Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus can attach to extracellular matrix components and plasma proteins deposited on biomaterial surfaces, ultimately forming biofilms. Therefore, managing S. aureus is recommended for preventing and treating peri-implant diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the biofilm-forming ability of S. aureus on zirconia surfaces and to assess the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in reducing these biofilms. Materials and Methods: Biofilm growth analysis showed optimal formation at 48 hours. Therefore, S. aureus ATCC 25923 was inoculated onto a sterilized zirconia disk and cultivated for 48 hours to form the biofilm. Thereafter, the biofilms were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; control), chlorhexidine (CHX), tetracycline (TC),toluidine blue O (TBO), cold diode laser (laser), or PDT (TBO + laser), with each group consisting of seven disks. The bacterial loadwas quantified using colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, and biofilm viability was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results: Significant reductions in bacterial counts were observed in the CHX (95.3%), TC (95.0%), and PDT (93.8%) groups compared to the control (P < 0.001). CLSM revealed a greater number of dead bacteria in the CHX, TC and PDT groups compared to that in other groups. Conclusion Within its limitations, this study demonstrated that S. aureus can form biofilms on zirconia surfaces. PDT showed similar efficacy to conventional antimicrobial treatments such as CHX and TC for reducing S. aureus biofilms.zirconia

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus can attach to extracellular matrix components and plasma proteins deposited on biomaterial surfaces, ultimately forming biofilms. Therefore, managing S. aureus is recommended for preventing and treating peri-implant diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the biofilm-forming ability of S. aureus on zirconia surfaces and to assess the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in reducing these biofilms. Materials and Methods: Biofilm growth analysis showed optimal formation at 48 hours. Therefore, S. aureus ATCC 25923 was inoculated onto a sterilized zirconia disk and cultivated for 48 hours to form the biofilm. Thereafter, the biofilms were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; control), chlorhexidine (CHX), tetracycline (TC),toluidine blue O (TBO), cold diode laser (laser), or PDT (TBO + laser), with each group consisting of seven disks. The bacterial loadwas quantified using colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, and biofilm viability was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results: Significant reductions in bacterial counts were observed in the CHX (95.3%), TC (95.0%), and PDT (93.8%) groups compared to the control (P < 0.001). CLSM revealed a greater number of dead bacteria in the CHX, TC and PDT groups compared to that in other groups. Conclusion Within its limitations, this study demonstrated that S. aureus can form biofilms on zirconia surfaces. PDT showed similar efficacy to conventional antimicrobial treatments such as CHX and TC for reducing S. aureus biofilms.zirconia

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus can attach to extracellular matrix components and plasma proteins deposited on biomaterial surfaces, ultimately forming biofilms. Therefore, managing S. aureus is recommended for preventing and treating peri-implant diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the biofilm-forming ability of S. aureus on zirconia surfaces and to assess the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in reducing these biofilms. Materials and Methods: Biofilm growth analysis showed optimal formation at 48 hours. Therefore, S. aureus ATCC 25923 was inoculated onto a sterilized zirconia disk and cultivated for 48 hours to form the biofilm. Thereafter, the biofilms were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; control), chlorhexidine (CHX), tetracycline (TC),toluidine blue O (TBO), cold diode laser (laser), or PDT (TBO + laser), with each group consisting of seven disks. The bacterial loadwas quantified using colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, and biofilm viability was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results: Significant reductions in bacterial counts were observed in the CHX (95.3%), TC (95.0%), and PDT (93.8%) groups compared to the control (P < 0.001). CLSM revealed a greater number of dead bacteria in the CHX, TC and PDT groups compared to that in other groups. Conclusion Within its limitations, this study demonstrated that S. aureus can form biofilms on zirconia surfaces. PDT showed similar efficacy to conventional antimicrobial treatments such as CHX and TC for reducing S. aureus biofilms.zirconia

Objective: This phase IV, multicenter, randomized controlled, open-label, and parallel clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of ezetimibe and moderate intensity rosuvastatin combination therapy to that of high intensity rosuvastatin monotherapy in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Methods: This study enrolled patients with ASCVD and after a four-week screening period, patients were randomly assigned to receive either rosuvastatin and ezetimibe (RE 10/10 group) or high-intensity rosuvastatin (R20 group) only in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was the difference in the percent change in the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level from baseline to 12 weeks between two groups after treatment. Results: The study found that after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment, the RE10/10 group had a greater reduction in LDL-C level compared to the R20 group (−22.9±2.6% vs. −15.6 ± 2.5% [p=0.041] and −24.2±2.5% vs. −12.9±2.4% [p=0.001] at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively). Moreover, a greater number of patients achieved the target LDL-C level of ≤70 mg/dL after the treatment period in the combination group (74.6% vs. 59.9% [p=0.012] and 76.2% vs. 50.8% [p<0.001] at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively). Importantly, there were no significant differences in the occurrence of overall adverse events and adverse drug reactions between two groups. Conclusion Moderate-intensity rosuvastatin and ezetimibe combination therapy had better efficacy in lowering LDL-C levels without increasing adverse effects in patients with ASCVD than high-intensity rosuvastatin monotherapy.

Background: This study presents a novel technical tip for intraoperative tumor localization and determination of the proximal resection line using a titanium ring strip for totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy in patients with middle-third gastric cancer and describes the short-term results of its application. Methods: In total, 42 patients with middle-third gastric cancer who underwent intraoperative tumor localization using a titanium ring strip and determination of the proximal resection line through intraoperative radiography between January 2020 and December 2021 were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively analyzed patients’ prospectively collected clinical, pathological, and surgical data. Results: Twenty-six men and 16 women with a mean age of 58.3±12.5 years were enrolled. The mean operation time and estimated blood loss were 212.6±43.0 minutes and 122.4±77.6 mL, respectively. The lengths of the proximal and distal resection margin were 2.0±0.4 cm (range, 0.8–3.7 cm) and 10.5±4.1 cm (range, 0.4–20.4 cm), respectively. Roux-en-Y anastomosis was performed in 30 patients, while Billroth II with Braun anastomosis was performed in 12 patients. There were no procedure-related complications, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.2±1.9 days. For all patients, the negative proximal resection margin was confirmed by postoperative pathological examinations. Conclusions Intraoperative tumor localization and determination of the proximal resection line using a titanium ring strip is a useful alternative method that can be easily and safely performed. This method is especially useful for patients with middle-third gastric cancer requiring an appropriate proximal resection margin.

Background/Aims: Nutritional status influences quality of life among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although there is no clear method to evaluate nutritional status in this setting. Therefore, this study examined whether bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) could be used to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with IBD. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 139 Korean patients with IBD who were treated between November 2018 and November 2019. Patients were categorized as having active or inactive IBD based on the Harvey-Bradshaw index (a score of ≥5 indicates active Crohn’s disease) and the partial Mayo scoring index (a score of ≥2 indicates active ulcerative colitis). BIA results and serum nutritional markers were analyzed according to disease activity. Results: The mean patient age was 45.11±17.71 years. The study included 47 patients with ulcerative colitis and 92 patients with Crohn’s disease. Relative to the group with active disease (n=72), the group with inactive disease (n=67) had significantly higher values for hemoglobin (P<0.001), total protein (P<0.001), and albumin (P<0.001). Furthermore, the group with inactive disease had higher BIA values for body moisture (P=0.047), muscle mass (P=0.046), skeletal muscle mass (P=0.042), body mass index (P=0.027), and mineral content (P=0.034). Moreover, the serum nutritional markers were positively correlated with the BIA results. Conclusions Nutritional markers evaluated using BIA were correlated with serum nutritional markers and inversely correlated with disease activity. Therefore, we suggest that BIA may be a useful tool that can help existing nutritional tests monitor the nutritional status of IBD patients.

Mazabraud syndrome (MS) is a rare and sporadic disorder. It is mainly characterized by fibrous dysplasia (FD) of single or multiple bones and intramuscular myxomas (IM). Data on the prevalence since it was first reported, clinical features, and prognosis are extremely scarce. We report a case of a 59-year-old woman with IM and polyostotic FD. She also had multiple cafe’-au-lait spots suggestive of McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS). On magnetic resonance imaging, there are masses with well-defined heterogeneous enhancement, accompanied by an inner cyst in the vastus lateralis muscle and femur. These radiological results are identical to those of FD. After surgical intervention with excision of intramuscular soft-tissue mass, a diagnosis of IM of MS was confirmed. Given that cafe’-au-lait spots also appeared, the patient was diagnosed with a variant of MS with some of the clinical characteristics of MAS.

Background: Frontal sinus fractures are relatively rare. Their surgical management significantly differs depending on whether the posterior wall is invaded and the clinical features vary. A bicoronal incision or endoscopic approach can be used. However, the minimally invasive approach has been attracting attention, leading us to introduce a simple and effective surgical method using multiple-threaded Kirschner wires. Methods: All patients had isolated anterior wall fractures without nasofrontal duct impairment. The depth from the skin to the posterior wall was measured using computed tomography to prevent injury. The edge of the bone segment on the skin was marked, a threaded Kirschner wire was inserted into the center of the bone segment, and multiple Kirschner wires were gently reduced simultaneously. Results: Surgery was performed on 11 patients. Among them, seven patients required additional support for appropriate fracture reduction. Therefore, a periosteal elevator was used as an adjunct through a small sub-brow incision because the reduction was incomplete with the Kirschner wire alone. The reduction results were confirmed using facial bone computed tomography 1 to 3 days postoperatively. The follow-up period was 3 to 12 months. Conclusion The patients had no complications and were satisfied with the surgical results. Here we demonstrated an easy and successful procedure to reduce a pure anterior wall frontal sinus fracture via non-invasive threaded Kirschner wire reduction.

Sebaceous neoplasms are rare adnexal tumors that can present a challenge to clinicians. Only four cases of sebaceous carcinoma with sebaceoma have been reported in the literature. Herein, we describe the case of a sebaceous carcinoma originating from a sebaceoma in a solitary nodule of the posterior neck. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for epithelial membrane antigen and p53. It is possible that adnexal carcinomas may arise from malignant transformation of their benign counterparts as well as de novo. Malignant transformation was likely in this case because the lesion was composed of distinct benign and malignant components, and the benign component showed the typical histopathological features of sebaceoma. This case underscores the fact that partial and superficial biopsies sometimes may not provide the correct diagnosis. If a surgeon suspects malignancy based on a clinical examination, then it is mandatory to perform a deep biopsy.

Although surgery was the standard treatment for early gastrointestinal cancers, endoscopic resection is now a standard treatment for early gastrointestinal cancers without regional lymph node metastasis. High-definition white light endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, and image-enhanced endoscopy such as narrow band imaging are performed to assess the edge and depth of early gastrointestinal cancers for delineation of resection boundaries and prediction of the possibility of lymph node metastasis before the decision of endoscopic resection. Endoscopic mucosal resection and/or endoscopic submucosal dissection can be performed to remove early gastrointestinal cancers completely by en bloc fashion. Histopathological evaluation should be carefully made to investigate the presence of risk factors for lymph node metastasis such as depth of cancer invasion and lymphovascular invasion. Additional treatment such as radical surgery with regional lymphadenectomy should be considered if the endoscopically resected specimen shows risk factors for lymph node metastasis. This is the first Korean clinical practice guideline for endoscopic resection of early gastrointestinal cancer. This guideline was developed by using mainly de novo methods and encompasses endoscopic management of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, early gastric cancer, and early colorectal cancer. This guideline will be revised as new data on early gastrointestinal cancer are collected.