Background: Traditionally, dental implants require a healing period of 4 to 9 months for osseointegration, with longer recovery times considered when bone grafting is needed. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) during dental implant placement to expedite the osseointegration period for early loading. Methods: Thirty patients (17 male, 13 female; mean age 55.0 ± 8.8 years) requiring bone grafts due to implant fixture exposure (more than four threads; ≥ 3.2 mm) were included, with a total of 96 implants placed. Implants were inserted using a two-stage protocol with DDM/rhBMP-2 grafts. Early loading was initiated at two months postoperatively in the mandible and three months in the maxilla. Clinical outcomes evaluated included primary and secondary stability (implant stability quotient values), healing period, bone width, and marginal bone level assessed via cone-beam computed tomography. Results: All implants successfully supported final prosthetics with a torque of 50Ncm, without any osseointegration failures. The average healing period was 69.6 days in the mandible and 90.5 days in the maxilla, with significantly higher secondary stability in the mandible (80.7 ± 6.7) compared to the maxilla (73.0 ± 9.2, p < 0.001). Histological analysis confirmed new bone formation and vascularization. Conclusion DDM/rhBMP-2 grafting appears to significantly reduce the healing period, enabling early loading with stable and favorable clinical outcomes.

Background: Traditionally, dental implants require a healing period of 4 to 9 months for osseointegration, with longer recovery times considered when bone grafting is needed. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) during dental implant placement to expedite the osseointegration period for early loading. Methods: Thirty patients (17 male, 13 female; mean age 55.0 ± 8.8 years) requiring bone grafts due to implant fixture exposure (more than four threads; ≥ 3.2 mm) were included, with a total of 96 implants placed. Implants were inserted using a two-stage protocol with DDM/rhBMP-2 grafts. Early loading was initiated at two months postoperatively in the mandible and three months in the maxilla. Clinical outcomes evaluated included primary and secondary stability (implant stability quotient values), healing period, bone width, and marginal bone level assessed via cone-beam computed tomography. Results: All implants successfully supported final prosthetics with a torque of 50Ncm, without any osseointegration failures. The average healing period was 69.6 days in the mandible and 90.5 days in the maxilla, with significantly higher secondary stability in the mandible (80.7 ± 6.7) compared to the maxilla (73.0 ± 9.2, p < 0.001). Histological analysis confirmed new bone formation and vascularization. Conclusion DDM/rhBMP-2 grafting appears to significantly reduce the healing period, enabling early loading with stable and favorable clinical outcomes.

Background: Traditionally, dental implants require a healing period of 4 to 9 months for osseointegration, with longer recovery times considered when bone grafting is needed. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) during dental implant placement to expedite the osseointegration period for early loading. Methods: Thirty patients (17 male, 13 female; mean age 55.0 ± 8.8 years) requiring bone grafts due to implant fixture exposure (more than four threads; ≥ 3.2 mm) were included, with a total of 96 implants placed. Implants were inserted using a two-stage protocol with DDM/rhBMP-2 grafts. Early loading was initiated at two months postoperatively in the mandible and three months in the maxilla. Clinical outcomes evaluated included primary and secondary stability (implant stability quotient values), healing period, bone width, and marginal bone level assessed via cone-beam computed tomography. Results: All implants successfully supported final prosthetics with a torque of 50Ncm, without any osseointegration failures. The average healing period was 69.6 days in the mandible and 90.5 days in the maxilla, with significantly higher secondary stability in the mandible (80.7 ± 6.7) compared to the maxilla (73.0 ± 9.2, p < 0.001). Histological analysis confirmed new bone formation and vascularization. Conclusion DDM/rhBMP-2 grafting appears to significantly reduce the healing period, enabling early loading with stable and favorable clinical outcomes.

Background: Traditionally, dental implants require a healing period of 4 to 9 months for osseointegration, with longer recovery times considered when bone grafting is needed. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) during dental implant placement to expedite the osseointegration period for early loading. Methods: Thirty patients (17 male, 13 female; mean age 55.0 ± 8.8 years) requiring bone grafts due to implant fixture exposure (more than four threads; ≥ 3.2 mm) were included, with a total of 96 implants placed. Implants were inserted using a two-stage protocol with DDM/rhBMP-2 grafts. Early loading was initiated at two months postoperatively in the mandible and three months in the maxilla. Clinical outcomes evaluated included primary and secondary stability (implant stability quotient values), healing period, bone width, and marginal bone level assessed via cone-beam computed tomography. Results: All implants successfully supported final prosthetics with a torque of 50Ncm, without any osseointegration failures. The average healing period was 69.6 days in the mandible and 90.5 days in the maxilla, with significantly higher secondary stability in the mandible (80.7 ± 6.7) compared to the maxilla (73.0 ± 9.2, p < 0.001). Histological analysis confirmed new bone formation and vascularization. Conclusion DDM/rhBMP-2 grafting appears to significantly reduce the healing period, enabling early loading with stable and favorable clinical outcomes.

Background: Traditionally, dental implants require a healing period of 4 to 9 months for osseointegration, with longer recovery times considered when bone grafting is needed. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) during dental implant placement to expedite the osseointegration period for early loading. Methods: Thirty patients (17 male, 13 female; mean age 55.0 ± 8.8 years) requiring bone grafts due to implant fixture exposure (more than four threads; ≥ 3.2 mm) were included, with a total of 96 implants placed. Implants were inserted using a two-stage protocol with DDM/rhBMP-2 grafts. Early loading was initiated at two months postoperatively in the mandible and three months in the maxilla. Clinical outcomes evaluated included primary and secondary stability (implant stability quotient values), healing period, bone width, and marginal bone level assessed via cone-beam computed tomography. Results: All implants successfully supported final prosthetics with a torque of 50Ncm, without any osseointegration failures. The average healing period was 69.6 days in the mandible and 90.5 days in the maxilla, with significantly higher secondary stability in the mandible (80.7 ± 6.7) compared to the maxilla (73.0 ± 9.2, p < 0.001). Histological analysis confirmed new bone formation and vascularization. Conclusion DDM/rhBMP-2 grafting appears to significantly reduce the healing period, enabling early loading with stable and favorable clinical outcomes.

Background: Even amid the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria and infection control are still important tasks. After recognizing the carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) outbreak that occurred in the isolation room for COVID-19, we would like to introduce what infection control measures were implemented to eradicate it. Materials and Methods: All COVID-19 patients with CRAB in any specimen admitted to the COVID-19 isolation ward of the tertiary hospital in Korea from October to November 2021 were analyzed. Results: During the outbreak, 23 patients with COVID-19 and CRAB infections were identified. The index case was an 85-year-old female referred from a long-term care facility. CRAB was identified in sputum culture in most patients (91.3%). The CRAB outbreak occurred mainly in the rooms around the index case. Environmental cultures on the floor, air inlet, air outlet, and window frame of the rooms were performed. The antimicrobial resistance patterns of CRAB from patients and the environment were identical; whole-genome sequencing analyses revealed isolated clonality. Infection control measures with enhanced environmental cleaning using 1,000 ppm sodium hypochlorite and phenolic compounds, enhanced hand hygiene, additional education, and mandatory additional gowning and gloving of COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) were applied on 29 October. No CRAB infection cases occurred from 2 November for two weeks. Conclusion In addition to applying PPE and COVID-19 precautions in COVID-19 isolation wards, adhering to strict contact precautions along with environmental control can help prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

This report presents the latest statistics on the stroke population in South Korea, sourced from the Clinical Research Collaborations for Stroke in Korea-National Institute for Health (CRCS-K-NIH), a comprehensive, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry. The Korean cohort, unlike western populations, shows a male-to-female ratio of 1.5, attributed to lower risk factors in Korean women. The average ages for men and women are 67 and 73 years, respectively.Hypertension is the most common risk factor (67%), consistent with global trends, but there is a higher prevalence of diabetes (35%) and smoking (21%). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (19%) is lower than in western populations, suggesting effective prevention strategies in the general population. A high incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (38%) is observed, likely due to prevalent intracranial arterial disease in East Asians and advanced imaging techniques.There has been a decrease in intravenous thrombolysis rates, from 12% in 2017–2019 to 10% in 2021, with no improvements in door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times, worsened by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While the use of aspirin plus clopidogrel for noncardioembolic stroke and direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation is well-established, the application of direct oral anticoagulants for non-atrial fibrillation cardioembolic strokes in the acute phase requires further research. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (13%) and the cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke at 3 months (3%) align with global figures. Favorable outcomes at 3 months (63%) are comparable internationally, yet the lack of improvement in dependency at 3 months highlights the need for advancements in acute stroke care.

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of add-on gemigliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had inadequate glycemic control with metformin and dapagliflozin. Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blind, phase III study, 315 patients were randomized to receive either gemigliptin 50 mg (n=159) or placebo (n=156) with metformin and dapagliflozin for 24 weeks. After the 24-week treatment, patients who received the placebo were switched to gemigliptin, and all patients were treated with gemigliptin for an additional 28 weeks. Results: The baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups, except for body mass index. At week 24, the least squares mean difference (standard error) in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) changes was –0.66% (0.07) with a 95% confidence interval of –0.80% to –0.52%, demonstrating superior HbA1c reduction in the gemigliptin group. After week 24, the HbA1c level significantly decreased in the placebo group as gemigliptin was administered, whereas the efficacy of HbA1c reduction was maintained up to week 52 in the gemigliptin group. The safety profiles were similar: the incidence rates of treatment-emergent adverse events up to week 24 were 27.67% and 29.22% in the gemigliptin and placebo groups, respectively. The safety profiles after week 24 were similar to those up to week 24 in both groups, and no new safety findings, including hypoglycemia, were noted. Conclusion Add-on gemigliptin was well tolerated, providing comparable safety profiles and superior efficacy in glycemic control over placebo for long-term use in patients with T2DM who had poor glycemic control with metformin and dapagliflozin.

Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis causes swine paratyphoid, with clinical findings of enterocolitis and septicemia. However, the clinicopathological features of S. Choleraesuis infections in pigs have not been reported in Korea. We describe the pathological findings of two weaned pigs with S. Choleraesuis infections, presenting with diarrhea, cough, and sudden death. Pathological examination indicated severe necrotic colitis in pig 1 and septicemic lesions in pig 2. Multidrug-resistant S. Choleraesuis was isolated from the pigs’ lungs and intestinal contents. Further research is required for the surveillance of S. Choleraesuis infections in pigs and the virulence estimation in the S. Choleraesuis isolates.

Purpose: This prospective, single-center, open-label, therapeutic confirmatory, randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the alleviation of anal pain by applying structured anal skin care including skin protectants in rectal cancer patients with low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) combined with anal pain. Methods: From December 2017 to May 2020, 42 patients with LARS (scores of ≥21) and anal pain (visual analogue scale [VAS] score of ≥3) were randomly assigned and observed for 4 weeks. The conventional treatment consisted of dietary management, sitz baths, prohibition of anal scrubbing, loperamide, and dioctahedral smectite. In the anal care group, cleanser, barrier cream, and barrier spray were applied to the anal skin after defecation following the conventional treatment. The primary outcome was analgesic effect on anal pain after 2 weeks of structured treatment (anal care group) or conventional (control group). The cutoff for analgesic effect was a decrease in the anal pain score (VAS score of ≥2 or ≥30% reduction). Results: As a primary outcome, the analgesic effect was significantly higher in the anal care group (P = 0.034). The incontinence-associated dermatitis skin condition score was significantly improved in the anal care group than control group after 4 weeks (P = 0.023). There were no significant differences in LARS scores and quality of life scores between 2 groups. Conclusion Structured anal skin care has a significant analgesic effect in reducing anal pain and improving anal skin conditions in patients with LARS after rectal cancer surgery.