No abstract available.

Purpose: To determine the prognostic role of muscle area and muscle radiation attenuation in the erector spinae (ES) and multifidus (MF) muscles in patients undergoing gastrectomy. Methods: Patients with stage I-III gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Clinicopathologic characteristics were collected and analyzed. Both paraspinal muscle index of ES/MF muscles (PMIEM) and paraspinal muscle radiation attenuation in the same muscles (PMRAEM) were analyzed at the 3rd lumbar level using axial computed tomographic images. Cox regression analysis was applied to estimate overall survival (OS) and diseasefree survival (DFS). Results: There was only a weak correlation between PMIEM and PMRAEM (r = 0.28). Multivariate Cox regression revealed that PMRAEM, but not PMIEM, was an important determinant of survival. PMRAEM along with age, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, perineural invasion, and serum albumin level were significant determinants of both OS and DFS that constituted Model 1. Harrell’s concordance index and integrated area under receiver operating characteristic curve were greater for Model 1 than for Model 2 (consisting of the same covariates as Model 1 except PMRAEM) or Model 3 (consisting of only TNM stage). Conclusion PMRAEM, but not PMIEM, was an important determinant of survival. Because there was only a weak correlation between PMIEM and PMRAEM in this study, it was presumed that they were mutually exclusive. Model 1 consisting of age, TNM stage, perineural invasion, serum albumin level, and PMRAEM was greater than nested models (i.e., Model 2 or Model 3) in predicting survival outcomes.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the current status of food allergy (FA) and to analyze the relationship between allergy to individual foods and other allergic diseases in elementary school children. METHODS: We performed a questionnaire survey for FA, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis using International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaires. A total of 1,929 students in 3 elementary schools were enrolled. RESULTS: A total of 324 students (16.8%) had ever suffered from FA symptoms more than once. Only 64 out of 324 students (19.8%) were diagnosed with FA by doctors. The presence of soy allergy was associated with the increased risk of bronchial asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.87 to 18.59). The presence of egg (aOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.04 to 3.52) and wheat allergy (aOR, 5.45; 95% CI, 1.94 to 15.36) were associated with the increased prevalence of allergic rhinitis. The allergic symptoms to fruits/tomato was associated with the increased risk of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms (aOR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.18 to 7.47). The allergic symptoms to egg (aOR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.22 to 4.29), wheat (aOR, 4.91; 95% CI, 1.86 to 12.95), and shrimp/crab (aOR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.37 to 4.49) were associated with the presence of atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of FA of elementary school students in Bucheon-city was 16.8%. A significant positive association between the suspected foods and the other allergic diseases was found. Soy allergy was significantly correlated to having bronchial asthma and fruits/tomato allergy correlated with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
Asthma ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Odds Ratio ; Ovum ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Triticum ; Wheat Hypersensitivity ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the clinical and phylogenetic characteristics of Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infections (E. coli UTI). METHODS: We enrolled patients with culture-proven E. coli UTI, who were admitted at the study hospital from September 2008 to August 2009. We investigated clinical data of patients with E. coli UTI and characteristics of isolated E. coli strains. The phylogenetic groups were classified using triplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the distribution of nine virulent genes was determined by multiplex PCR. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients have participated in this study. Thirty (63.8%) were under 6 months; eight (17.0%) were between 6-12 months; and nine (19.1%) were over 12 months. We compared two age groups between under 6-month and over 6-month. In the age group under 6-month, higher proportion of male (P=0.002) and group B2 strains (P=0.020) were observed. In contrast, higher proportion of female and group non-B2 strains were observed in age group over 6-month. Frequencies of papC, papGII, papGIII, sfa/foc, hlyC, cnf1, fyuA, iroN and iucC were estimated as 68.1%, 57.4%, 42.6%, 46.8%, 46.8%, 31.9%, 87.2%, 48.9% and 63.8%, respectively. In the comparison of phylogenetic groups, group B2 showed higher distribution of virulent genes, while group D included more strains resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) than other groups. CONCLUSION: We showed the age group-specific difference in the distribution of sex ratios and phylogenetic groups; more male and group B2 strains in age group under 6-month, while more female and group non-B2 in age group over 6-month. However, further evaluation including larger number of patients will be necessary to confirm above thesis in future molecular epidemiological studies.
Epidemiologic Studies ; Escherichia ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Iron ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sex Ratio ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is the most common and disabling complication of diabetes that may lead to foot ulcers and limb amputations. Despite widespread awareness of DN, the only effective treatments are glucose control and pain management. A growing body of evidence suggests that DN is characterized by reduction of vascularity in peripheral nerves and deficiency in neurotrophic and angiogenic factors. Previous studies have tried to introduce neurotrophic or angiogenic factors in the form of protein or gene for therapy, but the effect was not significant. Recent studies have shown that bone marrow (BM)-derived stem or progenitor cells have favorable effects on the repair of cardiovascular diseases. Since these BM-derived stem or progenitor cells contain various angiogenic and neurotrophic factors, these cells have been attempted for treating experimental DN, and turned out to be effective for reversing various manifestations of experimental DN. These evidences suggest that cell therapy, affecting both vascular and neural components, can represent a novel therapeutic option for treatment of clinical DN.
Adult ; Amputation ; Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Bone Marrow ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; Extremities ; Foot Ulcer ; Glucose ; Humans ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Pain Management ; Peripheral Nerves ; Stem Cells ; Tissue Therapy

Betaine supplementation has been shown to alleviate altered glucose and lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet or a high-sucrose diet. We investigated the beneficial effects of betaine in diabetic db/db mice. Alleviation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stress was also examined in the livers and brains of db/db mice fed a betaine-supplemented diet. Male C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were fed with or without 1% betaine for 5 wk (referred to as the db/db-betaine group and the db/db group, respectively). Lean non-diabetic db/+ mice were used as the control group. Betaine supplementation significantly alleviated hyperinsulinemia in db/db mice. Betaine reduced hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha, a major transcription factor involved in gluconeogenesis. Lower serum triglyceride concentrations were also observed in the db/db-betaine group compared to the db/db group. Betaine supplementation induced hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a mRNA levels, and reduced acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity. Mice fed a betaine-supplemented diet had increased total glutathione concentrations and catalase activity, and reduced lipid peroxidation levels in the liver. Furthermore, betaine also reduced ER stress in liver and brain. c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity and tau hyperphosphorylation levels were lower in db/db mice fed a betaine-supplemented diet, compared to db/db mice. Our findings suggest that betaine improves hyperlipidemia and tau hyperphosphorylation in db/db mice with insulin resistance by alleviating ER and oxidative stress.
Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase ; Animals ; Betaine ; Brain ; Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase ; Catalase ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Gluconeogenesis ; Glucose ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hyperlipidemias ; Insulin Resistance ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Male ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress ; PPAR alpha ; PPAR gamma ; RNA, Messenger ; Transcription Factors

Fetal chylothorax is a rare congenital manifestation that shows variable clinical outcome ranging from complete spontaneous resolution to progression into hydrops or lung hypoplasia. There is no consensus in the literature as to the optimal antenatal management despite several complications such as preterm delivery, pulmonary hypoplasia, and perinatal death. Pleuroamniotic shunting has been the treatment of choice in fetal chylothorax. Recently, new fetal therapy such as OK-432 (Picibanil) pleurodesis is being introduced. Herein, we present two cases of women referred at early 2nd trimester because of fetal hydrothorax by routine ultrasonography. Cytology obtained by thoracocentesis revealed abundant lymphocytes, suggesting chylothorax. Effusion was aspirated and OK-432 (Picibanil) was injected into the pleural space of fetus. On follow up ultrasonography, the pleural effusion was nearly resolved by adhesion of the intrathoracic space and resulted in the delivery of a healthy neonate. Intrapleural OK-432 injection may be feasible therapeutic option for selected cases in early 2nd trimester with persistent chylothorax for effective control of pleural effusion with no adverse effects.
Chylothorax ; Consensus ; Edema ; Female ; Fetal Therapies ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrothorax ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung ; Lymphocytes ; Picibanil ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurodesis

No abstract available.
Dermatofibrosarcoma* ; Nose*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Atherosclerosis is associated with increased inflammation in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Vitamin D has been reported to modulate the inflammatory responses of stromal vascular cells (SVCs) and adipocytes in adipose tissue, but the role of vitamin D in atherosclerosis biology is unclear. This study examined the effects of in vitro 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25[OH] 2 D 3 ) treatment on the inflammatory responses of SVCs and adipocytes from atherosclerotic mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6J (B6) mice were divided randomly into 2 groups and fed a 10% kcal fat control diet (control group, CON) or 41% kcal fat, 0.21% cholesterol (high fat+ cholesterol, HFC) diet (obese group, OB), and B6.129S7-Ldlr tm1Her /J (Ldlr −/− ) mice were fed a HFC diet (obese with atherosclerosis group, OBA) for 16 weeks. SVCs and adipocytes isolated from VAT were pre-incubated with 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 for 24 h and stimulated with lipopolysaccarides for the next 24 h. Proinflammatory cytokine production by adipocytes and SVCs, the immune cell population in SVCs, and the expression of the genes involved in the inflammatory signaling pathway in SVCs were determined. RESULTS: The numbers of total macrophages and SVCs per mouse were higher in OB and OBA groups than the CON group. The in vitro 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 treatment significantly reduced macrophages/SVCs (%) in the OBA group. Consistent with this change, the production of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) by SVCs from the OBA group was decreased by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 treatment. The 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 treatment significantly reduced the toll-like receptor 4 and dual-specificity protein phosphatase 1 (also known as mitogenactivated protein kinase phosphatase 1) mRNA levels in SVCs and MCP-1 production by adipocytes from all 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that vitamin D can attribute to the inhibition of the inflammatory response in VAT from atherosclerotic mice by reducing proinflammatory cytokine production.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a high risk factor for various chronic diseases. Therefore, physicians are expected to play a critical role in patients smoking cessation. There have been a number of studies which show that cessation recommendation by physicians is effective for patients to stop smoking. The purpose of this study is to assess physicians smoking status and its effect on physicians attitude for their advice to patients to quit smoking. METHODS: During August and September in 1995, self-report questionnaire was distributed to doctors in Jin-Gu, Pusan. It consisted of inquiries on their demographic features, their smoking status, whether physicians ask patients their smoking status or not, whether physicians advise patients to quit smoking or not, and whether physicians confirm patients smoking cessation. Among 203 responses returned, 193 cases was analyzed. RESULTS: Among the total 193 persons, 60 persons are smoking now(31.4%, Men 34.5%, women 0%), and 88 persons(67.2%) are ex-smoker. 84.1% of smokers have tried to quit smoking, and stress was the most common reason for failure. Smoking rate and experience rate were higher in men than in women(P<0.001), but there were no significant differences in smoking rate and experience rate according to ages, religions, specialties, hospital types, and positions. Among responders 144 cases(75.0%) asked smoking status of patients. 21.4% of them asked smoking status of all patients who may smoke, and 25.0% of them hardly ask smoking status of patients. For question about patients' smoking status, the younger physicians were more active in asking smoking status of patients(p=0.038), and the physicians in hospital did much more than physicians in university hospital and private clinics(p=0.015). Among responders, 161 persons(84.7%) advised patients to quit smoking, and 19.5% of them advised to quit smoking for all patients who smoked. However, 15.3% of them hardly gave patients such suggestion. It was found that there was no significant relationship between physicians smoking status and attitudes toward giving patients suggestion to quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that there was no significant relationship between physicians smoking status and their attitudes toward giving patients suggestion to quit smoking, and physicians smoking status did not have any effect on smoking cessation advice. However, this study does not exclude the possibility that the results might be reversed, if the census would be extended to broader area. Physicians should take an active role against smoking.
Busan ; Censuses ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation* ; Smoking* ; Surveys and Questionnaires