BACKGROUND: This study was performed to develop a dietary self-efficacy questionnaire and to determine how dietary self-efficacy is related to selected biochemical markers and health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Participants included 172 patients who had been participating in a dialysis program for at least 6 months at two teaching hospitals. A questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic factors, dialysis-related factors, dietary self-efficacy, and kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL). Serum levels of potassium and phosphorus and interdialytic weight gain were also measured. RESULTS: The internal reliability of dietary self-efficacy was 0.944 (Cronbach's alpha). Principal component analysis resulted in two factors, situational self-efficacy of compliance with dietary guidelines and self-efficacy of food choice. The correlation analysis showed a significant association between situational self-efficacy of compliance with dietary guidelines and serum potassium and KIDQOL. The average scores of situational self-efficacy of compliance with dietary guidelines and self-efficacy of food choice in the participants were 3.52+/-0.72 and 3.61+/-0.71 respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the situational self-efficacy of compliance with dietary guidelines was significantly associated with serum potassium level and KDQOL and self-efficacy of food choice was significantly associated with KDQOL. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, the developed dietary self-efficacy questionnaire may be a suitable survey tool for hemodialysis patients, which can play a role in predicting clinical indicators of patient and health-related quality of life. We recommend further research into clarifying whether the positive effects of increased dietary self-efficacy is maintained in long-term dialysis patients.
Biomarkers ; Compliance ; Dialysis ; Diet ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; Linear Models ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Principal Component Analysis ; Quality of Life ; Renal Dialysis ; Self Efficacy ; Weight Gain

No abstract available.
Dermatitis* ; Tacrolimus ; Tetracycline*

In the article cited above, there was an error in the title.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to determine the regulatory role of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, in interleukin 17 (IL-17)-induced osteoclast differentiation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: After RA synovial fibroblasts were stimulated by IL-17, the expression and production of receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (RANKL) was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Osteoclastogenesis was also determined after co-cultures of IL-17-stimulated RA synovial fibroblasts, Th17 cells and various concentrations of NAC with monocytes. After human peripheral CD4⁺ T cells were cultured with NAC under Th17 condition, IL-17, interferon γ, IL-4, Foxp3, RANKL, and IL-2 expression and production was determined by flow cytometry or ELISA. RESULTS: When RA synovial fibroblasts were stimulated by IL-17, IL-17 stimulated the production of RANKL, and NAC reduced the IL-17-induced RANKL production in a dose-dependent manner. NAC decreased IL-17-activated phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and inhibitor of κB. When human peripheral blood CD14⁺ monocytes were cultured with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IL-17 or RANKL, osteoclasts were differentiated, and NAC reduced the osteoclastogenesis. After human peripheral CD4⁺ T cells were co-cultured with IL-17-pretreated RA synovial fibroblasts or Th17 cells, NAC reduced their osteoclastogenesis. Under Th17 polarizing condition, NAC decreased Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17 and RANKL production. CONCLUSIONS: NAC inhibits the IL-17-induced RANKL production in RA synovial fibroblasts and IL-17-induced osteoclast differentiation. NAC also reduced Th17 polarization. NAC could be a supplementary therapeutic option for inflammatory and bony destructive processes in RA.
Acetylcysteine* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Coculture Techniques ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibroblasts ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interferons ; Interleukin-17 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Monocytes ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; Phosphorylation ; RANK Ligand ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sirolimus ; T-Lymphocytes ; Th17 Cells

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important for embryonic development and the formation of various tissues or organs. However, EMT dysfunction in normal cells leads to diseases, such as cancer or fibrosis. During the EMT, epithelial cells are converted into more invasive and active mesenchymal cells. E-box-binding proteins, including Snail, ZEB and helix-loop-helix family members, serve as EMT-activating transcription factors. These transcription factors repress the expression of epithelial markers, for example, E-cadherin, rearrange the cytoskeleton and promote the expression of mesenchymal markers, such as vimentin, fibronectin and other EMT-activating transcription factors. Signaling pathways that induce EMT, including transforming growth factor-beta, Wnt/glycogen synthase kinase-3beta, Notch and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways, interact with each other for the regulation of this process. Although the mechanism(s) underlying EMT in cancer or embryonic development have been identified, the mechanism(s) in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) remain unclear. In this review, we describe the underlying mechanisms of important EMT factors, indicating a precise role for EMT in ESCs, and characterize the relationship between EMT and ESCs.
Animals ; Cadherins/metabolism ; Embryonic Stem Cells/*cytology/metabolism ; *Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factors/metabolism

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: We will discuss clinical outcomes of adult traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (Fielding type I) and verify the correlation between the clinical outcomes and radiological reduction rate. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation which usually occur in children by non-traumatic sources or minor trauma has been discussed persistently. However, studies of atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation which occur in adults over 20 years old, especially by traumatic injury is rare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2004 to April 2011, thirty patients diagnosed of traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation with 6 months follow-up period were enrolled in the study. After diagnosis, we started treating Halter traction with 5 lbs. We discontinued traction when the patient recovered over 90% of ROM and applied Philadelphia collar to the patient. We measured visual analogue scale (VAS) for cervical pain and ROM. We measured atlanto-dens interval (ADI) and lateral mass-dens interval (LDI) difference using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) to validate radiological reduction rate. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, none of the patients complained over pain and all recovered to full ROM. ADI was in normal range during the whole treatment period. LDI difference gradually decreased during treatment period, however, only 8 cases (26.7%) came back to normal range. CONCLUSIONS: In traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (Fielding type I), satisfactory clinical outcomes such as pain relief or ROM improvement using traction and the radiological reduction rate was also improved but it failed to achieve a complete reduction of LDI difference in radiography.
Adult ; Child ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neck Pain ; Philadelphia ; Porphyrins ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies ; Traction

Purpose: Feeding intolerance (FI) is a prevalent clinically sequential condition in preterm infants. To clarify its relationship with the gut microbiota, we compared microbial diversity and taxonomic composition at 2 and 4 weeks of age in infants born before 32 weeks of gestation. Methods: Between August 2021 and December 2022, we prospectively enrolled infants who delivered before 32 weeks of gestation and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Forty-four preterm infants were grouped based on the presence (n=16) or absence (n=28) of FI. Fecal samples were obtained at 2 and 4 weeks after birth and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine microbial profiles. Results: Microbial α-diversity and β-diversity did not differ significantly between groups at either time point. At the genus level, Staphylococcus was significantly more abundant in the FI group than in the feeding tolerance group at 2 weeks postnatal age (P=0.016). Linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed that Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia were markedly enriched in the FI group at all time points. Conclusion Early colonization by potentially pathogenic genera, particularly Staphylococcus, may precede the development of FI in preterm infants. These findings highlight the potential microbial composition associated with FI and may provide preliminary insights for future microbiome-targeted research in neonatal care.

Purpose: Feeding intolerance (FI) is a prevalent clinically sequential condition in preterm infants. To clarify its relationship with the gut microbiota, we compared microbial diversity and taxonomic composition at 2 and 4 weeks of age in infants born before 32 weeks of gestation. Methods: Between August 2021 and December 2022, we prospectively enrolled infants who delivered before 32 weeks of gestation and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Forty-four preterm infants were grouped based on the presence (n=16) or absence (n=28) of FI. Fecal samples were obtained at 2 and 4 weeks after birth and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine microbial profiles. Results: Microbial α-diversity and β-diversity did not differ significantly between groups at either time point. At the genus level, Staphylococcus was significantly more abundant in the FI group than in the feeding tolerance group at 2 weeks postnatal age (P=0.016). Linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed that Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia were markedly enriched in the FI group at all time points. Conclusion Early colonization by potentially pathogenic genera, particularly Staphylococcus, may precede the development of FI in preterm infants. These findings highlight the potential microbial composition associated with FI and may provide preliminary insights for future microbiome-targeted research in neonatal care.

Purpose: Feeding intolerance (FI) is a prevalent clinically sequential condition in preterm infants. To clarify its relationship with the gut microbiota, we compared microbial diversity and taxonomic composition at 2 and 4 weeks of age in infants born before 32 weeks of gestation. Methods: Between August 2021 and December 2022, we prospectively enrolled infants who delivered before 32 weeks of gestation and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Forty-four preterm infants were grouped based on the presence (n=16) or absence (n=28) of FI. Fecal samples were obtained at 2 and 4 weeks after birth and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine microbial profiles. Results: Microbial α-diversity and β-diversity did not differ significantly between groups at either time point. At the genus level, Staphylococcus was significantly more abundant in the FI group than in the feeding tolerance group at 2 weeks postnatal age (P=0.016). Linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed that Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia were markedly enriched in the FI group at all time points. Conclusion Early colonization by potentially pathogenic genera, particularly Staphylococcus, may precede the development of FI in preterm infants. These findings highlight the potential microbial composition associated with FI and may provide preliminary insights for future microbiome-targeted research in neonatal care.

Purpose: Feeding intolerance (FI) is a prevalent clinically sequential condition in preterm infants. To clarify its relationship with the gut microbiota, we compared microbial diversity and taxonomic composition at 2 and 4 weeks of age in infants born before 32 weeks of gestation. Methods: Between August 2021 and December 2022, we prospectively enrolled infants who delivered before 32 weeks of gestation and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Forty-four preterm infants were grouped based on the presence (n=16) or absence (n=28) of FI. Fecal samples were obtained at 2 and 4 weeks after birth and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine microbial profiles. Results: Microbial α-diversity and β-diversity did not differ significantly between groups at either time point. At the genus level, Staphylococcus was significantly more abundant in the FI group than in the feeding tolerance group at 2 weeks postnatal age (P=0.016). Linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed that Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia were markedly enriched in the FI group at all time points. Conclusion Early colonization by potentially pathogenic genera, particularly Staphylococcus, may precede the development of FI in preterm infants. These findings highlight the potential microbial composition associated with FI and may provide preliminary insights for future microbiome-targeted research in neonatal care.