OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to correct the statistical errors in the previous article on "The Development of the 'Mental Fitness' Scale" (MFS) and to confirm the validity of factor structure via confirmatory factor analysis. METHODS: Based on re-analysis of the factor structure of 25 preliminary items using the original dataset, we identified 22 items of the MFS and assessed test-retest reliability. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating the new set of MFS with total scores of the Beck Depression Inventory and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. We also performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in order to verify the factor structure resulting from the exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: Re-analysis yielded five factors of 22 items, which is different from four factors of 20 items in the previous paper. 'Self-understanding' was added as one of the five factors. The test-retest reliability coefficients were significantly high, ranging between 0.57-0.73. Internal consistency was computed, and Cronbach's alpha for five factors ranged between 0.67-0.86, and was 0.91 for the total score. Concurrent validity and discriminant validity were both significant. The validity of five factor structure based on CFA was verified as root mean square error of approximation was significant. CONCLUSION: Based on results of confirmatory factor analysis, the validity and utility of the revised MFS was increased.
Appointments and Schedules ; Depression ; Factor Analysis, Statistical*

Anaplastic transformation of differentiated thyroid cancer at distant metastatic sites is extremely rare and has a poor prognosis. It usually occurs in the thyroid gland or cervical lymph nodes. Here we report a case of anaplastic transformation arising at multiple distant metastatic sites including the lung, liver, adrenal gland, bone, and lymph nodes in a patient 3 years after total thyroidectomy for follicular thyroid cancer.
Adrenal Glands* ; Humans ; Liver* ; Lung* ; Lymph Nodes ; Prognosis ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy

A system for assessing the burdens imposed by disease and injury was developed to meet healthcare, priority setting, and policy planning needs. The first such system, the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), was implemented in 1990. However, problems associated with limited data and assumed disability weightings remain to be resolved. The purpose of the present study was to estimate national burdens of injuries in Korea using more reliable data and disability weightings. The incidences of injuries were estimated using the Korean National Hospital Discharge Survey and the mortality data from the Korean National Statistical Office in 2010. Additionally, durations of injuries and age at injury onset were used to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALY) using disability weightings derived from the Korean Burden of Disease (KBD) study. Korea had 1,581,072 DALYs resulting from injuries (3,170 per 100,000), which was 22.9% higher than found by the GBD 2010 study. Males had almost twice as heavy an injury burden as females. Road injury, fall, and self-harm ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in terms of burden of injury in 2010. Total injury burden peaked in the forties, while burden per person declined gradually from early adulthood. We hope that this study contributes to the reliable evaluation of injury burden and a better understanding of injury-related health status using nation-specific, dependable data.
Death Certificates* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Health Care Surveys ; Hope ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality

The purpose of this study was to estimate the national burden of mental substance disorders on medical care utilization in Korea using National Health Insurance System (NHIS) data and updated disability weight, in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). For each of the 24 disorders, the incident years lived with disability (YLDs) was calculated, using NHIS data to estimate prevalence and incidence rates. The DisMod-II software program was used to model duration and remission. The years of life lost (YLLs) due to premature death were calculated from causes of death statistics. DALYs were computed as the sum of YLDs and YLLs, and time discounting and age weighting were applied. The year examined was 2012, and the subjects were divided into 9 groups according to age. In 2012, the Korean burden of mental and substance use disorders was 945,391 DALYs. More than 98% of DALYs were from YLDs, and the burden in females was greater than that in males, though the burden in males aged less than 19 years old was greater than that in females. Unipolar depressive disorders, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders were found to be major diseases that accounted for more than 70% of the burden, and most DALYs occurred in their 30–59. Mental and substance use disorders accounted for 6.2% of the total burden of disease and were found to be the 7th greatest burden of disease. Therefore, mental and substance use disorders need to be embraced by mainstream health care with resources commensurate with the burden.
Anxiety Disorders ; Cause of Death ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depressive Disorder ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality, Premature ; National Health Programs ; Prevalence ; Schizophrenia ; Substance-Related Disorders*

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Vocal fold paralysis secondary to sarcoidosis is extremely rare but it can develop as a result of compressive lymphadenopathy, granulomatous infiltration, and neural involvement. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with unilateral vocal fold paralysis and enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes. Computed tomography of the neck revealed multiple, enlarged, and matted lymph nodes at the cervical level of IV. An ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of the lymph node was performed, and a histopathological diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made by validating the presence of noncaseating granuloma. After implementation of steroid therapy, the patient exhibited immediate recovery from vocal fold paralysis. Although an extremely rare disease, sarcoidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of vocal fold paralysis. Accurate diagnosis and prompt steroid treatment may reduce the morbidity of patients with vocal fold paralysis secondary to sarcoidosis.
Biopsy, Large-Core Needle ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Paralysis ; Rare Diseases ; Sarcoidosis ; Vocal Cords

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) in alcohol-dependent patients. METHODS: The participants were 31 patients with alcohol dependence disorder. All participants were tested using the Korean version of C-SSRS. To test the concurrent validity, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Scale for Suicidal Ideation were applied. Reliability and validity were assessed by comparison of cronbach-alpha coefficients, Pearson's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The Korean version of C-SSRS was proved to be a reliable and valid method for assessment of suicidal risk by verification of internal consistency and concurrent validity. CONCLUSION: These results support that the Korean version of C-SSRS is a reliable and valid tool for prediction of suicidal risk in a clinical setting.
Alcoholism ; Depression ; Humans ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In type 2 diabetic patients, coronary artery disease (CAD) is usually detected at an advanced stage due to a lack of symptoms. The aim of this study was to define which clinical parameters or non-invasive tests predict CAD in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: One hundred fourteen asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients were divided into two groups based on the number of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (group A > or =2, group B < or =1). Treadmill exercise ECG tests (TMT) were conducted in all cases, and coronary artery angiography was performed on TMT-positive patients. Clinical parameters, diabetic status, and coronary angiographic findings were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of CAD was 41.0% in group A and 16.7% in group B. The number of risk factors was significantly correlated with the prevalence of CAD, but not with the severity of CAD. Multivariate analysis showed that family history of CAD (odds ratio [OR]=9.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60-55.49) and diabetes duration > or =10 years (OR=3.28; 95% CI, 1.29-8.84) were independent CAD risk factors in asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend a routine screening for CAD in type 2 diabetic patients who have a longer (> or =10 years) diabetic duration or a family history of CAD, even if they are asymptomatic for CAD.
Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease/*diagnosis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*complications ; Early Diagnosis ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Noonan syndrome is characterized by distinctive facial features, short stature, and congenital heart disease. It is a congenital genetic disorder with a prevalence of between 1/1,000 and 1/2,500 in both genders.An 11-year-old boy with Noonan syndrome visited the hospital with an ectopically positioned tooth. A pulmonary stenosis was diagnosed and his growth and development were delayed. In many cases of this diseases there is obvious hemostasis, which he was not experiencing. His facial appearance showed characteristic features of Noonan syndrome. The patient showed a dental class II relationship, labioversion of the upper anterior teeth, and a shallow overbite. Radiographic examination revealed that the upper right canine was ectopically positioned, which led to root resorption of the upper right lateral incisor. A lateral cephalometric radiograph revealed a craniofacial pattern that was within normal limits. Surgical opening and button attachment on the impacted upper right canine were performed and traction was applied on the impacted tooth using a removable appliance.This patient was mildly affected by Noonan syndrome and showed some dental problems. However, few studies have reported the oral characteristics of Noonan syndrome despite its high incidence. Thus, this case report describes the oral features and management of Noonan syndrome.
Child ; Growth and Development ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Incisor ; Male ; Noonan Syndrome ; Overbite ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; Root Resorption ; Tooth ; Tooth, Impacted ; Traction

Cordycepin, a valuable bioactive component isolated from Cordyceps militaris, has been reported to possess anti-cancer potential and the property to enhance the effects of chemotherapeutic agents in various types of cancers. However, the ability of cordycepin to chemosensitize cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells to gemcitabine has not yet been evaluated. The current study was performed to evaluate the above, and the mechanisms associated with it. The study analyzed the effects of cordycepin in combination with gemcitabine on the cancer stem-like properties of the CCA SNU478 cell line, including its anti-apoptotic, migratory, and antioxidant effects. In addition, the combination of cordycepin and gemcitabine was evaluated in the CCA xenograft model. The cordycepin treatment significantly decreased SNU478 cell viability and, in combination with gemcitabine, additively reduced cell viability.The cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly increased the Annexin V+ population and downregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression, suggesting that the decreased cell viability in the cordycepin+gemcitabine group may result from an increase in apoptotic death. In addition, the cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly reduced the migratory ability of SNU478 cells in the wound healing and trans-well migration assays. It was observed that the cordycepin and gemcitabine cotreatment reduced the CD44 high CD133 high population in SNU478 cells and the expression level of sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox-2), indicating the downregulation of the cancer stem-like population. Cordycepin also enhanced oxidative damage mediated by gemcitabine in MitoSOX staining associated with the upregulated Kelch like ECH Associated Protein 1 (Keap1)uclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression ratio. In the SNU478 xenograft model, co-administration of cordycepin and gemcitabine additively delayed tumor growth. These results indicate that cordycepin potentiates the chemotherapeutic property of gemcitabine against CCA, which results from the downregulation of its cancer-stem-like properties. Hence, the combination therapy of cordycepin and gemcitabine may be a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of CCA.

Cordycepin, a valuable bioactive component isolated from Cordyceps militaris, has been reported to possess anti-cancer potential and the property to enhance the effects of chemotherapeutic agents in various types of cancers. However, the ability of cordycepin to chemosensitize cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells to gemcitabine has not yet been evaluated. The current study was performed to evaluate the above, and the mechanisms associated with it. The study analyzed the effects of cordycepin in combination with gemcitabine on the cancer stem-like properties of the CCA SNU478 cell line, including its anti-apoptotic, migratory, and antioxidant effects. In addition, the combination of cordycepin and gemcitabine was evaluated in the CCA xenograft model. The cordycepin treatment significantly decreased SNU478 cell viability and, in combination with gemcitabine, additively reduced cell viability.The cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly increased the Annexin V+ population and downregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression, suggesting that the decreased cell viability in the cordycepin+gemcitabine group may result from an increase in apoptotic death. In addition, the cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly reduced the migratory ability of SNU478 cells in the wound healing and trans-well migration assays. It was observed that the cordycepin and gemcitabine cotreatment reduced the CD44 high CD133 high population in SNU478 cells and the expression level of sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox-2), indicating the downregulation of the cancer stem-like population. Cordycepin also enhanced oxidative damage mediated by gemcitabine in MitoSOX staining associated with the upregulated Kelch like ECH Associated Protein 1 (Keap1)uclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression ratio. In the SNU478 xenograft model, co-administration of cordycepin and gemcitabine additively delayed tumor growth. These results indicate that cordycepin potentiates the chemotherapeutic property of gemcitabine against CCA, which results from the downregulation of its cancer-stem-like properties. Hence, the combination therapy of cordycepin and gemcitabine may be a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of CCA.