NAFLD was associated with risk for components of MetS, and the association was stronger in non-obese than in obese individuals, especially in women. Therefore, NAFLD should be considered a meaningful predictor of metabolic diseases in the non-obese population.

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Targeted interventions for vulnerable populations and public campaigns about preventive medical evaluation are needed to increase gastric cancer screening participation and reduce gastric cancer mortality.

Background: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an important inflammatory marker, and inflammation is known to be involved in the initiation and progression of cancer. We investigated the association between serum hs-CRP levels and all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and site-specific cancer mortality in apparently cancer-free Koreans.Methods: A total of 33,567 participants who underwent routine check-ups at a single tertiary hospital healthscreening center between May 1995 and December 2006, and whose serum hs-CRP level data were available, were included in the study. Baseline serum hs-CRP levels were obtained and subjects were followed up for mortality from baseline examination until December 31, 2008.Results: During an average follow-up of 9.4 years, 1,054 deaths, including 506 cancer deaths, were recorded. The adjusted HRs (aHR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of subjects with hs-CRP !3 mg/L for all-cause and cancer-related mortality were 1.38 (1.15-1.66) and 1.61 (1.25-2.07) in men, and 1.29 (0.94-1.77) and 1.24 (0.75-2.06) in women, respectively, compared with subjects with hs-CRP 1 mg/L. Elevated hs-CRP was also associated with an increased risk of site-specific mortality from lung cancer for sexes combined (2.53 [1.57- 4.06]).Conclusions: This study suggests that elevated levels of hs-CRP in apparently cancer-free individuals may be associated with increased mortality from all-causes and cancer, in particular, lung cancer in men, but not in women.Impact: As a marker for chronic inflammation, hs-CRP assists in the identification of subjects with an increased risk of cancer death. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(11); 2076-86. Ó2012 AACR.

This study investigated the in vivo 6DOF knee kinematics and tibiofemoral contact location after total knee arthroplasty using a conventional and a high flexion cruciate retaining component (15 NexGen CR, 11 NexGen CR-Flex). Each patient performed a single-leg lunge while being imaged by a dual fluoroscopic imaging system. Data were analyzed at hyperextension, 0 degrees to 90 degrees in 15 degrees intervals, and at maximum flexion. The average maximum weight-bearing flexion for all the CR patients was 110.1 degrees +/- 13.4 degrees , and for all the CR-Flex patients was 108.2 degrees +/- 13.2 degrees . No difference was seen in the maximum flexion achieved by the patients, and the kinematics demonstrated by the groups was similar. However, at high flexion, the tibiofemoral articulating surfaces were more conforming in the CR-Flex design than the CR design, suggesting that the use of the high flexion component improved the tibiofemoral contact environment at high flexion in patients who could achieve high flexion.

The PLIF with TFC has been found to be an effective procedure for lumbar spine fusion. But, the clinical outcome and bony fusion rates were significantly low in the patients with Modic type 3. The authors suggest that PLIF combined with pedicle screw fixation would be the better for them.

ObjectiveRecently, surgical outcomes of patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) have been improved due to advances of medicine. The purposes of our study were to evaluate the recent neurological outcomes after surgical treatment of IMSCTs.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 69 patients who underwent surgical treatment for IMSCT in our hospital between 1998 and 2013. Patient's age, sex, histological origin and grade, tumor location, tumor extension, preoperative neurological state, initial presenting symptom, and extend of tumor resection were analyzed to evaluate predictive factors that affect postoperative functional outcome.ResultsThe neurological states at last follow-up were improved in 16 patients (23.2%), unchanged in 47 (68.1%), aggravated in 6 (8.7%). In all patients, the functional outcomes were good in 52 patients (75.4%), fair in 10 (14.5%), poor in 7 (10.1%). Preoperative good neurological state was the strongest positive predictor of good functional outcome (p<0.05). In tumor location, functional outcomes of thoracic tumors were poor than those in cervical and conus medullaris region (p=0.011). High-grade tumor shows poor outcome compare to low-grade tumor (p=0.03).ConclusionThe most reliable predicting factor of surgical outcome was the preoperative neurological state. In addition, IMSCTs in thoracic region and high-grade tumor showed relatively bad outcome and had a risk of postoperative morbidity.

The gastric cancer screening and preventive behaviors of GCRs have yet to be improved. To increase awareness among GCRs, systematic family education programs should be implemented.