No abstract availble.
Colitis, Ulcerative/complications/*diagnosis/pathology ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction/*diagnosis/etiology/pathology ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Prospective memory (PM) has a known relationship with frontal function, and PM decline has been observed in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Cerebral small vessel disease, as evidenced by white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), is linked to frontal dysfunction. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between PM decline and WMHs in patients with aMCI. METHODS: Of 74 enrollees with aMCI, 69 completed this prospective study. We compared total scores and sub-scores of the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) administered at baseline and 3 months later, stratifying patients by degree of WMHs. RESULTS: A significant decline was seen in PRMQ total scores and PM scores at the 3-month mark in patients with moderate (vs. mild) degrees of WMHs (−2.8±7.2 vs. 0.2±7.1; p=0.032). In addition, patients with moderate (vs. mild) degrees of deep WMHs (DWMHs) showed greater PM decline, whereas PM loss in patients with mild, moderate, or severe degrees of periventricular WMHs (PVWMHs) did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study indicate that the burden of WMHs is consistently implicated in PM deterioration experienced by patients with aMCI, and signifies greater PM decline, especially in instances of extensive DWMHs. Greater attention to the change of PM is therefore needed in aMCI patients with WMHs.
Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases ; Humans ; Memory ; Memory, Episodic* ; Mild Cognitive Impairment* ; Prospective Studies* ; Retrospective Studies ; White Matter*

Chemical leukoderma occurs due to the toxic effect of a specific chemical preceding allergic contact dermatitis. The mechanism is either destruction or inhibition of melanocytes by the offending substance. Clinicohistopathologically, no absolute criteria can differentiate chemical leukoderma from vitiligo. However, chemical leukoderma can be diagnosed clinically by a history of repeated exposure to a known or suspected depigmenting agent at the primary site. There is no agreed treatment guideline for chemical leukoderma. We report a healthy 51-year-old man who had multiple hypopigmented macules and patches on his face, neck, arms and legs after exposure to occupationally related chemicals. The lesions were recalcitrant to topical corticosteroids, but they showed much improvement after 3 cycles of systemic steroid pulse therapy. We suggest this therapy may be a good treatment option for chemical leukoderma.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Arm ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Humans ; Leg ; Melanocytes ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Occupations ; Vitiligo

BACKGROUND: Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) is known to be closely related to myelofibrosis and hematopoiesis including magakaryopoiesis. The main bone marrow finding in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an increased megakaryopoiesis without myelofibrosis. Purposes of this study are to evaluate the changes in bFGF expression pattern in the bone marrow of patients with ITP and to correlate them with the plasma concentrations of bFGF. METHODS: Paraffin-sections of bone marrow biopsies from 17 cases ITP and 7 cases normal controls, without pathological alterations, were investigated by immunohistochemistry for bFGF and CD68. The plasma levels of bFGF were evaluated by enzyme immunoassay in 7 cases of ITP and controls. RESULTS: The bFGF was strongly expressed in stromal cells and weakly in megakaryocytes in normal controls. The density of the bFGF-expressing stromal cells was decreased in 70% (12/17) of the patients with ITP, compared with none in the other controls. The number of stromal cells in patients with ITP was similar to those in the control groups. The bFGF plasma levels were significantly lower in almost all the ITP patients compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that concentrations of bFGF in plasma and bone marrow stromal cells of ITP were decreased. Although the mechanism of low cellular and plasma concentrations of bFGF needs to be elucidated, these findings may complement the serologic and morphological diagnosis of ITP.
Biopsy ; Bone Marrow* ; Complement System Proteins ; Diagnosis ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2* ; Hematopoiesis ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Immunohistochemistry ; Megakaryocytes ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Plasma* ; Primary Myelofibrosis ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* ; Stromal Cells

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of death not only in Korea but also worldwide. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been extensively investigated, but studies on nutritional intake and eating habits are scarce. The purpose of this study was to analyze the general characteristics, dietary habits, and nutritional status of Korean adults based on their AIP values using data from the 2013–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: A total number of 3,040 adults in their 20s and 30s were included as study subjects. They were divided into quintiles according to their AIP values. Comparisons were then made among the general information, eating habits, and nutritional intake statuses of the groups. Results: The averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, smoking, and exercise in men. As for women, the averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, and smoking status. Except for high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, higher AIP values in men were associated with significant increasing trends in health indicators, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. As for women, as AIP increased, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol showed significant increasing trends except HDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol showed a significant decreasing trend as AIP increased in men and women. In the high AIP group of women, the frequency of breakfast was lower, whereas the frequency of alcohol beverage consumption was higher. Conclusion Among young adults, the risk of arteriosclerosis was higher in obese, smoking, and non-exercise individuals. More frequent alcohol drink consumption in women is associated with a higher risk of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, weight and lifestyle management are necessary for the prevention of atherosclerosis among young adults.

Objective: This study introduces a novel home-based dual-task platform incorporating augmented reality (AR), COGNIMO, aimed at simultaneously enhancing cognition and physical abilities. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this intervention in enhancing cognitive and physical abilities in elderly individuals with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and mild Alzheimer’s dementia. Methods: A 12-week observational study enrolled 57 participants aged 60–85 years. Primary outcomes included changes in cognitive scores (Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, 2nd edition [K-MMSE-2] and Korean-Montreal Cognitive Assessment [K-MoCA]), while secondary outcomes measured physical parameters and depression scores between baseline and week 12 in the active and the control groups. Results: Of 57 participants, 49 completed the study. The active group (≥12 sessions) exhibited significant improvement in K-MoCA compared to the control group (<12 sessions) (p=0.004), while K-MMSE-2 score changes showed no significant difference (p=0.579). Positive correlations between training sessions and K-MoCA changes were observed (r=0.31, p=0.038), emphasizing a dose-response relationship. Subgroup analyses revealed a distinction in cognitive changes, particularly in the MCI group. Conclusion The COGNIMO platform showed positive effects on cognitive function in MCI patients, suggesting potential benefits for this population. The study highlights the potential of AR-integrated home-based interventions for cognitive enhancement in elderly individuals, underlining the need for further trials in the future.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The "closing-in" phenomenon refers to the tendency to copy near or overlap a model while performing figure-copying tasks. The mechanisms underlying the closing-in phenomenon have not been fully elucidated, and previous studies only investigated the mechanisms through neuropsychological tests. We investigated the neuroanatomical correlates of the closing-in phenomenon using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). METHODS: Thirty-eight patients diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 21 normal controls were included. All subjects underwent neuropsychological testing to diagnose dementia and magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo brain magnetic resonance imaging for the voxel-based statistical analysis. The subjects were asked to copy the modified Luria's alternating squares and triangles to quantify the closing-in phenomenon. We applied SPM8 for the VBM analysis to detect gray matter loss associated with the closing-in phenomenon. RESULTS: The patients with probable AD showed a higher closing-in score than that of the normal control subjects (p<0.0001). The VBM analysis revealed more parietal and temporal atrophy in the patients with AD than that in the normal control group. Moreover, atrophy of the orbito-frontal area was associated with the closing-in phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS: The closing-in phenomenon is dysfunction while performing figure-copying tasks and is more common in patients with AD. The analysis of the orbito-frontal area, which is associated with inhibiting primitive reflexes, revealed that the closing-in phenomenon is an imitation behavior commonly observed in patients with frontal lobe damage.
Alzheimer Disease ; Atrophy ; Brain ; Dementia ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Rabeprazole ; Reflex

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of dementia patients is increasing the importance of identifying them and also those at a high risk of dementia. The early diagnosis and management of dementia can slow the progression of the disease and reduce the socioeconomic burden. For these purposes, the Local Dementia Centers established in all regions of Korea are working on the early detection of dementia using neuropsychological batteries. This study investigated the utility of the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery-Core (SNSB-C) in a dementia management project performed in the local community. METHODS: This study was conducted in two parts. The first part used data from the Local Dementia Centers to investigate the accuracy of detecting cognitive impairment in SNSB-C compared with the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery-Second Edition (SNSB-II). The second part of this study which data from hospital examined the accuracy of diagnosing dementia using SNSB-C. RESULTS: Data were collected from 508 participants at the Local Dementia Centers in Daejeon and 50 participants at a hospital. SNSB-C had a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting cognitive impairment, and also a high sensitivity, high specificity, and positive predictive value for diagnosing dementia. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity in diagnosing dementia was as high for SNSB-C as for SNSB-II while taking less time. SNSB-C could therefore be a good diagnostic evaluation tool for use in local dementia centers.
Cognition Disorders ; Dementia ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seoul

BACKGROUND: Cultural characteristics of taking care of patients with dementia in Korea are based on the influence of Confucianism on the lifestyle of Koreans. In addition, as the family size has been getting smaller, the number of old persons who live alone has been increasing. The purpose of this study is to examine the proportion of the elderly with dementia who live alone and demographics of caregivers when such patients live with their family. METHODS: From the multiple hospital-based cohort, 973 elderly patients with very mild dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR]=0.5), 1,056 patients with mild dementia (CDR=1) and 359 patients with moderate dementia (CDR=2) were recruited. We analyzed the proportion of the patients with dementia who live alone and the demographics of the caregivers if such patients live with and are taken care of by such caregivers depending upon the severity of dementia. RESULTS: The proportion of the patients with dementia who live alone accounts for about 40% of all elderly patients with dementia. Major age groups of caregivers are of 40s and 50s. Sons, daughters, and spouses were ranked in the said order in the proportion of caregivers according to their relationship to patients. CONCLUSIONS: Up to now, family members care for about 60% of elderly patients with dementia, which may suggest that from the objective viewpoint, direct burden borne by caregivers for old patients with dementia would be considerably high. On the other hand, about 40% of dementia patients live alone, implying that the social care system is needed for them.
Aged ; Caregivers ; Cohort Studies ; Confucianism ; Cultural Characteristics ; Dementia ; Demography ; Family Characteristics ; Hand ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Nuclear Family ; Spouses