Background: Research has reported that atopic dermatitis degrades the quality of life of adults in their 20s and 30s. This study, therefore, explored factors associated with improvement of atopic dermatitis in adults in their 20s and 30s. Methods: Three hundred and forty-eight adults who had been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (recovery group, 146; atopic group, 202) in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2018) were selected for this study. Complex sample descriptive, crosstab, and logistic analyses were used to identify significant factors associated with improvement of atopic dermatitis in adults in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, mental health, and physical activity. Results: Among several sociodemographic characteristics, the significant factors were age, sex, and marital status. When these factors were included as covariates in logistic regression models, adults were more likely to be in the recovery group if they thought positively about their health condition, if their stress recognition was low, and if they had enough sleep time during the week. Furthermore, adults were more likely to be in the recovery group if they were engaged in high- and moderate-intensity activities at work and leisure. Conclusion This study showed that positive mental health, sufficient sleep time, and high- and middle-intensity activities are important factors associated with improvement of atopic dermatitis in adults in their 20s and 30s. We expect that these findings will help improve the quality of life in young working adults who suffer from atopic dermatitis.

This study assesses the fertilization and blastocyst-forming rate in mice cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) after the exposure of human ovarian endometriotic fluid. Endometriotic fluid was obtained from a single patient by aspiration at the time of a laparoscopic cystectomy and serially diluted. COCs were obtained from 46-week-old female BDF1 mice. After exposure to ovarian endometriotic fluid for five minutes, the COCs were washed three times and the oocytes were then fertilized by mice sperm. The fertilization and blastocyst formation rate and the proportion of hatching/hatched blastocyst in the four treatment groups were not inferior to those in non-exposure group.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Cystectomy ; Embryonic Development* ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Mice* ; Oocytes* ; Pregnancy ; Spermatozoa

PURPOSE: Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) has an important role in the pathogenesis of renal damage; it enhances extracellular matrix production. Urinary TGF-beta1 excretion has been shown to be significantly increased in patients with IgA nephropathy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of spironolactone on urinary TGF-beta1 levels in patients with IgA nephropathy. METHODS: TGF-beta1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in random urine specimens from 35 patients with IgA nephropathy. The patients were assigned to a spironolactone group, prednisolone group or losartan group. They were treated over an 8-week period. Urine samples were tested at the beginning and the end of the treatment period. RESULTS: The patients with IgA nephropathy (n=35) had a higher urinary excretion of TGF-beta1 than normal controls (n=13). Urinary TGF-beta1 excretion was positively correlated with proteinuria and pathological grading but not with serum creatinine. After 8 weeks of treatment, losartan (n=13) and prednisolone (n=11) therapy induced a significant reduction in both urinary protein and TGF-beta1 excretion. After treatment with spironolactone (n=11), urinary protein and TGF-beta1 excretion were decreased. However, the decrease was not statistically significant. There was a significant correlation between the urinary TGF-beta1 excretion and the serum aldosterone (r=0.84; p<0.01); however, treatment with spironolactone abolished this correlation. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that endogenous aldosterone influences urinary TGF-beta1 excretion in patients with IgA nephropathy.
Aldosterone ; Creatinine ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Matrix ; Glomerulonephritis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Losartan ; Prednisolone ; Proteinuria ; Spironolactone* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1*

BACKGROUND: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major risk factor in atherogenesis and coronary heart disease as well as a primary target of lipid-lowering therapy. LDL-C concentration by direct homogenous assay was compared with that of the Friedewald formula, which is widely used in spite of its limitations. METHODS: Between February and March 2002, we analyzed total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and LDL-C levels in 1, 161 subjects (601 men and 560 women). They were classified according to cutpoints of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. The LDL-C results by direct method and the Friedewald formula were compared according to the TG levels and their medical decision values. RESULTS: Overall results of the direct method (Y) and the Friedewald formula (X) were highly correlated (Y=0.90X+13.62, r=0.9225). LDL-C by the Friedewald formula, however, showed a tendency of underestimation at higher TG levels. The results of the direct method were significantly different compared with those of the Friedewald formula when TG > or =200 mg/dL (P<0.05). Although the agreement between the two methods for LDL-C was within an acceptable range, it was relatively poor from near optimal to higher levels of LDL-C compared with optimal levels. CONCLUSIONS: The Friedewald formula is unsatisfactory for clinical purposes, because the levels of LDL-C are unreliable at the TG levels > or =200 mg/dL. Therefore, a direct determination method with better analytical performance is required. A fully automated homogenous assay seems to improve the determination of LDL-C, and may have a role in the diagnosis and management of hyperlipidemic patients.
Adult ; Atherosclerosis ; Cholesterol* ; Coronary Disease ; Diagnosis ; Education ; Humans ; Lipoproteins* ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: Cockroach feces are known to be rich in IgE-reactive components. Various protease allergens were identified by proteomic analysis of German cockroach fecal extract in a previous study. In this study, we characterized a novel allergen, a chymotrypsin-like serine protease. METHODS: A cDNA sequence homologous to chymotrypsin was obtained by analysis of German cockroach expressed sequence tag (EST) clones. The recombinant chymotrypsins from the German cockroach and house dust mite (Der f 6) were expressed in Escherichia coli using the pEXP5NT/TOPO vector system, and their allergenicity was investigated by ELISA. RESULTS: The deduced amino acid sequence of German cockroach chymotrypsin showed 32.7 to 43.1% identity with mite group 3 (trypsin) and group 6 (chymotrypsin) allergens. Sera from 8 of 28 German cockroach allergy subjects (28.6%) showed IgE binding to the recombinant protein. IgE binding to the recombinant cockroach chymotrypsin was inhibited by house dust mite chymotrypsin Der f 6, while it minimally inhibited the German cockroach whole body extract. CONCLUSIONS: A novel allergen homologous to chymotrypsin was identified from the German cockroach and was cross-reactive with Der f 6.
Allergens ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Blattellidae* ; Chymotrypsin* ; Clone Cells ; Cockroaches ; DNA, Complementary ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Feces ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Mites ; Pyroglyphidae ; Sequence Homology ; Serine Proteases

The purpose of this study was to compare the nutritional status of children aged 5 or under and women aged 20 to 34 years between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea (DPRK: North Korea). For the source of nutritional status of North Koreans, the DPRK 2004 Nutrition Assessment-Report of Survey Results was used. As the comparable data of South Koreans, the anthropometric data for children and women were obtained from the reports of the Korean Pediatric Society and the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, respectively. The blood hemoglobin data of South Korean women were obtained from the data file of the 2001 National Health and Nutrition Survey and analyzed. In regard to the North Korea, the prevalence of underweight (weight for age Z-score <-2.0) in children under 12 months was about 10~15%, and thereafter progressively increased until 30 to 35 months reaching 30%. In South Korea, the prevalence of underweight was less than 3% in most age groups both in boys and girls. In North Korea, the prevalence of stunting (height for age Z-score <-2.0) reached 20% in children under 12 months and increased with age over the level of 50% in children aged 54 to 59 months. In South Korea, the prevalence of stunting was less than 3% in children under 12 months and was less than 10% throughout the age groups. Maternal protein-energy malnutrition and anemia were assessed for the women aged 20 to 34 years using mid-upper arm circumference (< 22.5 cm) and blood hemoglobin level (< 12 g/DL), respectively. The prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition was 39.6%, 30.7%, 31.7% in North Korea and 12.5%, 5.0%, 1.5% in South Korea for the women in 20~24, 25~29, 30~34 years, respectively. The prevalence of anemia in the North Korean women was about 34~36% while that in the South Korean women was 15~18%. In conclusion, the disparity of nutritional status in early childhood and maternity between South Korea and North Korea is so huge that active and well-planned nutrition support policy and programs for women and children in North Korea is imperative to prepare for the future unified nation.
Anemia ; Arm ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Child ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Nutrition Surveys ; Nutritional Status ; Prevalence ; Protein-Energy Malnutrition ; Republic of Korea ; Thinness

BACKGROUND: The associations of vitamin D deficiency with various clinical conditions highlighted the importance of vitamin D testing. Currently, clinicians measure only the total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration, regardless of its bioavailability. We aimed to determine the effect of vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) on 25(OH)D bioavailability. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 60 healthy controls, 50 pregnant women, and 50 patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Total 25(OH)D was quantified by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, and VDBP levels were determined by using an ELISA kit (R&D Systems, USA). The bioavailable 25(OH)D levels were calculated by using total 25(OH)D, VDBP, and albumin concentrations. RESULTS: In comparison with healthy controls, the total 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in ICU patients (median, 11.65 vs 18.25 ng/mL; P<0.00001), but no significant difference was noted between pregnant women (18.25 ng/mL) and healthy controls. The VDBP level was significantly lower in ICU patients (95.58 vs 167.18 µg/mL, P=0.0002) and higher in pregnant women (225.01 vs 167.18 µg/mL, P=0.008) compared with healthy controls. Nonetheless, the calculated bioavailable 25(OH)D levels of ICU patients and pregnant women were significantly lower than those of healthy controls (1.97 and 1.93 ng/mL vs 2.56 ng/mL; P=0.0073 and 0.0027). CONCLUSIONS: A single marker of the total 25(OH)D level is not sufficient to accurately evaluate vitamin D status, especially in pregnant women. In cases where VDBP concentrations may be altered, VDBP measurements and bioavailable 25(OH)D calculations may help to determine vitamin D status accurately.
Adult ; Aged ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Serum Albumin/analysis ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Vitamin D/*blood ; Vitamin D-Binding Protein/*blood

BACKGROUND: Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) has emerged as a novel biomarker for heart failure, and serum sST2 concentrations could be increased in inflammatory diseases. We explored whether sST2 is related to cardiac dysfunction/failure and has a prognostic role in patients with suspected sepsis. METHODS: In a total of 397 patients with suspected sepsis, sST2 concentrations were measured by using the Presage ST2 Assay (Critical Diagnostics, USA). sST2 concentrations were analyzed according to procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations, cardiovascular subscores of the sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: sST2 concentrations were increased significantly according to the five groups of PCT concentrations and cardiovascular subscores of the SOFA score (P<0.000001 and P=0.036, respectively). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher among patients with sST2 concentrations above 35 ng/mL (P=0.0213) and among patients with increased concentrations of both sST2 and PCT (P=0.0028). CONCLUSIONS: sST2 seems to be related to both cardiac dysfunction/failure and severity in sepsis. Measurement of sST2 and PCT in combination would be useful for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in patients with suspected sepsis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers/blood ; Calcitonin/blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein/*blood ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sepsis/*diagnosis/mortality/pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: Hospitalized patients are vulnerable to sleep disturbances because of environmental stresses including noise. While most previous studies on hospital noise and sleep have been performed for medical machines in intensive care units, there is a limited data for patients hospitalized in medical wardrooms. The purpose of present study was to measure noise level of medical wardrooms, identify patient-perceived sources of noise, and to examine the association between noise levels and sleep disturbances in hospitalized patients. METHODS: Noise dosimeters were used to measure noise level in 29 inpatient wardrooms at a university hospital. Sleep pattern and disturbance were assessed in 103 hospitalized patients, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean equivalent continuous noise level for 24 hours was 63.5 decibel A (dBA), which was far higher than 30 dBA recommended by the World Health Organization for hospital wardrooms. Other patients sharing a room were perceived as the most common source of noise by the patients, which was usually preventable. Of the patients in the study, 86% had bad sleep as assessed by the PSQI. The sleep disturbance was significantly correlated with increasing noise levels in a dose response manner. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic organizational interventions are needed to keep wardrooms private and quiet to reduce sleep disturbance.
Humans ; Inpatients ; Intensive Care Units ; Noise* ; World Health Organization ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: Mid-sized hospital websites were assessed to examine how their attributes influence outcome indicators as a potential marketing strategy. Specifically, the website attributes considered were accessibility, content sufficiency, and layout design, while outcome indicators were evaluated, based on satisfaction with the website, intention to revisit the website, and intention to recommend the hospital. METHODS: Five representative websites were selected according to their ranks derived from major ranking sites. The diversity of the websites were emphasized. Then, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 74 respondents. Collected data was analyzed, using frequency, correlation, and repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: All three attributes were related to satisfaction with the website; in addition, both content sufficiency and layout design were significantly related to the intention to revisit. As for the intention to recommend the hospital, only the content sufficiency was significant. In particular, the sufficiencies on 'disease or symptoms' and 'question and answer' were important to all three outcome indicators. CONCLUSION: The websites serve as a marketing tool in managing mid-sized hospitals. Well-designed websites containing sufficient contents facilitate visitor's satisfaction and intention to revisit the website, as well as furthering their intention to recommend the hospital.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Hospital Administration ; Intention ; Internet ; Marketing ; Personal Satisfaction