Culturing characteristics of Hanwoo myosatellite cells and C2C12 cells incubated at 37°C and 39°C for cultured meat.

To improve culture efficiency of Hanwoo myosatellite cells, these cells were cultured at different temperatures. Hanwoo myosatellite cells were compared with C2C12 cells to observe proliferation and differentiation at culture temperatures of 37°C and 39°C and determine the possibility of using them as cultured meat. Immunofluorescence staining using Pax7 and Hoechst, both cells cultured at 37°C proliferated better than cultured at 39°C (p < 0.05). When differentiated cells were stained with myosin and Hoechst, there was no significant difference in myotube thickness and Fusion index (p > 0.05). In Western blotting analysis, Hanwoo myosatellite cells were no significant difference in the expression of myosin between cells differentiated at the two temperatures (p > 0.05). C2C12 cells were no significant difference in the expression of myosin between cells differentiated at the two temperatures (p > 0.05). In reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis, Hanwoo myosatellite cells cultured at 39°C had significantly (p < 0.05) higher expression levels of MyHC, MYF6, and MB than those cultured at 37°C. C2C12 cells cultured at 39°C showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher expression levels of MYOG and MB than those cultured at 37°C. To increase culture efficiency of Hanwoo myosatellite cells, proliferating at 37°C and differentiating at 39°C are appropriate. Since results of temperature differences of Hanwoo myosatellite cells were similar to those of C2C12 cells, they could be used as a reference for producing cultured meat using Hanwoo satellite cells.

The Relationship between Dietary Na/K Ratio and Bone Mineral Density in Korean Middle-Aged Women.

BACKGROUND: Dietary Na+ or Na+/K+ ratio has been reported to be associated with bone mineral density (BMD). However, this remains unclear, and only a few studies have been reported on the Korean population. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between dietary Na+, K+, and Na+/K+ ratios and BMD in middle-aged Korean women. METHODS: This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2011. A total of 3,690 women aged >50 years were included. Study participants were classified into quartiles (lowest quartile Q1-highest quartile Q4) according to dietary Na+, K+, and Na+/K+ ratio, and we examined the association of these parameters with BMD. Total femur and lumbar spine BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed using IBM SPSS ver. 19.0. RESULTS: The mean age was 62 years, and a significant negative trend in the ß-coefficient regarding dietary Na+ was only observed in the total femur BMD. However, the total femur and lumbar spine BMD decreased from Q1 to Q4 regarding the dietary Na+/K+ ratio (P-value for trend: 0.044 for total femur BMD and 0.002 for lumbar spine BMD). CONCLUSION: A significant negative trend in the ß-coefficient for both total femur and lumbar spine BMD was observed regarding the Na+/K+ ratio. Therefore, based on the results of this study, a higher dietary Na+/K+ ratio may be associated with a lower BMD.

Association of Handgrip Strength in Various Disabilities in Korean Adults over 50 Years Old: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Several studies have shown an association between low hand grip strength (HGS) and functional limitations. This study aims to elucidate the association between HGS and functional limitations. We used the nationwide health examination data and included 13,517 Korean adults that were aged ≥ 50 years. We measured HGS using digital dynamometer and the maximum value of the dominant hand was divided into quartiles for the analysis. Functional limitations were assessed by using self-administered questionnaires. We categorized the 24 reported causes of functional limitations into musculoskeletal, cardiometabolic, neuropsychiatric, cancers, and others. In multiple regression analysis, the functional limitations tended to increase as HGS was lowered in both sexes. When analyzing according to the reasons of functional limitations, the ORs for functional limitations due to cardiometabolic problem tended to increase as the HGS decreased in men (p for trend = 0.039). Similar trends were observed in neuropsychiatric problem in women (p for trend = 0.002) and other problems in both men and women (p for trend = 0.014 in men, p for trend = 0.004 in women). No significant trends were observed for musculoskeletal problems and cancer in both men and women. The functional limitations were inversely associated with HGS, which were inconsistent according to different etiologies of functional limitations.

Evaluation of a Follow-Up Health Consultation Program for Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Korea: Using the Context-Input-Process-Product Model.

Beyond physical pain, patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experience psychological anxiety during and after quarantine, often facing negative perceptions when returning to their communities. This study evaluated a health consultation program in Korea for post-quarantine patients with COVID-19, designed to help them return to their communities. The program was conducted from 9 March to 5 June 2020, in Daegu, Korea. In total, 20 doctors and 504 recovered patients were surveyed via questionnaire. The survey, comprising open-ended questions rated on a five-point Likert scale, was based on the Context-Input-Process-Product program evaluation model. Reliability was assessed, and descriptive statistics were obtained. A regression analysis was performed on factors affecting product (output) areas. As a main result, both doctors and recovered patients evaluated the program positively. The mean program effectiveness score was 4.00 in the doctors' evaluations and 3.95 in the patients' evaluations. Moreover, the input and process variables affected the product. This first-of-its-kind health consultation program proved to be an effective practical intervention for patients returning to the community after an infectious disease; it also highlights aspects that could increase satisfaction in systemized subsequent programs, with input and process areas for patients and doctors.

Effect of Addition of Fermented Soy Sauce on Quality Characteristics of Pork Patties during Refrigerated Storage.

This study aimed to determine whether fermented soy sauce has a mutually synergistic effect on the quality and storage properties of pork patties, and to investigate the effects on the availability and physicochemical properties of various taste ingredients of soy sauce, a traditional Korean food ingredient. The experimental groups were as follows: Control (-): No additives; Control (+): 0.1% ascorbic acid; T1: 1% fermented soy sauce; T2: 3% fermented soy sauce; T3: 5% fermented soy sauce. No significant difference was detected in moisture, protein, and fat among the various treatment groups; however, ash content and water holding capacity increased and texture properties improved with the concentration of fermented soy sauce. The addition of fermented soy sauce during refrigerated storage for 10 days showed a positive effect on the storage properties. The peroxide value, content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and total phenolics, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity differed significantly in pork patties with different treatments and storage intervals. The effect of fermented soy sauce on the overall quality and storage properties of pork patties during refrigerated storage is relatively unknown. These findings demonstrate that the addition of fermented soy sauce improves the quality properties and antioxidant activity of pork patties.

Correlation between the Korean pork grade system and the amount of pork primal cut estimated with AutoFom III.

It is impossible to know the amount of pork primal cut by pig carcass grade which is determined only by carcass weight and backfat thickness in the Korean Pig Carcass System. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the pig carcass grade and the amount of pork primal cut estimated with AutoFom III. A total of 419,321 Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc (LYD) pigs were graded with the Korean Pig Carcass Grade System. Amounts of belly, neck, loin, tenderloin, spare ribs, shoulder, and ham were estimated with AutoFom III. Regression equations for seven primal cuts according to each grade were derived. There were significant differences among the three carcass grades due to heteroscedasticity variance (p < 0.0001). Three regression equations were derived from AutoFom III estimation of primal cuts according to carcass grades. The coefficient of determination of the regression equation was 0.941 for grade 1+, 0.982 for grade 1, and 0.993 for grade 2. Regression equations obtained from this study are suitable for AutoFom III software, a useful tool for the analysis of each pig carcass grade in the Korean Pig Carcass Grade System. The high reliability of predicting the amount of primal cut with AutoFom III is advantageous for the management of slaughterhouses to optimize their product sorting in Korea.

Optimal cutoff values for visceral fat volume to predict metabolic syndrome in a Korean population.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have reported the association between visceral fat and metabolic syndrome (MS); however, just few studies have been conducted to evaluate the relationship between actual visceral fat volume (VFV) and MS. This study aimed to obtain 3 dimensional VFV and subcutaneous fat volume (SFV) using abdominal computed tomography (CT) and determine MS-predictive cutoff values.A total of 250 individuals, aged 27 to 80 years, who underwent health screening with abdominal CT between November 2019 and May 2020 were included. The subcutaneous (SFA) and visceral (VFA) fat areas were quantified using axial images obtained at the level of the lowest to the highest part of the umbilicus. The SFV and VFV were quantified from the highest level of the liver dome to the pelvic floor on axial CT images. The Aquarius iNtuition software program (TeraRecon, Foster City, CA) was used to calculate the SFA, VFA, SFV, and VFV. Subcutaneous fat mass and visceral fat mass (VFM) were measured using an adipose tissue density of 0.9 g/mL. We used the modified criteria of MS proposed by the Third National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults and waist circumference of ≥90 cm in men and ≥85 cm in women to define MS. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to compare the fat areas, volumes, and mass according to the presence of MS and sex. Additionally, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the cutoff values for VFV, SFV, VFM, subcutaneous fat mass, VFA, and SFA associated with MS.Of the assessed variables, VFV and VFM had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value for predicting MS in both men and women: 0.811 (95% confidence interval, 0.743-0.868) for men and 0.826 (95% confidence interval, 0.727-0.900) for women. The MS-predictive cutoff values were 4852 cm3 and 4366.8 g for men and 3101 cm3 and 2790.9 g for women, respectively. Further, large, population-based studies are needed to validate these cutoff values.

Effects of Pig Skin Collagen Supplementation on Broiler Breast Meat.

This study aimed to enhance the quality of broiler breast meat by adding pig skin collagen to feed. A total of 50 Ross 308 broilers were classified according to the following feeding regime for two weeks: basal diet (NC), basal diet+0.1% fish collagen (PC), basal diet+0.1% pig skin collagen (T1), basal diet+0.5% pig skin collagen (T2), and basal diet+1.0% pig skin collagen (T3). The moisture content was the highest in the PC group, and the protein content was the lowest in the T1 group (p<0.05). The fat content was higher in the T1 and PC groups, whereas the ash content was higher in the T3 group (p<0.05). Drip loss was the highest in the NC group and the lowest in the T2 group (p<0.05). Lightness was low in groups T2 and T3, redness was low in groups T2 and PC, and yellowness was low in groups T1, T2, and PC (p<0.05). The collagen content of the chicken breast was the highest in the T3 group, and that of the skin was the highest in the T1 group (p<0.05). The texture characteristics of springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and hardness were the highest in the T3 group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of a broiler diet with pig skin collagen was found to increase the collagen content of the breast meat, indicating the improved quality of the broiler breast meat.

Associations between cola consumption and bone mineral density in Korean adolescents and young adults: a cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008-2011.

The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship between cola consumption and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean adolescents and young adults. We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2011. A total of 2499 adolescents and young adults aged 12-25 years were included. The study participants were classified as cola drinkers and non-cola drinkers according to 24-h dietary recall data. BMD was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry. In the male population, whole body, whole femur and femoral neck BMD in cola drinkers were lower than that of non-cola drinkers by 4% (95% CI -0⋅071, -0⋅007), 5% (-0⋅092, -0⋅012) and 5% (-0⋅090, -0⋅001), respectively. In both sex groups, cola drinkers had less frequent milk consumption than non-cola drinkers. However, there were no significant differences in cola consumption according to calcium intake in both sexes. In conclusion, cola intake and BMD were inversely associated with Korean male adolescents and young adults. Considering the importance of peak bone mass attainment at adolescents and the increasing trend in carbonated beverage consumption in South Korea, further studies are needed to elucidate the causality between cola intake and lower BMD.

The Association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis.

The association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection with functional dyspepsia has been well studied. However, the data on the relationship between H. pylori infection and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are conflicting. This study aims to elucidate the association between H. pylori infection and IBS. PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and SCOPUS databases were searched to identify eligible English articles published up to December 2019. Cross-sectional studies, case-control studies and cohort studies reporting both prevalence of H. pylori infection and IBS were selected for the detailed review. The pooled odds ratio (ORs) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. A total of 7269 individuals in four cross-sectional studies and six case-control studies were included. The prevalence of H. pylori infection ranged from 12.8% to 73.4% in the control group, and 9.7% to 72.1% in the IBS group. The combined OR for H. pylori infection was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.93-1.29, I2: 37.5%). In a subgroup analysis of IBS defined according to Rome criteria, the OR for H. pylori infection was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.93-1.30, I2 = 31.7%). In this meta-analysis, H. pylori infection was not significantly associated with IBS. Well-designed studies are needed to identify the relationship between H. pylori infection and IBS.

Sarcopenia and Muscle Aging: A Brief Overview.

The world is facing the new challenges of an aging population, and understanding the process of aging has therefore become one of the most important global concerns. Sarcopenia is a condition which is defined by the gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age. In research and clinical practice, sarcopenia is recognized as a component of geriatric disease and is a current target for drug development. In this review we define this condition and provide an overview of current therapeutic approaches. We further highlight recent findings that describe key pathophysiological phenotypes of this condition, including alterations in muscle fiber types, mitochondrial function, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism, myokines, and gut microbiota, in aged muscle compared to young muscle or healthy aged muscle. The last part of this review examines new therapeutic avenues for promising treatment targets. There is still no accepted therapy for sarcopenia in humans. Here we provide a brief review of the current state of research derived from various mouse models or human samples that provide novel routes for the development of effective therapeutics to maintain muscle health during aging.

Communication and Cooperation Between the Medical Academy, Medical Association, and Local Government: Health Counseling Program After Recovery From Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Daegu.

We are currently experiencing the disaster of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the first case of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in South Korea on January 20, the number of COVID-19 cases in South Korea has been rapidly increasing until early March due to a local spread in Daegu, which is one of the eight metropolitan cities in South Korea with a population of 2.5 million. As the medical academy has social accountability as professionals, Daegu-Gyeongbuk branch of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine (Daegu-Gyeongbuk branch) developed the health counseling program for discharged COVID-19 patients. The Daegu-Gyeongbuk branch communicated with Daegu Medical Association and Daegu city for this program and incorporated available resources and capabilities as a leader of this program. This newly developed counseling program consists of medical consultations, sending healthcare brochures and medical supplies, and the appraisal at the end of the program. Not only COVID-19 related symptoms but also other psychological problems are also dealt with during consultations. This program started on March 18, and over 1,700 recovered patients have been receiving counseling as of April 28. Communication and cooperation between the medical academy, medical association, and government are essential to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, we expect to apply this health counseling program and our model of setting this program cooperating with medical association and government to different infectious pandemic crisis.

The Influence of Negative Mental Health on the Health Behavior and the Mortality Risk: Analysis of Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that negative mental health increases risky health behavior and mortality risk. We investigated the relationship between mental health and health behavior, and the causal association between mental health and mortality risk. METHODS: We used data from the 8-year (2006-2014) Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging with a cohort of 10,247 individuals (whom we divided into a younger group aged <65 years and an older group aged ≥65 years). Mental health was assessed with the following factors: depression, social engagement, and satisfaction of life. Health behavior was assessed with smoking, alcohol use, and regular exercise. Mortality risk was calculated using survival status and survival months as of 2014. Multiple logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard analysis were performed. RESULTS: Negative mental health was associated with current smoking and sedentary life style, but not with alcohol consumption. In addition, it was associated with an increase in all-cause mortality risk. The increase in mortality risk in the highest quartile (vs. lowest) was 1.71 times (hazard ratio [HR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12- 2.62) and 2.07 times (HR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.60-2.67) for the younger and older group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results show that mental health affects health behavior and mortality risk. A key inference from this study is that improving mental health can lead to positive changes in health behavior and reduce the risk of mortality.

Socioeconomic Vulnerability, Mental Health, and Their Combined Effects on All-Cause Mortality in Koreans, over 45 Years: Analysis of Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effects of socioeconomic factors and psychosocial factors, both individually and combined, on all-cause mortality risk (mortality risk). METHODS: We conducted an 8-year (2006-2014) longitudinal analysis of 10,247 individuals who took part in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, a nationwide survey of people aged 45-79 years. Socioeconomic vulnerability (SEV) was assessed with factors such as education, household income, commercial health insurance, and residential area. Mental health (MH) was assessed with factors such as depression, social engagement, and life satisfaction. The covariates were age, gender, marital status, cohabiting, number of chronic diseases, and health behaviors such as regular exercise, smoking, and alcohol intake. We used a Cox proportional hazard analysis to investigate the effects of SEV and MH on mortality risk and also to analyze the superimposed effects of SEV-MH on mortality risk. RESULTS: After the controlling for the covariates, high SEV and negative MH were found to be strong predictors of all-cause mortality. The highest quartile of SEV (vs. lowest) had a 1.70 times greater mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR], 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.33) and the highest quartile of MH (vs. lowest) had a 2.13 times greater mortality risk (HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.72-2.64). Being in the highest quartile for both SEV and MH (vs. lowest) increased mortality risk more than 3 times (HR, 3.11; 95% CI, 2.20-4.40). CONCLUSION: High SEV and negative MH were independently associated with increased mortality risk, and their superimposed effects were associated with an increased risk of mortality.

Association between Colorectal Adenoma and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Korean Adults.

Background: Colorectal neoplasm, including colorectal adenoma, is associated with old age, cigarette smoking, and the presence of metabolic syndromes. These are also risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Carotid ultrasonography is a noninvasive test that can predict the risk of cardiovascular disease and may be another test that may provide indications of these risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the association between colorectal adenomatous polyps and carotid atherosclerosis. Methods: This study included 548 adults who underwent colonoscopy and carotid ultrasonography for a health examination between March 2013 and December 2017 at a university hospital in South Korea. Abnormal carotid sonography findings included either increased carotid intima-media thickness or presence of carotid plaques. Results: The proportion of subjects with overall colorectal adenomatous polyps was 31.0% (170/548). Colorectal adenoma was more prevalent in the presence of abnormal carotid ultrasonography findings (38.6% vs. 27.6%, p = 0.013). Colorectal adenomatous polyp was significantly associated with abnormal carotid ultrasonography findings (OR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.12⁻2.42, p = 0.011) in a multivariate analysis after adjusting for age, sex, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and presence of metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: Colorectal adenoma is significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis.

Suicidal ideation in underweight adults who attempt to lose weight: Korea national health and nutrition examination survey, 2007-2012.

BACKGROUND: Being underweight has been related to health risks. However, little is known about the relationship between suicidal ideation and attempting to lose weight. This study was conducted to examine if there is an association between suicidal ideation and attempting to lose weight among underweight adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1,122 underweight adults (range, 19 to 69 years) was conducted based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2012. We examined suicidal ideation, doctor-diagnosed depression, depressive mood, stress, physical activity, health-related behavior, comorbidity, and socioeconomic status by weight loss attempts. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between suicidal ideation and weight loss attempts. The following covariates were controlled for: age, sex, physical activity, alcohol problem, marital status, education, income, occupation, self-perception of body image, chronic disease, and body mass index. RESULTS: There were 101 subjects in the weight loss attempt group and 1,021 in the non-attempt group. The attempt group had a higher risk of suicidal ideation (odds ratio [OR], 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35 to 4.53) and depressive symptoms (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.19 to 3.98). After depressive symptoms were added to the covariates, the risk of suicidal ideation was also significant (OR 2.11, 95% CI: 1.03 to 4.35). The two groups did not significantly differ in doctor-diagnosed depression and stress. CONCLUSION: Weight loss attempts were associated with suicidal ideation in underweight Korean adults.

Efficacy of the smartphone-based glucose management application stratified by user satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the efficacy of the smartphone-based health application for glucose control and patient satisfaction with the mobile network system used for glucose self-monitoring. METHODS: Thirty-five patients were provided with a smartphone device, and self-measured blood glucose data were automatically transferred to the medical staff through the smartphone application over the course of 12 weeks. The smartphone user group was divided into two subgroups (more satisfied group vs. less satisfied group) based on the results of questionnaire surveys regarding satisfaction, comfort, convenience, and functionality, as well as their willingness to use the smartphone application in the future. The control group was set up via a review of electronic medical records by group matching in terms of age, sex, doctor in charge, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). RESULTS: Both the smartphone group and the control group showed a tendency towards a decrease in the HbA1c level after 3 months (7.7%±0.7% to 7.5%±0.7%, P=0.077). In the more satisfied group (n=27), the HbA1c level decreased from 7.7%±0.8% to 7.3%±0.6% (P=0.001), whereas in the less satisfied group (n=8), the HbA1c result increased from 7.7%±0.4% to 8.1%±0.5% (P=0.062), showing values much worse than that of the no-smartphone control group (from 7.7%±0.5% to 7.7%±0.7%, P=0.093). CONCLUSION: In addition to medical feedback, device and network-related patient satisfaction play a crucial role in blood glucose management. Therefore, for the smartphone app-based blood glucose monitoring to be effective, it is essential to provide the patient with a well-functioning high quality tool capable of increasing patient satisfaction and willingness to use.

[Assessment of applicability of standardized rates for health state comparison among areas: 2008 Community Health Survey].

OBJECTIVES: This study shows the issues that should be considered when applying standardized rates using Community Health Survey(CHS) data. METHODS: We analyzed 2008 CHS data. In order to obtain the reliability of standardized rates, we calculated z-score and rank correlation coefficients between direct standardized rate and indirect standardized rate for 31 major indices. Especially, we assessed the change of correlations according to population composition (age and sex), and characteristics of the index. We used Mantel-Haenszel chi-square to quantify the difference of population composition. RESULTS: Among 31 major indices, 29 indices' z-score and rank correlation coefficients were over 0.9. However, regions with larger differences in population composition showed lower reliability. Low reliability was also observed for the indices specific to subgroups with small denominator such as 'permanent lesion from stroke', and the index with large regional variations in age-related differences such as 'obtaining health examinations'. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized rates may have low reliability, if comparison is made between areas with extremely large differences in population composition, or for indicies with large regional variations in age-related differences. Therefore, the special features of standardized rates should be considered when health state are compared among areas.

Semipurified fractions from the submerged-culture broth of Agaricus blazei Murill reduce blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Hypoglycemic action of semipurified fractions from hot-water extracts of the submerged-culture broth of Agaricus blazei Murill was examined in streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneal)-induced diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats, relative to the diabetes drug metformin. The hot-water extract, treated with ethanol to remove beta-glucans and glycoproteins, was freeze-dried, and fractionated into hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate (EA), and butanol fractions. The EA fraction (EAF; 200 mg/kg body weight) reduced (p < 0.05) the blood glucose level in the oral glucose tolerance test, relative to the other fractions and control. In a 14 day-treatment study, diabetic rats treated with the EAF displayed a suppressed blood glucose level and elevated plasma insulin and glucose transport-4 proteins; the reactions occurred in a dose-dependent manner (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) compared to those in control animals. The EAF reduced the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol in plasma, the activity of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase in blood, and the content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in the liver and kidney. The hypoglycemic efficacy of the EAF (400 mg/kg body weight) was similar to that of metformin (500 mg/kg body weight). The EAF contained substantial amounts of isoflavonoids including genistein, genistin, daidzein, and daidzin, which could have contributed to the fraction's hypoglycemic action. These results indicate that the hot-water extract of the submerged-culture broth of Agaricus blazei contains an EAF having potent hypoglycemic action, which could be useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Genomic fingerprinting of antituberculosis agents-resistant Lactobacillus ruminus SPM0211 using the Microbial Uniprimer kit.

A Lactobacillus isolate was collected from the feces of a healthy Korean individual and named as Lactobacillus ruminus SPM0211. It was further characterized by subjecting it to an antibiotic resistance test and genetic analysis. In the antibiotic resistance test, all tested Lactobacillus spp. were classified as "high resistance" for multiple antibiotics, such as isoniazid, ethambutol, cycloserine, and vancomycin. L. ruminus SPM0211 was classified as "high resistance" for streptomycin also, while the other tested Lactobacillus spp. were classified as low resistance. This suggests that the antimicrobial spectra may be a good indicator in the discrimination of this strain among the tested Lactobacillus spp. In a polymerase chain reaction-random amplified polymorphic DNA (PCR-RAPD) analysis using the Microbial Uniprimer kit, L. ruminus SPM0211, and L. suebicus were clustered as a group with a 74.3% similarity level, suggesting that these two species are genetically related. Thus, our data suggest that the PCR-RADP method using the Microbial Uniprimer kit may be valuable in discriminating L. ruminus SPM0211 from other Lactobacillus spp.