Molecular Diagnosis of Cause of Anisakiasis in Humans,South Korea

Anisakiasis in humans in South Korea has been considered to be caused exclusively by the larvae of Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and Pseudoterranova decipiens. Recently, however, DNA sequencing of larvae from 15 of 16 anisakiasis patients confirmed the cause to be Anisakis pegreffii infection. Molecular analysis should be performed for all extracted larvae.     

Gender- and age-group-specific associations between physical performance and bone mineral density,falls, and osteoporotic fractures in Koreans: the Chungju Metabolic Disease Cohort study

Several factors increase the risk of fragility fracture, including low bone mineral density, falls, and poor physical performance. The associations among these factors have been investigated; however, most of the subjects of previous studies were either elderly men or elderly women, and the associations were controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between physical performance and bone mineral density, and the history of falls and fractures, stratified by gender and age group. We analyzed 5368 subjects who were aged 50 years or older, including 1288 younger men (younger than 70 years), 1615 younger women (younger than 70 years), 1087 older men (70 years or older), and 1378 older women (70 years or older). We used the one-leg standing time (OLST) for assessing static balance and the timed up-and-go test (TUGT) for assessing dynamic balance. The subjects in the worst performance quartile for the OLST were more likely to have osteoporosis than those in the best performance quartile. Additionally, women who had experienced a fracture during the past 2 years were 1.68 times more likely to be in the worst performance quartile for the OLST than women without a previous fracture. Although the TUGT time was not associated with either the incidence of osteoporosis or the fracture history, the odds ratios for falling were 1.51 and 1.28 as the TUGT time increased by one standard deviation in younger men and younger women, respectively. The findings of the present study show that the OLST was associated with the incidence of osteoporosis and previous fracture and that the TUGT time was associated with the incidence of falling.     

High Serum Osteopontin Levels Are Associated with Low Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

Osteopontin (OPN) is an acidic, noncollagenous matrix protein produced by the bone and kidneys. It is reportedly involved in bone resorption and formation. We examined the association between serum OPN levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Premenopausal women (n=32) and postmenopausal women (n=409) participated in the study. We measured serum osteopontin levels and their relationships with bone mineral density and previous total fragility fractures. The postmenopausal women had higher mean serum OPN levels compared to the premenopausal women (43.6±25.9 vs 26.3±18.6 ng/mL; P<0.001). In the postmenopausal women, high serum OPN levels were negatively correlated with mean lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) (r=-0.113, P=0.023). In a stepwise multiple linear regression model, serum OPN levels were associated with BMD of the spine, femoral neck, and total hip after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, and physical activity in postmenopausal women. However, serum OPN levels did not differ between postmenopausal women with and without fractures. Postmenopausal women exhibit higher serum OPN levels than premenopausal women and higher serum OPN levels were associated with low BMD in postmenopausal women.     

Independent impact of body mass index and metabolic syndrome on the risk of type 2 diabetes in koreans

Abstract Background: Although obesity and metabolic syndrome have been associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), it is unclear whether obese or overweight people without metabolic syndrome are at increased risk for T2DM. Methods: Clinical and laboratory data were assessed in 8,748 subjects without diabetes (5,707 men, 3,041 women; age 20-79 years) who underwent voluntary medical check-ups at a 5-year interval. The subjects were categorized by body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome status at baseline, and the incidence of diabetes over 5 years was assessed. Results: Of the 8,748 subjects, 308 (3.5%) developed T2DM over 5 years. Compared with normal weight (BMI <25.0?kg/m(2)) individuals without metabolic syndrome, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were 1.61 (1.13-2.29) and 4.93 (1.90-12.79) for overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9?kg/m(2)) and obese (BMI ≥30.0?kg/m(2)) individuals without metabolic syndrome, respectively, and 6.94 (5.08-9.47) and 10.61 (5.59-20.14) for overweight and obese individuals with metabolic syndrome, respectively. Using the lower BMI cutoff points for Asian populations, compared with subjects with BMI <23?kg/m(2) without metabolic syndrome, the adjusted ORs for subjects with BMI 23-27.4?kg/m(2) and BMI ≥27.5?kg/m(2) without metabolic syndrome were 2.64 (1.74-4.00) and 4.31 (2.36-7.86), respectively, and 10.11 (6.53-15.67) and 16.69 (10.40-26.77), respectively, for those with metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: Overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome both are significant risk factors for development of T2DM in Koreans, and overweight or obesity without metabolic syndrome should not be considered a harmless condition. The lower BMI cutoffs for Asian populations can be useful in predicting risk of T2DM in Koreans.     

Efficacy of bioelectrical impedance analysis during the perioperative period in children

We evaluated the efficacy of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) during the perioperative period by estimating the preoperative and postoperative body fluid status. After obtaining informed consent, we enrolled 100 children (3–12 years of age) scheduled for elective surgeries. All children had been fasted preoperatively. The children’s body fluid status was estimated using a BIA machine (InBody S10; Biospace, Korea) in the ward on the afternoon before surgery (baseline), just before surgery and immediately after surgery. The total administered fluid volume during the fasting period, total administered fluid volume during the operation and fasting time were recorded. Continuous data are shown as mean ± standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to assess relationships between the preoperative fluid deficit and intracellular water (ICW)/extracellular water (ECW) changes. The mean fasting period was 13.3 h (range 5.8–19.7 h). A weak positive correlation was shown between the ICW and fluid deficit during the fasting period (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.254; P = 0.010). A stronger positive correlation was shown between the ECW and fluid deficit during the fasting period (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.359; P < 0.001). The baseline and postoperative ICW showed a strong positive correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.992, P < 0.001), as did the baseline and postoperative ECW (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.990, P < 0.001). Also there was no dehydration and irritability on medical recording preoperatively. BIA may be an alternative method for estimating the perioperative fluid status in children and determining details of fluid administration.     

Optimal level of the reference transducer for central venous pressure and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure monitoring in supine,prone, and sitting position

To guarantee accurate measurement of central venous pressure (CVP) or pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), proper positioning of a reference transducer is a prerequisite. We investigated ideal transducer levels in supine, prone, and sitting position in adults. Chest computed tomography images of 113 patients, taken in supine or prone position were reviewed. For supine position, distances between the back and the uppermost blood level of both atria and their ratios to the largest anteroposterior (AP) diameter of thorax were calculated. For prone position, same distances and ratios were calculated from the anterior chest. For sitting position, distances between the mid-sternoclavicular joint and the most cephalad blood level of both atria and their ratios to the sternal length were calculated. The ratio of the uppermost blood level of right atrium (RA) and left atrium (LA) to the largest AP diameter of thorax was 0.81 ± 0.04 and 0.59 ± 0.03 from the back in supine position. That calculated from the anterior chest in prone position was 0.54 ± 0.03 and 0.46 ± 0.03. The ratio of the most cephalad blood level of RA and LA to the sternal length was 0.70 ± 0.10 and 0.68 ± 0.09 from the mid-sternoclavicular joint in sitting position, which corresponded to the upper border of 4th rib. Optimal CVP transducer levels are at four-fifths of the AP diameter of thorax in supine position, at a half of that in prone position, and at upper border of the 4th sternochondral joint in sitting position. PAOP transducer levels are similar in prone and sitting position, except for supine position which is at three-fifths of the AP diameter of thorax.     

Preparation of (188) Re-labeled paper for treating skin cancer.

For homogeneous delivery of beta radiation to skin cancer, we developed a simple method for preparing (188) Re-labeled nitrocellulose paper. The homogeneity and stability of the labeled paper were investigated. Absorbed dose estimates were calculated using the Monte-Carlo method. A 74-MBq (188) Re-labeled paper with 1-cm diameter delivered 147.2 Gy up to 1-mm depth after 2-h irradiation. Animal experiments on tumor-bearing mice showed that 50 Gy is an adequate dose for treating skin cancer. Tumors disappeared 7 days after irradiation in all the groups irradiated by 50 or 100 Gy. The (188) Re-labeled paper provided a convenient, economical, effective, and non-invasive method of treating skin cancer.