Mental health and psychological resilience amid the spread of the Omicron variant: a comparison between China and Korea.

Objectives: Besides physical health risks, large public health events also exert negative impacts on people's mental health. We aimed to explore the prevalence and correlates of mental distress and its association with psychological resilience among countries amid the Omicron wave.

Methods: We conducted cross-sectional surveys simultaneously in China and South Korea from March 15 to 30, 2023.

Update on the treatment navigation for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: expert consensus 2.0.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements.

and canine periodontal disease: Current understanding and future directions.

has emerged as a notable pathogen in canine periodontal disease, akin to in human periodontitis. This review examines the initial isolation, phylogenetic analysis, habitat, host range, relationships with host health status and age, and key pathogenic determinants, including fimbriae, proteases, citrullinating enzyme, and lipopolysaccharide. Control strategies discussed include polyphosphate to disrupt haeme/iron utilization, clindamycin with interferon alpha to reduce bacterial load and enhance the immune response, and a protease inhibitor.

Palovarotene in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: review and perspective.

Introduction: Palovarotene is a retinoic acid receptor gamma agonist that was studied in phase-2 and phase-3 clinical trials for the inhibition of new heterotopic ossification (HO) in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). Despite numerous setbacks and regulatory delays, palovarotene is now the first approved FOP treatment in the U.S.

A study on the compressive strength of three-dimensional direct printing aligner material for specific designing of clear aligners.

Background: The demand for orthodontic treatment using clear aligners has been gradually increasing because of their superior esthetics compared with conventional fixed orthodontic therapy. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the compressive strength of three-dimensional direct printing aligners (3DPA) with that of conventional thermo-forming aligners (TFA) to determine their clinical applicability. In the experimental group, the 3DPA material TC-85 (TC-85 full) was used to create angular protrusions called rectangular pressure areas (RPA).

Matrix-Rigidity Cooperates With Biochemical Cues in M2 Macrophage Activation Through Increased Nuclear Deformation and Chromatin Accessibility.

Macrophages encounter a myriad of biochemical and mechanical stimuli across various tissues and pathological contexts. Notably, matrix rigidity has emerged as a pivotal regulator of macrophage activation through mechanotransduction. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the interplay between mechanical and biochemical cues within the nuclear milieu remain elusive.

Reducing Healing Period with DDM/rhBMP-2 Grafting for Early Loading in Dental Implant Surgery.

Background: Traditionally, dental implants require a healing period of 4 to 9 months for osseointegration, with longer recovery times considered when bone grafting is needed. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) during dental implant placement to expedite the osseointegration period for early loading.

Methods: Thirty patients (17 male, 13 female; mean age 55.

New onset refractory status epilepticus: Long-term outcomes beyond seizures.

We propose and prioritize important outcome domains that should be considered for future research investigating long-term outcomes (LTO) after new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). The study was led by the international NORSE Institute LTO Working Group. First, literature describing the LTO of NORSE survivors was identified using a PubMed search and summarized to identify knowledge gaps.

Conversion Therapy for Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Report From the Expert Consensus Meeting at KINGCA WEEK 2024.

Conversion therapy is a treatment strategy that shifts from palliative systemic therapy to curative surgical treatment for primary and/or metastatic stage IV gastric cancer (GC). To address its clinical statements, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association aims to present a consensus on conversion therapy among experts attending KINGCA WEEK 2024. The KINGCA Scientific Committee and Development Working Group for Korean Practice Guidelines prepared preformulated topics and 9 clinical statements for conversion therapy.

Recommendations for mitochondria transfer and transplantation nomenclature and characterization.

Intercellular mitochondria transfer is an evolutionarily conserved process in which one cell delivers some of their mitochondria to another cell in the absence of cell division. This process has diverse functions depending on the cell types involved and physiological or disease context. Although mitochondria transfer was first shown to provide metabolic support to acceptor cells, recent studies have revealed diverse functions of mitochondria transfer, including, but not limited to, the maintenance of mitochondria quality of the donor cell and the regulation of tissue homeostasis and remodelling.

Tapered Submerged Implants in an Augmented Posterior Maxilla After Oroantral Fistula Closure.

Dental implantation in the posterior maxilla is challenging due to anatomic proximity to the sinuses, relative bone quality, and pre-existing sinus diseases. An oroantral fistula (OAF) acts as a pathologic pathway of bacteria and can cause sinus infections and complicate dental implant management. Bony augmentation between the sinus floor mucosa and the oral mucosa at the OAF closure site is another critical consideration.

Internally Submerged, Tapered, Bone-level Dental Implants in the Anterior Esthetic Region.

Background: Aesthetics is a crucial consideration in the anterior region, alongside dental implant survival and marginal bone loss (MBL). Bone-level implants are advantageous in the esthetic zone as they create a natural emergence profile with the use of customized abutments. This study aimed to assess the esthetic outcomes of internally submerged, tapered, bone-level dental implants and to evaluate associated alveolar bone changes.

Role of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibition in the antiobesity effect of J2H-1702 on adipocytes and a high-fat diet-induced NASH model.

Obesity due to excessive body fat accumulation remains a global problem. Patients with obesity have high cortisol levels, and its dysregulation is caused by increased 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) levels. The effects and mechanism of J2H-1702, an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were explored.

Parameter-Tuned Pulsed Wave Photobiomodulation Enhances Stem Cells From Apical Papilla Differentiation: Evidence From Gene and Protein Analyses.

This study examines the effects of pulsed wave photobiomodulation (pwPBM) on the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP). Using 810 nm near-infrared (NIR) light with 300 Hz pulses and a 30% duty cycle, pwPBM was applied at a total energy density of 750 mJ/cm. Osteogenesis was evaluated through both in vitro and in vivo analyses.

Artificial intelligence-enhanced diagnosis of degenerative joint disease using temporomandibular joint panoramic radiography and joint noise data.

This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model for the screening of degenerative joint disease (DJD) using temporomandibular joint (TMJ) panoramic radiography and joint noise data. A total of 2631 TMJ panoramic images were collected, resulting in a final dataset of 3908 images (2127 normal (N) and 1781 DJD (D)) after excluding indeterminate cases and errors. AI models using GoogleNet were evaluated with six different combinations of image data, clinician-detected crepitus, and patient-reported joint noise.

Long-term follow-up of posterior implant restorations showing under-occlusion: a superimposition analysis of dentition change.

Under-occlusion ('infraocclusion' as defined in the natural teeth) after implant restoration in the posterior area is commonly encountered in clinical practice; however, it has rarely been reported. Most importantly, the under-occlusion change mechanism remains unknown. The purpose of this case report was to analyze how the dentition of both arches changed in a patient, including teeth tilting, elongation and occlusal plane change with under-occlusion of the posterior implant restoration after long-term function.

Comparison of mechanical properties and shaping performance of ProGlider and ProTaper ultimate slider.

Background: This study aims to compare design, phase transformation behavior, and torsional resistance of the ProGlider (PG) and ProTaper ultimate slider (PUS) and to compare the performance of two files in the glide-path preparation of a double-curved artificial canal.

Methods: Scanning electron microscopy, micro-computed tomography, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to characterize the samples. A torsional resistance test was performed to obtain ultimate strength and distortion angle.

Influence of heat-assisted vat photopolymerization on the physical and mechanical characteristics of dental 3D printing resins.

The effects of heat-assisted vat photopolymerization (HVPP) on the physical and mechanical properties of 3D-printed dental resins, including the morphometric stability of 3D-printed crowns, were investigated. A resin tank was designed to maintain the resin at 30, 40, and 50 ℃ during the 3D printing process. Test specimens were fabricated using a commercial dental resin, with untreated resin serving as the control group.

Automatic Reproduction of Natural Head Position in Orthognathic Surgery Using a Geometric Deep Learning Network.

: Accurate determination of the natural head position (NHP) is essential in orthognathic surgery for optimal surgical planning and improved patient outcomes. However, traditional methods encounter reproducibility issues and rely on external devices or patient cooperation, potentially leading to inaccuracies in the surgical plan. : To address these limitations, we developed a geometric deep learning network (NHP-Net) to automatically reproduce NHP from CT scans.

The PTTG1/VASP axis promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis by modulating focal adhesion and actin filaments.

The dynamics of focal adhesions (FAs) are essential physiological processes involved in cell spreading, metastasis, and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. FAs are complex structures comprising proteins, such as paxillin and zyxin, which interact with extracellular membranes and influence cell motility and morphology. Although related studies have been reported in various cancers, the function and molecular mechanisms of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unknown.

Current understanding of the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and management of peri-implant diseases: a narrative review for the consensus report of the Korean Academy of Periodontology.

Over the past few decades, dental implants have been successfully utilized to replace teeth lost due to periodontal disease and other conditions. However, similar to natural teeth, dental implants are vulnerable to inflammatory peri-implant diseases, which can compromise their long-term viability. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of peri-implant diseases and discuss effective strategies for their diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management.

Fractional flow reserve measurement using dynamic CT perfusion imaging in patients with coronary artery disease.

Purposes: The objective was to evaluate the accuracy of a novel CT dynamic angiographic imaging (CT-DAI) algorithm for rapid fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 14 patients (age 58.5 ± 10.

Superstable lipid vacuoles endow cartilage with its shape and biomechanics.

Conventionally, the size, shape, and biomechanics of cartilages are determined by their voluminous extracellular matrix. By contrast, we found that multiple murine cartilages consist of lipid-filled cells called lipochondrocytes. Despite resembling adipocytes, lipochondrocytes were molecularly distinct and produced lipids exclusively through de novo lipogenesis.

Limitations of Osteocutaneous Radial Flap Despite Satisfactory Outcomes in Anterior Mandible Reconstruction With Dental Implants.

The management of oral malignancy necessitates a comprehensive approach focusing on disease eradication and patient quality of life. Surgery remains pivotal, although extensive resection can lead to aesthetic and functional challenges. Reconstruction, often with osteocutaneous radial forearm free flaps (OCRFFF), is crucial for restoring form and function.