This study aimed to identify factors influencing oncofertility and to explore the oncofertility experiences of patients with gynecological cancer using quantitative and qualitative methods, respectively. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted. The quantitative study involved 222 patients with gynecological cancer recruited from online cafes and hospitals. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 28. For qualitative research, eight patients with gynecological cancer were interviewed. Data were analyzed using theme analysis method. Results: Oncofertility performance was quantitatively assessed in 40 patients (18.0%). Factors that significantly affected oncofertility were fertility preservation awareness (odds ratio [OR] = 14.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.22~53.08), number of children planned before cancer diagnosis (OR = 6.08, 95% CI: 1.89~19.62; OR = 5.04, 95% CI: 1.56~16.29), monthly income (OR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.23~8.86), social support (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01~1.17), and anxiety (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66~0.95). Qualitative results showed three theme clusters and eight themes: (1) themes for determinant factors affecting oncofertility selection: ‘desire to have children’ and ‘special meaning of the uterus and ovaries;’ (2) themes for obstructive factors affecting oncofertility selection: ‘fertility preservation fall behind priorities,’ ‘confusion caused by inaccurate information,’ and ‘my choice was not supported;’ (3) themes for support factors affecting oncofertility selection: ‘provide accurate and reasonable information about oncofertility,’ ‘addressing the healthcare gap,’ and ‘need financial support for oncofertility.’ Conclusion: Financial support, sufficient information, social support, and anxiety-relief interventions are required for oncofertility in patients with gynecological cancer.

Pickling salt, also known as curing salt, is a mixture of sodium chloride and sodium nitrite, which is used for color agent and a means to facilitate food preservation. Recently, online purchase of pure sodium nitrite has been restricted, and pickling salts have been used as replacements in cases of suicidal nitrite intoxication. From November 2020 to December 2021, there were four autopsy cases of nitrite poisoning caused by pickling salt, and 10 autopsy cases of nitrite poisoning by pure sodium nitrite. Due to the low nitrite concentration in pickling salts, serum nitrite and nitrate concentration, and methemoglobin levels were relatively low in pickling salts cases. Especially, low methemoglobin levels may cause confusion in the postmortem diagnosis of fatal nitrite intoxication, so caution is required.

This research proposes a safety strategy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) walkthrough booths to optimize pandemic preparedness. These booths, designed for respiratory sample collection during the COVID-19 pandemic, effectively reduce infection risk and personal protective equipment-related fatigue among healthcare workers. However, inadequate disinfection and glove management could escalate infection transmission. Using computational fluid dynamics simulations, we analyzed droplet dispersion on booth surfaces and gloves under various wind conditions. Our findings suggest that when setting up COVID-19 walk-through booths, their location should be strategically chosen to minimize the effects of wind. All surfaces of booth gloves must be thoroughly disinfected with a certified disinfectant after nasopharyngeal swab collection. It is also recommended to wear disposable gloves over booth gloves when changing between patient examinations. In wind-affected areas, individuals nearby should not solely rely on the 2-meter distancing rule due to potential droplet spread from walk-through booths. We strongly recommend consistent and proper mask use for effective droplet blocking. Adherence to these guidelines can significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of walk-through booths, particularly in potential future pandemics.

Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue; it has been used clinically as an anticonvulsant and analgesic agent. Few documented reports exist of deaths resulting from pregabalin overdose. This report discusses a case of pregabalin intoxication in a 27-year-old male, who was found unconscious in a prison and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. An autopsy and toxicological analysis revealed the presence of pregabalin, alprazolam, diazepam, escitalopram, fluoxetine, lorazepam, bromazepam, flunitrazepam, zolpidem, and piroxicam. The concentrations of pregabalin and alprazolam were 10.3 mg/L and 0.10 mg/L in heart blood, and 11.4 mg/L and 0.08 mg/L in femoral blood, respectively. The other detected drugs were within therapeutic concentrations. Ethyl alcohol was not detected in the blood. Although the pregabalin concentration was within the therapeutic or toxic range, the concomitant use of other drugs, particularly benzodiazepines and zolpidem, likely enhanced its toxicity. Based on the autopsy findings and toxicological results, the cause of death was determined to be multidrug intoxication, including pregabalin. Although pregabalin is generally considered safe and deaths from its use alone are very rare, it can be fatal at relatively low blood concentrations when combined with opioids or other medications. The rising use of pregabalin in Korea increases the risk of overdose deaths, similar to this case. Therefore, in forensic practice, the possibility of such fatalities should be considered when pregabalin is detected.

OBJECTIVES: An association between dietary patterns and mental health in children has been suggested in a series of studies, yet detailed analyses of dietary patterns and their effects on ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are limited. METHODS: We included 4569 children who had dietary intake data as part of the CHEER (Children's Health and Environmental Research) study conducted nationwide from 2005 to 2010. We assessed ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) by the DuPaul's ADHD Rating Scales and dietary intake by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Using intake data, we constructed five dietary patterns: “Plant foods & fish,” “Sweets,” “Meat & fish,” “Fruits & dairy products,” and “Wheat based.” RESULTS: The overall proportion of ADHD was 12.3%. Boys (17.8%) showed a higher rate of ADHD than girls (6.5%). The total intake of calories (85 kcal) and plant fat (2g) in the ADHD group was significantly higher than that of the normal group. ADHD was significantly negatively associated with dietary habits such as having breakfast and meal frequency, and positively associated with eating speed, unbalanced diet, overeating, and rice consumption. Regarding dietary patterns, the “Sweets” category was relevant to high ADHD risk (OR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.15 for Q5 vs. Q1) in a linear relationship. An inverse, non-linear association was found between “Fruits & dairy products” and ADHD (OR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.76 for Q4 vs. Q1). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms both positive and negative associations between diet and ADHD in elementary school age children. Moreover, linear or nonlinear associations between diet and ADHD draw attention to the possible threshold role of nutrients. Further studies may consider characteristics of diet in more detail to develop better intervention or management in terms of diet and health.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; Breakfast ; Child ; Diet ; Eating ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Meals ; Mental Health ; Plants ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVES: An association between dietary patterns and mental health in children has been suggested in a series of studies, yet detailed analyses of dietary patterns and their effects on ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are limited. METHODS: We included 4569 children who had dietary intake data as part of the CHEER (Children's Health and Environmental Research) study conducted nationwide from 2005 to 2010. We assessed ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) by the DuPaul's ADHD Rating Scales and dietary intake by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Using intake data, we constructed five dietary patterns: “Plant foods & fish,” “Sweets,” “Meat & fish,” “Fruits & dairy products,” and “Wheat based.” RESULTS: The overall proportion of ADHD was 12.3%. Boys (17.8%) showed a higher rate of ADHD than girls (6.5%). The total intake of calories (85 kcal) and plant fat (2g) in the ADHD group was significantly higher than that of the normal group. ADHD was significantly negatively associated with dietary habits such as having breakfast and meal frequency, and positively associated with eating speed, unbalanced diet, overeating, and rice consumption. Regarding dietary patterns, the “Sweets” category was relevant to high ADHD risk (OR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.15 for Q5 vs. Q1) in a linear relationship. An inverse, non-linear association was found between “Fruits & dairy products” and ADHD (OR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.76 for Q4 vs. Q1). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms both positive and negative associations between diet and ADHD in elementary school age children. Moreover, linear or nonlinear associations between diet and ADHD draw attention to the possible threshold role of nutrients. Further studies may consider characteristics of diet in more detail to develop better intervention or management in terms of diet and health.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; Breakfast ; Child ; Diet ; Eating ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Meals ; Mental Health ; Plants ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: To investigate the risk factors of diabetic nephropathy in patients with diabetic retinopathy requiring panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) and the visual prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, comprising 103 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy who underwent PRP from 1996 to 2005. Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, non-diabetic renal disease, non-diabetic retinal disease, visually significant ocular disease, high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and advanced diabetic retinopathy were excluded. The patients were divided into three groups: no nephropathy (group 1, n = 45), microalbuminuria (group 2, n = 16), and advanced nephropathy (group 3, n = 42). Duration of diagnosis of retinopathy and nephropathy, glycosylated hemoglobin, visual acuity, complications, and treatment history were investigated. RESULTS: The mean glycosylated hemoglobin of group 3 (8.4 ± 1.2) was higher than that of group 1 (7.7 ± 1.0) or group 2 (7.7 ± 1.0) (p = 0.04). Mean interval from PRP to diagnosis of nephropathy was 8.8 ± 6.0 years in group 2 and 8.7 ± 4.9 years in group 3. The significant decrease in visual acuity in group 3 (28 eyes, 35.9%) was significantly higher than that in group 1 (15 eyes, 18.1%, p = 0.01) or group 2 (6 eyes, 20.7%, p = 0.03). Only vitreous hemorrhage showed a significantly higher incidence in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1 (p = 0.02). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that female sex and lower glycosylated hemoglobin were significantly associated with a protective effect on development of nephropathy. CONCLUSIONS: In the clinical setting, many patients with PRP-requiring diabetic retinopathy develop nephropathy an average of 8 to 9 years after PRP. Male sex and higher glycosylated hemoglobin could be risk factors of nephropathy.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Diagnosis ; Electronic Health Records ; Female ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Incidence ; Light Coagulation ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retinal Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Visual Acuity ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to estimate the heritability attributable to single-locus effects with a regression of offspring on mid-parent (ROMP) method for cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: The regression of offspring on mid-parent is determined with and without the inclusion of a single-locus effect, and the difference between the slopes of these two regression is an estimate of the heritability attributable to the single-locus effect. The study population included 1,550 family members of 295 patients, derived from cardiovascular genome center. The risk factors considered were total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, apoAI and apoB. Heritability was estimated from the slope of the linear regression of offspring on mid-parents. RESULTS: Estimated heritability was 35 to 46% for total cholesterol with 6.2% attributable to polymorphism S128R. For triglyceride, the estimated heritability was 47.6% with 2% attributable to polymorphism G-217A. The heritability was 36-46% for LDL-cholesterol. For LDL cholesterol, S128R specific effect was 8.7%. Estimated heritability was 62.2% for apoAI with 3.2% attributable to polymorphism G-217A and 58 to 75% for apoB with 5.4% attributable to polymorphism S128R. CONCLUSIONS: These traits were significantly associated with polymorphism S128R. These results highlight the importance of considering genetic factors in studies of cardiovascular risk factors. Unlike traditional population-based tests of association, ROMP appears to be robust with respect to population stratification.
Apolipoproteins B ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Genome ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Risk Factors* ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: To compare corneal astigmatism, keratometry and corneal higher order aberrations between the light emitting diode corneal topography analyzer and Scheimpflug Imager. METHODS: This prospective study involved 45 patients (45 eyes) who visited Seoul St. Mary's hospital before cataract surgery from June 7, 2017, to August 2, 2017. For each eye, keratometry, astigmatism and its axis of cornea, higher-order aberrations were evaluated with a Scheimpflug Imager (Pentacam HR®, Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) and a color-LED corneal topographer (Cassini®, i-Optics, Den Haag, The Netherlands). RESULTS: Astigmatism magnitude measured using Cassini® and Pentacam® showed no statistically differences but anterior and total astigmatic axes were significantly different, as measured by the two devices (p < 0.05). Anterior and total mean keratometry were statistically significantly different, as measured by the two devices (p < 0.05). J0 and J45 vectors of anterior and total cornea were statistically different (p < 0.05). In addition, Cassini® and Pentacam® showed discrepancies between total corneal astigmatism, total J0 and J45 vectors. Corneal anterior spherical aberration, vertical and horizontal coma, and oblique and horizontal trefoil aberrations were not statistically different between the two devices. CONCLUSIONS: Astigmatic axes obtained from the two devices based on different principles showed statistically significant differences. Astigmatism magnitude was not statistically different but showed a discrepancy between the two devices.
Astigmatism ; Cataract ; Coma ; Cornea ; Corneal Topography ; Corneal Wavefront Aberration ; Humans ; Lotus ; Prospective Studies ; Seoul

Background: and Purpose: The Korean-Color Word Stroop Test: Color Reading (K-CWST:CR) included in the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery, 2nd Edition (SNSB-II) examines inhibitory control deficit. It provides normative data for both 60- and 120-second conditions, but the validity of the 60-second condition has not yet been proven. This study examined the validity of the 60-second condition by observing concordance between the performances in cognitively normal, MCI, and mild dementia groups. Methods: There were 1,336 patients performed the SNSB-II, including the K-CWST: CR.Based on the cognitive test results, activities of daily living, and clinical interview, the patients were assigned to normal cognition (n=104), MCI (n=884), or mild dementia (n=348) groups. Abnormal performance on the K-CWST: CR was operationally defined as 1SD below the normative mean. The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted to compare the discriminability between the 60- and 120-second conditions. Results: The percentages of abnormal performance in the MCI group were 41.5% and 42.3%, and those in the mild dementia group were 82.7% and 82.4% for the 60- and 120-second conditions, respectively. The areas under the curve for the 60- and 120-seconds were as follows; 0.80 and 0.81 in differentiating normal from MCI; 0.95 and 0.96 in normal from mild dementia; and 0.77 and 0.77 in MCI from mild dementia. Conclusions The 60-second condition of the K-CWST showed very similar results, not statistically different from the 120-second condition. Therefore, the 60-second condition could be used interchangeably with the 120-second condition in a clinical setting.