A Comparative Systematic Analysis of The Influence of Microplastics on Colon Cells, Mouse and Colon Organoids

BACKGROUND@#Microplastics (MPs) are small fragments from any type of plastic formed from various sources, including plastic waste and microfibers from clothing. MPs degrades slowly, resulting in a high probability of human inhalation, ingestion and accumulation in bodies and tissues. As its impact on humans is a prolonged event, the evaluation of its toxicity and influence on human health are critical. In particular, MPs can enter the human digestive system through food and beverage consumption, and its effect on the human colon needs to be carefully examined. @*METHODS@#We monitored the influence of small MPs (50 and 100 nm) on human colon cells, human colon organoids and also examined their toxicity and changes in gene expression in vivo in a mouse model. @*RESULTS@#The data suggested that 5 mg/mL concentrations of 50 and 100 nm MPs induced a[ 20% decrease in colon organoid viability and an increase in the expression of inflammatory-, apoptosis- and immunity-related genes. In addition, in vivo data suggested that 50 nm MPs accumulate in various mouse organs, including the colon, liver, pancreas and testicles after 7 d of exposure. @*CONCLUSION@#Taken together, our data suggest that smaller MPs can induce more toxic effects in the human colon and that human colon organoids have the potential to be used as a predictive tool for colon toxicity.

Identification of Healthy and Unhealthy Lifestyles by a Wearable Activity Tracker in Type 2 Diabetes: A Machine Learning-Based Analysis

Lifestyle is a critical aspect of diabetes management. We aimed to define a healthy lifestyle using objectively measured parameters obtained from a wearable activity tracker (Fitbit) in patients with type 2 diabetes. This prospective observational study included 24 patients (mean age, 46.8 years) with type 2 diabetes. Expectation–maximization clustering analysis produced two groups: A (n=9) and B (n=15). Group A had a higher daily step count, lower resting heart rate, longer sleep duration, and lower mean time differences in going to sleep and waking up than group B. A Shapley additive explanation summary analysis indicated that sleep-related factors were key elements for clustering. The mean hemoglobin A1c level was 0.3 percentage points lower at the end of follow-up in group A than in group B. Factors related to regular sleep patterns could be possible determinants of lifestyle clustering in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Sequence Variations of 31 Y-Chromosomal Short Tandem Repeats Analyzed by Massively Parallel Sequencing in Three U.S. Population Groups and Korean Population

Background@#Rapidly mutating (RM) Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) have been demonstrated to increase the possibility of distinguishing between male relatives due to a higher mutation rate than conventional Y-STRs. Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) can be useful for forensic DNA typing as it allows the detection of sequence variants of many forensic markers. Here, we present sequence variations of 31 Y-STRs including nine RM Y-STRs (DYF387S1, DYF399S1, DYF404S1, DYS449, DYS518, DYS570, DYS576, DYS612, and DYS627), their frequencies, distribution, and the gain in the number of alleles using MPS. @*Methods@#We constructed a multiplex MPS assay capable of simultaneously amplifying 32 Y-chromosomal markers, producing amplicons ranging from 85–274 bp. Barcoded libraries from 220 unrelated males from four populations—African Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics, and Koreans—were generated via two-step polymerase chain reaction and sequenced on a MiSeq system. Genotype concordance between the capillary electrophoresis (CE) and MPS method and sequence variation of Y-STRs were investigated. @*Results@#In total, 195 alleles were increased by MPS compared to CE-based alleles (261 to 456). The DYS518 marker showed the largest increase due to repeat region variation (a 3.69-fold increase). The highest increase in the number of alleles due to single nucleotide polymorphisms in the flanking region was found in DYF399S1. RM Y-STRs had more diverse sequences than conventional Y-STRs. Furthermore, null alleles were observed in DYS576 due to primer-binding site mutation, and allele drop-outs in DYS449 resulted from low marker coverage of less than the threshold. @*Conclusion@#The results suggest that the expanded and discriminative MPS assay could provide more genetic information for Y-STRs, especially for RM Y-STRs, and could advance male individualization. Compiling sequence-based Y-STR data for worldwide populations would facilitate the application of MPS in the field of forensic genetics and could be applicable in solving male-related forensic cases.

Consideration for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Drug Treatment in Patients with Epilepsy on Antiepileptic Drugs

Several medications are approved to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Korea including nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, remdesivir, and regdanvimab. There is potential drug-drug interaction between antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and the medications used to treat COVID-19. Several AEDs such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and primidone are strong cytochrome P450 inducers and can inhibit the drugs used for COVID-19. Particularly, these drugs are contraindicated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid®). There is a weaker drug-drug interaction between the AEDs and remdesivir. No significant interaction has been reported between the AEDs and molnupiravir. Pharmacokinetic interactions of the AEDs are important in effective management of COVID-19 in patients with epilepsy.

Comparison of the Predictive Power of a Combination versus Individual Biomarker Testing in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#Since tumor mutational burden (TMB) and gene expression profiling (GEP) have complementary effects, they may have improved predictive power when used in combination. Here, we investigated the ability of TMB and GEP to predict the immunotherapy response in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and assessed if this combination can improve predictive power compared to that when used individually. @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective cohort study included 30 patients with NSCLC who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) therapy at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. programmed cell death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry, and TMB was measured by targeted deep sequencing. Gene expression was determined using NanoString nCounter analysis for the PanCancer IO360 panel, and enrichment analysis were performed. @*Results@#Eleven patients (36.7%) showed a durable clinical benefit (DCB), whereas 19 (63.3%) showed no durable benefit (NDB). TMB and enrichment scores (ES) showed significant differences between the DCB and NDB groups (p=0.044 and p=0.017, respectively); however, no significant correlations were observed among TMB, ES, and PD-L1. ES was the best single biomarker for predicting DCB (area under the curve [AUC], 0.794), followed by TMB (AUC, 0.679) and PD-L1 (AUC, 0.622). TMB and ES showed the highest AUC (0.837) among other combinations (AUC [TMB and PD-L1], 0.777; AUC [PD-L1 and ES], 0.763) and was similar to that of all biomarkers used together (0.832). @*Conclusion@#The combination of TMB and ES may be an effective predictive tool to identify patients with NSCLC patients who would possibly benefit from ICI therapies.

Analysis of Medical Consultation Patterns in Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Units: Changes in the Pattern of Consultation after the Implementation of Intensivist-Directed Care

Purpose@#Critically ill patients often require multidisciplinary treatment for both acute illnesses and pre-existing medical conditions. Since different medical conditions are managed in the intensive care unit (ICU), consultation is often required. This study aimed to identify the frequency and type of consultation required and analyze changes in consultation patterns after the introduction of intensivist-directed care in the surgical ICU (SICU). @*Methods@#Between June 2006 and December 2013, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to identify the frequency and type of consultation at 3 different ICUs. Consultations for patients who were admitted to the ICUs for more than 48 consecutive hours were included. The pattern of consultations in each ICU was investigated. In addition, the pattern of consultations before and after the implementation of intensivist-directed care in the SICU was compared. @*Results@#During the study, 11,053 consultations were requested for 7,774 critically ill patients in a total of 3 ICUs. Consultations with the Departments of Cardiology, Infectious Diseases, and Pulmonology were requested most frequently in the SICU. However, after the implementation of the intensivist-directed care approach, there was an increase in the frequency of consultation requests to the Department of Neurology, followed by the Departments of Cardiology, and Infectious Diseases. @*Conclusion@#Analysis of consultation patterns is an important method of assessing the complexity and severity of illnesses, and of evaluating the needs of available health system resources. Based on our findings, we suggest the development of an appropriate protocol for frequently consulted services.

Null Association between BRAF V600E Mutation and Tumor Recurrence in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma in South Korea

Background and Objectives@#The clinical implications of the BRAF V600E mutation in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), defined as ≤1.0 cm of tumor size, remain controversial. We investigated the association between the BRAFV600E mutation and PTMC recurrence in a retrospective cohort of patients with thyroid cancer. @*Materials and Methods@#This study included 2319 patients with PTMC (median age, 50 years [interquartile range (IQR), 41-57 years]) who underwent thyroid surgery from 2010 to 2019 at a single tertiary medical center. The median follow-up time was 75 months (IQR, 30-98 months). Tumor recurrence was confirmed by histological, cytological, radiographic, and biochemical criteria, combined with persistent and recurrent disease. @*Results@#A total of 60.2% (1395/2319) patients with PTMC had the BRAF V600E mutation. The tumor recurrence rate was 2.1% (19/924) in BRAF mutation-negative patients and 2.9% (41/1395) in BRAF mutation-positive patients, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.05 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-1.84) after adjusting for clinicopathological risk factors. Similar results were found in patients with high-risk PTMC (adjusted HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.56-2.11) who had lymph node metastasis (LNM), extrathyroidal extension (ETE), or distant metastasis (DM) at diagnosis and in patients with low-risk PTMC (adjusted HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.35-2.83) who had no LNM, ETE, or DM. @*Conclusion@#The finding that the BRAF V600E mutation was not associated with tumor recurrence in our cohort of Korean patients with PTMC, especially in patients with low-risk PTMC, suggests that its value in the prediction of disease progression is limited.

Role of Interleukin-7 in the Development of and Recovery from Radiation-Induced Lymphopenia: A Post-hoc Analysis of a Prospective Cohort / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#Radiation-induced lymphopenia is associated with worse outcomes in solid tumors. We assessed the impact of interleukin-7 (IL-7), a key cytokine in lymphocyte homeostasis, on radiation-induced lymphopenia. @*Materials and Methods@#A post-hoc analysis was performed in a prospective cohort of 98 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were treated with radiotherapy in 2016-2018. Blood IL-7 levels were assayed before and at the end of radiotherapy. Acute severe lymphopenia (ASL) was defined as a total lymphocyte count of < 200/μL during radiotherapy. Cox and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of survival and ASL development, respectively. @*Results@#Patients with ASL (n=41) had significantly poorer overall survival than those without (12.0 months vs. 25.3 months, p=0.001). Patients with lymphocyte recovery showed significantly longer overall survival than those without (21.8 months vs. 10.3 months, p=0.042). ASL was an independent predictor of poor survival (hazard ratio, 2.07; p=0.015). Patients with ASL had significantly lower pre-radiotherapy IL-7 levels (2.07 pg/mL vs. 3.01 pg/mL, p=0.010). A high pre-radiotherapy IL-7 level was an independent predictor of a reduced risk of ASL development (hazard ratio, 0.40; p=0.004). IL-7 levels reflected a feedback response to ASL, with a higher ΔIL-7 in patients with ASL and a lower ΔIL-7 in those without ASL (0.48 pg/mL vs. –0.66 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Post-radiotherapy IL-7 levels were significantly positively correlated with the total lymphocyte counts at 2 months. @*Conclusion@#IL-7 is associated with the development of and recovery from ASL, which may impact survival. To overcome radiation-induced lymphopenia, a novel strategy using IL-7 may be considered.

Hard Ticks as Vectors Tested Negative for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome in Ganghwa-do, Korea during 2019-2020

This study aimed to characterize the seasonal abundance of hard ticks that transmit severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus from April to November 2019 and 2020 on Ganghwa-do, Incheon Metropolitan City, Korea. The ticks were collected at grassland, grave site, copse and mountain road using a collection trap method. The ixodid hard ticks comprising three species (Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava, and Ixodes nipponensis) collected were 6,622 in 2019 and 3,811 in 2020. H. longicornis was the most frequent (97.9% in 2019 and 96.0% in 2020), followed by H. flava (2.0% and 3.0% in 2019 and 2020, respectively) and I. nipponensis (less than 0.1%). Our study demonstrated that seasonal patterns of the tick populations examined for two years were totally unsimilar. The hard ticks tested using RT-qPCR were all negative for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus.

Seroprevalence of Plasmodium vivax Circumsporozoite Protein Antibody in High-Risk Malaria Areas in Korea

The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium spp. is a diagnostic antigen and useful biomarker for monitoring short-term/seasonal changes to malaria transmission. Using P. vivax CSP antibody ELISA, epidemiological characteristics were analyzed in the residents of Ganghwa, Cheorwon, Paju, and Goseong from 2017 to 2018. In Ganghwa and Cheorwon, 1.6% and 1.2% of residents, respectively, were PvCSP-antibody-positive in 2018, which indicates a decrease of 0.4% in the positive rate compared to 2017. The annual parasite incidence (API) in Ganghwa and Cheorwon was 24.9 and 10.5 in 2017 and 20.3 and 10.7 in 2018, respectively. Although the changes were not significant, the API in Ganghwa decreased slightly by 4.5 in 2018 compared to the previous year. In Paju and Goseong, 3.9% and 2.0% of residents were positive for the PvCSP antibody. The API in Paju was 13.1 in 2017 and 16.0 in 2018, although no malaria patients were reported for the 2 years. Therefore, the results suggest that PvCSP is a useful antigen for confirming initial malaria infection. Additionally, considering that the antibody is relatively transient, it can be employed for sero-epidemiological studies to determine the extent of malaria transmission in the current year.

Differences in mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa morphology in relation to vertical and sagittal skeletal patterns: A cone-beam computed tomography study / 대한치과교정학회지

Objective@#This study aimed to evaluate the following null hypothesis: there are no differences in the morphology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structures in relation to vertical and sagittal cephalometric patterns. @*Methods@#This retrospective study was performed with 131 participants showing no TMJ symptoms. The participants were divided into Class I, II, and III groups on the basis of their sagittal cephalometric relationships and into hyperdivergent, normodivergent, and hypodivergent groups on the basis of their vertical cephalometric relationships. The following measurements were performed using cone-beam computed tomography images and compared among the groups: condylar volume, condylar size (width, length, and height), fossa size (length and height), and condyle-to-fossa joint spaces at the anterior, superior, and posterior condylar poles. @*Results@#The null hypothesis was rejected. The Class III group showed larger values for condylar width, condylar height, and fossa height than the Class II group (p < 0.05). Condylar volume and superior joint space in the hyperdivergent group were significantly smaller than those in the other two vertical groups (p < 0.001), whereas fossa length and height were significantly larger in the hyperdivergent group than in the other groups (p < 0.01). The hypodivergent group showed a greater condylar width than the hyperdivergent group (p < 0.01). The sagittal and vertical cephalometric patterns showed statistically significant interactions for fossa length and height. @*Conclusions@#TMJ morphology differed across diverse skeletal cephalometric patterns. The fossa length and height were affected by the interactions of the vertical and sagittal skeletal patterns.

Physical and biodegradable properties of 3D printed resorbable membranes for periodontal guided tissue regenerations / 대한치과재료학회지

The purpose of this study was to compare physical and biodegradable properties of 3D printed resorbable membranes that are used for guided tissue regenerations in periodontal tissues. Three types of 3D printed membranes (two types of non β-TCP and one type of β-TCP) were considered. The form and element compositions of 3D printed membranes were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Porosity and pore size were measured using Micro-CT. Also, tensile strength, biodegradability tests were performed. Statistical analyses were carried in tensile strength and cell viability test (p<0.05). The result of SEM images with EDS analyses showed linear layers of lattice structure with presence of C and O in all groups. There was a slight difference in Ca and P among some groups. Tensile strength was significantly different among all groups (p<0.05), and biodegradability showed that the group containing β-TCP resulted in the fastest degradation rate. Therefore, the results of this study concluded that the 3D printed resorbable membrane has variable physical and biodegradable properties for clinical use, where such information would be useful to be considered for the future development of related products and clinical application of the products.

Feasibility of the Gastrografin Challenge for Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction

Purpose@#This retrospective study investigated the feasibility, diagnostic, and therapeutic advantages of the gastrografin challenge on patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). @*Methods@#There were 125 patients reviewed who were admitted to the Department of General Surgery at a single institution (September 2018 to August 2019) with a diagnosis related to ASBO. The study population included 100 patients (114 cases) who had received initial conservative management. Patient characteristics and operation rates were compared between the gastrografin challenge success group and failure group, and operation rates and length of hospital stay were compared between the gastrografin challenge group and “non-challenge” group. @*Results@#During the study period, 21 patients with ASBO underwent the gastrografin challenge. The challenge was successful in 17 patients where the bowel obstruction was resolved without the need for surgery. Among patients who failed the challenge, 2 patients underwent adhesiolysis and 2 patients were able to progress their diet avoiding surgery. In patients who underwent surgery (n = 2), the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the gastrografin challenge group compared with the “non-challenge” group sub analysis (n = 13 cases; 10.5 vs. 20 days, p = 0.038), indicating that the gastrografin challenge assisted rapid decision-making for surgery. No adverse events were reported for the 21 gastrografin challenges. @*Conclusion@#In patients with ASBO, the gastrografin challenge is an accurate, safe method to determine the need for surgery. In addition, the gastrografin challenge may reduce the length of stay in patients who required surgery for ASBO resolution.

Diagnosis for Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: A Joint Position Statement of the Korean Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Task Force

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGLs) are rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors but can be life-threatening. Although most PPGLs are benign, approximately 10% have metastatic potential. Approximately 40% cases are reported as harboring germline mutations. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnosis of PPGLs is crucial. For more than 130 years, clinical, molecular, biochemical, radiological, and pathological investigations have been rapidly advanced in the field of PPGLs. However, performing diagnostic studies to localize lesions and detect metastatic potential can be still challenging and complicated. Furthermore, great progress on genetics has shifted the paradigm of genetic testing of PPGLs. The Korean PPGL task force team consisting of the Korean Endocrine Society, the Korean Surgical Society, the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Korean Society of Pathologists, and the Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine has developed this position statement focusing on the comprehensive and updated diagnosis for PPGLs.

Time to Reach Target Glycosylated Hemoglobin Is Associated with Long-Term Durable Glycemic Control and Risk of Diabetic Complications in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 6-Year Observational Study

Background@#To evaluate the association of time to reach the target glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level with long-term durable glycemic control and risk of diabetic complications in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). @*Methods@#In a longitudinal observational cohort, 194 patients with T2DM newly diagnosed between January 2011 and March 2013 were followed up over 6 years. Patients were classified according to the time needed to reach the target HbA1c (<7.0%): <3, 3 to 6 (early achievement group), and ≥6 months (late achievement group). Risks of microvascular complications including diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy as well as macrovascular events including ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease were assessed by multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis. @*Results@#During a median follow-up of 6.53 years, 66 microvascular and 14 macrovascular events occurred. Maintenance of durable glycemic control over 6 years was more likely in the early achievement groups than in the late achievement group (34.5%, 30.0%, and 16.1% in <3, 3 to 6, and ≥6 months, respectively, P=0.039). Early target HbA1c achievement was associated with lower risk of composite diabetic complications (adjusted hazard ratio [HR, 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26 to 0.86 in <3 months group) (adjusted HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.23 to 1.10 in 3 to 6 months group, in reference to ≥6 months group). Similar trends were maintained for risks of microvascular and macrovascular complications, although statistical significance was not reached for macrovascular complications. @*Conclusion@#Early target HbA1c achievement was associated with long-term durable glycemic control and reduced risk of diabetic complications in newly diagnosed T2DM.

Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in the Korean population: demographics and its relation with coexisting rotator cuff tear

Background@#To evaluate the demographics, clinical and radiographic features of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in the Korean population, specifically focusing on the incidence of coexisting rotator cuff tear. @*Methods@#Between October 2014 and January 2015, we performed a prospective multicenter study with 506 patients from 11 training hospitals in Korea. We collected data of demographics and radiographic analysis based on simple radiographs, clinical assessments based on visual analog scale (VAS) and the American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and treatment modalities that are used currently. We also evaluated coexisting rotator cuff tear by ultrasonography (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. @*Results@#There were 402 female patients (79%) with mean age of 55 years (range, 31–87 years). Mean duration of symptoms was 16 months. Mean size of calcific materials was 11.4 mm (range, 0–35 mm). Mean value of VAS and ASES scores were 6.5 (range, 1–10) and 47 (range, 8–95), respectively. Of 383 patients (76%), 59 (15%) had rotator cuff tear including 15 full-thickness tears on US or MRI. Patients with rotator cuff tears were significantly associated with older age, recurrent symptoms, menstrual disorders in females, and having undergone calcification removal surgery and rotator cuff repair (all p<0.05). @*Conclusions@#This study reported demographic, radiographic, and clinical features of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in Korean population, which were not different from those of Western population. Coexisting rotator cuff tear was found with 15% incidence in this large series, suggesting that further radiographic study to evaluate rotator cuff tear might be needed in some calcific tendinitis patients of older age and presenting with recurrent symptoms.

Hard Ticks as Vectors Tested Negative for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome in Ganghwa-do, Korea during 2019-2020

This study aimed to characterize the seasonal abundance of hard ticks that transmit severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus from April to November 2019 and 2020 on Ganghwa-do, Incheon Metropolitan City, Korea. The ticks were collected at grassland, grave site, copse and mountain road using a collection trap method. The ixodid hard ticks comprising three species (Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava, and Ixodes nipponensis) collected were 6,622 in 2019 and 3,811 in 2020. H. longicornis was the most frequent (97.9% in 2019 and 96.0% in 2020), followed by H. flava (2.0% and 3.0% in 2019 and 2020, respectively) and I. nipponensis (less than 0.1%). Our study demonstrated that seasonal patterns of the tick populations examined for two years were totally unsimilar. The hard ticks tested using RT-qPCR were all negative for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus.

Seroprevalence of Plasmodium vivax Circumsporozoite Protein Antibody in High-Risk Malaria Areas in Korea

The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium spp. is a diagnostic antigen and useful biomarker for monitoring short-term/seasonal changes to malaria transmission. Using P. vivax CSP antibody ELISA, epidemiological characteristics were analyzed in the residents of Ganghwa, Cheorwon, Paju, and Goseong from 2017 to 2018. In Ganghwa and Cheorwon, 1.6% and 1.2% of residents, respectively, were PvCSP-antibody-positive in 2018, which indicates a decrease of 0.4% in the positive rate compared to 2017. The annual parasite incidence (API) in Ganghwa and Cheorwon was 24.9 and 10.5 in 2017 and 20.3 and 10.7 in 2018, respectively. Although the changes were not significant, the API in Ganghwa decreased slightly by 4.5 in 2018 compared to the previous year. In Paju and Goseong, 3.9% and 2.0% of residents were positive for the PvCSP antibody. The API in Paju was 13.1 in 2017 and 16.0 in 2018, although no malaria patients were reported for the 2 years. Therefore, the results suggest that PvCSP is a useful antigen for confirming initial malaria infection. Additionally, considering that the antibody is relatively transient, it can be employed for sero-epidemiological studies to determine the extent of malaria transmission in the current year.

Differences in mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa morphology in relation to vertical and sagittal skeletal patterns: A cone-beam computed tomography study / 대한치과교정학회지

Objective@#This study aimed to evaluate the following null hypothesis: there are no differences in the morphology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structures in relation to vertical and sagittal cephalometric patterns. @*Methods@#This retrospective study was performed with 131 participants showing no TMJ symptoms. The participants were divided into Class I, II, and III groups on the basis of their sagittal cephalometric relationships and into hyperdivergent, normodivergent, and hypodivergent groups on the basis of their vertical cephalometric relationships. The following measurements were performed using cone-beam computed tomography images and compared among the groups: condylar volume, condylar size (width, length, and height), fossa size (length and height), and condyle-to-fossa joint spaces at the anterior, superior, and posterior condylar poles. @*Results@#The null hypothesis was rejected. The Class III group showed larger values for condylar width, condylar height, and fossa height than the Class II group (p < 0.05). Condylar volume and superior joint space in the hyperdivergent group were significantly smaller than those in the other two vertical groups (p < 0.001), whereas fossa length and height were significantly larger in the hyperdivergent group than in the other groups (p < 0.01). The hypodivergent group showed a greater condylar width than the hyperdivergent group (p < 0.01). The sagittal and vertical cephalometric patterns showed statistically significant interactions for fossa length and height. @*Conclusions@#TMJ morphology differed across diverse skeletal cephalometric patterns. The fossa length and height were affected by the interactions of the vertical and sagittal skeletal patterns.

Physical and biodegradable properties of 3D printed resorbable membranes for periodontal guided tissue regenerations / 대한치과재료학회지

The purpose of this study was to compare physical and biodegradable properties of 3D printed resorbable membranes that are used for guided tissue regenerations in periodontal tissues. Three types of 3D printed membranes (two types of non β-TCP and one type of β-TCP) were considered. The form and element compositions of 3D printed membranes were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Porosity and pore size were measured using Micro-CT. Also, tensile strength, biodegradability tests were performed. Statistical analyses were carried in tensile strength and cell viability test (p<0.05). The result of SEM images with EDS analyses showed linear layers of lattice structure with presence of C and O in all groups. There was a slight difference in Ca and P among some groups. Tensile strength was significantly different among all groups (p<0.05), and biodegradability showed that the group containing β-TCP resulted in the fastest degradation rate. Therefore, the results of this study concluded that the 3D printed resorbable membrane has variable physical and biodegradable properties for clinical use, where such information would be useful to be considered for the future development of related products and clinical application of the products.