BACKGROUND: We examined the relationship between 10-year predicted atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in Koreans aged 40–79 years. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional design was used from data based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014. RESULTS: A total of 1,134 healthy Koreans aged 40–79 years were included. A positive relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and ASCVD score was shown in women (β=0.015) after adjusting for central obesity, physical activity, and supplement intake. The chances of being in the moderate to high risk (risk group, ASCVD score ≥5%) with vitamin D sufficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D ≥20 ng/mL) was 1.267-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.039–1.595) greater than the chance of being included in the group with vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/mL) after adjustments in women. CONCLUSION: Our research indicated a significantly positive association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and ASCVD score. Further detailed studies to evaluate this correlation are needed.
Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Female ; Heart* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency

Objectives: ：The turnover rate of mental health workers in community mental health institutes is remarkably high.We explored the mediating effects of perceived work value on the relationship between burnout and turnover intention among mental health professionals working for community mental health centers and addiction centers. Methods: ：A total of 161 mental health workers completed this survey. We administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and the Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire (MOAQ) (which explores turnover intention). Perceived work value was assessed using two items of the Scale of Resilience to Burnout.Associations were sought using the t-test, analysis of variance, correlation analyses, and hierarchical regression analyses. Results: ：The burnout level was significantly negatively correlated with perceived work value. Burnout was significantly positively correlated with turnover intention, and perceived work value significantly negatively correlated. Bootstrapping showed that perceived work value partially mediated the relationship between burnout and turnover intention. Conclusion ：Perceived work value may buffer turnover intention caused by burnout. Creation of an environment in which mental health workers feel that their work is valuable is important to prevent resignations.

PURPOSE: Porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE) is known as one of the most important risk factors causing economic losses in swine industry worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial oral attenuated Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine (Enterisol Ileitis) against PPE under a commercial pig farm condition in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty two-day-old 672 piglets were randomly allocated into vaccinated and control groups. All piglets in the vaccinated group were inoculated with a commercial attenuated L. intracellularis vaccine as following the manufacturer's instruction. Body weights of all pigs in both groups were measured on the vaccination day and 6, 14, and 20 weeks post vaccination and an average daily weight gain (ADWG) was calculated. Health status was observed biweekly during the whole trial. RESULTS: The vaccinated group showed significantly higher body weight (p<0.05) and ADWG (p<0.05) than those of the control group. The vaccinated group had significantly reduced impairments in activity, growth, defecation frequency, and stool hardness (p<0.05). Additional health benefits and improved weight gain by the vaccination produced a 4.2:1 return of investment, and the higher gross margin was $4.80 per pig. CONCLUSION: Our finding suggests that the L. intracellularis vaccine program has effects on the substantial health and economic benefits in the Korean swine industry.
Body Weight ; Defecation ; Hardness ; Ileitis ; Insurance Benefits ; Intestinal Diseases ; Investments ; Korea ; Lawsonia Bacteria ; Risk Factors ; Swine ; Vaccination ; Vaccines ; Weight Gain

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis reveals the diets of different human populations in history. In this study, we performed stable isotope analysis on human skeletons from Joseon-period cemeteries discovered around Old Seoul City (Hansung). Our data clearly showed that Joseon individuals consumed more C3-based than C4-based foods as the main staples, and that the proteins they ate were mainly of terrestrial, but not of marine origin. Stable isotope values exhibited unique patterns in each of our sample subgroups. Whereas the delta13C values did not show any statistical differences among the subgroups, significantly higher values of delta15N were found in males than in females, which might reflect dietary differences between the sexes. For a fuller understanding of the dietary patterns of pre-industrial (pre-20th century) Koreans, additional studies on Joseon samples from Korean archaeological sites will be necessary.
Carbon ; Cemeteries* ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nitrogen ; Seoul ; Skeleton*

The author's name and the institutional affiliation of the authors were published incorrectly.
Cemeteries* ; Seoul ; Skeleton*

Purpose: We aimed to identify factors influencing smoking cessation success among cancer patients registered in an inpatient smoking cessation program at a single cancer center. Materials and Methods: The electronic medical records of enrolled patients with solid cancer were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated factors associated with 6-month smoking cessation. Results: A total of 458 patients with cancer were included in this study. Their mean age was 62.9±10.3 years, and 56.3% of the participants had lung cancer. 193 (42.1%) had not yet begun their main treatment. The mean number of counseling sessions for the participants was 8.4±3.5, and 46 (10.0%) patients were prescribed smoking cessation medications. The 6-month smoking cessation success rate was 48.0%. Multivariate analysis showed that younger age (<65 years), cohabited status, early stage, and the number of counseling sessions were statistically significant factors affecting 6-month smoking cessation success (p<0.05). Initiation of a cessation program before cancer treatment was significantly associated with cessation success (odds ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–2.70; p=0.040). Conclusion Smoking cessation intervention must be considered when establishing a treatment plan immediately after a cancer diagnosis among smokers.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the efficacy and the safety of venlafaxine extended release (venlafaxine-XR), and its effect on the quality of life in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. METHODS: Fifty three patients who had generalized anxiety disorder were recruited for this study. They showed scores of 18 or higher on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) and did not have major depression. They were scheduled to be examined 5 times (at baseline, 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks) and took venlafaxine-XR for 24 weeks with a flexible dosing schedule. The primary efficacy variables were the response and remission rates (response: more than 50% reduction from baseline in HAMA total score ; remission: HAMA total score< or =7). Other variables were the Hamilton Ratng Scale for Depression, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Sheehan Disabilities Scale (SDS), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF). Also, the evaluation on adverse effects was performed. RESULTS: The number of patients who completed 24 weeks of treatment was 32 (60.4%). Twenty one patients who were dropped out included 8 patients with intolerable adverse effects and 7 patients with unsatisfactory treatment response. Response/remission rates were 43.4/32.1% in the last-observation-carried-forward methods and 71.9/53.1% in the observed case data. Treatment with venlafaxine-XR improved anxiety and depressive symptoms during 24 weeks on all efficacy measures. By a completed patient analysis, venlafaxine-XR also significantly improved the disability scores on SDS and the quality of life scores on WHOQOL-BREF. In this study, nausea, palpitation, and severe tremor were common reasons of venlafaxine-XR discontinuation in GAD patients, but any serious adverse effect did not occur. CONCLUSION: Treatment with venlafaxine-XR was effective and well-tolerated for the patients with GAD, and also improved quality of life in the GAD patients.
Anxiety Disorders* ; Anxiety* ; Appointments and Schedules ; Depression ; Humans ; Nausea ; Prospective Studies* ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Tremor ; World Health Organization ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

OBJECTIVES: Based on individual and environmental characteristics of low-income children, we developed a nutrition education program for school-aged children from low-income families according to effective use in social welfare centers. METHODS: We conducted in-depth group interviews to assess program needs in 28 participants, 10 low-income school-aged children and 9 of their care givers, 9 social workers and 9 care-givers. Theoretical backgrounds of our program were heath belief model and social cognitive theory considering motivation, action and environment characteristics. RESULTS: Based on the findings of this qualitative study, we developed major program themes and contents. Five selected key themes were 'balanced diet', 'processed food', 'food hygiene and safety', 'Korean healthy traditional diet', and 'family cooking' to induce changes in dietary behaviors. Main findings of in-depth group interviews included 'child's active participation', 'simple and easy to understand messages', and 'environmental constraints' such as a lack of child care at home, limited budget of social welfare centers, and less qualified educators for nutrition and health. Each lesson was constructed as a 1-hour program particularly emphasizing activity-based programs, including cooking and teamwork exercises. Program contents in each session consisted of activities that could induce outcome and value expectations, self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and barriers and cues to actions regarding diet behavior. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a nutrition education programthat is rarely available for low-income children in Korea, considering theoretical bases. Further studies are needed to validate our program.
Budgets ; Caregivers ; Child Care ; Child* ; Cooking ; Cues ; Diet ; Education* ; Exercise ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Interviews as Topic ; Korea ; Motivation ; Qualitative Research ; Social Welfare ; Social Workers

Primary hepatic lymphoma is extremely rare, representing less than 1% of all extranodal lymphomas. We report MR imaging features and pathologic correlation of a case of primary hepatic lymphoma. MR images showed a large lobulated mass with gradual contrast enhancement, resembling intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. However, both hepatobiliary phase image obtained 20 minutes after injection of hepatocyte specific contrast agent and diffusion-weighted image demonstrated characteristic three layered pattern representing viable lymphoma in the outer layer, tumor necrosis in the middle layer and necrotic hepatic parenchyma in the center.
Cholangiocarcinoma ; Hepatocytes ; Liver ; Liver Neoplasms ; Lymphoma ; Necrosis

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of arterial subtraction images for predicting the viability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after locoregional therapy (LRT) using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System treatment response (LR-TR) algorithm. Materials and Methods: This study included 90 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 57 ± 9 years) who underwent liver transplantation or resection after LRT and had 73 viable and 32 nonviable HCCs. All patients underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI before surgery. Two radiologists assessed the presence of LR-TR features, including arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) and LR-TR categories (viable, nonviable, or equivocal), using ordinary arterial-phase and arterial subtraction images. The reference standard for tumor viability was surgical pathology. The sensitivity of APHE for diagnosing viable HCC was compared between ordinary arterial-phase and arterial subtraction images. The sensitivity and specificity of the LR-TR algorithm for diagnosing viable HCC was compared between the use of ordinary arterial-phase and the use of arterial subtraction images.Subgroup analysis was performed on lesions treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) only. Results: The sensitivity of APHE for viable HCCs was higher for arterial subtraction images than ordinary arterial-phase images (71.2% vs. 47.9%; p < 0.001). LR-TR viable category with the use of arterial subtraction images compared with ordinary arterial-phase images showed a significant increase in sensitivity (76.7% [56/73] vs. 63.0% [46/73]; p = 0.002) without significant decrease in specificity (90.6% [29/32] vs. 93.8% [30/32]; p > 0.999). In a subgroup of 63 lesions treated with TACE only, the use of arterial subtraction images showed a significant increase in sensitivity (81.4% [35/43] vs. 67.4% [29/43]; p = 0.031) without significant decrease in specificity (85.0% [17/20] vs. 90.0% [18/20]; p > 0.999). Conclusion Use of arterial subtraction images compared with ordinary arterial-phase images improved the sensitivity while maintaining specificity for diagnosing viable HCC after LRT using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and the LR-TR algorithm.