BACKGROUND: Aging can serve as an underlying mechanism of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Also, smoking, which is the most common cause of COPD, is responsible for the systemic manifestations of the disease, independently from the lung function alterations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of aging on the occurrence of cigarette smoking induced COPD. METHODS: For this analysis, we evaluated smoking status by a lifestyle intervention program and measured the occurrence of COPD by the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2005 to 2015. RESULTS: Aging and smoking were significantly effected on the lung function of COPD patients. Especially, the smoking duration is exaggerated in the presence of old age for older COPD patients. CONCLUSION The result showed that COPD patients exhibit aging and smoking duration related severity. The prevalence of COPD kept increasing internationally. Knowing the risk factor of COPD quantitatively and finding out the interaction among risk factors could be valuable predictors for preventing COPD.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study are to review the literature on quality of life intervention programs and to recommend further research and clinical considerations to improve the quality of life among patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Three electronic databases - PubMed, CHINAHL and RISS - were searched using the search terms of “schizophrenia” AND “quality of life” AND “intervention*” OR “program*.” The search was limited to studies published in English and Korean. RESULTS: Ten studies were selected for the final analysis and evaluated in terms of contextual and methodological quality. The 10 studies consisted of 5 randomized controlled trials, 4 quasi-experimental studies, and 1 case report. The selected studies utilized an educational program, art and music therapy, physical activity therapy, and community-based integrated programs to alleviate psychological symptoms and showed effectiveness in improving quality of life. CONCLUSION: Interdisciplinary interventions and programs using multiple components reduced psychological symptoms and improved the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia.
Humans ; Motor Activity ; Music Therapy ; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Quality of Life ; Schizophrenia

We report a case of Mycobacterium fortuitum infection of the face and abdomen in a 25 years old man following cosmetic autologous fat injection. The goal of this manuscript is to increase awareness and suspicion of such as atypical mycobacterial infections complicating liposuction and fat injection. The clinical presentation, laboratory studies utilizing acid-fast stains and cultures, prevention and treatment including surgical debridement, and pharmacologic regimens in the ultimate diagnosis for Mycobacterium fortuitum infections are discussed.
Abdomen ; Coloring Agents ; Cosmetics ; Debridement ; Lipectomy ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium fortuitum

Background: Serum cystatin C (cysC), which is less affected by sex, race, and muscle mass than creatinine, is a useful biomarker of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The standardization of cysC measurements remains controversial, although a certified reference material (ERM-DA471/IFCC) is available. Moreover, the effect of combinations of cysC reagents and equations for eGFR is unclear. Methods: We conducted a simulation analysis of cysC measured using two reagents standardized against ERM-DA471/IFCC—Gentian cystatin C immunoassay (Gentiancys; GentianAS, Moss, Norway) and Roche Tina-quant Cystatin C Gen.2 (Rochecys; Roche, Mannheim, Germany)—on a Cobas c702 system (Roche) and eGFR generated by eight combinations of four equations: 2012 cystatin C-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation (CKD-EPIcys); the Caucasian, Asian, pediatric, and adult equation (CAPAeq); full age spectrum equation (FASeq); and 2023 cystatin C-based European Kidney Function Consortium equation (EKFCcys). Results: A total of 148 participants (mean age, 60.5±14.5 years; 43% female) were enrolled. The mean cysC was 1.72±1.44 mg/L for Gentiancys and 1.71±1.35 mg/L for Rochecys. Regression analysis showed concordance between the reagents within 0.85–4.40 mg/L when using ±7.61% total allowable error. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient of eGFR, by combining the measuring system and equation, varied from 0.73 to 1.00. Conclusions The equivalence of cysC values at low concentrations (<0.85 mg/L) between the two reagents was unsatisfactory. Results obtained with different measurement systems could lead to larger differences in eGFR varying with the combination.

The objective of this study was to observe the histology of dental pulp healing after tooth replantation in rats. The maxillary right first molars of 4-week-old rat were extracted, and then the teeth were repositioned in the original socket. At 3 days after replantation, there was localized inflammatory reaction. But, pulp revasculization and healing had already begun in the root area. At 5 days after replantation, odontoblast-like cells were observed. Tertiary dentin deposition was observed beneath the pulp-dentin border from 1 week after replantation. And tertiary dentin was increased at 2 weeks after replantation. The presence of odontoblast-like cells and the formation of tertiary dentin were continued to 4 weeks after replantation. At 4 weeks after replantation, the deposition of bone-like tissues and cementum-like tissues was observed. This results show that there is a possibility of pulp healing after tooth replantation in rats and the mineralization of tooth can progress. The mineralization of tooth after replantation was initially occurred by the deposition of tertiary dentin, but as time passed, the deposition of bone-like tissues and cementum-like tissues was begun and increased.
Animals ; Dental Pulp ; Dentin ; Molar ; Rats ; Replantation ; Tooth ; Tooth Replantation

Gangliocytic paraganglioma is a very rare tumor that is usually located in the duodenum. It is characterized by benign behavior and favorable outcomes; however, it sometimes shows regional lymph node metastasis. The clinical management of gangliocytic paraganglioma has not yet been standardized. A 36-year-old Korean man visited Kosin University Gospel Hospital for the management of a duodenal subepithelial mass that was detected incidentally. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed without any adverse events. Pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed gangliocytic paraganglioma. The patient has remained in good health during the 6 months of follow-up after the procedure.
Adult ; Duodenum ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraganglioma

BACKGROUND: Reducing the gaps in health inequality at a regional level and improving health equity have been emphasized in Korea, it is essential to accurately measure the burden of disease by region. This study aimed to estimate years of life lost (YLLs) in 17 Si and Do of Korea from 1997 to 2015 and determine the trends of regional differences in health status and disease structure. METHODS: YLL was calculated by subtracting the age at death from the life expectancy. Data on the region, gender, and age-stratified cause-specific death were obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service of Statistics Korea. RESULTS: Age-standardized YLLs per 100,000 population decreased by year in all regions from 1997 to 2015 by 27.4% (27.5% for men; 27.2% for women). Despite the decline in YLLs, the regions with the highest and lowest YLLs did not change between 1997 and 2015. The diseases showing regional differences were caused by injury, often classified as avoidable mortality. We also confirmed that YLLs were higher in the regions with a higher deprivation index. CONCLUSION The present study identified that YLLs differed by regions in Korea with specific causes. The findings of this study can be used by decision-makers to prioritize the reduction of regional gaps in premature deaths.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute inflammation of middle-sized arteries such as the coronary artery. KD is an important disease due to its high mortality rate, which approaches 1-2% without appropriate treatment. Since the various mucocutaneous lesions of KD are related to the dermatologic field, dermatologists should take an interest in this disorder and understand the lesions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of cutaneous lesions in Korean patients with KD. METHODS: A total of 919 patients with KD were assessed at the department of pediatric cardiology and dermatology, Myongji hospital between January 2006 and December 2010. RESULTS: Of the 919 patients, 566 (61.6%) were diagnosed with typical KD and 353 (38.4%) with atypical KD. KD was most frequent in the 4 year-old group (22.7%), and the ratio of male to female was 1.5:1. Among the mucocutaneous manifestations, erythema of the oropharyngeal mucosa (75.7%) occurred most frequently, followed by polymorphous trunk rash (41.7%), and changes of palms and soles (25.6%). A total of 606 patients (65.9%) with KD had associated diseases as follows: pneumonia (211 patients; 34.8%), pharyngotonsilitis (168 patients; 27.7%), gastroenteritis (132 patients; 21.8%), asthma (15 patients, 2.5%), atopic dermatitis (11 patients, 1.8%). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that change in the lips or oral cavity is the most common mucocutaneous manifestation in both classic and atypical KD. Also, morbiliform rash is the most common pattern of polymorphous rashes. Interestingly, erythema multiforme-like lesions occupied accounted for a considerable portion of KD cases compared to previous studies.
Arteries ; Asthma ; Cardiology ; Coronary Vessels ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatology ; Erythema ; Exanthema ; Female ; Gastroenteritis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lip ; Male ; Mouth ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Mucous Membrane ; Pneumonia

Acute necrotizing esophagitis (AEN), also called "black esophagus," is a rare disorder with an unknown pathogenesis. Endoscopic findings generally show black pigmentation throughout the esophagus. This case also offered rare views of the gross anatomy of this disorder. Histological examination revealed that the mucosal and submucosal layers of the esophagus were involved in the severe necrotizing inflammation. The chief manifestation of this disease is hematemesis from hemorrhage of the upper gastrointestinal tract with a typically multifactorial etiology. AEN is also characterized by a clear boundary at the gastroesophageal junction where the necrosis stops. In this study, we report an autopsy case of a 61-year-old man with necrotizing inflammation throughout the esophagus and esophageal necrosis from the laryngopharynx to the gastroesophageal junction. The patient was a disabled person with a history of alcohol abuse who was also diagnosed with mild coronary arteriosclerosis and fatty liver on the basis of the underlying diseases. In this case, the main etiology for poor perfusion from the distal esophageal area was likely underlying illness, history of alcoholism, and malnutrition.
Alcoholism ; Autopsy* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Disabled Persons ; Esophagitis* ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Fatty Liver ; Hematemesis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypopharynx ; Inflammation ; Malnutrition ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Perfusion ; Pigmentation ; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

We report a rare case of lung disease caused by Mycobacterium terrae in a previously healthy woman. A 45-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to a chronic cough with sputum. A computed tomography scan of the chest revealed bronchiolitis in conjuction with bronchiectasis in both lungs. Nontuberculous mycobacteria were identified and isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from each lung. All isolates were identified as M. terrae by various molecular methods that characterized the rpoB and hsp65 gene sequences. Antibiotic therapy using clarithromycin, rifampin, and ethambutol improved the patient's condition and successfully resulted in sputum conversion.
Bronchiectasis ; Bronchiolitis ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Clarithromycin ; Cough ; Ethambutol ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Rifampin ; Sputum ; Thorax