• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.430-435
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• 2013

Multidrug resistance, especially multidrug efflux mechanisms that extrude structurally unrelated cytotoxic compounds from the cell by multidrug transporters, is a serious problem and one of the main reasons for the failure of therapeutic treatment of infections by pathogenic microorganisms as well as of cancer cells. Streptococcus mutans is considered one of the primary causative agents of dental caries and periodontal disease, which comprise the most common oral diseases. A fragment of chromosomal DNA from S. mutans KCTC3065 was cloned using Escherichia coli KAM32 as host cells lacking major multidrug efflux pumps. Although E. coli KAM32 cells were very sensitive to many antimicrobial agents, the transformed cells harboring a recombinant plasmid became resistant to several structurally unrelated antimicrobial agents such as tetracycline, kanamycin, rhodamin 6G, ampicillin, acriflavine, ethidium bromide, and tetraphenylphosphonium chloride. This suggested that the cloned DNA fragment carries a gene encoding a multidrug efflux pump. Among 49 of the multidrug-resistant transformants, we report the functional gene cloning and characterization of the function of one multidrug efflux pump, namely MdeA from S. mutans, which was expressed in E. coli KAM32. Judging from the structural and biochemical properties, we concluded that MdeA is the first cloned and characterized multidrug efflux pump using the proton motive force as the energy for efflux drugs.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.535-545
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• 1999

Crease of Streptococcus salivarius is believed to play a critical role in bacterial ecology and pH homeostasis in the mouth, and consequently affect the pathogenesis of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Expression of the urease gene is greatly enhanced by low p. f. excess of Carbohydrate, and faster growth. It was observed that urease activity of the strains of S. salivarius that exhibited no of low urease activity was not increased even in low pH condition. In this study, it was hypothesized that the urease gene of the strains is absent, defected, or greatly changed by genetic combination. In order to prove this hypothesis, chromosomes were obtained from 28 S. salivarius strains which had been isolated from normal teeth and carious lesions, subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers encoding highly conserved sequence from ureC, and then the obtained PCR products were compared. The results were as follows: 1. After PCR the strains generated either one of 0.54- and 1.3-kbp PCR products, or none. 2. All 16 strains having a higher urease activity(<50${\mu}mol/min/mg$) produced 0.54-kbp PCR products. 3. Twelve strains without urease activity and with a lower urease activity(<50${\mu}mol/min/mg$) yield either one of 0.54 and 1.3-kbp PCR products, or none. 4. The DNA sequence of the 0.54-kbp PCR product (pCAP-0.54) exhibited 95% identity to the ureC of S. salivarus 57.I; 30bp were found to be different, which led to difference of only 2 amino acids in the sequence. 5. The DNA sequence of the 1.3-kbp PCR product(pCAP-1.3) was found to be highly homologous to the aminopeptidase C gene of Streptococcus thermophilus. Overall results indicate that there are considerable variations of the urease genes from S. salivarus strains and the variations may affect the uncolytic activity of the bacteria directly of indirectly.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2012

Peripheral nerve injuries in the oral and maxillofacial regions require nerve repairs for the recovery of sensory and/or motor functions. Primary indications for the peripheral nerve grafts are injuries or continuity defects due to trauma, pathologic conditions, ablation surgery, or other diseases, that cannot regain normal functions without surgical interventions, including microneurosurgery. For the autogenous nerve graft, sural nerve and greater auricular nerve are the most common donor nerves in the oral and maxillofacial regions. The sural nerve has been widely used for this purpose, due to the ease of harvest, available nerve graft up to 30 to 40 cm in length, high fascicular density, a width of 1.5 to 3.0 mm, which is similar to that of the trigeminal nerve, and minimal branching and donor sity morbidity. Many different surgical techniques have been designed for the sural nerve harvesting, such as a single longitudinal incision, multiple stair-step incisions, use of nerve extractor or tendon stripper, and endoscopic approach. For a better understanding of the sural nerve graft and in avoiding of uneventful complications during these procedures as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the related surgical anatomies with their harvesting tips are summarized in this review article.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 1993

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of tooth brushing, mouth gargling and gum chewing in reducing halitosis, 84 individuals ranging in age from 22 59 28 years old were examined. These individuals had no gross oral abnormalities, other than mild gingival inflammation, dental caries, nasopharyngeal disorder, or systemic diseases that were associated with halitosis. They were divided into a tooth brushing group, a mouth garging group, a gum chewing group and a control group that did not use any halitosis removing method. Each of the groups included 21 persons, B.B. Checker (Tokuyama Soda Col, LTDl, Japan) was used to measure the concentrations of intraoral volatile methyl mercaptan of each group. The concentrations of intraoral volatile methyl mercaptan were measured before and after lunch, and after removing halitosis by toothe brushing, mouth gargling and gum chewing. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The average concentration of intraoral volatile methyl mercaptan before lunch was 1.79ppm and after lunch it was 2.02ppm, an increase of 12.9%. 2. In the tooth brushing group the average concentration of intraoral volatile methyl mercaptan was 0.61ppm, in the mouth gargling group it was 1.15ppm, in the gum chewing group it was 1.64ppm and in the control group it was 1.92ppm. It decreased 69.5% in the tooth brushing group, 43.8% in the mouth gargling group, 18.4% in the gum chewing group and 5.4% in the control grop (p<0.05). 3. There were significant differences between the tooth brushing and control group, tooth brushing and gum chewing group and between mouth gargling and control group in concentrations of intraoral volatile methyl mercaptan after using the halitosis removing methods (p<0.05). According to the above results, tooth brushig and mouth gargling are effective ways to reduce halitosis.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.23-37
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• 1991

The understanding the natureof occlusal tooth contacts of natural dentition is important for correct diagnosis and treatment of diseases developed in stomatognatic system. Several investigator have studied the distribution of tooth contacts in maximum intercuspation and have reported contact locations with respect to the tooth position. Many methods have been clinically applied for the occlusal analysis in the intercuspal position. However, there are few quantative methods. This study analyzed the new software version of the T-Scan system to record and analyze occlusal contact balance in the anterior-posterior and right-left directions. Six time moment statistics and five moment statistics were calculated in the midsagittal and the incisal axes of the occlusal plane. In the present study, informed consent was obtained from 100 subjects with natural dentitions. The results were as follows ; 1. The mean of the dental arch length & width were 48.78, 65.32mm in whole population, 49.09mm, 65.50mm in males, 48.78mm, 64.63mm in females, respectively. 2. The mean of TLR & PLR were 0.193mm(left), 0.311mm(left), respectively. Therefore, the distribution of tooth contacts was bilaterally symmetric. 3. The mean of TFB & PFB were 29.168mm, 29.055mm, and that of LFB & RFB were 29.627mm, 29.587mm, respectively, and the qualitative center of occlusal contacts was the firtst molar. 4. The mean of LL & RL were 31.666mm, 31.377mm, respectively, and the quantitative center of occlusal force was the first molar. 5. The mean of LF & RF were 60.237N, 59.276N, respectively and Left-right moment was 72.491Nmm. Therfore, the distribution of occlusal force was bilaterally balanced.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate health problems of migrant workers in Korea. Methods: The data were collected from the records of the medical history of 2,233 migrant workers who visited the community health clinic in Ansan city, Gyeonggi province from Jan. 2005 to Jan. 2007. The data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: Men accounted for 56.4% of the total who participated in the study. Most of them were Chinese, Russian, and Bangladesh people. The 590 people out of all the migrant workers were employed in manufacturing industries and they comprised the largest percentage. The most commonly complained health problems were musculoskeletal (31.7%), digestive (20.7%), respiratory (12.5%), dermatologic (6.5%), cardiovascular (5.5%) and dental disorder (5.2%). The 1,853 (36.0%) workers were assumed to have hypertensive disorder and 1310 (11.1%) workers, some diseases due to high cholesterol level. Conclusions: It is necessary to establish a public health care system to improve health and welfare of migrant workers. Furthermore, the communities need to draw their attention to this matter. And it is also necessary to make accurate research on their health and medical service.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2013

Thromboxane $A_2$ ($TXA_2$) is one of major proinflammatory mediators, plays an important role in the development of vascular inflammatory diseases. $TXA_2$ acting through the thromboxane receptor regulates multiple pathways and genes in a variety of cells. In this study, we report that the activation of thromboxane receptor with U46619 increases the interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA in vascular endothelial cells. We also demonstrated that U46619 produces the activations of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is required for endothelial IL-8 production. And U46619 enhanced mRNA stability of IL-8 transcripts in endothelial cells. Moreover, inhibition of ERK1/2 or p38MAPK reduced monocyte adhesion to aortic endothelium stimulated by U46619. Therefore, these results suggest that activation of thromboxane receptor promotes the expression of IL-8 via ERK1/2 and p38MAPK activation in endothelial cells.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.174-182
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• 2020

Objectives: Joint injuries frequently lead to progressive joint degeneration that causes articular disc derangement, joint inflammation, and osteoarthritis. Such arthropathies that arise after trauma are defined as post-traumatic arthritis (PTA). Although PTA is well recognized in knee and elbow joints, PTA in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has not been clearly defined. Interestingly, patients experiencing head and neck trauma without direct jaw fracture have displayed TMJ disease symptoms; however, definitive diagnosis and treatment options are not available. This study will analyze clinical aspects of PTA in TMJ and their treatment outcomes after joint arthrocentesis and lavage. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with history of trauma to the head and neck especially without jaw fracture were retrospectively studied. Those patients developed TMJ disease symptoms and were diagnosed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. To decrease TMJ discomfort, arthrocentesis and lavage with or without conservative therapy were applied, and efficacy was evaluated by amount of mouth opening and pain scale. Statistical differences between pre- and post-treatment values were evaluated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Patient age varied widely between 20 and 80 years, and causes of trauma were diverse. Duration of disease onset was measured as 508 post-trauma days, and 85% of the patients sought clinic visit within 2 years after trauma. In addition, 85% of the patients showed TMJ disc derangement without reduction, and osteoarthritis was accompanied at the traumatized side or at both sides in 40% of the patients. After arthrocentesis or lavage, maximal mouth opening was significantly increased (28-44 mm on average, P<0.001) and pain scale was dramatically decreased (7.8-3.5 of 10, P<0.001); however, concomitant conservative therapy showed no difference in treatment outcome. Conclusion: The results of this study clarify the disease identity of PTA in TMJ and suggest early diagnosis and treatment options to manage PTA in TMJ.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.10-21
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• 2016

Purpose: This study evaluated the predictive performance of a combination of self-report questionnaires, salivary hemoglobin levels, and age as a non-invasive screening method for periodontitis. Methods: The periodontitis status of 202 adults was examined using salivary hemoglobin levels, responses to 10 questions on a self-report questionnaire, and the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). The ability of those two variables and the combination thereof with age to predict the presence of CPI scores of 3-4 and 4 was assessed using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: CPI scores of 3-4 and 4 were present among 79.7% and 46.5% of the sample, respectively. The area under the ROC curves (AUROCs) of salivary hemoglobin levels for predicting prevalence of CPI scores of 3-4 and 4 were 0.63 and 0.67, respectively (with sensitivity values of 71% and 60% and specificity values of 56% and 72%, respectively). Two distinct sets of five questions were associated with CPI scores of 3-4 and 4, with AUROCs of 0.73 and 0.71, sensitivity values of 76% and 66%, and specificity values of 63% and 69%. The combined model incorporating both variables and age showed the best predictive performance, with AUROCs of 0.78 and 0.76, sensitivity values of 71% and 65%, and specificity values of 68% and 77% for CPI scores of 3-4 and 4, respectively. Conclusions: The combination of salivary hemoglobin levels and self-report questionnaires was shown to be a valuable screening method for detecting periodontitis.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2015

Lichen planus is an immune-mediated mucocutaneous disease, affects more frequently middle-aged Caucasian women and makes signs and symptoms in the oral mucosa. Cutaneous lichen planus lesions cause itching but they are self-limiting, oral lichen planus lesions are usually chronic, recalcitrant to treatment and potentially premalignant in some cases. Although, oral lichen planus is non-plaque related disease, they possess particular problems because plaque control is complicated by pain and bleeding and might cause plaque-related disease. The resulting condition comprises accumulations of plaque, which again can influence the progress of oral lichen planus with burning sensation, spontaneous gingival bleeding. Thus, it should be noted that both medication and supportive periodontal treatment are essential for the remission of the lesions. This case report introduces topical corticosteroid therapy and supportive periodontal treatment including intensive oral hygiene procedures to obtain an improvement of subjective symptoms and objective changes and to prevent relapse the lesions.