Dental caries and periodontal disease are considered to be chronic, but can be prevented through an incremental oral health program covering all ages. The National Oral Health Program for adults provides oral health exam and scaling, and is covered by national health insurance for those over 20 years of age in Korea. The aim of this study was to collect basic data for developing an oral health program for adults by identifying factors related to awareness and need. The data were obtained by convenience sampling of 303 subjects. The use of dental plaque disclosing agents affected tooth brushing frequency, toothbrushing time and use of oral auxiliary devices. Education on toothbrushing methods affected toothbrushing time and use of oral auxiliary devices. Of those surveyed, 93.1% replied that an incremental oral health program for adults was needed, and 68.0% intended to participate. In a regression model, the factors that had an effect on the perceived need for an oral health program were education level, use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices, and toothbrushing time, and the factors affecting intent to participate were education for prevention of periodontal disease and the use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices. The subjects stated that the following oral health programs were needed: an oral bacteria exam (74.3%), toothbrushing education (71.6%), a bad breath exam (69.3%), education on use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices (46.9%), a dental plaque exam (42.9%) and a saliva exam (37.6%). Oral health education appears to be an important factor for participation in an incremental oral health program.
Adult* ; Bacteria ; Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Oral Health* ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Diseases ; Program Development ; Saliva ; Tooth ; Toothbrushing

Notch signaling is a key regulator of neuronal fate during embryonic development, but its function in the adult brain is still largely unknown. Mind bomb-2 (Mib2) is an essential positive regulator of the Notch pathway, which acts in the Notch signal-sending cells. Therefore, genetic deletion of Mib2 in the mouse brain might help understand Notch signaling-mediated cell-cell interactions between neurons and their physiological function. Here we show that deletion of Mib2 in the mouse brain results in impaired hippocampal spatial memory and contextual fear memory. Accordingly, we found impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity in Mib2 knock-out (KO) mice; however, basal synaptic transmission did not change at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses. Using western blot analysis, we found that the level of cleaved Notch1 was lower in Mib2 KO mice than in wild type (WT) littermates after mild foot shock. Taken together, these data suggest that Mib2 plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity and spatial memory through the Notch signaling pathway.
Adult ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Foot ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Memory* ; Mice ; Neurons ; Plastics* ; Pregnancy ; Shock ; Synapses ; Synaptic Transmission

The pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB-65 are widely used tools for the prediction of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This study was conducted to evaluate validation of severity scoring system including the PSI and CURB-65 scores of Korean CAP patients. In the prospective CAP cohort (participated in by 14 hospitals in Korea from January 2009 to September 2011), 883 patients aged over 18 yr were studied. The 30-day mortalities of all patients were calculated with their PSI index classes and CURB scores. The overall mortality rate was 4.5% (40/883). The mortality rates per CURB-65 score were as follows: score 0, 2.3% (6/260); score 1, 4.0% (12/300); score 2, 6.0% (13/216); score 3, 5.7% (5/88); score 4, 23.5% (4/17); and score 5, 0% (0/2). Mortality rate with PSI risk class were as follows: I, 2.3% (4/174); II, 2.7% (5/182); III, 2.3% (5/213); IV, 4.5% (11/245); and V, 21.7% (15/69). The subgroup mortality rate of Korean CAP patients varies based on the severity scores and CURB-65 is more valid for the lower scores, and PSI, for the higher scores. Thus, these variations must be considered when using PSI and CURB-65 for CAP in Korean patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cohort Studies ; Community-Acquired Infections/*mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia/*mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; *Severity of Illness Index ; Young Adult

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 3-month nutrition education (First Time Intervention, FI) + additional 3-month nutrition education (Repeated Intervention, RI) which was performed after the 8-month follow-up. FI was conducted during 0-3 months and RI for 11-14 months. Ninety-two subjects completed FI program, and 38 out of 92 subjects who received FI finished the RI. Anthropometric data, dietary assessment (24hr recall) and fasting blood analysis were measured at 0 month, 3 months, 11 months and 14 months time points. After FI (3 mo), waist circumference, triglycerides, total cholesterol were significantly decreased. At 11 month follow-up, body weight, BMI, hip circumference, SBP, DBP were significantly rebounced and HDL cholesterol was significantly decreased. Therefore, the effect of short-term nutrition education was not being sustained. After the secondary nutrition intervention (14 mo), waist circumference and hip circumference were again significantly decreased. Total diet quality index-international (DQI-I) score was significantly increased in both FI group and RI group. The changes in DQI-I scores were significantly correlated with the changes in body weight (r = -0.129, p < 0.05) and counts of nutrition education (r = 0.159, p < 0.05), indicating that effective nutrition education helps improve the diet quality leading to a possible role in CVD prevention among male workers. Although a short-term intervention seems to be a success, the effect was not retained in this study. Therefore, we suggest incorporating nutrition education as a routine program for male worker at worksite.
Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Diet ; Fasting ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference ; Workplace

This study investigated the rates and reasons for breakfast skipping according to gender, age, and lifestyle related factors in Korean adults. The survey was conducted using questionnaires and the subjects included 1148 male and female adults aged 19-64. The rate of breakfast skipping (frequency of eating breakfast under 4 times/week) was 41.20% of the total subjects. The breakfast skipping rate of the male subjects was significantly higher than that of the female subjects (p < 0.001). As age and household income decreased, the breakfast skipping rate increased. Residents in small cities more frequently skipped breakfast than those in larger cities. The main reason for breakfast skipping was "lack of time for the preparation and consumption of food" and this reason was especially higher for office workers and younger adults among the participants. In addition, the proportion of habitual breakfast skippers increased with age. Among the answers regarding the person who prepares breakfast in their households, the highest proportion was for "family members" in the males and "myself" for the females. Of breakfast skippers, 77.63% answered that they consumed breakfast substitutes such as breads, dairy and fruits/vegetables. To summarize the results, the gender, age and lifestyle factors of adults were significantly related to the rates and reasons for breakfast skipping. Therefore, to reduce breakfast skipping in Korean adults, a differentiated nutritional education approach relative to gender, age, and lifestyle is needed along with the development of balanced breakfast substitutes.
Adult ; Aged ; Bread ; Breakfast ; Eating ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between bone density and dietary intake for college women in their twenties. This study was performed on 160 female college students residing in Gangwon-do. It was conducted using ultrasound measurement of calcaneus bone density, anthropometric checkup and food-frequency questionnaires (FFQ) comprising 94 kinds of commonly consumed foods. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the T-score of bone density: a normal group (n = 113 persons, T-score > or = 1) and a risk group (n = 47, T-score < 1.0). The average age of the subjects was 20.17 years and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Body weight and body fat percentage of the normal group were significantly higher than those of the risk group. The mean daily energy intake of the normal group was significantly higher than that of the risk group. Also, protein, fat, vitamin A, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron and zinc intake for the normal group were significantly higher than for the risk group. For the intake of the commonly consumed foods (or dishes) listed in FFQ, the mean daily intake amount of loaf bread, rice cake, potatoes, spicy beef soup, cucumber, seasoned spinach perilla leaves, crown daisy, stir-fried mushroom, sea mustard, beef rib, ham, chicken, mackerel, common squid, drink type curd yogurt, oriental melon and chocolate in the normal group was significantly higher than in the risk group. While, the mean daily intake of ramyun (instant noodle) and carbonated beverage by the normal group was significantly lower than that of the risk group. In conclusion, 20 something female college students showed a higher rate (26.9%) of the bone mineral density risk group (osteopenia or osteoporosis). For the risk group, the levels of nutrient and food intake were lower than in the normal group. Therefore, the bone density risk group needs to increase their nutrient intake and diet quality by increasing the intake of various foods. In addition, they should decrease the intake of foods, which are negative for skeletal health such as instant noodles and carbonated beverages.
Adipose Tissue ; Agaricales ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Bread ; Cacao ; Calcaneus ; Calcium ; Carbonated Beverages ; Chickens ; Crowns ; Cucurbitaceae ; Decapodiformes ; Diet ; Eating ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Humans ; Iron ; Mustard Plant ; Niacin ; Perciformes ; Perilla ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ribs ; Seasons ; Sodium ; Solanum tuberosum ; Spinacia oleracea ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin B 6 ; Yogurt ; Zinc

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapy in patients with rheumatic disease and chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: We used infliximab or etanercept therapy in patients with rheumatic disease and chronic HBV infection. Records concerning these patients were retrospectively reviewed for the duration of disease, treatment, serological status and biological data. RESULTS: Six relevant cases with chronic HBV infection were identified: three of RA; three of AS. Four patients had received etanercept; two had been given etanercept after infliximab. One of the cases treated with lamivudine before anti-TNF-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis B treatment. His hepatitis status was maintained stable after he initiated anti-TNF-alpha therapy. Five of the cases started anti-TNF-alpha therapy without lamivudine. Two of these five cases were received lamivudine during anti-TNF-alpha therapy due to elevation of HBV DNA titer without liver function test abnormality and then HBV DNA was normalized. Three cases without lamivudine continued to show the stable level of liver enzyme but, one of the three cases showed persistently elevated HBV DNA titer. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic or early intervention strategies with anti-viral agent and regular monitoring of aminotransferases and viral load are needed for patient with evidence of chronic HBV infection.
DNA ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; Liver ; Liver Function Tests ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatic Diseases* ; Transaminases ; Viral Load ; Infliximab ; Etanercept

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of genetic variation in the HLA-DRB1 as predictors of response to etanercept treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Clinical responses of 66 patients treated with etanercept were determined according to the ACR criteria (ACR20 and 70). HLA-DRB1 typing and further subtyping of all alleles were performed by polymerase chain reaction, sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization, and direct DNA sequencing analysis. We tested whether genetic variation in the HLA-DRB1 influenced on the responses to 12 weeks of etanercept therapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare allele and genotype distribution between responders and nonresponders. RESULTS: When allelic association with etanercept response was analyzed with ACR20 and ACR 70 criteria for shared epitope alleles (HLA-DRB1 *0101, *0401, *0404, *0405, *0410, *1001, and *1406 alleles) and protective alleles (HLA-DRB1*0701, *0802, *1301, *1302, *1403, and *1405 alleles), there was no association with etanercept efficacy. When ACR20 nonresponders were compared with ACR70 responders, there was no significant association. Next, we tested genotypic association for shared epitope carriage status. The presence of HLA-DRB1 alleles encoding the shared epitope (1 and 2 copies) was marginally associated with nonresponse effect for ACR 70 response (OR=0.27, 95% CI=0.08~0.93, P=0.045). CONCLUSION: There was no influence of genetic variation in the HLA-DRB1 on the response to treatment of RA with etanercept.
Alleles ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Genetic Variation* ; Genotype ; HLA-DRB1 Chains* ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Etanercept

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a malignant clonal disorder of hemopoietic stem cells characterized by abnormal proliferation and accumulation of immature granulocyte. Leukostasis is one of the complications of CML and is characterized by partial or total occlusion of microcirculation by aggregation of leukemic cells and thrombi leading to respiratory, ophthalmic or neurologic symptoms. We experienced a rare case of avascular necrosis of the femoral head as the initial presentation of chronic myelogenous leukemia. A 24-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with pain in the right hip joint. The patient was diagnosed to be suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia by packed marrow with granulocytic and megakaryocytic hyperplasia and the presence of Philadelphia chromosome. The right hip joint pain was attributed to avascular necrosis of the femoral head. And the avascular necrosis could be considered as the complication of chronic myelogenous leukemia due to microcirculatory obstruction of the femoral head. The avascular necrosis of the right femoral head was treated with bipolar hemiarthoplasty.
Male ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Humans ; Femur Head Necrosis/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Adult

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a member of the herpesviridae, which shares the characteristics of latent infection and reactivation. VZV causes two distinct clinical entities; varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). Varicella pneumonia is the most common complication of adult varicella, especially in patients who are immunocompromised. We present two cases of VZV pneumonia occuring in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were being treated with cytotoxic drugs and steroid. Both patients were treated with acyclovir and responses were good.
Acyclovir ; Adult ; Chickenpox ; Herpes Zoster ; Herpesviridae ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Pneumonia*