Quality of Life Differences between Younger and Older Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate quality of life (QOL) differences between younger (<50 years) and older (≥50 years) breast cancer survivors and to determine the unique effect of age on QOL after adjusting age-correlated variables. Methods: One thousand two hundred fifty patients were enrolled. Clinicopatholgical and social parameters were reviewed and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast cancer instrument (FACT-B) and the Ladder of Life scale were used to measure the QOL. Among 1,250 eligible patients, 1,094 patients completed the questionnaire and were used for analysis. Chi-square test, t-test and a series of multiple regression analyses were conducted to verify age-related differences in QOL between two groups and to evaluate the unique contribution of age variable on QOL of breast cancer patients. Results: Significant socio-demographic and clinical differences existed based on age categories, includin

The Effect of Ca-P Coated Bovine Bone Mineral on Bone Regeneration around Dental Implant in Dogs

There are many obstacles to overcome in implant dentistry. The bony defect around implant can be seen in immediate installation procedures. Following tooth extraction, however, a socket often presents dimensions that may be considerably greater than the dimensions of a conventional implant

A Study on Apparel Design for Chiropractic Training

In severe cases of spinal misalignment due to wrong back posture during adolescence or focusing on work, modern people can have back pain. Such a symptom is commonly referred to as scoliosis and it already became one of the lifestyle diseases. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to develop a functional musculoskeletal correction wear that can help with maintaining a correct posture by relaxing tonic muscles and maximizing the tension of the relaxed muscle using the principle of sports taping. Market research for design development was conducted at department stores and specialty road shops separately. Department stores were visited on weekdays when the store is not crowded, and specialty road shops were visited at around three o’clock on weekdays after checking their opening, lunch, and closing times. Since the apparel should not interfere with exercise movements while maintaining the body shape, the survey was carried out mostly on yoga and lifestyle training apparel focusing on elasticity and percentage of blending fiber. A camera and audio recorder were prepared and took pictures of clothing tags that show the ratio of polyester and spandex while trying on and checking products at the stores. Data were collected by asking the staff at road specialty shops who has more professional knowledge about the advantages and functions of the existing products and recording their answers. Point color schemes in black color family in which body shapes can look beautiful were mostly checked. Due to the design characteristics that have to maintain the spine, the designs of all-in-one products that can maintain the upper and lower torsos were checked at underwear stores. The existing products were evaluated for their designs to be adopted including the material, integrated into the new design, and then modified and supplemented, and the following chiropractic apparel design was drawn (Table 1). An all-in-one design that wraps around the hips and upper thighs for easy counterbalancing between the upper and lower body was chosen. A design with an accent line that makes body shape looks beautiful and Used compression wear material that is comfortable for activities and presses tight against the skin. Activates the muscle activities of latissimus dorsi muscle using taping method, and provides tension to maintain correct posture of round back and shoulders. In conclusion, prevention, exercise, and stretching are important for scoliosis and sound posture for the loin should be constantly maintained. To that end, not only the proper use of chairs but also apparel that is worn all the time can be helpful

Anti-Obesity Effects of Morus alba L. and Aronia melanocarpa in a High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6J Mouse Model

The present study investigated the synergic effect of extracts of Morus alba (MA) and Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) (AR) against high-fat diet induced obesity. Four-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups that were fed for 14 weeks with a normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HD), HD with M. alba 400 mg/kg body weight (MA), HD with A. melanocarpa 400 mg/kg body weight (AR), or HD with a mixture (1:1, v/v) of M. alba and A. melanocarpa (400 mg/kg) (MA + AR). Treatment with MA, AR, and MA + AR for 14 weeks reduced high fat diet-induced weight gain and improved serum lipid levels, and histological analysis revealed that MA and AR treatment markedly decreased lipid accumulation in the liver and adipocyte size in epididymal fat. Furthermore, micro-CT images showed MA + AR significantly reduced abdominal fat volume. Expression levels of genes involved in lipid anabolism, such as SREBP-1c, PPAR-gamma, CEBP alpha, FAS, and CD36 were decreased by MA + AR treatment whereas PPAR-alpha, ACOX1, and CPT-1a levels were increased by MA + AR treatment. Protein expression of p-AMPK and p-ACC were increased in the MA + AR group, indicating that MA + AR ameliorated obesity by upregulating AMPK signaling. Together, our findings indicate that MA and AR exert a synergistic effect against diet-induced obesity and are promising agents for managing obesity

Stronger association of perceived health with socio-economic inequality during COVID-19 pandemic than pre-pandemic era

Abstract Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has changed peoples routine of daily living and posed major risks to global health and economy. Few studies have examined differential impacts of economic factors on health during pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. We aimed to compare the strength of associations between perceived health and socioeconomic position (household income, educational attainment, and employment) estimated before and during the pandemic. Methods Two waves of nationwide survey [on 2018(T1;n= 1200) and 2021(T2;n= 1000)] were done for 2200 community adults. A balanced distribution of confounders (demographics and socioeconomic position) were achieved across the T2 and T1 by use of the inverse probability of treatment weighting. Distributions of perceived health [= (excellent or very good)/(bad, fair, or good)] for physical-mental-social-spiritual subdomains were compared between T1 and T2. Odds of bad/fair/good health for demographics and socioeconomic position were obtained by univariate logistic regression. Adjusted odds (aOR) of bad/fair/good health in lower household income(< 3000 U.S. dollars/month) were retrieved using the multiple hierarchical logistic regression models of T1 and T2. Results Perceived health of excellent/very good at T2 was higher than T1 for physical(T1 = 36.05%, T2 = 39.13%; P= 0.04), but were lower for mental(T1 = 38.71%, T2 = 35.17%; P= 0.01) and social(T1 = 42.48%, T2 = 35.17%; P 0.05). AORs of bad/fair/good health in lower household income were stronger in T2 than T1, for mental [aOR (95% CI) = 2.15(1.68–2.77) in T2, 1.33(1.06–1.68) in T1; aOR difference = 0.82(P< 0.001)], physical [aOR (95% CI) = 2.64(2.05–3.41) in T2, 1.50(1.18–1.90) in T1; aOR difference = 1.14(P< 0.001)] and social [aOR (95% CI) = 2.15(1.68–2.77) in T2, 1.33(1.06–1.68) in T1; aOR difference = 0.35(P= 0.049)] subdomains. Conclusions Risks of perceived health worsening for mental and social subdomains in people with lower monthly household income or lower educational attainment became stronger during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic era. In consideration of the prolonged pandemic as of mid-2022, policies aiming not only to sustain the monthly household income and compulsory education but also to actively enhance the perceived mental-social health status have to be executed and maintained

Reactive oxygen species and p47phox activation are essential for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced pro-inflammatory response in murine microglia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Activated microglia elicits a robust amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis in the central nervous system (CNS). However, little is known about the intracellular signaling mechanisms governing these inflammatory responses in microglia in response to <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>(Mtb).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Murine microglial BV-2 cells and primary mixed glial cells were stimulated with sonicated Mtb (s-Mtb). Intracellular ROS levels were measured by staining with oxidative fluorescent dyes [2',7'-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H₂DCFDA) and dihydroethidium (DHE)]. NADPH oxidase activities were measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence assay. S-Mtb-induced MAPK activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release in microglial cells were measured using by Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We demonstrate that s-Mtb promotes the up-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the rapid activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, as well as the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12p40 in murine microglial BV-2 cells and primary mixed glial cells. Both NADPH oxidase and mitochondrial electron transfer chain subunit I play an indispensable role in s-Mtb-induced MAPK activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in BV-2 cells and mixed glial cells. Furthermore, the activation of cytosolic NADPH oxidase p47phox and MAPKs (p38 and ERK1/2) is mutually dependent on s-Mtb-induced inflammatory signaling in murine microglia. Neither TLR2 nor dectin-1 was involved in s-Mtb-induced inflammatory responses in murine microglia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data collectively demonstrate that s-Mtb actively induces the pro-inflammatory response in microglia through NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS generation, although the specific pattern-recognition receptors involved in these responses remain to be identified.</p

Decreased Angiotensin II -Stimulated Aldosterone Production, but Normal Inositol Phosphate Response in Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells from Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats: Role of lnsulin

Streptozotocin(SlZ)-induced diabetic rats develop hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism during the progression of diabetes mellitus. However,the nature and mechanism of aldosterone deficiency in diabetic rats still remain unclear and acute effects of insulin on aldosterone production in-vitro are not known. We evaluated the responses of aldosterone production to angiotensin 11 (AlI), potassium (K+), AClH and insulin in adrenal glomerulosa cells prepared from SlZ-induced diabetic rats with and without insulin treatment 2 weeks after diabetes induction. We also measured inositol phosphate<IP) levels in All-stimulated glomerulosa cells labeled with [3HI myoinositol using standardized anion exchange chromatography. Plasma renin activity and aldosterone level were not different among control rats,untreated and insulin-treated diabetic rats. Basal aldosterone production was similar in cells from the three groups. Cells from untreated diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in the maximal All (to-8M)-stimuiated aldosterone production and a tendency to be low in the maximal K+(8.7 mM)-stimulated aldosterone production, compared with control rats (3.2±2.2 \IS 7.7±2.4, P (0.05 and 4.8±1.8 \IS 8.0±3.2 ng/105 cells/hr, 0.05 (P (0.1, respectively). In contrast, there were no differences in All- and K+-stimulated aldosterone production between control and insulin-treated diabetic rats. AClH (to-8M), however, caused a similar effect on aldosterone production and insulin (I mU /ml for 1 hour) did not alter either basal or agonists-stimulated aldosterone production in cells from the three groups. All (to-8M)-induced IP formation among the three groups was similar and did not change with the addition of insulin u mU / ml), These results indicate that reduced response to All in the early phase of SlZ-induced diabetes in rats may be due to the zona glomerulosa dysfunction secondary to chronic lack of insulin and the main defect responsible for altered All effects may be located at some step(s) mediating All action downstream from IP formation

Differential trend of mild and severe preeclampsia among nulliparous women: a population-based study of South Korea

We explored the annual risks of mild and severe preeclampsia (PE) among nulliparous women. Using the National Health Information Database of South Korea, 1,317,944 nulliparous women who gave live births were identified. Mild PE increased from 0.9% in 2010 to 1.4% in 2019 (P for trend=0.006), while severe PE decreased from 0.4% in 2010 to 0.3% in 2019 (P=0.049). The incidence of all types of PE (mild and severe) showed no linear change (P=0.514). Adjusted odds ratio (OR) of severe PE decreased in 2013 (0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60, 0.77) and beyond compared to that in 2010, while the OR of mild PE increased in 2017 (1.14; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.22) and beyond. Mild PE was found to be less likely to progress to the severe form since 2010; however, the overall risk of PE among women did not change

A Case of Pulmonary Paragonimiasis with Involvement of the Abdominal Muscle in a 9-Year-Old Girl

In Korea, many people enjoy eating raw or underkooked freshwater crayfish and crabs which unfortunately may cause paragonimiasis. Here, we describe a case of pulmonary and abdominal paragonimiasis in a 9-year-old girl, who presented with a 1-month history of abdominal pain, especially in the right flank and the right inguinal area, with anorexia. A chest radiograph revealed pleural effusion in both lungs, and her abdominal sonography indicated an inflammatory lesion in the right psoas muscle. Peripheral blood analysis of the patient showed hypereosinophilia (66.0%) and an elevated total serum IgE level (>2,500 IU/ml). The pleural effusion tested by ELISA were also positive for antibodies against paragonimiasis. Her dietary history stated that she had ingested raw freshwater crab, 4 months previously. The diagnosis was pulmonary paragonimiasis accompanied by abdominal muscle involvement. She was improved after 5 cycles of praziquantel treatment and 2 times of pleural effusion drainage. In conclusion, herein, we report a case of pulmonary and abdominal paragonimiasis in a girl who presented with abdominal pain and tenderness in the inguinal area