Plasma carotenoid levels were compared among 64 healthy male subjects (control) and 38 patients of ischemic heart disease(IHD) and 20 ones of cerebral infarction(CI) all of whom were over 50years of age. Another 98 healthy male subjects aged 23 to 58 were selected to compare their plasma carotenoid levels by age groups, Levels of lutein, zeaxanthin and crpytoxanthin were lower in IHD(34+/-2, 13+/-1 and 62+/-7 microgram/dl)and CI(36+/-3, 12+/-2 and 41+/-6 microgram/dl)patient groups than in control group (84+/-5, 16+/-2 and 69+/-3 microgram/dl) while those of lycopene, alpha-and beta-carotene varied little among the three groups. The sum of the six carotenoid levels were levels were, therefore,highest(205+/-14 microgram/dl) in the control group followed by IHD(155+/-15 microgram/dl) and CI(128+/-17 microgram/dl) patient groups, Among the 98 healthy male subject for the age group study, levels of the three major carotenoids increased with age from the twenties to the fifities ; lutein, from 64+/-6 to 89+/-8 microgram/dl, cryptoxanthin, 57+/-8 to 73+/-4 microgram/dl and beta-carotene were more significantly correlated(r=0.30 to 0.61, p<0.01), whereas levels of lycopene and alpha-caroteme were significantly(r=0.21 - 0.23, p<0.05) correlated.
beta Carotene ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Carotenoids ; Cerebral Infarction ; Daegu* ; Heart ; Humans ; Lutein ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Plasma*

This study was conducted to improve the nutritional status of high school girls via lunch menu intervention. Surveys were carried out twice to evaluate basal status and status after lunch menu intervention. In the first survey nutrient intakes of 24-hour and school lunch were each estimated by 24-hour recall dietary survey and self-recording, respectively. Calcium intake was the lowest among nutrients, and stir-frying was the most preferred cooking method. Five dishes of school lunch menus which were included in the first survey were replaced with recipes containing foods with higher calcium level; anchovy stir-fried with red pepper paste, anchovy stir-fried with almond, pork stir-fried with shredded kelp, crab meat soup, and tteokbokki with cheese. In the second survey calcium intake from school lunch was significantly (p < 0.001) increased from 45.5% to 50.2% of one thirds of recommended intake (RI) after calcium enriched lunch menu intervention. Intakes of vitamin A and E were also significantly increased, whereas those of energy, thiamin, and vitamin C were decreased. Index of nutritional quality values of nutrients of 24-hour intakes (except thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin C) is increased by intervention; however, those of calcium, folic acid, iron are still very low. Even though this study shows a possibility of improving nutrient intakes of students through school lunch menu intervention, lunch intervention by itself is not enough action to improve nutritional status of micronutrient for adolescents.
Adolescent ; Ascorbic Acid ; Calcium ; Capsicum ; Cheese ; Cooking ; Folic Acid ; Humans ; Iron ; Kelp ; Lunch ; Meat ; Micronutrients ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritive Value ; Prunus dulcis ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamins

Middle-school students (158 boys and 199 girls) and their mothers were asked about nutritional attitudes, nutritional knowledge, dietary habits, and food intake using a questionnaire to examine whether nutritional knowledge and dietary behaviors of mothers affected their children's dietary habits. Nutritional attitude scores (total, 15 points) and nutritional knowledge scores (total, 20 points) of girls were 11.24 and 16.13 points, respectively, which were significantly higher than 10.47 and 15.43 points for boys. Generally, mothers received higher points than their children for all scores surveyed, but the results were not significantly different between boys' mothers and girls' mothers. The mean nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) was calculated from dietary nutrient intakes to assess overall quality of meals. The results showed that girls had a higher MAR than that of boys (0.89 vs. 0.86, p < 0.01). Relationships among variables were examined by Pearson's correlation coefficient within children and between children and their mothers. Significant positive correlations were observed between nutritional attitudes and knowledge in both boys and girls. In girls, positive correlations between nutritional attitudes and dietary habits, nutritional knowledge and dietary habits, and dietary habits and MAR were also sig-nificant. In boys, only dietary habits and MAR were correlated with those of their mothers. Nutritional attitudes, dietary habits, and the MAR of girls' mothers were significantly correlated with nutritional attitude, dietary habits and the MAR of girls. The results indicate that the influence of mothers on dietary behaviors of children was greater in girls than that in boys, suggesting that a gender-specific nutrition education program is needed for middle school students.
Child ; Eating ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Meals ; Mothers ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Biliary hamartomas are tumor-like malformations of the liver. Biliary hamartomas are a type of fibrocystic disorder originating from ductal plate malformation and are typically considered benign, but with the risk of malignant transformation. In this case report, we present a rare occurrence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) that developed from biliary hamartomas, along with a literature review. A 76-year-old man with a diagnosis of biliary hamartomas had a history of recurrent cholangitis for 12 years, necessitating cholecystectomy, ERCP, and repeated antibiotic treatments. During his last episode, imaging studies revealed a hypervascular infiltrative mass in the right posterior liver segment. A liver biopsy confirmed adenocarcinoma and subsequent surgical pathology revealed ICC originating from biliary hamartomas. Chronic inflammation in the bile duct associated with biliary hamartomas may serve as a potential trigger for malignant transformation, as observed in this case. Therefore, close surveillance is essential for patients with biliary hamartomas presenting with infectious complications.

Bronchobiliary fistula is a rare condition. It is defined by the presence of a passage between the biliary tract and the bronchial tree. Many conditions can give rise to the developement of such a communication. The patient was a 71-year-old man who had obstructive jaundice due to liver mass. At first, we inserted an uncovered metallic stent for biliary drainage. However, the bile duct was perforated due to the trapping of a catheter in the distal end of the deployed stent. The operation was performed immediately, but only the sump draingage was placed in the retroperitoneum because the perforation site could not be found. After 20 days from the procedure, the patient complained of bilioptysis because of a bronchobiliary fistula. We inserted a covered stent into the previous uncovered metallic stent. Bilioptysis rapidly resolved after the successful procedure. We report a case of iatrogenic bronchobiliary fistula which was managed by endoscopic biliary stenting.
Aged ; Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract ; Catheters ; Drainage ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Liver ; Stents

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning frequently leads to the incidental discovery of bowel wall thickening. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of gastroscopy and colonoscopy in the management of patients who had incidental discovery of bowel wall thickening on MDCT. METHODS: From May 2006 to March 2008, the abdominal MDCT reports of all patients in Chungbuk National University Hospital were reviewed. Cases with any bowel thickening was selected and then patients who received gastroscopy or colonoscopy after abdominal MDCT were re-selected. RESULTS: Gastroscopy revealed abnormal findings in 22 (95.7%) out of 23 patients, and 10 patients (43.5%) had stomach cancers. Colonoscopy revealed abnormal findings in 35 (85.4%) out of 41 patients, and 12 patients (29%) had malignant tumors. In the patients who had lymph node enlargement (p<0.001), dirty fat infiltration (p=0.025), and irregular wall thickening (p<0.001) on MDCT malignancy was observed more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend gastroscopy and colonoscopy to patients who had incidentally found bowel wall thickening on MDCT, especially those with lymph node enlargement, dirty fat infiltration, and irregular wall thickening.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colonic Neoplasms/radiography ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines/cytology/*radiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

Most infants with repaired gastroschisis develop normally and remain in good health. About 10% of patients with gastroschisis have other malformations. We report a case of choledocholithiasis and intestinal malrotation in an adolescent with repaired gastroschisis. A 17-year-old girl presented with fever, jaundice, and abdominal pain. She had undergone an operation to repair gastroschisis at birth. Physical examination revealed icteric sclera, a tight abdominal wall, and a longitudinal surgical scar at the midline. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a round calcifying lesion near the pancreas and a midline-positioned liver and gallbladder. Absence of the retroperitoneal duodenum and the anterior and left-sided position of the superior mesenteric vein compared with the superior mesenteric artery were observed. Results of abarium examination revealed intestinal malrotation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed diffuse dilatation of the biliary trees and a malpositioned gallbladder. A single stone was removed by using a basket. The clinical symptoms improved after the patient underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
Abdominal Pain ; Abdominal Wall ; Adolescent* ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledocholithiasis* ; Cicatrix ; Dilatation ; Duodenum ; Female ; Fever ; Gallbladder ; Gastroschisis* ; Humans ; Infant ; Jaundice ; Liver ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; Mesenteric Veins ; Pancreas ; Parturition ; Physical Examination ; Sclera

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recipients, at 13 months after administration of daily doses of 100 mg of lamivudine, were likely to have the highest rate of HBeAg seroconversion (32%); the greatest suppression of HBV DNA (98% reduction at week 52); and the highest rate of sustained normalization of ALT levels (72%). In a 1-year trial of lamivudine for chronic hepatitis B patients, the incidence of YMDD mutations was known to be about 14%. We intend to determine the incidence of YMDD mutations and the correlation between the mutation of the virus and the clinical characteristics of the patient. METHODS: Between Feb. 1999 and Sept. 2000 we conducted a prospective study. Patients received 100 mg of lamivudine per day orally for at least 9 months. The average period of follow-up was 15 months. The patients enrolled in this study were composed of 20 chronic hepatitis B patients and 3 liver cirrhosis patients. The male to female ratio was 18:5. The average age of the patients was 40 years. The HBV DNA was extracted from the initial serum and the serum on abnormal ALT level, and then PCR was done. Finally we sequenced a 459-bp fragment and analyzed which samples had YMDD mutation or did not. RESULTS: (1) The genetic mutations in the YMDD locus occurred in 3 of the 23 patients (13%), two patients exhibited YIDD mutation, and one patient exhibited YVDD at 24, 52, 48 weeks of therapy respectively. (2) During the 3 months of treatment, serum ALT levels returned to normal in 13 of the 23 patients (56%). The HBV DNA disappearance rate at 3 and 8 months was 63% and 84% respectively. The 8 of 19 patients who lost the HBV DNA during lamivudine treatment experienced the breakthrough at about 13 months (the range: 8~27 months). 4 patients experienced HBeAg seroconversion during the treatment period (17%). CONCLUSIONS: The mutations in the YMDD motif, especially the YIDD type, may aggravate the clinical outcome of the patients. We concluded that the treatment duration should be prolonged with these patients.
DNA ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lamivudine* ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prospective Studies

Cyanoacrylate is well recognized for its effect in the treatment of the gastric variceal bleeding rather than the esopahgeal variceal bleeding. We used endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) with cyanoacrylate for the control of esophageal variceal bleeding in which endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) was difficult due to severe post-EVL scar changes of the esophageal mucosa. The hemostasis by EIS with cyanoacrylate was successfully achieved despite the massive bleeding. However, esophageal obstruction occurred after the EIS treatment. Later, the obstruction resolved spontaneously as the polymer was expelled into the esophageal lumen. We report this case with a brief review of the literatures.
Cicatrix ; Cyanoacrylates* ; Deglutition Disorders ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Ligation ; Mucous Membrane ; Polymers ; Sclerotherapy*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with dyslipidemia, obesity, and insulin resistance, which are the main features of metabolic syndrome. First, we examined the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with NAFLD. We then compared the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in simple steatosis with that in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Finally, we sought to identify clinical factors associated with the stage of liver fibrosis. METHODS: From November 2002 to March 2004, we enrolled consecutive 25 patients with NAFLD from patients visiting outpatient clinic. The 17 controls were healthy persons who visited our health promotion center. We compared the clinical and biochemical data of the NAFLD group with those of the control group. Using histologic findings, we divided NAFLD into simple steatosis and NASH. We then compared the clinical and biochemical data of the simple steatosis group with those of the NASH group. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (14/25, 56%) had metabolic syndrome in the NAFLD group. There was no difference in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between the simple steatosis (5/10, 50%) and the NASH group (9/15, 60%). We found significant differences in cardiovascular risk factors between the two groups, but homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance was the only significantly different factor between the simple steatosis group and the NASH group. In addition, no difference in histological features was found between NASH with metabolic syndrome and without metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of patients with NAFLD had metabolic syndrome. There was a close correlation between NAFLD and metabolic syndrome. We could not find any cardiovascular risk factors that could predict a severe fibrosis.
Adult ; English Abstract ; Fatty Liver/*complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*complications ; Middle Aged