Background: Elementary school is a critical period for oral health because the incidence of dental caries is high, and early symptoms of gingivitis manifest. While existing oral health education improves knowledge, it has limitations in sustaining oral health behaviors. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an oral health education program based on motivational interviewing (MI), which enhances intrinsic motivation and promotes behavioral change. Methods: Thirty-five elementary school students (Grades 4∼6) were recruited and assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group (n=16) received an MI-based oral health education program, whereas the control group (n=16) received standard education. The program was conducted once per week for five weeks (1 hour/session) and covered: Session 1: Understanding tooth structure, causes of caries, and setting oral health goals; Session 2: Learning how to perform rotational brushing and exploring ambivalence; Session 3: Learning how to use dental floss and tongue cleaners while reinforcing motivation; Session 4: Identifying cariogenic and protective foods; and Session 5: Developing a change plan and assessing self-confidence. Oral health behaviors, diet-related oral health behaviors, and oral hygiene skills were assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at follow-up. Results: Both groups showed significant post-intervention improvements. However, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant group-time interactions and sustained improvements in all areas except diet-related behaviors. The control group showed a temporary increase followed by a decline. Conclusion The MI-based oral health education program effectively improved and maintained oral health behaviors and oral hygiene skills. It can be applied to elementary school students to promote long-term changes in oral health behaviors.

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) avoids the complications of general anaesthesia, reduces length of hospitalisation and reduces morbidity from surgery. As such, it is a strong alternative treatment for patients with comorbidities who are not surgical candidates. However, to our knowledge, there have only been 1 systematic review and 3 combined systematic review and meta-analyses on this topic to date. This systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RFA in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with longer follow-up durations. METHOD: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant studies published from 1990 to 2021; 13 studies with a total of 1366 patients were included. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Sandelowski et al.'s approach1 to "negotiated consensual validation" were used to achieve consensus on the final list of articles to be included. All authors then assessed each study using a rating scheme modified from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. RESULTS: Pooled volume reduction rates (VRRs) from 1 to 48 months after RFA, complete disappearance rates (CDR) and complications were assessed. Pooled mean VRRs were 96.59 (95% confidence interval [CI] 91.05-102.13, I2=0%) at 12 months2-6 and 99.31 (95% CI 93.74-104.88, I2=not applicable) at 48 months.2,5 Five studies showed an eventual CDR of 100%.2,4,7-9 No life-threatening complications were recorded. The most common complications included pain, transient voice hoarseness, fever and less commonly, first-degree burn. CONCLUSION RFA may be an effective and safe alternative to treating PTC. Larger clinical trials with longer follow-up are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of RFA in treating PTC.
Humans ; Radiofrequency Ablation/methods* ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/surgery* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Postoperative Complications/etiology*

Background: Elementary school is a critical period for oral health because the incidence of dental caries is high, and early symptoms of gingivitis manifest. While existing oral health education improves knowledge, it has limitations in sustaining oral health behaviors. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an oral health education program based on motivational interviewing (MI), which enhances intrinsic motivation and promotes behavioral change. Methods: Thirty-five elementary school students (Grades 4∼6) were recruited and assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group (n=16) received an MI-based oral health education program, whereas the control group (n=16) received standard education. The program was conducted once per week for five weeks (1 hour/session) and covered: Session 1: Understanding tooth structure, causes of caries, and setting oral health goals; Session 2: Learning how to perform rotational brushing and exploring ambivalence; Session 3: Learning how to use dental floss and tongue cleaners while reinforcing motivation; Session 4: Identifying cariogenic and protective foods; and Session 5: Developing a change plan and assessing self-confidence. Oral health behaviors, diet-related oral health behaviors, and oral hygiene skills were assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at follow-up. Results: Both groups showed significant post-intervention improvements. However, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant group-time interactions and sustained improvements in all areas except diet-related behaviors. The control group showed a temporary increase followed by a decline. Conclusion The MI-based oral health education program effectively improved and maintained oral health behaviors and oral hygiene skills. It can be applied to elementary school students to promote long-term changes in oral health behaviors.

Background: Elementary school is a critical period for oral health because the incidence of dental caries is high, and early symptoms of gingivitis manifest. While existing oral health education improves knowledge, it has limitations in sustaining oral health behaviors. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an oral health education program based on motivational interviewing (MI), which enhances intrinsic motivation and promotes behavioral change. Methods: Thirty-five elementary school students (Grades 4∼6) were recruited and assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group (n=16) received an MI-based oral health education program, whereas the control group (n=16) received standard education. The program was conducted once per week for five weeks (1 hour/session) and covered: Session 1: Understanding tooth structure, causes of caries, and setting oral health goals; Session 2: Learning how to perform rotational brushing and exploring ambivalence; Session 3: Learning how to use dental floss and tongue cleaners while reinforcing motivation; Session 4: Identifying cariogenic and protective foods; and Session 5: Developing a change plan and assessing self-confidence. Oral health behaviors, diet-related oral health behaviors, and oral hygiene skills were assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at follow-up. Results: Both groups showed significant post-intervention improvements. However, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant group-time interactions and sustained improvements in all areas except diet-related behaviors. The control group showed a temporary increase followed by a decline. Conclusion The MI-based oral health education program effectively improved and maintained oral health behaviors and oral hygiene skills. It can be applied to elementary school students to promote long-term changes in oral health behaviors.

Background: Deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) are employed to address highly urgent patients, including those with acute liver failure (ALF), acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), or critical cirrhosis. This study compares outcomes between LDLT and DDLT patients with ALF, ACLF, or critical cirrhosis in highly urgent LDLT (HU-LDLT) applications. Methods: This study conducted a retrospective analysis of the Korean Network for Organ Sharing (KONOS) data, which included 391 consecutive HU-LDLT applications from 2017 to 2021. Results: The proportion of DDLT was 15.1% (n=59) within the cohort of HU-LDLT applications. The prevalence of hepatorenal syndrome, duration of pre-transplant intensive care unit (ICU) care, incidence of pre-transplant continuous renal replacement therapy, and median model for end-stage liver disease scores were significantly greater and prolonged in DDLT patients compared to LDLT patients. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in postoperative complications or overall survival between the two groups. In the multivariate analysis, only pre-transplant ventilator care emerged as a significant predisposing factor for mortality. Conclusion The present study indicates that LDLT is a viable option, yielding comparable perioperative and long-term outcomes to DDLT for HU patients, which can encourage living liver donation to overcome organ shortages in HU patients.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induces endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, which are the main factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to compare the effects of rosuvastatin monotherapy and rosuvastatin/ezetimibe combination therapy on lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and vascular inflammatory response in patients with T2DM. Methods: A total of 101 patients with T2DM and dyslipidemia were randomized to either rosuvastatin monotherapy (5 mg/day, n=47) or rosuvastatin/ezetimibe combination therapy (5 mg/10 mg/day, n=45) and treated for 12 weeks. Serum lipids, glucose, insulin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and peroxiredoxin 4 (PRDX4) levels were determined before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results: The reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by more than 50% from baseline after treatment was more in the combination therapy group. The serum sICAM-1 levels increased significantly in both groups, but there was no difference between the two groups. The significant changes in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and PRDX4 were confirmed only in the subgroup in which LDL-C was reduced by 50% or more in the combination therapy group. However, after adjusting for diabetes mellitus duration and hypertension, the changes in HOMA-IR and PRDX4 were not significant between the two groups. Conclusion Although rosuvastatin/ezetimibe combination therapy had a greater LDL-C reduction effect than rosuvastatin monotherapy, it had no additional effects on insulin sensitivity and vascular inflammatory response. Further studies are needed on the effect of long-term treatment with ezetimibe on insulin sensitivity and vascular inflammatory response.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the degree of interest in robot-assisted spine surgery (RASS) among residents and to investigate the learning curve for beginners performing robotic surgery. Methods: We conducted a survey to assess awareness and interest in RASS among young neurosurgery residents. Subsequently, we offered a hands-on training program using a dummy to educate one resident. After completing the program, the trained resident performed spinal fusion surgery with robotic assistance under the supervision of a mentor. The clinical outcomes and learning curve associated with robotic surgery were then analyzed. Results: Neurosurgical residents had limited opportunities to participate in spinal surgery during their training. Despite this, there was a significant interest in the emerging field of robotic surgery. A trained resident performed RASS under the supervision of a senior surgeon. A total of 166 screw insertions were attempted in 28 patients, with 2 screws failing due to skiving. According to the Gertzbein-Robbins classification, 85.54% of the screws were rated as grade A, 11.58% as grade B, 0.6% as grade C, and 1.2% as grade D. The clinical acceptance rate was approximately 96.99%, which is comparable to the results reported by senior experts and time per screw statistically significantly decreased as experience was gained. Conclusion RASS can be performed with high accuracy within a relatively short timeframe, if residents receive adequate training.

Background: Motivational interviewing (MI) is effective in promoting sustained behavioral changes across various fields.However, there is a lack of research on the application of MI in oral health education, targeting elementary school students in South Korea. This study aimed to develop an MI-based oral health education program to positively influence oral health behaviors and improve the oral health of elementary school students. Methods: The program was developed using Sussman’s curriculum development model in four stages: theoretical research and needs assessment; collection of program activity strategies; evaluation and review of activities; and final production of the program. The program was refined based on feedback from four experts to enhance its validity and effectiveness. Results: The final program consisted of five one-hour sessions. Fifteen activity sheets were created to align the contents of eachsession. The sessions incorporated key MI techniques, including open questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries and information provision, with the goals of building rapport, assessing readiness for behavior change, exploring ambivalence, creating discrepancies, motivating change, and planning for action. The oral health education content was tailored to the level of upper elementary students, covering topics such as tooth structure and function, causes and progression of dental caries, Bass method of tooth brushing, use of dental floss and tongue cleaners, and identification of cariogenic foods. Conclusion This study is significant because it developed an MI-based program capable of promoting self-driven behavioralchange that moves beyond traditional lecture-based oral health education. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the program and exploring its applicability to other age groups.

Background: Motivational interviewing (MI) is effective in promoting sustained behavioral changes across various fields.However, there is a lack of research on the application of MI in oral health education, targeting elementary school students in South Korea. This study aimed to develop an MI-based oral health education program to positively influence oral health behaviors and improve the oral health of elementary school students. Methods: The program was developed using Sussman’s curriculum development model in four stages: theoretical research and needs assessment; collection of program activity strategies; evaluation and review of activities; and final production of the program. The program was refined based on feedback from four experts to enhance its validity and effectiveness. Results: The final program consisted of five one-hour sessions. Fifteen activity sheets were created to align the contents of eachsession. The sessions incorporated key MI techniques, including open questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries and information provision, with the goals of building rapport, assessing readiness for behavior change, exploring ambivalence, creating discrepancies, motivating change, and planning for action. The oral health education content was tailored to the level of upper elementary students, covering topics such as tooth structure and function, causes and progression of dental caries, Bass method of tooth brushing, use of dental floss and tongue cleaners, and identification of cariogenic foods. Conclusion This study is significant because it developed an MI-based program capable of promoting self-driven behavioralchange that moves beyond traditional lecture-based oral health education. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the program and exploring its applicability to other age groups.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the degree of interest in robot-assisted spine surgery (RASS) among residents and to investigate the learning curve for beginners performing robotic surgery. Methods: We conducted a survey to assess awareness and interest in RASS among young neurosurgery residents. Subsequently, we offered a hands-on training program using a dummy to educate one resident. After completing the program, the trained resident performed spinal fusion surgery with robotic assistance under the supervision of a mentor. The clinical outcomes and learning curve associated with robotic surgery were then analyzed. Results: Neurosurgical residents had limited opportunities to participate in spinal surgery during their training. Despite this, there was a significant interest in the emerging field of robotic surgery. A trained resident performed RASS under the supervision of a senior surgeon. A total of 166 screw insertions were attempted in 28 patients, with 2 screws failing due to skiving. According to the Gertzbein-Robbins classification, 85.54% of the screws were rated as grade A, 11.58% as grade B, 0.6% as grade C, and 1.2% as grade D. The clinical acceptance rate was approximately 96.99%, which is comparable to the results reported by senior experts and time per screw statistically significantly decreased as experience was gained. Conclusion RASS can be performed with high accuracy within a relatively short timeframe, if residents receive adequate training.