Validation of a New Food Frequency Questionnaire for Assessment of Calcium and Vitamin D Intake in Korean Women

BACKGROUND: Validated simple calcium questionnaires are available to assess the intake of calcium and vitamin D in western countries, but they are not appropriate for Koreans since dairy products are not the major source of calcium and vitamin D in Korea. Thus, the objective of the present study was to develop and validate a simple and easy food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) of calcium and vitamin D for Korean. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-six women were asked to complete the validated FFQ used by the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and a newly developed FFQ, the Korean Calcium Assessment Tool (KCAT), which contain the 7 food groups with 24 categories of 45 food items that are consumed frequently by Koreans. RESULTS: Calcium intake was not significantly different between the two methods; Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.98 indicated a positive correlation, and Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.78 indicated the subjects were correctly classified. Bland-Altman plot also showed that the mean differences of the calcium intake as assessed by the two methods were in high agreement. However, the vitamin D intake assessed by KCAT was significantly higher than that assessed by the FFQ used in KNHANES. The vitamin D intakes as assessed by the two methods were positively correlated but the two methods were in moderate agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that the newly developed KCAT was a valid tool for assessing the calcium intake in Korean women, but it might overestimate the vitamin D intake.

The hyperexpressions of putative stem cells in the eutopic endometrium of patients with advanced endometriosis / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Recently it has been proposed that stem cells may be associated with the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The purposes of this study are to investigate whether the eutopic endometrial cells of women with or without endometriosis show the characteristics of stem cells in vitro and have a difference of the expressions of the undifferentiated stem cell markers as OCT-4 and CXCR4. METHODS: A total of 6 women with advanced endometriosis and a total of 10 women without endometriosis, adenomyosis or leiomyoma were included in this study. The eutopic endometrial cells, which were obtained from the menstrual blood at menstrual cycle day 2 to 4, were cultured in vitro for approximately 2 weeks, subsequently the putative very small stem cells were separated by Percoll density gradient method and were cultured. The expressions of OCT-4 and CXCR4 were analyzed by real time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The eutopic endometrial cells of the group of endometriosis compared with the control group showed the different morphological characteristics in vitro; more commonly heterogeneous supportive cells, very small round cells less than 3 micrometer and 5~15 micrometer sized hyperchromatic round cells. After the separation of very small round cells by Percoll density gradient method, these cells showed the several characteristics of stem cells; self-renewal, asymmetric cell division, colony formation and embryoid body-like formation. Also These cells showed the similar characteristics of very small embryonic-like stem cells; the mobile cells smaller than erythrocyte, the cell migration or adhesion to supportive cells, the sphere formation by cell aggregation and the formation of new differentiated cell by cell fusion. The expressions of OCT-4 and CXCR4 in the group of endometriosis are respectively 5.66 times and 17.69 times as high as the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The very small round cells less than 3 micrometer and 5~15 micrometer sized hyperchromatic round cells, which showed the several characteristics of stem cells in vitro, were more common in eutopic endometrial cells of patients with endometriosis and the expressions of OCT-4 and CXCR4 were significantly higher. This study suggests that stem cells might play a key role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and OCT-4 and CXCR4 might be used as a tool for diagnosis or follow-up.

Clinical symptom of premenstrual syndrome in Korean women acorrding to tissue mineral concentration / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a disease with specific psychologic and physical symptoms on luteal phase. Its incidence is variable in 20~80%, but its cause is not definitely proved. Because progesterone and estrogen affect the balance of the body mineral, the alteration of progestorone and estrogen in the patients with PMS may effect the imbalance of tissue mineral, that can induce the specific symptoms of PMS. This study examines the relationship between symptoms of PMS and mineral count by tissue mineral test. METHODS: Women who volunteered for the tissue mineral test completed MMDQ questionnaire and checked blood test for Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Zn. The tissue mineral test used the hair not treated within 3 weeks and not washed within 3 hours. The hair was send to TEI for the analysis. We used SPSS (14.0) for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The MMDQ score of the normal Mg group is significantly higher than the high Mg group (22.5+/-17.8 vs. 13.9+/-11.1), and the behavioral disorder score of the normal Na group is significantly lower than the low Na group (2.2+/-1.7 vs. 3.4+/-2.2). The MMDQ score of the normal Cu group is significantly lower than abnormal group (15.7+/-11.9 vs. 24.9+/-16.9). CONCLUSIONS: Total score of MMDQ showed difference according to magnesium and copper concentrations in tissue, and scores of behavioral disorder was affected by sodium concentration of tissue. Additional study about cause and effect relationship is required.

Correlation between the duration of labor and leptin concentration in cord blood / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation of level of leptin in cord blood and duration of labor. METHODS: Eighty-four pregnant women who had delivered during Jan. 2004-Jun. 2004. at the delivery unit of St. Mary's Hospital of Catholic University Medical College. We checked the level of leptin in cord blood, total duration of labor (cervix 3 cm-delivery of placenta), age of pregnant women, body weight before pregnancy, body weight before delivery, weight of the baby and placenta, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and height of the baby. Leptin was checked by ELISA. RESULTS: Cord blood leptin was in proportion to one's pregnancy duration (umbilical vein p<0.01, umbilical artery p<0.05), change of body weight (p<0.05), weight of placenta (p<0.01), weight of newborn (umbilical artery p<0.01, umbilical vein p<0.05), baby's abdominal circumference (umbilical vein p<0.01, umbilical artery p<0.05). Leptin was in inverse proportion to head circumference of new born infant in umbilical artery (p<0.01) and in umbilical vein (p<0.05). Level of leptin in umbilical vein was in proportion to duration of labor (p<0.05). When the labor duration exceeded 8 hours, leptin in cord blood decreased suddenly, but within 8 hours, their correlation coefficient showed a strong relationship (p<0.01) between the labor duration and leptin level in cord blood. CONCLUSION: Duration of labor affects the level of leptin in cord blood.

Simple Method for Making Better Field in OPCAB Using Empty Blood Bag / 대한흉부외과학회지

Coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart is no longer new to any cardiac surgeon. What matters nowadays is stablizing the heart without impairing the hemodynamics. We describe a simple and safer technique to move the anterolateral coronary to a center in the operation field. The empty blood bag connected to 50 cc syringe is put underneath the left venricle. Simply inflating the air into the blood bag gradually displaces the heart and rotate the lateral wall of the ventricle to the midline position. Therefore, we suggest "Blood Bag" method as a different way of exposing heart.

Hiatal Hernia in Neonate / 대한흉부외과학회지

The incidence of Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is 1 in 2000-5000 live births and hiatal hernia is even rarer especially in neonates. We experienced a case of congenital hiatal hernia (mixed type) in a week old female. Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, the surgery was done. Through the right thoracotomy, Belsey-Mark IV fundoplication was performed after the reduction of herniated viscera. The patient was fed 3 days after operation. there has been no complaint for 6 months after discharge. Therefore, we present this case with overall review of the literature.

Long Term Results of Carbomedics Mechanical Valve / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate our clinical experience with the Carbomedics heart valve prosthesis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between Aug. 1988 and Dec. 1998, 294 Carbomidics valves were implanted in 235 patients(mitral; 143, mitral and aortic; 59, aortic; 33) The mean age at operation is 40.0+/-12.3 years(range 7 to 68 years); 63.8% (150patients) were woman. Follow up was 97.4% complete and mean follow up time was 5.7years with a total of 1209.2 patient-years. RESULT: The hospital mortality was 8.9%(mitral; was 95.2+/-1.6%(mitral ; 94.9+/-2.1%, mitral and aortic 95.0+/-3.7%, aortic 96.2+/-3.8%). Actual freedom rates from complications(linearized rates in parentheses) were fllowings; thromboembolism 96.2+/-1.5%(0.59%pt-yr), valve thrombosis 96.7+/-1.4%(0.5%/pt/yr), anticoagulant related hemorrhage 98.3+/-1.0%(0.25%/pt-yr), perivalvular leak 99.0+/-1.4%(0.5%/pt-yr), endocarditis 98.7+/-1.0%(0.25%/pt-yr), perivalvular leak 99.0+/-0.7%(0.17%pt-yr), endocarditis 98.7+/-1.0%(0.17%+/-pt-yr) and overall valve-related complications 88.9+/-2.5%(1.68%/pt-yr). CONCLUSION: The clinical performance of the Carbomedics valve was quite satisfactory with a low incidence of valve related mortality and morbidity.

Minimal Invasive cardiac Surgery: Small Submammary Incision / 대한흉부외과학회지

A cosmetic incision for minimal invasive cardiac surgery is described. Through a small submammary skin incision combined with partial low sternotomy some kinds of cardiac operations are possible without extra-difficulty but with excellent cosmetic effect, No special instruments nor techniques are required. By this method routine cannulations for cardiopulmonary bypass as well as aortic cross clamping bicaval snaring and venting of cardiac chambers are possible, We performed 5 cases of open heart surgeries using this approach which includes two cases of atrial septal defect closure one case of ventricular septal defect closure one case of pulmonic valvotomy and one case of mitral valve replacement.

Esophageal Stent in Postpneumonectomy Esophagopleural Fistula / 대한흉부외과학회지

A case of esophagopleural fistula after pleuropneumonectomy is reported. A 59 years old male underwent right pleuropneumonectomy due to tuberculous empyema. The postoperative small esophagopleural fistula was confirmed by esophagogram and was initially managed by a conservative treatment. There was a persistent fistula on follow up esophagogram, therefore we planned the next treatment modality for obstruction of the fistula. For poor general conditions and arrhythmia, an esophageal stent was applied as a non-surgical method. At first, a covered-form stent was inserted, but it migrated to the stomach after 3 months. By using an uncovered-form stent, a complete obstruction of the esophagopleural fistula was achieved.

An Anomalous Left Upper Pulmonary Venous Connection Associated with ADS ( Atrial Septal Defect ) / 대한흉부외과학회지

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection is frequently found in any ASD(atrial septal defect) patients. These patients are usually symptomatic, therefore, easily diagnosed as just simple ASD. We experienced a case of a 37-year-old female patient with ASD in which the left upper pulmonary vein was connected to SVC by the left inominate vein. The patient was diagnosed as simple ASD previously. During cardiac catheterization, we found a meaningful oxygen saturation step up between the SVC and its upper portion. Angiogram confirmed PAPVC. The surgical correction of anastomosis of PAPVC with left atrial appendage and direct closure of ASD were done. The patient was discharged 15 days later.

Pulmonary Mucinous Cystic Tumor of Borderline Malignancy: A case of report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Pulmonary mucinous cystic tumor of borderline malignancy is very rare and distinguished from bronchogenic cyst or adenocarcinoma of bronchoalveolar type. We present the case of a 63-year-old woman with a right lower lobe mass, found by chest radiographs. The preoperative diagnosis was made as bronchoalveolar cancer by percutaneous needle aspiration of mass. Right lower lobectomy and lymph node dissections were performed. The lobectomy specimen contained variable sized multilocular cystic mucous masses, filled with mucus. Microscopically, the cystic masses are lined with tall columnar mucinous epithelium but some area contains focal cellular atypism and bronchoalveolar cancer like foci. This foci are lack of cellular atypism consistent with bronchoalveolar cancer cell. After lobectomy the patient has remained free from recurrence and distant metastasis for following 12 months period. Pulmonary mucinous cystic tumor of borderline malignancy appears to have a favorable prognosis and should be distinguished from other lung neoplasms.