This study aimed to investigate the relationship between meal regularity (i.e. breakfast intake and meal-times), and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among generally healthy Korean single-person household adults (≤60 years, n=594) based on the Seventh Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES) (2016∼2018).Among men (n=325), the breakfast intake frequency was not significantly associated with the pervalence of MetS. However, men consuming a regular meal at least once a day showed a lower prevalence of MetS compared to those whose meals were irregular. These patterns remained after adjusting for age, smoking and drinking habits, individual income, education level, exercise, and total calorie intake. An association between meal regularity and MetS risk was observed in post-menopausal women (n=84), but not in pre-menopausal women (n=185). More specifically post-menopausal women with irregular breakfast eating habits or eating no breakfast at all showed a significantly higher risk of MetS than those eating breakfast regularly after the adjustment. The analysis revealed an odds ratio (OR) of 8.46, confidence intervals (CIs): 1.149∼62.199, P＜0.05 in irregular breakfast eaters, and an OR of 13.377, CIs: 1.665∼ 107.511, P＜0.05, in those who ate no breakfast. Furthermore, post-menopausal women who had irregular meals daily showed a higher risk of MetS than those consuming one or more regular meals/day after the adjustment (OR:16.888, CIs: 1.258∼226.655, P＜0.05). In conclusion, the results from this study may be used for formulating optimal dietary guidelines for the prevention and the management of MetS in adults in single-person households.

Objective: Dietary factors are important contributors to obesity and related metabolic disorders. Few studies have evaluated the impact of dietary habits (e.g., breakfast consumption frequency and meal regularity) on metabolic health. We investigated the effects of breakfast consumption frequency and meal time regularity on nutrient intake and cardiometabolic status in Korean adults. Methods: Participants without diagnosed diseases (n=217) were examined for anthropometric and biochemical parameters, lifestyle, dietary habits, and nutrient intake.They were categorized into 4 groups by breakfast consumption frequency (≥6 or <6 times/ week) and meal time regularity (regular or irregular): breakfast ≥6 times/week and regular eating (HBRE), breakfast ≥6 times/week and irregular eating (HBIE), breakfast <6 times/week and regular eating (LBRE) and breakfast <6 times/week and irregular eating (LBIE). Results: Participants in the LBIE group were the youngest, had higher waist circumference, body mass index, triglyceride levels, and inflammation, and consumed the highest daily total caloric intake (TCI), the highest proportion of fats, and the lowest proportion of carbohydrates. The LBIE group also had the lowest proportion of energy intake at breakfast and the highest proportion at dinner. The LBIE group consumed the lowest amounts of fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin K, folate, calcium and iron, and had the highest prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake for TCI, protein, vitamins A, C, B6, and B12, folate, calcium, iron, zinc, and copper. Conclusion Regular breakfast consumption and meal times are related to healthy lifestyle habits and adequate nutrient intake, which affect metabolic health, thereby helping prevent obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Objective: Dietary factors are important contributors to obesity and related metabolic disorders. Few studies have evaluated the impact of dietary habits (e.g., breakfast consumption frequency and meal regularity) on metabolic health. We investigated the effects of breakfast consumption frequency and meal time regularity on nutrient intake and cardiometabolic status in Korean adults. Methods: Participants without diagnosed diseases (n=217) were examined for anthropometric and biochemical parameters, lifestyle, dietary habits, and nutrient intake.They were categorized into 4 groups by breakfast consumption frequency (≥6 or <6 times/ week) and meal time regularity (regular or irregular): breakfast ≥6 times/week and regular eating (HBRE), breakfast ≥6 times/week and irregular eating (HBIE), breakfast <6 times/week and regular eating (LBRE) and breakfast <6 times/week and irregular eating (LBIE). Results: Participants in the LBIE group were the youngest, had higher waist circumference, body mass index, triglyceride levels, and inflammation, and consumed the highest daily total caloric intake (TCI), the highest proportion of fats, and the lowest proportion of carbohydrates. The LBIE group also had the lowest proportion of energy intake at breakfast and the highest proportion at dinner. The LBIE group consumed the lowest amounts of fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin K, folate, calcium and iron, and had the highest prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake for TCI, protein, vitamins A, C, B6, and B12, folate, calcium, iron, zinc, and copper. Conclusion Regular breakfast consumption and meal times are related to healthy lifestyle habits and adequate nutrient intake, which affect metabolic health, thereby helping prevent obesity and related metabolic disorders.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of outpatients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens has led to a new category of pneumonia, termed healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). We determined the differences in etiology and outcomes between patients with HCAP and those with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) to clarify the risk factors for HCAP mortality. METHODS: A retrospective study comparing patients with HCAP and CAP at Jeju National University Hospital. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of 483 patients (208 patients HCAP, 275 patients with CAP) were evaluated. Patients with HCAP were older than those with CAP (median, 74 years; interquartile range [IQR], 65-81 vs. median, 69 years; IQR, 52-78; p<0.0001). Streptococcus pneumoniae was the major pathogen in both groups, and MDR pathogens were isolated more frequently from patients with HCAP than with CAP (18.8% vs. 4.9%, p<0.0001). Initial pneumonia severity was greater in patients with HCAP than with CAP. The total 30-day mortality rate was 9.9% and was higher in patients with HCAP based on univariate analysis (16.3% vs. 5.1%; odds ratio (OR), 3.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.90-6.99; p<0.0001). After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, and initial severity, the association between HCAP and 30-day mortality became non-significant (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 0.94-4.18; p=0.167). CONCLUSION: HCAP was a common cause of hospital admissions and was associated with a high mortality rate. This increased mortality was related primarily to age and initial clinical vital signs, rather than combination antibiotic therapy or type of pneumonia.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Comorbidity ; Drug Resistance ; Humans ; Mortality ; Odds Ratio ; Outpatients ; Pneumonia* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Vital Signs

Systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare disease characterized by life-threatening attacks of reversible plasma extravasation and vascular collapse accompanied by hypotension, hemoconcentration, and hypoalbuminemia. A 36-year-old woman was admitted to this hospital with a fever, along with symptoms consistent with an upper respiratory tract infection and hypotension. Initial laboratory tests revealed several abnormal findings, including an elevated leukocyte count and hematocrit, hypoalbuminemia, and acute renal failure. Here, we report a case of successful treatment of systemic capillary leak syndrome, which can be difficult to distinguish from septic shock.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Adult ; Capillary Leak Syndrome* ; Female ; Fever ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Hypotension ; Leukocyte Count ; Plasma ; Rare Diseases ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Shock, Septic*

Ramsay Hunt syndrome associated with the Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection is characterized by vesicles on the pinna, otalgia, facial nerve palsy and sensorineural hearing loss. Although significant complications from VZV infection are increasing, thrombosis associated with VZV infection is one of the rare complications in adults. The VZV itself could cause endothelial damage in the various organs. Subsequently, the thrombosis might be complicated. A previously healthy 84 year-old female patient was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. On the 7th day of antiviral treatment, she complained of sudden breathlessness. She was hypoxemic with an elevated alveolar-arterial oxygen difference and needed to be supported by mechanical ventilation. Massive pulmonary thrombosis was documented by computerized tomography and she successfully underwent thrombolytic therapy. We report a case of massive pulmonary thromboembolism associated with VZV infection, treated with thrombolytic therapy.
Adult ; Earache ; Facial Nerve ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Herpes Zoster ; Herpes Zoster Oticus ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Paralysis ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Respiration, Artificial ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Thrombosis

Pain accompanied by depressive symptoms is a common reason for seeking medical assistance, and many chronic pain patients experience comorbid depression. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a well-known neurotrophin expressed throughout the nervous system, playing a crucial role in neuronal growth and neuroplasticity. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise on BDNF expression in the nervous system and reserpine (RSP)-induced pain-depression dyad. RSP (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously administered once daily for three days in mice.The exercise was performed using a rota-rod tester for seven consecutive days following RSP administration. Pain responses were evaluated using von Frey filaments, and depression-like behaviors were assessed through forced swimming and open field tests. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the changes in BDNF expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord, and hippocampus. Administration of RSP reduced mechanical paw withdrawal threshold, increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, and decreased movement in the open field test. The immunoreactivity of BDNF was increased in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions, and decreased in the hippocampus after RSP administration. Physical exercise significantly reduced the RSP-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and depression-like behaviors. In addition, exercise suppressed not only the increased expression of BDNF in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions but also the decreased expression of BDNF in the hippocampus induced by RSP administration. These findings suggest that repetitive exercise could serve as an effective and non-invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing both pain and depression by modulating BDNF expression.

Pain accompanied by depressive symptoms is a common reason for seeking medical assistance, and many chronic pain patients experience comorbid depression. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a well-known neurotrophin expressed throughout the nervous system, playing a crucial role in neuronal growth and neuroplasticity. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise on BDNF expression in the nervous system and reserpine (RSP)-induced pain-depression dyad. RSP (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously administered once daily for three days in mice.The exercise was performed using a rota-rod tester for seven consecutive days following RSP administration. Pain responses were evaluated using von Frey filaments, and depression-like behaviors were assessed through forced swimming and open field tests. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the changes in BDNF expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord, and hippocampus. Administration of RSP reduced mechanical paw withdrawal threshold, increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, and decreased movement in the open field test. The immunoreactivity of BDNF was increased in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions, and decreased in the hippocampus after RSP administration. Physical exercise significantly reduced the RSP-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and depression-like behaviors. In addition, exercise suppressed not only the increased expression of BDNF in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions but also the decreased expression of BDNF in the hippocampus induced by RSP administration. These findings suggest that repetitive exercise could serve as an effective and non-invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing both pain and depression by modulating BDNF expression.

Pain accompanied by depressive symptoms is a common reason for seeking medical assistance, and many chronic pain patients experience comorbid depression. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a well-known neurotrophin expressed throughout the nervous system, playing a crucial role in neuronal growth and neuroplasticity. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise on BDNF expression in the nervous system and reserpine (RSP)-induced pain-depression dyad. RSP (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously administered once daily for three days in mice.The exercise was performed using a rota-rod tester for seven consecutive days following RSP administration. Pain responses were evaluated using von Frey filaments, and depression-like behaviors were assessed through forced swimming and open field tests. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the changes in BDNF expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord, and hippocampus. Administration of RSP reduced mechanical paw withdrawal threshold, increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, and decreased movement in the open field test. The immunoreactivity of BDNF was increased in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions, and decreased in the hippocampus after RSP administration. Physical exercise significantly reduced the RSP-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and depression-like behaviors. In addition, exercise suppressed not only the increased expression of BDNF in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions but also the decreased expression of BDNF in the hippocampus induced by RSP administration. These findings suggest that repetitive exercise could serve as an effective and non-invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing both pain and depression by modulating BDNF expression.