Among current health-related issues, obesity is considered one of the foremost, and the importance of this subject has fostered a national interest in body weight loss. In this study, the differences in recognition of body weight loss according to age and gender are investigated. The subjects of the study were 720 (male: 360 and female: 360) aged between 10 - 60 years, who had experienced to try body weight loss during 6 months prior to this study. Anthropometrics, general characteristics, personal reasons for body weight loss, comprehension of body weight loss, and a knowledge of diet-related issues were assessed through a questionnaire. The anthropometric measurements showed significant differences in height, body weight (present and desired) and BMI (p < 0.05) by age and gender. The difference between desired body weight and actual body weight was greater for younger subjects or female, regardless of whether they had under- or normal body weight (p < 0.05). Reasons for body weight loss varied; younger subjects and female tended to lose body weight "to enhance their appearances", whereas the older subjects and male desired "to improve their health" (p < 0.05). Subjects had different concepts concerning body weight loss; younger subjects and female considered body weight loss as "maintenance of a slender figure, or becoming more lean". On the other hand, older subjects and male thought body weight loss to be "effects approaching normal body weight" (p < 0.05). From our studies, it can be concluded that attitude on concerning body weight loss varied according to a age and gender. Thus, consideration of this individual differences would be vital in developing contents of a particular nutritional education program for body weight loss.
Body Height ; Body Weight* ; Comprehension ; Education ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Ideal Body Weight ; Individuality ; Male ; Obesity ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The DNA repair enzyme, apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE) plays a role in base excision repair pathway involved in repairing apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site after oxidative stress. To reveal the relationship between APE and neuronal apoptosis associated with oxidative stress after kainate treatment, the temporal change of APE expression was investigated in kainate-induced seizure model. METHODS: Status epilepticus was induced by unilateral intrahippocampal injection of kainate. Superoxide anion radical production and DNA oxidation were evaluated by in situ detection of oxidized hydroethidine and 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) immunore activity. APE expression was examined by Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. DNA fragmentation was visualized with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine 5'-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. RESULTS: Cell loss occurred at 24 hr in CA1, CA2, and CA3 after kainate-injection. 8-OHG immunoreactivity and oxidized hydroethidine were increased comparing with control after kainate-injection. APE immunoreactivity was decreased 4 and 24 hours in the hippocampus after kainate-injection. TUNEL-positive cells were observed 24 hours but not 4 hours in hippocampus after kainate-injection. In double labeling with APE and TUNEL, TUNEL-positive cells did not show APE immunoreactivity. These data showed that cellular oxidative stress was increased, thereby APE was decreased in the hippocampus after kainate-injection. Also, it was shown that the reduction of APE preceded DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that rapid loss of APE may produce the failure of DNA repair-machinary and then induce neuronal apoptosis following kainate-injection.
Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; DNA Repair ; Epilepsy ; Hippocampus ; Hominidae ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Kainic Acid ; Neurons ; Oxidative Stress ; Seizures* ; Status Epilepticus ; Superoxides ; Uridine

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies indicated that estrogen receptor 1 subtype(ESR1) genetic polymorphisms may affect the expression of ESR1, and are associated with Alzheimer's disease. This study was designed to investigate the interaction between ESR1 polymorphism and the epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein E(ApoE) in Korean schizophrenic patients. METHODS: We studied 46 schizophrenic patients and 40 healthy controls. The ESR1 & ApoE polymorphisms were assessed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) or reverse hybridization. RESULTS: The distribution of the genotype in schizophrenic patients with XX, Xx, xx, PP, Pp, pp were 7(15.2%), 20(43.5%), 19(41.3%), 10(21.7%), 19(41.3%), 17(37%), and the controls were 1(2.5%), 12(30%), 27(67.5%), 7(17.5%), 21(52.5%), and 12(30%). No significant differences for genotype distribution were revealed between controls and schizophrenic patients except Xba I genotype. The genotype frequency of schizophrenia with xx of ESR1 and epsilon4 of ApoE were 58.7%, 6.5% and that of the controls were 58.7%, and 15%, respectively. The ESR1 genotypes and ApoE were not associated with onset age, psychiatric symptoms, familial history, subtype(positive vs negative) of schizophrenic cases. In kappa-square, there is no significant difference between the two groups, and we are with an assum the interaction between the homogenous ESR1 xx genotype and the ApoE epsilon4 allele was not ob-served in schizophrenic patients. CONCLUSION: The ESR1 gene may not appears to interact with the ApoE epsilon4 genotype in determining schizophrenia susceptibility. There was no significant association between schizophrenia and ESR1 & ApoE gene polymorphism. But, Xba I genotype may be closer to schizophrenia than Pvu II genotype.
Age of Onset ; Alleles* ; Alzheimer Disease ; Apolipoproteins E ; Apolipoproteins* ; Estrogen Receptor alpha* ; Estrogens* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Schizophrenia

Subcutaneous fat necrosis in neonates is a rare disease characterized by skin lesions, which may be single or multiple, poorly circumscribed and often tender erythematous nodules or plaques on cheeks, buttocks, back, arms, and thighs. These symptoms are usually self-limited; resolution occurs over a period of weeks to months. Subcutaneous fat necrosis affects full term and healthy- appearing infants who have experienced perinatal distress such as hypoxic insult, birth trauma and hypothermia. Most skin lesions appear within the first two weeks of life. We experienced a case of subcutaneous fat necrosis in a neonate with hypoxic insult and report the case with a brief review of the literature.
Arm ; Buttocks ; Cheek ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome* ; Meconium* ; Necrosis* ; Parturition ; Rare Diseases ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat* ; Thigh

BACKGROUND: We assessed the early and mid-term results of the modified Norwood procedure for first-stage palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and its variants to identify the risk factors for hospital mortality. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between March, 2003, and December, 2009, 23 patients (18 males and 5 females) with HLHS or variants underwent the modified Norwood procedure. The age at operation ranged from 3 to 60 days (mean, 11.7+/-13.2 days) and weight at operation ranged from 2.2 to 4.8 kg (mean, 3.17+/-0.52 kg). We used a modified technique that spared the anterior wall of the main pulmonary artery in 20 patients. The sources of pulmonary blood flow were RV-PA conduit in 15 patients (group I) and RMBTS in 8 (group II). Follow-up was completed in 19 patients (19/20, 95%) in our hospital (mean 26.0+/-22.8 months). RESULT: Early death occurred in 3 patients (3/23, 13%), of whom 2 had TAPVC. Fourteen patients underwent subsequent bidirectional cavopulmonary connection (BCPC, stage 2) and seven underwent the Fontan operation (stage 3). Three patients died between stages, 2 before stage 2 and one before stage 3. The estimated 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 78% and 69%, respectively. On multivariate regression analysis, aberrant right subclavian artery (RSCA) and associated total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) were risk factors for hospital mortality after stage 1 Norwood procedure. CONCLUSION: HLHS and its variants can be palliated by the modified Norwood procedure with low operative mortality. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection adversely affects the survival after a stage 1 Norwood procedure, and interstage mortality rates need to be improved.
Aneurysm ; Cardiovascular Abnormalities ; Deglutition Disorders ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fontan Procedure ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome ; Male ; Norwood Procedures ; Pulmonary Artery ; Risk Factors ; Subclavian Artery ; Survival Rate

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 allele is a known risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease, however, an association of the APOE genotype with schizophrenia is controversial. We investigated the association in 60 Korean schizophrenic patients and 60 healthy controls. APOE genotypes were identified by reverse hybridization-based line probe assay. There were significant differences in the distribution of APOE genotypes between schizophrenic patients and controls. APOE epsilon2 and epsilon3 allele frequencies in schizophrenic patients were significantly different from those in controls. Our results suggest that APOE alleles seem to be operative in the pathogenesis of schizophrenic disorders.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Apolipoproteins E/*genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Human ; Korea ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Schizophrenia/*epidemiology/*genetics ; Sex Distribution

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIB is a lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) caused by abnormalities of the enzyme alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU) that is required for degradation of heparan sulfate. The patient in this study was a 4-yr-old boy. He presented with normal height and weight, pectus carinatum, and multiple persistent Mongolian spots on his back. He had mild dysmorphic features with prominent speech developmental delays and, to a lesser extent, motor developmental delays. The cetylpyridinium chloride precipitation test revealed excessive mucopolysacchariduria (657.2 mg glycosaminoglycan/g creatinine; reference range, <175 mg glycosaminoglycan/g creatinine). Thin layer chromatography showed urinary heparan sulfate excretion. NAGLU enzyme activity was significantly decreased in leukocytes (not detected; reference range, 0.9-1.51 nmol/hr/mg protein) as well as in plasma (0.14 nmol/hr/mg protein; reference range, 22.3-60.9 nmol/hr/mg protein). PCR and direct sequencing analysis of the NAGLU gene showed that the patient was a compound heterozygote for 2 mutations: c.200T>C (p.L67P) and c.1444C>T (p.R482W). The c.200T>C mutation was a novel finding. This is the first report of a Korean patient with MPS IIIB who was confirmed by molecular genetic analyses and biochemical investigation.
Acetylglucosaminidase/blood/*genetics ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*genetics ; Child, Preschool ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Leukocytes/metabolism ; Male ; Mucopolysaccharidosis III/diagnosis/*genetics ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Republic of Korea ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is well known that the menopause is related to interference in lipid metabolism, obesity, and a hypercoagulable state. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of the menopause in middle-aged Korean females with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: A total of 1,781 middle-aged females (aged < 65 years) in the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction registry were enrolled into this study between November 2005 and December 2013. The patients were divided into two groups; the pre-menopause group (≤ 55 years old) and the menopause group (56-64 years old). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were analyzed over a one-year follow-up period. RESULTS: The pre-menopause and menopause groups comprised 669 patients (mean age, 49.1 ± 5.6 years) and 1,112 patients (mean age, 60.6 ± 2.6 years), respectively. The incidence of hypertension (42.2% vs. 59.4%, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (DM) (27.4% vs. 35.7%, p < 0.001), and dyslipidemia (12.9% vs. 17.7%, p = 0.008) were more frequent in menopausal patients. Additionally, the rates of smoking (20% vs. 12.7%, p < 0.001) and familial history (12% vs. 6.8%, p < 0.001) were higher in the pre-menopause group. The cumulative rates of MACE did not show any differences between the two groups. A history of atrial fibrillation, previous AMI and DM, higher Killip class, and multi-vessel disease were independent risk factors for predicting one-year MACE. CONCLUSIONS: The survival analysis demonstrated that there was no significant difference in MACE rates between the pre-menopause and menopause groups during the one-year follow-up. Therefore, middle-aged pre-menopausal women should be treated more intensively, regardless of whether they are menopausal.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Female* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Lipid Metabolism ; Menopause ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Obesity ; Premenopause ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been used for over a century and has been demonstrated to be effective in treating patients with various allergic diseases. AIT allergens can be administered through various routes, including subcutaneous, sublingual, intralymphatic, oral, or epicutaneous routes. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has recently gained clinical interest, and it is considered an alternative treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. This review provides an overview of the current evidence-based studies that address the use of SLIT for treating AR, including (1) mechanisms of action, (2) appropriate patient selection for SLIT, (3) the current available SLIT products in Korea, and (4) updated information on its efficacy and safety. Finally, this guideline aims to provide the clinician with practical considerations for SLIT.

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a causative treatment of allergic diseases in which allergen extracts are regularly administered in a gradually escalated doses, leading to immune tolerance and consequent alleviation of allergic diseases. The need for uniform practice guidelines in AIT is continuously growing as the number of potential candidates for AIT increases and new therapeutic approaches are tried. This updated version of the Korean Academy of Asthma Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommendations for AIT, published in 2010, proposes an expert opinion by specialists in allergy, pediatrics, and otorhinolaryngology. This guideline deals with the basic knowledge of AIT, including mechanisms, clinical efficacy, allergen standardization, important allergens in Korea, and special consideration in pediatrics. The article also covers the methodological aspects of AIT, including patient selection, allergen selection, schedule and doses, follow-up care, efficacy measurements, and management of adverse reactions. Although this guideline suggests the optimal dosing schedule, an individualized approach and modifications are recommended considering the situation for each patient and clinic.