Background: We aimed to clarify the safety and efficacy of simultaneous skin exposure to blue, red, and infrared light. The purpose of this study was to confirm the mechanism by which multiple wavelengths increase hair development both in vivo and in vitro. Methods: Cultured human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) were exposed to a 470/655/850 nm light-emitting diode (LED) array with a fixed energy density of 3.0 mW/cm 2 . We analyzed alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and activity. The relative expressions of ALP, VEGF, Shh, and OPN3 were examined using reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction arrays 48 hours post-exposure and the protein levels related to extracellular signalregulated kinase (ERK)/protein kinase B (AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)β signaling were assessed by western blotting. Next, we used H&E staining, hair growth scoring, skin thickness measurement, and the immunohistochemical analysis of the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice to investigate the effects of the mono- or combined-photobiomodulation (PBM) groups. Results: According to our findings, simultaneous irradiation with multi-wavelength LEDs at 470/655/850 nm increased the proliferation of hDPCs. Also, compared to the control group, the red wavelength and combined PBM groups had significantly improved skin thickness measurements. Overall, we concluded that the combined PBM therapy successfully induced the early onset of anagen and stimulated hair growth. Conclusion These results suggest that PBM therapy regulates hair growth by activating the ERK/AKT/GSK3βsignaling pathway. Thus, multiple-wavelength radiation from devices combining radiation emitted by lowpower lasers and LEDs could be a new approach for promoting PBM-induced beneficial effects.

Background: Limited data are available on the mortality rates of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to analyze the relationship between COVID-19 and clinical outcomes for patients receiving ECMO. Methods: We retrospectively investigated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring ECMO in 19 hospitals across Korea from January 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021. The primary outcome was the 90-day mortality after ECMO initiation. We performed multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of 90-day mortality. Survival differences were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier (KM) method. Results: Of 127 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who received ECMO, 70 patients (55.1%) died within 90 days of ECMO initiation. The median age was 64 years, and 63% of patients were male. The incidence of ECMO was increased with age but was decreased after 70 years of age. However, the survival rate was decreased linearly with age. In multivariate analysis, age (OR, 1.048; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.010–1.089; P = 0.014) and receipt of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (OR, 3.069; 95% CI, 1.312–7.180; P = 0.010) were significantly associated with an increased risk of 90-day mortality. KM curves showed significant differences in survival between groups according to age (65 years) (log-rank P = 0.021) and receipt of CRRT (log-rank P = 0.004). Conclusion Older age and receipt of CRRT were associated with higher mortality rates among patients with COVID-19 who received ECMO.

This study compared the effectiveness of self-propelling diatom microbubblers to clean dental appliances with commercial denture cleaning agents according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s guidelines. The microbubbler is made by doping diatoms with MnO2 nanosheets that can decompose hydrogen peroxide to generate oxygen bubbles. Artificial saliva is prepared in accordance with the criteria presented by the American Dental Association, dispensed, and dried in 96 well plates. Experimental groups include 10-15% NaOCl (positive control), distilled water (negative control), diatom microbubbler A (Aulacoseira, MnO2-polydopamine (PDA)-A), diatom microbubbler M (Melosira nummuloids, MnO2-sugar (S)-M), Polident (GlaxoSmithKline, Dungarvan, Ireland), Dentfix-forte (Helago-Phama GmbH&Co, Parchim, Germany). After washing, absorbance (OD 600) was measured. If the absorbance was 70% or higher, the condition was determined to have “cleaning power potency,”Statistical significance was evaluated by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni correction to compare cleaning effects among groups (p<0.05).The average cleaning rates were 93.8±1.0% in NaOCl (positive control) and 79.1±1.5% in distilled water (negative control).With the diatom microbubbler A, the average cleaning rate was 79.8±4.5% in the 3% H 2O 2 2 mg/mL, 64.7±5.5% in 6% H 2O 2 2 mg/mL, and 81.9±7.9% in 6% H 2O 2 4 mg/mL. The diatom microbubbler M group showed average cleaning rates of 88.5±3.6% in 3% H2O2 2 mg/mL, 75.8±4.0% in 6% H2O2 2 mg/mL, and 84.5±4.5% in 6% H2O2 4 mg/mL. Finally, conventional denture cleaning agents showed average cleaning rates of 88.2±1.2% in Polident and 83.3±3.0% in Dentfix-forte. The positive control group had significant differences from all experimental groups, but the negative control group showed significant differences only in A2 and A3, M1 and M2, M3, Polident, and Dentfix-forte (F=190.141, p<0.001). Among all groups except the positive control group, MnO2 -S-M mixed with 3% H2O2 2 mg/mL showed the highest cleaning rate. As the results of this study show, diatom complexes exhibit cleaning effects compatible with conventional denture cleaning agents. Further studies need to be conducted to narrow down the specific optimal conditions of diatom microbubblers and maximize the cleaning effect.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the association of age at first childbirth with the risk of hypertriglyceridemia among Korean women. METHODS: This study used data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study–Cardiovascular Disease Association Study. In total, 16,747 women were included in the cross-sectional analysis, and 6,250 women were included in the longitudinal analysis. The participants were divided based on their age at first childbirth (<20, 20-24, 25-29, and ≥30 years). Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as triglyceride levels of ≥150 mg/dL. RESULTS: The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio for prevalent hypertriglyceridemia was 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.40) in women whose first childbirth was before 20 years of age, compared to those whose first childbirth was at 25-29 years of age, after adjustment for age, study site, body mass index, blood pressure, diabetes, alcohol consumption, carbohydrate intake, income, marital status, education, parity, usage of oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement status. During a median follow-up of 5.2 years, 1,770 women developed hypertriglyceridemia. Compared with women who gave birth to their first child between 25 years and 29 years of age, those giving birth to their first child before 20 years of age had a higher risk for incident hypertriglyceridemia in later life (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.57). CONCLUSIONS Giving birth to one’s first child before the age of 20 years was associated with an increased risk of hypertriglyceridemia among Korean women.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed whether gender role stereotypes (GRS) and patriarchal attitudes are associated with cognitive function in an elderly community. METHODS: We analyzed data from 580 people enrolled in the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. The degrees to which respondents held stereotypical beliefs about gender roles and had patriarchal mindsets were measured using a questionnaire. Based on participants’ responses, we divided respondents into 2 groups—those with conservative mindsets and those with open mindsets—according to the median score for each of the 2 variables. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, Korean version (MMSE-K). Cognitive impairment was defined as an MMSE-K score ≤21 points. Multivariable logistic regression was performed, adjusting for gender, age, socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, and social network size. Age and lifestyle factors were stratified. RESULTS: Compared to those with open mindsets, those with conservative mindsets regarding gender roles and patriarchal norms had adjusted odds ratios of 1.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 3.19) and 1.67 (95% CI, 1.00 to 2.79) for cognitive impairment, respectively. In the stratified analysis, subgroups with younger age and a good lifestyle maintained a protective association with cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS GRS and a patriarchal mindset were marginally significantly associated with cognitive impairment among women later in life.

Background: The impact of reflux esophagitis on the decline of lung function has been rarely reported. This study was performed to evaluate the association between erosive reflux esophagitis and lung function changes. Methods: We included patients with normal lung function who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for health screening from a health screening center. Patients with persistent erosive reflux esophagitis on two discrete endoscopic examinations were designated as the erosive reflux esophagitis group. We also selected patients without erosive reflux esophagitis and matched them 1:4 with patients from the erosive reflux esophagitis group. We estimated annual forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 ) and forced vital capacity (FVC) changes from baseline and compared these estimates by the linear mixed regression model. We also estimated the biannual incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Results: In total, 1,050 patients (210 patients with erosive reflux esophagitis, and 840 matched controls) were included. The median follow-up duration for spirometry was six years. In patients with erosive reflux esophagitis, mild reflux esophagitis (A grade) was most common (165 patients, 78.6%). The adjusted annual FEV1 change in patients with erosive reflux esophagitis was −51.8 mL/yr, while it decreased by 46.8 mL/yr in controls (P = 0.270).The adjusted annual FVC decline was similar between the two groups (−55.8 vs. −50.5 mL/ yr, P = 0.215). The estimated COPD incidence during the follow-up period was not different between the erosive reflux esophagitis and control groups. Conclusion In patients with normal lung function, the presence of erosive reflux esophagitis did not affect the annual declines in FEV1 or FVC.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the changes in interpersonal relationships, behavioral patterns, and emotional states of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and their caregivers immediately after the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Daegu, South Korea. Methods: A total of 147 patients and 147 caregivers participated in the Survey for Outing and Time Usage for Child, Adolescent, and Parents and the COVID-19 Visual Analog Scale for Emotion. We classified the patients and their caregivers into the internalizing disorder (ID) and externalizing disorder (ED) groups and compared the changes. Results: Parent–child relationships for adolescent patients and caregivers were interrupted, and friend relationships in all participants were disrupted, while sibling relationships improved in adolescent patients. They experienced negative emotional changes. Time spent outdoor decreased and digital screen time increased for all participants. Friend and parent–child relationships were interrupted in the ED group compared to those in the ID group. ED patients experienced negative changes in emotional states, while ID patients showed no significant changes. Conclusion Results are meaningful as a reference for predicting changes in interpersonal relationships and mental status of pediatric psychiatric patients and for determining healthcare system adaptations to allow mental health support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify factors affecting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination intention. Methods: For an anonymous online survey, recruitment notices were posted on an anonymous community by each university, and an online survey was conducted through online form from June to July 2021. COVID-19 knowledge and health-protective behavior were measured using a questionnaire based on previous literature and reflecting the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Response Guidelines. The psychological antecedents of vaccination were measured by 5C scale. Results: Two-hundred and ninety-four college students (women 67.3%) answered the survey; 179 (60.9%) reported that they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. The mean scores for COVID-19 knowledge and health-protective behavior were 22.97 ± 5.33 (out of 35) and 9.92 ± 2.22 (out of 12), respectively. For the psychological antecedents of vaccination, the mean scores for confidence, collective responsibility, calculation, complacency, and constraints were 4.45 ( ± 1.24), 5.61 ( ± 1.09), 5.09 ( ± 1.18), 2.42 ( ± 1.11), and 2.37 ( ± 1.19) out of 5 points, respectively. The confidence, calculation, and collective responsibility were associated with vaccination intention. Additionally, the top reason for those who were less prone to accept vaccination against COVID-19 was concern about vaccine safety. Conclusion The higher the confidence in the vaccine and the higher the collective responsibility, the higher the vaccination intention. As it is a factor related to an individual’s perception of COVID-19 information, it is necessary to increase confidence in the vaccines through obtaining accurate information on the safety, effectiveness, and side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the changes in interpersonal relationships, behavioral patterns, and emotional states of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and their caregivers immediately after the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Daegu, South Korea. Methods: A total of 147 patients and 147 caregivers participated in the Survey for Outing and Time Usage for Child, Adolescent, and Parents and the COVID-19 Visual Analog Scale for Emotion. We classified the patients and their caregivers into the internalizing disorder (ID) and externalizing disorder (ED) groups and compared the changes. Results: Parent–child relationships for adolescent patients and caregivers were interrupted, and friend relationships in all participants were disrupted, while sibling relationships improved in adolescent patients. They experienced negative emotional changes. Time spent outdoor decreased and digital screen time increased for all participants. Friend and parent–child relationships were interrupted in the ED group compared to those in the ID group. ED patients experienced negative changes in emotional states, while ID patients showed no significant changes. Conclusion Results are meaningful as a reference for predicting changes in interpersonal relationships and mental status of pediatric psychiatric patients and for determining healthcare system adaptations to allow mental health support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed whether gender role stereotypes (GRS) and patriarchal attitudes are associated with cognitive function in an elderly community. METHODS: We analyzed data from 580 people enrolled in the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. The degrees to which respondents held stereotypical beliefs about gender roles and had patriarchal mindsets were measured using a questionnaire. Based on participants’ responses, we divided respondents into 2 groups—those with conservative mindsets and those with open mindsets—according to the median score for each of the 2 variables. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, Korean version (MMSE-K). Cognitive impairment was defined as an MMSE-K score ≤21 points. Multivariable logistic regression was performed, adjusting for gender, age, socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, and social network size. Age and lifestyle factors were stratified. RESULTS: Compared to those with open mindsets, those with conservative mindsets regarding gender roles and patriarchal norms had adjusted odds ratios of 1.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 3.19) and 1.67 (95% CI, 1.00 to 2.79) for cognitive impairment, respectively. In the stratified analysis, subgroups with younger age and a good lifestyle maintained a protective association with cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS GRS and a patriarchal mindset were marginally significantly associated with cognitive impairment among women later in life.