Purpose: This study sought to study the effects of cross-legged sitting posture on joint motion. It also examined the correlation between the changes in the joint range of motion, musculoskeletal symptoms, and facial asymmetry. Methods: The Acumar Digital Inclinometer (Lafayette Instrument Company, USA) was used to measure the range of motion (ROM). We measured the flexion and extension of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine using a dual inclinometer, and measured the ROM of the shoulder and hip joint with a single inclinometer. The Likert scale questionnaire was used to investigate musculoskeletal symptoms and facial asymmetry. Results: The data analysis was performed using the Jamovi version 1.6.23 statistical software. After confirming the normality of the ROM with descriptive statistics, it was compared with the normal ROM through a one-sample t-test. Correlation matrix analysis was performed to confirm the association between facial asymmetry and musculoskeletal symptoms. The result of the one-sample t-test showed a significant increase in the thoracic spine extension and right and left hip external rotation (p < 0.001***), while most other joints were restricted. As per the frequency analysis, facial asymmetry was found to be 81.70%. Conclusion The independent variable, namely cross-legged sitting posture led to an increase in ROM. The study also suggests that facial asymmetry and musculoskeletal symptoms could occur. Therefore, to prevent the increase and limitation of ROM and to prevent the occurrence of facial asymmetry and musculoskeletal symptoms, it is suggested that the usual cross-legged sitting posture should be avoided.

Melanotic oncocytic metaplasia of the nasopharynx is a rare condition which is characterized by the presence of usually a small, brown to black colored pigmented lesion around the Eustachian tube opening. Although it is a benign lesion, it may be clinically misdiagnosed as malignant melanoma. Microscopically, melanotic oncocytic metaplasia is a combination of oncocytic metaplasia of the epithelium of the gland and melanin pigmentation in its cytoplasm. In our present study, we report three cases of melanotic oncocytic metaplasia of the nasopharynx. All the three cases occurred in men and were presented as multiple black pigmented lesions around the torus tubarius. Microscopically, mucous glands with diffuse oncocytic metaplasia and numerous black pigments were observed. No cellular atypia was observed. Immunohistochemically, the scattering of S-100 protein-positive, and human melanoma black 45-negative dendritic melanocytes was evident. This is the first report of cases of melanotic oncocytic metaplasia of the nasopharynx in Korea.
Cytoplasm ; Epithelium ; Eustachian Tube ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma ; Metaplasia ; Nasopharynx ; Oxyphil Cells ; Pigmentation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Data from previous studies on gastric acid secretion and the prevalence of H. pylori in liver cirrhosis patients remain poorly defined. H. pylori is a potential source of NH3, but the possible role of H. pylori in hepatic encephalopathy is not clear. The purpose of this study was to compare gastric acid secretion, the impact of H. pylori infection, and the production of NH3 between cirrhotic patients and healthy, matched controls. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with liver cirrhosis (HBV, n=12; Alcohol, n=12; HCV, n=5) were matched with 33 healthy persons for age and sex. None of the patients or controls were being treated with antacids, H2-receptor blockers or proton pump inhibitors. The pH and NH3 concentration was measured in gastric juice obtained by endoscopy. H. pylori infection was diagnosed using the rapid urease test. The level of NH3 in venous blood was also measured. RESULTS: The average gastric pH was significantly higher in cirrhosis patients compared to controls (3.91 vs. 2.99, P<0.05). In addition, the prevalence of hypochlorhydria (defined as pH>4) was significantly greater in cirrhosis patients (45 vs. 21%, P<0.05). In contrast, the prevalence of H. pylori infection (62% vs. 58%) and gastric NH3 concentrations (3.4 vs. 3.3 mM/L) were similar between both groups. However, venous NH3 levels were significantly higher in cirrhotics than in controls (63.1 vs. 25.2 micro M/L, P<0.05). The patients with H. pylori infection had significantly higher gastric NH3 concentration (3.8 vs. 1.6 mM/L) and gastric pH (3.87 vs. 2.76, P<0.05) than those without infection, but no significant difference in venous NH3 levels were detected (39.6 vs. 48.1 micro M/L). In patients with cirrhosis, the presence of H. pylori infection was not correlated with either gastric or blood NH3 levels. CONCLUSIONS: The gastric pH of liver cirrhosis patients is higher than that of controls and a larger proportion of cirrhotic patients have hypochlorhydria. The prevalence of H. pylori in liver cirrhosis patients was similar to that in controls and no correlation was found between gastric and blood NH3 levels. Thus, H. pylori infection does not seem to play a major role in generation of elevated NH3 associated with hepatic encephalopathy.
Achlorhydria/complications ; Ammonia/analysis ; English Abstract ; Female ; Gastric Acid/secretion ; *Gastric Acidity Determination ; Helicobacter Infections/*complications/physiopathology ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Liver Cirrhosis/*metabolism/microbiology/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

East Asian surgeons generally report lower morbidity and mortality rates for gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy than do surgeons in Western countries; however, the disparity remains unexplained. The aim of this article was to determine the feasibility and safety regarding cases in which East Asian surgeons perform such procedures in Caucasian patients (CPs). Twelve CPs underwent gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer at Yonsei University Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea between June 2011 and April 2014. Procedures performed included total gastrectomy (7 of 12, 58%), distal gastrectomy (4 of 12, 33%), and completion total gastrectomy (1 of 12, 8%). Nine patients (75%) underwent D2 lymphadenectomy, and D1+ lymphadenectomy was performed in three others (25%). In four patients (33%), combined resections were carried out. The median values of surgical parameters were as follows: operative time, 266.5 min (range, 120-586 min); estimated blood loss, 90 mL (range, 37-350 mL); retrieved lymph node count, 37.5 (range, 22-63); and postoperative hospital stay, 13.7 days (range, 5-63 days). No mortality was encountered, although two patients (17%) experienced complications (both Clavien-Dindo classification grade IIIa anastomotic leakages), which were successfully managed by conservative treatment. In the hands of East Asian surgeons, mortality and short-term morbidity appears to be acceptably low in CPs subjected to gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer.
Adult ; Aged ; *European Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; *Gastrectomy/adverse effects ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; *Lymph Node Excision/adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; *Patients ; Pilot Projects ; Republic of Korea ; Safety ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery ; *Surgeons

BACKGROUND: Making the cytologic differentiation between benign and malignant effusions can be difficult. Because promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is a frequent epigenetic event in many human cancers, it could serve as a marker for the diagnosis of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of detecting promoter hypermethylation as a diagnostic tool with using liquid-based cytology samples for differentiating between malignant and benign effusions. METHODS: A multiplex, nested, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to examine promoter methylation of 4 genes (retinoic acid receptor-beta, [RAR-beta], adenomatous polyposis coli [APC], Twist and high in normal-1 [HIN-1]) in malignant (n = 85) and benign (n = 31) liquid-based cytology samples. RESULTS: The frequencies of hypermethylation of RAR-beta, APC, Twist and HIN-1 were significantly higher in the malignant effusions than in the benign effusions (p < 0.001 for each). On the receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) for APC was the greatest. The AUC for the best two-gene combination (APC/HIN-1) was not statistically different from the AUC for the best individual tumor suppressor gene (APC). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that promoter methylation analysis on residual liquid-based effusion samples may be a feasible approach to detect malignant effusions, and that APC is the best marker for differentiating between malignant and benign effusions.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli ; Area Under Curve ; Body Fluids ; Epigenomics ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Methylation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. It was reported that a low triglyceride (TG), not a low cholesterol concentration, was independently associated with the poor outcome of ischemic stroke. There are no reports on relationship between the serum TG level and the clinical outcome of acute stage of ischemic stroke. Moreover, the differences in clinical outcome of each subtype of ischemic stroke in relation to the serum TG level are unknown. This study examined relationship between the serum TG level upon admission and the clinical outcome at discharge in each subtype of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Four hundred and fifty consecutive patients with their first-ever ischemic stroke, who admitted between January 2004 and December 2006, were examined retrospectively. The serum TG level was measured within 24 hours after stroke onset. The subtypes of stroke were classified according to the Trial of ORG 10172 in the Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification. The severity and outcome of stroke were assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score upon admission, at discharge, and 4 weeks after discharge. The population was divided into 3 groups according to the serum TG level (Normal TG group : serum TG level 150mg/dl, Borderline-high TG group : 150 degrees ¬ TG< 200mg/dl, High TG group : serum TG level 200mg/dl) and 2 groups by NIHSS score (Improved outcome group: NIHSS score decreased or unchanged, Worsened outcome group: NIHSS score increased). The relationship between the level of TG of each stroke subtype and the clinical outcome of those patients was analyzed. RESULTS: The study population was divided into three groups, according to the serum TG level. The Normal TG group consisted of 128 patients (mean serum TG level : 74.0 17.2mg/dl). The borderline-high TG group consisted of 230 patients (mean serum TG level : 168.9 20.4 mg/dl). The high TG group consisted of 92 patients (mean serum TG level : 474.5 197.0 mg/dl). Hypertension and diabetes are prevalent in the high TG group, which also had higher incidence of large artery disease in the TOAST classification. The normal TG group showed more severe stroke upon admission and a poor clinical outcome after 4 weeks than the other two groups (p<0.05). Each TOAST classification of TG group showed a similar clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: The normal TG group had a more severe the stroke and poorer clinical outcome than the other groups. TG may play a role as a protective factor in the acute stage of ischemic stroke.
Arteries ; Cholesterol ; Classification ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to elucidate the long-term prognosis of patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 405 patients (age, 57.7±16.7 years; 311 men) who had undergone ICD implantation. The patients were divided into three groups: heart failure (HF) and ICD for primary (group 1, n=118) and secondary prevention (group 2, n=93) and non-HF (group 3, n=194). We compared appropriate and inappropriate ICD therapy delivery among the groups and between high- (heart rate ≥200 /min) and low-rate (<200 /min) ICD therapy zones. RESULTS: During the follow-up period (58.9±49.8 months), the annual appropriate ICD therapy rate was higher in group 2 (10.4%) than in groups 1 and 3 (6.1% and 5.9%, respectively, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in annual inappropriate ICD therapy rate among the three groups. In group 1, the annual appropriate ICD therapy rate was significantly lower in patients with a high-rate versus a low-rate therapy zone (4.5% and 9.6%, respectively, p=0.026). In group 3, the annual inappropriate ICD therapy rate was significantly lower in patients with a high-rate versus a low-rate therapy zone (3.1% and 4.0%, respectively, p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Appropriate ICD therapy rates are not low in Korean patients with ICD, relative to prior large-scale studies in Western countries. Appropriate and inappropriate ICD therapy could be reduced by a high-rate therapy zone in patients with HF and ICD for primary prevention, as well as non-HF patients, respectively.
Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Defibrillators, Implantable* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Korea* ; Primary Prevention ; Prognosis* ; Secondary Prevention