Evaluation of analytical method for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content in home meal replacement products by GC/MS.

This study analyzed four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from frequently consumed home meal replacement (HMR) products in Korea and evaluated their chemical analysis methods. The PAHs investigated were benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene. Chrysene-d12 and benzo[a]pyrene-d12 served as internal standards. The sample was dissolved in dichloromethane before extraction. Liquid-liquid extraction, microwave extraction, alkali digestion and GC-MS were used for analysis. Method validation was conducted on four matrices: fatty solid, fatty liquid, non-fatty liquid, non-fatty solid. Linear correlation coefficients (R2) were all above 0.99 and accuracy ranged from 80.03 to 119.65%. The LOD and LOQ were in the range of 0.03-0.15 and 0.09-0.44 µg/kg, respectively. The recoveries varied from 81.09 to 116.42% and precision ranged from 0.07 to 10.73% in both intraday and interday analysis. All concentrations of total PAHs from HMR products were detected at relatively low concentration. This study could provide the PAHs content from HMR products in Korea.

Risk of injury after emergency department visit for acute peripheral vertigo: a matched-cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral vertigo is one of the most common causes of the emergency department (ED) visits. It can impair balance and might predispose patients to injuries after discharge. The purpose of this study was to determine whether peripheral vertigo is associated with an increased risk of trauma. METHODS: This matched-cohort study used the nationally representative dataset of de-identified claim information of 1 million randomly sampled individuals from a real Korean population, from 2002 to 2013. The exposure cohort included patients who visited EDs for new-onset peripheral vertigo without prior or concurrent injury. Each patient was randomly matched to five unexposed individuals (also without previous injury) by incidence density sampling. The primary outcome was a new injury within 1 year. The secondary outcomes were various injury subtypes. The time-dependent effect of the exposure was modeled using the extended Cox model. Age, sex, comorbidities, and household income level were included as covariates. RESULTS: A total of 776 and 3,880 individuals were included as the exposure and comparison cohorts, respectively. The risks of trunk injury and upper extremity injury were significantly higher in the exposure cohort. Extended Cox models with multivariable adjustment showed significantly increased risk for up to 1 year, with the first 1-month; 1 month to 3 months; and 3 months to 1 year hazard ratios of 5.23 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.83-9.64); 1.50 (95% CI, 1.02-2.20); and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.11-1.68), respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients visiting EDs for acute peripheral vertigo are at a higher risk of a new injury for up to a year.

Beneficial effects on skin health using polysaccharides from red ginseng by-product.

Red Ginseng is well-known functional food in Asia which is produced by steaming and drying fresh ginseng (Panax ginseng). In the production of red ginseng extract, around 65% of the original material is left over as by-product and discarded. Most studies on ginseng are focused on ginsenosides. Many functional substances other than ginsenoside are found in red ginseng, but they have not been studied and are usually discarded. Acidic polysaccharides, which are functional polysaccharides found in the by-product of red ginseng, can be utilized as excellent high-value-added material. In this study, we developed red ginseng by-product polysaccharides (RGBPs) by applying an enzyme-linked high-pressure process (ELHPP). We have demonstrated the antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-atopic dermatitis efficacy of ELHPP-RGBPs in this study. In acute oral toxicity and skin irritation tests, ELHPP-RGBPs were found to be very low in toxicity. ELHPP-RGBPs inhibited solar ultraviolet-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) protein through activator protein-1 (AP-1), a major transcription factor for MMP-1. ELHPP-RGBP attenuated DFE-induced AD-like symptoms as assessed by skin lesion analyses, dermatitis score, and skin thickness. Taken together, these results suggest that ELHPP-RGBP may have potential as a nutraceutical ingredient for skin health. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This paper presents a new method of using ginseng by-product that has not been used and discarded. The use of polysaccharides in ginseng by-product has been shown to prevent skin wrinkles and atopic dermatitis. This is an economical new functional food material.

Chemical analysis techniques and investigation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fruit, vegetables and meats and their products.

The current investigation was performed to evaluate the chemical analytical techniques for PAHs (organic, carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds) in food. It also determines the content of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in frequently consumed fruit, vegetables, meats and their products. The methodology included saponification or ultrasonication, liquid-liquid extraction with solvents like n-hexane, clean-up using a silica solid phase extraction cartridge and a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. A good linearity (R2 > 0.99) was achieved for the PAHs at different concentrations. Recovery results for PAHs extended from 88.75 to ∼100.00%. The limit of detection was 0.08-0.25 µg/kg and the limit of quantification was 0.24-0.75 µg/kg. The mean concentration (n = 3) of benzo[a]pyrene was not identified in fruits, was 0.05 µg/kg in vegetables, and 0.64 µg/kg in meat products. Overall concentration of the eight PAHs was 0.67 µg/kg in fruits, 0.82 µg/kg in vegetables, and 3.37 µg/kg in meat products.

Long-term cardiovascular risk of hypertensive events in emergency department: A population-based 10-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension-related visits to the emergency department (ED) are increasing every year. Thus, ED could play a significant role in detecting hypertension and providing necessary interventions. However, it is not known whether a hypertensive event observed in the ED is an independent risk factor for future major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). METHODS: A population-based observational study was conducted using a nationally representative cohort that contained the claim data of 1 million individuals from 2002 to 2013. We included non-critical ED visits without any history of MACE, and compared the new occurrences of MACE according to the presence of hypertensive events using extended Cox regression model. The disease-modifying effect of a follow-up visit was assessed by analyzing the interaction between hypertensive event and follow-up visit. RESULTS: Among 262,927 first non-critical ED visits during the study period (from 2004 to 2013), 6,243 (2.4%) visits were accompanied by a hypertensive event. The hypertensive event group had a higher risk of having a first MACE at 3 pre-specified intervals: 0-3 years (HR, 4.25; 95% CI, 3.83-4.71; P<0.001), 4-6 years (HR, 3.65; 95% CI, 3.14-4.24; P<0.001), and 7-10 years (HR, 3.20; 95% CI, 2.50-4.11; P<0.001). Follow-up visits showed significant disease-modifying effect at 2 intervals: 0-3 years (HR 0.65, 95% CI, 0.50-0.83) and 4-7 years (HR 0.68, 95% CI, 0.48-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: A hypertensive event in the ED is an independent risk factor for MACE, and follow-up visits after the event can significantly modify the risk.

In vitro anti-obesity effects of sesamol mediated by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in 3T3-L1 cells.

Sesamol is a phenol derivative of sesame oil and a potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatotoxic, and anti-aging compound. We investigated the effects of sesamol on the molecular mechanisms of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The intracellular lipid accumulation accompanied by increased extracellular release of free glycerol was decreased during differentiation on treating 3T3-L1 with sesamol. Sesamol treatment on 3T3-L1 inhibited adipogenic differentiation by down-regulating adipogenesis-related factors (C/EBPα, PPARγ, and SREBP-1). Lipid accumulation was repressed by decreasing fatty acid synthase and by up-regulating lipolysis-response genes (HSL and LPL). The molecular mechanisms of sesamol-induced inhibition in adipogenesis were mediated by increased levels of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and its substrate acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Sesamol treatment, in turn, modulated the different members of the mitogenactivated protein kinase family by suppressing phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 and JNK and by increasing the phosphorylation of p38. In summary, sesamol inhibits adipogenic differentiation by reducing phosphorylation levels of ERK 1/2 and JNK while inducing lipolysis by activating p38 and AMPK. Our results demonstrate that the molecular mechanisms of in vitro anti-obesity effects of sesamol are due to the combined effects of preventing both lipid accumulation and adipogenesis.

Evaluation of gas freshness indicator for determination of skate (Raja kenojei) quality during storage.

A gas freshness indicator consisting of the pH-sensitive dye bromothymol blue-phenol red (BTB-PR) was investigated for visible color changes of fish product quality based on the quantity of volatile amines. Chromaticity values of the gas indicator accurately tracked an increase in the ammonia content in the packaging headspace of fish products, especially skate (Raja kenojei). Gradual color changes of the gas indicator response correlated with the quality of fish including pH values during storage. Ammonia content was evaluated during the fish storage using headspace solid-phase microextraction analysis with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. The validation results suggested that good linearity (R²=0.99) and recovery of 84.00%. The limits of detection and quantification were 8.70 and 26.30 mg/L, respectively. A pH values of skate and chromaticity of gas indicator were measured and the correlation with ammonia content was evaluated. Results of this study could prove the application of gas indicator as intelligent package for improvement of food safety.

Depression and marital intimacy level in parents of infants with sleep onset association disorder: a preliminary study on the effect of sleep education.

PURPOSE: Sleep onset association disorder (SOAD) is a form of behavioral insomnia observed in children that is caused by inappropriate sleep training. SOAD typically disturbs the sleep of not only infants and children but also their parents. We investigated levels of depression and marital intimacy among parents of infants with typical SOAD, to understand the influence of SOAD on family dynamics, as well as examine ways for improving depression and marital intimacy through behavioral training. METHODS: Depression and marital intimacy were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Waring Intimacy Questionnaire (WIQ). These measures were administered to 65 parents of infants (n=50) diagnosed with SOAD. We conducted sleep education and behavioral training for the parents and compared levels of depression and marital intimacy after 2-6 weeks of training. RESULTS: The 65 parents consisted of 50 mothers and 15 fathers. Depressive symptoms were higher among mothers than fathers (P =0.007). Marital intimacy was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Twenty-six parents were assessed again after sleep training. We found that mothers' depressive symptoms and marital intimacy improved post training. CONCLUSION: SOAD can be detrimental to both infants and parents, especially for parents who sleep with their infants. For instance, disruption of sleep patterns in such parents can reduce marital intimacy. However, behavioral modification is an effective treatment for infants with frequent nighttime waking, as well as for diminishing the depressive symptoms of sleep-deprived parents.

Analysis of the association between necrotizing enterocolitis and transfusion of red blood cell in very low birth weight preterm infants.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and red blood cell transfusions in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. METHODS: We studied were 180 VLBW preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of CHA Gangnam Hospital from January of 2006 to December of 2009. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: an NEC group (greater than stage II on the modified Bell's criteria) and a control group (less than stage II on the modified Bell's critieria). We defined red blood cell transfusion before NEC diagnosis as the frequency of transfusion until NEC diagnosis (mean day at NEC diagnosis, day 18) in the NEC group and the frequency of transfusion until 18 days after birth in the control group. RESULTS: Of the 180 subjects, 18 (10%) belonged to the NEC group, and 14 (78%) of these 18 patients had a history of transfusion before NEC diagnosis. The NEC group received 3.1±2.9 transfusions, and the control group received 1.0±1.1 transfusions before the NEC diagnosis (P=0.005). In a multivariate logistic regression corrected for gestational age, Apgar score at 1 minute, the presence of respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, premature rupture of membrane, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and death were confounding factors. The risk of NEC increased 1.63 times (95% confidence interval, 1.145 to 2.305; P=0.007) with transfusion before the NEC diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The risk for NEC increased significantly with increased transfusion frequency before the NEC diagnosis.

Phosphoproteomic analysis of electroacupuncture analgesia in an inflammatory pain rat model.

The phosphorylation changes of nociceptive signaling proteins in the spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH) are important in creating exaggerated pain following peripheral inflammation. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been widely used to relieve acute and chronic inflammatory pain in human and experimental pain models. In the present study, we performed a phosphoproteomic analysis to investigate whether EA alters protein phosphorylation in SCDH to attenuate pain development. Inflammatory hyperalgesia was induced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the rat hind paw. EA treatment at ST36 and SP6 acupoints alleviated thermal hyperalgesia of the CFA-induced inflammatory pain model rats. The SCDH proteins from the control, inflammatory pain model and EA treatment rats were separated by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and the alterations in phosphoproteins were detected by Pro-Q Diamond staining. Eight proteins were differentially phosphorylated following EA treatment in the inflammatory pain model. Aldolase C, nascent polypeptide-associated complex α, stress-induced phosphoprotein 1 and heat shock protein 90 were identified as phosphoproteins whose expression was increased, whereas GDP dissociation inhibitor 1, thiamine triphosphatase, phosphoglycerate kinase 1 and 14-3-3 γ were phosphoproteins whose expression was decreased. This is the first phosphoproteomic screening study to elucidate the working mechanisms of EA analgesia. The results suggest that the regulation of cellular pathways in which the identified proteins are involved may be associated with an EA analgesic mechanism.

Sleep patterns and school performance of Korean adolescents assessed using a Korean version of the pediatric daytime sleepiness scale.

PURPOSE: Korean adolescents have severe nighttime sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness because of their competitive educational environment. However, daytime sleep patterns and sleepiness have never been studied using age-specific methods, such as the pediatric daytime sleepiness scale (PDSS). We surveyed the daytime sleepiness of Korean adolescents using a Korean translation of the PDSS. METHODS: We distributed the 27-item questionnaire, including the PDSS and questions related to sleep pattern, sleep satisfaction, and emotional state, to 3,370 students in grades 5-12. RESULTS: The amount of nighttime sleep decreased significantly with increasing age. During weekday nights, 5-6(th) graders slept for 7.95±1.05 h, 7-9(th) graders for 7.57±1.05 h, and 10-12(th) graders for 5.78±1.13 h. However, the total amounts of combined daytime and nighttime sleep during weekdays were somewhat greater, 8.15±1.12 h for 5-6(th) graders, 8.17±1.20 h for 7-9(th) graders, and 6.87±1.40 h for 10-12(th) graders. PDSS scores increased with age, 11.89±5.56 for 5-6(th) graders, 16.57±5.57 for 7-9(th) graders, and 17.71±5.24 for 10-12(th) graders. Higher PDSS scores were positively correlated with poor school performance and emotional instability. CONCLUSION: Korean teenagers sleep to an unusual extent during the day because of nighttime sleep deprivation. This negatively affects school performance and emotional stability. A Korean translation of the PDSS was effective in evaluating the severity of daytime sleepiness and assessing the emotional state and school performance of Korean teenagers.

Engineering the lycopene synthetic pathway in E. coli by comparison of the carotenoid genes of Pantoea agglomerans and Pantoea ananatis.

The lycopene synthetic pathway was engineered in Escherichia coli using the carotenoid genes (crtE, crtB, and crtI) of Pantoea agglomerans and Pantoea ananatis. E. coli harboring the P. agglomerans crt genes produced 27 mg/l of lycopene in 2YT medium without isopropyl-beta-D: -thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction, which was twofold higher than that produced by E. coli harboring the P. ananatis crt genes (12 mg/l lycopene) with 0.1 mM IPTG induction. The crt genes of P. agglomerans proved better for lycopene production in E. coli than those of P. ananatis. The crt genes of the two bacteria were also compared in E. coli harboring the mevalonate bottom pathway, which was capable of providing sufficient carotenoid building blocks, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), with exogenous mevalonate supplementation. Lycopene production significantly increased using the mevalonate bottom pathway and 60 mg/l of lycopene was obtained with the P. agglomerans crt genes, which was higher than that obtained with the P. ananatis crt genes (35 mg/l lycopene). When crtE among the P. ananatis crt genes was replaced with P. agglomerans crtE or Archaeoglobus fulgidus gps, both lycopene production and cell growth were similar to that obtained with P. agglomerans crt genes. The crtE gene was responsible for the observed difference in lycopene production and cell growth between E. coli harboring the crt genes of P. agglomerans and P. ananatis. As there was no significant difference in lycopene production between E. coli harboring P. agglomerans crtE and A. fulgidus gps, farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthesis was not rate-limiting in E. coli.