Assessment of Nutritional Adequacy of Gimbap Sold in Convenience Stores Focused on Protein and Mineral Content

This study examined the nutritional information using the nutrition labels of gimbap sold at convenience stores and evaluated nutritional adequacy compared to dietary reference intakes for Korean adolescents. Thirty gimbaps (triangular gimbaps and regular gimbaps according to the main ingredients of vegetables, fish, and meat) were purchased at five convenience stores of different brands with many stores in Korea. The food and nutrition labels of the gimbaps were investigated, and nine minerals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average price of gimbap was 1,906.7 won, and average energy was 292.0 kcal, and the protein content was 15.5% of the recommended intake for Korean male adolescents aged 15∼18 years. The mineral content ranged from 6.9% for zinc to 39.0% for selenium. Except for sodium and selenium, the energy, protein, and mineral content did not meet 1/3 of dietary reference intakes for adolescents. For the index of nutritional quality (INQ), calcium and zinc were the lowest in the triangular and regular gimbap, respectively. The INQ of potassium was significantly higher in triangular gimbap with vegetables. The content and INQ of selenium were in regular gimbap with fish, and the zinc INQ was in regular gimbap with meat. Overall, gimbap sold in convenience stores has a high sodium content, and the contents of energy, protein, and minerals, except selenium, are insufficient for a single meal.

Assessment of the Sugar Content According to Beverage Types Sold in Korea

The purpose of this study was to provide nutritional information for selecting beverages with low sugar contents. The nutritional data, including the sugar contents of 925 beverages, were collected from the nutrition labels through the official websites of manufacturers and analyzed according to the beverage types. The average price and volume of the beverage products were 1,556.6 won and 224.8 mL, respectively. The volume per price was the highest for carbonated beverages at 351.6 mL/1,000 won. The sugar content was high in the order of carbonated beverages (22.6 g), fruit & vegetable beverages (21.0 g), and mixed beverages (19.1 g). The sugar content per 100 mL was high in the order of fruit juice (10.6 g), fruit and vegetable beverages (9.2 g), ginseng and red ginseng beverages (8.5 g), and mixed beverages (8.3 g). The content of the product per 1,000 won was high in the order of carbonated beverages (23.3 g), fruit and vegetable beverages (23.2 g), and mixed beverages (20.0 g). The number of products with energy from a sugar content of 5% or more compared to the energy reference value was significantly higher in the carbonated beverages (52.2%), fruit and vegetable beverages (33.0%), and mixed beverages (26.5%) than other beverages. The sugar energy ratio of beverage products was highest in the carbonated beverages at 88.9%, followed by fruit and vegetable beverages (87.0%), fruit juices (84.3%), and mixed beverages (76.8%). Overall, beverages with high sugar contents per product, volume, and price were carbonated beverages, fruit and vegetable beverages, and mixed beverages.

The clinical usefulness of non-invasive prenatal testing in pregnancies with abnormal ultrasound findings

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as an alternative testing of invasive diagnostic testing in pregnancies with ultrasound abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of pregnant women with abnormal ultrasound findings before 24 weeks of gestation between April 2016 and March 2017. Abnormal ultrasound findings included isolated increased nuchal translucency, structural anomalies, and soft markers. The NIPT or diagnostic test was conducted and NIPT detected trisomy 21 (T21), T18, T13 and sex chromosomal abnormalities. We analyzed the false positive and residual risks of NIPT based on the ultrasound findings. RESULTS: During the study period, 824 pregnant women had abnormal ultrasound findings. Among the study population, 139 patients (16.9%) underwent NIPT. When NIPT was solely performed in the patients with abnormal ultrasound findings, overall false positive risk was 2.2% and this study found residual risks of NIPT. However, the discordant results of NIPT differed according to the type of abnormal ultrasound findings. Discordant results were significant in the group with structural anomalies with 4.4% false positive rate. However, no discordant results were found in the group with single soft markers. CONCLUSION: This study found different efficacy of NIPT according to the ultrasound findings. The results emphasize the importance of individualized counseling for prenatal screening or diagnostic test based on the type of abnormal ultrasound.

Evaluation of the learning curve for external cephalic version using cumulative sum analysis

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the learning curve for external cephalic version (ECV) using learning curve-cumulative sum (LC-CUSUM) analysis. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving 290 consecutive cases between October 2013 and March 2017. We evaluated the learning curve for ECV on nulli and over para 1 group using LC-CUSUM analysis on the assumption that 50% and 70% of ECV procedures succeeded by description a trend-line of quadratic function with reliable R² values. RESULTS: The overall success rate for ECV was 64.8% (188/290), while the success rate for nullipara and over para 1 groups was 56.2% (100/178) and 78.6% (88/112), respectively. ‘H’ value, that the actual failure rate does not differ from the acceptable failure rate, was −3.27 and −1.635 when considering ECV success rates of 50% and 70%, respectively. Consequently, in order to obtain a consistent 50% success rate, we would require 57 nullipara cases, and in order to obtain a consistent 70% success rate, we would require 130 nullipara cases. In contrast, 8 to 10 over para 1 cases would be required for an expected success rate of 50% and 70% on over para 1 group. CONCLUSION: Even a relatively inexperienced physician can experience success with multipara and after accumulating experience, they will manage nullipara cases. Further research is required for LC-CUSUM involving several practitioners instead of a single practitioner. This will lead to the gradual implementation of standard learning curve guidelines for ECV.

The Current Status of Enteral Feeding Management in General Surgical Ward

PURPOSE: Development of a standardized guideline and assessment tool is necessary. Therefore, the aim is to investigate the current state of enteral feeding management and to develop a basis for a standardized guideline. METHODS: From July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, this study was conducted retrospectively for 100 patients who had enteral feeding more than once only in the Intensive Care Unit, after General Surgery at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. The analysis was based on the following factors; age, diagnosis, name of the operation, period of start and the end of enteral feeding, method of injection, flushing method, residual volumes of the stomach, location and the size of the tube, medication through tubing, and complications related to enteral feeding. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 60.5, 65 men and 35 women. There were 30 malignant tumors of the hepatobiliary system and pancreas, 8 gastric and duodenal cancer, 4 colon and rectal cancer, 11 peritonitis, hemoperitoneum, and bowel obstruction, and 47 others. The average period of performing enteral feeding was 11.7 days and the locations of enteral feeding tube were stomach 56%, jejunum 39%, duodenum 3%, and undescribed 2%. The methods of enteral feeding were as follows; continuous feeding 19%, cyclic feeding 75%, intermittent and bolus feeding 3%, respectively. Only 1% of patients were on flushing and 16% on stomach residual. The most common complication of enteral feeding was clogging of the tube (5%). CONCLUSION: Due to the lack of detailed charting related to enteral feeding, we were unable to analyze the statistics on the relevance of complication which was the primary endpoint. As a result, development of a standardized protocol on charting enteral feeding is suggested for optimal enteral nutritional support.

Development of the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Guideline for Rating Physical Impairment

Systematic and effective welfare for the disabled is possible when there are scientific and objective criteria demonstrating either presence or severity of the impairment. We need our own scientific criteria suitable for our culture and society, since the impairment is influenced by them. In 2007, we established the Developing Committee of Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (KAMS) Guideline for Impairment Rating under KAMS supervision. We included all fixed and permanent physical impairments after a sufficient medical treatment. The impairment should be stable and medically measurable. If not, it should be reevaluated later. We benchmarked the American Medical Association Guides. The KAMS Guideline should be scientific, objective, valid, reasonable and practical. In particular, we tried to secure objectivity. We developed the KAMS Guideline for Impairment Rating.