STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The role of calcium sulfate in stimulating the growth of gingival soft tissue has been reported in few studies. Such a unique property of calcium sulfate could serve as a trouble-solving broker in compensating for the lack of soft tissues in various oral surgeries. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the proliferating activities of human gingival fibroblasts seeded on various bone graft barrier materials of calcium sulfate, collagen, and polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two calcium sulfates (CAPSET(R) and CalForma(R), Lifecore Biomedical Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA), a resorbable natural collagen (Bio-Gide(R), Geistlich Pharma Ag., Wolhusen, Switzerland), and a non-resorbable PTFE (TefGen-FD(R), Lifecore Biomedical Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA) served as the human gingival fibroblasts'substrates and comprised the four experimental groups, whereas the untreated floors of culture plastics were used in the control group, in this study. Cells were trypsinized, seeded, and incubated for 48 h. The proliferating activities of fibroblasts were determined by XTT and SRB assay and absorbance (optical density, OD) was measured. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the differences in the mean OD values between the groups of CAPSET, CalForma, Bio-Gide, TefGen, and the control (p<0.05). RESULTS: From the XTT assay, the mean OD value of the control group, the highest, was significantly greater than that of any of the four experimental groups followed by CalForma, CAPSET, TefGen, and Bio-Gide. Further, the mean OD value of CalForma, was significantly greater compared to that of Bio-Gide. From the SRB assay, Calforma showed the highest mean OD value, which was significantly greater than that of any other groups, followed by the control, CAPSET, Bio-Gide, and TefGen. The mean OD values of both the control and CAPSET were significantly greater compared to that of TefGen (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Assessment of the viability and proliferation of cultured fibroblasts seeded and incubated for 48 h on various barrier-material substrates using XTT and SRB assay showed that calcium sulfate CalForma(R) promotes the proliferating activity of human gingival fibroblasts.
Calcium Sulfate* ; Calcium* ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans* ; Minnesota ; Plastics ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Sulfates ; Transplants ; Trypsin

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy for young adults. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-post-test design was used. One hundred three university students participated in the study. Participants in the experimental group (n=51) were provided the health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy for five weeks. The program consisted of weekly sessions that included action planning and group feedback. The control group (n=52) was provided with health information every week for 5 weeks. Program outcomes, including self-efficacy, physical activity health behaviors, total exercise time per week, daily cigarette consumption, frequency of alcohol drinking per month, nutritional health behaviors, and subjective health status, were assessed at baseline and at follow-up after 5 weeks. RESULTS: The participants in the experimental group demonstrated significant increases in self-efficacy, physical activity health behaviors, weekly exercise time, and nutritional health behaviors and significant decreases in daily cigarette consumption than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy is a brief and effective intervention to promote health behaviors among young adults. Further investigation is warranted to assess the program's effectiveness among other age groups and populations at high risk for chronic illness.
Alcohol Drinking ; Chronic Disease ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Behavior ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Motor Activity ; Self Efficacy ; Tobacco Products ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy for young adults. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-post-test design was used. One hundred three university students participated in the study. Participants in the experimental group (n=51) were provided the health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy for five weeks. The program consisted of weekly sessions that included action planning and group feedback. The control group (n=52) was provided with health information every week for 5 weeks. Program outcomes, including self-efficacy, physical activity health behaviors, total exercise time per week, daily cigarette consumption, frequency of alcohol drinking per month, nutritional health behaviors, and subjective health status, were assessed at baseline and at follow-up after 5 weeks. RESULTS: The participants in the experimental group demonstrated significant increases in self-efficacy, physical activity health behaviors, weekly exercise time, and nutritional health behaviors and significant decreases in daily cigarette consumption than those in the control group. CONCLUSION The health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy is a brief and effective intervention to promote health behaviors among young adults. Further investigation is warranted to assess the program's effectiveness among other age groups and populations at high risk for chronic illness.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify factors affecting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination intention. Methods: For an anonymous online survey, recruitment notices were posted on an anonymous community by each university, and an online survey was conducted through online form from June to July 2021. COVID-19 knowledge and health-protective behavior were measured using a questionnaire based on previous literature and reflecting the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Response Guidelines. The psychological antecedents of vaccination were measured by 5C scale. Results: Two-hundred and ninety-four college students (women 67.3%) answered the survey; 179 (60.9%) reported that they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. The mean scores for COVID-19 knowledge and health-protective behavior were 22.97 ± 5.33 (out of 35) and 9.92 ± 2.22 (out of 12), respectively. For the psychological antecedents of vaccination, the mean scores for confidence, collective responsibility, calculation, complacency, and constraints were 4.45 ( ± 1.24), 5.61 ( ± 1.09), 5.09 ( ± 1.18), 2.42 ( ± 1.11), and 2.37 ( ± 1.19) out of 5 points, respectively. The confidence, calculation, and collective responsibility were associated with vaccination intention. Additionally, the top reason for those who were less prone to accept vaccination against COVID-19 was concern about vaccine safety. Conclusion The higher the confidence in the vaccine and the higher the collective responsibility, the higher the vaccination intention. As it is a factor related to an individual’s perception of COVID-19 information, it is necessary to increase confidence in the vaccines through obtaining accurate information on the safety, effectiveness, and side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination.

PURPOSE: Studies on cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in immunocompetent children are lacking, and minimal information is available in the medical literature on hepatic manifestations and complications of CMV. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and prognosis of children with CMV hepatitis, and to investigate its prevalence at a single medical center in Korea over a 10-year period. METHODS: One hundred thirty-two children diagnosed with CMV infection based on specific markers (anti-CMV IgM, CMV polymerase chain reaction in blood and urine, or CMV culture of urine) were included in the study. Clinical and biochemical characteristics, immunological markers, and outcomes of hepatic CMV infection were determined. RESULTS: The median age of patients (n=132) was 8.5 months (range, 14 days–11.3 years). Peak total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase levels in serum ranged from 0.11–21.97 mg/dL, and 5–1,517 IU/L, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase remained elevated from 2–48 weeks. Jaundice was the most common clinical feature of hepatic CMV infection during infancy. The hematologic findings revealed anemia, leukocytosis, and monocytosis in CMV-infected patients. All participants recovered without administration of ganciclovir. CONCLUSION: In children with CMV hepatitis, fever was the most common symptom at presentation, and jaundice was the most common clinical feature of hepatic CMV infection in infants younger than 3 months of age. Hepatic CMV infection in immunocompetent children is often a self-limited illness that does not require antiviral therapy, as most patients in this study had favorable outcomes.
Alanine Transaminase ; Anemia ; Bilirubin ; Child* ; Cytomegalovirus Infections* ; Cytomegalovirus* ; Epidemiology ; Fever ; Ganciclovir ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Infant ; Jaundice ; Korea* ; Leukocytosis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Prognosis*

Background: Dental caries in preschool children can cause early loss of teeth, reduced masticatory function, malocclusion, and speech disorders, making oral care for preschool children essential. However, because children have a poor ability to perform oral hygiene by themselves, educational tools that help establish correct oral health behaviors are required. This study evaluated the effect of toothbrushing application for kids on dental plaque removal and toothbrushing interest in preschool children. Methods: Seven 5-year-old children enrolled in a daycare center participated in the evaluation, and the same children participated in the experiment twice a week. The Pokémon Smile application (App) was used as an auxiliary application for tooth brushing, and the degree of dental plaque removal on the tooth surface was evaluated by quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital imaging. After the experiment, children’s toothbrushing preferences were investigated through interviews. Results: The levels of AREA R30 and AREA R70 measured after the children’s toothbrushing as usual decreased compared to those before toothbrushing; however, the change was not significant. The levels of AREA R30 and AREA R70 measured after using the Pokémon Smile App were significantly reduced compared to those before toothbrushing. Children’s interest in brushing their teeth increased by 28.59% after using the Pokémon Smile App. Conclusion The toothbrushing application for kids effectively removes dental plaque by helping preschool children brush their teeth. It also increased preschool children’s interest in tooth brushing. Therefore, an oral health education application would be useful for children who need to develop correct oral care methods and habits.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ecabet sodium is known for its bactericidal effect against H. pylori. It was reported that a supplement of ecabet sodium to conventional triple therapy showed good results in Asia. The Aim of this study was to ascertain the efficacy of additional ecabet sodium on conventional triple therapy for eradication of H. pylori. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of 111 patients (Group A) with H. pylori infection who received ecabet sodium with triple therapy (20 mg of rabeprazole, 1 g of amoxicillin, 500 mg of clarithromycin and 1 g of ecabet sodium, twice daily for 7 days). Another 186 patients (Group B) received PPI-based triple therapy (same as the above, except without the ecabet sodium). Eradication was evaluated 4 weeks later after completion of treatment by 13C-UBT. RESULTS: Eradication rates were 74.8% (83/111) in group A and 70.4% (131/186) in group B by intention-to-treat analysis (p=0.420), and 75.2% (82/109) in group A and 70.7% (128/181) in group B by per protocol analysis (p=0.405). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of ecabet sodium to conventional triple therapy did not increase the eradication rate of H. pylori in this study. These findings imply that ecabet sodium as an additional agent cannot overcome antibiotic resistance, which is the most important cause of failure of triple therapy.
2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles ; Amoxicillin ; Asia ; Clarithromycin ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Korea ; Sodium

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tianeptine and sertraline in the treatment of patients with depression. METHOD: The study was done on the patients with major depression diagnosed by DSM-IV, who had a Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(HAM-D) score > OR =14 on the first 17 items of the HAM-D. A total of 40 patients were randomly assigned to tianeptine group and sertraline group. Tianeptine and sertraline were prescribed to each group. 6 weeks of each medication was carried out after 7 days of drug excretion period. Evaluation using 17 item HAM-D, Montgomery and {0c5}sberg Depression Rating Scale(MADRS), Clinical Global Impression Scale(CGI), and Covi Scale was done on the baseline and after 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks. Regarding all side effects that had occurred during the period of our study such as their developed/disappeared time, severities, incidences, managements and results have been recorded. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients(tianeptine group 15;sertraline group 15) finished the 6 weeks of research. 37.5mg of the daily dose was regularly prescribed to the tianeptine group, the average amount of 64.0+/-22.5mg of the final daily dose was prescribed to the sertraline group. Total 17 item HAM-D scores, total points of MADRS and CGI showed significant decrease after 1 week in each treatment group and continous decrease after 2, 4 and 6 weeks;and no difference was found between tianeptine group and sertraline group in the antidepressant efficacy. Also there were no significant changes in vital sign, CBC, chemistry, and EKG in each treatment group. The common reported side effects of tianeptine were nausea(33.3%), epigastic distress(26.7%), dry mouth(20.0%), headache(13.3%) and those of sertraline were dry mouth(53.3%), headache(46.7%), nausea(33.3%), anorexia(33.3%). CONCLULSION: According to the results, tianeptine was effective in improvement of depressive symptoms and was well tolerated and safe in patients with depression.
Chemistry ; Depression* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Incidence ; Sertraline* ; Vital Signs

OBJECTIVE: A Multicenter open-label study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of venlafaxine for the treatment in patients with major depression. METHOD: The study was done in patients with major depression diagnosed by DSM-IV who accepted venlafaxine medication. In cases of the patients taking other antidepressants, 6 weeks of venlafaxine medication was carried out after 14 days of drug excretion period and evaluation using HAM-D, MADRS, and CGI was done at baseline, and after 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Regarding all side effects that had occurred during the period of our study such as their developed/disappeared time, severities, incidences, relationship with venlafaxine, managements and results have been putted into the records. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients were enrolled. Among 94 of them finished the 6 weeks of research and 41 of them did not make it through the research. Total HAM-D scores showed significant decrease after 1 week of venlafaxine medication and continous decrease through the study period. Total scores of MADRS also showed significant improvement after 1 week and continuous decrease through the study period. Similarly, CGI showed significant improvement between baseline, 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. There were no significant changes in vital sign, CBC, chemistry, and EKG. The commonly reported side effects of venlafaxine were nausea (10.6%), indigestion (9.5%), constipation (8.5%), and dizziness (8.5%). CONCLUSION: According to the results, venlafaxine was effective and safe in the treatment of patients with major depression.
Antidepressive Agents ; Chemistry ; Constipation ; Depression* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Dizziness ; Dyspepsia ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nausea ; Vital Signs ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

This correction is being published to correct the typo in title and introduction.