Background: Obesity is a major worldwide health problem and can be related to cellular senescence. Along with the rise in obesity, the comorbidity of renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is increasing. Whether obesity accelerates the severity of IR injury and whether senescence contributes to these conditions remain unclear. We studied the degree of injury and cellular senescence in the IR kidneys and perirenal adipose tissues of high-fat-diet–induced obese mice. Methods: C57BL/6 mice fed standard chow or a high-fat diet for 16 weeks were randomized to renal IR or sham group (n = 6–10 each). Renal IR was performed by unilateral clamping of the right renal pedicle for 30 minutes. Six weeks after surgery, renal function, perirenal fat/renal senescence, and histology were evaluated ex vivo. Results: Obese mice showed more renal tubular damage and fibrosis in IR injury than control mice, even though the degree of ischemic insult was comparable. Renal expression of senescence and its secretory phenotype was upregulated in either IR injury or with a high-fat diet and was further increased in the IR kidneys of obese mice. Fat senescence and the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha were also increased, especially in the perirenal depot of the IR kidneys, with a high-fat diet. Conclusion A high-fat diet aggravates IR injury in murine kidneys, which is associated, at least in part, with perirenal fat senescence and inflammation. These observations support the exploration of therapeutic targets of the adipo-renal axis in injured obese kidneys.

Time-restricted feeding (TRF), devoid of calorie restriction, is acknowledged for promoting metabolic health and mitigating various chronic metabolic diseases. While TRF exhibits widespread benefits across multiple tissues, there is limited exploration into its impact on kidney function. In this study, our aim was to investigate the potential ameliorative effects of TRF on kidney damage in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: Cisplatin-induced AKI was induced through intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin into C57BL/6 male mice. Mice undergoing TRF were provided unrestricted access to standard chow daily but were confined to an 8-hour feeding window during the dark cycle for 2 weeks before cisplatin injection. The mice were categorized into four groups: control, TRF, cisplatin, and TRF + cisplatin. Results: The tubular damage score and serum creatinine levels were significantly lower in the TRF + cisplatin group compared to the cisplatin group. The TRF + cisplatin group exhibited reduced expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B, inflammatory cytokines, and F4/80-positive macrophages compared to the cisplatin group. Furthermore, oxidative stress markers for DNA, protein, and lipid were markedly decreased in the TRF + cisplatin group compared to the cisplatin group. TUNEL-positive tubular cells, cleaved caspase-3 expression, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the TRF + cisplatin group were lower than those in the cisplatin group. Conclusion: TRF, without calorie restriction, effectively mitigated kidney damage by suppressing inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, and tubular apoptosis in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced AKI. TRF holds promise as a novel dietary intervention for preventing cisplatin-induced AKI.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and psychological impact of social isolation and loneliness in South Korea. Loneliness and social isolation have been regarded as a risk to both physical and mental health. However, most studies have focused on the elderly; hence, there are limited studies on the characteristics of socially isolated or lonely people considering age. Methods: A sample of 1,700 participants was selected from three major cities in South Korea. In-person interviews were conducted to evaluate loneliness, social isolation and mental health status. Results: Among the participants, the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness was 17.8% and 4.1%, respectively. Males decreased the odds of loneliness (AOR 0.49, 95% CI=0.28–0.87), while increasing the odds of social isolation (AOR 1.44, 95% CI=1.12–1.86) after adjusting for age and sex. Greater depressive and social phobic symptoms were associated with increased odds of loneliness and social isolation. Conclusion Social isolation and loneliness are prevalent among Koreans and associated with depression, social phobic symptoms, and suicidality. This study provides a foundation for further research to investigate nationwide prevalence and a more in-depth analysis of loneliness and social isolation.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the changes in interpersonal relationships, behavioral patterns, and emotional states of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and their caregivers immediately after the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Daegu, South Korea. Methods: A total of 147 patients and 147 caregivers participated in the Survey for Outing and Time Usage for Child, Adolescent, and Parents and the COVID-19 Visual Analog Scale for Emotion. We classified the patients and their caregivers into the internalizing disorder (ID) and externalizing disorder (ED) groups and compared the changes. Results: Parent–child relationships for adolescent patients and caregivers were interrupted, and friend relationships in all participants were disrupted, while sibling relationships improved in adolescent patients. They experienced negative emotional changes. Time spent outdoor decreased and digital screen time increased for all participants. Friend and parent–child relationships were interrupted in the ED group compared to those in the ID group. ED patients experienced negative changes in emotional states, while ID patients showed no significant changes. Conclusion Results are meaningful as a reference for predicting changes in interpersonal relationships and mental status of pediatric psychiatric patients and for determining healthcare system adaptations to allow mental health support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and psychological impact of social isolation and loneliness in South Korea. Loneliness and social isolation have been regarded as a risk to both physical and mental health. However, most studies have focused on the elderly; hence, there are limited studies on the characteristics of socially isolated or lonely people considering age. Methods: A sample of 1,700 participants was selected from three major cities in South Korea. In-person interviews were conducted to evaluate loneliness, social isolation and mental health status. Results: Among the participants, the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness was 17.8% and 4.1%, respectively. Males decreased the odds of loneliness (AOR 0.49, 95% CI=0.28–0.87), while increasing the odds of social isolation (AOR 1.44, 95% CI=1.12–1.86) after adjusting for age and sex. Greater depressive and social phobic symptoms were associated with increased odds of loneliness and social isolation. Conclusion Social isolation and loneliness are prevalent among Koreans and associated with depression, social phobic symptoms, and suicidality. This study provides a foundation for further research to investigate nationwide prevalence and a more in-depth analysis of loneliness and social isolation.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the changes in interpersonal relationships, behavioral patterns, and emotional states of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and their caregivers immediately after the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Daegu, South Korea. Methods: A total of 147 patients and 147 caregivers participated in the Survey for Outing and Time Usage for Child, Adolescent, and Parents and the COVID-19 Visual Analog Scale for Emotion. We classified the patients and their caregivers into the internalizing disorder (ID) and externalizing disorder (ED) groups and compared the changes. Results: Parent–child relationships for adolescent patients and caregivers were interrupted, and friend relationships in all participants were disrupted, while sibling relationships improved in adolescent patients. They experienced negative emotional changes. Time spent outdoor decreased and digital screen time increased for all participants. Friend and parent–child relationships were interrupted in the ED group compared to those in the ID group. ED patients experienced negative changes in emotional states, while ID patients showed no significant changes. Conclusion Results are meaningful as a reference for predicting changes in interpersonal relationships and mental status of pediatric psychiatric patients and for determining healthcare system adaptations to allow mental health support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

As an alternative to the conventional fixed appliance that uses orthodontic brackets, a simple round tube without a bonding base can be bonded to the tooth surface by covering the tube with flowable resin. In this technique, bent wires cannot be inserted into the simple tubes; therefore, repositioning of the simple tubes is often required for adjustments. To reduce repositioning of simple tubes, a dome-shaped resin covering of the simple tube can be designed with a customized in-and-out compensation, using three-dimensional computer-aided design software based on digital simulation of orthodontic tooth movement. In the present case, the use of simple tubes bonded with customized resin coverings in a Class I nonextraction case is described in a 17-year-old male, in whom moderate crowding of the anterior teeth was treated over an 8-month period. This case shows that simple tubes can be used as an alternative to brackets in some Class I nonextraction cases, with the potential benefit of reducing decalcification.

Understanding the classification of malocclusion is a crucial issue in Orthodontics. It can also help us to diagnose, treat, and understand malocclusion to establish a standard for definite class of patients. Principal component analysis (PCA) and k-means algorithms have been emerging as data analytic methods for cephalometric measurements, due to their intuitive concepts and application potentials. This study analyzed the macro- and meso-scale classification structure and feature basis vectors of 1020 (415 male, 605 female; mean age, 25 years) orthodontic patients using statistical preprocessing, PCA, random matrix theory (RMT) and k-means algorithms. RMT results show that 7 principal components (PCs) are significant standard in the extraction of features. Using k-means algorithms, 3 and 6 clusters were identified and the axes of PC1~3 were determined to be significant for patient classification. Macro-scale classification denotes skeletal Class I, II, III and PC1 means anteroposterior discrepancy of the maxilla and mandible and mandibular position. PC2 and PC3 means vertical pattern and maxillary position respectively; they played significant roles in the meso-scale classification. In conclusion, the typical patient profile (TPP) of each class showed that the data-based classification corresponds with the clinical classification of orthodontic patients. This data-based study can provide insight into the development of new diagnostic classifications.
Cephalometry ; Classification ; Cluster Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Orthodontics ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Principal Component Analysis

PURPOSE: The majority of patients with allergic disease are highly sensitized to house dust mites (HDM). There is few data to observe sensitization rate to HDM in asthmatics in Korea. The aim of this study was to observe the differences of clinical profiles by HDM sensitization in patients with asthmatics in Soonchunhyang University Hospital (SCH) cohort. METHODS: We recruited 2,345 asthmatic patients in SCH cohort. Lung function, body mass index and sputum and blood eosinophils, and PC20, and clinical profiles were compared by HDM sensitization. RESULTS: Dermatophagoides farinae (Derf) and/or Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Derp) (+) sensitization rate was higher prevalence in male than in female. Compared with nonatopy asthmatics, Derf and/or Derp (+) asthmatics had early onset of age [Derf and/or Derp (+) vs. Derf and Derp (-) vs. atopy (-); 32.5+/-0.51 vs. 36.1+/-0.88 vs. 43.1+/-0.54, P<0.05]. Derf and/or Derp (+) asthmatics had shorter duration of asthma symptom than that of nonatopy asthmatics. Derf and/or Derp (+) asthmatics had lower forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity than those of Derf and Derp (-) asthmatics. PC20 in Derf and/or Derp (+) asthmatics had lower than those of Derf and Derp (-) and nonatopy asthmatics [Derf and/or Derp (+) vs. Derf and Derp (-) vs. atopy (-); 5.4+/-0.24 mg/mL vs. 6.59+/-0.52 mg/mL vs. 7.19+/-0.33 mg/mL, P<0.05]. Blood eosinophils number in Derf and/or Derp (+) asthmatics had higher than that of nonatopy asthmatics (414.7+/-131.1 vs. 350.6+/-14.0, P<0.05). Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) in Derf and/or Derp positive asthmatics had higher than that of Derf and Derp negative and nonatopy asthmatics. There was no difference of body mass index among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that atopy asthmatics sensitized to Derf and/or Derp had early onset of age, high total IgE and airway responsiveness, and eosinophilic inflammation.
Asthma ; Body Mass Index ; Cohort Studies ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dust ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Lung ; Male ; Prevalence ; Pyroglyphidae ; Sputum ; Vital Capacity