Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of the BUN/ALB in canine pyometra before and after surgery. Methods: In this retrospective study, BUN/ALB was compared among survivors, nonsurvivors, and healthy dogs. The BUN/ALB was calculated as blood urea nitrogen (mg/dL) ÷ albumin (g/dL). Analyses included one-way analysis of variance with the Holm-Sidak post hoc test, Mann–Whitney tests, Jonckheere–Terpstra trend analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Preoperative BUN/ALB was higher in dogs with pyometra than in healthy dogs, with the highest values in non-survivors. ROC analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 and an optimal cut-off of 8.935 (sensitivity of 73.08%, specificity of 90.91%).Postoperatively, the BUN/ALB remained higher in non-survivors (AUC, 0.81; cut-off, 8.445;sensitivity, 68.28%, specificity, 83.33%). Conclusions and Relevance: The BUN/ALB was significantly associated with mortality in dogs with pyometra both pre- and postoperatively. The BUN/ALB may serve as a simple, inexpensive, and readily available prognostic marker to support clinical decision-making in canine pyometra.

Objective: To characterize age-related motor, olfactory, and auditory changes in 5×FAD mice and assess associated AD pathologies and neuroinflammation in relevant brain regions. Methods: 5×FAD and control mice were tested at 3, 6, and 12 months. Locomotor activity and motor coordination were assessed using the open field and rotarod tests, respectively. Olfactory and auditory performance were evaluated using the buried food test and the acoustic startle response test, respectively. Amyloid-β pathology and glial activation were examined in relevant nervous system components using western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses. Results: 5×FAD mice showed no differences in open-field locomotion at any age, but exhibited a significantly greater passive clinging duration at 12 months compared to wild-type controls (p < 0.001). In the buried food test, olfactory latency was significantly prolonged in 5×FAD mice at 6 months (p = 0.035) and 12 months (p < 0.001). Acoustic startle amplitude was significantly reduced at 6 months (p = 0.030) and 12 months (p = 0.007). Amyloid-β and p-Tau accumulation and glial activation were elevated in the olfactory bulb and auditory cortex in an age-dependent manner. Conclusions and Relevance: This study provides an age-related behavioral and pathological characterization of olfactory and auditory impairments in the 5×FAD mouse model, with motor measures included as complementary assessments. Our findings broaden the spectrum of functional deficits associated with the AD pathology in this model.

Background: Human muscle satellite (stem) cells (MuSCs) are essential for investigating muscle physiology, regeneration, and disease mechanisms. Primary cultures derived directly from human tissues offer a more physiologically relevant model than immortalized cell lines. However, the isolation and characterization of MuSCs from human upper limb tissues are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to establish and characterize a primary culture system for MuSCs obtained from human upper limb muscle tissue. Methods: Human muscle tissues were obtained from upper limb surgical specimens. Muscle samples were mechanically and enzymatically dissociated to isolate muscle-derived cells, which were cultured under standard growth conditions. Cell morphology and proliferation were monitored during the culture period. Myogenic characteristics were assessed by examining the expression of muscle-specific markers including myogenic regulatory factors and structural proteins. Additionally, myogenic differentiation capacity was evaluated by inducing differentiation and analyzing the formation of multinucleated myotubes. Results: Primary MuSCs were isolated from human upper limb tissues and expanded in vitro. The cultured cells exhibited a typical spindle-shaped morphology and demonstrated significant proliferative capacity. Characterization confirmed the expression of myogenic markers, indicating the presence of muscle-derived precursor cells. Following induction of differentiation, the cells formed multinucleated myotube-like structures and expressed muscle proteins associated with differentiation, highlighting their potential for myogenic differentiation. Conclusion This study established a reliable protocol for isolating and culturing MuSCs from human upper limb tissues. Cultured cells displayed typical myogenic characteristics and differentiation capacity, indicating that this model could be a valuable platform for studying human muscle biology and potential therapeutic applications.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationships between artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and utilization ability, and their influence on communication competence in nursing students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 nursing students from three universities in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea, between September 12 and 19, 2025. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires to assess AI knowledge, attitudes, perception and utilization ability, and communication competence. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using IBM SPSS version 26.0. Results: The mean scores for communication competence were 180.63±16.56. The scores for AI knowledge, positive attitudes, negative attitudes, and perception/utilization ability were 10.53±3.59, 45.06±4.44, 22.25±3.80, and 88.33±12.50, respectively. Significant predictors of communication competence included positive attitudes toward AI (B=0.95, p=.003), perceived ease of use (B=1.15, p=.009), and AI usage time of five hours or more per week (B=8.23, p=.015). These factors explained 22.0% of the variance in communication competence. Conclusion Educational interventions that foster positive attitudes toward AI, enhance perceived ease of use through user-friendly tools, and provide sufficient hands-on experience with AI programs may effectively improve nursing students’ communication competence.

This case report describes a customized PEEK healing abutment fabricated using CAD-CAM technology to ensure the aesthetics of an anterior implant prosthesis.A 3-dimensional surgical guide was designed and printed to plan the ideal placement of implant, and the healing abutment was designed by CAD software to ensure the appropriate peri-gingival tissue at that location. The CAD-CAM Ti-base PEEK abutment was tightened right after the installation of implant fixture. After approximately 2 ‒ 3 months of observation, soft tissue healing and implant fixture stability were confirmed. The intraoral scanning before removing a healing abutment, after removing it which is for sub-gingival tissue, and with scan body were performed separately for the final prosthesis and all scan files were superimposed to design and fabricate the final prosthesis to ensure both aesthetic and functional performance. The final prosthesis fit comfortably without compressing the surrounding soft tissue, and the patient was functionally and esthetically satisfied with the outcome.

Pudendal neuralgia is a painful neuropathy of the pudendal nerve, which contains sensory and motor fibers that innervate the anal, perineal, and genital regions. Secondary pudendal neuralgia may occur after injuries sustained during gynecological or urological surgery; however, cases caused by tumors involving the pudendal nerve are extremely rare. Although schwannomas involving the pudendal nerve have been reported, ganglioneuromas (GN) have not. GN are uncommon tumors composed of mature ganglion cells within a Schwannian stroma and typically arise along the sympathetic plexus or in the adrenal medulla. We present the case of a 41-year-old female patient with perineal neuralgic pain caused by a GN involving the perineal branch of the pudendal nerve for 8 years. The tumor was initially diagnosed as a GN on excisional biopsy but was not completely resected and subsequently recurred. Because of its location below the inferior pubic ramus, complete resection was performed using an anterior approach. Given the potential for recurrence and the risk of malignant transformation to neuroblastoma, complete resection is essential.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the associations of smoking status, intensity, duration, and cumulative exposure with the risk of dental implant failure in Korean adults. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized the National Health Insurance Service–Health Screening Cohort (2016–2019). Overall, 23,573 individuals who had completed the dental implant process were included. Smoking status was categorized as non-smoker, ex-smoker, or current smoker. Smoking intensity, duration, and cumulative exposure were classified using standardized thresholds (>10 cigarettes per day, >10 years, and >10 pack-years). Implant failure was defined as reimplantation or removal. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for demographic, clinical, and behavioral covariates. RESULTS: During follow-up, 605 implant failures occurred: 344 in non-smokers, 182 in ex-smokers, and 79 in current smokers. The corresponding incidence rates per 1,000 person-years were 11.56, 16.54, and 22.33, respectively. Current smoking was significantly associated with higher implant failure risk (adjusted HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.09), while ex-smokers displayed a non-significant increase (adjusted HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.45). A dose–response relationship was observed: smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day, smoking for more than 10 years, or exceeding 10 pack-years was associated with significantly increased risk. CONCLUSIONS Smoking is a significant, dose–dependent risk factor for dental implant failure in Korean adults. Current smokers have the highest risk; smoking cessation may reduce adverse outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of detailed smoking assessments and cessation counseling in implant care and public health strategies.

OBJECTIVES: Individuals with disabilities are at greater risk of hospitalization than the general population. We examined 10-year trends in potentially preventable hospitalizations (PPH) in Korea, comparing individuals with and without disabilities and assessing age-specific patterns. METHODS: Using National Health Information Database claims data (2010–2019), we established a fixed cohort of newly registered individuals with disabilities and control subjects statistically matched (1:1.5) at baseline. Annual PPH rates among patients with each condition were calculated and age- and sex-standardized according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Health Care Quality Indicators definitions. Trends and annual percent changes (APCs) were analyzed by disability status and age group (non-older: 30–64; older adults: ≥65 years). RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2019, PPH rates declined significantly in both groups. Among individuals with disabilities, the steepest decline was observed for hypertension (APC, −15.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −17.7 to −13.7), whereas congestive heart failure showed the largest reduction among individuals without disabilities (APC, −7.8%; 95% CI, −10.8 to −4.7). Declines were generally greater among non-older adults aged 30–64 years, regardless of disability status. The disparity between disability and non-disability groups narrowed over the decade, primarily due to larger improvements among non-older adults. Older adults with disabilities consistently exhibited the highest PPH rates for most conditions, whereas younger individuals with disabilities had the highest rates for diabetes. CONCLUSIONS PPH rates declined over the decade among both individuals with and without disabilities, particularly for hypertension and among non-older adults. However, older adults with disabilities remain at elevated risk, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to improve access to community-based primary care.

In patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), initial recurrence risk stratification based on clinical, histopathological, and perioperative data remains the key determinant for guiding management strategies during the first 1-2 years post-treatment. However, the adoption of ongoing risk stratification (ORS), which dynamically reassesses risk by integrating longitudinal clinical data and treatment response, enables more precise long-term prognostic assessment and facilitates highly individualized management. Building upon recent guidelines, the 2026 KTA guideline has been further refined by incorporating robust evidence from large-scale national cohorts and comprehensive systematic reviews. These updated recommendations outline contemporary concepts of ORS, risk-adapted TSH suppression targets, optimized surveillance modalities for recurrence detection, and disease-specific long-term follow-up strategies. Reflecting the paradigm shift toward de-escalated treatment, this revision integrates evolved perspectives on TSH suppression intensity, the clinical interpretation of thyroglobulin levels, and tailored follow-up intervals. These evidence-based recommendations aim to minimize unnecessary treatment and excessive surveillance in the large proportion of patients with excellent prognosis after initial therapy, while ensuring that each patient receives appropriately tailored and effective long-term management.

Purpose: Based on the KEYNOTE-522 study, neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy has become the standard treatment for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).This study evaluated the real-world efficacy, safety, and predictors of pathologic complete response (pCR) in Korean patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 174 patients with early-stage TNBC who received the KEYNOTE-522 regimen (neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus paclitaxel and carboplatin, followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) at a tertiary cancer center between August 2022 and July 2024. We assessed the primary endpoints, including pCR rate and event-free survival (EFS). We performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify independent predictors of pCR. Results: The median patient age was 50 years (range, 24–74 years). The clinical stages were II and III in 79.3% and 20.1% of patients, respectively, and 10.9% had clinical N3 disease. The overall pCR rate was 62.1%, and the N3 subgroup had a pCR rate of 47.4%. On multivariable analysis, high baseline Ki-67 expression (≥ median, 75%) was significantly associated with pCR (odds ratio, 2.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.45 to 5.66; p = 0.002). At a median followup of 18.4 months, the 12-month EFS rate was 97.4%, with significantly superior outcomes observed in patients who achieved pCR compared with those who did not achieve pCR (100% vs. 93.1%, p = 0.007). The treatment completion rate was 92.0%, and immune-related adverse events occurred in 13.8% of patients. Conclusion In this real-world analysis of one of the largest Asian cohorts of patients with earlystage TNBC treated with neoadjuvant pembrolizumab, the KEYNOTE-522 regimen demonstrated substantial efficacy and manageable toxicity, consistent with the original trial findings.