ABSTRACT
Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary infections are increasingly problematic, especially for immunocompromised individuals and those with underlying lung conditions. Currently, there is no reliable standardized treatment, underscoring the need for improved preclinical drug testing. We present a simplified immunosuppressed mouse model using only four injections of cyclophosphamide, which allows for sustained M. abscessus lung burden for up to 16 days. This model proved effective for antibiotic efficacy evaluation, as demonstrated with imipenem or amikacin.
Subject(s)
Amikacin , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Cyclophosphamide , Disease Models, Animal , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous , Mycobacterium abscessus , Animals , Cyclophosphamide/pharmacology , Mycobacterium abscessus/drug effects , Mice , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/drug therapy , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/microbiology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Amikacin/pharmacology , Amikacin/therapeutic use , Imipenem/pharmacology , Imipenem/therapeutic use , Lung/microbiology , Lung/drug effects , Immunocompromised Host , FemaleABSTRACT
Oral delivery of cells, such as probiotics and vaccines, has proved to be inefficient since cells are generally damaged in an acidic stomach prior to arrival at the intestine to exert their health benefits. In addition, short retention in the intestine is another obstacle which affects inefficiency. To overcome these obstacles, a cell-in-shell structure was designed with pH-responsive and mucoadhesive properties. The pH-responsive shell consisting of three cationic layers of chitosan and three anionic layers of trans-cinnamic acid (t-CA) was made via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. t-CA layers are hydrophobic and impermeable to protons in acid, thus enhancing cell gastric resistance in the stomach, while chitosan layers endow strong interaction between the cell surface and the mucosal wall which facilitates cell mucoadhesion in the intestine. Two model cells, probiotic L. rhamnosus GG and dead Streptococcus iniae, which serve as inactivated whole-cell vaccine were chosen to test the design. Increased survival and retention during oral administration were observed for coated cells as compared with naked cells. Partial removal of the coating (20-60% removal) after acid treatment indicates that the coated vaccine can expose its surface immunogenic protein after passage through the stomach, thus facilitating vaccine immune stimulation in the intestine. As a smart oral delivery platform, this design can be extended to various macromolecules, thus providing a promising strategy to formulate oral macromolecules in the prevention and treatment of diseases at a cellular level.
Subject(s)
Chitosan , Animals , Administration, Oral , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Chitosan/chemistry , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Probiotics/pharmacology , Humans , Mice , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Intestines/drug effectsABSTRACT
RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing is a promising therapeutic approach to treat various diseases, but safe and efficient delivery remains a major challenge to its clinical application. Non-viral gene vectors, such as poly(ß-amino esters) (pBAEs), have emerged as a potential candidate due to their biodegradability, low toxicity profile, ease of synthesis, and high gene transfection efficiency for both DNA and siRNA delivery. However, achieving significant gene silencing using pBAEs often requires a large amount of polymer carrier (with polymer/siRNA weight ratio >100) or high siRNA dose (>100 nM), which might potentially exacerbate toxicity concerns during delivery. To overcome these barriers, we designed and optimized a series of hyperbranched pBAEs capable of efficiently condensing siRNA and achieving excellent silencing efficiency at a lower polymer/siRNA weight ratio (w/w) and siRNA dose. Through modulation of monomer combinations and branching density, we identified the top-performing hyperbranched pBAEs, named as h(A2B3)-1, which possess good siRNA condensation ability, low cytotoxicity, and high cellular uptake efficiency. Compared with Lipofectamine 2000, h(A2B3)-1 achieved lower cytotoxicity and higher siRNA silencing efficiency in HeLa cells at a polymer/siRNA weight ratio of 30 and 30 nM siRNA dose. Notably, h(A2B3)-1 enhanced the gene uptake in primary neural cells and effectively silenced the target gene in hard-to-transfect primary cortical neurons and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, with gene knockdown efficiencies of 34.8 and 53.4% respectively. By incorporating a bioreducible disulfide compartment into the polymer backbone, the cytocompatibility of the h(A2B3)-1 was greatly enhanced while maintaining their good transfection efficiency. Together, the low cytotoxicity and high siRNA transfection efficiency of hyperbranched h(A2B3)-1 in this study demonstrated their great potential as a non-viral gene vector for efficient siRNA delivery and RNAi-mediated gene silencing. This provides valuable insight into the future development of safe and efficient non-viral siRNA delivery systems as well as their translation into clinical applications.
Subject(s)
Esters , Polymers , Humans , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , HeLa Cells , Transfection , Gene Silencing , Gene Transfer TechniquesABSTRACT
The brain and peripheral organs communicate through hormones and neural connections. Proper communication is required to maintain normal whole-body energy homeostasis. In addition to endocrine system, from the perspective of neural connections for metabolic homeostasis, the role of the sympathetic nervous system has been extensively studied, but understanding of the parasympathetic nervous system is limited. The liver plays a central role in glucose and lipid metabolism. This study aimed to clarify the innervation of parasympathetic nervous system in the liver and its functional roles in metabolic homeostasis. The liver-specific parasympathetic nervous system innervation (PNS) was shown by tissue clearing, immunofluorescence and transgenic mice at the three-dimensional histological level. The parasympathetic efferent signals were manipulated using a chemogenetic technique and the activation of ChAT+ parasympathetic neurons in dorsal motor vagus (DMV) results in the increased blood glucose through the elevated hepatic gluconeogenic and lipogenic gene expression in the liver. Thus, our study showed the evidence of ChAT+ parasympathetic neurons in the liver and its role for hepatic parasympathetic nervous signaling in glucose homeostasis through the regulation of hepatic gene expression.
Subject(s)
Blood Glucose , Vagus Nerve , Mice , Animals , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Vagus Nerve/physiology , Neurons/metabolism , Liver/metabolism , Glucose/metabolism , Mice, Transgenic , Gene ExpressionABSTRACT
Chronic wounds are often infected with biofilm bacteria and characterized by high oxidative stress. Current dressings that promote chronic wound healing either require additional processes such as photothermal irradiation or leave behind gross amounts of undesirable residues. We report a dual-functionality hydrogel dressing with intrinsic antibiofilm and antioxidative properties that are synergistic and low-leaching. The hydrogel is a crosslinked network with tethered antibacterial cationic polyimidazolium and antioxidative N-acetylcysteine. In a murine diabetic wound model, the hydrogel accelerates the closure of wounds infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. Furthermore, a three-dimensional ex vivo human skin equivalent model shows that N-acetylcysteine promotes the keratinocyte differentiation and accelerates the re-epithelialization process. Our hydrogel dressing can be made into different formats for the healing of both flat and deep infected chronic wounds without contamination of the wound or needing other modalities such as photothermal irradiation.
Subject(s)
Deafness , Diabetes Mellitus , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus , Wound Infection , Humans , Animals , Mice , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Acetylcysteine/pharmacology , Hydrogels/pharmacology , Wound Healing , Bandages , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Biofilms , Wound Infection/drug therapyABSTRACT
Purpose@#This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes based on the ligation level of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) in patients with rectal cancer. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database that included all patients who underwent elective low anterior resection for rectal cancer between January 2013 and December 2019. The clinical outcomes included oncological outcomes, postoperative complications, and functional outcomes. The oncological outcomes included overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). The functional outcomes, including defecatory and urogenital functions, were analyzed using the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index, International Prostate Symptom Score, and International Index of Erectile Function questionnaires. @*Results@#In total, 545 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 244 patients underwent high ligation (HL), whereas 301 underwent low ligation (LL). The tumor size was larger in the HL group than in the LL group. The number of harvested lymph nodes (LNs) was higher in the HL group than in the LL group. There were no significant differences in complication rates and recurrence patterns between the groups. There were no significant differences in 5-year RFS and OS between the groups. Cox regression analysis revealed that the ligation level (HL vs. LL) was not a significant risk factor for oncological outcomes. Regarding functional outcomes, the LL group showed a significant recovery in defecatory function 1 year postoperatively compared with the HL group. @*Conclusion@#LL with LNs dissection around the root of the IMA might not affect the oncologic outcomes comparing to HL; however, it has minimal benefit for defecatory function.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#Whether to perform surgery or conservatively manage appendicitis in immunosuppressed patients is a concern for clinicians. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of these 2 treatment options for appendicitis in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. @*Methods@#This retrospective study included 206 patients with cancer who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis between August 2001 and December 2021. Among them, patients who received chemotherapy within 1 month were divided into surgical and conservative groups. We evaluated the outcomes, including treatment success within 1 year, 1-year recurrence, and the number of days from the diagnosis of appendicitis to chemotherapy restart, between the 2 groups. @*Results@#Among the 206 patients with cancer who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis, 78 received chemotherapy within 1 month. The patients were divided into surgery (n = 63) and conservative (n = 15) groups. In the surgery group, the duration of antibiotic therapy (7.0 days vs. 16.0 days, P < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (8.0 days vs. 27.5 days, P = 0.002) were significantly shorter than conservative groups. The duration from the diagnosis of appendicitis to the restart of chemotherapy was shorter in the surgery group (20.8 ± 15.1 days vs. 35.2 ± 28.2 days, P = 0.028). The treatment success rate within 1 year was higher in the surgery group (100% vs. 33.3%, P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Surgical treatment showed a significantly higher success rate than conservative treatment for appendicitis in patients less than 1 month after chemotherapy. Further prospective studies will be needed to clinically determine treatment options.
ABSTRACT
Eosinophilic granuloma (EG), a subtype of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), the monostotic form, is a rare condition characterized by a solitary bone lesion. It is even more unusual for this condition to be accompanied by an epidural hematoma (EDH). This case is unique in that it is the first to involve delayed EDH following a seizure. We describe a remarkable example of EG accompanied by an EDH and consider the rarity of this comorbidity. A 32-month-old boy developed a rapidly growing skull mass following a minor head injury. During surgical preparation for a biopsy, the patient experienced a single convulsion. Imaging following the seizure revealed an EDH in the vicinity of the mass. The mass was excised and confirmed to be an EG, but with positive margins. The patient underwent chemotherapy after systemic skeletal evaluation, in accordance with the LCH III protocol established by the Histiocytosis Society. EG is a rare neoplasm that typically presents as a painless growth on the skull that gradually enlarges over time. The correlation between EG and EDH is exceedingly uncommon, with only a few documented cases. This case study underscores the significance of considering EG in the differential diagnosis of an expanding cranium mass, even when associated with EDH. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications and improve patient outcomes.
ABSTRACT
This study offers a comprehensive overview of brain organoids for researchers. It combines expert opinions with technical summaries on organoid definitions, characteristics, culture methods, and quality control. This approach aims to enhance the utilization of brain organoids in research. Brain organoids, as three-dimensional human cell models mimicking the nervous system, hold immense promise for studying the human brain. They offer advantages over traditional methods, replicating anatomical structures, physiological features, and complex neuronal networks. Additionally, brain organoids can model nervous system development and interactions between cell types and the microenvironment. By providing a foundation for utilizing the most human-relevant tissue models, this work empowers researchers to overcome limitations of two-dimensional cultures and conduct advanced disease modeling research.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#To investigate the clinical aspects of transient myopia after blunt eye trauma. @*Methods@#The medical records of 32 patients treated at our hospital for from 2020 to 2022 traumatic microhyphema were analyzed retrospectively. The visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior chamber cells, anterior chamber depth, axial length, lens thickness, and refractive index were analyzed immediately after injury and after treatment. Patients with additional diseases such as vitreous and retinal hemorrhage, traumatic retinal detachment, iridodialysis, or orbital fracture were excluded. Correlations between the myopic changes and the amount of myopic refractive change caused by trauma were analyzed. @*Results@#The 32 patients included 24 (75%) males and 8 (25%) females. The average myopic change was -3.03 ± 0.92 (range -1.00 to -5.25) diopters (D). The average change in anterior chamber depth due to trauma was -0.22 ± 0.11 mm, the change in lens diameter was 0.20 ± 0.09 mm, and the change in axial length was -0.07 ± 0.05 mm. The average change in refractive index due to ciliary spasm was -1.63 ± 0.65 D. The correlations between the change in refractive index and anterior chamber depth (r = 0.475, p = 0.008), traumatic ciliary spasm (r = 0.649, p < 0.001), and lens thickness (r = -0.184, p = 0.330) were determined. @*Conclusions@#Factors such as ciliary spasm, change in the anterior chamber depth, anterior shift of the lens-iris diaphragm, and increased lens thickness affect the myopic changes caused by trauma. Of these, a shallower anterior chamber depth and ciliary spasm are highly correlated with the transient myopic changes.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The rise of MDR Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), especially those resistant to last-resort drugs such as carbapenems and colistin, is a global health risk and calls for increased efforts to discover new antimicrobial compounds. We previously reported that polyimidazolium (PIM) compounds exhibited significant antimicrobial activity and minimal mammalian cytotoxicity. However, their mechanism of action is relatively unknown. We examined the efficacy and mechanism of action of a hydrophilic PIM (PIM5) against colistin- and meropenem-resistant clinical isolates. METHODS: MIC and time-kill testing was performed for drug-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates. N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine and propidium iodide dyes were employed to determine membrane permeabilization. Spontaneous resistant mutants and single deletion mutants were generated to understand potential resistance mechanisms to the drug. RESULTS: PIM5 had the same effectiveness against colistin- and meropenem-resistant strains as susceptible strains of GNB. PIM5 exhibited a rapid bactericidal effect independent of bacterial growth phase and was especially effective in water. The polymer disrupts both the outer and cytoplasmic membranes. PIM5 binds and intercalates into bacterial genomic DNA upon entry of cells. GNB do not develop high resistance to PIM5. However, the susceptibility and uptake of the polymer is moderately affected by mutations in the two-component histidine kinase sensor BaeS. PIM5 has negligible cytotoxicity on human cells at bacterial-killing concentrations, comparable to the commercial antibiotics polymyxin B and colistin. CONCLUSIONS: PIM5 is a potent broad-spectrum antibiotic targeting GNB resistant to last-resort antibiotics.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents , Anti-Infective Agents , Animals , Humans , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Colistin/pharmacology , Meropenem/pharmacology , Gram-Negative Bacteria , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Escherichia coli/genetics , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , MammalsABSTRACT
Recent studies indicate that carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs), a class of organometallic compounds, exert antibacterial activities through the delivery of carbon monoxide (CO) molecules. We developed a new-class CO-delivery system by conjugating classical low-molecular-weight CORMs (i.e., [Ru(CO)3Cl2]2 and Mn(CO)5Br) onto a positively charged carrier, polyimidazolium (PIM), giving cationic CO-releasing polymers Ru@PIM and Mn@PIM, respectively. Compared with low-molecular-weight CORMs, our polymeric CO vehicles showed improved water solubility, reduced cytotoxicity, significantly extended CO-releasing duration, and enhanced antimicrobial ability against both planktonic and biofilm microorganisms. Ru@PIM and Mn@PIM inhibited the growth of a broad spectrum of free Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungus with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 8 µg/mL. They were effective in preventing pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation with biofilm reduction by more than 92% at 16 µg/mL and 99% at 32 µg/mL. They also demonstrated potent dispersal efficacy on recalcitrant well-established biofilms through a synergetic activity with a biofilm log10 reduction of 2.5-3.2 ≥ 64 µg/mL and nearly 2.0 at the concentration of as low as 16 µg/mL. This CO-releasing system may retain long-time antimicrobial ability after the complete release of CO molecules owing to the cationic structure. The novel CO-releasing polymers have great potential as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents in biomedical applications.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents , Anti-Infective Agents , Biofilms , Carbon Monoxide , Cations , Gram-Negative Bacteria , Gram-Positive Bacteria , PolymersABSTRACT
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D1SC05835E.].
ABSTRACT
The treatment of bacterial infections is becoming increasingly challenging with the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Thus, the development of antimicrobials with novel mechanisms of action is much needed. Previously, we designed several cationic main-chain imidazolium compounds and identified the polyimidazolium PIM1 as a potent antibacterial against a wide panel of multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogens, and it had relatively low toxicity against mammalian epithelial cells. However, little is known about the mechanism of action of PIM1. Using an oligomeric version of PIM1 with precisely six repeating units (OIM1-6) to control for consistency, we showed that OIM1-6 relies on an intact membrane potential for entry into the bacterial cytoplasm, as resistant mutants to OIM1-6 have mutations in their electron transport chains. These mutants demonstrate reduced uptake of the compound, which can be circumvented through the addition of a sub-MIC dose of colistin. Once taken up intracellularly, OIM1-6 exerts double-stranded DNA breaks. Its potency and ability to kill represents a promising class of drugs that can be combined with membrane-penetrating drugs to potentiate activity and hedge against the rise of resistant mutants. In summary, we discovered that cationic antimicrobial OIM1-6 exhibits an antimicrobial property that is dissimilar to the conventional cationic antimicrobial compounds. Its killing mechanism does not involve membrane disruption but instead depends on the membrane potential for uptake into bacterial cells so that it can exert its antibacterial effect intracellularly.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides , Animals , DNA, Bacterial , Membrane Potentials , Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacteria , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , MammalsABSTRACT
The antimicrobial resistance crisis is a global health issue requiring discovery and development of novel therapeutics. However, conventional screening of natural products or synthetic chemical libraries is uncertain. Combination therapy using approved antibiotics with inhibitors targeting innate resistance mechanisms provides an alternative strategy to develop potent therapeutics. This review discusses the chemical structures of effective ß-lactamase inhibitors, outer membrane permeabilizers, and efflux pump inhibitors that act as adjuvant molecules of classical antibiotics. Rational design of the chemical structures of adjuvants will provide methods to impart or restore efficacy to classical antibiotics for inherently antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As many bacteria have multiple resistance pathways, adjuvant molecules simultaneously targeting multiple pathways are promising approaches to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
ABSTRACT
New antimicrobials are urgently needed to combat Gram-negative bacteria, particularly multi-drug resistant (MDR) and phenotypically resistant biofilm species. At present, only sequence-defined alpha-peptides (e.g. polymyxin B) can selectively target Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides. We show that a copolymer, without a defined sequence, shows good potency against MDR Gram-negative bacteria including its biofilm form. The tapered blocky co-beta-peptide with controlled N-terminal hydrophobicity (#4) has strong interaction with the Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides via its backbone through electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions but not the Gram-positive bacterial and mammalian cell membranes so that this copolymer is non-toxic to these two latter cell types. The new #4 co-beta-peptide selectively kills Gram-negative bacteria with low cytotoxicity both in vitro and in a mouse biofilm wound infection model. This strategy provides a new concept for the design of Gram-negative selective antimicrobial peptidomimetics against MDR and biofilm species.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , Peptides , Animals , Mice , Gram-Negative Bacteria/metabolism , Lipopolysaccharides , Biofilms , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Mammals/metabolismABSTRACT
Purpose@#Most predictive factors for lymph node metastasis in rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) have been based on local and endoscopic resection. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors for lymph node metastasis in patients who underwent radical resection for rectal NETs and stratify the risk of lymph node metastasis. @*Methods@#Sixty-four patients who underwent radical resection for rectal NETs between January 2001 and January 2018 were included. We investigated the risk factors of lymph node metastasis using clinicopathologic data. We also performed a risk stratification for lymph node metastases using the number of previously known risk factors. For oncologic outcomes, the 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival were evaluated in both groups. @*Results@#Among the patients who underwent radical surgery, 32 (50.0%) had lymph node metastasis and 32 (50.0%) had non–lymph node metastasis. In the multivariable analysis, only the male sex was identified as a risk factor for lymph node metastasis (odds ratio, 3.695; 95% confidence interval, 1.128–12.105; P=0.031). When there were 2 or more known risk factors, the lymph node metastasis rate was significantly higher than when there were one or no risk factors (odds ratio, 3.667; 95% confidence interval, 1.023–13.143; P=0.046). There was also no statistical difference between the 2 groups in 5-year overall survival (P=0.431) and 5-year recurrence-free survival (P=0.144). @*Conclusion@#We found that the rate of lymph node metastasis increased significantly when the number of known risk factors is 2 or more.
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Purpose@#Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is currently the standard treatment for rectal cancer. However, its limitations include complications and incomplete total mesorectal resection (TME) due to anatomical features and technical difficulties. Transanal TME (TaTME) has been practiced since 2010 to improve this, but there is a risk of local recurrence and intra-abdominal contamination. We aimed to analyze samples obtained through lavage to compare laparoscopic TME (LapTME) and TaTME. @*Methods@#From June 2020 to January 2021, 20 patients with rectal cancer undergoing MIS were consecutively and prospectively recruited. Samples were collected at the start of surgery, immediately after TME, and after irrigation. The samples were analyzed for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 20 (CK20) through a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The primary outcome was to compare the detected amounts of CEA and CK20 immediately after TME between the surgical methods. @*Results@#Among the 20 patients, 13 underwent LapTME and 7 underwent TaTME. Tumor location was lower in TaTME (7.3 cm vs. 4.6 cm, P=0.012), and negative mesorectal fascia (MRF) was more in LapTME (76.9% vs. 28.6%, P=0.044). CEA and CK20 levels were high in 3 patients (42.9%) only in TaTME. There was 1 case of T4 with incomplete purse-string suture and 1 case of positive MRF with dissection failure. All patients were followed up for an average of 32.5 months without local recurrence. @*Conclusion@#CEA and CK20 levels were high only in TaTME and were related to tumor factors or intraoperative events. However, whether the detection amount is clinically related to local recurrence remains unclear.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Oral frailty has garnered considerable interest following its identification as a risk factor for physical frailty. The Koreanoral frailty diagnosis criteria have emphasized the need for extensive research on oral frailty diagnostic items and interventions.Our study performed an in-depth analysis of the tongue-palate pressure patterns in healthy community-dwelling older adults. @*Methods@#Of the 217 older adults aged ≥60 years who visited a senior center in Wonju, 205 participants who completed tongue pressure measurement were included in the final analysis. Pressure changes over time were recorded by instructing the participants to press their tongue against the hard palate with for 7 seconds per cycle. The participants were divided into the normal and abnormal tongue pressure (NTP and ATP, respectively) groups based on whether they achieved the target tongue pressure at least once; tongue pressure patterns were compared between the groups. Furthermore, the average time taken to achieve the standard tongue pressure value was calculated for the participants in the NTP group and used to evaluate the decrease in tongue pressure in the ATP group. @*Results@#Among the 205 participants, 40.5% had ATP. The tongue pressure graph revealed a gentle and consistent incline that wasmaintained even after achieving standard tongue pressure in the NTP group. The graph was more extreme in the ATP group, and the changes in the pressure type varied across individuals; the tongue pressure was only 48.4%, 40.7%, 31.9%, and 22.6% of the NTP in the participants in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and ≥90s, respectively (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#Tongue pressure weakness was observed in 40.5% of the healthy community-dwelling older adults. Furthermore,ATP graphs were observed in the patients with tongue pressure weakness. Thus, activities improving the oral function in community-dwelling older adults and systematic oral rehabilitation programs should be devised to promote normal swallowing.
ABSTRACT
To obtain better esthetic results when immediately placing a dental implant, the soft tissue surrounding the implant must be conditioned during healing of the extraction socket. To this end, the emergence profile can be customized through immediate restoration of the provisional prosthesis, and good clinical results can be obtained at the time of definitive restoration in the future, resulting in high patient satisfaction. In this case, horizontal root fracture occurred after trauma to both maxillary central incisors.Immediate implant placement and loading was planned considering aesthetics and alveolar bone condition. By taking an impression using a digital intraoral scanner, a digital diagnostic wax-up was performed to make a more aesthetic prosthesis without applying external force to the traumatized teeth. Based on this, the ideal placement location was determined and immediate implant placement was performed using a 3D printed surgical guide. The provisional prosthesis was restored 5 days after placement, and the definitive zirconia crown was restored through soft tissue conditioning and customization using the shape of the provisional prosthesis for 3 months.