• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.109-116
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• 2011

Periodontitis results from the activation of host immune and inflammatory defense responses to subgingival plaque bacteria, most of which are gram-negative rods with lipopoly-saccharides (LPSs) in their cell walls. LPSs have been known to induce proinflammatory responses and recently it was reported also that they induce the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in host cells. In our current study therefore, we aimed to examine and compare the miRNA expression patterns induced by the LPSs of major periodontopathogens in the human gingival epithelial cell line, Ca9-22. The cells were treated with 1 ${\mu}g$/ml of E. coli (Ec) LPS or 5 ${\mu}g$/ml of an LPS preparations from four periodontopathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) for 24 h. After small RNA extraction from the treated cells, miRNA microarray analysis was carried out and characteristic expression profiles were observed. Fn LPS most actively induced miRNAs related to inflammation, followed by Aa LPS, Pi LPS, and Ec LPS. In contrast, Pg LPS only weakly activated miRNAs related to inflammation. Among the miRNAs induced by each LPS, miR-875-3p, miR-449b, and miR-520d-3p were found to be commonly up-regulated by all five LPS preparations, although at different levels. When we further compared the miRNA expression patterns induced by each LPS, Ec LPS and Pi LPS were the most similar although Fn LPS and Aa LPS also induced a similar miRNA expression pattern. In contrast, the miRNA profile induced by Pg LPS was quite distinctive compared with the other bacteria. In conclusion, miR-875-3p, miR-449b, and miR-520d-3p miRNAs are potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal inflammation induced by subgingival plaque biofilms. Furthermore, the observations in our current study provide new insights into the inflammatory miRNA response to periodontitis.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2003

Purpose : To assess the relationship between the direction of the indicating rod of the radiographic stent for ideal prosthetic design and the actual possible path of implant fixture placement when residual ridge resorption is considered. Materials and Methods: The study materials consisted of 326 implant sites (male 214 cases and female 112 cases) from a total of 106 patients (male 65 patients and female 41 patients) who desired implant prostheses. Computed tomography of patients were taken and reformatted using ToothPix/sup (R)/ software. Bony defects, bony sclerosis, the change of the direction of indicating rod, and root proximity of the adjacent teeth were examined on the CT-derived images. Results: The rate of the irregular crestal cortex was relatively high on premolar and molar area of maxilla. Mandibular molar area showed relatively high rate of focal sclerosis on the area of implant fixture insertion. The position of the indicating rods were relatively acceptable on the molar areas of both jaws. However, the position of the indicating rods should be shifted to buccal side with lingual rotation of the apical end on maxillary anterior teeth and premolar area. Conclusion: Clinically determined rod direction and position of the indicating rod for implant placement was not always acceptable for insertion according to the reformatted CT images. The pre-operative treatment plan for implant should be determined carefully, considering the state of the alveolar bone using the reformatted CT images.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2012

Purpose: An individual surgical stent fabricated from computed tomography (CT) data, called a CT-guided stent, would be useful for accurate installation of implants. The purpose of the present study was to introduce a newly developed CT-guided stent with a simple design and evaluate the accuracy of the stent placement. Materials and Methods: A resin template was fabricated from a hog mandible and a specially designed plastic plate, with 4 metal balls inserted in it for radiographic recognition, was attached to the occlusal surface of the template. With the surgical stent applied, CT images were taken, and virtual implants were placed using software. The spatial positions of the virtually positioned implants were acquired and implant guiding holes were drilled into the surgical stent using a specially designed 5-axis drilling machine. The surgical stent was placed on the mandible and CT images were taken again. The discrepancy between the central axis of the drilled holes on the second CT images and the virtually installed implants on the first CT images was evaluated. Results: The deviation of the entry point and angulation of the central axis in the reference plane were $0.47{\pm}0.27$ mm, $0.57{\pm}0.23$ mm, and $0.64{\pm}0.16^{\circ}$, $0.57{\pm}0.15^{\circ}$, respectively. However, for the two different angulations in each group, the $20^{\circ}$ angulation showed a greater error in the deviation of the entry point than did the $10^{\circ}$ angulation. Conclusion: The CT-guided template proposed in this study was highly accurate. It could replace existing implant guide systems to reduce costs and effort.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of clinical image quality of panoramic radiographs and to analyze the parameters that influence the overall image quality. Materials and Methods: Korean dental clinics were asked to provide three randomly selected panoramic radiographs. An oral and maxillofacial radiology specialist evaluated those images using our self-developed Clinical Image Quality Evaluation Chart. Three evaluators classified the overall image quality of the panoramic radiographs and evaluated the causes of imaging errors. Results: A total of 297 panoramic radiographs were collected from 99 dental hospitals and clinics. The mean of the scores according to the Clinical Image Quality Evaluation Chart was 79.9. In the classification of the overall image quality, 17 images were deemed 'optimal for obtaining diagnostic information,' 153 were 'adequate for diagnosis,' 109 were 'poor but diagnosable,' and nine were 'unrecognizable and too poor for diagnosis'. The results of the analysis of the causes of the errors in all the images are as follows: 139 errors in the positioning, 135 in the processing, 50 from the radiographic unit, and 13 due to anatomic abnormality. Conclusion: Panoramic radiographs taken at local dental clinics generally have a normal or higher-level image quality. Principal factors affecting image quality were positioning of the patient and image density, sharpness, and contrast. Therefore, when images are taken, the patient position should be adjusted with great care. Also, standardizing objective criteria of image density, sharpness, and contrast is required to evaluate image quality effectively.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide sex-matched three-dimensional (3D) statistical shape models of the mandible, which would provide cephalometric parameters for 3D treatment planning and cephalometric measurements in orthognathic surgery. Materials and Methods: The subjects used to create the 3D shape models of the mandible included 23 males and 23 females. The mandibles were segmented semi-automatically from 3D facial CT images. Each individual mandible shape was reconstructed as a 3D surface model, which was parameterized to establish correspondence between different individual surfaces. The principal component analysis (PCA) applied to all mandible shapes produced a mean model and characteristic models of variation. The cephalometric parameters were measured directly from the mean models to evaluate the 3D shape models. The means of the measured parameters were compared with those from other conventional studies. The male and female 3D statistical mean models were developed from 23 individual mandibles, respectively. Results: The male and female characteristic shapes of variation produced by PCA showed a large variability included in the individual mandibles. The cephalometric measurements from the developed models were very close to those from some conventional studies. Conclusion: We described the construction of 3D mandibular shape models and presented the application of the 3D mandibular template in cephalometric measurements. Optimal reference models determined from variations produced by PCA could be used for craniofacial patients with various types of skeletal shape.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.133-147
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• 2009

Purpose : To investigate the reproducibilities and compare the measurements in digital and MDCT-synthesized cephalometric radiograph, and to investigate the effect of head position on the measurement during imaging with MDCT. Materials and Methods : Twenty-two dry skulls (combined with mandible) were used in this study. Conventional digital cephalometric radiograph was taken in standard position, and MDCT was taken in standard position and two rotated position ($10^{\circ}$ left rotation and $10^{\circ}$ right tilting). MDCT data were imported in $OnDemand^{(R)}$ and lateral cephalometric radiograph were synthesized from 3D virtual models. Two types of rotated MDCT data were synthesized with default mode and with corrected mode using both ear rods. For all six images, sixteen angular and eleven linear measurements were made in V-$Ceph^{(R)}$ three times. Reproducibility of measurements was assessed using repeated measures ANOV A and ICC. Linear and angular measurements were compared between digital and five MDCT-synthesized images by Student t-test. Results : All measurements in six types of cephalometric radiograph were not statistically different under ICC examination. Measurements were not different between digital and MDCT-synthesized images (P>.05). Measurements in MDCT-synthesized image in $10^{\circ}$ left rotation or $10^{\circ}$ right tilting position showed possibility of difference from digital image in some measurements, and possibility of improvement via realignment of head position using both ear rods. Conclusion : MDCT-synthesized cephalometric radiograph can substitute conventional cephalometric radiograph. The error on head position during imaging with MDCT have possibility that can produce measurement errors with MDCT-synthesized image, and these position error can be corrected by realignment of the head position using both ear rods.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.69-74
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• 2010

Purpose : The research was performed to predict the three dimensional relationship between the impacted mesiodens and the maxillary central incisors and the proximity with the anatomic structures by comparing their panoramic images with the CT images. Materials and Methods : Among the patients visiting Seoul National University Dental Hospital from April 2003 to July 2007, those with mesiodens were selected (154 mesiodens of 120 patients). The numbers, shapes, orientation and positional relationship of mesiodens with maxillary central incisors were investigated in the panoramic images. The proximity with the anatomical structures and complications were investigated in the CT images as well. Results : The sex ratio (M : F) was 2.28 : 1 and the mean number of mesiodens per one patient was 1.28. Conical shape was 84.4% and inverted orientation was 51.9%. There were more cases of anatomical structures encroachment, especially on the nasal floor and nasopalatine duct, when the mesiodens was not superimposed with the central incisor. There were, however, many cases of the nasopalatine duct encroachment when the mesiodens was superimpoised with the apical 1/3 of central incisor (52.6%). Delayed eruption (55.6%), crown rotation (66.7%) and crown resorption (100%) were observed when the mesiodens was superimposed with the crown of the central incisor. Conclusion : It is possible to predict three dimensional relationship between the impacted mesiodens and the maxillary central incisors in the panoramic images, but more details should be confirmed by the CT images when necessary.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to suggest reference line-pair values of panoramic images with clinically desirable qualities using an arch-form phantom stand. Materials and Methods: The line-pair test phantom was chosen. A real skull model was selected for setting the arch-form model of the phantom stand. The phantom stand had slits in four regions (incisor, premolar, molar, TMJ). Four raw images of the test phantom in each region and one raw image of the real skull were converted into 50 test phantom images and 50 skull phantom images with various line-pair values. 50 post-processed real skull phantom images were divided into 4 groups and were randomly submitted to 14 evaluators. Image quality was graded on a 4 point scale (1. good, 2. normal, 3. poor but interpretable, and 4. not interpretable). The reference line pair was determined as the first line-pair value scored less than 2 points. Result: The mean scores tended to decrease as the line-pair values increased. The reference line-pair values were 3.19 LP/mm in the incisor, 2.32 LP/mm in the premolar and TMJ, and 1.88 LP/mm in the molar region. Conclusion: Image quality evaluation methods and criteria should be able to assess various regions considering the characteristics of panoramic systems. This study suggested overall and regional reference line-pair values and established a set of standard values for them.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.97-101
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• 2018

Purpose: This study evaluated the radiopacity of contemporary luting cements using conventional and digital radiography. Materials and Methods: Disc specimens (N=24, n=6 per group, ø$7mm{\times}1mm$) were prepared using 4 resin-based luting cements (Duolink, Multilink N, Panavia F 2.0, and U-cem). The specimens were radiographed using films, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, and a photostimulable phosphor plate (PSP) with a 10-step aluminum step wedge (1 mm incremental steps) and a 1-mm-thick tooth cut. The settings were 70 kVp, 4 mA, and 30 cm, with an exposure time of 0.2 s for the films and 0.1 s for the CMOS sensor and PSP. The films were scanned using a scanner. The radiopacity of the luting cements and tooth was measured using a densitometer for the film and NIH ImageJ software for the images obtained from the CMOS sensor, PSP, and scanned films. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Multilink (3.44-4.33) showed the highest radiopacity, followed by U-cem (1.81-2.88), Panavia F 2.0 (1.51-2.69), and Duolink (1.48-2.59). The $R^2$ values of the optical density of the aluminum step wedge were 0.9923 for the films, 0.9989 for the PSP, 0.9986 for the scanned films, and 0.9266 for the CMOS sensor in the linear regression models. Conclusion: The radiopacities of the luting materials were greater than those of aluminum or dentin at the same thickness. PSP is recommended as a detector for radiopacity measurements because of its accuracy and convenience.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.352-358
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• 2009

The physicochemical properties of dextran culture fermented by Leuconostoc citreum S5 were evaluated by the addition of various polysaccharides and heat-treatment. The consistency of dextran culture increased with the addition of carrot juice residue (CJR) in submerged culture, resulting in the highest consistency of 150 $Pa{\cdot}s^n$ and viable cell counts of $2.36{\times}10^9$ CFU/mL at 20% level of CJR. The dextran culture showed the pseudoplastic behavior and its consistency was greatly increased with the addition of various polysaccharides at 2% level. Addition of glucomannan indicated the highest consistency of 1275 $Pa{\cdot}s^n$ and their heat-treatment resulted in the increase of consistency except for glucomannan. After heat-treatment, the fermented dextran culture containing CJR fortified with gellan gum and carrageenan showed great change in rheology, indicating the highest consistency and hardness value resulted in the great increase of elastic and viscous moduli. The dynamic viscoelastic properties of dextran culture were greatly increased by the heat-treatment after fortification of various polysaccharides. Thus, the consistency and viable cell counts of dextran culture were increased with the addition of CJR. The rheological properties of dextran culture were manipulated by the fortification of various polysaccharides and heat-treatment.