Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

An implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a fixed restoration composed of a metal framework and acrylic resin, offering advantages such as aesthetics, function, phonetics, and lip support, while providing retention and support through the splinting of implants with the metal framework. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, and long-term use may result in wear or fracture of the artificial teeth, causing reduced masticatory function and loss of vertical dimension. Traditionally, a new metal framework is cast for remanufacturing, but if the existing framework is intact, it can be reused for a more rapid and simplified protocol. This case involves a 58-year-old male patient with peri-implantitis, where some implants were removed and treated, and the superstructure was remanufactured using the existing metal framework. By preserving the existing metal framework during the remanufacturing of the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis, the treatment time and number of visits were reduced, minimizing patient discomfort.

An implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a fixed restoration composed of a metal framework and acrylic resin, offering advantages such as aesthetics, function, phonetics, and lip support, while providing retention and support through the splinting of implants with the metal framework. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, and long-term use may result in wear or fracture of the artificial teeth, causing reduced masticatory function and loss of vertical dimension. Traditionally, a new metal framework is cast for remanufacturing, but if the existing framework is intact, it can be reused for a more rapid and simplified protocol. This case involves a 58-year-old male patient with peri-implantitis, where some implants were removed and treated, and the superstructure was remanufactured using the existing metal framework. By preserving the existing metal framework during the remanufacturing of the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis, the treatment time and number of visits were reduced, minimizing patient discomfort.

An implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a fixed restoration composed of a metal framework and acrylic resin, offering advantages such as aesthetics, function, phonetics, and lip support, while providing retention and support through the splinting of implants with the metal framework. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, and long-term use may result in wear or fracture of the artificial teeth, causing reduced masticatory function and loss of vertical dimension. Traditionally, a new metal framework is cast for remanufacturing, but if the existing framework is intact, it can be reused for a more rapid and simplified protocol. This case involves a 58-year-old male patient with peri-implantitis, where some implants were removed and treated, and the superstructure was remanufactured using the existing metal framework. By preserving the existing metal framework during the remanufacturing of the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis, the treatment time and number of visits were reduced, minimizing patient discomfort.

An implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a fixed restoration composed of a metal framework and acrylic resin, offering advantages such as aesthetics, function, phonetics, and lip support, while providing retention and support through the splinting of implants with the metal framework. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, and long-term use may result in wear or fracture of the artificial teeth, causing reduced masticatory function and loss of vertical dimension. Traditionally, a new metal framework is cast for remanufacturing, but if the existing framework is intact, it can be reused for a more rapid and simplified protocol. This case involves a 58-year-old male patient with peri-implantitis, where some implants were removed and treated, and the superstructure was remanufactured using the existing metal framework. By preserving the existing metal framework during the remanufacturing of the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis, the treatment time and number of visits were reduced, minimizing patient discomfort.

An implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a fixed restoration composed of a metal framework and acrylic resin, offering advantages such as aesthetics, function, phonetics, and lip support, while providing retention and support through the splinting of implants with the metal framework. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, and long-term use may result in wear or fracture of the artificial teeth, causing reduced masticatory function and loss of vertical dimension. Traditionally, a new metal framework is cast for remanufacturing, but if the existing framework is intact, it can be reused for a more rapid and simplified protocol. This case involves a 58-year-old male patient with peri-implantitis, where some implants were removed and treated, and the superstructure was remanufactured using the existing metal framework. By preserving the existing metal framework during the remanufacturing of the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis, the treatment time and number of visits were reduced, minimizing patient discomfort.

Background: A nationwide anti-parasite control program (1969–1995) successfully reduced soil-transmitted helminth infections; however, fish-borne trematode infections persisted in some areas. Since the 2012 National Parasite Infection Survey, information on the current status of intestinal helminth infections has not been updated. Analysis of the current trends in intestinal helminth infections is necessary to prevent and manage parasitic diseases in Korea. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the prevalence of intestinal parasites in 1,211,799 individuals who visited 16 regional branches of the Korea Association of Health Promotion between 2011 and 2020. Examinations were performed using microscopy and Kato's method. The results were analyzed according to parasite species, year, sex, age, and region of origin. Results: Intestinal helminth infections remained above 2.0% from 2011 to 2014 but decreased to 1.0% by 2020. Clonorchis sinensis had the highest infection rate (1.3%), followed by Metagonimus yokogawai (0.3%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.2%). Men had a higher infection rate (2.4%) than that of women (1.2%). The infection rate was higher among those in their 50s (2.0%), 60s, and older (1.8%). The highest regional infection rates were observed in Gyeongnam (4.8%), Ulsan (3.1%), Gyeongbuk (2.5%), Busan (1.8%), and Jeonnam (1.6%). Conclusion These results provide valuable insights into the decreasing prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of intestinal helminth infections in the Korean population.Therefore, various control measures are needed to prevent intestinal helminth infections, and continuous monitoring is essential until they are eradicated.