BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Many studies have revealed that eating frequency influences the total serum cholesterol level, glucose tolerance and obesity. Hypothesizing that an increase in eating frequency decreases the prevalence of metabolic syndrome with total energy intake adjusted, we evaluated the association between eating frequency and the risk of metabolic syndrome in Koreans aged more than 20 years old. METHODS: We used the data from the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III and the Asia-Pacific regional obesity guidelines. To examine the association of metabolic syndrome with eating frequency, snack frequency and meal frequency, we performed multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, daily caloric intake, smoking and drinking. RESULTS: Meal frequency was associated with metabolic syndrome in the 20-45 years group (P=0.011). Eating frequency was significantly related with metabolic syndrome in the group aged more than 45 years (P=0.025). Within the subgroup of subjects more than 45 years who had one or two meals a day, snack frequency showed a significant association with metabolic syndrome (P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a decreased eating frequency is associated with a risk of metabolic syndrome, although the causal relationship is not exactly known. It would be useful to pursue this question through further studies.
Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Eating ; Energy Intake ; Food Habits ; Glucose ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Meals ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Snacks

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the selective deficits of executive function in patients with mild traumatic brain injury that in normal range of general intelligence level and aimed to analysis of the correlation between K-WAIS result and executive function. METHODS: 59 subjects were included in this study, who were diagnosed as mild traumatic brain injury(MTBI) and they have visited in neuropsychiatric department of Wonkwang University Hospital during from March, 2005 to September, 2010. For measurement of general intelligence quotient, the Korean-Wechsler Adults Intelligence Scale(K-WAIS) was administered and for measurement of executive intelligence quotient(EIQ), Executive Intelligence Test(EXIT) was administered. RESULTS: Of patients, 50.8% included at abnormal EIQ group. The patients of abnormal EIQ showed poorer full scale IQ(FIQ), performance IQ(PIQ) and in subscale that picture arrangement, digit symbol, digit span, block design, object assembly and comprehension were significantly different. In terms of relationships between K-WAIS and EIQ, FIQ and PIQ have positive correlation with EIQ. And in subscale, picture arrangement, digit symbol, digit span, block design, object assembly and comprehension show positive correlation with EIQ. CONCLUSION: This study suggest that MTBI patients with have normal range of general intelligence level may have deficit of executive function is common. The decline of FIQ, PIQ and some subscales of K-WAIS may suggest executive dysfunction in MTBI patients.
Adult ; Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Comprehension ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Reference Values ; Wechsler Scales

A 38-year-old man, with recurrent oral ulcers for 10 years, was admitted because of recent aggravation of odynophagia and sore throat. About 4 years earlier, he had been performed abdominal surgery for intestinal perforation. Gastrofiberscopic examination showed small round ulcers at hypiopharynx and 6cm sized longitudinal linear ulcer at mid esophagus. Biopsy specimens at mid-esophagus showed chronic inflammation. Besides oral ulcer, he had perianal ulcers and skin rashes. He was managed with steroid, colchicine and sulfasalazine under the diagnosis of esophageal involvement in Behcet's disease. After 3 months from discharge, esophagogram and gastrofiberscopic examination showed some improved appearance, but symptoms recurred for steroid tapering. He has been followed in much improved status for 8 months after discharge.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Colchicine ; Diagnosis ; Esophagus ; Exanthema ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intestinal Perforation ; Oral Ulcer ; Pharyngitis ; Sulfasalazine ; Ulcer*

PURPOSE: Expression of bel-2 is associated with inhibition of apoptosis and extension of cell survival. We investigated the expression of bel-2 oncoprotein in human bladder tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of bel-2 oncoprotein was investigated immunohistochemically in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 43 patients with primary transitional cell carcinoma in urinary bladder. Thirty four were superficial bladder tumors and nine were invasive bladder tumors. In histology grade according WHO grading there were 9 grade 1,21 grade II and 13 grade III. RESULTS: Strong positive staining was 5(11.62%), positive staining 13(30%) and negative staining 25(58%). Random distribution through the cancerous epithelium presented in 3 tumors but the other 15 tumors demonstrated cystoplasmic staining restricted to basal epithelial cells. Positive immunoreaction for bel-2 was found in 3 out of 9 invasive bladder tumors, while 15 of 34 superficial tumors showed positive staining. There was no significant correlation between bel-2 expression and tumor stage(p=0.56). 6 of grade I, 9 of grade II and 3 of grade III bladder tumors showed positive staining. There was no significant correlation between bcl-2 expression and tumor grade(p=0.12). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that no clear relationship was found between tumor grade, stage and bel-2 expression.
Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Cell Survival ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Negative Staining ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder*

No abstract available.
Thioctic Acid*

In patients with Sjögren syndrome, decreased salivary flow result in reduced buffering capacity, which leads to the gradual erosion of enamel and significant tooth wear in both anterior and posterior teeth. The tooth wear often causes the loss of anterior and lateral guidance, occlusal disharmony, and insufficient space for prosthetic restorations, leading to functional and esthetic challenges, as well as complex occlusal issues. To address these issues, applying standardized cusp angles can help achieve long-term stability in occlusal contacts, allowing for a functional and stable occlusion with minimal adjustments during centric and eccentric movements.This case report presents a patient with Sjögren syndrome who exhibited severe wear in the maxillary and mandibular anterior and posterior teeth. Through prosthetic rehabilitation using standardized cusp angles, occlusal stability was improved, and esthetic outcomes were achieved, highlighting the effectiveness of this approach in restoring both function and esthetics.

In patients with Sjögren syndrome, decreased salivary flow result in reduced buffering capacity, which leads to the gradual erosion of enamel and significant tooth wear in both anterior and posterior teeth. The tooth wear often causes the loss of anterior and lateral guidance, occlusal disharmony, and insufficient space for prosthetic restorations, leading to functional and esthetic challenges, as well as complex occlusal issues. To address these issues, applying standardized cusp angles can help achieve long-term stability in occlusal contacts, allowing for a functional and stable occlusion with minimal adjustments during centric and eccentric movements.This case report presents a patient with Sjögren syndrome who exhibited severe wear in the maxillary and mandibular anterior and posterior teeth. Through prosthetic rehabilitation using standardized cusp angles, occlusal stability was improved, and esthetic outcomes were achieved, highlighting the effectiveness of this approach in restoring both function and esthetics.

In patients with Sjögren syndrome, decreased salivary flow result in reduced buffering capacity, which leads to the gradual erosion of enamel and significant tooth wear in both anterior and posterior teeth. The tooth wear often causes the loss of anterior and lateral guidance, occlusal disharmony, and insufficient space for prosthetic restorations, leading to functional and esthetic challenges, as well as complex occlusal issues. To address these issues, applying standardized cusp angles can help achieve long-term stability in occlusal contacts, allowing for a functional and stable occlusion with minimal adjustments during centric and eccentric movements.This case report presents a patient with Sjögren syndrome who exhibited severe wear in the maxillary and mandibular anterior and posterior teeth. Through prosthetic rehabilitation using standardized cusp angles, occlusal stability was improved, and esthetic outcomes were achieved, highlighting the effectiveness of this approach in restoring both function and esthetics.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with depression among elderly living alone and those living with a spouse in an urban area. Methods: This study was a community-based, cross-sectional study that included 384 elderly aged 60 years or older.The subjects completed a questionnaire that covered sociodemographic characteristics and chronic medical illnesses.The Korean version of the Short Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Korean version of the Quality of Life-Alzheimer’s Disease (KQOL-AD), and the Korean Mini Mental State Examination in the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease assessment packet were also performed. Results: The participants were divided into two groups: 137 elderly individuals living alone and 247 elderly individuals living with a spouse. Heart disease (odds ratio [OR]=13.099, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.892-90.697, p=0.009) was identified as a risk factor for depression, while the religion (OR=0.137, 95% CI=0.028-0.668, p=0.014) was found to be a protective factor against depression among elderly individuals living alone. Higher scores on the KQOL-AD scale were found to be protective factors against depression for both elderly individuals living alone (OR=0.742, 95% CI= 0.636-0.867, p<0.001) and those living with a spouse (OR=0.664, 95% CI=0.573-0.771, p<0.001). Conclusions Among elderly living alone in an urban area, heart disease, religion, and the quality of life appear to have an impact on depression. To reduce the risk of depression in the elderly, it is necessary to properly manage heart disease, encourage religious participation, and enhance the quality of life.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphologic changes of the bile canaliculi and its associated structures of the liver induced by common bile duct ligation(CBDL) in the rat. The canalicular surface and lateral surface of the dry-fractured hepatocytes was studied with scanning electron microscopy at 1~6 weeks post ligation. The first week after CBDL, the bile canaliculi were dilated. The microvilli were increased in number and the lumens contained granular materials After 2 weeks or more, the bile canaliculi were dilated to a variable degree, and with irregularity, measuring from 1.5 to 5 micrometer in diameter, and in the advanced stage, the canaliculi showed blunting and the disappearance of microvilli. Some canaliculi had sprouting side branches. At 4~6 weeks post-ligation, the lateral surface of the hepatocytes also showed some irregularity and a tortuous appearance, and numerous small sized microvillous projections were formed. The tubular structures of the proliferated SER distributed adjacent to the lateral surface of the hepatocytes, and the direct connection of a tubular structure and the cytoplasmic membrane was observed. These results suggest that the deformity and loss of microvilli of bile canaliculi reflect the disturbance of bile secretion from the hepatocytes. And prolonged obstruction of bile flow may result in bile excretion via the lateral surface of hepatocytes.
Rats ; Animals