Factors of Capital on Depression in Older Adulthood: A Comparison of Urban and Rural Regions in Korea.

This study analyses old-age capital in its economic, cultural, and social components, in terms of how it impacts on depression in the elderly, comparing urban and rural regions. Our comparative analysis in urban and rural areas focuses on South Korea, using the Korean Welfare Panel Data from 2012 to 2020. Time-series trends and variables measuring capital and depression in older adults were examined in panel data analyses. Depression among the Korean elderly was at a similar level in urban and rural areas, whereas satisfaction regarding income levels, leisure life, and social relationships was higher for older adults in rural areas. We also found that the higher the economic capital, the higher the leisure life satisfaction (cultural capital), and the higher the social relationship satisfaction (social capital), the lower the rates of depression. Finally, depression among the urban elderly did not decrease as house prices increased as a component of economic capital, and depression decreased among groups participating in volunteer activities as part of the social capital of the rural elderly. In accordance with the socioemotional selectivity theory, older adults in rural areas in Korea have an advantage in terms of cultural capital due to their environment, whereas the psychosocial environment theory is relevant to urban elderly people experiencing relative deprivation in terms of economic capital.

A large, persistent, solitary vellus hair cyst in the postauricular area.

Vellus hair cysts typically appear as numerous small papules in the precordial area in children. Treatment is generally not necessary as most cases resolve spontaneously. We report a case of a vellus hair cyst that was unique in that it manifested as a solitary mass in the postauricular area and it had persisted for 16 years. The tumor was surgically excised. We also review the literature on this condition.

Comparison of growth factor and cytokine expression in patients with degenerated disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the expression of cytokines and growth factors in disc specimens obtained from patients with herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) and degenerated disc disease (DDD). DESIGN AND METHODS: MRI and Western blot analyses were performed to evaluate the levels of disc degeneration and the expression levels of cytokines and growth factors. RESULTS: The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-8 were significantly greater in the DDD group than in the HNP group, but no statistical differences were observed in the expression of IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-12 between the HNP and DDD groups. In addition, the expression of TGF beta, VEGF and NGF was significantly higher in the DDD group than in the HNP group. CONCLUSION: The greater levels of cytokine and growth factor expression in the DDD group than in the HNP explain why discogenic patients usually have more severe back pain than patients with herniated discs.