Neck Circumference as a Predictor of Insulin Resistance in People with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: Insulin resistance is common in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Because insulin resistance is a predictive factor for advanced liver diseases in people with NAFLD, efforts have been made to predict it through anthropometric variables. Recently, neck circumference (NC) has been regarded as a reliable alternative marker for metabolic disorders.

Perceived Importance and Performance of Critical Care Nursing Competency by Nurses' Clinical Expertise.

To enhance critical care competency, it is necessary to develop and apply a clinical expertise-based competency training program. This study aimed to identify the perceived importance and performance of critical care nursing competency and the training priorities of competency-based training programs by nurses' clinical expertise. This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey with a convenience sample of 236 intensive care unit nurses.

Inverse Relationship between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Elevated Intraocular Pressure.

Elevated intraocular pressure (EIOP) is the only major modifiable risk factor of glaucoma. While low serum vitamin D levels are considered a potential risk factor for glaucoma, there is conflicting evidence on the relationship between vitamin D and EIOP despite the possible linkage between vitamin D and intraocular pressure through oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to verify the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and EIOP using data from 15,338 individuals who visited the health promotion center of an education hospital.

Fatty Liver Is an Independent Risk Factor for Elevated Intraocular Pressure.

Elevated intraocular pressure (EIOP) is a major risk factor for glaucoma. Both EIOP and fatty liver share metabolic risk factors, which implies a possible link between EIOP and fatty liver. We aimed to determine the association of fatty liver with EIOP and estimate the effect of fatty liver on EIOP directly and indirectly through insulin resistance.

Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance Is Inversely Related to Incident Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

We determined the relationships between metabolic score for IR (METS-IR), triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, and homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) and incident advanced liver fibrosis (ALF) and assessed the abilities of the three IR indicators to predict ALF in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults with NAFLD who were aged 40-69 years old. Among 2218 participants with NAFLD at baseline, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting ALF of the METS-IR was 0.744 (0.

The usefulness of metabolic score for insulin resistance for the prediction of incident non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Korean adults.

Background/aims: The early detection and prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been emphasized considering the burden of this disease. Both hepatic and peripheral insulin resistances are strongly associated with NAFLD. We aimed to compare the predictive powers of a hepatic insulin resistance index, the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and a novel peripheral insulin resistance index, the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), for the prediction of prevalent and incident NAFLD.

A Positive Association between the Atherogenic Index of Plasma and White Matter Hyperintensity.

Background: White matter hyperintensity (WMH) is a risk factor for dementia and ischemic stroke. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a simple and cost-effective marker for the prediction of various vascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between AIP and WMH in adults without cerebrovascular accidents.

Comparison of triglyceride-glucose index and HOMA-IR for predicting prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome.

Background And Aims: Insulin resistance is related closely to metabolic syndrome (MetS). The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is the most commonly used insulin resistance index, but the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been suggested as a reliable alternative insulin resistance index. This study aims to compare the predictive powers of TyG index and HOMA-IR for the prevalence and incidence of MetS in a large, community-based, prospective cohort over 12 years of follow-up.

Teamwork, psychological safety, and patient safety competency among emergency nurses.

Introduction: The patient safety competency of emergency nurses is critical because the emergency department is a complex and dynamic setting in which patient safety incidents are likely to occur owing to difficulties in controlling and predicting situations.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors that predict the patient safety competency of emergency nurses.

Methods: A descriptive correlational study using cross-sectional survey methodology was conducted with a convenience sample of 200 emergency nurses.

The Relationship between Heart Rate Variability and Aortic Knob Width.

Background: The aortic knob width (AKW) and the heart rate variability (HRV) were suggested to be related to development of cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between them has not been investigated; thus, this study aimed to determine this relationship.

Methods: This study included 587 Koreans aged 18-79 years.

The Relationship between Aortic Knob Width and Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Both aortic knob width and metabolic syndrome are suggested to be related to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between aortic knob width and metabolic syndrome is unknown. This study aimed to explore this relationship.

Association of 10-Year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the association between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and newly developed 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score.

Methods: Participants were 201 Korean adults who underwent carotid ultrasonography at the Health Promotion Center of the Eulji General Hospital. We obtained information about medical history and lifestyle, and conducted laboratory tests.

Normal range albuminuria and metabolic syndrome in South Korea: the 2011-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: It is well-known that there is a close relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and microalbuminuria. However, some recent studies have found that even normal range albuminuria was associated with MetS and cardiometabolic risk factors. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between MetS and normal range albuminuria and to calculate the cutoff value for albuminuria that correlates with MetS in the representative fraction of Korean population.

Increased risk of asymptomatic gallstones in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background/aims: The relationship between Crohn's disease and gallstones is established. However, the prevalence and risk factors for gallstones in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are not yet well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of gallstones in patients with UC.

Clinical Implication of p16, Ki-67, and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Expression in Cervical Neoplasia: Improvement of Diagnostic Accuracy for High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion and Prediction of Resection Margin Involvement on Conization Specimen.

Background: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grading is subjective and affected by substantial rates of discordance among pathologists. Although the use of p16INK4a (p16) staining has been proven to improve diagnostic accuracy for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), the clinical evidence for use of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is insufficient to make an independent recommendation for use, alone or in combination. The primary objective was to evaluate clinical utility of Ki-67 and PCNA in combination with p16 in diagnosing HSIL.

Association between Appendicular Fat Mass and Metabolic Risk Factors.

Background: Different regional fat depots have different effects on lipid and glucose metabolism. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between body fat distribution as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and metabolic risk factors and to disclose whether there is any difference between groups with and without metabolic syndrome (MS).

Methods: A total of 292 participants (98 men, 194 women) over 19 years old underwent whole-body DEXA to evaluate body composition with respect to the whole body, leg, arm, and android regions.

A model for estimating body shape biological age based on clinical parameters associated with body composition.

Background: To date, no studies have attempted to estimate body shape biological age using clinical parameters associated with body composition for the purposes of examining a person's body shape based on their age.

Objective: We examined the relations between clinical parameters associated with body composition and chronological age, and proposed a model for estimating the body shape biological age.

Methods: The study was conducted in 243,778 subjects aged between 20 and 90 years who received a general medical checkup at health promotion centers at university and community hospitals in Korea from 2004 to 2011.

Elevated serum retinol-binding protein 4 is associated with insulin resistance in older women.

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), a molecule secreted from adipocytes and hepatocytes, may contribute to insulin resistance and is a potential predictor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. We investigated the association between serum RBP4 concentrations and insulin resistance in perimenopausal women. In addition, we examined associations of serum RBP4 concentrations with age, risk factors of cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Clinical implications of fatty pancreas: correlations between fatty pancreas and metabolic syndrome.

Aim: To investigate the clinical implications of lipid deposition in the pancreas (fatty pancreas).

Methods: The subjects of this study were 293 patients who had undergone abdominal computed tomography (CT) and sonography. Fatty pancreas was diagnosed by sonographic findings and subdivided into mild, moderate, and severe fatty pancreas groups comparing to the retroperitoneal fat echogenicity.

Polymorphisms of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein gene and phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Koreans.

Background: The pathogenesis of fatty liver is likely to depend on a complex interaction of environmental and genetic factors. We investigated a large-scale analysis of the association between microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) and phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) polymorphism in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methods: Five hundred and eighty-eight patients who visited the health promotion center were enrolled.

Association between low thigh fat and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background And Aim: Some people have a fatty liver despite having low visceral fat and a low body mass index (BMI). We investigated whether fat distribution, especially thigh subcutaneous fat and thigh intramuscular fat, is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: The patients consisted of 408 men and women.

Induction of apoptosis by a stilbene analog involves Bax translocation regulated by p38 MAPK and Akt.

trans-Stilbenes have been reported to induce cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) inhibition and cell death, however, the molecular mechanisms of the effects are not fully understood. We report here that (1-(2-{3-[2-(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-5-methoxy-phenoxy}ethyl)-1H-imidazole), a synthetic stilbene analog (SA) significantly suppressed TCDD-stimulated CYP1B1 mRNA expression. In HL-60 cells, SA induced apoptosis through activation of p38 MAPK and inactivation of Akt, which in turn activated Bad and mitochondrial death signaling pathway, as evidenced by Bax translocation and cytochrome c release.

Differential gene expression by styrene in rat reproductive tissue.

Styrene is an important industrial chemical that is extensively used in the production of resins, rubbers and fiberglass-reinforced plastics. Exposing male rats to high doses of styrene may produce sperm abnormalities or infertility. To determine the mechanism underlying styrene-mediated toxicity in male reproductive organs, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology was employed using annealing control primers (ACPs) to identify the differentially expressed genes following styrene treatment in isolated testis of male rats.