BACKGROUND: Health illiteracy is a problem often unrecognized by health care providers. It influences medical costs and the health status of adults. The purposes of this study were to determine the level of health literacy in community-dwelling adults and to identify the factors influencing it. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Seoul, Gyeonggi and Chungcheong province. A total of 420 adults aged 18 or older were interviewed by trained nursing students between November 1 to December 30, 2011. Health literacy was measured using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Data were analyzed using the PASW 18.0 program. RESULTS: The mean score of health literacy was 50.64+/-19.18. In the multiple linear regression analysis, health literacy was significantly associated with education (beta=0.17, P=0.001), alcohol use (beta=-0.12, P=0.010), and perceived health status (beta=0.11, P=0.029). These factors accounted for about 7% of health literacy. CONCLUSIONS: Health literacy is a very important public health issue. Our findings showed that educational level, alcohol use and perceived health status should be considered when assessing this issue in patients. Furthermore, the development of a standardized Korean assessment tool for health literacy and specified interventions for enhancing health literacy are needed to improve health outcomes.
Adult* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Literacy* ; Health Personnel ; Health Status ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Literacy ; Primary Prevention ; Public Health ; Seoul ; Students, Nursing

Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is the most common intra-abdominal disease required surgery during the first few months of life. The expression of pyloric stenosis is dependent upon the genetic influence of ancestors affected with the disease, as well as unknown environmental influences in the postnatal period. Pyloric stenosis has been reported in multiple sibs in a family, which suggests the genetic influence on the expression of this disease. Until now, the genetic influence is thought a sex-modified polygenic or multifactorial background which facilitates the expression of a common dominant gene. We experienced a case of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in a two siblings. The siblings suffered projectile vomiting for 2~4 days at 16 days old of age and 15 days old of age. After we confirmed the diagnosis by upper gastrointestinal series and abdominal sonogram, the Fredet-Ramstedt pyloromyotomy was done successfully. This case suggests the genetic influence on the expression of this disease.
Diagnosis ; Genes, Dominant ; Humans ; Pyloric Stenosis ; Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic* ; Siblings* ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Patients with acne are at risk of using various over-the-counter drugs (OTCs). In addition, several OTCs are introduced in pharmacies in Korea. However, only few drugs are supported by well-established data. Among the treatments, acne patches are easy to purchase and use. Thus, they are widely used by patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the patient's perception and usage of acne patches. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted on 80 patients with acne who visited the outpatient department of the National Medical Center for 2 months. RESULTS: A total of 42 (52.5%) patients answered that they had used acne patches, and 38 (47.5%) patients stated that they had never used patches. Moreover, 27 (64.29%) patients responded that they used the patches on inflammatory lesions. Moreover, several patients were using acne patches after pricking themselves. There was only one response to confirm the ingredient when purchasing acne patch. Moreover, 14 (33.33%) participants responded that they noted side effects after using acne patches. Overall, the satisfaction score for the use of acne patches was 5.05. CONCLUSION: Patients often use acne patches because they can be easily purchased and used. However, they do not know how to properly choose and use the product that fits their skin. Therefore, doctors must educate patients on how to properly select and use the products.
Acne Vulgaris* ; Bandages ; Colloids ; Humans ; Korea ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Outpatients ; Pharmacies ; Skin

Effects of root, stem and leaf extract of sancho (Zanthoxylum schinifolium) on the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in the hepatic microsome of rat, DPPH radical scavenging activity and activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) were examined in vitro. The highest inhibition of hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation was observed by ethyl acetate fraction than that of methylene chloride fraction of the root and stem extracts. The high inhibition of lipid peroxidation was determined in the leaf, the root and the stem in order. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of ethyl acetate fraction was higher than that of n-butanol fraction and it was similar to the root and the steam extract. It was similar to the inhibition of hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was the highest in 2.500 mg/mL of ethyl acetate fraction and it was 4.4 fold higher than that of h-tocopherol, as an antioxidant standard. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was dependent on the extract concentration in the range of 0.125 - 5.000 mg/mL. The thromboplastin times were higher than that of n-butanol fraction and it was similar to the root and the steam extracts. The leaf extract showed the highest antithrombogenic effect followed by the stem and then the root extract. The activated partial thromboplastin times were dependent on the extract concentration in the range of 0.100 - 2.000 mg/mL. Consequently, the effects of antioxidative, DPPH radical scavenging activity and antithrombogenic of Z. schinifolium was observed due to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the DPPH radical scavenging activity by methylene chloride, n-butanol and ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf extract.
1-Butanol ; Animals ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Methylene Chloride ; Microsomes ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Rats ; Steam ; Thromboplastin ; Zanthoxylum*

OBJECTIVE: To establish the standard values for proper antenatal weight gain, biweekly mean weight gains, standard deviations were calculated from the 5th to the 42nd gestational week and their percentiles were determined. And the influence of prepregnancy body mass index and/or parity on biweekly weight gain was investigated. METHODS: We analyzed the biweekly weight gain data from 910 women who had noncomplicated singleton term pregnancy. Data was categorized in three groups according to body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: The biweekly weight gain table has been determined and 'Sigmoid(S) shaped' weight gain curves were presented. Primipara and multipara have significantly less weight gain than nullipara beyond the 25th weeks. Biweekly weight gain was significantly different among prepregnancy BMI groups from the 13th week. CONCLUSION: More careful prenatal care according to the biweekly weight gain-gestational week tables is needed to prevent a lot of complications which may be associated with abnormal weight gain during pregnancy. To establish Korean standard value for antenatal weight gain, a nationwide multicenter study is needed.
Body Mass Index ; Female ; Humans ; Parity ; Pregnancy* ; Prenatal Care ; Weight Gain*

BACKGROUND: CD4+Fop3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are needed to maintain peripheral tolerance, but their role in the development of autoimmune arthritis is still debated. The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism by which Tregs influence autoimmune arthritis, using a mouse model entitled K/BxN. METHODS: We generated Treg-deficient K/BxNsf mice by congenically crossing K/BxN mice with Foxp3 mutant scurfy mice. The arthritic symptoms of the mice were clinically and histopathologically examined. The proportions and activation of CD4+ T cells and/or dendritic cells were assessed in the spleens, draining lymph nodes and synovial tissue of these mice. RESULTS: K/BxNsf mice exhibited earlier onset and more aggressive progression of arthritis than their K/BxN littermates. In particular, bone destruction associated with the influx of numerous RANKL+ cells into synovia was very prominent. They also contained more memory phenotype CD4+ T cells, more Th1 and Th2 cells, and fewer Th17 cells than their control counterparts. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells expressing high levels of CD86 and CD40 were elevated in the K/BxNsf synovia. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Tregs oppose the progression of arthritis by inhibiting the development of RANKL+ cells, homeostatically proliferating CD4+ T cells, Th1, Th2 and mature plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and by inhibiting their influx into joints.
Animals ; Arthritis ; Dendritic Cells ; Joints ; Lymph Nodes ; Memory ; Mice ; Peripheral Tolerance ; Phenotype ; Spleen ; Synovial Fluid ; Synovial Membrane ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Th17 Cells ; Th2 Cells

BACKGROUND: CD4+Fop3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are needed to maintain peripheral tolerance, but their role in the development of autoimmune arthritis is still debated. The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism by which Tregs influence autoimmune arthritis, using a mouse model entitled K/BxN. METHODS: We generated Treg-deficient K/BxNsf mice by congenically crossing K/BxN mice with Foxp3 mutant scurfy mice. The arthritic symptoms of the mice were clinically and histopathologically examined. The proportions and activation of CD4+ T cells and/or dendritic cells were assessed in the spleens, draining lymph nodes and synovial tissue of these mice. RESULTS: K/BxNsf mice exhibited earlier onset and more aggressive progression of arthritis than their K/BxN littermates. In particular, bone destruction associated with the influx of numerous RANKL+ cells into synovia was very prominent. They also contained more memory phenotype CD4+ T cells, more Th1 and Th2 cells, and fewer Th17 cells than their control counterparts. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells expressing high levels of CD86 and CD40 were elevated in the K/BxNsf synovia. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Tregs oppose the progression of arthritis by inhibiting the development of RANKL+ cells, homeostatically proliferating CD4+ T cells, Th1, Th2 and mature plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and by inhibiting their influx into joints.
Animals ; Arthritis ; Dendritic Cells ; Joints ; Lymph Nodes ; Memory ; Mice ; Peripheral Tolerance ; Phenotype ; Spleen ; Synovial Fluid ; Synovial Membrane ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Th17 Cells ; Th2 Cells

OBJECTIVE: To calculate monthly weight gains during pregnancy among 20s, early and late 30s, and to investigate the influence of age groups on monthly weight gains. METHODS: We analyzed the monthly weight gain data from 892 women who had visited before 20 weeks of gestation and had healthy singleton term pregnancy. Data was categorized in three groups according to age (20s, early and late 30s). RESULTS: The monthly weight gain tables among 20s, early and late 30s have been determined. Monthly weight gain was not significantly different among three age groups. CONCLUSION: Although statistically insignificant among three age groups, more cautious prenatal care according to the monthly weight gain-gestational month tables for each age group is needed to prevent complications which may be associated with abnormal weight gain during pregnancy.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy* ; Prenatal Care ; Weight Gain*

No abstract available.
Humans

No abstract available.
Humans ; Stress, Psychological* ; Suicide*