Increased risk of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic back pain following COVID-19 infection based on a nationwide population-based study.

Using a nationwide database from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, this retrospective cross-sectional study investigated how COVID-19 affects the onset of depression and anxiety in individuals with pre-existing back pain. Patients were enrolled between 2019 and 2020 using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision code. Ultimately, 28,593 and 24,777 eligible patients were classified into depression and anxiety groups, respectively.

Unilateral temporomandibular joint disorders diagnosed as both disc displacement without reduction and osteoarthritis show vertical craniofacial asymmetry in women.

This study investigated the effects of unilateral temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs), specifically disc displacement without reduction and osteoarthritis on one side of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), on facial asymmetry in women, while the contralateral TMJ exhibits normal findings. Participants were retrospectively enrolled and divided into an affected group (n = 42 with unilateral TMJD) and a control group (n = 49 with bilateral healthy TMJs). The affected group was dagnosed with osteoarthritis on cone-bema computed tomograph and anterior disk displacement without reduction on magnetic resonance imaging.

Effects of gum chewing training on occlusal force, masseter muscle thickness and mandibular shape: A randomised controlled clinical trial.

Background: Masticatory muscle training by chewing gum can be performed easily and improve masticatory muscle function and strength. However, increased masticatory muscle activity and function may alter the mandibular shape.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of gum chewing training on the occlusal force, masseter muscle thickness (MMT) and mandibular shape in healthy adults.

Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Guidelines by the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases and the Korean Society for Transplantation.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most important opportunistic viral pathogen in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The Korean guideline for the prevention of CMV infection in SOT recipients was developed jointly by the Korean Society for Infectious Diseases and the Korean Society of Transplantation. CMV serostatus of both donors and recipients should be screened before transplantation to best assess the risk of CMV infection after SOT.

Importance of differential diagnosis of EBV mucocutaneous ulcer and EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A case report.

Rationale: Epstein-Barr virus mucocutaneous ulcers (EBVMCUs) were officially recognized as a clinicopathologic entity in the 2017 revision of the World Health Organization classification, which often occurs in the elderly or in immunosuppressive condition presented as an isolated ulcerative lesion. EBVMCUs are defined as "shallow, sharply circumscribed, mucosal or cutaneous ulcers with underlying polymorphous infiltration." It mostly involves oral mucosa, but some appear in skin or gastrointestinal tract.

Activin suppresses the expression of inflammatory genes and signaling proteins in human leukemia monocytic THP-1 cells.

Activin regulates inflammation, cell proliferation, immune response, wound repair, and endocrine function. In this study, we investigated the effect of activin on inflammatory genes in THP-1 cells and the involvement of NF-κB, AKT, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Cell viability was determined using a colorimetric assay with the MTS/PES solution.

Successful Interventional Treatment of a Huge Pseudoaneurysm of the Popliteal Artery Caused by a Percutaneous Balloon Angioplasty Complication: A Case Report.

Pseudoaneurysms are among the most serious complications of percutaneous balloon angioplasty. Although pseudoaneurysm rupture rarely happens, when it does, the result can be fatal; thus, early detection and management are crucial. In this report, we disclose the case of a 34-year-old male with end-stage renal disease who presented with a huge symptomatic pseudoaneurysm of the left popliteal artery, following percutaneous balloon angioplasty three months prior.

Correlation of masticatory muscle activity and occlusal function with craniofacial morphology: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Masticatory function, including masticatory muscle activity and occlusal function, can be affected by craniofacial morphology. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between craniofacial morphology and masticatory function in participants who had completed orthodontic treatment at least two years before and had stable occlusion.

Materials And Methods: Fourty-two healthy participants were prospectively enrolled and divided into three vertical cephalometric groups according to the mandibular plane angle.

Skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion based on the length of the miniscrew: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: To compare skeletal and dentoalveolar changes of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) according to the length of the miniscrews.

Materials And Methods: This two-arm parallel-randomized controlled trial included 32 adult patients aged 19-35 years who received orthodontic treatment with MARPE. Patients were allocated to two groups, group long (L) and short (S), through block randomization according to the length of the miniscrews installed in MARPE.

Nationwide survey of infection prevention protocols in solid organ transplantation in South Korea.

Background: Infections are a major cause of morbidity, graft failure, and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients. Preventive measures have greatly reduced the burden of posttransplant infections. However, little is known about the practice patterns of infection prevention in South Korea.

The association between autoantibody types and salivary gland hypofunction in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: This study analyzed the association between autoantibody types and salivary gland hypofunction in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who visited the Department of Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine at Yonsei University Dental Hospital from January 1, 2010 to May 31, 2021, and who were diagnosed with pSS. Out of 191 patients who fulfilled the 2016 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria, 50 were positive for both anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB, whereas 97 had anti-Ro/SSA but not anti-La/SSB antibodies.

Improving self-sufficiency in organ transplantation in Korea.

After attaining a qualified medical capacity in organ transplantation, Korea has been struggling to increase the number of deceased organ transplants to reach self-sufficiency. As one of these efforts, Korea revised the organ transplantation law in 2010 by adding three articles the mandatory reporting based on the recommendation of the 3rd Global Consultation on Organ Transplantation of Madrid in 2010. Along with the new constitution, considerable efforts have been initiated to upgrade the deceased organ transplantation system while maintaining the virtues of fairness, justice, and transparency.

Activin Suppresses the Inflammatory Response of TNF-α -stimulated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Activins belong to the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily and are involved in the regulation of homeostasis, proliferation, differentiation, and inflammation. In the present study, we examined the mechanism by which activin regulates the transcription of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated cytokines, chemokines, toll-like receptors (TLRs), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and the involvement of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Cell viability was analyzed using MTS/PES solution, mRNA expression was measured by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and protein expression was measured by immunoblotting.

Quantitative analysis of the mouth opening movement of temporomandibular joint disorder patients according to disc position using computer vision: a pilot study.

Background: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which is a broad category encompassing disc displacement, is a common condition with an increasing prevalence. This study aimed to develop an automated movement tracing algorithm for mouth opening and closing videos, and to quantitatively analyze the relationship between the results obtained using this developed system and disc position on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Mouth opening and closing videos were obtained with a digital camera from 91 subjects, who underwent MRI.

Effects of Substance P for Liver Regeneration in Rat Hepatectomy Models: A Preliminary Experimental Animal Study.

BACKGROUND This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of substance P (SP) on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in a rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experiment and were divided into an untreated sham group (n=3); a saline group (control group) given a saline injection after hepatectomy (n=4); and an SP group (experimental group) given SP injection after hepatectomy (n=4). The experiments were repeated 3 times in the sham, saline, and SP groups (days 1, 2, and 3).

Efficacy of Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nanofibers in Reducing Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in a Rat Model.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to analyze the preventive effect of nitric oxide (NO)-releasing nanofibers against ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and to determine the mechanism of action as a novel NO delivery system in a rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250 to 280 g, were divided into 3 groups: sham, untreated (n=5); control, renal ischemia injury for 55 min (n=4); and NO24, renal ischemia injury for 55 min with kidney wrapping of NO-releasing nanofiber for 24 h (n=6). mRNA expression was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis.

Platelet CLEC2-Podoplanin Axis as a Promising Target for Oral Cancer Treatment.

Cancer tissues are not just simple masses of malignant cells, but rather complex and heterogeneous collections of cellular and even non-cellular components, such as endothelial cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and collagens, referred to as tumor microenvironment (TME). These multiple players in the TME develop dynamic interactions with each other, which determines the characteristics of the tumor. Platelets are the smallest cells in the bloodstream and primarily regulate blood coagulation and hemostasis.

Methylation and mutation of the inhibin‑α gene in human melanoma cells and regulation of PTEN expression and AKT/PI3K signaling by a demethylating agent.

Inhibin suppresses the pituitary secretion of follicle‑stimulating hormone and has been reported to act as a tumor suppressor gene in the gonad in mice. Epigenetic modifications, mutations, changes in the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the inhibin‑α gene and regulation of gene expression in response to a demethylating agent [5‑aza‑2'‑deoxycytidine (5‑Aza‑dC)] in human melanoma cells were assessed. In addition, the association between a mutation in the 5'‑untranslated region (5'‑UTR) of the inhibin‑α subunit and the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5‑trisphosphate‑dependent Rac exchanger 2 (PREX2) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) as well as AKT/PI3K signaling was determined.

Effectiveness of remote monitoring and feedback on objective compliance with a mandibular advancement device for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Compliance with a mandibular advancement device is important for the optimal treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Recent advances in information and communication technology-based monitoring and intervention for chronic diseases have enabled continuous monitoring and personalized management. Self-evaluation and self-regulation through objective monitoring and feedback may improve compliance.

Clinical Characteristics and Relevance of Oral Biofilm in Tongue Smears.

Dimorphic exist as commensal yeast carriages or infiltrate hyphae in the oral cavity. Here, we investigated the clinical relevance of hyphae in non-pseudomembranous oral candidiasis (OC) by smears of tongue biofilms. We conducted a retrospective study of 2829 patients who had had tongue smears regardless of OC suspicion.

Organ procurement in a deceased donor.

With the increasing demand for organ transplantation, organ procurement from a deceased donor is an essential step for deceased donor organ transplantation. A proper surgical technique for the procurement of an organ graft from a deceased donor must be carried out to avoid any damage to it. Moreover, how to manage deceased donors until they enter the operating room in a stable condition is a critical point to be considered.

Simple oral exercise with chewing gum for improving oral function in older adults.

Background: As general and oral health are closely interrelated, promoting oral health may extend a healthy life expectancy.

Aims: To evaluate the long-term effects of simple oral exercise (SOE) and chewing gum exercise on mastication, salivation, and swallowing function in adults aged ≥ 65 years.

Methods: Ninety-six participants were assigned to control, SOE, and GOE (chewing gum exercise with SOE) groups.

Variants at potential loci associated with Sjogren's syndrome in Koreans: A genetic association study.

Sjogren's syndrome (SS), a chronic autoimmune disease, typically causes or involves inflammation in the salivary and lacrimal glands. Although recent genetic association studies have contributed to the discovery of SS susceptible genes, few studies have reported on the Korean population. Here, we did a genetic association study of SS in Korean patients using whole-exome sequencing data of 15 patients and 100 healthy controls.