We made a mistake in our recently published article.

Using a cross-sectional representative national survey, we evaluated the relationship between cigarette smoking and unintentional injuries among Korean adults. We used data from the 2009 Korean Community Health Survey. Smoking status was defined as never smokers, ex-smokers, and current smokers. Current smokers were categorized into light daily smokers (1–10 cigarettes/day), moderate daily smokers (11–20 cigarettes/day), or heavy daily smokers (≥21 cigarettes/day). We used the Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimation to estimate prevalence rate ratios (PRR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic variables, lifestyle variables, and health status variables, former smokers (PRR, 1.19, 95% CI 1.11–1.28), light daily smokers (PRR 1.22, 95% CI 1.13–1.32), moderate daily smokers (PRR 1.33, 95% CI 1.24–1.42), and heavy daily smokers (PRR 1.40, 95% CI 1.25–1.57) had an increased risk for unintentional injuries compared with non-smokers. In conclusion, cigarette smoking is associated with unintentional injuries in a dose-response manner in Korean adults. The findings suggest that community smoking cessation programs may reduce morbidity and mortality from unintentional injuries.
Adult* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Life Style ; Mortality ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation ; Smoking*

There have been few studies that have evaluated the association between coffee intake and iron in Korean population. Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (IV and V; 2007–2012) was used to investigate the association between coffee and green tea intake and serum ferritin levels in Korean adults. Beverage intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression was performed to evaluate the relationship between coffee and tea intake and serum ferritin levels, after adjusting for age, body mass index, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and daily iron intake. Coffee intake was negatively related to serum ferritin levels in both sexes. The multivariate-adjusted geometric mean of serum ferritin level was 100.7 ng/mL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 98.2–103.4) in men drinking <1 coffee/day, and 92.2 ng/mL (95% CI: 89.7–94.8) in those drinking ≥3 coffees/day. In women, the equivalent serum ferritin levels were 35.6 ng/mL (95% CI: 34.8–36.4) and 28.9 ng/mL (95% CI: 27.8–30.1). However, green tea intake was not related to serum ferritin levels. In conclusion, coffee consumption was associated with lower serum ferritin levels in Korean adults.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Beverages ; Body Mass Index ; Coffee* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drinking ; Education ; Female ; Ferritins* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Iron ; Linear Models ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tea*

The simultaneous occurrence of achalasia and esophageal diverticula is rare. Here, we report the case of a 68-year-old man with multiple esophageal diverticula associated with achalasia who was later diagnosed with early esophageal cancer. He initially presented with dysphagia and dyspepsia, and injection of botulinum toxin to the lower esophageal sphincter relieved his symptoms. Five years later, however, the patient presented with worsening of symptoms, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed. The endoscopic findings showed multifocal lugol-voiding lesions identified as moderate dysplasia. We decided to use photodynamic therapy to treat the multifocal dysplastic lesions. At follow-up EGD 2 months after photodynamic therapy, more lugol-voiding lesions representing a squamous cell carcinoma in situ were found. The patient ultimately underwent surgery for the treatment of recurrent esophageal multifocal neoplasia. After a follow-up period of 3 years, the patient showed a good outcome without symptoms. To manage premalignant lesions such as achalasia with esophageal diverticula, clinicians should be cautious, but have an aggressive approach regarding endoscopic surveillance.
Aged ; Botulinum Toxins ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diverticulum ; Diverticulum, Esophageal* ; Dyspepsia ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Esophageal Neoplasms* ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Photochemotherapy

Falls are a major health problem for elderly populations worldwide. We analyzed data from the 2011 Korean Community Health Survey to identify potential risk factors for falls in a representative population-based sample of community-dwelling older Korean adults. Risk factors for falls were assessed by multivariate survey logistic regression models. The prevalence of falls was 36.5% in males and 63.5% in females. Age and female sex were associated with a higher risk of falls. Similarly, living alone, living in an urban area, poor self-rated health, and high stress were associated with a high risk of falls. Subjects with diabetes mellitus, stroke, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, cataracts, or depression had a high risk of falls. However, subjects with hypertension were at low risk for falls. In conclusion, age, female sex, marital status, residence location, self-rated health, stress, and several chronic conditions were significantly associated with the risk for falls in the older Korean adults. Our findings suggest that these risk factors should be addressed in public health policies for preventing falls.
Accidental Falls/*statistics & numerical data ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Data Collection ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Marital Status ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea ; Residence Characteristics ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sex Factors ; Stress, Psychological

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of carbapenem versus non-carbapenem antimicrobial therapy for pediatric urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2006 to 2011, 42 episodes of UTI caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae were diagnosed at Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Patients were grouped according to the antimicrobials they received into a carbapenem group and a non-carbapenem group. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to assess treatment outcome, time to defervescence after initiation of treatment, and relapse rate. RESULTS: There were 36 children with 42 episodes of UTI caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Twenty-seven cases (64%) had an underlying urologic disease, 28 (67%) cases were caused by Escherichia coli, and 14 (33%) cases were caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Four (10%) cases were treated with carbapenem, 23 cases (55%) were treated with non-carbapenem, and 15 (36%) cases were treated by switching from a carbapenem to a non-carbapenem and vice versa. There was no treatment failure at the time of antimicrobial discontinuation. Between the carbapenem and the non-carbapenem treatment groups, there were no significant differences in bacterial etiology (P = 0.59), time to defervescence after the initiation of antimicrobials (P = 0.28), and relapse rate (P = 0.50). In vitro susceptibility to non-carbapenem antimicrobials did not affect the time to defervescence after the initiation of antimicrobial treatment, and the relapse rate in the non-carbapenem group. CONCLUSIONS: This study found no significant difference in the treatment outcome between pediatric patients treated with carbapenem and those treated with non-carbapenem antimicrobials for UTI caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Therefore, the initially administered non-carbapenem can be maintained in UTI patients showing clinical improvement.
beta-Lactamases ; Child ; Enterobacteriaceae* ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Medical Records ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Urologic Diseases

The migration of dendritic cells (DCs) to secondary lymphoid organs depends on chemoattraction through the interaction of the chemokine receptors with chemokines. However, the mechanism of how lymphoid chemokines attract DCs to lymphoid organs remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate the mechanism of DC migration in response to the lymphoid chemokine CCL21. CCL21-mediated DC migration is controlled by the regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase 2 (SERCA2) expression rather than through the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases CCL21-exposed mature DCs (mDCs) exhibited decreased SERCA2 expression but not decreased phospholamban (PLB) or Hax-1 expression, which are known to be SERCA2-interacting proteins. In addition, CCL21 did not affect the mRNA levels of SERCA2 or its interacting protein Hax-1. Interestingly, SERCA2 expression was inversely related to DC migration in response to chemokine stimulation. The migratory capacity of CCL21-treated mDCs was decreased by the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 and by the protein kinase C inhibitor BAPTA-AM. The migratory capacities of mDCs were increased in response to SERCA2 siRNA expression but were decreased by SERCA2 overexpression. In addition, DCs treated with a SERCA2-specific inhibitor (cyclopiazonic acid) had significantly increased migratory capacities as mDCs regardless of SERCA2 expression. Moreover, SERCA2 expression was dependent on DC maturation induced by cytokines or Toll-like receptor agonists. Therefore, the migratory capacities differed in differentially matured DCs. Taken together, these results suggest that SERCA2 contributes to the migration of CCL21-activated DCs as an important feature of the adaptive immune response and provide novel insights regarding the role of SERCA2 in DC functions.
Adaptive Immunity ; Adenosine Triphosphatases* ; Chemokine CCL21 ; Chemokines ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Protein Kinase C ; Receptors, Chemokine ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum* ; Toll-Like Receptors ; Type C Phospholipases

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is responsible for 10–20% of cerebral infarctions. Several mobile devices have been developed to screen for AF and studies of AF screening have been conducted in several countries to evaluate the applicability of these mobile devices. In this tradition, we conducted a community-based AF screening using an automated single-lead electrocardiogram (SL-ECG). This survey examined 2,422 participants in a community dementia screening program who were aged 60 years or older in the preliminary study, and 5,366 participants at 9 Senior Welfare Centers aged 60 years or older in the expanded study. AF screening was conducted using an automated SL-ECG (Kardia Mobile, AliveCor, Mountain View, CA, USA). AF was confirmed with a 12-lead electrocardiogram in subjects classified as having AF on the SL-ECG. In the preliminary study, of the 2,422 subjects, 124 had AF on the SL-ECG. The prevalence of AF was 3.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4–3.8). The positive predictive value (PPV) of SL-ECG was 58.9% (95% CI: 50.1–67.1). Of the subjects diagnosed with AF, 65.8% (95% CI: 54.3–75.6) were newly diagnosed. In an expanded study, of the 5,366 subjects, 289 had AF on SL-ECG. The prevalence was 2.6% (95% CI: 2.2–3.1) and PPV of SL-ECG was 48.8% (95% CI: 43.1–54.5). In this community-based AF screening, we found that AF is underdiagnosed and undertreated. These results suggest that the early detection of AF using mobile devices is needed in Korea.

Although the introduction of stem cell transplantation and novel agents has improved survival, multiple myeloma (MM) is still difficult to cure. Alternative approaches are clearly needed to prolong the survival of patients with MM. Dendritic cell (DC) therapy is a very promising tool immunologically in MM. We developed a method to generate potent DCs with increased Th1 polarization and migration ability for inducing strong myeloma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In this review, we discuss how the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy using DCs can be improved in MM.
Dendritic Cells ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Multiple Myeloma ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic