Recently, we found and analyzed vitamin B12 in some Korean traditional plant foods which had not reported, yet. This study was to investigate vitamin B12 intake and its dietary sources and the vitamin B12 status in the very old elderly Koreans. We measured serum vitamin B12 level and estimated the amounts of vitamin B12 intake from different dietary sources in female elderly Koreans aged 85 and over who had consumed a relatively low animal traditional diet for the whole life. The average age of the subjects (n = 127) was 98.0 years (85-108 years). The assessment on energy and nutrient intake involved a one-day 24-hour recall, and serum vitamin B12 concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. Overall diet pattern was not different between the 85-99 yr-old group and centenarians, except centenarians were taking more dairy product. The average ratio of plant food to animal food consumption was 87.5:12.5 in weight. The average vitamin B12 intake of our subjects was 3.2 microg/day, and 52.7% of subjects consumed under estimated average requirement, 2.0 microg/day. On dietary source, 67.3% of dietary vitamin B12 was from meat, eggs and fishes and 30.6% was from plant foods, such as soybean-fermented foods, seaweeds, and kimchi. The average serum vitamin B12 concentration was 450.5 pg/mL, and low serum vitamin B12 (< 200 pg/mL) was found in 9.6% of subjects. Dietary vitamin B12 intake was significantly lower in subjects with low serum vitamin B12 (0.79 microg/day) than those with normal serum vitamin B12 (3.47 microg/day). There were no significant difference in vitamin B12 intake and its dietary sources and serum vitamin B12 level between the 85-99 yr-old group and centenarians. In conclusion, several plant-origin foods including seaweed, soybean-fermented foods, and kimchi, may contribute significantly to good vitamin B12 status in very old elderly Koreans.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; Eggs ; Female ; Fishes ; Humans ; Meat ; Ovum ; Plants ; Radioimmunoassay ; Seaweed ; Vitamin B 12 ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: To investigate the care patterns for radiation therapy and to determine inter-hospital differences for patients with laryngeal carcinoma in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 237 cases of laryngeal carcinoma (glottis, 144; supraglottis, 93) assembled from 23 hospitals, who underwent irradiation in the year of 1998 and 1999, were retrospectively analyzed to investigate inter-hospital differences with respect to radiotherapy treatment. We grouped the 23 hospitals based on the number of new patients annually irradiated in 1998; and designated them as group A (> or =900 patients), group B (> or =400 patients and <900 patients), and group C (<400 patients). RESULTS: The median age of the 237 patients was 62 years (range, 25 to 88 years), of which 216 were male and 21 were female. The clinical stages were distributed as follows: for glottis cancer, I; 61.8%, II; 21.5%, III; 4.2%, IVa; 11.1%, IVb; 1.4%, and in supraglottic cancer, I; 4.3%, II; 19.4%, III; 28.0%, IVa; 43.0%, IVb; 5.4%, respectively. Some differences were observed among the 3 groups with respect to the dose calculation method, radiation energy, field arrangement, and use of an immobilization device. No significant difference among 3 hospital groups was observed with respect to treatment modality, irradiation volume, and median total dose delivered to the primary site. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that radiotherapy process and patterns of care are relatively uniform in laryngeal cancer patients in Korean hospitals, and we hope this nationwide data can be used as a basis for the standardization of radiotherapy for the treatment of laryngeal cancer.
Female ; Glottis ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Korea ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

The effect of diet supplemented with red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) leaf on antioxidant status of plasma and tissue was investigated in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were randomly divided into two groups after one-week acclimation, and fed a high fat (20%) and high cholesterol (1%) diet without (control group) or with 8% freeze-dried red beet leaf (RBL group) for 4 weeks. In RBL mice, lipid peroxidation determined as 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS value) was significantly reduced in the plasma and selected organs (liver, heart, and kidney). Levels of antioxidants (glutathione and beta-carotene) and the activities of antioxidant enzyme (glutathione peroxidase) in plasma and liver were considerably increased, suggesting that antioxidant defenses were improved by RBL diet. Comet parameters such as tail DNA (%), tail extent moment, olive tail moment and tail length were significantly reduced by 25.1%, 49.4%, 35.4%, and 23.7%, respectively, in plasma lymphocyte DNA of RBL mice compared with control mice, and indicated the increased resistance of lymphocyte DNA to oxidative damage. In addition, the RBL diet controlled body weight together with a significant reduction of fat pad (retroperitoneal, epididymal, inguinal fat, and total fat). Therefore, the present study suggested that the supplementation of 8% red beet leaf in high fat high cholesterol diet could prevent lipid peroxidation and improve antioxidant defense system in the plasma and tissue of C57BL/6J mice.
Acclimatization ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Beta vulgaris ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; DNA ; Heart ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Lymphocytes ; Mice ; Olea ; Plasma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extracellular purines and pyrimidines regulate various physiological responses via cell surface receptors known as purinoreceptors, and may exert autocrine or paracrine effects on ion transport, fluid transport, ciliary beat frequency and mucin secretion. This study aims to investigate the expression patterns of such purinoreceptors found in normal human nasal epithelial (NHNE) cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In RT-PCR, the mRNAs for several P2X (P2X3, P2X4, P2X7) and P2Y (P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y11, P2Y12) receptors were identified in NHNE cells. Functional localizations of P2 receptors were investigated by measuring [Ca2+]i increases in a membrane-specific manner using a double-perfusion chamber. Absence of the responses of -Me ATP and 2MeS-ATP excluded functionally active P2X3, P2X4, and P2Y1 receptors as far as [Ca2+]i increase was concerned. RESULTS: Applications with ATP and UTP revealed that luminal membranes of NHNE cells express P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptors and basolateral membranes P2Y2 receptors. Expressions of P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptors in NHNE cells were further verified by the immunoblotting using specific antibodies. In addition, the results with BzATP indicated that the P2Y11 receptor may be present on the luminal side. CONCLUSION: The NHNE cells express functionally active P2Y2, P2Y6 and P2Y11 receptors in a membrane-specific pattern, which may play an important role in the control of mucin and fluid secretion in NHNE cells.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Antibodies ; Calcium ; Epithelial Cells* ; Humans* ; Immunoblotting ; Ion Transport ; Membranes ; Mucins ; Nasal Mucosa ; Phenobarbital ; Purines ; Pyrimidines ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; Receptors, Purinergic P2Y1 ; Receptors, Purinergic P2Y2 ; Receptors, Purinergic* ; RNA, Messenger ; Uridine Triphosphate

OBJECTIVES: Maternal anemia is common hematologic disorders during pregnancy. Although mild maternal anemia is not associated with fetal anemia, neonatal morbidity including fetal anemia are common with severe maternal anemia during pregnancies. We aim to analyze each variable of FHR using linear and nonlinear methods to detect maternal anemia during pregnancies. METHODS: Seventy antepartal anemic pregnant women(Hb<10.0g/dL) and the contrast group, 70 normal pregnant women were selected among the women who underwent nonstress test(NST) during 3rd trimester in Hanyang University Hospital. The calculated FHR parameters(NST time=20 min) from collected FHR data(40-50min) were made by HYFM II data file. To assess the difference between the anemic and normal pregnancy group, the parameters such as baseline FHR, variability (AMP, MMR), acceleration and deceleration(15bpm-15seconds), gestational age at the time of NST, loss of record, the number of fetal movement, FHR were evaluated. We compared the canonical correlation between each groups using variables of NST. The overall complexity of each FHR time series was quantified by its approximate entropy(ApEn), measure of regularity derived from nonlinear dynamics, "chaos theory". Finally we extract the value of ApEn and were compared between two groups, normal and anemic pregnant women. RESULTS: There were significant decrease of FHR variability(amplitude and mean minute interval) in anemic group. Canonical correlation ensemble was significantly high in 36th-37th and 38th-39th gestational weeks in anemic group(p-value=0.03048 and 0.03421). The value of ApEn was significantly low(0.68+0.26) in anemic group comparing with normal pregnant group(0.95+0.08), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that FHR of maternal anemia is different from that of normal pregnant women, and that subtle behavioral differences could be demonstrated in uterus using computerized FHR analysis. The anemic women during pregnancy have more linear and less complicated FHR than the normal pregnancy group. ApEn, which is bound to be used as an index of fetal well-being would be used as an evaluating tool of intrauterine fetal function in the near future.
Acceleration ; Anemia* ; Anemia, Neonatal ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Entropy* ; Female ; Fetal Movement ; Gestational Age* ; Heart Rate, Fetal ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Uterus

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease(PTLD) has emerged as a potential life-threatening complication of immunosuppressive therapy after organ transplantation. The occurrence of PTLD is usually associated with an Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) infection in patients who are treated by aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. PTLD is represented by diverse manifestations ranging from reactive lymphoid hyperplasia to high grade malignant lymphoma. This is a case report of a late PTLD in a child. The patient is a 14-year-old girl, who presented as malignant lymphoma 44 months after successful renal transplantation. There was no evidence of EBV infection. On bone marrow study, many neoplastic lymphoid cells were detected. Aggressive chemotherapy for PTLD had resulted in clinical remission. However the patient expired from uncontrolled sepsis and septic shock after 77 days.
Adolescent ; Bone Marrow ; Child* ; Drug Therapy ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma ; Organ Transplantation ; Pseudolymphoma ; Sepsis ; Shock, Septic ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in the use of a very low calorie diet (VLCD) as a treatment regimen for weight loss in obese subjects. This study was designed to investigate the effects and safety of a traditional Korean very-low-calory diet. METHODS: Twelve hospitalized obese patients at Dong Eui hospital in Busan city from May 1998 to December 1998 were selected. Height, body weight, blood lipids, blood insulin level, body fat, lean body mass, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat were measured. A traditional Korean VLCD was supplied for 14 days. RESULTS: Patient's body weight was significantly decreased from 83.8 kg to 78.6 kg, body fat from 32.2 kg to 28.6 kg, lean body mass from 32.2 kg to 28.6 kg, and BMI from 31.4 to 29.5, respectively (p<0.05). Total fat was significantly decreased from 807 cc to 659 cc, subcutaneous fat from 567 cc to 473 cc, visceral fat from 273 cc to 185 cc, respectively. However there were no significant changes in minerals. After VLCD intervention, total cholesterol was significantly decreased from 199 mg/dL to 166 mg/dL, HDL-cholesterol from 42 mg/dL, to 35 mg/dL, triglyceride from 158 mg/dL, to 75 mg/dL (p<0.05). The insulin area under the curve was also significantly decreased from 205 micro International-Unit/mL x 2hr to 168 micro International-Unit/mL x 2hr (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Above findings suggested that a traditional Korean VLCD is effective and safe for short term use in terms of reducing body fat and improving insulin resistance in obese patients.
Adipose Tissue ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Busan ; Caloric Restriction ; Cholesterol ; Diet* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Minerals ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Triglycerides ; Weight Loss

Abdominal pregnancy is very rare and potentially life-threatening variation of ectopic pregnancy. Early diagnosis is very difficult. In the last several decades prenatal care has improved and noninvasive procedures such as ultrasound scanning and fetal cardiotocography have led to us a better assessment of fetal and maternal disorders. In the last 30 years an increase of diagnosed ectopic pregnancies has been noted and attributed to the greater frequency of pelvic inflammatory disease. Although the incidence of ectopic pregnancy is rising, the incidence of abdominal pregnancy, which is primarily a sequel of a missed ruptured ectopic pregnancy, remains low. We presented a case of secondary abdominal pregnancy in 14 wks with its review of literature.
Cardiotocography ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Incidence ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Abdominal* ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Prenatal Care ; Ultrasonography

This study was conducted to compare the severity of cannulation pain in hemodialysis patients after topical application of EMLA cream and local injection of lidocaine and evaluated side effects and problems accompanied by the former. Twenty patients, who were on hemodialysis from September 1 to October 15, 1994 at the Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College, were divided into two groups of ten. To conduct a cross over study, two groups were placed on four repeated methods with lidocaine followed by four repeated methods with EMLA cream and vice versa, respectively, while the severity of cannulation pain was being measured according to a Visual Analogue Scale with each methods. The results are follows : 1) The scale of pain was recorded as 4.56+/-1.38 and 2.05+/-1.36 points for methods with lidocaine and EMLA cream, respectively, indicating the less severe pain with EMLA cream. 2) Local side effects such as itching(4 cases, 5.0%) and pallor(5 cases, 6.3%) were observed with methods with EMLA cream but disappeared before the completion of hemodialysis. 3) Problems associated with local lidocaine were pain at the injection of anesthetic (27 cases, 16.9%) and fear for needle insertion (6 cases, 3.8%). The most frequent problems with EMLS cream application were an inconvenience in use (11 cases, 6.9%) and tedious long pretreatment time (11 cases, 6.9%), those associated with inconvenience in cream applying procedures. 4) Twelve out of twenty patients(60.0%) responded with yes to a continued use of EMLA cream in spite of problems with cream application and economical difficulties in purchasing. These results indicate that 5% EMLA cream used as a local anesthetic in hemodialysis significantly reduces cannulation pain and lacks side effects, thus serving as a suitable method for the alleviation of cannulation pain and inconvenience in hemodialysis and the relief of psychological stress of nurses.
Catheterization ; Humans ; Lidocaine* ; Needles ; Renal Dialysis* ; Stress, Psychological

Two patients, sought treatment for chief complaints of protruding frontal tooth and desired treatment to reduce the prominence of lips, were diagnosed as bimaxillary protrusion via clinical and cephalometric analysis. The authors corrected them by combined surgical and orthodontic treatment. As pre-surgical survey, paper and cast surgery were performed and wafer and resin sprint were constructed. We performed anterior maxillary and mandibular osteotomies in first premolar site to retract the maxillary and mandibular dentoalveolar segment in order to; 1) Decrease prominence of upper and lower lips. 2) Create proper lower incisor intrusion. By use of intramaxillary fixation, prompt oral intake was possible. We made good result of esthetic improvement and there was no evidence of relapse and any complication.
Adult* ; Bicuspid ; Humans ; Incisor ; Lip ; Mandibular Osteotomy ; Recurrence ; Tooth