Purpose: Tracheostomy is a procedure which requires careful selection of tracheostomy tube size, because it can significantly impact patient outcomes. However, in situations where radiological imaging is unavailable for measuring the tracheal inner diameter (ID), it can be estimated using the patient's height, weight, and sex. This study aimed to develop a method for estimating tracheal ID. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 468 adult patients who underwent chest computed tomography and chest X-ray at the National Medical Center from 2019 to 2021. Tracheal ID at the level of the jugular notch was measured and cross-checked. The correlation of the patient's body size and sex was then checked with tracheal ID and a regression equation was obtained to estimate tracheal ID. Results: Height showed the greatest correlation with tracheal ID, followed by either ideal body weight (IBW) or adjusted body weight (ABW). The regression equation to estimate tracheal ID was as follows: “Expected ID of the trachea (mm)” = [11.0781 + (1.9682 for Male or 1 for Female)] + [7.3767 × height (cm)] - {0.8022 × [√ IBW (kg) for healthy weight or ABW (kg) for obese]}. The equation was applied to determine appropriate tracheostomy tube sizes. Conclusion Tracheal ID can be estimated using patient sex, height, and either IBW or ABW. By providing a practical method for estimating tracheal ID, the derived regression equation can serve as a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in emergency situations, which may reduce tracheostomy complication rates and deliver better patient outcomes.

Purpose: Tracheostomy is a procedure which requires careful selection of tracheostomy tube size, because it can significantly impact patient outcomes. However, in situations where radiological imaging is unavailable for measuring the tracheal inner diameter (ID), it can be estimated using the patient's height, weight, and sex. This study aimed to develop a method for estimating tracheal ID. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 468 adult patients who underwent chest computed tomography and chest X-ray at the National Medical Center from 2019 to 2021. Tracheal ID at the level of the jugular notch was measured and cross-checked. The correlation of the patient's body size and sex was then checked with tracheal ID and a regression equation was obtained to estimate tracheal ID. Results: Height showed the greatest correlation with tracheal ID, followed by either ideal body weight (IBW) or adjusted body weight (ABW). The regression equation to estimate tracheal ID was as follows: “Expected ID of the trachea (mm)” = [11.0781 + (1.9682 for Male or 1 for Female)] + [7.3767 × height (cm)] - {0.8022 × [√ IBW (kg) for healthy weight or ABW (kg) for obese]}. The equation was applied to determine appropriate tracheostomy tube sizes. Conclusion Tracheal ID can be estimated using patient sex, height, and either IBW or ABW. By providing a practical method for estimating tracheal ID, the derived regression equation can serve as a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in emergency situations, which may reduce tracheostomy complication rates and deliver better patient outcomes.

Purpose: Tracheostomy is a procedure which requires careful selection of tracheostomy tube size, because it can significantly impact patient outcomes. However, in situations where radiological imaging is unavailable for measuring the tracheal inner diameter (ID), it can be estimated using the patient's height, weight, and sex. This study aimed to develop a method for estimating tracheal ID. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 468 adult patients who underwent chest computed tomography and chest X-ray at the National Medical Center from 2019 to 2021. Tracheal ID at the level of the jugular notch was measured and cross-checked. The correlation of the patient's body size and sex was then checked with tracheal ID and a regression equation was obtained to estimate tracheal ID. Results: Height showed the greatest correlation with tracheal ID, followed by either ideal body weight (IBW) or adjusted body weight (ABW). The regression equation to estimate tracheal ID was as follows: “Expected ID of the trachea (mm)” = [11.0781 + (1.9682 for Male or 1 for Female)] + [7.3767 × height (cm)] - {0.8022 × [√ IBW (kg) for healthy weight or ABW (kg) for obese]}. The equation was applied to determine appropriate tracheostomy tube sizes. Conclusion Tracheal ID can be estimated using patient sex, height, and either IBW or ABW. By providing a practical method for estimating tracheal ID, the derived regression equation can serve as a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in emergency situations, which may reduce tracheostomy complication rates and deliver better patient outcomes.

This study aimed to compare the fluoride-releasing ability and degree of microbial attachment of a newly developed glass-hybrid restorative material (GH) with those of a high-viscosity glass ionomer (HvGIC), resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI), and composite resin (CR). In addition, the correlation between fluoride-releasing ability and microbial attachment between materials was evaluated. Specimens were prepared in a disc shape and divided into 4 groups according to the materials (GH, HvGIC, RMGI, and CR). The fluoride release experiments were performed in each group (n = 15). The amount of fluoride released was measured on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42 after storage. For the microbial attachment experiment, 12 specimens were produced per group using Mutans Streptococci (S.mutans ), a cariogenic microorganism. S. mutans was cultured on the specimens for 24 hours, and the number of bacteria was measured. GH had the highest cumulative fluoride release and showed a significant difference when compared with RMGI (p = 0.001) and CR (p < 0.0001). Microbial attachment was the lowest in GH; however, no significant difference was observed between the materials (p = 0.169). There was no significant correlation between fluoride release from materials and microbial attachment (p > 0.05). From this perspective, remineralization of low-mineralized areas could be expected due to the high fluoride release of GH, and the effect of delaying the progression of dental caries could be predicted from the low cariogenic microbial attachment. Therefore, GH might be a useful restorative material for treating immature permanent teeth with hypomineralized enamel. However, further studies are needed about the degree of remineralization of hypomineralized areas after restoration and the capacity to recharge fluoride.

Transfusion support for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an essential part of supportive care, and compatible blood should be transfused into recipients. As leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching is considered first and as the blood group does not impede HSCT, major, minor, bidirectional, and RhD incompatibilities occur that might hinder transfusion and cause adverse events. Leukocyte reduction in blood products is frequently used, and irradiation should be performed for blood products, except for plasma. To mitigate incompatibility and adverse events, local transfusion guidelines, hospital transfusion committees, and patient management should be considered.

In healthy peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors, rare cases of transient thrombocytopenia have been reported due to the administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or the apheresis itself. Meanwhile, differentiating pseudothrombocytopenia induced by anticoagulants is crucial, as it can result in false low platelet counts. This study aimed to investigate the causes of thrombocytopenia in healthy PBSC donors. We investigated PBSC donors who experienced thrombocytopenia during transplantation at St. Mary’s Hospital, Seoul. Three donors were identified and donor workup studies were within the normal limits. After G-CSF administration prior to transplantation, the donors experienced a significant reduction in platelet counts. Apheresis resulted in lower levels, yet platelet counts returned to normal levels approximately two weeks later. In donor 3, thrombocytopenia was seen during the donor workup and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-induced pseudothrombocytopenia was identified after the supplementation of amikacin. For donor 3, we investigated whether his recipient’s sample showed EDTA-induced pseudothrombocytopenia through a review of any platelet clumping in the apheresis product and the presence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) or IgG antiplatelet antibodies in the recipient’s peripheral blood. In conclusion, the risk of severe thrombocytopenia with G-CSF administration in PBSC donors should be considered and accurate differentiation of pseudothrombocytopenia is imperative.

Restoring composite resins with the optimal shades for all primary teeth is a great challenge for pediatric dentists. A newly developed single-shade composite resin can exhibit a color similar to that of the surrounding tooth structure based on the structural color phenomenon. This study aims to evaluate the color adjustment potential (CAP) of a single-shade composite resin compared to conventional multi-shade composite resins in primary teeth. A single-shade composite resin and two conventional multi-shade composite resins were included in this study. Two types of specimens, a single specimen and a dual specimen, were evaluated. For single specimens, duplications of the primary second molar denture teeth were made using experimental composite resins. For dual specimens, cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of extracted primary second molars and restored with experimental composite resins. The L*, a*, and b* values were measured using a colorimeter for the extracted teeth and specimens. The mean ΔEab* values for single and dual specimens and CAP were calculated. Bonferroni post-hoc analysis was performed to confirm the statistical significance between the ΔEab* and CAP values of the experimental resins. Among the single specimens, the single-shade composite resin showed significantly higher ΔESingle compared to other composite resins (p < 0.0167). There was no significant difference between ΔEDual for all experimental resins. The single-shade composite resin showed highest CAP compared to other multi-shade composite resins. A single-shade composite resin exhibited the most prominent color adaptability compared to other conventional multi-shade composite resins for primary second molars. A single-shade composite resin can simplify shade matching and provide esthetic outcomes for the restoration of primary second molars.

This study compared the surface roughness and microbial adhesion characteristics of Omnichroma, a novel composite resin developed using “smart chromatic technology”, with those of two other conventional composite resins with different filler compositions. A total of 144 specimens were fabricated using 3 types of composite resins: Omnichroma (nano-spherical), Filtek Z350XT (nanofill), and Tetric N-Ceram (nanohybrid) and, divided into 3 groups of 48. Finishing was performed using tungsten carbide burs. Specimens were then divided into 3 subgroups using different polishing methods: Control, SofLex, and PoGo. Surface roughness was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using an atomic force microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Microbial adhesion was assessed by culturing Streptococcus mutans on the specimens for 24 hours and then measuring colony-forming units attached to the upper surface. The surface roughness (Ra) of Omnichroma was 0.123 μm after finishing, and it exhibited a smooth surface compared to the other resins. However, after polishing, there were no significant differences in the surface roughness between the three composite groups, regardless of the polishing methods. The surfaces of the Control subgroups were significantly rougher than those of the SofLex subgroups in all 3 composite groups. However, except for Tetric N-Ceram, there were no significant differences between the Control and PoGo subgroups in the other composite groups. Microbial adhesion assessment showed no significant differences between any of the 3 composite resin subgroups; however, Omnichroma exhibited higher microbial adhesion than the other two composites. No significant correlation was observed between surface roughness and microbial adhesion.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of erythrosine-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on Streptococcus mutans biofilm recovery by counting its colony-forming units (CFUs) and via confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis at different time points following PDT. In PDT, photosensitizer was an erythrosine. S. mutans ATCC25175 biofilms were irradiated using an LED curing light. Chlorhexidine (CHX) was used as positive control. After each antimicrobial treatment, samples were cultured to allow biofilm recovery. Viability was measured by calculating the CFU counts after treatment and after every 3 hours for up to 24 hours. Immediately after treatment, the PDT and CHX groups showed equally significant decreases in S. mutans CFU counts compared to the negative control. After 12 hours of reculture, the PDT group showed no significant difference in the decrease in CFU count compared to the negative control, whereas the CHX group showed significantly lower CFU counts throughout the 24-hour period. Erythrosine-mediated PDT can effectively inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation. However, biofilm recovery occurred earlier in the CHX group after PDT. This study provides insights into the clinical effectiveness of PDT in preventing dental caries.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and potassium iodide (KI) on the formation of cariogenic biofilm and surface roughness in vitro. A total of 48 bovine dentin specimens with artificially induced caries were prepared and divided into 3 groups of 16: untreated control, SDF-treated, and SDF-treated followed by KI (SDFKI). Ten specimens from each group were used to observe microbial adhesion. Multispecies cariogenic biofilms including Streptococcus mutans , Lactobacillus casei , and Candida albicans were cultured on the specimens. Microbes were cultured for 24 hours, and the colony-forming unit was calculated. The remaining specimens were observed by atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The number of bacteria was significantly lower in the SDF and SDFKI groups. KI did not inhibit the antibacterial activity of SDF significantly. SEM images showed particles generated after SDF and SDFKI application were deposited on the dentin, but there was no significant difference in surface roughness between the 3 groups. This study confirmed that SDF and SDFKI application did not have a significant effect on the surface roughness of dentin, but effectively inhibited the formation of the early cariogenic bacterial film after 24 hours compared to the control.