Stability Comparison of Implants with Alumina Sandblasting and Acid Etching Surface Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare and evaluate the 1-year stability of two Korean implant brands, Osstem and Toplan, both treated with alumina- sandblasting and acid- etching (SA) surface modification. This retrospective analysis evaluated patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I or II, >20 years, with alveolar bone volume suitable for implant placement, who received immediate or delayed placement after extraction, and with Osstem ( = 57) or Toplan ( = 87) implants. The insertion torque value (ITV) measured on the day of implant placement and the implant stability quotient (ISQ) measured on the day of implant placement, 1 month post-surgery, and 2-3 months after implantation were analyzed.

Associations of Smoking Behaviors and Body Mass Index Among American Participants of a Clinical Tobacco Cessation Program: A Pilot Study.

Background: Tobacco usage and obesity remain critical public health issues in the United States. This study examined the relationship between smoking behaviors, specifically-cigarettes per day (CPD) and motivations to smoke-and body mass index (BMI). We hypothesized that motivations related to food or stress, as well as a higher CPD, will be positively associated with BMI.

Response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic of dental hygienists in South Korea-Part III: COVID-19 vaccination intentions.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study was to determine the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination intention of clinical dental hygienists in South Korea and the factors that influence vaccination intention.

Methods: COVID-19 vaccination intention of the 500 participants was confirmed through a survey including the following options: 'I will vaccinate (VAC)', 'I will not vaccinate (NoVAC)' and 'I do not know if I should get vaccinated (UNK)'. A Chi-square test was performed to determine whether there were differences in COVID-19 vaccination intention according to the general characteristics of the participants, degree of infection control knowledge (Score-K) and practice (Score-P) in response to COVID-19, fears over COVID-19 (Fear-C) and the level of anxiety before (GAD ) and after (GAD ) the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on oral health of Korean adolescents.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on Korean adolescents' oral health and identify the influential factors.

Methods: The raw data from The Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey before (2019) and after (2020) the outbreak of COVID-19 were used in the study. Demographic characteristics and subjective general, mental, and oral health were analysed and compared between the 2 years.

Response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic of dental hygienists in South Korea-Part II: Fear and anxiety.

Objectives: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the mental fear and anxiety about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among Korean clinical dental hygienists and to investigate factors influencing the anxiety felt after the outbreak of COVID-19.

Methods: A questionnaire on mental fear (Fear-C) and anxiety for COVID-19 was conducted among 500 clinical dental hygienists in South Korea. Fear-C was identified with eight questions.

Factors affecting the infection control behaviours of Korean dental hygienists in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the prevention of cross-infection with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) among Korean dental hygienists.

Methods: The level of knowledge about COVID-19 (KNW ), level of awareness of infection control (AWR ), degree of performance for infection control (PRF ), and organizational factors for infection control (OFW ) of clinical dental hygienists in Korea to prevent COVID-19 transmission were investigated. A self-written online questionnaire was administered to dental hygienists currently working in dental clinics or hospitals, and the survey results of 263 participants were analysed.

Prevalence of Mental Health and Social Connection among Patients Seeking Tobacco Dependence Management: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: with regards to tobacco dependence management, there are certain barriers to successful smoking cessation for patients, such as untreated anxiety and depression. Complicating the impact of mental health morbidities on tobacco dependence may be the significant portion of patients whose mental health issues and limited social connections are undiagnosed and unaddressed. We hypothesize that patients with no prior mental health diagnoses who are treated for tobacco dependence have high rates of undiagnosed mental health morbidities.

A novel mechanism of Korean Red Ginseng-mediated anti-inflammatory action via targeting caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome in macrophages.

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) was reported to play an anti-inflammatory role, however, previous studies largely focused on the effects of KRG on priming step, the inflammation-preparing step, and the anti-inflammatory effect of KRG on triggering, the inflammation-activating step has been poorly understood. This study demonstrated anti-inflammatory role of KRG in caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome activation in macrophages during triggering of inflammatory responses.

Methods: Caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-activated J774A.

Key Factors Affecting the Stability of CsPbI Perovskite Quantum Dot Solar Cells: A Comprehensive Review.

The power conversion efficiency of CsPbI perovskite quantum dot (PQD) solar cells shows increase from 10.77% to 16.2% in a short period owing to advances in material and device design for solar cells.

Defect Passivation through (α-Methylguanido)acetic Acid in Perovskite Solar Cell for High Operational Stability.

Defect passivation has become essential in improving efficiency and stability in perovskite solar cells. Here, we report the use of (α-methylguanido)acetic acid, also known as creatine, as a passivation molecule. It is employed both as an additive and as a surface passivation layer of perovskite thin films, given its multiple functional groups, which could address different defect sites, and its size, which could inherently affect the material structure.

Synergy Effect of a π-Conjugated Ionic Compound: Dual Interfacial Energy Level Regulation and Passivation to Promote V and Stability of Planar Perovskite Solar Cells.

Defects and energy offsets at the bulk and heterojunction interfaces of perovskite are detrimental to the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, we designed an amphiphilic π-conjugated ionic compound (QAPyBF ), implementing simultaneous defects passivation and interface energy level alignments. The p-type conjugated cations passivated the surface trap states and optimized energy alignment at the perovskite/hole transport layer.

Response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic of dental hygienists in South Korea-Part Ⅰ: Knowledge and practice of infection control.

Objectives: To evaluate infection control knowledge and its practice of clinical dental hygienists in response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea.

Methods: Nine questions (Q9-K) on the degree of knowledge acquisition of dental hygienists in response to COVID-19, and another 9 questions (Q9-P) on the practices for COVID-19 infection and spread prevention were prepared. From 500 clinical dental hygienists in South Korea, answers about their general characteristics, Q9-K, and Q9-P were collected.

Associations between accessibility to health care service, social support, and Korean Americans' mental health status amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: While previous studies have examined the relationships between social support and health care accessibility among ethnic minority populations, studies on Korean Americans remain scarce. Therefore, this study aims to assess the relationship between Korean Americans' mental health, accessibility to health care, and how they perceive the level of social support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method/result: We distributed online surveys to Korean Americans from May 24, 2020, to June 14, 2020, generating 790 responses from participants residing in 42 states.

Roles and Impacts of Ancillary Materials for Multi-Component Blend Organic Photovoltaics towards High Efficiency and Stability.

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are a promising next-generation photovoltaic technology with great potential for wearable and transparent device applications. Over the past decades, remarkable advances in device efficiency close to 20 % have been made for bulk heterojunction (BHJ)-based OPV devices with long-term stability, and room for further improvements still exists. In recent years, ancillary components have been demonstrated as effective in improving the photovoltaic performance of OPVs by controlling the optoelectronic and morphological properties of BHJ blends.

The Effect of Meal Replacement on Weight Loss According to Calorie-Restriction Type and Proportion of Energy Intake: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Portion control is a useful component of weight reduction interventions and meal replacement (MR) plans represent a promising strategy for portion control. Research performed with pooled data on the effect of MR plans according to various characteristics of MR interventions remains scarce.

Objective: Our aim was to assess the effects of MR-based diets compared with food-based diets on weight loss, according to calorie-restriction types and energy intake proportions from MR.

Optical detection of the potential for tooth discoloration from children's beverages by quantitative light-induced fluorescence technology.

Background: Some beverages are known to cause extrinsic staining on the tooth. This study investigated the degree of pigmentation caused by children's acidic beverages, and to confirm the possibility of the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology in assessing staining of the tooth.

Methods: Bovine tooth specimens were subjected to an 8-day pH-cycling model, using six children's beverages (experimental groups) and a cola (control group), and a remineralizing solution.

Effect of Using an 8-Figure Shoulder Brace on Posture and Muscle Activities during the Performance of Dental Hygiene Procedures.

The incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dental workers has been increasing. Many ergonomic devices and accessories have been introduced. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-figure shoulder brace on posture-related muscle activities in dental hygiene practitioners during scaling procedures.

Effects of Toxic Metal Contamination in the Tri-State Mining District on the Ecological Community and Human Health: A Systematic Review.

Although extensive research exists on toxic environments in the Tri-State Mining District (TSMD), there has been a lack of research on how harmful effects in TSMD could affect residents living in those areas. However, quite recently, such research regarding relationships between the health conditions of residents and toxic elements in the TSMD began to grow. The increase of empirical studies means greater complexity of the findings that require a more intricate understanding.

Understanding School-Aged Childhood Obesity of Body Mass Index: Application of the Social-Ecological Framework.

In order to understand the prevalence of school-aged childhood obesity in the United States and suggest better methods to prevent and treat the public health problem, we examined it with significant and identifiable factors within the social-ecological model. To investigate the association between social-ecological factors and child obesity/overweight (BMI), we used the 5th wave of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. The dataset included information on 9-year-old children.

Validity and Reliability of an Inertial Measurement Unit-based 3-Dimensional Angular Measurement of Cervical Range of Motion.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of an inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based 3-dimensional (3D) angular measurement system for evaluating cervical range of motion.

Methods: Thirty-three healthy participants (21.9 ± 2.

Factors Affecting Smoking Cessation Success of Heavy Smokers Registered in the Intensive Care Smoking Cessation Camp (Data from the National Tobacco Control Center).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors involved in the success of smoking cessation in heavy smokers enrolled in an intensive care smoking cessation camp program.

Methods: Heavy smokers enrolled in the program were classified into a success ( = 69) or failure ( = 29) group, according to whether they maintained smoking cessation for 6 months after the end of the program. Demographics, smoking behaviors, and smoking cessation-related characteristics were analyzed.

Evaluation of resin infiltration using quantitative light-induced fluorescence technology.

Objectives: To determine whether quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology can be used to classify the colour of teeth specimens before and after resin infiltration (RI) treatment, and calculate the correlation between the ΔF value and colour difference (ΔE) in fluorescence images of the specimens obtained using a QLF-digital (QLF-D) device.

Methods: Sixty sound bovine permanent teeth specimens were immersed in demineralized solution. Two exposed windows were formed in each specimen, and RI treatment was applied to one of them.

Modification of surface pretreatment of white spot lesions to improve the safety and efficacy of resin infiltration.

Objective: A low-viscosity resin (infiltrant) was used to inhibit the progression of white spot lesions (WSLs) and resolve associated esthetic issues. An alternative pretreatment was explored to increase the pore volume of the surface layer of the WSLs. Also, the penetration effects of the infiltrant were evaluated for various pretreatments.