This study was carried out to obtain information regarding eating habits, including health related behavior and health food consumption patterns. The subjects of this study were 149 men and 152 women residing in the Ulsan area. We obtained results by means of a questionnaire and an interview, and these were analyzed using the SPSS package program. The results of this study are summarized as follows : The average age of the men was 47.6 +/- 7.3 years and of the women was 47.3 +/- 7.6 years old. The average height and weight of the men were 169.4 +/- 5.5 cm and 67.7 +/- 8.2 kg, respectively. Those of the women were 157.6 +/- 5.0 cm and 58.2 +/- 7.5 kg, respectively. The BMI values of all the subjects ranged from 20.0 to 25.0, all within the normal levels. In the case of dietary patterns, 24.3% of the total population always skipped a meal. In particular, 15.9% of the total population skipped breakfast. No time to eat, no appetite, having no taste, and having poor health were themain reasons for skipping meals. With regard tohealth care, there was a significant difference between the men and the women with respect to smoking and drinking (p < 0.001). Of the total population, 40.5% hardly exercised (less than once a week), 26.2% exercised occasionally, 13.6% frequently exercised, and 19.6% exercised almost every day. A total of 60.7% responded that they were not interested in their health. The mean eating habit score of the subjects was 65.6 +/- 9.9. The women had a higher eating habit score than the men (64.0 +/- 9.6 for the men and 67.2 +/- 9.9 for the women). Except for one group above 60 years, the older group had a higher eating habit score than the younger one. The group having a higher income and a more specialized career had a higher eating habit score than the one having a lower income and a less specialized career. There was also a marital difference. The group of single subjects showed a lower eating habit score than the married group. The group having a higher eating habit score drank, smoked and went out for meals less, and exercised more than the group having lower scores. They also were more concerned about their health. In the older group, there were more diabetic and hypertensive individuals. The subjects who had a higher BMI index were more likely to be patients with hypertension, especially in the men's group. Those who had a higher BMI index and hypertension simultaneously took a variety of medicines and foods for promoting health. Those who worried a lot about their health and had health problems tended to take special foods for their health. Patients usually took tonics. Special foods for health included Chinese medicines, tonic foods, vitamin or mineral supplements and manufactured health food supplements. Preferences for them depended on the sex and age of the subject. In the case of tonic foods, the men liked them more than the women. Foods other than tonic foods were favorites with the women. This study may provide basic information on the eating habits and health related behaviors of middle-aged people. However, further studies are needed to improve the eating habits and to change the nutritional attitudes, so that people can make better choices of health foods.
Adult* ; Appetite ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Breakfast ; Drinking ; Eating ; Female ; Food Habits* ; Food, Organic* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Meals ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Ulsan* ; Vitamins ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the degree of conformity of papillary carcinoma and follicular carcinoma to the reported ultrasonographic findings of malignant thyroid tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2004, fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 1,036 patients with palpable and non-palpable thyroid lesions. We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonographic findings of patients with papillary carcinomas (n = 127) and follicular carcinomas (n = 23) that were proven by operation or fine needle aspiration biopsy. We analyzed the ultrasonographic findings of these nodules based on the reported ultrasonographic findings of malignant thyroid tumor: hypoechogenicity, a taller than wide orientation, a microlobulated or irregular margin, a thick hypoechoic rim (halo sign), microcalcification and cystic change. RESULTS: The echogenicity was hypoechoic in 72.4% (92/127) of the papillary carcinomas, but it was isoechoic in 65.2% (15/23) of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). The nodule shape was tall or round in 74.1% of the papillary carcinomas, but it was flat in 72.7% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). The tumor margin was microlobulated or irregular in 92.9% of the papillary carcinomas and in 60.9% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). A hypoechoic rim was seen in 26% of the papillary carcinomas (thin rim: 13.4%, thick rim: 12.6%) and in 86.6% of the follicular carcinomas (thin rim: 39.1%, thick rim: 47.8%, p < 0.001). Microcalcifications were demonstrated in 33.9% of the papillary carcinomas and in none of the cases of follicular carcinoma (p < 0.001). A solid mass without cystic change were seen in 98.4% of the papillary carcinomas and in 82.6% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The previously reported ultrasonography findings of malignant thyroid tumor are in conformity with most of the papillary carcinomas, but not with follicular carcinomas. The current ultrasonographic features for thyroid malignancy should be cautiously applied as the indication for needle aspiration biopsy so that follicular carcinomas are not missed by too narrow and strict biopsy criteria.
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/*ultrasonography ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Calcinosis/ultrasonography ; Carcinoma, Papillary/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland/pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Animals ; Cumulus Cells* ; Mice* ; Zygote*

Failure in the formation of a hymeneal orifice is a rare congenital malformation. There are many cases of imperforated hymen with hematocolpos in literature. However this condition associated with obstructive uropathy such as acute urinary retention is rare. We experienced a case of imperforated hymen with hematocolpos which caused acute urinary retention in a 16-year-old girl. Herein we report this case with brief review of literature.
Adolescent ; Female ; Hematocolpos ; Humans ; Hymen* ; Urinary Retention*

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to clarify the family environments, parent-adolescent communication, family violence, parental conflict, parental alcohol drinking that contribute to internet use of adolescent. METHODS : Subjects were middle and high school students in Gang-seo gu, Seoul city (N=998). Self-rating questionnaire included demographic data, internet addiction scale, family adaptability cohesion evaluation scale III, parent-adolescent communication inventory, conflict tactics scales 2 and children of alcoholics screening test. RESULTS : 1) There were statistically significant differences in CAST, family violence, communication between family members and family adaptability cohesion scale between addicted group and non-addicted group. 2) Most significantly correlated variants for internet addiction were problematic communication of parents and psychological aggression. 3) Multiple regression analysis showed that problematic communication of parents, psychological aggression and CAST could explain 10.1% of internet addictions. CONCLUSION : This study was designed specifically to focus on the various domains of adolescents' family environment that may influence the overuse of internet. It proved that moderate level of adaptability, cohesion and open communication in a parentchild relationship can prevent the overuse of internet. On the other hand, aggressive language spoken between the two parents and their alcohol abuse can aggravate the overuse of internet.
Adolescent* ; Aggression ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholics ; Alcoholism ; Child ; Domestic Violence ; Family Conflict ; Hand ; Humans ; Internet* ; Mass Screening ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul ; Weights and Measures

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a well-known overgrowth syndrome associated with the presence of a wide variety of anomalies and increased risk of cancers. Less frequently, benign neoplasms also develop. We report a female infant with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome who developed a mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver. The patient was born with macroglossia, ear lobe crease, and abdominal distension. Laboratory data showed hypoglycemia, and magnetic resonance image revealed both adrenal enlargement, enhancing mass of the pancreas, and multiple hepatic nodules. The histologic findings of the resected distal pancreas and both adrenals were those of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Microscopic findings of the liver biopsy specimens were compatible with mesenchymal hamartoma. Hamartoma of the urinary bladder, cardiac fibrous hamartoma, and mixed hamartoma of the liver have been documented previously in association with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. However, to our knowledge, this is the first case report of hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Because of the paucity of hamartomas in childhood, we should be cautious of other features of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and the present case extends the spectrum of tumor formation in this syndrome.
Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome* ; Biopsy ; Ear ; Female ; Hamartoma* ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Infant ; Liver Neoplasms ; Liver* ; Macroglossia ; Pancreas ; Urinary Bladder

Four soluble factors—putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102—were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these factors on in vivo BMNC differentiation into IPCs in diabetic mice. Mice were orally administered the factors for 5 days, twice at 2-week intervals, and monitored for 45–55 days. Glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and pancreatic insulin content were measured. Chimeric mice harboring BMNCs from insulin promoter luciferase/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used to track endogenous BMNC fate. These factors lowered blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. Immunostaining confirmed IPCs in the pancreas, showing the potential of these factors to induce β-cell regeneration and improve diabetes treatment.

Four soluble factors—putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102—were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these factors on in vivo BMNC differentiation into IPCs in diabetic mice. Mice were orally administered the factors for 5 days, twice at 2-week intervals, and monitored for 45–55 days. Glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and pancreatic insulin content were measured. Chimeric mice harboring BMNCs from insulin promoter luciferase/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used to track endogenous BMNC fate. These factors lowered blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. Immunostaining confirmed IPCs in the pancreas, showing the potential of these factors to induce β-cell regeneration and improve diabetes treatment.

Four soluble factors—putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102—were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these factors on in vivo BMNC differentiation into IPCs in diabetic mice. Mice were orally administered the factors for 5 days, twice at 2-week intervals, and monitored for 45–55 days. Glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and pancreatic insulin content were measured. Chimeric mice harboring BMNCs from insulin promoter luciferase/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used to track endogenous BMNC fate. These factors lowered blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. Immunostaining confirmed IPCs in the pancreas, showing the potential of these factors to induce β-cell regeneration and improve diabetes treatment.

Four soluble factors—putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102—were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these factors on in vivo BMNC differentiation into IPCs in diabetic mice. Mice were orally administered the factors for 5 days, twice at 2-week intervals, and monitored for 45–55 days. Glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and pancreatic insulin content were measured. Chimeric mice harboring BMNCs from insulin promoter luciferase/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used to track endogenous BMNC fate. These factors lowered blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. Immunostaining confirmed IPCs in the pancreas, showing the potential of these factors to induce β-cell regeneration and improve diabetes treatment.