Association of periodontal disease treatment with mortality in patients with dementia: a population-based retrospective cohort study (2002-2018).

Dementia is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In this study, we analyzed the association of periodontal treatment with the risk of death in patients with dementia. The analyzed data were obtained by linking the National Health Insurance Corporation claims data between 2002 and 2018 to the Statistics Korea death registry.

Implication of TIPE2 Expression on the Malignant Transformation of Oral Leukoplakia.

Background/aim: Identification of biomarkers involved in the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia (OL) is required for the early diagnosis and management of patients with OL. This study aimed to evaluate the functions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 8-like 2 (TIPE2) expression in the malignant transformation of OL.

Materials And Methods: The expression levels of TIPE2 and dormant cell markers phospho-ERK and phospho-p38 in a cohort containing 103 surgical specimens from patients with OL were evaluated using immunohistochemistry.

Antifungal Action of TCP21 via Induction of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

The realm of antimicrobial proteins in plants is extensive but remains relatively uncharted. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the action of plant antifungal proteins (AFPs) holds promise for antifungal strategies. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by comprehensively screening species to identify novel AFPs.

Effectiveness of mid thoracic spine mobilization on postural balance and gait ability in subacute stroke patients: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Although mulligan sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAG) and maitland mobilization (MM) are common interventions for musculoskeletal disease, no study has directly compared the effectiveness of mid-thoracic spine mobilization in subacute stroke patients.

Objective: To investigate the effects of mid-thoracic spine mobilization (SNAG vs. MM) on postural balance and gait ability in subacute stroke patients.

A Simple and Rapid Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) Screening Test Using a Mannose-Binding Lectin (MBL)-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticle Probe.

Rapid diagnosis of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is essential for guiding clinical treatment and preventing the spread of MRSA infections. Herein, we present a simple and rapid MRSA screening test based on the aggregation effect of mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNP), called the MRSA probe. Recombinant MBL protein is a member of the lectin family and part of the innate immune system.

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Testosterone, Prostate, and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Prospective, Comparative Study.

Purpose: Several studies have associated the serum vitamin D level with total testosterone levels and the prostate volume. Herein, we investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone, prostate, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men.

Materials And Methods: Men over 40 years of age diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D <20 ng/mL) who received vitamin D supplementation for one year were included in the study and administered 25,000 IU of cholecalciferol every 2 weeks.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Derived ANGPTL3 Induces Cancer Associated Fibroblastic Phenotypes in Surrounding Fibroblasts.

Objective: Angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs) have emerged as both important regulator of lipid and glucose metabolism as well as insulin sensitivity. In particular, ANGPTL3 activity is one of the most important factors in cancer growth and invasion. Although ANGPTL3 have been studied in OSCC, but the role of ANGPTL3 between OSCC and CAFs has yet to be clearly defined.

Antifungal and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of PS1-2 Peptide against Fluconazole-Resistant .

Clinically, fungal pneumonia rarely occurs in adults, and invasive fungal infections can cause substantial morbidity, and mortality due to sepsis and septic shock. In the present study, we have designed peptides that exhibit potent antifungal activities against fluconazole-resistant in physiological monovalent, and divalent ionic buffers, with minimal fungicidal concentrations ranging from 16 to 32 µM. None of these tested peptides resulted in the development of drug resistance similar to fluconazole.

Different Involvement of ASIC and TRPA1 in Facial and Hindpaw Allodynia in Nitroglycerin-Induced Peripheral Hypersensitivities in Mice.

The pathophysiological mechanism underlying migraine-associated peripheral hypersensitivity remains unclear. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) are known to be causative pathogenic factors of mechanical and cold allodynia, respectively. Here, we sought to investigate their involvement in cold and mechanical allodynia of the face and hindpaws, respectively, in a mouse model of repetitive nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine.

DK-MGAR101, an extract of adventitious roots of mountain ginseng, improves blood circulation by inhibiting endothelial cell injury, platelet aggregation, and thrombus formation.

Background: Since ginsenosides exert an anti-thrombotic activity, blood flow-improving effects of DK-MGAR101, an extract of mountain ginseng adventitious roots (MGAR) containing various ginsenosides, were investigated in comparison with an extract of Korean Red Ginseng (ERG).

Methods: In Sprague-Dawley rats orally administered with DK-MGAR101 or ERG, oxidative carotid arterial thrombosis was induced with FeCl (35%), and their blood flow and occlusion time were measured. To elucidate underlying mechanisms, the cytoprotective activities on rat aortic endothelial cells (RAOECs) exposed to hydrogen peroxide (HO) were confirmed.

Candidacidal and Antibiofilm Activity of PS1-3 Peptide against Drug-Resistant on Contact Lenses.

The recent emergence of antibiotic-resistant fungi has accelerated research on novel antifungal agents. In particular, infections are related to biofilm formation on medical devices, such as catheters, stents, and contact lenses, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the antifungal and antibiofilm effects of a peptide against drug-resistant .

Effects of auricular acupressure on sleep and pain in elderly people who have osteoarthritis and live in nursing homes: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of auricular acupressure (AA) on sleep and pain among elderly people with osteoarthritis who live in nursing homes.

Method: It was a randomized, single-blinded, and placebo-controlled comparative pretest-posttest study that applied AA for eight weeks. The study was conducted among 52 elderly people, comprising an experimental group (n=26), and a control group (n=26).

leaf extracts promote hair growth via activation of Wnt signaling pathway in human dermal papilla cells.

The crosstalk between androgens and Wnt signaling pathways is critical in the hair growth cycle. Therefore, natural products that target these two pathways for the inhibition of hair loss are sought after. In this study, we investigated the effect of water extracts of leaves (WEML) on hair growth.

Effects of a Topically Applied Oral Wound Dressing Film on Intra-oral Wound Healing in Rabbits.

Background/aim: Oral lesions are a common clinical symptom that can impair the quality of life of patients. Several treatments have been developed; however, therapies for wounds on the oral mucosa are symptomatic and unsatisfactory. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an oral wound dressing (OWD) film in healing excision and chemical burns using a rabbit oral wound model and to demonstrate the effect of physical barriers during wound healing.

In vitro study on the effects of photodynamic inactivation using methyl pheophorbide a, PhotoMed, PhotoCure, and 660 nm diode laser on Candida albicans.

Background: Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most common fungal pathogen that causes clinical infections in humans. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of photodynamic inactivation (PDI) using a 660 nm diode laser along with methyl pheophorbide a, PhotoMed, and PhotoCure as photosensitizer for analyzing the viability of in vitro inactivation of C.

Effectiveness of mobile applications for patients with severe mental illness: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile applications used by patients diagnosed with mental disorders.

Methods: An electronic literature search in five databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsychInfo was conducted. The keywords used were "mental disorder," "mental illness," "mobile phone," "smartphone," "mHealth," "application," and "app".

Reliability of Measuring Leg Segments and Joint Angles Using Smartphones during Aquatic Exercise.

Objective: Aquatic therapy is a significant intervention method for both patients and healthy individuals. However, in clinical practice, quantitative measurements are rarely applied in aquatic therapy due to the disadvantages of submerging expensive instruments in water. In this study, we used readily available smartphones and armbands to measure leg segments and joint angles during aquatic gait and evaluated the reliability of these measurements.

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.

Effects of weather and moon phases on emergency medical use after fall injury: A population-based nationwide study.

Background: Previous studies reported that changes in weather and phases of moon are associated with medical emergencies and injuries. However, such studies were limited to hospital or community level without explaining the combined effects of weather and moon phases. We investigated whether changes in weather and moon phases affected emergency department (ED) visits due to fall injuries (FIs) based on nationwide emergency patient registry data.

Factors Influencing Nursing Students' Immersive Virtual Reality Media Technology-Based Learning.

Background/objectives: This study aims to identify the effects of cognitive and emotional variables related to immersive virtual reality media technology on learning for nursing students. Methods/Statistical analysis: The subjects of this study were 121 nursing students from a university in area D. After experiential learning with virtual reality from 6-8 June 2019, data was collected through questionnaires.

Artificial neural network approach for acute poisoning mortality prediction in emergency departments.

Objective: The number of deaths due to acute poisoning (AP) is on the increase. It is crucial to predict AP patient mortality to identify those requiring intensive care for providing appropriate patient care as well as preserving medical resources. The aim of this study is to predict the risk of in-hospital mortality associated with AP using an artificial neural network (ANN) model.

Dynamic balance measurements: Reliability of smartphone attachment sites.

Introduction: Dynamic balance devices are costly and uncommon, requiring dedicated space for use. Thus, studies often utilize smartphones to measure dynamic balance by attaching them to body parts, as they are inexpensive, small, and readily available. However, little consideration has been given to determine which body part would yield the most reliable measurements.