Optimization Method to Predict Optimal Noise Reduction Parameters for the Non-Local Means Algorithm Based on the Scintillator Thickness in Radiography.

The resulting image obtained from an X-ray imaging system depends significantly on the characteristics of the detector. In particular, when an X-ray image is acquired by thinning the detector, a relatively large amount of noise inevitably occurs. In addition, when a thick detector is used to reduce noise in X-ray images, blurring increases and the ability to distinguish target areas deteriorates.

Enhanced Mott cell formation linked with IgM Fc receptor (FcμR) deficiency.

In previous studies, Mott cells, an unusual form of plasma cells containing Ig-inclusion bodies, were frequently observed in peripheral lymphoid tissues in our IgM Fc receptor (FcμR)-deficient (KO) mouse strain. Because of discrepancies in the reported phenotypes of different Fcmr KO mouse strains, we here examined two additional available mutant strains and confirmed that such enhanced Mott-cell formation was a general phenomenon associated with FcμR deficiency. Splenic B cells from Fcmr KO mice clearly generated more Mott cells than those from WT mice when stimulated in vitro with LPS alone or a B-1, but not B-2, activation cocktail.

Effects of Integrative Cognitive Function Improvement Program on Cognitive Function, Oral Health, and Mental Health in Older People: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

We aimed to investigate the effects of an integrative cognitive function improvement program that combined existing cognitive, emotional, and physical therapies on cognitive function, oral health, and mental health in elder participants. Participants were classified into one of the following groups: cognitively normal (CN; = 18), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; = 17), and control ( = 17). An integrative cognitive function improvement program was administered to the CN and MCI groups for six weeks.

The complete chloroplast genome of cv. Bokjo (Rhamnaceae).

We have sequenced the cv. Bokjo chloroplast genome by assembly using next-generation sequencing. The complete circular chloroplast genome consisted of 161,714 bp and contained four parts: a large single-copy (LSC) region of 89,323 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 19,361 bp, and two inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb) of 26,515 bp each.

B cell-mediated regulatory mechanisms control tumor-promoting intestinal inflammation.

Mechanisms underlying tumor-promoting inflammatory processes in colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) remain largely elusive. Here, we provide genetic evidence for distinct B cell-mediated immunoregulatory mechanisms that protect from chronic colitis versus CAC. We demonstrate an inherent capacity of interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing B cells to differentiate into immunoglobulin A (IgA) plasma cells (PCs) upon Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation.

Effectiveness of an oral health education programme using a mobile application for older adults: A randomised clinical trial.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of an oral health education programme using a mobile app for adults aged 65 years or older.

Methods: Participants aged 65 or older were randomly allocated into non-app use (n = 25), app use (n = 22) and control (n = 26) groups. The non-app use group received lecture-based oral health education using PowerPoint presentations and participated in workbook activities twice a week for five weeks, whereas the app use group underwent oral health education using a smartphone app and workbook activities for five weeks.

Associations between Mental Health and Oral Health among Korean Adolescents: Analysis of the National Surveys (2008-2017).

We aimed to analyze the trends and associations between the oral and mental health of Korean adolescents using the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Surveys. In total, 713,713 adolescents who participated in the surveys were included. To examine trends in oral and mental health, Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between the weighted percentages and years, and the regression line slope was assessed to estimate annual changes.

Changes in Antibiotic Prescription After Tooth Extraction: A Population-Based Study from 2002 to 2018.

Objective: Microbial resistance due to antibiotic misuse is a worldwide problem. This study aimed to examine the trends in antibiotic prescription after tooth extraction in Korea.

Methods: From the database of National Health Insurance Sharing Service, patients who underwent tooth extraction from 2002 to 2018 were selected as subjects, and 10% of them were selected via stratified sampling based on sex and age.

Periodontitis as a Risk Factor for Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Matched-Cohort Study.

Objective: The intent was to analyse the association of periodontitis with the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a representative population-based cohort and longitudinal matched-cohort design.

Methods: Participants were 40 years of age or older and had not been diagnosed with RA between 2002 and 2006. Among the participants, those who were newly diagnosed with periodontitis between 2004 and 2006 (excluding cases that had already been diagnosed with periodontitis between 2002 and 2003) were allotted to the periodontitis group.

Effects of Professional Oral Health Care Programs for Elderly Residents of Nursing Facilities.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a professional oral health care program on the oral health status and salivary flow of elderly people living in nursing homes. Elderly residents aged ≥ 65 years, living in a nursing home, were randomly assigned to either a one-week interval, two-week interval, or control group, and received an oral health intervention accordingly over a period of 12 weeks. Plaque index, tongue coating, gingival index, and salivary flow rate were compared before and after the oral health intervention within and between the groups.

Infection control of operating room and anesthesia for cesarean section during the COVID-19 outbreak in Daegu, the Republic of Korea -a case series.

Background: The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan, China, with Korea being subsequently exposed. In Korea, COVID-19 screening guidelines have been established in every hospital as an attempt to prevent its spread. There has been a previous report of a successful cesarean section of a confirmed mother; however, there remain no guidelines for suspected mothers.

Effects of lingual exercises on oral muscle strength and salivary flow rate in elderly adults: a randomized clinical trial.

Aim: The present study investigated the effects of two types of lingual exercise (tongue-hold swallowing and tongue-pressure resistance training) on oral muscle strength, salivary flow rate and subjective oral health of the elderly.

Methods: We randomly assigned 74 elderly adults (≥65 years) to three groups (tongue-hold swallowing, tongue-pressure resistance training and control groups). Each group participated in 8 weeks of their appropriately prescribed intervention.

Effectiveness of an oral health education programme for older adults using a workbook.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of an oral health education programme utilising a workbook for people aged 65 years or older.

Materials And Methods: A pre-post quasi-experimental design was used to verify the effectiveness of an oral health education programme using a workbook. Oral health education was provided once a week for 5 weeks from May to June 2019.

Rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis in adults: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort.

Background: Using the database of the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC), we aimed to assess the relationship between the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis.

Methods: Participants aged ≥19 years with a previous health check-up at the NHIS between 2009 and 2015 were selected. In total, 559,280 participants were included after implementing appropriate exclusion criteria.

Association between oral health status and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Korean adults.

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the association between oral health status and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Korean adults (≥ 40 years old) using a representative national dataset from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (6th KNHANES, 2013-2015).

Methods: Participants aged ≥ 40 years from the 6th KNHANES who had received an oral and pulmonary function tests (N = 7719) were included in this study. The participant characteristics according to COPD were compared using t-test and chi-squared test.

Association of oral health and activities of daily living with cognitive impairment.

Objectives: This study compared the oral health status between elderly individuals with and without cognitive impairment and explored the association of oral health and activities of daily living (ADL) with cognitive impairment.

Methods: We conducted convenience sampling on patients aged more than 65 years and analysed data from 630 participants. Data were collected and analysed via a survey evaluating general characteristics, oral health behaviour, subjective oral health status, Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and ADL.

The impact of infection control cost reimbursement policy on central line-associated bloodstream infections.

Background: In September 2016, the Korean National Health Insurance Service began reimbursing infection control (IC) costs on the condition that a certain number of doctors and full-time nurses for IC be allocated to supported hospitals. We analyzed the impact of the IC cost reimbursement policy on central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs).

Methods: A before-and-after study that analyzed the CLABSI rate trends between preintervention (January 2016 to February 2017) and intervention (March to December 2017) periods using autoregression time series analysis was performed in intensive care units (ICUs) at a 750-bed, secondary care hospital in Daegu, Republic of Korea.

Association between oral health and dementia in the elderly: a population-based study in Korea.

We have investigated the association of oral health with development of dementia in elderly Koreans. Data for subjects aged ≥65 years who underwent regular National Health Insurance Service check-ups and received dental care in 2017 were analysed. Those treated for dementia in 2017 served as the dementia group and those with no record of dementia in 2002-2017 as the control group.

Enhanced osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells on Ti surfaces with electrochemical nanopattern formation.

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are mainly used for dental and orthopedic applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties. However, their intrinsic bioinertness often quotes as a common complaint for biomedical applications. Herein, we produced nanopattern Ti surfaces with 10 nm nanopores in 120 nm dimples by electrochemical nanopattern formation (ENF), and evaluated the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on the nanopattern Ti surfaces.

Relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease in Korean adults: Data from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013 to 2015.

Background: This study aims to investigate the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease using data from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2013 to 2015).

Methods: Of 22,948 KNHANES participants, 14,264 who were aged ≥19 years and responded to questions pertaining to periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis were analyzed. Periodontal status was measured using the Community Periodontal Index.

Surface receptor Toso controls B cell-mediated regulation of T cell immunity.

The immune system is tightly controlled by regulatory processes that allow for the elimination of invading pathogens, while limiting immunopathological damage to the host. In the present study, we found that conditional deletion of the cell surface receptor Toso on B cells unexpectedly resulted in impaired proinflammatory T cell responses, which led to impaired immune protection in an acute viral infection model and was associated with reduced immunopathological tissue damage in a chronic inflammatory context. Toso exhibited its B cell-inherent immunoregulatory function by negatively controlling the pool of IL-10-competent B1 and B2 B cells, which were characterized by a high degree of self-reactivity and were shown to mediate immunosuppressive activity on inflammatory T cell responses in vivo.

Lysosomal trafficking regulator Lyst links membrane trafficking to toll-like receptor-mediated inflammatory responses.

Subcellular compartmentalization of receptor signaling is an emerging principle in innate immunity. However, the functional integration of receptor signaling pathways into membrane trafficking routes and its physiological relevance for immune responses is still largely unclear. In this study, using Lyst-mutant beige mice, we show that lysosomal trafficking regulator Lyst links endolysosomal organization to the selective control of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)- and TLR4-mediated proinflammatory responses.