• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2007

Analysis of intraepidermal nerve fibers using skin biopsy is a recently developed technique, providing diagnostic information on small fiber neuropathies. The specimens are obtained by 3 mm punch biopsy, which is safe and minimally invasive. Immunohistochemical staining by Protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 demonstrate not only intraepidermal nerve fibers but dermal structures, such as sweat gland and erector papillae. Up to now, many studies agree that intraepidermal nerve fiber density is dramatically reduced in various sensory neuropathies. The utility of density measure was confirmed with high sensitivity in the diagnosis of sensory neuropathy, comparable to sural nerve biopsy or quantitative sensory testing. Besides quantitative methods, morphological changes like axonal swelling and fragmentation can be used as predegenerative markers. This article reviews the technique of skin biopsy and clinical and experimental usefulness of skin biopsy in diagnosing and monitoring peripheral neuropathies.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.94-98
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• 2006

The mattresses and dust in the bed rooms of nine dermatophytes infected patients and nine domestic animals were examined by the KOH method. Microsporum canis species and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were isolated from cats and rabbits, respectively. The sources of infection of three patients were the M. canis infected cats raised by them and the four other patient's sources of infection were not confirmed. The sites of infection of the nine patients were their heads and those of the domestic animals were their heads and bodies. M. canis species were isolated from the infection sites of three cats and specimens collected by hair brush from the nine domestic animals. T. mentagrophytes species were also isolated from the infection sites of two rabbits. The seven patients had mattresses and bed room dust contaminated with M. canis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2255-2258
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• 2016

Background: Awareness about prostate cancer has increased in the community, and prostate cancer screening examinations, including prostate specific antigen (PSA) assays, are now widely available. Prior to the PSA era, up to 27% of prostate cancers were detected incidentally at the time of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). After PSA testing became widely available, the incidence of incidentally detected carcinoma prostate in TURP specimens without prior diagnosis reduced to 5-13%. However, the incidence of incidentally detected carcinoma prostate has been reported to vary across the globe since various factors can influence the identification of this malignancy in TURP specimens. In this paper, we focus on rates of incidentally detected prostate cancer in TURP specimens in our hospital and correlate it with various parameters. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study of histopathological findings of biopsy specimens was conducted for patients undergoing TURP during a period of 5 years from April 2010. The inclusion criteria were patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (digital rectal examination (DRE) not showing any abnormally hard areas and normal age adjusted PSA values). Patients with elevated PSA, abnormal DRE, documented urinary tract infection and proved adenocarcinoma prostate (CaP) were excluded from the study. The total weight of prostatectomy specimen, occurrence of carcinoma prostate in the chips, percentage of total tissue resected showing malignancy and Gleason's scores were recorded. Results: A total of 597 patients belonging to the inclusion criteria were studied. The incidence of occult CaP in the study group was 5.2 % (31/597). Out of these, 8 belonged to T1a and 23 belonged to T1b stages. The age group 70 - 79 years had the maximum incidence of occult CaP. It was observed that the clinical grading of prostate did not have a bearing on the incidence of occult CaP whereas the weight of resected specimen correlated with the incidence of CaP. The incidence of occult CaP was greater with low volume prostates (<20 g). (P=0.15). Conclusions: The rate of incidentally detected adenocarcinoma prostate in patients undergoing TURP for clinically diagnosed BPH was found to be only 5.2 % in our study which is low when compared with similar studies done elsewhere. The age of the patient and weight of the resected specimen correlated with incidence of occult prostate cancer. The clinical grading of prostate by DRE however, demonstrated no correlation.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.316-325
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this systematic multiscale analysis was to evaluate the effects of thermoforming on the physical and mechanical properties of thermoplastic materials used to fabricate transparent orthodontic aligners (TOAs). Methods: Specimens were fabricated using four types of thermoplastic materials with different thicknesses under a thermal vacuum. Transparency, water absorption and solubility, surface hardness, and the results of three-point bending and tensile tests were evaluated before and after thermoforming. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test. Results: After thermoforming, the transparency of Duran and Essix A+ decreased, while the water absorption ability of all materials; the water solubility of Duran, Essix A+, and Essix ACE; and the surface hardness of Duran and Essix A+ increased. The flexure modulus for the 0.5-mm-thick Duran, Essix A+, and eCligner specimens increased, whereas that for the 0.75-/1.0-mm-thick Duran and eClginer specimens decreased. In addition, the elastic modulus increased for the 0.5-mm-thick Essix A+ specimens and decreased for the 0.75-mm-thick Duran and Essix ACE and the 1.0-mm-thick Essix ACE specimens. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the physical and mechanical properties of thermoplastic materials used for the fabrication of TOAs should be evaluated after thermoforming in order to characterize their properties for clinical application.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.145-152
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• 2017

Purpose: This study sought to identify changes in the mechanical characteristics and color of zirconia according to different sintering temperatures of the substance. Methods: This study processed some specimens of zirconia into those of $8mm(H){\times}10mm(W){\times}50mm(L){\pm}0.1$ each, and sintered them at $1450{\sim}1600^{\circ}C$ on a $50^{\circ}C-interval$ basis in order to examine how their mechanical characteristics and color are changed. Each specimen sintered using the spectral colorimetric apparatus (Easyshade, VITA, Germany) was observed for each of the color change by sintering temperature. Results: When those specimens were sintered at $1450{\sim}1600^{\circ}C$, they were 0% in absorption ratio and porosity, 20% in shrinkage ratio and $6.10g/cm^3$ in specific gravity. Absorption ration, porosity, shrinkage ratio and specific gravity all didn't vary depending on the sintering temperature. The fracture strength of the specimens was highest or 1037MPa at the sintering temperature of $1550^{\circ}C$ and a little lower or 989MPa at that of $1600^{\circ}C$. No variation in L* value was found depending on the sintering temperature of the specimens, while c* value was highest at that of $1450^{\circ}C$. In addition, h* value was highest when the specimens was sintered at $1550^{\circ}C$. Conclusion: This study could determine how zirconia shows changes in mechanical characteristics and color in accordance with different temperatures of its sintering. It is necessary to supplement the physical data of colored transparent zirconia block which is expected to be widely used in clinical practice.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.204-208
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• 1995

The cytologic findings of endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary are reported. The cytologic preperations were obtained from ascitic specimens. The findings on Papanicolaou-stained smears included a clean background and poorly preserved atypical cells loosely arranged in irregular or papillary groups. At high magnification, the cells had ill-defined and microvacuolated cytoplasms, with an increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and prominent nucleoli. Hyaline globules characteristic of the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-synthesizing cells of endodermal sinus tumor were observed within the cells with periodic-acid-Schiff(PAS) stain. The presence of PAS-positive hyaline globules can be regarded, therefore, as a diagnostic clue to endodermal sinus tumor in an appropriate clinical setting and in the presence of AFP production. The cytologic findings in a cell block is important, in addition to smears, to obtain more diagnostic clues. A preliminary cytomorphologic diagnosis of this highly malignant tumor is valuable as a guide in planning further immunocytochemical and serologic studies.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 1984

Vibrio vulnificus is an organism capable of causing septicemia and wound infection in compromised patients. The source of infection is known to be raw oysters and others. The prevalence of the organism in Korean sea water and shellfish is not known. The authors surveyed shellfish and other specimens obtained mainly from a market in Seoul and from ones in Inchon. Five cultures of V. vulnificus were isolated from oyster and clam samples. Two isolates had typical characteristics of the strains isolated from patients, i.e., definite hemolysis and typical biochemical reactions. However, other 2 isolates were sucrose positive, although the identity were confirmed by Center for Disease Control. We do not know wether such strains are pathogenic or not. For the isolation of V. vulnificus from environmental samples, TCBS agar and VV agar were not very selective or differential. We isolated our strains with the use of OF-lactose agar and SPS agar. However OF-lactose agar did not support good growth of V. vulnificus, while SPS agar did not suppress other vibrios.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2009

Unlike most bacteria, Treponema pallidum subspecies cannot be readily isolated or sustained in cell culture for numerous generations. In korea, two non treponemal tests are currently considered as standard; the VDRL slide test and RPR card test. These tests are based on an antigen composed of an alcoholic solution containing measured amount of cardiolipin, cholesterol, and sufficient purified lecithin to produce reactivity. The nontreponemal reagin tests measure immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG to lipoidal material released from damaged host cells as well as to lipoprotein-like material and possibly by cardiolipin released from the treponemes. The object of the evaluation was to evaluate the performance of the Mediace RPR kit on the automated biochemistry analyzer system as a method for screen method of syphilis as well as to identify BFP possibility. For evaluation of routine screening test, a total 2,380 specimens tested by Mediace RPR from 28th Oct, 2007 to 22th Feb, 2008. For evaluation of BFP possiblility, we measured samples which have potential BFP reaction in Syphilis test such as ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) positive (135 samples), CRP (C-reactive protein) positive (100 samples), RF (Rheumatoid factor) positive (26 samples), and other potential BFP cases (17 samples) including total 278 samples. These samples were tested quantitative test Mediace RPR with Hitachi 7600 P module. For comparison with current manual test, VDRL slide test were performed. Of these 2380 specimens, 2350 were negative, 30 were positive, and one were positive with TPHA. Both methods agreed for 2356 (98.9%) samples. Of the 30 samples showed positive results over 1.0 R.U, 6 samples showed positive results with VDRL test. Of these 6 samples, 1 samples showed positive with TPHA test. The combination of the Automated Biochemistry analyzer and VDRL test for retest can be increase efficiency of syphilis screening test.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6851-6855
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• 2015

Background: This study aimed to examine the clinical significance of fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression in gastric cancer (GC), and investigate any prognostic role. Materials and Methods: FASN expression was assessed in gastric cancers by immunohistochemistry using 60 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens, and clinical data were collected by retrospective chart review. Moreover, FASN mRNA expression in 15 fresh resected specimens was evaluated by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemical staining of PTEN was performed to assess the correlation of PTEN with FASN in gastric cancer. Results: Increased expression of FASN was noted in gastric cancers. The frequency of FASN gene amplification was also significantly higher in gastric cancer than in adjacent normal tissue. FASN expression in human gastric cancer tissues was significantly correlated with patient TNM stage and peritoneal dissemination (p<0.05). Moreover, higher FASN expression significantly correlated with shorter overall survival (p<0.05). Here, upregulation of FASN negatively correlated with PTEN expression in gastric cancer. Conclusions: These findings indicate that FASN expression is upregulated in gastric cancer, and increased FASN may be critical to th peritoneal metastasis and survival. Our results suggest that FASN upregulation and PTEN downregualtion may be involved in peritoneal dissemination for gastric cancer progression.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.130-137
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• 2017

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of nano-structured alumina surface coating on shear bond strength between Y-TZP ceramic and various dual-cured resin cements. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 90 disk-shaped zirconia specimens (HASS CO., Gangneung, Korea) were divided into three groups by surface treatment method: (1) airborne particle abrasion, (2) tribochemicalsilica coating, and (3) nano-structured alumina coating. Each group was categorized into three subgroups of ten specimens and bonded with three different types of dual-cured resin cements. After thermocycling, shear bond strength was measured and failure modes were observed through FE-SEM. Two-way ANOVA and the Tukey's HSD test were performed to determine the effects of surface treatment method and type of cement on bond strength (P<.05). To confirm the correlation of surface treatment and failure mode, the Chi-square test was used. RESULTS. Groups treated with the nano-structured alumina coating showed significantly higher shear bond strength compared to other groups treated with airborne particle abrasion or tribochemical silica coating. Clearfil SA Luting showed a significantly higher shear bond strength compared to RelyX ARC and RelyX Unicem. The cohesive failure mode was observed to be dominant in the groups treated with nano-structured alumina coating, while the adhesive failure mode was prevalent in the groups treated with either airborne particle abrasion or tribochemical silica coating. CONCLUSION. Nano-structured alumina coating is an effective zirconia surface treatment method for enhancing the bond strength between Y-TZP ceramic and various dual-cured resin cements.