Emotion dysregulation in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To characterize emotion regulation strategies in patients with idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) and to explore whether these strategies are associated with clinical symptoms. METHODS: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, a total of 94 polysomnography-confirmed iRBD patients (mean age, 67.6 years; men, 56%) and 50 healthy controls (mean age, 65.4 years; men, 48%) completed the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), the Korean version of the RBD questionnaire-Hong Kong (RBDQ-KR), the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), the second edition of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K). RESULTS: The iRBD group had lower CERQ adaptive scores than the control group, whereas the CERQ maladaptive scores were not significantly different between the groups. Among the CERQ adaptive subscales, the scores for positive refocusing, refocusing on planning, and positive reappraisal were significantly lower in the iRBD group than in the control group. Higher CERQ adaptive scores were correlated with lower scores on RBDQ-KR factor 1 (dream-related) and the BDI-II and higher MoCA-K scores but were not correlated with RBDQ-KR factor 2 (behavioral manifestation) or BDHI scores. Among the dream content-related items of RBDQ-KR factor 1, the CERQ adaptive score was associated only with frequent nightmares. No correlation was found between CERQ maladaptive scores and any variable except for a positive correlation with BDI-II scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence of emotion regulation deficits in iRBD patients. Furthermore, these results were linked to dream-related factors, especially nightmares, along with depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment.

A health-related quality of life model for patients undergoing haemodialysis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to construct and verify a model that explains and predicts the health-related quality of life in patients undergoing haemodialysis. BACKGROUND: Individual and disease-related characteristics, social support, physical and emotional symptoms, patient role adherence and perceived health status may be interrelated and might affect the health-related quality of life of patients undergoing haemodialysis directly or indirectly. DESIGN: A correlational, cross-sectional research design was used. METHODS: Participants were 202 patients undergoing haemodialysis at one of the seven nephrology clinics specified in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from September-November 2017. The collected data were analysed using spss version 25.0® and amos 23.0. This study adhered to the STROBE guideline. RESULTS: The hypothetical model with 13 of the 15 analysed paths showed a good fit to the empirical data: χ2  = 85.67 (p < .001), normed χ2  = 2.14, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.97, NFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.08, and RMSR = 0.04. Symptoms (fatigue, quality of sleep, and depression), environmental (social support) and individual (age) characteristics and general health perception had a direct effect on health-related quality of life. Additionally, individual and environment characteristics affected health-related quality of life through biological functions, symptoms, functional status and general health perception. These variables explained 78.6% of the variation in health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: To improve health-related quality of life in patients undergoing haemodialysis, systematic and integrated intervention programmes need to be developed and applied considering a variety of factors related to health-related quality of life. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Individual and environment characteristics, biological functions, symptoms, functional status and general health perception should be systematically monitored to improve the health-related quality of life of patients on haemodialysis. It is also necessary to develop detailed interventions that consider all these factors.

Worry experienced during the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) pandemic in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Korea failed in its risk communication during the early stage of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak; consequently, it faced difficulties in managing MERS, while disease-related worry increased. Disease-related worry can help disease prevention and management, but can also have a detrimental effect. This study measured the overall level of disease-related worry during the MERS outbreak period in Korea and the influencing factors and levels of disease-related worry during key outbreak periods. METHODS: The cross-sectional survey included 1,000 adults who resided in Korea. An ordinal logistic regression was performed for the overall level of MERS-related worry, and influencing factors of worry were analyzed. A reliability test was performed on the levels of MERS-related worry during key outbreak periods. RESULTS: The overall level of MERS-related worry was 2.44. Multivariate analysis revealed that women and respondents w very poor subjective health status had higher levels of worry. Respondents with very high stress in daily life had higher levels of worry than those who reported having little stress. The reliability test results on MERS-related worry scores during key outbreak periods showed consistent scores during each period. CONCLUSION: Level of worry increased in cases having higher perceived susceptibility and greater trust in informal information, while initial stage of outbreak was closely associated with that at later stages. These findings suggest the importance of managing the level of worry by providing timely and accurate disease-related information during the initial stage of disease outbreak.

Determinants of Attitude toward the Public Health Spending and Its Relationship with Voting Behavior in the 2012 South Korean Presidential Election.

This study aimed to identify the factors influencing South Korean voters' attitudes towards increasing public expenditure on health and to identify whether the issue of healthcare expenditure influenced candidate choice in the 2012 Korean presidential election. The study used the data from a survey conducted by the Institute of Korean Politics at Seoul National University immediately following the 2012 presidential election. The survey was completed by a nationwide sample of 1,200 people aged 19 or over using a face-to-face interview method and proportional quota sampling based on sex, age, and region. About 44.3% of respondents had a positive attitude toward increasing public health expenditure. There was no significant difference by the candidate they supported (conservative Park Geun-hye or liberal Moon Jae-in). In particular, even 44.9% of conservative supporters agreed with more spending. Politically neutral respondents (OR = 1.76, 90% CI 1.22-2.54) and strong conservative party supporters (OR = 1.53, 90% CI 1.05-2.25) were more likely to support public health expenditure increase compared to strong liberal party supporters. Also, respondents who believed that the economic gap in the country was widening were 1.91 times more likely to support an increase in public health expenditures. However, the issue of health expenditure had no influence on voters' choice of presidential candidates, and in particular no negative effect of choice of the ruling (conservative) party's candidate. Our results should be interpreted with care; one possible reason for this lack of effect might be that constituents voted along partisan lines regardless of their attitude to the welfare issue; another possible explanation might be the success of the "left click strategy" of the conservative party. That is, the conservatives did not reject economic democratization or social welfare expansion. Further research should be done to explain why attitudes to health spending did not directly affect choice of candidate.

Infrared shutter using cholesteric liquid crystal.

In this paper, we propose an infrared light shutter device using cholesteric liquid crystals. The pitch of the device corresponds to the wavelengths of the infrared region with a strong thermal effect. This device is intended for use as a smart window to maintain an optimal indoor temperature by controlling the infrared radiation coming from the sun. The proposed cholesteric device switches between the planar state and the isotropic state by controlling the temperature using an electrically heated transparent electrode made of indium tin oxide. A window with a planar state that reflects infrared radiation would be used mainly in the summer, while the isotropic state that transmits infrared would be applied in the winter. The proposed device produced a variety of gray levels of transmittance based on the temperature, and thus it can provide the proper temperature for each user. The easy fabrication process gives it appeal as a functional device in the smart window market, and it compares favorably with previous light shutter devices. The infrared shutter is expected to be useful for next-generation window applications.

The Effect of National Cancer Screening on Disparity Reduction in Cancer Stage at Diagnosis by Income Level.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of cancer is an effective and efficient cancer management strategy. In South Korea, the National Health Insurance administers the National Cancer Screening Program to its beneficiaries. We examined the impact of the National Cancer Screening Program on socioeconomic disparities in cancer stage at diagnosis. METHODS: Cancer patients registered in the Korean Central Cancer Registry from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 with a diagnosis of gastric cancer (n = 22,470), colon cancer (n = 16,323), breast cancer (n = 10,076), or uterine cervical cancer (n = 2,447) were included. Income level was divided into three groups according to their monthly contribution of National Health Insurance. We employed absolute (age-standardized prevalence rate, slope index of inequality) and relative (relative index of inequality) measures to separately examine social disparities among participants and non-participants of the National Cancer Screening Program in terms of the early-stage rate. RESULTS: Age-standardized prevalence rates of early-stage by income group were always higher in participants than in non-participants. Furthermore, the age-standardized prevalence rate of early-stage in the low income group of the participants was also higher than that of the high income group of the non-participants. The sizes of disparities (both slope index of inequality and relative index of inequality) are smaller in participants compared to non-participants. CONCLUSION: National Cancer Screening Program participation reduced income disparity in cancer stage at diagnosis. Population-based cancer screening programs can be used as an effective measure to reduce income disparity in cancer care.

A 635-nm light-emitting diode (LED) therapy inhibits bone resorptive osteoclast formation by regulating the actin cytoskeleton.

Bone diseases such as osteoporosis are mainly caused by upregulated activity of osteoclasts. The present study was designed to examine the effects of light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation on the formation and activity of multinucleated osteoclasts, specifically "round-shaped" osteoclast cells (ROC) in different cell types derived from mouse. After 635-nm LED irradiation, the cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. The amount of total tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) + osteoclast and the number of ROC cells were also estimated by TRAP solution assay and TRAP staining, respectively. Actin rings were stained with rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin, and resorption assay was performed by dentin slices. In addition, gene expression levels between the control and irradiation groups were evaluated by RT-PCR. In a morphological analysis, the formation of ROC was significantly inhibited by 635-nm LED irradiation in the different cell types. Actin rings were seen at cell peripheries in most ROC cells of the control group, but patches containing disorganized actin were found in the irradiation group. Both the number of ROCs and bone resorption activity were much lower in the irradiation group than in the control group. Also, the gene expression levels involved in actin ring formation such as integrin ß3 and c-Src decreased in RT-PCR analysis. Overall, 635-nm LED therapy may play a pivotal role in regulating bone remodeling, and it may prove to be a valuable tool to prevent bone loss in osteoporosis and other resorptive bone diseases.

A study on the menstruation of Korean adolescent girls in Seoul / 소아과

PURPOSE: Westernized eating habits have been associated with early-age menstruation, which increases the incidence of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls. We therefore surveyed changes in menarche timing and the general menstrual characteristics of adolescent girls in Seoul, Korea. METHODS: We surveyed 538 teenage girls who visited our hospital between July and November 2007. Items explored included age at menarche, general menstrual characteristics, occurrence of premenstrual syndrome and treatment thereof, and an association between present dysmenorrhea and a family history of the condition. RESULTS: Average age at menarche was 12.6 years, with 29% (n=156) subjects beginning menstruation at age 12 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 82% (n=435). The main symptoms were abdominal (53.2%) and lower back pain (34.2%), and 15.2% of girls who experienced such symptoms required medication. Present dysmenorrhea, and a family history thereof, were statistically correlated (P<0.05). In addition, 58.8% (n=316) of teenage girls had symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. The most frequent psychological symptoms were fatigue (36.4%) and nervousness (38.7%), whereas the most common physical symptom was menstrual cramps (46.5%). Most subjects (87.6%) tolerated the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome without medication; 11.4% took medicines including painkillers; but only 0.1% of subjects visited a doctor. CONCLUSION: The average age at menarche in Korean girls was 12.6 years, thus younger than in the past. Most teenage girls experienced dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, but few consulted a doctor. Organized treatment plans are required to manage menstrual problems in teenage girls.

A study of adolescent smoking and drinking in Korea / 소아과

PURPOSE: Adolescence is a period of growth and development in body structure and physiologic, psychologic, and social functioning. Smoking and drinking in this period are very harmful and may lead to other forms of substance abuse. We surveyed the actual aspects of smoking and drinking among Korean adolescents and analyzed associated factors. METHODS: A survey was performed among adolescents using a questionnaire about smoking and drinking. Data were collected from students who visited pediatric clinics for routine school examinations from July to November 2007. RESULTS: A total of 2,546 adolescents (smoking 1,512; drinking 1,034) participated in the study. The overall smoking and drinking rates were 29.2% and 48.2%, respectively, and the mean age at the first instance of smoking and drinking was 13.8 and 14.1 years, respectively. Among drinking adolescents, 30.1% were offered a drink by their parents, although most adolescents were encouraged to smoke or drink by their friends. Dissatisfaction with family and school life, economic status, and school performance was associated with a higher smoking and drinking rate (P<0.001). Broken families were associated with a high rate of smoking, but peer satisfaction was not related to smoking or drinking. The frequency and amount of smoking and drinking in adolescents were as high as those in adults. Social sanctions seemed insufficient to keep adolescents from smoking and drinking. CONCLUSION: Adolescent smoking and drinking are highly influenced by family and school environments, so more active social sanctions are required, including parental involvement and legislation preventing adolescents from smoking and drinking.

Detection of Viral Antigens in Stool Using EIA in Hospitalized Children and Clinical Implication / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to detect viral coproantigens in children who were hospitalized with acute diarrhea and to compare its association with clinical symptoms. METHODS: Seventy-four stool samples were collected from children admitted to Ewha Mokdong Hospital from March 1996 to December 1999. The samples were frozen and analyzed for rotavirus, adenovirus, enterovirus, astrovirus, and calicivirus by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with monoclonal antibody. 53 stool samples were collected from patients with diarrhea (diarrheal group) and 21 stool samples from patients hospitalized for reasons other than diarrhea (control group). Clinical features and laboratory findings were reviewed in both groups. RESULTS: Among 74 stool samples, virus antigens were detected in 60 samples. Of the 60 virus-positive stool samples, 47 enterovirus, 26 rotavirus, 16 adenovirus, 11 astrovirus, and 11 calicivirus antigens were detected by EIA. Of the 60 virus-positive stool samples, 28 samples have one viral antigen, 30 samples have 2 or more viral antigens, and 2 samples showed a simultaneous infection of Salmonella group B and enterovirus. There was no relationship between the detected virus and clinical features. CONCLUSION: In this study, viral coproantigen and clinical symptoms were not associated. In the future, further larger scale studies are necessary.

Predictive Factors of Saline Reduction under Ultrasound-guidance in Patients with Intussusception

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive factors of saline reduction under ultrasound-guidance in patients with intussusception. METHODS: Ultrasound-guided saline enema reductions were performed in 105 patients with intussusception from September 1993 to April 1996 at Ewha Womans University Mok-dong Hospital. Clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic findings were analyzed as the predictive factors of ultrasound-guided saline enema reduction in 15 patients(14.3%) who were not reduced by saline enema reduction compared to 90 patients(85.7%) who were reduced. RESULTS: The mean age of the not-reduced group was 8.9+/-5.8 months old which was significantly younger than 14.5+/-15.4 months old of the reduced group(P0.05). Among the ultrasonographic findings, the thickness of the hypoechoic outer rim in the not-reduced group was 10.5+/-3.3mm which was significantly thicker than 7.4+/-1.8mm of the reduced group(P<0.05). In stepwise logistic regression analysis, hypoechoic outer rim thickness over 8mm contributed significantly as the predictive factor for the failure of ultrasound-guided saline enema reduction(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The thickness of the hypoechoic outer rim over 8mm on ultrasonogram was the predictive factor for the failure of saline reduction.