• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.25 no.1 s.48
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• pp.43-54
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• 1995

This study was conducted to examine the metal release of TiN-plated stainless steel orthodontic appliances by constructing the simulated orthodontic appliances equivalent to maxillary half arch, by dividing into TiN-plated and TiN-nonplated Bloops and by dividing again these groups into welded and nonwelded groups. And then, the total quantity of metal release was obtained by measuring the amounts of both soluble and precipitated nickel and chromium after immersing in artificial saliva for 15 days. And then, the corrosion appearance of surface structure was observed by using SEM. The results of this study were summarized as follows. 1. The total amounts of released nickel and chromium showed that the TiN-plated group after welding(Group 1) was 25.46 ${\mu}g$, respectively, and 17.4 ${\mu}g$, while the TiN-nonplated group after welding(Group III) was 54.69 ${\mu}g$, respectively, and 85.27 ${\mu}g$. Then, the TiN-Plated group indicated less amounts of metal release(p<0.05). 2. The total amounts of the TiN-plated group without welding(Group II) was 0.05${\mu}g$ and 0.34${\mu}g$, respectively. Then, it was shown that the TiN-plated group without welding(Group II) indicated less metal release than that of the TiN-Plated group after welding(Group I)(p<0.01, p<0.05). 3. When observing their surface structure, there were a lot of precipitate and pitting corrosion in the groups with welding(Group I & III), when the TiN-plated group(Group I) showed lower level than the TiN-nonplated group(Group IIII). On the other hand, the groups without welding(Group II & IV) indicated a little of pitting corrosion. 4. In case of observation with the naked eyes, it was shown that there were significant disco1oration and corrosion in the groups with welding(Group I & III), while there was no any remarkable change in the groups without welding(Group II & IV).

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.344-356
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• 2005

There are normal inhabitants doing medically useful functions in the body. There are many kinds of bacteria performing specific functions in the oral cavity. Two strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from inhabitants of caries-free children's oral cavity, which inhibited the formation of artificial plaque by Streptococcus mutans and the production of volatile sulfur compounds by anaerobic bacteria. The isolates were identified by the test using API 50 CHL medium kit and 16S rDNA partial sequencing. 1. Two isolates were Gram-positive bacilli and produced hydrogen peroxide. 2. When Streptococcus mutans was cultured in the media, the mean weight of formed artificial plaque on the orthodontic wires was $124.4{\pm}30.4\;mg$, whereas being reduced to $5.2{\pm}2.0mg$ and $10.6{\pm}6.6mg$ in the media cultured with Streptococcus mutans and each isolate, respectively (p<0.05) 3. The number of viable cells of Streptococcus mutans was $3.4{\times}10^9$ per ml in the cultured solution, whereas those of Streptococcus mutans in the combined culture with each of isolates were $4.6{\times}10^8\;and\;2.4{\times}10^8$ per ml. 4. The optical density was 1.286 in the supernatant of Fusobacterium nucleatum after vortexing for 30minutes, whereas in the supernatant of combined Fusobacterium nucleatum and each isolate, they were reduced to 0.628 and 0.497, which the percentages of coaggregation between them were 29.4% and 57.8%, respectively 5. The optical density of Fusobacterium nucleatum precipitate was 1.794 in the culture media containing cysteine and $FeSO_4$, being reduced to 1.144 and 0.915 in the coaggregated precipitates of Fusobacterium nucleatum and each isolate. The optical density of Porphyromonas gingivalis precipitate was 1.932 in the culture media, being reduced to 1.170 and 1.266 in the coaggregated precipitates of Porphyromonas gingivalis and each isolate. 6. When two isolates were tested with API 50 CHL medium kit, those were identified Lactobaciallius salivarius and Lactobaciallius delbrueckii subsp. lactis. 7. The similarity values of 16S rDNA sequence between each of isolates and Lactobaciallius salivarius subsp. salicinius were 99.60% and 99.73%, respectively, meaning that isolates were Lactobaciallius salivarius subsp. salicinius. These results indicated that two strains isolated from caries-free children's saliva, which inhibited the formation of artificial plaque and the production of volatile sulfur compounds, were identified as Lactobaciallius salivarius subsp. salicinius.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 2009

There is tremendous variability in the ways patients present with taste problems. Because of complex and multifactorial etiological background, it is not simple to evaluate patients with taste disorders. Accurate assessment of patients' status by prudent, thorough history taking and symptom analysis is the most essential for exact diagnosis of taste disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with taste problems as a primary complaint. Consecutive series of 50 patients (12 males and 38 females, mean age $53.6\;{\pm}\;14.7$ years) were included for the present study. All subjects were requested to complete a comprehensive questionnaire. Clinical evaluation procedures included oral examination, interview, questionnaire analysis, panoramic radiography, blood test and measurement of salivary flow rate. The obtained results were as follows: 1. Among the patients, 36 patients (72%) complained of oral mucosal pain or burning sensation. Of these patients, 18 patients (36%) were diagnosed as burning mouth syndrome. 2. Nineteen patients (38%) complained of subjective oral dryness. The flow rate of unstimulated whole saliva was less than 0.1 mL/min in 14 patients (28%) and 17 (34%) had a stimulated whole salivary flow rate of less than 0.5 mL/min. 3. Among the types of taste disorders, hypogeusia, the most frequently reported, was found in 25 patients (50%), dysgeusia in 18 patients (36%), phantogeusia in 15 patients (30%), hypergeusia in 10 patients (20%), and ageusia in 5 patients (10%). Nineteen patients (38%) reported more than one type of taste disorder and the most frequent combination was dysgeusia + hypogeusia (n=6, 12%). 4. Based on data from the medical and dental histories and examinations, the patients were assigned to 12 probable causal categories. Taste disorders due to oral mucosal diseases and idiopathic taste disorder were the most frequent (n=9; 18%, each), followed by psychogenic taste disorder (n=8; 16%), drug-induced taste disorder (n=7; 14%), and taste disorder due to dry mouth (n=6; 12%). These 5 categories of taste disorder accounted for 78% of all cases in this study.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2004

Purpose : This study was done to evaluate xerostomia fellowing intensity modulated radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer, and to analyze the correlation between the dosimetric parameters and xerostomia parameters. Materials and Methods : From February till October 2003, 13 patients with 3 months of follow-up were evaluated for xerostomia after being treated for head and neck cancer with IMRT. Their median age was 57 years(range: 43$\~$77). Xerostomia were assessed with a 4-question xerostomia questionnaire score (XQS) and a test for salivary flow rates (unstimulated and stimulated). The patients were also given a validated LENT SOMA scale (LSC) questionnaire. The evaluations were completed before radiation therapy (pre-RT) and at 1 and, 3 months after radiation therapy (RT). We evaluated xerostomia at pre-RT, 1 and, 3 months after RT. The association between the xerostomia parameters (XQS and LSC) and salivary flow rates (unstimulated and stimulated: USFR and SSFR) was assessed at 1 and 3 months after RT. Resrlts : All 13 patients showed no significant changes in XQS, LSC and Salivary Flow rates. As a result, we couldn't find out about xerostomia development. Based on the total mean parotid dose, 3,500 cGy, we divided these patients into two groups. The 8 patients (<3,500 cGy) showed no significant changes in XQS, LSC and Salivary Flow rates However, in 5 Patients ($\geq$3,500 cOGy), there was a significant increase in USFR and, SSFR at 3 months after RT, and for the XQS and, LSC at 1 and 3 months after RT. The correlation between XQS and, LSC, and USFR and, SSFR in ail patients (13) was significant at 3 months after RT. The correlation had a tendency to the decrease for USFR and, SSFR in proportion to the increase of XQS and, LSC. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, IMRT seem to be an effective treatment to significantly decrease the xerostomia. XQS and, LSC seem to be a effective tool for predicting the xerostomia. A total parotid gland mean dose of <3,500 cGy should be a planning goal if substantial sparing of the gland function is desired. Furthermore, patients should be enrolled in a study to define a more accurate threshold dose for the parotid gland.