Decreased abdominal fat and improved bone metabolism after taekwondo training in obese adolescents

Accumulation of abdominal fat during adolescence is associated with early metabolic dysfunctions and interrupting bone metabolism. This study aimed at investigating the effects of taekwondo training on abdominal fat and bone metabolism in obese adolescents. Twenty male obese adolescents, with a body mass index above 95th percentile (BMI: 29.4±1.90 kg/m2), aged 12-15 years, were assigned to the taekwondo training group (TKD, n=11) and control group (CON, n=9). Supervised taekwondo training was performed for 60 minutes/day, three times/week at 60-80% of participants’ heart rate reserve for 16 weeks. Body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) were estimated by dual X-ray absorptiometry. A computerized tomography scan was applied to estimate total abdominal fat (TAF), abdominal visceral fat (AVF), abdominal subcutaneous fat (ASF), and AVF to ASF ratio (VSR). Blood samples were analyzed for adipocytokines (leptin and adiponectin) and bone turnover markers (osteocalcin- OC and C-terminal telopeptide-CTx). There were significant interaction effects between abdominal fat variables and training where TAF (p<.01) and AVF (p<.05) decreased in TKD group. Bone metabolism including bone formation (OC, p<.05) and resorption markers (CTx, p<.05) were significantly increased only in the TKD group. The present study suggests that taekwondo training can be an effective afterschool activity program for providing health benefits including improving abdominal fat and bone metabolism in obese adolescents

Vitamin D3 Supplementation Reduces the Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection during Winter Training in Vitamin D-Insufficient Taekwondo Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Vitamin D insufficiency may be associated with increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in athletes. This study examined the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on salivary immune functions and symptoms of URTI in vitamin D-insufficient taekwondo athletes. Twenty-five male taekwondo athletes, aged 19–22 years with vitamin D insufficiency [serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D concentrations (25(OH)D, 31.3 ± 1.39 nmol/L)], participated in this study. They were randomized to receive 5000 IU/day of vitamin D3 (n = 13) or placebo capsule (n = 12) during 4 weeks of winter training. Blood samples were collected two times (pre- and post-tests) for analyzing serum 25(OH)D concentration while salivary samples were obtained three times (pre-, mid-, and post-tests) for secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and lactoferrin analyses. The symptoms of URTI were reported daily during the intervention. Serum 25(OH)D concentration significantly increased by 255.6% in the vitamin D group, whereas in the placebo group it did not change (p \u3c 0.001). While the significant increase in SIgA was observed in both groups (p \u3c 0.001), elevated salivary lactoferrin level in response to winter training was found only in the placebo group (p = 0.011). The change in serum 25(OH)D concentration was negatively associated with total URTI symptoms (r = −0.435, p = 0.015). Vitamin D3 supplementation may be effective in reducing the symptoms of URTI during winter training in vitamin D-insufficient taekwondo athletes

Comparisons of physique, body composition, and somatotype by weight division between male and female collegiate taekwondo athletes

The aim of the study was to compare the physique, body composition and somatotype between male and female collegiate taekwondo athletes and specially focus on differences by weight division. 60 collegiate taekwondo athletes (male: 29, female: 31) voluntarily participated in the study. They were divided into four Olympic weight divisions (male for -58 kg, -68 kg, -80 kg, +80 kg, female for -49 kg, -57 kg, -67 kg, +67 kg). Anthropometric measurements included body weight, height, sitting height, body circumferences (relaxed arm, flexed arm, chest, waist, hip, thigh, and calf), bone widths (humerus and femur), and skinfold thicknesses (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, thigh, and calf) were measured. The three somatotype components were assessed by Heath-Carter anthropometric method (Carter & Heath, 1990). Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were applied to analyze difference of dependent variables. Significant level was set at .05. Male athletes were taller and heavier than female athletes. However, sum of skinfold thickness was significantly higher in female athletes than male athletes. The three somatotype components for male athletes were 3.4-3.5-3.1 and characterized with balanced mesomorphy. On the other hand, the somatotype of female athletes were 6.1-3.4-2.6 and characterized with mesomorphic endomorph. In male athletes -80 kg and +80 kg weight divisions were higher mesomorphy, but lower ectomorphy than -58 kg and -68 kg weight divisions. In female, -57 kg, -67 kg and +67 kg weight divisions were higher endomorphy and mesomorphy, but lower ectomorphy than -49 kg weight divisions. In conclusion, male athletes had higher anthropometric characteristics than female athletes except for the skinfold thickness. Female athletes had higher endomorphy, whereas male athletes had higher ectomorphy. Physique and somatotype were different between weight divisions both male and female athletes. This study provides a reference data of morphological characteristics of collegiate elite taekwondo athletes

A Case of Severe Delayed Vasospasm after Clipping Surgery for an Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm

Delayed ischemic stroke associated with intractable vasospasm after clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) has been rarely reported. We report a patient with delayed ischemic stroke associated with intractable vasospasm following UIA clipping. A middle-aged female underwent surgery for unruptured middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms. The patient tolerated the neurosurgical procedure well. Seven days postoperatively, the headache was unbearable; a postcraniotomy headache persisted and abruptly presented with global aphasia and right-sided hemiplegia after a nap. Emergency digital subtraction angiography showed severe luminal narrowing with segmental vasoconstriction, consistent with severe vasospasm. The patient’s neurological deficit improved after chemical angioplasty. Neurosurgeons should pay close attention to this treatable/preventive entity after neurological deterioration following UIA clipping, even in patients without subarachnoid hemorrhage

Risk factors for multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia in patients with colonization in the intensive care unit

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epidemic outbreaks of multi-drug resistant (MDR) <it>Acinetobacter baumannii </it>(AB) in intensive care units (ICUs) are increasing. The incidence of MDR AB bacteremia, which develops as a result of colonization, is increasing through widespread dissemination of the pathogen, and further colonization. We sought to determine risk factors for MDR AB bacteremia in patients colonized with MDR AB in the ICU.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 200 patients colonized with MDR AB in the ICU at Severance Hospital, South Korea during the outbreak period between January 2008 and December 2009.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 200 patients colonized with MDR AB, 108 developed MDR AB bacteremia, and 92 did not. APACHE II scores were higher in bacteremic than non-bacteremic patients at the time of ICU admission and colonization (24.0 vs. 21.6; <it>P </it>= 0.035, 22.9 vs. 16.8; <it>P </it>< 0.001, respectively). There was no difference between the two groups in the duration of time from ICU admission to colonization (7.1 vs. 7.2 days; <it>P </it>= 0.923), but the duration of time at risk was shorter in bacteremic patients (12.1 vs. 6.0 days; <it>P </it>= 0.016). A recent invasive procedure was a significant risk factor for development of bacteremia (odds ratio = 3.85; 95% CI 1.45-10.24; <it>P </it>= 0.007). Multivariate analysis indicated infection and respiratory failure at the time of ICU admission, maintenance of mechanical ventilation, maintenance of endotracheal tube instead of switching to a tracheostomy, recent central venous catheter insertion, bacteremia caused by other microorganism after colonization by MDR AB, and prior antimicrobial therapy, were significant risk factors for MDR AB bacteremia.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Patients in the ICU, colonized with MDR AB, should be considered for minimizing invasive procedures and early removal of the invasive devices to prevent development of MDR AB bacteremia.</p

Determination of Malignant and Invasive Predictors in Branch Duct Type Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas: A Suggested Scoring Formula

Prediction of malignancy or invasiveness of branch duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (Br-IPMN) is difficult, and proper treatment strategy has not been well established. The authors investigated the characteristics of Br-IPMN and explored its malignancy or invasiveness predicting factors to suggest a scoring formula for predicting pathologic results. From 1994 to 2008, 237 patients who were diagnosed as Br-IPMN at 11 tertiary referral centers in Korea were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' mean age was 63.1 ± 9.2 yr. One hundred ninty-eight (83.5%) patients had nonmalignant IPMN (81 adenoma, 117 borderline atypia), and 39 (16.5%) had malignant IPMN (13 carcinoma in situ, 26 invasive carcinoma). Cyst size and mural nodule were malignancy determining factors by multivariate analysis. Elevated CEA, cyst size and mural nodule were factors determining invasiveness by multivariate analysis. Using the regression coefficient for significant predictors on multivariate analysis, we constructed a malignancy-predicting scoring formula: 22.4 (mural nodule [0 or 1]) + 0.5 (cyst size [mm]). In invasive IPMN, the formula was expressed as invasiveness-predicting score = 36.6 (mural nodule [0 or 1]) + 32.2 (elevated serum CEA [0 or 1]) + 0.6 (cyst size [mm]). Here we present a scoring formula for prediction of malignancy or invasiveness of Br-IPMN which can be used to determine a proper treatment strategy

Fimasartan versus perindopril with and without diuretics in the treatment of elderly patients with essential hypertension (Fimasartan in the Senior Subjects (FITNESS)): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, even in the elderly. Fimasartan is a new non-peptide angiotensin II receptor blocker with a selective type I receptor blocking effect. The objective of this study is to confirm the safety and the non-inferiority of the blood pressure–lowering effect of fimasartan compared with those of perindopril, which has been proven safe and effective in elderly patients with hypertension. Methods This is a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, two-parallel group, optional-titration, multicenter, phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of fimasartan and perindopril arginine. The study population consists of individuals 70 years old or older with essential hypertension. The primary outcome will be a change in sitting systolic blood pressure from baseline after the administration of the investigational product for 8 weeks. The secondary outcomes will be a change in sitting diastolic blood pressure from baseline and changes in sitting systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure from baseline after the administration of the investigational product for 4, 16, and 24 weeks. The sample size will be 119 subjects for each group to confer enough power to test for the primary outcome. Discussion Research to confirm the efficacy and safety of a new medicine compared with those of previously proven anti-hypertensive drugs is beneficial to guide physicians in the selection of therapeutic agents. If it is confirmed that the new drug is not inferior to the existing drug, the drug will be considered as an option in the treatment of hypertension in elderly patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03246555, registered on July 25, 2017.The study is funded by Boryung Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The company was involved in all stages of the study conduct and design. Boryung also took responsibility for all costs associated with the development and publishing of the manuscript

Integrative and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinomas in East Asian Patients

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most prevalent type of lung cancer. Currently, no targeted therapeutics are approved for treatment of this cancer, largely because of a lack of systematic understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease. To identify therapeutic targets and perform comparative analyses of lung SCC, we probed somatic genome alterations of lung SCC by using samples from Korean patients

Noncoding RNAs Associated with Therapeutic Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer

Therapeutic resistance is an inevitable impediment towards effective cancer therapies. Evidence accumulated has shown that the signaling pathways and related factors are fundamentally responsible for therapeutic resistance via regulating diverse cellular events, such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness, cell survival/apoptosis, autophagy, etcetera. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified as essential cellular components in gene regulation. The expression of ncRNAs is altered in cancer, and dysregulated ncRNAs participate in gene regulatory networks in pathological contexts. An in-depth understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of therapeutic resistance is required to refine therapeutic benefits. This review presents an overview of the recent evidence concerning the role of human ncRNAs in therapeutic resistance, together with the feasibility of ncRNAs as therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer

Effects of High-Impact Weight-Bearing Exercise on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Metabolism in Middle-Aged Premenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study examined the effects of high-impact weight-bearing exercise on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolic markers in middle-aged premenopausal women. Forty middle-aged premenopausal women were initially enrolled, but thirty-one participants (40.34 &plusmn; 3.69 years) completed in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups including the high-impact weight-bearing exercise group (HWE, n = 14) and control group (CON, n = 17). The HWE group participated in the exercise for 50 min a day, three days per week for four months, while the CON group maintained their regular lifestyle. The HWE program included 10 different high-impact weight-bearing exercises such as jumping and running. BMD was measured using DXA (Hologic, QDR 4500W, Marlborough, MA, USA). The bone metabolic markers including serum 25-(OH) D, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteopontin (OPN), receptor activator of nuclear factor &kappa;B ligand (RANKL), osteocalcin (OC), C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX), and calcium were analyzed. The results showed that the BMDs of femur, lumbar, and forearm did not significantly change during the intervention period in both the HWE and CON groups. A significant decrease in bone formation markers such as OC (F = 10.514, p = 0.003, &eta;p2 = 0.266) and an increase in bone resorption marker including CTX (F = 8.768, p = 0.006, &eta;p2 = 0.232) were found only in the CON group, while these values did not change in the HWE group. There was a significant increase in serum 25-(OH) D (F = 4.451, p = 0.044, &eta;p2 = 0.133) in the HWE group. Our findings suggest that four months of HWE is not sufficient to improve BMD and bone metabolic markers, but this impact exercise program may prevent the age-associated changes in bone turnover markers in middle-aged premenopausal women