Inhibitory effect of the probiotic bacteria, Weissella cibaria CMU on halitosis: a randomized placebo-controlled study / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#Previous studies have suggested that the lactic acid bacterium, Weissella cibaria CMU has beneficial effects on halitosis, but its precise effects have not been evaluated in human subjects. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of W. cibaria CMU for reducing halitosis in adults (20-70 years old) whose exhibited volatile sulfur compound (VSC) concentrations exceeded 0.015 ng/mL and who scored ≥2 points in a halitosis sensory evaluation test. @*Methods@#A total of 60 participants were assigned to an experimental group (treated with W. cibaria CMU) and a control group (placebo). In total, 58 out of 60 participants (experimental group, 29; control group, 29) were ultimately included in gas chromatography (OralChroma) analyses of VSC concentrations and halitosis sensory evaluation tests. @*Results@#We found that the VSC concentration decreased by 0.030±0.062 ng/ml in the experimental group after 8 weeks (P=0.0138) and increased by 0.005±0.124 ng/ml in the control group (P=0.8198). However, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In a sensory evaluation test, a significantly lower score was obtained for the experimental group than for the control group. @*Conclusions@#Overall, VSC concentrations and sensory evaluation scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group, but only the latter was statistically significant. Thus, we conclude that W. cibaria CMU is involved in the reduction of halitosis.

Inhibitory effect of the probiotic bacteria, Weissella cibaria CMU on halitosis: a randomized placebo-controlled study / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#Previous studies have suggested that the lactic acid bacterium, Weissella cibaria CMU has beneficial effects on halitosis, but its precise effects have not been evaluated in human subjects. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of W. cibaria CMU for reducing halitosis in adults (20-70 years old) whose exhibited volatile sulfur compound (VSC) concentrations exceeded 0.015 ng/mL and who scored ≥2 points in a halitosis sensory evaluation test. @*Methods@#A total of 60 participants were assigned to an experimental group (treated with W. cibaria CMU) and a control group (placebo). In total, 58 out of 60 participants (experimental group, 29; control group, 29) were ultimately included in gas chromatography (OralChroma) analyses of VSC concentrations and halitosis sensory evaluation tests. @*Results@#We found that the VSC concentration decreased by 0.030±0.062 ng/ml in the experimental group after 8 weeks (P=0.0138) and increased by 0.005±0.124 ng/ml in the control group (P=0.8198). However, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In a sensory evaluation test, a significantly lower score was obtained for the experimental group than for the control group. @*Conclusions@#Overall, VSC concentrations and sensory evaluation scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group, but only the latter was statistically significant. Thus, we conclude that W. cibaria CMU is involved in the reduction of halitosis.

Shear bond strength of dental CAD-CAM hybrid restorative materials repaired with composite resin / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed in order to assess the effect of the surface treatment methods and the use of bonding agent on the shear bond strength (SBS) between the aged CAD-CAM (computer aided design-computer aided manufacturing) hybrid materials and added composite resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LAVA Ultimate (LU) and VITA ENAMIC (VE) specimens were age treated by submerging in a 37℃ water bath filled with artificial saliva (Xerova solution) for 30 days. The surface was ground with #220 SiC paper then the specimens were divided into 9 groups according to the combination of the surface treatment (no treatment, grinding, air abrasion with aluminum oxide, HF acid) and bonding agents (no bonding, Adper Single Bond 2, Single Bond Universal). Each group had 10 specimens. Specimens were repaired (added) using composite resin (Filtek Z250), then all the specimens were stored for 7 days in room temperature distilled water. SBS was measured and the fractured surfaces were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). One-way ANOVA and Scheffe test were used for statistical analysis (α=.05). RESULTS: Mostly groups with bonding agent treatment showed higher SBS than groups without bonding agent. Among the groups without bonding agent the groups with aluminum oxide treatment showed higher SBS. However there was no significant difference between groups except two subgroups within LU group, which revealed a significant increase of SBS when Single Bond Universal was used on the ground LU specimen. CONCLUSION: The use of bonding agent when repairing an aged LAVA Ultimate restoration is recommended.

A Multicenter Study of Pertussis Infection in Adults with Coughing in Korea: PCR-Based Study / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Limited data on the incidence and clinical characteristics of adult pertussis infections are available in Korea. METHODS: Thirty-one hospitals and the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of pertussis infections among adults with a bothersome cough in non-outbreak, ordinary outpatient settings. Nasopharyngeal aspirates or nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture tests. RESULTS: The study enrolled 934 patients between September 2009 and April 2011. Five patients were diagnosed as confirmed cases, satisfying both clinical and laboratory criteria (five positive PCR and one concurrent positive culture). Among 607 patients with cough duration of at least 2 weeks, 504 satisfied the clinical criteria of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (i.e., probable case). The clinical pertussis cases (i.e., both probable and confirmed cases) had a wide age distribution (45.7+/-15.5 years) and cough duration (median, 30 days; interquartile range, 18.0~50.0 days). In addition, sputum, rhinorrhea, and myalgia were less common and dyspnea was more common in the clinical cases, compared to the others (p=0.037, p=0.006, p=0.005, and p=0.030, respectively). CONCLUSION: The positive rate of pertussis infection may be low in non-outbreak, ordinary clinical settings if a PCR-based method is used. However, further prospective, well-designed, multicenter studies are needed.

The Role of Inhaled Corticosteroid in the Management of Chronic Cough / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Cough may be a consequence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness or inflammation. Empirical treatment is important in this context because it difficult to verify the obvious cause of cough using laboratory tests, Corticosteroid has a nonspecific anti-inflammatory effect, and can be used for cough management. However, its response rate has not yet been fully elucidated. This study investigated the short-term effects of inhaled corticosteroid on chronic cough METHODS: Patients with chronic cough with a normal chest radiograph and a pulmonary function test were enrolled. Cases with a prior respiratory infection within 8 weeks, a history of bronchial asthma, objective wheezing on examination, subjective symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux or taking an ACE inhibitor were excluded. On the first visit, a methacholine bronchial provocation test, spontaneous sputum eosinophil count performed twice and a paranasal sinus radiograph were checked, and the patients were treated with budesonide turbuhaler 800 microgram/day for ten days. The primary outcome measure was a decrease in the cough score after treatment. RESULTS: Sixty nine chronic coughers were finally analyzed. The final diagnoses by the routine tests were as follows: bronchial asthma 13.0%, eosinophilic bronchitis 18.8%, paranasal sinusitis 23.2% and non-diagnostic cases 53.6%. The following responses to the inhaled corticosteroid were observed: definite responders, 76.8%, possible responders, 2.9% and non-responders, 20.3%. The response rate was not affected by the final diagnosis even in the non-diagnostic cases. There were minimal adverse drug related effects during the empirical treatment. CONCLUSION: Routine objective tests such as methacholine provocation, sputum eosinophil count and simple radiographs were notare not suitable for diagnosing chronic cough Therefore, empirical treatment is important. Short term inhaled corticosteroid is effective and can guide a further treatment plan for chronic cough.

Predictors on In-hospital Mortality Following In-hospital Diagnosis of Tuberculosis / 결핵및호흡기질환

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the factors associated with mortality after an in-hospital diagnosis of tuberculosis in a region with low levels of HIV coinfection. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2004, all subjects who were > 15 years of age and had received a diagnosis of tuberculosis were registered. The clinical, radiological and laboratory aspects of the patients who died (n=27) were compared with those of an age and gender matched control population(n=54). Logistic regression analyses were carried out, which included age, gender, hospital admission source, initial site of admission, dyspnea, general weakness and initial laboratory data. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 60 +/- 16 years and male patients outnumbered female patients. Univariate analysis identified hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen, albumin, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), C-reactive protein and the risk factors for tuberculosis to be significantly associated with mortality. Among the characteristics of disease presentation and treatment, emergency department admission, intensive care unit, disease severity, general weakness and dyspnea at the time of admission were associated with mortality. Multiple regression analysis revealed the initial management in the intensive care unit and lower serum albumin to be independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: The markers of disease chronicity and severity appear to be associated with in-hospital mortality. Identifying potentially reversible factors such as malnutrition and respiratory failure suggests specific intervention that might lead to an improvement in the patients' outcomes.

A case of nickel-induced eosinophilic pneuminia / 대한내과학회지

Eosinophilic lung diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by eosinophilic pulmonary infiltrates and, commonly peripheral blood eosinophilia. A vast number of drugs have been associated with eosinophilic pneumonia and drug reactions are one of the most commonly reported causes of pulmonary infiltrates with blood and/or alveolar eosinophilia. Nickel exposure may occur in occupations including nickel maker, nickel smelters, stainless steel makers, battery makers, electroformer, electroplater, refining operations etc, and has been associated with an increased risk of lung and nasal cancers. Nickel dust has been reported to induce eosinophilic pneumonia, infrequently. We experienced a case of nickel-induced eosinophilic pneumonia in a 55 years old male patient who has been working at a stainless press factory for 25 years until retirement at January 1998. He complained of dry cough and exertional dyspnea, and presented peripheral eosinophilia and multiple small nodular opacities on chest radiograph. Pathological examination of open lung biopsy revealed diffuse vasculitis involving variable-sized vessels with diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells, particulary eosinophils. Nickel concentration measured from two dried lung tissue was 39.66 microgram/g and 25.14 microgram/g, respectively.

A Case of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis diagnosed by Transbronchial Lung Biopsy / 대한내과학회지

Cryptococcosis has been considered as an opportunistic mycosis associated with depressed immune function of the host. However, it may develop in healthy individuals without any underlying disease. Recently, we experienced a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in healthy person. The patient had experienced hemoptysis and dry cough persisted for a month. The chest X-ray and CT showed multifocal pneumonic consolidation containing small cavities in RLL, LUL and LLL. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy didn't revealed endobronchial lesion in both lungs. Transbronchial lung biopsy(TBLB) was done, and we could diagnose pulmonary cryptococcosis by means of histopathologic examination. Clinical evaluations did not reveal immune deficiency or evidence of other specific disease. The patient was treated with fluconazole and resulted in clinical and radiological improvement. Cryptococcosis has well known for its meningeal involvement. Although primary pulmonary cryptococcosis is rare, we must think of it when meet mass or nodular lesion on the chest radiology.