OBJECTIVE: Few studies have evaluated the personality characteristics of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and simple snoring. We investigated the personality characteristics of OSA and simple snoring patients and compared differences in personality between the two groups using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-seven patients who were suspected to have OSA or simple snoring participated in this study. A self-questionnaire which included the EPQ was administered to all participants. All subjects underwent polysomnography in a sleep laboratory and those with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > or =5 were included in the OSA group, while those with an AHI <5 were included in the simple snoring group. RESULTS: OSA patients had significantly lower scores for Psychoticism (F=4.563, p=0.034) than simple snorers. There were no significant differences in Extraversion (F=3.029, p=0.083), Lie (F=0.398, p=0.529), or Neuroticism (F=3.367, p=0.068) scores between the two groups. In the correlation analysis of the OSA group, AHI was positively correlated with Extraversion score (r=0.16, p=0.029) and negatively correlated with Lie score (B=-0.31, p<0.001). Using multiple stepwise linear regression analysis with the four EPQ parameter scores as dependent variables, Lie score was associated with older age (B=0.14, p<0.001) and lower AHI (B=-0.05, p<0.001), Psychoticism score was associated with higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI ; B=0.14, p<0.001), Neuroticism score was associated with higher PSQI (B=0.34, p=0.001) and female sex (B=3.15, p=0.003), and Extraversion score was associated with younger age (B=-0.08, p=0.020) and higher body mass index (B=0.26, p=0.023). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that patients with OSA are significantly less prone to psychotic personality characteristics than those with simple snoring. Among OSA patients, higher AHI was correlated with low falsehood and high extraversion tendencies.
Body Mass Index ; Extraversion (Psychology) ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Polysomnography ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Snoring*

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to objectively and systematically investigate the effect of Kinesio taping by organizing and analyzing the research results using effect size. Methods: A total of 1,000 papers was searched, and 100 of them were selected the first time. Afterward, the effects of taping were analyzed and classified papers that studied balance, muscle strength, and pain, and finally 34 papers were selected. The effect size was calculated using the Effect Size Calculators (University of Colorado, USA) program. Statistical analysis was performed by using PASW Statistics software version 23.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics were used to obtain the effect size and confidence interval for each group. Results: In a study related to balance control ability, the effect size was 1.519 in the young subjects group (20-39 years old), and the effect size in the elderly group (65 years or older) was 0.360. In a study related to muscle strength, the effect size was 0.469 in the group of young subjects and 0.250 in the middle-aged group (40-65 years old), and the effect size of the elderly group was 0.848. In the study related to pain control, the effect size was 0.469 in the young group, the effect size of the middle-aged group was 0.972, and the effect size of the elderly group was 1.040. Conclusion Kinesio taping differed in the degree of effect according to the age group of the subjects, but it was effective in balance control ability, muscle strength, and pain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to objectively and systematically investigate the effect of Kinesio taping by organizing and analyzing the research results using effect size. Methods: A total of 1,000 papers was searched, and 100 of them were selected the first time. Afterward, the effects of taping were analyzed and classified papers that studied balance, muscle strength, and pain, and finally 34 papers were selected. The effect size was calculated using the Effect Size Calculators (University of Colorado, USA) program. Statistical analysis was performed by using PASW Statistics software version 23.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics were used to obtain the effect size and confidence interval for each group. Results: In a study related to balance control ability, the effect size was 1.519 in the young subjects group (20-39 years old), and the effect size in the elderly group (65 years or older) was 0.360. In a study related to muscle strength, the effect size was 0.469 in the group of young subjects and 0.250 in the middle-aged group (40-65 years old), and the effect size of the elderly group was 0.848. In the study related to pain control, the effect size was 0.469 in the young group, the effect size of the middle-aged group was 0.972, and the effect size of the elderly group was 1.040. Conclusion Kinesio taping differed in the degree of effect according to the age group of the subjects, but it was effective in balance control ability, muscle strength, and pain.

Purpose: This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of a combination of Syzygium aromaticum L. and Sorbus commixta Hedl. (SS) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The extracts of Syzygium aromaticum extract (SA) and Sorbus commixta extract (SC) were prepared individually using distilled water. They were mixed in a 1:2 ratio for use in the experiment. To assess the anti-obesity potential of SS in vitro, we examined cell proliferation, cellular triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels, as well as lipogenesis and β-oxidation in 3T3-L1 cells. To confirm its anti-obesity potential in vivo, C57BL/6J mice were fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity. SA alone, SC alone, and their combination compound, SS (at a dosage of 200 mg/kg) were orally administered for 6 weeks. Thereafter, to conduct a comparative evaluation, serum analysis, western blotting of liver tissues, and histopathological analysis were performed. Results: Both SS200 and SS400 significantly inhibited the cellular TG and TC contents in the 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, treatment of the cells with SS (at a dose 200 and 400 μg/mL) also led to a noticeable regulation of key lipogenic and β-oxidation factors. Treatment of obese mice with SS resulted in a greater reduction in serum leptin and TG levels compared to treatment with the individual compounds (SA and SC). Furthermore, activation of AMPactivated protein kinase α by SS treatment resulted in the suppression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1, leading to the inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) expression. Conclusion Our results suggest that SS may have the potential to prevent obesity through a reduction in the TG and TC levels and regulation of lipogenesis and β-oxidation.

Purpose: This study aims to compare the effect on balance during core and ankle muscle strengthening exercises using the Thera-Band. Methods: 21 healthy college students were recruited. The participants were divided into a core strengthening group (CSG), an ankle strengthening group (ASG), and a non-exercise group (NEG). CSG and ASG were performed twice a week for a total of 4 weeks, and static and dynamic balance were measured before and after the intervention. The static balance were measured as stability index and weight distribution index using Tetrax®. The dynamic balance was measured in each direction by the Y balance test. The Thera-Band intensity was increased after 2 weeks of exercise, and the exercise was subsequently performed. Results: Participants showed static balance with Tetrax®, a significant difference was noted between normal eye closes and pillow with eye closes in ASG (p < 0.05). In the case of dynamic balance with the Y balance test, a significant difference was observed in posterolateral direction (PL) and composite score (CS) between each group for the pre- and post-intervention differences (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed between PL and CS in CSG (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings show that the progressive Thera-Band exercise had a positive effect on balance abilities. It was confirmed that core strengthening was effective for dynamic balance, and ankle strengthening was effective for static balance.

Purpose: This study aims to measure the improvement of balanced ability and rapid response of 30 healthy adults by performing dynamic stretching, static stretching, and sargent jump. Methods: The sample 30 peoples without any musculoskeletal disease who volunteered to be the subject of the study. We measured all subjects on following metrics to evaluate the function and stability under the normal condition, with dynamic stretching (DS) group, static stretching (SS) group: vertical jump height and reaching distance Anterior, Posteromedial, Posterolateral and NO (Normal eye open), NC (Normal eye close), PO (Pillow with eye open), and PC (Pillow with close eye) were evaluated. All measures were analyzed using independent t-test and One-way repeated Anova. Results: There was a significant increase in SJH (Sargent jump) in both groups (p < 0.05). In Y-balance test, there was a significant increase in both groups except for the ANT (Anterior) direction, and there was a significant increase only in the SS group in the ANT (Anterior) direction (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the DS group and the SS group (p > 0.05). There was no significant improvement in ST (Stability Index) and WDI (Weight Distribution Index) in both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Both DS and SS showed significant improvement in SJH and Y-balance tests, which are dynamic functions, but had no significant effect on static balance ability.

Orphan nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) regulates cell growth and tumorigenesis in various cancers. However, the clinical relevance of ERRγ to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Here we examined the clinical significance of ERRγ in HCC and its potential as a therapeutic target. ERRγ levels in tissues from completely resected specimens from 190 HCC patients were examined immunohistochemically and their association with clinical stage and pathological grade was analyzed. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of ERRγ (siRNA-ERRγ) or an ERRγ inverse agonist, GSK5182, were also used to examine the effects of ERRγ inhibition on the proliferation and growth of a human hepatoma cell line, PLC/PRF/5. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that tumor tissues showed higher levels of ERRγ-positivity than adjacent non-tumor lesions. Tumors showing high levels of ERRγ immunoreactivity also had advanced tumor node metastasis (TNM) and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stages and a higher Edmondson–Steiner grade. In addition, high-level expression of ERRγ in tumors of advanced TNM stage correlated with poorer overall survival. Treatment of PLC/PRF/5 cells with siRNA-ERRγ or GSK5182 inhibited proliferation through G1 arrest, increased expression of p21 and p27 and decreased expression of phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein. GSK5182-induced reactive oxygen species also suppressed the proliferation of PLC/PRF/5 cells. The present study showed that ERRγ expression is clinically significant in HCC; therefore, it can be considered a biomarker for HCC diagnosis. Moreover, the results provide a rationale for the use of ERRγ inhibitors such as GSK5182 as potential therapeutic agents.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation* ; Child ; Child, Orphaned ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms* ; Liver* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Retinoblastoma Protein ; RNA, Small Interfering

Mucormycosis, caused by Zygomycetes fungi of the order Mucorales, is a rare opportunistic infection which usually develops in immunosuppressed patients, especially in patients with diabetic acidosis. This infection, associated with the presence of broad, nonseparate hyphae in tissue, originates usually in the perinasal sinuses and nose, orbit, central nervous system, lung, skin, soft tissue, or gastrointestinal tract, but is occasionally disseminated from the primary location to other areas. Recently we experienced a case of Mucormycosis found in the breast of a 70-year old woman undergoing hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy. The patients was very poor in her systemic condition. On physical examination, we found the subcutaneous mass in the left breast. Breast ultrasonography showed a mass with a relatively clear boundary in subcutaneous fatty layer and excisional biopsy confirmed infiltration of breast tissue by fungal hyphae. With improvement of patient's malnutrition via an aggressive hemodialysis, control of blood glucose and total parentral nutrition, the mass was slightly reduced in size and maintained without causing any notable symptom. Since Mucormycosis found in the breast tissue has not been reported in the literature yet, we report its case observed in a hemodialysis patient for diabetic nephropathy with the review of the literatures.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Blood Glucose ; Breast* ; Central Nervous System ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Diabetic Nephropathies* ; Female ; Fungi ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Lung ; Malnutrition ; Mucorales ; Mucormycosis* ; Nose ; Opportunistic Infections ; Orbit ; Physical Examination ; Renal Dialysis* ; Skin ; Ultrasonography, Mammary

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of single-dose cisplatin intraperitoneally administered during cytoreductive surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: Data from patients who underwent surgical management followed by intravenous (IV) chemotherapy for stage III epithelial ovarian cancer from 2003 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Subjects were divided into intraperitoneal (IP) and no-intraperitoneal (NIP) groups according to the administration of IP cisplatin 100 mg during the staging surgery. Clinical results such as survival outcomes and chemotherapeutic toxicity were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients in the IP group and 26 in the NIP group were identified. There were no significant differences between the two groups in basic characteristics such as age, histology, and surgical procedures. After the surgery with or without IP chemotherapy, there was no difference in the rate of either hematologic or gastrointestinal toxicity or in the rate of incompletion of following IV chemotherapy. Tumor recurrence occurred in 67.6% (25 patients) of IP group and 57.7% (15 patients) of NIP group (P=0.423) during the mean follow-up period of 37 months. The 3-year disease free-survival rate was 39.9% in the IP group and 35.8% in the NIP group, and the relative risk of recurrence was 0.864 (95% confidence interval, 0.447-1.673; P=0.665) in the IP group as compared with the NIP group. CONCLUSION: IP chemotherapy with single-dose cisplatin during cytoreductive surgery is safe and feasible with little chemotherapeutic toxicity in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, but no distinct improvement in survival could be demonstrated in the present study.
Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding results in loss in timely, effective medical care, as well as in social and economical efficiency. This paper proposes a new overcrowding index to reduce and to prevent these losses. METHODS: We investigated the real-time situation of the emergency department in a major Korean hospital, compared to existing indices and to extracted factors to develop a new, customized overcrowding index based on the flow of patients, a reflection of emergency room conditions. We developed 3 indices, FFOI (Front Flow Overcrowding Index), BFOI (Back Flow Overcrowding Index), and TFOI (Total Flow Overcrowding Index). Each index was applied to test the period from 10 September 2007 to 16September 2007. We extracted values of each index at 3- hour intervals and estimated how they reflected the overcrowding situation compared with basic overcrowdingindices. We used the correlation coefficient and Kullback- Leiblur (KL) distance as the basis for measurement. RESULTS: Existing indices are emergency department work index (EDWIN), national emergency department overcrowding scale (NEDOCS), and real-time emergency analysis of demand indicator (READI) work score (WS). EDWIN and READI did not reflect accurately the overcrowding situation. Some factors extracted from NEDOCS and WS were not suited to the emergency department. We solved these problems by develop in new indices. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the new indices are more effective and descriptive than the existing indices with respect to correlation to crowdedness in the emergency department. In the future, the new, customized overcrowding index will become more descriptive if the necessary data is gathered in real time and more effectively verified by the medical staffs and patients.
Crowding ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Humans ; Medical Staff