Background: This study aims to analyze the experiences of self-medication for minor symptoms, examine over-the-counter (OTC) drug usage patterns, and evaluate consumer satisfaction with pharmacy services to explore future improvements in self-medication practices. Methods: A 27-item questionnaire was used in this cross-sectional survey to examine self-medication experiences for minor ailments among adults living in Korea during March to April 2019 through an online channel. Results: Of the 354 respondents, 98.9% experienced minor symptoms such as cough, cold, headache, muscle pain, indigestion, lower back pain, sore throat, diarrhea, body aches, heartburn, constipation, and fever for the past year. 31.9% purchased OTC medication from pharmacies, 37.6% visited healthcare providers such as clinics, and 30.5% rested at home, to cope with them. The main advantage of self-medication wasidentified as being easier and more convenient than physician visits, while the primary concern was uncertainty about the accuracyof self-diagnosis. 91.8% purchased OTC drugs from a pharmacy in the past year, 53.8% trusted pharmacists’ product choices, and72.6% were satisfied with pharmacists’ medication guidance. In cases of chronic illness, the rate of visits to hospitals, clinics, orpharmacies was higher, while the proportion of those who “endure and bear with it” was lower (p = 0.012). Conclusion This study highlights the crucial role of pharmacists in improving the quality of self-medication and provides foundational data for enhancing pharmacy services.

Background and Objectives: Lipid lowering therapy is essential to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events; however, limited evidence exists regarding the use of statin with ezetimibe as primary prevention strategy for middle-aged adults. We aimed to investigate the impact of single pill combination therapy on clinical outcomes in relatively healthy middleaged patients when compared with statin monotherapy. Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, a propensity score match analysis was performed for baseline characteristics of 92,156 patients categorized into combination therapy (n=46,078) and statin monotherapy (n=46,078) groups. Primary outcome was composite outcomes, including death, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke. And secondary outcome was all-cause death. The mean follow-up duration was 2.9±0.3 years. Results: The 3-year composite outcomes of all-cause death, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke demonstrated no significant difference between the 2 groups (10.3% vs.10.1%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.022; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.980–1.064; p=0.309).Meanwhile, the 3-year all-cause death rate was lower in the combination therapy group than in the statin monotherapy group (0.2% vs. 0.4%; p<0.001), with a significant HR of 0.595 (95% CI, 0.460–0.769; p<0.001). Single pill combination therapy exhibited consistently lower mortality rates across various subgroups. Conclusions Compared to the statin monotherapy, the combination therapy for primary prevention showed no difference in composite outcomes but may reduce mortality risk in relatively healthy middle-aged patients. However, since the study was observational, further randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: The development of endovascular devices and clinical experience, recanalization rate after intraarterial thrombectomy (IA-Tx) has increased. Recent papers reported that the amount of perfusion/diffusion (P/D)-mismatching in digital analysis from computer tomography perfusion (CTP) image is well correlated well with P/D-mismatching from magnetic resonance image. The purpose of this study is compare the patient clinical outcomes after IA-Tx, judging from CTP based and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based study. Methods: : 218 patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) treated by IA-Tx were included in this analysis. In the MRI group (n=80), P/D-mismatching from MRI based image analysis by visual method and in the CTP group (n=138), and recently, P/D-mismatching was decided by automatized computer programmatic analyzed from CTP based image (Syngo.via program). Results: Favorable outcome (modified Rankin Score: 0–2), mortality, recanalization, and clinically significant hemorrhage was 56.3% (45/80), 6.25% (5/80), 81.3% (65/80) and 25% (20/80) in MRI group and 4.9% (62/138), 8.9%(18/138), 91.3%(126/138) and 40.6% (56/138) in CTP group (p=0.000, 0.235, 0.007 and 0.013). Reperfusion injury (27.5% vs, 15.0%, p=0.018) but favorable outcome was high 55.0% vs. 44.9 $, p=0.00) in the MRI study group. Conclusion : In our study, patient selection according to the P/D-mismatching from MR-based imaging and CTP-based image was not different in final clinical outcome. Recent IA-Tx, showed high recanalization rate but it also cause high incidence of reperfusion injury.

Background and Objectives: Lipid lowering therapy is essential to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events; however, limited evidence exists regarding the use of statin with ezetimibe as primary prevention strategy for middle-aged adults. We aimed to investigate the impact of single pill combination therapy on clinical outcomes in relatively healthy middleaged patients when compared with statin monotherapy. Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, a propensity score match analysis was performed for baseline characteristics of 92,156 patients categorized into combination therapy (n=46,078) and statin monotherapy (n=46,078) groups. Primary outcome was composite outcomes, including death, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke. And secondary outcome was all-cause death. The mean follow-up duration was 2.9±0.3 years. Results: The 3-year composite outcomes of all-cause death, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke demonstrated no significant difference between the 2 groups (10.3% vs.10.1%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.022; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.980–1.064; p=0.309).Meanwhile, the 3-year all-cause death rate was lower in the combination therapy group than in the statin monotherapy group (0.2% vs. 0.4%; p<0.001), with a significant HR of 0.595 (95% CI, 0.460–0.769; p<0.001). Single pill combination therapy exhibited consistently lower mortality rates across various subgroups. Conclusions Compared to the statin monotherapy, the combination therapy for primary prevention showed no difference in composite outcomes but may reduce mortality risk in relatively healthy middle-aged patients. However, since the study was observational, further randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of kombucha on the surface of composite resins and to examine thedegradation-inhibiting effect of adding calcium to kombucha. Methods: Six experimental groups were established, with three types of liquid kombucha: one with 3% added calcium,carbonated water as a positive control, and mineral water as a negative control. The pH and titratable acidity values of the experimental groups were measured. The samples were filled with condensed composite resin and placed in the experimental drinks for 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The Vickers microhardness of the surface was measured before and after immersion, and the changes were compared. Results: The pH values of the experimental group were I’m alive (2.87±0.02), Hollys (2.95±0.01), Ediya (2.99±0.01), I’m alive +3% Ca (4.09±0.01), carbonated water (4.66±0.01), and mineral water (7.67±0.02). I’m alive (–12.35) showed the largest reduction in surface hardness, followed by Hollys (–9.78), carbonated water (–7.97), I’m alive +3% Ca (–7.82), Ediya (–7.60), and mineral water (–1.56). In the Vickers microhardness measurements, all experimental groups, except for the mineral water group, showed significant differences (p＜0.05). The scanning electron microscope results showed that the experimental group and positive control had rough surfaces and micropores. Conclusion The surface hardness was significantly reduced in all experimental groups except for water. In particular, in the caseof kombucha with low pH, the reduction rate increased, weakening the physical properties of the material. In addition, the reduction rate of surface hardness was lower in kombucha with added calcium, and it is believed that drinking kombucha containing calcium can minimize the erosion of dental materials.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of kombucha on the surface of composite resins and to examine thedegradation-inhibiting effect of adding calcium to kombucha. Methods: Six experimental groups were established, with three types of liquid kombucha: one with 3% added calcium,carbonated water as a positive control, and mineral water as a negative control. The pH and titratable acidity values of the experimental groups were measured. The samples were filled with condensed composite resin and placed in the experimental drinks for 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The Vickers microhardness of the surface was measured before and after immersion, and the changes were compared. Results: The pH values of the experimental group were I’m alive (2.87±0.02), Hollys (2.95±0.01), Ediya (2.99±0.01), I’m alive +3% Ca (4.09±0.01), carbonated water (4.66±0.01), and mineral water (7.67±0.02). I’m alive (–12.35) showed the largest reduction in surface hardness, followed by Hollys (–9.78), carbonated water (–7.97), I’m alive +3% Ca (–7.82), Ediya (–7.60), and mineral water (–1.56). In the Vickers microhardness measurements, all experimental groups, except for the mineral water group, showed significant differences (p＜0.05). The scanning electron microscope results showed that the experimental group and positive control had rough surfaces and micropores. Conclusion The surface hardness was significantly reduced in all experimental groups except for water. In particular, in the caseof kombucha with low pH, the reduction rate increased, weakening the physical properties of the material. In addition, the reduction rate of surface hardness was lower in kombucha with added calcium, and it is believed that drinking kombucha containing calcium can minimize the erosion of dental materials.

Background and Objectives: Lipid lowering therapy is essential to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events; however, limited evidence exists regarding the use of statin with ezetimibe as primary prevention strategy for middle-aged adults. We aimed to investigate the impact of single pill combination therapy on clinical outcomes in relatively healthy middleaged patients when compared with statin monotherapy. Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, a propensity score match analysis was performed for baseline characteristics of 92,156 patients categorized into combination therapy (n=46,078) and statin monotherapy (n=46,078) groups. Primary outcome was composite outcomes, including death, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke. And secondary outcome was all-cause death. The mean follow-up duration was 2.9±0.3 years. Results: The 3-year composite outcomes of all-cause death, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke demonstrated no significant difference between the 2 groups (10.3% vs.10.1%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.022; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.980–1.064; p=0.309).Meanwhile, the 3-year all-cause death rate was lower in the combination therapy group than in the statin monotherapy group (0.2% vs. 0.4%; p<0.001), with a significant HR of 0.595 (95% CI, 0.460–0.769; p<0.001). Single pill combination therapy exhibited consistently lower mortality rates across various subgroups. Conclusions Compared to the statin monotherapy, the combination therapy for primary prevention showed no difference in composite outcomes but may reduce mortality risk in relatively healthy middle-aged patients. However, since the study was observational, further randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

BACKGROUND: Exosomes, nano-sized vesicles ranging between 30 and 150 nm secreted by human cells, play a pivotal role in long-range intercellular communication and have attracted significant attention in the field of regenerative medicine. Nevertheless, their limited productivity and cost-effectiveness pose challenges for clinical applications. These issues have recently been addressed by cell-derived nanovesicles (CDNs), which are physically synthesized exosome-mimetic nanovesicles from parent cells, as a promising alternative to exosomes. CDNs exhibit structural, physical, and biological properties similar to exosomes, containing intracellular protein and genetic components encapsulated by the cell plasma membrane. These characteristics allow CDNs to be used as regenerative medicine and therapeutics on their own, or as a drug delivery system. METHODS: The paper reviews diverse methods for CDN synthesis, current analysis techniques, and presents engineering strategies to improve lesion targeting efficiency and/or therapeutic efficacy. RESULTS: CDNs, with their properties similar to those of exosomes, offer a cost-effective and highly productive alternative due to their non-living biomaterial nature, nano-size, and readiness for use, allowing them to overcome several limitations of conventional cell therapy methods. CONCLUSION Ongoing research and enhancement of CDNs engineering, along with comprehensive safety assessments and stability analysis, exhibit vast potential to advance regenerative medicine by enabling the development of efficient therapeutic interventions.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of kombucha on the surface of composite resins and to examine thedegradation-inhibiting effect of adding calcium to kombucha. Methods: Six experimental groups were established, with three types of liquid kombucha: one with 3% added calcium,carbonated water as a positive control, and mineral water as a negative control. The pH and titratable acidity values of the experimental groups were measured. The samples were filled with condensed composite resin and placed in the experimental drinks for 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The Vickers microhardness of the surface was measured before and after immersion, and the changes were compared. Results: The pH values of the experimental group were I’m alive (2.87±0.02), Hollys (2.95±0.01), Ediya (2.99±0.01), I’m alive +3% Ca (4.09±0.01), carbonated water (4.66±0.01), and mineral water (7.67±0.02). I’m alive (–12.35) showed the largest reduction in surface hardness, followed by Hollys (–9.78), carbonated water (–7.97), I’m alive +3% Ca (–7.82), Ediya (–7.60), and mineral water (–1.56). In the Vickers microhardness measurements, all experimental groups, except for the mineral water group, showed significant differences (p＜0.05). The scanning electron microscope results showed that the experimental group and positive control had rough surfaces and micropores. Conclusion The surface hardness was significantly reduced in all experimental groups except for water. In particular, in the caseof kombucha with low pH, the reduction rate increased, weakening the physical properties of the material. In addition, the reduction rate of surface hardness was lower in kombucha with added calcium, and it is believed that drinking kombucha containing calcium can minimize the erosion of dental materials.

Background and Objectives: Lipid lowering therapy is essential to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events; however, limited evidence exists regarding the use of statin with ezetimibe as primary prevention strategy for middle-aged adults. We aimed to investigate the impact of single pill combination therapy on clinical outcomes in relatively healthy middleaged patients when compared with statin monotherapy. Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, a propensity score match analysis was performed for baseline characteristics of 92,156 patients categorized into combination therapy (n=46,078) and statin monotherapy (n=46,078) groups. Primary outcome was composite outcomes, including death, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke. And secondary outcome was all-cause death. The mean follow-up duration was 2.9±0.3 years. Results: The 3-year composite outcomes of all-cause death, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke demonstrated no significant difference between the 2 groups (10.3% vs.10.1%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.022; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.980–1.064; p=0.309).Meanwhile, the 3-year all-cause death rate was lower in the combination therapy group than in the statin monotherapy group (0.2% vs. 0.4%; p<0.001), with a significant HR of 0.595 (95% CI, 0.460–0.769; p<0.001). Single pill combination therapy exhibited consistently lower mortality rates across various subgroups. Conclusions Compared to the statin monotherapy, the combination therapy for primary prevention showed no difference in composite outcomes but may reduce mortality risk in relatively healthy middle-aged patients. However, since the study was observational, further randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.