This study was conducted to evaluate the postnatal changes of serum creatine kinase (CK) and its isoenzymes in normal and asphyxiated newborns. In normal newborns total CK, CK-MM and CK-MB reached a plateau between 2 and 24 hr after birth whereas the serum CK-BB remained stable after birth. CK-MM, CK-MB and CK-BB respectivily composed 90~94%, 5~7% and 1~5% of total CK during study period. In asphyxiated newborns total CK, CK-MM and CK-MB reached maximal value at 12 hr after birth whereas CK-BB decreased after birth. There were no significant differences between normal and asphyxiated newborns in total CK, CK-MM and CK-MB during study period (up to 24 hrs after birth). But CK-BB of asphyxiated newborn was elevated significantly (p<0.05) within 6 hrs after birth compared to normal newborns. There were no significant differences of CK and its isoenzymes between patients evaluated by 5 min Apgar scores(0~3, 4~6 and 7~10) or degree of HIE (HIE stage 0~I, II and III). According to these results, the serum CK-BB is elevated in asphyxiated newborns during 1st 6hrs after birth but has no predictive values of the extent of cerebral damage.
Creatine Kinase* ; Creatine* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Isoenzymes ; Parturition

PURPOSE: Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and is frequently associated with coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Conventional Doppler technique is limited by the absence of an adequate apical window to assess the transmitral flow in obese patients. Tissue Doppler imaging(TDI) and strain rate imaging(SRI) were performed to assess the influence of obesity on left ventricular systolic function. METHODS: In 13 obese and 15 normal adolescents aged 16 to 17 years, height, weight, body mass index(BMI), and obesity index(OI) were measured. Fat mass, body fat percent, and abdominal fat percent were estimated by bioelectrical impedance. Ejection fraction(EF) and myocardial performance index(MPI) were estimated by conventional echocardiography to evaluate left ventricular systolic function. Systolic myocardial velocity and strain rate were estimated by TDI and SRI. RESULTS: EF(63.8+/-6.4% vs 55.7+/-3.4%) was significantly lower in obese adolescents than normal controls. MPI(0.34+/-0.03 vs 0.48+/-0.06) was significantly higher in obese adolescents than normal controls. Systolic myocardial velocity and strain rate were significantly lower in obese adolescents than normal controls. Strain rate showed a negative correlation with arm circumference(r=-0.558, P<0.05) and BMI(r=-0.332, P<0.05). Strain rate was positively correlated with EF(r=0.557, P<0.05) at the base of left ventricle by SRI CONCLUSION: Significant decrease in left ventricular systolic function was noted in the moderate degree of obesity. SRI may be a more useful diagnostic tool in evaluating systolic dysfunction in patients with moderate degree of obesity.
Abdominal Fat ; Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent* ; Arm ; Body Weight ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Echocardiography ; Electric Impedance ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Obesity ; Risk Factors

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current status of nutrition education via a free learning semester program (NE). The understanding of the program, the potential difficulties, and future initiatives for NE improvement were also investigated. Methods: A total number of 161 nutrition teachers from Gwangju and Jeonnam filled in a questionnaire and participated in this survey, which was performed from July to August 2019. Results: Our results showed that 8.1% of the nutrition teachers had taught nutrition education in free learning semester programs. The most frequently implemented model was subject selection, followed by club activities. Most of the nutrition teachers comprehended the purpose of NE. The attitude of nutrition teachers to NE differed by the understanding of its purpose. Positive attitude was evident due to a better understanding of the purpose by nutrition teachers. Nutrition teachers reported the most common difficulties of NE were the lack of preparation due to the heavy workload and the lack of a standard running program.The most effective method of NE was the activity classes. The experience of practicing NE influenced the choice of contents for each operating model. Nutrition teachers that were experienced in NE conducted via free learning semester programs preferred the selected topics model, but those without experience chose the career search model. Conclusions Although some obstacles exist, nutrition teachers had a positive attitude and perceived well the importance of NE. Therefore, the awareness for the significance of NE of nutrition teachers needs to be improved. For better NE practice, it is necessary to reduce/ manage the workload of general food service. Furthermore, the development of standard running and promotion programs, and teacher training programs should be ensured.

Background: In a previous study, we carried out whole-exome sequencing to identify genetic variants associated with early onset atopic dermatitis (AD) in Koreans and found that collagen VI α6 chain (COL6A6) gene polymorphisms are associated. COL6A6 is one of the chains that makes up the triple helix of collagen VI, and little is known about its role in AD. Objective: To identify how COL6A6 changes in AD and clarify its role. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for COL6A6 was performed on tissues of AD, other skin diseases, and healthy controls. Human keratinocytes and fibroblasts were exposed to inflammatory cytokines and cultured to evaluate changes in COL6A6 expression. COL6A6 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into cells to identify the role of COL6A6. Results: Total COL6A6 mRNA was higher in AD than in controls. In AD tissues, COL6A6 mRNA decreased significantly in the epidermis compared to controls, whereas COL6A6 protein was increased in the dermis. In the cultured cells, COL6A6 mRNA was suppressed in the epidermis by interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, whereas COL6A6 protein was induced in the dermis. In the COL6A6 siRNA-transfected keratinocyte, mRNA of FLG, LOR, and CASP14 decreased compared to controls; in contrast, mRNA of MMP1 increased. Conclusion The reduction of epidermal COL6A6 due to the genetic mutation can cause skin barrier damage and it can contributes to the early onset of AD. COL6A6 is induced by IL-4 and IL-13, and it may play a role in fibrotic remodeling and inflammatory processes, which are major features of AD.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is an important and common medical problem in postmenopausal women. Depression is another major public health concern. Due to the high prevalence of both depression and osteoporosis, even a weak association between them might result in a greater health problem. We have investigated whether depression is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in peri- and postmenopausal women. METHODS: The study subjects who visited the office of family medicine department and the health screening and diagnosis center in one general hospital from January to May, 2000 were selected. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. We evaluated the depression scale using the Beck Depression Inventory. The subjects who had disorders known to interfere with bone metabolism or those who had taken medication related to depression were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Significant positive correlation were noted between BMD and height and weight (P<0.05) but no correlation was found with depression in perimenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, significant negative correlation was noted between BMD and age, and postmenopausal duration and depression. Significant positive correlation was found between BMD and height and weight (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that depression was associated with BMD in postmenopausal women which was independent of other factors strongly associated with osteoporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density* ; Depression* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Menopause ; Metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Spine

PURPOSE: The degree of radiation-induced lung fibrosis (RILF) can be measured quantitatively by fibrosis volume (VF) on chest computed tomography (CT) scan. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interobserver and intraobserver variability in CT-based measurement of VF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 10 non-small cell lung cancer patients developed with RILF after postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) and delineated VF on the follow-up chest CT scanned at more than 6 months after radiotherapy. Three radiation oncologists independently delineated VF to investigate the interobserver variability. Three times of delineation of VF was performed by two radiation oncologists for the analysis of intraobserver variability. We analysed the concordance index (CI) and inter/intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The median CI was 0.61 (range, 0.44 to 0.68) for interobserver variability and the median CIs for intraobserver variability were 0.69 (range, 0.65 to 0.79) and 0.61(range, 0.55 to 0.65) by two observers. The ICC for interobserver variability was 0.974 (p < 0.001) and ICCs for intraobserver variability were 0.996 (p < 0.001) and 0.991 (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: CT-based measurement of VF with patients who received PORT was a highly consistent and reproducible quantitative method between and within observers.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Evaluation Studies as Topic* ; Fibrosis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung* ; Observer Variation* ; Radiotherapy ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to summarize and report on the change of food allergy in elementary school students and perception and practices in school nutritionists in Korea from 1995 to 2015. METHODS: The search strategy was "(food allergy AND elementary school AND Korea) AND (nutritionist OR perception OR practice)". The search was conducted via KISS, DBPIA, RISS, NDSL, PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar and full text and abstracts on the topic of food allergy evaluating prevalence, allergen, symptom, perception and practices were included in this review. RESULTS: Out of 1379 records found in the sources, 13 related studies were included in the final analysis. The results showed that the number of students who had experienced food allergy was increasing. The two frequent allergenic foods were eggs and milk. The perception and practices of food allergy in school nutritionists was gradually increased. CONCLUSION: Further objective evaluations are required to confirm the food allergy status and its management in school.
Eggs ; Food Hypersensitivity* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea* ; Milk ; Nutritionists* ; Ovum ; Prevalence*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, second primary gastrointestinal tumors are not uncommon. However, it is unclear whether a screening endoscopy is needed for detecting gastrointestinal neoplasm in patients with head and neck cancer. Therefore, we analyzed the prevalence and independent risk factors for second primary gastrointestinal neoplasm in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: A consecutive series of 328 patients with primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy were included using our registry. An age- and sex-matched group of 328 control subjects was enrolled. We assessed risk factors of synchronous gastrointestinal cancer. RESULTS: The prevalence of esophageal cancer with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher than that of the control group (1.5% vs. 0.0%, p=0.011). An age of 54 years or more (OR, 1.033; 95% CI, 1.008-1.059; p=0.009) and male gender (OR, 4.974; 95% CI, 1.648-15.013; p=0.004) were risk factors for concomitant colorectal cancer or adenomas in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative colonoscopy can be recommended for detecting synchronous second primary colorectal lesions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with male sex regardless of age, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy is necessary in all head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients for detecting esophageal cancer.
Adenoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal* ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Head and Neck Neoplasms* ; Head* ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Neck ; Neoplasms, Second Primary* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and identify the demographic, and sociological characteristics and changes in awareness of HCV infection by participating the study for North Korean defectors residing in South Korea. Methods: This study prospectively enrolled participants. Demographic, sociological and clinical data, and questionnaire surveys focused on awareness of HCV infection were collected. Results: In total, 211 North Korean defectors participated in this study from September 2020 until June 2021. There were 174 women (82.5%), and the overall mean age was 48.9 years (range, 20 to 80 years). Of these participants, 112 (53.1%) had immigrated to South Korea since 2011. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among North Korean defectors was 1.9%. Thirty participants (14.2%) had hepatitis B surface antigens. A huge lack of awareness regarding HCV infection has been observed among North Korean defectors. Conclusion This is the first prospective study to investigate the prevalence rate of HCV infection among North Korean defectors residing in South Korea. As North Korean defectors are a vulnerable group concerning HCV infection, they may benefit from HCV screening policies and educational interventions for HCV infection.