Young Sun Kim

Metastatic hepatic actinomycosis masquerading as distant metastases of ovarian cancer

Actinomycosis is a chronic disease characterized by abscess, tissue fibrosis and draining sinuses. Pelvic actinomycosis in women most commonly occurs during ascending infections, which are usually associated with intrauterine devices; however, secondary hepatic actinomycosis, while rare, can also occur. We describe a patient with an unusual case of metastatic hepatic actinomycosis misdiagnosed as distant metastases of ovarian cancer.

Retroperitoneal Castleman's disease presenting with hydronephrosis indistinguishable from lymphoma

Castlemans disease is a rare benign lymphoproliferative disease. We describe a patient with an unusual case of retroperitoneal Castlemans disease who initially presented with hydronephrosis. Her disease manifested with a malignant appearance in positron emission tomography/computed tomography and was located in the common and internal iliac area. Retrograde double‐J stent insertion failed and nephrostomy was then performed. Complete surgical removal of the disease failed because the disease was severely adherent to the ureter and adjacent iliac vessels. Antegrade double‐J stent insertion also failed. The patient eventually underwent laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy. Retroperitoneal Castlemans disease should be added to the extensive list of differential diagnoses for primary retroperitoneal tumors.

Mental health literacy as a mediator in use of mental health services among older Korean adults

BACKGROUND Existing literature suggests that mental health literacy is positively associated with mental health services utilization. Despite an aging population that faces significant mental health concerns in Korea, the role of mental health literacy on mental health services utilization is not known among older adults in Korea. This study aimed to (1) identify whether mental health literacy mediates the association between population characteristics and mental health services utilization and (2) identify an optimal path model for mental health services utilization among Korean older adults. METHODS Using a cross-sectional survey with a quota sampling strategy, we collected and analyzed responses from 596 community-dwelling individuals ages 65 years and older. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to estimate the effect of mental health literacy as a mediator. RESULTS When controlling for other relevant covariates in the optimal path model, mental health literacy mediated the relationships between three socio-demographic factors (education, general literacy, and health status) and mental health services utilization. The model fit index shows that the SEM fits very well (CFI = 0.92, NFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS Efforts to improve mental health literacy through community-based education programs may need to particularly target Korean older adults with the relevant socio-demographic characteristics to enhance their utilization of appropriate mental health services.

Health Literacy and Its Link to Healthcare Service Utilization Among Older Adults in Korea

Existing studies report a negative association between health literacy and hospital/emergency room use. Despite substantial research on this topic among older Americans, little is known about the link between health literacy and healthcare services use among older Koreans. This study investigates this link, using a sample of 596 adults, 65 and older, from Koreas three largest cities. Andersens behavior model guided the study. Findings revealed that participants with higher health literacy were significantly less likely to use emergent health services. Enhanced health literacy will likely promote better health outcomes for older Koreans and reduce Koreas healthcare costs.

Predictors of Smartphone Uses for Health Information Seeking in the Korean Elderly

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to examine the predictors of smartphone uses for health information–seeking (SHIS) in the Korean elderly. This research applies the comprehensive model of information seeking as a theoretical framework. Data reported in this study are from the 2016 Dementia Literacy Survey, and 235 elderly smartphone users were included in logistic regression model. SHIS was significantly predicted by younger age, higher education levels, having a regular exercise, higher medical expenditures, and health literacy. The findings of this study can help social workers understand the specific features of health information seeking in the Korean elderly.

The moderating effect of subjective age on the association between depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning in Korean older adults

ABSTRACT Objectives: Depressive symptoms are greatly associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. Recent growing body of literature has reported that the subjective perception of ones own age (subjective age) predicts both cognitive performance and mental well-being in old age. This study aims to examine whether subjective age moderates the association between depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning in a representative sample of Korean older adults. To address this research question, we employed the Stereotype-Embodiment Theory as a theoretical guide. Method: Data are from the 2016 Dementia Literacy Survey collected by Kyung Hee University, and 526 community-dwelling Korean older adults (ages 60–79) completed the questionnaire about depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning, and subjective age. Results: According to the hierarchical regression analysis, both higher levels of depressive symptoms and older subjective age were associated with poorer cognitive functioning. Further analyses showed that subjective age attenuated the effect of depressive symptoms on cognitive functioning: when older adults have a higher level of depression, those with younger subjective age reported a higher level of cognitive functioning than those with older subjective age. Conclusion: Based on the findings from this study, both theoretical and practical implications were discussed.

The presence of centrioles and centrosomes in ovarian mature cystic teratoma cells suggests human parthenotes developed in vitro can differentiate into mature cells without a sperm centriole.

In most animals, somatic cell centrosomes are inherited from the centriole of the fertilizing spermatozoa. The oocyte centriole degenerates during oogenesis, and completely disappears in metaphase II. Therefore, the embryos generated by in vitro parthenogenesis are supposed to develop without any centrioles. Exceptional acentriolar and/or acentrosomal developments are possible in mice and in some experimental cells; however, in most animals, the full developmental potential of parthenogenetic cells in vitro and the fate of their centrioles/centrosomes are not clearly understood. To predict the future of in vitro human parthenogenesis, we explored the centrioles/centrosomes in ovarian mature cystic teratoma cells by immunofluorescent staining and transmission electron microscopy. We confirmed the presence of centrioles and centrosomes in these well-known parthenogenetic ovarian tumor cells. Our findings clearly demonstrate that, even without a sperm centriole, parthenotes that develop from activated oocytes can produce their own centrioles/centrosomes, and can even develop into the well-differentiated mature tissue.