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Background: Watching three-dimensional television (3D TV) may strain the eyes. However, other potential harmful effects of 3D TV watching have been rarely investigated. The current study examined the impact of 3D TV watching on neurophysiological responses and cognitive functioning as compared with two-dimensional TV (2D TV) watching. Methods: A total of 72 individuals were randomly assigned to either a 3D TV watching group or a 2D TV watching group. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure neurophysiological responses, and computerized neurocognitive tests were conducted immediately before and after TV watching. The Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) was used to assess visual discomfort. Results: There was a significant change in visual discomfort between the two groups (SSQ score at baseline: 2.28 ± 3.05 for the 3D TV group and 3.69 ± 3.49 for the 2D TV group; SSQ score after watching TV: 4.6 ± 3.35 for the 3D TV group and 4.03 ±3.47 for the 2D TV group), and this change was greater for the 3D TV watching group (P = 0.025). However, 3D TV watching did not have a differential impact on EEG responses. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of changes in cognitive performance, except for a subtle difference in backward digit span performance. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that 3D TV watching is as safe as 2D TV watching in terms of neurophysiological responses and cognitive functioning. Potential harmful effects of TV viewing might be similar regardless of whether 3D or 2D TV is viewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To test if there is a stepwise difference in neonatal outcomes according to the stage (or grade) of histological inflammatory response in the chorioamniotic membranes and umbilical cords of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Method: This retrospective study included singleton pregnancies diagnosed as PPROM and delivered prior to 34 weeks of gestation (n=339). Acute histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis were subdivided into stages (or grade) as defined by Redline et al. Neonatal composite morbidities and mortality were also monitored. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results: Increasing stage (or grade) of acute histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis was significantly associated with an earlier gestational age at membrane rupture and delivery. Among neonatal outcomes, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, and composite morbidity showed incremental incidence according to increased stage (or grade) of acute chorioamnionitis, while periventricular leukomalacia and necrotizing enterocolitis did not. Only RDS, BPD, and composite morbidity showed similar incremental incidences associated with severity of funisitis stage. However, the incremental trends of each neonatal outcome were found to be nonsignificant by multivariate analysis adjusting confounding variables including gestational age at delivery. Conclusion: Higher incidences of neonatal morbidity according to increased stage (or grade) of either acute histological chorioamnionitis or funisitis were due to an earlier gestational age at delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Sorafenib is recommended as a standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC). The efficacy and safety of sorafenib as a first-line therapy in Korean patients with advanced HCC were investigated. Methods From 2007 to 2012, 86 patients with advanced HCC ( Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C) treated with sorafenib as a first-line therapy were enrolled from five tertiary hospitals. Predictors of overall survival ( OS) and progression-free survival ( PFS) were analyzed. Results The median age was 59.5 years, and 71 (82.6%) were males; 57 (66.3%) patients were in Child- Pugh class A. The median OS and PFS were 5.0 (range 4.0-5.9) and 3.2 (range 2.6-3.7) months, respectively. Regarding OS, Child- Pugh class A (6.0 vs 2.8 months), tumor diameter < 5 cm (6.0 vs 4.3 months), baseline α-fetoprotein < 200 ng/m L (5.8 vs 4.1 months), and the advent of hand-foot-skin reaction of ≥ grade 2 (5.9 vs 4.0 months) were independent favorable predictors (all P < 0.05). Similarly, regarding PFS, Child- Pugh class A (4.3 vs 2.1 months), tumor diameter < 5 cm (3.9 vs 2.8 months), baseline α-fetoprotein < 200 ng/ mL (5.6 vs 2.8 months), and the advent of hand-foot-skin reaction of ≥ grade 2 (4.5 vs 2.6 months) were independent favorable predictors (all P < 0.05). All toxicities during sorafenib treatment were manageable. Conclusions Because the efficacy of sorafenib seems marginal in Korean patients with treatment-naïve HCC, how to select candidates with favorable outcomes should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical outcomes of new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES), Everolimus-eluting stent (EES) or Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stent (R-ZES), have been reported. However, angiographic follow-up data of new-generation DES are limited, especially in Asians. We investigated the angiographic and clinical outcomes of EES and R-ZES in a real-world setting of Korean patients. Methods: Angiographic and clinical outcomes of 679 patients (866 lesions) who had been treated with EES or R-ZES from Jun 2008 to May 2010 were evaluated. The primary analysis was to compare in-segment late loss at 9 months and the secondary analyses were to compare the clinical outcomes. Results: In-segment late loss at 9-month follow-up angiography was 0.23 ± 0.52 mm for EES and 0.29 ± 0.64 mm for R-ZES (p = 0.248). In addition, the rate of binary restenosis did not show between-group differences (5.8% vs. 6.8% for EES and R-ZES, respectively, p = 0.716). During a median follow-up of 33 months, there were no significant differences in Kaplan-Meier estimates of target lesion failure (TLF) (7.5% vs. 7.9% for EES and R-ZES, respectively, p = 0.578) and patient-oriented composite outcomes (POCO including all-cause death, any myocardial infarction, and any revascularization, 22.8% vs. 20.1%, p = 0.888). The adjusted hazard ratios for TLF and POCO were 0.875 (95% CI 0.427 - 1.793; p = 0.715) and 1.029 (95% CI 0.642 - 1.650; p = 0.904), respectively, for EES over R-ZES in the propensity score matched group analysis. Conclusions: In Korean patients undergoing new-generation DES implantation for coronary artery disease, EES and R-ZES showed similar angiographic outcomes at 9 months and comparable clinical outcomes during 2.8 years of median follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many studies on the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and economic burden of diabetes across the past four decades in Korea. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of nationwide study regarding diabetes encompassing all age group. Eight years ago, the Committee on the Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus of Korean Diabetes Association collaborated with Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service to evaluate the status of diabetes care and characteristics in diabetic patients in Korea. In 2007, the collaborative task force team published a comprehensive survey titled "Diabetes in Korea 2007." In this review, we reappraise the diabetic epidemics from the joint report and suggest further studies that are needed to be investigated in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To define a better cut-off value of the renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter (RPAPD) to predict persistent or progressive pyelectasis during pregnancy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 8873 women whose fetal RPAPD was measured. Midtrimester pyelectasis was defined as a RPAPD of ≥4 mm. Persistent/progressive pyelectasis was defined as a RPAPD of ≥10 mm before delivery. A RPAPD cut-off value to predict a persistent/progressive pyelectasis was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: Among 249 isolated cases of pyelectasis, persistent/progressive pyelectasis was found in 6.9% before delivery. The midtrimester RPAPD cut-off value that best predicted persistent/progressive pyelectasis before delivery was ≥6 mm with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 64.3%, 88.7%, 30.0%, and 97.1%. respectively. Conclusions: Although most cases of midtrimester fetal pyelectasis regress to normal during pregnancy, those with a RPAPD of ≥6 mm in the midtrimester are at higher risk for persistent or progressive pyelectasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the learners' mental models of plate boundaries and the ontological categories according to their mental models. 116 Korean high school students were asked to draw the 3 types of plate boundaries described in the theory of plate tectonics and to respond the written test with ontological questions. In order to reveal the mental models of students, the result of drawings and interviews was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings revealed that the mental models of plate boundaries were classified as one of the following: 'naïve model', 'unstable model', 'causal model', and 'conceptual model'. The learners who were categorized as the naïve mental type showed the highest proportion in the Matter ontological category. On the other hand, the learners who were categorized as the causal mental type did not appear in the Matter category, they use more Event and Constraint Based Interaction categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES:To address a growing concern about drug-induced liver injury (DILI), a nationwide study was performed to investigate the significance of DILI in Korea.METHODS:From May 2005 to May 2007, cases of DILI (alanine transferase >3 × upper normal limit or total bilirubin >2 × upper normal limit) from 17 referral university hospitals were prospectively enrolled. Adjudication by the seven review boards was considered for the confirmation of causality and the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) scale was used.RESULTS:A total of 371 cases were diagnosed with DILI. The extrapolated incidence of hospitalization at university hospital in Korea was 12/100,000 persons/year. The causes included 'herbal medications' (102, 27.5%), 'prescription or non-prescription medications' (101, 27.3%), 'health foods or dietary supplements' (51, 13.7%), 'medicinal herbs or plants' (35, 9.4%), 'folk remedies' (32, 8.6%), 'combined' (30, 8.2%), 'herbal preparations' (12, 3.2%), and others (8, 2.2%). Nine cases were linked to acetaminophen. The frequencies of hepatocellular, mixed, and cholestatic types were 76.3, 14.8, and 8.9%, respectively. A total of 234 cases met the criteria for Hy's law. Five patients died or underwent transplantation. Twenty-five cases (21 herbs and 4 medications) did not meet the time-to-onset criteria of the RUCAM.CONCLUSIONS:DILI appears to be a highly relevant health problem in Korea. 'Herbal medications' are the principal cause of DILI. A more objective and reproducible causality assessment tool is strongly desired as the RUCAM scale frequently undercounts the cases caused by herbs owing to a lack of previous information and incompatible time criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Techniques are proposed for developing a monthly and weekly drought outlook and the drought outlook components are evaluated. A drought index, the surface water supply index (SWSI) was modified and used for the drought outlook. A water balance model (abcd) was successfully calibrated using a regional regression, including monthly and weekly factors, and was used to convert meteorology to hydrology. For the monthly drought outlook, an ensemble technique was applied, both with and without monthly industrial meteorology information (MIMI). For the weekly drought outlook, a deterministic forecasting technique was applied employing the Global Data Assimilation and Prediction System (GDAPS). The methodologies were applied to the Geum River basin in Korea. While only the weekly outlook using the GDAPS has sufficient forecasting capability to suggest it might be useful, the accuracy of the monthly drought outlook is expected to improve as the climate forecast accuracy increases. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor D. Hughes Citation Kim, Y.-O., Lee, J.-K., and Palmer, R.N., 2012. A drought outlook study in Korea. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (6), 1141–1153. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractWe assessed the effect of caffeine on sudomotor activity and sweating sensitivity during physical loading. Both physiological responses could occur due to energy expenditure. Subjects were 13 athletically trained males (22.1±3.7 years old, 174.2±5.4 cm tall, and weighing 70.9±4.6 kg, with maximal oxygen consumption [VO2max] of 53.6±4.4 mL/kg/minute). The study involved a within-subject, random, crossover design. Tests were performed following the ingestion of 3 mg/kg caffeine. The physical loading involved running for 30 minutes at 60% VO2max (24.0±0.5°C, 40±3.0% relative humidity). Tympanic temperature (TYMP) was significantly higher in the caffeine-consuming group (Caffe-I) at pre-exercise (40 minutes after caffeine intake and immediately before running) (P<.05). Mean body temperature (mTb) was significantly higher in the Caffe-I group at pre- and post-exercise (30 min after start of running) (P<.05). Onset time of localized sweating was significantly shorter in the Caffe-I group (P<.01), but localized sweat volume and active sweat gland output (per single gland) was significantly higher in the Caffe-I group (P<.001). Activated sweat gland density was significantly increased in the Caffe-I group on the abdomen and thigh (P<.01). In conclusion, caffeine ingestion caused not only increases in TYMP and mTbthrough thermogenesis, but also an increased sweating sensitivity via changes in sudomotor activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify obstetric and maternal factors related to Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization in pregnant women in Korea.Methods: The study was conducted between the years 2006-2008 in four hospitals, Cheil and Eulji hospital in Seoul, and Motae and Eulji hospital in Daejeon. We recruited 2,644 pregnant women between 35 to 37 weeks of gestation who had visited for antenatal care. Participants completed a questionnaire, and urine, vaginal and rectal specimens were obtained and cultured using selective broth media. After delivery, medical records were reviewed.Results: GBS colonization was significantly associated with hospital, age group, education, frequency of pregnancy, and premature rupture of membranes (PROM, more than 18 hours). After adjustment for other variables, Cheil hospital (odds ratio [OR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-3.52), and the first pregnancy (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.12-4.81) remained significant. History of vaginitis showed marginal significance (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.98-2.29).Conclusion: To prevent GBS infection of neonates, clinicians should be alert to the potentially higher risk of GBS colonization in pregnant women in their first pregnancy, and women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (18 hours+) or who have a history of vaginitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effluent qualities of five municipal wastewater treatment facilities (MWWTFs) in Ulsan were evaluated to examine their reuse potential. Effluent from Yongyeon (Y) MWWTF, Onsan (O) MWWTF and Bangeojin (B) MWWTFs can be used as cooling water without further treatment. As evident from Langelier saturation index and Ryzner index values, reuse of treated effluent from OMWWTF and BMWWTFs is recommended by controlling the pH to reduce the scale-forming potential of effluent. However, effluents from these MWWTFs need additional treatment to remove residual dissolved constituents before reuse as boiler water. Besides, effluent from Hoiya (H) MWWTF and Unyang (U) MWWTFs can be reused for agricultural irrigation without any additional treatment. Based on the scientific results obtained from this investigation, proper application of technology and promotion of public awareness to change the traditional mindset for treated effluent reuse could immensely contribute towards conserving local water resources and addressing global environmental problems on a regional basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) forecasting systems which reflect monthly meteorological and hydrological variations. The study is conducted at Geum River basin which measures the value of the updated ESP. Results reveal that updating ESP scenario improves the accuracy of the forecasts and their operational benefit. The study concludes that the accuracy of ESP scenario has a considerable effect on the reservoir operation especially when high flows occur.

Aim: To determine the pregnancy termination rate, and perinatal and 1-year infant mortality rates following prenatally-detected congenital heart disease (CHD) and trends over an 11-year period. Methods: Between 1994 and 2005, 1603 gravidas underwent fetal echocardiography in our institution, in which 378 fetuses were diagnosed with CHD. The study period was divided into the following three groups for time-trend analysis: 1994–1997, 1998–2001, and 2002–2005. Data regarding gestational age at diagnosis and delivery, the presence of extracardiac or chromosomal abnormalities, pregnancy termination rate, and perinatal and 1-year mortalities were collected by review of medical records and telephone interviews. Results: Among 378 fetuses with a prenatally-detected CHD, complete perinatal and infant outcomes were available for 336 fetuses (88.9%). There was a gradual increase in prenatally-detected CHD by fetal echocardiography during the study period (1994–1997, 10.3%; 1998–2001, 17.3%; and 2002–2005, 24.3%). The mean gestational ages at diagnosis and delivery were 27.2 ± 5.6 and 37.8 ± 2.9 weeks, respectively. Overall, the pregnancy termination rate in this study population was 20.2% and the perinatal and 1-year infant mortality rates were 6.3% and 9.7%, respectively. Among the fetuses who underwent cardiac surgery, surgical mortality occurred in two (3.8%); both died more than 1 month after surgery. Although the pregnancy termination rates remained unchanged, there was a significant decrease in perinatal and 1-year infant mortality rates over the study period. Conclusion: Although the perinatal and 1-year infant mortalities following prenatally-detected CHD have continued to decrease significantly during the past 11 years, pregnancy termination rates have remained unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Without exception, global warming affects the water resources in Korea. Several climate change projects have been initiated for future water resources assessment but have produced very different projections with a significant range of heterogeneities. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a standard procedure and scheme that can reduce this heterogeneity. In this study, we first examine all general circulation model (GCM) scenarios available at the IPCC Data Distribution Centre. The six A1B GCM scenarios are then selected (such as INM, CCCma, MPI_MIUB, UKMO, NIES and NCAR) for a climate change assessment of water resources in Korea. A modified version of a reliability ensemble average (M-REA) has been proposed as a multi-model ensemble weighting scheme that can combine the heterogeneous scenarios. When applied to the six A1B GCM scenarios, M-REA projected that Korea on an average will experience a 9.43% increase in precipitation in the year 2037. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applies a state-of-art optimization technique, SSDP/ESP (Sampling Stochastic Dynamic Programming with Ensemble Streamfiow Prediction), to derive a monthly joint operating policy for the Nakdong multi-reservoir system in Korea. A rainfall-runoff model, SSARR (Streamflow Synthesis And Reservoir Regulation), is linked to the SSDP/ESP model to provide ESP scenarios for runoff during the next month in the Nakdong River basin. The primary advantage of the SSDP/ESP is that it updates the derived operating policy as new ESP forecasts become available. Another SSDP model that employs historical runoff scenarios (SSDP/ Hist) is also developed. The main difference between the two SSDP models is that SSDP/Hist is an off-line model whereas the SSDP/ESP is on-line. The developed operating policies are tested with a simulation model using an object-oriented simulation software, STELLA. The simulation results show that SSDP/ESP is superior to SSDP/Hist with respect to the water supply criterion, although both models perform similarly with respect to the hydroelectric energy production criterion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents state-of-the-art optimization techniques for enhancing reservoir operations which use sampling stochastic dynamic programming (SSDP) with ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP). SSDP used with historical inflow scenarios (SSDP/Hist) derives an off-line optimal operating policy through a backward-moving solution procedure. In contrast, SSDP used with monthly forecasts of ESP (SSSDP/ESP) reoptimizes the off-line policy. These stochastic models are used to derive a monthly joint operating policy during the drawdown period of the Geum River multireservoir system in Korea. A cross-validation test of 1,900 simulation runs demonstrates that: (1) proposed stochastic models that explicitly include inflow uncertainty are superior to those that do not; (2) updating policy with ESP forecasts is appropriate in this reservoir system; (3) the lower dam of the Geum River multireservoir system should maintain elevation of 66.5 m during the beginning of the drawdown period to avoid significant increase in the downstream water shortages; and (4) forecasting accuracy may result in considerable effects on joint reservoir operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University-based graduate programs serve important functions in preparing advanced-level professionals and future researchers in human resource development. Yet, despite this critical supplier function, there is little systematic knowledge about the characteristics of such programs. This paper begins to address this research need by presenting profiles of selected graduate programs in China, Korea, and the US. The results indicate diverse educational settings, institutional linkages, and identities. Curricula in the three countries cover a different of range of subject matter areas and appear to address only in a limited sense the more challenging areas of HRD practice in local, regional, national, and global settings. The paper concludes with recommendations for continuous improvement of graduate education to meet the evolving and complex needs of organizational practice and to prepare students to assume leadership positions that reflect the promise and potential of comprehensive and progressive human resource development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reviewed various combining methods that have been commonly used in economic forecasting, and examined their applicability in hydrologic forecasting. The following combining methods were investigated: The simple average, constant coefficient regression, switching regression, sum of squared error, and artificial neural network combining methods. Each method combines ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) scenarios of the existing rainfall-runoff model, TANK, those of the new rainfall-runoff model that has been developed using an ensemble neural network for forecasting the monthly inflow to the Daecheong multipurpose dam in Korea. In addition to the combining, the ESP scenarios were adjusted using correction methods, such as optimal linear and artificial neural network correction methods. Among the tested combining methods, sum of squared error (SSE), a combining method using time-varying weights, performed best with respect to the root mean square error. When SSE was coupled with optimal linear correction (OLC), denoted SSE/OLC, its bias became sufficiently close to zero. SSE/OLC also considerably improved the probabilistic forecasting accuracy of the existing ESP system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clostridium perfringens produces diverse virulent toxins that cause necrotic enteritis in poultry, resulting in a great negative impact on the poultry industry. To study the characteristics of C. perfringens in chickens, we isolated 88 strains from chickens (1 strain per flock) with necrotic enteritis. The isolated bacterial strains were screened for toxin type and antimicrobial susceptibility. Necropsy of 17 chickens that died from necrotic enteritis revealed that their intestines were dilated with inflammatory exudates and characterized by mucosal necrosis. All the isolated strains were identified as toxin type A using multiplex PCR for toxin typing. We found that the rate of netB-positive strains isolated from dead chickens was significantly higher (8 of 17) than the rate among healthy chickens (2 of 50). We performed antimicrobial susceptibility test with 20 selected antimicrobial agents using the disk diffusion test and found that 30 tested strains were completely resistant to 5 antibiotics and partially resistant to 6 antibiotics whereas all the strains were susceptible to 9 antimicrobial agents. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis, the 17 strains were divided into 13 genetic clusters showing high genetic diversity. In conclusion, C. perfringens strains isolated from Korean poultry showed a high resistance to antimicrobial drugs and high genetic diversity, suggesting that continuous monitoring is essential to prevent outbreaks of necrotic enteritis in chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A systematic, seven-step approach to integrated watershed planning and management is applied to an urbanized watershed, the Anyangcheon (AY) watershed in Korea which consists of (1) understanding watershed components and processes, (2) identifying and ranking problems to be solved, (3) setting clear and specific goals, (4) developing a list of management options, (5) eliminating infeasible options (6) testing the effectiveness of remaining feasible options, and (7) developing the final options. Watershed characteristics, water quantity and quality simulations with SWAT and PLOAD models, and the developed problem indices of PFD (Potential Flood Damage), PSD (Potential Streamflow Depletion), and PWQD (Potential Water Quality Deterioration) identify that streamflow depletion is more serious than flood risk and water pollution in the study watershed (Steps 1 and 2). Instreamflow requirements, which are the maximum value of the average low flow and the fish flow, are estimated using regional regression and the software PHABSIM (Step 3). Feasible solutions that improve the depleted streams are listed and screened qualitatively against technical, economical, and environmental criteria (Steps 4 and 5). Effectiveness of the remaining 14 feasible alternatives are then analyzed using SWAT (Step 6) and alternative evaluation index (AEI) and their priority ranks are determined against an evaluation criterion that uses the concept of pressure, state, and response (Step 7). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The neurohumoral and inflammatory pathways are regarded as the main mechanisms for the progression of heart failure. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) by evaluating their relation with 12-month mortality rate in this prospective cohort study from 24 academic hospitals in Korea. In 1,608 patients with acute heart failure (AHF), the median hs-CRP and NT-proBNP values were 0.77 mg/dl (interquartile range 0.29 to 2.84) and 4,638 pg/ml (interquartile range 1,945 to 10,852), respectively. During the 12-month follow-up, 213 patients (13.3%) died. The mortality rate increased from the lowest to the highest hs-CRP quartiles (Q1 7.4%, Q2 9.5%, Q3 16.9%, Q4 19.3%, p <0.001) and NT-proBNP quartiles (Q1 7.0%, Q2 13.4%, Q3 11.6%, Q4 20.4%, p <0.001). After adjustment, both hs-CRP (hazard ratio [HR] 1.811, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.138 to 2.882) and NT-proBNP (HR 1.971, 95% CI 1.219 to 3.187) were independent predictors of 12-month mortality among others. When combining both hs-CRP and NT-proBNP and stratifying the patients according to their median values, patients with elevation of both hs- CRP and NT-proBNP values had 2.4-fold increased hazards (HR 2.382, 95% CI 1.509 to 3.761) compared with those without elevation of both markers. In Korean patients with AHF, patients with increased levels of both hs-CRP and NT-proBNP had worse clinical outcomes. The combination of the neurohumoral and inflammatory markers may provide a better strategy for risk stratification of Asian patients with AHF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to obtain a fuller understanding of the association of dietary behaviours, physical status and socio-economic status with academic performance in Korean teenagers. The subjects in this study were 6,463 boys and girls, in grade 5, 8, and 11 in Korea. A self-administered questionnaire and the food-frequency form were used. Grade point average (GPA), height, weight, and physical fitness score for the year were recorded from the school record. The academic performance of students was strongly associated with dietary behaviours, especially with regularity of three meals even after control for parent's education level. Regular breakfast and lunch were more important in grades 5 and 8, while regular dinner was more related with academic performance in grade 11. Small, positive associations of height and physical fitness to academic performance were also found. The relative importance of regularity of meals was greater than that of socio-economic status and physical status in older teenagers. The results of this study suggest that accommodation of better dietary environment and nutrition education for three regular meals is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]