• BLOOD RESEARCH
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.314-319
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• 2018

Background Iron overload is a risk factor affecting all patients with thalassemia intermedia (TI). We aimed to determine whether there is a relationship of serum ferritin (SF) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with liver iron concentration (LIC) determined by R2 magnetic resonance imaging (R2-MRI), to estimate the most relevant degree of iron overload and best time to chelate in patients with TI. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 119 patients with TI (mean age years) were randomly selected and compared with 120 patients who had a diagnosis of thalassemia major (TM). Correlations of LIC, as determined by R2-MRI, with SF and ALT levels, were assessed in all participants. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results SF and LIC levels were lower in patients with TI than in those with TM; only ferritin values were significant. We found a statistically significant relationship between SF and LIC, with cut-off estimates of SF in patients with TI who had splenectomy and those who entered puberty spontaneously (916 and 940 ng/mL, respectively) with LIC >5 mg Fe/g dry weight (P<0.0001). A significant relationship was also found for patients with TI who had elevated ALT level (63.5 U/L), of 3.15 times the upper normal laboratory limit, using a cut-off for LIC ${\geq}5mg\;Fe/g\;dry\;weight$. Conclusion We determined the cut-off values for ALT and SF indicating the best time to start iron chelation therapy in patients with TI, and found significant correlations among iron overload, SF, and ALT.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.195-202
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• 2019

Background: This study investigates the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in preventing deltoid atrophy during the first 12 weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: Eighteen patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of a medium-sized rotator cuff tear by a single surgeon, were randomized into two groups: NMES and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Each group used the respective device for 6 weeks after surgery. Pain was measured at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively, using the visual analogue scale (VAS); range of motion (ROM), abduction strength and functional scores were measured at baseline and 12 weeks postoperatively. Deltoid thickness and cross-sectional areas were measured using magnetic resonance imaging at 12 weeks postoperatively. Results: At 12 weeks post-surgery, no statistically significant difference was observed between the NMES and TENS groups in the pain VAS, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, ROM, and abduction strength. Postoperative decrease in the thickness of the anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid, at the level just below the coracoid, was -2.5%, -0.7%, and -6.8%, respectively, in the NMES group, and -14.0%, -2.6%, and -8.2%, respectively, in the TENS group (p=0.016, p=0.677, and p=0.791, respectively). At the level of the inferior glenoid tubercle, postoperative decrease in area of the deltoid was -5.4% in the NMES group and -14.0% in the TENS group, which was significantly different (p=0.045). Conclusions: NMES has the potential for reducing deltoid atrophy after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, suggesting that NMES might help minimize postoperative atrophy after various shoulder surgeries.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.9-16
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the reliability of 7 panoramic radiographic signs for predicting proximity of the root apices of mandibular third molars to the mandibular canal using cone-beam computed tomography and to correlate these findings with the Pell and Gregory and the Winter classification systems. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 74 patients with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars. Four panoramic radiographic signs were observed in the tooth root (darkening, deflection, and narrowing of the root apices, and bifid apices), and another 3 in the mandibular canal (diversion, narrowing, and interruption of the mandibular canal). Cone-beam computed tomography images were analyzed to identify disruption and diversion of the mandibular canal and root deflection. Results: Binary logistic regression showed that only 4 of the 7 panoramic radiographic signs were able to predict proximity of the root apices of the mandibular third molars to the mandibular canal: darkening of the root, deflection of the root, narrowing of the root, and interruption of the mandibular canal(P<0.05). Conclusion: Darkening, deflection, and narrowing of the root, in tandem with the interruption of the mandibular canal on panoramic radiographs, indicate that cone-beam computed tomography should be performed when planning the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Proximity between mandibular third molars and the mandibular canal is correlated with the Winter classification.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.75-82
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• 2022

Purpose: This cross-sectional study evaluated and categorized the tomographic sagittal root position (SRP) of the maxillary anterior teeth in a Brazilian population. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomographic scans of 420 maxillary anterior teeth of 70 patients (35 men and 35 women, mean age 25.2±5.9 years) were evaluated. The SRP was classified as class I, II, III, or IV. In class I, the root is positioned against the buccal cortical plate; in class II, the root is centered in the middle of the alveolar housing; in class III, the root is positioned against the palatal cortical plate; and in class IV, at least two-thirds of the root engage both the buccal and palatal cortical plates. Results: In total, 274 teeth (65.2%) were class I, 39 (9.3%) were class II, 3 (0.7%) were class III, and 104 (24.8%) were class IV. The frequency distribution over the teeth groups was different from the overall analysis. Important differences were found in the frequencies of classes I, II, and IV compared to other populations. Sex was not associated with the SRP classes (P=0.307). Age distribution was significantly different over the classes (P=0.004). Conclusion: The findings of this study on the distribution of SRP classes among the Brazilian population compared to other populations demonstrate that the SRP should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis for an accurate treatment plan in the maxillary anterior area.

• 한국정보전자통신기술학회논문지
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.321-327
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• 2022

본 논문에서는 UV/Ozone 처리를 통해 Polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) 표면에 주름 구조를 형성하고, 물리화학적 특성 분석을 통해 줄금 구조 형성 메커니즘을 밝혔다. 30분의 UV/Ozone 처리를 통해 PDMS 표면에 주름 구조를 형성하였으며, 주사전자현미경의 단면 촬영으로 PDMS 표면의 주기적인 주름 형성을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, XPS 스펙트럼 분석을 통해 PDMS 표면에 SiOx의 실리카 경질 표면이 UV/Ozone에 의해 만들어지는 것을 확인하였고, PDMS 표면의 경질층과 내부의 연질층 사이의 탄성 계수 불일치는 PDMS의 주름 형성의 팽윤 메커니즘을 확인시켜 준다. 본 연구 결과는 UV/Ozone 처리에 의한 PDMS 표면의 주름 구조 형성 메커니즘의 이해도를 향상시킬 뿐만 아니라, 향후 UV/Ozone 조사 조건에 따라 주름 구조의 진폭과 주기를 조정하는데 기초 연구로 쓰일 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.39-45
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• 2022

Background: The current guidelines for the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN) recommend that APN be diagnosed based on the clinical features and the presence of pyuria. However, we observed that some of the patients who are diagnosed with APN do not have characteristic clinical features or pyuria at the initial examination. We performed this study to investigate the characteristics of APN without pyuria. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 391 patients diagnosed with APN based on clinical and radiologic findings, between 2015 and 2019. The clinical features, laboratory results, and computed tomography (CT) findings were compared between patients with normal white blood cell (WBC) counts and those with abnormal WBC counts (WBC of 0-5/high power field [HPF] vs. >5/HPF) in urine. Results: More than 50% of patients with APN had no typical urinary tract symptoms and one-third of them had no costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness. Eighty-eight patients (22.5%) had normal WBC counts (0-5/HPF) on urine microscopy. There was a negative correlation between pyuria (WBC of >5/HPF) and previous antibiotic use (odds ratio, 0.249; 95% confidence interval, 0.140-0.441; p<0.001), and the probability of pyuria was reduced by 75.1% in patients who took antibiotics before visiting the emergency room. Conclusion: The diagnosis of APN should not be overlooked even if there are no typical clinical features, or urine microscopic examination is normal. If a patient has already taken antibiotics at the time of diagnosis, imaging studies such as CT should be performed more actively, regardless of the urinalysis results.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.19-25
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• 2022

Purpose: This study evaluated the distance from the posterior root apices to the maxillary sinus floor (MSF) and the frequency of roots touching or protruding through the MSF using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: This study included 100 subjects divided into different vertical and anteroposterior skeletal growth patterns. On CBCT images, the distance from the posterior root apices to MSF was measured and the frequency of roots touching or protruding through the MSF was evaluated using NNT software (version 5.3.0.0; ImageWorks, Elmsford, NY, USA). Results: No statistically significant differences were found in the distance from the posterior root apices to the MSF among vertical skeletal groups (P>0.05). The palatal roots of the first molar and the palatal, mesio-buccal and disto-buccal roots of the second molars had significantly less distance from MSF in skeletal class II than in class III (P<0.05). The high-angle group had the highest frequencies of roots touching or protruding into the maxillary sinus (49.8%); the lowest proportion of these roots was found in skeletal class III (28.3%) and the highest proportion in class II (50.3%). Males had shorter distances from the posterior root apices to the MSF and higher frequencies of roots protruding through or touching the MSF than females. Conclusion: Anteroposterior skeletal growth patterns and sex affected the distances from the maxillary posterior roots to the MSF. The frequency of roots protruding into or touching the sinus was affected by both vertical and anteroposterior skeletal groups and sex. These findings have implications for dental practice.

• 한국지반공학회논문집
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• 제39권8호
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• pp.17-28
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• 2023

본 연구에서는 화강암 시편을 대상으로 파쇄 유체의 점성과 주입 속도를 변화시키며 실내 수압 파쇄 실험을 수행하였고, 3D X-ray CT 촬영을 통해 파쇄 후 시편 내부를 관찰하였다. 이미지 처리에 탁월한 성능을 보이는 합성곱 신경망(Convolutional Neural Network, CNN) 기반 Nested U-Net 모델 구조를 활용하여 CT 이미지 내 수압 파쇄 균열 추출을 수행하였고, 복잡한 형상의 미세균열을 정교하게 추출할 수 있었다. CNN 기반 모델로 추출된 균열을 3차원으로 재구성하여 균열의 부피, 두께, 굴곡도, 균열면 거칠기를 분석하였다. 그 결과 파쇄 유체의 점성이 클수록 균열 부피와 두께가 증가하였고, 굴곡도와 균열면의 거칠기가 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 또한 균열면의 굴곡도와 거칠기 이방성이 존재함을 확인할 수 있었다. 본 연구는, CNN 기반의 균열 추출 모델을 활용해 전통적인 이미지 처리 방법보다 정교한 균열 추출을 수행하고, 이를 기반으로 수압 파쇄 균열의 정량 분석을 성공적으로 수행하였다.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.39.1-39.12
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• 2022

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of external cervical resorption (ECR) regarding sex, age, tooth, stages of progression, and portal of entry, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Materials and Methods: CBCT scans of 1,313 patients from a Brazilian subpopulation comprising 883 female and 430 male patients (mean age, 55.2 years), acquired using a PreXion 3D CBCT unit, were evaluated. All permanent teeth included in the scans were evaluated for the presence of ECR according to the 3-dimensional classification and the portal of entry. The association between the presence of ECR and the factors studied was assessed using the χ² test. Intra-observer agreement was analyzed with the kappa test (α = 0.05). Results: In total, 6,240 teeth were analyzed, of which 84 (1.35%) were affected by ECR. A significant association was found between the presence of ECR and sex, with a higher prevalence in male patients (p = 0.002). The most frequently affected teeth were the mandibular and maxillary central incisors. The most common height was the mid-third of the root. For the portal of entry, 44% of cases were on the proximal surfaces, 40.5% on the lingual/palatal surface and 15.5% on the buccal surface. Intra-observer agreement was excellent. Conclusions: The prevalence of ECR was 1.35%, with a higher prevalence in male patients and a wide age distribution. The mandibular and maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth, and cases of ECR most frequently showed a height into the mid-third of the root and proximal entry.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.365-373
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• 2023

Purpose: In the context of COVID-19, studies evaluating the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control are relevant due to their high occupational exposure and risk, as well as their responsibility for disseminating information and good practices. This study evaluated the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control in the oral radiology field in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic on different continents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved individuals who performed intraoral radiographic examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Questionnaire on Infection Control in Oral Radiology was administered virtually using a Google Form. Participants from different continents(the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania) were recruited. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and simple and multiple binary regression (5%). Results: There were 582 valid answers, and 68.73% of the participants were from the Americas, 18.90% from Europe, and 12.37% from Asia. The median score for infection control protocols was 94 points for dental students and 104 points for dentists, and participants below the median were considered to have low adherence to infection control in oral radiology. Low access to infection control was found for 53.0% of dentists in the Americas, 34.0% from Europe, and 26.9% from Asia. Conclusion: The adherence to infection control protocols in oral radiology was low even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results may help improve the awareness of students and professionals, since oral radiology routines have the potential for transmitting COVID-19.