• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.479-486
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Timing of almond intake during a day may result differently in the perspectives of body composition and changes of lipid profile. The current study was conducted to compare the effects of daily almond intake as a preload versus as a snack on body composition, blood lipid profile, and oxidative and inflammation indicators among young Korean adults aged 20-39 years old. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a pre-meal almond group (PM), a snack almond group (SN) in which participants were instructed to consume 56 g of almonds either as a preload before meals or as a snack between meals, respectively, and a control group (CL) in which participants were provided high-carbohydrate iso-caloric control food. Measurements were performed at baseline, weeks 8 and 16. RESULTS: A total of 169 (M 77 / F 92) out of the 227 participants completed the study between June 2014 and June 2015 (n = 58 for PM; 55 for SN; and 56 for CL). A significant decrease in body fat mass was observed in the PM group at both weeks 8 and 16 compared with the CL. There were significant intervention effects on changes of body fat mass (P = 0.025), body fat percentages (P = 0.019), and visceral fat levels (P < 0.001). Consuming almonds as a daily snack reduced the levels of total cholesterol (P = 0.043) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P = 0.011) without changing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol compared with the CL. CONCLUSION: Almond consumption as a preload modified body fat percentages, whereas snacking on almonds between meals improved blood lipid profiles. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03014531.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Several previous studies have investigated whether regular walnut consumption positively changes heart-health-related parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of daily walnut intake on metabolic syndrome (MetS) status and other metabolic parameters among subjects with MetS. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study was a two-arm, randomized, controlled crossover study with 16 weeks of each intervention (45 g of walnuts or iso-caloric white bread) with a 6 week washout period between interventions. Korean adults with MetS (n = 119) were randomly assigned to one of two sequences; 84 subjects completed the trial. At each clinic visit (at 0, 16, 22, and 38 weeks), MetS components, metabolic parameters including lipid profile, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), adiponectin, leptin, and apolipoprotein B, as well as anthropometric and bioimpedance data were obtained. RESULTS: Daily walnut consumption for 16 weeks improved MetS status, resulting in 28.6%-52.8% reversion rates for individual MetS components and 51.2% of participants with MetS at baseline reverted to a normal status after the walnut intervention. Significant improvements after walnut intake, compared to control intervention, in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P = 0.028), fasting glucose (P = 0.013), HbA1c (P = 0.021), and adiponectin (P = 0.019) were observed after adjustment for gender, age, body mass index, and sequence using a linear mixed model. CONCLUSION: A dietary supplement of 45 g of walnuts for 16 weeks favorably changed MetS status by increasing the concentration of HDL-C and decreasing fasting glucose level. Furthermore, consuming walnuts on a daily basis changed HbA1c and circulating adiponectin levels among the subjects with MetS. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03267901.

• Infection and chemotherapy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2018

Background: Zoster vaccination is recommended for people with a history of herpes zoster (HZ), but the most effective timing of vaccine administration after zoster illness is unresolved. This prospective observational study compared the immunogenicity and safety of administering HZ vaccine at 6-12 months and 1-5 years after zoster illness. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected before the administration of live zoster vaccine and 6 weeks after vaccination. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) IgG concentrations and T-cell responses were assessed by glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and interferon-${\gamma}$ enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT), respectively. Results: The baseline geometric mean value (GMV) of VZV IgG was higher in the 6-12 months group than in the 1-5 years group (245.5 IU/mL vs. 125.9 IU/mL; P = 0.021). However, the GMV increased significantly in both groups (P = 0.002 in the 6-12 months group; P <0.001 in the 1-5 years group). The results of the ELISPOT assay were not significant for differences of the GMV between baseline and 6-week post-vaccination groups, while the GMV increased significantly in both groups (P = 0.001 in the 6-12 months group; P <0.001 in the 1-5 years group). Conclusion: The immunogenicity of zoster vaccine may be similar whether administered 6-12 months, or >1 year after zoster illness. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02704572

• Journal of Gynecologic Oncology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.92.1-92.9
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• 2018

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the pulmonary recruitment maneuver (PRM) at the end of the operation to decrease laparoscopy-induced abdominal or shoulder pain after gynecological oncologic surgery. Methods: In total, 113 women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for malignant or premalignant gynecological lesions were assigned randomly to two groups: the PRM group (the patient was placed in the Trendelenburg position ($30^{\circ}$) and the PRM, consisting of two manual pulmonary inflations to a maximum pressure of $40cmH_2O$) (n=54) and the control group (n=52). Postoperative shoulder and abdominal pain was assessed 12, 24, and 48 hours later using a visual analog scale (0-10). In addition, the incidence of post-discharge nausea and vomiting was recorded until 48 hours after discharge. Results: Postoperative shoulder pain at 12 and 24 hours was significantly less severe in the PRM group ($2.2{\pm}0.5$ and $2.0{\pm}0.4$) than in the control group ($4.0{\pm}0.5$ and $3.9{\pm}0.4$; both p<0.001). The PRM significantly reduced the severity of upper abdominal pain at 12 and 24 h compared with the control group ($3.1{\pm}0.4$ and $2.9{\pm}0.4$ vs. $2.9{\pm}0.5$ and $4.9{\pm}0.5$; both p<0.001). The analgesic requirement during the postoperative period was similar in the two groups (control group, 78.8%; PRM group, 75.9%; p=0.719). Conclusion: The PRM effectively and safely reduced postoperative shoulder and upper abdominal pain levels in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological oncologic surgery. Trial registry at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01940042.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Information Management Conference
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• 2017.08a
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• pp.104-104
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• 2017

연구 데이터란 과학적 연구에서 사용된 일차 자료와 연구자에 의해 직접 작성된 연구의 결과로서 수치, 문자, 이미지, 음성 등의 사실적 기록을 의미한다. 이 연구의 주제 분야인 의학은 잠재적 가치와 활용 가능성이 높고 공익적 성격을 가지고 있는 학문 분야로 의학 연구 데이터의 종류와 관리의 필요성을 통해서 그 가치와 공유 의미를 찾아보고자 한다. 또한 연구 데이터의 대표적인 임상 시험 기록과 연구 논문의 발표와 공유 현황에 대해서도 살펴보고 그 안에서 도서관의 역할이 어떤 것인가를 짚어보고자 한다. 의학 연구 데이터는 환자 진료기록, 건강 검진 기록, 임상 기록, 사망 기록, 임상 시험 기록, 유전체 정보, 연구 논문 등 그 종류와 형태가 다양하며 대용량인 경우가 많다. 의학 연구는 개인 정보보호와 윤리적인 문제 등 연구 수행 과정에서 어려운 점이 많은 성격을 가지고 있으나 질병 치료나 예방 나아가 인류의 건강과 직접적으로 관련된 학문 분야로 의학 연구 데이터의 보존과 공개, 공유를 위한 관리는 큰 의미가 있다. 의학 연구 데이터관리는 새로운 연구의 밑받침이 될 뿐만 아니라 중 저개발 국가의 연구자들에게도 큰 기회를 부여하여 세계적인 의학 발전에 기여할 수 있다. 또한 임상 시험 결과에 대한 은폐와 거짓 연구 방지에도 의미가 있어 미국뿐만 아니라 전세계적으로 학술 연구 논문 발표에 사용된 데이터는 등록하도록 규정하고 있다. 임상 시험 등록으로 공인된 사이트는 NIH의 ClinicalTrials.gov, ICTRP의 Primary Registry 등이 있으며, 우리나라에도 질병관리본부 국립보건연구원에서 관리하는 CRIS 등이 있다. 의학 연구자들은 연구의 시작부터 연구 데이터를 수집, 사용, 보존, 공유의 문제를 고려해야 하나 시간적 물리적인 문제 등으로 어려움을 겪고 있으며, 이를 지원하는 서비스는 도서관에서도 관심이 높아지고 있는 분야로 Virginia Commonwealth 대학 도서관과 Emory 대학 도서관 등에서 시도되고 있다. 이 서비스는 연구 과정에서 사서의 지원이 가능한 새로운 기회로 연구자의 데이터관리를 위한 단계별 스토리를 조직하고 DMP 작성 지원 및 교육 등을 통해서 학술 커뮤니케이션에서 새로운 역할자로 자리잡을 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.136-151
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• 2018

Purpose: The decontamination procedure is a challenging aspect of surgical regenerative therapy (SRT) of peri-implantitis that affects its success. The purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of additional topical gaseous ozone therapy on the decontamination of implant surfaces in SRT of peri-implantitis. Methods: A total of 41 patients (22 males, 19 females; mean age, $53.55{\pm}8.98years$) with moderate or advanced peri-implantitis were randomly allocated to the test group (ozone group) with the use of sterile saline with additional ozone therapy or the control group with sterile saline alone for decontamination of the implant surfaces in SRT of peri-implantitis. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated over a period of 12 months. Results: At the 12-month follow-up, the plaque and gingival index values were significantly better in the ozone group (P<0.05). Probing depth decreased from $6.27{\pm}1.42mm$ and $5.73{\pm}1.11mm$ at baseline to $2.75{\pm}0.7mm$ and $3.34{\pm}0.85mm$ at the end of the 12-month observation period in the ozone and control groups, respectively. Similarly, the clinical attachment level values changed from $6.39{\pm}1.23mm$ and $5.89{\pm}1.23mm$ at baseline to $3.23{\pm}1.24mm$ and $3.91{\pm}1.36mm$ at the 12-month follow-up in the ozone and control groups, respectively. According to the radiographic evidence, the defect fill between baseline and 12 months postoperatively was $2.32{\pm}1.28mm$ in the ozone group and $1.17{\pm}0.77mm$ in the control group, which was a statistically significant between-group difference (P<0.05). Conclusions: Implant surface decontamination with the additional use of ozone therapy in SRT of peri-implantitis showed clinically and radiographically significant. Trial registry at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03018795.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2021

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a standard diagnostic method for mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. Although rare, fatal infectious complications can occur following EBUS-TBNA. However, to date, there is a lack of effective preventive strategies to reduce these complications. We started a trial to investigate the effect of chlorhexidine mouthrinse on the prevention of microbial contamination during EBUS-TBNA. Methods: This study is a single-center, parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT). We will enroll 112 adult participants undergoing EBUS-TBNA using a convex probe, and randomly assign them to two groups at a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group will gargle for 1 minute with 100 mL of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate before EBUS-TBNA, while the control group will have no mouthrinse before the procedure. Immediately after completion of EBUS-TBNA on all targeted lesions with an aspiration needle, a needle wash sample will be taken by instilling 5 mL of sterile saline into the used needle. The primary outcome is colony forming unit (CFU) counts in aerobic cultures of the needle wash samples. Secondary outcomes are CFU counts in anaerobic cultures, fever within 24 hours after EBUS-TBNA, and infectious complications within 4 weeks after EBUS-TBNA. Conclusion: This trial was designed as the first RCT to investigate the effect of chlorhexidine mouthrinse on the prevention of microbial contamination during EBUS-TBNA. Results from this trial can provide clinical evidence for a simple, safe, and cost-effective strategy to prevent infectious complications following EBUS-TBNA (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04718922, registered on 22 January 2021).

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.259-264
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• 2022

Purpose Neuroinflammation is considered an important pathway associated with several diseases that result in cognitive decline. ¹⁸F-THK5351 positron emission tomography (PET) signals might indicate the presence of neuroinflammation, as well as Alzheimer's disease-type tau aggregates. β-amyloid (Aβ)-negative (Aβ-) amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) may be associated with non-Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology. Accordingly, we investigated associations between ¹⁸F-THK5351 PET positivity and cognitive decline among Aβ- aMCI patients. Materials and Methods The present study included 25 amyloid PET negative aMCI patients who underwent a minimum of two follow-up neuropsychological evaluations, including clinical dementia rating-sum of boxes (CDR-SOB). The patients were classified into two groups: ¹⁸F-THK5351-positive and -negative groups. The present study used a linear mixed effects model to estimate the effects of ¹⁸F-THK5351 PET positivity on cognitive prognosis among Aβ- aMCI patients. Results Among the 25 Aβ- aMCI patients, 10 (40.0%) were ¹⁸F-THK5351 positive. The patients in the ¹⁸F-THK5351-positive group were older than those in the ¹⁸F-THK5351-negative group (77.4±2.2 years vs. 70.0±5.5 years; p<0.001). There was no difference between the two groups with regard to the proportion of apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers. Interestingly, however, the CDR-SOB scores of the ¹⁸F-THK5351-positive group deteriorated at a faster rate than those of the ¹⁸F-THK5351-negative group (B=0.003, p=0.033). Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that increased ¹⁸F-THK5351 uptake might be a useful predictor of poor prognosis among Aβ- aMCI patients, which might be associated with increased neuroinflammation (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02656498).

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.118-133
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• 2018

Purpose: Exercise intervention after surgery has been found to improve physical fitness and quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effects of a postoperative recovery exercise program developed specifically for gastric cancer patients (PREP-GC) undergoing minimally invasive gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients treated surgically for early gastric cancer were enrolled in the PREP-GC. The exercise program comprised sessions of In-hospital Exercise (1 week), Home Exercise (1 week), and Fitness Improvement Exercise (8 weeks). Adherence and compliance to PREP-GC were evaluated. In addition, body composition, physical fitness, and QOL were assessed during the preoperative period, after the postoperative recovery (2 weeks after surgery), and upon completing the PREP-GC (10 weeks after surgery). Results: Of the 24 enrolled patients, 20 completed the study without any adverse events related to the PREP-GC. Adherence and compliance rates to the Fitness Improvement Exercise were 79.4% and 99.4%, respectively. Upon completing the PREP-GC, patients also exhibited restored cardiopulmonary function and muscular strength, with improved muscular endurance and flexibility (P<0.05). Compared to those in the preoperative period, no differences were found in symptom scale scores measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Stomach Cancer-Specific Module (QLQ-STO22); however, higher scores for global health status and emotional functioning were observed after completing the PREP-GC (P<0.05). Conclusions: In gastric cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive gastrectomy, PREP-GC was found to be feasible and safe, with high adherence and compliance. Although randomized studies evaluating the benefits of exercise intervention during postoperative recovery are needed, surgeons should encourage patients to participate in systematic exercise intervention programs in the early postoperative period (Registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01751880).

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2023

Purpose: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are frequently employed to counteract the detrimental effects of proteinuria on glomerular diseases. However, the effects of ARBs remain poorly examined in pediatric patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of losartan, an ARB, in pediatric IgA nephropathy with proteinuria. Methods: This prospective, single-arm, multicenter study included children with IgA nephropathy exhibiting proteinuria. Changes in proteinuria, blood pressure, and kidney function were prospectively evaluated before and 4 and 24 weeks after losartan administration. The primary endpoint was the difference in proteinuria between baseline and 24 weeks. Results: In total, 29 patients were enrolled and received losartan treatment. The full analysis set included 28 patients who received losartan at least once and had pre- and post-urinary protein to creatinine ratio measurements (n=28). The per-protocol analysis group included 22 patients who completed all scheduled visits without any serious violations during the study period. In both groups, the mean log (urine protein to creatinine ratio) value decreased significantly at 6 months. After 24 weeks, the urinary protein to creatinine ratio decreased by more than 50% in approximately 40% of the patients. The glomerular filtration rate was not significantly altered during the observation period. Conclusions: Losartan decreased proteinuria without decreasing kidney function in patients with IgA nephropathy over 24 weeks. Losartan could be safely employed to reduce proteinuria in this patient population. ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration (NCT0223277)