ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Conflicting evidence exists regarding the association between smoking and the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We investigated the association between combustible cigarette (CC) smoking, noncombustible tobacco product (NCTP) use, and the use of any tobacco product with various coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted using the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency-COVID19-National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) cohort. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using 12,571,698 individuals from the NHIS cohort. Logistic regression evaluated the association between CC smoking, NCTP use, and use of any tobacco product with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Poisson regression evaluated the association between these forms of tobacco product use and COVID-19-related hospitalization and mortality. RESULTS: In the case-control study, we identified 30,878 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for SARS-CoV-2 infection were lower among current CC smokers (0.51, 0.48-0.54), current- and former-NCTP users (0.80, 0.74-0.88; 0.82, 0.74-0.91), and current users of any tobacco product (0.52, 0.49-0.55) relative to never user controls. In retrospective cohort study, we identified 16,521 COVID-19-related hospitalization and 362 COVID-19-related deaths. The relative risks (95% CIs) for COVID-19-related hospitalization were lower among current CC smokers (0.51, 0.48-0.54) and current users of any tobacco product (0.53, 0.50-0.56) relative to never user controls. There was no association between the use of tobacco product and COVID-19-related mortality. CONCLUSION: Current CC smokers and current users of any tobacco product showed reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related hospitalization. It remains uncertain whether these relationships are causal.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Tobacco Products , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Case-Control Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
The skeletal muscles account for approximately 40% of the body weight and are crucial in movement, nutrient absorption, and energy metabolism. Muscle loss and decline in function cause a decrease in the quality of life of patients and the elderly, leading to complications that require early diagnosis. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) offers non-invasive, high-resolution visualization of tissues. It has emerged as a promising alternative to invasive diagnostic methods and is attracting attention as a tool for assessing muscle function and imaging muscle diseases. Effective imaging of muscle function and pathology relies on appropriate radiopharmaceuticals that target key aspects of muscle metabolism, such as glucose uptake, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and the oxidation of fat and carbohydrates. In this review, we describe how [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG), [18F]fluorocholine ([18F]FCH), [11C]acetate, and [15O]water ([15O]H2O) are suitable radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging of skeletal muscles.
Subject(s)
Muscle, Skeletal , Radiopharmaceuticals , Humans , Muscle, Skeletal/diagnostic imaging , Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism , Positron-Emission Tomography/methods , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Animals , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography/methodsABSTRACT
Family strongly influences student health behavior. However, alcohol-preventive education programs that link parents and school for intermediate-elementary school students remain scarce. Although online educational programs constitute effective interventions to intentionally improve health behaviors, traditional methods are used to implement alcohol- prevention programs for students. In this study, we aimed to (1) develop an online school-child-family alcohol-prevention program based on the theory of planned behavior and (2) examine the preliminary effects of the program on intention to consume alcohol among intermediate-elementary school students. This single-group, pre- and posttest study enrolled 46 Grade 3 students from a public elementary school in a metropolitan South Korea city and ascertained the preliminary effects of a 5-week online alcohol-prevention program by using the alcohol drinking prevention behavior scale. Attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and intention of alcohol-preventive behaviors significantly improved (p < .05) whereas subjective norms did not. The online alcohol-prevention program based on the theory of planned behavior and school-child-family linkage beneficially influenced intention, attitude, and perceived behavioral control for alcohol-prevention behavior, and the effectiveness and convenience of this program underscores its potential application as an educational intervention to improve health behaviors of intermediate-elementary school students.
Subject(s)
Alcoholism , Humans , Child , Alcoholism/prevention & control , Health Education , Students , Health Behavior , Internet , Program Evaluation , School Health ServicesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The psychosocial health of mother is crucial for healthy prenatal period and early childhood. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of maternal depression during pregnancy and postpartum among women who participated in a home visitation program in Seoul, South Korea (Seoul Healthy First Step Project, SHFSP). METHODS: We analyzed 80,116 women who participated in the SHFSP, which was launched by Seoul metropolitan government in 2013, and defined peripartum depression as a score ≥ 10 on the Korean version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Sociodemographic factors and psychosocial health status were evaluated through a standardized questionnaire completed by participants upon program registration. We calculated the prevalence of women at risk for peripartum depression and evaluated associated factors by multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of women at risk for peripartum depression was 17.7% (prepartum depression: 14.2%, postpartum depression: 24.3%). Younger maternal age, low income (OR 2.40, 95% CI 2.03-2.84), disability (2.61, 1.96-3.47), single parenthood (3.27, 2.69-3.99), and smoking (2.02, 1.44-2.83) increased the peripartum depression risk. Furthermore, experience of stress, change, or loss over the past 12 months (3.36, 3.22-3.50), history of treatment for emotional issues (2.47, 2.27-2.70), experience of child abuse (1.91, 1.74-2.11), and domestic violence (2.25, 1.81-2.80) increased the risk for peripartum depression, whereas having helpers for the baby (0.62, 0.58-0.67), having someone to talk with (0.31, 0.27-0.35), and considering oneself confident (0.30, 0.29-0.31) decreased the risk. CONCLUSIONS: Policies to reduce and manage peripartum depression should be strengthened, with a focus on high-risk pregnant and puerperal women.
Subject(s)
Depression, Postpartum , Depression , Child , Child, Preschool , Depression/epidemiology , Depression, Postpartum/diagnosis , Depression, Postpartum/epidemiology , Depression, Postpartum/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Pregnancy , Prevalence , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Introduction: Owing to the coronavirus disease 19 pandemic, the demand for telemedicine has increased. However, the awareness of and experience with telemedicine among the Korean population have not been investigated. Therefore, we examined Korean outpatients' experience with and awareness of telemedicine. Methods: From December 2020 to March 2021, we conducted a survey exploring the awareness of and experience with telemedicine of outpatients who were consecutively enrolled by family physicians from four hospitals. The participants completed questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, experience, satisfaction, preference, and future considerations concerning telemedicine. We evaluated factors associated with satisfaction with telemedicine experiences using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the 563 study participants, 364 participants had experience with telemedicine. More than 95% of the telemedicine visits were performed by telephone consultation, and the most common disease type for telemedicine visits was chronic diseases (67.5%). Overall, 82.4% of the participants were satisfied with telemedicine. More than 90% of the participants were satisfied with telemedicine in terms of saving time and money relative to hospital visits, no risk of infection, and convenience. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, adults aged ≥65 years (odds ratio [OR] 3.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44-8.68), residents of a metropolitan city (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.41-32.55), and those with knowledge of telemedicine (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.21-7.26) were more likely to be satisfied with their telemedicine experience, compared with their counterparts. For chronic diseases, participants with telemedicine experience were significantly more likely to prefer telemedicine for revisits, compared with those with no telemedicine experience. Nonetheless, most respondents recognized that telemedicine requires improvement. Conclusions: Most Korean outpatients showed high satisfaction with telemedicine. Telemedicine may be considered in various medical situations in the future. Therefore, building a practical system for telemedicine and changes in the medical environment are required.
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OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of a web-based alcohol drinking prevention program among early elementary school students in South Korea using the theory of planned behavior. This study utilized a combined family and school intervention approach. DESIGN: This was a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group. SAMPLE: A total of 251 third graders (experimental group: 170, control group: 81) from four public schools were included. MEASUREMENTS: A web-based alcohol drinking prevention program was implemented in five weekly sessions. Students' attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intentions toward alcohol drinking prevention behavior were evaluated through pre- and post-tests. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 9 years in both the experimental (82 male and 88 female students) and control (44 male and 37 female students) groups. A significant improvement in attitudes, PBC, and intentions toward alcohol drinking prevention behaviors was found in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: A web-based alcohol drinking prevention program combining family and school interventions for lower elementary school students was effective at increasing intentions toward alcohol drinking prevention behavior. Alcohol drinking prevention programs should target lower elementary school students to effectively postpone the onset of alcohol drinking.
Subject(s)
Schools , Students , Alcohol Drinking/prevention & control , Child , Female , Humans , Internet , Male , School Health ServicesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The expansion of smoke-free policies has reduced the prevalence of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure; however, declines differ according to socioeconomic positions. We evaluated the trends in socioeconomic inequalities related to SHS exposure in nonsmoking Korean adults from 2008 to 2018. METHODS: We analyzed 30,027 nonsmoking adults from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 to 2018. We evaluated trends in urine cotinine levels, self-reported prevalence of SHS exposure at workplaces and homes, and people exhibiting nonmeasurable urine cotinine levels between 2008 and 2018. To evaluate the yearly decline differences of urine cotinine levels according to socioeconomic positions, we calculated the interaction effects of year and education, household incomes, and occupation from linear regression analysis. RESULTS: In the last 11 years, the geometric means of urine cotinine levels decreased from 3.53 (95% CI 2.96-4.19) ng/mL to 0.60 (0.57-0.64) ng/mL in males, and from 2.36 (2.03-2.73) ng/mL to 0.53 (0.51-0.56) ng/mL in females. The prevalence of SHS exposure at workplaces and homes also declined. In the multivariate model, the interaction effects between education and years were significant; therefore, indicating a substantial yearly decline of urine cotinine levels in higher educated individuals. The interaction effects between household incomes and years were only significant among males; the interaction effects between occupations and years were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: SHS exposure in nonsmoking Korean adults has consistently decreased; however, socioeconomic inequalities related to SHS exposure by education level have widened. Policies targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged populations should be implemented to decrease the disparities of SHS exposure. IMPLICATIONS: Along with tobacco control policies, the prevalence of self-reported and urinary cotinine verified SHS exposure has decreased in the last 11 years. In contrast, the socioeconomic inequalities related to SHS exposure by education level have increased over time. This study emphasizes the need for implementing tobacco control policies to reduce disparities of SHS exposure.
Subject(s)
Cotinine , Tobacco Smoke Pollution , Adult , Cotinine/analysis , Female , Humans , Male , Nutrition Surveys , Occupations , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Tobacco Smoke Pollution/analysisABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Heated tobacco products (HTPs) have been available in the Korean market since June 2017. In this study, we examined the prevalence and predictors of HTP use among Korean adolescents and the association between HTP and electronic cigarette (EC) use and attempts to quit conventional cigarette (CC) smoking. METHODS: We analysed the data of a representative sample (n=60 040) of 13-18-year-old middle-school and high-school students in Korea who had participated in the 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey in 2018. RESULTS: The prevalence of ever HTP use among Korean adolescents was 2.9% (men: 4.4%, women: 1.2%), a year after the introduction of HTPs in the Korean market. Furthermore, 81.3% of the 1568 ever HTP users were triple users of HTPs, ECs and CCs. Multivariate analysis revealed that ever HTP use was greater among men, higher-grade students, current CC and/or EC users and risky alcohol drinkers. Among current CC smokers, ever users of ECs (28%-30%) and ever HTP users and current EC users (48%) were more likely to have attempted to quit CC smoking than those who had never used HTPs and ECs. However, there were fewer HTP and/or EC ever users among ever CC smokers who successfully quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Many adolescents, especially CC and EC users, had already used HTPs shortly after the introduction of HTPs in Korea. The use of newer types of tobacco products is associated with lower odds of abstinence from CCs; therefore, it is important to protect adolescents from them.
Subject(s)
Cigarette Smoking , Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems , Tobacco Products , Adolescent , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Self-rated health, a valid measure of general health, is influenced by family dynamics and depression. In this study, using data from the Family Cohort Study in Primary Care, we investigated whether depressive mood moderated the association between family communication and self-rated health in married couples. Among the 520 couples in the cohort, we cross-sectionally analyzed the responses of 420 couples (840 participants) who provided answers to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Family Communication Scale of the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-IV, and a self-rated health question. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to evaluate the interactions between depressive mood and family communication on self-rated health. High levels of family communication were associated with better self-rated health (r = -.16, p < .01), and that depressive mood moderated the association between family communication and self-rated health (ß = .10, p = .008). Specifically, the association between family communication and self-rated health was significant only when levels of depressive mood were low (ß = -.175, p = < .001), and the association was lost when levels of depressive mood were high (ß = -.031, p = .446). High levels of depressive mood weakened the positive association between family communication and self-rated health. Our findings highlight the significant influence of depressive symptoms on family dynamics and health among patients in primary care.
Subject(s)
Communication , Depression/psychology , Family Relations , Health Status , Spouses/psychology , Adult , Cohort Studies , Diagnostic Self Evaluation , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Primary Health CareABSTRACT
Purpose To examine whether the loss of nigral hyperintensity (NH) on 3.0-T susceptibility-weighted (SW) magnetic resonance (MR) images can help identify high synucleinopathy risk in patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD). Materials and Methods Between March 2014 and April 2015, 18 consecutively recruited patients with iRBD were evaluated with 3.0-T SW imaging and iodine 123-2ß-carbomethoxy-3ß-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-nortropane (123I-FP-CIT) single photon emission computed tomography and compared with 18 healthy subjects and 18 patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Two readers blinded to clinical diagnosis independently assessed the images. 123I-FP-CIT uptake ratios were compared by using the Kruskal-Wallis test, and intra- and interobserver agreements were assessed with the Cohen κ. The synucleinopathy conversion according to NH status was evaluated in patients with iRBD after follow-up. Results NH was intact in seven patients with iRBD and lost in 11. The 123I-FP-CIT uptake ratios were comparable between those with intact NH (mean, 3.22 ± 0.47) and healthy subjects (mean, 3.37 ± 0.47) (P = .495). The 123I-FP-CIT uptake ratios in the 11 patients with iRBD and NH loss (mean, 2.48 ± 0.44) were significantly lower than those in healthy subjects (mean, 3.37 ± 0.47; P < .001) but higher than those in patients with PD (mean, 1.80 ± 0.33; P < .001). The intra- and interobserver agreements were excellent (κ > 0.9). Five patients with iRBD and NH loss developed symptoms of parkinsonism or dementia 18 months after neuroimaging. Conclusion NH loss at 3.0-T SW imaging may be a promising marker for short-term synucleinopathy risk in iRBD. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , REM Sleep Behavior Disorder/physiopathology , Substantia Nigra/diagnostic imaging , Substantia Nigra/physiopathology , Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon/methods , Tropanes , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , RadiopharmaceuticalsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We investigated the prognostic value of the tumour heterogeneity index determined on preoperative [18F]FDG PET/CT in patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with uterine LMS who underwent preoperative [18F]FDG PET/CT scans at three tertiary referral hospitals. The PET/CT parameters maximum standardized uptake value of the primary tumour (SUVmax), metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis were assessed. The negative values of the MTV linear regression slope (nMLRS) according to the SUV thresholds of 2.5 and 3.0 were determined as the tumour heterogeneity index. The value of PET/CT-derived parameters in predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined in regression analyses. RESULTS: Clinicopathological and PET/CT data from 16 patients were reviewed. The median postsurgical follow-up was 21 months (range 4-82 months), and 12 patients (75.0%) experienced recurrence. Tumour size (P = 0.017), SUVmax (P = 0.019), MTV (P = 0.016) and nMLRS (P = 0.008) were significant prognostic factors for recurrence. MTV (P = 0.048) and nMLRS (P = 0.045) were significant prognostic factors for patient survival. nMLRS was correlated with clinicopathological parameters including tumour size (Pearson's correlation coefficient γ = 0.825, P < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (γ = 0.721, P = 0.004). Patient groups categorized according to the nMLRS cut-off value showed significant differences in PFS (P = 0.033) and OS (P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: The preoperative tumour heterogeneity index obtained using the MTV linear regression slope may be a novel and useful prognostic marker in uterine LMS.
Subject(s)
Leiomyosarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography , Uterine Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Aged , Female , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Humans , Middle Aged , Multimodal Imaging , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Positron-Emission Tomography , Prognosis , Radiopharmaceuticals , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Tumor BurdenABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Although early detection and successful gastrectomy have improved the survival of patients with gastric cancer, long-term health problems remain troubling. We evaluated the prevalence of osteoporosis and its risk factors in long-term survivors of gastric cancer after gastrectomy. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of a tertiary hospital between 2007 and 2014 to identify survivors of gastric cancer who had visited our center at around 5 years after gastrectomy. We evaluated their health status, including bone mineral density (BMD). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the BMD of the lumbar spine and femur (total and neck area). The prevalence of osteoporosis, defined by a BMD T score <-2.5, was investigated, and clinical variables associated with the presence of osteoporosis were identified. RESULTS: A total of 250 survivors were included. The mean age was 54.6 years old, and the median follow-up was 6.0 years. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 34.0% (27.4% for men and 43.6% for women). Older age [odds ratio (OR) 5.50, 95% CI 2.33-13.00], higher alkaline phosphatase levels before gastrectomy (OR 5.67, 95% CI 1.36-23.64), and marked weight loss (≥20%) after gastrectomy (OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.32-9.77) were independently associated with the presence of osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, osteoporosis was commonly observed in long-term survivors of gastric cancer, and several risk factors for it were identified. To reduce the risk of osteoporosis after gastrectomy, maintaining adequate body weight may be necessary.
Subject(s)
Osteoporosis/etiology , Stomach Neoplasms/surgery , Bone Density , Bone Diseases, Metabolic/epidemiology , Bone Diseases, Metabolic/etiology , Cancer Survivors , Female , Gastrectomy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Osteoporosis/epidemiology , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Handgrip strength is strongly related to muscle power in the extremities and is an important index for diagnosing sarcopenia. We evaluated the relationship between handgrip strength and quality of life (QoL) in Korean men and women. METHODS: We analyzed 4620 participants (2070 men and 2550 women) using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI-3 (2015). Low handgrip strength was defined as the lower quartile of handgrip strength in the study population. QoL was evaluated according to the European Quality of Life Scale-Five Dimensions (EQ-5D). The relationship between handgrip strength and QoL was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The odds ratios (ORs) for low handgrip strength significantly increased as age increased for both men and women. The ORs for low handgrip strength increased as body mass index decreased in men. In men with low handgrip strength, the OR for having problems in mobility (OR 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.98) and having pain or discomfort (1.53, 1.04-2.24) significantly increased. In women with low handgrip strength, the OR for having problems in mobility (2.12, 1.02-2.87), problems in usual activities (2.04, 1.46-2.85), and having pain or discomfort (1.48, 1.15-1.90) significantly increased. CONCLUSION: Men with low handgrip strength had poor QoL on the mobility and pain/discomfort dimensions of EQ-5D, whereas women with low handgrip strength had poor QoL on mobility, usual activities, and pain/discomfort dimensions. Management to improve handgrip strength is necessary for achieving better QoL.
Subject(s)
Anxiety/psychology , Depression/psychology , Hand Strength/physiology , Quality of Life/psychology , Sarcopenia/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Aging/physiology , Aging/psychology , Body Mass Index , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nutrition Surveys , Odds Ratio , Pain/diagnosis , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: According to the Juvenile Protection Act in Korea, no one is allowed to sell, rent, or distribute tobacco products to adolescents. Furthermore, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 16 prohibits the sale of tobacco products to minors. In this study, we investigated the trends in and associated factors of the ease of cigarette purchase among Korean adolescents from 2005 to 2016. METHODS: The analyses were based on the data of the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. We estimated the trends in the ease of cigarette purchase from 2005 to 2016 and evaluated associated factors. Ease of cigarette purchase was defined as the proportion of adolescents who were able to purchase cigarettes from among those who had tried to purchase cigarettes in the past 30 days. RESULTS: The ease of cigarette purchase began decreasing since 2008 (81.3%) compared to 2005 (83.9%). It decreased to 76.5% in 2013 and further decreased to 71.4% in 2016. The ease of cigarette purchase increased for adolescents who were in higher grades, smoked larger amounts of cigarettes per day, lived in metropolitan cities, had problematic drinking in the past year, and had close friends who smoked. It decreased in adolescents who had current smokers among their family members. CONCLUSIONS: Although the proportion of adolescents who were able to purchase cigarettes significantly decreased starting in 2008, more than 70% of Korean adolescents can still purchase cigarettes. Enforcement of the Juvenile Protection Act must be strengthened in order to prevent cigarette use among adolescents.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Commerce/trends , Risk-Taking , Tobacco Products , Adolescent , Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence , Female , Humans , Internet , Male , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Smoking/epidemiology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether 3 Tesla susceptibility-weighted imaging can detect the alteration of substantia nigra hyperintensity in Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and to assess the concordance between the loss of nigral hyperintensity on 3 Tesla susceptibility-weighted imaging and the nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration indicated by (123) I-2ß-carbomethoxy-3ß-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-nortropane single photon emission computerized tomography. METHODS: Consecutive subjects with suspected parkinsonism were included, and clinical diagnosis was solidified during clinical follow-up. Two blinded neuroradiologists interpreted the nigral hyperintensity on susceptibility-weighted imaging. The performance of susceptibility-weighted imaging for detection of nigral hyperintensity loss was estimated on the basis of the clinical diagnosis and compared with single photon emission computerized tomography results. RESULTS: The study included 210 subjects (126 PD, 11 MSA, 11 PSP patients, 26 healthy controls, 36 disease controls). The presence or absence of nigral hyperintensity was accurately visualized in 112 PD, 7 MSA, and 11 PSP patients and 53 controls. We identified 16 false-negative cases and 11 false-positive cases. The sensitivity and specificity of susceptibility-weighted imaging were 88.8% and 83.6%, respectively. The concordance rate between susceptibility-weighted imaging and single photon emission computerized tomography was 86.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The loss of nigral hyperintensity on susceptibility-weighted imaging suggested nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration in a large portion of patients with parkinsonism, which was indicated by (123) I-2ß-carbomethoxy-3ß-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-nortropane single photon emission computerized tomography. In consideration of false-negative and -positive cases, well-designed imaging protocols should be introduced to improve the performance of nigral hyperintensity imaging. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/standards , Multiple System Atrophy/diagnostic imaging , Parkinson Disease/diagnostic imaging , Substantia Nigra/diagnostic imaging , Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon/standards , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
In this study, the levels of 16 USEPA-prioritized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantified in various environmental matrices in Ikpa River Basin and nearby dumpsites using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The levels of the contaminants were further subjected to models to estimate possible sources and potential risks. The results obtained revealed that nearby dumpsites could be the major source of contamination of the Ikpa River Basin. The total sum of PAHs in water and sediment samples gave 926.6 µg/l and 1099.7 µg/kg, respectively. Higher concentrations, 3025.8 µg/kg, 3645.7 µg/kg, and 2457.2 µg/l, were recorded for nearby municipal dumpsite soil, hospital dumpsite soil, and landfill leachates, respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and PAH molecular diagnostic ratios (MDRs) suggest that PAH loading in the river basin were mostly of pyrogenic origin. The risk assessment indicated that exposure to PAHs through dermal contact with sediments was most significant than oral ingestion of water and children were the most vulnerable group. Non-cancer (toxic) risks due to exposure to PAHs by oral ingestion of water from Ikpa River were within acceptable limits as the calculated hazard quotients (HQs) and hazard indexes (HIs) were below unity, suggesting negligible or no toxic risk. However, toxic risks through dermal contact with sediments reached unacceptable limits as HI values exceeded unity for all sample stations. Estimated cancer risks due to oral ingestion of water reached the USEPA minimum risk level (3.14 × 10(-5)) requiring public notification while risks due to dermal adsorption of PAHs from the sediments reached levels (2.10 × 10(-1)) requiring remediation actions.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/analysis , Rivers/chemistry , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Ecosystem , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Humans , Nigeria , Risk Assessment , SoilABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dual-phase fluorine-18 labeled N-3-fluoropropyl-2ß-carbomethoxy-3ß-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane (18F-FP-CIT) positron emission tomography (PET) scans could be used to support disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD). Dopamine transporter (DAT) binding and cerebral perfusion are associated with ageing and gender. We investigated the effects of age and gender on non-degenerative parkinsonism, using automated quantification in striatum: specific binding ratios (SBRs) for DAT binding in delayed phase PET (dCIT) and standardized-uptake-value ratios (SUVRs) for cerebral perfusion in early phase PET (eCIT). We also examined the correlations between SBR and SUVR. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed subjects with dual-phase 18F-FP-CIT PET scans. The eCIT images were acquired immediately post-injection, and dCIT images were taken 120 min later. With Brightonix software, automated quantification of SBRs for dCIT and SUVRs for eCIT were acquired from visually normal scans. The effects of aging and gender were assessed by regressing SBRs and SUVRs on age for both genders. The correlations between SUVRs and SBRs were evaluated. RESULTS: We studied 79 subjects (34 males and 45 females). An age-related reduction in SBRs was observed in the dorsal striatum, ventral striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen for both genders. SUVRs were found to negatively correlate with age in the dorsal striatum, ventral striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen for males and in the dorsal striatum and caudate nucleus for females. Positive correlations between SBRs and SUVRs in the dorsal striatum, ventral striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen for male and in the dorsal striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen for females. CONCLUSIONS: Using quantified values from dual-phase 18F-FP-CIT PET with a single injection, we demonstrate a negative impact of age on SBRs (DAT binding) in the striatum for both genders and SUVRs (cerebral perfusion) in the dorsal striatum and caudate nucleus for both genders and in the ventral striatum and putamen for males. Additionally, we found positive associations between SBR and SUVR values in the dorsal striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen for both genders and in the ventral striatum for males.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) is a promising microsurgical treatment for lower extremity lymphedema (LEL). Lymphoscintigraphy effectively assesses lower limb lymphatic systems before LVA, but its role in predicting the therapeutic outcomes of LVA is indeterminate. In this study we investigate the efficacy of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy using clinical findings to predict outcomes in gynecological cancer-related LEL patients who underwent LVA. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on consecutive gynecological cancer patients with LEL who had undergone LVA between June 2018 and June 2021. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed by measuring the change rate of the lower extremity lymphedema index (LELi) six months after surgery. Clinical data and lymphoscintigraphic findings were analyzed to assess therapeutic efficacy of LVA. RESULTS: Out of the 60 evaluated legs, 83.3% of the legs showed improved results after LVA. Univariable linear regression analysis revealed that higher preoperative LELi, and ovarian cancer were associated with superior LELi change rate (LC rate). Absence of dermal backflow (DBF) on lymphoscintigraphy was associated with inferior LC rate. Multivariable linear regression analysis identified ovarian cancer and higher preoperative LELi were independently correlated with favorable outcomes, while the absence of DBF was independently correlated with inferior outcomes. CONCLUSION: The results of this study emphasizes the effectiveness of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, preoperative LELi, and primary malignancy as predictors of LVA outcomes in gynecological cancer-related LEL patients.
Subject(s)
Lymphatic Vessels , Lymphedema , Ovarian Neoplasms , Humans , Female , Lymphoscintigraphy , Lymphatic Vessels/diagnostic imaging , Lymphatic Vessels/surgery , Treatment Outcome , Lymphedema/diagnostic imaging , Lymphedema/surgery , Lower Extremity/diagnostic imaging , Lower Extremity/surgery , Anastomosis, Surgical/methods , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to report the clinical application of Hominis Placenta Pharmacopunture for Alopecia areata. Patient was diagnosed as stress-induced Alopecia areata 1 years ago. To reduce symptom, we treated a patient 8 times using Hominis Placenta Pharmacopunture. Hominis Placenta was injected subcutaneously into the lesion of head scalp alopecia. According to photographs, the lesion had been replaced with new terminal hair and the size of the lesion had decreased. This case has shown that stress-induced Alopecia areata patient could be treated by Hominis Placenta Pharmacopunture.