The 100 Most-Cited Articles Focused on Ultrasound Imaging: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Purpose The number of citations that an article has received reflects its impact on a particular research area. The aim of this study was to identify the 100 most-cited articles focused on ultrasound (US) imaging and to analyze the characteristics of these articles. Methods We determined the 100 most-cited articles on US imaging via the Web of Science database, using the search term. The following parameters were used to analyze the characteristics of the 100 most-cited articles: publication year, journal, journal impact factor, number of citations and annual citations, authors, department, institution, country, type of article, and topic. Results The number of citations for the 100 most-cited articles ranged from 1849 to 341 (median: 442.0) and the number of annual citations ranged from 108.0 to 8.1 (median: 22.1). The majority of articles were published in 1990 - 1999 (39 %), published in radiology journals (20 %), originated in the United States (45 %), were clinical observation studies (67 %), and dealt with the vessels (35 %). The Department of Internal Medicine at the University of California and the Research Institute of Public Health at the University of Kuopio (n = 4 each) were the leading institutions and Salonen JT and Salonen R (n = 4 each) were the most prolific authors. Conclusion Our study presents a detailed list and analysis of the 100 most-cited US articles, which provides a unique insight into the historical development in this field.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of uterine leiomyomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched through August 2014 for all relevant studies on RFA for uterine leiomyomas. The efficacy and safety of RFA were assessed using the outcome measures of tumor volume, symptom severity score, health-related quality of life (HRQL) score, procedure-related complications, and reintervention. The authors calculated pooled event rates with 95% confidence intervals using random-effects model to assess the effects of RFA. RESULTS: Eight observational studies were identified as eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis and included 370 patients. All analyzed outcomes showed statistically significant improvements from baseline to final follow-up. Twenty-seven complications were identified and five of them qualified as major complications. Five patients required reintervention after RFA. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous RFA is an effective and safe treatment for patients with uterine leiomyomas.

Long-term follow up of HIV-1-infected Korean haemophiliacs, after infection from a common source of virus.

In the early 1990s, 20 haemophiliacs (HPs) were infected with a common source of HIV-1 viruses through the contaminated clotting factor IX. The aim of this study is to review 20 HPs infected with a common source of virus. The enrolled patients have been consecutively treated with Korean red ginseng (KRG), zidovudine (ZDV) or two-drug therapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We determined full-length pol gene over 20 years and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I with peripheral blood mononuclear cells and reviewed medical records. Eighteen HPs experienced various opportunistic infections or clinical manifestations. There were significant inverse correlations between the HLA prognostic score and the annual decrease in CD4+ T-cell counts prior to HAART (AD) (P < 0.05) and the amount of KRG and the AD (P < 0.01). From 1998, the HPs had been treated with HAART. Each of the two patients died without and with HAART regimen respectively. At present, 16 HPs have been alive with HAART. Among the 16 HPs, 12 and 4 are on HAART-plus-KRG and HAART only respectively. Eleven HPs including 2 HPs with G-to-A hypermutations had revealed resistance mutations. Ten and two HPs have shown poor adherence and incomplete viral suppres-sion on HAART respectively. Virological failure based on WHO guidelines was not observed on KRG-plus-HAART. Two HPs revealed additional resistance mutations against two classes on KRG-plus-HAART. As a nationwide study, we first report overall features on clinical course of Korean haemophiliacs. Further education on the importance of drug adherence is needed.

Staging accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound performed by nonexpert endosonographers in patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: is it possible?

The accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is operator-dependent. According to learning curve study, the accuracy of EUS T-staging for esophageal cancer has been reported to be greater in an investigator who had performed at least 100 EUS examinations. We determined comparative study regarding T-staging accuracy of EUS for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma between expert and nonexpert endoscopic ultrasonographers. We retrospectively identified 73 consecutive patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent EUS and endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, or surgery. EUS was performed by expert (Group 1) and nonexpert (Group 2) endoscopic ultrasonographers in multitertiary hospitals. Groups 1 and 2 were 37 and 36 patients during 2005-2011, respectively. Forty-two patients (57.5%) of the overall patients underwent surgical exploration. Correct endoscopic ultrasonographic T-staging of Group 1 was observed in 34 (91.9%) patients, while that of Group 2 was observed in 26 (72.2%) patients. And there was significant difference in correct endoscopic ultrasonographic T-staging between Group 1 and Group 2 (P = 0.035). The incorrect endoscopic ultrasonographic T-staging of Group 1 were three cases that were overstaging (8.1%), but in Group 2 there were seven overstaging (19.4%) and three understaging (8.3%). There was no significant difference in overstaging or understaging of incorrect endoscopic ultrasonographic T-staging between Group 1 and Group 2 (P = 0.528). This study first provides evidence that endoscopic ultrasonographic T-staging of nonexpert endoscopic ultrasonographers was inferior to be correct, compared with that of expert endoscopic ultrasonographers. EUS staging for esophageal cancer should be performed by expert endoscopic ultrasonographers to provide appropriate management strategy.

EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE EXERCISES AND COMPLEX DECONGESTIVE THERAPY ON ARM FUNCTION AND MUSCULAR STRENGTH IN BREAST CANCER RELATED LYMPHEDEMA.

The incorporation of resistance exercises into the lifestyle of patients with lymphedema is understudied and an emerging interest. We investigated the effectiveness and results of adding a moderate intensity resistance exercise program for 8 weeks in conjunction with intensive CDT for 1 or 2 weeks (depending on severity) on arm volume, arm function, QOL, and muscular strength in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. This prospective, pilot trial included forty-four patients with a history of breast cancer who were beginning complex decongestive therapy for lymphedema. They were assigned to either the intervention (n = 22) or control (n = 22). groups. The intervention comprised of resis- tance band exercises 5 times a week for 8 weeks. These were initially supervised during the intensive lymphedema treatment, but performed independently during the study period. Limb volume, muscular strength, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC-Breast Cancer-Specific QOL Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23), and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaires were assessed at baseline and at 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the DASH score and muscular strength compared to the control group. Our results indicate that upper body resistance exercise demonstrates a positive effect on arm function and muscular strength without increasing arm volume in breast cancer related lymphedema during and shortly post intensive CDT lymphedema treatment.

Clinical characteristics of community-acquired acute pyelonephritis caused by ESBL-producing pathogens in South Korea.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors and clinical characteristics of community-acquired acute pyelonephritis (CA-APN) caused by extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms. METHODS: From March 2010 to February 2011, patients with CA-APN were recruited in 11 hospitals in South Korea. Clinical and microbiological data were collected prospectively, and the ESBLs and multilocus sequence types of the ESBL-producing Escherichia coli were characterized. Comparison between CA-APN caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae and those by non-ESBL-producing organisms was performed. RESULTS: A total of 566 patients were recruited. Enterobacteriaceae were detected in 526 patients. Forty-six isolates (46/526, 8.7 %) were positive for ESBLs. Clinical and microbiological failure did not differ between the two groups, despite there being fewer patients with ESBL-positive isolates provided with appropriate antibiotics initially (19.6 vs. 93.8 %, p < 0.001). However, the duration of hospitalization was longer in the ESBL group (10.5 vs. 7.0 days, p = 0.012). In a logistic regression model, Charlson score ≥1 point [odds ratio (OR) 3.4, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.6-7.0, p = 0.001], antibiotics usage during the previous year (OR 3.1, 95 % CI 1.4-7.2, p = 0.008), and urinary catheterization during the previous month (OR 4.4, 95 % CI 1.1-17.6, p = 0.035) were associated with the risks of CA-APN by ESBL producers. CTX-M-15 (48 %) and CTX-M-14 (38 %) were the most common ESBLs. ST131 was the most common clone (7/24, 29.1 %), which was more frequently resistant to cefepime, fosfomycin, and temocillin. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for CA-APN by ESBL producers were Charlson score ≥1 point, antibiotics usage during the previous year, and urinary catheterization during the previous month.

The clinical characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with laryngeal symptoms who are referred to gastroenterology.

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has increased recently in Asia-Pacific countries. However, little is known about its prevalence and clinical characteristics in GERD patients with atypical symptoms in Asia. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of GERD in patients who had laryngeal symptoms in Korea. Data were gathered retrospectively from patients who presented with atypical symptoms, such as throat discomfort, globus pharyngeus, hoarseness, and chronic cough. They underwent a 24-hour ambulatory intraesophageal pH monitoring and filled in a validated reflux questionnaire. Overall, 128 patients (36 men and 92 women) with laryngeal symptoms were included. Of these 128, 43 patients (34%) had erosive esophagitis or pathological reflux from 24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring, and 24 (19%) had a positive Bernstein test or positive symptom index from 24-hour pH monitoring. Sixty-one patients (48%) had no evidence of reflux esophagitis on upper endoscopy and pathological acid reflux on 24-hour pH monitoring. Fifty-six patients (44%) had weekly heartburn or regurgitation. Typical symptoms and dyspepsia were significantly more common in patients with GERD who had laryngeal symptoms than non-GERD. Fifty-two percent of patients had laryngeal symptoms that were associated with GERD. The presence of typical reflux symptoms and dyspepsia are risk factors for GERD in patients who present with laryngeal symptoms.

Molecular evidence of HIV-1 transmission in 20 Korean individuals with haemophilia: phylogenetic analysis of the vif gene.

To assess whether a genetic relationship exists between the viruses infecting HIV-positive patients with haemophilia and those infecting plasma donors, we determined the vif sequences in 169 individuals, including 20 haemophilia patients, 3 plasma donors, and 146 local controls. Twenty haemophilia patients were diagnosed with HIV-1 at 1-2 years after exposure to factor IX (FIX) manufactured in Korea, beginning in 1989-1990. Plasma samples from donors O and P were used to manufacture clotting factors including FIX used to treat the 20 haemophiliacs. The vif gene from frozen stored serum samples obtained 1-3 years after diagnosis was amplified by RT-PCR, and subjected to direct sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that vif sequences from 128 of the samples (including haemophilia patients and donors) belonged to the Korean subclade of HIV-1 subtype B (KSB). Sequences from 41 other participants were identified as subtype B, but outside the Korean subclade. Sequences of the vif gene from donors O and P plus the 20 individuals with haemophilia comprised two subclusters within KSB. In addition, signature pattern analysis disclosed the presence of conserved nucleotides at two positions in donors and haemophiliacs only. Together with information on KSB, dates of plasma donations and seroconversion of haemophilia patients, our results suggest that the haemophiliacs examined here became infected by viruses in the domestic clotting factor used for treatment.

Comparison of bolus transit patterns identified by esophageal impedance to barium esophagram in patients with dysphagia.

Bolus transit through the esophagus has not been validated by videoesophagram in patients with dysphagia and changes in impedance with abnormal barium transit have not been described in those patients. The aim of this study was to compare esophageal impedance findings with barium esophagram measurements in patients with dysphagia. The consecutive patients with dysphagia underwent conventional multichannel esophageal impedance manometry, after which a barium videoesophagram was performed simultaneously with multichannel esophageal impedance manometry using a mean of three swallows of barium. Esophageal emptying patterns shown in the esophagogram were classified by the degree of intraesophageal stasis and presence of intraesophageal reflux. Bolus transit patterns in impedance were classified as complete and incomplete transit. Sixteen patients (M : F = 8 : 8, mean age, 47 years) were enrolled. Their manometric diagnosis were normal (n= 6), ineffective esophageal motility (n= 1), diffuse esophageal spasm (DES; n= 2), and achalasia (n= 7). Sixty-three swallows were analyzed. According to impedance analysis, 21/22 swallows with normal barium emptying showed complete transit (96%) and 31/32 swallows with severe stasis showed incomplete transit (97%). Nine swallows with mild stasis showed either complete or incomplete transit patterns in impedance. Swallows with mild barium stasis and complete transit in impedance were observed in patients who had received treatment (two patients with achalasia with history of esophageal balloonplasty and a patient with DES after nifedipine administration). Impedance reflected severe stasis with retrograde barium movement and described typical bolus transit patterns in patients with achalasia and DES. In conclusion, impedance-barium esophagram concordance is high for swallows with normal esophageal emptying and for severe barium stasis in patients with dysphagia.

Seasonal variability of ocean circulation near the Dotson Ice Shelf, Antarctica.

Recent rapid thinning of West Antarctic ice shelves are believed to be caused by intrusions of warm deep water that induce basal melting and seaward meltwater export. This study uses data from three bottom-mounted mooring arrays to show seasonal variability and local forcing for the currents moving into and out of the Dotson ice shelf cavity. A southward flow of warm, salty water had maximum current velocities along the eastern channel slope, while northward outflows of freshened ice shelf meltwater spread at intermediate depth above the western slope. The inflow correlated with the local ocean surface stress curl. At the western slope, meltwater outflows followed the warm influx along the eastern slope with a ~2-3 month delay. Ocean circulation near Dotson Ice Shelf, affected by sea ice distribution and wind, appears to significantly control the inflow of warm water and subsequent ice shelf melting on seasonal time-scales.

Adaptive architecture and mechanoresponse of epithelial cells on a torus.

Curvature is a geometric feature widely observed in the epithelia and critical to the performance of fundamental biological functions. Understanding curvature-related biophysical phenomena remains challenging partly owing to the difficulty of quantitatively tuning and measuring curvatures of interfacing individual cells. In this study, we prepared confluent wild-type Madin-Darby canine kidney cells on a torus structure presenting positive, zero, and negative Gaussian curvatures with a tubule diameter of 2-7 cells and quantified the mechanobiological characteristics of individual cells. Cells on the torus surface exhibited topological sensing ability both as an individual cell and collective cell organization. Both cell bodies and nuclei, adapted on the torus, exhibited local Gaussian curvature-dependent preferential orientation. The cells on the torus demonstrated significant adjustment in the nuclear area and exhibited asymmetric nuclear position depending on the local Gaussian curvature. Moreover, cells on top of the torus, where local Gaussian curvature is near zero, exhibited more sensitive morphological adaptations than the nuclei depending on the Gaussian curvature gradient. Furthermore, the spatial heterogeneity of intermediate filament proteins related to mechanoresponsive expression of the cell body and nucleus, vimentin, keratin and lamin A, revealed local Gaussian curvature as a key factor of cellular adaptation on curved surfaces.

Change of insulin sensitivity in hepatitis C patients with normal insulin sensitivity: a 5-year prospective follow-up study variation of insulin sensitivity in HCV patients.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Insulin resistance (IR) is known to play a crucial role in the development of DM in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. We prospectively investigated changes of insulin sensitivity in CHC patients during a 5-year period and analysed the factors significantly associated with IR. METHODS: Sixty-two CHC patients with normal insulin sensitivity (CHC group), and a healthy control group of 172 subjects matched by age, gender, body mass index and lifestyles were studied. We compared the initial baseline insulin sensitivity, metabolic parameters and incidence of IR at the end of the follow-up period between the two groups. The changes in insulin sensitivity, metabolic parameters and the development of IR were analysed as well as factors associated with the development of IR. RESULTS: IR developed in 22.5% of 62 CHC patients and 5.2% of 172 normal individuals (P < 0.001). HCV infection per se and the genotype 1 were independent risk factors for the development of IR. The duration of infection > or = 120 months, initial fasting glucose 90-100 mg/dL, fasting insulin > or = 10 microIU/mL and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) 2.3-2.7 were significantly associated with the development of IR in the CHC group. CONCLUSION: HCV infection was an independent risk factor for the development of IR. All CHC patients, even those with normal insulin sensitivity, require careful monitoring for the development of IR.

Impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on microalbuminuria in patients with prediabetes and diabetes.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether microalbuminuria is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This study investigated the association of NAFLD with microalbuminuria among patients with prediabetes and diabetes. METHODS: We evaluated 1361 subjects who had an abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on routine screening. All participants were divided into two groups, prediabetes and newly diagnosed type 2 DM, and the association of NAFLD with metabolic parameters on microalbuminuria was analysed. RESULTS: The patients with NAFLD had higher prevalence rates of microalbuminuria (6.3% vs 19%; P = 0.001 in prediabetes, 4.5% vs 32.6%; P < 0.001 in diabetes) and also had a greater albumin-to-creatinine ratio (14.6 +/- 52.0 microg/mg Cr vs 27.7 +/- 63.9 microg/mg Cr; P = 0.051 in prediabetes, 11.4 +/- 21.4 microg/mg Cr vs 44.7 +/- 76.4 microg/mg Cr; P < 0.001 in diabetes) than those without NAFLD. The logistic regression analysis showed that NAFLD was associated with increased rates of microalbuminuria (odds ratio 3.66; 95%confidence interval (CI) 1.31-10.20, P = 0.013 in prediabetes, odds ratio 5.47;95% CI 1.01-29.61, P = 0.048 in diabetes), independently of age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, liver enzymes, lipid profiles, HbA1c, insulin resistance as estimated by homeostasis model assessment, hypertension,smoking status and the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study revealed a strong relationship between microalbuminuria and NAFLD in the patients with prediabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes. Further studies are required to confirm whether NAFLD is a predictor of the development of microalbuminuria in patients with prediabetes and diabetes.

Double primary malignancy in colorectal cancer patients--MSI is the useful marker for predicting double primary tumors.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The incidence of double primary malignancies (DPM) is known to be higher in colorectal cancer patients than the general population. And, the role of microsatellite instability (MSI) in DPM has been previously studied. We evaluated the clinical features and association between MSI and colorectal cancer patients with DPM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 1994 to May 2004, we reviewed 2,301 colorectal cancer patients with regard to secondary primary malignancies. A subgroup analysis was performed for MSI after January 2003. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five patients (6.3%) had a DPM identified. In DPM group, 57 patients had a synchronous DPM (39.3%), and 88 patients had a metachronous malignancy (60.7%). Male gender (p<0.001) and colon cancer (p<0.001) were the factors related with the development of the DPM. Most of the second malignancies occurred within 3 years after the primary operation. The common second malignancies were stomach (58 patients, 40%) and lung (21 patients, 14.5%). In the subgroup analysis, there was a higher frequency of DPM in the MSI group when compared to the microsatellite stable group (p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: The careful pre- and postoperative evaluation should be paid for detecting DPM as well as for detecting recurrence in colorectal cancer patients. The results of this study suggest that MSI might be a useful marker for the detection of DPM in colorectal cancer patients.

Effects of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide on the metformin pharmacokinetics in rats.

The time-dependent (2-h, 24-h, and 96-h) effects of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (ECLPS) on the intravenous (100 mg kg(-1)) and oral (100 mg kg(-1)) metformin pharmacokinetics were evaluated in rats. After the intravenous administration of metformin to 24-h and 96-h ECLPS rats, the total area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUCs) and time-averaged non-renal clearances (CL(NR)s) of metformin were significantly greater and slower, respectively, than the controls. However, after the oral administration of metformin, the AUCs of metformin were comparable among four groups of rats. The greater (slower) intravenous AUCs (CL(NR)s) of metformin in 24-h and 96-h ECLPS rats were due to the slower hepatic intrinsic clearance (CL(int)) because of a decrease in the protein expression of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C11 and/or CYP3A subfamily than controls. The comparable oral AUCs among four groups of rats were mainly due to the comparable gastrointestinal metabolism (CL(int)).

Pharmacokinetics and first-pass effects of liquiritigenin in rats: low bioavailability is primarily due to extensive gastrointestinal first-pass effect.

Pharmacokinetics of liquiritigenin, a candidate for inflammatory liver disease, and its two glucuronide conjugates, M1 and M2, were evaluated in rats. The hepatic and gastrointestinal first-pass effects of liquiritigenin were also evaluated in rats. After oral administration of liquiritigenin at a dose of 20 mg kg(-1), 1.07% of the dose was not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract up to 24 h, and the F-value was only 6.68%. In vitro metabolism of liquiritigenin in S9 fractions of rat tissues showed that the liver and intestine were major tissues responsible for glucuronidation of liquiritigenin. The hepatic and gastrointestinal first-pass effects of liquiritigenin were approximately 3.67% and 92.5% of the oral dose, respectively. Although the hepatic first-pass effect of liquiritigenin after absorption into the portal vein was 57.1%, the value was only 3.67% of the oral dose due to extensive gastrointestinal first-pass effect in rats. Therefore, the low F-value of liquiritigenin in rats was primarily attributable to an extensive gastrointestinal first-pass effect although liquiritigenin was well absorbed. Compared with rats, the higher F-value of liquiritigenin could be expected in humans.

Outcomes after combined laparoscopic gastrectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in gastric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy on patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: This single center study involved a retrospective review of a database of 400 patients who underwent consecutive laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy for early gastric cancer from June 2003 to July 2007. Outcomes in 26 patients who underwent both laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy were compared with outcomes from 364 patients who underwent laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy without laparoscopic cholecystectomy. RESULTS: There were no postoperative 30-day mortalities in the combined cholecystectomy group. The mean surgery duration, time to first flatus and postoperative hospital stay for the laparoscopic gastric resection without combined operation were 181.7 min, 2.7 days and 9.7 days, respectively, and 196.7 min, 2.6 days and 8.8 days, respectively, for the combined cholecystectomy group. None of the postoperative complications was related to combined cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION: Performing a combined cholecystectomy prolonged the mean surgery duration by approximately 15 min, but had no effect on surgical outcomes. It appears that performing a cholecystectomy at the same time as laparoscopic gastric resection is safe and feasible in patients with both early gastric cancer and gallbladder disease.

Successful transcatheter closure of a large patent ductus venosus with the Amplatzer vascular plug II.

Patent ductus venosus is a rare form of congenital portosystemic shunt from the fetal umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava. The reported surgical treatments include ligation, banding, and liver transplantation. In addition, transcatheter closure with a coil, stent, or original Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP) has been reported. The AVP II, a redesigned version of the original vascular plug with a finer more densely woven nitinol wire and a large diameter (up to 22 mm) is available. This reported case is the first successful occlusion of a large patent ductus venosus with the new AVP II.

Subjective food intake ability in relation to maximal bite force among Korean adults.

This study examined the relationship between the subjective food intake of 30 food types and their objective bite force to identify the key food items within the 30 food types to achieve a greater depth of masticatory function in Korean adults. A sample of 308 (112 males and 196 females) adults over the age of 20 (average age, 48.6) was selected among patients who visited four dental hospitals in Seoul, Korea. The subjective masticatory ability was evaluated through an interview with food intake ability questionnaires consisting of 30 food types ranging from hard to soft using a five-step Likert scale. The objective maximal bite force was measured using pressure-sensitive films. The relationship between the food intake ability and bite force was analysed and stratified according to age, gender, number of post-canine teeth lost and several clinical oral health indicators. The key foods were selected using correlation and factor analysis. The subjective food intake ability between the 30 foods and key foods were tested by cluster and one-way anova analysis. The Pearson's correlation coefficient between food intake ability and bite force was 0.45 (P < 0.01). The five key food items selected were dried cuttlefish, raw carrot, dried peanut, cubed white radish kimchi and caramel. The correlation coefficient between the food intake ability and bite force of these items was 0.51 (P < 0.01). These results suggest that the subjective food intake ability using the 30 and five key foods can be used to evaluate the masticatory function in Korean adults.

Variations of clonal marrow stem cell lines established from human bone marrow in surface epitopes, differentiation potential, gene expression, and cytokine secretion.

Bone marrow has been considered to contain many different types of progenitor or stem cells. This study aims to establish a new strategy that provides for the rapid establishment of human clonal marrow stem cell (hcMSC) lines with a relatively small amount of bone marrow aspirate and to characterize newly generated hcMSC lines for their cell phenotype, differentiation potential, lineage-specific gene expression, and cytokine secretion. Human cMSC lines were generated with human bone marrow aspirates using a new protocol, called the subfractionation culturing method. The newly established hcMSC lines were analyzed for their cell surface epitopes by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), differentiation potential by in vitro differentiation assays, lineage-specific gene expression by RT-PCR, and cytokine secretion by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). The overall profile of the cell-surface epitopes of the newly established hcMSC lines was similar to those of the known MSCs. These hcMSC lines were capable of differentiating into multilineages with some differences in differentiation capability. In addition, these hcMSC lines secrete high levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), TGF-alpha, and interleukein-10 (IL-10), again with some variation in each cell line. The newly designed protocol may be an efficient method to establish hcMSC lines rapidly with a relatively small amount of bone marrow sample, and these newly established hcMSC lines possess stem cell characteristics and exhibit some differences in cell-surface epitopes, differentiation potential, lineage-specific gene expression, and cytokine secretion.