There are limited data on the impact of diabetes control on the risk of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

PURPOSE: We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis (AR), nationwide in random children and adolescents of Korea. METHODS: A modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire survey was done in 1,820 children from elementary, middle, and high school nationwide in Korea. The subjects were selected by the stratifying sampling method by school grade and five regions. Current AR was defined as having AR symptoms during the last 12 months with a history of physician-diagnosed AR. Skin prick tests for 18 common allergens were performed. RESULTS: The number of males was 945, and that of females was 875. The mean age of the patients was 12.61+/-3.40 years. The prevalence of current AR and atopic current AR were 29.0% and 18.7%, respectively. Risk factors for current AR were male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.486; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.189-1.856), family history of paternal AR (aOR, 3.208; 95% CI, 2.460-4.182), family history of maternal AR (aOR, 3.138; 95% CI, 2.446-4.025), antibiotic use in infancy (aOR, 1.547; 95% CI, 1.228-1.949), mold exposure during infancy (aOR, 1.416; 95% CI, 1.103-1.819), mold exposure during the last 12 months (aOR, 1.285; 95% CI, 1.012-1.630), and sensitization on skin prick tests (aOR, 2.596; 95% CI, 2.055-3.279). Risk factors for atopic current AR were the same as those of current AR, whereas breast-milk feeding (aOR, 0.720; 95% CI, 0.530-0.976) was a protective factor. Sensitized allergens as risk factors for current AR were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farina, ragweed, mugwort, oak, alder, birch, Japanese hop, cat, and dog. CONCLUSION: The prevalences of current AR and atopic current AR were 29.0% and 18.7%, respectively. Male, sex parental AR, antibiotic use in infancy, mold exposure during the last 12 months, mold exposure during infancy, and atopic sensitization were risk factors for current AR. Breast-milk feeding was a protective factor for atopic current AR. Aeroallergen sensitization was an important risk factor for AR.
Adolescent ; Allergens ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Betula ; Cats ; Child ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dogs ; Female ; Fungi ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Parents ; Prevalence* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis* ; Risk Factors* ; Skin

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the compliance with, and adequacy of, the Korean national guidelines which had been recommended until 2011 for isolation of patients with group 1 nationally notifiable infectious diseases (NNIDs), namely cholera, typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, shigellosis, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the clinical and microbiological characteristics of confirmed cases of group 1 NNIDs and compliance with the guidelines in 20 Korean hospitals nationwide in 2000-2010. We also compared the Korean guidelines with international guidelines. RESULTS: Among 528 confirmed cases (8 cases of cholera, 232 of typhoid fever, 81 of paratyphoid fever, 175 of shigellosis, and 32 EHEC infections), strict compliance with the Korean guideline was achieved in only 2.6% to 50.0%, depending on the disease. While the Korean guidelines recommend isolation of all patients with group 1 NNIDs, international guidelines recommend selective patient isolation and screening for fecal shedding, depending on the type of disease and patient status. CONCLUSION: Compliance with the previous national guidelines for group 1 NNIDs in Korea was generally very low. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether compliance was improved after implementation of the new guideline in 2012.
Cholera ; Communicable Disease Control ; Communicable Diseases* ; Compliance* ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli ; Guideline Adherence ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; Methods ; Paratyphoid Fever ; Patient Isolation ; Typhoid Fever

BACKGROUND: There has not been a comprehensive review to compare the international eligibility criteria for apheresis donation. This study assessed the international variations of the eligibility criteria for apheresis donors to help improve our national criteria for safer and more efficient screening of donors. METHODS: We reviewed the websites of the American Red Cross, Canadian Blood Service, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, New Zealand Blood Service, Japanese Red Cross Society, Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC), Health Sciences Authority of Singapore and the National Blood Service of the UK (NBS) and the European Union (EU). Only those criteria that were different from ours were analyzed. RESULTS: A considerable number of differences were identified between the international criteria and our criteria. The lower age limit was 17~18 years and the upper limit were 50~69 years for plasma donation and 50~59 years for platelet donation. The regulations for donation frequency ranged from none to 12~57 times/year for plasma and none to 12~24 times/year for platelets. The donation interval for plasma and platelets was 1~4 weeks. A minimum hemoglobin level of 12.5 g/dL was used in most countries, excluding the HKRC (11.5 g/dL for women). The NBS and EU had criteria regarding the volume of donation. CONCLUSION: Different international eligibility criteria for apheresis donors are used according to the characteristics of each country. Thus, the compiled data from various countries will provide the basis to improve our national eligibility criteria for apheresis donors.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Component Removal ; Blood Platelets ; European Union ; Hemoglobins ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; New Zealand ; Plasma ; Red Cross ; Singapore ; Social Control, Formal ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the healing response of various Hydroxyapatite(HA) coated dental implants by Ion-Beam Assisted Deposition(IBAD) placed in the surgically created circumferential gap in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In four mongrel dogs, all mandibular premolars and the first molar were extracted. After an 8weeks healing period, six submerged type implants were placed and the circumferential cylindrical 2mm coronal defects around the implants were made surgically with customized step drills. Groups were divided into six groups : anodized surface, anodized surface with 150nm HA and heat treatment, anodized surface with 300nm HA and heat treatment, anodized surface with 150nm HA and no heat treatment, and anodized surface with 150nm HA, heat treatment and bone graft, anodized surface with bone graft. The dogs were sacrificed following 12 weeks healing period. Specimens were analyzed histologically and histomorphometrically. RESULTS: During the healing period, healing was uneventful and implants were well maintained. Anodized surface with HA coating and 430degrees C heat treatment showed an improved regenerative characteristics. Most of the gaps were filled with newly regenerated bone. The implant surface was covered with bone layer as base for intensive bone formation and remodeling. In case that graft the alloplastic material to the gaps, most of the coronal gaps were filled with newly formed bone and remaining graft particles. The bone-implant contact and bone density parameters showed similar results with the histological findings. The bone graft group presented the best bone-implant contact value which had statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Within the scope of this study, nano-scale HA coated dental implants appeared to have significant effect on the development of new bone formation. And additional bone graft is an effective method in overcoming the gaps around the implants.
Animals ; Bicuspid ; Bone Density ; Dental Implants ; Dogs ; Durapatite ; Hot Temperature ; Mandrillus ; Molar ; Osteogenesis ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Various kinds of biodegradable membranes are currently used in dental clinics. And the frequency and the necessity of their usage are increasing due to their numerous advantages. Therefore it is important to understand the difference of various membranes and histological reaction against implanted membranes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biodegradable membranes of Biogide(R), Resolute(R), and Tutodent(R) were cut into small pieces by 1.0x0.5cm. The membranes were implanted 1.5cm apart from each other under the epithelium on the skull of 18 Sprague Dawley rats. The animals were sacrificed at 3, 7, and 14 days after surgical procedure. The specimens were examined by histological analysis. RESULTS: 1. Early period after implantation of the membranes showed connective tissues surrounding membranes and there were a few inflammatory cells present. 2. In Biogide(R) and Tutodent(R) specimens, inflammatory cells and surrounding tissues were shown to infiltrate from outside with slight density difference inside. In Resolute(R) specimens, membranes were fragmented. Inflammatory cells and connective tissues were also observed inside. 3. In Resolute(R) specimen, giant cells were present which implicates that foreign body reaction has occurred. 4. Biogide(R) had lower integrity than other membranes and is not enough to be used alone in defect area. However, Resolute(R) had superior firmness than others. Tutodent(R) had middle level of integrity. CONCLUSION: This experimental model enabled to observe early inflammatory reactions and morphological changes of materials and can be used to develop and evaluate the efficacy of biodegradable membranes. Duplication of standardized human oral environment will be required in future experiments.
Animals ; Connective Tissue ; Dental Clinics ; Epithelium ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Models, Theoretical ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skull

Various periodontal barrier membranes used in many clinical and experimental fields, and many recent studies of membranes have reported good results. To improve clinical results, selection of barrier membranes is an important factor. So, we need not only to evaluate various barrier membranes, but also to understand the property of barrier membranes appropriate to defect characteristics. For this purpose, this study reviewed available literature, evaluated comparable experimental models, and compared various barrier membranes. From above mentioned methods, the following conclusions are deduced. 1. In 1-wall periodontal defect models, new bone formation showed a consistent result, almost 30% of the defect size. New cementum formations measured mostly 40% of the defect size, but showed more variations than new bone formations. This seems to be resulted form difference in experimental methods, so standardization in experimental methods is needed for future studies. 2. Application PLGA barrier membrane to periodontal defect demonstrated improved healing in new bone and new cementum. 3. There was a minimal periodontal regeneration with calcium sulfate barrier membrane only. But, there was better healing pattern in combination of calcium sulfate membrane with bone graft material, such as DFDBA. 4. There was no significant difference between the experimental group that used chitosan membrane only and the control group. But, in combination with bone graft material for space maintanence, periodontal regeneration was improved. Overall, Space maintenance is a critical factor for Guided tissue regeneration using barrier membranes. Also, a barrier membrane itself that has difficulty in maintaining space, achieved better result when used with graft material.
Calcium Sulfate ; Chitosan ; Dental Cementum ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; Membranes* ; Models, Theoretical ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration* ; Space Maintenance, Orthodontic ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer is believed to progress through an adenoma-carcinoma sequence. However, recent evidence increasingly supports the existence of an alternative route for colorectal carcinogenesis through a serrated adenoma, which combines the architectural features of hyperplastic polyps with the cytological features of traditional adenomas. We assessed the characteristics and the endoscopic features of serrated adenomas and compared them with those of hyperplastic polyps and traditional adenomas in Korea. METHODS: The medical records of 344 consecutive patients who underwent a colonoscopic biopsy or polypectomy from January 2003 through August 2004 at Gyeongsang National University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Serrated adenomas were seen in 12 cases (3.4%), and the most common site was the rectum (50%). Endoscopically in most cases, the serrated adenomas had small diameters (< or = 0.5 cm) and were single polyps. Morphologically, the serrated adenomas were flat and non-pedunculated. The coincidental rate of the carcinomas was 8.3%. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, serrated adenomas are generally single, sessile adenomas with diameters less than 5 mm, and they are commonly observed in the left colon, especially in the rectum.
Adenoma* ; Biopsy ; Carcinogenesis ; Colon ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Polyps ; Rectum ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to immunohistochemically identify lymph node micormetastases in Dukes' B colorectal cancer patients, and determine the relationship between lymph node micrometastases and other prognostic factors and recurrence rates. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 990 lymph nodes from Dukes' B 42 patients who had undergone radical colorectal resection. These lymph nodes were immunohistochemically examined with monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratin-19. The prognostic factors and recurrent rates were compared between patients with and without lymph node micrometastases. RESULTS: Micrometastases were confirmed in 19 nodes (1.9%) from 9 patients (21.4%). No correlations were observed between micrometastases and the prognostic factors, with the exception of the preoperative CEA level. 8 of the 9 (88.9%) patients with micrometastases had preoperative CEA levels significantly elevated above 5 ng/ml (P<0.0001). There were no significant differences in the recurrent rates (P=0.0572) between patients with and without micrometastases during the short term follow up period (14.8 months) at the 95% confidence interval, but there were significant differences at the 90% confidence interval. CONCLUSION: High preoperative CEA levels increase the risk for micrometastases, and the presence of micrometastases might increase the possibility of recurrence. Thus, a routine immunohistochemical technique for identifying micrometastases is recommended in the patients with a high preoperative CEA level. However, a more definite clinical significance of lymph node micrometastases awaits further extensive prospective studies.
Antibodies, Monoclonal* ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratin-19* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Neoplasm Micrometastasis* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to immunohistochemically identify lymph node micormetastases in Dukes' B colorectal cancer patients, and determine the relationship between lymph node micrometastases and other prognostic factors and recurrence rates. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 990 lymph nodes from Dukes' B 42 patients who had undergone radical colorectal resection. These lymph nodes were immunohistochemically examined with monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratin-19. The prognostic factors and recurrent rates were compared between patients with and without lymph node micrometastases. RESULTS: Micrometastases were confirmed in 19 nodes (1.9%) from 9 patients (21.4%). No correlations were observed between micrometastases and the prognostic factors, with the exception of the preoperative CEA level. 8 of the 9 (88.9%) patients with micrometastases had preoperative CEA levels significantly elevated above 5 ng/ml (P<0.0001). There were no significant differences in the recurrent rates (P=0.0572) between patients with and without micrometastases during the short term follow up period (14.8 months) at the 95% confidence interval, but there were significant differences at the 90% confidence interval. CONCLUSION: High preoperative CEA levels increase the risk for micrometastases, and the presence of micrometastases might increase the possibility of recurrence. Thus, a routine immunohistochemical technique for identifying micrometastases is recommended in the patients with a high preoperative CEA level. However, a more definite clinical significance of lymph node micrometastases awaits further extensive prospective studies.
Antibodies, Monoclonal* ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratin-19* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Neoplasm Micrometastasis* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies