DNA Barcoding of Fish, Insects, and Shellfish in Korea

DNA barcoding has been widely used in species identification and biodiversity research. A short fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence serves as a DNA bio-barcode. We collected DNA barcodes, based on COI sequences from 156 species (529 sequences) of fish, insects, and shellfish. We present results on phylogenetic relationships to assess biodiversity the in the Korean peninsula. Average GC% contents of the 68 fish species (46.9%), the 59 shellfish species (38.0%), and the 29 insect species (33.2%) are reported. Using the Kimura 2 parameter in all possible pairwise comparisons, the average interspecific distances were compared with the average intraspecific distances in fish (3.22 vs. 0.41), insects (2.06 vs. 0.25), and shellfish (3.58 vs. 0.14). Our results confirm that distance-based DNA barcoding provides sufficient information to identify and delineate fish, insect, and shellfish species by means of all possible pairwise comparisons. These results also confirm that the development of an effective molecular barcode identification system is possible. All DNA barcode sequences collected from our study will be useful for the interpretation of species-level identification and community-level patterns in fish, insects, and shellfish in Korea, although at the species level, the rate of correct identification in a diversified environment might be low.

Korean Food Exchange Lists for Diabetes: Revised 2010 / 임상당뇨병

A food exchange system for diabetes is a useful tool for meal planning and nutritional education. The first edition of the Korean food exchange lists was developed in 1988 and the second edition was revised in 1995. With recent changes in the food marketplace and eating patterns of Koreans, the third edition of food exchange lists was revised in 2010 by the Korean Diabetes Association, the Korean Nutrition Society, the Korean Society of Community Nutrition, the Korean Dietetic Association and the Korean Association of Diabetes Dietetic Educators through a joint research effort. The third edition is based on nutritional recommendations for people with diabetes and focuses in adding foods to implement personalized nutrition therapy considering individual preferences in diverse dietary environment. Foods were selected based on scientific evidence including the 2007 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data analysis and survey responses from 53 diabetes dietetic educators. While a few foods were deleted, a number of foods were added, with 313 food items in food group lists and 339 food items in the appendix. Consistent with previous editions, the third edition of the food exchange lists included six food categories (grains, meat, vegetables, fats and oils, milk, and fruits). The milk group was subdivided into whole milk group and low fat milk. The standard nutrient content in one exchange from each food group was almost the same as the previous edition. Korea Food & Drug Administration's FANTASY(Food And Nutrient daTA SYstem) database was used to obtain nutrient values for each individual food and to determine the serving size most appropriate for matching reference nutrients values by each food group. The revised food exchange lists were subjected to a public hearing by experts. The third edition of the food exchange lists will be a helpful tool for educating people with diabetes to select the kinds and amounts of foods for glycemic control, which will eventually lead to preventing complications while maintaining the pleasure of eating.

Korean Food Exchange Lists for Diabetes: Revised 2010

A food exchange system for diabetes is a useful tool for meal planning and nutritional education. The first edition of the Korean food exchange lists was developed in 1988 and the second edition was revised in 1995. With recent changes in the food marketplace and eating patterns of Koreans, the third edition of food exchange lists was revised in 2010 by the Korean Diabetes Association, the Korean Nutrition Society, the Korean Society of Community Nutrition, the Korean Dietetic Association and the Korean Association of Diabetes Dietetic Educators through a joint research effort. The third edition is based on nutritional recommendations for people with diabetes and focuses on adding foods to implement personalized nutrition therapy considering individual preferences in diverse dietary environment. Foods were selected based on scientific evidence including the 2007 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data analysis and survey responses from 53 diabetes dietetic educators. While a few foods were deleted, a number of foods were added, with 313 food items in food group lists and 339 food items in the appendix. Consistent with previous editions, the third edition of the food exchange lists included six food categories (grains, meat, vegetables, fats and oils, milk, and fruits). The milk group was subdivided into whole milk group and low fat milk. The standard nutrient content in one exchange from each food group was almost the same as the previous edition. Korea Food & Drug Administration's FANTASY (Food And Nutrient daTA SYstem) database was used to obtain nutrient values for each individual food and to determine the serving size most appropriate for matching reference nutrients values by each food group. The revised food exchange lists were subjected to a public hearing by experts. The third edition of the food exchange lists will be a helpful tool for educating people with diabetes to select the kinds and amounts of foods for glycemic control, which will eventually lead to preventing complications while maintaining the pleasure of eating.

A Survey of Diabetic Educators and Patients for the Revision of Korean Food Exchange Lists

BACKGROUND: Food exchange lists are one of the main methods of nutritional education. However, Korean food exchange lists have not been revised since 1994. Therefore, we surveyed the opinions of diabetes educators and patients with diabetes regarding the need for revision of the current food exchange lists. METHODS: For two weeks beginning on 10 March 2008, a 12-item questionnaire regarding the opinion and need for revision of the current food exchange lists was e-mailed to diabetes educators nationwide. Another 15-question survey was administered to patients with diabetes in 13 hospitals located in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions of Korea. RESULTS: We obtained survey responses from 101 diabetes educators and 209 patients; 65 (64.3%) of the educators answered that the current food exchange lists should be revised. The items that needed revision were the glycemic index, addition of new foods and reaffirmation of exchange standard amounts. The patients demanded specific education about choosing appropriate foods, a balanced meal plan, proper snacks, and dining intake. CONCLUSION: Our survey results demonstrate the need to revise the Korean food exchange lists. This process should focus on glycemic index, the addition of new foods and reconfirmation of one exchange reference unit.

Genome-wide Association Study Identification of a New Genetic Locus with Susceptibility to Osteoporotic Fracture in the Korean Population

Osteoporotic fracture (OF), along with bone mineral density (BMD), is an important diagnostic parameter and a clinical predictive risk factor in the assessment of osteoporosis in the elderly population. However, a genomewide association study (GWAS) on OF has not yet been clarified sufficiently. To identify OF-associated genetic variants and candidate genes, we conducted a GWAS in a population-based cohort (Korean Association Resource [KARE], n=1,427 [case: 288 and control: 1139]) and performed a de novo replication study in hospital-based individuals (Asan and Catholic Medical Center [ACMC], n=1,082 [case: 272 and control: 810]). In a combined meta-analysis, a newly identified genetic locus in an intergenic region at 10p11.2 (near genes FZD8 and ANKRD30A ) showed the most significant association (odd ratio [OR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.47~2.74, p=1.27x10(-5)) in the same direction. We provide the first evidence for a common genetic variant influencing OF and genetic information for further investigation in bone metabolism.

Evaluation of Nutritional Status and Changes of Biochemical Parameters according to Protein Intake Levels in Hemodialysis Patients / 대한신장학회잡지

It is well recognized that malnutrition is one of the most important reversible factors contributing to mortality in hemodialysis patients. Until recently, highprotein diets were recommended for hemodialysis patients in an attempt to increase the synthesis of albumin and to promote the anabolism of body protein. However, the appropriateness of this recommendation has recently been questioned. This study investigated the effects of low and high protein intakes on the levels of serum albumin, total protein, BUN, and creatinine in 28 hemodialysis patients fed sequentially 1.0g(LPG) or 1.5g(HPG) protein and 30-35kcal/kg/ ideal body weight for four weeks. The HPG diet was associated with a significant increase in the levels of serum albumin, total protein, BUN, and creatinine however, the LPG diet was not. The serum levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol were in the normal range and did not changed by the diets. The levels of serum Hb, iron, and transferrin were lower than the normal values and did not changed by these two diets. Though individual considerations are recommended, it is possible that the high protein diet could increase the levels of serum albumin and total protein of the hemodialysis patients in Korea.