This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a 3 week low calorie diet (LCD) and a 9 week of behavior modification (BM) program on the weight loss, mineral and vitamin status in 22 obese women. The subject were healthy, obese (PIBW > 120%) women aged 20 - 50 Yr and not taking any medications known to influence body composition, mineral or vitamin metabolism During the LCD program, subjects were provided commercial liquid formulas with 125 kcal per pack and were instructed to have a formula for replacement of one meal and at least one regular meal per day within the range of daily 800 - 1200 kcal intake. During the BM program the subjects weekly attended the group nutrition counseling session to encourage themselves to modify their eating behavior and spontaneously restrict their energy intakes. The BM program focused on stimulus control, control of portion sizes and modification of binge eating and other adverse habits. The initial mean energy intake of subjects was 2016.9 +/- 129.8 kcal (100.8% of RDA) and dropped to 1276.5 +/- 435.7 kcal at the end of a 3 week of LCD program and elevated to 1762 +/- 329.3 kcal at the end of a 9 week of BM program. Carbohydrate, protein and fat intakes were significantly decreased at the end of the LCD but carbohydrate was the only macro nutrient that showed significant decrease (p < 0.05) at the end of the BM program compared to baseline. Calcium and iron intakes decreased significantly (p < 0.01, respectively) with no significant changes in other micronutrients at the end of the LCD. The mean weight of the subjects decreased from 73.8 +/- 8.0 kg to 69.2 +/- 7.7 kg with LCD and ended up with 67.7 +/- 7.1 kg after 9 weeks of BM. The 3 weeks of LCD reduced most of the anthropometric indices such as BMI, PIBW, fat weight, wast-to-hip ratio and subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thickness. The 9 weeks of behavior modification showed slight change or maintenance of each anthropometric measurements. Weight loss and decreased WHR with the diet program induced significantly decreased systolic blood pressure. SGOT, SGPT and serum insulin levels with improved serum lipid profiles. Biochemical parameters related to iron status such as hemoglobin, hematocrit were significantly decreased (p < 0.01) at the end of the LCD. But their mean values were within normal range. The mean serum 25 (OH) vitamin D3 level significantly increased after whole diet program. Serum folate level significantly decreased after 12 weeks of diet program. In conclusion 3 weeks of LCD brought 4.6 kg reduction in body weight without risk of iron, zinc or vitamin D deficiency and 9 weeks of the BM was effective to maintain nutritional status with slightly more weight reduction (1.5 kg). However calcium intake and serum folate should be monitored during the LCD and BM because of increased risk of deficiencies..
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Behavior Therapy* ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Bulimia ; Calcium ; Caloric Restriction* ; Cholecalciferol ; Counseling ; Diet ; Energy Intake ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Insulin ; Iron ; Meals ; Metabolism ; Micronutrients ; Nutritional Status* ; Portion Size ; Reference Values ; Skinfold Thickness ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamins ; Weight Loss ; Zinc

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of an energy restriction program on the weight loss and changes of the biochemical nutritional status for 35 obese women. The energy restriction program took place over a 3-week period that was devided into two parts. The first part consisted of 750-800kcal diet and the second part of 800-1000kcal. Subjects were provided a low energy formula and a menu for the recommended diet. Anthropometric and biochemical measurement before and after the energy restriction program were estimated. Mean weight loss was 3.0 kg, accordingly the obestiy rate was lowered from 40.2 to 34.4, BMI from 29.2 to 28.9 and fat weight from 23.3 kg to 21.0 kg(<0.01.<0.05). Waist circumference loss was most prominent(4.4%) compared to triceps(21% loss)and hip circumference(2.2%loss). Mean RBC count, hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly lowered(<0.01) but they were in the normal range. Systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased from 124.1 mmHg to 113.1 mmHg . Mean SGOT and SGPT were lowered from 29.3u/L to 20.0u/L and from 28.7u/L to 16.6u/L, respectively. It seems that the 3 weeks of energy restriction program used in this study was effective in improving anthropometric measurements without producing deficiency of iron or other susceptible nutrients.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Pressure ; Diet ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Hip ; Humans ; Iron ; Nutritional Status* ; Reference Values ; Waist Circumference ; Weight Loss*

BACKGROUND: Recent reports suggest that the intake of vitamin D and calcium may influence insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of vitamin D and calcium intervention on the improvement of blood glucose and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), serum 25(OH)D3, serum lipid levels, insulin secretion, and activity and dietary surveys were analyzed in type 2 DM patients both before and after a 12-week vitamin D and calcium intake intervention. RESULTS: The serum 25(OH)D3 level was found to be negatively correlated with insulin resistance and fasting blood glucose. Calcium intake level was also negatively correlated with insulin resistance. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1C, and HOMA-IR decreased significantly (P <0.05) following vitamin D and calcium intake intervention in the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) group, while there was no such change observed in the control group. Dietary calcium and vitamin D intakes were significantly (P <0.05) higher in the MNT group than in the control group. The concentrations of serum 25(OH)D3 and insulin secretion increased slightly in the MNT group following the 12-week intervention; however, these results did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that calcium and vitamin D intervention may be helpful in improving fasting blood glucose, HbA1C, serum 25(OH)D3 and HOMA-IR in patients with type 2 DM who have insufficient serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations.
Blood Glucose ; Calcium ; Calcium, Dietary ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fasting ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Nutrition Therapy ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine blood pressure and other characteristics of a high sodium intake group assessed with 24-hr urine analysis and the dietary factors related to the risk of high sodium intake among Korean adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adults aged 20-59 years. Subjects who completed 24-hr urine collection (N = 205) were divided into 3 groups (tertile) according to the sodium intake estimated with 24-hour urine analysis. We compared the blood pressure, BMI and dietary related factors of the 3 groups (low, medium, high sodium intake group) with General Linear Model (GLM) and Duncan's multiple range test (p < 0.05). The risk factors related to high sodium intake were assessed with odds ratio (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The sodium intake (mg/day) of the 3 groups were 3359.8 +/- 627.9, 4900.3 +/- 395.1 and 6770.6 +/- 873.9, respectively, corresponding to daily salt intake (g/day) 8.5, 12.4 and 17.2, respectively. High sodium group showed significantly elevated age, BMI and systolic/diastolic blood pressure. Being male gender was associated with significantly increased risk of sodium intake (OR = 1.972; 95%CI: 1.083-3.593). The other factors related to high sodium intake were higher BMI (> or = 25) (OR = 2.619; 95% CI: 1.368-5.015), current alcohol consumption (OR = 1.943; 95%CI: 1.060-3.564), and having salty soybean paste with salt percentage > 14% (OR = 3.99; 95% CI: 1.404-6.841). The dietary attitude related to increased risk of high sodium intake included 'enjoy dried fish and salted mackerel' (p < 0.001) and 'eat all broth of soup, stew or noodle' (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Because high sodium intake was associated with higher blood pressure, nutrition education should focus on alcohol consumption, emphasis on related dietary factors such as using low salt soybean paste, improvements in the habit of eating dried fish and salted mackerel or eating all broth of soup, stew or noodle.
Adult* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Pressure* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating ; Education ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Perciformes ; Risk Factors* ; Sodium* ; Soybeans ; Urine Specimen Collection

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the cytologic features of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) expressing pulmonary adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We analyzed the cytopathological findings of 15 cases of endobronchial ultrasound guided aspiration and a case of bronchial washing. These cases were selected based on the histomorphology of ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: Cytology showed mucinous (81.3%) and hemorrhagic (50%) backgrounds. The cells were arranged in tubulopapillary or tubulocribriform patterns (93.8%), and clusters (56.3%) admixed with signet ring cell features (87.5%). The tumor cells were monotonous and uniform with vesicular nuclei and a small nucleolus. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristic findings were sheets showing a tubulopapillary or tubulocribriform appearance, with vesicular nuclei and a bland chromatin pattern (p<0.001). Scattered signet ring cells were helpful in suggesting ALK-positive adenocarcinoma (p<0.001).
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Chromatin ; Lung ; Lymphoma ; Mucins ; Phosphotransferases ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases

Insulinoma, which arises from insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, is a rare tumor in children. Only 5%-10% of insulinomas are malignant and undergo metastasis. We report a case of an 11-year-old girl who experienced hypoglycemia-related seizures induced by an insulinoma; after resection of the primary tumor, she developed hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). Laboratory test results indicated marked hypoglycemia with hyperinsulinemia. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography results were normal; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a solid mass in the pancreatic tail. Therefore, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed. Two months after the surgery, an abdominal MRI revealed multiple nodular lesions in the liver. An US-guided liver biopsy was then performed, and histological examination revealed FNH without necrosis or mitotic activity. The patient has been free of hypoglycemia for 2 years, and recent MRI studies showed a decrease in the size of FNH lesions, without any evidence of metastasis. Even though no metastatic lesions are noted on imaging, close observation and follow-up imaging studies are required in a child with insulinoma that has malignant potential on histopathologic findings.
Biopsy ; Child* ; Female ; Focal Nodular Hyperplasia ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hypoglycemia ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; Insulinoma* ; Liver* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pancreatectomy ; Pediatrics ; Seizures ; Ultrasonography

Background: Particulate matters (PM) comprise a heterogeneous mixture of particles suspended in air. A recent study found that urban PMs may penetrate into hair follicles via transfollicular and transdermal routes in dorsal skin. Objective: To investigate the effects of PM on ex vivo cultured human scalp hair follicles and hair follicular keratinocytes in vitro. Methods: TUNEL staining was employed to check cells undergoing apoptosis in cultured hair follicles after PM treatment. MTT assay was employed to check cell viability after PM treatment. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was employed to quantitate the expression of inflammatory genes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and Duox1. Inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by ELISA after PM treatment. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using a chemical fluorescent probe by a fluorescence plate reader. Results: Abundant TUNEL-positive cells were observed in the keratinocyte region of hair including the epidermis, sebaceous gland, outer root sheath (ORS), inner root sheath (IRS), and bulb region. The viability of follicular cells, including the ORS, was found to be decreased upon PM exposure. mRNA expression and protein levels of inflammatory response genes and MMPs were upregulated in a dose-dependent manner by PM treatment. ROS levels were also increased by PM. Conclusion These data strongly suggest that penetrated PMs from air pollution may cause apoptotic cell death to follicular keratinocytes by increased production of ROS and inflammatory cytokines, which could impair hair growth.

Hydroxyurea is commonly used to treat hematologic disorders and some type of solid tumors, but the mechanism for its therapeutic effect is not clearly known. In this study, we examined the effect of hydroxyurea on rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells, specifically, on the role of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signal transduction pathways and p21Waf1, p27Kip1 and p53. Rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells treated with hydroxyurea for 7 days, caused the inhibition of cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. But, this growth inhibition was not caused by necrosis or apoptosis but instead was associated with cell senescence-like change as evidenced by senescence associated-beta-galactosidase staining, and cells arrest at G1 phase of cell cycle. Phosphorylation of MAP kinases, such as ERK, JNK, and p38, was found to be decreased after treatment of cells with hydroxyurea. But, the expression of p21Waf1 was increased, while p27Kip1 and p53 were not detected in hydroxyurea treated rat hepatoma cells. Hydroxyurea treatment induced G1 arrest and a senescence-like changes in rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells may be the likely results of signal disruption of MAP kinases (ERK, JNK, and p38 MAP kinase) and p21Waf1 over-expression.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology ; Cell Aging/drug effects ; Cell Cycle Proteins/analysis/metabolism/*physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; G1 Phase/drug effects/physiology ; Hydroxyurea/*pharmacology ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/enzymology/*metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/analysis/*physiology ; Phosphorylation/drug effects ; Protein p53/analysis/metabolism ; Rats ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/analysis/metabolism ; Up-Regulation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is not a rare infection and is frequently observed in immuoncompromised patients. CMV infection is usually asymptomatic in immunocompetent patients however it can be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis of CMV gastric ulcer is not easy because of the absence of characteristic endoscopic features and the difficulty in the identification of infection by routine histologic examinations. We experienced a case of CMV-associated giant gastric ulcer in a patient receiving immunosuppressive therapy. She was a 45-year-old woman with dermatomyositis and had received steroid therapy to control her disease. Epigastric pain developed during therapy and upper endoscopy revealed a gastric ulcer. Despite proton pump inhibitor therapy, her epigastric pain aggravated and follow-up endoscopy revealed a huge gastric ulcer approximately 10 cm in diameter. Histologic findings showed intracellular inclusion bodies after immunostaining which confirmed CMV-associated gastric ulcer. Steroid therapy was discontinued and she received proton pump inhibitors without antiviral agents. Her symptoms improved and follow-up endoscopy revealed successful healing of the CMV-associated gastric ulcer. If an unusual gastric ulcer develops in the immunocompromised patients, CMV gastric ulcer should be suspected and examination for inclusion bodies using CMV immunostaining should be considered.
Antiviral Agents ; Cytomegalovirus ; Dermatomyositis ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glycogen Storage Disease Type VI ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Inclusion Bodies ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Proton Pumps ; Steroids ; Stomach Ulcer*

BACKGROUND: Hair follicles are among a handful of organs that exhibit immune privilege. Dysfunction of the hair follicle immune system underlies the development of inflammatory diseases, such as alopecia areata. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and immunostaining was used to confirm the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I in human dermal papilla cells. Through transcriptomic analyses of human keratinocyte stem cells, major histocompatibility complex class I was identified as differentially expressed genes. Organ culture and patch assay were performed to assess the ability of WNT3a conditioned media to rescue immune privilege. Lastly, CD8? T cells were detected near the hair bulb in alopecia areata patients through immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma were verified to induce the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I proteins in dermal papilla cells. Additionally, loss of immune privilege of hair follicles was rescued following treatment with conditioned media from outer root sheath cells. Transcriptomic analyses found 58 up-regulated genes and 183 down-regulated genes related in MHC class I? cells. Using newborn hair patch assay, we demonstrated that WNT3a conditioned media with epidermal growth factor can restore hair growth. In alopecia areata patients, CD8? T cells were increased during the transition from mid-anagen to late catagen. CONCLUSION Identification of mechanisms governing epithelial and mesenchymal interactions of the hair follicle facilitates an improved understanding of the regulation of hair follicle immune privilege.