PURPOSE: This study is to investigate the smoking experience and its related factors among adolescence. METHOD: The subject for this study consisted of 2711 students of middle, high school located in youngam-koon, chonnam. The data were collected by an anonymous questionnaire during the period from March. 1, 2001 to June. 20, 2001. RESULT: The frequency of cigaret smoker was 8%. The frequency of smoker in the high school was higher than that of smokers at the middle school. The motivation of smoking was curiosity and solicitation by friends, and the level of smoking was on average less than 10 cigarettes a day. The 72.2% of smokers started during the middle school period. Students who smoke had more positive attitude toward smoking than students who don't smoke. There were significant differences in there knowledge about the harmful effect of smoking between nonsmoker and smoker. Most smoking students thought that nonsmoking education is necessary for adolescents, even though they don't want to quit the smoking. The frequency of smoker was different between genders. CONCLUSION: An understanding of the characteristics of smoking of adolescence may provide guidance for preventive interventions with adolescents.
Adolescent* ; Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Education ; Exploratory Behavior ; Friends ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Motivation ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Products ; Child Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Background: Comprehensive medication management is essential to achieve safe and optimal drug use for the elderly in long-term care facilities (LTCF). This study aimed to develop eligibility criteria for ”Comprehensive medication management program in LTCF” using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (RAM). Furthermore, we attempted to estimate the number of beneficiaries who met the criteria by analyzing the National Health Insurance claims data. Methods: Twelve criteria were selected initially. We composed a panel of 14 experts with expertise in long-term care. We conducted two survey rounds to reach a consensus.Rating for appropriateness and decision regarding agreement were applied per RAM. We analyzed the National Health Insurance data to estimate the number of LTCF residents who met each eligibility criterion. Results: Of the 11 items agreed upon, ten items were determined to be appropriate. In 2018, 83.6% of 165,994 residents of LTCF met one or more eligibility criteria. The largest number of subjects met the “New residents of LTCF” criterion, followed by “Take high-alert drugs” and “Chronic excessive polypharmacy.” Since the items evaluated as most appropriate by the expert panel and those with a large number of subjects were similar, we confirmed the external validity of our criteria. Conclusion It is worth noting that this is the first attempt to establish the eligibility criteria for medication management in LTCF. Further preliminary research is needed to identify the selected subjects' drugrelated problems and revise the criteria according to the results.

Entamoeba histolytica is an enteric tissue-invading protozoan parasite that can cause amebic colitis and liver abscess in humans. E. histolytica has the capability to kill colon epithelial cells in vitro; however, information regarding the role of calpain in colon cell death induced by ameba is limited. In this study, we investigated whether calpains are involved in the E. histolytica-induced cell death of HT-29 colonic epithelial cells. When HT-29 cells were co-incubated with E. histolytica, the propidium iodide stained dead cells markedly increased compared to that in HT-29 cells incubated with medium alone. This pro-death effect induced by ameba was effectively blocked by pretreatment of HT-29 cells with the calpain inhibitor, calpeptin. Moreover, knockdown of m- and micro-calpain by siRNA significantly reduced E. histolytica-induced HT-29 cell death. These results suggest that m- and micro-calpain may be involved in colon epithelial cell death induced by E. histolytica.
Calpain/antagonists & inhibitors/genetics/*metabolism ; *Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Dipeptides/metabolism ; Entamoeba histolytica/*pathogenicity ; Epithelial Cells/*parasitology ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans

PURPOSE: The prevalence of skin cancers and cutaneous premalignant lesions are increasing recently. It is necessary to treat cutaneous premalignant lesions, because these can progress to invasive skin cancers. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the usefulness of CO2 laser resurfacing in skin tumor surgery. METHODS: From 2005 to 2008, 14 patients with skin cancers, photodamaged skin and cutaneous premalignant lesions were treated with skin cancer excision, immediate reconstruction, and CO2 facial laser resurfacing. Mean average follow-up period was 15.6 months(5 months-36 months). Biopsy and clinical photograph were taken preoperatively, intraoperatively and through follow-up period to assess the effectiveness of laser resurfacing. Recurrence and side effects were evaluated through follow-up period. RESULTS: Histologic examination shows the abolition of actinic atypia, regeneration of epidermis and normalization of cellular differentiation after laser resurfacing. Clinical photographs shows elimination of keratoses and spots, and the homogeneous, smoothening change of skin surface, indicating healthy and younger faces. All patients had remained free of skin cancers and premalignant lesions in laser-treated field through follow-up period. CONCLUSION: CO2 laser resurfacing in skin tumor surgery can treat not only premalignant lesions but also subclinical lesions of photodamaged skin. Moreover it may be helpful in prophylaxis against skin cancers and premalignant lesions, providing rejuvenation and cosmetic improvement.
Actins ; Biopsy ; Cosmetics ; Epidermis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratosis ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Gas ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Regeneration ; Rejuvenation ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare with pregnant and non-pregnant women for homocysteine and vitamin B12 and to determine effecting factors on serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 level. METHODS: From March 2001 to February 2002, 202 pregnant (24-28 wks) women and 237 non- pregnant women were included in this study. Blood sample for homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate and questionaires about life style and nutrition were done. Homocysteine was measured by HPLC and vitamin B12, folate were measured by RIA. RESULT: Concentrations (mean+/-8D) of homocysteine and vitamin B12 in pregnant women were 8.2+/-3.1 micromol/L, 449.4+/-212.3 pg/ml, and in non-pregnant women were 12.5+/-6.3 micromol/L, 1017.1+/-296.8 pg/ml, respectively. Risk group of homocysteine was 6.5% in pregnant women (n=12/185), and 26.4% in non- pregnant women (n=57/216). In pregnant women, homocysteine have a negative correlation with folate, vitamin B12 (p<0.05). Non- pregnant women were divided to three groups (smoker, ever been smoker but stop smoking now, non- smoker) and concentrations of homocysteine were 13.6+/-7.0, 13.0+/-6.7, 11.9+/-7.6 micromol/L, respectively. They were divided to two groups (drinker, non-drinker) and concentrations of homocysteine were 12.9+/-7.0, 10.4+/-3.0 micromol/L respectively (p<0.05). Pregnant women who take nutrients have a higher concentration of folate than in women do not (8.8+/-5.1 vs. 7.9+/-3.9 pg/ml, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Homocysteine in women during pregnancy is decreased by about 35% compared with that of non-pregnant women. In pregnant women, as homocysteine increases, as folate and vitamin B12 decrease. Among the non-pregnant women, higher level of homocysteine demonstrated in smokers than in non-smokers and in drinkers than non-drinkers. In pregnant women who take nutrients have a significant higher level of folate than do not, but have no significant relationship in homocysteine level.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Homocysteine* ; Humans ; Life Style ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vitamin B 12* ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: To retrieve the retracted flexor tendon, additional incision and wide dissection are conventionally required. We introduce minimal-incision tenorrhaphy using 1cm-long incision and minimal dissection. METHODS: Transverse incision about 1cm in length is made over the level of retracted tendon. Nelaton's catheter is advanced into tendon sheath from distal primary laceration wound to emerge proximally through the incisional wound. A catheter is sutured to proximal tendon in end-to- end fashion. By gently pulling the catheter, retracted tendon is delivered to distal wound. Tenorrhaphy with core suture and epitendinous suture is then carried out. RESULTS: This retrieving technique provides minimal incision, minimal dissection, minimal bleeding, minimal injury to tendon end, and shorter operation time with preservation of vincula tendinum and pulley system. CONCLUSION: In case of flexor tendon rupture with retraction, this operative method is believed to allow reliable and effective tenorrhaphy and excellent postoperative outcomes.
Catheters ; Hemorrhage ; Lacerations ; Rupture ; Sutures ; Tendon Injuries ; Tendons

Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents globally, and body weight is also a recognized reason for adolescent suicide. Therefore, we investigated the association between weight control behaviors (WCB) and suicide ideation and attempt, focusing on inappropriate weight control measures. We used data from the 2014 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, representing a total of 35,224 boys and 34,361 girls aged 12 to 18 years. Adolescents were classified into groups based on WCB: appropriate WCB, inappropriate WCB, and no WCB. We performed logistic regression models to examine associations between WCB and suicide ideation and attempt, controlling for covariates. Both boys and girls with inappropriate WCB were more likely to report suicide ideation and attempt. Underweight and normal weight boys with inappropriate WCB were more likely to think or attempt suicide, and underweight girls with inappropriate WCB were also more likely to attempt suicide. Among five common WCB combinations, the combination of "regular exercise, fasting, eating less" was highly associated with suicide ideation and attempt. We confirmed that inappropriate WCB is associated with suicide ideation and attempt among Korean adolescents. Given the high incidence rate of suicide among adolescents and the adverse effect of inappropriate WCB, encouraging adolescents to control their weight in healthy ways is imperative.
Adolescent* ; Body Weight ; Body Weight Changes ; Cause of Death ; Eating ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Risk-Taking ; Suicide* ; Thinness ; Weight Perception

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of phosphorylated tau with epitopes threonine 181(p-tau181) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease typed dementia from other type of dementia. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies on p-tau181. Two evaluators independently evaluated the quality of the ten studies using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) tool. The literature review covered from October 27, 1946 to October 22, 2013, and eight domestic databases including KoreaMed and international databases including Ovid-MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were used. Tau concentrations were compared to healthy controls and to subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) using random effect meta-analysis. Outcome measures were Cohen's delta, sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Finally, 8 studies (8 diagnostic evaluation studies) were identified to evaluate CSF p-tau181. The effectiveness of this test was evaluated based on diagnostic accuracy. The diagnostic accuracy for identifying AD by ELISA was high which revealed pooled sensitivity as 0.843 (95% CI 0.818-0.867), pooled specificity as 0.799(95% CI 0.768-0.828) and summary receiver operating characteristic area under the curve 0.9082+/-0.0236. CONCLUSIONS: CSF p-tau181 concentrations in other type of dementia are intermediate between controls and AD patients. Overlap between both controls and AD patients results in insufficient diagnostic accuracy, and the development of more specific biomarkers for these disorders is needed.
Alzheimer Disease* ; Biomarkers ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Dementia ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; tau Proteins ; Threonine

PURPOSE: There are several modalities to reattach the amputated auricle. Although microvascular replantation can achieve the best outcome, it is technically difficult. Conventional composite graft is technically easy, but uniformly unsuccessful. Our successful experience of reattachment using postauricular subcutaneous pocket is presented. METHODS: The amputated tissue was placed in its anatomical position with buried sutures. The amputated part is dermabraded to remove the epidermis and outer layer of dermis(Fig. 1, Center, left). Postauricular skin flap was then raised and the reattached dermabraded ear was buried beneath the flap(Fig. 1, Center, right). Two weeks after the original surgery, the buried ear was removed from its pocket(Fig. 1, Below, left). RESULTS: The ear was reepithelialized spontaneously in 7 days. In 3 months, the reattached ear shows satisfactory appearance without contour deformity(Fig. 1, Below, right). CONCLUSION: This technique provides increase in contact surface between the amputated segment and the surrounding tissues which supply blood, serum, oxygen and nutrients, maximizing the probability of "take". Minimally injured dermis can be healed from spontaneous reepithelialization and provides minimal contour deformity. We have used this non-microsurgical technique with very satisfying outcome.
Amputation, Traumatic ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dermis ; Ear ; Ear Auricle ; Epidermis ; Oxygen ; Replantation ; Skin ; Sutures ; Transplants

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although there is growing interest in hospice-palliative care, little information is available on the effects of such care in South Korea. Addressing this research gap, i.e., determining the cost-effectiveness of hospice-palliative care in South Korea, will help guide policy. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness analysis of hospice-palliative care in adults diagnosed with terminal cancer. METHODS: We used a Markov model to construct a decision tree, for an analysis comparing the general ward with the hospice-palliative ward in terms of patient quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Cost and quality of life were estimated based on published Korean studies. Cost-effectiveness was calculated as the incremental cost relative to the incremental effect. Additionally, a one-way sensitivity analysis was performed to test the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Hospice-palliative ward care was more cost-effective than general ward care. The incremental cost was 290,401 Korean won (KRW) and the incremental effect was −0.25. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was −1,174,045 KRW. A similar pattern of results was obtained in the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that hospice-palliative ward care is more cost-effective than general ward care.