The prevalence of obesity in children has steadily risen during recent years in developed countries. Child obesity has become a major concern to health providers since it has grown to epidemic proportions over the past few decades. This study was conducted to investigate the biochemical status, dietary habits and life styles according to the obesity degree among obese children residing in the Gyungbuk area. The subjects were 148 elementary school students (boy 103, girl 45) and classified as mildly obese (n = 56), moderately obese (n = 61) and severely obese (n = 31) by the obesity index. The average body weight and height increased significantly according to the obesity degree (P <0.05, P <0.001). Serum cholesterol concentration came under the normal level in all groups. Serum AST activity increased according to the obesity degree but it was not significant. Serum ALT activity increased according to the obesity degree (P <0.05). Dietary habit score was lower significantly according to the obesity degree (P <0.01). Life style of the subjects was significantly different for the level of 'healthy state (P <0.05)', 'body perception (P <0.01)', 'watching TV and video (P <0.05)', 'normal sleeping hour (P <0.05)' and 'degree of stress (P <0.05)' according to the obesity degree. A positive relationship between obesity index and blood pressure, ALT has been shown in the subjects. Obesity index and dietary habit scores were negatively associated. Therefore, these results suggest that a practical nutrition-exercise education program for the prevention of child obesity should be provided to elementary school children.
Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Developed Countries ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Life Style ; Obesity ; Porphyrins ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: Cells of mammary gland as well as breast cancer uptake iodide through sodium/iodide symporter (NIS). The pathophysiologic importance of NIS is not evaluated well. The purpose of this study is to find relationships between the expression of NIS and other findings of breast cancer including ER, PR, C-erbB2, topoisomerase IIa, p53, and histologic grade of breast cancer. METHODS: Fresh frozen specimens from 21 female breast cancer patients (mean age 50 13 years) with breast cancer were examined by RT-PCR for NIS mRNA. Immunohistochemical staining for ER, PR, C-erb B2, topoisomerase IIa and p53. Staging and degree of differentiation of cancer cells were also performed to evaluate the biological behavior of breast cancer. RESULTS: NIS mRNA was expressed in 90% of the evaluated breast cancer tissues. The mean semiquantitative value of NIS mRNA in PR positive group was 2.02+/-0.35, which was higher than that of PR negative group (1.11+/-0.18; P=0.001). ER positive group showed higher value of NIS mRNA (2.02+/-0.35) than ER negative group (1.19+/-0.63; P=0.002). In addition, NIS mRNA values was significantly different according to differentiation of cancer cells (well differentiated type, 2.20+/-0.37 vs. less differentiated type, 1.39+/-0.63, P=0.01). However, there was no significant association between NIS mRNA levels and the other biologic characteriscs such as C-erb B2, topoisomerase IIa, and p53. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the expression of NIS in breast cancer may be associated with the presence of PR and ER as well as the degree of differentiation of breast cancer cells.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Female ; Humans ; Ion Transport* ; Mammary Glands, Human ; RNA, Messenger*

BACKGROUND: Bokildo (Islet) has been well known as an endemic area of paragonimiasis in Korea, and still crayfishes caught from this area are used as source of intermediate host of experimental paragonimiasis. For the reason, this study was carried out to elucidate the present status of human paragonimiasis in this region and intestinal parasitoses were studied at the same time. METHODS: From June 9 to June 12, 1999 authors visited Buyong-ri and Buwhang-ri which are located in the endemic area. All possible inhabitants including nursery children, primary and middle school children were examined by intra-dermal skin test with veronal buffered saline (VBS) antigen of Paragonimus westermani and Clonorchis sinensis. Sputa were collected from 22 adults of positive reactors. Stool examination was done for the intestinal parasites, and anal swabs with adhesive tape for the pinworm were carried out simultaneously. RESULTS: Overall positive rate in skin test was 9.5% in inhabitants, and higher rate was observed in older age groups. On microscopic examination of sputa for pargonimiasis, 2 egg-positive cases from 55-year old man and woman were detected. Prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was 7.8% (26/332) and the most predominant infected parasite was Trichuris trichiura (4.2%). The pinworm infection rate was 29.7% (nursery school children 30.0%, primary school children 29.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Through this study human paragonimiasis was confirmed and the life cycle of Paragonimus westermani was known to be maintained continuously in this region. Meanwhile control of intestinal parasites should be performed, especially in school children.
Adhesives ; Adult ; Astacoidea ; Barbital ; Child ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Enterobius ; Female ; Humans* ; Korea* ; Life Cycle Stages ; Middle Aged ; Nurseries ; Paragonimiasis* ; Paragonimus westermani ; Parasites ; Prevalence ; Skin Tests ; Trichuris

No abstract available.
Animals ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Testis*

BACKGROUND: Assessment of aerobic capacity (VO2max) is one of the essential components in exercise prescription for health promotion and maintenance. This study was conducted to compare the validity of four exercise tests to assess aerobic capacity in young adult male subjects by comparing them to the values measured from maximal ergometer exercise test (criterion VO2max). METHODS: Twenty young healthy adult males (M+/-SD=21.1+/-1.5 years) volunteered as subjects. Criterion VO2max was calculated and printed out automatically by computerized analysis system of expired air samples collected during maximal ergometer exercise test. VO2max was estimated for each subject from heart rate at submaximal workloads on the cycle ergometer using the Astrand-Rhyming nomogram(A/R) and Fox protocol(FOX) and the computerized multiple extrapolation method (XTP). The score got from Havard step test(H/S) was used to compare the validity. The validity of the procedures was based on the evaluation of the predicted VO2max (from A/R, FOX, XTP, and H/S) versus the criterion VO2max via the calculation of constant error (CE=mean difference for predicted minus criterion VO2max), r value, standard error of the estimate[SEE=SD(1-r2)(1/2)], total error [TE=(sigma(predicted VO2max - criterion VO2max)(2)/n)(1/2)]. RESULTS: In relation to criterion VO2max, the XTP and A.R underpredicted (XTP: 40.8 ml/kg/min SD=4.1; A/R: 37.3 ml/kg/min SD=5.0) and the H/S and FOX overpredicted (H/S: 48.0 ml/kg/min SD=5.9: FOX 46.3 ml/kg/min SD=5.5). Dunnett post-hoc procedures revealed that there were significant (P<0.05) mean differences (CE) for VO2max from A/R versus criterion. The validity coefficients for VO2max derived from XTP, H/S, A/R, and FOX were 0.68, 0.53, 0.50, and 0.49, respectively. TE of the XTP, FOX, H/S and A/R, which accounts for the effects of both the CE and SEE, were 5.73, 6.13, 6.75, and 8.87, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the XTP is recommended first for estimation VO2max in young adult males. It is also considered that further studies about female and other age groups are necessary.
Adult ; Exercise Test* ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Prescriptions ; Young Adult

Kikuchi's disease (KD), histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare self-limited lymphadenopathy, which usually affects young women. KD has been reported to precede, coexist with or follow the diagnosis of other entities, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), adult-onset Still's disease, Hashimoto's disease, and viral infections. In a few cases, KD is associated with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), without systemic involvement. Herein, we report the first Korean case of KD associated with lupus erythematous profundus in a 9-year-old boy.
Child ; Female ; Hashimoto Disease ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus ; Still's Disease, Adult-Onset

Background/Aims: New direct-acting antivirals have shown surprising success in the treatment of hepatitis C, not only in the general population, but also in difficult-to-treat cohorts. However, there is still limited data regarding direct-acting antivirals, including sofosbuvir (SOF), in the context of hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and outcome of administering full-dose SOF (400 mg/day) plus low-dose ribavirin (RBV, 100 to 200 mg/day) in hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 (GT2) infection. Methods: Patients with chronic HCV GT2 infection and end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis treated with full-dose SOF plus low-dose RBV were retrospectively identified from a database of patients with HCV GT2 who were treated in Konkuk University Chungju Hospital between February 2017 and February 2018. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, medical history, laboratory data, and radiologic and electrocardiographic findings. Results: All nine patients completed a full course of 12 weeks of treatment with a full-dose SOF plus low-dose RBV regimen. Two had compensated cirrhosis. Seven patients were treatment-naïve, and two had a relapse following previous interferon-based therapy. All patients had a sustained viral response at 12 weeks post-treatment. There was no discontinuation of treatment because of side effects. Conclusions In hemodialysis patients with HCV GT2 infection, the full-dose SOF plus low-dose RBV regimen appears to be safe and well tolerated, and yields high rates of sustained virologic response.

Objective: : This study aimed to assess the relationship between increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and mastoid effusions (ME). Methods: : Between January 2015 and October 2018, patients who underwent intracranial surgery and had ICP monitoring catheters placed were enrolled. ICP was recorded hourly for at least 3 days. ME was determined by the emergence of opacification in mastoid air cells on follow-up brain imaging. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, presence of endotracheal tube (ETT) and nasogastric tube (NGT), duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, duration of mechanical ventilator application, diagnosis, surgical modalities, and presence of sinusitis were recorded. Each factor’s effect on the occurrence of ME was analyzed by binary logistic regression analyses. To analyze the independent effects of ICP as a predictor of ME a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: : Total of 61 (53%) out of 115 patients had ME. Among the patients who had unilateral brain lesions, 94% of subject (43/50) revealed the ipsilateral development of ME. ME developed at a mean of 11.1±6.2 days. The variables including mean ICP, peak ICP, age, trauma, CRP, ICU stays, application of mechanical ventilators and presence of ETT and NGT showed statistically significant difference between ME groups and non-ME groups in univariate analysis. Sex and the occurrence of sinusitis did not differ between two groups. Adding the ICP variables significantly improved the prediction of ME in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion : While multiple factors affect ME, this study demonstrates that ICP and ME are probably related. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanistic relationship between ICP and middle ear pressure.

Tsutsugamushi disease is an acute febrile illness caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is characterized by fever, myalgia, lymphadenopathy, and rash. And it can be easily diagnosed by characteristic eschar and serologic testing. Nearly all of the patients with tsutsugamushi disease improve with antibiotics such as doxycycline. However, the fatality rate of untreated cases is seven to ten percent. The well-known causes of mortality are respiratory failure associated with pulmonary edema or adult respiratory distress syndrome. We report a case of tsutsugamushi disease complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, despite of doxycycline treatment. A 78-year old woman was admitted to the hospital because of fever. Twelve days before admission she had suffered myalgia and some days later she developed a rash. Despite of management at a local clinic, her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to our hospital. On admission she presented with altered consciousness and two eschars on her right arm and right thigh. Under the initial diagnosis of scrub typhus, doxycycline was administered. Her fever subsided with the initiation of doxycycline. However, her hypoxia worsened progressively and she died on the fifth hospital day.
Adult* ; Aged ; Anoxia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arm ; Consciousness ; Diagnosis ; Doxycycline ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mortality ; Myalgia ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; Pulmonary Edema ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult* ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Scrub Typhus* ; Serologic Tests ; Thigh

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Busan, Gyeongnam, and Jeonnam Provinces in Korea is more than twice the national average. This study aimed to examine whether demographic and lifestyle characteristics are associated with HCV infection in these areas. METHODS: A case control study was performed at three study hospitals. HCV cases were matched with two controls for sex and age. Patient controls were selected from non-HCV patients at the same hospital. Healthy controls were subjects participating in medical checkups. Conditional logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: A total of 234 matched-case and patient- and healthy-control pairs were analyzed. The significant risk factors for both controls were sharing razors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.39 and 3.29, respectively) and having more than four lifetime sexual partners (aOR, 2.15 and 6.89, respectively). Contact dockworkers (aOR, 1.91) and tattoos (aOR, 2.20) were significant risk factors for the patient controls. Transfusion (aOR, 5.38), a bloody operation (aOR, 5.02), acupuncture (aOR, 2.08), and piercing (aOR, 5.95) were significant risk factors for the healthy controls. Needle stick injuries and intravenous drug abuse were significant in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: More education concerning the dangers of sharing razors, tattoos and piercings is required to prevent HCV infection. More attention should be paid to needle stick injuries in hospitals and the community.
Acupuncture Therapy/adverse effects ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Transfusion/adverse effects ; Body Piercing/adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Equipment Reuse ; Female ; *Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C/*epidemiology/*transmission/virology ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needlestick Injuries/complications/virology ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Tattooing/adverse effects ; Workplace ; Young Adult