BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in health behaviors and dietary habits between the metabolically healthy group and the metabolically abnormal group in overweight and obese subjects based on the data of National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES). METHODS: Using the NHANES data (2007–2010), a total of 18,188 subjects were grouped into the metabolically healthy group and the abnormal group using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) definition. Then we compared their health behaviors, dietary behaviors and nutrient intakes after adjustment for variables in overweight and obese groups. RESULTS: The proportion of metabolic abnormalities tended to increase with increasing age in both overweight and obesity groups.(P for trend <0.001) After adjusting various confounding variables, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of skipping any meal and breakfast for metabolically abnormality were 1.318 (1.066–1.631) and 1.354 (1.076–1.705) in male obese group and those of skipping breakfast and carbonated drink intake were 1.578 (1.168–2.133) and 1.540 (1.188–2.492) in female obese group. Daily potassium intake (P=0.032) and daily vitamin C intake (P=0.048) in the male overweight group and daily water intake (P=0.046) and daily carbohydrate intake (P=0.038) in the female overweight group were associated with metabolically abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: There were differences in health behaviors and nutrient intake according to metabolically abnormality in overweight and obese groups.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Adult ; Ascorbic Acid ; Breakfast ; Carbonated Beverages ; Cholesterol ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Drinking ; Education ; Female ; Food Habits ; Health Behavior* ; Humans ; Male ; Meals ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity* ; Odds Ratio ; Overweight* ; Potassium

OBJECTIVE: Although mood stabilizer monotherapy is the recommended initial therapy for bipolar disorder, the use of atypical antipsychotics in bipolar patients is increasing recently. Moreover, the medical literature is demonstrating that the combination of atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers is a more effective therapy. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of risperidone in patients with acute manic and mixed state of bipolar disorder. METHODS: This study was a 4-week, open-label, combination, prospective investigation using risperidone in combination with mood stabilizers. In total, 114 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar disorder, manic or mixed episode, were recruited. Risperidone was given in combination with mood stabilizers in doses according to clinical response and tolerability. Efficacy was assessed with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Global Assessment Scale (GAS), and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale-Bipolar (CGI-BP). The Simpson-Angus Rating Scale (SARS) was applied to assess extrapyramidal symptoms. RESULTS: The combination of risperidone with mood stabilizers produced highly significant improvements (p<0.001) on the YMRS, HAMD, BPRS, GAS, and CGI-BP at both 1 week and 4 weekweeks. Analysis of the YMRS, BPRS, GAS, and CGI-BP scores revealed significant improvement in both the manic and mixed group. The HAMD score was decreased only in the mixed group. Body weight was increased significantly after 1 week. Risperidone was well tolerated, and adverse events were mostly mild, with the most frequent extrapyramidal symptoms and sedation. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the combination of risperidone with mood stabilizers was an effective and safe treatment for acute manic symptoms and coexisting depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder. Randomized, double-blind, placebo or active controlled studies are needed.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Bipolar Disorder* ; Body Weight ; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ; Depression ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Humans ; Prospective Studies* ; Risperidone*

OBJECTIVE: To simulate the B₁-inhomogeneity-induced variation of pharmacokinetic parameters on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: B₁-inhomogeneity-induced flip angle (FA) variation was estimated in a phantom study. Monte Carlo simulation was performed to assess the FA-deviation-induced measurement error of the pre-contrast R₁, contrast-enhancement ratio, Gd-concentration, and two-compartment pharmacokinetic parameters (K(trans), v(e), and v(p)). RESULTS: B₁-inhomogeneity resulted in −23–5% fluctuations (95% confidence interval [CI] of % error) of FA. The 95% CIs of FA-dependent % errors in the gray matter and blood were as follows: −16.7–61.8% and −16.7–61.8% for the pre-contrast R₁, −1.0–0.3% and −5.2–1.3% for the contrast-enhancement ratio, and −14.2–58.1% and −14.1–57.8% for the Gd-concentration, respectively. These resulted in −43.1–48.4% error for K(trans), −32.3–48.6% error for the v(e), and −43.2–48.6% error for v(p). The pre-contrast R₁ was more vulnerable to FA error than the contrast-enhancement ratio, and was therefore a significant cause of the Gd-concentration error. For example, a −10% FA error led to a 23.6% deviation in the pre-contrast R₁, −0.4% in the contrast-enhancement ratio, and 23.6% in the Gd-concentration. In a simulated condition with a 3% FA error in a target lesion and a −10% FA error in a feeding vessel, the % errors of the pharmacokinetic parameters were −23.7% for K(trans), −23.7% for v(e), and −23.7% for v(p). CONCLUSION: Even a small degree of B₁-inhomogeneity can cause a significant error in the measurement of pharmacokinetic parameters on DCE-MRI, while the vulnerability of the pre-contrast R₁ calculations to FA deviations is a significant cause of the miscalculation.
Brain ; Gray Matter ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Monte Carlo Method ; Phantoms, Imaging

Purpose: This study aimed to propose a revision of the evaluation objectives of the Korean Dentist Clinical Skill Test by analyzing the opinions of those involved in the examination after a review of those objectives. Methods: The clinical skill test objectives were reviewed based on the national-level dental practitioner competencies, dental school educational competencies, and the third dental practitioner job analysis. Current and former examinees were surveyed about their perceptions of the evaluation objectives. The validity of 22 evaluation objectives and overlapping perceptions based on area of specialty were surveyed on a 5-point Likert scale by professors who participated in the clinical skill test and dental school faculty members. Additionally, focus group interviews were conducted with experts on the examination. Results: It was necessary to consider including competency assessments for “emergency rescue skills” and “planning and performing prosthetic treatment.” There were no significant differences between current and former examinees in their perceptions of the clinical skill test’s objectives. The professors who participated in the examination and dental school faculty members recognized that most of the objectives were valid. However, some responses stated that “oromaxillofacial cranial nerve examination,” “temporomandibular disorder palpation test,” and “space management for primary and mixed dentition” were unfeasible evaluation objectives and overlapped with dental specialty areas. Conclusion When revising the Korean Dentist Clinical Skill Test’s objectives, it is advisable to consider incorporating competency assessments related to “emergency rescue skills” and “planning and performing prosthetic treatment.”

Purpose: This study aimed to propose a revision of the evaluation objectives of the Korean Dentist Clinical Skill Test by analyzing the opinions of those involved in the examination after a review of those objectives. Methods: The clinical skill test objectives were reviewed based on the national-level dental practitioner competencies, dental school educational competencies, and the third dental practitioner job analysis. Current and former examinees were surveyed about their perceptions of the evaluation objectives. The validity of 22 evaluation objectives and overlapping perceptions based on area of specialty were surveyed on a 5-point Likert scale by professors who participated in the clinical skill test and dental school faculty members. Additionally, focus group interviews were conducted with experts on the examination. Results: It was necessary to consider including competency assessments for “emergency rescue skills” and “planning and performing prosthetic treatment.” There were no significant differences between current and former examinees in their perceptions of the clinical skill test’s objectives. The professors who participated in the examination and dental school faculty members recognized that most of the objectives were valid. However, some responses stated that “oromaxillofacial cranial nerve examination,” “temporomandibular disorder palpation test,” and “space management for primary and mixed dentition” were unfeasible evaluation objectives and overlapped with dental specialty areas. Conclusion When revising the Korean Dentist Clinical Skill Test’s objectives, it is advisable to consider incorporating competency assessments related to “emergency rescue skills” and “planning and performing prosthetic treatment.”

Purpose: This study aimed to propose a revision of the evaluation objectives of the Korean Dentist Clinical Skill Test by analyzing the opinions of those involved in the examination after a review of those objectives. Methods: The clinical skill test objectives were reviewed based on the national-level dental practitioner competencies, dental school educational competencies, and the third dental practitioner job analysis. Current and former examinees were surveyed about their perceptions of the evaluation objectives. The validity of 22 evaluation objectives and overlapping perceptions based on area of specialty were surveyed on a 5-point Likert scale by professors who participated in the clinical skill test and dental school faculty members. Additionally, focus group interviews were conducted with experts on the examination. Results: It was necessary to consider including competency assessments for “emergency rescue skills” and “planning and performing prosthetic treatment.” There were no significant differences between current and former examinees in their perceptions of the clinical skill test’s objectives. The professors who participated in the examination and dental school faculty members recognized that most of the objectives were valid. However, some responses stated that “oromaxillofacial cranial nerve examination,” “temporomandibular disorder palpation test,” and “space management for primary and mixed dentition” were unfeasible evaluation objectives and overlapped with dental specialty areas. Conclusion When revising the Korean Dentist Clinical Skill Test’s objectives, it is advisable to consider incorporating competency assessments related to “emergency rescue skills” and “planning and performing prosthetic treatment.”

Purpose: This study aimed to propose a revision of the evaluation objectives of the Korean Dentist Clinical Skill Test by analyzing the opinions of those involved in the examination after a review of those objectives. Methods: The clinical skill test objectives were reviewed based on the national-level dental practitioner competencies, dental school educational competencies, and the third dental practitioner job analysis. Current and former examinees were surveyed about their perceptions of the evaluation objectives. The validity of 22 evaluation objectives and overlapping perceptions based on area of specialty were surveyed on a 5-point Likert scale by professors who participated in the clinical skill test and dental school faculty members. Additionally, focus group interviews were conducted with experts on the examination. Results: It was necessary to consider including competency assessments for “emergency rescue skills” and “planning and performing prosthetic treatment.” There were no significant differences between current and former examinees in their perceptions of the clinical skill test’s objectives. The professors who participated in the examination and dental school faculty members recognized that most of the objectives were valid. However, some responses stated that “oromaxillofacial cranial nerve examination,” “temporomandibular disorder palpation test,” and “space management for primary and mixed dentition” were unfeasible evaluation objectives and overlapped with dental specialty areas. Conclusion When revising the Korean Dentist Clinical Skill Test’s objectives, it is advisable to consider incorporating competency assessments related to “emergency rescue skills” and “planning and performing prosthetic treatment.”