A pyramidal molar is which has completely fused roots with a solitary enlarged canal. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of pyramidal molars among adolescent.
A total of 1,612 patients’ panoramic radiographs were screened. A total of 12,896 first and second molars were evaluated. The relative incidence and the correlations regarding the location of pyramidal molar (maxillary versus mandibular) and gender were analyzed using the chi-square test.
The overall incidence of patients with pyramidal molars was 1.49%. 24 patients were found to have a pyramidal molar and it was more prevalent in women (18 women and 6 men). The prevalence of pyramidal molars from all first and second molars examined was 0.31%. 88 percent of pyramidal molars occurred in maxilla. All pyramidal molars were second molar.
Pyramidal molar has a relatively poor periodontal prognosis compared with common multi-rooted teeth and it is important to understand the structural characteristics of root canal during pulp treatment. Clinicians should be able to understand the anatomical properties of pyramidal molar and apply it to treatment and prognostic evaluation.

Background: As the population rapidly ages, older adults are increasingly likely to experience mobility problems. This study aims to explore the characteristics related to an elderly person’s willingness to live in a nursing home if they have mobility problems Methods: This study analyzed data from 9,917 older adults (5,976 young-old and 3,941 old-old) obtained from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. The dependent variable was the intended place of residence for older adults with mobility problems.Independent variables included various characteristics: (1) sociodemographic and social support, (2) health and functional status, and (3) residential environment. Rao-Scott chi-square tests and survey logistic regression analyses were performed for the young-old and old-old, respectively. Results: The intention to live in a nursing home was significantly different between the young-old (30.4%) and the old-old (34.7%) (p=0.009). According to fully adjusted multivariable analyses, for the young-old, the odds ratio of intending to live in a nursing home was significantly higher in social security benefit recipients (1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.97) compared to other individuals. The odds ratio was higher in unmarried (divorced, separated, widowed, or never-married) individuals for both young-old (1.41; 95% CI, 1.22–1.63) and old-old (1.34; 95% CI, 1.09–1.65) age groups, compared to their respective married counterparts. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that in an aging society, health and social policies should be designed considering the different characteristics of the elderly to improve their health, function, and quality of life.

Background: Remimazolam is an ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine. Few studies have evaluated the effects of remimazolam-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on emergence agitation (EA). This study aimed to compare the incidence and severity of EA between TIVA using remimazolam and desflurane. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study enrolled 76 patients who underwent nasal surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized into two groups of 38 each: desflurane-nitrous oxide (N2O) (DN) and remimazolam-remifentanil (RR) groups. The same protocol was used for each group from induction to emergence, except for the use of different anesthetics during maintenance of anesthesia according to the assigned group: desflurane and nitrous oxide for the DN group and remimazolam and remifentanil for the RR group. The incidence of EA as the primary outcome was evaluated using three scales: Ricker Sedation-Agitation Scale, Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, and Aono’s four-point agitation scale. Additionally, hemodynamic changes during emergence and postoperative sense of suffocation were compared. Results: The incidence of EA was significantly lower in the RR group than in the DN group in all three types of EA assessment scales (all P < 0.001). During emergence, the change in heart rate differed between the two groups (P = 0.002). The sense of suffocation was lower in the RR group than in the DN group (P = 0.027). Conclusions RR reduced the incidence and severity of EA in patients undergoing nasal surgery under general anesthesia. In addition, RR was favorable for managing hemodynamics and postoperative sense of suffocation.

Background: Remimazolam is an ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine. Few studies have evaluated the effects of remimazolam-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on emergence agitation (EA). This study aimed to compare the incidence and severity of EA between TIVA using remimazolam and desflurane. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study enrolled 76 patients who underwent nasal surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized into two groups of 38 each: desflurane-nitrous oxide (N2O) (DN) and remimazolam-remifentanil (RR) groups. The same protocol was used for each group from induction to emergence, except for the use of different anesthetics during maintenance of anesthesia according to the assigned group: desflurane and nitrous oxide for the DN group and remimazolam and remifentanil for the RR group. The incidence of EA as the primary outcome was evaluated using three scales: Ricker Sedation-Agitation Scale, Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, and Aono’s four-point agitation scale. Additionally, hemodynamic changes during emergence and postoperative sense of suffocation were compared. Results: The incidence of EA was significantly lower in the RR group than in the DN group in all three types of EA assessment scales (all P < 0.001). During emergence, the change in heart rate differed between the two groups (P = 0.002). The sense of suffocation was lower in the RR group than in the DN group (P = 0.027). Conclusions RR reduced the incidence and severity of EA in patients undergoing nasal surgery under general anesthesia. In addition, RR was favorable for managing hemodynamics and postoperative sense of suffocation.

Background: Remimazolam is an ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine. Few studies have evaluated the effects of remimazolam-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on emergence agitation (EA). This study aimed to compare the incidence and severity of EA between TIVA using remimazolam and desflurane. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study enrolled 76 patients who underwent nasal surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized into two groups of 38 each: desflurane-nitrous oxide (N2O) (DN) and remimazolam-remifentanil (RR) groups. The same protocol was used for each group from induction to emergence, except for the use of different anesthetics during maintenance of anesthesia according to the assigned group: desflurane and nitrous oxide for the DN group and remimazolam and remifentanil for the RR group. The incidence of EA as the primary outcome was evaluated using three scales: Ricker Sedation-Agitation Scale, Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, and Aono’s four-point agitation scale. Additionally, hemodynamic changes during emergence and postoperative sense of suffocation were compared. Results: The incidence of EA was significantly lower in the RR group than in the DN group in all three types of EA assessment scales (all P < 0.001). During emergence, the change in heart rate differed between the two groups (P = 0.002). The sense of suffocation was lower in the RR group than in the DN group (P = 0.027). Conclusions RR reduced the incidence and severity of EA in patients undergoing nasal surgery under general anesthesia. In addition, RR was favorable for managing hemodynamics and postoperative sense of suffocation.

Background: Remimazolam is an ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine. Few studies have evaluated the effects of remimazolam-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on emergence agitation (EA). This study aimed to compare the incidence and severity of EA between TIVA using remimazolam and desflurane. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study enrolled 76 patients who underwent nasal surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized into two groups of 38 each: desflurane-nitrous oxide (N2O) (DN) and remimazolam-remifentanil (RR) groups. The same protocol was used for each group from induction to emergence, except for the use of different anesthetics during maintenance of anesthesia according to the assigned group: desflurane and nitrous oxide for the DN group and remimazolam and remifentanil for the RR group. The incidence of EA as the primary outcome was evaluated using three scales: Ricker Sedation-Agitation Scale, Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, and Aono’s four-point agitation scale. Additionally, hemodynamic changes during emergence and postoperative sense of suffocation were compared. Results: The incidence of EA was significantly lower in the RR group than in the DN group in all three types of EA assessment scales (all P < 0.001). During emergence, the change in heart rate differed between the two groups (P = 0.002). The sense of suffocation was lower in the RR group than in the DN group (P = 0.027). Conclusions RR reduced the incidence and severity of EA in patients undergoing nasal surgery under general anesthesia. In addition, RR was favorable for managing hemodynamics and postoperative sense of suffocation.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The inhibitory effect of Hijikia fusiforme (HF) extracts on degenerative osteoarthritis was examined in primary cultured rat cartilage cells and a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. MATERIALS/METHODS: In vitro, cell survival and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), collagen type I, collagen type II, aggrecan, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) was measured after H2O2 (800 µM, 2 hr) treatment in primary chondrocytes. In vivo animal study, osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of MIA into knee joints of rats, and then RH500, HFE250 and HFE500 were administered orally once a day for 28 days. To determine the anti-inflammatory effects of HFE, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) expression were measured. In addition, real-time PCR was performed to measure the genetic expression of MMPs, collagen type I, collagen type II, aggrecan, and TIMPs. RESULTS: In the in vitro assay, cell survival after H2O2 treatment was increased by HFE extract (20% EtOH). In addition, anabolic factors (genetic expression of collagen type I, II, and aggrecan) were increased by HFE extract (20% EtOH). However, the genetic expression of MMP-3 and 7, known as catabolic factors were significantly inhibited by treatment with HFE extract (20% EtOH). In the in vivo assay, anabolic factors (genetic expression of collagen type I, II, aggrecan, and TIMPs) were increased by oral administration of HFE extract. However, the genetic expression of MMP-3 and 7, known as catabolic factors, and production of NO and PGE2 were significantly inhibited by treatment with oral administration of HFE extract. CONCLUSIONS: HFE extract inhibited articular cartilage degeneration through preventing extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte injury.
Administration, Oral ; Aggrecans ; Animals ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cell Survival ; Chondrocytes ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type II ; Dinoprostone ; Extracellular Matrix ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Knee Joint ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Models, Animal ; Nitric Oxide ; Osteoarthritis* ; Rats ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The inhibitory effect of Hijikia fusiforme (HF) extracts on degenerative osteoarthritis was examined in primary cultured rat cartilage cells and a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. MATERIALS/METHODS: In vitro, cell survival and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), collagen type I, collagen type II, aggrecan, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) was measured after H2O2 (800 µM, 2 hr) treatment in primary chondrocytes. In vivo animal study, osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of MIA into knee joints of rats, and then RH500, HFE250 and HFE500 were administered orally once a day for 28 days. To determine the anti-inflammatory effects of HFE, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) expression were measured. In addition, real-time PCR was performed to measure the genetic expression of MMPs, collagen type I, collagen type II, aggrecan, and TIMPs. RESULTS: In the in vitro assay, cell survival after H2O2 treatment was increased by HFE extract (20% EtOH). In addition, anabolic factors (genetic expression of collagen type I, II, and aggrecan) were increased by HFE extract (20% EtOH). However, the genetic expression of MMP-3 and 7, known as catabolic factors were significantly inhibited by treatment with HFE extract (20% EtOH). In the in vivo assay, anabolic factors (genetic expression of collagen type I, II, aggrecan, and TIMPs) were increased by oral administration of HFE extract. However, the genetic expression of MMP-3 and 7, known as catabolic factors, and production of NO and PGE2 were significantly inhibited by treatment with oral administration of HFE extract. CONCLUSIONS: HFE extract inhibited articular cartilage degeneration through preventing extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte injury.
Administration, Oral ; Aggrecans ; Animals ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cell Survival ; Chondrocytes ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type II ; Dinoprostone ; Extracellular Matrix ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Knee Joint ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Models, Animal ; Nitric Oxide ; Osteoarthritis* ; Rats ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases

PURPOSE: This study was designed to induce irreVersible gel formation of poloxamer, the thermosensitive polymer hydrogel, by using photoinitiator and UV irradiation, and to verify the biocompatibility and usability of poloxamer as an injectable intraocular lens material through long-term observation in vivo. METHODS: Endocapsular phacoemulsification of lens was performed in rabbits and 25% poloxamer mixed with various concentrations of photoinitiator was injected into the capsular bag through a small capsulorhexis site. Then, the whole eye was irradiated with UV light for 5 minutes. The irreversibility and transparency of the post-operative poloxamer and the effects on the conjunctiva, cornea, iris, vitreous humor and retina were observed. RESULTS: As the results of this experiment using poloxamer 25% and photoinitiator 0.01%, the poloxamer remained transparent in the lens capsule for more than six months after the operation. No inflammatory response or toxicity was observed on the conjunctiva, cornea, iris, vitreous humor or retina. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the possibility of poloxamer as a new material for the injectable intraocular lens. Further study, however, is necessary.
Capsulorhexis ; Conjunctiva ; Cornea ; Hydrogel ; Iris ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Phacoemulsification ; Poloxamer ; Polymers ; Rabbits* ; Retina ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Vitreous Body