Need-based development of tailored nutritional education materials about food additives in processed foods for elementary-school students / 한국영양학회지

Tailored nutritional education is generally found to be more effective in changing behaviors and to be more fully implemented than a non-tailored equivalent. This study was conducted in order to develop tailored nutritional education materials on food additives in processed foods based on need and levels of knowledge of educational targets of elementary-school students in Seoul Metropolitan City. The focus group interview was conducted with six elementary-school nutrition teachers in order to gather information and to develop a tailored quantitative questionnaire for the survey. Based on the results from 138 nutrition teachers, all answered that education on food additives in processed foods for students is necessary and both teachers and students need to receive education regarding definition, safety, and use of food additives for each processed food, in the form of video, PPT, and teaching-learning plan. Nutritional education materials for two classes were developed using video clips (grocery shopping and cooking class) about food additives in processed foods, PPTs with activity papers, two teaching-learning plans, and school newsletters to parents. In conclusion, the current study warrants conduct of further studies short-term and long-term impacts and efficacy of tailored need-based nutrition education in promotion of healthy nutrition by conveying proper scientific knowledge regarding food additives in processed foods for elementary-school students.

Changes of Gene Expression after Bone Marrow Cell Transfusion in Rats with Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) causes right ventricular failure and possibly even death by a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy has provided an alternative treatment for ailments of various organs by promoting cell regeneration at the site of pathology. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes of pulmonary haemodynamics, pathology and expressions of various genes, including ET (endothelin)-1, ET receptor A (ERA), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 3, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rat models after bone marrow cell (BMC) transfusion. The rats were grouped as the control (C) group, monocrotaline (M) group, and BMC transfusion (B) group. M and B groups received subcutaneous (sc) injection of MCT (60 mg/kg). BMCs were transfused by intravenous injection at the tail 1 week after MCT injection in B group. Results showed that the average RV pressure significantly decreased in the B group compared with the M group. RV weight and the ratio of RH/LH+septum significantly decreased in the B group compared to the M group. Gene expressions of ET-1, ERA, NOS 3, MMP 2, TIMP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha significantly decreased in week 4 in the B group compared with the M group. In conclusion, BMC transfusion appears to improve survival rate, RVH, and mean RV pressure, and decreases gene expressions of ET-1, ERA, NOS 3, MMP 2, TIMP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha.

Effects of Bosentan Treatment on Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in Monocrotaline Induced Pulmonary Hypertension Rats

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery hypertension is characterized by persistent increase of vascular resistance, and is associated with right ventricle failure. We investigated changes of plasma renin, serum aldosterone, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) concentrations, ACE gene expressions and protein contents after bosentan treatment. METHODS: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control (C) group, monocrotaline (M) group, and bosentan (B) group. Groups M and B were subcutaneously administered with 60 mg/kg of monocrotaline. In group B, 20 mg/kg/day of bosentan was administered by gavage twice a day. The rats were sacrificed after 1, 5, 7, 14, and 28 days. Changes of ACE gene expressions were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Also, plasma renin, serum aldosterone, and ACE levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum aldosterone levels were significantly increased in group M compared with group C and significantly decreased after bosentan treatment on day 28. Serum ACE concentrations were significantly decreased compared with group M after bosentan treatment on day 28. Gene expressions of ACE were significantly increased in group M compared with group C on day 5 and significantly decreased after bosentan treatment on day 7 and 14. ACE protein contents significantly increased in group M compared with group C in week 2 and 4. It significantly decreased after bosentan treatment in week 2. CONCLUSIONS: The renin-angiotensin system is associated with pulmonary artery hypertension. To investigate the effects of bosentan on the renin-angiotensin system in pulmonary artery hypertension, further studies on the effects of bosentan according to different doses are required in the future.