Species in the genus Trametes (Basidiomycota, Polyporales) have been used in natural medicine for a long time. Many studies reported that mycelia or fruiting bodies of Trametes spp. exhibited effects of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities.However, comparative analysis in this genus is scarce due to limitation of morphological identification and the sample number. In this study, the 19 strains of seven Trametes species were chosen to generate a five-gene-based phylogeny with the 31 global references. In addition, 39 culture extracts were prepared for 13 strains to test for anticancer and antibacterial activities. Strong anticancer activities were found in several extracts from T. hirsuta and T. suaveolens. Anticancer activities of T. suaveolens, T. cf. junipericola and T. trogii were first described here. The antibacterial ability of T. versicolor and T. hirsuta extracts has been confirmed. The antibacterial activities of T. suaveolens have been reported at the first time in this study. These results suggest an efficient application of the genus Trametes as the drug resources especially for anticancer agents.

Purpose: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children and is associated with extrapulmonary manifestations (EPM). The incidence and risk factors for EPM in children are unknown. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 65,243 pediatric patients with CAP between 2010 and 2015 at 23 nationwide hospitals in South Korea. Medical records were reviewed to collect information regarding the clinical characteristics, radiological results, and laboratory findings. Logistic regression with multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors associated with EPM in MP. Results: The incidence of EPM was 23.9%, including elevation of liver enzymes (18.1%), mucocutaneous manifestations (4.4%), proteinuria (4.1%), cardiovascular and neurological manifestations (0.4%), hematologic manifestations (0.2%), and arthritis (0.2%). Statistical analysis showed that mucocutaneous manifestations significantly increased with elevated alanine aminotransferase (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.623; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.933-6.790) and atopic sensitization (aOR, 2.973; 95% CI, 1.615–5.475) and decreased with respiratory virus coinfection (aOR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.084–0.887). Elevated liver enzymes were significantly associated with elevated lactate dehydrogenase (aOR, 3.055; 95% CI, 2.257–4.137), presence of pleural effusion (aOR, 2.635; 95% CI, 1.767–3.930), and proteinuria with respiratory virus coinfection (aOR, 2.245; 95% CI, 1.113–4.527). Conclusion Approximately 24% of pediatric patients with MP had various EPM. As the risk factors associated with each EPM were different, it is necessary to evaluate the various clinical aspects and findings of MP to predict and prepare for the occurrence of EPM.

Background: Clinical specimens are valuable materials that require a traceable management system. Maintenance of temperature and loss prevention during transport are important for the reliability of the clinical test results. Current transportation systems can suffer from temperature changes and agitation. Quality improvement in this pre-analytic phase is required. This study acquired preliminary data from a newly developed specimen transportation system adopting a real-time temperature monitoring during transportation using temperature sensor and global positioning system to establish appropriate guidelines. Methods: Temperature preservation performance was compared between two transportation boxes (newly developed one [A] and conventional one [B]) at exterior temperatures of 35℃ and ?18℃, reflecting the extreme temperature range in Korea. Influences of the temperatures on analytical results of whole blood, serum, plasma, and urine specimens were investigated, as were the effects of vibration. Results: The interior temperature of box A measured at multiple sites was maintained within 1.0?9.0℃ at both exterior temperatures. The interior temperature of box B was outside of this range. The analyzed parameters varied comparably with the variations occurring at the recommended and published storage temperature. Vibration affected nonspecific enolase and lactate dehydrogenase. Conclusions Temperature preservation and real-time monitoring during specimen transportation are important. The present data highlight the importance of transportation conditions and indicate that laboratories should know the characteristics of temperature changes in their transportation system.

Awareness during general anesthesia occurs in approximately 0.1–0.2% of cases; nevertheless, particular attention is required because it can lead to critical complications including insomnia, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. To prevent these complications, bispectral index (BIS) and end-tidal anesthetic gas (ETAG) concentration monitoring are commonly used to examine patient consciousness during surgery. In the present case, an 80-year-old man was scheduled for total gastrectomy. Anesthesia was maintained using desflurane 4.0–5.0% vol, oxygen, and nitrous oxide. The authors simultaneously monitored BIS, which was maintained between 37 and 43, and ETAG, which was maintained between 0.9 and 1.2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC). After the operation, however, the authors were surprised to learn that the patient complained of awareness during anesthesia. Although BIS and ETAG concentration monitoring are useful in preventing awareness during anesthesia, they cannot be completely trusted. Even though BIS was maintained at approximately 40 and ETAG at 0.7–1.3 MAC, awareness during anesthesia occurred.
Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anxiety ; Consciousness ; Consciousness Monitors ; Depression ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Intraoperative Awareness ; Nitrous Oxide ; Oxygen ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

PURPOSE: Croup is known to have epidemics in seasonal and biennial trends, and to be strongly associated with epidemics of parainfluenza virus. However, seasonal and annual epidemics of croup have not been clearly reported in Korea. This study aimed to examine the seasonal/annual patterns and etiologies of childhood croup in Korea during a consecutive 6-year period. METHODS: Pediatric croup data were collected from 23 centers in Korea from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2015. Electronic medical records, including multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results, demographics and clinical information were cross-sectionally reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 2,598 childhood croup patients requiring hospitalization were identified during the study period. Among them, a total of 927 who underwent RT-PCR were included in the analysis. Males (61.5%) predominated, and most (63.0%) of them were younger than 2 years of age (median, 19 months; interquartile range, 11–31 months). Peak hospitalization occurred in 2010 and 2012 in even-numbered years, and parainfluenza virus (PIV, 39.7%) was the most common cause of childhood croup requiring hospitalization, followed by respiratory syncytial virus (14.9%), human rhinovirus (12.5%), Mycoplasma pneumonaie (10.6%), and human coronavirus (7.3%). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that croup hospitalization has a biennial pattern in even-numbered years. PIV may be the most common cause of childhood croup; however, croup epidemics could be attributed to other viruses.
Child ; Coronavirus ; Croup ; Demography ; Electronic Health Records ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mycoplasma ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Retrospective Studies ; Reverse Transcription ; Rhinovirus ; Seasons

Awareness during general anesthesia occurs in approximately 0.1–0.2% of cases; nevertheless, particular attention is required because it can lead to critical complications including insomnia, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. To prevent these complications, bispectral index (BIS) and end-tidal anesthetic gas (ETAG) concentration monitoring are commonly used to examine patient consciousness during surgery. In the present case, an 80-year-old man was scheduled for total gastrectomy. Anesthesia was maintained using desflurane 4.0–5.0% vol, oxygen, and nitrous oxide. The authors simultaneously monitored BIS, which was maintained between 37 and 43, and ETAG, which was maintained between 0.9 and 1.2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC). After the operation, however, the authors were surprised to learn that the patient complained of awareness during anesthesia. Although BIS and ETAG concentration monitoring are useful in preventing awareness during anesthesia, they cannot be completely trusted. Even though BIS was maintained at approximately 40 and ETAG at 0.7–1.3 MAC, awareness during anesthesia occurred.

PURPOSE: Changes in eating habits and malnutrition due to dysphagia are important health problems for older adults. This study investigated the effects of an educational program aimed at improving diet quality in community-dwelling older adults at risk for dysphagia in South Korea. METHODS: We assessed 27 individuals in the experimental group and 26 individuals in the control group between September and October 2015. All participants were aged 65 years or older and were at risk for dysphagia. A combined diet and exercise program was applied to the experimental group (n = 27) for six weeks. We examined changes in participants' eating habits and their knowledge and attitudes concerning dysphagia risk. The nutrition intake of all participants was measured before and after the intervention using 24-hr dietary recall. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in knowledge of dysphagia risk in the experimental group, with scores increasing from 3.7 to 7.1, out of 10 points (p < 0.001). There were also significant improvements in eating habits after the intervention in the experimental group, with scores increasing from 21.9 to 28.3, out of 36 points (p < 0.001). The attitude score of participants in the experimental group increased significantly, from 15.2 to 16.7, out of 20 points (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Developing educational programs can help older adults living in the community lead a healthier lifestyle and improve their ability to manage their diet.
Adult* ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Diet ; Eating ; Humans ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Malnutrition

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine dysphagia risk among community-dwelling elderly people living at home. We also examined the impact of socio-demographic variables on dysphagia risk as well as the relationship between dysphagia risk and dietary characteristics. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study sample included 568 community-dwelling individuals, aged 65 years and above, who were living independently in their own home in Seoul, Gyeonggi, or Gwangju in South Korea. We used a dysphagia risk assessment scale to screen for dysphagia risk and the Mini nutritional assessment to evaluate the nutritional status. Associations between dysphagia risk and other variables were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 568 subjects, 350 (61.6%) were classified into the dysphagia risk group (DR) and 218 (38.4%) were classified into the normal group (non-DR). Being female (odds ratio (OR) = 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.28–2.59), being 75 years and older (OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.69–3.42), having a lower education level (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.33–3.97), and having a lower perceived economic status (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.32–3.60) were more frequently observed with dysphagia risk compared to those who did not have such characteristics. Lowered mastication ability (OR = 14.40, 95% CI = 4.43–46.95), being at risk of malnutrition or malnourished (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.75–4.23), lowered appetite (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 2.16–4.93), and decreased food intake (OR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.83–4.78) were observed more frequently in the DR group than in the non-DR group when adjusting for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to develop and apply integrated programs to improve the dietary habits and nutritional status of elderly individuals at risk for dysphagia, especially for women aged 75 years or older with lower educational and economic levels.
Aged* ; Appetite ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Eating ; Education ; Female ; Food Habits ; Gwangju ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Malnutrition ; Mastication ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Risk Assessment ; Seoul

We made a mistake in presenting ORCID of Chorong Kim.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a multi-disciplinary self-management intervention based on empowerment theory and to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention for older adults with chronic illness. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial design was used with 43 Korean older adults with chronic illness (Experimental group=22, Control group=21). The intervention consisted of two phases: (1) 8-week multi-disciplinary, team guided, group-based health education, exercise session, and individual empowerment counseling, (2) 16-week self-help group activities including weekly exercise and group discussion to maintain acquired self-management skills and problem-solving skills. Baseline, 8-week, and 24-week assessments measured health empowerment, exercise self-efficacy, physical activity, and physical function. RESULTS: Health empowerment, physical activity, and physical function in the experimental group increased significantly compared to the control group over time. Exercise self-efficacy significantly increased in experimental group over time but there was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The self-management program based on empowerment theory improved health empowerment, physical activity, and physical function in older adults. The study finding suggests that a health empowerment strategy may be an effective approach for older adults with multiple chronic illnesses in terms of achieving a sense of control over their chronic illness and actively engaging self-management.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chronic Disease ; Exercise ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Activity ; *Power (Psychology) ; *Program Evaluation ; Self Care/*methods ; Self Efficacy