Association between Weight Changes over a 4-Year Period and Health-Related Quality of Life in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Korea: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Cohort.

Background: The relationship between weight change and quality of life remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate whether changes in body weight among participants in different baseline body mass index categories are associated with physical and mental health functioning. Methods: We conducted an analysis involving 5,106 adults who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, a cohort comprising Korean adults aged 40 to 69 years. We categorized participants into three groups based on body weight change, and physical and mental health were assessed using the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey in year 4. We employed logistic regression analysis to assess the association between body weight change and poor functioning at year 4. We also utilized a generalized estimating equation to determine the relationship between weight changes and mental component summary (MCS) scores over the study period for each weight group. Results: Weight gain in both the normal weight (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-3.11; P=0.01) and overweight groups (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.05-2.91; P=0.03) was associated with poor MCS. Normal weight weight-losers were associated with a greater increase (2.69 points; 95% CI, 0.50-4.88) in MCS compared to weightmaintainers. Significant differences in mean MCS were observed for overweight weight-losers, obese weight-gainers, and underweight weight-gainers when compared to weight maintainers in each respective weight group. Conclusion: Different patterns of relationships between weight change and mental health-related quality of life were observed. Hence, it is crucial to focus on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults when assessing body weight changes.

Mapping recommendations towards an Asian Code Against Cancer (ACAC) as part of the World Code Against Cancer Framework: an Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) initiative.

This paper outlines the process undertaken by Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) members in working towards an Asian Code Against Cancer (ACAC). The process involves: (i) identification of the criteria for selecting the existing set of national recommendations for ACAC (ii) compilation of existing national codes or recommendations on cancer prevention (iii) reviewing the scientific evidence on cancer risk factors in Asia and (iv) establishment of one or more ACAC under the World Code Against Cancer Framework. A matrix of national codes or key recommendations against cancer in ANCCA member countries is presented. These include taking actions to prevent or control tobacco consumption, obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, exposure to occupational and environmental toxins; and to promote breastfeeding, vaccination against infectious agents and cancer screening. ANCCA will continue to serve as a supportive platform for collaboration, development, and advocacy of an ACAC jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer/World Health Organization (IARC/WHO).

Machine-learning model for predicting depression in second-hand smokers in cross-sectional data using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Objective: Depression among non-smokers at risk of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure has been a neglected public health concern despite their vulnerability. The objective of this study was to develop high-performance machine-learning (ML) models for the prediction of depression in non-smokers and to identify important predictors of depression for second-hand smokers. Methods: ML algorithms were created using demographic and clinical data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) participants from 2014, 2016, and 2018 (N = 11,463). The Patient Health Questionnaire was used to diagnose depression with a total score of 10 or higher. The final model was selected according to the area under the curve (AUC) or sensitivity. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) were used to identify influential features. Results: The light gradient boosting machine (LGBM) with the highest positive predictive value (PPV; 0.646) was selected as the best model among the ML algorithms, whereas the support vector machine (SVM) had the highest AUC (0.900). The most influential factors identified using the LGBM were stress perception, followed by subjective health status and quality of life. Among the smoking-related features, urine cotinine levels were the most important, and no linear relationship existed between the smoking-related features and the values of SHAP. Conclusions: Compared with the previously developed ML models, our LGBM models achieved excellent and even superior performance in predicting depression among non-smokers at risk of SHS exposure, suggesting potential goals for depression-preventive interventions for non-smokers during public health crises.

Impact of Sleep Duration on Decline in Kidney Function in Adult Patients with Hypertension: A Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep duration is associated with various health conditions, including chronic kidney disease. However, the association between sleep duration and decline in kidney function in the South Korean population remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the impact of sleep duration on kidney function decline in adult patients with hypertension. METHODS: This cohort study was performed using data obtained from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study; 2,837 patients with hypertension who initially had normal kidney function were included. Glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) were estimated at baseline and throughout the 16 years of follow-up. A person was considered to have a decline in kidney function if they had a GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Sleep duration data were obtained through interviewer-assisted questionnaires. Sleep durations were classified as short (<6 hours), normal (≥6 hours but <9 hours), and long (≥9 hours). The Cox proportional hazards model was applied, with adjustments for covariates. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, sleep duration was not associated with a decline in kidney function. However, among men with poorly controlled hypertension at baseline, compared to men with normal sleep durations, men with sleep durations <6 hours had a significantly higher risk of kidney function decline (hazard ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.36). CONCLUSION: Short sleep duration did not seem to be associated with an increased risk of decline in kidney function; however, it may be a risk factor for the decline in kidney function in men with poorly controlled hypertension.

Changes in Diagnostic Performance of Thyroid Cancer Screening before and after the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System Revision.

BACKGROUND: Since the era of "thyroid cancer epidemic," many Korean academic societies discouraged the use of ultrasonography in healthy individuals and revised the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System to address the overscreening and overdiagnosis issues. This study aimed to evaluate the change in the diagnostic effectiveness of thyroid cancer screening over the last decade. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective observational study analyzed the data of 125,962 thyroid nodules obtained during cancer screening at the health promotion center of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from 2010 to 2019. Only 327 thyroid cancer cases pathologically confirmed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) were included in the study. The strength of the association between the number of FNA and (1) the number of thyroid cancer diagnoses, (2) the positive predictive values (PPVs), and (3) the difference in PPV from the previous year were evaluated using Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: The number of thyroid FNA biopsies as well as the thyroid cancer diagnoses decreased from 2010 to 2019 (166 to 48 [-71.1%] vs. 43 to 22 [-48.8%]). The PPV of FNA biopsies increased from 25.9% to 45.8% (+76.8%) and was negatively correlated with the number of FNA biopsies performed (R=-0.87, P<0.001). The difference in PPV from the previous year increased similarly but without statistical significance (R=-0.59, P=0.09). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic efficiency of thyroid cancer screening has increased over the last decade, as evidenced by the increasing PPV of FNA biopsies.

Comparison of body water status and its distribution in patients with non-septic infection, patients with sepsis, and healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: Although fluid resuscitation is the cornerstone of treatment for sepsis, the role of body water status in sepsis is poorly understood. This study aimed to understand how body water and its distribution are modified in patients with sepsis and those with non-septic infection compared to healthy individuals. METHODS: Two groups of adults presumed to have non-septic infection (n=87) and sepsis (n=54) were enrolled in this prospective study in a single emergency department, and they were compared to sex-, age-, and height-matched (1:3 ratio) healthy controls (n=11,190) from retrospective data in a health promotion center. Total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), and extracellular water (ECW), determined using direct segmental multi-frequent bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody S10) were expressed as indices for normalization by body weight (BW). The ratio of ECW to TBW (ECW/TBW) was evaluated to determine body water distribution. RESULTS: TBW/BW, ICW/BW, and ECW/BW were significantly higher in the non-septic infection group than in the healthy group (P<0.001), but ECW/TBW was not significantly different (P=0.690). There were no differences in TBW/BW and ICW/BW between the sepsis and healthy groups (P=0.083 and P=0.963). However, ECW/BW and ECW/TBW were significantly higher in the sepsis group than in the healthy group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to the healthy group, the ratio of body water to BW was significantly increased in the non-septic infection group, while ECW/BW and ECW/TBW were significantly increased in the sepsis group. These indices could be utilized as diagnostic variables of body water deficit in septic patients.

Fruit Intake and Changes of Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors in People with Obesity.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the relationship between fruit intake, changes in fruit intake, and changes in cardiometabolic factors in people with obesity. METHODS: A total of 21,270 subjects (8,718 men, 12,552 women) aged 40 years and over, from the Korean-based Genome and Epidemiology Study, were followed up for an average of 4.4 years. Fruit intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and the second follow-up. The beta coefficient and confidence intervals for changes in cardiometabolic risk factors according to fruit consumption were calculated using a linear regression model. RESULTS: In men, the abdominal circumference decreased with changes in fruit intake (P=0.029). Fruit intake and increased fruit intake in men were associated with a lower systolic blood pressure (P=0.012 and P=0.02, respectively) and lower triglyceride levels (P=0.002 and P<0.001, respectively). In women, abdominal circumference decreased with both fruit intake and increased fruit intake (P<0.001 and P=0.013, respectively). Systolic blood pressure and triglycerides tended to decrease only with fruit intake (P=0.048 and P<0.001, respectively). Unlike in men, fasting blood glucose tended to decrease in women with both fruit intake and increased fruit intake (P=0.011 and P=0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Fruit intake and increased fruit intake may have beneficial effects on cardiometabolic risk factors among individuals who are obese.

Resting heart rate is associated with colorectal advanced adenoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Resting heart rate is an independent predictor of colorectal cancer (CRC) development and CRC-related mortality. However, little is known about the relationship between resting heart rate and colorectal adenoma development. We aimed to investigate this association in a population who underwent screening colonoscopy. METHODS: Among 39,021 patients who underwent both electrocardiogram and screening colonoscopy during routine health examinations at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Health Promotion Center, Korea from January 2014 to July 2019, 1,344 patients had advanced adenoma. We performed 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching to establish a control group that mitigated the confounding effects of age and sex. We performed multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify the independent risk factors of advanced adenoma development. RESULTS: Resting heart rate was significantly higher in the advanced adenoma group than in the control group. The prevalence of advanced polyp increased across the quartiles of resting heart rate. Patients with higher resting heart rates were more likely to be older, smokers, and have increased blood pressure and DM and less likely to engage in active exercises than those with lower resting heart rates. Patients with higher resting heart rates had higher serum glucose, triglyceride, hemoglobin A1C, and insulin levels and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Patients with resting heart rate in the highest quartile (≥71 bpm) still showed significantly increased odds ratio (OR) of advanced adenoma development (OR: 1.379, 95% confidence interval: 1.099-1.731, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: High resting heart rate was a meaningful independent risk factor of advanced adenoma development.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Care in the Post Pandemic World: Five Major Lessons Learnt from Challenges and Countermeasures of Major Asian Cancer Centres.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected healthcare services around Asia. The Asian National Cancer Centres Alliance and the Asia-Pacific Organisation for Cancer Prevention collaborated to assess the mid- and long- term impact of COVID-19 to cancer care in Asia. METHODS: The two entities organised a combined symposium and post-meeting interactions among representatives of major cancer centres from seventeen Asian countries to outlining major challenges and countermeasures. RESULTS: Participating stakeholders distilled five big questions. 1) "Will there be an explosion of late-stage cancers after the pandemic?" To address and recover from perceived delayed prevention, screening, treatment and care challenges, collaboration of key stakeholders in the region and alignment in cancer care management, policy intervention and cancer registry initiatives would be of essential value. 2) "Operations and Finance" The pandemic has resulted in significant material and financial casualties. Flagged acute challenges (shortages of supplies, imposition of lockdown) as well as longer-standing reduction of financial revenue, manpower, international collaboration, and training should also be addressed. 3) "Will telemedicine and technological innovations revolutionize cancer care?" Deploying and implementing telemedicine such as teleconsultation and virtual tumour boards were considered invaluable. These innovations could become a new regular practice, leading to expansion of tele-collaboration through collaboration of institutions in the region. 4) "Will virtual conferences continue after the pandemic?" Virtual conferences during the pandemic have opened new doors for knowledge sharing, especially for representatives of low- and middle-income countries in the region, while saving time and costs of travel. 5) "How do we prepare for the next pandemic or international emergency?" Roadmaps for action to improve access to appropriate patient care and research were identified and scrutinised. CONCLUSION: Through addressing these five big questions, focused collaboration among members and with international organisations such as City Cancer Challenge will allow enhanced preparedness for future international emergencies.
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Assessment of Dietary Habits Using the Diet Quality Index-International in Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Disease Patients.

Improvement of dietary habits is recommended for the management of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases (CCVD). This study aimed to evaluate the dietary habits of CCVD patients and compare them with the general population by using the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2013-2016) were used. Cardiovascular diseases included myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and heart failure; and cerebrovascular diseases included stroke, cerebral infarction, and hemorrhage. In total, 12,683 subjects over 20 years old were included, comprising 718 CCVD patients and 11,965 non-CCVD subjects. Survey-weighted multiple linear regression analyses with adjustment for covariates were used to compare DQI-I scores. The mean total DQI-I scores for the CCVD and non-CCVD groups were 66.7 ± 9.2 and 67.8 ± 9.2, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, the CCVD group had DQI-I scores significantly lower than the non-CCVD group (coefficient -1.13, p-value = 0.011). In the analysis of each DQI-I component, the CCVD group had lower scores for variety (coefficient -0.54, p-value = 0.004) and adequacy (coefficient -0.86, p-value = 0.001). In this study, using nationally representative data, dietary habits of CCVD patients were shown to be lower in quality than non-CCVD subjects. Therefore, evaluation and education of adequate dietary habits are needed in the management of CCVD patients.

Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease according to Alcohol Behavioral Change after Cancer Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Problem drinking increases the incidence of all-cause mortality and specific cancers, and persistent drinking is associated with cardiovascular disease in certain cancer survivors. This study analyzed the cardiovascular risk factors before and after diagnosis in Korean cancer survivors. METHODS: Data for the period between 2002 and 2013 were collected from the National Health Insurance Service Health-Examinee Cohort Database. Among the 27,835 patients included, those with moderate alcohol consumption before and after cancer diagnosis were excluded. Problem drinking was defined as males under 65 years consuming over 14 glasses a week, and males over 65 years or females consuming over seven glasses a week. A t-test, chi-square test, and linear regression analysis were performed for differences in cardiovascular risk factors and differences according to cancer types. RESULTS: There was a difference in the body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol among patients who became moderate drinkers after diagnosis, but fasting blood glucose did not show any significant changes. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease were analyzed in patients with liver, stomach, rectal, and breast cancer with improved drinking behavior, and there were significant differences in body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol in stomach cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Moderate drinking can lower cardiovascular risk in cancer survivors, and among the many drinking-related cancers, stomach cancer patients demonstrated significantly reduced cardiovascular risk factors.

Breast Arterial Calcification is Associated with the Progression of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Women: A Preliminary Retrospective Cohort Study.

We evaluated whether breast arterial calcification (BAC) is associated with the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic women. This retrospective observational cohort study analysed asymptomatic women from the BBC registry. In 126 consecutive women (age, 54.5 ± 7.0 years) who underwent BAC evaluation and repeated coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) examinations, the coronary arterial calcification score (CACS) and segment stenosis score (SSS) were evaluated to assess the progression of coronary arterial calcification (CAC) and coronary atherosclerotic plaque (CAP). CAC and CAP progression were observed in 42 (33.3%) and 26 (20.6%) women, respectively (median interscan time, 4.3 years), and were associated with the presence of BAC and a higher BAC score at baseline. Women with BAC demonstrated higher CAC and CAP progression rates and showed higher chances for CAC and CAP progression during follow-up (p < 0.001 for both). In multivariable analyses, the BAC score remained independently associated with both CAC and CAP progression rates after adjustment for clinical risk factors (ß = 0.087, p = 0.029; and ß = 0.020, p = 0.010, respectively) and with additional adjustment for baseline CACS (ß = 0.080, p = 0.040; and ß = 0.019, p = 0.012, respectively) or SSS (ß = 0.079, p = 0.034; and ß = 0.019, p = 0.011, respectively). Thus, BAC may be related to the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and its evaluation may facilitate decision-making.

Development and Usability of a Life-Logging Behavior Monitoring Application for Obese Patients.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a global epidemic. Behavior change monitoring using a smartphone application (app) can support weight management in obese patients. These apps must undergo usability testing, which is an important step in mobile healthcare app development. The current study aimed to develop a mobile app for behavioral monitoring and to test its usability including technical effectiveness, user efficiency, and user satisfaction for obese adults. METHODS: Development of the Dr. Youth app components included information on behavioral monitoring indicators and their obesity subtypes. The usability of the app was tested with 50 obese adults in a university hospital. Participants were asked to complete eight tasks for evaluating the technical effectiveness of the app. The time to complete each task was measured to test user efficiency. To explore user satisfaction, each participant completed the System Usability Scale (SUS). Descriptive statistics were used to examine the mean user efficiency and SUS scores. RESULTS: Fifty adults (14 men and 36 women, aged 20-59 years) who are obese (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) were recruited. The mean age of participants was 42.6 years (standard deviation [SD], 10.8 years); their mean body mass index was 29.6 kg/m2 (SD, 5.7 kg/m2). The tasks were completed with a 99% success rate. The overall mean SUS score was 76.65 (SD, 15.43). CONCLUSION: The Dr. Youth app shows acceptable technical effectiveness, user efficiency, and user satisfaction. Future study is warranted to establish the app's clinical efficacy.

Development of Comprehensive Personal Health Records Integrating Patient-Generated Health Data Directly From Samsung S-Health and Apple Health Apps: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Patient-generated health data (PGHD), especially lifelog data, are important for managing chronic diseases. Additionally, personal health records (PHRs) have been considered an effective tool to engage patients more actively in the management of their chronic diseases. However, no PHRs currently integrate PGHD directly from Samsung S-Health and Apple Health apps. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were (1) to demonstrate the development of an electronic medical record (EMR)-tethered PHR system (Health4U) that integrates lifelog data from Samsung S-Health and Apple Health apps and (2) to explore the factors associated with the use rate of the functions. METHODS: To upgrade conventional EMR-tethered PHRs, a task-force team (TFT) defined the functions necessary for users. After implementing a new system, we enrolled adults aged 19 years and older with prior experience of accessing Health4U in the 7-month period after November 2017, when the service was upgraded. RESULTS: Of the 17,624 users, 215 (1.22%) integrated daily steps data, 175 (0.99%) integrated weight data, 51 (0.29%) integrated blood sugar data, and 90 (0.51%) integrated blood pressure data. Overall, 61.95% (10,919/17,624) had one or more chronic diseases. For integration of daily steps data, 48.3% (104/215) of patients used the Apple Health app, 43.3% (93/215) used the S-Health app, and 8.4% (18/215) entered data manually. To retrieve medical documentation, 324 (1.84%) users downloaded PDF files and 31 (0.18%) users integrated their medical records into the Samsung S-Health app via the Consolidated-Clinical Document Architecture download function. We found a consistent increase in the odds ratios for PDF downloads among patients with a higher number of chronic diseases. The age groups of ≥60 years and ≥80 years tended to use the download function less frequently than the others. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine the factors related to integration of lifelog data from Samsung S-Health and Apple Health apps into EMR-tethered PHRs and factors related to the retrieval of medical documents from PHRs. Our findings on the lifelog data integration can be used to design PHRs as a platform to integrate lifelog data in the future.

Prediction of Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease With Breast Arterial Calcification and Low Bone Mass in Asymptomatic Women: Registry for the Women Health Cohort for the BBC Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine whether evaluations of breast arterial calcification (BAC) and low bone mass (LBM) could improve the ability to predict subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic women. BACKGROUND: An improved risk stratification strategy beyond the measurement of conventional risk factors is needed to identify women at high risk of CAD. METHODS: The BBC (Women Health Registry Study for Bone, Breast, and Coronary Artery Disease) enrolled 2,100 asymptomatic women who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, digital mammography, and coronary computed tomography angiography. We assessed the predicted 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and evaluated the presence and severity of BAC, LBM, coronary artery calcification (CAC), and coronary atherosclerotic plaque (CAP). RESULTS: CAC and CAP were found in 11.2% and 15.6% of participants, respectively. In women with CAC or CAP, increasing trends in the presence and severity of both BAC and LBM were observed. Both BAC and LBM were found to be associated with the presence of CAC (unadjusted odds ratios [OR]: 3.54 and 2.22, respectively) and CAP (unadjusted OR: 3.02 and 1.91, respectively). However, in multivariate analysis, only the presence of BAC and BAC score remained as independent predictors. For the prediction of CAC and CAP, addition of the BAC presence to the 10-year ASCVD risk significantly increased the areas under the curve (area under the curve: 0.71 to 0.72; p = 0.016; and area under the curve: 0.66 to 0.68; p = 0.010; respectively) and resulted in net reclassification index improvements (area under the curve: 0.304; p <0.001; and area under the curve: 0.245; p <0.001; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The presence and severity of BAC and LBM were significantly associated with the risk of subclinical CAD in asymptomatic women. BAC evaluation especially provides an independent and incremental value over conventional risk algorithms. (Women Health Cohort for Breast, Bone and Coronary Artery Disease [BBC]; NCT03235622).

The Inhibitory Mechanism on Acetylcholine-Induced Contraction of Bladder Smooth Muscle in the Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat.

Most diabetic patients experience diabetic mellitus (DM) urinary bladder dysfunction. A number of studies evaluate bladder smooth muscle contraction in DM. In this study, we evaluated the change of bladder smooth muscle contraction between normal rats and DM rats. Furthermore, we used pharmacological inhibitors to determine the differences in the signaling pathways between normal and DM rats. Rats in the DM group received an intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin and measured blood glucose level after 14 days to confirm DM. Bladder smooth muscle contraction was induced using acetylcholine (ACh, 10⁻4 M). The materials such as, atropine (a muscarinic receptor antagonist), U73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor), DPCPX (an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist), udenafil (a PDE5 inhibitor), prazosin (an α1-receptor antagonist), papaverine (a smooth muscle relaxant), verapamil (a calcium channel blocker), and chelerythrine (a protein kinase C inhibitor) were pre-treated in bladder smooth muscle. We found that the DM rats had lower bladder smooth muscle contractility than normal rats. When prazosin, udenafil, verapamil, and U73122 were pre-treated, there were significant differences between normal and DM rats. Taken together, it was concluded that the change of intracellular Ca²âº release mediated by PLC/IP3 and PDE5 activity were responsible for decreased bladder smooth muscle contractility in DM rats.

The change of signaling pathway on the electrical stimulated contraction in streptozotocin-induced bladder dysfunction of rats.

Bladder dysfunction is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, there have been a few studies evaluating bladder smooth muscle contraction in DM in the presence of pharmacological inhibitors. In the present study, we compared the contractility of bladder smooth muscle from normal rats and DM rats. Furthermore, we utilized pharmacological inhibitors to delineate the mechanisms underlying bladder muscle differences between normal and DM rats. DM was established in 14 days after using a single injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Bladder smooth muscle contraction was induced electrically using electrical field stimulation consisting of pulse trains at an amplitude of 40 V and pulse duration of 1 ms at frequencies of 2-10 Hz. In this study, the pharmacological inhibitors atropine (muscarinic receptor antagonist), U73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor), DPCPX (adenosine A1 receptor antagonist), udenafil (PDE5 inhibitor), prazosin (α1-receptor antagonist), verapamil (calcium channel blocker), and chelerythrine (protein kinase C inhibitor) were used to pretreat bladder smooth muscles. It was found that the contractility of bladder smooth muscles from DM rats was lower than that of normal rats. In addition, there were significant differences in percent change of contractility between normal and DM rats following pretreatment with prazosin, udenafil, verapamil, and U73122. In conclusion, we suggest that the decreased bladder muscle contractility in DM rats was a result of perturbations in PLC/IP3-mediated intracellular Ca2+ release and PDE5 activity.

Osteoarthritis Affects Health-Related Quality of Life in Korean Adults with Chronic Diseases: The Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys 2009-2013.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease that commonly afflicts the elderly. This disease reduces the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and causes a significant social burden. Whether the effect of coexisting chronic conditions on HRQoL varies according to the presence of OA remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate this notion. METHODS: A total of 13,395 participants were identified from the 2009-2013 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for analysis. HRQoL was assessed using the European quality of life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) index. Patients with OA were defined as those diagnosed by a physician or those who displayed both, symptoms and radiological findings consistent with OA at the time of the survey. Associations between OA and 8 chronic conditions were tested using regression analysis. RESULTS: The EQ-5D index was lower in patients with OA than in those without (mean difference, -0.145; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.138 to -0.151; P<0.001). Most patients with OA and chronic conditions showed a lower score than those without. EQ-5D was particularly lower in OA patients with hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, and renal failure. The estimated ß coefficient for the interaction term was significant in renal failure (-0.034; 95% CI, -0.055 to -0.012), after adjusting for demographic and socio-economic variables. CONCLUSION: OA significantly affects HRQoL of Korean elderly individuals alone or when combined with other conditions. OA combined with renal failure is particularly detrimental. These results indicate the importance of managing OA, which is an underestimated disease in public health surveys.

The signaling of protease-activated receptor-2 activating peptide-induced contraction in cat esophageal smooth muscle cells.

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are a family of G protein-coupled receptors with a unique activation mechanism involving proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular N-terminal domain of the receptor. PAR2 has a contractile effect on esophageal smooth muscle. We investigate the signaling pathways of the PAR2-activating peptide (PAR2-AP) induced contraction in cat esophageal smooth muscle cells. The length of freshly isolated smooth muscle cells and permeabilized cells from feline esophagus were measured by scanning micrometry, and by confirming molecular basis via western blot analysis. The responses to PAR2-AP were initial and sustained contractions, depending on time. The maximum contraction of the initial phase occurred at 60 s. The PAR2-AP-induced contraction was mediated by Gαi1, Gαi3, and Gαq protein activation, leading to phospholipase-c (PLC) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) activation. 20 kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) was phosphorylated by PAR2-AP. Rho kinase-2 (ROCK-2), an activator of 17 kDa C-kinase potentiated Protein phosphatase-1 Inhibitor (CPI-17), was increased by PAR2 receptor activation. In conclusion, PAR2-AP produced an initial contraction mediated by Gαi1, Gαi3, and Gαq protein activation, resulting in PLC and MLCK activation. The sustained contraction by PAR2-AP was mediated by the Rho/Rho kinase-dependent pathway.

Association Between the Awareness of Dyslipidemia and Health Behavior for Control of Lipid Levels Among Korean Adults with Dyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor contributing to cardiovascular disease and its prevalence is steadily rising. Although screening tests are readily accessible, dyslipidemia remains undertreated. Evaluating health behavior patterns after diagnosis may help improve lifestyle interventions for the management of dyslipidemia. METHODS: Data from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2012 were used. A total of 6,624 dyslipidemia patients over 20 years old were included according to National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Logistic regression analysis was completed using a weighted method to determine whether awareness of dyslipidemia was associated with health behavior. Health behavior was divided into two categories: behavioral factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise) and nutritional factors (adequate intake of fiber, carbohydrate, fat, protein). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in health behavior among dyslipidemia patients according to awareness after adjustment for covariates, diabetes and hypertension. Awareness in women was associated with decreased smoking (odds ratio [OR], 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32 to 0.94), but when adjusted for diabetes and hypertension the result was not significant (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.35 to 1.06). The same pattern applied to intake of carbohydrate in men (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.67) and protein in women (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.50). In subgroup analysis, awareness of dyslipidemia in men without hypertension or diabetes was associated with adequate intake of carbohydrate (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.72). CONCLUSION: Increasing awareness alone may not be enough to improve healthy behavior in patients with dyslipidemia. Efforts including patient education and counseling through a multi-team approach may be required.