Mediating Effects of Diet Quality between Meal Frequency and Cardiometabolic Risk among Korean Adults: Data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) / 중환자간호학회지

Purpose@#: The 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee specifically noted that meal frequency is associated with risks for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality, although the current evidence on meal frequency is conflicting. As meal frequency itself is affected by various factors, the aim of the study was not only to examine its relationships with cardiometabolic risk but also to identify the mediating effects of dietary quality. @*Methods@#: This study used a descriptive correlational design. In all 8,141 healthy adults participated in the study. Measurements included meal frequency, cardiometabolic risk, and diet quality. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis, and process macro bootstrapping model 4. @*Results@#: The meal frequency was 3.52±0.61 times per day, the risk of cardiovascular metabolic diseases was 0.01±0.61 points, and the diet quality was 62.08±13.87 points. In mediation analysis, the effect of meal frequency on cardiometabolic risk score was completely mediated by diet quality. @*Conclusion@#: Improved diet quality in healthy adults should be considered when designing meal frequency interventions aimed at reducing their cardiometabolic risk, as the effect of meal frequency support on cardiometabolic risk was found to be mediated by diet quality.

Impact of Cognitive Aging on Health-Related Quality of Life in Menopausal Women

ObjectivesMenopause is a well-known risk factor for accelerating cognitive aging in women. This study aimed to assess differences in cognitive function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) according to menopausal status to determine whether the menopause significantly affects the relationship between cognitive function and HRQOL.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional comparative study with a convenience sample of 178 Korean women including 89 naturally menopausal women (65 ± 10 years) and 89 non-menopausal women (45 ± 8 years) who met the eligibility criteria and completed neuropsychological tests and self-report questionnaires about their HRQOL, cognitive function, depression, and sleep quality. Multiple regression analyses were performed within and between groups according to menopausal status.ResultsMenopausal women had significantly worse scores on neuropsychological performance and HRQOL than non-menopausal women. A better neuropsychological performance (β = 0.34) was solely associated with a better HRQOL in menopausal women, whilst socioeconomic variables were associated with HRQOL in non-menopausal women.ConclusionMenopause is an important risk factor for HRQOL, and the association between cognition and HRQOL may differ according to menopausal status. When developing programs for target groups to improve daily functioning and HRQOL, healthcare professionals need to pay more attention to this relationship.

Gender-Specific Relationship Between Executive Function and Self-Rated Health

OBJECTIVES: Self-rated health is a comprehensive measure of health. As gender difference in self-rated health is found, identifying gender-specific factors related to self-rated health is important. Poor executive functioning negatively affects an individual's independence and healthy lifestyle, but it is unknown relationships between executive function and self-rated health and gender differences in these relationships. Therefore, gender differences were examined in the relationship between executive function and self-rated health in the community. METHODS: Individuals completed questionnaires about their health status and subjective decline in executive function. Neuropsychological tests were also performed to assess objective executive functioning. Two separate multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted by gender. RESULTS: Better objective executive function was related to greater self-rated health scores (better self-rated health) in men alone (βs = 0.341), while better subjective executive function was significantly associated with greater self-rated health scores in both men and women (βs = 0.385 and 0.443, respectively). CONCLUSION: Gender differences are important when reporting perceived health status, in particular the different effects of subjective and objective executive function on self-rated health across genders. Clinicians need to be aware of the potential value of subjective executive function complaints when evaluating health status.

Surgical Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome through a Minimal Incision on the Distal Wrist Crease: An Anatomical and Clinical Study

BACKGROUND: An anatomical analysis of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) and the surrounding structures might help in identifying effective measures to minimize complications. Here, we present a surgical technique based on an anatomical study that was successfully applied in clinical settings. METHODS: Using 13 hands from 8 formalin-fixed cadavers, we measured the TCL length and thickness, correlation between the distal wrist crease and the proximal end of the TCL, and distance between the distal end of the TCL and the palmar arch; the TCL cross sections and the thickest parts were also examined. Clinically, fasciotomy was performed on the relevant parts of 15 hands from 13 patients by making a minimally invasive incision on the distal wrist crease. Postoperatively, a two-point discrimination check was conducted in which the sensations of the first, second, and third fingertips and the palmar cutaneous branch injuries were monitored (average duration, 7 months). RESULTS: In the 13 cadaveric hands, the distal wrist crease and the proximal end of the TCL were placed in the same location. The average length of the TCL and the distance from the distal TCL to the superficial palmar arch were 35.30+/-2.59 mm and 9.50+/-2.13 mm, respectively. The thickest part of the TCL was a region 25 mm distal to the distal wrist crease (average thickness, 4.00+/-0.57 mm). The 13 surgeries performed in the clinical settings yielded satisfactory results. CONCLUSIONS: This peri-TCL anatomical study confirmed the safety of fasciotomy with a minimally invasive incision of the distal wrist crease. The clinical application of the technique indicated that the minimally invasive incision of the distal wrist crease was efficacious in the treatment of the carpal tunnel syndrome.

Reconstruction of Full Thickness Ala Defect with Nasolabial Fold and Septal Mucosal Hinge Flap

Reconstruction of a full-thickness alar defect requires independent blood supplies to the inner and outer surfaces. Because of this, secondary operations are commonly needed for the division of skin flap from its origin. Here, we report a single-stage reconstruction of full-thickness alar defect, which was made possible by the use of a nasolabial island flap and septal mucosal hinge flap. A 49-year-old female had presented with a squamous cell carcinoma of the right ala which was invading through the mucosa. The lesion was excised with a 5-mm free margin through the full-thickness of ala. The lining and cartilage was restored using a septal mucosa hinge flap and a conchal cartilage from the ipsilateral ear. The superficial surface was covered with a nasolabial island flap based on a perforator from the angular artery. The three separate tissue layers were reconstructed as a single subunit, and no secondary operations were necessary. Single-stage reconstruction of the alar subunit was made possible by the use of a nasolabial island flap and septal mucosal hinge flap. Further studies are needed to compare long-term outcomes following single-stage and multi-stage reconstructions.

A Case of Cholecysto-gastro-colonic Fistula with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 대한소화기학회지

Biliary enteric fistula is an abnormal pathway often caused by biliary disease. It is difficult to diagnose the disease because patients have nonspecific symptoms. A 67-year-old woman presented with hematemesis and melena. She was diagnosed with Dieulafoy lesion on the gastric antrum and underwent endoscopic hemostasis using hemoclips. Follow-up upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an abnormal opening on a previous treated site that was suggestive of biliary enteric fistula. Abdomen simple X-ray and abdominal dynamic CT scan showed pneumobilia and cholecysto-gastric fistula. The patient had cholecystectomy and wedge resection of the gastric antrum, followed by right extended hemicolectomy because of severe adhesive lesion between the gallbladder and colon. She was diagnosed with cholecysto-gastro-colic fistula postoperatively. We report on this case and give a brief review of the literatures.

Clinical characteristics of acute Q fever in Daegu area / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although only a few sporadic cases of Q fever have been reported in Korea, a total of 13 cases have been seen in our area. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical characteristics of these cases of acute Q fever. METHODS: Demographic features, clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiologic findings, and therapeutic outcomes of all cases were evaluated. Q fever was diagnosed using an indirect micro-immunofluorescence assay (MIFA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A total of 13 patients with acute Q fever seen from January 2006 to August 2008 at three teaching hospitals in the Daegu Metropolitan City area were enrolled. The mean age was 49 years old (range, 24~76), and the male to female ratio was 11:2. Six (46.2%) cases had a history of animal contact. Fever (100%) was the most common manifestation, followed by myalgia (84.6%), headache (61.5%), anorexia (61.5%), and chills (61.5%). All cases were diagnosed with high titers of anti-phase II antibody (IgM> or = 1:50, IgG> or =1:200) and positive nested PCR for the 27-kDa OMP com-1 gene of Coxiella burnettii in the blood. In three cases, liver biopsies revealed the presence of compact fibrin-ring granulomas. No characteristics of pneumonia were diagnosed on chest X-rays. The predominant presentation was acute febrile illness with hepatitis, including three cases (27.3%) of severe cholestatic hepatitis. The most frequently used antimicrobial agent was doxycycline (84.6%), followed by azithromycin (7.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Acute Q fever may be added to the list of differential diagnosis of patients with acute febrile illness and hepatitis in the Daegu Metropolitan City area.

A case of pneumococcal endocarditis complicated by meningitis / 대한내과학회지

pneumonia in the setting of chronic alcoholism and may be complicated by meningitis. Only one adult case of pneumococcal endocarditis (PE) has been reported in Korea. We report the case of a 73-year-old woman who suffered from PE complicated by embolic cerebral infarction and meningitis. This is the first Korean case of PE complicated with meningitis. The patient was treated medically and died from a cardiac complication. This case shows that PE is difficult to treat without surgery because its evolution is usually acute and very aggressive; it has a high rate of local and systemic complications despite the administration of appropriate antibiotics.

Evaluation of CoaguChek(R) XS for Measuring Prothrombin Time in Patients Receiving Long-term Oral Anticoagulant Therapy / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Oral anticoagulation with warfarin requires routine monitoring of prothrombin time to maintain the international normalized ratio (INR) within the appropriate therapeutic range. Coagu- Chek XS (Roche Diagnositic, Germany) is a portable coagulometer that measures the INR. We evaluated the precision and accuracy of CoaguCheck XS by comparing it with CA-1500 (Sysmex, Japan). METHODS: We analyzed the CV and the correlation of all INR results measured in 68 samples obtained from patients treated with warfarin and 10 samples from control subjects with no history of anticoagulant therapy with CoaguChek XS and CA-1500. We compared the turn-around time between two instruments and evaluated the differences between the results obtained with venous and capillary blood samples and those obtained with different lots of the test strip. We also evaluated the precision of the two instruments in 5 repeated tests with samples of normal and increased INR. RESULTS: Mean INR values of 5 repeated tests with the same samples were similar. The correlation of INR values between two instruments was excellent (r2=0.97, P=0.001), and the difference in the values between the two instruments was mostly within the 95% limit of agreement, but was shown to increase in direct proportion to INR values. The turn-around time of CoaguChek XS was shorter than that of CA-1500. The differences between venous and capillary blood and between different lots of the test trip were not significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CoaguChek XS showed a good precision and correlation with CA-1500 with a very short turn-around time. This instrument should be clinically useful in monitoring INR of patients with oral anticoagulation.

Double Z-plasty for correction of cryptotia

No abstract available.

Clinical experience of Dentocutaneous fistula treatment

Dentocutaneous fistula of the face neck is an infrequent manifestation of chronic dental infection. A periapical dental abscess may be initiated by disease, trauma, or thermal or chemical injury and develops into an extensive necrosis of surrounding tissue. Diagnostic errors can result in multiple excision, biopsies, and ineffective long-term antibiotic therapy. Awarness that periapical dental abscess is the most common etilolgic factor of cutaneous sinus tracts involves the face & neck will facilitate their early diagnosis and prevent needless treatment or anxiety for the patient. From 1994 to 1998, we have performed 6 cases of dentocutaneous fistula. Among of them, three were men and the others were women, age ranged from 18 to 66-year-old, and morbidity period was from 3 weeks to 3 years, the follow-up period ranged from 5 to 18 months (mean period 11 months). In conclusion, an understanding of the pathogenesis of cutaneous fistulae arising from dental infections will lead to proper early diagnosis and treatment without unnecessary surgery.

A Case of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kster-Hayser Syndrom / 대한산부인과학회잡지

A perplexing developmental error is 46,XX congenital absence of vagina ( Mayer-Rokitan-sky-Kster-Hauser syndrome, Mullerian dysgenesis, vaginal aplasia ). The Mayer-Rokitansky-Kster-Hauser syndrome refers to the climical entity consisting of primary amenorrhea associated with congenital absence of the vagina, 46,XX karyototype, a rudimentary uterus or complete absense, normal overian function and normal ovulation, normal female breast development, body proprotion and body hair, frequent association of renal, skeletal and other cpngenital anomalies. This syndrome results from agenesis of both Mllerian ducts or from a failure of the Mllerian ducts to estavlish a proper communication with that part of the vagina from the urogenital sinus. A case of mayer-Rokitansky-Kster-Hauser syndrom was reviewed briefly.