• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2018

Objective : Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) has proven useful in the study of the natural history of ischemic stroke. However, the potential of DW-MRI for the evaluation of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) has not been established. In this study, we investigated DW-MRI findings of CSDH and evaluated the impact of the image findings on postoperative outcomes of CSDH. Methods : We studied 131 CSDH patients who had undergone single burr hole drainage surgery. The images of the subdural hematomas on preoperative DW-MRI and computed tomography (CT) were divided into three groups based on their signal intensity and density : 1) homogeneous (iso or low) density on CT and homogeneous low signal intensity on DW-MRI; 2) homogeneous (iso or low) density on CT and mixed signal intensity on DW-MRI; and 3) heterogeneous density on CT and mixed signal intensity on DW-MRI. On the basis of postoperative CT, we also divided the patients into 3 groups of surgical outcomes according to residual hematoma and mass effect. Results : Analysis showed statistically significant differences in surgical (A to B : p<0.001, A to C : p<0.001, B to C : p=0.129) and functional (A to B : p=0.039, A to C : p<0.001, B to C : p=0.108) outcomes and treatment failure rates (A to B : p=0.037, A to C : p=0.03, B to C : p=1) between the study groups. In particular, group B and group C showed worse outcomes and higher treatment failure rates than group A. Conclusion : CSDH with homogeneous density on CT was characterized by signal intensity on DW-MRI. In CSDH patients, performing DW-MRI as well as CT helps to predict postoperative treatment failure or complications.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.211-221
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• 2009

The study investigated medical treatment features of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, their further complications, levels of diet therapy education and the status of dietary compliance. The subjects were patients who came to oriental medicine clinics in Daejon. The percentage of male was 37.5% and female was 62.7% in the subject group's sex distribution. The outbreak of the disease was most common in the age of 50's. Also 40% of the subjects had been suffering for more than 5 years. 35.7% of men and 53.7% of women had family history. All the subjects had further complications, among them hypertension was the most common. Kidney, hepatic, vascular heart diseases were followed. 85.3% of the subjects answered they already had educations about diet therapy. Those educations were given in the public health center, general and private hospitals. 32% of subjects were not practicing diet therapy. The difficulties with which patients can be faced when they take dietary education were exchange(?exchanging?) food and calculating calories. Most of the subjects tend to overlook the importance of dietary habits and show low understanding to diet therapy, which leads to low participation rate of diabetes patients. Based on these results, therefore, we can conclude that diet therapy education to the patients should be more organized and easily practicable for them. To develop educational methods which can draw patients' attention and also be more effective is the most important task.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.19-28
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• 2003

Sokmyeungtang was the representative prescription for Apoplexy under the rule of Tang and Song dynasty of which the cultures were thriving in the history of China. However, the clinical use of Sokmyeungtang has been gradually reduced since Geumwon dynasty of China because it was misunderstood that the dryness heat drugs of pungent in flavor and warm in property such as Ephedra, Pubescent Angelica Root, Chinese Cassia Tree-Bark, Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root, Prepared Aconite Root, Fresh Ginger, and Wildginger Herb included in the presciption for Apoplexy supplemented heat as damaging Yin flood. In fact, the drugs pungent in flavor and warm in property activate exterior and interior circulation, circulate channels and collaterals, promote blood circulation, and remove blood stasis with the side effect of relieving exterior syndrome with drugs warming channels. When treating Apoplexy with Sokmyeungtang, the cold drugs such as Gypsum, Baikai Skullcap Root, and Pueraria Root are prescribed to suppress fire of pungent dryness and to control excessive heat of people with Apoplexy as reducing the effects of hot drugs causing impairment of Yin. For treatment of Apoplexy, the above drugs accelerate blood and Qi circulation in channels and collaterals and then in necrotic tissue of human body as removing blood stasis. Consequently, these drugs improve disorders of capillary tube circulation. If Sokmyeungtang, an old prescription, is properly understood, it will be substantially helpful to all kinds of treatments in clinical cases

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6487-6491
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• 2013

To investigate the cognition of medical professionals when following screening guidelines for colorectal cancer (CRC) and barriers to CRC screening. Between February 2012 and December 2012, an anonymous survey with 19-questions based on several CRC screening guidelines was randomly administered to gastroenterologists, oncologists, general surgeons, and general practitioners in Jiangsu, a developed area in China where the incidence of CRC is relatively high. The average cognitive score was 26.4% among 924 respondents. Gastroenterologists and oncologists had higher scores compared with others (p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively); doctor of medicine (M.D.) with or without doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) or holders with bachelor of medical science (BMS) achieved higher scores than other lower degree holders (P<0.05). More importantly, doctors who finished CRC related education in the past year achieved higher scores than the others (p<0.001). The most commonly listed barriers to referring high-risk patients for CRC screening were "anxiety about colonoscopy without anesthesia", "lack of awareness of the current guidelines" and "lack of insurance reimbursement". Lack of cognition was detected among doctors when following CRC screening guidelines for high-risk populations. Educational programs should be recommended to improve their cognition and reduce barriers to CRC screening.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6121-6125
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• 2014

Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a potential biomarker for early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) but its level is known to be affected by many background factors and roles of ubiquitous toxicants have not been determined. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous reproductive toxicants used in consumer products, which promote tumor formation in some reproductive model systems by binding to AhR, but human data on its expression in prostate cancer as well as its association with PSA levels are not clear. This study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of AhR and its association with serological levels of PSA and to detect possible effects of background factors and EDC exposure history on PSA levels in PCa cases. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the tissue levels of AhR and serum levels of PSA in 53 PCa cases from 2008-2011 and associations between each and background and lifestyle related factors were determined. Results: Although the AhR was overexpressed in PCa and correlated with the age of patients, it did not correlate with PSA levels.Of nutritional factors, increased intake of polysaturated fats and fish in the routine regimen of PCa cases increased the PSA levels significantly. Conclusions: AhR overexpression in PCa pontws to roles of EDCs in PCa but without any direct association with PSA levels. However, PSA levels are affected by exposure to possible toxicants in foods whichneed to be assessed as possible risk factors of PCa in future studies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4705-4709
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• 2013

Background: Cambodian Americans have high rates of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and liver cancer. There is very limited information about the utility of community health worker (CHW) approaches to cancer education for Asian American men. We have previously reported our positive findings from a trial of CHW education about HBV for Cambodian Americans who had never been tested for HBV. This report describes similarities and differences between the outcomes of our CHW HBV educational intervention among Cambodian American men and women. Methods: The study group for this analysis included 87 individuals (39 men and 48 women) who were randomized to the experimental (HBV education) arm of our trial, participated in the CHW educational intervention, and provided follow-up data six months post-intervention. We examined HBV testing rates at follow-up, changes in HBV-related knowledge between baseline and follow-up, and barriers to HBV testing (that were reported to CHWs) by gender. Results: At follow-up, 15% of men and 31% of women reported they had received a HBV test (p=0.09). HBV-related knowledge levels increased significantly among both men and women. With respect to HBV testing barriers, women were more likely than men to cite knowledge deficits, and men were more likely than women to cite logistic issues. Discussion: Our study findings indicate that CHW interventions can positively impact knowledge among Cambodian American men, as well as women. They also suggest CHW interventions may be less effective in promoting the use of preventive procedures by Cambodian American men than women. Future CHW research initiatives should consider contextual factors that may differ by gender and, therefore, potentially influence the relative effectiveness of CHW interventions for men versus women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3183-3188
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• 2015

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of skin lesions, which is a health effect of chronic arsenic (As) exposure, and determine the hair/blood arsenic concentrations of people living in Kutahya villages who are using and drinking tap water with a high concentration of arsenic. Materials and Methods: A total of 303 people were included in the present cross-sectional study. A prepared questionnaire form was used to collect the participants' information and environmental history. Skin examination was performed on all participants. Hair, blood and water samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The cumulative arsenic index (CAI) was calculated for all participants. Results: Villages were divided into two groups according to the arsenic level (<$20{\mu}g/L$, Group I; >$20{\mu}g/L$, Group II) in their water. The prevalence of skin lesions, hair and blood arsenic level, and CAI were found to be higher in the Group II participants. There was a positive association between body arsenic levels and CAI in the participants of each group. Conclusions: The number of skin lesions and arsenic concentrations in body samples were found to increase with the water arsenic level and exposure time. We hope that sharing this study's results with local administrators will help accelerate the rehabilitation of water sources in Kutahya.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.718-731
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• 1985

Renal dysfunction is a common complication of open-heart surgery: a form of controlled hemorrhagic shock, and successful perioperative management of renal dysfunction depends on recognition of the risk factors and optimal management of factors influencing renal function, including cardiopulmonary bypass, and early detection of renal failure. Changes in renal functional parameters including Ccr, Cosm, CH2O, FENa, and RFI were observed prospectively in forty five patients operated on at Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, S.N.U.H., from April to June, 1985. They were 23 males and 22 females with 35 acquired and 10 congenital heart diseases and the mean age and body surface area of them were 38.010.3 years [22-63] and 1.5518 M2[1.151.92] respectively. Followings are the conclusion. 1. The Ccr, representative of renal function, is significantly improved from 90.231.3 ml/min/M2 preoperatively to 101.536.4 ml/min/M2 postoperative and day [P<0.05], and all patients were classified as postoperative renal functional class I of Abel, which representing adequate renal protection during our cardiopulmonary bypass. 2. The Cosm is significantly elevated at immediate postperfusion time and remained high at postoperative one day representing osmotic diuresis at that time, but CH2O shows no significant changes at immediate postperfusion period and is decreased significantly at postoperative one day, representing recovery of renal concentrating ability at that time with decreasing urine flow. 3. The absolute value and changing tendency in FENa and RFI during perioperative period shows no diagnostic reliability on these parameters, but those of CH2O appear to reveal future renal function more accurately than Ccr 4. The depth of hypothermia may be protective upon renal function against the ill effects of prolonged nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass. 5. The depth of the hypothermia, pump time of more than 150 minutes, poor cardiac function, and intraoperative events such as embolism appear to be related with immediate postperfusion renal function. 6. Hemoglobinuria and hemolysis, poor preoperative renal function, history of cardiac surgery, and massive transfusion associated with bleeding appear not to be related with renal dysfunction.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.5.1-5.16
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• 2021

Background: Arctic-like (AL) lineages of rabies viruses (RABVs) remains endemic in some Arctic and Asia countries. However, their evolutionary dynamics are largely unappreciated. Objectives: We attempted to estimate the evolutionary history, geographic origin and spread of the Arctic-related RABVs. Methods: Full length or partial sequences of the N and G genes were used to infer the evolutionary aspects of AL RABVs by Bayesian evolutionary analysis. Results: The most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of the current Arctic and AL RABVs emerged in the 1830s and evolved independently after diversification. Population demographic analysis indicated that the viruses experienced gradual growth followed by a sudden decrease in its population size from the mid-1980s to approximately 2000. Genetic flow patterns among the regions reveal a high geographic correlation in AL RABVs transmission. Discrete phylogeography suggests that the geographic origin of the AL RABVs was in east Russia in approximately the 1830s. The ancestral AL RABV then diversified and immigrated to the countries in Northeast Asia, while the viruses in South Asia were dispersed to the neighboring regions from India. The N and G genes of RABVs in both clades sustained high levels of purifying selection, and the positive selection sites were mainly found on the C-terminus of the G gene. Conclusions: The current AL RABVs circulating in South and North Asia evolved and dispersed independently.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.99-115
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• 2023

Purpose: Exclusive breastfeeding promotes gut microbial compositions associated with lower rates of metabolic and autoimmune diseases. Its cessation is implicated in increased microbiome-metabolome discordance, suggesting a vulnerability to dietary changes. Formula supplementation is common within our low-income, ethnic-minority community. We studied exclusively breastfed (EBF) neonates' early microbiome-metabolome coupling in efforts to build foundational knowledge needed to target this inequality. Methods: Maternal surveys and stool samples from seven EBF neonates at first transitional stool (0-24 hours), discharge (30-48 hours), and at first appointment (days 3-5) were collected. Survey included demographics, feeding method, medications, medical history and tobacco and alcohol use. Stool samples were processed for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and lipid analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Alpha and beta diversity analyses and Procrustes randomization for associations were carried out. Results: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were the most abundant taxa. Variation in microbiome composition was greater between individuals than within (p=0.001). Palmitic, oleic, stearic, and linoleic acids were the most abundant lipids. Variation in lipid composition was greater between individuals than within (p=0.040). Multivariate composition of the metabolome, but not microbiome, correlated with time (p=0.030). Total lipids, saturated lipids, and unsaturated lipids concentrations increased over time (p=0.012, p=0.008, p=0.023). Alpha diversity did not correlate with time (p=0.403). Microbiome composition was not associated with each samples' metabolome (p=0.450). Conclusion: Neonate gut microbiomes were unique to each neonate; respective metabolome profiles demonstrated generalizable temporal developments. The overall variability suggests potential interplay between influences including maternal breastmilk composition, amount consumed and living environment.