PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a high fructose and fat diet on bone growth and maturation in growing female rats. METHODS: Three-week-old female SD rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups; the control group (CON: fed control diet based on AIN-93G, n = 8); the high-fructose diet group (HFrc: fed control diet with 30% fructose, n = 8); the high-fat diet group (Hfat: fed control diet with 45 kcal% fat, n = 8); and the high-fat diet plus high fructose group (HFrc + HFat: fed diets 45 kcal% fat with 30% fructose, n = 8). Each group was assigned their respective diets for the remaining eight weeks. Bone-related parameters (bone mineral density (BMD) and structural parameters, osteocalcin (OC), deoxypyridinoline (DPD)) and morphologic changes of kidney were analyzed at the end of the experiment. RESULTS: Final body weights and weight gain were higher in the HFat and HFrc + HFat groups and showed higher tendency in the HFrc group compared with those of the CON group (p < 0.05); however, no significant difference in caloric intake was observed among the four experimental groups. The serum OC levels of the HFrc and HFrc + HFat groups were lower than those of the CON and HFat groups (p < 0.05). Urinary levels of DPD did not differ among the experimental groups. BV/TV and Tb.N of trabecular bone were higher in the HFrc + HFat group and showed a higher tendency in the HFrc group than those of the CON and HFat groups (p < 0.05). Tb.Pf of trabecular bone were lower in the HFrc + HFat group than those in the CON and HFat groups (p < 0.05). However, no difference in trabecular BMD was observed among the experimental groups. Cortical bone volume was higher in the HFat and HFrc + HFat groups than in the CON and HFrc groups (p < 0.05). No morphology change in kidney was observed among the experimental groups. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that 8 weeks of high-fructose and high fat intake could improve the bone quality (Structural parameters) of trabecular and cortical bone of tibia in growing female rats.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Bone Development ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat* ; Energy Intake ; Female* ; Fructose* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Osteocalcin ; Rats* ; Tibia ; Weight Gain

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a common plasma cell tumor often involving the upper aerodigestive tract. Although extremely rare, mediastinal involvement is possible. An 81-year-old man was presented to our emergency department with chest and back pain with weakness in both legs. Chest X-ray showed a large mass in the upper right mediastinum; subsequently, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging evaluated the mass. He was diagnosed with mediastinal EMP, which progressed to spinal cord compression. The patient was treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Spinal cord compression, due to metastatic tumor, is an emergency clinical situation that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Emergency medicine physicians should be aware of the clinical presentation and complications associated with EMP.
Aged, 80 and over ; Back Pain ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medicine ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mediastinum ; Multiple Myeloma ; Plasmacytoma* ; Radiotherapy ; Spinal Cord Compression* ; Spinal Cord* ; Thorax

Purpose: A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutrition educational intervention studies was performed to assess the association between nutrition education intervention and fruit & vegetable (F&V) preferences and nutrition knowledge in preschool children. Methods: The relevant studies of nutrition education intervention and F&V preferences and nutrition knowledge published from January 2000 to June 2020 were located using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System databases, and lists of references. A random-effects metaanalysis was conducted to estimate the standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses were performed to identify the association between nutrition education and F&V preferences and nutrition knowledge. Results: The results show that the effect sizes (ES) of F&V preferences and nutrition knowledge of preschool children were 0.31(95% CI, 0.23, 0.39), and 1.69(95% CI, 1.27, 2.12), respectively. The result of subgroup analysis, nutrition education focused on F&V (F&V preferences, ES: 0.32; nutrition knowledge, ES: 2.09) presented a slightly larger effect than general nutrition education (F&V preferences, ES: 0.26; nutrition knowledge, ES: 1.62). As for the type of exposure to F&V, direct exposure education (F&V preferences, ES: 0.40) had a greater effect than indirect exposure (F&V preferences, ES: 0.26). This meta-analysis showed that nutrition education intervention had positive effects on the F&V preferences and nutrition knowledge in preschool children. Conclusion In conclusion, from the meta-analysis and subsequent subgroup analysis, we found that varied types of nutrition education intervention had varying effects on F&V preferences and nutrition knowledge in preschool children.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influencing factors on the happiness of community-dwelling older adults in Korea. METHODS: A convenience sample of older adults (N=191) who did not enrolled in any specific exercise programs participated in this cross-sectional correlational study. The data were collected from July to August, 2017. Participants were asked to respond to fill questionnaires including depression, physical activity, and happiness. Physical activity was classified according to physical activity scores(inactivity, minimally activity, health enhancing physical activity). Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent t-test, χ² test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and hierarchical multiple regression with SPSS (ver. 24.0). RESULTS: The influencing factors on happiness were depression (β=−.64, p < .001), physical activities (minimally activity=1; β=−.15, p=.014), and religion (have=1; β=.10, p=.029). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the determinant variables accounted for 58% of the variation in the happiness (F=53.37, p < .001). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that depression, physical activity and subjective health status influence the happiness of older adults who did not involved in any exercise program. Effective healthcare programs for managing depression and increasing the level of physical activity could increase the level of happiness among older adults.
Adult* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depression ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Happiness* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Motor Activity

Objectives: Transitional periods, such as patient discharge, are notably challenging. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of providers involved in hospital discharge support programs, identify the primary obstacles, and propose strategies for improvement. Methods: In this qualitative cross-sectional study, we interviewed 49 healthcare professionals, comprising doctors, nurses, and social workers, who participated in two pilot programs. We organized focus group interviews with 3-6 participants per group, segmented by the type of discharge support program and profession. For data analysis, we employed phenomenological analysis, a qualitative method. Results: Participants recognized the importance of the discharge support program and anticipated its benefits. The Rehabilitation Hospital Discharge Patient Support program saw more active involvement from doctors than the Establishment of a Public Health-Medical Collaboration System program. Both programs highlighted the critical need for more staff and better compensation, as identified by the doctors. Nurses and social workers cited the heavy documentation burden, uncooperative attitudes from patients and local governments, and other issues. They also anticipated that program improvements could be achieved through the standardization of regional welfare services and better coordination by local governments serving as welfare service regulators. All groups—doctors, nurses, and social workers—underscored the significance of promoting these programs. Conclusions Discharge support programs are crucial for patients with functional impairments and severe illnesses, particularly in ensuring continuity of care. Policy support is essential for the successful implementation of these programs in Korea.

Objectives: Transitional periods, such as patient discharge, are notably challenging. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of providers involved in hospital discharge support programs, identify the primary obstacles, and propose strategies for improvement. Methods: In this qualitative cross-sectional study, we interviewed 49 healthcare professionals, comprising doctors, nurses, and social workers, who participated in two pilot programs. We organized focus group interviews with 3-6 participants per group, segmented by the type of discharge support program and profession. For data analysis, we employed phenomenological analysis, a qualitative method. Results: Participants recognized the importance of the discharge support program and anticipated its benefits. The Rehabilitation Hospital Discharge Patient Support program saw more active involvement from doctors than the Establishment of a Public Health-Medical Collaboration System program. Both programs highlighted the critical need for more staff and better compensation, as identified by the doctors. Nurses and social workers cited the heavy documentation burden, uncooperative attitudes from patients and local governments, and other issues. They also anticipated that program improvements could be achieved through the standardization of regional welfare services and better coordination by local governments serving as welfare service regulators. All groups—doctors, nurses, and social workers—underscored the significance of promoting these programs. Conclusions Discharge support programs are crucial for patients with functional impairments and severe illnesses, particularly in ensuring continuity of care. Policy support is essential for the successful implementation of these programs in Korea.

Objectives: Transitional periods, such as patient discharge, are notably challenging. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of providers involved in hospital discharge support programs, identify the primary obstacles, and propose strategies for improvement. Methods: In this qualitative cross-sectional study, we interviewed 49 healthcare professionals, comprising doctors, nurses, and social workers, who participated in two pilot programs. We organized focus group interviews with 3-6 participants per group, segmented by the type of discharge support program and profession. For data analysis, we employed phenomenological analysis, a qualitative method. Results: Participants recognized the importance of the discharge support program and anticipated its benefits. The Rehabilitation Hospital Discharge Patient Support program saw more active involvement from doctors than the Establishment of a Public Health-Medical Collaboration System program. Both programs highlighted the critical need for more staff and better compensation, as identified by the doctors. Nurses and social workers cited the heavy documentation burden, uncooperative attitudes from patients and local governments, and other issues. They also anticipated that program improvements could be achieved through the standardization of regional welfare services and better coordination by local governments serving as welfare service regulators. All groups—doctors, nurses, and social workers—underscored the significance of promoting these programs. Conclusions Discharge support programs are crucial for patients with functional impairments and severe illnesses, particularly in ensuring continuity of care. Policy support is essential for the successful implementation of these programs in Korea.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the changes in diffusion-tensor images associated with medication-related impulse control disorder (ICD) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients undergoing chronic dopamine-replacement therapy. METHODS: Nineteen PD patients, comprising 10 with ICD (PD-ICD) and 9 without ICD (PD-nonICD), and 18 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) with no cognitive or other psychiatric disorders were analyzed. All subjects underwent 3-T magnetic resonance diffusion-tensor imaging. For all PD patients, clinical data on PD duration, antiparkinsonian medication dosages, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination were collected. Whole-brain voxel-based measures of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were analyzed. RESULTS: In comparison with HCs, the PD-nonICD subjects had low FA at the bilateral orbitofrontal areas. While the PD-ICD subjects exhibited no such difference, their FA was significantly elevated at the anterior corpus callosum. Analysis of FA between the two PD groups revealed that FA in the anterior corpus callosum, right internal capsule posterior limbs, right posterior cingulum, and right thalamic radiations were significantly higher (corrected p<0.05) in the PD-ICD than in the PD-nonICD patients. MD did not differ between the PD-ICD and PD-nonICD groups in any brain regions. CONCLUSIONS: The PD-ICD patients appear to have relatively preserved white-matter integrity in the regions involved in reward-related behaviors compared to PD-nonICD patients. Further investigation is required to determine whether the difference in FA between PD-ICD and PD-nonICD patients reflects microstructural differences in the pathological progression of PD or is secondary to ICD.
Anisotropy ; Brain ; Corpus Callosum ; Extremities ; Humans ; Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders* ; Internal Capsule ; Parkinson Disease

BACKGROUND: Parainfluenza virus (PIV) is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections. Epidemiological information on PIV infection could be very helpful for patient management. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of PIV infection in Seoul and a neighboring area with regard to PIV type. METHODS: The diagnosis of PIV infection was made by virus isolation. The R-mix Too cell system (Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc., Athens, OH, USA) and D3 Ultra DFA Respiratory Virus Screening & ID kits (Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc.) were used for virus culture and identification. The medical records of patients with positive virus cultures were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Seven hundred and ten PIV viruses (5.6%) were isolated from 12,723 specimens. The number of subjects with PIV type III, I and II was 357, 304 and 49, respectively. PIV infection showed a peak incidence in the first year of life regardless of subtypes. The most common diagnosis among all PIV subtypes was pneumonia. Lower respiratory tract infections constituted the majority (76.3%) of PIV infections. The most common diagnosis of PIV type I and II was croup and that of PIV type III was pneumonia. A difference in seasonal variation between subtypes was observed. PIV I (62.2%) was mainly isolated from July to September while PIV type III (86.8%) was isolated from April to July. CONCLUSION: Lower respiratory infection was most commonly found in hospitalized patients with PIV infection. Clinical features of PIV infection were similar those seen in Western PIV reports, with the exception of the seasonal outbreak pattern.
Chimera ; Croup ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Seasons ; Viruses