A new bioelectrical impedance method has been developed and evaluated. The electrodes; were made of stainless steel and electrical interfaces were created by an upright subject gripping hand electrodes and stepping onto foot electrodes. Eight tactile electrodes were in contact with surfaces of both hands and feet; thumb, palm and fingers, front sole, and rear sole. Automatic on-off switches were used to change current pathways and to measure voltage differences for target segments. Segmental body resistances and whole body resistance(RWHOLE)were measured in 60 healthy subjects. Segmental resistances of right arm(RRA), left arm(RLA), trunk(RT), right leg(RRL) and left leg(RLL)were310.0+/-61.6 omega, 316.9+/-64.6 omega, 25.1+/-3.4 omega, 236.8+/-31.2 omega and 237.6+/-30.4 omega, respectively. Individual segmental impedance indexes(Ht2/RRA, Ht2/RT, and Ht2 /RLA) were closely related to lean body mass(LBM)as measured by densitometry ranged from r=0.925 to 0.960. Ht2/(RRA+RT+RLA) predicted LBM slightly better(r=0.969) than the traditional index, Ht2/RWHOLE(r=0.964), supporting the accuracy of the segmental measurement. A multiple regression equation utilizing Ht2/RRA, Ht2/RT and Ht2/RRL predicted LBM with r=0.971. Ht2/RRA term of the regression contributed to more than 40% of the LBM prediction, indicating that lean mass of arm represented whole body LBM more closely than other body segments. The new bioimpedance method was characterized by upright posture, eight tactile electrodes, segmental measurements and utilization of electronic switches in comparison with the traditional method. The measurement with this new method was extremely reproducible, quick and easy to use.
Adipose Tissue ; Arm ; Body Composition* ; Densitometry ; Electric Impedance* ; Electrodes ; Fingers ; Foot ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Posture ; Stainless Steel ; Thumb

Although medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is considered as a cornerstone of medical treatment for hypercholesterolemia, few studies have evaluated medical and economical outcome of MNT. This study was conducted to identify whether MNT administered by registered dieticians could lead to a beneficial clinical and cost outcome in persons with hypercholesterolemia. A prospective clinical trial was carried out at outpatient clinics, which involved an initial visit with a dietitian followed by another visit at first 4 weeks during the 6 weeks study periods. Thirty-nine subjects took part in a 6 weeks nutrition intervention program. Clinical and economical outcomes were compared before and after MNT. Medical nutrition therapy lowered total serum cholesterol level 6.1% (P<0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 9.4% (P<0.05) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 3.0% (P<0.05). The cost-effective ratio was 1,520 won/cholesterol mg/dl and 1,441 won/LDL-cholesterol mg/dl, respectively. After dietitian's intervention, lipid drug eligibility was obviated in 16 of 39(41%) subjects. The cost savings from the avoidance of lipid medications was 151,107 won per patient annually. In conclusion, it is suggested that provision of systemic intensive nutritional care for persons with hypercholesterolemia has significant effects on serum cholesterol reduction and clinical cost savings.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Cholesterol ; Cost Savings ; Cost-Benefit Analysis* ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia* ; Lipoproteins ; Nutrition Therapy* ; Nutritionists ; Prospective Studies

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships among body composition, dietary intake, exercise, and life style in children(M=80, f=102) of the 5th and 6th grades of elementary school. Anthropometry and multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis were conducted to estimate body composition. Dietary intake, exercise, and life style were determined by using . When obesity was classified greater than 120% of the ideal body weight, the prevalence rates of obesity were 31.2% for boy and 20.6% for girl. There were significant differences in body composition between nonobese(NO) and obese(OB) groups. Mean fat mass(FM) and lean body mass(LBM) were 8.6 kg and 27.7 kg for NO group and 16.7 kg and 32.3 kg for OB group, respectively. Also a significant difference was found in hydration rate(TBW/body weight)between groups(<0.01). No significant difference was found I total calorie intake and nutrient intakes between groups. No difference was found in the frequency and duration of outdoor exercise and indoor activities. Mean sleeping hours was 8-9hours for 62% of nonobese children and for 59% of obese children. However, calorie intake per body weight was significantly lower inobese children than in nonobese. The present study showed that significant differences existed in their body size and composition between NO and OB groups, while no differences existed in daily calorie intake, excercise, and life style. This may indicate that important obesity-promoting factors of early onset obesity may rely on other factors such as hereditary or environmental factors besides factors considered. Further studies are required to understand obesity-promoting factors in children.
Anthropometry ; Body Composition ; Body Size ; Body Weight ; Child ; Electric Impedance ; Female ; Humans ; Ideal Body Weight ; Life Style ; Male ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The incidence of primary bone tumor of the acetabulum is 1-2% of all the bone tumors. Degenerative cystic change can occur in patients with hip dysplasia and this can be misdiagnosed as primary bone tumor. We have experienced 2 patients with painful dysplastic hips that were treated with curettage and autogenous bone graft for a cystic lesion that was originally misdiagnosed as primary bone tumor. The patients'hip pain and limitation of motion recurred, and so Bernese periacetabular osteotomy was performed for the dysplastic hips. At over one year follow-up, the corrected hips showed a painless and good range of motion.
Acetabulum ; Curettage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Incidence ; Osteotomy ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Transplants

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of peginterferon plus ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients under real life setting in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 758 CHC patients treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin between 2000 and 2008 from 14 university hospitals in the Gyeonggi-Incheon area in Korea. RESULTS: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 was detected in 61.2% of patients, while genotype 2 was detected in 35.5%. Baseline HCV RNA level was > or =6x10(5) IU/mL in 51.6% of patients. The sustained virological response (SVR) rate was 59.6% regardless of genotype; 53.6% in genotype 1 and 71.4% in genotype 2/3. On multivariate analysis, male gender (p=0.011), early virological response (p<0.001), genotype 2/3 (p<0.001), HCV RNA <6x10(5) IU/mL (p=0.005) and adherence to the drug >80% of the planned dose (p<0.001) were associated with SVR. The rate of premature discontinuation was 35.7%. The main reason for withdrawal was intolerance to the drug due to common adverse events or cytopenia (48.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the efficacy of peginterferon and ribavirin therapy in Koreans is better in Koreans than in Caucasians for the treatment of CHC, corroborating previous studies that have shown the superior therapeutic efficacy of this regimen in Asians.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribavirin ; RNA