Language ; Pathology ; Speech ; Speech-language Pathology ; Weights And Measures

Objective: To evaluate the predictive performance of anthropometric indices for metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Chinese adolescents with different nutritional status. Methods: We recruited 9,513 adolescents aged 10-18 years from seven provinces in China during September 2014. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure were measured at recruitment, and blood samples were collected for determining fasting plasma glucose and lipid profile. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to assess the predictive performance of anthropometric indices, including body mass index (BMI) percentile, waist circumference percentile, waist-height ratio, and waist-hip ratio. Results: Overall, the four anthropometric indices showed good accuracy for predicting MetS with areas under ROC curves (AUCs) ranging from 0.86 to 0.94; similar AUCs ranging from 0.73 to 0.99 were observed for participants with normal weight. The performance of all four indices was poor in overweight and obese participants, with AUCs ranging from 0.66 to 0.77 and from 0.60 to 0.67, respectively. Waist circumference showed relatively better performance in all the subgroup analyses. Conclusions We suggest using anthropometric indices with the cutoff values presented here for predicting MetS in the overall and normal-weight adolescent population, but not in the overweight and obese adolescent population where more specific screening tests are required.
Adolescent ; Asians ; Body Weights and Measures ; Child ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Nutritional Status ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Robots are being used to assist the recovery of walking ability for patients with neurologic disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and functional improvement of training with robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) using the Morning Walk®, an end-effector type robot using footplates and saddle seat support. A total of 189 individuals (65.1% men, 34.9% women; mean age, 53.2 years; age range: 5–87 years) with brain lesions, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathies, and pediatric patients were involved in this retrospectively registered clinical trial. Each participant performed 30 minutes of RAGT, five times a week, for a total of 24 sessions. Failure was defined as an inability to complete all 24 sessions, and the reasons for discontinuation were analyzed. Parameters of Medical Research Council scales and Functional Ambulation Categories were analyzed before and after RAGT training. Among the 189 patients, 22 (11.6%) failed to complete the RAGT. The reasons included decreased cooperation, musculoskeletal pain, saddle seat discomfort, excessive body-weight support, joint spasticity or restricted joint motion, urinary incontinence from an indwelling urinary catheter, and fatigue. Comparison between the pre- and post-training motor and ambulatory functions showed significant improvement. The result of the study indicates that the Morning Walk® is feasible and safe and useful for functional improvement in patients with various neurologic disordersTRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0003627
Brain ; Fatigue ; Female ; Gait ; Humans ; Information Services ; Joints ; Male ; Muscle Spasticity ; Musculoskeletal Pain ; Nervous System Diseases ; Parkinson Disease ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Incontinence ; Walking ; Weights and Measures

This study investigated how physical and cognitive function and psychological factors affected the health-related quality of life (HRQoL, hereafter HQ) of stroke patients in South Korea. The study enrolled 32 right-handed subjects with chronic cerebral infarction with disability and preserved cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination ≥ 20). Physical disability was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Korean modified Barthel Index (KMBI). Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Abbreviated form (WHOQOL-BREF, hereafter WB) and the 36-Item Short-form Health Survey (SF-36) in face-to-face interviews. Psychological distress was investigated using the Beck Depression Inventory Scale-II. The associations of each domain of WB and SF-36 were investigated using Pearson correlation analyses. Physical disability was negatively correlated with HQ in the SF-36. The physical function and bodily pain scales of the SF-36 were negatively correlated with physical disability. The general health domain of the SF-36 was negatively correlated with psychological scores. Emotional status was associated with physical health, social relationships, and general health in HQ. In summary, the severity of physical disability was associated with the patient's general and physical health and body pain. These findings suggest the importance of psychological, cognitive, and physiological interventions for improving the quality of life of patients after cerebral infarction.
Cerebral Infarction ; Cognition ; Depression ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Psychology ; Quality of Life ; Stroke ; Weights and Measures ; World Health Organization

We measured the difference of sitting pressure between the affected and unaffected sides (DSPAU) using sitting pressure measured with a force platform to identify sitting imbalance. The aim of this study is to investigate the relations between sitting balance and functional status or parameters according to characteristics stroke patients. We examine changes in DSPAU and functional assessment before and after a 3 week of rehabilitation in hemiplegic stroke patients (n = 73). These pre- and post-treatment data according to stroke characteristics, and correlations between the DSPAU and functional scales were analyzed. The DSPAU was greater in the non-ambulatory group compared to the ambulatory group, in patients who scored lower in the Medical Research Council (MRC) scores, and in patients whose the MRC scores for the lower limbs were lower than of the upper limbs. We observed that a decrease in the DSPAU was associated with an improvement in functional assessment parameters following rehabilitation. Further, changes in DSPAU were significantly correlated to the Modified Barthel Index. We observed that a decrease in DSPAU was associated with an improvement in functional parameters following rehabilitation. In conclusion, repeated measurements of sitting balance using DSPAU may be helpful to predict motor and functional recovery in stroke patient with hemiplegia.
Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Postural Balance ; Recovery of Function ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke ; Upper Extremity ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the levels of body image, sexual intimacy, and sexual satisfaction, and to explore factors affecting sexual intimacy and satisfaction among women within one year of mastectomy. METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional survey and involved 101 women who had undergone mastectomy at a University hospital of D city, Korea. Measurement included the scales of body image, sexual intimacy, and sexual satisfaction. RESULTS: Mean age of the subjects was 51 years. Scores of the body image, sexual intimacy, and sexual satisfaction were 59.62, 90.69, and 69.04, respectively. Body image, sexual intimacy, and sexual satisfaction were significantly related to each other. Sexual intimacy was higher when women were of young age (β=−.32), had a shorter period since surgery (β=−.24), and with higher levels of body image (β=.37). Sexual satisfaction was higher when women had higher levels of body image (β=.19) and greater levels of sexual intimacy (β=.74). CONCLUSION: Higher levels of body image and greater levels of sexual intimacy were identified as the significant factors influencing sexual satisfaction among these women. Future research with a mixed-method research is needed to gain a deep understanding of the sexuality between women and their husbands.
Body Image ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Mastectomy ; Orgasm ; Personal Satisfaction ; Sexuality ; Spouses ; Weights and Measures

Albizzia julibrissin (AJ) is an herbal medicine that shows low toxicity, promotes promoting blood circulation and mitigates the inflammation and has mild side effects. Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases that occurs in older males and often results in lower urinary tract symptoms. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of AJ against BPH using LNCaP cells and Sprague Dawley rats treated with testosterone. Treatment with AJ extract reduced the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in vitro. In vivo, rats were divided into 6 groups: 1 (Normal Control); 2 (Testosterone propionate (TP) alone); 3 (TP + finasteride); 4 (TP + AJ 10 mg/kg); 5 (TP + AJ 50 mg/kg); 6 (TP + AJ 300 mg/kg). The groups treated with AJ showed reduced the relative prostate weights and BPH-related proteins were altered, with decreased AR, PSA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) observed by western blot. Histopathological analysis revealed the therapeutic effect of AJ, with a decreased thickness of epithelial cells and reduced level of PCNA and 5α-reductase type 2. These results suggest that AJ extract could ameliorate testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Albizzia ; Animals ; Blood Circulation ; Blotting, Western ; Diethylpropion ; Epithelial Cells ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inflammation ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Androgen ; Testosterone ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVES: To identify trends in percentage body fat (PBF) in adolescents to determine gender-specific classification thresholds for being overweight and obese. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 899 adolescents (11 to 14.5 years) from Hanoi and Nam Dinh was conducted in Vietnam. PBF, subcutaneous fat and percentage of lean mass were measured directly using OMRON HBF 375 scales to measure bioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: PBF decreased in boys with increasing age (p < 0.001). The difference in PBF between boys and girls, significantly increased with age after 12.5 years (p < 0.001). There was a stronger correlation between PBF and fat content (Pearson's r = 0.860, p < 0.0001) than that between (BMI) and fat content (Pearson's r = 0.521, p < 0.0001). The prevalence of being overweight or obese in girls was similar when determined by PBF or BMI. Hanoi had higher rates of adolescents being overweight or obese compared with Nam Dinh. CONCLUSION: PBF provides a more accurate body assessment for being overweight or obese in adolescents compared with BMI.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Classification ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Electric Impedance ; Female ; Humans ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Prevalence ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Vietnam ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVES: Harmful alcohol consumption is associated with considerable social and economic damage to individuals and society. Because gender and ethnic background influence alcohol intake differently, examining gender specific factors influencing harmful drinking is necessary. This study investigated gender differences in alcohol consumption, harmful drinking, and the associated factors among Korean adults. METHODS: We analyzed the data from the 2012–2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data from survey participants aged 20–64 years (N = 18,581) were included. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was used for alcohol dependence, and pooled weights were used. Chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of harmful alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score ≥ 16) was 10.7% in the total sample; 18.4% in men and 3.4% in women, which constituted a significant difference. Education, marital status, smoking, perceived stress, and depressive feeling were associated with harmful drinking in both genders. However, household income, occupation, and perceived health status were associated with harmful drinking only in men. CONCLUSION: Since there are gender differences in harmful drinking and alcohol dependence, gender tailored prevention and intervention strategies for alcohol dependence are necessary including consideration of smoking, stress, and depressive feeling.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholism ; Depression ; Drinking ; Education ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Marital Status ; Nutrition Surveys ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: Few studies have evaluated changes in quality of life (QoL) in relation to changes in body mass index (BMI) after gastrectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of postoperative changes in BMI on QoL after distal gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients. METHODS: QoL data from the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) gathered via the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 questionnaires were obtained from 1,036 patients preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 - decreased postoperative BMI and group 2 - unchanged or increased postoperative BMI. RESULTS: There were 577 patients in group 1 and 459 in group 2. According to global health status and functional scales, emotional functioning (P = 0.035) was significantly worse in group 1 than in group 2 at 1 year postoperatively. Furthermore, there were significant decreases in QoL symptom scale scores, including fatigue (P = 0.016), nausea and vomiting (P = 0.002), and appetite loss (P = 0.001) scores, in group 1 compared with group 2. Regarding QLQ-STO22, reflux symptoms (P = 0.020), anxiety (P = 0.003), and body image (P = 0.003) were significantly worse in group 1 than in group 2 at 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: BMI changes after distal gastrectomy influence QoL. Focus on controlling gastrointestinal symptoms and providing psychological support is essential in patients with decreased BMI after surgery. Patients should be offered follow-up care to assist them in maintaining BMI, for example, through dietary-behavior modifications and via intensive nutritional support, to prevent QoL deterioration after distal gastrectomy.
Anxiety ; Appetite ; Body Image ; Body Mass Index ; Fatigue ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Global Health ; Humans ; Nausea ; Nutritional Support ; Quality of Life ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Vomiting ; Weights and Measures