BACKGROUND: The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is an easy and inexpensive adiposity index that reflects central obesity. In this study, we examined the association of baseline WHtR and progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) over 4 years of follow-up in apparently healthy Korean men. METHODS: A total of 1,048 male participants (mean age, 40.9 years) in a health-screening program in Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Korea who repeated a medical check-up in 2010 and 2014 were recruited. Baseline WHtR was calculated using the value for the waist in 2010 divided by the value for height in 2010. The CAC score (CACS) of each subject was measured by multi-detector computed tomography in both 2010 and 2014. Progression of CAC was defined as a CACS change over 4 years greater than 0. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, progression of CAC occurred in 278 subjects (26.5%). The subjects with CAC progression had slightly higher but significant baseline WHtR compared to those who did not show CAC progression (0.51+/-0.04 vs. 0.50+/-0.04, P<0.01). The proportion of subjects with CAC progression significantly increased as the baseline WHtR increased from the 1st quartile to 4th quartile groups (18.3%, 18.7%, 28.8%, and 34.2%; P<0.01). The risk for CAC progression was elevated with an odds ratio of 1.602 in the 4th quartile group of baseline WHtR even after adjustment for confounding variables (95% confidence interval, 1.040 to 2.466). CONCLUSION: Increased baseline WHtR was associated with increased risk for CAC progression. WHtR might be a useful screening tool to identify individuals at high risk for subclinical atherosclerosis.
Adiposity ; Atherosclerosis ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Coronary Vessels* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Male* ; Mass Screening ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; Seoul

No abstract available.
Neurilemmoma* ; Neurofibromatosis 1*

OBJECTIVE: In 2013, a new risk calculator known as the Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE) was introduced with the new cholesterol guideline. We aimed to calculate the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk using PCE in non-diabetic Korean subjects with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) lower than 6.5%. METHODS: A total of 17,519 participants were evaluated in a health screening program. The 10-year ASCVD risk was calculated using the PCE. Subjects with underlying diabetes or HbA1c > or =6.5% were excluded. Subjects were divided into four groups according to fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c levels: FBG <100 mg/dL, 100< or =FBG<110 mg/dL, 110< or =FBG<120 mg/dL, and FBG > or =120 mg/dL; HbA1c <5.5%, 5.5%< or =HbA1c<5.6%, 5.6%< or =HbA1c<5.8%, and HbA1c > or =5.8%. RESULTS: The mean 10-year ASCVD risk significantly increased as FBG increased from <100 mg/dL to >120 mg/dL in the four divided groups (2.6%, 3.3%, 3.8%, 4.1%; p<0.01), and as HbA1c increased from <5.5% to >5.8% (2.4%, 2.7%, 3.0%, 3.6%; p<0.01). The odds ratio for 10-year ASCVD risk > or =10% significantly increased from group I to IV according to FBG and HbA1c levels after adjusting for age, body mass index and fasting insulin level (1.187, 1.753, and 2.390 vs. 1.0 in the lowest FBG group; 1.626, 1.574, and 1.645 vs. 1.0 in the lowest HbA1c group). CONCLUSION: The 10-year ASCVD risk calculated using the PCE significantly increased as the FBG and HbA1c increased even in Korean subjects without underlying diabetes.
Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Cholesterol ; Cohort Studies* ; Fasting ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Insulin ; Mass Screening ; Odds Ratio ; Prediabetic State

No abstract available.
Lymphangioma*

No abstract available.

Flatfoot deformity, defined as loss of medial longitudinal arch, sometimes involves symptoms such as medial arch pain or Achilles tendon tightening, etc. Whether the etiology of deformity is congenital or acquired, i.e., posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, symptoms are largely resolved with conservative treatment including medication, orthoses, and activity modification. Surgery should be considered in cases of failure of conservative treatment and clinicians can select an appropriate technique among many surgical options including calcaneal osteotomy or flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer. Principles of corrective surgery include the recovery of alignment and the preservation of joint motion.
Achilles Tendon ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Flatfoot* ; Joints ; Orthotic Devices ; Osteotomy ; Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction ; Tendon Transfer

PURPOSE: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a tool used to measure autonomic nervous function; however, there is no evidence that it can be used to define sympathetic hyperactivity in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We suspected that LUTS would differ between sympathetic hyperactive and hypoactive patients. Therefore, we measured HRV and divided the LUTS patients into two groups, a sympathetic hyperactive group and a sympathetic hypoactive group according to the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio and made clinical comparisons between the groups. METHODS: A total of 43 patients with symptomatic LUTS (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] over 8) and 49 healthy volunteers were enrolled. No subjects had diseases that could affect the autonomic nervous system, such as diabetes or hypertension. Electrocardiographic signals were obtained from subjects in the resting state and HRV indexes were calculated with spectral analyses. We divided the LUTS patients into two groups by an LF/HF ratio of 1.9, which was the median value in the healthy volunteers, and compared the differences in clinical characteristics, IPSS, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) results. The parameters were compared by independent sample t-test by use of SPSS ver. 19. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, serum PSA, or volume of the prostate between the 2 LUTS groups. However, analyzing IPSS questionnaires between two groups showed that there were significant differences in mean of Q2 score (frequency) and storage symptom score ([Q2+Q4+Q7]/3) (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that an imbalance of autonomic nervous system activity may be a factor that evokes varieties of symptoms in men with LUTS. LUTS patients with hypoactive sympathetic tone may suffer from frequency and storage symptoms.
Autonomic Nervous System ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that causes progressive muscular weakness, severe weight loss, and ultimately death. Gastrostomy or nasogastric tube is beneficial for ALS patients with severe weight loss and dysphagia. However, the development of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome in ALS patients when the enteral feeding time is delayed is rarely reported. We report herein the first case of SMA syndrome in a Korean ALS patient who showed improvement after percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy(PEGJ).
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* ; Deglutition Disorders ; Enteral Nutrition ; Gastric Bypass ; Gastrostomy ; Humans ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; Muscle Weakness ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome* ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: Sorbitol fermenting Escherichia coli O157 were reported. And E. coli O157:H7 produce various Shiga toxin (Stx) such as Stx1, Stx2, or variants of Stx2. In this study, we tried to establish laboratory methods that detect E. coli O157:H7 quickly and precisely by analyzing sensitivity of colony hybridization test and PCR technique. METHODS: Stx1-producing E. coli ATCC 43890, Stx2-producing E. coli ATCC 43889, and Stx2vha- producing E. coli ATCC 51435 were tested. Three strains of E. coli were diluted with 0.1 g of diarrheal stools from 107 CFU to 101 CFU respectively. The stool samples were incubated overnight in MacConkey agar plates. A mean of 63 colonies were hybridized by stx1- and stx2-specific oligonucleotide probes. PCR for stx1 gene and stx2 gene was done after overnight- incubation of stool samples in the LB broth with vancomycin (6 ug/mL). Positive colonies by colony hybridization were confirmed by PCR for stx1 gene and stx2 gene. RESULTS: Colony hybridization test could detect Stx1-producing E. coli at 103 CFU per 0.1 g of stool, Stx2-producing E. coli at 105 CFU per 0.1 g of stool, and Stx2vha-producing E. coli at 104 CFU per 0.1 g of stool. PCR technique after enrichment in LB broth with vancomycin (6 ug/mL) could detect stx1-, stx2-, and stx2vha-containing E. coli at 10 CFU per 0.1 g of stool respectively. CONCLUSOIN: A combination of colony hybridization and PCR after enrichment in broth with vancomycin (6 ug/mL) is useful for the rapid and precise diagnosis of infections of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7.
Agar ; Diagnosis ; Escherichia coli O157 ; Escherichia coli* ; Escherichia* ; Oligonucleotide Probes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Shiga Toxin ; Sorbitol ; Vancomycin

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the clinical and radiographic outcome of the severe hallux valgus corrected with proximal reverse chevron metatarsal osteotomy and Akin osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was based on 18 feet (15 patients) of severe hallux valgus (hallux valgus angle> or =40degrees or intermetatarsal angle> or =18degrees) treated with proximal reverse chevron metatarsal osteotomy and followed for more than 1 year. Akin osteotmy was added in 72% of the patients. Clinically preoperative and postoperative AOFAS Hallux Metatarsophalangeal - interphalangeal score, VAS pain score and satisfaction after the surgery were analyzed. Radiologically hallux valgus angle, hallux valgus interphalangeal angle, the intermetatarsal angle and sesamoid position before and after the operation were analyzed. RESULTS: AOFAS Hallux Metatarsophalangeal - interphalangeal score improved from 54.5 (25-78) to 87.7 (70-100) and VAS pain score decreased from 6.0 (3-8) to postoperative 1.2 (0-5). Ninety-six percents of the patients were satisfied with results. Radiologically hallux valgus angle was decreased from 43.3degrees(31-58degrees) preoperatively to 6.8degrees (-8-27degrees) postoperatively. The intermetatarsal angle was decreased from 18.4degrees(11-24degrees) preoperatively to 5.3degrees (1-12degrees) postoperatively. The sesamoid subluxation was improved from 2.8+/-0.4 preoperatively to 0.4+/-0.6 postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Proximal reverse chevron metatarsal osteotomy and lateral soft tissue release with additional Akin osteotomy is good treatment option for severe hallux valgus.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Foot ; Hallux ; Hallux Valgus ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones ; Osteotomy