No abstract available.

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

Heat shock protein of 72 kDa (HSP70) has a role in the functional modulation of sex steroid hormone receptors and in p53-associated oncogenesis and inhibits apoptosis associated with bcl-2. However, the exact role of HSP70 in the development of endometrial adenocarcinoma has not been well established. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of HSP70 in relation with ER, PR, p53 and bcl-2 expressions and apoptosis in benign and malignant endometrial lesions. Immunohistochemical studies for HSP70, ER, PR, p53, bcl-2 and TUNEL method for apoptosis were performed in 30 cases of adenocarcinoma and 30 cases of benign endometrial lesions consisted of each 10 cases of disordered proliferative endometrium (DP), simple or complex hyperplasia (HP), and atypical hyperplasia (AH). There were no significant differences of HSP70 and bcl-2 expression rates and apoptotic index (AI) between DP, HP, AH, and adenocarcinoma. p53 expression rate in adenocarcinoma was 36.7%, but no p53 expression was identified in DP, HP and AH (p<0.05). In adenocarcinoma, HSP70 expression rate was higher in ER and PR negative adenocarcinoma (p<0.05), and p53 expression rate was higher in nonendometrioid type and FIGO grade II and III (p<0.05), but no significant difference of bcl-2 expression rate according to the histological type and FIGO grade. AI was higher in nonendometrioid type (p<0.05). There was no correlation between HSP70, p53 and bcl-2 expressions, and no significant difference of AI according to HSP70, ER, PR, p53, and bcl-2 expressions. In conclusion, higher HSP70 expression rate in poorly differentiated and ER and PR negative adenocarcinoma suggests that HSP70 inhibits ER and PR expression and may be involved in the development of poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Apoptosis* ; Carcinogenesis ; Endometrium ; Female ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Hyperplasia ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study analyzing 73 patients treated by decompression, pedicular screw instrumentation and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for lumbosacral spondylolithesis and symptomatic spinal stenosis. we used laminected laminar and spinous process instead of iliac bone. OBJECTIVES: This is to evaluate fusion rate and clinical results of PLIF with laminected laminar and spinous process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PLIF in 73 patients with lumbosacral disorders who carried out at Pohang St. Mary's Hospital from March 1994 to January 1996. Fusion rate was evaluated by simple X-ray and dynamic view. Clinical effect was evaluated by Kirkaldy-Willis criteria. RESULTS: The solid fusion was achieved at 67 cases(91.8%) and the average period of fusion was 6.4 months. Complications were 2 cases of superficial skin infection and 3 cases of root irritation. The functional results by Kirkaldy-Willis were as follows ; excellent 40 cases, good 23 cases, fair 9 cases and poor 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: This PLIF procedure combined with transpedicular instrumentation showed sufficient fusion rate and excellent clinical results and improvement in vertebral alignment.
Decompression ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Spinal Stenosis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional intake and Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) of gynecological cancer survivors and normal women. Methods: This study compared the anthropometric indices, dietary behavior, nutritional intake, and DQI-I in women with previous history of breast or uterine cancer [Gynecological cancer survivors group (GCSG, n=126)] and normal women [Normal control group (NCG, n=7,011)] using the 2013~2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Results: Body mass index and waist circumference were lower in the GCSG compared the NCG. The frequency of skipping breakfast and eating out was higher in the NCG compared to GCSG. Energy and fat intake were significantly higher in the NCG than in the GCSG, whereas intake of all minerals and vitamins (excluding thiamine), and dietary fiber intake were higher in GCSG. It was observed that the fatty acid intake of the GCSG was significantly lower than that of the NCG. The diet quality evaluation using DQI-I results showed that GCSG was higher in the “within-group” diet variety and adequacy of vegetable group than the NCG, whereas the intake level of the fruit group was higher in NCG. Besides, protein, calcium, and vitamin C intake were higher in the GCSG than in the NCG. The GCSG showed higher levels of total fat and saturated fat moderation than the NCG, whereas cholesterol moderation showed the opposite results. The results of DQI-I comparison according to the cancer survival years showed that the overall score and scores related to diet adequacy and balance were higher in the below 5-year group, whereas the over 5-year group scored higher in terms of moderation of diet. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that a chronic disease based management approach is needed in cancer survivors. The study provides important data which can help in the preparation of guidelines for long-term lifestyle and diet management, in these patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between the presence of allergic rhinitis and the nutritional intake levels of Korean infants. METHODS: The study involved a total of 1,214 infant subjects aged 1~5 months from the 2013~2016 KNHNES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). The Subjects were classified into two groups based on the presence of allergic rhinitis: Non-allergic rhinitis infants (NARI, n=1,088) and allergic rhinitis infants (ARI, n=126). The general characteristics and family history of allergies, nutrient intake status, nutrient supplement intake, and breast milk and baby food start period data of the two groups were compared. All statistical analyses accounted for the complex sampling design effect and sampling weights. RESULTS: The mean age was 0.5 years old in the ARI group compared to the NARI group. In the residence, the rate of urban was higher in ARI. The family history revealed a significant difference between the two groups, particularly those of mothers rather than fathers. The nutrient intake levels were high in energy, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, riboflavin, niacin, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Breastfeeding was significantly higher in the ARI group than in the NARI group. The baby food start period was 0.3 months earlier in NARI group than in ARI group. The height, body weight, and birth weight were higher in ARI group than NARI group. The result of Odds ratio analysis showed that excess energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, and niacin intake increases the risk of allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: These results can be used as data to develop nutrition guidelines for allergic rhinitis infants.
Birth Weight ; Body Height ; Breast Feeding ; Calcium ; Fathers ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Infant ; Iron ; Korea ; Milk, Human ; Mothers ; Niacin ; Nutrition Policy ; Nutrition Surveys ; Odds Ratio ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Riboflavin ; Sodium ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in Koreans, and eating habits, including diet quality, are among the etiologies of these diseases. Recently, various studies on regional health disparities have been conducted. However, there are limited studies on their relationship with nutritional factors. This study aimed to identify the magnitude of regional disparities in diet quality and prevalence of CVD in Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 17,646 participants aged ≥ 20 years from the 7 th (2013–2016) Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were classified into four groups based on their residential areas: City 1, City 2, City 3, and noncity. Demographic characteristics, health-related factors, body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome index, diet quality, and CVD prevalence were evaluated. RESULTS: In terms of demographic characteristics, age (P < 0.001), marital status (P < 0.001), educational level (P < 0.001), and income (P < 0.001) were lower in the non-city category. Health-related factors such as monthly drinking rate (P < 0.01) and mental stress (P < 0.05) were the highest in City 1 and lowest in the non-city group. Conversely, the current smoking rate (P < 0.05), BMI (P< 0.05), and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (P < 0.001) were the highest in the non-city group (P < 0.05). The non-city group also had the highest prevalence of CVDs (35.6%). This group had the lowest diet quality index (68.36 ± 0.22, P < 0.01), caused by low intake of fruit and calcium, a lack of sodium moderation, and an overall imbalance in the macronutrient and fatty acid ratio. When the diet quality index was increased by 1, the odds ratio for the prevalence of CVDs was reduced by 0.991 (P < 0.001), but this was not the case in all regions. CONCLUSIONS This study provides useful information and data in identifying and resolving the regional health disparities related to CVD prevalence and implementation of public health nutrition systems.

PURPOSE: Liver transplantation (LT) is regarded as an important management option for fulminant hepatitis (FH), which is associated with considerable mortality under conservative management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of children with FH according to management. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of patients presented with FH from January 1994 until April 1999. The children were grouped according to the treatment. Group A was classified for supportive treatment only and group B for supportive treatment plus LT. Children were considered as candidates for LT if the level of factor V decreased to below 20% of normal or the patient's condition deteriorated despite intensive care during the initial 48 hours. Underlying disease, duration after jaundice, grade of encephalopathy, laboratory findings, treatment and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The study group comprised 7 females and 8 males aged from 8 months to 15 years old (median age of 4 years). The causes of FH were Wilson disease (4 cases), Epstein-Barr virus infection (1 case), drug (1 case) and idiopathic (9 cases). There were 5 children in group A and 10 in group B, and there were no significant differences in age, sex ratio, underlying diseases, grade of hepatic encephalopathy and laboratory findings between the two groups. One out of 5 in group A and 9 out of 10 in group B survived. But all the children in group A who met the criteria for LT and received only supportive care died. One out of 10 in group B died because of grade IVa hepatic encephalopathy which advanced to brainstem herniation. CONCLUSION: This study showed that patients who were managed with supportive care only, although LT was indicated, died and that 9 out of 10 who received LT survived. Therefore, we suggest LT should be considered in the management of FH.
Adolescent ; Brain Stem ; Child* ; Factor V ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Jaundice ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Sex Ratio

Patients with acromegaly have a reduced life expectancy rnainly due to cardiovascular, respiratory or cerebrovascular diseas-. Malignancy also seems to occur with greater than the expected incidence. In particular, the published retrospective or prospective studies have suggested a strong association of colonic neoplasia with acromegaly. But, there were a few reports of thyroid cancer in acrornegaly. We report a case of thyroid papillary cancer derived from diffuse goiter in acromegaly, sugge- sting the possible carcinogenic role of growth hormone.
Acromegaly ; Bites and Stings ; Colon ; Goiter ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Expectancy ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Flow cytometry (FC) HLA-B27 typing is still used extensively for the diagnosis of spondyloarthropathies. If patient blood samples are stored for a prolonged duration, this testing can be performed in a batch manner, and in-house cellular controls could easily be procured. In this study, we investigated various methods of storing patient blood samples. METHODS: We compared four storage methods: three methods of analyzing lymphocytes (whole blood stored at room temperature, frozen mononuclear cells, and frozen white blood cells [WBCs] after lysing red blood cells [RBCs]), and one method using frozen platelets (FPLT). We used three ratios associated with mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) for HLAB27 assignment: the B27 MFI ratio (sample/control) for HLA-B27 fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate (FITC); the B7 MFI ratio for HLA-B7 phycoerythrin (PE); and the ratio of these two ratios, B7/B27 ratio. RESULTS: Comparing the B27 MFI ratios of each storage method for the HLA-B27+ samples and the B7/B27 ratios for the HLA-B7+ samples revealed that FPLT was the best of the four methods. FPLT had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 99.3% for HLA-B27 assignment in DNA-typed samples (N=164) when the two criteria, namely, B27 MFI ratio >4.0 and B7/B27 ratio <1.5, were used. CONCLUSIONS: The FPLT method was found to offer a simple, economical, and accurate method of FC HLA-B27 typing by using stored patient samples. If stored samples are used, this method has the potential to replace the standard FC typing method when used in combination with a complementary DNA-based method.
Blood Platelets/metabolism ; Erythrocytes/metabolism ; *Flow Cytometry ; Freezing ; HLA-B27 Antigen/*blood ; HLA-B7 Antigen/blood ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spondylarthropathies/diagnosis ; Temperature