Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients’ values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

Background: This study investigated the awareness and utilization of maternity protection and work-family balance supportpolicies among dental hygienists in dental hospitals and clinics. Methods: We surveyed 200 dental hygienists. Twenty-two who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded, leaving 178participants for analysis. The self-administered 48-item questionnaire gathered information on demographics, workplace details, policy awareness, government knowledge, and suggestions for improvement. Results: Awareness of maternity and family support programs significantly differed with age, marital status, number of children,and clinical experience. Dental hygienists in general hospitals and university hospitals reported greater ease of utilizing these policies compared to those in dental clinics. Among the participants, 27.7% took pre- and post-maternity leave, 26.6% took parental leave, 16.9% had reduced working hours during pregnancy, 15.8% had reduced working hours during childhood,and 8.5% during family leave. To promote program uptake, participants suggested mandatory implementation across workplaces (68.4%), expanded support for substitute workers (48.6%), and increased education and promotion of government support (42.4%). Conclusion While most dental hygienists were aware of the Maternity Protection and Work-Family Balance Assistance Policy,utilizing it proved challenging due to several factors. Organizational policies or practices may not fully implement this policy, while workplace culture could discourage its use. Unfair treatment and the lack of available substitutes further hindered access. To prevent career interruptions for dental hygienists due to pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, and family care, and to maintain career continuity, the dental community and government should establish a multifaceted social support system. This system should prioritize several key areas: strengthening policy promotion, fostering a family-friendly atmosphere, improving management and supervision of policy implementation and developing a robust support system for substitute personnel.

Colonoscopic polypectomy is effective in decreasing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). Premalignant polyps discovered during colonoscopy are associated with the risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia. Postpolypectomy surveillance is the most important method for managing advanced metachronous neoplasia. A more efficient and evidence-based guideline for postpolypectomy surveillance is required because of the limited medical resources and concerns regarding colonoscopy complications. In these consensus guidelines, an analytic approach was used to address all reliable evidence to interpret the predictors of CRC or advanced neoplasia during surveillance colonoscopy. The key recommendations state that the high-risk findings for metachronous CRC following polypectomy are as follows: adenoma ≥10 mm in size; 3 to 5 (or more) adenomas; tubulovillous or villous adenoma; adenoma containing high-grade dysplasia; traditional serrated adenoma; sessile serrated lesion containing any grade of dysplasia; serrated polyp of at least 10 mm in size; and 3 to 5 (or more) sessile serrated lesions. More studies are needed to fully comprehend the patients who are most likely to benefit from surveillance colonoscopy and the ideal surveillance interval to prevent metachronous CRC.

Colonoscopic polypectomy is effective in decreasing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). Premalignant polyps discovered during colonoscopy are associated with the risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia. Postpolypectomy surveillance is the most important method for managing advanced metachronous neoplasia. A more efficient and evidence-based guideline for postpolypectomy surveillance is required because of the limited medical resources and concerns regarding colonoscopy complications. In these consensus guidelines, an analytic approach was used to address all reliable evidence to interpret the predictors of CRC or advanced neoplasia during surveillance colonoscopy. The key recommendations state that the high-risk findings for metachronous CRC following polypectomy are as follows: 1) adenoma ≥10 mm in size; 2) 3-5 (or more) adenomas; 3) tubulovillous or villous adenoma; 4) adenoma containing high-grade dysplasia; 5) traditional serrated adenoma; 6) sessile serrated lesion (SSL) containing any grade of dysplasia; 7) serrated polyp of at least 10 mm in size; and 8) 3-5 (or more) SSLs. More studies are needed to fully comprehend the patients who are most likely to benefit from surveillance colonoscopy and the ideal surveillance interval to prevent metachronous CRC.

Colonoscopic polypectomy is effective in decreasing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). Premalignant polyps discovered during colonoscopy are associated with the risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia. Postpolypectomy surveillance is the most important method for the management of advanced metachronous neoplasia. A more efficient and evidence-based guideline for postpolypectomy surveillance is required because of limited medical resources and concerns regarding colonoscopy complications. In these consensus guidelines, an analytic approach was used to address all reliable evidence to interpret the predictors of CRC or advanced neoplasia during surveillance colonoscopy. The key recommendations state that the high-risk findings for metachronous CRC following polypectomy are as follows: (1) adenoma ≥10 mm in size; (2) 3 to 5 (or more) adenomas; (3) tubulovillous or villous adenoma; (4) adenoma containing high-grade dysplasia; (5) traditional serrated adenoma; (6) sessile serrated lesion (SSL) containing any grade of dysplasia; (7) serrated polyp of at least 10 mm in size; and (8) 3 to 5 (or more) SSLs. More studies are needed to fully comprehend the patients most likely to benefit from surveillance colonoscopy and the ideal surveillance interval to prevent metachronous CRC.

Morning glory syndrome (MGS) is a rare congenital optic disc anomaly with a characteristic fundal finding with severe visual impairment. It may occur in association with various systemic manifestations, even though most of the reported cases were isolated. A 6-year-old male visited the nephrology clinic with a history of microscopic hematuria and at the age of 12 years, he was diagnosed thin glomerular basement membrane nephropathy by kidney biopsy. After the following years, the patient had progressive deterioration of visual acuity, and diagnosed as MGS. Whole Exome Sequencing of this patient and his mother revealed heterozygous COL4A4 mutations [c.81_86del (p.Ile29_Leu30del)]. It is more reasonable to consider MGS seen in this patient as a coincidental finding of autosomal dominant Alport syndrome. To our knowledge, this case represents the first case report of autosomal dominant Alport syndrome associated with MGS.

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity (PA) is an established protective factor for many chronic diseases. Numerous studies have established positive relationships between social networks and PA. Accordingly, this study examined the relationship between social network structures (specifically the network size and the number and proportion of same-sex alters) and self-reported PA in Korean middle-age adults, where the term “alter” refers to a respondent’s social network members. METHODS: We analyzed 8,092 participants of the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Etiology Research Center cohort. We assessed the association between each network structure variable and PA level using a linear regression model. Then, we employed logistic regression to evaluate associations between social network structure and adherence to guideline-recommended exercise levels. Socio-demographic factors and health status measures were used as covariates. RESULTS: In both sexes, the social network size and proportion of same-sex network members showed positive relationships with total and moderate-to-vigorous PA. Notably, female participants with a greater number of kin were more likely to satisfy the recommended amount of total PA. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that large scale, same-sex intervention programs can help to achieve recommended PA regimens.

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity (PA) is an established protective factor for many chronic diseases. Numerous studies have established positive relationships between social networks and PA. Accordingly, this study examined the relationship between social network structures (specifically the network size and the number and proportion of same-sex alters) and self-reported PA in Korean middle-age adults, where the term “alter” refers to a respondent’s social network members. METHODS: We analyzed 8,092 participants of the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Etiology Research Center cohort. We assessed the association between each network structure variable and PA level using a linear regression model. Then, we employed logistic regression to evaluate associations between social network structure and adherence to guideline-recommended exercise levels. Socio-demographic factors and health status measures were used as covariates. RESULTS: In both sexes, the social network size and proportion of same-sex network members showed positive relationships with total and moderate-to-vigorous PA. Notably, female participants with a greater number of kin were more likely to satisfy the recommended amount of total PA. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that large scale, same-sex intervention programs can help to achieve recommended PA regimens.

PURPOSE: Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM), a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is highly expressed on dendritic cells. ALCAM and its receptor CD6 are co-stimulatory molecules in the immunological synapse; their interaction is required for T cell activation. While atopic dermatitis (AD) is recognized as a T helper 2 (Th2)-mediated allergic disease, the role of ALCAM in its pathogenesis is unclear. METHODS: ALCAM levels were measured in the serum of AD patients and AD-induced murine model by ovalbumin treatment. We next investigated transepidermal water loss, clinical score, Th2-immune responses, skin barrier gene expression and T-cell activation using wild-type (WT) and ALCAM deficiency mice. An oxazolone-induced AD-like model was also established and analyzed using WT- and ALCAM-deficient mice. RESULTS: We found that serum ALCAM levels were elevated in pediatric AD patients as well as WT AD mice, whereas Th2-type cytokine production and AD symptoms were suppressed in ALCAM-deficient mice. In addition, CD4+ effector T-cell counts in murine skin and skin-draining lymph nodes were lower in ALCAM-deficient mice than in their WT counterparts. ALCAM deficiency was also linked to higher expression of skin barrier genes and number of lamellar bodies. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that ALCAM may contribute to AD pathogenesis by meditating a Th2-dominant immune response and disrupting the barrier function of the skin.
Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule ; Animals ; Dendritic Cells ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunological Synapses ; Lymph Nodes ; Mice ; Ovalbumin ; Skin ; T-Lymphocytes ; Water

PURPOSE: We report a case of acute dacryocystitis diagnosed with abscess and rupture of lacrimal sac and fistula to posterior orbit during the operation. CASE SUMMARY: A 71-year-old woman visited our clinic with edema and pain in the eyelid from three days ago. For past four months, there was viscous of the left eye and tears. The patient had severe conjunctival chemosis and hyperemia, compared with the left eyelid edema and redness. Orbital CT scan showed orbital cellulitis, which was followed by systemic antibiotics and steroid therapy. On the 4th day of therapy, orbital abscess formation was observed in orbit MRI and surgical drainage was planned. During surgery, we found rupture of the posterior part of lacrimal sac and fistula to posterior orbit. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified in the bacterial cultures, and after the administration of appropriate antibiotics, the disease showed improved progress, and then additional dacryocystorhinostomy was performed. CONCLUSIONS: In our case, acute dacryocystitis rarely spread in orbit, which may lead to delayed diagnosis, orbital cellulitis and abscess, resulting in serious complications of vision threat. So, we think that it is necessary to consider surgical treatment more actively in the stage of chronic dacryocysitis.
Abscess ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Dacryocystitis ; Dacryocystorhinostomy ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Edema ; Eyelids ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; Orbit ; Orbital Cellulitis ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Rupture ; Tears ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed