3-Hydroxytanshinone Inhibits the Activity of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-α by Interfering with the Function of α-Enolase in the Glycolytic Pathway.

Tumor cells in hypoxic conditions control cancer metabolism and angiogenesis by expressing HIF-1α. Tanshinone is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been shown to possess antitumor properties and exerts a therapeutic impact on angiogenesis. However, the precise molecular mechanism responsible for the antitumor activity of 3-Hydroxytanshinone (3-HT), a type of tanshinone, has not been fully understood. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which 3-HT regulates the expression of HIF-1α. Our findings demonstrate that 3-HT inhibits HIF-1α activity and expression under hypoxic conditions. Additionally, 3-HT inhibits hypoxia-induced angiogenesis by suppressing the expression of VEGF. Moreover, 3-HT was found to directly bind to α-enolase, an enzyme associated with glycolysis, resulting in the suppression of its activity. This inhibition of α-enolase activity by 3-HT leads to the blockade of the glycolytic pathway and a decrease in glycolysis products, ultimately altering HIF1-α expression. Furthermore, 3-HT negatively regulates the expression of HIF-1α by altering the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Our study's findings elucidate the mechanism by which 3-HT regulates HIF-1α through the inhibition of the glycolytic enzyme α-enolase and the phosphorylation of AMPK. These results suggest that 3-HT holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for hypoxia-related angiogenesis and tumorigenesis.

Associations between serum perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl concentrations and diabetes mellitus in the Korean general population: Insights from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2018-2020.

AIMS: Recent epidemiologic research has examined the relationship between perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and diabetes mellitus with inconclusive findings. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to explore the association between serum PFAS concentrations and the prevalence of prediabetes and pre-diagnostic diabetes in the general Korean population as well as the combined effects of exposure to mixed PFAS compounds. METHODS: We analyzed data from participants aged ≥19 years enrolled in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey Cycle 4 (2018-2020). Individuals diagnosed with diabetes were excluded to minimize potential bias. We identified cases of pre-diagnostic diabetes based on the HbA1c level ≥6.5% and prediabetes as HbA1c levels of 5.7-6.49%. Serum concentrations of PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDeA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to assess the relationships between PFAS levels and diabetes risk, adjusting for covariates. Additionally, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used to investigate the combined effects of exposure to mixed PFAS compounds. RESULTS: In the study population excluding participants with diagnosed diabetes (n = 2709), the prevalence of pre-diagnostic diabetes and prediabetes was 4.8% and 30.1%, respectively. Significant positive associations were found between serum PFHxS and PFOS quartiles and pre-diagnostic diabetes risk. Likewise, among those without diagnosed or pre-diagnostic diabetes (n = 2579), the highest quartiles of PFDeA, PFHxS, and PFOS and the overall PFAS level were associated with an increased risk of prediabetes compared with the lowest quartiles. BKMR analysis revealed a significant positive association between overall serum PFAS level and prediabetes risk, which was most marked for PFOS. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the potential health implications of PFAS exposure and prediabetes risk. Further research is needed to validate these associations and identify potential mechanistic pathways.

Associations between Urinary Mercury/Cadmium Concentrations and Anthropometric Features in Korean Children.

Investigating the impact of urinary mercury and cadmium on anthropometric parameters in Korean children is crucial amid growing concerns about heavy metal exposure and childhood growth. Using data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2015-2017), we assessed age- and sex-specific associations of urinary mercury and cadmium with height and body mass index (BMI) z-scores in 1458 children aged 3-5 (n = 571) and 6-11 years (n = 887). Overall, 5.0% had stunted height (3-5 years: 6.9%, 6-11 years: 3.8%), whereas older children exhibited higher overweight/obesity prevalence (29.2%) than younger ones did (22.2%). In 3-5-year-old boys, urinary mercury correlated negatively with height z-scores (p < 0.001), whereas in girls, urinary cadmium correlated positively (p = 0.015). Boys aged 6-11 years showed positive associations between mercury/cadmium levels and BMI z-scores (p = 0.012). Logistic regression indicated associations between urinary mercury and stunted height likelihood (p = 0.001) and between urinary cadmium and reduced overweight likelihood (p = 0.039) in 3-5-year-old boys. In boys aged 6-11 years, urinary cadmium levels were positively associated with overweight likelihood (p = 0.003). This study underscores the link between elevated urinary mercury, cadmium levels, and growth disruptions in Korean children, emphasizing the need for public health strategies for reducing childhood heavy metal exposure.

Somatodendritic organization of pacemaker activity in midbrain dopamine neurons.

The slow and regular pacemaking activity of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons requires proper spatial organization of the excitable elements between the soma and dendritic compartments, but the somatodendritic organization is not clear. Here, we show that the dynamic interaction between the soma and multiple proximal dendritic compartments (PDCs) generates the slow pacemaking activity in DA neurons. In multipolar DA neurons, spontaneous action potentials (sAPs) consistently originate from the axon-bearing dendrite. However, when the axon initial segment was disabled, sAPs emerge randomly from various primary PDCs, indicating that multiple PDCs drive pacemaking. Ca2+ measurements and local stimulation/perturbation experiments suggest that the soma serves as a stably-oscillating inertial compartment, while multiple PDCs exhibit stochastic fluctuations and high excitability. Despite the stochastic and excitable nature of PDCs, their activities are balanced by the large centrally-connected inertial soma, resulting in the slow synchronized pacemaking rhythm. Furthermore, our electrophysiological experiments indicate that the soma and PDCs, with distinct characteristics, play different roles in glutamate- induced burst-pause firing patterns. Excitable PDCs mediate excitatory burst responses to glutamate, while the large inertial soma determines inhibitory pause responses to glutamate. Therefore, we could conclude that this somatodendritic organization serves as a common foundation for both pacemaker activity and evoked firing patterns in midbrain DA neurons.

Bioactivity-Guided Fraction from Viscera of Abalone, Haliotis discus hannai Suppresses Cellular Basophils Activation and Anaphylaxis in Mice.

Basophils and mast cells are specialized effector cells in allergic reactions. Haliotis discus hannai (abalone), is valuable seafood. Abalone male viscera, which has a brownish color and has not been previously reported to show anti-allergic activities, was extracted with acetone. Six different acetone/hexane fractions (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 100%) were obtained using a silica column via ß-hexosaminidase release inhibitory activity-guided selection in phorbol myristate acetate and a calcium ionophore, A23187 (PMACI)-induced human basophils, KU812F cells. The 40% acetone/hexane fraction (A40) exhibited the strongest inhibition of PMACI-induced-ß-hexosaminidase release. This fraction dose-dependently inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and calcium mobilization without cytotoxicity. Western blot analysis revealed that A40 down-regulated PMACI-induced MAPK (ERK 1/2, p-38, and JNK) phosphorylation, and the NF-κB translocation from the cytosol to membrane. Moreover, A40 inhibited PMACI-induced interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and IL-8 production. Anti-allergic activities of A40 were confirmed based on inhibitory effects on IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in compound (com) 48/80-induced rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. A40 inhibited ß-hexosaminidase release and cytokine production such as IL-4 and TNF-α produced by com 48/80-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, it's fraction attenuated the IgE/DNP-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in the ears of BALB/c mice. Our results suggest that abalone contains the active fraction, A40 is a potent therapeutic and functional material to treat allergic diseases.

Urinary concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and childhood obesity.

Objectives: Existing literature provides limited information on the association between childhood obesity and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are potentially obesogenic. We examined the association between urinary concentrations of PAH metabolites and obesity in the Korean pediatric population. Methods: We analyzed the data of 2286 children/adolescents aged 3-17 years who participated in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey between 2015 and 2017. Urinary concentrations of 2-naphthol, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 1-hydroxypyrene were assayed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Overweight/obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) for age ≥85th percentile. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship of BMI z-score and overweight with urinary concentrations of PAH metabolites after adjusting for age, sex, household income, parental education level, physical activity, fast-food consumption, and environmental tobacco smoke exposure. Results: BMI z-score was positively associated with 2-naphthol concentrations in children aged 6-11 and 12-17 years and with 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in children aged 6-11 years. In the overall population, a significant rise in odds ratios for overweight/obesity across 2-naphthol quartiles was noted. Specifically, the 3rd and 4th quartiles displayed odds ratios of 1.39 [1.03, 1.88] and 1.46 [1.08, 1.99] respectively, compared to the 1st quartile (P-for-trend = 0.006). Similar associations between 2-naphthol and overweight/obesity status were observed in the 6-11- and 12-17-year age groups. There was little evidence of an association between overweight/obesity and other PAH hydroxy derivatives. Conclusions: PAH exposure may be associated with increased childhood adiposity, a potential risk factor for adult obesity and adverse metabolic outcomes.

Inhibition of Osteoclast Differentiation and Promotion of Osteogenic Formation by Wolfiporia extensa Mycelium.

Osteoporosis, Greek for "porous bone," is a bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone strength, microarchitectural changes in the bone tissues, and an increased risk of fracture. An imbalance of bone resorption and bone formation may lead to chronic metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis. Wolfiporia extensa, known as "Bokryung" in Korea, is a fungus belonging to the family Polyporaceae and has been used as a therapeutic food against various diseases. Medicinal mushrooms, mycelium and fungi, possess approximately 130 medicinal functions, including antitumor, immunomodulating, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects, and are therefore used to improve human health. In this study, we used osteoclast and osteoblast cell cultures treated with Wolfiporia extensa mycelium water extract (WEMWE) and investigated the effect of the fungus on bone homeostasis. Subsequently, we assessed its capacity to modulate both osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation by performing osteogenic and anti-osteoclastogenic activity assays. We observed that WEMWE increased BMP-2-stimulated osteogenesis by inducing Smad-Runx2 signal pathway axis. In addition, we found that WEMWE decreased RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by blocking c-Fos/NFATc1 via the inhibition of ERK and JNK phosphorylation. Our results show that WEMWE can prevent and treat bone metabolic diseases, including osteoporosis, by a biphasic activity that sustains bone homeostasis. Therefore, we suggest that WEMWE can be used as a preventive and therapeutic drug.

Ongoing increasing trends in central precocious puberty incidence among Korean boys and girls from 2008 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: Over the last few decades, there has been growing evidence of earlier onset and progression of puberty worldwide. This population-based longitudinal cohort study aimed to analyze the change in the annual incidence rate of central precocious puberty (CPP) among Korean children over the most recent decade, using the national registry data. METHOD: The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) and insurance claims for gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment were used to identify CPP patients who were using the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) database between 2008 and 2020. Patients who began GnRHa therapy before the age of 9 and 10 for girls and boys, respectively, were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 6,906 boys and 126,377 girls were diagnosed with CPP between 2008 and 2020. The annual incidence of CPP increased by 83.3 times in boys (from 1.2 to 100 per 100,000 persons) and by 15.9 times in girls (from 88.9 to 1414.7 per 100,000 persons). The age-specific annual incidence of CPP increased remarkably more in older children than in younger ones; the 2020 CPP incidence among 9-year-old boys and 8-year-old girls reached 705.2 and 7,967.3 per 100,000 persons, respectively. The annual prevalence of CPP in boys and girls increased from 2.7 to 206.5 (76.5 times) and from 141.8 to 3439.9 (24.3 times) per 100,000 persons, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on GnRHa treatment insurance claims, our study suggests that the annual incidence of CPP has substantially increased in Korea during the past 13 years. These findings highlight the importance of meticulous judgment by doctors in determining GnRHa treatment.

Distribution and Function of Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha-positive Cells and Purinergic Neurotransmission in the Human Colon: Is It Different Between the Right and Left Colon?

Background/Aims: Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha-positive (PDGFRα+) cells function in the purinergic regulation of gastrointestinal motility, and purines are reportedly inhibitory neurotransmitters in the enteric nervous system. We explore the distribution and function of PDGFRα+ cells related to purinergic inhibitory neurotransmission in human right and left colons. Methods: Human colonic segments were prepared with mucosa and submucosa intact, and the circular muscle tension and longitudinal muscle tension were recorded. Purinergic neurotransmitters were administered after recording the regular contractions. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the circular muscle layers. Intracellular recording was performed on the colonic muscular layer. SK3, P2RY1, and PDGFR-α mRNA expression was tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) treatment significantly decreased the frequency and area under the curve (AUC) of the segmental contraction in right and left colons. Beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (ß-NAD) decreased the frequency in the right colon and the amplitude, frequency and AUC in the left colon. Apamin significantly increased frequency and AUC in the left colon, and after apamin pretreatment, ATP and ß-NAD did not change segmental contractility. Through intracellular recordings, a resting membrane potential decrease occurred after ATP administration; however, the degree of decrease between the right and left colon was not different. PDGFRα+ cells were distributed evenly in the circular muscle layers of right and left colons. SK3, P2RY1, and PDGFRα expression was not different between the right and left colon. Conclusion: Purines reduce right and left colon contractility similarly, and purinergic inhibitory neurotransmission can be regulated by PDGFRα+ cells in the human colon.

Oat Seedlings Extract Inhibits RANKL-Induced c-Fos/NFATc1 Transcription Factors in the Early Stage of Osteoclast Differentiation.

Osteoporosis is a common disease that increases the risk of fractures due to decreased bone density and weakens the bone microstructure. Preventing and diagnosing osteoporosis using the available drugs can be a costly affair with possible side effects. Therefore, natural product-derived therapeutics are promising alternatives. Our study demonstrated that the oat seedlings' extract (OSE) inhibited the receptor activator of the nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis from the bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). The OSE treatment significantly attenuated the RANKL-mediated induction of the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity as well as the number of TRAP-positive (TRAP+) multinucleated cells (MNCs) counted through the TRAP staining in a dose-dependent manner. It was also confirmed that the OSE suppressed the formation of the TRAP + MNCs in the early stage of differentiation and not in the middle and late stages. The results of the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the western blotting showed that the OSE dramatically inhibited the mRNA and protein expressions of the osteoclastogenesis-mediated transcription factors such as the c-Fos and the nuclear factor-activated T cells c1 (NFATc1). In addition, the OSE strongly attenuated the mRNA induction of the c-Fos/NFATc1-dependent molecules such as the TRAP, the osteoclast-associatedimmunoglobulin-like receptor (OSCAR), the dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP), and the cathepsin K. These results suggest that the naturally derived OSE may be useful for preventing bone diseases.

Comparison between the International Classification of Primary Care and the International Classification of Diseases Classifications in Primary Care in Korea.

BACKGROUND: The International Classification of Primary Care-2 (ICPC-2) is a classification method designed for primary care. Although previous studies have found that ICPC-2 is a useful tool for demonstrating the relationship between patients' expectations and health providers' diagnoses, its utility of ICPC-2 has yet to be fully studied in Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the practicality of ICPC-2 in Korean primary care. METHODS: The study was conducted at primary care clinics in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas from October to November 2015. Third-year family medicine residents examined and analyzed the medical records of patients who visited primary care physicians using ICPC-2, and the results were compared with those obtained using the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) (Korean version: Korean Standard Classification of Diseases-7). RESULTS: A total of 26 primary care physicians from 23 primary care clinics participated in the study. Furthermore, 2,458 ICD-10 codes and 6,091 ICPC-2 codes were recorded from the data of 1,099 patients. The common disease codes were vasomotor and allergic rhinitis (J30), according to ICD-10, and acute upper respiratory infection (R74) in ICPC-2. Comparing disease status by body systems, the proportion of gastrointestinal disease with ICD-10 codes was significantly higher than that with ICPC-2 codes (P<0.001). Furthermore, patients with >4 diagnoses accounted for 36% of the ICD-10 classifications, whereas those with >4 diagnoses accounted for 4% of the ICPC-2 classifications. CONCLUSION: Introducing ICPC as a complementary means for diagnosing common diseases could be a practical approach in Korean primary care.

Changes in lifestyle and obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korean adolescents: based on the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2019 and 2020.

PURPOSE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected people's daily lives and increased their time spent at home. This study aims to investigate the changes in lifestyle factors and obesity among Korean adolescents before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: We used the data of 109,282 adolescents aged 12-18 years, from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted in 2019 and 2020 before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. The changes in the prevalence of obesity and lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, sitting time, and sleep duration) were assessed. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of predictors for obesity were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight (10% to 10.5%) and obesity (11.5% to 12.7%) increased significantly, especially among males younger than 15 years, whereas significant differences were absent among females. The mean body mass index z-score increased from 0.28 to 0.39 in males but decreased from 0.08 to 0.04 in females. Fruit consumption, regular exercise, and average sleep duration decreased, whereas sitting time increased. After controlling for covariates, a short sleep duration (OR, 1.14) and an increased sitting time (OR, 1.14) were significantly associated with an elevated risk for overweight/obesity. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of obesity and overweight increased, particularly in males, as did unfavorable trends in related lifestyle factors. Sex- and age-specific strategies to improve lifestyle factors associated with obesity are needed, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perilla frutescens Leaf Extract Attenuates Vascular Dementia-Associated Memory Deficits, Neuronal Damages, and Microglial Activation.

Vascular dementia (VaD) is characterized by a time-dependent memory deficit and essentially combined with evidence of neuroinflammation. Thus, polyphenol-rich natural plants, which possess anti-inflammatory properties, have received much scientific attention. This study investigated whether Perilla frutescens leaf extract (PFL) exerts therapeutic efficacy against VaD. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups: SO, sham-operated and vehicle treatment; OP, operated and vehicle treatment; PFL-L, operated and low-dose (30 mg/kg) PFL treatment; PFL-M, operated and medium-dose (60 mg/kg) PFL treatment; and PFL-H, operated and high-dose (90 mg/kg) PFL treatment. Two-vessel occlusion and hypovolemia (2VO/H) were employed as a surgical model of VaD, and PFL was given orally perioperatively for 23 days. The rats underwent the Y-maze, Barnes maze, and passive avoidance tests and their brains were subjected to histologic studies. The OP group showed VaD-associated memory deficits, hippocampal neuronal death, and microglial activation; however, the PFL-treated groups showed significant attenuations in all of the above parameters. Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells, a murine microglial cell line, we measured PFL-mediated changes on the production of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and IL-6, and the activities of their upstream MAP kinases (MAPKs)/NFκB/inducible NO synthase (iNOS). The LPS-induced upregulations of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 production and MAPKs/NFκB/iNOS activities were globally and significantly reversed by 12-h pretreatment of PFL. This suggests that PFL can counteract VaD-associated structural and functional deterioration through the attenuation of neuroinflammation.

Associations of Phthalate Metabolites and Bisphenol A Levels with Obesity in Children: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2015 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are synthetic chemicals widely used in daily life. This study investigated urinary phthalate and BPA levels in Korean children and their associations with obesity. METHODS: A total of 2,351 children aged 3 to 17 years who participated in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2015 to 2017 were included. Urinary dilution was corrected using covariate-adjusted standardization (CAS). We examined the geometric mean (GM) concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites, including di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites (mono [2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl] phthalate, mono [2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl] phthalate, and mono [2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl] phthalate [MECPP]), mono-benzyl-phthalate (MBzP), mono (carboxyoctyl) phthalate (MCOP), mono (carboxy-isononyl) phthalate (MCNP), mono (3-carboxypropyl) phthalate, and mono-n-butyl-phthalate (MnBP), and BPA. We also analyzed the odds ratio (OR) for obesity according to the quartiles of each analyte. RESULTS: The urinary GM levels of DEHP metabolites and MnBP were notably higher among Korean children than among American, Canadian, and German children. The CAS-applied GM concentrations of most analytes, except for MBzP, MCOP, and MCNP, were higher in children aged 3 to 5 years than in those aged 6 to 17 years. The OR for obesity in the highest quartile of MECPP was significantly higher than in the lowest quartile after adjusting for covariates. However, the other phthalate metabolites and BPA were not significantly associated with obesity. CONCLUSION: The concentrations of urinary DEHP metabolites and MnBP were higher in Korean children than in children in Western countries. Urinary MECPP exposure, but not other phthalates or BPA, showed a positive association with obesity in Korean children. Further studies are required to elucidate the causal relationships.

Growth in Exclusively Breastfed and Non-exclusively Breastfed Children: Comparisons with WHO Child Growth Standards and Korean National Growth Charts.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship of infant feeding with anthropometric indices of children during their first six years of life relative to the Korean National Growth Charts (KNGC) and the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards (WHO-CGS). METHODS: The study population consisted of 547,669 Korean infants and children who were 6 months-old to 6 years-old (born in 2008-2009) and participated in the National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children. Data on height, weight, and type of feeding during the first 6 months (exclusively breastfed [BF] vs. mixed- or formula-fed [FF]) were analyzed. RESULTS: BF boys and girls were significantly shorter and lighter than FF counterparts from the age of 6 months to 4 years, but these differences were not significant after the age of 4 years. BF boys and girls only had significantly lower body mass index at the age of 2 years. Under the age of 2 years 6 months, and especially under the age of 1 year, BF boys and girls were significantly taller and heavier than the 50th percentile values of the 50th percentile value of the WHO-CGS. CONCLUSION: In this study using large-scaled national data, Korean breastfed children are shorter and lighter by 3 years 6 months-4 years 6 months, but afterward, there is no significant difference from those who had mixed- or formula-feeding. Substantial disparities in the anthropometric indices of Korean infants under the age of 1 compared to KNCG and WHO-CGS were found, regardless of their infantile feeding types. Our results emphasize the importance of constructing a nationwide reference chart based on actual measurements of BF Korean infants.

Trends in Serum Lipid Profiles Among Korean Adolescents, 2007-2018.

PURPOSE: An adverse lipid profile in adolescence often persists into adulthood, resulting in cardiovascular disease. We aimed to investigate the trends in the prevalence of adverse lipid profiles among Korean adolescents from 2007 to 2018. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data were obtained from 9044 adolescents aged 10-19 years who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) from 2007 to 2018. Fasting serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels were analyzed. RESULTS: Significantly increasing trends in age-standardized prevalence of hypercholesterolemia [from 5.6% to 9.4% in boys (P = 0.004); from 8.1% to 12.4% in girls (P = 0.01)] and hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia [from 4.3% to 8.0% in boys (P = 0.003); from 6.6% to 9.7% in girls (P = 0.035)] were noted in both sexes. In contrast, the prevalence of hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia decreased significantly from 20.0% to 12.5% in boys (<0.001) and from 12.4% to 6.9% in girls (P < 0.001). There were no significant changes in the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and hyper-non-HDL-cholesterolemia in both sexes. Accordingly, the overall prevalence of dyslipidemia showed only a modest decline in boys (from 31.8% to 28.7%) and a stable trend in girls (from 28.9% to 28.2%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia increased and that of hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia decreased among Korean adolescents over the recent 12 years. Further studies are needed to explain these trends and possible associations with lifestyle factors.

Trends and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Adolescents, 2007 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of recent research on the changes in risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Asian pediatric population. We aimed to determine the 12-year trends in the prevalence of MetS and relevant lifestyle factors such as smoking, exercise, and calorie intake among Korean adolescents. METHODS: We investigated trends in MetS and lifestyle factors among 6,308 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007 to 2018. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS was stable from 2007 to 2018 (1.7% to 2.2%). There were significant increases in the prevalence of central obesity (from 8.1% to 11.2%, P=0.012) and hyperglycemia (from 5.3% to 10.4%, P<0.001) and decreases in hypo-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterolemia (from 22.4% to 14.8%, P<0.001). Total calorie intake and calorie intake from fat significantly increased (P<0.001), whereas calorie intake from carbohydrates significantly decreased (P<0.001) during the study period. The proportions of tobacco smokers and regular walkers significantly decreased from 2007 to 2018. After controlling for all covariates, total calorie intake was positively correlated with waist circumference (P<0.05). HDL-cholesterol was negatively associated with carbohydrate consumption (P<0.01) and positively associated with fat consumption (P<0.001). Regular walking and regular strength training were associated with lower waist circumference (P<0.05). Smoking was associated with lower fasting glucose levels (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence rate of MetS is stable among Korean adolescents, the prevalence of central obesity and hyperglycemia has increased greatly in the recent decade. Public education on proper dietary intake and lifestyle modification is required.

Water Extract of Mixed Mushroom Mycelia Grown on a Solid Barley Medium Is Protective against Experimental Focal Cerebral Ischemia.

Although the individual consumption of medicinal mushrooms, including Phellinus linteus (PL), Ganoderma lucidum (GL), and Inonotus obliquus (IO), is known to be neuroprotective, the associated mechanisms underlying their therapeutic synergism on focal cerebral ischemia (fCI) have yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of mixed mushroom mycelia (MMM) against experimental fCI. The water-fractions, ethanolic-fractions, and ethyl acetate-fractions of the MMM (PL, GL, and IO) grown in a barley medium using solid-state fermentation techniques were prepared and their protective effects against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity were compared in PC-12 cells. After the identification of the water extracts of MMM (wMMM) as the most suitable form, which possessed the lowest toxicity and highest efficacy, further analyses for evaluating the anti-apoptotic effects of wMMM, including Hoechst 33258-based nuclear staining, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection assays, were performed. Rats were subjected to a 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion, after which a wMMM treatment resulted in significant dose-dependent improvements across a number of parameters. Furthermore, measurements of intracellular ROS and levels of antioxidant enzymes revealed a wMMM-mediated ROS attenuation and antioxidant enzyme upregulation. We suggest that wMMM is neuroprotective against fCI through its anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effects.