PURPOSE: This study was to analyze the effect size of complementary and alternative intervention studies in reference to dysmenorrhea and menstrual distress. METHODS: In order to conduct a meta-analysis, a total of 393 studies were retrieved from the database. Twenty-eight studies that were published from March 2001 to February 2011 were selected. RESULTS: Intervention studies included seven studies on aromatherapy, five on auriculotherapy, three on each Koryo-Sooji-Chim and moxibustion, two on each heat therapy and magnetic therapy and six on other therapy. The effect size of the intervention studies on dysmenorrhea and menstrual distress was greater than 0.48 for Koryo-Sooji-Chim, moxibustion, aromatherapy, auriculotherapy and other therapy. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that drug free therapy can reduce the levels of menstrual distress, despite the small number of intervention studies and randomized controlled trials.
Aromatherapy ; Auriculotherapy ; Dysmenorrhea ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; Clinical Trial ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Menstruation ; Moxibustion

BACKGROUND : The recent studies shows that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) related chronic gastritis leads to dysplasia, intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the association between precancerous lesion of stomach (dysplasia, intestinal metaplasia) and H.pylori infection in the elderly. METHODS : 469 patients were enrolled this study, Patients with intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia (case, n=148) were compared with controls (without intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia, n=321) about H. pylori positive rates H. pylori positivity was confirmed by histologic determination of endoscopic biopsy specimens. Results : 1) Among study populations H. pylori positive rates were 51.8% (55.8% in male, 40.7% in female). It was significantly higher in male (p=0.001). 2) There were no significant differences in sex distribution between cases and controls, but in old age, the cases were more frequent than in young age (p<0.001). 3) Age distribution of H. pylori positive rates were not significant between cases and controls. 47.5% in intestinal metaplasia, 43.4% in dysplasia, 21.3% in dysplasia+intestinal metaplasia were H. pylori positive. H. pylori positive rates were more higher in controls than cases, followed by in decreasing order by the intestinal metaplasia group, the dysplasia group, and those having both (p=0.003). 4) Age and sex adjusted H. pylori positive rates were more higher in controls (42.7%) than in cases (25.0%)(p<0.009). CONCLUSION : The prevalence of intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia was age dependent. But we couldn't explain the carcinogenic effect of H. pylori, because H. pylori positive rates were lower in cases than in controls
Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aging* ; Biopsy ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Male ; Metaplasia* ; Prevalence* ; Sex Distribution ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms

Purpose: To compare the refractive measurements from a wavefront aberrometer, autorefractor, and retinoscopy after cycloplegia in evaluating the usefulness and validity of refractive measurements by a wavefront aberrometer in children. Methods: A total of 130 eyes of 65 children, aged from 3 to 16 years, were examined using retinoscopy, a wavefront aberrometer (OPD-Scan III), and an autorefractor (KR-1) after cycloplegia. Refractive measurements were converted to power vectors (M, J0, and J45) and cylindrical absolute values for statistical analysis. The agreement between instruments was assessed and the correlations of measurements were evaluated. Subgroup analysis was performed on two subgroups: one representing less refractive error (|M| < 2 D on cycloplegic retinoscopy) and the other with larger refractive error (|M| ≥ 2 D on cycloplegic retinoscopy). Results: Compared with retinoscopy readings, the aberrometer and autorefractor yielded more myopic values (p = 0.007, p < 0.001). In the less refractive error group, the autorefractor results showed statistically significant differences from retinoscopy readings for M, J0, and J45 and the cylindrical absolute value (all p < 0.05); there were no statistically significant differences between M, J0, and J45 vectors of the aberrometer and those obtained using retinoscopy (p = 0.674, p = 0.699, p = 0.766). With the larger refractive error group, the M vectors of the aberrometer and autorefractor showed more myopic values than the M vector retinoscopy readings; the differences were statistically significant (all p < 0.001). Conclusions The wavefront aberrometer yielded refraction readings closer to those obtained with retinoscopy than the automated refraction in the less refractive error group. With a larger refractive error, statistically significant differences (all p < 0.001) were found among the aberrometer, autorefractor, and retinoscopy readings.

Purpose: To compare the refractive measurements from a wavefront aberrometer, autorefractor, and retinoscopy after cycloplegia in evaluating the usefulness and validity of refractive measurements by a wavefront aberrometer in children. Methods: A total of 130 eyes of 65 children, aged from 3 to 16 years, were examined using retinoscopy, a wavefront aberrometer (OPD-Scan III), and an autorefractor (KR-1) after cycloplegia. Refractive measurements were converted to power vectors (M, J0, and J45) and cylindrical absolute values for statistical analysis. The agreement between instruments was assessed and the correlations of measurements were evaluated. Subgroup analysis was performed on two subgroups: one representing less refractive error (|M| < 2 D on cycloplegic retinoscopy) and the other with larger refractive error (|M| ≥ 2 D on cycloplegic retinoscopy). Results: Compared with retinoscopy readings, the aberrometer and autorefractor yielded more myopic values (p = 0.007, p < 0.001). In the less refractive error group, the autorefractor results showed statistically significant differences from retinoscopy readings for M, J0, and J45 and the cylindrical absolute value (all p < 0.05); there were no statistically significant differences between M, J0, and J45 vectors of the aberrometer and those obtained using retinoscopy (p = 0.674, p = 0.699, p = 0.766). With the larger refractive error group, the M vectors of the aberrometer and autorefractor showed more myopic values than the M vector retinoscopy readings; the differences were statistically significant (all p < 0.001). Conclusions The wavefront aberrometer yielded refraction readings closer to those obtained with retinoscopy than the automated refraction in the less refractive error group. With a larger refractive error, statistically significant differences (all p < 0.001) were found among the aberrometer, autorefractor, and retinoscopy readings.

We hypothesized that lower proportion of serum phospholipid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is inversely associated with increased cardiovascular risk and vascular function in metabolically healthy men. To elucidate it, we first compared serum phospholipid free fatty acid (FA) compositions and cardiovascular risk parameters between healthy men (n = 499) and male patients with coronary artery disease (CAD, n = 111) (30-69 years) without metabolic syndrome, and then further-analyzed the association of serum phospholipid DHA composition with arterial stiffness expressed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) in metabolically healthy men. Basic parameters, lipid profiles, fasting glycemic status, adiponectin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and LDL particle size, and serum phospholipid FA compositions were significantly different between the two subject groups. Serum phospholipid DHA was highly correlated with most of long-chain FAs. Metabolically healthy men were subdivided into tertile groups according to serum phospholipid DHA proportion: lower (< 2.061%), middle (2.061%-3.235%) and higher (> 3.235%). Fasting glucose, insulin resistance, hs-CRP and ba-PWVs were significantly higher and adiponectin and LDL particle size were significantly lower in the lower-DHA group than the higher-DHA group after adjusted for confounding factors. In metabolically healthy men, multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that serum phospholipid DHA mainly contributed to arterial stiffness (β'-coefficients = -0.127, p = 0.006) together with age, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride (r = 0.548, p = 0.023). Lower proportion of serum phospholipid DHA was associated with increased cardiovascular risk and arterial stiffness in metabolically healthy men. It suggests that maintaining higher proportion of serum phospholipid DHA may be beneficial for reducing cardiovascular risk including arterial stiffness in metabolically healthy men.
Adiponectin ; Blood Pressure ; C-Reactive Protein ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Particle Size ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Triglycerides ; Vascular Stiffness*

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taste sensitivity varies among individuals. Recently, it is reported that PROP taste responsiveness is associated with carbonic anhydrase 6 (CA6) gene polymorphism. The CA6 gene, a zinc metalloprotein in human saliva, is affected in taste function and might be correlated with gustatory diversity. The aim of this study was to examine whether PTC taste sensitivity and taste disorder is associated with the CA6 gene polymorphism rs2274327 (C/T), rs2274328 (A/C), and rs2274333 (A/G). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A total of 217 healthy normal subjects were recruited as controls, and 50 taste disorder patients were recruited as experimental group. The polymorphisms of CA6 gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. All statistical analyses were calculated using the statistical package for the social science software. Haplotypes were estimated by Haploveiw and the PHASE programs. RESULTS: The CA6 gene polymorphisms showed association with taste disorder but not with PTC sensitivity (taster/nontaster). The number of control subjects carrying AA genotype of single nucleotide polymorphism rs2274328 (A/C) in the CA6 gene was higher than the number of the subjects with taste disorder (p=0.048). However, there was no association between controls and taste disorder subjects in the haplotype analysis. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the CA6 gene polymorphism rs2274328 could affect taste function impairment in patients with taste disorder. This observation requires a further functional study of gustin protein to clarify the association of the CA6 gene polymorphisms with the taste disorder and sensitivity.
Carbon ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Factor IX ; Genes, vif ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Lifting ; Phenylthiourea ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Saliva ; Social Sciences ; Taste Disorders ; Zinc

Objectives: ：Cancer diagnosis causes significant distress while it may also bring positive change: post-traumatic growth. This study was conducted to analyze factors that affect post-traumatic growth. Methods: ：Medical records of 52 cancer patients who received psychiatric treatment at a university hospital in Seoul were reviewed and the correlation between post-traumatic growth and following factors were analyzed: Resilience, Anxious thoughts and tendencies, Mindful attention awareness, Acceptance attitude Results: ：Using Multiple Generalized Linear model, a positive correlation was found between post-traumatic growth and resilience (B=1.45, p<0.0001), mindful attention awareness (B=0.58, p=0.0030) and acceptance attitude (B=1.29, p=0.0003), while anxious thoughts and tendencies (B=-0.84, p<0.0001) had negative association. Conclusions ：Factors that have a positive impact on post-traumatic growth were resilience, mindful attention awareness, acceptance attitude and a factor with a negative impact was anxious thoughts and tendencies; Factors that impact post-traumatic growth need to be taken into account, when approaching the treatment of cancer patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of Short-form Health Literacy Scale (HLS-SF-K12) for Adults. Methods: The English HLS-SF12 was translated into Korean with forward and backward translation. Survey data were collected from 204 adults who visited two hospitals in Korea. Content validity, construct validity, and known-groups validity were evaluated. Cronbach's ⍺ for internal consistency and test-retest were used to assess reliability. SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0 software were used for data analysis. Results: The HLS-SF-K12 was composed of 12 items, and three subscales (health care, disease prevention, and health promotion). The instrument explained reliable internal consistency with Cronbach’s ⍺ for the total scale of .89, and .74~.81 for subscales. The model of three subscales for the HLS-SF-K12 was validated by confirmatory factor analysis (Normed x 2 =2.14 (p<.001), GFI=.92, RMR=.04, RMSEA=.08, CFI=.94, TLI=.92, IFI=.94). The hypothesis testing which analyzed the differences in health literacy by age and education level was satisfied. Conclusion The HLS-SF-K12 is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring health information comprehension for adults in Korea.

PURPOSE: Upper respiratory tract infections are major causes of the common cold throughout the world. Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) is a well-known functional food for its anti-fatigue and immunomodulating activities. On the other hand, there are no reports on the protective effect against upper respiratory tract infections (URI). This study was a 12 week randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial in healthy volunteers. METHODS: A total of 100 subjects 20 ~ 70 years of age with a history of at least two colds in the year were enrolled in the study. The participants were required to record any adverse events and rate any cold-related incidents in a diary during the investigation period. The efficacy end point was the symptoms and incidence of URI, and changes in cytokines, IgA and natural killer (NK) cell activity. RESULTS: The Cordyceps militaris group over 12 weeks showed no significant impact on the incidence and symptomatology of URI compared to the placebo group. On the other hand, the experimental group showed significantly higher NK cell activity (p = 0.047) and IgA level (p = 0.035) compared to the placebo group. The NK-cell activity and IgA level were increased significantly by Cordyceps militaris over 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the possible beneficial immunomodulating effects, but the protective effects on URI could not be demonstrated under these conditions. Additional research will be needed to determine the efficacy and mechanisms of Cordyceps militaris function.
Adult ; Common Cold ; Cordyceps ; Cytokines ; Functional Food ; Hand ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Incidence ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Respiratory Tract Infections