Association between viral hepatitis infection and Parkinson's disease: A population-based prospective study.

The association between hepatitis virus infection and Parkinson's disease remains controversial. To determine whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease in Korean aged ≥40 years, we completed a population-based prospective study including patients without infections and those with HBV, HCV and HBV/HCV infections from 2005 to 2015. We used the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision to identify Parkinson's disease (G20) and chronic hepatitis C virus (B18.2) and chronic hepatitis B virus infections (B18.0 or B18.1). To identify Parkinson's disease risk, competing risk analysis adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities and death was performed. Overall, 1 010 317 patients (358 052, noninfection; 488 990, hepatitis B; 144 459 hepatitis C; and 18 680 hepatitis B/C) were included. The incidence density of Parkinson's disease per 10 000 person-years was highest in the hepatitis C group (8.0), followed by the hepatitis B/C (6.8) and hepatitis B (5.0) groups. Hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, epilepsy, stroke and depressive disorder increased the hazard of Parkinson's disease in all groups. The adjusted hazard ratios were 1.25 (95% confidence interval: 1.17-1.35), 1.39 (95% confidence interval: 1.27-1.52) and 1.46 (95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.85) in the HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV groups, respectively. Our findings suggest that adult patient of 40 years and older with HBV and HCV infections should be monitored for signs of Parkinson's disease so that early intervention and accurate treatment can be provided for minimizing the development and consequences of Parkinson's disease.

Single-Finger Neural Basis Information-Based Neural Decoder for Multi-Finger Movements.

In this paper, we investigate the relationship between single and multi-finger movements. By exploiting the neural correlation between the temporal firing patterns between movements, we show that the Pearson's correlation coefficient for the physically related movement pairs are greater than those of others; the firing rates of the neurons that are tuned to a single-finger movements also increases when the corresponding multi-finger movements are instructed. We also use a hierarchical cluster analysis to verify not only the relationship between the single and multi-finger movements, but also the relationship between the flexion and extension movements. Furthermore, we propose a novel decoding method of modeling neural firing patterns while omitting the training process of the multi-finger movements. For the decoding, the Skellam and Gaussian probability distributions are used as mathematical models. The probabilistic distribution model of the multi-finger movements was estimated using the neural activity that was acquired during single-finger movements. As a result, the proposed neural decoding accuracy comparable with that of the supervised neural decoding accuracy when all of the neurons were used for the multi-finger movements. These results suggest that only the neural activities of single-finger movements can be exploited for the control of dexterous multi-finger neuroprosthetics.

Linear accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography and a 3-dimensional facial scanning system: An anthropomorphic phantom study.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of linear measurements of 3-dimensional (3D) images generated by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and facial scanning systems, and to assess the effect of scanning parameters, such as CBCT exposure settings, on image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT and facial scanning images of an anthropomorphic phantom showing 13 soft-tissue anatomical landmarks were used in the study. The distances between the anatomical landmarks on the phantom were measured to obtain a reference for evaluating the accuracy of the 3D facial soft-tissue images. The distances between the 3D image landmarks were measured using a 3D distance measurement tool. The effect of scanning parameters on CBCT image quality was evaluated by visually comparing images acquired under different exposure conditions, but at a constant threshold. RESULTS: Comparison of the repeated direct phantom and image-based measurements revealed good reproducibility. There were no significant differences between the direct phantom and image-based measurements of the CBCT surface volume-rendered images. Five of the 15 measurements of the 3D facial scans were found to be significantly different from their corresponding direct phantom measurements (P<.05). The quality of the CBCT surface volume-rendered images acquired at a constant threshold varied across different exposure conditions. CONCLUSION: These results proved that existing 3D imaging techniques were satisfactorily accurate for clinical applications, and that optimizing the variables that affected image quality, such as the exposure parameters, was critical for image acquisition.

Systemic Inflammatory Response Markers and CA-125 Levels in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma: A Two Center Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: We compared the predictive and prognostic values of leukocyte differential counts, systemic inflammatory (SIR) markers and cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels, and identified the most useful marker in patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 109 patients with OCCC who did not have any inflammatory conditions except endometriosis, and underwent primary debulking surgery between 1997 and 2012. Leukocyte differential counts (neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, basophil, and platelet), SIR markers including neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and CA-125 levels were estimated to select potential markers for clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Among potential markers (neutrophil, monocyte, platelet, NLR, MLR, PLR, and CA-125 levels) selected by stepwise comparison, CA-125 levels were best at predicting advanced stage disease, suboptimal debulking and platinum-resistance (cut-off values, ≥ 46.5, ≥ 11.45, and ≥ 66.4 U/mL; accuracies, 69.4%, 78.7%, and 68.5%) while PLR ≥ 205.4 predicted non-complete response (CR; accuracy, 71.6%) most accurately. Moreover, PLR < 205.4 was an independent factor for the reduced risk of non-CR (adjusted odds ratio, 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04 to 0.69), and NLR < 2.8 was a favorable factor for improved progression-free survival (PFS; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.99) despite lack of a marker for overall survival among the potential markers. CONCLUSION: CA-125 levels may be the most useful marker for predicting advanced-stage disease. Suboptimal debulking and platinum-resistance, and PLR and NLR may be most effective to predict non-CR and PFS in patients with OCCC.

Intravenous contrast media application using cone-beam computed tomography in a rabbit model.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of visualizing soft tissue lesions and vascular structures using contrast-enhanced cone-beam computed tomography (CE-CBCT) after the intravenous administration of a contrast medium in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT was performed on six rabbits after a contrast medium was administered using an injection dose of 2 mL/kg body weight and an injection rate of 1 mL/s via the ear vein or femoral vein under general anesthesia. Artificial soft tissue lesions were created through the transplantation of autologous fatty tissue into the salivary gland. Volume rendering reconstruction, maximum intensity projection, and multiplanar reconstruction images were reconstructed and evaluated in order to visualize soft tissue contrast and vascular structures. RESULTS: The contrast enhancement of soft tissue was possible using all contrast medium injection parameters. An adequate contrast medium injection parameter for facilitating effective CE-CBCT was a 5-mL injection before exposure combined with a continuous 5-mL injection during scanning. Artificial soft tissue lesions were successfully created in the animals. The CE-CBCT images demonstrated adequate opacification of the soft tissues and vascular structures. CONCLUSION: Despite limited soft tissue resolution, the opacification of vascular structures was observed and artificial soft tissue lesions were visualized with sufficient contrast to the surrounding structures. The vascular structures and soft tissue lesions appeared well delineated in the CE-CBCT images, which was probably due to the superior spatial resolution of CE-CBCT compared to other techniques, such as multislice computed tomography.

The incidence and configuration of the bifid mandibular canal in Koreans by using cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the incidence and configuration of the bifid mandibular canal in a Korean population by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images of 1933 patients (884 male and 1049 female) were evaluated using PSR-9000N and Alphard-Vega 3030 Dental CT units (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan). Image analysis was performed by using OnDemand3D software (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea). The bifid mandibular canal was identified and classified into four types, namely, the forward canal, buccolingual canal, dental canal, and retromolar canal. Statistical analysis was performed by using the chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Bifid mandibular canals were observed in 198 (10.2%) of 1933 patients. The most frequently observed type of bifid mandibular canal was the retromolar canal (n=104, rate: 52.5%) without any significant difference among the incidence of each age and gender. The mean diameter of the accessory canal was 1.27 mm (range: 0.27-3.29 mm) without any significant difference among the mean diameter of each type of the bifid mandibular canal. The mean length of the bifid mandibular canals was 14.97mm(range: 2.17-38.8 mm) with only a significant difference between the dental canal and the other types. CONCLUSION: The bifid mandibular canal is not uncommon in Koreans and has a prevalence of 10.2% as indicated in the present study. It is suggested that a CBCT examination be recommended for detecting a bifid canal.

Development of an analytical method for yam saponins using HPLC with pulsed amperometric detection at different column temperatures.

Yam saponins (dioscin, gracillin, protodioscin, and protogracillin) were analyzed with three different C18 columns at incremental column temperatures from 15 to 45°C to investigate the effect of temperature on the retention and resolution of yam saponins. At low temperature, yam saponins showed decreased retention times and improved resolutions in the C18 columns. In the Kinetex C18 column at 15°C, the four saponins achieved baseline separation (Rs > 1.5) within 30 min. Pulsed amperometric detection was used to identify saponins with high sensitivity. The limits of detection and quantification of saponins were 0.11-0.31 and 0.33-0.95 ng, respectively. The correlation coefficients ranged 0.9986-1.0000. Intra- and inter-day precisions were <4.2% of retention times and <9.5% of the calculated contents. Average recoveries ranged from 92.18 to 105.98%. Saponin contents in Dioscorea nipponica tubers and commercial yam foods were determined without sample purification or concentration. Among the ten commercial yam foods investigated, only three showed significant saponin contents.

Direct lactic acid fermentation of Jerusalem artichoke tuber extract using Lactobacillus paracasei without acidic or enzymatic inulin hydrolysis.

Lactic acid fermentation of Jerusalem artichoke tuber was performed with strains of Lactobacillus paracasei without acidic or enzymatic inulin hydrolysis prior to fermentation. Some strains of L. paracasei, notably KCTC13090 and KCTC13169, could ferment hot-water extract of Jerusalem artichoke tuber more efficiently compared with other Lactobacillus spp. such as L. casei type strain KCTC3109. The L. paracasei strains could utilize almost completely the fructo-oligosaccharides present in Jerusalem artichoke. Inulin-fermenting L. paracasei strains produced c.a. six times more lactic acid compared with L. casei KCTC3109. Direct lactic fermentation of Jerusalem artichoke tuber extract at 111.6g/L of sugar content with a supplement of 5 g/L of yeast extract by L. paracasei KCTC13169 in a 5L jar fermentor produced 92.5 ce:hsp sp="0.25"/>g/L of lactic acid with 16.8 g/L fructose equivalent remained unutilized in 72 h. The conversion efficiency of inulin-type sugars to lactic acid was 98% of the theoretical yield.

Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma mimicking periapical disease: a case report.

Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma (PIOSCC) is a rare carcinoma, which arises within the jaws without connection to the oral mucosa and presumably develops from a remnant of odontogenic epithelium. We present a case of solid type PIOSCC in a 52-year-old male patient complaining of dull pain on his left lower molar. In this case, early stage PIOSCC mimicking a periapical lesion might lead to a one-year delay in treatment due to the misdiagnosis of osteomyelitis after extraction of the third molar. The clinical, radiological, and histologic features are described. In this case, there was initial radiographic evidence for PIOSCC mimicking a periapical lesion. Incautious radiographic interpretation and treatment procedures had delayed the correct diagnosis and resulted in extensive bony destruction during the patient's disease progression.