For patients with edentulous maxillae, creating a prosthetic treatment plan involves considering anatomical factors, aesthetics, the patient’s financial situation, and oral hygiene capabilities. In this case, CAD-CAM technology was used to accurately plan implant placements for a full arch fixed restoration based on the design of the final prosthesis. A customized surgical guide ensured precise implant placement and a provisional restoration was created using CAD-CAM. The definitive prosthesis was then created based on the second provisional restoration that has been previously used and adjusted by the patient. This approach achieved an excellent functional and aesthetic outcome, highlighting the benefits of digital approach and its potential for further clinical applications.

For patients with edentulous maxillae, creating a prosthetic treatment plan involves considering anatomical factors, aesthetics, the patient’s financial situation, and oral hygiene capabilities. In this case, CAD-CAM technology was used to accurately plan implant placements for a full arch fixed restoration based on the design of the final prosthesis. A customized surgical guide ensured precise implant placement and a provisional restoration was created using CAD-CAM. The definitive prosthesis was then created based on the second provisional restoration that has been previously used and adjusted by the patient. This approach achieved an excellent functional and aesthetic outcome, highlighting the benefits of digital approach and its potential for further clinical applications.

Background: The novel sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor enavogliflozin effectively lowers glycosylated hemoglobin levels and body weights without the increased risk of serious adverse events; however, the long-term clinical benefits of enavogliflozin in terms of cardiovascular and renal outcomes have not been investigated. Methods: This study is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized, pragmatic, open-label, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial. Eligible participants are adults (aged ≥19 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who have a history of, or are at risk of, cardiovascular disease. A total of 2,862 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either enavogliflozin or other SGLT2 inhibitors with proven cardiorenal benefits, such as dapagliflozin or empagliflozin. The primary endpoint is the time to the first occurrence of a composite of major adverse cardiovascular or renal events (Clinical Research Information Service registration number: KCT0009243). Conclusion This trial will determine whether enavogliflozin is non-inferior to dapagliflozin or empagliflozin in terms of cardiorenal outcomes in patients with T2DM and cardiovascular risk factors. This study will elucidate the role of enavogliflozin in preventing vascular complications in patients with T2DM.

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: Recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rhFSH) is commonly used to treat female infertility, but its short half-life necessitates multiple doses. Even corifollitropin alfa, with an extended half-life, requires supplementary injections of rhFSH after 7 days. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a long-acting follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) formulation using anti-serum albumin Fab-associated (SAFA) technology to avoid additional injections and enhance ovarian function. Methods: SAFA-FSH was synthesized using a Chinese hamster ovary expression system. Its biological efficacy was confirmed through assays measuring its ability to stimulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production, estradiol synthesis, and the expression of human cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (hCYP19α1) and human steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (hSTAR) in human ovarian granulosa (KGN) cells. To evaluate the effects of SAFA-FSH, we compared its impact on serum estradiol levels and ovarian weight increase with that of rhFSH in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using the modified Steelman-Pohley test. Results: The results indicated that SAFA-FSH induces cAMP synthesis in KGN cells and upregulates the expression of hCYP19α1 and hSTAR in a dose-dependent manner. Female SD rats, aged 21 days, receiving daily subcutaneous human chorionic gonadotropin injections for 5 days exhibited a significant increase in serum estradiol levels and ovarian weight when administered SAFA-FSH on the first day or when given nine injections of rhFSH over 5 days. Notably, the group receiving SAFA-FSH on the first and third days demonstrated an even greater rise in serum estradiol levels and ovarian weight. Conclusion These findings suggest that SAFA-FSH presents a promising alternative to current rhFSH treatments for female infertility. However, further research is essential to thoroughly assess its safety and efficacy in clinical contexts.

Objective: Several miRNAs have been identified as differentially expressed in patients with poor ovarian response (POR) compared to those with normal responses. This study aims to assess the potential of serum miR-329-3p as a biomarker for diagnosing POR. Methods: We conducted a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to confirm the target genes of miR-329-3p. KGN cells were transfected with both miR-329-3p mimic and inhibitor to assess the differential expression of these target genes. In accordance with the Bologna criteria, we enrolled 16 control patients and 16 patients with POR. We collected patient samples, including serum from day 2 and the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day, as well as granulosa and cumulus cells, to validate the expression of miR-329-3p using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: KEGG pathway analysis revealed that miR-329-3p targeted adenylyl cyclase 9 (ADCY9) and protein kinase A subunit beta (PRKACB), both of which are involved in ovarian steroidogenesis. In KGN cells treated with a miR-329-3p mimic, ADCY9 and PRKACB expression levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05). Elevated levels of miR-329-3p suppressed aromatase expression and 17β-estradiol production by modulating ADCY9 and PRKACB in KGN cells. These effects were also observed in POR patients. Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) expression was diminished in the granulosa cells of POR patients. On day 2, on hCG day, and in granulosa cells, miR-329-3p exhibited high expression levels in the serum of POR patients. Conclusion miR-329-3p exhibited increased expression in granulosa cells and in the sera of POR patients. Consequently, we propose that miR-329-3p may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of POR.

For patients with edentulous maxillae, creating a prosthetic treatment plan involves considering anatomical factors, aesthetics, the patient’s financial situation, and oral hygiene capabilities. In this case, CAD-CAM technology was used to accurately plan implant placements for a full arch fixed restoration based on the design of the final prosthesis. A customized surgical guide ensured precise implant placement and a provisional restoration was created using CAD-CAM. The definitive prosthesis was then created based on the second provisional restoration that has been previously used and adjusted by the patient. This approach achieved an excellent functional and aesthetic outcome, highlighting the benefits of digital approach and its potential for further clinical applications.

For patients with edentulous maxillae, creating a prosthetic treatment plan involves considering anatomical factors, aesthetics, the patient’s financial situation, and oral hygiene capabilities. In this case, CAD-CAM technology was used to accurately plan implant placements for a full arch fixed restoration based on the design of the final prosthesis. A customized surgical guide ensured precise implant placement and a provisional restoration was created using CAD-CAM. The definitive prosthesis was then created based on the second provisional restoration that has been previously used and adjusted by the patient. This approach achieved an excellent functional and aesthetic outcome, highlighting the benefits of digital approach and its potential for further clinical applications.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the key factors in nursing workforce management for pandemic response in general hospitals and long-term care hospitals and to analyze the relative importance of these factors. Methods: A validity test was conducted with experts to select four categories and 30 key factors related to nursing workforce management for pandemic response. Surveys were collected from 25 nursing managers in general hospitals and 21 nursing managers in long-term care hospitals, and the relative importance of the key factors was analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process method. Results: Differences were found between the two groups in the relative importance of nursing workforce management for pandemic response. Specifically, the highest-ranking category was “workforce recruitment and redeployment” for general hospitals, but “workforce support and protection” for long-term care hospitals. The most important factor regarding nursing workforce management was the “nurse-to-patient ratio” for both general and long-term care hospitals. Conclusion General and long-term care hospitals need to establish nursing workforce management strategies to effectively respond to pandemics with appropriate consideration of the relative importance and prioritization of key factors based on hospital characteristics.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the key factors in nursing workforce management for pandemic response in general hospitals and long-term care hospitals and to analyze the relative importance of these factors. Methods: A validity test was conducted with experts to select four categories and 30 key factors related to nursing workforce management for pandemic response. Surveys were collected from 25 nursing managers in general hospitals and 21 nursing managers in long-term care hospitals, and the relative importance of the key factors was analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process method. Results: Differences were found between the two groups in the relative importance of nursing workforce management for pandemic response. Specifically, the highest-ranking category was “workforce recruitment and redeployment” for general hospitals, but “workforce support and protection” for long-term care hospitals. The most important factor regarding nursing workforce management was the “nurse-to-patient ratio” for both general and long-term care hospitals. Conclusion General and long-term care hospitals need to establish nursing workforce management strategies to effectively respond to pandemics with appropriate consideration of the relative importance and prioritization of key factors based on hospital characteristics.