Consensus statement on peri-implant disease from the Korean Academy of Periodontology.

This consensus report presents the first official position statement of the Korean Academy of Periodontology on peri-implant diseases, issued in response to South Korea's rapidly aging population and the associated rise in peri-implant disease management. It reviews the prevalence, classification, and definition of peri-implant diseases, emphasizing that these conditions progress more aggressively and unpredictably than periodontal diseases. The report also identifies systemic and local risk indicators, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based treatment protocols for peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, integrating international standards with Korea-specific clinical data.

Relationship between caregiving burden and alterations in circadian rhythms among spousal caregivers of individuals with cognitive impairment.

Background: Caring for individuals with cognitive impairment is demanding and may impact caregiver well-being. This study examined whether caregiving burden is linked to alterations in circadian rhythm of spousal caregivers (SCGs), using both objective and subjective measures.

Methods: A total of 104 SCGs were enrolled, of which 54 wore Fitbit devices to collect objective data on sleep-wake cycles and circadian heart rate rhythm (CHR).

National Wastewater Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Across Provinces and Regions in the Republic of Korea From January to August 2023.

Background: Wastewater surveillance (WS) technology has gained significant attention in many countries due to its role in the monitoring of infectious diseases within communities and complementing clinical testing to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks. In 2023, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) launched the Korea Wastewater Surveillance (KOWAS) project in collaboration with 17 cities and provinces to track COVID-19 outbreaks.

Methods: From January to August 2023, the concentrations of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) E gene in wastewater were monitored in 19 institutes of health and environmental research, all within local governments.

Low modulus PMMA-based bone cement for the reduction of adjacent vertebral fractures after vertebroplasty.

Vertebral augmentation employing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is a widely used therapeutic technique for treating vertebral compression fractures. In this study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-enhanced PMMA bone cement (PDMS/PMMA) was developed to address the significant limitations associated with traditional PMMA bone cements in vertebroplasty: excessive exothermicity causing necrosis of normal bone tissues and high stiffness leading to fractures in adjacent vertebrae. The incorporation of PDMS into the PMMA bone cement results in consumption of the heat generated during polymerization, which prevents necrosis of surrounding tissue and speeds up the curing process of PDMS, showcasing the synergistic effects between PMMA and PDMS.

Surveillance of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms and Trends in Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Chronically Hospitalized Pediatric Patients.

Background: Patients in long-term care facilities experience greater risk of infections, along with use of long-lasting invasive devices and colonization of multidrug resistant organisms. This study aims to analyze surveillance and clinical specimen culture results and trends in antimicrobial susceptibility among long-term hospitalized pediatric patients.

Materials And Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from January 2015 to December 2024 from a long-term care facility dedicated to children with chronic underlying diseases.

Source apportionment and dynamics of PM across regions during and after the coronavirus 2019 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was reported to improve air quality. However, the effects of lockdown on PM₂.₅ and its chemical components based on source-specific characteristics remain unclear.

Discovery of Indole-Based PDE5 Inhibitors: Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation.

Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors have been suggested as new treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Utilizing the widespread presence of the indole moiety in biomolecules and drugs, previously synthesized quinoline and naphthyridine compounds were modified into novel indole-containing PDE5 inhibitors. Replacing the amine with an amide group led to identifying a potent analogue, compound , with an IC of 16.

Establishing cut-off values for salivary MMP-8 and IL-1β in the diagnosis of active periodontal disease: a preliminary cohort study toward the development of a diagnostic kit.

Purpose: The identification of specific target molecules and their appropriate cut-off values is crucial for the successful development of diagnostics. Salivary biomarkers, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), have been investigated for their potential in diagnosing periodontal disease. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of IL-1β and MMP-8 as diagnostic tools and to establish their cut-off values for distinguishing active types of periodontal disease from healthy conditions.

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an artificial intelligence-based cancer survivorship care plan service using digital platforms: a single-arm prospective pilot study.

Purpose: This study tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based survivorship care plan (SCP) service (named "quality of life [QOL] + intervention") for posttreatment breast cancer survivors using digital platforms.

Methods: A single-arm prospective pilot study was conducted, and 38 posttreatment breast cancer survivors in South Korea were enrolled. The QOL + intervention consisted of 1) collection of patient-reported outcomes data from survivors via a mobile app, 2) automated generation of SCP via a website, and 3) in-person SCP review and counseling.

Application of non-thermal floating electrode-dielectric barrier discharge plasma for Salmonella Enteritidis reduction and quality assessment in chicken breasts and skin.

Salmonella Enteritidis-primarily associated with chicken-is a global cause of foodborne enteritis in humans. However, no studies have confirmed or evaluated the effectiveness of floating electrode-dielectric barrier discharge (FE-DBD) plasma treatment on S. Enteritidis in raw chicken breasts or chicken skin.

Time-weighted assessment of personal PM2.5 exposure of patients with allergies using portable monitors in Seoul Metropolitan Area, Korea.

Patients with allergies are more sensitive to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) than the general population; however, since PM2.5 exposure levels are influenced by microenvironments, time, and activity patterns, epidemiological studies using conventional stationary monitors face challenges in accurately estimating personal exposure levels.

Overexpression of interleukin-4 using adeno-associated virus is a potential strategy to enhance bone regeneration.

This study aimed to investigate the bone regeneration potential of IL-4 gene delivery via adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, with a particular focus on modulating macrophage polarization and promoting osteogenic differentiation. Four different AAV serotypes (AAV1, AAV2, AAV5, and AAV6) encoding the IL-4 gene were evaluated in rat and human gingival fibroblasts and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). AAV2 exhibited the highest transduction efficiency and IL-4 expression in all tested cell types.

Determining the Optimal Cutoff Value for the Reverse Shock Index Multiplied by the Glasgow Coma Scale for the Prediction of In-Hospital Mortality in Pediatric Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

: Despite the growing burden caused by pediatric trauma, the accuracy of prehospital triage remains suboptimal due to the lack of reliable pediatric-specific tools. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive validity of the reverse shock index multiplied by the Glasgow Coma Scale (rSIG) for in-hospital mortality in pediatric trauma patients and to determine appropriate age-specific rSIG cutoff values for triage use. : We conducted a multicenter retrospective observational study using data from the Korean Emergency Department-Based Injury In-Depth Surveillance registry; these data covered trauma patients aged ≤18 years, spanning the period from 2011 to 2022.

Extrahepatic Recurrence After Surgical Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Without Intrahepatic Recurrence: A Multi-Institutional Observational Study.

Background/objectives: Extrahepatic recurrence (EHR) is a significant negative prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although EHR is commonly observed in high-risk patients following HCC hepatectomy, its occurrence without concurrent intrahepatic HCC remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aims to examine the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with EHR in patients without intrahepatic HCC at diagnosis.

Effects of Fucoidan on the Inhibition of Biofilm Formation of Subsp. Serovar on Seafoods and Its Molecular Antibiofilm Mechanisms.

Foodborne illnesses, particularly those caused by subsp. Serovar , present a significant challenge to public health, especially within the seafood industry due to biofilm formation on foods. This study investigated the antibiofilm potential of fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, against subsp.

Personal PM Exposure and Associated Factors Among Adults with Allergic Diseases in an Urban Environment: A Panel Study.

This study analyzed the factors influencing personal PM exposure levels among adults with allergic diseases in Seoul using a linear mixed-effects (LMEs) model. The average personal PM exposure concentration of the study participants was 17.38 μg/m, exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) daily recommended guideline (15.

Regional Differences in PM Chemical Composition and Inhalation Risk Assessment: A Case Study of Seoul, Incheon, and Wonju.

This study evaluates the chemical components of an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM) and its health risks in Seoul, Incheon, and Wonju, South Korea. The results revealed significant regional variations, particularly under the reasonable maximum exposure scenario, with Seoul's average daily dose (6.

NOTCH1-STAT3 signaling axis regulates astrocytic differentiation of hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells.

Hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells (HNPCs) in the hippocampus can differentiate into neurons and astrocytes, and are regulated by complex signaling pathways, such as the NOTCH1-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) axis, which are crucial for cell fate determination. However, the exact molecular mechanism underlying HNPC differentiation remains unclear. This study investigated the role of NOTCH1-STAT3 pathway in HNPC differentiation into neuronal and astrocytic lineages during embryonic development.

Effects of caregiving burden on serum homocysteine and folate levels in spouses of patients with cognitive impairment.

Background: Spousal caregivers (SCGs) of patients with cognitive impairment are predisposed to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Homocysteine and folate levels are potential modifiable biomarkers for these risks, given their associations with cardiovascular and cognitive health.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association of the caregiving burden with homocysteine and folate levels in SCGs.

Neutrophil-derived vesicles control complement activation to facilitate inflammation resolution.

Although subsets with immunosuppressive properties exist, neutrophils are typically known for their pro-inflammatory role and pathogen clearance capabilities. Here, we reveal that neutrophils can paradoxically aid in resolving inflammation by actively producing anti-inflammatory extracellular vesicles. These large aging-neutrophil-derived vesicles (LAND-Vs) do not fit into classical vesicle categorizations due to their specific size, structure, or biogenesis pathway.

Association between Antipsychotic Drug and Survival in Patients with Lung Cancer Treated with Chemoradiotherapy: A Nationwide Korean Cohort Study.

Purpose: Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) can be used to relieve psychological symptoms in patients with cancer. We investigated the nationwide use of APDs during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for patients with lung cancer and its association with overall survival (OS).

Materials And Methods: The National Health Service database was used in this retrospective cohort study.

Phosphatidic acid induces cytoskeletal rearrangements through the Src-FAK-RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway during decidualization.

Decidualization, the transformation of human endometrial stromal cells from a fibroblast-like to a rounded morphology, is crucial for creating a receptive intrauterine environment that supports successful embryo implantation. While decidual markers such as insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 and prolactin are well studied, the specific signaling mechanisms underlying morphological changes during decidualization remain unclear. In this study, we identified the phosphatidic acid (PA)-Src-focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-RhoA/Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway as a critical regulator of cytoskeletal rearrangement during PA-induced decidualization in human endometrial stromal cells.

Characteristics and trends of severe/critical COVID-19 cases in the Republic of Korea (January 2020 to August 2023).

Background: We analyzed the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), focusing specifically on severe/critical cases, and assessed the trends and rates of severity and fatality among these patients in the Republic of Korea.

Methods: Clinical data on patients with COVID-19 from January 20, 2020 to August 30, 2023 were collected from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's database. We identified patients who progressed to severe/critical conditions and analyzed their demographic and clinical profiles.

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.