Inter-eye Comparison of the Lamina Cribrosa Depth in Patients with Bilateral Normal-tension Glaucoma with Asymmetrical Damage

Purpose@#To evaluate the association between lamina cribrosa depth (LCD) and the severity of glaucomatous damage in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). @*Methods@#The optic nerve heads (ONHs) of patients with bilateral NTG showing asymmetrical damage were scanned using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. LCDs were measured on ONH horizontal B-scan images at three locations equidistant across the vertical optic disc diameter and compared between the more damaged and contralateral eyes. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to identify ocular risk factors associated with more severe damage between the eyes. @*Results@#One hundred and four eyes of 52 patients with bilateral NTG were included. The mean age was 66.0 ± 15.0 years; there were 31 males and 21 females. The more damaged eyes exhibited a higher baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) (p < 0.001), a thinner global retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (p < 0.001), and worse visual field mean deviation (p < 0.001) and a pattern standard deviation (p < 0.001), than the contralateral eyes. In contrast, we found no significant inter-eye difference in either the spherical equivalent or the axial length. The average LCD was significantly larger in the more damaged eyes (529.4 ± 116.7 vs. 482.9 ± 107.5 μm, p < 0.001). On conditional logistic regression analysis, the higher the baseline IOP (p = 0.006) and the larger the LCD (p = 0.003), the higher the risk of having more severe damage compared to the contralateral eye under similar systemic conditions. @*Conclusions@#The LCD was significantly larger in the more damaged eyes of patients with bilateral NTG, suggesting that LC deformation might be associated with glaucomatous ONH damage in NTG eyes.

Vegetable and Nut Food Groups are Inversely Associated with Hearing Loss- a Cross-sectional Study from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Objectives@#A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the associations between food groups and hearing loss. @*Methods@#Data of 1,312 individuals were used from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013. Hearing loss was determined with a pure tone average (PTA) of greater than 25 dB in either ear. The PTA was measured as the average hearing threshold at speech frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. The dietary intake was examined with a food frequency questionnaire with 112 food items. The food items were classified into 25 food groups. A weighted logistic regression was used to investigate the association. @*Results@#Individuals in the highest tertile of vegetables and nuts food groups were less likely to have hearing loss than those in the lowest tertile [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.58 (95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.38-0.91), P = 0.019; OR = 0.59 (95% CI 0.39-0.90), P = 0.020, respectively], after adjusting for confounding variables of age, sex, body mass index, drinking, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and physical activity. @*Conclusions@#In this cross-sectional study, we observed that high intake of vegetables and nuts food groups revealed significant inverse associations with hearing loss, after adjusting for confounding variables among 1,312 participants.

Vegetable and Nut Food Groups are Inversely Associated with Hearing Loss- a Cross-sectional Study from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Objectives@#A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the associations between food groups and hearing loss. @*Methods@#Data of 1,312 individuals were used from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013. Hearing loss was determined with a pure tone average (PTA) of greater than 25 dB in either ear. The PTA was measured as the average hearing threshold at speech frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. The dietary intake was examined with a food frequency questionnaire with 112 food items. The food items were classified into 25 food groups. A weighted logistic regression was used to investigate the association. @*Results@#Individuals in the highest tertile of vegetables and nuts food groups were less likely to have hearing loss than those in the lowest tertile [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.58 (95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.38-0.91), P = 0.019; OR = 0.59 (95% CI 0.39-0.90), P = 0.020, respectively], after adjusting for confounding variables of age, sex, body mass index, drinking, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and physical activity. @*Conclusions@#In this cross-sectional study, we observed that high intake of vegetables and nuts food groups revealed significant inverse associations with hearing loss, after adjusting for confounding variables among 1,312 participants.

Association between nutrient intakes and prevalence of depressive disorder in Korean adults: 2014 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 한국영양학회지

OBJECTIVE: Dietary nutrients may play a significant role in depressive disorders. However, sufficient evidences in epidemiological studies are limited. We investigated the cross-sectional association between dietary nutrients and the prevalence of depressive disorder in Korean adults using representative Korean data. METHODS: Participants were 2,938 adults aged 19 ~ 64 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted in 2014. Dietary intakes were assessed using 24-h recall method. Depressive disorder was assessed using Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9, self-depression test) as applied in 2014 KNHANES only. We defined depressive disorder as having a PHQ-9 score of ≥10, which was characterized as moderate depression and more. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the adjusted odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) of depressive disorder. RESULTS: Among the 2,938 subjects, 170 were identified as having depressive disorder. The multivariate-adjusted regression analysis demonstrated that the risk of depression was significantly associated with riboflavin (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24-0.85, p for trend = 0.018), thiamin (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23-0.99, p for trend = 0.045), and vitamin C (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.34-0.95, p for trend = 0.025) in the highest versus lowest tertiles of intake. CONCLUSION: The high consumption of riboflavin, thiamin, and vitamin C was associated with the low prevalence of depressive disorder in Korean adults.

Factors associated with Self-Rated Health in Metabolic Syndrome and Relationship between Sleep Duration and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors

PURPOSE: Purpose was to explore associations between sleep duration and metabolic syndrome (MS) risks, and to determine factors associated with self-rated health (SRH) of adults with MS compared to other adults. METHODS: This is a secondary data analysis based on the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey KNHANES V (N=12662). Study instruments included sleep duration, MS risk factors, SRH and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 43.68+/-12.26 years. Fifty-eight percent were women, and 18.3% were identified as having MS. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and SRH were significantly different according to sleep duration (p<.05) among all participants. In the non MS group, male gender, younger age (19~30 and 41~50 age brackets) upper income level, sufficient sleep duration, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were positively associated with SRH, whereas, lower education levels (< or = middle school), glucose level, and waist circumference were negatively associated with SRH (p<.05). In the MS group, lower income, lower education levels (< or = middle school), glucose level, and waist circumference were negatively associated with SRH, whereas, having an occupation was positively associated with SRH (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that tailored approaches are required for prevention and control of MS and sleep duration of each individual should be considered rather than applying standardized guidelines. However, as sleep quality was not included in the analysis, further investigations regarding influence of sleep quality on MS and SRH and controlling for other lifestyle and health behavior factors are required.

Impact of age on the false negative rate of human papillomavirus DNA test in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance

OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) test was incorporated into the triage of lesser abnormal cervical cytologies: atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of age on the efficacy of HPV testing in patients with lesser abnormal cervical cytologies. METHODS: A total of 439 patients with ASCUS or LSIL were included. The association between age groups and the diagnostic performances of HPV test for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) was evaluated. RESULTS: Median age was 44 years (range, 17 to 75 years). ASCUS was more frequently observed in older patients while LSIL was more common in younger patients (P=0.002). CIN2+ was found in 11.3% (32/284) of the ASCUS patients and 12.9% (20/155) of patients with LSIL. Older patients with ASCUS showed lower HPV infection rates (P=0.025), but not LSIL (P=0.114). However, the prevalence of CIN2+ was similar between the age groups with ASCUS or LSIL. In patients with ASCUS, the false negative rate of HPV test for CIN2+ was 6.2%. The false negative rate of the HPV test became higher with increasing of the age after the age of 50 (P=0.034). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that false negative rate of the HPV test for CIN2+ in ASCUS patients older than 50 years might become higher with increasing of the age. Negative HPV results in patients of the age >50 years with ASCUS should be carefully interpreted.

Uterine infarction in a patient with uterine adenomyosis following biochemical pregnancy / 대한생식의학회지

Adenomyosis is a common gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma deep within the myometrium associated with myometrial hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Focal uterine infarction after IVF-ET in a patient with adenomyosis following biochemical pregnancy has not been previously reported, although it occurs after uterine artery embolization in order to control symptoms caused by fibroids or adenomyosis. We report a case of a nulliparous woman who had uterine adenomyosis presenting with fever, pelvic pain and biochemical abortion after undergoing an IVF-ET procedure and the detection of a slightly elevated serum hCG. Focal uterine infarction was suspected after a pelvic magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated preserved myometrium between the endometrial cavity and inner margin of the necrotic myometrium. This case demonstrates that focal uterine infarction should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding and infectious signs in women experiencing biochemical abortion after an IVF-ET procedure.

A healthy dietary pattern consisting of a variety of food choices is inversely associated with the development of metabolic syndrome

There are limited data on healthy dietary patterns protective against metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) development. We identified dietary patterns among middle-aged and older adults and investigated the associations with the incidence of MetSyn. A population-based prospective cohort study included 5,251 male and female Koreans aged 40-69 years. At baseline, all individuals were free of MetSyn, other major metabolic diseases, and known cardiovascular disease or cancer. Cases of MetSyn were ascertained over a 6-year of follow-up. Dietary patterns and their factor scores were generated by factor analysis using the data of a food frequency questionnaire. We performed pooled logistic regression analysis to estimate multivariable-adjusted relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for associations between factor scores and MetSyn risk. Two dietary patterns were identified; (1) a healthy dietary pattern, which included a variety of foods such as fish, seafood, vegetables, seaweed, protein foods, fruits, dairy products, and grains; and (2) an unhealthy dietary pattern, which included a limited number of food items. After controlling for confounding factors, factor scores for the healthy dietary pattern were inversely associated with MetSyn risk (P-value for trend < 0.05) while those for the unhealthy dietary pattern had no association. Individuals in the top quintile of the healthy diet scores showed a multivariable-adjusted RR [95% CI] of 0.76 [0.60-0.97] for MetSyn risk compared with those in the bottom quintile. The beneficial effects were derived from inverse associations with abdominal obesity, low HDL-cholesterol levels, and high fasting glucose levels. Our findings suggest that a variety of healthy food choices is recommended to prevent MetSyn.

Associations between dietary patterns and screen time among Korean adolescents

Data are limited on the association between dietary patterns and screen time among Korean adolescents. The present study identified dietary patterns of 691 adolescents, aged 13-18 years, who had participated in the Third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III) and analyzed their associations with screen time. Screen time was defined as the time spent watching TV, using a computer, or playing video games was calculated as a sum of all these times. Dietary patterns and their factor scores were derived from a food frequency questionnaire using the factor analysis method. To analyze the association between dietary patterns and screen time, we conducted multiple linear regression analysis. We also performed multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratios (OR) of excessive screen time (2 hours or longer per day) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We identified 2 dietary patterns labeled "the Korean healthy dietary pattern" and "the Western diet and fast foods pattern". The former included mixed grains, legumes, potatoes, red meat, eggs, fish, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, seaweeds, and mushrooms, whereas the latter included noodles, bread, red meat, poultry, fast foods, snack, and soft drinks. After controlling for potential confounding factors, factor scores for the Korean healthy dietary pattern were inversely associated (P-value for trend < 0.01) and those for the Western diet and fast foods pattern were positively associated with the screen time (P-value for trend < 0.01). Adolescents in the top tertile of the scores for the Korean healthy dietary pattern had a multivariable-adjusted OR [95% CI] of 0.44 (0.25-0.75) for excessive screen time compared with those in the lowest tertile. On the basis of these findings, adolescents who have excessive screen time may need to be encouraged to consume a more healthy diet.

Longissimus lumborum muscle metastasis from mammary gland adenocarcinoma in a dog / 대한수의학회지

An 8-year-old female, German Shepherd dog was presented with history of dyspnea and seizure. One Year Previously a lumpectomy had been performed for surgical resection of mammary mass. In serum chemistry, severe hypoglycemia and elevation of aspartate aminitransferase and creatine kinase were shown. In thoracic radiography, there were variable sized nodules in the overall lung field. On computed tomography examination, the mass was shown in left longissimus lumborum muscle. Histopathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma derived from the mammary gland. Muscular metastasis of mammary gland tumor is uncommon. This is a rare observation and could easily be overlooked or misinterpreted.

Anti-hyperlipidemic effect of soybean extract fermented by Bacillus subtilis MORI in db/db mice / 한국실험동물학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of soy bean extract solution fermented by Bacillus subtilis MORI (BTD-1E) in obese db/db mice. Eight-week-old male db/db mice were administered 33.3 mg/kg BTD-1E solution orally once a day for four weeks. The BTD-1E group showed significantly lower body weight compared with the db control group (P<0.05). The BTD-1E group showed significantly lower serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels compared with the db control group, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). The BTD-1E group showed significantly decreased liver weight relative to final body weight compared with the db control group (P<0.01). After four weeks of BTD-1E administration, lipid droplets in the liver were apparently decreased in the BTD-1E group compared to the db control group. In summary, our results suggest that BTD-1E has an anti-hyperlipidemic effect in the obese mouse model.

Effects of vitamin C on oxidative status in pigs anesthetized with isoflurane / 대한수의학회지

This study investigated the effects of vitamin C on oxidative stress induced by volatile anesthetics in pigs. One group of pigs was used as an anesthesia control group (group 1), and they were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen and saline (0.9% NaCl) was injected intravenously. The other group (group 2) was anesthetized with isoflurane and injected intravenously with vitamin C. Total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and the oxidative stress index in group 2 were significantly different compared with those in group 1. The results showed that intravenous administration of vitamin C decreased oxidative stress during isoflurane anesthesia in pigs.

Colonic Intussusceptions Caused by a Giant Lipoma / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

A Functional Polymorphism in the CHRNA3 Gene and Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Korean Population

A genome-wide association study has identified the 15q25 region as being associated with the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Caucasians. This study intended as a confirmatory assessment of this association in a Korean population. The rs6495309C > T polymorphism in the promoter of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha subunit 3 (CHRNA3) gene was investigated in a case-control study that consisted of 406 patients with COPD and 394 healthy control subjects. The rs6495309 CT or TT genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of COPD when compared to the rs6495309 CC genotype (adjusted odds ratio = 0.69, 95% confidence interval = 0.50-0.95, P = 0.023). The effect of the rs6495309C > T on the risk of COPD was more evident in moderate to very severe COPD than in mild COPD under a dominant model for the variant T allele (P = 0.024 for homogeneity). The CHRNA3 rs6495309C > T polymorphism on chromosome 15q25 is associated with the risk of COPD in a Korean population.

Survey on fertility of retained placenta and abomasal displacement cows after single or twin births in dairy cows in Korea / 대한수의학회지

Calving records of Holstein dairy cows from 2005 to 2010 comprising Goyang and Paju cities herd with 2,362 calving events representing 240 twin births were used to evaluate the effect of abomasal displacement and retained placenta after single or twin births on fertility. In retained placenta cows, the period of twin pregnancy (mean 270.5 days) was shorter than that of single pregnancy (mean 274.8 days), however first artificial insemination period (twin: mean 107.4 days, single: mean 92.0 days), non-pregnant period (twin: 154.8 days, single: 132.2 days), and number of insemination (twin: mean 2.00 times, single: mean 1.87 times) of twin pregnancy were increased as compared with single pregnancy. In abomasal displacement cows, first artificial insemination period (twin: mean 122.9 days, single: mean 106.0 days), non-pregnant period (twin: 172.4 days, single: 152.0 days), and number of insemination (twin: mean 2.16 times, single: mean 1.89 times) of twin pregnancy were increased as compared with single pregnancy. The prevalence of complication such as retained placenta, abomasal displacement with single or twin births increased first artificial insemination period, non-pregnant period, and number of insemination period.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Prevents Gastroesophageal Reflux in Patients with Nasogastric Tube Feeding: A Prospective Study with 24-Hour pH Monitoring

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has been widely used for patients with swallowing dysfunction. However, its beneficial effects in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PEG on the prevention of GER in patients with nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding. METHODS: Continuous 24-hour pH monitoring was performed prospectively in 21 patients receiving NGT feeding before and 7.3+/-2.2 days after PEG placement to compare the severity of GER. RESULTS: We studied 21 patients with a mean age of 59.8+/-14.1 years. The mean duration of NGT placement was 5.8+/-5.4 months. The causes of swallowing dysfunction included cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage and other central nervous system (CNS) lesions. When all of the patients were considered, there were no significant differences in reflux parameters after PEG placement compared to before PEG placement. However, all seven patients who had preexisting GER showed significant improvement (p<0.05) of the reflux parameters, including the frequency of acid reflux, duration of acid reflux, total time with a pH below 4.0 and the fraction of time with a pH below 4.0, after PEG placement. CONCLUSIONS: PEG might prevent GER in patients receiving NGT feeding, especially in those patients with GER.

Pseudo-Obstruction of Jejunum due to AA Amyloidosis Associated with Latent Syphilis

Amyloidosis uncommonly presents with intestinal pseudo-obstruction. According to previous reports, patients with primary AL amyloidosis presented with a chronic process with symtom duration of more than 1 year, but patients with secondary AA amyloidosis presented as an acute illness, usually less than 10 weeks. Localized gastrointestinal amyloidosis limited to the jejunum, without involvement of stomach, duodenum, colon, or rectum, is very rare. Imaging studies in small intestinal amyloidosis generally show a symmetrical uniform appearance. AA amyloidosis with acute-phase reactant serum amyloid A protein is associated with inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic disorders. To our knowledge, no case of amyloidosis associated with latent syphilis has been reported to date. We present a case of a 56-year-old man who presented with clinical and radiographic features of a small bowel obstruction and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Investigations including laparoscopy and other laboratory dataled to a diagnosis of pseudo-obstruction of the jejunum due to AA amyloidosis associated with latent syphilis. After appropriate treatment for latent syphilis, abdominal symptoms had been disappeared, but jejunal dilatation was still present two years later.

Cases of Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Associated with Renal Cell Carcinoma / 대한신장학회지

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with renal cell carcinoma has been rarely reported. We report the case of a 54-year-old man with end stage renal disease who presented with skin lesions histologically diagnosed as leukocytoclastic vasculitis. During analysis of the cause of vasculitis, renal cell carcinoma combined with acquired cystic kidney disease was detected. After renal arterial embolization for treatment of renal cell carcinoma, the vasculitic lesions disappeared.

Assessment of Foodservice Management Performance at Child Care Centers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out to investigate foodservice management practices of 100 child care centers nationwide, and to provide background information for developing foodservice management policies at child care centers. Approximately 20% of the child care centers had a separate dining room; most of the centers were vulnerable to sanitation or safety problems. The percentage of the centers that planned menus was about 60% and 10% established standardized recipes. Fourteen percent of the centers kept records for distribution and menu evaluation and 33% kept sanitation management records. Since only 7% of the centers employed a dietitian, foodservice in most centers were not managed by professionals. The results of menu assessment revealed that 56.5% of the national/public child care centers received 19 points or higher out of 21 points, whereas 5.6% of the private child care centers received the same scores. Proper usage and storage of raw food, sanitary management of equipment and facilities, waste management/leftover food treatment, and basic facility of cooking zones were performed well by many centers. The overall scores of foodservice performance were only 31.2 out of 60 points, representing relatively poor safety management, food procurement management, and facilities and equipment management. These results indicate that the foodservice management of the child care centers are in a relatively poor state. Since nutrition management of the most centers was performed by non-professionals, it may not be possible to provide proper nutrition for health and normal growth of preschool children and to perform efficient nutrition education programs. The following suggestions are strongly recommended in order to improve foodservice performance at child care centers. First, foodservice administration should be performed by a dietitian, and second, efforts should be focused on strengthening nutrition and sanitation management.