Purpose: We examined the effects of the 8-week moderate-intensity Pilates exercise program on body composition, balance ability, metabolic parameters, arterial condition, and eating habits among overweight and obese women. Methods: From the general sample of overweight or obese Korean women (body mass index ≥ 23 kg/m2 ), those who had not been diagnosed with any chronic degenerative diseases were enrolled in the study (n = 39). After 8 weeks of the Pilates exercise program, the participants were subdivided into adherence and non-adherence groups. Among the study participants, 24 women were matched for age and menopausal status to reduce the bias, and then finally included for the comparison (Pilates-adherence, n = 12; Pilates-non-adherence, n = 12). Results: The body balance measured by the Y-balance test, body mass index, and subcutaneous fat areas were significantly improved in both groups. However, the Pilatesadherence group showed more positive changes in body balance and had significant improvement in body composition parameters such as waist size, visceral fat area, systolic blood pressure, arterial aging index, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin than the Pilates-non-adherence group. In addition, the nutrition quotient for Korean adults (balance,moderation, and behavior except diversity) were significantly improved in both groups after dietary education. However, the participants did not show dramatic improvement in the metabolic parameters, because all the study subjects were in relatively good health and did not have any diagnosed diseases. Conclusion This study demonstrated that higher adherence to the Pilates exercise program together with a modification of eating habits may effectively improve body balance, body composition, and obesity-related parameters among overweight and obese women.

PURPOSE: An ideal bony construct can be divided into two broad categories: (1) the design and fabrication of biodegradable, biomimetic scaffolds that provide correct signals to induce osteogenesis: (2) the identification of an ideal source of osteoprogenitor cells to seed onto the scaffold. We selected poly-glycolic acid as a synthetic scaffold among various scaffolds because of these properties. Meanwhile, culture medium is supplemented with fetal bovine serum(FBS): such serum contains essential elements such as proteins, hormones, growth factors and trace minerals. The composition of FBS can be ideal for various cell growth in vitro. We supposed that we could enhance bone growth at a fractured site if FBS was mixed with synthetic scaffold-PGA. METHODS: We cultured human osteoblasts in five different prepared culture dishes made with FBS and PGA mixture. The mixtures contained different ratio of FBS, that is, 0, 1.5, 3, 7, and 10%. We cultured human osteoblasts for seven days and examined the growth and attachment of the cells at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th days, respectively. RESULTS: In the mixture of 0% FBS and PGA, the growth of the cells lasted for one day. In 1.5 and 3% FBS and PGA, the growth of the cells was examined at the 3rd day, then minimally declined at the 5th and 7th days. In 7% FBS and PGA, the growth of the cells lasted for 5 days, then declined at the 7th day. In 10% FBS and PGA, the growth of the cells lasted for 5 days, then declined at the 7th day. Staining status of the osteoblasts with alkaline phosphatase showed pale pink color in 0% FBS and PGA groups, but bright pink color in 1.5, 3, 7, 10% FBS and PGA groups, especially in 3%, 7%. CONCLUSION: In consequence, the growth of human osteoblast was higher in the mixture of FBS and PGA groups than in pure PGA ones. It is assumed that the mixture of FBS and PGA affects the proliferation of human osteoblasts.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Biomimetics ; Bone Development ; Humans* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Minerals ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteogenesis

OBJECTIVE: Nonstress test(NST) has become an important method of antepartum evaluation of fetal well-being. The fetal heart rate(FHR) testing is used frequently as a nonstress test(NST). However, NST highly depends on whom to interpret the result of FHR testing. Recently, for interpretation of FHR, objective decision methods using softwares have been introduced. In this study, we aim to analyse the correlation between each variable affecting FHR and fetal outcome using objective decision basis with principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical observation was made on 5,314 data from pregnant women who took a NST which had been collected from 1989 to 1997 at Hanyang University Hospital. For collection of data and values of each variable, we used our own FHR interpretation softwares, HYFM-I(DOS version, 1989) and HYFM-II(Window-version, 1998). Then, the principal component analysis is performed to find significant variable and multiple regression analysis using these variables. RESULTS: Each groups were divided and classified as followings ; 1 minute Apgar score-normal, 1 minute Apgar score-abnormal, 5 minute Apgar score-nomal, 5 minutes Apgar score-abnormal; there is significant difference between signal loss and 1 minute Apgar score only. And significant difference was shown between mean baseline FHR, FHR variability-amplitude, FHR variability-MMR, and fetal outcomes(body weight of newborn & Apgar score). The FHR variability-amplitude, FHR variability-MMR, and weight of baby were important values in predict of fetal well-being. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, there are close relation in each variable of FHRand fetal outcome. The result of this study would be useful background data in the development of objective and automated FHR analysis software, especially in the computerized FHR analysis system.
Apgar Score ; Female ; Fetal Heart* ; Heart Rate, Fetal* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Principal Component Analysis

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the clinical and imaging factors associated with hemorrhagic complications and patient discomfort following ultrasound (US)-guided breast biopsy. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 94 patients who were referred to our hospital between June 2022 and December 2022 for US-guided breast biopsy. After obtaining informed consent, two breast radiologists independently performed US-guided breast biopsy and evaluated the imaging findings. A hemorrhagic complication was defined as the presence of bleeding or hematoma on US. The patients rated symptoms of pain, febrile sensation, swelling at the biopsy site, and dyspnea immediately, 20 minutes, and 2 weeks after the procedure on a visual analog scale, with 0 for none and 10 for the most severe symptoms. Additional details recorded included those of nausea, vomiting, bleeding, bruising, and overall satisfaction score. We compared the clinical symptoms, imaging characteristics, and procedural features between patients with and those without hemorrhagic complications. Results: Of 94 patients, 7 (7%) developed hemorrhagic complications, while 87 (93%) did not. The complication resolved with 20 minutes of manual compression, and no further intervention was required. Vascularity on Doppler examination (P = 0.008), needle type (P = 0.043), and lesion location (P < 0.001) were significantly different between the groups. Patients with hemorrhagic complications reported more frequent nausea or vomiting than those without hemorrhagic complications (29% [2/7] vs. 2% [2/87], respectively; P= 0.027). The overall satisfaction scores did not differ between the two groups (P= 0.396). After 2 weeks, all symptoms subsided, except bruising (50% 2/4 in the complication group and 25% [16/65] in the no-complication group). Conclusion US-guided breast biopsy is a safe procedure with a low complication rate. Radiologists should be aware of hemorrhagic complications, patient discomfort, and overall satisfaction related to this procedure.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its complications have been increased in Korea and they cause many socioeconomic losses in both patients and their families. But, there are neither sufficient medical assistance including concern of medical personnel nor social assistance in Korea nowadays. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we tried to reduce the risk of amputation and preserve the function of the foot by an early evaluation, proper treatment and consultation by dermatologists. METHODS: We randomly chose 18 cases of diabetic foot ulcer and took care of them with proper and earlier debridement, dressing, antibiotics and cooporation with departments of internal medicine, especially endocrinology, nephrology and division of infectious disease. After healing of the ulcer, we recommended specially designed shoes and foot care products to prevent the recurrence of the foot problems. RESULTS: The average duration of diabetes was 18 years and preexisting complications were neuropathy, nephropathy, vasculopathy and/or foot deformities. The precipitating factors of foot ulcer were burn, callus, fungal infection, bony deformity or trauma. Three cases underwent toe amputation and one case with severe vasculopathy was transferred to the vascular surgery. Average healing time was 14 weeks. CONCLUSION: Proper evaluation and management of diabetic foot ulcer patients with multidisciplinary approach should achieve good wound healing. Consequently, it can reduce the risk of amputation and improve the quality of life in the patient with diabetic foot ulcer. Among them, dermatologists who has a point of view of both a medical and surgical doctor may play a pivotal role in the management of diabetic foot ulcer.
Amputation ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bandages ; Bony Callus ; Burns ; Communicable Diseases ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Debridement ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Foot* ; Endocrinology ; Foot ; Foot Deformities ; Foot Ulcer ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Korea ; Medical Assistance ; Nephrology ; Precipitating Factors ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Shoes ; Toes ; Ulcer* ; Wound Healing

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of five cases of late spinal infection after spinal instrumentation and fusion. OBJECTIVES: These cases are reviewed to verify risk factors for late spinal infection after elective instrumentation and to manifest the treatment of this complication. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Late spinal infection after elective spinal instrumentation and fusion are uncommon. The diagnosis is usually hard and requires much clinical suspicion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 5 cases were in total 374 patients of the author's cases. These cases are reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: All patients reported aggravated back pain. 4 patients had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates, averaging 44.8 mm/hour and elevated C-reactive protein, averaging 26.2mg/L. No distance foci of infection was identified. All patients got the radiolucent zone around screw fixation site, averaging 4.6mmwidth. The organisms were S. epidermidis in 1 case and coagulase(-) staphylococcus in 1 case. All cases were treated by operative method with debridement, instrument removal with or without revision and postoperative intravenous antibiotics. The average follow-up period was 18.2 months, one patient recurred back pain at 7 months after operation. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of late infection after elective spinal instrumentation and fusion requires high suspicion of clinical symptoms and signs. All except one were successfully treated by operative treatment.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Back Pain ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Debridement ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spine ; Staphylococcus

A few case of deep granulomatous cutaneous infection have been reported in the Korean dermatologic literature, but Trichophyton(T.) mentagrophytes granuloma is rare. We report a case of Trichophytic granuloma caused by T. mentagrophytes in a 10-year-old male, who showed three, mild pruritic, coin to walnut-sized, erythematous plaques with indurations and crusts on the face for 1 month. Fungal culture of the biopsy specimen and scales of the lesion revealed T. mentagrophytes. Histopathologic examination of the skin lesion showed chronic granulomatous inflammation in the dermis and fungal hyphae in the hair shaft. After four weeks of terbinafine administration, lesions were cleared with mild erythematous macules.
Biopsy ; Child ; Dermis ; Granuloma* ; Hair ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Inflammation ; Male ; Numismatics ; Skin ; Trichophyton* ; Weights and Measures

Pityriasis versicolor is a mild chronic superficial fungal infection, usually involving the seborrheic area of the neck, upper arms, and back. In a few instances, however, the eruption has been confined to highly atypical areas, such as one palm, the soles, the face, the scalp, the penis, and the groin. Inverse pityriasis versicolor refer to clinical disease located predominantly in flexural areas. We report three cases of inverse pityriasis versicolor in a 55-year-old man, in a 47-year-old man, in a 27-year-old man. The lesion were manifested by slightly scaly, brownish macules on the groin. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) prepatation showed numerous short hyphae and spores, and Wood's lamp examination showed yellowish brown fluorescence of involved skins. Fungal culture on Leeming and Notman's media grew out the typical colonies of M. globosa and M. sympodialis after 2 weeks at 34 degrees C. The patients were treated with 200 mg of itraconazole daily for 1 week and topical antifungals.
Adult ; Arm ; Fluorescence ; Groin ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Itraconazole ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Penis ; Pityriasis* ; Potassium ; Scalp ; Skin ; Spores ; Tinea Versicolor*

Pityriasis versicolor is a mild chronic superficial fungal infection, usually involving the seborrheic area of the neck, upper arms, and back. In a few instances, however, the eruption has been confined to highly atypical areas, such as one palm, the soles, the face, the scalp, the penis, and the groin. Inverse pityriasis versicolor refer to clinical disease located predominantly in flexural areas. We report three cases of inverse pityriasis versicolor in a 55-year-old man, in a 47-year-old man, in a 27-year-old man. The lesion were manifested by slightly scaly, brownish macules on the groin. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) prepatation showed numerous short hyphae and spores, and Wood's lamp examination showed yellowish brown fluorescence of involved skins. Fungal culture on Leeming and Notman's media grew out the typical colonies of M. globosa and M. sympodialis after 2 weeks at 34 degrees C. The patients were treated with 200 mg of itraconazole daily for 1 week and topical antifungals.
Adult ; Arm ; Fluorescence ; Groin ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Itraconazole ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Penis ; Pityriasis* ; Potassium ; Scalp ; Skin ; Spores ; Tinea Versicolor*

Insulin resistance, which implies impairment of insulin signaling in the target tissues, is a common cause of type 2 diabetes. Adipose tissue plays an important role in insulin resistance through the dysregulated production and secretion of adipose-derived proteins, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, leptin, resistin, angiotensinogen, and adiponectin. Adiponectin was estimated to be a protective adipocytokine against atherosclerosis, and also to have an anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, the relationship between fasting plasma adiponectin concentration and adiposity, body composition, insulin sensitivity (ITT, HOMAIR, QUICK), lipid profile, fasting insulin concentration were examined in Korean type 2 diabetes. The difference in the adiponectin concentrations was also examined in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects, with adjustment for gender, age and body mass index. 102 type 2 diabetics and 50 controls were examined. After a 12-h overnight fast, all subjects underwent a 75gram oral glucose tolerance test. Baseline blood samples were drawn for the determinations of fasting plasma glucose, insulin, adiponectin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol. The body composition was estimated using a bioelectric impedance analyzer (Inbody 2.0). The insulin sensitivity was estimated using the insulin tolerance test (ITT), HOMAIR and QUICK methods. In the diabetic group, the fasting adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower in men than in women. They were negatively correlated with BMI (r=-0.453), hip circumference (r=-0.341), fasting glucose concentrations (r=-0.277) and HOMAIR (r=-0.233). In addition, they were positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=0.321) and HDL-cholesterol (r= 0.291). The systolic blood pressure and HDL-cholesterol were found to be independent variables, from a multiple logistic regression analysis, which influenced the adiponectin concentration. Compared with the non-diabetic group, the adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower in the diabetic group, with the exception of obese males. In conclusion, the plasma adiponectin concentrations were closely related to the insulin resistance parameters in Korean type 2 diabetic patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Biological Markers ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*blood ; Female ; Humans ; *Insulin Resistance ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/*blood ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged