Background: and Purpose The Treat Stroke to Target (TST) was a randomized clinical trial involving French and Korean patients demonstrating that a lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, <70 mg/dL) target group (LT) experienced fewer cerebro-cardiovascular events than a higher target (90–110 mg/dL) group (HT). However, whether these results can be applied to Asian patients with different ischemic stroke subtypes remains unclear. Methods: Patients from 14 South Korean centers were analyzed separately. Patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack with evidence of atherosclerosis were randomized into LT and HT groups. The primary endpoint was a composite of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary or cerebral revascularization, and cardiovascular death. Results: Among 712 enrolled patients, the mean LDL-C level was 71.0 mg/dL in 357 LT patients and 86.1 mg/dL in 355 HT patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 24 (6.7%) of LT and in 31 (8.7%) of HT group patients (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]=0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.45–1.33, P=0.353). Cardiovascular events alone occurred significantly less frequently in the LT than in the HT group (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09–0.80, P=0.019), whereas there were no significant differences in ischemic stroke events (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.60–2.10, P=0.712). The benefit of LT was less apparent in patients with small vessel disease and intracranial atherosclerosis than in those with extracranial atherosclerosis. Conclusion In contrast to the French TST, the outcomes in Korean patients were neutral. Although LT was more effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases, it was not so in stroke prevention, probably attributed to the differences in stroke subtypes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the efficacy of statins and appropriate LDL-C targets in Asian patients with stroke.

Background: and Purpose The Treat Stroke to Target (TST) was a randomized clinical trial involving French and Korean patients demonstrating that a lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, <70 mg/dL) target group (LT) experienced fewer cerebro-cardiovascular events than a higher target (90–110 mg/dL) group (HT). However, whether these results can be applied to Asian patients with different ischemic stroke subtypes remains unclear. Methods: Patients from 14 South Korean centers were analyzed separately. Patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack with evidence of atherosclerosis were randomized into LT and HT groups. The primary endpoint was a composite of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary or cerebral revascularization, and cardiovascular death. Results: Among 712 enrolled patients, the mean LDL-C level was 71.0 mg/dL in 357 LT patients and 86.1 mg/dL in 355 HT patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 24 (6.7%) of LT and in 31 (8.7%) of HT group patients (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]=0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.45–1.33, P=0.353). Cardiovascular events alone occurred significantly less frequently in the LT than in the HT group (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09–0.80, P=0.019), whereas there were no significant differences in ischemic stroke events (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.60–2.10, P=0.712). The benefit of LT was less apparent in patients with small vessel disease and intracranial atherosclerosis than in those with extracranial atherosclerosis. Conclusion In contrast to the French TST, the outcomes in Korean patients were neutral. Although LT was more effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases, it was not so in stroke prevention, probably attributed to the differences in stroke subtypes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the efficacy of statins and appropriate LDL-C targets in Asian patients with stroke.

Background: and Purpose The Treat Stroke to Target (TST) was a randomized clinical trial involving French and Korean patients demonstrating that a lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, <70 mg/dL) target group (LT) experienced fewer cerebro-cardiovascular events than a higher target (90–110 mg/dL) group (HT). However, whether these results can be applied to Asian patients with different ischemic stroke subtypes remains unclear. Methods: Patients from 14 South Korean centers were analyzed separately. Patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack with evidence of atherosclerosis were randomized into LT and HT groups. The primary endpoint was a composite of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary or cerebral revascularization, and cardiovascular death. Results: Among 712 enrolled patients, the mean LDL-C level was 71.0 mg/dL in 357 LT patients and 86.1 mg/dL in 355 HT patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 24 (6.7%) of LT and in 31 (8.7%) of HT group patients (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]=0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.45–1.33, P=0.353). Cardiovascular events alone occurred significantly less frequently in the LT than in the HT group (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09–0.80, P=0.019), whereas there were no significant differences in ischemic stroke events (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.60–2.10, P=0.712). The benefit of LT was less apparent in patients with small vessel disease and intracranial atherosclerosis than in those with extracranial atherosclerosis. Conclusion In contrast to the French TST, the outcomes in Korean patients were neutral. Although LT was more effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases, it was not so in stroke prevention, probably attributed to the differences in stroke subtypes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the efficacy of statins and appropriate LDL-C targets in Asian patients with stroke.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of digital mounting with occlusal scans in the interocclusal record for a full-mouth fixed prosthetic treatment condition. Materials and Methods: The entire maxillary teeth were prepared in a dentiform model and attached to an articulator in maximum intercuspation. Temporary crowns were fabricated and occlusion was adjusted. After scanning the arch with tooth preparation, digital mounting was performed using an occlusion scan of the anterior or posterior teeth areas. The accuracy of the positioned jaw relation was evaluated three-dimensionally through positional deviation and angular error of the occlusal plane. Afterwards, the same procedure was repeated on the partially edentulous model to evaluate the accuracy of digital interocclusal record. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: There was no significant difference in the positional error at the centerof the arch in the digitally established jaw relation depending on the scan area used and remaining tooth conditions (P = 0.53). Theangular error of the occlusal plane was larger when the anterior teeth were used as the overlapping area, and a smaller error value was observed when both posterior teeth were used as the overlapping area (P < 0.001). Conclusion The use of bilateral posterior occlusal scans is recommended when digitally mounting the jaw relation established with temporary teeth during full-mouth fixed prosthetic treatment.

Background and Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction, leading to disrupted sleep and various health complications. Positional OSA (POSA) refers to patients whose OSA severity is significantly influenced by body position, especially when lying supine. This study aimed to evaluate the polysomnographic characteristics of POSA and non-positional OSA (non-POSA) and to assess their clinical implications. Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with OSA who underwent type 1 polysomnography. Patients were categorized into POSA and non-POSA groups based on whether their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in the supine position was at least twice as high as that in the lateral position. We collected and analyzed clinical and polysomnographic parameters, including AHI, oxygen desaturation index, arousal index, nadir peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and sleep position proportions. These were compared across different OSA severity levels—mild, moderate, and severe—to assess differences between the POSA and non-POSA groups. Results: In total, 500 patients with OSA were analyzed, of whom 63.4% were classified as having POSA. Patients with POSA exhibited milder disease severity than those without, with an average AHI of 23.3±15.3/h versus 43.9±27.9/h, respectively, and a higher nadir SpO2 of 82.8%±6.6% versus 77.1%±9.8%. POSA was more common in patients with mild OSA (76.5%) and moderate OSA (72.8%), while severe OSA cases were predominantly non-POSA (POSA was 47.4%). Moreover, patients with POSA spent significantly more sleep time in the lateral position (43.8%±22.7%) than non-POSA patients (27.2%±28.2%). Conclusion Patients with POSA generally exhibited milder disease and more favorable polysomnographic profiles than non-POSA patients. POSA is prevalent in mild-to-moderate OSA, and identifying it via polysomnography may inform tailored treatment strategies.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by fat accumulation in the liver. MASLD encompasses both steatosis and MASH. Since MASH can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, steatosis and MASH must be distinguished during patient treatment. Here, we investigate the genomes, epigenomes, and transcriptomes of MASLD patients to identify signature gene set for more accurate tracking of MASLD progression. Methods: Biopsy-tissue and blood samples from patients with 134 MASLD, comprising 60 steatosis and 74 MASH patients were performed omics analysis. SVM learning algorithm were used to calculate most predictive features. Linear regression was applied to find signature gene set that distinguish the stage of MASLD and to validate their application into independent cohort of MASLD. Results: After performing WGS, WES, WGBS, and total RNA-seq on 134 biopsy samples from confirmed MASLD patients, we provided 1,955 MASLD-associated features, out of 3,176 somatic variant callings, 58 DMRs, and 1,393 DEGs that track MASLD progression. Then, we used a SVM learning algorithm to analyze the data and select the most predictive features. Using linear regression, we identified a signature gene set capable of differentiating the various stages of MASLD and verified it in different independent cohorts of MASLD and a liver cancer cohort. Conclusions We identified a signature gene set (i.e., CAPG, HYAL3, WIPI1, TREM2, SPP1, and RNASE6) with strong potential as a panel of diagnostic genes of MASLD-associated disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of digital mounting with occlusal scans in the interocclusal record for a full-mouth fixed prosthetic treatment condition. Materials and Methods: The entire maxillary teeth were prepared in a dentiform model and attached to an articulator in maximum intercuspation. Temporary crowns were fabricated and occlusion was adjusted. After scanning the arch with tooth preparation, digital mounting was performed using an occlusion scan of the anterior or posterior teeth areas. The accuracy of the positioned jaw relation was evaluated three-dimensionally through positional deviation and angular error of the occlusal plane. Afterwards, the same procedure was repeated on the partially edentulous model to evaluate the accuracy of digital interocclusal record. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: There was no significant difference in the positional error at the centerof the arch in the digitally established jaw relation depending on the scan area used and remaining tooth conditions (P = 0.53). Theangular error of the occlusal plane was larger when the anterior teeth were used as the overlapping area, and a smaller error value was observed when both posterior teeth were used as the overlapping area (P < 0.001). Conclusion The use of bilateral posterior occlusal scans is recommended when digitally mounting the jaw relation established with temporary teeth during full-mouth fixed prosthetic treatment.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of digital mounting with occlusal scans in the interocclusal record for a full-mouth fixed prosthetic treatment condition. Materials and Methods: The entire maxillary teeth were prepared in a dentiform model and attached to an articulator in maximum intercuspation. Temporary crowns were fabricated and occlusion was adjusted. After scanning the arch with tooth preparation, digital mounting was performed using an occlusion scan of the anterior or posterior teeth areas. The accuracy of the positioned jaw relation was evaluated three-dimensionally through positional deviation and angular error of the occlusal plane. Afterwards, the same procedure was repeated on the partially edentulous model to evaluate the accuracy of digital interocclusal record. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: There was no significant difference in the positional error at the centerof the arch in the digitally established jaw relation depending on the scan area used and remaining tooth conditions (P = 0.53). Theangular error of the occlusal plane was larger when the anterior teeth were used as the overlapping area, and a smaller error value was observed when both posterior teeth were used as the overlapping area (P < 0.001). Conclusion The use of bilateral posterior occlusal scans is recommended when digitally mounting the jaw relation established with temporary teeth during full-mouth fixed prosthetic treatment.

Lipomas, the most common soft-tissue mesenchymal neoplasms in adults, are characterized by the proliferation of mature white adipocytes without cytologic atypia. Lipomas are rarely observed in the head and neck region. We present a case of resection and orthognathic surgical removal of an intramuscular lipoma of the mandible with involvement of the mandibular ramus and condylar head and neck. An 18-year-old female patient was referred to our hospital for orthognathic surgery for the management of facial asymmetry and mandibular prognathism. The patient did not present with facial swelling, pain, or temporomandibular dysfunction; however, on radiographic examination, including cone-beam computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, an infiltrative fatty lesion was observed in the masticator space inside the right mandible, and the adjacent mandible exhibited bone thinning and deformity. Resection of the lipoma was performed along with orthognathic surgery, including a Le Fort I osteotomy for the maxilla and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO). In this case, because the ramus was split using BSSRO, accessing the lipoma intraorally was easy.Consequently, aesthetic scarring was avoided, and no complications, such as unfavorable splitting or pathologic fracture, occurred. Although recurrence has not been observed about 1 year, long-term follow-up should be performed.

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.