OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the relationships between muscle mass and hand strength in elderly people. METHODS: The study subjects were 659 volunteers aged older than 65 in Jejudo, south Korea. The anthropometric information such as weight, body mass index (BMI) and muscular mass was collected by the body composition analyzer. The hand strength was obtained by the digital grip dynamometer. The fasting blood sugar index called as potential diabetes mellitus (DM) was defined as the condition over 120 mg/dL of the blood sugar. The BMI was classified into under 23, 23-25 and over 25 to analyze the relationships of BMI and muscle mass, hand strength. RESULTS: The factors affecting muscle mass were sex (p<0.001), age (p<0.001) and BMI (p<0.001). The factors affecting hand strength were sex (p<0.001), age (p<0.001) and BMI (p=0.003). And there was a weak association between muscle mass and hand strength after controlling with the affected factors (r2=0.15, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The hand strength is weekly correlated with the muscle mass. So we recommend to use digital grip dynamometer combining with other measurements for diagnosis the sarcopenia in epidemiologic study.
Aged* ; Blood Glucose ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Fasting ; Hand Strength* ; Humans ; Jeju-do* ; Korea ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Sarcopenia ; Statistics as Topic ; Volunteers

Objectives: ：A growing body of evidence links type 2 diabetes (T2D) with a neurodegenerative disease (ND) such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between NDs and the development of T2D by comparing the incidence of T2D in a group of various NDs (ND group) and control group. Methods: ：A population-based 10-year follow-up study was conducted using the Korean National Health Information Database for 2002-2015. We used a retrospective cohort study design to investigate the association of ND with T2D occurrence. The study population included ND (n=8,814) and control (n=37,970) groups, all aged 60 years or over. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the risk of developing T2D as a function of time. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between ND and T2D. Results: ：T2D was developed in a significantly higher percentage of patients in the ND group (53.6%) than in the control group (44.7%). The ND group increased the risk of T2D (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.38-1.47). About onethird of patients in both groups were additionally diagnosed with another ND before the occurrence of T2D during a 10-year follow-up period. When compared to those who did not have another ND during the follow-up period, the incidence of T2D in those who were additionally diagnosed with another ND was higher in both the ND and control groups. Conclusions ：The ND group had about 1.4 times higher risk of developing T2D than the control group. Our results showed a positive association between ND and T2D.

Objectives: ：The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with changes in depression severity in index electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for major depressive disorder. Methods: ：A retrospective analysis was performed on 80 patients with major depressive disorder who received index ECT. The severity of depression was assessed using the Hamilton depression rating scale-17 (HDRS-17). Multiple linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the factors associated with the change of depression severity and the predictors of the 50% or greater reduction rate of HDRS-17. Results ：55 (68.8%) patients were HDRS-17 score change ≥50% group, and 25 (31.2%) patients were HDRS-17 score change <50% group. HDRS-17 score change ≥50% group had a shorter episode duration before ECT (11.91±8.63 vs 17.68±11.15 weeks, p=0.027) and more ECT sessions (8.60±2.91 vs 6.80±3.34 sessions, p=0.017). The higher baseline score of anxiety (B=0.937, β=0.374, p<0.001), depression (B=0.846, β=0,324, p=0.001), and somatic symptom (B=0.995, β=0.210, p=0.031) dimensions was associated with the change of HDRS-17 score from baseline. The longer episode duration until the start of ECT was associated with lower likelihood of HDRS-17 score change ≥50% (Wald χ2 =7.74, OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.14, p=0.005). The greater number of ECT sessions predicted the HDRS-17 score change ≥50% (Wald χ2 =7.85, OR=0.75, 95% CI=0.62-0.92, p=0.005) Conclusions：In higher baseline anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms severity, implementing sufficient sessions of ECT in pharmacological treatment phase of relatively shorter duration of major depressive episode may help reduce HDRS-17 score.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and metaplastic gastritis (MG) are precancerous conditions of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-related gastric cancer. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of nodular gastritis (NG) showing CAG or MG after nodule regression.METHODS: H. pylori-infected patients with NG were included after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients were excluded if their latest endoscopy had been performed ≤36 months after the initial diagnosis of NG. Small-granular-type NG was defined as the condition with 1–2 mm regular subepithelial nodules. Large-nodular-type NG was defined as those with 3–4 mm, irregular subepithelial nodules. The endoscopic findings after nodule regression were recorded.RESULTS: Among the 97 H. pylori-infected patients with NG, 61 showed nodule regression after a mean follow-up of 73.0±22.0 months. After nodule regression, 16 patients showed a salt-and-pepper appearance and/or transparent submucosal vessels, indicating CAG. Twenty-nine patients showed diffuse irregular elevations and/or whitish plaques, indicating MG. Sixteen patients with other endoscopic findings (14 normal, one erosive gastritis, and one chronic superficial gastritis) showed a higher proportion of H. pylori eradication (12/16, 75.0%) than those in the CAG group (5/16, 31.3%) and MG group (6/29, 20.7%; p=0.001). Patients with small-granular-type NG tended to progress toward CAG (14/27, 51.9%), whereas those with large-nodular-type NG tended to progress toward MG (25/34, 73.5%; p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a persistent H. pylori infection, NG tended to progress to CAG or MG when the nodules regressed. Small-granular-type NG tended to progress to CAG, whereas large-nodular-type NG tended to progress to MG.
Atrophy ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastritis ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Metaplasia ; Precancerous Conditions ; Stomach Neoplasms

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of etching time and bonding agents on bond strength of sealant applied to the occlusal surface of primary molars.Forty non-carious exfoliated human primary molars were included in the study. The teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups for measurement. For group I, no acid etching treatment was used. For group II, III, and IV, acid etching gels were applied on the occlusal surface for 15, 30, and 60 seconds, respectively. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups; one group was treated with bonding agents on the enamel while the other was not. Microtensile bond strength was evaluated using a universal testing machine.There were no statistically significant differences in bond strength with varying duration of etching among groups. The results revealed that the use of bonding agents prior to application of fissure sealant increased the bond strength(p < 0.05).It could be concluded that etching time greater than 15 seconds does not significantly enhance the bond strength, but the use of bonding agents as an intermediate layer between the primary molar and fissure sealant would be beneficial in increasing the bond strength.
Dental Enamel ; Gels ; Humans ; Molar ; Pit and Fissure Sealants ; Tooth

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and metaplastic gastritis (MG) are precancerous conditions of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-related gastric cancer. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of nodular gastritis (NG) showing CAG or MG after nodule regression. METHODS: H. pylori-infected patients with NG were included after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients were excluded if their latest endoscopy had been performed ≤36 months after the initial diagnosis of NG. Small-granular-type NG was defined as the condition with 1–2 mm regular subepithelial nodules. Large-nodular-type NG was defined as those with 3–4 mm, irregular subepithelial nodules. The endoscopic findings after nodule regression were recorded. RESULTS: Among the 97 H. pylori-infected patients with NG, 61 showed nodule regression after a mean follow-up of 73.0±22.0 months. After nodule regression, 16 patients showed a salt-and-pepper appearance and/or transparent submucosal vessels, indicating CAG. Twenty-nine patients showed diffuse irregular elevations and/or whitish plaques, indicating MG. Sixteen patients with other endoscopic findings (14 normal, one erosive gastritis, and one chronic superficial gastritis) showed a higher proportion of H. pylori eradication (12/16, 75.0%) than those in the CAG group (5/16, 31.3%) and MG group (6/29, 20.7%; p=0.001). Patients with small-granular-type NG tended to progress toward CAG (14/27, 51.9%), whereas those with large-nodular-type NG tended to progress toward MG (25/34, 73.5%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a persistent H. pylori infection, NG tended to progress to CAG or MG when the nodules regressed. Small-granular-type NG tended to progress to CAG, whereas large-nodular-type NG tended to progress to MG.
Atrophy ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastritis ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Metaplasia ; Precancerous Conditions ; Stomach Neoplasms

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of combining psychostimulants and nonstimulants for patients under treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: The study included 96 patients aged 6–12 years who were diagnosed with ADHD, among whom 34 received combination pharmacotherapy, 32 received methylphenidate monotherapy, and 30 received atomoxetine monotherapy. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare treatment and adverse effects among groups and to analyze changes before and after combination pharmacotherapy.The difference between combination pharmacotherapy and monotherapy was investigated. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of combination pharmacotherapy. Results: No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of age or pretreatment scores. The most common adverse effect experienced by 32% of patients in the combination pharmacotherapy group was decreased appetite. Clinical global impression-severity score decreased significantly after combination pharmacotherapy. All three groups showed significant clinical global impression-severity score improvements over time, with no significant differences among them. The predictive factors for combination pharmacotherapy included the Child Behavior Checklist total score internalizing subscale. Conclusion Combination pharmacotherapy with methylphenidate and atomoxetine is a relatively effective and safe option for patients with ADHD who do not respond to monotherapy.