Efficacy of intraoperative blood salvage and autotransfusion in living-donor liver transplantation: a retrospective cohort study / 대한마취과학회지

Background@#Liver transplantation (LT) may be associated with massive blood loss and the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. Intraoperative blood salvage autotransfusion (IBSA) can reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of blood salvage in LT. @*Methods@#Among 355 adult patients who underwent elective living-donor LT between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022, 59 recipients without advanced hepatocellular carcinoma received IBSA using Cell Saver (CS group). Based on sex, age, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, preoperative laboratory results, and other factors, 118 of the 296 recipients who did not undergo IBSA were matched using propensity score (non-CS group). The primary outcome was the amount of intraoperative allogenic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Comparisons were made between the two groups regarding the amount of other blood components transfused and postoperative laboratory findings. @*Results@#The transfused allogeneic RBC for the CS group was significantly lower than that of the non-CS group (1,506.0 vs. 1,957.5 ml, P = 0.026). No significant differences in the transfused total fresh frozen plasma, platelets, cryoprecipitate, and estimated blood loss were observed between the two groups. The postoperative allogeneic RBC transfusion was significantly lower in the CS group than in the non-CS group (1,500.0 vs. 2,100.0 ml, P = 0.039). No significant differences in postoperative laboratory findings were observed at postoperative day 1 and discharge. @*Conclusions@#Using IBSA during LT can effectively reduce the need for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions without causing subsequent coagulopathy.

Effects of different remineralizing agents on the shear bond strength of universal adhesive on enamel / 대한치과재료학회지

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different remineralization agents on the shear bond strength (SBS) on enamel and to confirm remineralization capacity through quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). Sixty non-carious human third molars were divided into eight groups based on remineralization agents agents (control, Tooth Mousse plusTM, Apapro, BGS-7 bioglass) and application time (24 h, 2 weeks). Enamel surfaces were prepared and treated with agents, followed by demineralization and remineralization. Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF) assessed fluorescence loss and recovery. After adhesive application and composite restoration, shear bond strength (SBS) was measured. Statistical analysis included Shapiro-Wilk, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, paired t-tests, Wilcoxon rank tests, and multiple comparison tests. SBS values did not show a significant difference between the groups according to the type and application time of the remineralization agents. QLF measurement, in the 24 h groups, showed no significant difference in the recovery amount between the groups. In the 2 week groups, a statistically significant difference was observed and the value was significantly higher in the BG group than that in the control group. There were no significant differences in the values based on the application time. Within the limitations of this study, bioactive glass showed higher remineralization ability than all the other experimental agents. The SBS was not affected by the remineralizing agent.

The Impact of Indoor Environmental Factors on Skin Hydration of Children with Atopic Dermatitis: Preliminary Study

Objective@#Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that is diagnosed by clinical characteristics including itchiness, eczema, dry skin, etc. High levels of indoor air pollutants may exacerbate atopic diseases, along with various allergic respiratory diseases, especially for those who spend most of their lives indoors. This study was conducted to evaluate the main components responsible for the aggravation of AD symptoms. @*Methods@#A total of 31 patients with AD aged 6 months and 6 years old were enrolled. The measurement of air quality included particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5), temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 in their homes. The symptom severity of AD was assessed by the daily record of symptom scores and the degree of skin hydration. @*Results@#The skin hydration level at the most severe area selected by the patient’s caregiver was decreased by median 1.7% (interquartile range [IQR], 0.4%–3.0%) or median 15% (IQR, 5.3%–24%) with a unit increase of indoor PM2.5 (P=0.0133) or room temperature (P=0.0034). CO2 also showed a potentially negative association with the change of skin hydration level but it was not statistically significant. @*Conclusion@#Our study showed that indoor PM2.5 and temperature could impact the aggravation of skin hydration in children. Therefore, further studies including a large number of cases and interventions are necessary.

The Impact of Indoor Environmental Factors on Skin Hydration of Children with Atopic Dermatitis: Preliminary Study

Objective@#Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that is diagnosed by clinical characteristics including itchiness, eczema, dry skin, etc. High levels of indoor air pollutants may exacerbate atopic diseases, along with various allergic respiratory diseases, especially for those who spend most of their lives indoors. This study was conducted to evaluate the main components responsible for the aggravation of AD symptoms. @*Methods@#A total of 31 patients with AD aged 6 months and 6 years old were enrolled. The measurement of air quality included particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5), temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 in their homes. The symptom severity of AD was assessed by the daily record of symptom scores and the degree of skin hydration. @*Results@#The skin hydration level at the most severe area selected by the patient’s caregiver was decreased by median 1.7% (interquartile range [IQR], 0.4%–3.0%) or median 15% (IQR, 5.3%–24%) with a unit increase of indoor PM2.5 (P=0.0133) or room temperature (P=0.0034). CO2 also showed a potentially negative association with the change of skin hydration level but it was not statistically significant. @*Conclusion@#Our study showed that indoor PM2.5 and temperature could impact the aggravation of skin hydration in children. Therefore, further studies including a large number of cases and interventions are necessary.

Associations between Body Mass Index and Chronic Atrophic Gastritis and Intestinal Metaplasia / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) of the stomach are premalignant lesions. The present study aimed to examine the associations between obesity and these lesions. METHODS: A total of 2,997 patients, who underwent gastroscopy, participated in this study, excluding those who had been diagnosed with gastric cancer. Participants were divided into four groups based on their body mass index (BMI). The risk of AG and IM with increasing BMI was analyzed in men and women, separately. RESULTS: The association between BMI and AG was not significant. After adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol, and AG, the odds ratios for IM in the overweight, obesity, and severe obesity groups were 2.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-3.37), 2.32 (95% CI, 1.58-3.42), and 4.86 (95% CI, 2.04-11.5) in men, and 2.66 (95% CI, 1.29-5.47), 4.46 (95% CI, 2.28-8.75), and 9.57 (95% CI, 3.26-28.12) in women, compared with the normal BMI group. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric IM was significantly associated with increased BMI.

2-Dimensional Strain Analysis of Regional Change in Right Ventricular Function after Treadmill Exercise

BACKGROUND: Function of right ventricle (RV) influences on symptoms and prognosis in various diseases. However the regional RV function analyzed with 2-dimensional (2D) strain echocardiography before and just after treadmill test has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to show the change of regional RV function just after treadmill exercise with strain analysis. METHODS: A total of thirty eight patients who visited hospital for hypertension, chest pain or dyspnea between January 2007 and December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed (men, 47.4%; mean age, 54.9 ± 7.2 years). Treadmill exercise test and pre and post echocardiography were performed. 2D strain echocardiography was analyzed off line in RV free wall and septum. RESULTS: Mean exercise duration was 737 ± 132 sec. Tissue velocity in lateral tricuspid annulus is significantly increased in post exercise (initial, 10.5 ± 2.4 cm/sec vs. post exercise, 12.2 ± 1.8 cm/sec, p = 0.006). Systolic strain of RV free wall apex and mid portion were significantly changed in post exercise stage (free wall apex, -18.2 ± 7.6% vs. -22.3 ± 5.8%, p = 0.010; free wall mid, -14.1 ± 6.7% vs. -22.6 ± 6.8%, p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: 2D strain imaging provides a precise tool to quantify regional RV function and reveals a characteristic regional pattern of RV after treadmill exercise.

Mandibular bone necrosis after use of paraformaldehyde-containing paste

Paraformaldehyde has been used in the past as a pulpotomy agent. However, it has a severe cytotoxic effect and may cause alveolar bone necrosis. Depulpin, a devitalizing agent containing 49% paraformaldehyde, is no longer used frequently due to its severe side effects. In the two cases described in the present study, Depulpin was used as a devitalizing agent during root canal treatment. It caused a gradual loss of sensibility in adjacent teeth, gingival necrosis, and osteomyelitis. This case report demonstrates the serious side effects of using a paraformaldehyde-containing paste as a devitalizing agent for pulp, particularly mandibular bone necrosis.

Oral rehabilitation with magnetic overdentures for an old patient with complex systemic diseases / 대한치과보철학회지

As dental implant treatment becomes popular for both partial and complete edentulous patients, old people with complex systemic diseases also tend to prefer implant-assisted-overdenture or implant-supported-fixed prostheses to conventional complete denture. In this case, 77-year-old female who was on medication for hypertension and osteoporosis and paralyzed on right side due to stroke visited for implant-assisted-overdenture on lower jaw. After oral and radiographic examination, root-assisted magnet overdenture on upper jaw and implant-assisted magnet overdenture on lower jaw are planned. Consequently, overdentures using self-adjusting magnetic attachment(SA) system on both jaws resulted in recovering satisfying function and retention, which is enable to insert and remove with only one hand.

Erratum: Oral rehabilitation with magnetic overdentures for an old patient with complex systemic diseases / 대한치과보철학회지

The author names were mistakenly given as Richard Sungbok Lee in the original article. It should be corrected as Richard Leesungbok.

The effect of saliva decontamination procedures on dentin bond strength after universal adhesive curing

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of multiple decontamination procedures for salivary contamination after curing of a universal adhesive on dentin bond strength according to its etch modes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two extracted bovine incisors were trimmed by exposing the labial dentin surfaces and embedded in cylindrical molds. A universal adhesive (All-Bond Universal, Bisco) was used. The teeth were randomly divided into groups according to etch mode and decontamination procedure. The adhesive was applied according to the manufacturer's instructions for a given etch mode. With the exception of the control groups, the cured adhesive was contaminated with saliva for 20 sec. In the self-etch group, the teeth were divided into three groups: control, decontamination with rinsing and drying, and decontamination with rinsing, drying, and adhesive. In the etch-and-rinse group, the teeth were divided into four groups: control, decontamination with rinsing and drying, decontamination with rinsing, drying, and adhesive, and decontamination with rinsing, drying, re-etching, and reapplication of adhesive. A composite resin (Filtek Z350XT, 3M ESPE) was used for filling and was cured on the treated surfaces. Shear bond strength was measured, and failure modes were evaluated. The data were subjected to one-way analysis of variation and Tukey's HSD test. RESULTS: The etch-and-rinse subgroup that was decontaminated by rinse, drying, re-etching, and reapplication of adhesive showed a significantly higher bond strength. CONCLUSIONS: When salivary contamination occurs after curing of the universal adhesive, additional etching improves the bond strength to dentin.