PURPOSE: Accuracy of image matching between resting and smiling facial models is affected by the stability of the reference surfaces. This study aimed to investigate the morphometric variations in subdivided facial units during resting, posed and spontaneous smiling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The posed and spontaneous smiling faces of 33 adults were digitized and registered to the resting faces. The morphological changes of subdivided facial units at the forehead (upper and lower central, upper and lower lateral, and temple), nasal (dorsum, tip, lateral wall, and alar lobules), and chin (central and lateral) regions were assessed by measuring the 3D mesh deviations between the smiling and resting facial models. The one-way analysis of variance, Duncan post hoc tests, and Student’s t-test were used to determine the differences among the groups (α = .05). RESULTS: The smallest morphometric changes were observed at the upper and central forehead and nasal dorsum; meanwhile, the largest deviation was found at the nasal alar lobules in both the posed and spontaneous smiles (P < .001). The spontaneous smile generally resulted in larger facial unit changes than the posed smile, and significant difference was observed at the alar lobules, central chin, and lateral chin units (P < .001). CONCLUSION The upper and central forehead and nasal dorsum are reliable areas for image matching between resting and smiling 3D facial images. The central chin area can be considered an additional reference area for posed smiles; however, special cautions should be taken when selecting this area as references for spontaneous smiles.

PURPOSE: . This study investigated the accuracy of full-arch intraoral scans obtained by various scan strategies with the segmental scan and merge methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . Seventy intraoral scans (seven scans per group) were performed using 10 scan strategies that differed in the segmental scan (1, 2, or 3 segments) and the scanning motion (straight, zigzag, or combined). The three-dimensional (3D) geometric accuracy of scan images was evaluated by comparison with a reference image in an image analysis software program, in terms of the arch shape discrepancies. Measurement parameters were the intermolar distance, interpremolar distance, anteroposterior distance, and global surface deviation. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significance difference post hoc tests were carried out to compare differences among the scan strategy groups (α = .05). RESULTS: . The linear discrepancy values of intraoral scans were not different among scan strategies performed with the single scan and segmental scan methods. In general, differences in the scan motion did not show different accuracies, except for the intermolar distance measured under the scan conditions of a 3-segmental scan and zigzag motion. The global surface deviations were not different among all scan strategies. CONCLUSION . The segmental scan and merge methods using two scan parts appear to be reliable as an alternative to the single scan method for full-arch intraoral scans. When three segmental scans are involved, the accuracy of complete arch scan can be negatively affected.

Background/Aims: The mucoprotective drug rebamipide is used to treat gastritis and peptic ulcers. We compared the efficacy of Mucosta Ⓡ (rebamipide 100 mg) and its new formulation, AD-203 (rebamipide 150 mg), in treating erosive gastritis. Methods: This double-blind, active control, noninferiority, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial randomly assigned 475 patients with endoscopically proven erosive gastritis to two groups: AD-203 twice daily or Mucosta Ⓡ thrice daily for 2 weeks. The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis included 454 patients (AD-203, n=229; Mucosta Ⓡ , n=225), and the per-protocol (PP) analysis included 439 patients (AD-203, n=224; Mucosta Ⓡ , n=215). The posttreatment assessments included the primary (erosion improvement rate) and secondary endpoints (erosion and edema cure rates; improvement rates of redness, hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal symptoms). Drug-related adverse events were evaluated. Results: According to the ITT analysis, the erosion improvement rates (posttreatment) in AD-203-treated and Mucosta Ⓡ -treated patients were 39.7% and 43.8%, respectively. According to the PP analysis, the erosion improvement rates (posttreatment) in AD-203-treated and Mucosta Ⓡ -treated patients were 39.3% and 43.7%, respectively. The one-sided 97.5% lower limit for the improvement rate difference between the study groups was −4.01% (95% confidence interval [CI], –13.09% to 5.06%) in the ITT analysis and −4.44% (95% CI, –13.65% to 4.78%) in the PP analysis. The groups did not significantly differ in the secondary endpoints in either analysis. Twenty-four AD-203-treated and 20 Mucosta Ⓡ -treated patients reported adverse events but no serious adverse drug reactions; both groups presented similar adverse event rates. Conclusions The new formulation of rebamipide 150 mg (AD-203) twice daily was not inferior to rebamipide 100 mg (Mucosta Ⓡ ) thrice daily. Both formulations showed a similar efficacy in treating erosive gastritis.

Background and Objectives: The relationship between the hospital percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) volumes and the in-hospital clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains the subject of debate. This study aimed to determine whether the in-hospital clinical outcomes of patients with AMI in Korea are significantly associated with hospital PCI volumes. Methods: We selected and analyzed 17,121 cases of AMI, that is, 8,839 cases of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and 8,282 cases of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, enrolled in the 2014 Korean percutaneous coronary intervention (K-PCI) registry. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to hospital annual PCI volume, that is, to a high-volume group (≥400/year) or a low-volume group (<400/year). Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were defined as composites of death, cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis, stroke, and need for urgent PCI during index admission after PCI. Results: Rates of MACCE and non-fatal MI were higher in the low-volume group than in the high-volume group (MACCE: 10.9% vs. 8.6%, p=0.001; non-fatal MI: 4.8% vs. 2.6%, p=0.001, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis showed PCI volume did not independently predict MACCE. Conclusions Hospital PCI volume was not found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients with AMI included in the 2014 K-PCI registry.

HM41322 is a novel oral sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) 1/2 dual inhibitor. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacologic profiles of HM41322 were compared to those of dapagliflozin. HM41322 showed a 10-fold selectivity for SGLT2 over SGLT1. HM41322 showed an inhibitory effect on SGLT2 similar to dapagliflozin, but showed a more potent inhibitory effect on SGLT1 than dapagliflozin. The maximum plasma HM41322 level after single oral doses at 0.1, 1, and 3 mg/kg were 142, 439, and 1830 ng/ml, respectively, and the T(1/2) was 3.1 h. HM41322 was rapidly absorbed and reached the circulation within 15 min. HM41322 maximized urinary glucose excretion by inhibiting both SGLT1 and SGLT2 in the kidney. HM41322 3 mg/kg caused the maximum urinary glucose excretion in normoglycemic mice (19.32±1.16 mg/g) at 24 h. In normal and diabetic mice, HM41322 significantly reduced glucose excursion. Four-week administration of HM41322 in db/db mice reduced HbA1c in a dose dependent manner. Taken together, HM41322 showed a favorable preclinical profile of postprandial glucose control through dual inhibitory activities against SGLT1 and SGLT2.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Glucose ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Kidney ; Mice ; Plasma

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has a crucial role in various autoimmune disorders including, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our previous study demonstrated that STAT3 activation by IL-6 in colonic epithelial cells exacerbates experimental ulcerative colitis. Activated T lymphocytes are also found in ulcerative colitis patients with intestinal inflammation, but the role of STAT3 in T cells remains elusive. To determine the STAT3 function of T cells in intestinal inflammation, we generated T cell-specific STAT3 knockout (KO) mice and used dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce colitis. In this study, we demonstrated that T cell-specific STAT3 deletion alleviated DSS-induced colitis in mice, resulting in reduced histological scores and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Importantly, the population of T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes was significantly decreased in the control and DSS-induced groups of STAT3 KO mice. In addition, STAT3 deficiency in T cells markedly reduced the production of interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-6, and IL-17A, whereas IL-10 secretion was increased. Collectively, the results suggest that STAT3 in T cells may be a therapeutic target in ulcerative colitis by balancing the immune response through T cell homeostasis.
Animals ; Colitis* ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Colon ; Cytokines ; Dextran Sulfate* ; Dextrans* ; Epithelial Cells ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Interferons ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-17 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lymph Nodes ; Mice ; Peroxidase ; Spleen ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; T-Lymphocytes

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of computer-aided replica technique (CART) by calculating its agreement with the replica technique (RT), using statistical agreement analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prepared metal die and a metal crown were fabricated. The gap between the restoration and abutment was replicated using silicone indicator paste (n = 25). Gap measurements differed in the control (RT) and experimental (CART) groups. In the RT group, the silicone replica was manually sectioned, and the marginal and occlusal gaps were measured using a microscope. In the CART group, the gap was digitized using optical scanning and image superimposition, and the gaps were measured using a software program. The agreement between the measurement techniques was evaluated by using the 95% Bland-Altman limits of agreement and concordance correlation coefficients (CCC). The least acceptable CCC was 0.90. RESULTS: The RT and CART groups showed linear association, with a strong positive correlation in gap measurements, but without significant differences. The 95% limits of agreement between the paired gap measurements were 3.84% and 7.08% of the mean. The lower 95% confidence limits of CCC were 0.9676 and 0.9188 for the marginal and occlusal gap measurements, respectively, and the values were greater than the allowed limit. CONCLUSION: The CART is a reliable digital approach for evaluating the fit accuracy of fixed dental prostheses.
Crowns ; Dental Prosthesis ; Prostheses and Implants* ; Replica Techniques* ; Silicon ; Silicones

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective patient data collection and investigator survey. PURPOSE: To investigate patterns of opioid treatment for pain caused by spinal disorders in Korea. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Opioid analgesic prescription and adequacy of consumption measures in Korea have markedly increased in the past decade, suggesting changing patterns in pain management practice; however, there is lack of integrated data specific to Korean population. METHODS: Patient data were collected from medical records at 34 university hospitals in Korea. Outpatients receiving opioids for pain caused by spinal disorders were included in the study. Treatment patterns, including opioid types, doses, treatment duration, outcomes, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs), were evaluated. Investigators were interviewed on their perceptions of opioid use for spinal disorders. RESULTS: Among 2,468 analyzed cases, spinal stenosis (42.8%) was the most common presentation, followed by disc herniation (24.2%) and vertebral fracture (17.5%). In addition, a greater proportion of patients experienced severe pain (73.9%) rather than moderate (19.9%) or mild (0.7%) pain. Oxycodone (51.9%) and fentanyl (50.8%) were the most frequently prescribed opioids; most patients were prescribed relatively low doses. The median duration of opioid treatment was 84 days. Pain relief was superior in patients with longer treatment duration (≥2 months) or with nociceptive pain than in those with shorter treatment duration or with neuropathic or mixed-type pain. ADRs were observed in 8.6% of cases. According to the investigators' survey, "excellent analgesic effect" was a perceived advantage of opioids, while safety concerns were a disadvantage. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid usage patterns in patients with spinal disorders are in alignment with international guidelines for spinal pain management. Future prospective studies may address the suitability of opioids for spinal pain treatment by using appropriate objective measurement tools.
Analgesics, Opioid ; Chronic Pain ; Data Collection ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Fentanyl ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Korea* ; Medical Records ; Nociceptive Pain ; Outpatients ; Oxycodone ; Pain Management ; Prescriptions ; Prospective Studies ; Research Personnel ; Retrospective Studies* ; Spinal Diseases ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: To establish a supraorbital nerve sensory conduction recording method and assess its usefulness. METHODS: Thirty-one healthy subjects without a history of trauma or neurological disease were recruited. For the orthodromic procedure, the recording electrode was attached immediately superior to the supraorbital notch. The stimulation electrode was placed on points along the hairline which evoked the largest sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs). The antidromic sensory response was recorded after switching the recording and stimulating electrodes. The measured parameters were onset latency, peak latency, and baseline to peak amplitude of the SNAPs. The electrophysiological parameters of the bilateral supraorbital nerves were compared. We also recruited two patients who had sensory deficits on one side of their foreheads because of laceration injuries. RESULTS: The parameters of orthodromically recorded SNAPs were as follows: onset latency 1.21±0.22 ms (range, 0.9-1.6 ms), peak latency 1.54±0.23 ms (range, 1.2-2.2 ms), and baseline to peak amplitude 4.16±1.92 µV (range, 1.4-10 µV). Those of antidromically recorded SNAPs were onset latency 1.31±0.27 ms (range, 0.8-1.7 ms), peak latency 1.62±0.29 ms (range, 1.3-2.2 ms), and baseline to peak amplitude 4.00±1.89 µV (range, 1.5-9.0 µV). There was no statistical difference in onset latency, peak latency, or baseline to peak amplitude between the responses obtained using the orthodromic and antidromic methods, and the parameters also revealed no statistical difference between the supraorbital nerves on both sides. CONCLUSION: We have successfully recorded supraorbital SNAPs. This conduction technique could be quite useful in evaluating patients with supraorbital nerve lesions.
Action Potentials ; Electrodes ; Electromyography ; Forehead ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Neural Conduction*

The prevalence of obesity and overweight is increasing in mood disorder, and it is connected to an increased cardiovascular mortality. Because of them, treatment for obesity may be an essential part of mood disorder treatment. Similar to the general population, non-pharmacological treatment such as correction of life habits should be considered first of all. If this approaches are fail, pharmacological treatment for obesity would be required as next step. Any drug for obesity is not approved officially in mood disorder. So approved drugs in general population, and drugs supported by several studies are prescribed in clinical settings. Several treatment guidelines for mood disorder and studies support that orlistat, metformin, topiramate and bupropion is effective and safe.
Bupropion ; Drug Therapy* ; Metformin ; Mood Disorders* ; Mortality ; Obesity* ; Overweight ; Prevalence