Factors influencing the intention for lung cancer screening in high-risk populations for lung cancer.

Objective: Utilizing low-dose computed tomography for lung cancer screening has proven effective in reducing lung cancer mortality among high-risk individuals. This study aimed to investigate the health beliefs, knowledge of lung cancer, and cancer prevention behaviors in adults at high risk for lung cancer, with the goal of identifying predictors influencing their intention to undergo lung cancer screening. Methods: The study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design. Online questionnaires, including assessments of lung cancer screening health beliefs, knowledge of lung cancer, cancer prevention behaviors, intention to undergo lung cancer screening, and participant characteristics, were distributed to 186 individuals at high risk of lung cancer through a survey link. The data collection period spanned from April 26 to May 3, 2023. Analytical procedures encompassed descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlations, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: The mean score for the intention to undergo lung cancer screening in our study was 3.66 out of 5. The regression model explaining the intention to undergo lung cancer screening accounted for 34.7% of the variance. Significant factors identified included stress level (ß = 0.20, P = 0.002), perceived risk (ß = 0.13, P = 0.040), self-efficacy (ß = 0.35, P < 0.001), and engagement in cancer prevention behavior (ß = 0.26, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Healthcare providers should implement psychological interventions and provide education about cancer screening for high-risk individuals, aiming to enhance their perceived risk and self-efficacy, thus promoting a higher likelihood of undergoing screening.

Prenatal to peripubertal exposure to Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate induced endometrial atrophy and fibrosis in female mice.

Di(2-ethylhexy) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used plasticizer that is ubiquitously found in the environment. Using a mouse model, we investigated the impact of early life DEHP exposure ranging from the prenatal to peripubertal developmental period of the female reproductive system. Pregnant female mice were allocated to three groups as follows: control, 100 mg/kg/day, and 500 mg/kg/day DEHP treatment. DEHP exposure was introduced through feeding during pregnancy (3 weeks) and lactation (3 weeks). After weaning, the offspring were also exposed to DEHP through feeding for another 2 weeks. Observations were conducted on female offspring at 10 and 24 weeks. The number of live offspring per dam was significantly lower in the high-DEHP-exposed group (500 mg/kg/day) compared to the control group (7.67 ± 1.24 vs. 14.17 ± 0.31; p < 0.05) despite no difference in pregnancy rates across the groups. Low-DEHP exposure (100 mg/kg/day) resulted to a decreased body weight (36.07 ± 3.78 vs. 50.11 ± 2.11 g; p < 0.05) and decreased left uterine length (10.60 ± 1.34 vs. 14.77 ± 0.82 mm; p < 0.05) in 24-week- old female mice. As early as 10 weeks, endometrial atrophy and fibrosis were observed, and endometrial cystic hyperplasia was noted in female mice at 24 weeks. Our study is the first to demonstrate that female mice exposed to DEHP in the early life developed endometrial fibrosis in the female offspring. Further studies on the consequences of these observations in fecundity and other reproductive functions are warranted.

Factors Affecting the Life Satisfaction of School-Aged Children with Vietnamese Immigrant Mothers in Korea.

Low life satisfaction among multicultural children is an important issue related to children's mental health in Korea. The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing the life satisfaction of children whose Vietnamese mothers migrated to Korea for marriage. Data from the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (MAPS) conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute (NYPI) in 2020 were used. The participants were 586 elementary school students. The mean age was 11.01 years (SD 0.19), and 52.0% were girls. Based on Engel's biopsychosocial (BPS) model, biological factors (gender, physical health, and body mass index), psychological factors (mental health, acculturative stress, self-esteem, and general stress), and sociocultural factors (family economic status, social support, and parenting style) were measured and analyzed by using hierarchical multiple regression. In the final model, self-esteem (ß = 0.399, p < 0.001), parental social support (ß = 0.184, p < 0.001), and neglectful parenting style (ß = 0.085, p = 0.031) were positively related to children's life satisfaction, whereas general stress (ß = -0.213, p < 0.001) and acculturative stress (ß = -0.104, p = 0.002) were negatively related. The overall explanatory power was 41.7%. In conclusion, it is necessary to develop a specialized program that focuses on strengthening the bonds between parents and their children to enhance family functioning for multicultural families.

Cre-loxP System-Based Mouse Model for Investigating Graves' Disease and Associated Orbitopathy.

Background: Graves' disease (GD), one of the most common forms of autoimmune thyroid disorders, is characterized by hyperthyroidism caused by antibodies (Abs) against the extracellular A-subunit of the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR). Various approaches have been used to create mouse models of GD, including transfected fibroblasts and immunization with plasmids or adenoviruses expressing human TSHR A-subunit (hTSHR A-subunit). These models, however, require repeated immunization and produce inconsistent results. In this study, we established a novel Cre-loxP system-based mouse model that is able to generate the hTSHR A-subunit, mimicking human GD, and characterized the histological changes in Graves' orbitopathy (GO) progression after a single injection. Materials and Methods: A Cre-loxP system-based mouse model was constructed by inserting the CAG-loxP-STOP-loxP-hTSHR A-subunit cassette into the Rosa26 locus of the mouse genome. Conditional expression of the hTSHR A-subunit was successfully achieved by intramuscular injection of the transactivator of transcription-Cre recombinase (GD mice). Blood tests for anti-TSHR Abs and the total thyroxine (T4) level were performed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to monitor morphological changes in the eyes. A histological examination of the thyroid gland and retrobulbar tissues was performed to observe pathological changes. Results: Twenty-four (8 control and 16 GD) mice were investigated. All GD mice exhibited higher levels of TSHR Abs compared with the control group. Moreover, more than 80% of the mouse models showed elevated T4 levels accompanied by thyroid goiter. MRI analysis revealed an increased volume of retrobulbar tissue, while immunohistochemical staining of orbital tissues exhibited macrophage infiltration and muscle fibrosis in the GD mice, contrasting with the control group. Conclusions: Our novel mouse model for GD, which showed the histological features of GO, was successfully established using the Cre-loxP system. This animal model offers improved insights and contributes to advancing methodological developments for GD and GO.

Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of Lung Cancer Screening Health Belief Scale.

The purpose of this study was to verify the validity and reliability of the LCSHBS-K. This was a methodological study. The participants were adults aged between 50 and 74 years old, according to the selection criteria for lung cancer screening presented by the Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines in oncology recommendations. This study included 204 high-risk individuals who had not been diagnosed with lung cancer. The collected data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software 26.0 version (IBM, New York, NY, USA). The reliability was analyzed by Cronbach's α for internal consistency, and the concurrent validity was analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficients to identify the correlations with the health belief scale for Korean adults. To test the convergent validity, the average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability (CR) were calculated using confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, the model fit for a tool was CMIN (χ2/df), SRMR, RMSEA, GFI, and CFI as a comparative fit index. The discriminant validity was tested based on AVE > r2. The average age of the participants was 55.49 (SD = 5.07), the average smoking history was 29.55 (SD = 8.12) years, and the average number of cigarettes smoked per day was 12.18 (SD = 7.77). The goodness of fit met the criteria with GFI = 0.81 (criteria > 0.9), CMIN = 1.69 (criteria < 2), SRMR = 0.06 (criteria < 0.08), RMSEA = 0.058 (criteria < 0.06), and CFI = 0.91 (criteria > 0.9). The LCSHBS-K showed a statistically significant positive correlation with the HBS (r = 0.32 (p < 0.001)). Cronbach's α was 0.80 for all the items in the LCSHBS-K. Therefore, the validity and reliability of the LCSHBS-K tool were confirmed. Based on the results of this study, the Korean version of the LCSHBS tool was found to be suitable for screening lung cancer in high-risk groups in Korea.

Acetate-Mediated Odorant Receptor OR51E2 Activation Results in Calcitonin Secretion in Parafollicular C-Cells: A Novel Diagnostic Target of Human Medullary Thyroid Cancer.

Medullary thyroid cancer originates from parafollicular C-cells in the thyroid. Despite successful thyroidectomy, localizing remnant cancer cells in patients with elevated calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen levels remains a challenge. Extranasal odorant receptors are expressed in cells from non-olfactory tissues, including C-cells. This study evaluates the odorant receptor signals from parafollicular C-cells, specifically, the presence of olfactory marker protein, and further assesses the ability of the protein in localizing and treating medullary thyroid cancer. We used immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescent staining, Western blot, RNA sequencing, and real time-PCR to analyze the expression of odorant receptors in mice thyroids, thyroid cancer cell lines, and patient specimens. We used in vivo assays to analyze acetate binding, calcitonin secretion, and cAMP pathway. We also used positron emission tomography (PET) to assess C11-acetate uptake in medullary thyroid cancer patients. We investigated olfactory marker protein expression in C-cells in patients and found that it co-localizes with calcitonin in C-cells from both normal and cancer cell lines. Specifically, we found that OR51E2 and OR51E1 were expressed in thyroid cancer cell lines and human medullary thyroid cancer cells. Furthermore, we found that in the C-cells, the binding of acetate to OR51E2 activates its migration into the nucleus, subsequently resulting in calcitonin secretion via the cAMP pathway. Finally, we found that C11-acetate, a positron emission tomography radiotracer analog for acetate, binds competitively to OR51E2. We confirmed C11-acetate uptake in cancer cells and in human patients using PET. We demonstrated that acetate binds to OR51E2 in C-cells. Using C11-acetate PET, we identified recurrence sites in post-operative medullary thyroid cancer patients. Therefore, OR51E2 may be a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for medullary thyroid cancer.

Olfactory marker protein regulates adipogenesis via the cAMP-IκBα pathway.

Olfactory marker protein (OMP) regulates olfactory transduction and is also expressed in adipose tissue. Since it serves as a regulatory buffer for cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, we hypothesized that it plays a role in modulating adipocyte differentiation. To determine the role of OMP in adipogenesis, we examined the differences in body weight, adipose tissue mass, and adipogenic or thermogenic gene expression between high-fat diet-fed control and Omp-knockout (KO) mice. cAMP production, adipogenic gene expression, and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation were measured during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). RNA sequencing was performed to determine the gene expression patterns responsible for the reduction in adipogenesis when Omp was deleted. Body weight, adipose tissue mass, and adipocyte size decreased in Omp-KO mice. Furthermore, cAMP production and CREB phosphorylation reduced during adipogenesis induced in Omp-/- MEFs, and the Nuclear factor kappa B was activated due to significantly reduced expression of its inhibitor. Collectively, our results suggest that loss of OMP function inhibits adipogenesis by affecting adipocyte differentiation.

Long-acting recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (SAFA-FSH) enhances spermatogenesis.

Introduction: Administration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) has been recommended to stimulate spermatogenesis in infertile men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, whose sperm counts do not respond to human chorionic gonadotropin alone. However, FSH has a short serum half-life requiring frequent administration to maintain its therapeutic efficacy. To improve its pharmacokinetic properties, we developed a unique albumin-binder technology, termed "anti-serum albumin Fab-associated" (SAFA) technology. We tested the feasibility of applying SAFA technology to create long-acting FSH as a therapeutic candidate for patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Methods: SAFA-FSH was produced using a Chinese hamster ovary expression system. To confirm the biological function, the production of cyclic AMP and phosphorylation of ERK and CREB were measured in TM4-FSHR cells. The effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists on spermatogenesis in a hypogonadal rat model was investigated. Results: In in vitro experiments, SAFA-FSH treatment increased the production of cyclic AMP and increased the phosphorylation of ERK and CREB in a dose-dependent manner. In animal experiments, sperm production was not restored by human chorionic gonadotropin treatment alone, but was restored after additional recombinant FSH treatment thrice per week or once every 5 days. Sperm production was restored even after additional SAFA-FSH treatment at intervals of once every 5 or 10 days. Discussion: Long-acting FSH with bioactivity was successfully created using SAFA technology. These data support further development of SAFA-FSH in a clinical setting, potentially representing an important advancement in the treatment of patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Role of Perception, Health Beliefs, and Health Knowledge in Intentions to Receive Health Checkups among Young Adults in Korea.

Regular health checkups allow early treatment when problems occur and prevent disease progression, but the rate of health checkups among young adults is low. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the intentions to receive health checkups among young adults in their 20s in Korea. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study and examined their intentions to receive health checkups, their health beliefs (perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, cue to action, self-efficacy), their attitude toward health checkups, and their knowledge of health checkups. The participants were 252 adults in their 20s in South Korea who were eligible for national health checkups. The intentions to receive check-ups model identified five variables, including sex, perceived sensitivity, cue to action, self-efficacy, and attitudes toward health checkups, were as significant influencing factors for the intentions to receive health checkups with 51.0% explanatory power (F = 53.18, p < 0.001). Different approaches must be adopted according to past experiences with health checkups when attempting to improve the intentions to receive health checkups in young adults.

Olfactory marker protein regulation of glucagon secretion in hyperglycemia.

The olfactory marker protein (OMP), which is also expressed in nonolfactory tissues, plays a role in regulating the kinetics and termination of olfactory transduction. Thus, we hypothesized that OMP may play a similar role in modulating the secretion of hormones involved in Ca2+ and cAMP signaling, such as glucagon. In the present study, we confirmed nonolfactory α-cell-specific OMP expression in human and mouse pancreatic islets as well as in the murine α-cell line αTC1.9. Glucagon and OMP expression increased under hyperglycemic conditions. Omp knockdown in hyperglycemic αTC1.9 cells using small-interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced the responses to glucagon release and the related signaling pathways compared with the si-negative control. The OMPlox/lox;GCGcre/w mice expressed basal glucagon levels similar to those in the wild-type OMPlox/lox mice but showed resistance against streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia. The ectopic olfactory signaling events in pancreatic α-cells suggest that olfactory receptor pathways could be therapeutic targets for reducing excessive glucagon levels.

Sex, menopause, and age differences in the associations of persistent organic pollutants with thyroid hormones, thyroxine-binding globulin, and peripheral deiodinase activity: A cross-sectional study of the general Korean adult population.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can disrupt the thyroid hormone system in humans. We assessed the associations of several POPs with serum thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone, and investigated the modulating effects of sex, menopausal status, and age on these associations, in a subgroup of the adult population (n = 1250) from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey. PCB105 and PCB118 were negatively associated with total T4 in premenopausal females and males aged <50, whereas the associations were insignificant in other groups. PCB180, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDT showed positive associations with total T3 in postmenopausal females; however, among males aged ≥50, PCB118, PCB138, and p,p'-DDE showed negative associations with total T3. The effects of exposure to multiple POPs were examined in multi-factor analyses. Factor 2 comprised PCB52, hexachlorobenzene, and BDE-47 was associated with an increase in free T4 in premenopausal females (ß = 0.015, p = 0.024), while Factor 1, which contained most POPs, was associated with a change in total T3 in postmenopausal females (ß = 0.032, p = 0.040) and males aged ≥50 (ß = -0.039, p = 0.023). Changes in total T4 or total T3 could be explained by differences in thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) and peripheral deiodinase activity (GD). Negative associations of TBG with PCB105 in premenopausal females and PCB153 in males aged <50 may mediate the effect of decreasing total T4. PCB180, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, and Factor 1 were positively associated with GD, which is consistent with an increased total T3 in postmenopausal females. PCB118 was negatively associated with GD and total T3 in males aged ≥50. BDE-47 and ß-hexachlorocyclohexane were associated with thyroid autoantibodies in premenopausal females and males aged <50. Our observations suggest that the thyroid-disrupting effects of POPs may differ by sex, sex hormonal status, and age, and may be mediated by TBG and GD.

Chromosome Damage in Relation to Recent Radiation Exposure and Radiation Quality in Nuclear Power Plant Workers.

Ionizing radiation is a well-known carcinogen that causes genomic instability. However, the biological and carcinogenetic effects of occupational radiation exposure at low doses have not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to assess chromosomal instability in power plant workers exposed to occupational radiation at low doses in South Korea. Chromosomal aberrations in the lymphocytes of 201 nuclear power plant workers and 59 sex-matched controls were measured. Chromosomal aberrations in the lymphocytes of 201 nuclear power plant workers (mean age: 41.4 ± 10.0 years) and 59 sex-matched controls (mean age: 47.2 ± 6.0 years) were measured. A total of 500 metaphases for each subject were scored randomly. The means of recent 1.5-year, recent 5.5-year, and cumulative exposed radiation doses among workers were 8.22 ± 7.0 mSv, 30.7 ± 22.0 mSv, and 158.8 ± 86.1 mSv, respectively. The frequency of chromosome-type and chromatid-type aberrations was significantly higher in workers than that in the control group (p < 0.001), and the frequency of chromosome-type aberrations among workers increased in a radiation dose-dependent manner (τ = 0.16, p = 0.005). Poisson regression analyses revealed that chromosome-type aberrations were significantly associated with recent 1.5-year dose after adjusting for confounding variables such as age, smoking, and alcohol intake, even when only the exposed worker was considered. Frequency of multi-aberrant cells (two or more chromosome aberrations within a cell) increased according to cumulative neutron exposure. Our study demonstrates that chromosome damage can be induced in nuclear power plant workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation at low doses below the occupational permissible dose limit. Furthermore, an increase in multi-aberrant cells may provide evidence for chronic neutron exposure in nuclear power plant workers. This study was performed to obtain baseline data for a surveillance program of workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation long-term.

Lead, mercury, and cadmium exposures are associated with obesity but not with diabetes mellitus: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2015-2017.

BACKGROUND: Associations of heavy metal exposures with obesity and obesity-related traits have been suggested, while those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are often inconsistent. METHODS: This study included 3787 adults aged ≥19 years who participated in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2015-2017, and investigated the association of toxic heavy metals with metabolic diseases. Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) were measured either in urine (uHg, uCd) or total blood (bPb, bHg). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and DM cases were identified through a self-answered medication history. Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) as a surrogating index of NAFLD, was calculated using hepatic enzyme measurements, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). RESULTS: Adults in the highest quartile of bPb, bHg, and uHg showed significantly elevated odds of obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2), compared to the lowest quartile (OR 1.58 for bPb, 1.92 for bHg, and 1.81 for uHg). HSI was positively correlated with bHg, uHg, and uCd concentrations. The odds of NAFLD (HSI ≥36) were also increased with increasing quartile of bHg, uHg, and uCd concentrations. For DM, bPb showed a significant negative association, while bHg and uCd exhibited non-monotonic and inconclusive associations. CONCLUSIONS: Among the general adult population of Korea, both Pb and Hg exposures were associated with an increased risk of obesity. In addition, both Hg and Cd exposures were associated with increased odds of NAFLD. These metals, however, were not associated with an increased risk of DM.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds is associated with a risk of obesity and diabetes mellitus among Korean adults: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2015-2017.

Environmental pollutants have been known to increase the risks of not only respiratory and cardiovascular disease but also metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and toluene are major constituents of environmental pollution. In the present study, we employed the population of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 3 conducted between 2015 and 2017, and assessed the associations of urinary biomarkers for PAHs and VOCs exposure with obesity and DM. A total of 3787 adult participants were included and the urinary concentrations of four PAH metabolites and two VOC metabolites were measured. For correcting urine dilution, a covariate-adjusted standardization method was used. The highest quartiles of urinary 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-NAP) [OR (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 1.46 (1.13, 1.87)] and sum of PAH metabolites [OR (95% CI) = 1.45 (1.13, 1.87)] concentrations were associated with a higher risk of obesity [body mass index (BMI)≥25 kg/m2]. BMI was positively associated with urinary 2-NAP [ß (95% CI) = 0.25 (0.09, 0.41), p = 0.003] and sum of PAH metabolites [ß (95% CI) = 0.29 (0.08, 0.49), p = 0.006] concentrations. The risk of DM was increased with increasing quartile of 2-hydroxyfluorene (2-OHFlu) and trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) (p for trend<0.05 and < 0.001, respectively). The highest quartile of t,t-MA showed a significantly higher risk of DM [OR (95% CI) = 2.77 (1.74, 4.42)] and obesity [OR (95% CI) = 1.42 (1.06, 1.90)]. Urinary t,t,-MA level was positively associated with BMI [(ß (95% CI) = 0.51 (0.31, 0.71), p < 0.001] and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease index [(ß (95% CI) = 0.09 (0.06, 0.12), p < 0.001]. In conclusion, the benzene metabolites t,t-MA and PAH metabolite 2-OHFlu were associated with an increased risk of DM. Urinary biomarkers for PAHs and VOCs were positively associated with BMI in the Korean adult population. Further studies to validate these observations in other populations are warranted.

Metabolic Evidence Rather Than Amounts of Red or Processed Meat as a Risk on Korean Colorectal Cancer.

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased in Korea, a newly-industrialized Asian country, with the dramatic increase of meat intake. To assess the risks of red or processed meat consumption on CRC, we performed a case-control study with biological monitoring of urinary1-OHP, PhIP, and MeIQx for the meat exposure; dG-C8 MeIQx and dG-C8 PhIP for HCA-induced DNA adducts; and homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) in blood as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and 31fatty acids in urine for inflammation and lipid alteration. We further analyzed global DNA methylation and expression of 15 CRC-related genes. As a result, the consumption of red or processed meat was not higher in the cases than in the controls. However, urinary MeIQx and PhIP were associated with the intake of red meat and urinary 1-OHP. MDA and multiple fatty acids were related to the exposure biomarkers. Most of the 31 fatty acids and multiple saturated fatty acids were higher in the cases than in the controls. Finally, the cases showed upregulation of PTGS2, which is related to pro-inflammatory fatty acids. This study describes indirect mechanisms of CRC via lipid alteration with a series of processes including exposure to red meat, alteration of fatty acids, and relevant gene expression.

Placental Transfer and Composition of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): A Korean Birth Panel of Parent-Infant Triads.

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is of public concern due to their persistent exposure and adverse health effects. Placental transfer of PFASs is an important excretion pathway of these chemicals in pregnant women and exposure route in fetuses. We measured PFAS concentrations in maternal, paternal, and umbilical cord serum collected from 62 pregnant Korean women and matched biological fathers of the fetuses. Placental transfer rates (cord to maternal serum ratio) of PFASs were also calculated. Demographics and pregnancy-related factors determining the placental transfer rates were identified using linear regression models. Maternal, paternal, and cord serum showed different PFASs compositions. Among the PFASs, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) showed the highest concentrations in maternal and paternal serum, while perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) showed the highest concentration in cord serum. There was a higher proportion of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with 9-12 carbon chains than those with 13-14 carbon chains in maternal and paternal serum, but this proportion was in the opposite direction in cord serum. PFOA and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) had higher placental transfer rates (means of 0.32 and 0.36, respectively) than PFOS (mean of 0.12), which is in line with the results of previous studies. Gestational age and birth weight were positively associated with placental transfer rate of PFOA, PFHxS, and PFOS, while pre-pregnant BMI and weight were inversely associated with PFOS. This study showed that placental transfer of PFASs differs by compounds and is associated with pregnancy-related factors. Further studies on novel PFASs are warranted for Korean pregnant women.

Do Alcohol Prevention Programs Influence Adolescents' Drinking Behaviors? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study analyzed the effects of various alcohol prevention programs on the drinking behavior of adolescents. There were seven electronic databases used for the literature search. A systematic review and meta-analysis are employed for works published in Korean and English from January 2010 to April 2021, with strict inclusion criteria yielding 12 papers in the review. The type of alcohol prevention interventions included educational and motivational interventions. Six studies had more than 500 participants each, and five studies had more than 10 participating schools. The programs did not effectively reduce the frequency of drinking or binge drinking of adolescents but significantly reduced the amount of alcohol consumed. Based on the results of this study, when planning alcohol prevention programs for adolescents, it is necessary to adopt a multi-level approach, including the engagement of parents and the community.

Potential of an Enzyme Mixture of Glucose Oxidase, Glucosyl Transferase, and Fructosyl Transferase as an Antidiabetic Medicine.

An enzyme mixture (EM) of glucose oxidase, glucosyl transferase, and fructosyl transferase can regulate glucose absorption into the body by converting carbohydrates in food to indigestible oligosaccharides. We evaluated the antidiabetic effects of repeated oral administration of EM in db/db mice. Seven-week-old db/db mice were divided into control, voglibose, and EM groups. Drugs were administered orally mixed with limited feed for one month. Glucose levels were measured every week. A meal tolerance test was conducted after overnight fasting, before the mice were sacrificed. There were no differences in body weight or food intake between the groups. EM treatment reduced blood glucose levels compared with those in the control group. Blood glucose levels during the meal tolerance test were significantly lower in the EM group than those in the control group. A significant decrease in triglyceride level and a tendency for decreased low-density lipoprotein were observed in the EM group compared with in the control group. The Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes ratio was higher in the EM group than that in the control group. EM may be useful for people at risk of hyperglycemia or diabetes who need to safely regulate their blood glucose levels. EM may also improve lipid and gut microbiota profiles.

Urinary parabens and their potential sources of exposure among Korean children and adolescents: Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2015-2017.

Parabens are used as a preservative in several consumer products including cosmetics, personal care products, and medicinal products. These chemicals have been suspected for estrogenicity and potential adverse endocrine outcomes in humans. For the first time, exposure profiles and potential sources of major parabens are investigated for a nationally representative population of children and adolescents of Korea. In addition, major determinants of urinary paraben levels were identified. For this purpose, the children, and adolescents (n = 2355, 3-18 years of age) who participated in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey cycle 3 (2015-2017) were studied. Adjusted multiple linear regression models were employed to investigate the relationships of several potential demographic and behavioral determinants of exposure, with the urinary levels of three parabens; methyl, ethyl, and propyl paraben. Methyl and propyl paraben levels of the Korean children and adolescents were comparable to those of the US, but the high exposure group (95th percentile) showed much higher levels of exposure. Moreover, urinary ethyl paraben levels are always higher than those of other countries. The uses of personal care products including liquid soaps, fragrance products, nail polish, or antiseptic products were significantly associated with urinary paraben levels. In addition, dietary sources such as fast food and canned food consumption were identified as major contributors to ethyl paraben levels. For methyl and propyl parabens, the use of fever medications and ointments were identified as major determinants of the exposure, especially among the younger children of 3-5 years of age. These observations are related to the Korean regulations that permit the use of the parabens as preservatives in foods and medications. The findings demonstrate that the exposure profile of parabens among Korean children are unique, and mitigation efforts for some parabens are required in Korea. Further studies are warranted to confirm the exposure sources of parabens and to develop mitigation measures among Korean children and adolescents.

Recruitment and enrollment of participants in an online diabetes self-management intervention in a virtual environment.

Effective recruitment of research participants is essential for successful randomized controlled trials and remains one of the most challenging and labor-intensive aspects of conducting research. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe recruitment methods for this two-group, internet-based intervention trial and enrollment status in relation to recruitment methods, accounting for accrual rates and recruitment costs and to discuss our recruitment results and limitations informed by the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (CTTI) team's evidence and expert-based recommendations for recruitment. The primary study was a two-group randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of a virtual environment, Diabetes LIVE©, compared to a traditional website format to provide diabetes self-management education and support to adults with type 2 diabetes. Our recruitment experience was labor-intensive, multimodal, and required multiple iterations throughout the study to meet recruitment goals. To allow for more efficient and realistic budgets aligned with funding, researchers should engage stakeholders in recruitment planning and monitor and report personnel time and cost by recruitment methods. To allow for more efficient and effective recruitment into meaningful clinical trials and of interest to participants, researchers should use a participative approach during all study phases, including question development.