Association between Bone Mineral Density and Serum Iron Indices in Premenopausal Women in South Korea / 가정의학회지

Background@#Osteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of fragility fractures. Serum iron level may interact with bone health status. This study investigated the correlations of BMD with serum iron level, hemoglobin level, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective analysis of data from the medical records of premenopausal women in South Korea. The women’s BMDs and the Z scores of the BMDs were verified using dual-energy X-ray absorption. The participants were stratified into quartiles for analyses of the associations of BMD with serum iron level, TIBC, and hemoglobin level. @*Results@#A simple linear regression analysis revealed associations of changes in BMD with iron level (β=-0.001, standard error [SE]=0.001, P<0.001), hemoglobin level (β=0.015, SE=0.003, P<0.001), and TIBC (β=0.001, SE=0.001, P<0.001). This pattern was also observed in a multiple linear regression analysis. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of iron level and TIBC for low BMD revealed odds ratios of 1.005 (P<0.001) and 0.995 (P<0.001), respectively. @*Conclusion@#This study demonstrated clear relationships of changes in BMD with serum iron level and TIBC, and thus confirms the usefulness of these markers in the clinical evaluation of iron storage and BMD in younger women.

Effect of Prognosis Awareness on the Survival and Quality of Life of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study / 가정의학회지

Background@#Physicians and caregivers are conflicted over whether to inform patients that their disease is terminal. Studies examining the effect of awareness of prognosis on the survival and quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients report conflicting results. This study aimed to assess the effects of prognosis awareness on the survival time and psychological health of terminally ill cancer patients. @*Methods@#Patients in the hospice wards of two general hospitals were asked to complete a questionnaire. All were mentally alert and could express themselves clearly. Awareness of prognosis was defined as knowing both the diagnosis and exact prognosis. Survival time was defined as the time from hospital admission to death. Multiple psychological examinations were conducted to verify the effect of prognosis awareness on psychological health. @*Results@#Of the 98 subjects who met the inclusion criteria, 65 (66.3%) were aware of their terminal status. The patients’ awareness was significantly related to survival time after adjusting for clinical variables with a hazard ratio of 1.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.86). Furthermore, the unaware group had a higher risk of cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination <24; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.65; 95% CI, 1.26–10.59) and a poorer quality of life (physical component summary of the Short Form 36-item Health Survey <20; aOR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.12– 11.60) than the aware group. @*Conclusion@#Knowledge of the exact prognosis might have a positive effect on the survival and quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients.

Systematized Inflammatory Linear Verrucous Epidermal Nevus / 대한피부과학회지

Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevi (ILVEN) were first described in the literature, in 1971, by Altman and Mehregan. Most cases were reported as solitary lesions. In contrast, systematized ILVEN, involving wide areas of the integument, has only rarely been reported. A variety of treatment modalities has been reported, ranging from topical medications, such as potent corticosteroids or tretinoin 0.1% to variable procedures, including CO2 and pulsed dye laser, cryotherapy, and surgical excision. However, multifocal skin lesion is more difficult to treat. An 8-year old boy was presented with an extensive thick scaly plaques and patches, affecting the trunk and the four extremities sparing face. It developed when he was 3 years old, and he complained pruritus. On physical examination, linear, or whirl-like scaly plaques were seen, along with Blaschko lines. Pathologic finding was in accordance to ILVEN. We treated him with topical calcipotriol, tacrolimus and systemic acitretin. After 8 months, the lesion and symptoms improved.

Association Study between DRD2 Genetic Polymorphisms and Schizophrenia in a Korean Population

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the association between the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) genetic polymorphism [TaqIB (rs17294542) and TaqID (rs1800498)] and patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: TaqIB (rs17294542) and TaqID (rs1800498) polymorphism of the DRD2 gene were typed in 100 patients with schizophrenia and 109 normal controls. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in genotype and allele distribution of TaqIB (rs17294542) and TaqID (rs1800498) genetic polymorphism between patients with schizophrenia and normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the TaqIB (rs17294542) and TaqID (rs1800498) polymorphisms of the DRD2 gene may not be associated with schizophrenia in the Korean population.

Implementation and Evaluation of Nutrition Education Programs Focusing on Increasing Vegetables, Fruits and Dairy Foods Consumption for Preschool Children / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of the study was to implement and evaluate a nutrition education program for preschool children. Applying the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, the nutrition education program was developed and focused on changing beliefs, increasing nutrition knowledge and consumption of vegetables & fruits (V/F) and dairy foods. Subjects were children attending a childcare center in Seoulwho were grouped into education (n = 33) and control group (n = 32). Education group received four sessions of nutrition education during 2011 fall. Both groups completed the questionnaire at pretest and posttest, measuring nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and preferences of V/F and eating behaviors. Compared to control group, education group made significant gains in total score of nutrition knowledge after the education (p < 0.05). In addition, the pretest-posttest changes in total score of beliefs regarding V/F consumption and eating behaviors were higher in the education group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Two groups were significantly different in the pretest-posttest changes in specific beliefs regarding the benefits of V/F consumption and some eating behavior. However, there were no changes in the preferences of vegetables or fruits between the two groups after the education. The consumption of V/F and dairy foods was not significantly different after the education. This study revealed that nutrition education for preschoolers was effective in improving nutrition knowledge and perceived benefits regarding V/F consumption and specific eating behavior. This study suggested that more intensive education is needed to induce changes in eating behaviors. This program can be used in nutrition education of children at the childcare centers or kindergartens.

Suicidal Behavior and Internet Use in Adolescent Depression / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: Suicide is the leading cause of death for adolescents. The internet is widespread in Korea and has influence on mental health of adolescents. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the internet use and suicidal behavior resulting from adolescent depression. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 61 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 who were diagnosed as depression by Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia Present and Lifetime Korean Version and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 4th edition. Suicidal behavior was assessed by Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Patients were inquired about their internet use using questionnaires and other clinical variables using Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale, Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale, Internet Game Addiction Scale and Physical Abuse Scale. RESULTS: The patients within the high-risk group were more prone to searching for the word 'suicide' on the internet and having suicidal idea compare to the patients within the low-risk group. Among the high-risk group, the patients who searched for the word 'suicide' tended to be more anxious compared to the patients who did not search the word. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that searching the word 'suicide' on the internet is associated with suicidal idea. It is suggested that intervention on the patients within the searching group may reduce the suicidal idea resulting from adolescent depression.

Downregulation of NFAT2 promotes melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells / 대한해부학회지

Nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) proteins are, calcium-regulated transcription factors, key regulator of stimulation-dependent gene activation. In our microarray analysis for the genes expressed in human black and white hairs, NFAT2 was significantly upregulated in the white hair, compared to the black hair. The aim of this study was to investigate functional role of NFAT2 in melanogenesis. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the expression of NFAT2 protein in B16 melanoma cells. Our data showed that NFAT2 expression was increased in the hypopigmented B16 cells, while tyrosinase and MITF expression was decreased. To investigate the potential role of NFAT2, the recombinant adenovirus expressing microRNA specific for NFAT2 was transduced into the cultured B16 melanoma cells. Consistently, inhibition of NFAT2 enhanced tyrosinase activity and melanin content. Moreover, cyclosporine A, which is known as a calcineurin inhibitor blocking NFAT activation, enhanced tyrosinase activity and melanin content. These data suggest that NFAT2 may play an important role in regulation of melanogenesis in melanocyte.