Comparison of immunohistochemical analysis on sinus augmentation using demineralized tooth graft and bovine bone

Objectives@#The purpose of this animal research was to compare bone regeneration in augmented rabbit maxillary sinuses treated with demineralized particulate human-tooth graft and anorganic bovine bone by immunohistochemical analysis. @*Materials and Methods@#Piezoelectric bilateral sinus augmentation was performed in eight adult rabbits. In the control group, anorganic bovine was grafted in the maxillary sinus following elevation of the sinus membrane. In the experimental group, demineralized human particulate tooth bone was grafted in the sinus. Bone regeneration in augmented sinuses was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis using various markers of osteoprogenitor cells. @*Results@#The number of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at eight weeks. The immunoreactivity of proliferating-cell nuclear antigen was increased slightly in the experimental group relative to the control group at eight weeks. Other bone markers were expressed equally in the two groups. @*Conclusion@#In the rabbit maxillary sinus, higher osteoinduction was correlated with demineralized human particulate tooth bone grafting than with anorganic bovine grafting.

Comparison of immunohistochemical analysis on sinus augmentation using demineralized tooth graft and bovine bone

Objectives@#The purpose of this animal research was to compare bone regeneration in augmented rabbit maxillary sinuses treated with demineralized particulate human-tooth graft and anorganic bovine bone by immunohistochemical analysis. @*Materials and Methods@#Piezoelectric bilateral sinus augmentation was performed in eight adult rabbits. In the control group, anorganic bovine was grafted in the maxillary sinus following elevation of the sinus membrane. In the experimental group, demineralized human particulate tooth bone was grafted in the sinus. Bone regeneration in augmented sinuses was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis using various markers of osteoprogenitor cells. @*Results@#The number of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at eight weeks. The immunoreactivity of proliferating-cell nuclear antigen was increased slightly in the experimental group relative to the control group at eight weeks. Other bone markers were expressed equally in the two groups. @*Conclusion@#In the rabbit maxillary sinus, higher osteoinduction was correlated with demineralized human particulate tooth bone grafting than with anorganic bovine grafting.

Changes in periodontal tissue and denture around the implants in the mandibular milled-bar implant overdenture: A 12-year follow-up / 대한치과보철학회지

The mandible has a smaller support area than the maxilla, and in particular, in patients with generalized alveolar bone resorption, the stability of the denture and the masticatory efficiency are significantly low in the case of conventional complete denture, due to the movement of the tongue and mandible. In these patients, implant overdenture is evaluated as a highly predictable treatment method with high retention and stability, and excellent pronunciation and masticatory force. In this clinical case, patient had an edentulous maxilla and generalized alveolar bone resorption in mandible. Therefore, complete denture was placed in the maxilla and implant overdenture using milled bar attachment on 4 implants was placed in the mandible. During the 12-year follow-up period, changes in periodontal tissue and denture around the implants were periodically managed and observed.

Decreased Expression of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 1 in the Blood Leukocyte of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) plays an important role in trafficking leukocytes and developing immune disorders including autoimmunity. In the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, increased expression of S1P was reported, and the interaction between S1P and S1P receptor 1 (S1P1) has been suggested to regulate the expression of inflammatory genes and the proliferation of synovial cells. In this study, we investigated the level of S1P1 mRNA expression in the blood leukocytes of RA patients. In contrast to the previous reports, the expression level of this gene was not correlated to their clinical scores, disease durations and ages. However, S1P1 was transcribed at a significantly lower level in the circulating leukocytes of RA patients when compared to age-, and sex-matched healthy controls. Since these data may suggest the participation of S1P1, further studies are needed to determine the role of this receptor in the pathogenesis of RA.

An alternative impression technique based on McLean's functional impression concept / 대한치과보철학회지

In this case report, an alternative impression technique for fabricating removable partial dentures was used in a patient with very few remaining teeth. In this technique, an individual tray was made on the cast, which was made by relining interim denture and taking overimpression with irreversible hydrocolloid according to McLean's functional impression concept. This method showed the following advantages: the no need for border molding with modeling compound, time saving for denture impression without overextension and accurate seating of the individual tray.

Assessment of the fit of zirconia-based prostheses fabricated with two different scan methods / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to compare the marginal and internal fit of zirconia prostheses fabricated with the model scan method and the intraoral scan method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 20 extracted human mandibular first molar was used in the preparation of abutment tooth for the fabrication of zirconia prostheses. In the first group, the model scan method was applied on 10 prepared teeth. In the other group, the intraoral scan method was used on other 10 prepared teeth. Datum of both groups were transmitted to the software system. Afterwards, 20 zirconia prostheses were fabricated using the Ceramill system. Weight technique was used to evaluate the internal gap of the zirconia prostheses. In the Replica technique, marginal gap of the zirconia prostheses were analyzed by optical microscopy. Statistical analysis was based on one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Model scan group showed lower average weight than intraoral scan group when weight technique was applied, which has significance (P < .05). Also, model scan group showed significantly lower figures in all 5 measurements of replica technique than intraoral scan group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Zirconia prostheses of both groups demonstrated clinically acceptable margin and internal fit. However, model scanned zirconia prostheses showed higher marginal and internal fit than intraoral scanned crowns.

Prosthetic treatment for patient with upper lip cancer and severe periodontitis: Maxillary complete denture with denture adhesive and mandibular double crown-retained removable partial denture / 대한치과보철학회지

When oral cancer is occured, one may experience problems such as lip defect, necrosis of periodontal tissue and cervical caries caused by radiotherapy. According to ADI (Association of dental implantology), recent radiotherapy on jaw bone could be a relative contraindication of implant treatment. Due to this controversy, in most cases, treatment is done with removable dentures rather than implants. Especially, lip defect caused by an oral cancer operation have a serious repercussion on the retention of the denture. In this case report, patient with upper lip cancer had undergone resection primarily and secondary radiotherapy was done periodically. As a result, upper teeth of patient were extracted gradually and lower teeth showed very poor periodontal status. Therefore, Polident(R) denture adhesive cream (GlaxoSmithKline, London, England) was applied on maxillary complete denture to overcome reduced retention due to the lip defect and double crown RPD with friction pin was applied on the mandible successfully for two years.

Cavernous Hemangioma of the Tympanic Membrane

Cavernous hemangioma seems to most frequently arise in the posterior portion of the external auditory canal. However, they rarely occur in the tympanic membrane. A 49-year-old male patient was referred for evaluation of right-sided pulsatile tinnitus that he'd experienced for the previous 2 years. Temporal bone computerized tomography showed an isolated soft tissue mass just lateral to the tympanic membrane. There was no evidence of bony erosion or middle ear invasion. The patient underwent excision of the mass using a postauricular approach. The mass was removed en bloc and the defect of the tympanic membrane was repaired by tympanoplasty type I. There was no recurrence after 1 year of follow-up.

The study on the survival rates and crestal bone changes around the implants / 대한치주과학회지

The success and failure of dental implants depends on various factors such as patient's systemic status, quantity and quality of surrounding bone, presence or absence of marginal infection and mechanical loading condition. The measurement of crestal bone changes around the implants is implemental to evaluate the success and long-term prognosis of the implant. This study was to evaluate the cumulative survival rate of the implants which had been placed in the Department of Periodontics, Chonnam National University Hospital between 1992 and 2003, and to observe the crestal bone loss around the implants which had at least 2 consecutive periapical radiographs after connecting the transmucosal abutment. The radiographs were scanned and digitalized, and the crestal bone levels on the mesial and distal surface of implants were measured using Image analyzer (Image Pro Plus, Media Cybernetics, USA), immediately after implant placement, at 2nd surgery, and 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and every year thereafter. Any bone loss was not observed during the period between the 1st and 2nd surgery, and the bone loss was 0.86 +/- 0.92 mm for the first year of loading after connecting the transmucosal abutment. After 1 year of loading, annual bone loss was 0.1 +/- 0.27 mm, and total bone loss was 0.90 +/- 0.80 mm (during the average follow-up periods of 22.5 +/- 25.6 Mos). The implant, with smooth surface, in the mandible, and with the fixed bridge prosthesis showed greater bone loss, compared to those, with the rough surface, in the maxilla and with single crown. In systemically diseased patients (including DM or osteoporosis), the greater bone loss was observed. The cumulative survival rate among 432 implants was 94.10% for 7 years. Among 15 failed implants, 9 implants were removed due to mobility from disintegration of bone-implant interface. From this results, crestal bone loss around the implants were greatest during 1 year after transmucosal abutment connection, and various factors could affect peri-implant bone loss. To prevent and predict the bone loss around the implants and improve the prognosis, further comprehensive maintenance and follow-up schedules are required.

Factors Predicting Timing of Recurrence after Radical Gastrectomy for Gastric Carcinoma

PURPOSE: TNM classification accurately predicts overall survival but not risk of recurrence. This study analyzed patients who died of recurrent gastric carcinoma and attempteded to clarify clinicopathological factors associated with time of recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective review of 526 patients with gastric cancer, radically treated between 1988~1997 was performed. Multivariate analysis of differences between 116 patients with early recurrence (2 years after gastrectomy). RESULTS: Compared with the late recurrence group, the early recurrence group was characterized by larger tumor size (84.2 vs. 65.9 mm), serosal invasion (94 vs. 75.6%), infiltration into the esophagus or duodenum (44.0 vs. 22.0%). On multivariate analysis, time of recurrence was independently associated with status of serosal invasion only. CONCLUSION: Serosal invasion is the single most important factor to predict time of recurrence. Patients with serosal invasion frequently suffered from recurrence within 2 years after radical gastrectomy. From our conclusion, we propose to exclude T3-4 cancers from the current inclusion criteria of radical gastrectomy.

A common mutation in cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene and plasma HDL cholesterol level before and after hormone replacement therapy in Korean postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) functions to transfer cholesteryl ester from HDL to triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and regulates plasma HDL cholesterol level. A common mutation, the exon 15 A to G substitution at codon 442 (D442G) results in reduced plasma CETP activity and increased plasma HDL cholesterol level. Meanwhile, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women increases plasma HDL cholesterol level. METHODS: We investigated the frequency of D442G mutation and its effect on plasma HDL cholesterol level in Korean women. We also examined if the mutation has any effect on an increase in plasma HDL cholesterol level during HRT. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty eight women aged over 40 years were recruited in this study. Of 228 women, 22 (9.6%) were identified as having the D442G mutation; 21 heterozygotes and 1 homozygote. The subjects with the mutation had higher plasma HDL cholesterol levels than those without the mutation (61.6 +/- 17.3 vs. 55.1 +/- 14.0 mg/dL, p < 0.05). After 12 month HRT, HDL cholesterol increased by 6.4% (3.6 +/- 13.2 mg/dL, p < 0.05) and D442G mutation did not have any significant effect on the change of plasma HDL cholesterol level. CONCLUSION: D442G mutation is common in Korean postmenopausal women and it is associated with increased plasma HDL cholesterol level. HRT for postmenopausal women increased plasma HDL cholesterol level in similar amounts regardless of the presence or absence of D442G mutation.

Dyspnea and Palpitation during Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: Dyspnea and palpitation are common features of pregnancy. While several theories have been put forward to explain the etiology of gestational dyspnea and palpitation, there have been few systemic studies of its incidence, severity and time-course in a group of normal women. METHODS: We interviewed postpartum women, within 3 days after delivery, about dyspnea and palpitation. Separately from this interview, we performed 24-hour ECG monitoring for obstetric patients with palpitation before delivery. RESULTS: The subjects interviewed were 261 women, of whom 37.5 percent and 11.5 percent experienced dyspnea and palpitation, respectively. These symptoms had a tendency to increase to term. The presence of arrhythmias could be documented in only 22% of patients having 24-hour Holter monitoring. CONCLUSION: Dyspnea and palpitation were common among normal pregnant women and had a tendency to increase to term.

The Association of Hypertension and Dyslipidemia in Postmenopausal Women

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to figure out the correlation of hypertension and atherogenic dyslipidemia in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of consecutive 380 postmenopausal women (age> or =50, FSH>40IU/L and triglyceride[TG] or =160 mmHg or DBP> or =100 mmHg, n=57). We measured thier body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR). We also measured their levels of glucose, total cholesterol and TG by automatic biochemical analyzer (Hitachi 7150) and HDL cholesterol by direct method using AutoDAIICHI reagent. We calculated LDL cholesterol levels by Friedewald formula. RESULTS: MI, WHR and glucose level of group IV were significantly higher than those of group I. But there were no significant differences among the groups in the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. HDL cholesterol level of group I was statistically higher than that of group IV. TG level and LDL cholesterol/apo B ratio of group IV were significantly higher and lower than those of other groups respectively. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women who had moderate or severe hypertension show the trend toward abdominal obesity and atherogenic dyslipidemia. We might have to pay attention to these metabolic abnormalities in postmenopausal women with hypertension.

Permanent pacemaker implantation via coronary sinus

We report a case of successful ventricular pacing via the coronary sinus in a 34 year-old female patient admitted because of repetitive dizziness and syncope. She had rheumatic valvular disease with mitral valve replacement 14 years earlyer. and the mitral, aortic and tricuspid valves were subsequently replaced with prosthetic mechanical valves 4 years ago. Two years after the triple valve replacement, complete AV block developed with the symptoms of dizziness and syncope. A permanent pacemaker was implanted epicardially. Six months later the epicardial lead was replaced because of increased pacing threshold. A year later the epicardial lead had to be replaced because of increased threshold and capture failure to pace. To avoid further thoracotomy, a 'Medtronic 2188' electrode was implanted in the posterior left ventricular vein via the coronary sinus. Pacing threshold was 1.2 volt/0.4 msec. Five days later, the pacing threshold increased to 3.0 volt/0.4 msec. Prednisolone had been given for 10 months. The new system has been functioning well and the pacing threshold was 1.0 volt/0.4 msec at 11 months after implantation. Ventricular pacing via the coronary sinus can be an alternative to the epicardial pacemaker system in patient whose tricuspid valve have been replaced with mechanical prosthetic valve.

Permanent pacemaker implantation via coronary sinus

We report a case of successful ventricular pacing via the coronary sinus in a 34 year-old female patient admitted because of repetitive dizziness and syncope. She had rheumatic valvular disease with mitral valve replacement 14 years earlyer. and the mitral, aortic and tricuspid valves were subsequently replaced with prosthetic mechanical valves 4 years ago. Two years after the triple valve replacement, complete AV block developed with the symptoms of dizziness and syncope. A permanent pacemaker was implanted epicardially. Six months later the epicardial lead was replaced because of increased pacing threshold. A year later the epicardial lead had to be replaced because of increased threshold and capture failure to pace. To avoid further thoracotomy, a 'Medtronic 2188' electrode was implanted in the posterior left ventricular vein via the coronary sinus. Pacing threshold was 1.2 volt/0.4 msec. Five days later, the pacing threshold increased to 3.0 volt/0.4 msec. Prednisolone had been given for 10 months. The new system has been functioning well and the pacing threshold was 1.0 volt/0.4 msec at 11 months after implantation. Ventricular pacing via the coronary sinus can be an alternative to the epicardial pacemaker system in patient whose tricuspid valve have been replaced with mechanical prosthetic valve.

A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Carvedilol vs. Atenolol in Patients with Stage 1 to 2 Essential Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Carvedilol, an antihypertensive agent with beta-blocking and vasodilating pro-perties, has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing blood pressure. The purpose of this study is to compare the antihypertensive efficacy, safety and tolerability of carvedilol and atenolol in patients with stage 1 to 2 essential hypertension. METHODS: In this double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, parallel study, the efficacy, safety and tolerability of once-daily carvedilol versus once-daily atenolol were evaluated in 58 patients for 8 weeks with stage 1-2 hypertension. If mean peak sitting diastolic blood pressure was equal to or greater than 90mmHg after a 4 week treatment period, the dosage for both study drugs were doubled until the end of study. RESULTS: Data from 58 of 73 patients who completed the study were eligible for per-protocol analysis. At 4 weeks post treatment commencement, mean reductions in peak sitting diastolic blood pressure were 13.9mmHg (95% confidence interval 17.1-11.4) with 25mg carvedilol and 13.6mmHg (95% confidence interval 16.8-10.3) with 50mg atenolol. After the 8 week treatment period with dose titration, mean reductions in peak sitting diastolic blood pressure were 14.7mmHg (95% confidence interval 17.8-11.6) with 50mg carvedilol and 13.6mmHg (95% confidence interval 17.3-9.9) with 100mg atenolol. There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatments in the percentage of patients achieving a normalized blood pressure or in the degree of change in mean peak sitting diastolic blood pressure. Safety profiles were similar between treatments. One patient withdrew due to severe bradycardia development during the second week of treatment with atenolol. CONCLUSION: In patients with mild to moderate hypertension, there were no significant differences between the efficacy of carvedilol or atenolol with regard to antihypertensive effect. Both carvedilol and atenolol were well tolerated with similar safety profiles.

Long-term Follow-up of the Patients with Permanent Antibradycardia Pacemaker

BACKGROUND: Antibradycardia pacemaker is one of the treatment modalities for bradyarrhythmia. We present the clinical results of 440 implantations of permanent pacemaker between August 1984 and December 1997 at Department of Internal Medicine in Seoul National University Hospital. METHOD: We investigated the indication of permanent pacing, the pacing modes, the complications of permanent pacing, and the chronic pacing threshold. RESULT: The study was comprised of 440 patients (M/F : 179/261, mean age : 59+/-12 years, 58+/-14 years, respectively). Indications of the primary pacemaker implantations were sinus node dysfun-ction in 53% and atrioventricular conduction disorders in 47%. Twelve percent of total pacemaker procedures were pulse-generator replacements. Pacing modes were VVI in 59.1%, VVIR in 10.2%, DDD in 30.2%, and others in 0.5%. Complications developed in 21 cases (4.8%) during long-term follow-up. They included 8 cases of pacing failure due to increased pacing threshold, 2 cases of early power depletion, 2 cases of lead dislodgement, 6 cases of lead fracture, 3 cases of skin erosion, 3 cases of hematoma, 3 cases of infection, and 1 case of skeletal muscle stimulation. Chronic pacing thresholds at pacing width of 0.5 msec were 1.9+/-0.4 V for the epicardial ventricular leads (n=11), 1.3+/-0.5 V for the endocardial ventricular leads (n=36), and 1.1+/-0.2 V for the atrial leads (n=4) after 7 to 10 years of implantation. CONCLUSION: Sinus node dysfunction was the more common indication than atrioventricular block for the antibradycardia pacemaker implantation. Long-term follow-up of the pacemaker patients would be very useful to detect the pacing system abnormalities and to maximize the battery longevity by adjustment of pacing output according to the level of chronic pacing threshold.

Long-term Follow-up of the Patients with Permanent Antibradycardia Pacemaker

BACKGROUND: Antibradycardia pacemaker is one of the treatment modalities for bradyarrhythmia. We present the clinical results of 440 implantations of permanent pacemaker between August 1984 and December 1997 at Department of Internal Medicine in Seoul National University Hospital. METHOD: We investigated the indication of permanent pacing, the pacing modes, the complications of permanent pacing, and the chronic pacing threshold. RESULT: The study was comprised of 440 patients (M/F : 179/261, mean age : 59+/-12 years, 58+/-14 years, respectively). Indications of the primary pacemaker implantations were sinus node dysfun-ction in 53% and atrioventricular conduction disorders in 47%. Twelve percent of total pacemaker procedures were pulse-generator replacements. Pacing modes were VVI in 59.1%, VVIR in 10.2%, DDD in 30.2%, and others in 0.5%. Complications developed in 21 cases (4.8%) during long-term follow-up. They included 8 cases of pacing failure due to increased pacing threshold, 2 cases of early power depletion, 2 cases of lead dislodgement, 6 cases of lead fracture, 3 cases of skin erosion, 3 cases of hematoma, 3 cases of infection, and 1 case of skeletal muscle stimulation. Chronic pacing thresholds at pacing width of 0.5 msec were 1.9+/-0.4 V for the epicardial ventricular leads (n=11), 1.3+/-0.5 V for the endocardial ventricular leads (n=36), and 1.1+/-0.2 V for the atrial leads (n=4) after 7 to 10 years of implantation. CONCLUSION: Sinus node dysfunction was the more common indication than atrioventricular block for the antibradycardia pacemaker implantation. Long-term follow-up of the pacemaker patients would be very useful to detect the pacing system abnormalities and to maximize the battery longevity by adjustment of pacing output according to the level of chronic pacing threshold.

Efficacy of Doppler Contrast Enhancement to Evaluate the Pulmonary Vein Flow

BACKGROUND: Sometimes adequate pulmonary venous flow signal could not be obtained in transthoracic echocardiogram. It has been reported that contrast agent that has transpulmonary passage capability could be used in the enhancement of Doppler signal in the left side of the heart. We evaluated the Levovist(R)-enhanced pulmonary vein flow signals obtained by transthoracic echocardiogram and compared with those obtained by transesophageal echocardiogram. METHOD: Ten patients(male 8, female 10, mean age 46+/-11) with sinus rhythm who underwent transesophageal echocardiogram were enrolled. Spectral Doppler signal intensity(score; 0-5), systolic time velocity integral(Stvi), diastolic time velocity integral(Dtvi) of pulmonary vein flow before and after intravenous injection of the contrast were obtained and compared with those obtained by transesophageal echocardiogram. RESULTS: There was no serious side effect related to Levovist(R). Spectral Doppler signal intensity score of pulmonary vein flow with nonenhanced transthoracic echocardiogram was 2.1 / 5, and adequate Doppler signal could not be obtained in two patients. After contrast enhancement, Doppler signal intensity score rose up to 4.3 / 5 and adequate Doppler signal could be obtained in all patients. Time velocity integrals of systolic and diastolic pulmonary vein flow obtained by transthoracic echocardiogram correlated well with those obtained by transesophageal echocardiogram. CONCLUSION: Contrast enhancement of Doppler signal with the agent that has transpulmonary passage capability(Levovist(R)) is useful in the evaluation of pulmonary vein flow in patient whose transthoracic echocardiographic Doppler signal is inadequate.