Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients’ values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

PURPOSE: . This study aims to clinically compare the fitness and trueness of zirconia crowns fabricated by different combinations of open CAD-CAM systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . Total of 40 patients were enrolled in this study, and 9 different zirconia crowns were prepared per patient. Each crown was made through the cross-application of 3 different design software (EZIS VR, 3Shape Dental System, Exocad) with 3 different processing devices (Aegis HM, Trione Z, Motion 2). The marginal gap, absolute marginal discrepancy, internal gap(axial, line angle, occlusal) by a silicone replica technique were measured to compare the fit of the crown. The scanned inner and outer surfaces of the crowns were compared to CAD data using 3D metrology software to evaluate trueness. RESULTS: . There were significant differences in the marginal gap, absolute marginal discrepancy, axial and line angle internal gap among the groups (P < .05) in the comparison of fit. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in terms of occlusal internal gap. The trueness ranged from 36.19 to 43.78 μm but there was no statistically significant difference within the groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION . All 9 groups showed clinically acceptable level of marginal gaps ranging from 74.26 to 112.20 μm in terms of fit comparison. In the comparison of trueness, no significant difference within each group was spotted. Within the limitation of this study, open CAD-CAM systems used in this study can be assembled properly to fabricate zirconia crown. [J Adv Prosthodont 2023;15:155-70]

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

For treatment of partially edentulous patients, a treatment using implant is widely used. Treatment method using implant are implant fixed prostheses and removable partial dentures, and for patients with severe bone resorption, removable implant overdenture with the effects of aesthetic and reducing cost can be used as treatment options. Specially, prosthesis with milled-bar and attachment has the effect of being splinted between implant fixtures, higher retention and stability than conventional removable partial denture. And it has the effect of improvement of aesthetic through lip support by denture base. In this case, the patient with severe alveolar bone resorption and partial edentulous maxilla and mandible was treated by implant-assisted removable partial denture using Milled-bar and ADD-TOC attachment. The esthetic was improved by removing the clasp because of effects of additional retention by using the attachment, and reducing palatal coverage of implant-assisted removable partial denture. The clinical results were satisfactory on the aspect of aesthetic and masticatory function.

Cicatrix ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen ; Contracture ; Desmin ; Down-Regulation ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Fibronectins ; Fibrosis ; Follistatin ; Genetic Therapy ; Immunohistochemistry ; Myofibroblasts ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; RNA, Messenger ; Tendon Injuries ; Tendons ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is caused by congenital or acquired causes and occurs in childhood or adulthood. GH replacement therapy brings benefits to body composition, exercise capacity, skeletal health, cardiovascular outcomes, and quality of life. Before initiating GH replacement, GH deficiency should be confirmed through proper stimulation tests, and in cases with proven genetic causes or structural lesions, repeated GH stimulation testing is not necessary. The dosing regimen of GH replacement therapy should be individualized, with the goal of minimizing side effects and maximizing clinical improvements. The Korean Endocrine Society and the Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology have developed a position statement on the diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency. This position statement is based on a systematic review of evidence and expert opinions.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the attributes of social adjustment among adolescent cancer survivors using concept analysis and to propose a definition of the concept. METHODS: In accordance with the hybrid model of concept analysis, this study employed a three-phase circular process comprising theoretical, fieldwork, and final analysis phases. A thorough literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, and Korean databases, followed by qualitative fieldwork with seven participants. The results derived from the theoretical and fieldwork phases were integrated into the final analysis phase. RESULTS: Four attributes of social adjustment were found in adolescent cancer survivors: having harmonious relationships with friends, having harmonious relationships with boy/girlfriends, fulfilling their present roles, and planning for and expecting future roles. The following definition of social adjustment of adolescent cancer survivors is proposed: “the conquering of difficulties arising from the continuum of childhood cancer and the achievement of the developmental tasks of typical adolescents.” CONCLUSION: Social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors is crucial for integrating them into society. The findings of this study provide a basis for developing an instrument to measure the social adjustment of adolescent cancer survivors and for developing of interventions that target this group.
Adolescent ; Friends ; Humans ; Social Adjustment ; Survivors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: α-Synucleinopathy in the brain is the neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the functional impact of α-synucleinopathy in the enteric nervous system remains unknown. We aim to evaluate the association between gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction and α-synuclein (αSYN) pathology in the stomach and colon of PD patients and controls, as well as to investigate the association between the αSYN pathology in GI tract and future PD risk. METHODS: A total of 35 PD patients and 52 neurologically intact subjects were enrolled in this study. Endoscopic biopsies were performed, and then immunohistochemical staining for αSYN was performed. All subjects completed the validated Rome III questionnaire for the assessment of GI symptoms. The association between GI symptoms and the αSYN pathology in GI mucosa was evaluated. Incident PD cases were assessed during a median follow-up of 46 months. RESULTS: The proportion of self-reported constipation and functional constipation through the Rome III questionnaire was significantly higher in PD patients than in controls (P < 0.001 and P = 0.015). However, no significant association was found between the αSYN pathology in the stomach and colon mucosa and constipation, as well as other GI symptoms including dyspepsia symptoms and abdominal discomfort or pain, regardless of the presence or absence of clinical PD (P > 0.05). No incident PD cases were diagnosed during study period. CONCLUSIONS: Our present study suggests that the deposition of αSYN in the mucosal enteric nervous system may not be reflected by functional impairment of the affected segment of the gut.
Biopsy ; Brain ; Colon ; Constipation ; Dyspepsia ; Enteric Nervous System ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Parkinson Disease ; Pathology ; Stomach

In many countries, vaccines are used for the prevention of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, because there is no protection against FMD immediately after vaccination, research and development on antiviral agents is being conducted to induce protection until immunological competence is produced. This study tested whether well-known chemicals used as RNA virus treatment agents had inhibitory effects on FMD viruses (FMDVs) and demonstrated that ribavirin showed antiviral effects against FMDV in vitro/in vivo. In addition, it was observed that combining the administration of the antiviral agents orally and complementary therapy with vaccines synergistically enhanced antiviral activity and preserved the survival rate and body weight in the experimental animals. Antiviral agents mixed with an adjuvant were inoculated intramuscularly along with the vaccines, thereby inhibiting virus replication after injection and verifying that it was possible to induce early protection against viral infection prior to immunity being achieved through the vaccine. Finally, pigs treated with antiviral agents and vaccines showed no clinical signs and had low virus excretion. Based on these results, it is expected that this combined approach could be a therapeutic and preventive treatment for early protection against FMD.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; Body Weight ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease ; Immunocompetence ; Ribavirin ; RNA Viruses ; Survival Rate ; Swine ; Vaccination ; Vaccines ; Virus Replication

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a major risk factor that contributes to mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. There is controversy over the optimal hemoglobin (Hb) target in these patients. This study investigated the association between Hb level and mortality in a cohort of hemodialysis (HD) patients in Korea. METHODS: This study was a multicenter prospective observational study of maintenance HD patients that was performed for 5 years in western Seoul, Korea. Three hundred and sixty-two participants were enrolled. Laboratory values and mortality were accessed every 6 months. Repeated measures of laboratory values in each interval were averaged to obtain one semiannual mean value. The Hb values were divided into six groups: (1) Hb<9 g/dL; (2) 9 g/dL< or =Hb<10 g/dL; (3) 10 g/dL< or =Hb<11 g/dL; (4) 11 g/dL< or =Hb<12 g/dL; (5) 12 g/dL< or =Hb<13 g/dL; and (6) Hb> or =13 g/dL. We analyzed the odds ratio for all-cause mortality, based on the Hb group, and adjusted for demographics and various laboratory values. Statistics were performed with SAS, version 9.1 software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). RESULTS: Mortality odds ratios relative to the reference group (10-11 g/dL) in the fully adjusted model were 3.61 for<9 g/dL; 3.17 for 9-10 g/dL*; 4.65 for 11-12 g/dL*; 5.50 for 12-13 g/dL*; and 2.05 for> or =13 g/dL (* indicates P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, a Hb level of 10-11 g/dL was associated with the lowest mortality among the groups with Hb level<13 g/dL. Larger interventional trials are warranted to determine the optimal Hb target for Korean HD patients.
Anemia* ; Cohort Studies* ; Demography ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Observational Study ; Odds Ratio ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Risk Factors ; Seoul