Pediatric hypertension (HTN) is a significant, growing health concern worldwide and also in Korea. Diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of HTN in Korean children and adolescents are uncertain due to limitations in using the current international guidelines, since the recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guidelines differ. Furthermore, these are guidelines for Western youth, who are racially and ethnically different from Koreans. In addition, reference blood pressure values for all pediatric age groups, which are essential for the diagnosis of HTN according to these two guidelines, are absent in Korea. Therefore, HTN guidelines for Korean children and adolescents should be established. The Korean Working Group of Pediatric Hypertension established clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of HTN in Korean children and adolescents. These guidelines were based on reported clinical evidence, expert recommendations, and AAP and ESH guidelines. The characteristics of Korean youth and the Korean medical and insurance system were considered during the establishment of the guidelines. By providing recommendations suitable for Korean youth, these guidelines will help in the prevention and management of childhood HTN, thus relieving the burden of cardiovascular disease in adulthood in Korea.

Purpose: We sought to assess mortality trends in chest-abdominal trauma patients, before and after the implementation of the Project Supporting Establishment of Trauma Centers (PSETC) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data from the National Health Insurance Service claims database between 2009 to 2017 were analyzed. Patients with chest-abdominal trauma were defined as those with relevant main diagnosis codes and claims for emergency medical management fees. Mortality and cumulative data were analyzed for each year to compare mortality before and after the establishment of regional trauma centers across Korea (2014). Results: In total, 29,127 patients were included in the analysis. While the annual incidence of trauma-related chest-abdominal injuries increased, mortalities decreased. In particular, the trauma incidence rate among patients over 50 years increased during the study period. Mortalities at trauma centers did not change year by year after the PSETC. Before and after 2014, when trauma centers operated under the PSETC, mortalities decreased [trauma cases before the PSETC; n = 14,321 (mortality 5.61), after the PSETC; n = 14,806 (mortality 4.96)]. Conclusion The number of patients treated for chest-abdominal injuries increased from 2009 to 2017 in Korea, whereas mortalities decreased over the same period.

Objectives: With the rapid aging of the Korean population, interest in oral health is increasing among older adults. However, information and communication technology (ICT)-based programs for oral function rehabilitation exercises (OFRE), that are closely related to the systemic and cognitive health of older adults, are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the applicability of ICT-based OFRE programs by identifying the demand from elder-care facility workers, who are the main providers, and to establish a basic plan for system development. Methods: This study was conducted using a Google Form questionnaire for approximately one month in September 2022 for workers at a day-and-night care center in Korea. Frequency analysis and chi-square tests were performed to identify the oral-health perceptions of center workers, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the need for ICT-based OFRE programs. Results: First, in patients undergoing oral function-related activities at the center, the need for OFRE was high, especially for mastication exercises (P<0.05). Second, participants with experience in using ICT-based rehabilitation programs were more positive about the usefulness of the new programs (P<0.001). Third, ease of use and simplicity of the program content were highly desirable, and group delivery was preferred. Conclusions This study confirmed the usefulness of ICT-based OFRE programs in facilities for older adults. The study findings are expected to be a basis for further development.

Objective: Differentiating intracranial aneurysms from normal variants using CT angiography (CTA) or MR angiography (MRA) poses significant challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of proton-density MRA (PD-MRA) compared to highresolution time-of-flight MRA (HR-MRA) in diagnosing aneurysms among patients with indeterminate findings on conventional CTA or MRA. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we included patients who underwent both PD-MRA and HR-MRA from August 2020 to July 2022 to assess lesions deemed indeterminate on prior conventional CTA or MRA examinations. Three experienced neuroradiologists independently reviewed the lesions using HR-MRA and PD-MRA with reconstructed voxel sizes of 0.253 mm3 or 0.23 mm3 , respectively. A neurointerventionist established the gold standard with digital subtraction angiography.We compared the performance of HR-MRA, PD-MRA (0.253 -mm3 voxel), and PD-MRA (0.23 -mm3 voxel) in diagnosing aneurysms, both per lesion and per patient. The Fleiss kappa statistic was used to calculate inter-reader agreement. Results: The study involved 109 patients (average age 57.4 ± 11.0 years; male:female ratio, 11:98) with 141 indeterminate lesions. Of these, 78 lesions (55.3%) in 69 patients were confirmed as aneurysms by the reference standard. PD-MRA (0.253 -mm3voxel) exhibited significantly higher per-lesion diagnostic performance compared to HR-MRA across all three readers: sensitivity ranged from 87.2%–91.0% versus 66.7%–70.5%; specificity from 93.7%–96.8% versus 58.7%–68.3%; and accuracy from 90.8%–92.9% versus 63.8%–69.5% (P ≤ 0.003). Furthermore, PD-MRA (0.253 -mm3 voxel) demonstrated significantly superior per-patient specificity and accuracy compared to HR-MRA across all evaluators (P ≤ 0.013). The diagnostic accuracy of PD-MRA (0.23 -mm3 voxel) surpassed that of HR-MRA and was comparable to PD-MRA (0.253 -mm3 voxel). The kappa values for inter-reader agreements were significantly higher in PD-MRA (0.820–0.938) than in HR-MRA (0.447–0.510). Conclusion PD-MRA outperformed HR-MRA in diagnostic accuracy and demonstrated almost perfect inter-reader consistency in identifying intracranial aneurysms among patients with lesions initially indeterminate on CTA or MRA.

Background: Keloid and hypertrophic scars are prominent scars that are excessively repaired with upregulated synthesis, deposition, and accumulation of collagen. Topical agents are used to reduce inflammation and fibrotic changes via reduced transepithelial water loss. Increased mechanical pressure applied through scar massage can accelerate scar maturation by inducing fibroblast proliferation, which enhances the remodeling of connective tissue matrices and collagen degradation. Methods: This study comparatively analyzed the effectiveness of topical agents applied to post-burn wounds on the dorsal surface of Sprague-Dawley rats through twice-daily massaging. Postoperative histological analysis of the tissues was performed after surgical en bloc removal of the treatment area at 4, 10, and 16 weeks. Results: Histological analyses revealed larger amounts of fibroblasts in Mepiform and Scarnos gel-treated tissue than in Vaseline-treated tissue. Granulation was prevented in scars treated with the topical agents. Conclusion Mepiform Ultra scar gel and Scarnos gel, accompanied by massaging, may be effective anti-scarring topical agents to alleviate contact burn scars in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Purpose: This retrospective study evaluated the radiographic and clinical outcomes of osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) without bone grafts, and analyzed the factors influencing endosinus bone remodeling.Materials and Methods: Radiographic and clinical data from 44 implants in 36 patients were collected after a follow-up period of 6 months to 6.5 years (mean, 2.04 years). Mean residual bone height (RBH) was 5.0 ± 1.3 mm. The length of the implant protruding into the sinus and endosinus bone gain (ESBG) on radiographs were measured. Results: All the 44 implants survived until the final follow-up period. Groups were divided according to an RBH of 5 mm at the time of implant placement, with 22 implants per group. Mean ESBG was 2.40 ± 1.48 mm in an RBH < 5 mm group and 2.01 ± 0.87 mm in an RBH ≥5 mm group. Endosinus bone gain was significantly higher in the RBH < 5 mm group for up to one year after the implant placement; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups at the final follow-up period. Conclusion Osteotome sinus floor elevation without bone grafting is a predictable procedure for achieving endosinus bone remodeling when RBH is < 5 mm.

Objectives: As community-oriented public health in oral healthcare for older adults becomes increasingly emphasized, research into community-based oral function rehabilitation interventions is emerging. This study examined the feasibility of community adoption of a previously developed oral function rehabilitation exercise program using an expert-crafted Delphi survey. Methods: An eight-expert panel was formed to develop a Delphi survey instrument and conduct a survey based on the results of previous studies. To test the community applicability of oral function rehabilitation exercises derived from this systematic review, we asked questions related to ‘independent performance’, ‘education applicability for caregivers’, ‘facility program applicability’, ‘intervention methods’, and ‘outcome indicators’. Results: Except for ‘pharyngeal exercise’ and ‘salivation exercise’, the five main exercises met the validity criteria for ‘independent performance’, ‘education applicability for caregivers’, and ‘facility program applicability’. The validity of dental hygienists as intervention providers obtained consensus from the experts with a CVR value of 0.75 or higher, an agreement of 0.75-0.85, and a convergence of 0.5. Conclusions The application of oral function rehabilitation exercises in a community setting is feasible, and the dental community should be willing to promote it so that it can be provided to many community-dwelling older adults in the future. In addition, the use of dental hygienists as intervention providers is appropriate. However, their training as intervention providers for oral function rehabilitation exercises may need to be strengthened.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of adverse childhood experiences, positive childhood experiences, and community integration on resilience in psychiatric outpatients. Methods: The study subjects were 166 psychiatric outpatients in one general hospital in South Korea who were diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression disorder. The collected data were analyzed with the t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis, using the SPSS/WIN 24 program. Results: There were statistically significant differences in resilience in psychiatric outpatients according to age, religion, occupation, type of household, type of diagnosed disorder. In psychiatric outpatients, resilience showed a significant positive correlation with benevolent childhood experiences and community integration, but had a negative correlation with adverse childhood experiences. Multiple regression analysis for resilience in psychiatric outpatients revealed that the significant factors affecting resilience were community integration, benevolent childhood experiences, adverse childhood experiences, housing facilities (type of household), ages 40-49, and living alone (type of household). These factors explained 52.2% of the variance. Conclusion In order to improve the resilience of mentally ill people, a campaign is needed to increase the accessibility of community participation programs in mental health services for community integration and to publicize the influence of benevolent childhood experiences and adverse childhood experiences. Furthermore, it is necessary to identify individual factors such as residence type and age of mentally ill people, build a customized support system by considering their specific needs, and develop intervention programs to strengthen resilience.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of adverse childhood experiences, positive childhood experiences, and community integration on resilience in psychiatric outpatients. Methods: The study subjects were 166 psychiatric outpatients in one general hospital in South Korea who were diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression disorder. The collected data were analyzed with the t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis, using the SPSS/WIN 24 program. Results: There were statistically significant differences in resilience in psychiatric outpatients according to age, religion, occupation, type of household, type of diagnosed disorder. In psychiatric outpatients, resilience showed a significant positive correlation with benevolent childhood experiences and community integration, but had a negative correlation with adverse childhood experiences. Multiple regression analysis for resilience in psychiatric outpatients revealed that the significant factors affecting resilience were community integration, benevolent childhood experiences, adverse childhood experiences, housing facilities (type of household), ages 40-49, and living alone (type of household). These factors explained 52.2% of the variance. Conclusion In order to improve the resilience of mentally ill people, a campaign is needed to increase the accessibility of community participation programs in mental health services for community integration and to publicize the influence of benevolent childhood experiences and adverse childhood experiences. Furthermore, it is necessary to identify individual factors such as residence type and age of mentally ill people, build a customized support system by considering their specific needs, and develop intervention programs to strengthen resilience.

Purpose: This retrospective study evaluated the radiographic and clinical outcomes of osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) without bone grafts, and analyzed the factors influencing endosinus bone remodeling.Materials and Methods: Radiographic and clinical data from 44 implants in 36 patients were collected after a follow-up period of 6 months to 6.5 years (mean, 2.04 years). Mean residual bone height (RBH) was 5.0 ± 1.3 mm. The length of the implant protruding into the sinus and endosinus bone gain (ESBG) on radiographs were measured. Results: All the 44 implants survived until the final follow-up period. Groups were divided according to an RBH of 5 mm at the time of implant placement, with 22 implants per group. Mean ESBG was 2.40 ± 1.48 mm in an RBH < 5 mm group and 2.01 ± 0.87 mm in an RBH ≥5 mm group. Endosinus bone gain was significantly higher in the RBH < 5 mm group for up to one year after the implant placement; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups at the final follow-up period. Conclusion Osteotome sinus floor elevation without bone grafting is a predictable procedure for achieving endosinus bone remodeling when RBH is < 5 mm.