BACKGROUND: Bone mineral density (BMD) screening guidelines for women younger than 65 years are inconsistent. We investigated BMD-related factors in postmenopausal women younger than 65 years to help clinicians identify which women in this age group should undergo this investigation. METHODS: The study subjects included 108 postmenopausal women, younger than 65 years, who visited one university hospital from January to June 2007 and had a BMD by DEXA. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, menarche, menopause, smoking, alcohol use, past history of fracture and diet were gathered using a self-reported questionnaire. Height and weight were measured. The association between each risk factor and BMD was assessed using Pearson's correlation and ANOVA test. Finally, multiple regression analysis was done, using the model including significant variables of baseline analysis. RESULTS: In our subjects, age was negatively and body weight was positively correlated with BMD of lumbar spine and femur. The reproductive years was positively correlated with BMD of lumbar spine and past history of fragility fracture was negatively associated with BMD of femur. Moderate alcohol users had higher BMDs of lumbar spine and femur. CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal women younger than 65 years, age and body weight are major determinants of BMD of lumbar spine and femur, negatively and positively, respectively. Our data suggest women younger than 65 years with low lean body mass, past history of fracture, and premature menopause could be good candidates for BMD.
Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Diet ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Menarche ; Menopause ; Menopause, Premature ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Bone mineral density (BMD) screening guidelines for women younger than 65 years are inconsistent. We investigated BMD-related factors in postmenopausal women younger than 65 years to help clinicians identify which women in this age group should undergo this investigation. METHODS: The study subjects included 108 postmenopausal women, younger than 65 years, who visited one university hospital from January to June 2007 and had a BMD by DEXA. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, menarche, menopause, smoking, alcohol use, past history of fracture and diet were gathered using a self-reported questionnaire. Height and weight were measured. The association between each risk factor and BMD was assessed using Pearson's correlation and ANOVA test. Finally, multiple regression analysis was done, using the model including significant variables of baseline analysis. RESULTS: In our subjects, age was negatively and body weight was positively correlated with BMD of lumbar spine and femur. The reproductive years was positively correlated with BMD of lumbar spine and past history of fragility fracture was negatively associated with BMD of femur. Moderate alcohol users had higher BMDs of lumbar spine and femur. CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal women younger than 65 years, age and body weight are major determinants of BMD of lumbar spine and femur, negatively and positively, respectively. Our data suggest women younger than 65 years with low lean body mass, past history of fracture, and premature menopause could be good candidates for BMD.
Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Diet ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Menarche ; Menopause ; Menopause, Premature ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine ; Surveys and Questionnaires

We present an unexpected fatal case of pulmonary embolism due to venous thrombosis after vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019 (ChAdOx1 nCov-19). The deceased was a 64-year-old woman with Alzheimer disease. The deceased had fever shortly after vaccination, and presented sudden dyspnea and died 8 days after vaccination. On postmortem examination, pulmonary embolism and venous thrombosis were noted in deep veins of both lower legs. Even though the psychomotor function of the deceased became fragile due to Alzheimer disease, the deceased was not bed-ridden, and major known risk factors related to venous thrombosis were not explicit in this case. Because there are not enough data related to vaccination and thrombosis, we hope that this case would be helpful in unraveling pathogenesis of venous thrombosis after vaccination and in determining whether there is any association between thrombosis and vaccination.

Autopsy ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Public Health

In autopsy practice, we encounter case of suicide or murder using various methods or tools. Damage caused by tools such as a knife or hammer is commonly encountered, but a case of damage using a chainsaw is not commonly encountered. We present an autopsy case of a suicide due to neck injury using a chainsaw. A 56-year-old man was found dead with a neck injury and a chainsaw below him. Soft tissue of the neck, thyroid cartilage, trachea, carotid vessels, cervical vertebrae, and cervical spinal cord were found to be cleaved, and a cogwheel-shaped pattern was observed in the injured area.

In autopsy practice, we encounter case of suicide or murder using various methods or tools. Damage caused by tools such as a knife or hammer is commonly encountered, but a case of damage using a chainsaw is not commonly encountered. We present an autopsy case of a suicide due to neck injury using a chainsaw. A 56-year-old man was found dead with a neck injury and a chainsaw below him. Soft tissue of the neck, thyroid cartilage, trachea, carotid vessels, cervical vertebrae, and cervical spinal cord were found to be cleaved, and a cogwheel-shaped pattern was observed in the injured area.

In autopsy practice, we encounter case of suicide or murder using various methods or tools. Damage caused by tools such as a knife or hammer is commonly encountered, but a case of damage using a chainsaw is not commonly encountered. We present an autopsy case of a suicide due to neck injury using a chainsaw. A 56-year-old man was found dead with a neck injury and a chainsaw below him. Soft tissue of the neck, thyroid cartilage, trachea, carotid vessels, cervical vertebrae, and cervical spinal cord were found to be cleaved, and a cogwheel-shaped pattern was observed in the injured area.

OBJECTIVES: To find evidence that sleep is necessary for normal brain function, thus indicating that declines in both sleep quality and quantity are related to worse performance of many daily tasks and deteriorated physical functions. The present study investigates the relationships of balance control and reaction time with sleep quality. METHODS: 58 healthy (male 20, female 38) volunteers with informed consent participated in this study. The Self-reported Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality and relevant factors, and the subjects were divided into groups A (PSQI < 5) and B (PSQI ≥ 5) based on this index. Static balance control and reaction time to visual stimuli were conducted to assess their relationship with sleep quality. RESULTS: Group B exhibited excessive daytime sleepiness significantly more often compared to group A. Static balance control did not markedly change relative to sleep quality, but reaction time and error to visual stimuli were significantly increased in group B compared to group A. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that a decline in sleep quality can result in delayed reactions, as well as decreased accuracy of these reactions. They also suggest that low sleep quality may be associated with changes in physical functions, including balance control through reduced selective attention.
Brain ; Female ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Physical Phenomena ; Reaction Time* ; Volunteers

BACKGROUND: Fibrates are widely used to treat hypertriglyceridemia, a risk factor for arteriosclerosis, but these compounds have been associated with renal dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fibrates on renal function in relatively healthy adult subjects with no cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: This retrospective study included 558 outpatients who were prescribed 160 mg fenofibrate (fenofibrate group) or 10 mg atorvastatin (control group) between August 2007 and October 2015. The groups were randomly matched using propensity scores at a 1:1 ratio. Serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients in the fenofibrate group showed greater changes in serum creatinine levels than those in the control group (9.73%±9.83% versus −0.89%±7.37%, P<0.001). Furthermore, 55.1% of patients in the fenofibrate group, but only 6.1% of those in the control group, exhibited a serum creatinine level increase ≥0.1 mg/dL (P<0.001). The fenofibrate group showed significantly greater declines in the estimated glomerular filtration rate than the control group (−10.1%±9.48% versus 1.42%±9.42%, P<0.001). Moreover, 34.7% of the fenofibrate group, but only 4.1% of the control group, exhibited an estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease ≥10 mL/min·1.73 m² (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Fenofibrate treatment resulted in increased serum creatinine levels and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rates in a primary care setting. Therefore, regular renal function monitoring should be considered essential during fibrate administration.
Adult ; Arteriosclerosis ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Creatinine ; Fenofibrate* ; Fibric Acids ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Outpatients ; Primary Health Care ; Propensity Score ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Despite being a very new field, forensic imaging is rapidly being used in forensic medical practices around the world. Computed tomography images are being produced and used for many reasons. Forensic imaging is being used for preliminary examination of serious findings before a routine autopsy, as it might help to give positive proof in some cases. Some major preliminary findings, such as brain hemorrhage, cardiac tamponade, or aortic dissection, can then be substantiated with the results of the physical autopsy. Forensic imaging techniques may also provide additive evidence about the cause of death such as pneumothorax, ileus, gas embolism, and aspiration that are difficult to detect with the traditional surgical autopsy techniques. Forensic imaging is also proving useful outside the autopsy room; forensic anthropologists and odontologists are using images to help them determine the age, sex, and even lifestyle of human specimens. Finally, forensic images have also begun to function as a form of record keeping in complex cases.
Autopsy* ; Cardiac Tamponade ; Cause of Death ; Embolism, Air ; Humans ; Ileus ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Life Style ; Pneumothorax