Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the association between smoking status and adherence to physical activity (PA) guidelines among Korean adults, and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Methods: The data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2021. When analyzing the effects of smoking and PA on the AIP, smoking status was classified as nonsmoker, former smoker, and current smoker. Meeting the PA guidelines was categorized as not meeting both the moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) guidelines, meeting only the MVPA guidelines, meeting only the MSA guidelines, and meeting both. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to determine the correlation between smoking status and AIP, whether PA guidelines were met and AIP, and the cross-effects. Results: The risk of AIP was about twice as high in current smokers (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.87–2.14) compared to those who had never smoked. When conducting multiple logistic regression analysis using current smokers who met neither the MVPA nor MSA guidelines as the reference group, the risk of AIP was found to decrease in current smokers who met only the MSA guideline (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72–0.98) or both guidelines (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51–0.84). Conclusion For the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, it is important to engage in both aerobic and strength exercises that meet the PA guidelines, as well as to quit smoking. PA is thought to be able to buffer the effects of smoking.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the association between smoking status and adherence to physical activity (PA) guidelines among Korean adults, and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Methods: The data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2021. When analyzing the effects of smoking and PA on the AIP, smoking status was classified as nonsmoker, former smoker, and current smoker. Meeting the PA guidelines was categorized as not meeting both the moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) guidelines, meeting only the MVPA guidelines, meeting only the MSA guidelines, and meeting both. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to determine the correlation between smoking status and AIP, whether PA guidelines were met and AIP, and the cross-effects. Results: The risk of AIP was about twice as high in current smokers (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.87–2.14) compared to those who had never smoked. When conducting multiple logistic regression analysis using current smokers who met neither the MVPA nor MSA guidelines as the reference group, the risk of AIP was found to decrease in current smokers who met only the MSA guideline (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72–0.98) or both guidelines (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51–0.84). Conclusion For the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, it is important to engage in both aerobic and strength exercises that meet the PA guidelines, as well as to quit smoking. PA is thought to be able to buffer the effects of smoking.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the association between smoking status and adherence to physical activity (PA) guidelines among Korean adults, and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Methods: The data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2021. When analyzing the effects of smoking and PA on the AIP, smoking status was classified as nonsmoker, former smoker, and current smoker. Meeting the PA guidelines was categorized as not meeting both the moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) guidelines, meeting only the MVPA guidelines, meeting only the MSA guidelines, and meeting both. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to determine the correlation between smoking status and AIP, whether PA guidelines were met and AIP, and the cross-effects. Results: The risk of AIP was about twice as high in current smokers (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.87–2.14) compared to those who had never smoked. When conducting multiple logistic regression analysis using current smokers who met neither the MVPA nor MSA guidelines as the reference group, the risk of AIP was found to decrease in current smokers who met only the MSA guideline (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72–0.98) or both guidelines (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51–0.84). Conclusion For the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, it is important to engage in both aerobic and strength exercises that meet the PA guidelines, as well as to quit smoking. PA is thought to be able to buffer the effects of smoking.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the association between smoking status and adherence to physical activity (PA) guidelines among Korean adults, and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Methods: The data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2021. When analyzing the effects of smoking and PA on the AIP, smoking status was classified as nonsmoker, former smoker, and current smoker. Meeting the PA guidelines was categorized as not meeting both the moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) guidelines, meeting only the MVPA guidelines, meeting only the MSA guidelines, and meeting both. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to determine the correlation between smoking status and AIP, whether PA guidelines were met and AIP, and the cross-effects. Results: The risk of AIP was about twice as high in current smokers (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.87–2.14) compared to those who had never smoked. When conducting multiple logistic regression analysis using current smokers who met neither the MVPA nor MSA guidelines as the reference group, the risk of AIP was found to decrease in current smokers who met only the MSA guideline (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72–0.98) or both guidelines (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51–0.84). Conclusion For the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, it is important to engage in both aerobic and strength exercises that meet the PA guidelines, as well as to quit smoking. PA is thought to be able to buffer the effects of smoking.

Benign tumors of the testis are rare, accounting for one percent of all testicular tumors including epidermoid cyst of the testis. Herein we report one case of epidermoid cyst of the testis and discuss the pathological criteria for diagnosis and clinical management of the lesion.
Diagnosis ; Epidermal Cyst* ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testis*

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of abdominal computed tomography (CT) for patients with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain. METHODS: Between January 2006 and July 2008, 191 consecutive patients with RLQ pain underwent abdominal CT (CT group). Forty-two patients who had undergone abdominal ultrasound (US group) and 52 patients without abdominal CT or abdominal ultrasound for RLQ pain (clinical Dx group) underwent emergent operations. Using the Alvarado scoring system, we scored all patients. The abdominal CT was performed in the abdominal and pelvic area with contrast. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one (63.4%) of the 191 patients in the CT group were preoperatively diagnosed as having acute appendicitis and underwent surgery. There were three cases of negative appendectomy (1.6%). In the US group and the clinical Dx group, the negative appendectomy rates were 4.8% and 3.8%, respectively. The sensitivity of the abdominal CT was 96.7%. In the CT group, in addition to acute appendicitis, colitis, nonspecific enteritis, diverticulitis, urinary stone, ovary, uterine, and diseases were indentified. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, abdominal CT scans in patients with RLQ pain were useful for the diagnosis acute appendicitis and for the differential diagnosis of other diseases presenting with RLQ pain. The false positive rate was significantly lower in the CT group than in the other groups.
Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Colitis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diverticulitis ; Enteritis ; Female ; Humans ; Ovary ; Urinary Calculi

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical benefits of preoperative percutaneous transhepatic drainage (PTGBD), especially regarding morbidity and mortality, in patients aged 60 or older with acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A retrospective study was done on a series of elderly patients (>60 years old; n=132) who had been diagnosed between January 2007 and December 2009 as having acute cholecystitis. The patients were divided into 4 groups; cases in which only laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was done (Group 1, n=84), cases in which LC was done after preoperative PTGBD (Group 2, n=15), cases in which only open cholecystectomy was done (Group 3, n=23), and cases in which open cholecystectomy was done after preoperative PTGBD (Group 4, n=10). We analyzed between group differences in surgical outcomes including periods of postoperative fast and postoperative hospital stay, OP. morbidity, and open conversion rate. RESULTS: Patients in Group 1 had fewer underlying medical problems and lower ASA scores than patients in groups 2, 3, or 4 (p<0.05). Mean operating time in Group 2 (113.66+/-107.5 min) was significantly longer than in group 1 (72.02.9+/-34.2 min) (p<0.05) and the open conversion rate was higher (8.33% vs 26.67%). But, blood loss (ml) and OP time in Group 2 were lower than in Group 3 or 4 (p<0.001). Postoperative recovery progression (periods of postoperative fasting and length of postoperative hospital stay) of Group 2 were better than in groups 3 or 4 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Pre-operative PTGBD procedures in elderly patients with acute cholecystitis is a good clinical option as a pretreatment to a cholecystitis operation.
Aged ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholecystitis ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Drainage ; Fasting ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Due to its less invasive nature and superior visual field, video-assisted thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal mass is thought to be comparable to open thoracotomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1995 to August 2001, the medical records of 38 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal mass was retrospectively analyzed. The outcome of these patients were compared with 5 patients who converted to thoracotomy. RESULT: Male to female ratio was 13(34.2%) : 25(65.8%), and mean age was 39.2 +/-35.4 years. Regarding the pathology, there were 8 neurilemmomas(21.1%), 6 thymic cysts (15.8%), 5 teratomas(13.2%), 5 ganglioneuromas(13.2%), 4 bronchogenic cysts(10.5%), 3 pericardial cysts(7.9%), 3 thymomas(7.9%), and 2 lymphangiomas(5.3%). The mean operation time was 110.6+/-7.0 minutes, mean postoperative tube stay was 4.2+/-0.4 days, mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.2+/-0.4 days, and mean number of injection of analgesics was 1.9+/-0.4 times. Although the mean values for the above indices were less than those of the thoracotomy conversion cases, they were statistically insignificant. Postoperative complications of video- assisted thoracoscopic excision included chylothorax, prolonged air leakage, and unilateral phrenic nerve palsy, all of which recovered before patient discharge. There was, however, permanent unilateral ptosis in one patient. CONCLUSION: As video-assisted thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal mass is safe, less painful, conducive to earlier recovery and cosmetically more appealing, a more active application of this technique is recommeded.
Analgesics ; Chylothorax ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Mediastinal Cyst ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; Medical Records ; Paralysis ; Pathology ; Patient Discharge ; Phrenic Nerve ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracoscopy ; Thoracotomy ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: Among the many biological characteristics of cancer, matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) are essential for tumor invasion and metastasis. The correction of the imbalance between MMPs and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) has been suggested as a possible goal for the control of invasive phenotype of the cancer. To test the possible inhibition of MMP-9 in ex vivo model and the selection of the patients who are sensitive to MMP inhibitory (MMPI) treatment, we evaluated IC50 of the gabexate mesylate (Foy) against MMP-9 and compared them to the clinical parameters and patients survivals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four paired normal and gastric cancer tissues were tested for the IC50 of the gabexate mesylate. MMP-9 activity was measured by zymography. RESULTS: MMP-9 expression (percent of sample band density to control band) (p=0.04) and IC50 (p=0.02) of cancer tissues were significantly higher than those of normal tissues. Cancer tissue IC50 was higher than that of normal tissues in cases when the tumor mass diameter was longer than 5 cm (p=0.03) as well as in higher T-stage (p=0.04), lymph node metastasis (p=0.04) and in advanced stages (p=0.04). There was a tendency of increased IC50 of diffuse and mixed type than that of intestinal type (diffuse & mixed: 11.0+-20.8 mg/ml, intestinal: 2.7+-3.9 mg/ml; p 0.07), in spite of no difference in MMP-9 expression (diffuse & mixed: 40.3+49.2%, intestinal: 51.0+-58.0%). In early gastric cancer (EGC), there was no difference in IC50 between normal and cancer tissues whereas cancer tissue IC50 was higher than that of normal tissue in advanced gastric cancer (p 0.02). There was a tendency of increment of ICo in cancer tissues of advanced gastric cancer than that of EGC whereas no difference was found in MMP-9 expression between these types of cancers. Poor prognosis was found in high IC50 patients in curatively resected patients (p=0.04). In multivariate analysis, high IC50 was suggested as a possible independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: We could differentiate the high risk patients using IC50 of gabexate mesylate in ex vivo model. This model can be applied in detecting patients with poor prognosis and patients who can have a possible benefit with MMPI treatment.
Gabexate* ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Lymph Nodes ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; MMPI ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Patient Selection* ; Phenotype ; Population Characteristics ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVES: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are considered to have problems with empathy. It has recently been suggested that there are two systems for empathy; cognitive and emotional. We aimed to investigate the neural response to cognitive and emotional empathy and elucidate the neurobiological aspects of empathy in patients with ASD. METHODS: We recruited patients with ASD (N=17, ASD group) and healthy controls (HC) (N=22, HC group) for an functional magnetic resonance imaging study. All of the subjects were scanned while performing cognitive and emotional empathy tasks. The differences in brain activation between the groups were assessed by contrasting their neural activity during the tasks. RESULTS: During both tasks, the ASD group showed greater neural activities in the bilateral occipital area compared to the HC group. The ASD group showed more activation in the bilateral precunei only during the emotional empathy task. No brain regions were more activated in the HC group than in the ASD group during the cognitive empathy task. While performing the emotional empathy task, the HC group exhibited greater neural activities in the left middle frontal gyrus and right anterior cingulate gyrus than the ASD group. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the brain regions associated with cognitive and emotional empathy in ASD patients differed from those in healthy individuals. The results of this study suggest that individuals with ASD might have defects both in cognitive empathy and in emotional empathy.
Autism Spectrum Disorder* ; Autistic Disorder* ; Brain ; Empathy* ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging