• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.293-305
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess and identify gender differences in factors associated with prevalence, awareness, and treatment of osteoporosis. Methods: Data for 3,071 men and 3,635 women ($age{\qeq}50$) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008~2011 were included. Osteoporosis was defined by World Health Organization T-score criteria. Impact factors and odds ratios were analysed by gender using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Osteoporosis prevalence rates were 7.0% in men and 40.1% in women. Osteopenia rates were 45.5% and 46.0% respectively. Among respondents with osteoporosis, 7.6% men and 37.8% women were aware of their diagnosis. Also 5.7% men with osteoporosis and 22.8% women were treated. Higher prevalence was found among respondents who were older, at lower socioeconomic levels, with lower body mass index and shorter height in both genders, and among women with fracture history, and non-hormonal replacement therapy. Awareness and treatment rates for the risk groups were similar compared to the low risk controls for both genders. Fracture history increased awareness and treatment rates independently for both genders. Women with perceived poor health status and health screening had increased awareness and treatment rates, but not men. Conclusion: Results indicate that postmenopausal women have a higher prevalence of osteoporosis than men and awareness and treatment rates were higher than for men. Despite gender difference in prevalence, osteoporosis was underdiagnosed and undertreated for both genders. Specialized public education and routine health screenings according to gender could be effective strategies to increase osteoporosis awareness and treatment.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.503-513
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• 2008

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a sensory organ that influences social and/or reproductive behavior and, in many cases, the survival of an organism. The VNO is believed to mediate responses to pheromones; however, many mechanisms of signal transduction in the VNO remain elusive. Here, we examined the expression of proteins involved in signal transduction that are found in the main olfactory system in the VNO. The localization of many signaling molecules in the VNO is quite different from those in the main olfactory system, suggesting differences in signal transduction mechanisms between these two chemosensory organs. Various signaling molecules are expressed in distinct areas of VNO sensory epithelium. Interestingly, we found the expressions of groups of these signaling molecules in glandular tissues adjacent to VNO, supporting the physiological significance of these glandular tissues. Our finding of high expression of signaling proteins in glandular tissues suggests that neurohumoral factors influence glandular tissues to modulate signaling cascades that in turn alter the responses of the VNO to hormonal status.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.299-308
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• 2002

The purpose of this morphometric study was to obtain detailed quantitative information on all cell types in the testis interstitium of Korean ring-necked pheasants combined with data on changes in the steroidogenic function of the testis during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. Animals collected during the breeding season, testis weights, sperm production, serum testosterone levels, leuteinizing hormone-stimulated testosterone secretion, and the length of the seminiferous tubules were significantly (p < 0.05) increased as compared to the nonbreeding season. Seminiferous tubules occupied 93.25% of testis volume in the breeding season. Leydig cells constituted 0.82% of the testicular volume. The mean volume of an Leydig cell was $1039{\mu}m^3$, and each testis contained about 24.53 million Leydig cells. Testes of the pheasants during the nonbreeding season displayed a 98% reduction in testis volume that was associated with a decrease in the absolute volume of seminiferous tubules (98% reduction), tubular lumen(100%), interstitium(90%), blood vessels(84%), lymphatic spaces(97%), Leydig cells(79%), mesenchymal cells(51%), and myoid cells(61%). The number of Leydig cells, mesenchymal cells, myoid cells per testis in the breeding season was higher (p < 0.05) than in the nonbreeding season. Although the average volume of a Leydig cell was 74% lower in the nonbreeding season, the average volume of a myoid and mesenchymal cell remained unchanged. These results demonstrate that there are a striking differences in the testicular structure of the Korean ring-necked pheasant in the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. Every structural parameter of the Leydig cell was pasitively correlated with both serum and LH-stimulated secretion concentrations of testosterone. Correlation of changes in hormonal status with morphometric alterations of all Leydig cell suggests that the Korean-ring necked pheasant may be used as a model to study structure-function relations in the avian testis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.924-932
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• 2003

In middle-aged men, abdominal obesity has been an important risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as a predictor of hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Particularly, risks from abdominal obesity increase when adipose tissue accumulates in visceral compartment. Many studies showed that weight reduction by caloric restriction improves abdominal obesity and reduces lots of cardiovascular risk factors. Testosterone treatment also results in a significant decrease in visceral fat area and normalizes endocrine metabolism. However there is no study that compare the effect of caloric restriction with that of testosterone treatment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of caloric restriction and that of testosterone treatment on body fat distribution, serum lipids and glucose metabolism in male patients with CAD. Forty five middle-aged overweight-obese men with CAD participated in 12 weeks' program. They were matched with age, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and divided into three groups : control group (n = 15) , caloric restriction group (-300 kcal/day, n = 15) and testosterone treatment group (testosterone undecanoate tablets, n = 15) . After 12 weeks, control group did not have any changes in anthropometries, lipid profile, body fat distribution, glucose metabolism and hormonal status. Expectedly, caloric restriction group showed decreases in body weight, BMI, waist to hip ratio, ％ body fat. Ten percentage of total cholesterol and 23% of triglyceride in serum were also decreased. In body fat distribution, total fat areas at both L1 and L4 levels were significantly reduced in this group without reduction in muscle of thigh and calf. However, testosterone treatment group did not have any significant changes in body weight, ％ body fat, serum lipid profile and abdominal fat distribution. In conclusion, weight reduction by caloric restriction is more beneficial in body fat distribution and serum lipid level than testosterone treatment in overweight male patients with CAD. This result suggests that modest weight reduction is possible to help decrease risk factors of CAD.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.371-375
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• 2001

Intracranial hemorrhage due to preeclampsia in the postpartum woman is rarely documented. Generally, the incidence of stroke is increased during pregnancy and early postpartum. Preeclampsia is considered a main cause of both nonhemorrhagic and hemorrhagic stroke. We present a 32-year-old woman who had intracranial hemorrhage at 5 days postpartum. At admission, her consciousness was semicomatose with elevated blood pressure. Computerized tomography revealed intracranial hemorrhage on right frontal lobe. Additional angiography did not reveal abnormal vascular lesion. Emergency craniectomy with hematoma removal was done. However, the patient showed no recovery and died 2 weeks later. We conclude that postpartum care of preeclampsia is important to prevent intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Relative high risk of stroke during the postpartum period suggests a causal roles for the large decrease in blood volume or the rapid changes in hormonal status that follow a live birth or stillbirth, perhaps by means of hemodynamics, coagulative, or vessel wall changes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2005

Objective: The prolactinoma is the most common pituitary tumor and sometimes shows severe invasiveness to the adjacent cavernous sinus, especially in the male patient. The dopamine agonist can be used as an alternative treatment modality to surgery. But, the transsphenoidal or transcranial approach for tumor removal has been more preferred treatment option of neurosurgeons in invasive prolactinoma. Especially rapid decompression of mass effect and resolution of the neurologic deficit is demanded. The prospective study is done in order to identify the therapeutic efficacy of bromocriptine as an initial treatment option for the invasive prolactionomas. Methods: Twenty patients with invasive prolactinoma were studied. Preoperative neurological and endocrinological evaluations were done, and size and invasiveness of the tumor was estimated on MRI. Bromocriptine was administrated by increasing dose planning reaching maximum dose at 1 month of treatment, with close neurological and endocrinological monitoring. At 3months after treatment, MRI was taken and decision was made whether to continue bromocriptine or to have surgical intervention. Results: Thirteen patients showed excellent result with only bromocriptine treatment. These patients showed not only marked reduction of tumor volume and prolactin level, but also, improving clinical symptoms and other hormonal deficits. 13patients who had visual field defect and decreased visual acuity had all improved visual symptoms. But, the remaining 4patients required surgical treatment due to insufficient reduction of tumor size inspite of normalized prolactin level within 3months. Remaining 2patients had $20{\sim}30%$ of tumor size reduction, but prolactin level was not normalized. One patient required radiation therapy. Conclusion: Bromociptine can be used as initial treatment for the invasive prolactinomas with careful monitoring of the neurological and endocrinological status. It should be carefully followed up for tumor size reduction within 3 months after initiation of treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4089-4093
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the association of ${\beta}-catenin$ expression pattern with pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer (BC) patients. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective exploratory study, data for 50 BC patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were recorded. ${\beta}-catenin$ expression in tumours was assessed using immunohistochemistry and classified as either membranous or cytoplasmic according to the pattern of staining. Distributions of different clinico-pathological parameters according to ${\beta}-catenin$ expression were assessed using the Chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess any relation of the pattern of ${\beta}-catenin$ expression with the pathological response. Results: Cytoplasmic ${\beta}-catenin$ expression was detected in 34% of BCs. Among our cases, 52% were hormonal receptor (HR)-positive, 24% were HER2-positive, 74% were clinical stage III and 74% received both anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy. Patients with cytoplasmic expression were more commonly younger than 40 years at diagnosis (cytoplasmic, 41.2% vs. no cytoplasmic expression, 12.1%, p=0.03). By doing t-test, cytoplasmic ${\beta}-catenin$ expression was linked with a higher body mass index compared to membranous-only expression ($mean{\pm}SD$ $33.0{\pm}4.47$ vs. $29.6{\pm}6.01$, respectively, p=0.046). No significant associations were found between ${\beta}-catenin$ expression and other parameters such as HR and HER2 status, or clinical stage. Complete pathological response (pCR) rate was twice as great in patients with membranous expression but without statistical significance (membranous-only, 33.3% vs. cytoplasmic, 17.6%, OR= 2.3, 95% CI= 0.55-9.87, p=0.24). Conclusions: This study suggests that cytoplasmic ${\beta}-catenin$ expression may be linked with lower probability of achieving pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These data need to be validated in a larger cohort of patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between ovarian follicle count and volume on ultrasonography and serum hormone levels including the levels of the anti-$M\ddot{u}llerian$ hormone (AMH) and gonadotropin in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A total of 118 Korean women aged 18-35 years who were newly diagnosed with PCOS at a university hospital were included in this study. Serum LH, FSH, and AMH levels were measured in the early follicular phase, and the total antral follicle count (TFC) and the total ovarian volume (TOV) were assessed by ultrasonography. The correlations between serum hormonal parameters and ultrasonography characteristics in women with PCOS were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficients and a linear regression analysis. Results: Serum AMH levels were significantly correlated with serum LH levels and LH/FSH ratios, and TFC and TOV were significantly correlated with each other on ultrasonography. Serum AMH and LH levels and the LH/FSH ratio were significantly correlated with TFC. Statistically significant correlations between TOV and the LH level (r=0.208, p=0.024) and the LH/FSH ratio (r=0.237, p=0.010) were observed. However, the serum AMH level was not significantly correlated with the ovarian volume, and this result did not change after adjusting for age and body mass index. Conclusion: Serum AMH is not related to the ovarian volume in women with PCOS. My results suggest that serum LH level and the LH/FSH ratio may be more useful than the serum AMH level for representing the status of the ovarian volume in women with PCOS.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2011

Purpose: Mastectomy is one of the operative procedures of female to male transsexuals. It is aimed to excise all of breast tissues and to reconstruct male chest wall, areola, and nipple. Breast sizes are varied by developmental status and their hormonal therapy. There are several approaches for mastectomy. This study is aimed to suggest appropriate mastectomy methods according to breast size in the female to male transgenders. Methods: We retrospectively analysed 46 patients of female to male transgenders. Breast size was categorized by their inner wear size. In A cup size, mastectomy was done with periareolar approach. In C cup size, inframammary fold approach subcutaneous mastectomy was performed. In B cup size, periareolar approach was used for grade A or B ptosis patient, and inframammary fold approach was choosen for the patient with grade C ptosis. Results: Subcutaneous mastectomy was done through semicircular periareolar approach for 26 patients. There were 2 cases of major complications that should be corrected by hematoma evacuation. Circumareolar approach was used for 5 patients, and a case of nipple-areolar complex necrosis was observed. Two cases of another complications which were irregularity of breast and wound disruption could be corrected. Inframammary fold approach was selected for 15 patients. There was a case of wound disruption, so revision surgery whould be done. Four cases of breast irregularity was corrected spontaneously, and 2 cases of partial necrosis of nipple-areolar complex were corrected with secondary healing. Patient satisfaction score for periareolar, cicumareolar, and inframmammary fold approach were 4.5, 4.2 and 4.1, respectively. Some major and minor complications were observed, but satisfactory results could be secured. Conclusion: Semicircular periareolar incision looked adequate for A cup size patient, circumareolar incision was suitable for B cup size with grade A or B ptosis. In B cup size with grade C ptosis patient and C cup patients, inframammary fold incision looked suitable for optimal results.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6347-6352
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• 2015

Background: Breast malignancies are one of the leading causes of deaths in females worldwide. There are a number of risk factors associated with breast cancer but in Karachi Pakistan there are insufficient data available. Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted on females in age group between 30-80 years. This study was accomplished by retrospective data collection in Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 108 females with primary malignancy of breast were included along with 108 matched controls. Relationship of various factors with disease was studied using logistic regression to calculate odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. Results: A total of 14 variables were analyzed and based on and 7 were found to be risk factors: old age, family history of breast cancer, family history of other carcinomas, personal history of breast carcinoma, early age of menarche, older age of mother at first delivery and lower number of children. Five factors, parity, breast feeding, history of oral contraceptive pills intake, past history of oophorectomy and hysterectomy showed protective associations. One variable, use of hormonal replacement therapy, showed a controversial link and one other, marital status, was not significant in this study. Conclusions: It is concluded that most of the well-known risk factors for breast cancer are also associated with the disease in the female population of Karachi, Pakistan. High risk patients should be the focus with the help of this study so that screening can be more effective for early diagnosis before clinically evident breast malignancy.