Dental service satisfaction at dental hospital certified as healthcare accreditation / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study investigated the factors influencing patient satisfaction at healthcare-accredited dental hospital, thereby providing foundational data to enhance the quality of dental healthcare services. @*Methods@#Data were collected through a structured self-administered survey of 200 patients who visited a healthcare-accredited dental hospital in Gwangju metropolitan city from August 1 to August 31, 2023. After excluding seven responses with insincere answers, 193 responses were used for analysis. The survey consisted of 36 questions: 9 on sociodemographic characteristics, 20 on quality of medical services, 4 on awareness of healthcare accreditation, and 3 on overall satisfaction with dental services. Analysis methods included t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. @*Results@#According to SERVQUAL, factors influencing healthcare service satisfaction were “tangibles” (β=0.318, P<0.05), “reliability” (β=0.236, P<0.001), and “empathy” (β=0.235, P<0.05), in that order. It was observed that satisfaction increased as these three factors improved. @*Conclusions@#To enhance satisfaction with healthcare services at accredited dental hospital, a focus on accurate understanding of visible and tangible factors as well as patient demands is necessary. In addition, increasing the importance of hospital promotional materials is necessary to increase awareness of healthcare accreditation among patients visiting hospitals and create positive perceptions among them.

Iris Koreana NAKAI Inhibits Osteoclast Formation via p38-Mediated Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells 1 Signaling Pathway

Background@#Iris Koreana NAKAI (IKN) is a flowering perennial plant that belongs to the Iridaceae family. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the effects of IKN on osteoclast differentiation in vitro and in vivo. We also sought to verify the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-osteoclastogenic effects. @*Methods@#Osteoclasts were formed by culturing mouse bone marrow macrophage (BMM) cells with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Bone resorption assays were performed on dentin slices. mRNA expression levels were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Western blotting was performed to detect protein expression or activation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteoclast formation was performed using a mouse calvarial model. @*Results@#In BMM cultures, an ethanol extract of the root part of IKN suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorptive activity. In contrast, an ethanol extract of the aerial parts of IKN had a minor effect on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation. Mechanistically, the root part of IKN suppressed RANKL-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, effectively abrogating the induction of c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) expression. IKN administration decreased LPS-induced osteoclast formation in a calvarial osteolysis model in vivo. @*Conclusions@#Our study suggested that the ethanol extract of the root part of IKN suppressed osteoclast differentiation and function partly by downregulating the p38 MAPK/c-Fos/NFATc1 signaling pathways. Thus, the root part

Laparoscopic pancreas-preserving near total duodenectomy for large villous adenoma in patients with total colectomy for familial adenomatous polyposis

Most familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients undergo total colectomy, but duodenal polyposis develops in up to 90% of patients with FAP and a 4% to 18% risk of duodenal and ampullary cancer remains. Laparoscopic pancreas-preserving near total duodenectomy is thought to be a potential option and can be an effective approach to preserve the pancreas. A 48-year-old male patient, who underwent laparoscopic total colectomy with end ileostomy because of FAP with colorectal cancer, was diagnosed with a 20 mm-sized duodenal adenoma in the second to the third portion. The operation was performed on December 27, 2021. Near total duodenectomy was done and type II Billroth gastrojejunostomy was done. Laparoscopic pancreas-sparing duodenectomy is shown to be safe, with favorable short-term oncologic outcome compared to laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy in terms of less blood loss, faster recovery time, and much less total cost.

Which one will you choose; open, laparoscopic, or robotic transduodenal ampullectomy?: a case report

Transduodenal ampullectomy (TDA) is the treatment of choice for large premalignant lesions of the ampulla of Vater (AoV). With the development of surgical techniques, various methods, including the open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches, for performing TDA have emerged. Herein, we report four consecutive cases treated with open, laparoscopic, and robotic TDA, with technical pitfalls and future perspectives of TDA in treating premalignant lesions of the AoV. The surgical techniques and principles for TDA were the same regardless of the surgical approaches. After surgery, none of the patients showed any abnormal findings or complications, except for digestive problems. All these surgical approaches are appropriate for patients requiring TDA; however, minimally invasive TDA, particularly the robotic approach is ideal. Considering the surgical complexity of TDA, the robotic approach is considered to be effective.

Effects of the fermented Zizyphus jujuba in the amyloid β25-35 -induced Alzheimer's disease mouse model

RESULTS@#In behavioral tests, deterioration was revealed in the short- and long-term learning and memory functions in the Aβ25-35 -injected control group compared to the normal group, indicating that Aβ25-35 injection impairs cognitive functions. However, administration of Zj and Zj-Y improved cognitive function in mice, as compared to the Aβ25-35 -injected control mice. In addition, the Aβ25-35 induced elevations of MDA and NO in the brain, kidney, and liver were suppressed after exposure to Zj and Zj-Y. Especially, Zj-Y showed stronger scavenging effect against MDA and NO, as compared to Zj. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Results of the present study indicate that Zj-Y exerts a protective effect on cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction, which is exerted by attenuating the oxidative stress induced by Aβ25-35 .

Effects of the fermented Zizyphus jujuba in the amyloid β25-35 -induced Alzheimer's disease mouse model

RESULTS@#In behavioral tests, deterioration was revealed in the short- and long-term learning and memory functions in the Aβ25-35 -injected control group compared to the normal group, indicating that Aβ25-35 injection impairs cognitive functions. However, administration of Zj and Zj-Y improved cognitive function in mice, as compared to the Aβ25-35 -injected control mice. In addition, the Aβ25-35 induced elevations of MDA and NO in the brain, kidney, and liver were suppressed after exposure to Zj and Zj-Y. Especially, Zj-Y showed stronger scavenging effect against MDA and NO, as compared to Zj. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Results of the present study indicate that Zj-Y exerts a protective effect on cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction, which is exerted by attenuating the oxidative stress induced by Aβ25-35 .

Relationship between job stress, health functional food selection attributes, and consumption values among workers for information technology in Gyeonggi area / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE@#This study examined the relationship between job stress, attributes of health functional food (HFF) selection, and consumption values for information technology (IT) workers, and analyzed the factors influencing the selection of HFF to improve health by making the right choice of HFFs.@*METHODS@#Three hundred forty IT workers in Gyeonggi area participated in the study. The participants were divided into low or high job stress group. The differences in participants' general characteristics, attributes of HFF selection, and HFF consumption values were investigated, and the mediating effects of HFF consumption values on the relationship between job stress levels and the HFF selection attributes were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Job stress levels were high in those IT workers with a length of service < 5 years (p = 0.013). The group with lower job stress levels had a higher tendency to consider the ingredients contained in HFF products (p < 0.001), and their efficacy (p = 0.047). They also showed greater emotional value for a sense of security from consuming HFFs to stay healthy (p = 0.047). The group with higher job stress levels had greater epistemic value in that their choice of HFFs differentiated them from the other workers (p = 0.036). Higher job stress was associated with less consideration of the intrinsic attributes such as ingredients and efficacy of the HFF selection attributes (p = −0.113), emotional value of the HFF consumption values (p = −0.136), and the functional value such as practicality, price, and safety (p = −0.134). The job stress level influenced the intrinsic attributes through the functional and emotional values, demonstrating that the functional and emotional values had appropriate mediating effects on the relationship between job stress levels and intrinsic attributes.@*CONCLUSION@#Education needs to be provided for workers to relieve job stress and improve the functional and emotional values, which contributes to choosing the appropriate HFFs.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Goiter in a Euthyroid Mother / 대한주산의학회잡지

Congenital fetal goiter is a very rare pathology, is sometimes difficult to diagnose when there is no maternal history or the goiter size is moderate. We report a case of prenatally diagnosed fetal goiter in a euthyroid mother. A 28-year-old woman was referred to our clinic at 38(+2) weeks of gestation. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a fetal goiter. The maternal history and thyroid function tests, including antithyroid autoantibody tests, were unremarkable. Cesarean section was performed, and the thyroid profile of the neonate was consistent with congenital hypothyroidism. Thyroxine therapy was immediately started. Fetal thyroid function must be determined when a goiter is detected. Cordocentesis is a more reliable but riskier diagnostic tool than amniocentesis. Intra-amniotic injection of thyroxine is relatively safe and an easier management option for fetal hypothyroidism. To develop more noninvasive and safe methods for therapeutic efficacy monitoring, a large-scale study is necessary.

Effects of Preoperative Biopsies on Recurrence in Head and Neck Skin Cancer

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is the most common malignant tumor in humans. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the two most common types of skin cancers. When skin cancer is clinically suspected, preoperative biopsies are recommended for a definite diagnosis. However, despite a concern over potential increased risk of metastasis associated with mechanical manipulation, there have been few investigations into whether a preoperative biopsy affected the recurrence of BCC and SCC. METHODS: Primary BCC or SCC patients who underwent standard surgical excision from 1991 to 2010 were reviewed and a retrospective analysis was performed. Ultimately, 45 BCC patients and 54 SCC patients, who did not meet the exclusion criteria, were analyzed. To identify whether a preoperative biopsy affected the recurrence of BCC and SCC, the recurrence rates of each with and without biopsy were compared. RESULTS: Preoperative biopsy had no statistically significant effect on recurrence (BCC, P=0.8680; SCC, P=0.7520). Also, there was no statistical significance between the interval from initial biopsy to first operation and recurrence (BCC, P=0.2329; SCC, P=0.7140). Even though there was no statistical significance, the mean interval from the biopsy to the operation among the BCC patients who underwent preoperative biopsy was 9.2 months in those who had recurrence and 2.0 months in those who had no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant relationship between preoperative biopsy and recurrence of BCC and SCC. However, there was a tendency toward recurrence in patients with a longer interval between the biopsy and the corrective operation in BCC.

The Neuroprotective Effects of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxalin-2,3-dione (CNQX) Via Mediation of Nitric Oxide Synthase on Hypoxic-ischemic Brain Injury in Neonatal Rats

PURPOSE: Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxalin-2,3-dione (CNQX) in many animal models of brain injury, including hypoxic-ischemic (HI) encephlopathy, trauma and excitotoxicity, but limited data are available for those during the neonatal periods. Here we investigated whether CNQX can protect the developing rat brain from HI injury via mediation of nitric oxide synthase. METHODS: In an in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was done in 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat pups. The animals were divided into six groups; normoxia (N), hypoxia (H), hypoxia with sham-operation (HS), hypoxia with operation (HO), HO treated with vehicle (HV), and HO treated with CNQX at a dose of 10 mg/kg (HC). Hypoxia was made by exposure to a 2 hr period in the hypoxic chamber (92% N2, 8% O2). In an in vitro model, embryonic cortical neuronal cell culture of SD rats at 18-day gestation was done. The cultured cells were divided into three groups: normoxia (N), hypoxia (H), and hypoxia treated with CNQX (HC). The N group was prepared in 5% CO2 incubators and the other groups were placed in 1% O2 incubators (94% N2, 5% CO2) for 16 hr. RESULTS: In the in vitvo and in vivo models, the expressions of iNOS and eNOS were reduced in the hypoxia group when compared to the normoxia group, whereas they were increased in the CNQX-treated group compared to the hypoxia group. In contrast, the expression of nNOS was showed reversely. CONCLUSION: CNQX has neuroprotective property over perinatal HI brain injury via mediation of nitric oxide synthase.

The Effect of Lipo-PGE1 on the Viability of Injected Adipose Tissue on Mouse Model

PURPOSE: With the recent recognition of the importance of soft-tissue fillers, fat grafting has been assumed an increasingly important role as both an adjunctive and a primary procedure in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. The main problem in achieving long-term soft-tissue augmentation is partial absorption of the injected fat and hence the need for overcorrection and re-injection. The purpose of this study is to improve the viability of the injected fat by the use of Lipo-PGE1. METHODS: Human adipose tissue, obtained by suction-assisted lipectomy, was re-injected into the subcutaneous layer in the scalp of ICR mice. Lipo-PGE1 (0.5 microgram/kg) was injected intravenously in experimental group for 7 days from the operation day and saline was injected in control group. There were 5 animals in each group. The animals were euthanized 4 weeks after the procedure. Graft weight and volume were measured and histologic evaluation was performed. RESULTS: Histologic analysis demonstrated significantly less cyst formation and less inflammatory reaction in the group treated with Lipo-PGE1. No significant difference was found between the groups regarding graft volume or the other histologic parameters investigated. Significant differences were demonstrated in microvascular density count. CONCLUSION: Less cyst formation, less inflammation, more angiogenesis indicating improved quality of the injected fat can be obtained by the addition of Lipo-PGE1. Further studies of various dosages of Lipo-PGE1 and their long-term effect are required before these encouraging results could be applied clinically.

Clinical Experience of Endoleak after Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

PURPOSE: Endoleak is a common complication following endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs (EVAR). The aim of this study was to discover the frequency and characteristics after EVAR with on-label use. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 25 patients who underwent EVAR in Inha University Hospital between December 2005 and February 2009. The data included in this study accounted for patient characteristics, anatomic features, operative technical details, and types of devices used. The results of EVAR were analyzed for clinical success, technical success and endoleak. RESULTS: Endoleaks were observed during 11 (47.8%) procedures. Type I endoleaks were observed in 2 (18.2%) cases. A total of 6 type II intraoperative endoleaks (54.5%) were observed. 3 type III endoleaks (27.3%) occurred. But all endoleaks were resolved without additional intervention CT scan after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Although the endovascular management of AAAs is less invasive than open surgery, many complications including endoleak were still the most common adverse event during the first postoperative month. However, observation may be a good treatment for minor endoleak after EVAR.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Major Vascular Diseases of Elderly Men in the Incheon Area

PURPOSE: As Korea is an aging society (WHO classification) and projected to be an aged society in 10 years, peripheral vascular diseases (PVD) in the elderly population has emerged as an important social and medical issue. But their prevalence was rarely reported in Korea. The purpose of this study is to define the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis (CAS), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) of lower limb in the Incheon area. METHODS: Elderly men (> or =65 years) were referred randomly from the Incheon Federation of Korean Senior Citizens' Association (from Nov 2008 to Sep 2009) to Inha Univeristy Hospital, Incheon, Korea for a PVD screening program. The subjects were screened for CAS and AAA by duplex. CAS was defined as > or =50% internal CAS and AAA as > or =3 cm aortic diameter in minor axis. PAOD of lower limb was screened by measurement of ankle brachial index (ABI); ABI of < or =0.9 was considered abnormal. RESULTS: 1150 subjects were screened including 103 octogenarians (9.0%). Mean age was 72.3+/-0.2 years. Combined conditions were hypertension (54.3%), diabetes mellitus (25.2%), coronary artery disease (15.6%), dyslipidemia (18.9%), obesity (31.1%) and smoking history (71.7%). CAS was detected in 7.7% (89/1,150) subjects. Thirty-three (2.9%) were diagnosed with AAA. PAOD was detected in 50 subjects (4.4%). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of PVD in Korea is not lower compared to that of western countries, especially the USA and the UK. A nationwide program for timely detection and treatment for PVD should be developed.

A Case of Partial Trisomy 9q Derived from Paternal Chromosome

There are few cases of partial trisomy of 9q, known as partial 9q trisomy syndrome with low birth weight, microcephaly, hypotelorism, beaked nose, small lip, long finger, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, ventricular septal defect, and mental retardation. We report partial trisomy of 9q derived from a paternal chromosome, which has different features of other syndromes, including prematurity, atrial and ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, persistent left superior vena cava, congenital hydronephrosis, and scrotal hernia