Background and Objectives: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) often necessitates invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) due to respiratory failure. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a critical component in MV management; however, the optimal PEEP level for patients with ADHF remains unclear. The High vErsus Low Positive end-expiratory pressure in mechanically ventilated patients with Acute Heart Failure (HELP-AHF) trial is a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled study designed to compare the efficacy and safety of high versus low PEEP strategies in this population. Methods: A total of 120 patients with ADHF requiring MV within 24 hours of initiation will be randomized 1:1 to a high PEEP group (target: 10 cmH2 O) or a low PEEP group (target: 3 cmH2 O). Results: The primary outcome is ventilator-free days at day 28. Key secondary outcomes include in-hospital mortality, duration of intensive care unit and hospital stay, vasoactive-inotropic support, and rates of heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation. Safety outcomes include hemodynamic instability requiring mechanical circulatory support, pulmonary complications, and weaning-related adverse events. Conclusions This HELP-AHF trial aims to provide valuable insights into optimal PEEP strategies in ADHF patients receiving invasive MV. Findings from this study have the potential to inform ventilatory management practices and improve outcomes in this high-risk population.

This report presents the case of severe tooth wear and vertical dimension loss in a 71-year-old male patient. A combined conventional and digital approach was employed for full-mouth rehabilitation. After determining an increase in the vertical dimension of 5.5 mm using an anterior jig and diagnostic wax-up, provisional restorations were fabricated and adjusted throughout the adaptation period.For the fabrication of the final prosthesis, digital methodologies such as oral scanning and occlusal acquisition were performed. To obtain precise margin data, a die model was fabricated using the traditional impression method, followed by model scanning, which was then combined with intraoral scan data. The final prosthesis was made of zirconia to enhance esthetics and strength. Consequently, the treatment enhanced both function and esthetics, leading to high patient satisfaction with the outcomes.

Background: and Purpose: This clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for treatment of dementia, focusing on cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other types of dementia. Methods: Using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes (PICO) framework, we developed key clinical questions and conducted systematic literature reviews. A multidisciplinary panel of experts, organized by the Korean Dementia Association, evaluated randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Recommendations were graded for evidence quality and strength using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Results: Three main recommendations are presented: (1) For AD, cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) are strongly recommended for improving cognition and daily function based on moderate evidence; (2) Cholinesterase inhibitors are conditionally recommended for vascular dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia, with a strong recommendation for Lewy body dementia; (3) For moderate to severe AD, NMDA receptor antagonist (memantine) is strongly recommended, demonstrating significant cognitive and functional improvements. Both drug classes showed favorable safety profiles with manageable side effects. Conclusions This guideline offers standardized, evidence-based pharmacologic recommendations for dementia management, with specific guidance on cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists. It aims to support clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes in dementia care. Further updates will address emerging treatments, including amyloid-targeting therapies, to reflect advances in dementia management.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop an approach to alleviate the discomfort caused by sandbag compression after a bone marrow examination. This research examined the effects of applying a pressure hemostasis band on bleeding, pain, and discomfort at the bone marrow examination site. Methods: This study was conducted with a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. For 74 patients under evaluation who underwent bone marrow examination, sandbag compression was applied to the examination site in the control group (n=37), and a pressure hemostasis band was applied to the intervention group (n=37). In both groups, absolute bed rest was performed for two hours, and bleeding, pain, and discomfort at the examination site were measured. Results: After two hours of the bone marrow examination, there was no difference in bleeding on the gauze between the two groups (F=0.59, p=.444). Bleeding occurred in three patients in the intervention group and six in the control group (χ 2 =1.14, p=.479), with no cases of hematoma detected in either group. One hour post-examination, the control group experienced significantly higher pain (F=5.45, p=.022) and discomfort (F=5.68, p=.020) than the intervention group. However, pain and discomfort levels were similar between groups after two hours. Conclusion Compared to the sandbag compression group, the band application group showed no difference in bleeding and experienced less pain and discomfort at the examination site. This confirms that the pressure hemostasis band is a suitable alternative to sandbag compression in post-examination care.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and associated psychosocial factors of behavioral addictions among school adolescents living in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions in Korea. Methods: A self-reported survey was conducted from December 4, 2023, to January 31, 2024, including 855 middle and high school students residing in the Gwangju-Jeonnam regions. Aside from the information on demographic characteristics, data on depression, anxiety, Internet gaming addiction, gambling problems, and resilience was obtained. Results: The prevalence of Internet gaming addiction among adolescents was 5.4%, while the prevalence of gambling problems was 3.3%. The male adolescents had a significantly higher risk of behavioral addiction compared with the female adolescents. The logistic regression analysis revealed that male and depression were significant risk factors for Internet gaming addiction. For gambling problems, male was identified as a significant risk factor. Conclusion The findings of this study suggested that the prevalence of behavioral addiction among school adolescents has been relatively higher than that of previous studies, emphasizing the need for community-based prevention and intervention strategies tailored to the sex difference and psychological factors associated with adolescent behavioral addictions.

Purpose: 11C-Methionine PET/CT is a promising method for detecting parathyroid lesions in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). We aimed to determine the diagnostic ability and correlation of digital 11C-Methionine PET/CT for parathyroid lesions in patients with PHPT, particularly in cases where standard imaging methods yielded inconclusive results. Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with PHPT who underwent digital 11C-Methionine PET/CT imaging because of ambiguous results on standard imaging work-up ( 99m Tc-MIBI parathyroid scan and/or neck ultrasonography). Quantitative 11C-Methionine PET/CT parameters, including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean SUV (SUVmean), peak SUV (SUVpeak), parathyroid methionine volume (PMV), and whole methionine uptake(WMU: PMV multiplied by SUVmean) were calculated with various thresholds, and their correlations with biochemical andpathologic parameters were investigated. Results: This study included 22 consecutive patients (10 men and 12 women) with a median age of 64.0 years. The lesion detection rate and sensitivity of digital 11C-Methionine PET/CT were 81.8% (18/22) and 100.0% (18/18), respectively.Quantitative analysis revealed that serum PTH (r = 0.490, P = 0.039) and serum calcium (r = 0.583, P = 0.011) were signifi-cantly correlated with PMV50%. Conclusion Digital 11C-Methionine PET/CT offers good performance in the detection of parathyroid lesions in PHPT patients with inconclusive standard imaging work-up. The volume parameter of PMV50% significantly correlated biochemi-cal parameters and can serve as a complementary diagnostic tool.

RESULTS: Resveratrol significantly reduced cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling in aging hearts. In addition, resveratrol significantly ameliorated aging-induced mitochondrial dysfunction (e.g., decreased oxygen respiration and increased hydrogen peroxide emission) and mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling (the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening sensitivity, and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels).Resveratrol also significantly attenuated aging-induced apoptosis (determined via cleaved caspase-3 staining and TUNEL-positive myonuclei) in cardiac muscles. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that resveratrol treatment has a beneficial effect on aging-induced cardiac remodeling by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in the heart.

Synthetic data, generated using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, replicates the statistical properties of real-world datasets while excluding identifiable information.Although synthetic data does not consist of actual data points, it is derived from original datasets, thereby enabling analyses that yield results comparable to those obtained with real data. Synthetic datasets are evaluated based on their utility—a measure of how effectively they mirror real data for analytical purposes. This paper presents the generation of synthetic datasets through the Healthcare Big Data Showcase Project (2019–2023). The original dataset comprises comprehensive multi-omics data from 400 individuals, including cancer survivors, chronic disease patients, and healthy participants. Synthetic data facilitates efficient access and robust analyses, serving as a practical tool for research and education. It addresses privacy concerns, supports AI research, and provides a foundation for innovative applications across diverse fields, such as public health and precision medicine.

This study explores the development, roles, and key initiatives of the Regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea, detailing their evolution through four distinct phases and their impact on environmental health policy and local governance. It chronicles the establishment and transformation of these centers from their inception in May 2007, through four developmental stages. Originally named Environmental Disease Research Centers, they were subsequently renamed Environmental Health Centers following legislative changes. The analysis includes the expansion in the number of centers, the transfer of responsibilities to local governments, and the launch of significant projects such as the Korean Children’s Environmental Health Study (Ko-CHENS ). During the initial phase (May 2007–February 2009), the 10 centers concentrated on research-driven activities, shifting from a media-centered to a receptor-centered approach. In the second phase, prompted by the enactment of the Environmental Health Act, six additional centers were established, broadening their scope to address national environmental health issues. The third phase introduced Ko-CHENS, a 20-year national cohort project designed to influence environmental health policy by integrating research findings into policy frameworks. The fourth phase marked a decentralization of authority, empowering local governments and redefining the centers' roles to focus on regional environmental health challenges. The Regional Environmental Health Centers have significantly evolved and now play a crucial role in addressing local environmental health issues and supporting local government policies. Their capacity to adapt and respond to region-specific challenges is essential for the effective implementation of environmental health policies, reflecting geographical, socioeconomic, and demographic differences.