Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. A combination therapy with proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin is recommended as the first-line treatment regimen in Korea. However, the eradication rate with a standard triple therapy has been unsatisfactory in the last decade, and one of the main reasons for treatment failure is the increasing prevalence of strains resistant to antimicrobials. Therefore, comprehensive and detailed information on antimicrobial resistance is mandatory to optimize the strategy of eradication treatment. The antimicrobial resistance of H. pylori is reported to vary according to study population, geographical region, and test methods. In this review, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance of H. pylori isolates in Korea is summarized on the basis of recent studies.
Amoxicillin ; Clarithromycin ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Korea* ; Prevalence ; Proton Pumps ; Treatment Failure

Various cancer types have been associated with cancer-related cerebral infarction. In this study, we describe the first case of cancer-related cerebral infarction in which the underlying disease was primary bone marrow lymphoma (PBML). A 79-year-old man presented with abruptly developed bilateral lower extremity weakness and confusion. Diffusion-weighted imaging on admission showed multiple cortical and subcortical embolic infarction lesions in multiple vascular territories. Diagnostic evaluations to determine the embolic source revealed no abnormalities. Laboratory testing demonstrated elevated D-dimer (2.59 μg/mL) but no other prothrombotic abnormalities. In suspicion of cancer-related stroke, we performed chest CT, abdomen CT, and FDG-PET to detect the hidden malignancy. Findings revealed no evidence of cancer; however, they did reveal signs of anemia (hemoglobin 9.0 g/dL). Bone marrow aspiration biopsy showed large atypical B cell involvement suggestive of high-grade B cell lymphoma. The patient was diagnosed with primary bone marrow diffuse large B-cell lymphoma initially presenting with ischemic stroke. Our case suggests that primary bone marrow cancer may be a candidate for the differential diagnosis of hidden malignancy in patients with suspected cancer-related stroke. Bone marrow biopsy may be essential for establishing an appropriate differential diagnosis in patients with abnormal hematologic findings.

The correction is being published to correct the grant number in above article.

Purpose: We present a case of internal astigmatism correction using a toric scleral contact lens in a patient with high myopia after implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery.Case summary: A 45-year-old man presented with a significant decrease in visual acuity despite previous ICL surgery. Initial attempts to fit a corneal rigid gas permeable contact lens to the left eye were unsuccessful due to fitting challenges. Subsequently, the use of a spherical scleral contact lens effectively corrected corneal astigmatism but failed to address internal astigmatism, thereby limiting improvement in visual acuity. Postoperative corneal ectasia and ICL rotation were suspected to be the underlying causes of this astigmatism. The introduction of a front toric scleral lens resulted in a significant improvement in visual acuity and sustained comfort throughout the 3-month follow-up period. Conclusions The use of toric scleral lenses can significantly improve visual acuity and provide exceptional comfort in cases where corneal morphology and lens position change after ICL surgery. This modality presents a promising alternative for future consideration.

As sleep duration and quality are associated with various diseases, many devices have been developed to assess sleep. We reviewed the devices used to assess sleep and their performance, focusing on Fitbit, one of the most popular devices for tracking sleep. Although previous studies have reported conflicting results regarding Fitbit’s estimation of the sleep index, most studies have shown that it has acceptable accuracy and high sensitivity. Its performance could be affected by various factors such as participants’ sleep characteristics, sleep hours and stages, analysis methods, devices compared, device models and settings, and the dominanton-dominant wrist wearing the device. Therefore, these factors should be considered when using Fitbit to assess sleep patterns.

As sleep duration and quality are associated with various diseases, many devices have been developed to assess sleep. We reviewed the devices used to assess sleep and their performance, focusing on Fitbit, one of the most popular devices for tracking sleep. Although previous studies have reported conflicting results regarding Fitbit’s estimation of the sleep index, most studies have shown that it has acceptable accuracy and high sensitivity. Its performance could be affected by various factors such as participants’ sleep characteristics, sleep hours and stages, analysis methods, devices compared, device models and settings, and the dominanton-dominant wrist wearing the device. Therefore, these factors should be considered when using Fitbit to assess sleep patterns.

As sleep duration and quality are associated with various diseases, many devices have been developed to assess sleep. We reviewed the devices used to assess sleep and their performance, focusing on Fitbit, one of the most popular devices for tracking sleep. Although previous studies have reported conflicting results regarding Fitbit’s estimation of the sleep index, most studies have shown that it has acceptable accuracy and high sensitivity. Its performance could be affected by various factors such as participants’ sleep characteristics, sleep hours and stages, analysis methods, devices compared, device models and settings, and the dominanton-dominant wrist wearing the device. Therefore, these factors should be considered when using Fitbit to assess sleep patterns.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by local and gradual transformations of terminal scalp hair to vellus hair, which has a shorter and thinner shaft. The proportion of patients with androgenetic alopecia, among the total number of patients with alopecia, seems to be gradually increasing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the family history, and clinical and endocrine status of patients with androgenetic alopecia. METHOD: 796 patients with androgenetic alopecia were assessed at the Alopecia Clinic, Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital over a 3 year period (from January 2001 to December 2003). RESULTS: The following results were obtained: 1) There were found to be 1.7 more male patients (498) than female patients (298). They were also found to be mostly in their twenties (male 253; 50.8%, female 90; 30.2%). Previously, male to female ratio was 3.46: 1, but was now found to be 1.7: 1. 2) In the 498 male patients, Norwood class II was dominant (130 patients; 26.2%). In the 298 female patients, Ludwig class I was superior (204 patients; 68.5%). 3) 321 patients (64.5%) of 498 male patients and 177 (59.4%) of 298 female patients hada family history of androgenetic alopecia. 4) The most common accompanying disorder was seborrheic dermatitis (male 287; 73.0%, female 137; 64.6%). 5) Serum testosterone levels were increased in 84 (16.9%) of 498 male patients and 44 (14.8%) of 298 female patients. CONCLUSION: Most of these results are compatible with our previous study carried out in 1995. But, female androgenetic alopecia patients are nowadays increasing in number, therefore, the ratio of male to female is markedly different.
Alopecia* ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Dermatology ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Male ; Scalp ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVE: The ovarian cycle is characterized by repeating patterns of cellular proliferation and differentiation that accompany follicular development and the formation and regression of the corpus luteum (CL). That angiogenesis may play an important role in this process. Angiogenesis is supposed to be regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The goal of the present investigation, therefore, was to determine whether the expression of VEGF was changed in the normally cycling human ovary. We also investigated VEGF expression in the regressed CL (ie, nonfunctiong CL) of normal term pregnancy to define the association with steroidogenic activity. To our knowledge there is no report available on VEGF expression in the CL of term pregnancy. METHODS: We assessed VEGF expression in ovaries obtained from, 26-42 yr of age, and from patients undergoing hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy for nonendocrinological or nonovarian disorders. Tissue samples from premenopausal women included specimens from follicular (n=4) and luteal (n 4) phases. In addition, we studied ovarian specimens from pregnant women (n=3). Immunohistochemical analysis for VEGF was performed using a rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against human VEGF. RESULTS: These data demonstrate a development-related VEGF expression in the follicle and indirectly show that VEGF expression may be up to the existence of LH-receptor. And also, VEGF was overexpressed in the regressed CL of pregnant women compared with the functioning CL of nonpregnant cycles CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the intensity of VEGF expression is not correlated with steroidogenic activity, although both of them are stimulated by LH.
Cell Proliferation ; Corpus Luteum ; Female ; Humans* ; Hysterectomy ; Menstrual Cycle ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

PURPOSE: The study purposes were to explore school nurses' experience, perceived barriers, and education needs in diabetes management at school. METHODS: This study was a cross sectional study and the study participants were recruited conveniently at continuing education seminars for school nurses at Incheon Metropolitan City. RESULTS: Data for 101 school nurses were analyzed. The nurses were all women and their mean age was 46.9+/-9.3 years. About 66% of them had experience with children with diabetes at school. The school nurses reported that 74.6% of the students tested their blood glucose by themselves, the school clinic was the most common place for blood glucose tests (47.8%) and insulin injections (50.8%) and the nurses knew students' diagnosis through the student health survey (58.2%). About half of the nurses (53.7%) reported that glucagon should be available at school and 49.2% were willing to inject glucagon when necessary. The most frequently reported barrier in diabetes management was role confusion (6.0+/-1.3) and the most common educational need was emergency responses (5.9+/-1.4). CONCLUSIONS: School health policy for diabetes management and diabetes resources are necessary to minimize role confusion of school nurses, improve emergency response, and facilitate health promotion activities in diabetes management.
Adolescent* ; Blood Glucose ; Child* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Diagnosis ; Disease Management ; Education ; Education, Continuing ; Emergencies ; Female ; Glucagon ; Health Promotion ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Incheon ; Insulin ; School Health Services ; School Nursing