The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends in the sources of dietary sodium intake in a representative Korean population in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted in 1998, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. The study consisted of 53,570 men and women aged 7 years or older participating in the KNHANES during the corresponding years. Overall sodium intake and the mean percent contribution of each dish and food group to dietary sodium intake across 1998-2010 were calculated. The means of sodium intake ranged between 4,572.6-5,498.9 mg/d across 1998-2010. The major dish groups contributing to dietary sodium intake were kimchi (1,154.8-1,521.2 mg/d), noodles and dumplings (505.3-760.5 mg/d), soups (465.3-714.8 mg/d), and stews and casseroles (387.0-579.8 mg/d). The combined mean percent contribution from the top four dish groups contributing to dietary sodium intake showed a slight decrease over the period; 64.4% in 1998, 64.5% in 2001, 59.3% in 2005, 58.2% in 2007, 56.3% in 2008, 56.7% in 2009, and 54.4% in 2010. The major food groups contributing to dietary sodium intake were seasonings (1,852.9-2,435.9 mg/d), vegetables (1,425.6-1,792.1 mg/d), grains (482.2-778.1 mg/d), and fish and shellfish (257.2-351.4 mg/d). In addition, the combined mean percent contribution from the top four food groups showed a slight decrease over the period; 92.8% in 1998, 93.2% in 2001, 93.8% in 2005, 92.1% in 2007, 91.7% in 2008, 90.9% in 2009, and 90.7% in 2010. In summary, we did not observe a reduction in dietary sodium intake over time, however, the percent contributions from the top major dish groups or food groups to dietary sodium intake showed a decrease over the last decade.
Aged ; Edible Grain ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; Seasons ; Shellfish ; Sodium ; Sodium, Dietary ; Vegetables

Purpose: To report two cases of adult inclusion conjunctivitis masquerading as chronic conjunctivitis.Case summary: (Case 1) A 34-year-old man presented with a foreign body sensation in his right eye for 2 months. At the first visit, slit lamp examination showed follicles on the inferior palpebral conjunctiva. Chlamydia trachomatis immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were positive. The patient was prescribed doxycycline for 1 week, which improved the symptoms, followed by gentamicin and levofloxacin for an additional 5 days, which further improved the clinical symptoms and conjunctivitis. (Case 2) A 39-year-old man presented with right eye pain and redness for 5 months. At the first visit, slit lamp examination showed follicles on the inferior palpebral conjunctiva. Chlamydia trachomatis IgM antibody and PCR tests were positive. After 1 week of doxycycline treatment, the clinical symptoms and conjunctivitis improved. Conclusions Because adult inclusion conjunctivitis caused by chlamydial infection has non-specific symptoms, it can be misdiagnosed as chronic conjunctivitis. A detailed medical history and appropriate diagnostic tests are necessary to make this diagnosis.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify factors affecting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination intention. Methods: For an anonymous online survey, recruitment notices were posted on an anonymous community by each university, and an online survey was conducted through online form from June to July 2021. COVID-19 knowledge and health-protective behavior were measured using a questionnaire based on previous literature and reflecting the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Response Guidelines. The psychological antecedents of vaccination were measured by 5C scale. Results: Two-hundred and ninety-four college students (women 67.3%) answered the survey; 179 (60.9%) reported that they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. The mean scores for COVID-19 knowledge and health-protective behavior were 22.97 ± 5.33 (out of 35) and 9.92 ± 2.22 (out of 12), respectively. For the psychological antecedents of vaccination, the mean scores for confidence, collective responsibility, calculation, complacency, and constraints were 4.45 ( ± 1.24), 5.61 ( ± 1.09), 5.09 ( ± 1.18), 2.42 ( ± 1.11), and 2.37 ( ± 1.19) out of 5 points, respectively. The confidence, calculation, and collective responsibility were associated with vaccination intention. Additionally, the top reason for those who were less prone to accept vaccination against COVID-19 was concern about vaccine safety. Conclusion The higher the confidence in the vaccine and the higher the collective responsibility, the higher the vaccination intention. As it is a factor related to an individual’s perception of COVID-19 information, it is necessary to increase confidence in the vaccines through obtaining accurate information on the safety, effectiveness, and side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the association of socioeconomic factors, acculturation, and body mass index (BMI) as the first large prospective cohort study to determine the state of health of Vietnamese-born migrant women residing in Korea. METHODS: Participants were Vietnamese marriage-based immigrant women living in Korea. Data (n=1,066) was collected during both periods of baseline (2006–2011) and follow-up (2012–2014) in 34 cities in Korea. RESULTS: The results show that acculturation stress is relatively low among participants. Current BMI showed a significant difference according to the current age, monthly family income, and psychophysical stress. Depending on age, education level, monthly family income, we identified a significant difference in the annual BMI change. In correlation analysis, current BMI was significantly associated with age at arrival, reading and writing in Korean language adaptation, and psychophysical stress. Annual BMI change was significantly associated with age at arrival and years since immigration. CONCLUSION: Our analysis revealed that acculturation measured by Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students had no association with current BMI or annual BMI change, but had an association with several socioeconomic statuses. This study had the advantage that subjects had a homogenous background of marriage-based immigrant women, so we could see the association of BMI and acculturation, without considering cofounding factors.
Acculturation ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Mass Index ; Cohort Studies ; Education ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Emigration and Immigration ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Prospective Studies ; Social Class ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Transients and Migrants ; Women's Health ; Writing

BACKGROUND: Recently, many studies have reported that university students have been suffering from stress because of their the uncertainty of their future and employment. Eating habits have often been considered as one of health-related behaviors that may be affected by life stress. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between stress and eating habits in university students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed. The subjects were 282 university students which assessed their eating habits and stresses. The total numbs of students in the study 263. Eating habits were scored using a questionnaire consisting of three categories-regularity, balance, and preference. The stress was assessed by modified Korean version of BEPSI. RESULTS: The stress score was 2.4 and the total score of eating habits was 44.2. The regularity among the domains of eating habits was 14.1, the balance score was 16.1, and the preference was 14.0. In multiple regression after adjustment with confounding variables, stress had a negative relationship with eating habits. CONCLUSION: The relationship between stress and eating habits was statistically significant, especially in regularity and balance. It is important to know not only the health status, but also the factors associated with health such as stresses and eating habits in order to improve the health status of the university students. Further research needs to uncover causality and make a generalization.
Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating* ; Employment ; Generalization (Psychology) ; Humans ; Stress, Psychological ; Uncertainty ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/AIMS: GC7101, an extract of Lonicera Flos, is a novel developing drug for reflux esophagitis and functional dyspepsia. However, the drug's exact pharmacological mechanism of action remains unclear. This study assessed the effects of GC7101 on gastrointestinal (GI) motor function. METHODS: We used male guinea pigs to evaluate the effects of GC7101 on GI motility. The contraction of antral circular muscle in the presence of different doses of GC7101 was measured in a tissue bath. The prokinetic effects of GC7101 were tested using the charcoal transit assay from the pylorus to the most distal point of migration of charcoal mixture. To clarify the mechanism of action of GC7101, atropine, dopamine and the selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor antagonist, GR113808 were used. RESULTS: The maximal amplitude of circular muscle contraction was induced by 5 mg mL(-1) GC7101. The area under the curve of contraction was significantly increased at 5 mg mL(-1) GC7101. Addition of 10(-6) M atropine, 10(-8) M dopamine or 10(-7) M GR 113808 to GC7101 5 mg mL(-1) decreased the amplitude and area under curve compared to GC7101 5 mg mL(-1) alone. GC7101 accelerated GI transit in a dose dependent manner except 100 mg kg(-1). Delayed GI transit caused by atropine, dopamine and GR 113808 was restored by GC7101 50 mg kg(-1). CONCLUSIONS: GC7101, an extract of Lonicera Flos, exerts a gastric prokinetic effect in guinea pig through cholinergic, antidopaminergic and serotonergic mechanisms. Therefore, GC7101 might be a novel drug for the treatment of functional dyspepsia.
Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Atropine ; Baths ; Charcoal ; Dopamine ; Dyspepsia ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Guinea Pigs ; Humans ; Lonicera ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; Pylorus ; Serotonin

Patients with hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) can rapidly develop profound anemia as the disease progresses, as a consequence of red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis and inadequate erythropoietin synthesis. Therefore, RBC transfusion should be considered in HUS patients with severe anemia to avoid cardiac or pulmonary complications. Most patients who are Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusion, even in the face of life-threatening medical conditions due to their religious convictions. These patients require management alternatives to blood transfusions. Erythropoietin is a glycopeptide that enhances endogenous erythropoiesis in the bone marrow. With the availability of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), several authors have reported its successful use in patients refusing blood transfusion. However, the optimal dose and duration of treatment with rHuEPO are not established. We report a case of a 2-year-old boy with diarrhea-associated HUS whose family members are Jehovah's Witnesses. He had severe anemia with acute kidney injury. His lowest hemoglobin level was 3.6 g/dL, but his parents refused treatment with packed RBC transfusion due to their religious beliefs. Therefore, we treated him with high-dose rHuEPO (300 IU/kg/day) as well as folic acid, vitamin B12, and intravenous iron. The hemoglobin level increased steadily to 7.4 g/dL after 10 days of treatment and his renal function improved without any complications. To our knowledge, this is the first case of successful rHuEPO treatment in a Jehovah's Witness child with severe anemia due to HUS.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Anemia* ; Blood Transfusion ; Bone Marrow ; Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Erythrocytes ; Erythropoiesis ; Erythropoietin* ; Folic Acid ; Hemolysis ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome* ; Humans* ; Iron ; Jehovah's Witnesses ; Male ; Parents ; Religion ; Vitamin B 12

OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic performance of transrectal ultrasound in virgin patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, compared with conventional transvaginal ultrasound assessment. METHODS: Ultrasound examinations were performed in 963 Korean women, with transvaginal transducers in 677 women and transrectal transducers in 286 women at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital. Transvaginal ultrasound examinations were performed in 494 normal control women and 183 PCOS patients according to National Institutes of Health (NIH) PCOS diagnostic criteria. In virgin patients, transrectal ultrasound examinations were performed in 141 normal control women and 145 PCOS patients. ROC curves were calculated for ovarian volume and follicle number. RESULTS: By transvaginal ultrasound examination, the ovarian volume showed an area under the ROC curve (AURC) of 0.838. An ovarian volume decision threshold > 7 cm3 had a sensitivity of 73.0% and a specificity of 84.2% for the diagnosis of PCOS. The follicle number showed an AURC of 0.886. A follicle number decision threshold > or = 9 had a sensitivity of 78.6% and a specificity of 87.2% for the diagnosis of PCOS. By transrectal ultrasound examination, the ovarian volume and the follicle number showed AURCs of 0.815 as same thresholds with a sensitivity of 67.2% and 66.4%, respectively and a specificity of 86.8% each. Ovarian volume and follicle number by transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound assessment had a high diagnostic power for PCOS screening. CONCLUSION: Transrectal ultrasound assessment is as effective as conventional transvaginal ultrasound for the detection of PCOS in virgin patients.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography*

Chalcones (1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones), a flavonoid subfamily, are widely known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Propenone moiety in chalcones is known to play an important role in generating biological responses by chalcones. In the present study, we synthesized chalcone derivatives structurally modified in propenone moiety and examined inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production and its potential mechanisms. Among the chalcone derivatives used for this study, TI-I-174 (3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-(thiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one) most potently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitrite production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. TI-I-174 treatment also markedly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. However, TI-I-174 did not significantly affect production of IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), implying that TI-I-174 inhibits production of inflammatory mediators in a selective manner. Treatment of macrophages with TI-I-174 significantly inhibited transcriptional activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) as determined by luciferase reporter gene assay, whereas nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity was not affected by TI-I-1744. In addition, TI-I-174 significantly inhibited activation of c-Jun-N-Terminal kinase (JNK) without affecting ERK1/2 and p38MAPK, indicating that down-regulation of iNOS gene expression by TI-I-174 is mainly attributed by blockade of JNK/AP-1 activation. We also demonstrated that TI-I-174 treatment led to an increase in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression both at mRNA and protein level. Transfection of siRNA targeting HO-1 reversed TI-I-174-mediated inhibition of nitrite production. Taken together, these results indicate that TI-I-174 suppresses NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages via induction of HO-1 and blockade of AP-1 activation.
Chalcone* ; Chalcones ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Reporter ; Heme Oxygenase-1* ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Luciferases ; Macrophages* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Nitric Oxide* ; Phosphotransferases ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transcription Factor AP-1* ; Transfection ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

We report a very rare case of unilateral blepharoptosis and swelling as an unusual complication of a filler injection. The patient received a filler injection into the forehead 4 years previously by an unlicensed practitioner. In the operation, an encapsulated yellowish cyst with inflammation was found to be adhered to the orbital septum and was excised. To prevent additional inferior migration of the remaining foreign body in the forehead, the retro-orbicularis fascia and preaponeurotic fat pad area were sutured, with the exception of the levator aponeurosis. This cyst-like mass was histopathologically proven to be a multiple pseudocyst. After excision, the swelling disappeared and the ptotic eyelid also improved. The galea is connected with the posterior orbicularis fascia. The galea and posterior orbicularis fascia layer can function as a pathway through which the injected material can migrate from the forehead to the upper eyelid. Weakening of the orbicularis retaining ligament and leakage of the foreign body through the supraorbital foramen may also cause filler migration. This case underscores the need for clinicians to be aware of the potential migration of filler even many years after an injection. We advise that filler injections should be performed by trained physicians and that it should be made known that migration is possible.
Adipose Tissue ; Blepharoptosis ; Dermal Fillers ; Eyelids* ; Fascia ; Forehead* ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Ligaments ; Orbit