No Abstract Available.
Hepatitis B e Antigens* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens*

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocelluar carcinoma. It is a well-known fact that Korea is one of the hyperenedemic areas of Hepatitis B virus among East Asian countries. Many pnst reports have shown that positive rate of HBsAg in Korea was about 6-14%. But precise data for Yongdong area of Kwangwon Province in Korea was lacking. Here authors report on the prevalence of viral markers of hepatitis B among adults in this area. method: Sera were collected from 7469 residents in Yongdong area of Kwangwon Province who visited the Health Care Center, Asan Kangnung Hospital from September 11th to August 31th. HBsAg, AntiHBc-IgG, and AntiHBs were tested by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Positive rate of HBsAg of total study subjects was 8.5%, and was significantly decreased as age increased, and higher in males(10.2%) than in females(6.6%). Positive rate for one or more markers among HBsAg, AntiHBc-IgG, and AntiHBs was 84%, and was significantly increased as age increased, and higher in males(86.2%) than in females(81.2%). All negative rate for HBsAg, AntiHBc-IgG, and AntiHBs was 16.0% and all positive rate was 0.5%. Positive rate of AntiHBc-IgG without HBsAg and AntiHBs was 15.7% Positive rate of AntiHBs without HBsAg and AntiHBc-IgG was 11.7%. Positive rate of AntiHBc-IgG and AntiHBs was 72.1% and 60.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in positive rate of HBsAg between this study for residents in Yongdong area of Kwangwon Province and past many reports. 84% of the total study subjects showed serological evidence of previous exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) naturally exposed or by vaccine immunization. 16% of the total study subjects was a proper candidate for hepatitis B vaccination.
Adult* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biomarkers ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Delivery of Health Care ; Epidemiology ; Fibrosis ; Gangwon-do* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Immunization ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Radioimmunoassay ; Seroepidemiologic Studies* ; Vaccination

Background/Aims: Overwhelming evidence suggests that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is caused by a complicated interplay between the multiple genes and abnormal epigenetic regulation in response to environmental factors. It is becoming apparent that epigenetic factors are significantly associated with the development of the disease. DNA methylation remains the most studied epigenetic modification, and hypermethylation of gene promoters is associated with gene silencing. Methods: DNA methylation alterations may contribute to the many complex diseases development by regulating the interplay between external and internal environmental factors and gene transcriptional expression. In this study, we used 15 tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), originally identified in colon cancer, to detect promoter methylation in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methylation specific polymerase chain reaction and bisulfite sequencing analyses were performed to assess methylation level of TSGs in CD patients. Results: We found 6 TSGs (sFRP1, sFRP2, sFRP5, TFPI2, Sox17, and GATA4) are robustly hypermethylated in CD patient samples. Bisulfite sequencing analysis confirmed the methylation levels of the sFRP1, sFRP2, sFRP5, TFPI2, Sox17, and GATA4 promoters in the representative CD patient samples. Conclusions In this study, the promoter hypermethylation of the TSGs observed indicates that CD exhibits specific DNA methylation signatures with potential clinical applications for the noninvasive diagnosis of IBD and the prognosis for patients with IBD.

OBJECTIVE: In our domestic market, Belotecan (Camptobel(R), chongkeundang, Korea) is newly introduced recently. Belotecan has many advantages of improved water solubility and fewer side effects like severe diarrhea or GI bleeding compare to other camptothecin derivatives. In this study, primary focus is aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of belotecan by providing the cytotoxicity and apoptotic pathway on cervical cancer cells. METHODS: Cervical cancer cell line, HeLa and Caski were used. Belotecan applied on both cell lines and checked whether it has anti tumor effect on cancer cell by using MTT assay. DNA fragmentation and western blot was performed to confirm cellular apoptosis pathway. Also cDNA microarray and RT-PCR were serially carried out in order to identify responsible genes for apoptosis. RESULT: Dose- and time- dependent inhibition of cell proliferation is noted on the Belotecan applied HeLa and CaSki cervical carcinoma cell line by MTT assay. DNA fragmentation assay showed the DNA ladder indicating apopoptosis. Also apoptotic pathway and genes that are related with Belotecan activities are identified. Apoptosis, cell cycle, and drug metabolism related gene, and DNA repair gene were found to be differently regulated by treatment of Belotecan in HeLa cells. Among the DNA repair gene, RT-PCR reconfirmed the increased expression of CIB1(Calcium and intergrin binding 1), APEX1 (APEX nuclease 1) and the decresed expression of EXO1 (Exonuclease 1), WDR33 (WD repeat domain 33), and GADD45A (Growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible, alpha). CONCLUSION: The first domestically introduced 1st line anti- tumor agent, Belotecan shows its excellent inhibiting action on cervical cancer cell proliferation by apoptotic pathway in this study. Also genetic alterations in cDNA microarray leads to the new fact that Belotecan, as a topoisomerase I inhibitor, is not only involved with apoptotic, cell cycle-related pathway but also involved in DNA repair.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Camptothecin ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line* ; Cell Proliferation ; Diarrhea ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; DNA Repair ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type I ; HeLa Cells ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Solubility ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

Congenital constriction band of the trunk is a rare congenital malformation. A 14-year-old girl with a congenital circumferential constriction band around the waist is described. Seven other cases of congenital constriction band on the trunk are reviewed in the literature. This malformation is probably related to the amniotic band syndrome such as constriction band on the limbs. The surgical treatment of this constriction band was W-plasty and produced good cosmetic results.
Adolescent ; Amniotic Band Syndrome ; Constriction* ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare two bowel preparation agents, sodium phosphate solution with magnesium citrate solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 94 subjects that underwent a double-contrast barium enema were included in this study. Bowel preparation before performing the barium study was done by using a sodium phosphate solution in 47 subjects and by using a magnesium citrate solution in the other 47subjects. We evaluated the presence or absence of side effects when using these bowel preparation agents. Two radiologist who were blinded to the type of bowel preparation evaluated the quality of bowel preparation at the colonic segments (ascending, descending, and sigmoid colon) on the radiographs obtained by double-contrast barium enema, with regard to stool cleansing, water retention, barium coating and bubble formation. RESULTS: The side effects, such as abdominal clamping pain, nausea, hunger pain and chill occurred more frequently in the sodium phosphate group than in the magnesium citrate group (p<0.001). Stool retention was more frequently found in the magnesium citrate group (p<0.001). However, no statistical difference was noted on the status of water retention and barium coating between two groups. Gas bubble formation was more commonly seen in the sodium phosphate group (p<0.001). The sodium phosphate solution appeared to be more effective in cleansing the right colon (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Sodium phosphate solution appears to be more effective for colonic cleansing, with a lower incidence of side effects, than when using magnesium citrate solution.
Barium* ; Citric Acid* ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Constriction ; Enema* ; Humans ; Hunger ; Incidence ; Magnesium* ; Nausea ; Prospective Studies* ; Sodium* ; Water

For practicing comprehensive approach to health problems, family physicians should see both biomedical aspects and psychosocial aspects of each patient at the same time. Family physicians can hypothesize and intervene effectively the psychosocial aspects of patients through family-centered health care. Genogram, family life cycle, family's resources for stressful life events, and adaptability and cohesiveness of patients' family are the four eyes of family physicians, those enable family physicians to see the family of patients in their health care practice. Family-centered health care in family practice can be achieved by applications of family-related questions to routine health care practice, approaches to the family dynamics in patients with red flags, and family conferences for inpatients and patients with more difficult problems. Family-centered health care is the core practice of comprehensive approach to health problems and an important identity of family medicine.
Congresses as Topic ; Delivery of Health Care ; Eye ; Family Practice ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Physicians, Family

Background: Smartphone usage time has been increasing every year causing smartphone addiction, also known as cell phone dependency. This study investigated and analyzed the effects of family characteristics on adolescent smartphone use. Methods: The subjects were 908 middle school students in Gangneung whose legal guardians agreed to participate in the study. We investigated general characteristics, family structure, smartphone usage time of family members, using Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale (K-SAPS), Family APGAR, and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III (FACES III). The participants were classified into three groups according to the scores of the SAPS: addiction proneness, addiction tendency group, and normal user. Results: The prevalence of the addiction proneness group was 47 (5.2%). The K-SAPS scores were higher in the following categories: female (P<0.001); more monthly allowance (P<0.05); lower academic performance (P<0.001); fewer hours of exercise (P<0.001); longer smartphone usage time (P<0.001); and younger owners of smartphones (P<0.05). In family characteristics, the K-SAPS scores were significantly higher in single parent families (P<0.05), longer smartphone usage time of mother and siblings (P<0.05), less time spent watching TV with family members (P<0.05), more exposure to smartphones in childhood (P<0.05), and less time spent with mother (P<0.05). The K-SAPS scores were significantly higher when family APGAR, family adaptability, and cohesion scores were lower (P<0.001). Conclusion This study indicated that the smartphone addiction in middle school students is closely related to smartphone usage of family members and family functions. Therefore, family behavior that can be corrected should be considered for counseling to prevent smartphone addiction.

The clinical philosophy of family medicine is to provide warm-hearted health care to every human being as opposed to the modern subspecialized carecalled “inhuman medicine.” One of the strategies to implement this philosophy is comprehensive care. Comprehensive care uses the biopsychosocialmodel approach to health problems. Comprehensive evaluation and management of biopsychosocial dimensions is unique to family medicine, andit is difficult to achieve through subspecialized care. Family-oriented health care is a specific tool to practice comprehensive care based on thebiopsychosocial approach. For family-oriented medical care, the family physician needs to understand “family” from two perspectives: structural anddevelopmental. From the structural perspective, family is a group of small entities called holons. From the developmental perspective, family is anentity that keeps changing and developing through the family life cycle and events. Family-oriented care, in these two contexts, tries to understandand address the communication and behavior patterns of the family members.

Background: Irresponsible alcohol consumption by university students in our country continues to increase regardless of the sex; it also causes various problems. The blackouts experienced by the students cause social issues, and increased rates of alcohol-based dementia and alcohol use disorder. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the factors related to alcohol-induced blackouts experienced by university students. Methods: We used a structured questionnaire. Overall, 1,325 male and female attending four of the four-year universities in Gangwon-do were included in this study. Their living and drinking conditions, family’s drinking capacity, sleep, depression, anxiety and stress were investigated and the realtionship with the experience of blackout was investigated using the SPSS 24.0 statistical software. Results: Based on the alcohol consumption habits, 360 male (42.3%) and 221 female (46.6%) experienced blackouts. Alcohol use disorder was found in Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test - Korean revised version (AUDIT-K), 330 male (38.8%) and 265 female (55.9%). We found that the older male and female, the more they lived alone, the more frequently they drink alcohol in the family, the more they drink, and the more blackout experience, the more frequently they experience blackout (P<0.05). We also showed that the experience of blackout increased statistically significantly with the increase in difficulty to control alcohol consumption (P<0.05). Regarding the relationship between psychological aspects and blackouts, AUDIT-K scores and PHQ-9 scores were significantly higher in both male and female when they frequently experienced blackouts (P<0.05). Conclusion We found that >40% of the university students experienced blackouts; female experienced blackouts more frequently than male. The blackouts were related to lifestyle, family drinking, problem drinking and depression in both male and female.