BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), including isoleucine, leucine, and valine, promote muscle protein synthesis. However, obesity may interfere with protein synthesis by dysregulating mitochondrial function in the muscles.This study aimed to examine the association between dietary intake levels of BCAA and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) in middle-aged participants, and the effect of obesity/ abdominal obesity on this association. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The data of 3,966 men and women aged 50–64 years who participated in the 2008–2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed.Intake levels of energy-adjusted dietary amino acids were obtained using a 24-hour dietary recall. SMI was calculated by dividing the appendicular skeletal muscle mass by body weight (kg) and multiplying the result by 100%. Multivariable general linear models were used to analyze the association of dietary BCAA intake levels with SMI. RESULTS: The beneficial effects of energy-adjusted dietary BCAA intakes on SMI were greater in the non-obesityon-abdominal obesity groups; however, no significant associations were observed in the obesity/abdominal obesity groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Healthy weight and sufficient intake of dietary BCAA are recommended to maintain muscle mass.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), including isoleucine, leucine, and valine, promote muscle protein synthesis. However, obesity may interfere with protein synthesis by dysregulating mitochondrial function in the muscles.This study aimed to examine the association between dietary intake levels of BCAA and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) in middle-aged participants, and the effect of obesity/ abdominal obesity on this association. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The data of 3,966 men and women aged 50–64 years who participated in the 2008–2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed.Intake levels of energy-adjusted dietary amino acids were obtained using a 24-hour dietary recall. SMI was calculated by dividing the appendicular skeletal muscle mass by body weight (kg) and multiplying the result by 100%. Multivariable general linear models were used to analyze the association of dietary BCAA intake levels with SMI. RESULTS: The beneficial effects of energy-adjusted dietary BCAA intakes on SMI were greater in the non-obesityon-abdominal obesity groups; however, no significant associations were observed in the obesity/abdominal obesity groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Healthy weight and sufficient intake of dietary BCAA are recommended to maintain muscle mass.

One hundred eighty infants with oxygen therapy who were under 2,500gm birth weight or under 37 weeks of gestational age, were examined between January 1990 and November 1992. We performed clnical analysis and results were as follows. 1) Fifty six infants (31.1%) were diagnosed as retinopathy of prematurity. 2) The first examination was performed at 2.5 weeks of life on average, and the retinopathy of prematurity was diagnosed at 3.8 weeks on average. 3) The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity was highly associated with low birth weight (< or =1,890 gm), low gestational age ( < or =33.1 weeks), and high oxygen concentration with long duration (FiO2> or =0.4 over 1 week)(P<0.005). 4) Other associated risk factors were idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome, anemia, neonatal hypoxia and sepsis.
Anemia, Neonatal ; Anoxia ; Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Oxygen ; Retinopathy of Prematurity* ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify employment experiences of nurses caring for hospitalized foreign patients. METHODS: For this study, 10 nurses caring for foreign patients for more than 6 months were chosen purposively. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews from July to September 2013 and analyzed in terms of Giorgi's phenomenological methodology. RESULTS: Five themes-clusters were identified from fifteen themes; 1) Awesome challenges; 2) Laborious dealing with barriers; 3) Acceptance of cultural differences; 4) Complete concentration of personal energy; 5) Taking a powerful step towards tomorrow. CONCLUSION: Results of this study reveal the significance of nurses' experiences in caring for foreign patients for the first time in Korea. The following are suggested: First, facilitation and training is necessary for language proficiency, communication skills and ability to understand cultural traits of foreign patients. Second, manuals and international guidelines for caring for foreign patients should be systematically developed to improve quality of healthcare services.
Employment* ; Humans ; Korea ; Quality of Health Care

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D is produced in the skin during sun exposure and is also ingested from foods. The role of vitamin D needs to be considered in the prevention and management of various diseases. Moreover, since the majority of Koreans spend their days indoors, becoming susceptible to the risk of vitamin D deficiency. The current study aims to prepare a basis for determining dietary reference intake of vitamin D in Korea, by reviewing the evidence against various diseases and risks.MATERIALS/METHODS: Literature published in Korea and other countries between 2014 and 2018 was prioritized based on their study design and other criteria, and evaluated using the RoB 2.0 assessment form and United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Evidence Library Conclusion Statement Evaluation Criteria. RESULTS: Of the 1,709 studies, 128 studies were included in the final systematic analysis after screening. To set the dietary reference intakes of vitamin D based on the selected articles, blood 25(OH)D levels and indicators of bone health were used collectively. Blood vitamin D levels and ultraviolet (UV) exposure time derived from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed to establish the dietary reference intakes of vitamin D for each stage of the life cycle. The adequate intake levels of vitamin D, according to age and gender, were determined to be in the range of 5–15 μg/day, and the tolerable upper intake level was established at 25–100 μg/day. CONCLUSIONS The most important variable for vitamin D nutrition is lifestyle. A balanced diet comprising foods with high contents of vitamin D is important, as is vitamin D synthesis after UV exposure. The adequate intake level of vitamin D mentioned in the 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Korean (KDRI) remained unchanged in the 2020 KDRI for the management of vitamin D nutrition in Koreans.

The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA) on tendon healing and fatty degeneration in a chronic rotator cuff model. Methods: Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly allocated into two groups: Saline+repair (SR) and PCA+repair (PR). The right shoulder was used for experimental interventions, and the left served as a control. PCA (30 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally at the site of infraspinatus tendon detachment in rats in the PR group, and the same volume of saline was administered to the same site in the SR group. The torn tendon was repaired 4 weeks after infraspinatus detachment. Four weeks after repair, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), S100, and CD68 stains were performed to evaluate the degree of fatty degeneration and H&E and Masson trichrome stains were performed to assess tendon healing. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured to test the efficacy of PCA as an antioxidant. Results: Results from histological evaluation indicated that SOD and CD68 levels at the musculotendinous region and collagen fiber parallel to the orientation at the tendon-to-bone junction were not significantly different between the SR and PR groups. The mean load-to-failure of the PR group (20.32±9.37 N) was higher than that of the SR group (16.44±6.90 N), although this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.395). The SOD activity in the operative side infraspinatus muscle of the PR group was higher than that of the SR group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.053). Conclusions: The use of PCA could improve tendon healing and decrease fatty degeneration after rotator cuff repair.

We report here on our technique and outcomes of the first two cases of robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with a bladder cuff excision(RLNU). RLNU was performed on two female patients who both had a muscle invasive lower ureter tumor. For the first step, nephroureterectomy was performed in the lateral flank position. For the second step, bladder cuff excision and bladder repair were performed in a steep Trendelenburg position. The specimen was extracted through a 6 cm sized incision in the umbilical trocar site. Both procedures were successfully completed with using the robot without conversion to open surgery. The total operative time, including the lymphadenectomy and the robot docking times, was 320 and 241 minutes, respectively, for the 2 patients. The estimated blood loss was 40 and 200 ml, respectively. The pathological examinations showed stage T3 and T2 invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter. The patients' postoperative recoveries were uneventful and the bladder cuff was free of tumor. RLNU may have potential advantages over open and laparosopic surgery due to its minimal invasiveness. This approach can be an alternative to open surgery or laparoscopic technique.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Conversion to Open Surgery ; Female ; Head-Down Tilt ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Muscles ; Operative Time ; Resin Cements ; Robotics ; Surgical Instruments ; Ureter ; Ureteral Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder

OBJECTIVES: To describe prescription patterns by gynecologists for osteoporosis therapy and to compare with the prescription patterns by physicians of other medical specialties based on the data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. METHODS: A total of 28,568 prescription claims by gynecologists of 633,870 prescription claims by physicians with medications for osteoporosis alone or medications for other indications, including osteoporosis, were analyzed. The medications for osteoporosis alone were, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), calcitonin (injection or nasal spray), vitamin K2, ipriflavone, and fluoride. The medications for other indications including osteoporosis were estrogen, tibolone, testosterone, calcium, calcium-vitamin D complex, vitamin D, and oxymetholone. RESULTS: Anti-osteoporosis medications were prescribed by 4.7% of gynecologists. Calcium and vitamin D were the most commonly prescribed medications by gynecologists (60.7%), followed by hormones, including tibolone (44%). Bisphosphonates, including bisphosphonate complex, were prescribed by 27.5% of gynecologists and SERMs were prescribed by 3.6% of gynecologists. Amongst all prescribers, the percentage of gynecologists was highest for hormones (50.6%), followed by tibolone (31.0%). When both medications were combined, the percentage of gynecologists among prescribers was 81.6%. The combination rate of calcium with other anti-osteoporosis medications was highest in gynecologists among prescribers of medical specialties (34.1%). CONCLUSION: A very small percentage of gynecologists prescribed anti-osteoporosis medications, while calcium, vitamin D, and hormones, including tibolone, were commonly prescribed by gynecologists.
Calcitonin ; Calcium ; Diphosphonates ; Estrogens ; Fluorides ; Insurance, Health ; Isoflavones ; Norpregnenes ; Osteoporosis ; Prescriptions ; Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; Testosterone ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin K 2

OBJECTIVES: To describe prescription patterns by gynecologists for osteoporosis therapy and to compare with the prescription patterns by physicians of other medical specialties based on the data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. METHODS: A total of 28,568 prescription claims by gynecologists of 633,870 prescription claims by physicians with medications for osteoporosis alone or medications for other indications, including osteoporosis, were analyzed. The medications for osteoporosis alone were, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), calcitonin (injection or nasal spray), vitamin K2, ipriflavone, and fluoride. The medications for other indications including osteoporosis were estrogen, tibolone, testosterone, calcium, calcium-vitamin D complex, vitamin D, and oxymetholone. RESULTS: Anti-osteoporosis medications were prescribed by 4.7% of gynecologists. Calcium and vitamin D were the most commonly prescribed medications by gynecologists (60.7%), followed by hormones, including tibolone (44%). Bisphosphonates, including bisphosphonate complex, were prescribed by 27.5% of gynecologists and SERMs were prescribed by 3.6% of gynecologists. Amongst all prescribers, the percentage of gynecologists was highest for hormones (50.6%), followed by tibolone (31.0%). When both medications were combined, the percentage of gynecologists among prescribers was 81.6%. The combination rate of calcium with other anti-osteoporosis medications was highest in gynecologists among prescribers of medical specialties (34.1%). CONCLUSION: A very small percentage of gynecologists prescribed anti-osteoporosis medications, while calcium, vitamin D, and hormones, including tibolone, were commonly prescribed by gynecologists.
Calcitonin ; Calcium ; Diphosphonates ; Estrogens ; Fluorides ; Insurance, Health ; Isoflavones ; Norpregnenes ; Osteoporosis ; Prescriptions ; Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; Testosterone ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin K 2