Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of fundic gland polyps (FGPs).Methods Data of patients with FGPs diagnosed from January 2005 to May 2010 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.Results A total of 485 patients were found to have FGPs during routine upper endoscopy,accounting for 0.6％ of total upper endoscopy examinations at the same time period.It was most frequently seen in middle aged females.Clinical symptoms included abdominal distention and discomfort ( 182/485,37.5％ ),gastroesophageal reflux symptoms ( 83/485,17.1％ ) and upper abdominal pain (102/485,21.0％ ).51.3％ (249) of the polyps were located at fundus and 168 (34.6％ ) were at corpus,with most of FGPs (62.3％,302/485) were single polyp with broad base (less than 5mm),and 22.7％ (110/485 ) were multiple ones scattering throughout the fundus.The pathology typically showed cystic lesions in the fundic glands,with dysplasia in 8 and intestinal metaplasia in 3,accompanied by duodenal polyps in 11 and gastric cancer in 1.H.pyloriinfection was detected in 47.8 ％ subjects which was similar to the rate of general population (56.1％ ) in the same period (P =0.422 ).In addition,immunohistochemisty staining for adenomatous polyposis coli and cyclooxygenase-2 was performed in 12 patients,which showed all polyps were positive for adenomatous polyposis coli and 9 of them were cyclooxygenase-2 positive.Conclusion FGPs may not be correlate to H.pyloriinfection.It can be accompanied by dysplasia,intestinal metaplasia and duodenal polyps.Pathological and immunohistochemical studies may promote a better understanding and standardized diagnosis and treatment for this disease.

No abstract available.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between oral health-related quality of life and school life satisfaction in high school students. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on high school students in Daegu, South Korea from November to December, 2015, and final data from 432 students was analyzed. Analysis of oral health-related quality of life in terms of general characteristics showed that both academic achievement and stress were significant factors (p<0.05). With respect to school life satisfaction, academic achievement was found to be a highly significant influencing factor (p<0.01). Correlation analyses of oral health-related quality of life with various factors of school life satisfaction showed positive correlations with personal relationships, educational learning environment, social support. Regression analysis of school life satisfaction showed that academic achievement and oral health-related quality of life were influencing factors. These results indicate that oral health-related quality of life may play a significant role in school life satisfaction.
Daegu ; Humans ; Korea ; Learning ; Quality of Life* ; Social Environment

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between oral health-related quality of life and oral health-related self-efficacy in high school students. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among high school students in Daegu, South Korea from November to December 2015, and the final data of 432 students were analyzed. RESULTS: Analysis of oral health-related self-efficacy in terms of general characteristics showed that both grade and income were significant factors (P<0.01). Furthermore, analysis of oral health-related quality of life in terms of general characteristics showed that academic achievement, father's educational level, and academic stress were significant factors (P<0.05). Correlation analyses of oral health-related quality of life with oral health-related self-efficacy revealed positive correlations with tooth brushing and ordinary oral health behavior. Regression analysis of oral health-related quality of life showed that father's educational level, oral health-related self-efficacy, academic stress, and academic achievement were influencing factors. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that oral health-related self-efficacy may play a significant role in oral health-related quality of life.

No abstract available.
Acupuncture* ; Epidermal Cyst*

Increasing evidence suggests an association between elevated serum aminotransferase level and the metabolic syndrome. However, the significance of relatively low levels of aminotransferase in relation to the metabolic syndrome has not been fully investigated in the general population. We investigated the association between serum amiontransferase level and the metabolic syndrome using data from a nationwide survey in Korea. We measured serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and metabolic conditions among 9771 participants aged 20 or more in the 1998 and 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP-ATP III criteria with a modified waist circumference cutoff (men > 90cm; women > 80cm). Serum aminotransferase level, even within normal range, was associated with the metabolic syndrome independent of age, body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, and alcohol intake. Compared with the lowest level (<20IU/L), the adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for an AST level of 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and > or = 50IU/L were 1.10 (0.85-1.42), 1.37 (1.02-1.83), 1.62 (1.08-2.43), and 2.25 (1.47-3.44) in men, and 1.18 (0.99-1.41), 1.43 (1.29-1.83), 1.71 (1.09-2.68), and 2.14 (1.20-3.80) in women, respectively. Corresponding odds ratios for ALT levels were 1.27 (0.99-1.63), 1.69 (1.28-2.23), 2.17 (1.58-2.99), and 2.65 (1.96-3.58) in men, and 1.44 (1.22-1.70), 1.65 (1.26-2.15), 2.94 (1.93-4.47), and 2.25 (1.54-3.30) in women, respectively. In conclusion, elevated serum aminotransferase levels, even in the normal to near normal range, are associated with features of the metabolic syndrome.
Reference Values ; Middle Aged ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*blood ; Male ; Korea ; Humans ; Female ; Blood Chemical Analysis/*methods/standards ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/*blood ; Alanine Transaminase/*blood ; Adult

BACKGROUND: Microneedles provide a minimally invasive means to transport molecules into the skin. A number of specific strategies have been employed to use microneedles for transdermal delivery. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of two new digital microneedle devices (Digital Hand(R) and Digital Pro(R); Bomtech Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) for the perforation of skin in skin-hairless-1 mice. This device replaces conventional needles and is designed specifically for intradermal delivery. METHODS: We used two newly developed digital microneedle devices to perforate the skin of skin-hairless-1 mice. We conducted a comparative study of the two digital microneedle devices and DTS(R) (Disk type-microneedle Therapy System; DTS lab., Seoul, Korea). To evaluate skin stability, we performed visual and dermatoscopic inspections, measurements of transepidermal water loss, and biopsies. RESULTS: The two novel digital microneedle devices did not induce significant abnormalities of the skin on visual or dermatoscopic inspection, regardless of needle size (0.25~2.0 mm). No significant histopathological changes, such as inflammatory cell infiltration, desquamation of the stratum corneum, or disruption of the basal layer, were observed. The digital microneedle devices and microneedle therapy system produced similar results on measures of skin stability. CONCLUSION: These two novel digital microneedle devices are safe transdermal drug delivery systems.
Animals ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Mesotherapy ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Needles ; Pyridines ; Skin ; Thiazoles ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is believed to be an organ-specific autoimmune disease in which a mononuclear cell infiltrate develops in and around anagen hair follicles. There is no definitive therapy for AA. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether the combination therapy of cyclosporine and psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) could be an effective treatment for severe AA. METHODS: A total of 41 patients with severe AA were treated with oral cyclosporine and topical PUVA. Cyclosporine was given at an initial daily dose of 200 mg for adult and 100 mg for children for periods of up to 16 weeks. Eight-methoxypsoralen (Methoxsalen) was applied topically 20 minutes prior to ultraviolet A (UVA) exposure, and the patients were irradiated with UVA twice a week for 16 weeks. RESULTS: Of the total 41 patients, 2 (7.3%) patients were lost to follow-up, and 1 (2.4%) patient discontinued the treatment due to abdominal discomfort. Six (14.6%) patients were treated for less than 12 weeks. Of remaining 32 patients, 3 (9.4%) showed excellent response, 3 (9.4%) showed good response, 12 (37.5%) showed fair response, and 14 (43.7%) showed poor response. CONCLUSION: Although limited by its uncontrolled character, this study shows that the combination therapy with cyclosporine and PUVA may be an additional choice for severe and recalcitrant AA.
Adult ; Alopecia ; Alopecia Areata ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Child ; Cyclosporine ; Ficusin ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; PUVA Therapy ; Retrospective Studies

To improve wellness and quality of life by recognizing the health effects of stress, the author estimated the relationships between stress, subjective symptoms and clinical diagnosis through a questionnaire and a battery of specified laboratory tests - electrocardiography, blood pressure, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase(gamma-GTP), fasting blood sugar, gastro-endoscopy or UGI, abdominal sonography, etc. The data was gathered from 337 clients who were undergoing multiphasic screening program at a University Hospital from January to March 1998. The mean age of subjects was 46.5+/-11.2 years and the mean of body mass index was 24.0+/-3.7kg/m2. The mean level of stress was 18.5+/-6.0 expressed as the score out of 40. By general characteristics and life style among male, mean level of stress was significantly higher in case of lower socioeconomic status, habitual drug use, longer daily working time(>10 hours), no regular exercise, drinkers, irregular meal, skipping breakfast(p<0.05). In case of female, that was significantly higher in case of lower education, lower socioeconomic status, longer daily working time(>10 hours), no regular exercise, drinkers, smokers, irregular meal, skipping breakfast(p<0.05). Significant correlations were observed between stress and subjective symptoms in all kinds of organ system(p<0.01). Correlation coefficients of stress among male were relatively high with neuro-psychiatric symptom(gamma=0.476) and cardio-vascular symptom(gamma=0.361) in order, and correlation coefficients of stress among female was highest with neuro-psychiatric symptom(gamma=0.371). The prevalence of the diagnosis through the battery of laboratory tests was high in upper gastrointestinal disorders and hypercholesterolemia in order in both sex group. Among male the mean score of stress was significantly high in ulcerative peptic disorder of upper gastrointestine and hepatopathy in order (p<0.05) . Among female that was significantly high in diabetes mellitus. In summary, it is likely that there are associations between stress, subjective symptoms and clinical diagnosis. To promote wellness and quality of life through, therefore, it would be of value that periodic stress evaluation program and stress management including appropriate control of smoking and drinking, regular exercise and meal.
Alanine ; Aspartic Acid ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis* ; Drinking ; Education ; Electrocardiography ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Life Style ; Male ; Meals ; Multiphasic Screening* ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Social Class ; Stress, Psychological* ; Ulcer

Linear focal elastosis (LFE) is characterized by several asymptomatic, yellow, palpable, irregularly indurated, striae-like lines extending horizontally across the middle and lower back. A focal increase in elastic fibers is a hallmark of the disease as seen from biopsy specimens. The pathogenesis of LFE is unclear, as is the association between LFE and striae distensae (SD). However, the prevailing opinion is that LFE represents an excessive regenerative process of elastic fibers and is analogous to keloidal repair of SD. Although the timing of onset of LFE and SD was not synchronous in our patient, the triggering factor was the same, which was the growth spurt. This case is supporting the putative association between LFE and SD.
Biopsy ; Elastic Tissue ; Humans ; Keloid ; Striae Distensae