This study investigated the plaque removal efficacy of a suction-type sonic toothbrush compared to a conventional manual toothbrush in preschool children aged 30 to 59 months. Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design with a 2-week washout period, 20 pediatric participants were allocated to two study phases, each using either the suction-type sonic toothbrush or the manual toothbrush with caregiver assistance. The plaque removal effectiveness was assessed through the Silness and Löe plaque index and quantitative light-induced fluorescence values, including ΔR30 and ΔR120 indicators of plaque index. The result showed no statistically significant differences in plaque removal efficacy between the two toothbrushes, although both showed similar improvements. Caregiver feedback revealed high acceptability of the suction-type sonic toothbrush due to its convenience and engaging features, such as a light and suction function, which enhanced the tooth brushing experience. Although limited by the short follow-up period and small sample size, the findings suggest that suction-type sonic toothbrushes may offer practical benefits for young children requiring caregiver assistance.

Background: Long-term use of bisphosphonate is a risk factor for atypical femoral fractures (AFFs). Femoral bowing is known to be associated with AFFs. However, whether femoral bowing quickens the occurrence of AFF is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether AFF occurs earlier in patients with severe femoral bowing than in those without severe bowing. Methods: One hundred and sixty-four patients (186 AFFs) from January 2006 to December 2022 were included in this study.According to severity of femoral bowing, patients were divided into 2 groups: severe bowing group (26 femurs) and minimal to moderate bowing group (160 femurs). Age, sex, and completeness and location of AFF were compared between the 2 groups. We compared the time of AFF occurrence after bisphosphonate therapy using cumulative percentage between the 2 groups. Results: Age and sex were similar between the 2 groups, while body mass index (BMI) was lower (22.5 ± 3.0 kg/m 2 vs. 24.5 ± 3.5 kg/m 2 , p = 0.003) in the severe bowing group. The duration of bisphosphonate use was shorter in the severe bowing group than in the minimal to moderate bowing group (3.3 ± 3.8 years vs. 5.0 ± 4.0 years, p = 0.048). In the severe bowing group, 85% of AFFs were diaphyseal in contrast to the 46% in the minimal to moderate bowing group (p < 0.001). Cumulative percentage plot of AFFs in the severe bowing group was left-shifted compared to the minimal to moderate bowing group. Conclusions At the time of AFF diagnosis, the severe bowing group exhibited shorter duration of bisphosphonate use, lower BMI, and a higher incidence of diaphyseal location. Shortening the duration of bisphosphonate therapy may be advisable in patients with severe femoral bowing.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, management, and comorbidities of diabetes mellitus among Korean adults. Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2022) were analyzed to assess the prevalence, treatment, risk factors, and comorbidities of diabetes. Comparisons between young and older adults with diabetes were emphasized. Results: Among Korean adults aged ≥30 years, the prevalence of diabetes is 15.5% during 2021–2022. Of these, 74.7% were aware of their condition, 70.9% received antidiabetic treatment, and only 32.4% achieved glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <6.5%. Moreover, 15.9% met the integrated management targets, which included HbA1c <6.5%, blood pressure <140/85 mm Hg, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL. In young adults aged 19 to 39 years, the prevalence of diabetes was 2.2%. Among them, 43.3% were aware of their condition, 34.6% received treatment, and 29.6% achieved HbA1c <6.5%. Obesity affected 87.1%, and 26.9% had both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Among adults aged ≥65 years, the prevalence of diabetes was 29.3%, with awareness, treatment, and control rates of 78.8%, 75.7%, and 31.2%, respectively. Integrated management targets (HbA1c <7.5%, hypertension, and lipids) were achieved by 40.1%. Conclusion Diabetes mellitus remains highly prevalent among Korean adults, with significant gaps in integrated glycemic, blood pressure, and lipid control. Older adults with diabetes show higher awareness and treatment rates but limited integrated management outcomes. Young adults with diabetes bear a significant burden of obesity and comorbidities, alongside low awareness and treatment rates. Therefore, early intervention programs, education, and strategies tailored to younger populations are urgently required.

Background: This study aimed to examine trends in the prevalence, incidence, metabolic characteristics, and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among young adults in South Korea. Methods: Young adults with T2DM were defined as individuals aged 19 to 39 years who met the diagnostic criteria for T2DM. Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Customized Database (2010–2020, n=225,497–372,726) were analyzed to evaluate trends in T2DM prevalence, incidence, metabolic profiles, comorbidities, and antidiabetic drug prescription. Additional analyses were performed using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results: The prevalence of T2DM in young adults significantly increased from 1.02% in 2010 to 2.02% in 2020 (P<0.001), corresponding to 372,726 patients in 2020. Over the same period, the incidence rate remained stable within the range of 0.36% to 0.45%. Prediabetes prevalence steadily increased from 15.53% to 20.92%, affecting 3.87 million individuals in 2020. The proportion of young adults with T2DM who were obese also increased, with 67.8% having a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m² and 31.6% having a BMI ≥30 kg/m² in 2020. The prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver disease also increased, reaching 34.2%, 79.8%, and 78.9%, respectively, in 2020. Although the overall pharmacological treatment rate remained low, the prescription of antidiabetic medications with weight-reducing properties increased over the study period. Conclusion The prevalence of T2DM among young adults in South Korea nearly doubled over the past decade. The strong association with obesity and metabolic comorbidities emphasizes the urgent need for targeted prevention and management strategies tailored to this population.

Maternal stress during pregnancy can profoundly affect offspring health, increasing the risk of psychiatric disorders, metabolic diseases, and gastrointestinal problems. In this study, the effects of high prenatal corticosterone exposure on gene expression in the brain and small intestine of rat offspring were investigated via RNA-sequencing analysis. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups: Corti.Moms were injected with corticosterone daily, while Nor.Moms were given saline injections. Their offspring were labeled as Corti.Pups and Nor.Pups, respectively. The brain tissue analysis of Corti.Pups showed that the expression levels of the genes linked to neurodegenerative conditions increased and enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, possibly due to higher ATP demands. The genes associated with calcium signaling pathways, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and IgA production were also upregulated in the small intestine of Corti.pups. Conversely, the genes related to protein digestion, absorption, and serotonergic and dopaminergic synaptic activities were downregulated. These findings revealed that gene expression patterns in both the brain and intestinal smooth muscle of offspring prenatally exposed to corticosterone were substantially altered. Thus, this study provided valuable insights into the effects of prenatal stress on neurodevelopment and gut function.

Background/Aims: The incidence of steatotic liver disease (SLD) is increasing across all age groups as the incidence of obesity increases worldwide. The existing noninvasive prediction models for SLD require laboratory tests or imaging and perform poorly in the early diagnosis of infrequently screened populations such as young adults and individuals with healthcare disparities. We developed a machine learning-based point-of-care prediction model for SLD that is readily available to the broader population with the aim of facilitating early detection and timely intervention and ultimately reducing the burden of SLD. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 28,506 adults who had routine health check-ups in South Korea from January to December 2022. A total of 229,162 individuals were included in the external validation study. Data were analyzed and predictions were made using a logistic regression model with machine learning algorithms. Results: A total of 20,094 individuals were categorized into SLD and non-SLD groups on the basis of the presence of fatty liver disease. We developed three prediction models: SLD model 1, which included age and body mass index (BMI); SLD model 2, which included BMI and body fat per muscle mass; and SLD model 3, which included BMI and visceral fat per muscle mass. In the derivation cohort, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was 0.817 for model 1, 0.821 for model 2, and 0.820 for model 3. In the internal validation cohort, 86.9% of individuals were correctly classified by the SLD models. The external validation study revealed an AUROC above 0.84 for all the models. Conclusions As our three novel SLD prediction models are cost-effective, noninvasive, and accessible, they could serve as validated clinical tools for mass screening of SLD.

Purpose: Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a rare subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.Radiation therapy (RT) has served as the primary treatment option for PMBCL; however, its role has been questioned with the advent of intensified immunochemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the role of consolidative RT in the primary treatment of PMBCL. Methods: This single-center retrospective study analyzed the survival outcomes of 65 patients newly diagnosed with PMBCL. The patients were divided into three treatment groups: (1) EPOCH-R (etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and rituximab), (2) R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), and (3) R-CHOP with consolidative RT. Results: The objective response and complete remission rates were 86.2% and 63.1%, respectively, with 3-year pro‑ gression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of 72% and 81%, respectively. All patients in the R-CHOP + RT group achieved an objective response with better PFS) than those who did not receive consolidative RT (p = 0.028), although there was no significant difference in OS (p = 0.102). Consolidative RT benefited patients with an initially bulky disease or insufficient end-of-treatment response. The predictive value of  18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positronemission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in assessing the treatment response in PMBCL was revali‑ dated, showing that patients who achieved negative end-of-treatment PET-CT had significantly better survival outcomes than others. Conclusions R-CHOP is a useful alternative regimen when intensified chemotherapy is not feasible. Consolidative RT should be considered in cases with an initially bulky disease and insufficient end-of-treatment response.

This study investigated the plaque removal efficacy of a suction-type sonic toothbrush compared to a conventional manual toothbrush in preschool children aged 30 to 59 months. Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design with a 2-week washout period, 20 pediatric participants were allocated to two study phases, each using either the suction-type sonic toothbrush or the manual toothbrush with caregiver assistance. The plaque removal effectiveness was assessed through the Silness and Löe plaque index and quantitative light-induced fluorescence values, including ΔR30 and ΔR120 indicators of plaque index. The result showed no statistically significant differences in plaque removal efficacy between the two toothbrushes, although both showed similar improvements. Caregiver feedback revealed high acceptability of the suction-type sonic toothbrush due to its convenience and engaging features, such as a light and suction function, which enhanced the tooth brushing experience. Although limited by the short follow-up period and small sample size, the findings suggest that suction-type sonic toothbrushes may offer practical benefits for young children requiring caregiver assistance.

Objective: The treatment rate for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Korea is significantly lower than its prevalence rate. Because untreated AUD can have harmful consequences, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to individuals with AUD seeking mental health services. Methods: We collected nationally representative data from the National Mental Health Survey of Korea 2021 and analyzed responses from 643 individuals with AUD, of which 76.8% were male. Factors related to mental health service utilization among individuals with AUD were classified into three categories: sociodemographic (such as sex, age, marital status, education, and monthly household income), clinical (including symptom severity, psychiatric comorbidity, suicidality, and physical illness), and psychological characteristics (like perceived stigma, loneliness and social isolation, and resilience). We used multiple logistic regression analyses to examine each characteristic separately and combined in a single model to determine the most significant factors. Results: The three logistic regression models revealed that sex, psychiatric comorbidity, physical illness, and perceived stigma are significantly linked to the utilization of mental health services among individuals with AUD. Results from the comprehensive model indicated that only physical illness and perceived stigma have significant associations with mental health service utilization. Conclusion These findings can assist in developing targeted interventions for individuals with AUD.