• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2018

PURPOSE. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the fracture resistance under chewing simulation of implant-supported posterior restorations (crowns cemented to hybrid-abutments) made of different all-ceramic materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Monolithic zirconia (MZr) and monolithic lithium disilicate (MLD) crowns for mandibular first molar were fabricated using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology and then cemented to zirconia hybrid-abutments (Ti-based). Each group was divided into two subgroups (n=10): (A) control group, crowns were subjected to single load to fracture; (B) test group, crowns underwent chewing simulation using multiple loads for 1.2 million cycles at 1.2 Hz with simultaneous thermocycling between $5^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$. Data was statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA and a Post-Hoc test. RESULTS. All tested crowns survived chewing simulation resulting in 100% survival rate. However, wear facets were observed on all the crowns at the occlusal contact point. Fracture load of monolithic lithium disilicate crowns was statistically significantly lower than that of monolithic zirconia crowns. Also, fracture load was significantly reduced in both of the all-ceramic materials after exposure to chewing simulation and thermocycling. Crowns of all test groups exhibited cohesive fracture within the monolithic crown structure only, and no abutment fractures or screw loosening were observed. CONCLUSION. When supported by implants, monolithic zirconia restorations cemented to hybrid abutments withstand masticatory forces. Also, fatigue loading accompanied by simultaneous thermocycling significantly reduces the strength of both of the all-ceramic materials. Moreover, further research is needed to define potentials, limits, and long-term serviceability of the materials and hybrid abutments.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.231-236
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• 2017

Vital to the prevention of work-related ill-health (WRIH) is the availability of good quality data regarding WRIH burden and risks. Physician-based surveillance systems such as The Health and Occupation Research (THOR) network in the UK are often established in response to limitations of statutory, compensation-based systems for addressing certain epidemiological aspects of disease surveillance. However, to fulfil their purpose, THOR and others need to have methodologic rigor in capturing and ascertaining cases. This article describes how data collected by THOR and analogous systems can inform WRIH incidence, trends, and other determinants. An overview of the different strands of THOR research is provided, including methodologic advancements facilitated by increased data quantity/quality over time and the value of the research outputs for informing Government and other policy makers. In doing so, the utility of data collected by systems such as THOR to address a wide range of research questions, both in relation to WRIH and to wider issues of public and social health, is demonstrated.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.183-196
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• 2016

Objectives: There is no systematic review on economic evaluations of telemedicine in Japan, despite over 1000 trials implemented. Our systematic review aims to examine whether Japan's telemedicine is cost-saving or cost-effective, examine the methodological rigorousness of the economic evaluations, and discuss future studies needed to improve telemedicine's financial sustainability. Methods: We searched five databases, including two Japanese databases, to find peer-reviewed articles published between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2014 in English and Japanese that performed economic evaluations of Japan's telemedicine programs. The methodological rigorousness of the economic analyses was assessed with a well-established checklist. We calculated the benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) when a reviewed study reported related data but did not report the BCR. All cost values were adjusted to 2014 US dollars. Results: Among the 17 articles identified, six studies reported on settings connecting physicians for specialist consultations, and eleven studies on settings connecting healthcare providers and patients at home. There are three cost-benefit analyses and three cost-minimization analyses. The remaining studies measured the benefit of telemedicine only, using medical expenditure saved or users' willingness-to-pay. There was substantial diversity in the methodological rigorousness. Studies on teledermatology and teleradiology indicated a favorable level of economic efficiency. Studies on telehomecare gave mixed results. One cost-benefit analysis on telehomecare indicated a low economic efficiency, partly due to public subsidy rules, e.g., a too short budget period. Conclusions: Overall, telemedicine programs in Japan were indicated to have a favorable level of economic efficiency. However, the scarcity of the economic literature indicates the need for further rigorous economic evaluation studies.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.186-192
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• 2013

Objective: To analyze the fatigue resistance, debonding force, and failure type of fiber-reinforced composite, polyethylene ribbon-reinforced, and braided stainless steel wire lingual retainers in vitro. Methods: Roots of human mandibular central incisors were covered with silicone, mimicking the periodontal ligament, and embedded in polymethylmethacrylate. The specimens (N = 50), with two teeth each, were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10/group) according to the retainer materials: (1) Interlig (E-glass), (2) everStick Ortho (E-glass), (3) DentaPreg Splint (S2-glass), (4) Ribbond (polyethylene), and (5) Quad Cat wire (stainless steel). After the recommended adhesive procedures, the retainers were bonded to the teeth by using flowable composite resin (Tetric Flow). The teeth were subjected to 10,00,000 cyclic loads (8 Hz, 3 - 100 N, $45^{\circ}$ angle, under $37{\pm}3^{\circ}C$ water) at their incisoproximal contact, and debonding forces were measured with a universal testing machine (1 mm/min crosshead speed). Failure sites were examined under a stereomicroscope (${\times}40$ magnification). Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Results: All the specimens survived the cyclic loading. Their mean debonding forces were not significantly different (p > 0.05). The DentaPreg Splint group (80%) showed the highest incidence of complete adhesive debonding, followed by the Interlig group (60%). The everStick Ortho group (80%) presented predominantly partial adhesive debonding. The Quad Cat wire group (50%) presented overlying composite detachment. Conclusions: Cyclic loading did not cause debonding. The retainers presented similar debonding forces but different failure types. Braided stainless steel wire retainers presented the most repairable failure type.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.453-459
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• 2013

Although Serbia is recognized as an endemic country for echinococcosis, no information about precise incidence in humans has been available. The aim of this study was to investigate the skeletal manifestations of hydatid disease in Serbia. This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical database of Institute for Pathology (Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade), a reference institution for bone pathology in Serbia. We reported a total of 41 patients with bone cystic echinococcosis (CE) during the study period. The mean age of 41 patients was $40.9{\pm}18.8$ years. In 39% of patients, the fracture line was the only visible radiological sign, followed by cyst and tumefaction. The spine was the most commonly involved skeletal site (55.8%), followed by the femur (18.6%), pelvis (13.9%), humerus (7.0%), rib (2.3%), and tibia (2.3%). Pain was the symptom in 41.5% of patients, while some patients demonstrated complications such as paraplegia (22.0%), pathologic fracture (48.8%), and scoliosis (9.8%). The pathological fracture most frequently affected the spine (75.0%) followed by the femur (20.0%) and tibia (5.0%). However, 19.5% of patients didn't develop any complication or symptom. In this study, we showed that bone CE is not uncommon in Serbian population. As reported in the literature, therapy of bone CE is controversial and its results are poor. In order to improve the therapy outcome, early diagnosis, before symptoms and complications occur, can be contributive.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2016

PURPOSE: Many studies have reported the improvement of cognition through physical activity among subject with dementia. This study aimed to whether the current studies supports that physical activity intervention is efficacious on cognitive performance in subject with dementia. METHODS: Two independent reviewers searched National assembly library, RISS, KISS (2005-2015) using the concepts of dementia, exercise, and physical activity. We included randomized controlled trials that examined the efficacy of physical activity in subject with dementia. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the effect sizes cognition with CMA (Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, version 2.2.064) soft-ware program. Nine randomized controlled trials were included, providing data from 133 individuals and excluding those failing to criteria of this study. RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed that physical activity intervention had a rather small effect sizes of 0.36 (95% confidence interval 0.14-0.59) on cognition performance in subject with dementia. Outcome measurement were MMSE-K (Mini-mental state examination Korean version) and LOCTA (Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment). We found heterogeneous among studies and there was difference between the studies (Q = 19.63, d(f)=12, $I^2= 38.88$). CONCLUSION: The present analysis suggests that physical activity interventions have the low effect sizes on cognition performance in subject with dementia Further studies will be required to develop the various programs for improving the cognitive performance in subject with dementia.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.2021-2026
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• 2011

AgNPs (silver nanoparticles) has been widely used for the commercial products, which have antimicrobial agent, medical devices, food industry and cosmetics. Despite, AgNPs have been reported as toxic to the mammalian cell, lung, liver, brain and other organs and many researchers have investigated the toxicity of AgNPs. In this study, we investigated toxicity of the AgNPs to the liver cell using metabolomics based on HRMAS NMR (High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) technics, which could apply to the intact tissues or cells, to avoid the sample destruction. Target profiling and multivariative statistical analysis were performed to analyze the 1D $^1H$ spectrum. The results show that the concentrations of many metabolites were affected by the AgNPs in the liver cell. The concentrations of glutathione (GSH), lactate, taurine, and glycine were decreased and most of amino acids, choline analogues, and pyruvate were increased by the AgNPs. Moreover, the levels of the metabolites were recovered upto similar level of metabolites in the normal cell by the pre-treatment of NAC, external antioxidant. The results suggest that the depletion of the GSH by the AgNPs might induce the conversion of lactate and taurine to the pyruvate.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.472-479
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration of indoor air pollutants at 63 elementary schools, 41 middle schools and 51 high schools in Ulsan from the beginning of May to the end of December, 2008. To assess the indoor air quality of the various classrooms, the 8 indoor air pollutants such as $CO_2$, CO, $NO_2$, $O_3$, $PM_{10}$, TVOCs, HCHO and TBC were measured and analyzed. The mean concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and TBC in the elementary schools were significantly higher than those of middle and high schools (p < 0.01). For the HCHO, the multi-use practice rooms showed an average 1.5 times higher than general classrooms. In schools located in urban areas, the concentrations of CO, $O_3$, $PM_{10}$, HCHO and TBC were lower than in the vicinity of industrial complexes. The exceeding rate of the school air quality maintenance limits in the 6 air pollutants by law were 6.7%, 3.5%, 1.7%, 18.2%, 13.0% and 18.4% for $CO_2$, $NO_2$, $O_3$, $PM_{10}$, HCHO and TBC, respectively. Based on these results $PM_{10}$ and TBC have to be in the order of priority of need to improve the classroom air quality in elementary school of Ulsan.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Red grape seeds as functional food are a good source of important bioactive components such as phenolics and antioxidants, which decrease oxidative stress that contributes to the pathogenesis of hepatotoxicity. The current study was conducted in order to evaluate the protective effect of red grape dried seeds (RGDS) on antioxidant properties, lipid metabolism, and liver and kidney functions of rats with paracetamol (750 mg/kg) induced hepatotoxicity. MATERIALS/METHODS: RGDS was added to the basal diet at 5, 10, and 20%. Thirty five adult male rats were assigned to five groups (n = 7) for a six-week feeding period; group (1) normal control, group (2) induced control, groups (3, 4, and 5) fed a diet with RGPS at different levels, 5, 10, and 20%, respectively. At the end of the feeding period, animals' blood and tissues were collected for estimation of serum lipid profile, serum liver, and kidney biomarkers. The protection was measured by detecting lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) (in liver tissues), and liver histological examination. RESULTS: The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), with a significant increase in level of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) for RGDS groups compared to induced control. Rats administered a diet containing RGDS levels produced significant (P < 0.05) hepatoprotection by decreasing the activities of liver enzymes, kidney parameters, and lipid peroxidation, while levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT were increased significantly to near the normal levels. CONCLUSION: The RGDS 20% group was more effective than others against hepatotoxicity of paracetamol, which may be attributed to RGDS total phenols and antioxidant contents, which were 1.438 mg and 1.231 mg, respectively.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of synbiotic formula with partial whey hydrolysate and high magnesium content in infants presenting with functional constipation. Methods: Sixty-five infants with functional constipation were included. Forty infants were treated during one month with parental reassurance and the intervention formula and were compared to a control group of 25 infants treated with parental reassurance only. Parents completed a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire at baseline and during the last week of the study. Results: At inclusion, stool characteristics and QoL were similar in both groups. The control group was slightly older than the intervention group ($7.5{\pm}3.9$ vs. $6.2{\pm}3.6$ weeks). At onset, stool composition was "hard and tight" (Bristol stool scale 1 and 2) in all infants. After one month, stool composition remained unchanged in the control group except in two infants that developed "creamy" stools (Bristol stool scale type 3 and 4). In the intervention group, stools remained "hard and tight" in 27.5%, and became "creamy" in 47.5%, "loose" (Bristol stool scale type 5) in 22.5% and "watery" (Bristol stool type 6 and 7) in 2.5%. The benefit of the intervention formula was estimated to be "very important" in 70%. The median scores for QoL improved significantly in the intervention group for all parameters and for one in the control group. Conclusion: The intervention formula significantly improved functional constipation resulting in a better QoL of the parents and infants.