The Utilization of Dental Hygienists in Oral Healthcare Exchanges between the South and North Korea / 치위생과학회지

Background@#This study aimed to identify the role of dental hygienists in exchanges between North and South Korea to lower gaps in the level of dental healthcare between the two countries by conducting a Delphi survey with specialists and identifying alternative policies regarding the utilization of dental hygienists in such exchanges. @*Methods@#Two Delphi surveys were conducted with the participation of nine specialists, and descriptive statistical analyses including mean and standard deviation were performed on the collected data. @*Results@#Among methods of exchange and cooperation regarding oral healthcare under the current North Korean medical system, the issue considered most urgent was the “establishment of oral healthcare infrastructure.” The most important short-term strategy was identified as the “selection and formation of partnerships in the field of inter-Korean oral health exchange and cooperation.” The mid-term strategy was identified as the “establishment of cooperation in the dental industry, centered on educational cooperation projects.” The long-term strategy included “joint R&D projects, oral health surveys, and business development.” In order to determine how best to use dental hygienists during inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, the respondents placed urgency on the “establishment of joint cooperation projects for oral health promotion and early examination and the treatment of dental diseases and planning of community research projects” and “the role of oral health education and media development for residents.” Conclusion: Cooperation is necessary regarding the preparation of oral healthcare exchanges that aim to encourage unity between North and South Korea and reduce the gaps between the North and South regarding oral health conditions. Therefore, continuous and reasonable discussions and research are needed regarding the utilization of dental hygienists in such exchanges.

Level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency of dental hygienists and dental hygiene students: the need to add ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination / 보건의료교육평가

Purpose@#This study aimed to evaluate the level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency in order to assess the potential need for ethics items to be included on the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination. @*Methods@#In total, 358 clinical dental hygienists and dental hygiene students completed a structured questionnaire to evaluate their level of ethical awareness and medical ethics competency. The sub-factors of medical ethics were classified into relationships with patients, medical and social relations, and individual specialized fields. @*Results@#Only 32.1% of participants indicated that they had taken a course on professional ethics in the university curriculum, but 95.2% of respondents considered professional ethics to be important. The overall score for medical ethics competency was average (3.37 out of 5). The score for relationships with patients was 3.75 points, followed by medical and social relations (3.19 points) and individual specialized fields (3.16 points). The level of professional ethics awareness was higher among participants who had taken a course on professional ethics than among those who had not done so or who did not remember whether they had done so. @*Conclusion@#Dental hygienists were aware of the importance of professional ethics, but their medical ethics competency was moderate. Therefore, medical ethics should be treated as a required subject in the university curriculum, and medical ethics competency evaluations should be strengthened by adding ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination.

Level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency of dental hygienists and dental hygiene students: the need to add ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination / 보건의료교육평가

Purpose@#This study aimed to evaluate the level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency in order to assess the potential need for ethics items to be included on the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination. @*Methods@#In total, 358 clinical dental hygienists and dental hygiene students completed a structured questionnaire to evaluate their level of ethical awareness and medical ethics competency. The sub-factors of medical ethics were classified into relationships with patients, medical and social relations, and individual specialized fields. @*Results@#Only 32.1% of participants indicated that they had taken a course on professional ethics in the university curriculum, but 95.2% of respondents considered professional ethics to be important. The overall score for medical ethics competency was average (3.37 out of 5). The score for relationships with patients was 3.75 points, followed by medical and social relations (3.19 points) and individual specialized fields (3.16 points). The level of professional ethics awareness was higher among participants who had taken a course on professional ethics than among those who had not done so or who did not remember whether they had done so. @*Conclusion@#Dental hygienists were aware of the importance of professional ethics, but their medical ethics competency was moderate. Therefore, medical ethics should be treated as a required subject in the university curriculum, and medical ethics competency evaluations should be strengthened by adding ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination.

The Effects of the Oral Care Program for Improving Swallowing Function of the Elderly Using Welfare Centers on Depression, Self Efficacy, Subjective Oral Health Status and Swallowing related Quality of Life

Purpose@#This study was conducted to examine the effects of the oral care program for improving swallowing function of the elderly using welfare centers on depression, self efficacy, subjective oral health status and swallowing related quality of life. @*Methods@#The intervention in this study was systematically developed through the six stages of Intervention Mapping Protocol (IMP) and was based on Mead’s symbolic interaction theory and Bandura's self efficacy theory. A non equivalent control group pre and post-test design was conducted on a total of 37 elderly people (experimental group: 19, control group: 18) from D city. The oral care program was administered to the experimental group once a week for five weeks, totaling five times, and the exact program ran for 50 minutes. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. @*Results@#Following the intervention, subjective oral health score, and swallowing related quality of life were significantly improved in the experimental group. @*Conclusion@#The oral care program presented in this study was found to be effective in increasing subjective oral health status, and swallowing related quality of life for the elderly using welfare centers.

Postoperative Clinical Outcome and Risk Factors for Poor Outcome of Foraminal and Extraforaminal Lumbar Disc Herniation

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated postoperative outcomes in patients who have lumbar foraminal or extraforaminal disc herniation (FELDH) and suggested the risk factors for poor outcomes. METHODS: A total of 234 patients were selected for this study. Pre- and post-operative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean version Oswestry Disability Index (KODI) were evaluated and the changes of both score were calculated. Outcome was defined as excellent, good, fair, and poor based on Mcnab classification. The percentage of superior facetectomy was calculated by using the Maro-view 5.4 Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS). RESULTS: Paramedian lumbar discectomy was performed in 180 patients and combined lumbar discectomy was performed in 54 patients. Paramedian lumbar discectomy group showed better outcome compared with combined discectomy group. p value of VAS change was 0.009 and KODI was 0.013. The average percentage of superior facetectomy was 33% (range, 0-79%) and it showed negative correlation with VAS and KODI changes (Pearson coefficient : -0.446 and -0.498, respectively). Excellent or good outcome cases (Group I) were 136 (58.1%) and fair or poor outcome cases (Group II) were 98 (41.9%). The percentage of superior facetectomy was 26.5% at Group I and 42.5% at Group II. There was significant difference in superior facetectomy percentage between Group I and II (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that paramedian lumbar discectomy with preservation of facet joints is an effective and good procedure for FELDH. At least 60% of facet should be preserved for excellent or good outcomes.

MSK1 regulates RANKL-induced NFATc1 expression through CREB and c-Fos / 동물의과학연구지

Osteoclasts originated from hematopoietic stem cells are multi-nucleated cells that can resorb the bone matrix. Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL) signaling pathway is crucial for the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts. In this study, we investigated for the first time whether or not RANKL induced mitogen- and stress-activated kinase 1 (MSK1) phosphorylation at Ser 376. Activation of MSK1 was detected as soon as 5 min after RANKL stimulation and sparsely detected at 30 min after stimulation. RANKL-induced MSK1 phosphorylation occurred in a dose-dependent manner. MSK1 is known as a downstream signaling molecule of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Treatment with the PKA inhibitor H89 significantly suppressed c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) induction upon RANKL stimulation. In addition, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation was extremely inhibited by H89 treatment. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been investigated for induction of MSK1 phosphorylation. Specific signaling pathway inhibitors for p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) significantly blocked RANKL-induced MSK1 activation. Finally, as a downstream effector of the p38-MSK1 pathway, c-Fos transcriptional activity was determined. RANKL-mediated elevation of c-Fos transcriptional activity was significantly suppressed by p38 inhibitor. Moreover, a dominant negative form of CREB suppressed activation of NFATc1. In conclusion, RANKL-stimulated MSK1 phosphorylation could play a role in induction of NFATc1 through CREB and c-Fos activation as a downstream molecule of p38, ERK MAPKs, and PKA. Our results support basic information for the development of osteoclast specific inhibitors.

Effects of Self-esteem and Academic Stress on Depression in Korean Students in Health Care Professions / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to identify factors affecting depression in college students and the correlation of depression with self-esteem and academic stress, and to identify differences among student self-esteem, academic stress, and general characteristics and the relationship of these variables to depression. METHODS: The study was done in April 2011 with 852 students in health-related majors (medicine, nursing science, and dental hygiene) of a medical college in Korea. A self-rating survey containing 10 items from the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, 20 items from the Self-rating Depression Scale, and 22 items on academic stress was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Medical students' scores for self-esteem were significantly higher than dental hygiene students, but for academic stress scores, the result was the opposite. Logistic regression showed that self-esteem, academic stress, academic major and satisfaction with it (positive affect), and home income level (negative affect) significantly affected the level of depression. CONCLUSION: Designing and implementing realistic programs tailored to students' academic majors to enhance their self-esteem and provide practical knowledge in dealing with academic stress will help these students obtain a healthier school life emotionally as well as academically.

Mental Health and Coping Strategies among Medical Students / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: Recently, concern of the college students' mental health has increased due to their continuous psychologic problems such as suicidal attempt. This study aimed to examine the correlation among depression, stress, self-esteem, and coping strategies of the medical students and also according to the academic year. METHODS: The subject was 384 medical students of K medical school in Korea. Self-rating depression scale, stress scale, self-esteem scale was used for the survey, and academic stress and coping strategies of the students were asked. Frequency analysis, one-way ANOVA, t-test, correlation analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Third year students were under most stress (F=5.67, p=0.000) and had the most students who were moderately (22.9%) and mildly depressed (6.3%). Stress form academic studies and grade was also the highest in third year students. For English fluency, freshmen students scored the top. Academic career stress and school culture stress were higher for year 3, 4, 5, 6 than year 1, 2 students. Differences of the coping strategies by academic year was significant in emotional display. Students who showed high level of depression and stress, also students with low self-esteem used emotional display as their major coping strategy. CONCLUSION: Depending on their academic year medical students' level of depression and stress was different, and they did not use a variety of coping strategies. Therefore, a program which can give a diverse access to variety of coping strategies to relieve students' stress should be developed taking their characteristics of academic year into consideration.

Predictors of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education for Layperson

PURPOSE: Few data exist regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education status in relationship to characteristics of socio-economic status and health and medical conditions in Korea. The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics associated with the CPR educated populationand to develop and analyze a simple predictive model of the CPR education status. METHODS: Based on a health survey of Incheon Metropolitan City adults (5,114), differences between a CPR-educated group (n=220) and a CPR non-educated group (n=4,894) were analyzed and a logistic regression analysis of the two groups was performed to evaluate socio-economic status-gender, age, marital status, education level, number of family members, and monthly household income-and health-medical conditions-disease, accidental history, EMS (emergency medical service) experience, and health status. RESULTS: The participation rate in CPR education in Korea is only 4.3% which is vastly lower than in other developed countries, and there are statistically significant differences between the CPR-educated and CPR not-educated in gender (0.000), age (0.000), marital status (0.000), education level (0.000), and diseases (0.003). Similarly, gender (OR: 0.247, 0.000), age (OR: 0.964, 0.000), marital status (OR: 0.463, 0.000), education level (OR: 1.797, 0.000), numbers of family members (OR: 1.231, 0.004), and health status (OR: 0.894, 0.009) are statistically significant predictors of participation in CPR education. CONCLUSION: Monthly household income, accident history, and EMS experience are not statistically significant factors for participation in CPR education in Korea. It may be necessary to determine the optimal fees of CPR education based on social characteristics and economic conditions, Certain subgroups of lay persons such as high-risk patients and family members need targeted outreach programs.

Flexural strength of implant fixed prosthesis using fiber reinforced composite / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Use of fiber composite technology as well as development of nonmetal implant prosthesis solved many problems due to metal alloy substructure such as corrosion, toxicity, difficult casting, expensiveness and esthetic limit. After clinical and laboratory test, we could find out that fiber-reinforced composite prostheses have good mechanical properties and FRC can make metal-free implant prostheses successful. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the flexural strength of implant fixed prosthesis using fiber reinforced composite. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 2-implant fixture were placed in second premolar and second molar area in edentulous mandibular model, and their abutments were placed, and bridge prostheses using gold, PFG, Tescera, and Targis Vectris were fabricated. Tescera was made in 5 different designs with different supplements. Group I was composed by 3 bars with diameter 1.0mm and 5 meshes, 2 bars and 5 meshes for Group II, 1 bar and 5 meshes for Group III, and only 5 meshes were used for Group IV. And Group V is composed by only 3 bars. Resin (Tescera) facing was made to buccal part of pontic of gold bridge. All of gold and PFG bridges were made on one model, 5 Targis Vectris bridges were also made on one model, and 25 Tescera bridges were made on 3 models. Each bridge was attached to the test model by temporary cement and shallow depression was formed near central fossa of the bridge pontic to let 5 mm metal ball not move. Flexual strength was marked in graph by INSTRON. RESULTS: The results of the study are as follows. The initial crack strength was the highest on PFG, and in order of gold bridge, Tescera I, Tescera II, Targis vectris, Tescera IV, Tescera III, and Tescera V. The maximum strength was the highest on gold bridge, and in order of PFG, Tescera I, Tescera IV, Tescera II, Targis vectris, Tescera III, and Tescera V. CONCLUSIONS: The following conclusions were drawn from the results of this study. 1. Flextural strength of implant prosthesis using fiber reinforced composite was higher than average posterior occlusal force. 2. In initial crack strength, Tescera I was stronger than Tescera V, and weaker than PFG. 3. Kinds and number of auxillary components had an effect on maximum strength, and maximum strength was increased as number of auxillary components increased. 4. Maximum strength of Tescera I was higher than Targis vectris, and lower than PFG.

Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Bcl-2 in Human Gastric Adenomas

BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase (COX) -2 is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis. An increased expression has been implicated in the development and progression of human gastric cancers and colorectal adenomas and cancers. This study aimed to determine the involvement and association of COX-2 and Bcl-2 in precancerous gastric adenomas. METHODS: Seventy-nine gastric polyps were obtained by endoscopic mucosal resection or polypectomy from January, 2000 to July, 2003. Immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 and Bcl-2 was observed, and their relationships with various clinicopathological factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Histologically, 13 hyperplastic polyps and 66 tubular adenomas, of which 17 showed high-grade dysplasia, were observed. Increased COX-2 expression was observed in low-grade and high-grade tubular adenomas compared to hyperplastic polyps (p=0.004 and p=0.001, respectively). COX-2 expression was significantly higher in larger (> 1 cm) compared with smaller (< or=1 cm) tubular adenomas (p=0.034), but no relation was observed in hyperplastic polyps. While Bcl-2 expression differed significantly according to histology, increased Bcl-2 expression was observed especially in COX-2 positive low-grade tubular adenomas. CONCLUSION: COX-2 expression increased in a size-dependent manner in tubular adenomas, suggesting a role in polyp growth. The increased expression of Bcl-2 in tubular adenomas, especially in COX-2 positive tubular adenomas, suggests that COX-2 action may be related to Bcl-2 expression.

Correlations between fibrosis improvement after lamivudine treatment and pretreatment histological activity / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Lamivudine has been found to suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) consistently, and several trials have shown significant reductions in necroinflammatory activity and delayed progression of fibrosis. In terms of histologic improvements, fibosis is one of the most important factors in predicting long-term outcome in chronic hepatitis. The objective of this analysis was to determine the correlation between improvement in degree of fibrosis and pretreatment histological activity in lamivudine-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Paired liver biopsy in 47 patients who were treated with lamivudine and followed up for 52 weeks were analysed. Histological changes were evaluated by a histopathologist and scored according to Knodell's histology activity index (HAI). RESULTS: At the end of one year, 33/47 (70.2%) showed improvement in necroinflammatory score and only 14.9% (7/47) showed worsening. The improvement in fibrosis score was noted in 21.3% (10/47). The improvement in fibrosis was significantly related with pretreatment periportal inflammation (p<0.05), portal inflammation (p<0.01) and fibrosis score (p<0.01). The loss of HBeAg occurred in 60% of fibrosis improvement group and interestingly, regression of fibrosis was noted in patients without loss of HBeAg. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment histologic activity is an important predictor for improvement in fibrosis after lamivudine treatment for chronic hepatitis B.

Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression according to Size and Location of Gastric and Colorectal Tubular Adenomas / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies have shown that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) may be involved in the process of invasion, growth and apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma and in the growth and tumorigenesis in familial adenomatous polyposis. This study was conducted to determine the significance of the expression of COX-2 in gastric and colorectal adenomas. METHODS: Forty-nine samples of gastric adenoma and fifty-seven samples of colorectal adenoma were obtained by endoscopic mucosal resection or polypectomy from 106 patients from January 2000 to July 2003. COX-2 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Correlation between COX-2 expression and several clinical factors were compared in each gastric and colorectal adenomas. RESULTS: The expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells was significantly higher in the group with large adenoma (>1 cm) compared with the group with small adenoma (

Clinical Efficacy of AST/ALT Ratio and Platelet Counts as Predictors of Degree of Fibrosis in HBV Infected Patients without Clinically Evident Liver Cirrhosis / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic fibrosis is an important prognostic factor in chronic hepatitis B. Liver biopsy is a gold standard diagnostic tool but an invasive procedure, so it cannot be done on all patients. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of AST/ALT ratio and platelet counts as predictors of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively clinical records of 323 patients, who visited Kyungpook National University Hospital for chronic hepatitis B and underwent liver biopsy from September 1998 to May 2002. Correlation with laboratory parameters with hepatic fibrosis stage was identified. RESULTS: Of 323 patients, there were 278 male patients with mean age 27 (9~59). Platelet counts showed a significant correlation (r=-0.343, p=0.000), and AST/ALT ratio showed a weak but significant correlation (r=0.137, p=0.013) with fibrosis stage. Patients with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (stage 3 and 4) can be identified to have AST/ALT ratio > 1 and platelet counts 1 in combination with platelet counts. However, its sensitivity is too low to replace liver biopsy.

Pretreatment ALT Level and Histologic Activity as Predictors of HBeAg Loss in Lamivudine Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine is a potent inhibitor of hepatitis B virus replication, but an increased incidence of YMDD mutation may be associated with its long term use. Thus, the decision to initiate therapy should be based on variables that are predictive of lamivudine-induced HBeAg loss. The objective of this analysis was to determine patient-dependent or laboratory variables that predict HBeAg loss. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 99 HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B who were treated with lamivudine and followed up for more than 52 weeks. All patients had a liver biopsy before starting lamivudine therapy. HBeAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion after 52 weeks of treatment were defined as endpoints. RESULTS: The overall rates of HBeAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion were 41.4% (41/99) and 37.4% (37/99), respectively. The rates of HBeAg loss increased as pretreatment ALT levels increased (P=0.013) and were highest among patients with pretreatment ALT levels greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal, occurring in 56.8% of those patients. The rate of HBeAg loss was higher in patients with more active histologic disease on pretreatment liver biopsy (Grade 1 and 2 vs. Grade 3 and 4, 28.3% vs 56.5%, P=0.004). Similar results were seen with HBeAg seroconversion, though seroconversion occurred less frequently than HBeAg loss. Multivariate analysis showed that elevated baseline ALT levels (P<0.05) and histologic activity (P<0.05) were the best independent predictors of HBeAg loss and seroconversion in response to lamivudine. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment ALT levels and histologic activity were the most important predictors for response to lamivudine.

Rapid Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of the M. pneumoniae Isolates

The throat swabs obtained from 1,098 adults and 432 children patients with respiratory diseases were examined for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection detected by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial susceptibilities of the resulting 60 M. pneumoniae isolates were evaluated by testing minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of erythromycin, minocycline, tetracycline, josamycin, sparfloxacin, ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin by a broth micro-dilution method. In a preliminary screening, the detection rate of M. pneumoniae by PCR was 29.2% (277/948) for the adults and 28.3% (90/318) for the children. In the second survey, the isolation rate of M. pneumoniae by culture was 29.3% (44/150) for the adults, and 14.0% (16/114) for the children. The PCR detection rate was 36.7% (55/150) for the adults and 23.7% (27/114) for the children. The MIC90s of the M. pneumoniae isolates were 0.015 mg/ml for erythromycin, lower than 0.03 mg/ml for josamycin, 0.06 mg/ml for sparfloxacin and minocycline, 0.12 mg/ml for tetracycline, 0.5 mg/ml for ofloxacin and CFC-222, and 1.0 mg/ml for ciprofloxacin. The isolates were susceptible to erythromycin, josamycin, sparfloxacin, minocycline, tetracycline, and ofloxacin, but the 63.3% of them was resistant to ciprofloxacin. These results indicate that the PCR method has a significant potential as a rapid and sensitive method for early detection of M. pneumoniae infection in clinical specimens as compared with the culture method, but the PCR method could not provide any information concerning the biological chracteristics of M. pneumoniae strains. Erythromycin, josamycin, sparfloxacin, minocycline, and tetracycline could be recommended as the antimicrobial agents of choice in Korea.

Polymorpshisms of XPC Gene and Risk of Primary Lung Cancer in Koreans / 결핵

BACKGROUND: DNA repair plays a crucial role in protection from cancer-causing agents. Therefore, a reduced DNA repair capacity can increase the susceptibility to lung cancer. The XPC gene contains 15 exons and encodes a 940 amino acid protein that plays a central role in DNA damage recognition of the nucleotide excision repair pathway, which is a major DNA repair mechanism removing the bulky-helix distorting DNA lesions caused by smoking. Recently several polymorphisms in the XPC gene were identified. In addition, it is possible that these polymorphisms may affect the DNA repair capacity, which modulate cancer susceptibility. The relationship between codon 499 and 939 polymorphisms, and a poly(AT) insertion/deletion polymorphism in the XPC gene, and the lung cancer risk were investigated. METHOD: The genotypes were determined using either PCR or PCR-RFLP analysis in 219 male lung cancer patients and 150 healthy males controls. RESULTS: The frequencies of the genotypes (Val499Ala, PAT and Lys939Gln) among the cases were not significantly different from those of the controls. There was no significant associantion between these polymorphism and the lung cancer risk when the analyses were stratified according to age, smoking status and the pack-years of smoking. Moreover, the genotypes had no apparent relationship with any of the histological types of lung cancer. There was a linkage disequilibrium among the Val499Ala, PAT and Lys939Gln polymorphisms. The PAT polymorphism had a strong linkage disequilibrium with the Lys939Gln polymorphism (kappa value=0.87). The XPC haplotypes showed no significant association with the lung cancer risk. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that XPC Val499Ala, PAT and Lys939Gln polymorphisms are not major contributors to the individual lung cancer susceptibility in Koreans.

Ser326Cys Polymorphism of hOGG1 Gene and Risk of Primary Lung Cancer in Koreans / 결핵

BACKGROUND: DNA repair plays a crucial role in protecting the genome from cancer-causing agents. Therefore, a reduced DNA repair capacity can increase the susceptibility to cancer. The human OGG1 (hOGG1) gene encod es DNA glycosylase/apurinic lyase and excise 8-hydroxyguanine, one of the major premutagenic DNA lesions, which is produced by oxygen radical forming agents including smoking. Recently several polymorphisms in the hOGG1 gene were identified, and it is possible that these polymorphisms may affect the DNA repair capacity and thus modulate cancer susceptibility. The relationship between the codon 326 polymorphism (Ser to Cys) in the hOGG1 gene and lung cancer risk was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The Ser326Cys genotypes were determined using PCR-RFLP analysis in 299 primary lung cancer patients and 186 healthy controls who were frequency (case:control=3:2) matched according to age and sex. RESULT: The frequencies of the Ser326Cys genotypes (Ser/Ser, Ser/Cys and Cys/Cys) among cases (23.4%, 51.8%, and 24.7%, respectively) were not significantly different from those among the controls (22.6%, 52.1% and 25.3%, respectively). When the analyses were stratified according to age, sex, smoking status and pack-years of smoking, no significant association between this polymorphism and lung cancer risk was found. Moreover, the Ser326Cys genotype showed no apparent relationship with any of the histological types of lung cancer. CONCLUSION: These result suggest that the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism is not a major contributor to individual lung cancer susceptibility in Koreans.

Effect of speech therapy on alveolar sound after lingual frenulotomy in tongue-tie patients / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many research papers showed that the most common articulation disorder in tongue-tie children was the error of alveolar sound. We performed speech therapy on alveolar sound after lingual frenulotomy to prove that the speech therapy after lingual frenulotomy improves the articulation of alveolar sound and that this effect is maintained. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected 28 children who never had speech therapy but could afford to have the speech therapy. The accuracy rate of consonant sound was calculated using a picture consonant test 2 weeks following the lingual frenulotomy. The speech therapy, called the phonetic placement and paired-stimulus technique, was performed 18 times for 3 months. This therapy decreased incidence rate of error. RESULTS: The incidence rate of alveolar sound error, which was calculated before speech therapy, was about 65%. And the incidence rate of alveolar sound error after speech therapy was 5-10%, which proved the effect of speech therapy. We divided alveolar sounds into target sounds and non-target sounds. And we performed speech therapy only on target sounds so the appearance rate of alveolar sound error decreased and the incidence rate of non-target sounds also decreased. We performed speech therapy after 2 weeks and the effect was maintained. CONCLUSION: The incidence rate of alveolar sound error decreased by using speech therapy and the effect was maintained. So the speech therapy must be performed after lingual frenulotomy.

Polymorphisms of GSTM1 and CYP1A1, and Susceptibility to Primary Lung Cancer in Korean Males / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is frequently cited as an example of a disease caused solely by exposure to environmental caricinogens. However, there is a growing realization that the genetic constitution is also important in determining individual's susceptibility to lung cancer. This genetic susceptibility may result from functional polymorphims of the genes involved in carcinogen metabolism. In this study, the association between GSTM1 and CYP1A1 polymorphisms and the lung cancer risk in Korean males was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study population consisted of 153 male lung cancer patients and 143 healthy male controls. The GSTM1 and CYP1A1 genotypes were determined by multiplex PCR and PCR-RELP analysis. RESULT: The were no significant differences in the frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype between the cases and the controls. When the cases were categorized by their histologic type, the frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype in the small cell carcinoma group was higher than those of the controls(67.2% vs 55.9%), but the difference was not statistically significant(OR=1.772 ; 95% CI=0.723-4.340). The distribution of the CYP1A1 MspI genotypes among the cases were similar to those among the controls. When the cases were grouped by their histologic type, the m1/m1, m1/m2, m2/m2 genotypes frequencies among the small cell carcinomas(23.0%, 38.5%, and 38.5%, respectively) were significantly different from those of the controls(36.4%, 46.2%, and 17.4%, respectively, p<0.05). When the m1/m1 genotype was used as a reference, the m1/m2 and m2/m2 genotypes were associated with an increased risk for small cell lung cancer(m1/m2 genotype : OR=1.337, 95% CI=0.453-3.947 ; m2/m2 genotype : OR=3.374, 95% CI=1.092-10.421). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the GSTM1 and CYP1A1 genotypes may be a genetic determinant of the risk for lung cancer, particlulary small cell carcinoma. Further investigation is needed to confirm these results.