Abstinence from prolonged psychostimulant use prompts stimulant withdrawal syndrome. Molecular adaptations within the dorsal striatum have been considered the main hallmark of stimulant abstinence. Here we explored striatal miRNA-target interaction and its impact on circulating miRNA marker as well as behavioral dysfunctions in methamphetamine (MA) abstinence. We conducted miRNA sequencing and profiling in the nonhuman primate model of MA abstinence, followed by miRNA qPCR, LC-MS/MS proteomics, immunoassays, and behavior tests in mice. In nonhuman primates, MA abstinence triggered a lasting upregulation of miR-137 in the dorsal striatum but a simultaneous downregulation of circulating miR-137. In mice, aberrant increase in striatal miR-137-dependent inhibition of SYNCRIP essentially mediated the MA abstinence-induced reduction of circulating miR-137. Pathway modeling through experimental deduction illustrated that the MA abstinence-mediated downregulation of circulating miR-137 was caused by reduction of SYNCRIP-dependent miRNA sorting into the exosomes in the dorsal striatum. Furthermore, diminished SYNCRIP in the dorsal striatum was necessary for MA abstinence-induced behavioral bias towards egocentric spatial learning. Taken together, our data revealed circulating miR-137 as a potential blood-based marker that could reflect MA abstinence-dependent changes in striatal miR-137/SYNCRIP axis, and striatal SYNCRIP as a potential therapeutic target for striatum-associated cognitive dysfunction by MA withdrawal syndrome.

The indications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) covered by the health insurance in Korea increased to 16 in 2019, which includes acute central retinal artery obstruction within 24 hours of vision loss; anemia due to excessive bleeding, since blood transfusion is impractical; chronic refractory osteomyelitis (Wagner grade ≥3); and intracranial abscess.Current Concepts: HBOT affects the treatment in the primary and secondary mechanisms. According to the Boyle’s law, the primary mechanism is important in treating decompression sickness and intravascular air embolism by decreasing the volume of air bubbles when pressure increases, whereas the secondary mechanism involves hyperoxygenation of the primary mechanism and various effects, such as vasoconstriction, angiogenesis, immune function enhancement, reperfusion injury prevention, antimicrobial action, and gas washout effect, occur. In the past 5 years, domestic HBOT has made significant progress. However, there are many non-therapeutic lowpressure HBOT facilities that are limited by insurance coverage issues, quality equipment management, and medical personnel in HBOT facilities.Discussion and Conclusion: To solve the problem, the introduction of the definition of therapeutic hyperbaric pressure and certification system of HBOT facilities must be initiated. Moreover, the system should be improved so that insurance can be applied for a more indication of HBOT.

Background: The purpose of this study was to review the nationwide emergency care-related health policies during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disaster in Korea and to analyze the effects of the policies on the safety of patients who visit emergency departments (EDs) during this period. Methods: This study is a quasi-experiment study. The study population was patients who visited all 402 EDs in Korea between December 31, 2019 and May 13, 2020, using the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) database. The study period was classified into 5 phases according to the level of national crisis warning of infectious disease and the implementation of emergency care-related health policies, and all study phases were 27 days. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcome was length of stay (LOS) in the ED during the COVID-19 outbreak. Results: The number of ED visits during the study period was 2,636,341, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 1.4%. The number of ED visits decreased from 803,160 in phase 1 to 496,619 in phase 5 during the study period. For in-hospital mortality, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) was 0.77 (0.74–0.79) in phase 5 compared to phase 3. Additionally, by subgroup, the ORs were 0.69 (0.57–0.83) for the patients with acute myocardial infarction and 0.76 (0.67–0.87) for severe trauma in phase 5 compared to phase 3. The ED LOS increased while the number of ED visits decreased as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, and the ED LOS declined after policy implementation (beta coefficient: −5.3 [−6.5 to −4.2] minutes in phase 5 compared to phase 3). Conclusion Implementing appropriate emergency care policies in the COVID-19 pandemic would have contributed to improving the safety of all emergency patients and reducing inhospital mortality by preventing excessive deaths.

Background: The purpose of this study was to review the nationwide emergency care-related health policies during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disaster in Korea and to analyze the effects of the policies on the safety of patients who visit emergency departments (EDs) during this period. Methods: This study is a quasi-experiment study. The study population was patients who visited all 402 EDs in Korea between December 31, 2019 and May 13, 2020, using the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) database. The study period was classified into 5 phases according to the level of national crisis warning of infectious disease and the implementation of emergency care-related health policies, and all study phases were 27 days. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcome was length of stay (LOS) in the ED during the COVID-19 outbreak. Results: The number of ED visits during the study period was 2,636,341, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 1.4%. The number of ED visits decreased from 803,160 in phase 1 to 496,619 in phase 5 during the study period. For in-hospital mortality, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) was 0.77 (0.74–0.79) in phase 5 compared to phase 3. Additionally, by subgroup, the ORs were 0.69 (0.57–0.83) for the patients with acute myocardial infarction and 0.76 (0.67–0.87) for severe trauma in phase 5 compared to phase 3. The ED LOS increased while the number of ED visits decreased as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, and the ED LOS declined after policy implementation (beta coefficient: −5.3 [−6.5 to −4.2] minutes in phase 5 compared to phase 3). Conclusion Implementing appropriate emergency care policies in the COVID-19 pandemic would have contributed to improving the safety of all emergency patients and reducing inhospital mortality by preventing excessive deaths.

PURPOSE: Overcrowding in urban emergency departments (EDs) while a decline in rural EDs due to mismatch of supply and demand of emergency medical resources are still issues to date. Therefore, this study analyzed the current characteristics and reality of bed utilization in the EDs of Korea. METHODS: Real-time availability of bed information was obtained from the emergency medical resource information system. The data were extracted for 4 weeks every 3 months, from April 2014 to January 2015. We analyzed the emergency department utilization (EDU) rate of emergency medical centers and hospitals based in 16 provinces in Korea. RESULTS: A total of 14,889,750 data were included. The total EDU rate was 20.0% (9.1-43.9%). The EDU rate was 66.7% (40.0-95.0%) for regional emergency medical centers (REMC), 33.3% (15.0-63.3%) for local emergency medical centers (LEMC), 11.1% (0.0-30.0%) for local emergency medical agencies (LEMA). The EDU rate was 71.4.0% (50.0.0-96.7.0%) for tertiary general hospitals (TGH), 20.0% (10.0-36.8%) for general hospitals (GH), and 10.0% (0-20.0%) for hospital & medical centers (HMC). The REMC EDU rate was high in Seoul and Jeonbuk, and low in Jeonnam and Gyeongbuk. The LEMC utilization rate was high in Daegu and Jeonbuk. The LEMA utilization rate was high in Daegu and Ulsan. Moreover, despite the same ED type, the EDU rate of high degree hospitals was higher. CONCLUSION: The EDU rate differed by region, emergency medical center, and hospital type. We should consider investing in appropriate personnel and emergency medical resources in places with suboptimal EDU rate.
Daegu ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Health Resources ; Hospitals, General ; Information Systems ; Jeollabuk-do ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Seoul ; Ulsan

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated on the severity of dry mouth in the hansen people and the association between dry mouth(low, moderate and high) with pre and post wearing denture satisfaction. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 104 hansen people(mean age=69.3). Data were collected by means of a personal interview from April 30 through to Jane 20, 2014. Pre and post wearing denture satisfaction was measured by the 24-items and dry mouth was measured by the 4-items. The data was analysed with t-test, One-way ANOVA, and Logistic regression using the SPSS program. RESULTS: Regarding perception of dry mouth, the subjects achieved a mean of 6.13 out of a maximum 12 points. Scores were categorised as high(8~12), medium(5~7) or low(1~4) and the proportion were 24.5%(9.56), 42.2%(5.81) and 33.3%(4.00) respectively. Those who were older and had fewer natural teeth felt that their perception of dry mouth was more severe. A logistic regression analysis showed that the subjects perception of dry mouth had a significant impact on their gender (OR=2.73), comfort (OR=0.21), aesthetic appreciation (OR=7.56) satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, the perception of dry mouth has a significant and negative impact on denture satisfaction. These results suggest that oral health promotion should be considered various factors related dry mouth in the elderly with removable denture.
Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dentures* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mouth* ; Oral Health ; Tooth

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to prove the effectiveness of professional maintenance care to the periodontal disease by non-surgical approach with the toothpick method to improve the periodontal health. METHODS: The patients of this study were composed of 46 patients( 18 men and 28 women), suffering from chronic adult periodontitis, who had visited the department of dental clinic center. All of the subjects were over 50years old and be treated just by non-surgical method. Professional maintenance care using the toothpick method was performed every 3 months, and evaluations were also done after 1, 2, and 3 year-professional maintenance care based on the indices such as plaque index(O' Leary index), periodontal probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, tooth mobility, the number of tooth loss, and the rate of tooth loss representing the state of periodontal health. RESULTS: 1. The longer the maintenance care, the more the effectiveness of controlling plaque. The rate of decrease in the dental plaque index was 1.5%, 4.2%, and 6.5% in 1, 2, and 3 year maintenance groups respectively(P>0.05). 2. The periodontal pocket depth decreased depends on the severity of periodontal pocket depth in all groups the maintenance years(P<0.05). 3. On the evaluation of the bleeding tendency on probing, there was a significant difference in 1 year- maintenance group(P<0.05), but the other groups did not show any difference statistically(P>0.05). 4. Tooth mobility has decreased in the maintenance years, but did not show any difference statistically(P>0.05). 5. The number and the rate of tooth loss among the patients of 1year-maintenance group was 0.38, 1.44% respectively and that of 3 year-maintenance group was 0.44, 1.73% each. CONCLUSION: The results of this study mentioned above suggest that professional maintenance care should be operated effectively to prevent and to maintain the periodontal disease systematically on the purpose of proving the quality of life, and that it could be applied to the medical insurance system in other to try to make the most of the adult oral health care positively.
Adult ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Dental Clinics ; Dental Plaque Index ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Insurance ; Male ; Methods ; Oral Health ; Periodontal Diseases* ; Periodontal Pocket ; Periodontitis ; Quality of Life ; Tooth Loss ; Tooth Mobility

PURPOSE: Compared to urban areas, access to emergency medical services in rural areas is relatively restricted both in quality and quantity. However, based on the aged population model, the need for such services is greater in rural areas, due to accidents and underlying disease. We set out to investigate whether education for emergency medical services would be helpful for utilization of poor resources for emergency medical services in rural areas and how efficient it might be. METHODS: Goheung (n=796) and Haenam (n=819), which appeared to be similar in terms of area, population composition, and quality and quantity of emergency medical services, were selected. While one area received Life Helper for the Village, one of the educational programs for emergency medical services, the other did not. A questionnaire containing items on recognition of emergency medical services and roles of the primary responder was administered. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the recognition of emergency medical services and safety awareness in Goheung, to which education for emergency medical services was provided. However, we did not find a relationship between injury or accident development and education for the rural emergency medical service system in two areas. CONCLUSION: Thus, provision of education is needed for development of common residents into primary responders in alienated rural and fishing villages, offering them ongoing and repeating education in order to increase their recognition of emergency medical services and safety awareness, and expand such education to areas that are in a similar situation.
Aged ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The upper and the lower master models of Class II mod.1 by the Kennedy of classification were duplicated to the dentists in the dental clinic Suncheon, and the status of the surveying procedure, the form and type of the major connector, the form and type of the direct retainer, the location and status of the indirect retainer, and the modification of abutment were surveyed and analyzed and were compared to the principles of the design rationale of the removable partial denture to evaluate whether or not each component of the removable partial denture framework designed by the dentists. The analyzed results were as follows: 1. The status with or without the surveying procedure was showed 7 cases(10.29%) and 61 cases(89.71%) respectively. 2. Single palatal strap, A-P bar, broad palatal plate, complete coverage palatal major connector, single palatal bar, U-shaped palatal connector, and the others without drawing of the major connector were 27 cases (38.57%), 25 cases(35.71%), 5 cases(7.01%), 4 cases(5.71%), 2 cases (2.86%), 1 cases(1.43%), 6 cases(8.57%) respectively in the design patterns of the maxillary major connectors, and lingual bar, linguoplate, and others without drawing of the major connector were 55 cases(80.88%), 11 cases(16.18%), 2 cases(2.84%), respectively in the pattern of the mandibular major connectors. 3. The direct retainer designed to the 1st bicuspid of the upper left and the lower right adjacent to the free-end edentulous area was that the design of bar clasp was 67.41% in the highest rate and that of Akers clasp was 23.36%. 4. The direct retainer designed to the 1st bicuspid of the upper right and the lower left was that the of Akers clasp was 56.62% in the highest rate and that of bar clasp was 33.82%. 5. The mesial rests of the 1st bicuspid of the upper left and the lower right adjacent to the free-end edentulous area were 77.46%, 66.20% respectively and the distal rests and mesial rests of the 1st bicuspid of the upper left and the lower right were 58.82%, 55.71%, 38.24%, 38.57% respectively and the mesial rests of the 2nd molar of the upper right and the lower left were 95.71%, 95.65% respectively, viewed from the location of the occlusal rest seat. 6. The cases without the design of the indirect retainer were 51.47% in the upper and the lower master models respectively. 7. The modification of abutments(surveyed crown) of upper and lower teeth were 8.82%, 8.82% respectively.
Bicuspid ; Dental Clinics ; Dentists ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Humans ; Leprosy ; Molar ; Tooth

The purpose of this study was to investgate and evaluate whether the recording information contained in the work authorization was performed properly and master casts were designed accurately according to the rationale and principles of the removable partial denture when the work authorization and the master casts were sent to the dental framework. the accurate recording of the work authorization sent to dental laboratory in Hwasun for removable partial denture framework, the normal form of the occlusal rest guiding plan of the surveyed crown using the surveyor, the location analysis of the occlusal rest seat, the design patten of the maxillary and mandibulary major connectors, the use of the surveyor on the master cast, the status of the secondary impression taken in the distal extension edentulous areas were investigated for this study. The following results were obtained : 1. In the status of the occlusal rest seat prepared in the abutment, the occlusal rest seat with normal form was 81.25%, 95.45%, that without form was 6.25%, 0.00%, respectively in Class I and Class II on the maxillary cast and the occlusal rest seat with normal form was 76.92%, 95.45%, that without form was 7.69%, 0.00% respectively in Class I and Class II on the mandibular cast. 2. In the status of the guiding plan, the guiding plan with the normal form was 79.17%, 86.36% that with abnormal form was 20.84%, 13.64% respectively in Class I and Class II on the maxillary cast and the guiding plan with normal form was 79.49%, 77.27%, that with abnormal form was 20.51%, 22.73% respectively in Class I and Class II on the mandibular cast. 3. The abutment splinting in the distal extension removable partial denture was 20.78%, 27.27%, respectively in Class I and Class II on the maxillary cast and was 25.64%, 13.64% respectively in Class I and Class II on the mandibular cast. 4. The location and form of the major connector delineated on the maxillary and mandibular master cast was 95.83%, 98.41% respectively. 5. The delineation and recording on the work authorization was incomplete as group II(73.33%), group I(14.07%), group III(12.59%) and group IV (0.00%) in investigating the contents of the work authorization. 6. Aker's clasp of the types of the direct retainer was nots used 72.22%, 74.60%, in the maxillary and mandibular casts respectively. 7. The location of the indirect retainer delineated on the maxillary and mandibular master cast was 51.43%, 50.82% respectively. 8. The types of metal used were mostly Cr-Co non-precious metal alloy and the cases using color coding on the drawing paper of work authorization were not observed. 9. The cases taking secondary impression in the distal extension removable partial denture were 45.71%, 52.46% respectively in the maxillary and mandibular master cast. 10. The delineation of tripoding or reference line on the master cast was not observed in surveying procedure.
Alloys ; Clinical Coding ; Crowns ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Laboratories, Dental ; Splints