PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the association between sodium excretion and obesity for healthy adults in the Gwangju area. METHODS: The participants included 80 healthy adults aged 19 to 69 years in Gwangju. The dietary intake and sodium excretion were obtained using the 24-hour recall method and 24 hour urine collection. The participants were classified into two groups according to the amount of urinary sodium excretion: (≤ 141.75 mmol/dL, > 141.75 mmol/dL). RESULTS: After adjusting for sex, age, smoking history, and income, the high excretion of sodium group was significantly higher for weight, body mass index, body fat mass, percent body fat, visceral fat area (VFA), waist circumference, hip circumference, and WHR. The energy and nutrients intake were significant after adjusting for sex, age, smoking history, and income. The LSE group had a significantly higher fat intake and Na/K intake ratio. The HSE group had significantly higher fiber intake, and K intake. As the amount of urinary sodium excretion increased, the risk of obesity before correction was 3.57 (95% CI: 1.13–11.25) times greater, and the risk of obesity of T3 increased significantly by 3.33 times (95% CI: 1.05–10.59). After correcting for sex and age, the obesity risk of T2 increased significantly by 4.23 times (95% CI: 1.11–16.06), and after correcting for sex, age, smoking history, and income, the obesity risk of T2 increased significantly by 6.81 times (95% CI: 1.44–32.19) the risk of obesity. CONCLUSIONS: An association exists between sodium excretion and obesity in Korean adults. In this study, the high excretion of sodium group was obese and the risk of obesity was higher than the low excretion of sodium group.
Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Body Weight ; Gwangju ; Hip ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Methods ; Obesity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Sodium ; Urine Specimen Collection ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the association between sodium excretion and obesity for healthy adults in the Gwangju area. METHODS: The participants included 80 healthy adults aged 19 to 69 years in Gwangju. The dietary intake and sodium excretion were obtained using the 24-hour recall method and 24 hour urine collection. The participants were classified into two groups according to the amount of urinary sodium excretion: (≤ 141.75 mmol/dL, > 141.75 mmol/dL). RESULTS: After adjusting for sex, age, smoking history, and income, the high excretion of sodium group was significantly higher for weight, body mass index, body fat mass, percent body fat, visceral fat area (VFA), waist circumference, hip circumference, and WHR. The energy and nutrients intake were significant after adjusting for sex, age, smoking history, and income. The LSE group had a significantly higher fat intake and Na/K intake ratio. The HSE group had significantly higher fiber intake, and K intake. As the amount of urinary sodium excretion increased, the risk of obesity before correction was 3.57 (95% CI: 1.13–11.25) times greater, and the risk of obesity of T3 increased significantly by 3.33 times (95% CI: 1.05–10.59). After correcting for sex and age, the obesity risk of T2 increased significantly by 4.23 times (95% CI: 1.11–16.06), and after correcting for sex, age, smoking history, and income, the obesity risk of T2 increased significantly by 6.81 times (95% CI: 1.44–32.19) the risk of obesity. CONCLUSIONS: An association exists between sodium excretion and obesity in Korean adults. In this study, the high excretion of sodium group was obese and the risk of obesity was higher than the low excretion of sodium group.
Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Body Weight ; Gwangju ; Hip ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Methods ; Obesity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Sodium ; Urine Specimen Collection ; Waist Circumference

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors affecting unmet dental care needs among elderly living alone. Methods: The study subjects were 19,019 elderly living by themselves, who participated in the Korea Community Health Survey 2018 (KCHS, 2018). The data were analyzed using frequency analysis, Rao-Scott chi-square test, t-test, and binary logistic regression analysis, using the SAS 9.4 software. Results: Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a higher odds ratio (OR) for unmet dental care needs among those with a monthly household income below KRW 1,000,000 (OR=1.64, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI=1.39-1.92), compared to those with an income of above KRW 2,000,000. With regards to stress levels, unmet dental care needs were more prevalent among participants in the “stress moderate” (OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.06-1.33) and “stress” groups (OR=1.68 95% CI=1.48-1.92), compared to the “no stress” group. Furthermore, the OR for unmet dental care needs was significantly higher among participants in the “depression” group (OR=1.84, 95% CI=1.61-2.11) than the “no depression” group. Conclusions Higher unmet dental care needs were found among participants in the low monthly household income, stress, and depression groups. Further study is needed to analyze the association between factors and needs related to unmet dental care.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors affecting unmet dental care needs among elderly living alone. Methods: The study subjects were 19,019 elderly living by themselves, who participated in the Korea Community Health Survey 2018 (KCHS, 2018). The data were analyzed using frequency analysis, Rao-Scott chi-square test, t-test, and binary logistic regression analysis, using the SAS 9.4 software. Results: Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a higher odds ratio (OR) for unmet dental care needs among those with a monthly household income below KRW 1,000,000 (OR=1.64, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI=1.39-1.92), compared to those with an income of above KRW 2,000,000. With regards to stress levels, unmet dental care needs were more prevalent among participants in the “stress moderate” (OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.06-1.33) and “stress” groups (OR=1.68 95% CI=1.48-1.92), compared to the “no stress” group. Furthermore, the OR for unmet dental care needs was significantly higher among participants in the “depression” group (OR=1.84, 95% CI=1.61-2.11) than the “no depression” group. Conclusions Higher unmet dental care needs were found among participants in the low monthly household income, stress, and depression groups. Further study is needed to analyze the association between factors and needs related to unmet dental care.

PURPOSE: This study focused on the evaluation of the relation between pollen concentration and the outbreak of allergic disease (symptom index), and this outcome would be necessary to upgrade risk grade for the pollen forecasting system. METHODS: Airborne particles carrying allergens, such as pollen, were collected daily at the Seoul and Guri area by using 7-day Burkard samplers for 6 years. A total of 596 Subjects were recruited from Hanyang University Seoul Hospital (n=144 for spring, n=139 for autumn), and Hanyang University Guri Hospital (n=157 for spring, n=156 for autumn). Symptom index was evaluated and recorded by phone calling to study subjects daily or asking questionnaire when they visit outpatient clinic every week. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using correlation coefficients and regression models with time series graph. RESULTS: Two peak seasons of pollen concentration were May and September in Korea. In skin prick tests, the sensitization rate to ragweed pollen was gradually increased in children. In the same period, sensitization rates to airborne pollen, especially oak, birch for spring, and Japanese hop for autumn were increased annually. There was a significantly relationship between symptom index of allergic patients and allergic pollen concentrations in this study. Especially symptom index was significantly correlated to the concentration of oak pollen of day 1 in spring and to the concentration of Japanese hop pollen of day 0 in autumn. CONCLUSION: Sensitization rates to pollens increased annually. There is a significant relationship between allergy symptom index and pollen concentration. There remains to confirm the Korean own risk grade of pollen allergy.
Allergens ; Ambrosia ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Child ; Forecasting ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Pollen* ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Seasons ; Seoul ; Skin

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess attenuation correction algorithms with the 137Cs point source for the brain positron emission tomography (PET) imaging process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different types of phantoms were used in this study for testing various types of the attenuation correction techniques. Transmission data of a 137Cs point source were acquired after infusing the emission source into phantoms and then the emission data were subsequently acquired in 3D acquisition mode. Scatter corrections were performed with a background tail-fitting algorithm. Emission data were then reconstructed using iterative reconstruction method with a measured (MAC), elliptical (ELAC), segmented (SAC) and remapping (RAC) attenuation correction, respectively. Reconstructed images were then both qualitatively and quantitatively assessed. In addition, reconstructed images of a normal subject were assessed by nuclear medicine physicians. Subtracted images were also compared. RESULTS: ELAC, SAC, and RAC provided a uniform phantom image with less noise for a cylindrical phantom. In contrast, a decrease in intensity at the central portion of the attenuation map was noticed at the result of the MAC. Reconstructed images of Jaszack and Hoffan phantoms presented better quality with RAC and SAC. The attenuation of a skull on images of the normal subject was clearly noticed and the attenuation correction without considering the attenuation of the skull resulted in artificial defects on images of the brain. CONCLUSION: the complicated and improved attenuation correction methods were needed to obtain the better accuracy of the quantitative brain PET images.
Brain ; Noise ; Nuclear Medicine ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Skull

Purpose: We aimed to compare different reference regions and select one with the most clinical relevance on C11-acetate (ACE) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with cerebral glioma. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients with cerebral glioma who underwent baseline ACE PET/CT at diagnosis.Other than the standardized uptake value (SUV) of the primary tumor, SUVs of the reference regions including the normal gray matter, white matter, choroid plexus, and cerebellum were measured. Then, the SUV ratio (SUVR = tumor SUV max /reference region SUV mean ) was calculated. The effect of patient age on the SUV mean of each reference was examined and the SUVRs of each reference region were compared between grades. age, sex, tumor size, histological grades, SUVR , and the presence of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation were included for survival analyses. Results: Except for the cerebellum showing a mild negative correlation, we found no correlations between age and SUV mean using the gray matter, white matter, and choroid plexus (r = − 0.280, P < = 0.047). Only the SUVR -choroid plexus was able to differentiate between the WHO grades (Grade II vs. III, P < = 0.035; grade III vs. IV, P < < 0.001; grade II vs. IV, P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models found that the SUVR-choroid plexus and IDH mutation were statistically significant for predicting OS. Conclusion Of the different reference regions used for grading cerebral gliomas, the choroid plexus was found to be the most optimal.In addition, the SUV ratio is useful to predict the overall survival in the model with the choroid plexus as a reference region.

The prevalence of thyroid cancer in pregnant women is unknown; however, given that thyroid cancer commonly develops in women, especially young women of childbearing age, new cases are often diagnosed during pregnancy. This recommendation summarizes the follow-up and treatment when thyroid cancer is diagnosed during pregnancy and when a woman with thyroid cancer becomes pregnant. If diagnosed in the first trimester, surgery should be postponed until after delivery, and the patient should be monitored with ultrasound. If follow-up before 24–26 weeks of gestation shows that thyroid cancer has progressed, surgery should be considered. If it has not progressed at 24–26 weeks of gestation or if papillary thyroid cancer is diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy, surgery should be considered after delivery.

Differentiated thyroid cancer demonstrates a wide range of clinical presentations, from very indolent cases to those with an aggressive prognosis. Therefore, diagnosing and treating each cancer appropriately based on its risk status is important. The Korean Thyroid Association (KTA) has provided and amended the clinical guidelines for thyroid cancer management since 2007. The main changes in this revised 2024 guideline include 1) individualization of surgical extent according to pathological tests and clinical findings, 2) application of active surveillance in low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, 3) indications for minimally invasive surgery, 4) adoption of World Health Organization pathological diagnostic criteria and definition of terminology in Korean, 5) update on literature evidence of recurrence risk for initial risk stratification, 6) addition of the role of molecular testing, 7) addition of definition of initial risk stratification and targeting thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations according to ongoing risk stratification (ORS), 8) addition of treatment of perioperative hypoparathyroidism, 9) update on systemic chemotherapy, and 10) addition of treatment for pediatric patients with thyroid cancer.