Oral Health Status and Behavior Factors Associated with Self-Rated Health Status among the Elderly in South Korea: The 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2018) / 보건행정학회지

Background@#It is getting important to improve the oral health status of the elderly because oral health status may affect their health status of the whole body. In this respect, we aimed to explore the association of oral health status and behavior factors with self-rated health status by sex. @*Methods@#Using the data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for health surveys and oral examinations (2016–2018), we analyzed a total of 3,070 people aged 65 or older (men: 1,329; women: 1,741). Our dependent variable, self-rated health status, was divided into two groups: not good (bad and very bad) and good (very good, good, and fair), whereas our independent variables of interest were oral health status and behavior factors. In addition to descriptive analysis and the Rao-Scott chi-square test, reflecting survey characteristics, we conducted hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographics and health status and behavior factors. All analyses were stratified by sex. @*Results@#The proportion of people having ‘not good’ self-rated health was 36.5% in women but 24.5% in men. In a model adjusted for all covariates, the self-rated health status showed significant association with the self-rated oral health status. For example, in men, the risk of having ‘not good’ self-rated health was high in people having ‘poor’ (odds ratio [OR], 5.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34–12.03) self-rated oral health status and in those having ‘fair’ (OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.68–9.70) in comparison with those having ‘good’ self-rated oral health status. Dental status regarding speaking difficulty seemed to be very important in influencing self-rated health status. For instance, in women, compared to people having ‘no discomfort’ speaking difficulty, the risk of having ‘not good’ self-rated health was high in people having ‘not bad’ (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.14–2.24) and ‘discomfort’ (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30–2.47) speaking difficulty. The covariates significantly associated with the risk of having ‘not good’ self-rated health were: physical activity, chronic disease, stress, and body mass index in both sexes; health insurance type and drinking only in men; and economic activity only in women. @*Conclusion@#Oral health status and behavioral factors were associated with self-rated health status among the elderly, differently by sex. This suggests that public health policies toward better health in the elderly should take their oral health status and oral health behaviors into account in a sex-specific way

Oral Health Status and Behavior Factors Associated with Self-Rated Health Status among the Elderly in South Korea: The 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2018) / 보건행정학회지

Background@#It is getting important to improve the oral health status of the elderly because oral health status may affect their health status of the whole body. In this respect, we aimed to explore the association of oral health status and behavior factors with self-rated health status by sex. @*Methods@#Using the data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for health surveys and oral examinations (2016–2018), we analyzed a total of 3,070 people aged 65 or older (men: 1,329; women: 1,741). Our dependent variable, self-rated health status, was divided into two groups: not good (bad and very bad) and good (very good, good, and fair), whereas our independent variables of interest were oral health status and behavior factors. In addition to descriptive analysis and the Rao-Scott chi-square test, reflecting survey characteristics, we conducted hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographics and health status and behavior factors. All analyses were stratified by sex. @*Results@#The proportion of people having ‘not good’ self-rated health was 36.5% in women but 24.5% in men. In a model adjusted for all covariates, the self-rated health status showed significant association with the self-rated oral health status. For example, in men, the risk of having ‘not good’ self-rated health was high in people having ‘poor’ (odds ratio [OR], 5.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34–12.03) self-rated oral health status and in those having ‘fair’ (OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.68–9.70) in comparison with those having ‘good’ self-rated oral health status. Dental status regarding speaking difficulty seemed to be very important in influencing self-rated health status. For instance, in women, compared to people having ‘no discomfort’ speaking difficulty, the risk of having ‘not good’ self-rated health was high in people having ‘not bad’ (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.14–2.24) and ‘discomfort’ (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30–2.47) speaking difficulty. The covariates significantly associated with the risk of having ‘not good’ self-rated health were: physical activity, chronic disease, stress, and body mass index in both sexes; health insurance type and drinking only in men; and economic activity only in women. @*Conclusion@#Oral health status and behavioral factors were associated with self-rated health status among the elderly, differently by sex. This suggests that public health policies toward better health in the elderly should take their oral health status and oral health behaviors into account in a sex-specific way

Enhancement of Osseointegration of Artificial Ligament by Nano-Hydroxyapatite and Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 into the Rabbit Femur

The MTT assay showed that the cell proliferation on hydroxyapatite (HAp) and HAp/bone morphogenic protein (BMP) coated group was better than the control and BMP coated groups at 5 days. And after 7 days of culture, the mRNA expression levels of type I collagen, osteonectin, osteopontin, bonesialoprotein, BMP-2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Runx-2 in the HAp/BMP coated group were significantly higher than the other groups. Also, in this group showed the most significant induction of osteogenic gene expression compared to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) grown on the other groups. In addition, the cells in the HAp/BMP coated group delivered higher levels of ALP than the other three groups. Also, silk scaffolds were implanted as artificial ligaments in knees of rabbits, and they were harvested 1 and 3 months after implantation. On gross examination, HE staining showed that new bone tissue formation was more observed in the HAp/BMP coated group 3 weeks postoperatively. And masson staining showed that in the HAp/BMP coated group, the silk fibers were encircled by osteoblast, chondrocyte, and collagen. Furthermore, the analysis showed that the width of the graft-bone interface in the HAp and HAp/BMP coated group was narrower than that in the other two groups 3 weeks postoperatively. So, it is concluded that BMP incorporated HAp coated silk scaffold can be enhanced osseointegration and osteogenesis in bone tunnel. As a result, these experimental designs have been demonstrated to be effective in the acceleration of graft-to-bone healing by increasing new bone or fibrocartilage formation at the interface between graft and bone.

Macrolide Resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Its Detection Rate by Real-Time PCR in Primary and Tertiary Care Hospitals

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in primary and tertiary care hospitals and its macrolide resistance rate. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 195 pediatric patients in primary and tertiary care hospitals from October to November 2010. The AccuPower MP real-time PCR kit (Bioneer, Korea) was used for the detection of M. pneumoniae. Direct amplicon sequencing was performed to detect point mutations conferring resistance to macrolides in the 23S rRNA gene. RESULTS: Among the 195 specimens, 17 (8.7%) were M. pneumoniae positive, and 3 of the strains (17.6%) obtained from these 17 specimens displayed the A2063G mutation in 23S rRNA. Three macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae isolates were isolated from patients hospitalized at the primary care hospital. The positive rates of M. pneumoniae for the primary and tertiary care hospitals were 12.1% (15/124) and 2.8% (2/71), respectively (P=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: The positive rate of M. pneumoniae in the primary care hospital was higher than that in the tertiary care hospital. Simultaneous detection of M. pneumoniae and macrolide-resistant mutation genes in the 23S rRNA by real-time PCR is needed for rapid diagnosis and therapy of M. pneumoniae infections.

Two Cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia with A2063G Mutation in the 23S rRNA Gene in Siblings

We describe 2 cases of pneumonia caused by the same macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae in siblings. M. pneumoniae was identified using real-time PCR. Direct sequence analysis of the 23S rRNA gene revealed a point mutation in V domain (A2063G) of the 23S rRNA gene.

Biochemical Characterization of an Extracellular beta-Glucosidase from the Fungus, Penicillium italicum, Isolated from Rotten Citrus Peel

A beta-glucosidase from Penicillium italicum was purified with a specific activity of 61.8 U/mg, using a chromatography system. The native form of the enzyme was an 88.5-kDa tetramer with a molecular mass of 354 kDa. Optimum activity was observed at pH 4.5 and 60degrees C, and the half-lives were 1,737, 330, 34, and 1 hr at 50, 55, 60, and 65degrees C, respectively. Its activity was inhibited by 47% by 5 mM Ni2+. The enzyme exhibited hydrolytic activity for p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (pNP-Glu), p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-cellobioside, p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xyloside, and cellobiose, however, no activity was observed for p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-lactopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside, carboxymetyl cellulose, xylan, and cellulose, indicating that the enzyme was a beta-glucosidase. The kcat/Km (s-1 mM-1) values for pNP-Glu and cellobiose were 15,770.4 mM and 6,361.4 mM, respectively. These values were the highest reported for beta-glucosidases. Non-competitive inhibition of the enzyme by both glucose (Ki = 8.9 mM) and glucono-delta-lactone (Ki = 11.3 mM) was observed when pNP-Glu was used as the substrate. This is the first report of non-competitive inhibition of beta-glucosidase by glucose and glucono-delta-lactone.

Different Clinical Courses of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura in Children, Adolescents and Adults / 소아과

PURPOSE: Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common and benign systemic vasculitis in children. Few reports have focused on worse outcomes of HSP in adults. The age of onset is suggested as a main risk factor. We assessed the characteristics of adolescent-onset HSP. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 205 cases presented from Aug. 1993 to Oct. 2003. Patients were classified as children ( 20 years of age). RESULTS: The mean age was 5.7+/-1.8 years in 149 children, 13.5+/-2.4 years in 38 adolescents, and 44.9+/-14.5 years in 18 adults. The male to female ratio was 1.2: 1 in children and adolescents, and 2: 1 in adults. Previous upper respiratory infections were found in 53.4 percent of children, 32.4 percent of adolescents, and 33.3 percent of adults. Positivity of stool occult blood was more frequent in adults (50.5 percent) than in children (23.0 percent) (P< 0.05). Renal involvement was found in 46 cases (30.9 percent) of children, 23 cases (60.5 percent) of adolescents, and 15 cases (83.3 percent) of adults. Recurrences occurred in 23 cases (15.4 percent) of children, nine cases (23.7 percent) of adolescents, and three cases (16.7 percent) of adults. Among the cases with renal involvement, 97.8 percent of children and 87.0 percent of adolescents improved to normal or asymptomatic urinary abnormalities. 60.0 percent of adults persisted with severe nephropathy and 13.3 percent progressed to renal insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Although the outcome of adolescent HSP was as good as children, the clinical manifestations were similar to those of adults. Adolescents had the highest rate of recurrences. Thus long term observations may be needed in adolescent onset HSP.

Intrahepatic Arterio-Venous Shunts in a Patient with Hypergalactosemia Detected by Neonatal Screening

We report a case of 15 days old newborn presenting with hypergalactosemia detected by newborn screening who had intrahepatic arterio-venous shunts with multiple pin-head sized cutaneous hemangiomas. Plasma level of galactose was elevated to 11.3 mg/dL at age of 7 days, but the activity of galactose-metabolizing enzymes including galactose-1- phosphate uridyltransferase, galactokinase, and uridine diphosphate galactose-4-epimerase were all normal. Intrahepatic arterio-venous shunts were diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography with color doppler ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography. At age of 3 months, the plasma level of galactose further elevated to 14.73 mg/dL, at which time lactose-free cows milk formula was started. At age of 6 months, the plasma level of galactose decreased to within normal range with disappearance of previously noted multiple cutaneous hemangiomas. In hypergalactosemia of the newborn, the intrahepatic shunts should be considered as a possible cause, once hereditary enzyme deficiencies have been ruled out.

The Diagnostic Significance of Various Laboratory Findings in Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve Analysis / 대한소아혈액종양학회지

PURPOSE: The clinical findings of almost all of the hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) patients are not significant. Early enforcement of bone marrow study for quicker detection of laboratory abnormalities in routine laboratory test, which is perfomed in febrile patients, is critical for early diagnosis of HLH. In this study, we tried to elucidate more significant laboratory test for the early diagnosis of HLH. METHODS: The study group and control group consisted of 13 HLH patients, and 46 febrile patients with causes like fever of unknown origin, kawasaki disease or acute lymphoblastic leukemia, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of various laboratory findings of hyperpyrexic patients on the first day of admission were performed. RESULTS: The total WBC count, platelet count, serum triglyceride, serum transaminase, and serum ferritin revealed statistically significant differences between the study and the control group (P< 0.05). The ROC curve analysis revealed that serum triglyceride was the most efficient test for the differential diagnosis between HLH and febrile patients with other causes. And the serum transaminase, triglyceride and ferritin revealed a statistically significant difference between the study and the leukemia patients group (P< 0.05). The ROC curve analysis revealed that serum transaminase was the most efficient test for differential diagnosis between HLH and acute leukemia. CONCLUSION: In patients with persistent hyperpyrexia, the elevated serum triglyceride level is an important clue for the early diagnosis of HLH. In patient with persistent hyperpyrexia, and abnormal CBC findings, the elevated serum transaminase level is an important clue for the early diagnosis of HLH.