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Objective:Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) has been used to assess malnutrition and health status across various disease groups. However, it is unclear whether MUAC is associated with quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced cancer. Our goal was to investigate the relationship between MUAC and QOL in ambulatory out-patients with advanced cancer. Method:This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary cancer center in South Korea. A total of 200 patients with advanced cancer at oncology clinics of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from March 2016 to January 2019 were enrolled. Out-patients with advanced cancer whose survival was expected to be less than one year by their oncologists were enrolled. QOL of patients was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Associations of QOL with MUAC and nutritional parameters were examined with generalized linear models. Results:The most common cancer sites were the lung, colon or rectum, and genitourinary tract. In univariate analyses, significant factors associated with higher summary score of EORTC QLQ-C30 were higher MUAC (≥ 26.5 cm, p< 0.001), higher body mass index (BMI) (≥ 22 kg/m2, p< 0.001), higher serum albumin (≥ 3.7 g/dL, p < 0.01), higher creatinine (≥ 0.8 mg/dL, p= 0.023), and higher uric acid (≥ 5 mg/dL, p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, higher serum albumin (≥ 3.7 g/dL, p< 0.01) and higher MUAC (≥ 26.5 cm, p= 0.03) were independently associated with better summary score of EORTC QLQ-C-30. Conclusion:MUAC was highly associated with QOL in terms of summary score and overall health status. Thus, MUAC, with its simplicity, can be a useful tool to reflect QOL in patients with advanced cancer.

We aimed to evaluate diagnosis and management of an ectopic pregnancy developing in a previous cesarean scar.

Few studies have examined the effect of adenomyosis on pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in women with adenomyosis diagnosed during pregnancy. A computerized ultrasonography database was used to identify singleton pregnant women with adenomyosis in the first trimester from January 2010 to December 2011. Only cases with a known pregnancy outcome were included. We reviewed the medical records and analyzed pregnancy outcomes according to the presence of adenomyosis and conception method. Among 11,173 singleton pregnant women, adenomyosis was detected in 88 (0.8%), and 8316 pregnant women (including 72 with adenomyosis) were included. The adenomyosis group was associated with significantly higher rates of preterm birth and low birth weight than the non‐adenomyosis group (12.5% versus 4.1%; P< .001; 13.9% versus 3.1%; P< .001, respectively). In a subgroup analysis according to the conception method, incidences of preterm birth and low birth weight were not different in the non‐adenomyosis group. However, the risks of preterm birth and low birth weight in the adenomyosis group were significantly higher in pregnant women who conceived by assisted reproductive technologies than in women who conceived naturally (28.0% versus 4.3%; P< .01; 28.0% versus 6.4%; P< .05, respectively). Ultrasonographic findings suggesting adenomyosis in early pregnancy were associated with increased risks of preterm delivery and low birth weight in women who conceived with the use of assisted reproductive technologies but not in women who conceived spontaneously.

ABSTRACTIn the present study Lactobacillus plantarum CBT1209, Pediococcus pentosaceus CBT SL4, and Bifidobacterium longum SPM1205 showed curd formation in soy milk for 8 hours of incubation time in a single-culture experiment. Among these strains, B. longum SPM1205 as a new isolated strain, inhibited the activity of fecal harmful enzymes of rat. Therefore, we investigated the possibility of using a mixed culture containing B. longum SPM1205for obtaining a curd-type soy-based yogurt with respect to curd formation, proximate composition and sensory attributes. Then we examined the changes in pH, lactic acid, and lactic acid bacteria during cold storage. B. longum SPM1205 was capable of producing moderate sour taste and good overall acceptability in curd-type plain soy-based yogurt for 8 hours of fermentation. Most sensory qualities were not significantly different in the strawberry soy-based yogurt compared to those of commercial milk-based yogurt. The pH of the strawberry soy-based yogurt decreased significantly (P < 0.05) during the days of storage (day 0, 5.18; day 1, 4.80), but the decrease slowed down after 3 days of storage. The lactic acid content and lactic acid bacteria population of plain and strawberry soy-based yogurt were not significantly changed over 10 days of storage. The products contained over 8 log of viable lactic acid bacteria. The results provide feasibility that a curd-type soy-based yogurt can be manufactured using B. longum SPM1205. However, more experiments are needed to improve the sensory qualities such as beany or astringent flavor and color.

ABSTRACTDiarrhea-producing enteropathogenic bacteria infections in calves continue to be a major world-wide problem. In particular, neonatal calf diarrhea remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in young calves. Traditionally, formulated antibiotics have been used as preventive treatment. However, consumer concern about antibiotic resistance has increased and interest in alternative supplements has grown. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) supplement, which includes Lactobacillus acidophilus CBT, SAFELAC, and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum SPM1204, on the growth rate and elimination of enteropathogenic bacteria in calves. First, 12 calves were assigned to one of three groups for 5 months: control (no additive), treatment 1 (4 g LAB), and treatment 2 (8 g LAB). We recorded body weight once a month, and collected and measured fecal samples from calves after LAB treatment to measure enteropathogenic bacteria counts. We also measured fecal samples from 2 calves before and after 1-week LAB treatment. LAB treatment increased body weight, particularly for treatment 2 compared to control (P = 0.048). The fecal enteropathogenic bacteria counts were decreased by LAB treatment, but did not affect LAB treatment volume. In vitro, LAB also inhibited enteropathogenic bacterial strains growth in co-culture experiment. Therefore, these results indicate that LAB treatment can improve the health of calves.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and cytochrome P450c17α (CYP17A1) are key enzymes involved in the metabolism of steroid hormones; genetic polymorphisms in these genes affect enzyme activity. Recently, functional polymorphisms in the COMTand CYP17A1genes have been suggested as a susceptible marker for intrauterine fetal growth restriction, a typical complication of preeclampsia. Moreover, a close association between COMT and preeclampsia was reported. We therefore investigated the relationships between COMTand CYP17A1polymorphisms and the risk of preeclampsia.

To address the shortfalls of existing varieties of ultra rapid-hardening cement, which is becoming more popular for resurfacing bridge deck overlays, we evaluated the effects of adding metakaoline and a latex polymer to such concrete. The modified cement showed excellent durability, based on its permeability characteristics and resistance to abrasion, repeated freezing and thawing, and scaling, and may prove an effective long-term solution for resurfacing bridge deck overlays.