Change in Maxillary Sinus Mucosal Thickness in Patients with Preoperative Maxillary Sinus Mucosal Thickening as Assessed by Otolaryngologists: A Retrospective Study.

Background and Objectives: Maxillary sinus pathologic conditions may increase the risk of complications during posterior maxillary sinus augmentation surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in participants with preoperative maxillary sinus mucosal thickening and to assess this factor as a preoperative risk indicator for sinusitis after maxillary dental implantation. Materials and Methods: We compared the preoperative and postoperative maxillary sinus mucosal thickness (MSMT), the distance between the maxillary sinus ostium and sinus floor (MOD), and the MSMT/MOD ratio. The participants were divided into three groups (sinus augmentation, bone grafting, and no grafting). Results: The mean preoperative MSMT was 4.3 ± 2.0 mm, and the mean MSMT/MOD ratio was 0.13 ± 0.05. No postoperative sinusitis was observed in these patients, including cases caused by anatomical variations. The mean postoperative MSMT was 4.5 ± 2.3 mm, and the mean postoperative MSMT/MOD ratio was 0.15 ± 0.06. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups at each time point (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The study found no significant change in MSMT at post-treatment evaluation, even when considering different subgroups. It underscores the importance of preoperative maxillary sinus radiographic assessments and collaboration between dentists and otolaryngologists for better outcomes in patients with preoperative maxillary sinus mucosal thickening.

Vitamin E Enhances Cell Viability and the Osteogenic Differentiation of Cell Spheroids Made of Gingiva-Derived Stem Cells.

Background and Objectives: Vitamin E is reported to expedite new bone formation in animal models, and this has led to a decrease in the time needed for treatment. In this study, human gingiva-derived stem cell-derived spheroids were examined to determine the effects of vitamin E on cell survival, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization. Materials and Methods: Human gingiva-derived stem cells were used to create spheroids, which were then cultivated with vitamin E at doses of 0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL. The morphological examination and the qualitative and quantitative vitality of the cells were assessed. Alizarin Red S staining and alkaline phosphatase activity assays were performed on days 7 and 14 to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation. The expression levels of RUNX2 and COL1A1 were assessed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The addition of vitamin E did not appear to alter the spheroid's shape at the measured quantities without altering the diameter. During the culture time, the majority of the cells in the spheroids fluoresced green. Regardless of concentration, there were substantial increases in cell viability in the vitamin E-loaded groups on day 7 (p < 0.05). On day 14, the Alizarin Red S staining was statistically higher in the 1 ng/mL group compared to the unloaded control (p < 0.05). The addition of vitamin E to the culture enhanced the mRNA expression levels of RUNX2, OCN, and COL1A1 based on the real-time polymerase chain reaction data. Conclusions: We draw the conclusion that vitamin E may be used to promote the osteogenic differentiation of stem cell spheroids in light of these data.

[Interorganizational Networks for Smoking Prevention and Cessation: A Blockmodeling Approach].

PURPOSE: This study examined characteristics and patterns of interorganizational networks for smoking prevention and cessation in Korea. METHODS: We surveyed two community health centers, ninety-five hospitals or clinics, ninety-two pharmacies, and sixty-five health welfare organizations in two districts of Seoul in 2020. Data on the organizations' characteristics of smoking cessation and interorganizational activities for information sharing, client referral, and program collaboration were collected and analyzed using network statistics and blockmodeling. RESULTS: Network size was in the order of information sharing, client referral, and program collaboration networks. Network patterns for interorganizational activities on information sharing, client referral, and program collaboration among four organizations were similar between the two districts. Community health centers provided information and received clients from a majority of the organizations. Their interactions were not unidirectional but mutual with other organizations. Pharmacies were involved in information sharing with health welfare organizations and client referrals to hospitals or clinics. Health welfare organizations were primarily connected with the community health centers for client referrals and program collaboration. CONCLUSION: A community health center is the lead agency in interorganizational activities for smoking prevention and cessation. However, hospitals or clinics, pharmacies, and health welfare organizations also participate in interorganizational networks for smoking prevention and cessation with diverse roles. This study would be evidence for developing future interorganizational networks for smoking prevention and cessation.

Study on the Relevance of Metabolic Syndrome and Incidence of Gastric Cancer in Korea.

(1) Background: This study aimed to determine the relevance between stages of metabolic syndrome (MS) progression and the incidence of gastric cancer utilizing a big data cohort for the national health checkup. (2) Methods: There were 7,785,098 study subjects, and three stages of metabolic syndrome were categorized using the health checkup results from 2009. Incidence of gastric cancer was traced and observed from the date of the health insurance benefit claim in 2009 until 31 December, 2016, and Cox hazard-proportional regression was performed to determine the risk of gastric cancer incidence based on the stage of progression for metabolic syndrome. (3) Results: Hazard ratio (HR) incidence rate for the MS group was 2.31 times higher than the normal group (95% CI 2.22⁻2.40) after adjustment (Model 4). The HR incidence rate of gastric cancer for the pre-MS group was 1.08 times higher (95% CI 1.04⁻1.12) than the normal group, while the HR incidence rate of gastric cancer for the MS group was 1.26 times higher (95% CI 1.2⁻1.32). (4) Conclusions: Causal relevance observed in this study between metabolic syndrome and incidence of gastric cancer was high. Promotion and education for active responses in the general population and establishment of appropriate metabolic syndrome management systems to prevent gastric cancer are needed.

Association of Education and Smoking Status on Risk of Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Exposure to smoke, including environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is a well-known risk factor for diabetes. Low socioeconomic status, especially lack of education, is also a risk factor for diabetes. Therefore, we assessed the association of demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and behavior risk factor-related variables and smoking status, including ETS exposure, with the prevalence of diabetes. Methods: Data were from the 2007-2013 Korea National Health and Nutritional Evaluation Survey (KNHANES). Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between various lifestyle and health factors and the prevalence of diabetes while controlling for potential confounding variables. Subgroup analysis was performed according to smoking status to determine factors associated with diabetes. Results: Of 19,303 individuals analyzed, 1325 (11.4%) had diabetes. Greater average age, male sex, lower educational level, unemployment, and coexisting health problems were significantly associated with diabetes. Individuals with only elementary, middle, or high school level education had significantly greater odds ratios (p < 0.05) compared to college graduates; smokers and nonsmokers exposed to ETS had significantly greater OR (p < 0.05) than nonsmokers unexposed to ETS. Subgroup analysis of diabetics according to smoking status revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) for diabetic nonsmokers exposed to ETS with female sex, single status, elementary level education, urban residence, National Health Insurance (NHI), hypertension, a lack of alcohol intake, and a lack of moderate physical activity. For diabetic smokers, there were significant associations (p < 0.05) with elementary education, urban residence, a lack of moderate physical activity, a lack of alcohol intake, and NHI. Conclusions: The results suggested that smoking status, as well as ETS exposure, was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, especially in populations with less education. Thus, we should direct efforts for controlling diabetes toward individuals with lower levels of education and those who are smokers and nonsmokers exposed to ETS.

Relationship between BMI, body image, and smoking in Korean women as determined by urine cotinine: results of a nationwide survey.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the influence of body mass index (BMI), subjective body perception (SBP), and the differences between BMI and SBP influence on smoking among women. METHODS: This study used the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV-2, 3 2008-2009. A urinary cotinine test was administered to 5485 women at least 19 years of age. Individuals whose cotinine level was at least 50 ng/mL were categorized as smokers. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the extent to which body-related variables affect female smoking. RESULTS: Women with a lower BMI who perceived themselves to be normal or very fat were 2.09 times (1.14-3.83) more likely to smoke than women with a normal BMI and SBP. Women who were never married with a low BMI and thin SBP were 3.11 times (1.47-6.55) more likely to smoke than women with a normal BMI and SBP. Married women with a high BMI who considered themselves very fat were 0.63 times (0.43-0.94) less likely to smoke than women with a normal BMI and SBP. In contrast, divorced and widowed women with a low or normal BMI who considered themselves very fat were 26.1 times (1.35-507.3) more likely to smoke. CONCLUSIONS: Discrepancies between the objective physical condition (BMI) and the subjective body image (SBP) influence the female smoking rate. To reduce the number of female smokers, public education on the association between smoking behavior and weight issues is needed, especially among women with low BMI and distorted weight perception.