• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness of action observation training (AOT) and mirror therapy in improving the electroencephalograms (EEG) of stroke patients. Methods: Patients were allocated randomly to three groups: an action observation training with activity (AOTA) group (n=12), a mirror therapy with activity (MTA) group (n=11), and an AOT-only group (n=12). All groups received conventional physiotherapy in five 60-minute sessions over six weeks. The AOTA, MTA, and AOT groups practiced AOTA, MTA, and AOT, respectively, in three 30-minute sessions over six weeks. The differences between the pre- and post-treatment EEGs were assessed using a paired t-test. Comparisons between the groups were performed using one-way ANOVA. Results: The participants in the AOTA and MTA groups showed significant improvement in the EEG. AOTA improved the alpha waves of the prefrontal, temporal, and parietal lobes significantly (p<0.05). MTA improved the alpha waves of the temporal lobe significantly (p<0.05). AOT did not result in significant improvement Conclusion: AOTA and MTA improve stroke patients' EEGs. Mirror neuron activation combined with conventional stroke physiotherapy promotes motor recovery and functioning. The effect is enhanced when the actions are executed after observation. Further research into mirror neuron activation will be needed to develop methods to improve the EEGs of stroke patients.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.18.1-18.9
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• 2022

Objectives: This study evaluated alterations in neuronal conductivity related to calcium silicate cements (CSCs) by investigating compound action potentials (cAPs) in rat sciatic nerves. Materials and Methods: Sciatic nerves were placed in a Tyrode bath and cAPs were recorded before, during, and after the application of test materials for 60-minute control, application, and recovery measurements, respectively. Freshly prepared ProRoot MTA, MTA Angelus, Biodentine, Endosequence RRM-Putty, BioAggregate, and RetroMTA were directly applied onto the nerves. Biopac LabPro version 3.7 was used to record and analyze cAPs. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: None of the CSCs totally blocked cAPs. RetroMTA, Biodentine, and MTA Angelus caused no significant alteration in cAPs (p > 0.05). Significantly lower cAPs were observed in recovery measurements for BioAggregate than in the control condition (p < 0.05). ProRoot MTA significantly but transiently reduced cAPs in the application period compared to the control period (p < 0.05). Endosequence RRM-Putty significantly reduced cAPs. Conclusions: Various CSCs may alter cAPs to some extent, but none of the CSCs irreversibly blocked them. The usage of fast-setting CSCs during apexification or regeneration of immature teeth seems safer than slow-setting CSCs due to their more favorable neuronal effects.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.165-175
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• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effects of blood contamination on the Vickers hardness and the surface morphology of premixed MTA and compare them with the effects on conventional MTA. The Vickers microhardness of Endocem MTA Premixed Regular (EP) and ProRoot MTA (PM) was assessed after immersion in fetal bovine serum (FBS) and saline. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) were seeded on MTA after immersion in FBS, saline, and deionized water (DW). Cell adhesion patterns and surface morphology were visualized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface microhardness of EP and PM in FBS was lower than in saline. However, short-term exposure of PM to FBS did not reduce the microhardness compared to saline. Angular crystals formed in water, while rounded crystals with more air voids appeared in FBS. Favorable SHED attachment occurred in all groups. Overall, the surface hardness of EP and PM decreased after FBS exposure, although PM was less influenced. We suggest minimizing the amount of bleeding when using MTA clinically; nevertheless, PM remains an option with more expected blood contamination than EP. In summary, exposure to FBS decreased mechanical performance but allowed cell adhesion for both MTAs, with PM being more resistant to these changes.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.425-432
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• 2020

For this study copper ions-containing bioactive glass nanoparticles commonly used in mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was developed to improve the mechanical properties and promote antibacterial effect of MTA with the original material. The mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of Cu-BGn incorporating varying amounts cooper incorporated bioactive glass nano particles(BGn) 0.5,1.0,2.0 and 4.0 wt% in MTA were characterized composition of the resulting were investigated. The compressive strength was calculated by weighing specimens with a diameter of 4 mm and a thickness of 6 mm according to ISO 6876 (2012). The antimicrobial effect was evaluated using two strains of S. mutans and E. faecalis. The mechanical properties of the test results was Cu-BGn increased no statistically significant difference was observed (p>0.05). Adhesion experiment results S. mutans in contrast to the control group Ortho MTA, 4.0 wt% of Cu-BGn added experimental group showed a significant difference was observed (p<0.05). Also, E. faecalis statistical analysis indicated a significant difference for antibacterial agents between control and Cu-BGn containing(p<0.05). It seems that this Cu-BGn proved that even a antibacterial effect was demonstrated. Therefore, it was suggest that it is necessary for in-depth research into various environments that can reproduce the oral environment.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2017

This study aimed to assess microleakage of Endoseal MTA when it is used as a root canal sealer and a root canal filling material compared with conventional endodontic treatment materials Forty-two mature human permanent teeth with a single root canal were divided randomly into three experimental groups (n = 10) and two control groups (n = 6). Group A was obturated with AH $plus^{(R)}$ and gutta-percha (GP). Group E1 was obturated with Endoseal MTA and GP. Group E2 was obturated with Endoseal MTA only. The positive control group was obturated with GP only and the negative control group was obturated in the same way as the experimental groups. The samples were kept in saline solution for 24 hours and were immersed in 0.2% rhodamine B dye solution for 24 hours. Then the samples were split longitudinally and the micoleakage was assessed under a stereomicroscope. Complete microleakage was detected in all positive control group samples, whereas no microleakage was detected in the negative control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental groups in the Kruskal-Wallis test. These results suggest that Endoseal MTA has potential use as a root canal sealer and a root canal filling material.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.14
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• 2023

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of high-plasticity mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA-HP) on the activity of M1 and M2 macrophages, compared to white MTA (Angelus). Materials and Methods: Peritoneal inflammatory M1 (from C57BL/6 mice) and M2 (from BALB/c mice) macrophages were cultured in the presence of the tested materials. Cell viability (MTT and trypan blue assays), adhesion, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β production were evaluated. Parametric analysis of variance and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Results were considered significant when p < 0.05. Results: The MTT assay revealed a significant decrease in M1 metabolism with MTA-HP at 24 hours, and with MTA and MTA-HP later. The trypan blue assay showed significantly fewer live M1 at 48 hours and live M2 at 48 and 72 hours with MTA-HP, compared to MTA. M1 and M2 adherence and phagocytosis showed no significant differences compared to control for both materials. Zymosan A stimulated ROS production by macrophages. In the absence of interferon-γ, TNF-α production by M1 did not significantly differ between groups. For M2, both materials showed higher TNF-α production in the presence of the stimulus, but without significant between-group differences. Likewise, TGF-β production by M1 and M2 macrophages was not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions: M1 and M2 macrophages presented different viability in response to MTA and MTA-HP at different time points. Introducing a plasticizer into the MTA vehicle did not interfere with the activity of M1 and M2 macrophages.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.70-77
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• 2012

Dial-a-ride is the most widely available transit service for disabled persons or seniors in the United States and Europe. This paper studies a static dial-a-ride problem considering multiple depots, heterogeneous vehicles, and soft time windows. In this paper, we apply a heuristic based on clustering first-routing second(HCR) to a real-world large dial-a-ride problem from Maryland Transit Administration(MTA). MTA's real operation is compared with the results of developed heuristic for 24 cases. The objective function of the proposed model is to minimize the total cost composed of the service provider's cost and the customers' inconvenience cost. For the comparison, the objective function values of HCR do not include waiting cost, delay cost, and excess ride cost. The objective function values from HCR are better than those from MTA's operation for all cases. This result shows that our heuristic method can make the real operation better and more efficient.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.18.1-18.12
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• 2018

Objectives: This study compared the retention of BioAggregate (BA; Innovative BioCeramix) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA; Angelus) as coronal plugs after applying different intracanal medications (ICMs) used in regenerative endodontic. Materials and Methods: One-hundred human maxillary central incisors were used. The canals were enlarged to a diameter of 1.7 mm. Specimens were divided into 5 groups (n = 20) according to the ICM used: calcium hydroxide (CH), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), triple-antibiotic paste (TAP), double-antibiotic paste (DAP), and no ICM (control; CON). After 3 weeks of application, ICMs were removed and BA or MTA were placed as the plug material (n = 10). The push-out bond strength and the mode of failure were assessed. The data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance, the Tukey's test, and the ${\chi}^2$ test; p values < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results: The type of ICM and the type of plug material significantly affected bond strength (p < 0.01). Regardless of the type of ICM, BA showed a lower bond strength than MTA (p < 0.05). For MTA, CH showed a higher bond strength than CON, TAP and DAP; CHX showed a higher bond strength than DAP (p < 0.01). For BA, CH showed a higher bond strength than DAP (p < 0.05). The mode of failure was predominantly cohesive for BA (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MTA may show better retention than BA. The mode of bond failure with BA can be predominantly cohesive. BA retention may be less affected by ICM type than MTA retention.

• Korean Journal of Dental Materials
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.187-195
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• 2017

TheraCal LC, a new light-cured, resin-modified calcium silicate-filled base/liner material, has been introduced as a pulpotomy agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of hard tissue formation and pulpal response after pulpotomy with TheraCal LC. Twenty-two 9-week-old male rats were anesthetized, cavities were prepared in maxillary first molars and pulps were capped with formocresol (FC), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and TheraCal LC. Specimens obtained from rats were scanned using a high-resolution micro CT system. The specimens were prepared and evaluated histologically, and immunofluorescence assay was performed to assess the dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1) expression. On micro CT analysis, the MTA and TheraCal LC groups showed thicker hard tissue formation than the FC group. On hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, MTA and TheraCal LC groups showed dentine bridge formation with vital pulp beneath the materials. On immunofluorescence analysis, DMP-1 was highly expressed in the TheraCal LC group compared to the FC group. TheraCal LC showed similar capacity to form hard tissue as MTA when it was used as a pulpotomy agent. Because of its good manipulation and faster setting time compared to MTA, TheraCal LC could be considered as a good alternative to MTA.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2014

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity, setting time and compressive strength of MTA and two novel tricalcium silicate-based endodontic materials, Bioaggregate (BA) and Biodentine (BD). Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity was evaluated by using a 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-((phenylamino)carbonyl)-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) assay. Measurements of 9 heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, and zinc) were performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) of leachates obtained by soaking the materials in distilled water. Setting time and compressive strength tests were performed following ISO requirements. Results: BA had comparable cell viability to MTA, whereas the cell viability of BD was significantly lower than that of MTA. The ICP-MS analysis revealed that BD released significantly higher amount of 5 heavy metals (arsenic, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc) than MTA and BA. The setting time of BD was significantly shorter than that of MTA and BA, and the compressive strength of BA was significantly lower than that of MTA and BD. Conclusions: BA and BD were biocompatible, and they did not show any cytotoxic effects on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts. BA showed comparable cytotoxicity to MTA but inferior physical properties. BD had somewhat higher cytotoxicity but superior physical properties than MTA.