Prevalence, toxin gene profile, antibiotic resistance, and molecular characterization of Clostridium perfringens from diarrheic and non-diarrheic dogs in Korea

Clostridium perfringens causes diarrhea and other diseases in animals and humans. We investigated the prevalence, toxin gene profiles, and antibiotic resistance of C. perfringens isolated from diarrheic dogs (DD) and non-diarrheic dogs (ND) in two animal hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Fecal samples were collected from clinically DD (n = 49) and ND (n = 34). C. perfringens was isolated from 31 of 49 DD (63.3%) and 21 of 34 ND dogs (61.8%). All C. perfringens strains were positive for the α toxin gene, but not for the β, ε, or ι toxin genes; therefore, all strains were identified as type A C. perfringens. All isolates were cpe-negative, whereas the β2 toxin gene was identified in 83.9% and 61.9% of isolates from DD and ND, respectively. Most isolates were susceptible to ampicillin (94%), chloramphenicol (92%), metronidazole (100%), moxifloxacin (96%), and imipenem (100%). However, 25.0% and 21.2% of isolates were resistant to tetracycline and clindamycin, respectively. Molecular subtyping of the isolated strains was performed by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Fifty-two isolates were classified into 48 pulsotypes based on more than 90% similarity of banding patterns. No notable differences were observed among the isolates from DD and ND.

Suggested Protocol for Efficient Medical Image Information Exchange in Korea: Breast MRI

PURPOSE@#Establishment of an appropriate protocol for breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the study of image quality standards to enhance the effectiveness of medical image information exchange, which is part of the construction and activation of clinical information exchange for healthcare informatization.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#The recommended protocols of breast and MRI scans were reviewed and the questionnaire was prepared by a responsible researcher. Then, a panel of 9 breast dedicated radiologists was set up in Korea. The expert panel conducted a total of three Delphi agreements to draw up a consensus on the breast MRI protocol.@*RESULTS@#The agreed breast MRI recommendation protocol is a 1.5 Tesla or higher device that acquires images with prone position using a breast dedicated coil and includes T2-weighted and pre-contrast T1-weighted images. Contrast enhancement images are acquired at least two times, and include 60–120 seconds between images and after 4 minutes. The contrast enhancement T1-weighted image should be less than 3 mm in thickness, less than 120 seconds in temporal resolution, and less than 1.5 mm² in-plane pixel resolution.@*CONCLUSION@#The Delphi agreement of the domestic breast imaging specialist group has established the recommendation protocol of the effective breast MRI.

Evaluation of marginal fit of 2 CAD-CAM anatomic contour zirconia crown systems and lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crown

PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the marginal fit of two CAD-CAM anatomic contour zirconia crown systems compared to lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Shoulder and deep chamfer margin were formed on each acrylic resin tooth model of a maxillary first premolar. Two CAD-CAM systems (Prettau(R)Zirconia and ZENOSTAR(R)ZR translucent) and lithium disilicate glass ceramic (IPS e.max(R)press) crowns were made (n=16). Each crown was bonded to stone dies with resin cement (Rely X Unicem). Marginal gap and absolute marginal discrepancy of crowns were measured using a light microscope equipped with a digital camera (Leica DFC295) magnified by a factor of 100. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey's HSD test were conducted to analyze the significance of crown marginal fit regarding the finish line configuration and the fabrication system. RESULTS: The mean marginal gap of lithium disilicate glass ceramic crowns (IPS e.max(R)press) was significantly lower than that of the CAD-CAM anatomic contour zirconia crown system (Prettau(R)Zirconia) (P<.05). Both fabrication systems and finish line configurations significantly influenced the absolute marginal discrepancy (P<.05). CONCLUSION: The lithium disilicate glass ceramic crown (IPS e.max(R)press) had significantly smaller marginal gap than the CAD-CAM anatomic contour zirconia crown system (Prettau(R)Zirconia). In terms of absolute marginal discrepancy, the CAD-CAM anatomic contour zirconia crown system (ZENOSTAR(R)ZR translucent) had under-extended margin, whereas the CAD-CAM anatomic contour zirconia crown system (Prettau(R)Zirconia) and lithium disilicate glass ceramic crowns (IPS e.max(R)press) had overextended margins.

Case report: Full mouth rehabilitation for patient with heavy occlusal force and excessive abrasion / 대한치과보철학회지

Many of the patients with extensive abrasion need comprehensive restorative treatment. The abrasion is usually caused by attrition, besides of it, there are many reasons for it. The plan of treatment should be started on assessment of the type of attrition and the etiologic analysis. Patient with well-developed masticatory muscle, alveolar process, and high occlusal force and also with little muscle length difference between the stable and the contracted state should be carefully assessed for the vertical dimensional loss and the restoration should be carefully designed. Decrease of tooth length can be compensated by the growth of the alveolar bone height; therefore, consistency of the occlusal vertical dimension is maintained. Accordingly, a careless increase of the vertical dimension can produce muscle fatigue, depressed tooth and pain, and fracture of the restoration. In this case, the patient with multiple tooth abrasion and clenching habit, the edentulous maxillary area is restored with amalgam inserted RPD, and the dentulous area of the maxilla and mandible are treated with fixed restoration accompanying with the increase of vertical dimension. Consequently, we are going to report about the satisfying result in both functional and esthetic aspects.

The Regulation of TRAF Expression by TNF-alpha in Rheumatoid Synoviocytes / 대한면역학회지

No abstract available.

Obesity in elementary school children

Obesity has been implicated as a significant risk factor for multiple medical condition including hypertention, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia and fatty liver. Furthermore, obesity in childhood is believed to be a reliable predictor of a similar condition in adulthood. During the recent years, there has been a rapid rise in the incidence of childhood obesity in Korea due to increased dietary intake rich in caloric content. This study was undertaken to investigate the epidemiology and potential health complications of obesity observed in elmentary school students. A total of 3,103 children (1630 boys and 1,473 girls), ages ranging from 6 to 12, were studied with personal interview, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation. The results were as follows: 1) The prevalence of obesity was 13.44% with approximately equal distribution among boys (14.42%) and girls (12.36%). 2) The prevalence of childhood obesity in Seoul was significantly higher (18.62%) than that in Suwon (7.85%) and in Hongchon (6.02%). 3) A higher incidence of hypertension was dectected in obese subjects and this was more obvious in girls. 4) Hyperlipidemia and elevated Atherogenic Index were more frequently observed in obese group. 5) although fasting blood glucose levels were similar in both groups. AST and ALT abnormalities were much more prevalent in obese group. It is concluded that hypertension and other metabolic abnormalities are much more frequently observed in obese children and that our effects should be focused on the earliest dection, prevention and management of childhood obesity.

Clinical assessment of neonatal transient tricuspid insufficiency: Doppler echocardiographic study

Eight neonates with transient tricuspid insufficiency are presented which was confirmed clinical and two dimensional echocardiographic assessment. We found that two dimensional Doppler echocardiography was very useful in the detection of transient tricuspid insufficiency during neonatal age as noninvasive method. Transient tricuspid insufficiency is a clinical disorder in the newborn period caused by myocardial dysfunction, secondary to asphyxia with or without hypoglycemia and associated with right ventricular overloading caused by pulmonary hypertention. The clinical diagnosis was based on a history of perinatal distress, distinctive murmur, ECG changes, biochemical abnormalities and myocardial imaging. 1) The sex ratio of TTI was 1:1. 2) The average gestational age was 34 weeks and mean body weight was 2.06 Kg, respectably. 3) Major symptoms were dyspnea, cyanosis, and tachypnea. 4) Tricuspid regurgitation was detected from the lst day to the 4th day of the life and was improved from the 7th day to the 30th day of the life. 5) The peak velocity through tricuspid valve ranged from the 2.7 m/sec to 4.0 m/sec and the estimated right ventricular pressure ranged from 39 mmHg to 74 mmHg. 6) Associated diseases were neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (100%), prematurity (87.5%), atrial right to left shunt (87.5%), patent ductus arteriosus (75%), hyaline membrane disease (25%), and transient tachypnea of newborn (12.5%).

Two cases of Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome

Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome is a rare disorder which developed hemiatrophy of brain, enlargement of ventricles and prominent pneumatization of petrous pyramid of the temporal bone. It manifests hemiparesis, varying type seizure, and mental retardation. We experienced two cases of Dyke-avidoff-Masson Syndrome, in a 6/12 year-old boy and a 1, 10/12 year-old girl who were admitted to our department of pediatrics, because of convulsion and hemiparesis The brain CT scan showed marked dilatation of lateral ventricle, prominent sylvian fissure and cortical sulci. So we report two cases of Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome with review of literature.

The effect of prostaglandin E1 infusion for papillation of ductus dependent cyanotic congenital heart disease in neonates

No abstract available.