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Purpose: We aimed to report on the clinical outcomes of scleral lens applications in Korean patients with various corneal disorders.Methods: This retrospective review was conducted for 62 eyes of 47 patients who had been fitted with scleral lenses for various corneal disorders. The patients were referred for inadequate spectacle-corrected visual acuity and rigid gas permeable (RGP) or soft contact lens intolerance. Uncorrected visual acuity, habitually corrected visual acuity, best lens-corrected visual acuity, topographic indices, keratometry indices, and lens parameters were evaluated.Results: Twenty-six eyes of 19 patients with keratoconus were enrolled. Other conditions included corneal scar (13 eyes of 12 patients), phlyctenules (three eyes), laceration (four eyes), chemical burn (one eye), keratitis (one eye), Peters’ anomaly (one eye), fibrous dysplasia (one eye), ocular graft-versus-host disease (two eyes of one patient), irregular astigmatism (18 eyes of 12 patients), and corneal transplant status (five eyes of four patients). The mean topographic values of the eyes include flat keratometric value (43.0 ± 6.1 diopters [D]), steep keratometric value (48.0 ± 7.4 D), and astigmatism (4.9 ± 3.6 D). Of the eyes fitted with scleral lenses, best lens-corrected visual acuity (0.10 ± 0.22 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) was significantly better than the habitually corrected visual acuity (0.59 ± 0.62 logMAR, p < 0.001).Conclusions: Scleral contact lenses are a good alternative for patients with corneal abnormalities and those who are intolerable to RGP contact lenses, resulting in both successful visual outcomes and patient satisfaction, especially concerning keratoconus, corneal scar, and corneal transplant status.

In this study, the recognition of child abuse and neglect (CAN) and reporting attitudes of general dentists and pediatric dentists in Korea were estimated. A survey was conducted among dentists working at clinics or university hospitals, including interns and residents at dental hospital training institutions. The questionnaire, consisting of 32 questions and detailed questions, subdivided into ‘general characteristics of respondents’, ‘CAN’, ‘CAN report’, ‘laws to CAN’, ‘countermeasures against CAN’. The survey was conducted using a messenger, and 176 respondents’ answers were analyzed. The recognition of CAN showed high scores in the order of physical abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse. The positive attitude toward reporting CAN had a higher score than the negative attitude. Of the total respondents, 19 said they reported child abuse, and 18 said they were suspected of child abuse but hesitated to report it. Among the laws related to CAN, the protection measures for CAN reporters and the protocol for CAN showed low awareness. Since then, they have wanted to know how to find abused children and how to deal with them in education. This study is expected to be used as data to improve dentists’ awareness and consciousness of CAN in the future.

Oral wound healing undergoes a dynamic process of oral environment. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) film on oral wound healing in a rat model.A total of 60 rats with tongue wounds (5 mm in diameter) were randomly divided into control (The healing rates of HA gel (84.4 ± 9.2%) and HA film (74.0 ± 15.0%) were significantly higher than that of the control (51.7 ± 16.9%) on day 7 (Within the limits of this study, HA film was found to be effective for oral wound healing, particularly for re-epithelialization. This finding suggests that HA film delivery can be beneficial not only for clinical convenience but also for promoting oral wound healing.

Post-operative weight loss in patients with gastric cancer lead to a poor quality of life and long-term survival. This study aims to evaluate the effects of gut regulatory hormones on post-operative weight loss in patients with subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.This prospective study was conducted for 12 months post-surgery in 14 controls and 13 gastrectomy patients who underwent subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Serum plasma ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1, gastric inhibitory peptide-1, peptide YY, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance responses to a standardized test meal were recorded at multiple time points before and after gastrectomy at 4 and 12 months.The mean weight difference between the pre-operative state and the 4-month period was significantly reduced to 6.6 kg (Significant weight reduction was common after subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer with a negative correlation pre-operative plasma ghrelin levels. Incretin hormones are modestly but significantly increased after subtotal gastrectomy; however, these changes did not affect the weight changes.

Background/purpose Due to the unique properties of healing processes and cellular differentiation, the gingiva and dental pulp have attracted attention as a potential source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The purpose of this study was to obtain molecular-level information on these tissues in terms of their function and differentiation processes and investigate stemness. Materials and methods Healthy gingival tissues were collected from patients (n = 9; aged 7–12 years) who underwent simple surgical procedures, and normal dental pulp tissues were obtained from patients (n = 25; aged 11–25 years) undergoing tooth extraction for orthodontic reasons. Complementary DNA microarray, qRT-qPCR, and immunohistochemical staining were performed to assess general and MSC gene expression patterns. Results In the gingival tissue, genes related to keratinization, the formation of epithelial cells and ectoderm, and immune and/or inflammatory responses were highly expressed. Meanwhile, in the dental pulp tissue, genes related to ion transport, neuronal development and axon guidance, bone and enamel mineralization, extracellular matrix organization, and angiogenesis were highly expressed. When focusing on the expression of MSC genes, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell genes, such as Sox2, c-Myc, and KLF4, were expressed at higher levels in the gingival tissue, whereas dental stem cell genes, such as NT5E and VCAM1, were expressed in dental pulp tissue. Conclusion We found different general and MSC gene expression patterns between the gingival and dental pulp tissue. These results have implications for future regenerative medicine, considering the application of gingival tissue as a potential source of iPS cells.

Background Delphinidin (DP), an anthocyanidin found in blueberries, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of DP as a storage medium for avulsed teeth. Methods Human periodontal ligament cells were cultured and exposed to DP solution (10, 50, and 100 μM), Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium, Hank’s balanced salt solution and tap water. Cell counting kit-8 assays were performed after 0.5, 1, 6, and 24 h to measure the cell viability. Nitric oxide assays and gelatin zymography were performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of DP. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines. Results The viability of periodontal ligament cells was greatest at 100 μM DP. At 1 h, 100 μM DP decreased nitric oxide synthesis (p p p Conclusions Within the limits of this study, DP preserved the viability and suppressed the inflammatory response of periodontal ligament cells. These findings suggest that DP could be promising for preservation of avulsed teeth.

Background In clinical settings, tooth preparation for prefabricated zirconia crowns (PZCs) in the primary dentition varies widely. However, knowledge about the biomechanical behavior of PZCs in various clinical settings is limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of PZCs in different clinical settings using 3-dimensional finite element analysis. Methods 3-dimensional models of the PZC, cement, and tooth with six different conditions were simulated in primary molar teeth, incorporating cement thickness (100, 500, and 1000 μm) and cement type (resin-modified glass ionomer cement and resin cement). A total of 200 N of occlusal force was applied to the models, both vertically and obliquely as representative cases. A general linear model univariate analysis with partial eta-squared (ηp2) was performed to evaluate the relative effects of the variables. Results The overall stress of tooth was increased as the cement space increases under oblique loading. The von Mises stress values of the resin cements were significantly higher than those of the resin-modified glass ionomer cements for all cement thicknesses (p p2 = .519) was more dominant than the cement thickness (ηp2 = .132) in the cement layer. Conclusions Within the limits of this study, cement type has a greater influence on the biomechanical behavior of PZCs than cement thickness.

Purpose We report a case of intraocular involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma masquerading as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. Methods A 48-year-old woman presented with blurred vision in both eyes, fever, and hearing disturbance and underwent a complete ophthalmologic and systemic evaluation. Results Ophthalmologic examination showed bilateral exudative retinal detachment and signs of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. However, considering her generalized symptoms, systemic evaluation was performed before administering systemic steroid pulse therapy. In a systemic investigation, the patient was diagnosed with intraocular involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. After systemic chemotherapy, her bilateral visual acuity improved to 20/25 and the bilateral serous retinal detachment resolved. Conclusion In cases with prominent systemic symptoms, comprehensive systemic evaluation should be performed to rule out severe systemic conditions, such as malignancies.

정보통신기술과 IoT의 발달은 병원에서만 이루어지던 진료와 치료의 영역을 가정을 포함한 영역으로 확장하여 얻어지는 방대한 데이터를 이용하여 질병의 발생을 예측하고 방지하는 4P(Personalized, Participatory, Predictive, Preventive) 정밀 의료를 가능하게 한다. 생활패턴에서 얻을 수 있는 사용자의 활동정보는 내적, 외적인 요인에 의해 발생한 질병에 의해 영향을 받을 수 있으며, 특정한 질병은 특정한 사용자 활동에 영향을 미치게 된다. 본 논문은 의료진단을 지원하고 interactive 서비스와 결합하여 질환의 치료를 포함한 cybernetics system으로 활용될 수 있는 사용자 활동 데이터 기반의 의료 서비스 시스템의 개념모델을 제안한다.

Dental clinics are exposed to various uncomfortable noises. The aim of this study was to quantify the effectiveness of active noise control devices in dental treatment conditions. Two types of commercial headsets (Airpods Pro, QC30) and two types of dental headsets (Alltalk, Quieton Dental) were used for the experiment. Three sounds (high-speed handpiece, low-speed handpiece, and suction system) were measured at three different distances from the dental teeth model, typodont. The distances of 10, 40, and 70 cm reflected the positions of the patient, assistant, and practitioner’s ears, respectively. Sound analysis was performed, and the significance of differences in the maximum noise level using each device was determined with the Kruskal–Wallis test. Dental noise was characterized by the peak in sound pressure level (SPL) at 4–5 kHz and >15 kHz frequencies. The commercial headsets efficiently blocked 1 kHz and 10 kHz of noise. The dental headsets efficiently reduced 4–6 and >15 kHz noise. Quieton had the highest maximum SPL in all situations and positions among the four devices. For a better dental clinic, however, active noise control devices more suitable for the characteristics of dental noise should be developed.

The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria is economically viable and environmentally safe for mitigating various plant stresses. Abiotic stresses such as flood and drought are a serious threat to present day agriculture. In the present study, the indole-3-acetic acid-producing rhizobacterium R. sphaeroides KE149 was selected, and its effect on the growth of adzuki bean plants was investigated under flood stress (FS) and drought stress (DS). IAA quantification of bacterial pure culture revealed that KE149 produced significant amount of IAA. KE149 inoculation significantly decreased stress-responsive endogenous abscisic acid and jasmonic acid and increased salicylic acid in plants under DS and FS. KE149 inoculation also increased proline under DS and methionine under FS. Moreover, KE149 inoculation significantly increased the calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) content and lowered the sodium (Na) content in the plant shoot under stress. KE149-treated plants had significantly higher root length, shoot length, stem diameter, biomass, and chlorophyll content under both normal and stressed conditions. These results suggest that KE149 could be an efficient biofertilizer for mitigating water stress.

The rate of preterm birth is increasing worldwide and preterm infants are susceptible to oral health problems. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effect of premature birth on dietary and oral characteristics as well as dental treatment experiences of preterm infants using a nationwide cohort study. Data was retrospectively analyzed from National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children (NHSIC) of the National Health Insurance Service of Korea. 5% sample of children born between 2008 and 2012 who completed first or second infant health screening were included and divided into full-term and preterm-birth groups. Clinical data variables such as dietary habits, oral characteristics, and dental treatment experiences were investigated and comparatively analyzed. Preterm infants showed significantly lower rates of breastfeeding at 4–6 months (pppp = 0.023) than full-term infants. Preterm infants also had eating habits leading to poor oral conditions and higher percentage of absence of dental visit compared to full-term infants (p = 0.036). However, dental treatments including 1-visit pulpectomy (p = 0.007) and 2-visit pulpectomy (p = 0.042) significantly decreased when oral health screening was completed at least once. The NHSIC can be an effective policy for oral health management in preterm infants.

Objective Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) reproductive health counseling is associated with higher knowledge, lower voluntary childlessness, greater medication adherence during pregnancy, and improved outcomes of pregnancy. Our aims were to assess counseling and knowledge about IBD and reproductive health in a tertiary care IBD patient population. Study Design We anonymously surveyed women and men ages 18 to 45 cared for at the Stanford IBD clinic about reproductive health and administered the CCPKnow questionnaire. STATA was used to summarize descriptive statistics and compare categorical variables using Fisher's exact test. Results Of the 100 patients (54% women) who completed the survey, only 33% reported prior reproductive health counseling. Both men and women considered not having a child due to IBD (31% women, 15% men) and most (83%) had no prior counseling. A minority of patients had an adequate (>8/17) CCPKnow score (45% women, 17% men). The majority of women with prior pregnancy had pre-existing IBD (67%), yet many did not seek gastrointestinal (GI) care (38% preconception, 25% during pregnancy) and 33% stopped/changed medications, with 40% not discussing this with a physician. Prior counseling was significantly associated with education level (p = 0.013), biologic use (p = 0.003), and an adequate CCPKnow score (p = 0.01). Overall, 67% of people wanted more information on IBD and reproductive health. Conclusion In an educated tertiary care cohort, the majority of patients had low CCPKnow scores and rates of IBD reproductive health counseling. Many patients with IBD prior to pregnancy reported no GI care preconception or during pregnancy and stopped/changed medications without consulting a physician. There is an urgent need for proactive counseling by gastroenterologists and obstetricians on IBD and reproductive health. Key Points

Synthetic chemical fertilizers are a fundamental source of nutrition for agricultural crops; however, their limited availability, low plant uptake, and excessive application have caused severe ecological imbalances. In addition, the gravity of environmental stresses, such as salinity and water stress, has already exceeded the threshold limit. Therefore, the optimization of nutrient efficiency in terms of plant uptake is crucial for sustainable agricultural production. To address these challenges, we isolated the rhizospheric fungus

Silicon and phosphorus are elements that are beneficial for plant growth. Despite the abundant availability of silicate and phosphate in the Earth's crust, crop nutritional requirements for silicon and phosphorus are normally met through the application of fertilizer. However, fertilizers are one of the major causes of heavy metal pollution. In our study, we aimed to assess silicate and phosphate solubilization by the bacteria Enterobacter ludwigii GAK2, in the presence and absence of phosphate [Ca3(PO4)2] or silicate (Mg2O8Si3), to counteract cadmium stress in rice (Oryza sativa L). Our results showed that the GAK2-treated rice plants, grown in soil amended with phosphate [Ca3(PO4)2] or silicate (Mg2O8Si3), had significantly reduced cadmium content, and enhanced plant growth promoting characteristics including fresh shoot and root weight, plant height, and chlorophyll content. These plants showed significant downregulation of the cadmium transporter gene, OsHMA2, and upregulation of the silicon carrier gene, OsLsi1. Moreover, jasmonic acid levels were significantly reduced in the GAK2-inoculated plants, and this was further supported by the downregulation of the jasmonic acid related gene, OsJAZ1. These results indicate that Enterobacter ludwigii GAK2 can be used as a silicon and phosphorus bio-fertilizer, which solubilizes insoluble silicate and phosphate, and mitigates heavy metal toxicity in crops.

Microbial biofertilizers are considered environmentally safe tool for the healthy production of a plant. Massive application of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture has resulted detrimental effect on nature and human health. In the current study, we isolated several strains of rhizoshpheric bacteria through screening from the diversed agricultural soil of Daegu, South Korea. The growth promoting ability of the isolated strains was checked on gibberellin-deficient rice dwarf mutant Waito-C, lettuce var. cheongchima and chinese cabbage var. wangmat. The strain having the higher ability to promote the Waito-c growth was selected and further investigation was done. The selected isolate was identified as Pseudomonas koreensis MU2 through 16s rDNA gene sequence analysis. The cultural filtrate analysis revealed that the isolate could produce endogenous phytohormone gibberellic acid (GA1 and GA3) and organic acids, such as citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid. Pot experiment revealed that the inoculation of Pseudomonas koreensis MU2 significantly increased shoot length, root length, fresh biomass, and dry biomass of chinese cabbage and lettuce. These results suggest that the Pseudomonas koreensis MU2 might be the possible candidate for bio-fertilizer as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in plant.

This study evaluated the fracture resistance, biaxial flexural strength (BFS), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of three-dimensional (3D) printing resins for the esthetic restoration of primary molars. Two 3D printing resins, Graphy (GP) and NextDent (NXT), and a prefabricated zirconia crown, NuSmile (NS), were tested. GP and NXT samples were 3D printed using the workflow recommended by each manufacturer. Data were collected and statistically analyzed. As a result of the fracture resistance test of 0.7-mm-thick 3D printed resin crowns with a thickness similar to that of the NS crown, there was no statistically significant difference among GP (1491.6 ± 394.6 N), NXT (1634.4 ± 289.3 N), and NS (1622.8 ± 323.9 N). The BFS of GP was higher for all thicknesses than that of NXT. Both resins showed high survival probabilities (more than 90%) when subjected to 50 and 150 MPa. Through DMA, the glass transition temperatures of GP and NXT were above 120 °C and the rheological behavior of GP and NXT according to temperature and frequency were analyzed. In conclusion, GP and NXT showed optimum strength to withstand bite forces in children, and 3D printed resin crowns could be an acceptable option for fixed prostheses of primary teeth.

Replacement and inflammatory resorption are serious complications associated with the delayed replantation of avulsed teeth. In this study, we aimed to assess whether deferoxamine (DFO) can suppress inflammation and osteoclastogenesis in vitro and attenuate inflammation and bone resorption in a replanted rat tooth model. Cell viability and inflammation were evaluated in RAW264.7 cells. Osteoclastogenesis was confirmed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement, and quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction in teeth exposed to different concentrations of DFO. In vivo, molars of 31 six-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were extracted and stored in saline (n = 10) or DFO solution (n = 21) before replantation. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging and histological analysis were performed to evaluate inflammation and root and alveolar bone resorption. DFO downregulated the genes related to inflammation and osteoclastogenesis. DFO also reduced ROS production and regulated specific pathways. Furthermore, the results of the micro-CT and histological analyses provided evidence of the decrease in inflammation and hard tissue resorption in the DFO group. Overall, these results suggest that DFO reduces inflammation and osteoclastogenesis in a tooth replantation model, and thus, it has to be further investigated as a root surface treatment option for an avulsed tooth.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of periodontal ligament stem cells derived from supernumerary teeth (sPDLSCs), cultured using a three-dimensional (3D) method and a conventional two-dimensional (2D) method. Methods: The morphology, viability, and osteogenic differentiation of the cells were analyzed. In addition, gene expression was analyzed by RNA sequencing, to characterize the functional differences. Results: The diameter of the 3D-cultured sPDLSCs decreased over time, but the spheroid shape was maintained for 7 days. The osteogenic differentiation was similar in the 2D and 3D. The gene expression related to the extracellular matrix (7.3%), angiogenesis (5.6%), cell proliferation (4.6%), inflammatory response (3.7%), and cell migration (3.5%) differed (p &lt, 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, sPDLSCs varied in formation and function, depending on the culture method. In future, it is necessary to study tissue engineering using the advantages of 3D culture and the fewer ethical problems of supernumerary teeth.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a strong fluoride agent for caries control, remineralization, and reducing the incidence of dental caries. This study used 38% SDF with potassium iodide (KI) on enamel remineralization and compared it with the currently used 38% SDF and 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish to treat artificial caries. Bovine incisors were demineralized for 120 h and randomly distributed for treatment by the remineralization agents for 120 h as follows: control (n = 15), SDF/KI (n = 15), SDF (n = 15), and NaF (n = 15). Colorimetric analysis was performed using the ΔE value. The Vickers microhardness (VHN) was determined to evaluate the enamel remineralization of the specimens. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to confirm the surfaces precisely and histologically. SDF/KI caused no significant difference in discoloration between the control and NaF groups. There was also no significant difference in the VHN after remineralization, but SDF/KI exhibited the highest mean microhardness. PLM revealed that SDF/KI had the greatest remineralization ability. In conclusion, SDF/KI is effective for dental enamel remineralization even with KI, which reduces discoloration.

PRCIS We reduced the tube length through small limbal incision in eyes underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation and found rate of corneal endothelial cell density was markedly reduced from -12.2%/year to -3.5%/year after this simple procedure. PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of postoperative tube tip trimming (TT) after Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation on corneal endothelial cell (CEC) loss. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 75 eyes from 67 patients (41 eyes in the AGV implantation only group (AGVG: mean follow up, 42.2±13.8▒mo) and 34 eyes in the TT after AGV implantation group (TAGVG: mean follow up, 64.9±18.5▒mo) were analyzed. TT was performed through a small limbal incision at a mean of 41 months after AGV implantation. Both groups were followed up for at least 1 year and underwent at least two specular microscopic (SM) examinations after AGV implantation and/or TT. RESULTS In the AGVG, CEC density was reduced from 2247.0±527.3 to 1665.7±643.3▒cells/mm2 (P

This study compared the characteristics of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) cultured using 3-dimensional (3D) versus conventional 2-dimensional (2D) methods. PDLSCs were cultured in either a 3D culture with a non-adhesive culture plate (Stemfit 3D®) or a conventional 2D culture using a 6-well plate. Morphology, viability, proliferation ability, and osteogenic differentiation were analyzed to characterize the differences induced in identical PDLSCs by 3D and 2D culture environments. In addition, gene expression was analyzed using RNA sequencing to further characterize the functional differences. The diameter and the viability of the 3D-cultured PDLSCs decreased over time, but the shape of the spheroid was maintained for 20 days. Although osteogenic differentiation occurred in both the 2D- and 3D-cultured PDLSCs, compared to the control group it was 20.8 and 1.6 higher in the 3D- and 2D-cultured cells, respectively. RNA sequencing revealed that PDLSCs cultured using 2D and 3D methods have different gene expression profiles. The viability of the 3D-cultured cells was decreased, but they showed superior osteogenic differentiation compared to 2D-cultured cells. Within the limitations of this study, the results demonstrate that the structure and function of PDLSCs are influenced by the cell culture method.

This study evaluated the feasibility of a tooth preparation guide for prefabricated zirconia crowns (PZCs). Three-dimensional surface data for PZCs of the left maxillary primary first molar and left mandibular primary second molar were obtained using a model scanner. The tooth preparation data were digitally designed to harmonize with the adjacent teeth on the mixed dentition model and visualized using a color-coded map, which presents the required amount of tooth reduction. Twenty participants were recruited for preparing teeth with and without using the tooth preparation guide. The following three parameters were evaluated: tooth preparation time, harmony score, and amount of tooth reduction. The preparation time when using the guide was significantly reduced (p &lt, 0.05), and a significant difference was observed in the harmony scores for the maxillary primary first molar preparation. Furthermore, the amount of tooth reduction was significantly different for both maxillary and mandibular primary molars (p &lt, 0.05) in terms of the occlusal distal surface and buccal line angle in the maxillary primary first molars, and the smooth surfaces, proximal surfaces, and mesial line angles in the mandibular primary second molars. Thus, the results suggest that a tooth preparation guide could facilitate better tooth preparation for PZCs.

Information on the use of endophytic bacteria as a bio-herbicide for the management of weed control in agricultural fields is limited. The current study aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from evening primroses and to screen them for their bio-herbicidal activity. Two isolated endophytic bacteria (Pantoea dispersa YNA11 and Klebsiella pneumoniae YNA12) were initially screened for citrate utilization and for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and catalase production. The preliminary biochemical assessment showed YNA12 as a positive strain. Ammonia, catalase, and IAA in its culture filtrate were quantified. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy- Selective Ion Monitoring (GC/MS-SIM) analysis revealed the production of IAA by YNA12 in a time-dependent manner. YNA12 also exhibited significant ammonia-producing potential and catalase activity against hydrogen peroxide. The YNA12 culture filtrate significantly inhibited the germination rate of evening primrose seeds, resulting in a marked reduction in seedling length and biomass compared with those of the control seeds. Moreover, the culture filtrate of YNA12 significantly accelerated the endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) production and catalase activity of evening primrose seedlings. Macronutrient regulation was adversely affected in the seedlings exposed to the culture filtrate of YNA12, leading to inhibition of seed germination. The current results suggest that endophytic YNA12 may be used as a potent bio-herbicidal agent for controlling weed growth and development.

Background/aims The onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) usually occurs at young age, and therefore, women IBD patients experience pregnancy during their disease progression. Recently, the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) has been rapidly increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnancy related outcomes in women with IBD who were treated with anti-TNF-α during pregnancy and immunity of their children. Methods Korean women with IBD who had been treated with anti-TNF-α during pregnancy had been enrolled. Medical records were reviewed and a survey was performed for each patient. For the patients who agreed on additional examination for their children, children's growth, medical history and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) titer were checked. Results All 18 patients had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease. There was not any case of preterm delivery, low birth-weight infant, congenital anomaly, nor stillbirth. All 12 children had followed the regular vaccination schedule for hepatitis B and 4 of them showed negative results for anti-HBs. After the 1 booster vaccination, all children demonstrated seroconversion. Regarding live vaccines, 4 children had bacillus Calmette-Guerin and 4 had rotavirus vaccine before 6 months, without any specific side effects. Conclusions This was the first study of immunity of the children born from IBD women who had been treated with anti-TNF-α medication during their pregnancy. IBD women had comparable pregnancy outcomes with the general women population, suggesting that the disease activity rather than the administered medication would be more important in healthy pregnancy. Considering the history of vaccination and anti-HBs titers, immunity seems to be intact in the children.

Petroleum energy is the major source of the world energy market, and its massive usage, and the corresponding extreme environmental pollution, imposes a serious threat on the ecological cycles. By screening oil-contaminated soil, we isolated, identified, and characterized a novel strain that represents a considerable diesel-degrading potentiality; the Bacillus aryabhattai DA2 strain is registered in the NCBI with the accession number MG571630, and it possesses an efficient tributyrin-degrading capacity. The optimal condition for diesel degradation by DA2 strain was observed at pH between 7-8 and at the temperature of 30°C. The strain is resistant to salt as well as the antibiotics like ampicillin and streptomycin. These results indicate B. aryabhattai is one of the potential candidates for the remediation of the diesel-contaminated sites.

Background/aims Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a widely used method for long-term tube feeding. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients who utilized long-term feeding tube via PEG. Methods The medical records of 137 patients who underwent PEG tube insertion at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital between January 2002 and December 2013 were reviewed. Results PEG was indicated most frequently for cerebrovascular accidents (66 patients, 48.2%), followed by head and neck cancer (20 patients, 14.6%), and Parkinson's disease (10 patients, 7.3%). The tubes were endoscopically inserted in 133 patients (97.1%); 4 patients (2.9%) underwent radiologic intervention. The tubes of 90 patients (65.7%) were exchanged at least once during the follow- up period. At the first exchange, 71 patients (78.9%) had their tubes exchanged by endoscopy, 24 patients (16.7%) by manually, and 4 patients (4.4%) by radiologic intervention. Of the 61 patients (44.5%) who had their tubes exchanged twice, 44 patients (72.1%) changed their tubes by endoscopic exchange, 13 patients (21.3%) by manually, and 4 patients (4.4%) via radiologic intervention. The mean time interval between the initial insertion and the first exchange was 9.83±6.19 months, and that between the initial insertion and the second exchange was 10.7±6.25 months. Of all the 137 patients, acute complications at initial insertion occurred in only 18 patients (13.1%), with insertion site infection (9 patients, 6.6%) being the most common acute complication. Conclusions PEG appears to be a safe procedure for providing long-term tube feeding. Our results may help to develop strategies for further management of subjects receiving feeding tubes via PEG.

Conventional root canal treatment may result in loss of tooth vitality, which can lead to unfavorable treatment outcomes. Notably, a ceased tooth development of immature permanent teeth with open apices, regeneration of periodontal ligaments (PDL), and pulp is highly expected healing process. For regeneration, the scaffold is one of the critical components that carry biological benefits. Therefore, this study evaluated a decellularized human tooth as a scaffold for the PDL and pulp tissue regeneration. A tooth scaffold was fabricated using an effective decellularization method as reported in previous studies. PDL stem cells (PDLSCs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) obtained from human permanent teeth were inoculated onto decellularized scaffolds, then cultured to transplant into immunosuppressed mouse. After 9 weeks, PDLSCs and DPSCs that were inoculated onto decellularized tooth scaffolds and cultured in an in vivo demonstrated successful differentiation. In PDLSCs, a regeneration of the cementum/PDL complex could be expected. In DPSCs, the expression of genes related to revascularization and the hard tissue regeneration showed the possibility of pulp regeneration. This study suggested that the potential possible application of decellularized human tooth could be a scaffold in regeneration PDL and pulp tissue along with PDLSCs and DPSCs, respectively, as a novel treatment method.