Detection of early changes in the muscle properties of the pectoralis major in breast cancer patients treated with radiotherapy using a handheld myotonometer.

Objective: The primary aim was to investigate serial changes in the mechanical properties of the pectoralis major (PM), upper trapezius (UT), and sternoclavicular mastoid muscle (SCM) in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) using a hand-held myotonometer. The secondary aims were to determine changes in subjective symptoms and to identify correlation with subjective results.

Design: A total of 42 breast cancer patients were enrolled in this longitudinal prospective study.

Efficacy and Safety of an mHealth App and Wearable Device in Physical Performance for Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Development and Usability Study.

Background: Exercise is predicted to have a positive effect among hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, these patients are hesitant to start and build up an exercise program for one major reason: the vague fear of developing hepatic decompensation, a potentially fatal condition that can lead to death. Integrating mobile health (mHealth) with individualized exercise programs could be a possible option for promoting physical capacity among HCC patients.

The association of diabetes duration and glycemic control with depression in elderly men with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The prevalence of depression and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are increasing in the elderly and are reportedly related to each other. We evaluated the relationship between T2DM-related factors and the degree of depression in elderly patients with T2DM based on gender.

Materials And Methods: A total of 155 patients with T2DM (56 males and 99 females aged ≥ 65 years) from seven hospitals were included in the study.

Efficacy of Mobile Health Care Application and Wearable Device in Improvement of Physical Performance in Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.

Background: The use of a mobile health care application, the delivery of health care or health care-related services through the use of portable devices, to manage functional loss, treatment-related toxicities, and impaired quality of life in cancer patients during chemotherapy through supervised self-management has been increasing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of comprehensive mobile health care using a tailored rehabilitation program for colorectal cancer patients undergoing active chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: A total of 102 colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy underwent 12 weeks of smartphone aftercare through provision of a mobile application and wearable device that included a rehabilitation exercise program and information on their disease and treatment.

Clinical and economic outcomes in medication-adherent and -nonadherent patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Republic of Korea.

Background: The prevalence and social burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing. Medication adherence is necessary for positive outcomes in patients with T2DM.

Objective: This study evaluated the association between medication adherence and clinical/economic outcomes in patients with T2DM in the Republic of Korea over a 3-year period.

An unusual presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis in familial hajdu-cheney syndrome: a case report.

A 21-year-old man with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) displayed short and clubbed fingers and marked eyebrow, which are typical of Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome (HCS). Laboratory findings confirmed type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). After conservative care with hydration and insulin supply, metabolic impairment was improved.

Sleep duration and glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010.

Short sleep duration has been reported to increase the risk of diabetes. However, the influence of sleep duration on glycemic control in diabetic patients has not been clarified. In this study we evaluated the association between sleep duration and glycemic control in diabetic patients.

Beneficial effects of fresh and fermented kimchi in prediabetic individuals.

Background: With the increased incidence of diabetes mellitus, the importance of early intervention in prediabetes has been emphasized. We previously reported that fermented kimchi, a traditional Korean food, reduced body weight and improved metabolic factors in overweight participants. We hypothesized that kimchi and its fermented form would have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism in patients with prediabetes.

Fibroblast growth factor-21 protects human skeletal muscle myotubes from palmitate-induced insulin resistance by inhibiting stress kinase and NF-κB.

We investigated the effects of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) on palmitate-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle myotubes. First, to determine the effect of FGF-21 on palmitate-induced insulin resistance, we measured 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake and levels of proteins involved in insulin signaling pathways (IRS-1 and Akt) in human skeletal muscle myotubes (HSMMs) exposed to palmitate for 24h, and compared HSMMs exposed to palmitate and different doses of recombinant FGF-21. Second, to determine the mechanisms underlying the contribution of FGF-21 to palmitate-induced insulin resistance, we compared levels of proteins linked to palmitate-induced insulin resistance (PKC-θ, IKKα/β, JNK, p38, IκBα, and NF-κB) in HSMMs exposed to palmitate and different doses of recombinant FGF-21 for 24h.

Serum fibroblast growth factor 21 was elevated in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and was associated with the presence of carotid artery plaques.

Aims: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an important regulator of glucose/lipid metabolism. Although there are studies examining the relationship between serum FGF21 levels and glucose homeostasis, the role of FGF21 remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine whether serum FGF21 levels are associated with metabolic parameters in subjects with varying degrees of obesity and glucose tolerance and with complications in subjects with type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

The Relationship between Diabetes Mellitus and Health-Related Quality of Life in Korean Adults: The Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2009).

Background: Diabetes is a major health problem in Korea. However, interest in the quality of life in patients with diabetes is low. We examined the effects of diabetes on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and compared it with HRQoL in the general Korean population using the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) (2007-2009).

Fermented kimchi reduces body weight and improves metabolic parameters in overweight and obese patients.

Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean food that has garnered international interest due to its various beneficial effects. Focusing on the effect of fermentation, this study hypothesized that consumption of fermented kimchi would have more beneficial effects compared with that of fresh kimchi on metabolic parameters that are related to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome risks in overweight and obese subjects. Twenty-two overweight and obese patients with body mass indexes greater than 25 kg/m(2) were randomly assigned to two 4-week diet phases separated by a 2-week washout period (crossover design).

Vancomycin-associated spontaneous cutaneous adverse drug reactions.

Purpose: With the increase in vancomycin use, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with vancomycin have been reported increasingly more often. However, the characteristics of cutaneous ADRs with and without systemic reactions (SRs) have not been described. This study investigated the characteristics of spontaneously reported and assessed ADRs associated with vancomycin by a pharmacovigilance center.

Prediction of compensated liver cirrhosis by ultrasonography and routine blood tests in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Background/aims: Liver biopsy is a standard method for diagnosis of liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis. Because liver biopsy is an invasive method, non-invasive methods have been used for diagnosis of compensated liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis. The current study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography and routine blood tests for diagnosis of compensated liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.