Mealworm and mealworm oil (MWO) have been reported to affect antioxidant, anti-coagulation, anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the function of MWO in wound healing is still unclear. In this study, we found that MWO induced the migration of fibroblast cells and mRNA expressions of wound healing factors such as alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen-1 (COL-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in fibroblast cells. The tube formation and migration of endothelial cells were promoted through the activation of VEGF/VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2)-mediated downstream signals including AKT, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 by MWO-stimulated fibroblasts for angiogenesis. Moreover, we confirmed that MWO promoted skin wound repair by collagen synthesis, re-epithelialization and angiogenesis in an in vivo excisional wound model. These results demonstrate that MWO might have potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of skin wounds.

Background Previously, surveys have been used to investigate breast reconstruction statistics. Since 2015, breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy has been covered by the National Health Insurance Service in Korea, and data from breast reconstruction patients are now available from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). We investigated statistics in breast reconstruction in Korea through statistics provided by the HIRA Big Data Hub. Methods We investigated the number of cases in mastectomy and breast reconstruction methods from April 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. Data were furnished by the HIRA Big Data Hub and accessed remotely online. Results were tabulated using SAS Enterprise version 6.1. Results The 31,155 mastectomy cases included 7,088 breast reconstruction cases. Implant-based methods were used in 4,702 cases, and autologous methods in 2,386. The Implant-based reconstructions included 1,896 direct-to-implant and 2,806 tissue-expander (2-stage) breast reconstructions. The 2-stage tissue-expander reconstructions included 1,624 expander insertions (first stage) and 1,182 expander-to-permanent-implant exchanges (second stage). Of the autologous breast reconstructions, 705 involved latissimus dorsi muscle flaps, 498 involved pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps, and 1,183 involved free-tissue transfer TRAM flaps, including deep inferior epigastric perforator free-tissue transfer flaps. There were 1,707 nipple-areolar complex reconstructions, including 1,565 nipple reconstructions and 142 areola reconstructions. The 1-year mean number of breast reconstructions was 4,050. Conclusions This was the first attempt to evaluate the total number of breast reconstruction procedures using accurate, comprehensive data, and our findings may prove valuable as a foundation for future statistical studies of breast reconstruction procedures in Korea.

Chung KJ, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2016 Aug;31(8):1273-1278. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.8.1273

The big data provided by Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) contains data from nearly all Korean populations enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service. We aimed to identify the incidence of facial fractures and its trends in Korea using this big data from HIRA. We used the Korean Standard Classification of Disease and Cause of Death 6, 7 for diagnosis codes. A total of 582,318 patients were included in the final analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS software and SPSS software. The incidence of facial fractures consistently declined, from 107,695 cases in 2011 to 87,306 cases in 2016. The incidence of facial fractures was the highest in June 2011 (n = 26,423) and lowest in January 2014 (n = 10,282). Nasal bone fractures were the most common, followed by orbit and frontal sinus fractures. The percentage of nasal bone fractures declined, whereas those of orbital fractures increased from 2011 to 2016 (P < 0.001). Among orbital fractures, inferior wall fractures were the most common, followed by medial wall fractures. Among mandibular fractures, angle fractures were the most common, followed by condylar process and symphysis fractures. Although it was difficult to predict the most common type of zygomatic and maxilla fractures, their incidence consistently declined since 2011. We observed trends in facial fractures in Korea using big data including information for nearly all nations in Korea. Therefore, it is possible to predict the incidence of facial fractures. This study is meaningful in that it is the first study that investigated the incidence of facial fractures by specific type.

Timely dissemination of research findings leads to scientific progress. This is especially important in fields such as biology and medicine, where research findings can affect the development of health care policy and decision-making. In situations such as the Ebola, Zika, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COV-ID-19) outbreaks, scientific research needs to be released to the public as soon as possible to facilitate prompt prevention and treatment. The need to share research findings immediately has created a new trend, known as preprints. Editors and publishers need to understand the concept of preprints and should consider how to handle rapidly changing expectations and practices regarding preprints.

Introduction: The mandibular angle endures tension and compression during mastication, and proper internal fixation is essential when a fracture occurs. The authors analyzed the complication rate between Champy technique and rigid fixation, used in the treatment of mandibular angle fracture. Methods: The retrospective study included patients with mandibular angle fracture in single center, from January 2003 to December 2019. The patients were categorized into 2 groups by fixation method of angle fracture: Champy technique which uses single miniplate and rigid fixation which uses multiple miniplate, reconstruction plate, compression plate, lag screw, and wire. Pearson chi-square test was used to analyze the complication rates. Results: A total of 64 patients met inclusion criteria. Thirty-four patients had isolated angle fractures and 30 patients had multiple mandibular fractures. In isolated angle fracture, there were no significant differences in all complications between the Champy technique group and rigid fixation group. In multiple mandibular fractures, there were no significant differences in all complications between 2 groups. Conclusions: For isolated angle fractures, Champy technique is a reliable treatment method. Additionally, in case of multiple mandibular fractures, Champy technique is an effective fixation method in angle fractures when proper rigid fixation is performed for accompanying fractures.