Background: The Korean healthcare system has made continuous efforts to reduce spatial disparities in medical accessibilityacross regions. However, healthcare professionals remain concentrated in Seoul, and for medical fields requiring ongoing care such as dentistry, these disparities in accessibility can influence the overall quality of life. This study examined how spatial inequality in the distribution of dental clinics evolved in response to changing economic conditions from 1995 to 2022. Methods: To quantitatively compare these disparities, this study employed the Gini coefficient and percentile ratio measures toassess age group-specific disparities. Results: The Gini coefficient showed a declining trend over time, indicating a gradual reduction in spatial inequality among dentalclinics. However, disparities in treatment accessibility remain pronounced among the elderly population. Analysis of the mean center and central features at five-year intervals revealed no dramatic shifts, but a gradual southward movement was observed.In regions located in the southern part of the country, the mean center and central features remained largely consistent, suggesting that the shift in the national mean center and central features reflected the rapid growth of the southern part of Gyeonggi-do and the Gangnam area of Seoul. Conclusion The spatial distribution of dental healthcare institutions in Korea has exhibited a gradual trend toward greaterequilibrium over time. Nevertheless, disparities in accessibility across age cohorts—most notably, the persistent imbalance affecting the elderly population—remain critical issues that require resolution. Relocation of spatial centers reflects patterns of regional economic growth and demographic concentration, thereby underscoring the need for targeted policy interventions in the future.

Evaluating cell metabolism is crucial during pluripotent stem cell (PSC) differentiation and somatic cell reprogramming as it affects cell fate. As cultured stem cells are heterogeneous, a comparative analysis of relative metabolism using existing metabolic analysis methods is difficult, resulting in inaccuracies. In this study, we measured human PSC basal metabolic levels using a Seahorse analyzer. We used fibroblasts, human induced PSCs, and human embryonic stem cells to monitor changes in basal metabolic levels according to cell number and determine the number of cells suitable for analysis. We evaluated normalization methods using glucose and selected the most suitable for the metabolic analysis of heterogeneous PSCs during the reprogramming stage. The response of fibroblasts to glucose increased with starvation time, with oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate responding most effectively to glucose 4 hours after starvation and declining after 5 hours of starvation. Fibroblasts and PSCs achieved appropriate responses to glucose without damaging their metabolism 2∼4 and 2∼3 hours after starvation, respectively. We developed a novel method for comparing basal metabolic rates of fibroblasts and PSCs, focusing on quantitative analysis of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation using glucose without enzyme inhibitors. This protocol enables efficient comparison of energy metabolism among cell types, including undifferentiated PSCs, differentiated cells, and cells undergoing cellular reprogramming, and addresses critical issues, such as differences in basal metabolic levels and sensitivity to normalization, providing valuable insights into cellular energetics.

Stroke causes systemic immunosuppression. T lymphocytes are involved in infarct size in the early stages of stroke. However, the phenotypes of T lymphocytes and their functions in peripheral immune organs and the brain have not been well analyzed in the acute and chronic phases of stroke. Here, we investigated pathological phenotypic alterations in the systemic immune response, especially changes in T lymphocytes, from one day to six months after ischemic stroke in mice. Impairment in thymocyte numbers, development, proliferation, and apoptosis were observed for up to two weeks. The number of mature T cells in the spleen and blood decreased and showed reduced interferon-γ production. Increased numbers of CD4-CD8-CD3+ double-negative T cells were observed in the mouse brain during the early stages of stroke, whereas interleukin (IL)-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes increased from two weeks during the chronic phase. These phenotypes correlated with body weight and neurological severity scores. The recovery of T lymphocyte numbers and increases in IL-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes may be important for long-term neurological outcomes. Dynamic changes in T lymphocytes between the acute and chronic phases may play different roles in pathogenesis and recovery. This study provides fundamental information regarding the T lymphocyte alterations from the brain to the peripheral immune organs following stroke.

Stroke causes systemic immunosuppression. T lymphocytes are involved in infarct size in the early stages of stroke. However, the phenotypes of T lymphocytes and their functions in peripheral immune organs and the brain have not been well analyzed in the acute and chronic phases of stroke. Here, we investigated pathological phenotypic alterations in the systemic immune response, especially changes in T lymphocytes, from one day to six months after ischemic stroke in mice. Impairment in thymocyte numbers, development, proliferation, and apoptosis were observed for up to two weeks. The number of mature T cells in the spleen and blood decreased and showed reduced interferon-γ production. Increased numbers of CD4-CD8-CD3+ double-negative T cells were observed in the mouse brain during the early stages of stroke, whereas interleukin (IL)-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes increased from two weeks during the chronic phase. These phenotypes correlated with body weight and neurological severity scores. The recovery of T lymphocyte numbers and increases in IL-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes may be important for long-term neurological outcomes. Dynamic changes in T lymphocytes between the acute and chronic phases may play different roles in pathogenesis and recovery. This study provides fundamental information regarding the T lymphocyte alterations from the brain to the peripheral immune organs following stroke.

Objective To investigate the perioperative nursing in patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery treated with super micro venous lymphatic anastomosis.Methods Eight cases who were treated with super micro venous lymphatic anastomosis in Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province from May 2015 to May 2016 were recruited in this study. The mental nursing and sufficient preoperative evaluation were required before the operation. After the operation, the affected limb should be raised above the heart. Furthermore, the manual lymphatic drainage, acupoint massage, low elastic bandage treatment and functional exercise should be implemented after the operation.Results All cases successfully completed the operation, five cases recovered very well after the operation, two cases recovered well, and one case was effectively recovered.Conclusions Super micro venous lymphatic anastomosis is effective against upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. The reinforced perioperative nursing care can promote the absorption of lymphedema.