Background/Aims: The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the management of colorectal cancer (CRC) may worse in elderly population, as almost all COVID-19 deaths occurred in the elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on CRC management in the elderly population. Methods: The numbers of patients who underwent colonoscopy, who visited hospitals or operated for CRC in 2020 and 2021 (COVID-19 era) were compared with those in 2019, according to 3 age groups (≥70 years, 50–69 years, and ≤49 years), based on the nationwide, population-based database (2019–2021) in South Korea. Results: The annual volumes of colonoscopy and hospital visits for CRC in 2020 were more significantly declined in the old age group than in the young age group (both P<0.001). In addition, the annual volume of patients operated for CRC numerically more declined in old age group than in young age group. During the first surge of COVID-19 (March and April 2020), old age patients showed statistically significant declines for the monthly number of colonoscopies (–46.5% vs. –39.3%, P<0.001), hospital visits (–15.4% vs. –7.9%, P<0.001), CRC operations (–33.8% vs. –0.7%, P<0.05), and colonoscopic polypectomies (–41.8% vs. –38.0%, P<0.001) than young age patients, compared with those of same months in 2019. Conclusions Elderly population are more vulnerable for the management of CRC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the elderly population are more carefully cared for in the management of CRC during the next pandemic.

To investigate the toxic effects of cheonggukjang (CKJ) manufactured using mixed cultures of Bacillus subtilis MC31 and Lactobacillus sakei 383 on the liver and kidney of ICR mice, an alteration on the related markers including body weight, organ weight, urine composition, liver pathology and kidney pathology were analyzed after oral administration at dosage of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight/day of CKJ for 14 days. Any significant toxicity was not observed on the body and organ weight, clinical phenotypes, urine parameters and mortality in the CKJ-treated group compared with the vehicle-treated group. Also, liver toxicity analysis revealed no significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in response to CKJ. Additionally, the specific pathological features induced by most toxic compounds were not observed upon liver histological analysis. Furthermore, kidney toxicological analysis revealed that blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the serum creatinine (Cr) levels and pathological features on histological sections did not differ significantly between the vehicle- and CKJ-treated groups. Overall, these results suggest that CKJ does not induce any specific toxicity in liver and kidney organs of ICR at dose of 100 mg/kg body weight/day as no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL).
Administration, Oral ; Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bacillus subtilis* ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Body Weight ; Creatinine ; Kidney* ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Lactobacillus* ; Liver* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR* ; Mortality ; No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level ; Organ Size ; Pathology ; Phenotype ; Soybeans*

Red Liriope platyphylla (RLP) produced by steaming process has been reported to enhance the secretion of insulin and nerve growth factor (NGF). However, there has been no report on the toxicity of RLP in the specific organs of mice. To investigate the toxic effect of RLP, we tried to observe a significant alteration on body weight, food/water intake, organ weight, liver pathology and kidney pathology in female ICR mice received 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/kg body weight/day of RLP via gavage for 10 days. Out of seven organs including brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and ovary, two organs (heart and lung) showed significantly decreased weights in the medium dosage RLP-treated group, whereas weights of other organs were maintained at constant levels in all dosage groups. In the liver toxicity analysis, no significant increase of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate amino-transferase (AST) were detected in any RLP-treated group compared to vehicle-treated group. The specific pathological changes induced by most of toxic compounds were not observed in the liver in microscopic examination. Furthermore, in the kidney toxicological analysis, a significant enhancement of the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was detected in the high dosage RLP-treated group compared to the vehicle-treated group. However, the serum creatinine (CA) concentration on the serum biochemistry as well as the pathological changes in microscopic examination were not significantly different between the vehicle- and RLP-treated groups. Therefore, these results suggest that RLP does not induce any specific toxicity in liver or kidney tissues of mice, although the BUN level slightly increased in 50.0 mg/kg of RLP-treated group.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; Biochemistry ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Body Weight ; Brain ; Creatinine ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Insulin ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Organ Size ; Ovary ; Spleen ; Steam ; Weights and Measures

Liriope platyphylla is a medical herb that has long been used in Korea and China to treat cough, sputum, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, and diabetes. The aims of this study were to determine the antidiabetic and antiobesity effects of aqueous extract of L. platyphylla (AEtLP) through glucose and lipid regulation in both pre-diabetes and obesity stage of type II diabetes model. Two concentrations of AEtLP were orally administrated to OLETF (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty) rats once a day for 2 weeks, after which changes in glucose metabolism and fat accumulation were measured. Abdominal fat mass dramatically decreased in AEtLP-treated OLETF rats, whereas glucose concentration slightly decreased in all AEtLP-treated rats. However, compared to vehicle-treated OLETF rats, only AEtLP10 (10% concentration)-treated OLETF rats displayed significant induction of insulin production, whereas AEtLP5 (5% concentration)-treated OLETF rats showed a lower level of insulin. Although serum adiponectin level increased in only AEtLP5-treated rats, significant alteration of lipid concentration was detected in AEtLP5-treated OLETF rats. Expression of Glut-1 decreased in all AEtLP-treated rats, whereas Akt phosphorylation increased only in AEtLP10-treated OLETF rats. Furthermore, the pattern of Glut-3 expression was very similar with that of Glut-1 expression, which roughly corresponded with the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-teminal kinase (JNK) and p38 in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Therefore, these findings suggest that AEtLP should be considered as a therapeutic candidate during pre-diabetes and obesity stage capable of inducing insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells, glucose uptake in liver cells, as well as a decrease in fat and lipid accumulation.
Abdominal Fat ; Adiponectin ; Animals ; China ; Cough ; Glucose ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Insulin ; Korea ; Liver ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Obesity ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred OLETF ; Sputum

PURPOSE: The present study examined the positive-thinking and life satisfaction of the general Korean population. In particular, we examined the role of positive-thinking on participants' life satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a telephone survey of 409 respondents (194 males, 215 females). The participants provided self-reports on their positive thinking, life satisfaction and demographic information. ReESULTS: The results showed that age, education, occupation, and family income had an influence on positive- thinking as well as life satisfaction in Korea. Specifically, younger respondents and persons with high incomes or higher education degrees were more likely to have higher positive scores and thus higher life satisfaction scores. However, after controlling for the demographic variables, positive thinking significantly affected life satisfaction(R(2) Change=0.170, F= 88.56, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We provided empirical evidence that positive thinking may indeed play a significant role in life satisfaction. Therefore, positive thinking would offer important direction for the growth of life satisfaction and interventions aiming to remediate the effects of demographic variables on life satisfaction.
Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Attitude ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Income ; Interviews as Topic ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupations ; *Personal Satisfaction ; Quality of Life/*psychology ; Questionnaires ; Thinking/*physiology

PURPOSE: The present study examined the positive-thinking and life satisfaction of the general Korean population. In particular, we examined the role of positive-thinking on participants' life satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a telephone survey of 409 respondents (194 males, 215 females). The participants provided self-reports on their positive thinking, life satisfaction and demographic information. ReESULTS: The results showed that age, education, occupation, and family income had an influence on positive- thinking as well as life satisfaction in Korea. Specifically, younger respondents and persons with high incomes or higher education degrees were more likely to have higher positive scores and thus higher life satisfaction scores. However, after controlling for the demographic variables, positive thinking significantly affected life satisfaction(R(2) Change=0.170, F= 88.56, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We provided empirical evidence that positive thinking may indeed play a significant role in life satisfaction. Therefore, positive thinking would offer important direction for the growth of life satisfaction and interventions aiming to remediate the effects of demographic variables on life satisfaction.
Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Attitude ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Income ; Interviews as Topic ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupations ; *Personal Satisfaction ; Quality of Life/*psychology ; Questionnaires ; Thinking/*physiology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the ultrasonography as a screening test for thyroid diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 7 months, thyroid ultrasonography (7.5 MHz linear array) was performed prospectively by radiologists on 1,316 subjects who do not have a history of the thyroid disease. We analyzed the morphological abnormalities of thyroid gland and these were classified as the nodulal, cystic and diffuse types in accordance with the gender and ages of the patients. We performed ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in 21 patients who had sonographic features that were suggestive of malignant thyroid nodules. Physical examination was performed for all subjects by clinicians before the thyroid ultrasonography, and we compared the detectability of thyroid lesions between ultrasonography and physical examination. RESULTS: Thyroidal abnormalities were detected in 94 (7.1%) of 1,316 subjects. Among the 94 patients, 72 (5.5%) showed as nodules, 18 (1.4%) showed as cysts and 4 (0.3%) showed as diffuse abnormalities. The result of the ultrasound-guided aspiration on 21 patient showed 4 malignant nodules, 16 benign nodules and 1 undetermined nodule. Physical examination detected abnormalities in only 12 patients (12.8%) of the 94 patients, which were showed as nodules, cysts and the diffuse type by ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: Thyroid disease of the general population was relatively common and the detection rate with performing physical examination for the thyroid nodule, cyst and the diffuse type was lower than that for ultrasonography. Thyroid ultrasonography is a useful screening modality for detecting thyroid diseases.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Physical Examination ; Prospective Studies ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: In humans, nineteen types of WNT genes (WNTs) have been hightlighted up to date. The canonical Wnt cascade has recently emerged as a critical regulator of stem cells. To obtain new insights how nineteen WNTs affect mesenchymal stem cells differentiation, we analyzed the transcriptional activity, osteogenic and adipogenic activity of WNTs in mesenchymal stem cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recombinant adenoviruses expressing nineteen WNTs were constructed to infect pluripotent mesenchymal progenitor C3H10T1/2 cells. Transcriptional activity was determined by using the luciferase reporter assay. Osteogenic activity was determined by measuring the induction of alkaline phosphatase upon Wnt stimulation. Adipogenic activity was measured by histochemical Oil red-O staining. RESULTS: WNT1, 2, 3, 3A and 10B significantly induced transcriptional activity in C3H10T1/2 cells. WNT1, 2, 3, 3A and 10B significantly induced alkaline phosphatase activity, but inhibited adipogenic activity in C3H10T1/2 cells. The results of qualitative and quantitative assay of alkaline phosphatase activity were consistent with those of luciferase assay for transcriptional activity and Oil red-O staining for adipogenic activity. CONCLUSION: We could expect that WNT1, 2, 3, 3A and 10B may play a crucial role in inducing osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.
Adenoviridae ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Cell Line* ; Humans ; Luciferases ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Osteoblasts ; Stem Cells

OBJECTIVES: Disabilities in patients with panic disorder are well known for their acute and severe anxiety symptoms. Disabilities in patients with social phobia are not often rewgnied because symptoms are misattributed to simple shyness. We compared the severity and areas of disabilities among social phobia and panic disorder patients. METHODS: The study participants were 53 patients with social phobia and 55 patients with panic disorder, diagnosed by MINI-Plus (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus) and SDS (Sheehan disability scale). RESULTS: Compared with panic disorder patients, the patients with social phobia showed significantly greater impairments in work and social subscales of SDS. However, the home disability subscale scores of the patients with panic disorder were higher than the patients with social phobia. The general disabilities and GAF (General Assessment Functioning) scores were not different signigicantly. Comorbid cases have shown to induce more dysfunctions in work and social areas, except home and leisure areas, irrespective of diagnoses. CONCLUSION: Overall disabilities in patients with social phobia and panic disorder were not different significantly. But the disabilities were different accordiny to the areas, and the differences correlate with the specific symptoms.
Anxiety ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Panic Disorder* ; Panic* ; Phobic Disorders* ; Shyness

PURPOSE: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors which arise anywhere in the tubular GI tract. The prognosis for GISTs that develop in the small and the large bowel is worse than it is for those that develop at other sites. We examined the significance of c-kit mutation as an independent prognostic factor for GISTs. METHODS: The hospital records of 27 patients with GISTs in the small and the large bowel who were seen from January 1991 to December 2001 at the Department of Surgery, The Catholic University School of Medicine, were reviewed. c-kit mutation was measured by using the PCR and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Mutations in exon 11 were found in 5 cases (83.3%), exon 9 in 1 case (16.7%), and no mutations were noted in exon 13 and exon 17. All mutations in exon 11 were found in codon 560-570. c-kit mutation was observed more frequently in high-risk patients, and there was a significant difference between c-kit mutation and the survival rate (P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: We think that codon 550~560 in exon 11 of the c-kit gene is a hotspot of mutation, but c-kit mutation is uncertain as an independent prognostic factor for GISTs.
Codon ; Exons ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Survival Rate