This study investigated the molecular mechanism of phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which play a crucial role in vascular remodeling using 9H-Carbazol-3-yl 4-aminobenzoate (CAB). CAB significantly attenuated platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. CAB suppressed PDGF-induced STAT3 activation by directly binding to the SH2 domain of STAT3. Downregulation of STAT3 phosphorylation by CAB attenuated CIAPIN1/JAK2/STAT3 axis through a decrease in CIAPIN1 transcription. Furthermore, abrogated CIAPIN1 decreased KLF4-mediated VSMC dedifferentiation and increased CDKN1B-induced cell cycle arrest and MMP9 suppression. CAB inhibited intimal hyperplasia in injury-induced neointima animal models by inhibition of the CIAPIN1/JAK2/STAT3 axis. However, CIAPIN1 overexpression attenuated CAB-mediated suppression of VSMC proliferation, migration, phenotypic switching, and intimal hyperplasia. Our study clarified the molecular mechanism underlying STAT3 inhibition of VSMC phenotypic switching and vascular remodeling and identified novel active CAB. These findings demonstrated that STAT3 can be a major regulator to control CIAPIN1/JAK2/STAT3 axis that may be a therapeutic target for treating vascular proliferative diseases.

Objective: Oral frailty is associated with a decline in overall function in the elderly and increases the risk of dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent these issues. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the Korean oral frailty diagnostic criteria and oral diadochokinesis (ODK) in community-dwelling elderly individuals. Methods: Six diagnostic criteria for oral frailty were examined and ODK was assessed in 100 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above residing in the Gangwon State. The correlation was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, Spearman’s rank correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The study found that elderly individuals in the later stages of life had significantly lower tongue pressure, occlusal force, chewing ability, and ODK compared to those in earlier stages. Additionally, increased age and decreased chewing ability and tongue pressure were significantly associated with a decline in ability to rapidly repeat monosyllables /pʌ/tʌ/kʌ/. Conclusion As age increases in the elderly population, the frequency of /pʌ/tʌ/kʌ/ in ODK assessments may serve as a simple screening tool for oral frailty in community-dwelling elderly individuals.

Tuberculous pericarditis is an extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis that is most commonly associated with pericardial thickening, effusion, and calcification. We present a case of tuberculous pericarditis mimicking a malignant pericardial tumor in a 77-year-old male. CT revealed an irregular and nodular pericardial thickening. MRI revealed high signal intensity on T1-weighted fat-suppressed images and peripheral rim enhancement after gadolinium administration. MRI can be helpful in determining the differential diagnoses in cases of tuberculous pericarditis with nonspecific imaging findings.

Objective: Oral frailty is associated with a decline in overall function in the elderly and increases the risk of dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent these issues. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the Korean oral frailty diagnostic criteria and oral diadochokinesis (ODK) in community-dwelling elderly individuals. Methods: Six diagnostic criteria for oral frailty were examined and ODK was assessed in 100 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above residing in the Gangwon State. The correlation was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, Spearman’s rank correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The study found that elderly individuals in the later stages of life had significantly lower tongue pressure, occlusal force, chewing ability, and ODK compared to those in earlier stages. Additionally, increased age and decreased chewing ability and tongue pressure were significantly associated with a decline in ability to rapidly repeat monosyllables /pʌ/tʌ/kʌ/. Conclusion As age increases in the elderly population, the frequency of /pʌ/tʌ/kʌ/ in ODK assessments may serve as a simple screening tool for oral frailty in community-dwelling elderly individuals.

Tuberculous pericarditis is an extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis that is most commonly associated with pericardial thickening, effusion, and calcification. We present a case of tuberculous pericarditis mimicking a malignant pericardial tumor in a 77-year-old male. CT revealed an irregular and nodular pericardial thickening. MRI revealed high signal intensity on T1-weighted fat-suppressed images and peripheral rim enhancement after gadolinium administration. MRI can be helpful in determining the differential diagnoses in cases of tuberculous pericarditis with nonspecific imaging findings.

Objective: Oral frailty is associated with a decline in overall function in the elderly and increases the risk of dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent these issues. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the Korean oral frailty diagnostic criteria and oral diadochokinesis (ODK) in community-dwelling elderly individuals. Methods: Six diagnostic criteria for oral frailty were examined and ODK was assessed in 100 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above residing in the Gangwon State. The correlation was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, Spearman’s rank correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The study found that elderly individuals in the later stages of life had significantly lower tongue pressure, occlusal force, chewing ability, and ODK compared to those in earlier stages. Additionally, increased age and decreased chewing ability and tongue pressure were significantly associated with a decline in ability to rapidly repeat monosyllables /pʌ/tʌ/kʌ/. Conclusion As age increases in the elderly population, the frequency of /pʌ/tʌ/kʌ/ in ODK assessments may serve as a simple screening tool for oral frailty in community-dwelling elderly individuals.

Tuberculous pericarditis is an extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis that is most commonly associated with pericardial thickening, effusion, and calcification. We present a case of tuberculous pericarditis mimicking a malignant pericardial tumor in a 77-year-old male. CT revealed an irregular and nodular pericardial thickening. MRI revealed high signal intensity on T1-weighted fat-suppressed images and peripheral rim enhancement after gadolinium administration. MRI can be helpful in determining the differential diagnoses in cases of tuberculous pericarditis with nonspecific imaging findings.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to establish the validity—specifically, the sensitivity and specificity—of the screening questionnaire and diagnostic criteria for oral frailty proposed by the Korean Academy of Geriatric Dentistry (KAGD) among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This study enrolled 100 participants. Among various definitions of oral frailty, this study used the criteria proposed by Tanaka as the reference test. The screening questionnaire consisted of 11 items for screening physical frailty, chewing ability, swallowing difficulties, oral dryness, and tongue and lip motor function. Each question had a different scoring weight, and if the total score was 1 or higher, an oral frailty diagnostic examination proposed by the KAGD would be recommended. The diagnostic test was the oral frailty diagnostic criteria proposed by the KAGD including 6 measures: chewing ability, occlusal force, tongue pressure, oral dryness, swallowing difficulty, and oral hygiene. If a participant exhibited 2 or more positive measures, this participant was classified as “oral frail.” The screening questionnaire was analyzed using a cut-off value of 1 or higher, while the diagnostic criteria utilized a cut-off of 2 or more positive measures. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. RESULTS: The screening questionnaire showed significant power for screening oral frailty (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.783; sensitivity, 87.8%; specificity, 52.5%). The diagnostic accuracy of the newly proposed diagnostic criteria was acceptable (sensitivity, 95.1%; specificity, 42.4%). CONCLUSIONS The newly proposed screening questionnaire and diagnostic criteria in Korea appear to be a useful tool to identify oral frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

Purpose: This study aims to develop a tool to systematically assess the risk of collapse in the delivery infrastructure and apply it to 42 districts in Gyeonggi Province. The ultimate goal is to provide data for preventive and improvement strategies tailored to regional needs. Methods: Hospitals performing over 50 deliveries annually were identified. Regions were categorized as 'none,' 'one,' or 'more than two' delivery hospitals, with further subdivision by annual delivery volume. Regions were then classified into 5 categories: 'relatively stable,' 'low-risk,' 'moderate-risk,' 'high-risk,' and 'collapsed.' Results: Of the 42 districts, 23 were classified as relatively stable, 3 as low-risk, 1 as moderate-risk, 4 as highrisk, and 11 as collapsed. Notably, areas where the delivery infrastructure has collapsed or is at high risk of collapse accounted for approximately 36% of the total. Conclusion Tailored strategies and urgent policy support are required for high-risk regions. While perinatal regionalization may be a future direction, stable infrastructure must be maintained until the maternal care delivery system is established.