The purpose of this study was to compare surface hardness between titanium-nitride coated crowns (TiNCs) and stainless steel crowns (SSCs), and to evaluate the corrosion resistance and color sustainability of TiNCs.
Ten TiNCs and 10 SSCs were used for the hardness test. Measurement was performed 30 times for each type of crowns, and the mean values were compared. Metallic raw material plates (before being processed into crowns) of TiNCs and SSCs were prepared for the corrosion resistance test. The total amounts of metal ion releases in the test solution were detected by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Five TiNCs were subjected to the color sustainability test by applying repetitive brushing forces.
The mean hardness values of TiNC group and SSC group were 395.53 ± 105.90 Hv and 278.70 ± 31.45 Hv respectively. Hardness of TiNCs were significantly higher than that of SSCs. The total amounts of metal ion releases from the materials of TiNCs and SSCs satisfied the criterion in International Organization for Standardization 22674. The results mean that TiNCs and SSCs were not harmful in an acidic environment. The golden coating was stable against the repetitive physical stimulations for a given period time.

Molar-incisor malformation (MIM) is a newly reported dental anomaly with molar root deformity and incisor crown defects. MIM-affected teeth may cause severe pain with no apparent tooth caries. Since the affected molars clinically appear normal, radiographs are recommended for accurate diagnosis on the first visit. Since MIM-affected patients are in mixed dentition, timely and appropriate interventions are needed to avoid unnecessary pain and complicated clinical issues. This report was written to describe two patients who had MIM in early mixed dentition and report their 2-year follow-ups.

Purpose: Proteins are major components of the body and essential nutrients for proper growth and development. However, studies on protein intake in children and adolescents are insufficient. A few previous studies have reported the relationship with growth indicators, but results vary depending on the source of protein. Therefore, the current study investigates the relationship between protein intake and overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Korea. Methods: Based on the 2014–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 5,567 children and adolescents aged 6–18 years, who participated in a 24-hour dietary recall with information on height and weight, were included in this study. Protein intake was estimated as percentage of total energy (% of energy) and was classified into animal and plant protein according to the food source. Overweight and obesity were defined using the 2017 pediatric and adolescent growth chart. Results: Total protein intake of the subjects was estimated as 14.5% of total energy (animal protein 8.3% and plant protein 6.3%). The group with the highest total protein intake had a higher odds ratio (OR) of overweight/obesity than those with the least protein intake (OR, 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-1.67, p for trend = 0.003). When classified by food source, the group with the highest animal protein intake had a significantly higher OR of overweight/obesity than subjects with the lowest intake (OR, 1.30, 95% CI, 1.05-1.61, p for trend = 0.016). However, plant protein was not significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Conclusions These findings suggest that a high intake of animal protein in children and adolescents increases the risk of being overweight and obese. In order to develop normal growth and prevent obesity in the future, it is necessary to determine an appropriate protein intake level through nutrition education programs and prospective studies on balanced protein intake.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in children and adolescents. Pediatric collagenous gastritis (CG) is a rare gastrointestinal disorder. Abdominal pain associated with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common clinical symptom.We present three cases of pediatric CG diagnosed during the treatment of recurrent IDA. During esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), nodularity of the gastric corpus was observed, which is a characteristic finding in pediatric patients with CG.Although pediatric CG could not be diagnosed by general EGD biopsy and pathological examination, it was diagnosed after suspecting pediatric CG and performing appropriate diagnostic tests. We recommend EGD for pediatric patients with recurrent IDA, especially for those with gastrointestinal symptoms. Moreover, when performing EGD, conducting appropriate examinations for pediatric CG is necessary.

Purpose: We compared the cataract grades with slit lamp examination and anterior segment photography using the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III criteria. We also explored the effect of a yellow filter on the photographic results. Methods: Eighty eyes with cataracts were examined by three inspectors (1, 2, and 3). Anterior segment photographs taken by inspector 1 were divided into two groups depending on whether cortical opacity or nuclear sclerosis predominated. In each group, the cataract grades determined by inspector 1 on slit lamp examination and anterior segment photography were compared. Also, after randomly assigning the anterior segment photographs taken by inspector 1 to inspectors 2 and 3, the cataract grades of these photographs were compared to the grades of photographs taken by all inspectors using a yellow filter. Results: The average cortical opacity evaluated by inspector 1 on slit lamp examination (3.48 ± 0.91) was significantly higher than that apparent on anterior segment photographs (2.35 ± 0.77) (p < 0.001). In the photographs, the average cortical opacity when a yellow filter was used was significantly higher for both inspectors 1 (p < 0.001) and 2 (p = 0.022) than when the filter was absent. The average extent of nuclear sclerosis evaluated by inspector 1 on slit lamp examination (4.08 ± 0.94) was significantly higher than that of anterior segment photography (3.73 ± 1.24) (p = 0.042). Conclusions Cataract evaluation via anterior segment photography underestimates the extent of damage compared to direct slit lamp examination. However, use of a yellow filter during photography aids cataract evaluation, especially cortical opacity.

Purpose: We used anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to measure the pterygial subepithelial invasion length and thickness before and after surgery, and to evaluate the corneal epithelium and the extent of astigmatism. Methods: This was a retrospective study. Ten eyes that underwent pterygial excision surgery were analyzed. We used corneal topographic data to assess astigmatism before surgery and employed AS-OCT to measure corneal epithelial thickness and the length of subepithelial invasion. We measured the relative pterygial length, width, and area on anterior segment photographs. Corneal topographic assessment and AS-OCT were repeated 1 month after surgery. Multiple regression and Pearson correlation analyses were used to analyze the relationships between normalization of astigmatism and the size and thickness of the excised pterygium. Results: The mean With-the-Rule proportion of preoperative astigmatism was 2.9 ± 2.3 D and the mean corneal epithelial thickness 269.60 ± 84.17 µm. The mean thickness of the excised pterygia was 210.73 ± 80.36 µm. Pterygial thickness was significantly associated with the extent of preoperative With-the-Rule astigmatism and the normalized With-the-Rule astigmatism after pterygial excision. These correlations were stronger than those of the relative pterygial length, width, and area. The mean subepithelial invasion length was 595.00 ± 310.32 µm. Conclusions An increase in pterygial epithelial thickness influenced the extent of With-the-Rule astigmatism to a much greater extent than did the relative pterygial length, width, and area. AS-OCT measurement of the subepithelial invasion length identifies the required excisional area prior to surgery.

This review presents an overview of some diagnostic imaging-related issues regarding medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ), including imaging signs that can predict MRONJ in patients taking antiresorptive drugs, the early imaging features of MRONJ, the relationship between the presence or absence of bone exposure and imaging features, and differences in imaging features by stage, between advanced MRONJ and conventional osteomyelitis, between oncologic and osteoporotic patients with MRONJ, and depending on the type of medication, method of administration, and duration of medication. The early diagnosis of MRONJ can be made by the presence of subtle imaging changes such as thickening of the lamina dura or cortical bone, not by the presence of bone exposure. Most of the imaging features are relatively non-specific, and each patient’s clinical findings and history should be referenced. Oral and maxillofacial radiologists and dentists should closely monitor plain radiographs of patients taking antiresorptive/antiangiogenic drugs.

Capecitabine, a precursor of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is a well-tolerated and safe chemotherapy that has been used to treat breast, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. Albeit rare, both 5-FU and capecitbine have been reported to be associated with acute central nervous system toxicity, including cerebellar dysfunction, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and transient leukoencephalopathies. Here we present a case of 32-year-old female, demonstrating transient mutism related to capecitabine induced acute toxic leukoencephalopathy.

Ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenomas or hyperplasias account for up to 25% of primary hyperparathyroidism cases. Most abnormal parathyroid glands are found in the superior mediastinum within the thymus and can be removed through a cervical incision; however, a few of these glands are not accessible using standard cervical surgical approaches. Surgical resection has traditionally been performed via median sternotomy or thoracotomy. However, recent advancement in video-assisted thoracic surgery techniques has decreased the need for sternotomy or thoracotomy to remove these ectopic parathyroid glands. Here, we report a successful case of video-assisted thoracoscopic removal of a mediastinal parathyroid adenoma.
Hyperparathyroidism, Primary ; Hyperplasia ; Mediastinum ; Parathyroid Glands ; Parathyroid Neoplasms* ; Sternotomy ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thoracotomy ; Thymus Gland