There is a dearth of Korean studies on dehydration, one of the health risks for adult women. This study analyzed the subjects of the 2016∼2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to investigate the relationship between nutrient intake ratios and sedentary time in dehydrated women. Body mass index and waist circumference in the dehydrated group (DG) were significantly higher than the normal group (NG). Intake of other liquids in the DG was significantly higher than in the NG, but total water intake in the DG was significantly lower than in the NG. Compared to the 600 sedentary minutes or more per day group, the odds ratio of dehydration was significantly higher in the less than 300 sedentary minutes per day group (1.871 [95% CI: 1.579∼2.215], P＜0.001). Compared to the drinking over 6.0 cups of water per day group, the odds ratio of dehydration was significantly higher in the 3 cups or fewer per day (OR [95% CI] is 1.198 times [1.019 to 1.408], P＜0.05), and 6.0 cups or fewer group (OR [95% CI] is 1.162 times [1.018 to 1.326], P＜0.05). The results of this study showed that the total water intake was relatively lower in the ≥600 sedentary minutes per day group compared to the 300 sedentary minutes per day group, making them more vulnerable to dehydration. The nutrient intake ratios were higher in the dehydration group than in the normal group. In conclusion, emphasis should be placed on the importance of hydration and nutrition education for adult women in the workplace.

This study evaluated the correlation between serum uric acid level and the nutrients adequacy ratio (NAR) using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2016∼2019. This is a cross-sectional study in which 6,579 Korean male adults were divided into quartiles according to their uric acid levels. All analyses were performed with adjusted age. Uric acid decreased as the age increased from the age group 19∼29 years to 30∼49 years and then to 50∼64 years. Interquartile results of serum uric acid levels showed that increases in the serum uric acid levels were associated with decreases in LDL-cholesterol (P＜0.01), triglycerides (P＜0.001), body weight (P＜0.001), waist circumference (P＜0.001), body mass index (P＜0.001), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P＜0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P＜0.001). However, uric acid levels decreased with an increase in HDL cholesterol (P＜0.001). The analysis of the NARs according to the quartiles of serum uric acid levels in men showed that an increase in serum uric acid levels was associated with a decrease in the NAR levels of dietary fiber (P＜0.001), calcium (P＜0.001), and folic acid (P＜0.001).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of signal intensity differences between in- and opposed-phase MRI and the lipid peak ratio in in-vivo proton MR spectroscopy of the gallbladder as diagnostic tools for measuring the lipid content of gallbladder bile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six normal volunteers underwent MR imaging (FMPSPGR) and in-vivo proton MR spectroscopy of the gallbladder. In all cases the results of liver function tests were normal, as were cholesterol levels, and ultrasonography of the gaubladder revealed nothing unusual. For MRI and MRS a 1.5T unit (Signa Horizon; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, U.S.A.) was used. In-phase and opposed-phase coronal-section MR images(FMPSPGR; TR=125 msec, TE=1.8, 4.2 msec) of the gallbladder were obtained, and differences in signal intensity thus determined. For proton MR spectroscopy of the gallbladder, a localized proton STEAM sequence was employed. A single voxel of 1-8 cm3 was placed at the center of the gallbladder cavity, peak areas at 0.8-1.6 ppm (lipid), 2.0-2.4 ppm, 3.2-3.4 ppm, 3.9-4.1 ppm, and 5.2-5.4 ppm were measured by proton MRS and the relative peak area ratios of peak 0.8-1.6 ppm/other peaks were calculated. The degree of correlation between signal intensity differences at MRI and the relative peak area ratio of lipid in proton MRS was estimated using the p-value and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Signal intensity differences ranged from 11.3 to 43.4% (mean, 26+/-8.9%), and the range of lipid peak area ratio at MRS was 0.10-0.97 (mean, 0.66+/-0.21). There was significant correlation between the two measured values (p=0.014, Pearson's correlation coefficient=0.478). CONCLUSION: In normal cystic bile, signal intensity differences at in- and opposed-phase MRI and relative lipid peak area ratios at MRS varied, though both methods could be used diagnostically for measuring the lipid contents of body tissue.
Bile* ; Cholesterol ; Gallbladder* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Liver Function Tests ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy* ; Protons* ; Steam ; Ultrasonography

Objective: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is known to share characteristics with a variety of personality disorders (PDs) and exhibits diverse patterns of defense mechanisms. To enhance our understanding of BPD, it’s crucial to shift our focus from traditional categorical diagnostics to the dimensional traits shared with other PDs, as the borderline personality organization (BPO) model suggests. This approach illuminates the nuanced spectrum of BPD characteristics, offering deeper insights into its complexity. While studies have investigated the comorbidity of BPD with other PDs, research exploring the relationship between various personality factors and defense mechanisms within BPD itself has been scarce. The present study was undertaken to investigate the complex interrelationships between various personality factors and defense styles in individuals diagnosed with BPD. Methods: Using a network analysis approach, data from 227 patients diagnosed with BPD were examined using the Defense Style Questionnaire and Personality Disorder Questionnaire-4+ for assessment. Results: Intricate connections were observed between personality factors and defense styles. Significant associations were identified between various personality factors and defense styles, with immature defense styles, such as maladaptive and image-distorting being particularly prominent in BPD in the centrality analysis. The maladaptive defense style had the highest expected influence centrality. Furthermore, the schizotypal, dependent, and narcissistic personality factors demonstrated relatively high centrality within the network. Conclusion Network analysis can effectively delineate the complexity of various PDs and defense styles. These findings are expected to facilitate a deeper understanding of why BPD exhibits various levels of organization and presents with heterogeneous characteristics, consistent with the perspectives proposed by the BPO.

Advanced esophageal carcinoma which invades into adjacent organs are classified as T4 esophageal cancer,. Its complete resection without residual tumor would be difficult. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy and combined modality therapy are being tried to improve survival in patients with T4 esophageal carcinoma. In a 74-year-old man a 6cm squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus with invasion of the thoracic aorta was detected (T4). After neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy the patient was operated on using bio-pump with aorto-femoral cannulation. The invased segment of descending aorta was resected and reconstructed with a graft. The tumor was resected and EG anastomosis was done. The postoperative period was uneventful the patient was discharged after good condition and has been well to now.
Aged ; Aorta* ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Catheterization ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Postoperative Period ; Transplants

A 46-year-old woman was found to have a huge liver mass that was detected by abdominal ultrasonography. Abdominal CT and MRI showed a 10 cm-sized, encapsulated mass occupying the anterior segment of the right hepatic lobe. Extended right hemihepatectomy was performed and pathological examination revealed fibroblast-like spindle cells within dense deposits of collagen. On immunohistochemical staining, these spindle tumor cells showed an intense CD34 immunoreactivity. The patient is alive without evidence of tumor recurrence 7 months after the resection. Solitary fibrous tumor is a very rare neoplasm found in the liver parenchyma, and it has been reported in less than 30 patients in the English literature. We present here the first such case in Korea.
Antigens, CD34/analysis/immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Solitary Fibrous Tumors/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tumor Markers, Biological/analysis/immunology

BACKGROUND: Although levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products (FDP) are low in the circulation of healthy individuals, their levels are significantly elevated in patients with thromboembolic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical utilities of D-dimer and FDP in the early diagnosis of stroke subtypes and the prediction of early prognosis. METHODS: Hospitalized patients due to acute ischemic stroke underwent measurement of plasma levels of D-dimer and FDP within 12 hours after admission. Stroke severity was assessed on admission and 2 weeks later using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Stroke subtypes were classified according to the criteria of the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criterion. RESULTS: D-dimer and FDP levels were significantly higher in the cardioembolic group than in the atherosclerotic and lacunar groups. There was independent correlation between the level of FDP and cardioembolism. Ninety-six patients showed clinical improvement that was defined by a reduction of more than 4 points on the NIHSS two weeks later compared with that on admission. The level of D-dimer was higher in patients with clinical improvement than in patients without improvement (p=0.032). However, there was no correlation between the level of D-dimer and early improvement. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that measurement of FDP in acute ischemic stroke could be helpful in subtype classification. However, D-dimer and FDP were not related with early prognosis.
Cerebral Infarction ; Chondroitin Sulfates ; Dermatan Sulfate ; Early Diagnosis ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; Formycins ; Heparitin Sulfate ; Humans ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Plasma ; Ribonucleotides ; Stroke ; Thromboembolism

A vertebral compression fracture can cause chronic back pain, and may also result in progressive kyphosis. The traditional treatments of a vertebral compression fracture include bed rest, analgesics and bracing. Balloon kyphoplasty can restore the vertebral height and allow safe bone cement injection into the cavity made by the balloon, which significantly reduces the risk of cement leakage compared to vertebroplasty. An 82-year-old female patient suffered from severe low back pain. Due to the intractable pain and immobility, which could not be relieved by conventional care, as well as the empty vertebral body associated with communicated fractures of the vertebral surfaces, balloon kyphoplasty, with a thicker bone cement injection than usual with balloon kyphoplasty, was chosen. The preoperative intractable pain and immobility were dramatically relieved soon after the procedure, without any complications.
Aged, 80 and over ; Analgesics ; Back Pain ; Bed Rest ; Braces ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Kyphoplasty* ; Kyphosis ; Low Back Pain ; Pain, Intractable ; Vertebroplasty

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is so rare that only 16 cases have been reported. Here we report a case of a 47-year-old man with signet-ring cell carcinoma in the ampulla of Vater. The patient was hospitalized for right upper quadrant abdominal pain and jaundice which had developed 10 days prior. Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) revealed dilatation of the common bile duct and the intrahepatic bile duct. On duodenoscopy, a bulging mass with an irregular margin in the major papilla was noted. Histologic findings showed a signet-ring cell carcinoma. Surgical resection was not done because lymph node metastasis was noted during the operation. Hence, conservative treatment including chemotherapy and bile drainage was done.
Abdominal Pain ; Ampulla of Vater ; Bile ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Common Bile Duct ; Dilatation ; Drainage ; Duodenoscopy ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Lymph Nodes ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Background: Although Korea ranks first in the suicide rate of elderly individuals, there is limited research on those who attempt suicide, with preventive measures largely based on population-based studies. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of elderly individuals who attempted suicide with those of younger adults who visited the emergency department after suicide attempts and identified the factors associated with lethality in the former group. Methods: Individuals who visited the emergency department after a suicide attempt from April 1, 2017, to January 31, 2020, were included. Participants were classified into two groups according to age (elderly, ≥65 years; adult, 18–64 years). Among the 779 adult patients, 123 were elderly. We conducted a chi-square test to compare the demographic and clinical features between these groups and a logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors for lethality in the elderly group. Results: Most elderly participants were men, with no prior psychiatric history or suicide attempts, and had a higher prevalence of underlying medical conditions and attributed their attempts to physical illnesses. Being sober and planning suicide occurred more frequently in this group. In the elderly group, factors that increased the mortality rate were biological male sex (p<0.05), being accompanied by family members (p<0.05), and poisoning as a suicide method (p<0.01). Conclusion Suicide attempts in elderly individuals have different characteristics from those in younger adults and are associated with physical illness. Suicides in the former group are unpredictable, deliberate, and fatal. Therefore, tailored prevention and intervention strategies addressing the characteristics of those who are elderly and attempt suicide are required.