Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of dyslipidemia, thereby heightening the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hence, prior to the diagnosis of OSA, it is essential to investigate the association with dyslipidemia in at-risk individuals. Methods: Using raw data obtained from the 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined the details of 2,882 participants aged 40 years and older, who were not diagnosed with sleep apnea and did not use lipid-lowering medications. Participants who had reported snoring, fatigue, or witnessed apnea episodes, were categorized into the “OSA Risk Group” (OSARG), and logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between serum lipid levels and dyslipidemia. Results: OSARG participants were found to have a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and increased prevalence of dyslipidemia. After adjusting for sex, age, education, economic status, housing type, obesity, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, only hypertriglyceridemia remained significantly associated with the OSARG, and the odds ratio for OSA was significantly higher among those patients with hypertriglyceridemia (1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.83). Conclusion Among adults aged 40 years and older, compared with those not at risk, individuals at risk of OSA were characterized by a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia. These findings thus indicate that the management of hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia may be warranted prior to the diagnosis of OSA in this population.

Objectives: . Allergic rhinitis (AR) significantly impacts quality of life and incurs socioeconomic costs. The influence of smoking habits, including the use of conventional cigarettes (CCs) and electronic cigarettes (ECs), on the prevalence and management of AR remains a subject of debate. This study aims to explore the association between smoking status (CC and EC use) and the prevalence and management of AR among Koreans by analyzing data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII (2018) and VIII (2019–2021). Methods: . This cross-sectional study involved 22,290 participants aged 19 years and older from the KNHANES. Participants self-reported their smoking status, and urinary cotinine levels were measured to assess nicotine exposure. We employed statistical analyses, including logistic regression, to examine the relationships between smoking status, cotinine levels, and the prevalence and management of AR. Results: . In univariable logistic regression analysis, EC users exhibited a 35.8% increased risk of AR compared to non-smokers, whereas CC users experienced a 27.7% reduced risk. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a 20.3% lower risk of AR among CC users; however, no significant association was observed for EC users. Higher cotinine levels (>500 ng/mL) were associated with a lower prevalence of AR. Specifically, heavy CC users with high cotinine levels demonstrated a 35% reduced risk of AR. Nonetheless, after adjusting for confounders, this association was no longer significant, indicating that other variables might influence this relationship. Conclusion . Smoking status is associated with the prevalence of AR in Koreans. Notably, heavy use of CCs is negatively correlated with the prevalence of AR.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of dyslipidemia, thereby heightening the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hence, prior to the diagnosis of OSA, it is essential to investigate the association with dyslipidemia in at-risk individuals. Methods: Using raw data obtained from the 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined the details of 2,882 participants aged 40 years and older, who were not diagnosed with sleep apnea and did not use lipid-lowering medications. Participants who had reported snoring, fatigue, or witnessed apnea episodes, were categorized into the “OSA Risk Group” (OSARG), and logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between serum lipid levels and dyslipidemia. Results: OSARG participants were found to have a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and increased prevalence of dyslipidemia. After adjusting for sex, age, education, economic status, housing type, obesity, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, only hypertriglyceridemia remained significantly associated with the OSARG, and the odds ratio for OSA was significantly higher among those patients with hypertriglyceridemia (1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.83). Conclusion Among adults aged 40 years and older, compared with those not at risk, individuals at risk of OSA were characterized by a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia. These findings thus indicate that the management of hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia may be warranted prior to the diagnosis of OSA in this population.

The blending effect refers to a phenomenon where the color difference between the restorative material and surrounding tooth structure appears smaller when they are adjacent to each other. The effect can be affected by the translucency of restorative material. This study evaluated the influence of cavity depth on the color adjustment potential (CAP) and translucency of a single-shade composite resin compared to multi-shade composite resins. A single-shade composite (Omnichroma) and two multi-shade composites (FiltekTM Z350 XT and Estelite® Sigma Quick) were tested in 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm cavity depths/thicknesses. CAP was assessed using the ΔEab* color difference between single and dual specimens. Translucency was measured using the translucency parameter (TP). The single-shade composite demonstrated significantly higher CAP and TP values compared to multi-shade composites across all depths/thicknesses (p < 0.0167). CAP decreased with increasing cavity depth for all composites. In 1.5 mm cavities, the single-shade composite achieved a clinically imperceptible color match (ΔEab* < 3.7). The higher translucency of the single-shade composite likely contributes to its enhanced blending effect and CAP. These results suggest that single-shade composites offer superior shade-matching ability due to their structural color phenomenon and high translucency. However, the decrease in CAP with increasing cavity depth indicates potential limitations in deeper restorations. Clinicians should consider appropriate techniques or additional products for optimal aesthetic outcomes in deeper cavities when using single-shade composites.

This study aimed to evaluate the surface hardness and wear resistance of a novel glass-hybrid restorative material in comparison with those of high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (GIC). Additionally, this study examined how the application of a nano-filled resin coating affected these mechanical properties. This study utilized 80 disk-shaped samples prepared from two distinct GI materials: Equia Forte HT Fil and Fuji IX GP. Half of the specimens from each material group were treated with an Equia Forte Coat. Vickers hardness tests were conducted on a set of 40 specimens, and wear resistance was measured on a separate set of 40 specimens. Equia Forte HT Fil showed significantly higher hardness than Fuji IX GP (p < 0.05). The nano-filled resin coating did not significantly affect the hardness in both groups (p > 0.05). In wear depth measurements, uncoated Equia Forte HT Fil showed significantly lower wear depth compared to uncoated Fuji IX GP (p < 0.05). After coating application, both GI groups showed significantly decreased wear depth (p < 0.05). In terms of both hardness and wear resistance, the properties of the glass-hybrid restorative material were superior to those of the high-viscosity GIC. Nano-filled resin coating exhibited no significant positive effect on the hardness of either GI cement material but significantly increased their wear resistance.

Objectives: . Allergic rhinitis (AR) significantly impacts quality of life and incurs socioeconomic costs. The influence of smoking habits, including the use of conventional cigarettes (CCs) and electronic cigarettes (ECs), on the prevalence and management of AR remains a subject of debate. This study aims to explore the association between smoking status (CC and EC use) and the prevalence and management of AR among Koreans by analyzing data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII (2018) and VIII (2019–2021). Methods: . This cross-sectional study involved 22,290 participants aged 19 years and older from the KNHANES. Participants self-reported their smoking status, and urinary cotinine levels were measured to assess nicotine exposure. We employed statistical analyses, including logistic regression, to examine the relationships between smoking status, cotinine levels, and the prevalence and management of AR. Results: . In univariable logistic regression analysis, EC users exhibited a 35.8% increased risk of AR compared to non-smokers, whereas CC users experienced a 27.7% reduced risk. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a 20.3% lower risk of AR among CC users; however, no significant association was observed for EC users. Higher cotinine levels (>500 ng/mL) were associated with a lower prevalence of AR. Specifically, heavy CC users with high cotinine levels demonstrated a 35% reduced risk of AR. Nonetheless, after adjusting for confounders, this association was no longer significant, indicating that other variables might influence this relationship. Conclusion . Smoking status is associated with the prevalence of AR in Koreans. Notably, heavy use of CCs is negatively correlated with the prevalence of AR.

The blending effect refers to a phenomenon where the color difference between the restorative material and surrounding tooth structure appears smaller when they are adjacent to each other. The effect can be affected by the translucency of restorative material. This study evaluated the influence of cavity depth on the color adjustment potential (CAP) and translucency of a single-shade composite resin compared to multi-shade composite resins. A single-shade composite (Omnichroma) and two multi-shade composites (FiltekTM Z350 XT and Estelite® Sigma Quick) were tested in 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm cavity depths/thicknesses. CAP was assessed using the ΔEab* color difference between single and dual specimens. Translucency was measured using the translucency parameter (TP). The single-shade composite demonstrated significantly higher CAP and TP values compared to multi-shade composites across all depths/thicknesses (p < 0.0167). CAP decreased with increasing cavity depth for all composites. In 1.5 mm cavities, the single-shade composite achieved a clinically imperceptible color match (ΔEab* < 3.7). The higher translucency of the single-shade composite likely contributes to its enhanced blending effect and CAP. These results suggest that single-shade composites offer superior shade-matching ability due to their structural color phenomenon and high translucency. However, the decrease in CAP with increasing cavity depth indicates potential limitations in deeper restorations. Clinicians should consider appropriate techniques or additional products for optimal aesthetic outcomes in deeper cavities when using single-shade composites.