Assessment of oral hypofunction and its association with age among Korean community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increasing proportion of older adults in Korea and growing interest in aging, the concepts of oral aging and oral hypofunction have recently been introduced. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the age-specific oral function levels of Korean older adults and develop expert intervention methods for healthy aging. METHODS: Dysphagia, independence of daily living, and oral hypofunction were assessed in 206 older adults living in Wonju, Gangwon State, South Korea. Subjective dysphagia was assessed through self-report questionnaires using the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI), the Korean version of Eating Assessment Tool-10, and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index. In addition, the oral hypofunction assessment items included decreased chewing ability, occlusal pressure, tongue pressure, oral dryness, and oral cleanliness. RESULTS: DHI increased significantly with age, with those in their 80 s reporting the most difficulty swallowing. Oral function in terms of chewing ability (maximum occlusal pressure and number of remaining teeth), maximum occlusal pressure, and maximum tongue pressure also declined with increasing age. While there was no significant difference in oral dryness by age, those in their 80 s had dry mouth according to the criteria of the oral moisture checking device. CONCLUSIONS: In an assessment of oral function in community-dwelling, independent Korean older adults, the number of items that were assessed as oral hypofunction increased with age. The findings can be used to standardize the oral hypofunction assessment item and develop age-based individualized intervention plans for the early management of oral health and individual oral myofunctional rehabilitation in Korean community-dwelling older adults.

Effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on oral health of Korean adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on Korean adolescents' oral health and identify the influential factors. METHODS: The raw data from The Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey before (2019) and after (2020) the outbreak of COVID-19 were used in the study. Demographic characteristics and subjective general, mental, and oral health were analysed and compared between the 2 years. Further, the impact of changes in subjective mental health and the duration of indoor activity on oral health were analysed. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics, and all statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. The analysis was performed using the complex sample analysis module. RESULTS: In 2020, compared with 2019, the proportion of adolescents who rated high on subjective academic performance, smoking, and drinking decreased (p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the household economic status between 2020 and 2019 (p = 0.917), while subjective mental health improved. In addition, the risk of tooth fracture was 1.321 times higher after the pandemic. After the outbreak of COVID-19, adolescents who were indoors for >24 h for non-learning activities on weekends were 2.97 times more likely to have reported gingival pain and bleeding (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: After the outbreak of COVID-19, smoking and drinking decreased in Korean adolescents, while changes occurred in their learning patterns at home, and their mental health improved. Some oral symptoms increased or showed no change.

Factors Affecting Body Image Distortion in Adolescents.

Body image distortion is an important problem in physical and psychological health in adolescents. This study examined the factors affecting body image distortion in Korean adolescents. A Rao−Scott χ2 test and a complex samples logistic regression was conducted using the statistics from the 17th (2021) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. The study sample included 41,124 middle and high school students. There was a difference in the presence or absence of body image distortion according to the subject's gender, school grade, school achievement, and economic status (p < 0.001). Approximately 49.5% of subjects with body image distortion had tried to lose weight, but there were few cases where they attempted to lose weight through physical activities, such as moderate physical activity (22.8%), vigorous physical activity (23.3%), and muscle physical activity (23.9%) (p < 0.001). The group with body image distortion was 1.77 times more likely to sit for more than four hours a day on average (p < 0.001). To prevent various factors influencing the distortion of the adolescent's body image, the development of a systematic intervention program for forming no distortion of adolescents' body image is required.

Relationship between Risk Factors Related to Eating Disorders and Subjective Health and Oral Health.

This study examined the factors related to eating disorders (ED) and the relationship between ED and subjective health or subjective oral health in adolescents. The 46,146 adolescents (age 12-18 years) who participated in the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey were selected, including those who had attempted to lose weight within the past 30 days during the survey period. The variables included were eating behavior, BMI, body image subjective health, and subjective oral health. The weight-loss method was divided into two groups (regular exercise, RE, and eating disorder, ED). The data were analyzed using the Rao-Scott χ2 test and logistic regression analysis. The adolescents with an obese body image had a lower risk of ED (OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.38-1.49) than adolescents with a very thin body image. Adolescents with ED had a higher risk of a poor subjective health assessment (OR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.85-2.91). On the other hand, they had a lower risk of a poor subjective oral health assessment (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.71-1.12). ED is closely associated with eating behavior, BMI, body image, oral health behavior, subjective health, and subjective oral health in Korean adolescents.

Anti-biofilm activity of chlorhexidine-releasing elastomerics against dental microcosm biofilms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of chlorhexidine-releasing elastomerics (CRE) developed to prevent biofilm-related diseases in orthodontic patients, using dental microcosm biofilms. METHODS: Elastomerics coated with one of two solutions (CRE 1 and 2) were attached to bovine enamel specimens. Uncoated elastomerics were used for negative (distilled water [DW]) and positive (0.1% chlorhexidine [CHX]) control groups. After saliva inoculation on the surface of the specimen for biofilm formation, DW and CRE groups were treated with DW, and the positive control group was treated with CHX twice a day for 5 min. After 7 days of biofilm formation, colony-forming units (CFUs, total and aciduric bacteria), red/green (R/G) ratio, biofilm thickness, live/dead cell ratio, and bacterial morphology in the biofilms were evaluated. Enamel demineralization was evaluated by fluorescence loss (ΔF). RESULTS: The CFUs of total and aciduric bacteria and R/G ratios in the CRE groups were significantly lower than those in the DW group with a reduction by 13%, 13%, and 19%, respectively (p < 0.05). The CFUs of total bacteria was significantly lower in the CRE groups than in the 0.1% CHX group (p < 0.05). Among the CRE groups, only CRE 1 exhibited a significantly reduced biofilm thickness of 54% compared to the DW group (p < 0.05) and apparent changes in bacterial morphology. ΔF in the CRE groups was significantly higher by 36% compared to that in the DW group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CREs exhibited anti-biofilm and demineralization-inhibiting effect. Particularly, CRE 1 using dichloromethane as the solvent was most effective against biofilms. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Chlorhexidine-releasing elastomerics exhibited increased anti-biofilm and demineralization-inhibiting effect compared to 0.1% chlorhexidine mouthwash. Therefore, it is possible to prevent biofilm-related diseases simply and effectively by applying chlorhexidine-releasing elastomerics to orthodontic patients.

Detection of nosocomial pneumonia pathogens using a fluorescence-based device.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of nosocomial pneumonia pathogens is a significant factor in hospital-acquired pneumonia care. This study aimed to determine the autofluorescence properties of five nosocomial pneumonia pathogens using a fluorescence-based device and to establish evidence for clinical guidelines. METHODS: The following bacterial strains were assessed: Acinetobacter baumannii (AB), Escherichia coli (EC), Enterococcus faecalis (EF), Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), and Staphylococcus aureus (SA). The bacteria were cultured separately on tryptic soy agar at 37 °C under aerobic conditions for 168 h. Fluorescence photographs of each species were captured every 24 h using a fluorescence-based device with fixed camera settings. The images were analyzed by measuring the red and green values (R/G ratio) at a central point in each colony, and the R/G ratios were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test. RESULTS: KP and SA showed red fluorescence with their R/G values, which were significantly higher than those of the other strains (p < 0.001). In particular, the R/G ratio of KP increased steadily until 72 h of incubation, peaking at 3.65. In addition, AB and EC showed orange fluorescence with higher red ratios than green ratios. EF and SA showed green fluorescence all through 168 h of incubation, with R/G ratio less than 1.0. CONCLUSIONS: Nosocomial pneumonia pathogens can be identified and classified via bacterial autofluorescence emission. It is possible to develop a rapid and easy-to-use identification technology based on bacterial autofluorescence for clinical applications.

Evaluation of the Erosive and Cariogenic Potential of Over-the-Counter Pediatric Liquid Analgesics and Antipyretics.

To evaluate the cariogenic and erosive potentials of over-the-counter pediatric oral liquid antipyretics and analgesics, we tested nine over-the-counter pediatric oral liquid medications classified as antipyretic or analgesic medicines available in Korea. For each substance, we measured the pH with a pH meter and the sugar content with a sugar content meter. We determined the titratable acidity (TA) levels based on the volumes of NaOH solution that had to be added to reach a pH of 7.0. We also evaluated the dental erosion potentials with an International Organization for Standardization method based on observing changes in the pH of a CaPO4 solution upon introducing a small volume of the solution to be tested. The oral liquid medications had pH values of 3.40-5.68. In the TA assessments, several oral liquid medications required greater volumes of NaOH solution to reach a pH of 7.0. The dental erosion potentials varied but correlated strongly with the NaOH volumes needed to reach a neutral pH (r = 0.84; p < 0.0001). Many oral liquid antipyretics and analgesics have features that can promote dental erosion. A correct understanding of pediatric antipyretics and analgesics is required in dentistry for children's oral health.

Relationship between an Oral Health Risk Assessment Using a Salivary Multi-Test System and Woman's Subjective Oral Health Symptoms and Sleep Disorder.

Saliva is used as a diagnosis and monitoring tool for various diseases because it can maintain the balance of the oral ecosystem and reflect the physiological and pathological state of the body. Because women suffer more fatigue than men because of physiological, psychological, and social factors, individual management strategies are needed to evaluate mental health and oral diseases. Therefore, this study examined the oral health risk level from seven saliva factors using a saliva multi-test system for adult women to confirm the possibility of screening for sleep disorders. The saliva of 83 adult female participants was surveyed along with a self-reported questionnaire consisting of seven subjective oral health symptoms and three questions about sleep disorders. Seven saliva factors were evaluated using the saliva multi-test system (SiLL-Ha ST-4910) to assess the oral health risk levels. In the tooth health risk groups, the acidity was high, while the buffering capacity was low (p < 0.001). The periodontal health risk groups showed significant differences in acidity, occult blood, leukocytes, proteins, and ammonia (p < 0.05). The oral malodor risk group had higher levels of cariogenic bacteria, occult blood, leukocytes, and ammonia (p < 0.05). In groups with 'irregular sleep times' and 'insomnia', the acidity was high, and the buffering capacity was low (p < 0.001). This study confirmed the relevance of saliva factors and sleep disorder. Therefore, an evaluation using saliva was confirmed for oral health risk assessments and as an early screening tool for sleep disorders.

Level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency of dental hygienists and dental hygiene students: the need to add ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination / 보건의료교육평가

Purpose@#This study aimed to evaluate the level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency in order to assess the potential need for ethics items to be included on the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination. @*Methods@#In total, 358 clinical dental hygienists and dental hygiene students completed a structured questionnaire to evaluate their level of ethical awareness and medical ethics competency. The sub-factors of medical ethics were classified into relationships with patients, medical and social relations, and individual specialized fields. @*Results@#Only 32.1% of participants indicated that they had taken a course on professional ethics in the university curriculum, but 95.2% of respondents considered professional ethics to be important. The overall score for medical ethics competency was average (3.37 out of 5). The score for relationships with patients was 3.75 points, followed by medical and social relations (3.19 points) and individual specialized fields (3.16 points). The level of professional ethics awareness was higher among participants who had taken a course on professional ethics than among those who had not done so or who did not remember whether they had done so. @*Conclusion@#Dental hygienists were aware of the importance of professional ethics, but their medical ethics competency was moderate. Therefore, medical ethics should be treated as a required subject in the university curriculum, and medical ethics competency evaluations should be strengthened by adding ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination.

Level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency of dental hygienists and dental hygiene students: the need to add ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination / 보건의료교육평가

Purpose@#This study aimed to evaluate the level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency in order to assess the potential need for ethics items to be included on the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination. @*Methods@#In total, 358 clinical dental hygienists and dental hygiene students completed a structured questionnaire to evaluate their level of ethical awareness and medical ethics competency. The sub-factors of medical ethics were classified into relationships with patients, medical and social relations, and individual specialized fields. @*Results@#Only 32.1% of participants indicated that they had taken a course on professional ethics in the university curriculum, but 95.2% of respondents considered professional ethics to be important. The overall score for medical ethics competency was average (3.37 out of 5). The score for relationships with patients was 3.75 points, followed by medical and social relations (3.19 points) and individual specialized fields (3.16 points). The level of professional ethics awareness was higher among participants who had taken a course on professional ethics than among those who had not done so or who did not remember whether they had done so. @*Conclusion@#Dental hygienists were aware of the importance of professional ethics, but their medical ethics competency was moderate. Therefore, medical ethics should be treated as a required subject in the university curriculum, and medical ethics competency evaluations should be strengthened by adding ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination.

Educational effect of 3D applications as a teaching aid for anatomical practice for dental hygiene students / 대한해부학회지

Medication Use and Drug Expenditure in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: based on Korean National Health Insurance Claims Data (2010–2014)

BACKGROUNDS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) increased prevalence and economic burden. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate drug use pattern in IBD patients in a real world. METHODS: National Health Insurance claim data from 2010 to 2014 were used in this population-based study. All IBD patients diagnosed during study period were enrolled. IBD medications included 5-aminosalicylic acid (ASA), glucocorticoid, immunomodulator and anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agent(anti TNF-α). Growth rate of IBD prevalence, prescribed drug classes, duration of drug therapy and medication cost were analyzed. Number and percentage of patients for categorical variables, and mean and median for continuous variables were presented. RESULTS: Total numbers of patients were 131,158 and 57,286 during 5 years, and their annual growth rate were 3.2 and 5.7% for UC and CD. UC and CD were prevalent in the 40–50 (41.2%) and 20–30 age groups (36.0%). About 60% of IBD patients was prescribed any of medications. 5-ASA was the most frequently prescribed, followed by corticosteroid and immunomodulator. Anti TNF-α use was the lowest, but 5 times higher than UC in CD. Combination therapies with different class of drugs were in 29% for UC and 62% for CD. Mean prescription days per patient per year were 306 and 378, and the median medication cost per patient per year was KRW 420,000 (USD 383) and KRW 830,000 (USD755), for UC and CD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing prevalence of IBD requires further studies to contribute to achieve better clinical outcomes of drug therapy.

Cutoff fluorescence loss for the recovery of incipient carious lesions after fluoride application in primary teeth: A clinical study.

PURPOSE: Early detection and diagnosis of incipient caries are the keys to achieving a favorable prognosis. Monitoring of pathological changes based on clinical evidence leads to an accurate prognosis. Therefore, this clinical study investigated changes in minerals of incipient carious lesions using quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) after applying professional fluoride treatment to children, with improvement of the lesion severity assessed based on the fluorescence loss (ΔF) value obtained using QLF-D. METHODS: This study examined 90 incipient enamel lesions on the primary teeth of 27 children aged between 4 and 10 years. QLF-D images were obtained before and after the application of 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel for 1 min, and the ΔF values at 0 and 4 weeks (ΔF(0) and ΔF(4), respectively) and the recovery rates (RΔF) of the lesions were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to calculate the cutoff ΔF(0) value at which recovery of the lesion with fluoride treatment remained feasible. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The recovery patterns of ΔF 4 weeks after fluoride application differed depending on the ΔF(0) values. The incipient lesions with ΔF(0) values of less than -13.00 recovered 4 weeks after fluoride application (P <  0.001) and had an average RΔF value of 19.27%. The results indicate that a ΔF(0) cutoff value can be determined for predicting the effects of remineralization after fluoride application and quantitative prognostic data can be provided to patients.

Development of a fluorescence-image scoring system for assessing noncavitated occlusal caries.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed (1) to develop a scoring system based on a quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) score for the occlusal caries (QS-Occlusal) that standardizes the fluorescence properties of noncavitated lesions from QLF images, (2) to confirm the validity and reliability of QS-Occlusal, and (3) to determine whether it is possible to replace existing clinical examinations by image evaluations based on the developed QS-Occlusal for assessing occlusal caries lesions. METHODS: This clinical study investigated 791 teeth of 94 subjects. The teeth were assessed by visual and tactile examinations using ICDAS criteria and quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) image examinations. QS-Occlusal was divided into four stages (from 0 to 3) based on the progression level of the lesion and the fluorescence loss and red fluorescence on captured QLF-D images. Two trained examiners who were not involved in the visual examination evaluated occlusal fluorescence images using QS-Occlusal. The maximum loss of fluorescence (|ΔFmax|) and the maximum change in the ratio of red and green fluorescence (ΔRmax) were quantitatively analyzed by the QA2 software to detect differences between the QS-Occlusal groups. The modalities were compared in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) curve for three different thresholds of the ICDAS codes: 0 vs 1-4 (D1), 0-2 vs 3/4 (D2), and 0-3 vs 4 (D3). RESULTS: |ΔFmax| increased significantly by about 4.7-fold (from 15.94 to 75.63) when QS-Occlusal increased from 0 to 3. ΔRmax was about 6.2-fold higher for QS-Occlusal=1 (49.74) than for QS-Occlusal=0 (8.04), and 21.6-fold higher for QS-Occlusal=3 (P<0.05). The new QS-Occlusal showed an excellent AUROC (ranging from 0.807 to 0.976) in detecting occlusal caries when optimum cutoff values were applied. The intra- and interexaminer agreements indicated excellent reliability, with ICC values of 0.94 and 0.86, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The QS-Occlusal proposed in this study can be used in the clinical detection of noncavitated lesions with an excellent diagnostic ability. This makes it possible to replace clinical examinations and intuitively evaluate the lesion severity and status relatively easily and objectively by applying this scoring system to fluorescence images.

A new screening method to detect proximal dental caries using fluorescence imaging.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the screening performance of the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology to detect proximal caries using both fluorescence loss and red fluorescence in a clinical situation. Moreover, a new simplified QLF score for the proximal caries (QS-Proximal) is proposed and its validity for detecting proximal caries was evaluated as well. METHODS: This clinical study included 280 proximal surfaces, which were assessed by visual-tactile and radiographic examinations and scored by each scoring system according to lesion severity. The occlusal QLF images were analysed in two different ways: (1) a quantitative analysis producing fluorescence loss (ΔF) and red fluorescence (ΔR) parameters; and (2) a new QLF scoring index. For both quantitative parameters and QS-Proximal, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were calculated as a function of the radiographic scoring index at the enamel and dentine caries levels. RESULTS: Both ΔF and ΔR showed excellent AUROC values at the dentine caries level (ΔF=0.860, ΔR=0.902) whereas a relatively lower value was observed at the enamel caries level (ΔF=0.655, ΔR=0.686). The QS-Proximal also showed excellent AUROC ranged from 0.826 to 0.864 for detecting proximal caries at the dentine level. CONCLUSION: The QS-Proximal, which represents fluorescence changes, showed excellent performance in detecting proximal caries using the radiographic score as the gold standard.

Improving the efficacy of chlorhexidine-releasing elastomerics using a layer-by-layer coating technique.

The aims of this study were to identify the optimal concentration of coated orthodontic elastomerics using a layer-by-layer technique that can release chlorhexidine (CHX) as an antimicrobial material, and to measure the physical properties and antimicrobial effects of the coated elastomerics. Ethyl cellulose (EC) was used as the polymer, and five study groups with various combinations of solvents (i.e., ethanol and dichloromethane [DCM]) were included. The coated elastomerics were evaluated with a spectrophotometer to confirm the release of CHX, and their surfaces were observed by SEM. The CHX+EC+DCM group sustained antimicrobial release for the longest period (168 h, p<0.001) and exhibited the largest antimicrobial effect in an inhibition zone test using S. mutans for 7 days (p<0.05). This group had most effective physical properties and antimicrobial effects of coated elastomerics produced using a layerby-layer technique, and so its composition should be considered for use in clinical applications in orthodontics.

Current issues and areas for improvement in the Korean Dental Hygienist National Licensing Examination: an expert Delphi survey among dental hygienists / 보건의료교육평가

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate current issues and areas for improvement in the Korean Dental Hygienist National Licensing Examination (KDHNLE) through an expert Delphi survey. METHODS: A Delphi survey was conducted from May through August 2016 in Korea. This Delphi survey included 20 persons representing the field of dental hygiene (7 groups from various dental hygiene-related organizations). The Delphi survey was administered through e-mail as 3 rounds of questionnaire surveys regarding the issues facing the KDHNLE and potential solutions to those challenges. The primary Delphi survey was an open questionnaire. In each round, subjects' responses were categorized according to the detailed themes of their responses. The minimum value of the content validity ratio of the survey results was determined by the number of panels participating in the Delphi survey. RESULTS: Issues facing the KDHNLE were identified from the results of the Delphi survey. The following 4 items had an average importance score of 4.0 or higher and were considered as important by over 85% of the panels: the failure of the practical test to reflect actual clinical settings, the focus of the practical test on dental scaling, the gap between the items evaluated on the national examination and actual practical work, and insufficiency in strengthening the expertise of licensed dental hygienists. The following items were suggested for improvement: more rigorous rater training, adjustment of the difficulty of the licensing examination, the introduction of a specialized dental hygienist system, and more rigorous refresher training for licensed dental hygienists. CONCLUSION: Based on the above results, the KDHNLE should be improved according to the core competencies of dental hygienists, including on-site clinical practice experience.

A Survey of Pharmacy Students' Perceptions of National Drug Supply Strategy through Public Pharmaceutical Companies

BACKGROUND: Currently establishment of public pharmaceutical companies became an issue for securing stable supply of national essential drugs in order to respond appropriately to national public health crisis. Pharmacy students as future pharmacists need to be interested in drug related issues under the discussion in our society. This study aimed to investigate perceptions of pharmacy students on the national drug supply strategy through public pharmaceutical companies. METHODS: A 20-items questionnaire designed for this study was used. Pharmacy students nationwide were enrolled in July 2017. They responded to questions through on-line survey program. Data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: 160 students from 26 pharmacy schools participated. 5th and 6th grade students accounted for two-thirds, and one third aspired future jobs in pharmaceutical industry. Among responders, 71.3% was unaware of current national essential drugs, 52.5% did not know the Rare and Essential Drug Center, and 91.9% was unaware of the legislation on the supply and management of essential drugs. 82.5% favored the establishment of public pharmaceutical companies. 80.6% agreed that government should intervene in pharmaceutical market for ensuring drug accessibilities, 73.8% agreed that public pharmaceutical companies make possible to reach a goal of stable supply of pharmaceuticals, and 85.1% agreed that active compulsory license by public pharmaceutical companies is necessary. CONCLUSION: We found that pharmacy students recognized the need for governmental control to achieve social values of pharmaceuticals. More attention and participation of the pharmacy students as well as pharmacists in the process of national debate on public pharmaceutical companies are expected.

Current Status and Suggestions for the Improvement of Gross Anatomy Education in Dental Hygiene Program / 체질인류학회지

Anatomy is an essential subject for dental hygienists. As such, in order to form academic systems for dental hygiene program, we cannot ignore research related to basic dental hygiene, which is related to the main competency of a dental hygienist. This research focused on the operation status of the curriculum related to gross anatomy of the head and neck led by the department of dental hygiene and was performed in order to propose a new direction regarding academics. This research analyzed the offering status of the anatomy curriculum using shared information, released by both the Association of Korean Dental Hygienist and the homepage website of the national dental hygiene, as a foundation. In addition, we conducted a survey of 21 (25.6%) professors out of 82 dental hygiene institutions in the nation. The fill-in survey was composed in order to obtain knowledge on each department's offering and operation system of the anatomy curriculum, general characteristics of professor and demand for the anatomy education. The SPSS 20.0 Program was used to analyze all of the materials with the exception of operation statuses of anatomic curriculums constructed via open questions. Nationally, the subject related to the gross anatomy was opened in Semester 2 during the first year 56.2% of the time, and the oral anatomy class recorded the highest percentage of 45.3%. The general trend of the professors who participated in this research was the highest recording of 85.0% for holders of dental hygiene license. Those who acquired doctoral degrees were found to be 17 individuals (85.0%) and 45.0% majored in health science. The operation methods of anatomic practices were revealed to be models, drawings, and audiovisuals while external practices failed to meet even the half-point of the study. The consensus opinion has indicated the need for a integrated education with clinical subjects, cadaver practices, developments of educational media, and standardization of anatomic terminology. Standardization of educational contents and systemization of practices are necessary for the improvement of anatomic studies of students studying dental hygiene. Cultivating anatomy specialists and sharing activities between academia are required for long-term development. We expect this research to contribute to overall quality improvement and the dental hygiene profession through the establishment of majors.

Epigalloccatechin-3-gallate inhibits ocular neovascularization and vascular permeability in human retinal pigment epithelial and human retinal microvascular endothelial cells via suppression of MMP-9 and VEGF activation.

Epigalloccatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the main polyphenol component of green tea (leaves of Camellia sinensis). EGCG is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-carcinogenic properties. Here, we identify EGCG as a new inhibitor of ocular angiogenesis and its vascular permeability. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play a key role in the processes of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and microvascular permeability during angiogenesis. We investigated the inhibitory effects of EGCG on ocular neovascularization and vascular permeability using the retina oriented cells and animal models induced by VEGF and alkaline burn. EGCG treatment significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-9 in the presence of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (HRPECs). EGCG also effectively protected ARPE-19 cells from cell death and attenuated mRNA expressions of key angiogenic factors (MMP-9, VEGF, VEGF Receptor-2) by inhibiting generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). EGCG significantly inhibited proliferation, vascular permeability, and tube formation in VEGF-induced human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs). Furthermore, EGCG significantly reduced vascular leakage and permeability by blood-retinal barrier breakdown in VEGF-induced animal models. In addition, EGCG effectively limited upregulation of MMP-9 and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM/CD31) on corneal neovascularization (CNV) induced by alkaline burn. Our data suggest that MMP-9 and VEGF are key therapeutic targets of EGCG for treatment and prevention of ocular angiogenic diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and corneal neovascularization.