Inverse association of improved adherence to dietary guidelines with metabolic syndrome: the Seoul Metabolic Syndrome Management program.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The Seoul Metabolic Syndrome Management (SMESY) program is a 1-yr lifestyle modification program targeting metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Seoul residents. This study investigated the associations between adherence to dietary guidelines and MetS among the SMESY program participants. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data of 54,385 participants aged 20-64 yrs who completed the SMESY program in 2015, had information on adherence to dietary guidelines, and were not medicated for diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia were analyzed. Participants underwent MetS screening and completed a lifestyle questionnaire including adherence to 10 dietary guidelines before and after participation. Participants were classified according to the number of MetS risk factors at baseline (MetS group, ≥ 3; risk group, 1-2; healthy group, none). Adherence to dietary guidelines was determined from the number of "yes" responses regarding the fulfillment of each guideline on ≥ 5 days/week. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between newly diagnosed MetS and changes in adherence to dietary guidelines. RESULTS: In the MetS group, MetS prevalence decreased after the SMESY program (men, -41.9%p; women, -48.7%p), and all risk factors were significantly improved (P < 0.0001). All groups exhibited improved adherence to all dietary guidelines after participation (P < 0.0001). In the MetS group with positively changed adherence scores, the MetS prevalence decreased by -44.1%p for men and -49.5%p for women, whereas the prevalence in those with negative changes decreased by -38.1%p for men and -48.6%p for women. In the risk group, those with positively changed adherence scores had significantly decreased odds ratios (ORs) for newly diagnosed MetS compared with those with negative changes (OR, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.80 for men; OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79-0.99 for women). CONCLUSIONS: The SMESY program may effectively reduce the risk of MetS among adults with risk factors by improving adherence to dietary guidelines.

Clinical outcomes of positive resection margin after endoscopic mucosal resection of early colon cancers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: When determining the subsequent management after endoscopic resection of the early colon cancer (ECC), various factors including the margin status should be considered. This study assessed the subsequent management and outcomes of ECCs according to margin status. METHODS: We examined the data of 223 ECCs treated by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) from 215 patients during 2004 to 2014, and all patients were followed-up at least for 2 years. RESULTS: According to histological analyses, the margin statuses of all lesions after EMR were as follows: 138 cases (61.9%) were negative, 65 cases (29.1%) were positive for dysplastic cells on the resection margins, and 20 cases (8.9%) were uncertain. The decision regarding subsequent management was affected not only by pathologic outcomes but also by the endoscopist's opinion on whether complete resection was obtained. Surgery was preferred if the lesion extended to the submucosa (odds ratio [OR], 25.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.09-91.42), the endoscopic resection was presumed incomplete (OR, 15.55; 95% CI, 4.28-56.56), or the lymph system was invaded (OR, 13.69; 95% CI, 1.76-106.57). Fourteen patients (6.2%) had residual or recurrent malignancies at the site of the previous ECC resection and were significantly associated with presumed incomplete endoscopic resection (OR, 4.59; 95% CI, 1.21-17.39) and submucosal invasion (OR, 5.14; 95% CI, 1.18-22.34). CONCLUSIONS: Subsequent surgery was associated with submucosa invasion, lymphatic invasion, and cancer-positive margins. Presumed completeness of the resection may be helpful for guiding the subsequent management of patients who undergo endoscopic resection of ECC.

Hepatogastric fistula as a rare complication of pyogenic liver abscess.

Hepatogastric fistula following a pyogenic liver abscess is extremely rare, and only a handful of cases have been reported. An 88-year-old female presented with generalized weakness, fever and chills. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a 5cm-sized hypodense lesion with internal septa in the left lateral section of the liver. Due to initial suspicion of early liver abscess, she was treated with empirical intravenous antibiotics. Initially, aspiration or drainage of the liver abscess was not performed due to immature lesion characteristics. An ultrasonography-guided percutaneous drainage of the liver abscess was performed 17 days after hospitalization due to a more mature lesion appearance on follow-up imaging. On tubography, contrast media leakage through the fistulous tract was visualized. Surgical management was performed, and she was discharged 2 weeks after surgery.

Association of dietary quality indices with glycemic status in korean patients with type 2 diabetes.

The present study was performed to evaluate the relationship between dietary quality indices including the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I), Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), and Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI) and glycemic status in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 110 consecutive outpatients with type 2 diabetes who visited 2 university hospitals in Seoul and Seongnam from April 2004 to November 2006 were enrolled as subjects. At the time of enrollment, anthropometric parameters, dietary habits, experience of exercise, and metabolic parameters were obtained. Experienced registered dietitians collected one-day dietary intake using the 24-hour recall method. The mean scores for DQI-I, AHEI, and HDI were 68.9 ± 8.2, 39.4 ± 8.9, and 5.0 ± 1.3, respectively. After adjustment for age, body mass index, and energy intake, DQI-I and HDI were found to have a significant correlation with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (r = -0.21, p < 0.05; r = -0.28, p < 0.05), fasting plasma glucose (r = -0.21, p < 0.05; r = -0.23, p < 0.05), and postprandial 2-h glucose (r = -0.30, p < 0.05; r = -0.26, p < 0.05, respectively). However, AHEI did not have a significant correlation with HbA1c. In conclusion, the DQI-I and HDI may be useful tools in assessing diet quality and adherence to dietary recommendations in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. Future research is required to determine whether the dietary quality indices have predictive validity for dietary and glycemic changes following diet education in a clinical setting.

Isolation of Cellulolytic Bacillus subtilis Strains from Agricultural Environments.

The bioconversion of cellulose and hemicellulose to soluble sugars is important for global stabilization and a sustainable human society. Here, hundreds of cellulolytic bacteria were screened and isolated from soil, compost, and animal waste slurry in Jeju Island, South Korea. Among the isolates, three strains, SL9-9, C5-16, and S52-2, showing higher potential for practical uses were purified on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) agar plates and identified as Bacillus subtilis strains by morphological, physiological, and biochemical characterization and 16S rRNA gene analysis. The production patterns of cellulose or hemicellulose-degrading enzymes were investigated during cell culture. All three isolated strains produced CMCase, Avicelase, ß-glucosidase, and xylanase enzymes, which suggested synergic cellulolytic systems in Bacillus subtilis. The enzymes showing CMCase, Avicelase, and xylanase activities existed in cell-free culture supernatant, meanwhile ß-glucosidase activity was detected in cell debris suggesting that three of the enzymes, including CMCase, Avicelase, and xylanase, were extracellular, and ß-glucosidase was cell membrane bound. The three isolates, SL9-9, C5-16, and S52-2, were not the same strains, presenting slight differences in biochemical characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequences, and cellulolytic enzyme activities.