancy is increasing, primary ovarian ectopic pregnancy has remained a rare event. However, recent reports suggest an increasing incidence to both tubal and term pregnancies. Ovarian pregnancy occurs within the ovary and on the corpus luteum. Earlier diagnosis is now possible, owing to the availability of highly specific radioimmunoassay for human chorionic gonadotrophin and the development of transvaginal ultrasonography. Clinical and even intraoperative diagnosis is difficult and confirmation may be made only by microscopic examination of the tissue specimen. Current understanding of the etiological factors, classification, possible pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic steps, reevaluation of diagnostic criteria, preferred management and future fertility are detailed. The therapy is surgical and currently more conservative than in the past, because of improvement in operative laparoscopy. We report a case of primary ovarian pregnancy treated conservatively under laparoscopic surgery with a brief review of literature.
Chorion ; Classification ; Corpus Luteum ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laparoscopy ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic* ; Pregnancy, Tubal ; Radioimmunoassay ; Ultrasonography