Objectives: This study examined factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korean adults. Methods: Using data from 5,620 participants in the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, obesity was defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 and HRQoL assessed by the health-related quality of life instrument with 8 items (HINT-8). Complex survey weights were applied. Results: General linear and multiple regression analyses showed that among women, obesity was significantly associated with lower HINT-8 scores (B=-0.008, p=0.032), while no association was found in men. Age, household income, education, perceived stress, and smoking were also significantly related to HRQoL in both sexes. Conclusions HRQoL in Korean adults is influenced by obesity, socioeconomic status, and mental health indicators. The adverse effect of obesity observed only in women highlights the need for sex-specific public health strategies and the relevance of culturally adapted tools such as the HINT-8.

Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of a clinical nurse educator (CNE)-led training program for newly graduated nurses on individual and organizational outcomes using Kirkpatrick’s four-level evaluation model. Methods: A quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was employed. A total of 367 new nurses from a tertiary hospital in Korea participated, including 186 in the control group (traditional training, 2022 cohort) and 181 in the experimental group (CNE-led training, 2023 cohort). Data were obtained from institutional records. Outcomes included educational satisfaction, clinical knowledge scores, discontinuation of the nurse residency program (NRP) before independent practice, patient safety incident reports, and one-year personnel turnover. Results: Clinical knowledge scores improved significantly in the experimental group compared with the control group (p=.021). The one-year personnel turnover rate decreased significantly from 27.4% to 18.8% (p=.043). Although educational satisfaction and NRP discontinuation rates improved, the differences were not statistically significant. No significant differences were observed in patient safety incident reports. Conclusion The CNE-led training program effectively enhanced clinical competence and reduced early personnel turnover. These findings underscore the importance of structured onboarding programs in promoting early clinical adaptation and strengthening organizational retention.

Purpose: This study investigated the incidence and risk factors of cataract in people with diabetes mellitus (DM) using data from Ansan cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). Methods: Data from a total of 329 patients with type 2 DM without cataract who participated in Ansan cohort of the KoGES from baseline survey (2001–2002) to fifth follow-up visit (2011–2012) were examined.The characteristics of the subjects were analyzed with frequency and percentage, and mean and standard deviation. Cataract incidence was measured as incidence proportion (%). For risk factors of cataract, hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were obtained using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results: The cataract incidence over a 10-year follow-up period was 19.1% (15.1 in males and 25.8 in females), and mean age at the incidence of cataract was 63.48 years (61.58 years in males and 65.31 years in females). Age (HR=1.09, 95% CI=1.05–1.13) and HbA1c (HR=1.21, 95% CI=1.07–1.37) or the duration of DM (HR=1.05, 95% CI=1.00–1.09) were found to be independently associated with cataract development. Conclusion Cataract development in people with DM is common, and its likelihood increases with age, HbA1c, and the duration of DM. Considering negative effect of cataract on their quality of life and economic burden, nurses should identify people with DM at a higher risk of cataract development, and plan individual eye examination programs to detect cataract development as early as possible.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the respiratory morbidities in term neonates, as well as their relationship with mode of delivery and gestational age. METHODS: Medical records of term infants with respiratory symptoms, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Dong-A University Hospital from Jan 2008 to Dec 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. Term neonates with respiratory diseases, such as transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), neonatal pneumonia, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), pneumothorax, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), were included. The respiratory morbidities were investigated according to the gestational age (<39 weeks vs. > or =39 weeks) and/or mode of delivery (with labor vs. without labor). RESULTS: A total of 260 term neonates were enrolled in the study. The average gestational age was 38(+6)+/-1.3 weeks, while the birth weight was 3,233.7+/-462.0 g. The most common respiratory disease encountered in term neonates was TTN (n=98, 37.7%), followed by MAS (n=76, 29.2%), spontaneous pneumothorax (n=27, 10.4%), PPHN (n=24, 9.2%), neonatal pneumonia (n=19, 7.3%), and RDS (n=16, 6.2%). Incidence of TTN and RDS was higher in neonates aged <39 weeks than in those aged > or =39 weeks. Higher incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax and RDS was observed in neonates delivered before the onset of labor. The incidences of TTN, spontaneous pneumothorax, and RDS were higher in the elective cesarean section group before 39 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: Respiratory morbidities in term neonates are affected by the gestational age (<39 weeks vs. > or =39 weeks) and/or mode of delivery (with labor vs. without labor).
Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Medical Records ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

Autosomal dominant neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus is a rare form of central diabetes insipidus that is caused by mutations in the vasopressin-neurophysin II (AVP-NPII) gene. It is characterized by persistent polydipsia and polyuria induced by deficient or absent secretion of arginine vasopressin (AVP). Here we report a case of familial neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus in four generations of a Korean family, caused by heterozygous missense mutation in exon 2 of the AVP-NPII gene (c.286G>T). This is the first report of such a case in Korea.
Arginine Vasopressin ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic* ; Exons ; Family Characteristics* ; Humans ; Korea ; Mutation, Missense ; Polydipsia ; Polyuria

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the readmission rate of preterm infants of 30-33 weeks gestational age (GA) within 1 year following discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: This research was a part of the Retrospective Study to Evaluate Rehospitalization & Health Care Utilization after NICU Discharge in Preterm Infants (< or =33 weeks) II (RHANPI II) project conducted by the Committee on Data Collection and Statistical Analysis of the Korean Society of Neonatology. Enrolled infants (n=1,257) of 46 hospitals from April to September 2012, were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: The average GA and birth weight of the study population was 32(+2)+/-1(+1) weeks and 1,785+/-386 g, respectively. The cumulative readmission rate during the 360 days following discharge from the NICU was 27.3%. The cumulative readmission rate according to GA was 36.4%, 30.1%, 25.9% and 22.7% for infants born at 30, 31, 32 and 33 weeks GA, respectively. The corresponding respiratory readmission rate was 16.3%; this was 59.8% of total readmissions. There was no significant difference in the respiratory readmission rate according to GA group (log-rank test for trend, P-value=0.0558). Of the infants who were readmitted with respiratory problems, 57.0% (n=53/93) tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). CONCLUSION: The cumulative readmission rate during the 360 days following discharge from the NICU was 27.3%. Respiratory problems were the most common cause of readmission, and RSV was the most common virus associated with respiratory readmission. Additionally, there was no difference in the rate of respiratory readmission according to GA group.
Birth Weight ; Data Collection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Gestational Age* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Korea ; Neonatology ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Retrospective Studies

In this study, we isolated scopoletin from Cirsium setidens Nakai (Compositae) and tested its effects on melanogenesis. Scopoletin was not toxic to cells at concentrations less than 50 microM and increased melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. As melanin synthesis increased, scopoletin stimulated the total tyrosinase activity, the rate-limiting enzyme of melanogenesis. In a cell-free system, however, scopoletin did not increase tyrosinase activity, indicating that scopoletin is not a direct activator of tyrosinase. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that scopoletin stimulated the production of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase expression via cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Based on these results, preclinical and clinical studies are needed to assess the use of scopoletin for the treatment of vitiligo.
Blotting, Western ; Cell-Free System ; Cirsium* ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; Melanins* ; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Phosphorylation* ; Scopoletin* ; Vitiligo

PURPOSE: Although infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at risk of developing secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, little has been reported about the incidence, clinical course and prognosis of PH secondary to BPD in premature infants. This study was done to investigate the incidence, risk factors, clinical course, and the ultimate prognosis of PH developed secondary to BPD in very low birth weight infants (<1,500 g). METHODS: Medical records of very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) admitted to Samsung Medical Center NICU from January 2000 to July 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. BPD was defined by Jobe's classification. The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension was established as velocity of tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) > or =3 m/s and a flattening of the intraventricular septum by conducting Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: The incidence of pulmonary hypertension was 6% in VLBWI with BPD and it developed in moderate to severe BPD. The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension was made on postnatal 133 days (range 40-224 days) and the risk factors related to developing pulmonary hypertension were severe BPD, small for gestational age and outborn infants. The mortality rate was 57% and especially higher in severe BPD (70%). The time to recovery spent 3 months (range 1-10 months) in survived patients. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this research, pulmonary hypertension secondary to BPD in VLBWI related to severity of BPD and had a poor prognosis. We expect that regular long-term echocardiography may be helpful in treating reversible in VLBWI with moderate to severe BPD.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Echocardiography ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Medical Records ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency

OBJECTIVE: The survival rate of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) has increased markedly in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of VLBWI in Busan area. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 273 VLBWI less than 1,500 g who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care units of three university hospitals in Busan between January, 2007, to December, 2008. The survival rate, distribution of infants by birth weight and gestational age, and complications were compared with previous reports in Busan. RESULTS: We enrolled 273 VLBWI, including 31.1% extremely low birth weight infants, and the overall survival rate of VLBWI was 77.3%. Mean gestational age was 29.2+/-2.9 weeks and birth weight was 1,115+/-249 g. Infants weighing <750 g, 750-999 g, 1,000-1,249 g and 1,250-1,499 g showed survival rates of 30.4%, 62.9%, 83.0%, and 92.0%, respectively. Infants at < or =24 weeks, 25-26 weeks, 27-28 weeks and > or =29 weeks had survival rates of 25.0%, 57.5%, 75.0%, and 91.0%, respectively. Survival rates by birth weight (<750 g, 750-999 g) and gestational age (< or =24 weeks, 25-26 weeks) had increased significantly compared to 2003-2005. Common morbidities of VLBWI included respiratory distress syndrome (54.9%), patent ductus arteriosus (33.3%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (31.5%), sepsis (20.1%), necrotizing enterocolitis (7.3%), retinopathy of prematurity (> or =stage III) (6.2%) and intraventricular hemorrhage (> or =Gr III) (5.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The survival rate of VLBWI born in Busan was 77.3% over the past 2 years. Survival rates of extreme prematurity weighing less than 1,000g and gestational age of < or =26 weeks were significantly increased.
Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Korea ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Survival Rate

Deletions of chromosome 6q, particularly in the proximal region, are relatively rare. Here, we report on a de novo interstitial deletion of (6)(q13q16.2) in a girl with facial dysmorphism, congenital hip dislocation, porencephaly, and brain atrophy. Array comparative genomic hybridization analysis showed arr 6q13q16.2(73,378,824-99,824,130), demonstrating higher resolution than the conventional cytogenetic findings, del(6)(q12q15). The clinical data were analyzed and compared with those of similar patients previously reported in the literature.
Abnormalities, Multiple/*genetics ; *Chromosome Deletion ; *Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Karyotyping ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis