Inhibition of DNMT3B and PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK Pathways as a Novel Mechanism of Volasertib on Hypomethylating Agent-Resistant Cells

Resistance to hypomethylating agents (HMAs) in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a concerning problem. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is a key cell cycle modulator and is known to be associated with an activation of the PI3K pathway, which is related to the stabilization of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), a target of HMAs. We investigated the effects of volasertib on HMA-resistant cell lines (MOLM/AZA-1 and MOLM/DEC-5) derived from MOLM-13, and bone marrow (BM) samples obtained from patients with MDS (BM blasts >5%) or AML evolved from MDS (MDS/AML). Volasertib effectively inhibited the proliferation of HMA-resistant cells with suppression of DNMTs and PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK pathways. Volasertib also showed significant inhibitory effects against primary BM cells from patients with MDS or MDS/AML, and the effects of volasertib inversely correlated with DNMT3B expression. The DNMT3B-overexpressed AML cells showed primary resistance to volasertib treatment. Our data suggest that volasertib has a potential role in overcoming HMA resistance in patients with MDS and MDS/ AML by suppressing the expression of DNMT3 enzymes and PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK pathways. We also found that DNMT3B overexpression might be associated with resistance to volasertib.

Evaluation of accuracy of 3-dimensional printed dental models in reproducing intermaxillary relational measurements: Based on inter-operator differences / 대한치과교정학회지

Objective@#Although, digital models have recently been used in orthodontic clinics, physical models are still needed for a multitude of reasons. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the printed models can replace the plaster models by evaluating their accuracy in reproducing intermaxillary relationships and by appraising the clinicians’ ability to measure the printed models. @*Methods@#Twenty sets of patients’ plaster models with well-established occlusal relationships were selected. Models were scanned using an intraoral scanner (Trios 3, 3Shape Dental System) by a single operator. Printed models were made with ZMD-1000B light-curing resin using the stereolithography method 3-dimensional printer. Validity, reliability, and reproducibility were evaluated using measurements obtained by three operators. @*Results@#In evaluation of validity, all items showed no significant differences between measurements taken from plaster and printed models. In evaluation for reliability, significant differences were found in the distance between the gingival zeniths of #23–#33 (DZL_3) for the plaster models and at #17–#43 (DZCM_1) for the printed models. In evaluation for reproducibility, the plaster models showed significant differences between operators at midline, and printed models showed significant differences at 7 measurements including #17–#47 (DZR_7). @*Conclusions@#The validity and reliability of intermaxillary relationships as determined by the printed model were clinically acceptable, but the evaluation of reproducibility revealed significant inter-operator differences. To use printed models as substitutes for plaster models, additional studies on their accuracies in measuring intermaxillary relationship are required.

Orthodontic treatment in a patient with Moebius syndrome: A case report / 대한치과교정학회지

Moebius syndrome (MBS) is a congenital neurologic disorder that causes cranio-facial abnormalities. It involves paralysis of the VI and VII cranial nerves and causes bilateral or unilateral facial paralysis, eye movement disorder, and deformation of the upper and lower limbs. The orofacial dysfunctions include microstomia, micrognathia, hypotonic mimetic and lip muscles, dental enamel hypoplasia, tongue deformity, open bite or deep overbite, maxillary hypoplasia, high arched palate, mandibular hyperplasia or features indicating mandibular hypoplasia. This case report presents a 7-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with MBS at the age 2 years. The patient displayed typical clinical symptoms and was diagnosed with Class II malocclusion with a large overjet/ overbite, tongue deformity and motion limitation, and lip closure incompetency. Treatment was initiated using a removable appliance for left scissor bite correction. After permanent tooth eruption, fixed appliance treatment was performed for correction of the arch width discrepancy and deep overbite.A self-ligation system and wide-width arch form wire were used during the treatment to expand the arch width. After 30 months of phase II treatment, the alignment of the dental arch and stable molar occlusion was achieved. Function and occlusion remained stable with a Class I canine and molar relationship, and a normal overjet/overbite was maintained after 9.4 years of retainer use. In MBS patients, it is important to achieve an accurate early diagnosis, and implement a multidisciplinary treatment approach and long-term retention and follow-up.

Culturing at Low Cell Density Delays Cellular Senescence of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Long-Term Cultures

Background and Objectives@#Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immense therapeutic potential for treating intractable and immune diseases. They also have applications in regenerative medicine in which distinct treatments do not exist. Thus, MSCs are gaining attention as important raw materials in the field of cell therapy. Importantly, the number of MSCs in the bone marrow is limited and they are present only in small quantities. Therefore, mass production of MSCs through long-term culture is necessary to use them in cell therapy. However, MSCs undergo cellular senescence through repeated passages during mass production. In this study, we explored methods to prolong the limited lifetime of MSCs by culturing them with different seeding densities. @*Methods@#and Results: We observed that in long-term cultures, low-density (LD, 50 cells/cm2) MSCs showed higher population doubling level, leading to greater fold increase, than high-density (HD, 4,000 cells/cm2) MSCs. LD-MSCs suppressed the expression of aging-related genes. We also showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) were decreased in LD-MSCs compared to that in HD-MSCs. Further, proliferation potential increased when ROS were inhibited in HD-MSCs. @*Conclusions@#The results in this study suggest that MSC senescence can be delayed and that life span can be extended by controlling cell density in vitro. These results can be used as important data for the mass production of stem cell therapeutic products.

Development and Validation of a Korean Nursing Work Environment Scale for Critical Care Nurses / 임상간호연구

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to develop a Korean nursing work environment scale for critical care nurses (KNWES-CCN) and verify its validity and reliability. @*Methods@#A total of 46 preliminary items were selected using content validity analysis of experts on 64 candidate items derived through literature reviews and in-depth interviews with critical care nurses. 535 critical care nurses from 21 hospitals responded to the preliminary questionnaire from February to March 2021. The collected data were analysed using construct, convergent and discriminant validities, and internal consistency and test-retest reliability. @*Results@#The 23 items in 4 factors accounted for 55.6% of the total variance were identified through item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). EFA was performed with maximum likelihood method including direct oblimin method. In the confirmatory factor analysis, KNWES-CCN consisted of 21 items in 4 factors by deleting the items that were not meet the condition that the factor loading over .50 or the squared multiple correlation over .30. This model was considered to be suitable because it satisfied the fit index and acceptable criteria of the model [x2 =440.47 (p<.001), CMIN/DF=2.41, GFI=.86, SRMR=.06, RMSEA=.07, TLI=.90, CFI=.91]. The item total correlation values ranged form .32 to .73 and its internal consistency was Cronbach's ⍺=.92. The reliability of the test-retest correlation coefficient was .72 and the intra-class correlation coefficient was .83. @*Conclusion@#The KNWES-CCN showed good validity and reliability. Therefore, it is expected that the use of this scale would measure and improve nursing work environment for critical care nurses in Korea.

Additional Reduction Screw Fixation Technique for Pertrochanteric Hip Fractures:A Novel Method to Prevent Excessive Sliding in Cephalomedullary Nail Surgery / 대한고관절학회지

Extramedullary (EM) reduction, defined as the medial cortex of the head–neck fragment located outside the medullary canal of the distal shaft fragment, has been introduced to prevent excessive postoperative sliding or failure of the lag screw in pertrochanteric fracture surgeries. Favorable EM reduction results have recently been reported in several clinical and biomechanical studies. Despite these efforts, maintaining the head–neck fragment in an EM position is periodically a difficult and challenging problem. Herein, the technique for reduction and maintenance of the head–neck fragment was introduced in an EM position using a Kirschner wire and partially threaded cannulated screw fixation via screw fixation from EM to the head–neck fragment, which was positioned inferior to the lag screw on the femoral calcar, also called the reduction screw. The authors utilized this reduction screw in 34 pertrochanteric fracture surgeries using a cephalomedullary nail and fracture union was acheive in all cases by a minimum one-year follow-up period without surgical complications.

Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes of Brain Reperfusion Injury after Mechanical Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke

Purpose@#The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for brain reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke patients and to analyze the clinical outcomes. @*Methods@#A retrospective study was conducted in 168 patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-Square test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression with IBM SPSS/WIN 24.0. @*Results@#Brain reperfusion injury occurred in 67 patients (39.9%) with a low favored outcome ( χ2 = 6.01, p = .014). On multivariable analysis, blood urea nitrogen (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.14, 95% Confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.23), aphasia (OR = 6.16, CI = 1.62-23.40), anosognosia (OR = 4.84, CI = 1.13-20.79), presence of both aphasia and anosognosia (OR = 7.33, CI = 1.20-44.60), and time required to achieve targeted blood pressure (OR = 1.00, CI = 1.00-1.00) were identified as risk factors for brain reperfusion injury. A statistically significant difference was detected in clinical outcomes, including hemorrhagic transformation ( χ2 = 6.32, p = .012), intensive care unit length of stay (Z = -2.08, p = .038), National Institute of Health Stroke scale score at discharge (Z = -3.14, p = .002), and modified Rankin Scale score at discharge (Z = -2.93, p = .003). @*Conclusion@#This study identified the risk factors and presented the clinical outcomes of brain reperfusion injury. It is necessary to consider these risk factors for evaluating the patients and to establish nursing interventions and strategies.

Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes of Brain Reperfusion Injury after Mechanical Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke

Purpose@#The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for brain reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke patients and to analyze the clinical outcomes. @*Methods@#A retrospective study was conducted in 168 patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-Square test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression with IBM SPSS/WIN 24.0. @*Results@#Brain reperfusion injury occurred in 67 patients (39.9%) with a low favored outcome ( χ2 = 6.01, p = .014). On multivariable analysis, blood urea nitrogen (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.14, 95% Confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.23), aphasia (OR = 6.16, CI = 1.62-23.40), anosognosia (OR = 4.84, CI = 1.13-20.79), presence of both aphasia and anosognosia (OR = 7.33, CI = 1.20-44.60), and time required to achieve targeted blood pressure (OR = 1.00, CI = 1.00-1.00) were identified as risk factors for brain reperfusion injury. A statistically significant difference was detected in clinical outcomes, including hemorrhagic transformation ( χ2 = 6.32, p = .012), intensive care unit length of stay (Z = -2.08, p = .038), National Institute of Health Stroke scale score at discharge (Z = -3.14, p = .002), and modified Rankin Scale score at discharge (Z = -2.93, p = .003). @*Conclusion@#This study identified the risk factors and presented the clinical outcomes of brain reperfusion injury. It is necessary to consider these risk factors for evaluating the patients and to establish nursing interventions and strategies.

Relationship Between Prostate Volume and Lower Urinary Tract Symptom in Health Checkup Subjects

Purpose@#This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between prostate volume and lower urinary symptom (LUTS) in subjects undergoing health checkup and to know the usefulness of TRUS in health screening. @*Materials and Methods@#The study was conducted in 883 men aged ≥20 years who underwent TRUS for health screening. All participants had filled in the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and were tested for prostate-specific antigen; prostate volume, central gland volume, and transitional zone index were measured using TRUS. We analyzed the differences in the IPSS by prostate volume and differences in prostate volume by severity of LUTS and correlation between prostate volume and each component of IPSS. @*Results@#There were differences in the total IPSS, storage score, and voiding score between the subjects with prostate volumes of ≥30 mL or not (p=0.027, p=0.037, and p=0.029, respectively). However, the differences were found only for urgency and weak stream. The volume of the severe symptom group was bigger than those of the mild and moderate symptom groups (p=0.002 and p=0.014). The correlation between prostate volume and IPSS was significant only for the between the central volume and nocturia (r=0.112, p＜0.01). @*Conclusions@#The relationship between prostate volume and urinary symptoms showed significant but low correlation and found only in some components. For the accurate diagnosis, it would be more useful to accompany various voiding-related surveys in addition to TRUS during health screening. (Korean J Urol Oncol 2020;18:53-60)

Risk of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Individuals with Autonomic Imbalance Measured by Heart Rate Variability

Background@#Studies have reported that reduced autonomic nervous system activity could result in a suboptimal health condition and various diseases, further increasing the mortality rate. The present study aimed to determine the difference in risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in patients with reduced or unstable autonomic activity according to heart rate variability test results. @*Methods@#We recorded blood pressure, physical measurements (body mass index and waist circumference), fasting blood glucose, and blood lipid status. Indicators representative of autonomic nerve functionality (total power [TP], standard deviation of the normal-to-normal intervals [SDNN], low-frequency band [LF], high-frequency band [HF]) were measured using a 5-minute heart rate variability test. Each indicator was divided into quartiles. @*Results@#In men, the risk of abdominal obesity was high in the group with a low TP. In the group with a low SDNN, TP, and LF, the risk of a blood pressure increase was high. When LH and HF were low, there was a high risk of increased fasting blood sugar, whereas when LH was low, there was a high risk of hypertriglyceridemia. Women with SDNN loss had higher odds ratios for abdominal obesity and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia. @*Conclusions@#These results indicate a higher risk of having risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, such as abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia in a group with reduced autonomic activity measured by heart rate variability. Women with a low SDNN had a 4.51-fold higher risk of abdominal obesity than women with a high SDNN, showing the greatest value of the heart rate variability indices.

Sedentary Lifestyle: Overview of Updated Evidence of Potential Health Risks / 가정의학회지

One-third of the global population aged 15 years and older engages in insufficient physical activities, which affects health. However, the health risks posed by sedentary behaviors are not well known. The mean daily duration of sedentary behavior is 8.3 hours among the Korean population and 7.7 hours among the American adult population. Sedentary lifestyles are spreading worldwide because of a lack of available spaces for exercise, increased occupational sedentary behaviors such as office work, and the increased penetration of television and video devices. Consequently, the associated health problems are on the rise. A sedentary lifestyle affects the human body through various mechanisms. Sedentary behaviors reduce lipoprotein lipase activity, muscle glucose, protein transporter activities, impair lipid metabolism, and diminish carbohydrate metabolism. Furthermore, it decreases cardiac output and systemic blood flow while activating the sympathetic nervous system, ultimately reducing insulin sensitivity and vascular function. It also alters the insulin-like growth factor axis and the circulation levels of sex hormones, which elevates the incidence of hormone-related cancers. Increased sedentary time impairs the gravitostat, the body’s weight homeostat, and weight gain, adiposity, and elevated chronic inflammation caused by sedentary behavior are risk factors for cancer. Sedentary behaviors have wide-ranging adverse impacts on the human body including increased all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, cancer risk, and risks of metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia; musculoskeletal disorders such as arthralgia and osteoporosis; depression; and, cognitive impairment. Therefore, reducing sedentary behaviors and increasing physical activity are both important to promote public health.

Expression and prognostic significance of microRNAs in Korean patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS@#Various alterations of microRNA (miRNA) expression have been reported in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We aimed to investigate the unique patterns and prognostic significance of miRNA expression in Korean patients with MDS.@*METHODS@#Bone marrow mononuclear cells were collected from eight healthy controls and 26 patients with MDS, and miRNAs were isolated and assessed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for selected miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-124a, miR-126, miR-146b-5p, miR-155, miR-182, miR-200c, miR-342-5p, miR-708, and Let-7a.@*RESULTS@#MiR-124a, miR-155, miR-182, miR-200c, miR-342-5p, and Let-7a were significantly underexpressed in patients with MDS, compared to healthy controls. MiR-21, miR-126, 146b-5p, and miR-155 transcript levels were significantly lower in international prognostic scoring system lower (low and intermediate-1) risk MDS than in higher (intermediate-2 and high) risk MDS. Higher expression levels of miR-126 and miR-155 correlated with significantly shorter overall survival and leukemia-free survival. Higher miR-124a expression also tended to be related to shorter survivals.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Although our study was limited by the relatively small number of patients included, we identified several miRNAs associated with pathogenesis, leukemic transformation, and prognosis in MDS.

A Case of Deep Cutaneous Purpureocillium lilacinum Fungal Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient / 대한의진균학회지

Purpureocillium is a genus of saprophytic fungi that is commonly found in soil or rotting material. Although rarely a pathogen in humans, it can cause serious infections in immunocompromized patients. An 85-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of pruritic erythematous plaques with yellowish crusts on her right forearm and dorsal hand. Histopathological analysis identified fungal hyphae and spores in the dermis, and Purpureocillium lilacinum was identified through tissue culture, polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing. The skin lesion barely responded to 4 weeks of itraconazole treatment but improved upon the addition of terbinafine. The skin lesion was completely cured after 12 weeks, with no recurrence to date. Here, we report a rare deep cutaneous fungal infection caused by P. lilacinum in an immunocompetent patient and postulate that, in this case, the patient's agricultural lifestyle increased the possibility of P. lilacinum infection.

Motherhood Ideology and Parenting Stress according to Parenting Behavior Patterns of Married Immigrant Women with Young Children

PURPOSE: This study aims to provide base data for designing education and counseling programs for child-raising by identifying the types, characteristics and predictors of parenting behaviors of married immigrant women. METHODS: We used a self-report questionnaire to survey 126 immigrant mothers of young children, who agreed to participate, and who could speak Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, or English, at two children's hospitals and two multicultural support centers. Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive analysis, K-means clustering, χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, one-way ANOVA, Schéffe's test, and multinominal logistic regression. RESULTS: We identified three clusters of parenting behaviors: ‘affectionate acceptance group’ (38.9%), ‘active engaging group’ (26.2%), and ‘passive parenting group’ (34.9%). Passive parenting and affectionate acceptance groups were distinguished by the conversation time between couples (p=.028, OR=5.52), ideology of motherhood (p=.032, OR=4.33), and parenting stress between parent and child (p=.049, OR=0.22). Passive parenting was distinguished from active engaging group by support from spouses for participating in multicultural support centers or relevant programs (p=.011, OR=2.37), and ideology of motherhood (p=.001, OR=16.65). Ideology of motherhood was also the distinguishing factor between affectionate acceptance and active engaging groups (p=.041, OR=3.85). CONCLUSION: Since immigrant women's parenting type depends on their ideology of motherhood, parenting stress, and spousal relationships in terms of communication and support to help their child-raising and socio-cultural adaptation, it is necessary to provide them with systematic education and support, as well as interventions across personal, family, and community levels.

A Survey on the Educational Needs and Competence of Nurses in Maternal Fetal Intensive Care Unit / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: Maternal Fetal Intensive Care Unit (MFICU), which provides intensive care to high-risk mothers with increasing maternal age and high-risk newborns, has become a new field of nursing work in South Korea. The present study was conducted to identify the educational needs and self-assessing clinical competence of nurses in MFICU. METHODS: The education needs and competencies of MFICU nurses were measured through prepared questionnaires by researchers based on the previous studies on job analysis of nurses in MFICU. Data were collected from January 2019 to March 2019. The study involved 168 nurses working in MFICUs at 12 hospitals nationwide as study subjects. The data were analyzed using the SPSS WIN 23.0 program. RESULTS: The education needs of nurses in MFICU had an average of 4.21 points (±0.50) and their nursing competence was average 3.38 points (±0.60). The items reported as high education needs but low competency by nurses in MFICU were as following: ‘postpartum hemorrhage and shock,’ ‘cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for neonate,’ ‘CPR during pregnancy,’ ‘disseminated intravascular coagulation,’ ‘sepsis,’ and ‘mechanical ventilation during pregnancy.’ CONCLUSION: Based on these results, it is proposed that a comprehensive education program for nurses in MFICU should be developed by considering low capabilities among MFICU nurses as a priority factor.

A Case of Eruptive Syringoma on Forehead in a 9 Year-old Boy / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Sarcoidosis Manifested as Multiple Subcutaneous Nodules after Acupuncture / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

Association between Colorectal Adenoma and Hand Grip Strength in the Elderly

BACKGROUND: Obesity is known as an important risk factor for colorectal adenoma. However, for the elderly with changes in body composition, reduced muscle, and increased fat, the body mass index (BMI), one of the most commonly used indicators of obesity, is limited in predicting a link to colorectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between colorectal adenoma and grip strength that can predict muscle reduction in the elderly. METHODS: This study included 262 participants aged ≥65 years who underwent medical examination between June 2015 and August 2018. The control group comprised participants with normal findings or hyperplasia and other benign lesions, except adenoma on colonoscopy, whereas the adenoma group consisted of participants with more than one adenoma. Grip strength was alternately measured twice for each hand using a hydraulic dynamometer. RESULTS: The grip strength was statistically lower in the adenoma group than in the control group among women (P=0.042). For both sexes, grip strength was significantly lower in participants with ≥5 adenomas than in those with <5 adenomas (P=0.021, P=0.007). Similarly, men with large adenomas (≥7 mm) exhibited significantly lower grip strength than did those with small adenomas (<7 mm) (P=0.004). Even after correction for age, BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, exercise, insulin resistance, hypertension, and diabetes, the negative correlation between grip strength and number of adenomas among men and women remained (P=0.034, P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: A significant relationship between hand grip strength and number of colorectal adenomas was noted.

Motherhood Ideology and Parenting Stress according to Parenting Behavior Patterns of Married Immigrant Women with Young Children

PURPOSE@#This study aims to provide base data for designing education and counseling programs for child-raising by identifying the types, characteristics and predictors of parenting behaviors of married immigrant women.@*METHODS@#We used a self-report questionnaire to survey 126 immigrant mothers of young children, who agreed to participate, and who could speak Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, or English, at two children's hospitals and two multicultural support centers. Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive analysis, K-means clustering, χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, one-way ANOVA, Schéffe's test, and multinominal logistic regression.@*RESULTS@#We identified three clusters of parenting behaviors: ‘affectionate acceptance group’ (38.9%), ‘active engaging group’ (26.2%), and ‘passive parenting group’ (34.9%). Passive parenting and affectionate acceptance groups were distinguished by the conversation time between couples (p=.028, OR=5.52), ideology of motherhood (p=.032, OR=4.33), and parenting stress between parent and child (p=.049, OR=0.22). Passive parenting was distinguished from active engaging group by support from spouses for participating in multicultural support centers or relevant programs (p=.011, OR=2.37), and ideology of motherhood (p=.001, OR=16.65). Ideology of motherhood was also the distinguishing factor between affectionate acceptance and active engaging groups (p=.041, OR=3.85).@*CONCLUSION@#Since immigrant women's parenting type depends on their ideology of motherhood, parenting stress, and spousal relationships in terms of communication and support to help their child-raising and socio-cultural adaptation, it is necessary to provide them with systematic education and support, as well as interventions across personal, family, and community levels.

Influence of Family Communication and Family Function to their Body Mass Index among Medical Students / 의료커뮤니케이션

BACKGROUND: Association between obesity and family communication was a controversial issue in previous studies. Previous studies were done on adolescents and adults in overall. This study was done to figure out association between obesity of medical school students specifically and their family function including communication and to help them on the treatment of obese patients.METHODS: A self-reported questionnaire was filled in by 97 medical school students in Busan. They were asked to answer forty different questions including their height and weight. Association between BMI and family communication was studied using FACE III, Family APGAR and KOBES.RESULTS: Among 97 correspondents, 30 of them were found to be overweight to obese. There was a significant difference in number of siblings, amount of food intake, meal time and recent weight reduction trial among overweight-obese group and normal group. The mean Family APGAR score of normal group was higher than overweight-obese group. Flexibility and connectivity score in FACE III of normal group was also higher than overweight-obese group. Among all the factors considered, recent weight reduction trial was the only factor that was statistically significant in accordance with normal weight.CONCLUSION: There was significant relation between flexibility and connectivity of family function with overweight and obesity. In order to investigate further relation and significance on separate gender, larger study samples are needed. Future studies are suggested regarding gender differences on relationship between overweight-obesity and family function in medical school students.