BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to examine the trends of government-supported health promotion research projects conducted in Korea over the past 12 years. METHODS: Research type, area of interest, organization, and expense of 726 research projects conducted from 1998 to 2009 were examined and the health promotion content analyzed. RESULTS: In Korea, 361 health policy researches (HPR) and 365 general health researches (GHR) were supported by the government during the defined time period. A total of 60.5 health promotion research were conducted annually with a total amount of 27.1 billion won provided (2.26 billion won per year). With the average research project lasting 8.5 months, HPR (7.7 months) projects were completed sooner than GHR (9.2 months). Those who majored in preventive medicine completed 177 research (24.4%), the most number of research projects, followed by public health (22.5%), and family medicine (15.6%). There were 641 health promotion research projects done mostly on policies, legal systems, and grasping current conditions, and only 85 (11.7%) clinical test research on the development or effects of health promotion programs. CONCLUSIONS: HPR have been increasing annually. However, our study could not be certain of how close the studies were to the government's health promotion policies. Furthermore, the main health promotion area, 'healthy living', was not researched as often as should be. Additionally, to improve applicability of the research projects, interdisciplinary cooperation should be promoted.
Hand Strength ; Health Policy ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Preventive Medicine ; Public Health

Malposition of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) venous cannula in the azygos vein is not frequently reported. We hereby present such a case, which occurred in a neonate with right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Despite ECMO application, neither adequate flow nor sufficient oxygenation was achieved. On the cross-table lateral chest radiograph, the cannula tip was identified posterior to the heart silhouette, which implied malposition of the cannula in the azygos vein. After repositioning the cannula, the target flow and oxygenation were successfully achieved. When sufficient venous flow is not achieved, as in our case, clinicians should be alerted so they can identify the cannula tip location on lateral chest radiograph and confirm whether malposition in the azygos vein is the cause of the ineffective ECMO.
Azygos Vein* ; Catheters* ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Heart ; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Oxygen ; Radiography, Thoracic

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the effects of mobile health (mHealth), using mobile phones as an intervention for weight loss in obese adults. METHODS: An electronic search was carried out using multiple databases. A meta-analysis of selected studies was performed. The effects of mHealth were analyzed using changes in body weight and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: We identified 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 2,318 participants who fit our inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed that body weight was reduced with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of −2.35 kg (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.84 to −1.87). An examination of the impact of duration of intervention showed that weight loss was greater after 6 months of mHealth (WMD = −2.66 kg) than between three and four months (WMD = −2.25 kg); it was maintained for up to 9 months (WMD = −2.62 kg). At 12 months, weight loss was reduced to a WMD of −1.23 kg. BMI decreased with a WMD of −0.77 kg/m2 (95% CI, −1.01 to −0.52). BMI changes were not statistically significant at 3 months (WMD = −1.10 kg/m2), but they were statistically significant at 6 months (WMD = −0.67 kg/m2). CONCLUSIONS: The use of mHealth for obese adults showed a modest short-term effect on body weight and BMI. Although the weight loss associated with mHealth did not meet the recommendation of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network, which considers a reduction of approximately 5 to 10 kg of the initial body weight as a successful intervention. Well-designed RCTs are needed to reveal the effects of mHealth interventions.
Adult* ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Cell Phones ; Humans ; Mobile Applications ; Obesity ; Telemedicine* ; Weight Loss

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status and nutritional condition of children living in a low-income community through anthropometric, laboratory evaluation. METHODS: A community-based survey identified children below 15 years living in a low-income community. Their weight, height, visual acuity, hearing level and dental status were measured. Blood sample were obtained on June and July, 2004. Hemoglobin, serum cholesterol, Hepatitis B antigen/antibody, AST and ALT were measured. RESULTS: A total of 285 students(M:F=141:144) aged 6 to 14 years were included in this study. The heights and weights in some grades were smaller than controls. The prevalence of obesity was 10.6 percent in males and 10.7 percent in females. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairments and dental carries were 20.5 percent, 0.3 percent and 69.4 percent. The prevalence of anemia was 10.1 percent. Serum total cholesterol was over 200 mg/dL in 7 percent. They complained of abdominal pain(22.1 percent) and headache(17.1 percent). Hyperthyroidism, cataract, neurofibromatosis, severe atopic dermatitis, ventricular septal defect, strabismus and inguinal hernia were newly diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Mean heights and weights of children in the low-income community were smaller than controls. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairment and dental carries were higher than in the 2003 national health survey. Additional research is needed to evaluate the health status of the low-income community.
Anemia ; Cataract ; Child* ; Cholesterol ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Hepatitis B ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Male ; Neurofibromatoses ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Strabismus ; Visual Acuity ; Weights and Measures

Lovastatin is a potent inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, which catalyzes the conversion of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A to mevalonate, anearly and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of cholesterol. We studied the therapeutic effect and safety of lovastatin in 18 patients with nonfamilial primary hypercholesterolemia. Patients received 20mg/day lovastatin therapy as a single evening dose. If the total cholesterol level exceeded 200mg/dl after 2weeks of lovastatin therapy, the dosage of lovastatin was doubled. Mean percent total cholesterol level reductions from baseline were 26.4% and 31.9% after 4, and 8 weeks of lovastatin therapy respectively. Mean percent HDL-cholesterol level increase from baseline were 12% and 13% after 4, and 8 weeks of lovastatin therapy respectively. Adverse effects attributable to lovastatin were mild and temporary and no patient was withdrawn from therapy. We concluded that lovastatin was a well tolerated and effective agent for the treatment of nonfamilial primary hypercholesterolemia. Further studies are needed to establish the long-term safety and effectiveness of this drug.
Cholesterol ; Coenzyme A ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia* ; Lovastatin ; Mevalonic Acid ; Oxidoreductases

BACKGROUND: Standard solution-phase PCR cannot localize the amplified DNA products in cells or tissue sections. Recently, in situ PCR technique which combines PCR with in situ hybridization was developed and applied to detect target DNA or gene expression in the tissue sections. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to detect the presence of HSV type-1 DNA in herpes simplex lesions by using hot start PCR in situ hybridization and hot start in situ PCR and to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the two methods. The sensitivity and specificity of multiple overlapping primers and a single primer pair in hot start in situ PCR were also compared. METHODS: We performed hot start PCR in situ hybridization and in situ PCR with multiple overlapping primers, and hot start in situ PCR with a single primer pair in paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissues. RESULTS: HSV type-1 DNA was detected in 4 (80%) of.5 cases of herpes simplex and negative in all cases of herpes zoster, verruca vulgaris, and normal skins. One negative case of herpes simplex could not be detected by HSV type-1 specific primers because it might be caused by HSV type-2. There was no difference in the sensitivity, specificity, and intensity of signals between the three methods. CONCLUSION: Hot start in situ PCR with a single primer pair is a simpler, easier, and more rapid technique for detecting the HSV type-1 DNA in lesional tissue sections with similar sensitivity and specificity than hot start PCR in situ hybridization and hot start in situ PCR using multiple overlapping primers.
DNA* ; Gene Expression ; Herpes Simplex* ; Herpes Zoster ; In Situ Hybridization ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Simplexvirus* ; Skin ; Warts

BACKGROUND: Propofol, an intravenous anesthetic agent, is known to have potential beneficial cardiac effects through a cardiac L-type calcium channel blocking effect and free radical scavenging activities in a number of myocardial stunning models at clinical concentrations. We investigated the effect of high doses of propofol on myocardium in the isolated rat heart to find out whether it has a cardiac protective effect on a normal, not stunning, conditioned heart. METHODS: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were put under general anesthesia to monitor the heart and perfused with a modified Krebs solution with a Langendorff model. After 30 minutes of stabilization, isolated rat hearts were given 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 250 micrometer of propofol in an increasing manner for 10 minutes, respectively. At every period, left ventricular pressure, dp/dt, heart rate and coronary flow were recorded and Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and protein leakage in the effluent perfusate were measured to observe the myocardial cell damage. RESULTS: Significant negative inotropic and chronotropic effects were seen at higher than 100 micrometer. Propofol dose-dependently increased coronary flow at concentrations of 100 micrometer or lower. Marked potassium and protein leakage in the effluent perfusate were found at a higher concentration of 100 micrometer propofol. CONCLSIONS: These findings suggest that a high dose of propofol exerts direct myocardial depression and myocardial cell damage, instead of a protective effect, in the isolated rat heart.
Anesthesia, General ; Animals ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; Depression ; Heart Rate ; Heart* ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Stunning ; Myocardium* ; Potassium ; Propofol* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventricular Pressure

BACKGROUND: The oral ulcer is a common oral disorder, but the precise etiology remains elusive despite of intensive clinical, immunological, hematological and microbiological investigations. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine oral ulcers for the detection of HSV DNA by using PCR and to characterize clinical features of HSV DNA positive cases. METHODS: Specimens collected with cotton swabs and saliva from 48 cases of oral ulcers were examined for HSV DNA by PCR and Southern blot hybridization. RESULTS: 1. HSV DNA was detected in 8 of 48(16.7%) cotton swabbed specimens of oral ulcers and saliva by PCR and Southern blot hybridization. 2. Clinical features of HSV DNA positive oral ulcers were a. predominently located in buccal mucosa. b. mall sized(<3mm), multiple(> or =5) lesions. 3. In Behcet's disease, 2 of 7(28.6%) cases of oral ulcers were positive for HSV DNA CONCLUSION: PCR is an useful and accurate method for the detection of HSV DNA from cotton swabbed specimens of oral ulcers.
Blotting, Southern ; DNA ; Herpes Simplex* ; Mouth Mucosa ; Oral Ulcer* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Saliva ; Simplexvirus*

With the recent increase in the elderly population, and the Westernization of the diet and increased consumption of meat products, a significant rise in the incidence of prostate cancer has been noted in the Republic of Korea. In cases with localized prostate cancer and sufficiently long life expectancy, the standard treatment is surgical resection of the prostate. Such surgical treatment is so far the only modality demonstrated through randomized prospective studies to be beneficial in terms of disease-specific survival; this procedure involves not only surgical removal of the prostate but also pelvic lymphadenectomy for accurate staging and neurovascular bundle preservation to aid in postoperative functional recovery. Prostatectomy can be carried out either with an open technique, laparoscopically, or under robot assistance. Reviews of the literature and meta-analyses have shown that laparoscopic and robot-assisted procedures offer significant reductions in blood loss and transfusion rates and advantages in terms of recovery from postoperative complications such as incontinence and impotence over open prostatectomy. However, no long-term oncologic outcomes are available for laparoscopic or robot-assisted procedures, and the long-term prevalence of incontinence and impotence for these two methods doesnot differ significantly from those for open prostatectomy, despite the laparoscopic and robot-assisted procedures being far more costly. Therefore, surgical treatment of prostate cancer should be carefully decided on following ample deliberation of various factors including the stage, age, comorbidities, and economic status of the patient and provision of sufficient information to the patient.
Aged ; Comorbidity ; Diet ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Expectancy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Male ; Meat Products ; Postoperative Complications ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Republic of Korea ; Urologic Surgical Procedures

BACKGROUND: Recent restriction enclonuclease analysis studies hsve revealed that MCV DNA can be classified into two major types, designated MCV-1 and MCV-2, by th:ir restriction enzyme cleavsge patterns. In earlier reports of MCV DNA analysis, MCV-2 was the main virus type found in genital lesions. However many recent studies cienied the relationship between virus type and anatomical distribution. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the ratio of MCV-l to MCV-2 in Korean isolates of MCV DNA and the relationship between MCV subtypes and with clinical features such as anatomical location, age, sex, numiber of lesions, and atopic dermatitis. METHODS: MCV DNA extrated from 112 cases of Korean patients waa examined by restriction endonuclease analysis using Brtm HI. RESULTS: 1. MCV-1 was found in 108 of 112 (96.4%) patients and MCV-2 in of 112 (3.6%) patients. The ratio of MCV-1 to MCV-2 wss 28:1. 2. There was no significant ciprrelation between MCV subtypes and the age, sex, number of lesions, atopic dermatitis, and anatoimic loction. 3. Lesions induced by MCV-1 MCV-2 were indistinguishable on the brsis of size and form. CONCLUSION: This study showis that the ratio of MCV-1 to MCV-2 was 28:1 in Korean molluscum contagiosum patients and there was no relationship between MCV subtyies and lesional morphology or snatomical distribution.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; DNA ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; Humans ; Molecular Epidemiology* ; Molluscum contagiosum virus* ; Molluscum Contagiosum*