Determinants of Intention Toward Dementia-Preventive Behaviors Among Middle-Aged Korean Adults.

This study aims to determine the influence of the constructs of the health belief model and fear of dementia on the behavioral intention to prevent middle-aged Korean adults' dementia. Applying a descriptive design, 163 middle-aged adults were recruited. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data regarding fear of dementia, behavioral intention to prevent dementia, the expanded health belief model's variables (i.e., perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, cues to action, general health motivation, and self-efficacy), and other general characteristics between August and September 2019. The determinants of the behavioral intention for dementia prevention were identified through hierarchical regression analysis. The significant factors influencing the behavioral intention for dementia prevention were general health motivation and self-efficacy, accounting for 34.2% of the variance. The results revealed key factors that should be considered in future interventions to enhance adherence concerning dementia-preventive behaviors.

Apigenin inhibits sciatic nerve denervation-induced muscle atrophy.

INTRODUCTION: Apigenin (AP) has been reported to elicit anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of AP on sciatic nerve denervation-induced muscle atrophy. METHODS: Sciatic nerve-denervated mice were fed a 0.1% AP-containing diet for 2 weeks. Muscle weight and cross-sectional area (CSA), and the expression of atrophic genes and inflammatory cytokines in the gastrocnemius were analyzed. RESULTS: Denervation significantly induced muscle atrophy. However, values for muscle weight and CSA were greater in the denervated muscle of the AP mice than the controls. AP suppressed the expression of MuRF1, but upregulated both myosin heavy chain (MHC) and MHC type IIb. AP also significantly suppressed expression of tumor necrosis-alpha in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and interleukin-6 expression in the soleus muscle. DISCUSSION: AP appears to inhibit denervation-induced muscle atrophy, which may be due in part to its inhibitory effect on inflammatory processes within muscle. Muscle Nerve 58: 314-318, 2018.

Evaluation of factors related to glycaemic control among South Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: To examine specific self-care behaviours, depression, and diabetes-related stress among South Korean patients with type 2 diabetes and to evaluate whether these factors are related to glycaemic control. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 171 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited an endocrinology clinic. A structured questionnaire and electronic medical records were used to collect data regarding self-care behaviours, depression, diabetes-related distress, and glycaemic control between May 2015 and July 2015. RESULTS: Compared with the group with good glycaemic control, the group with poor glycaemic control had significantly lower values for medication adherence and significantly greater values for regimen-related distress. Depression was not significantly associated with glycaemic control. In logistic regression analysis, only medication adherence was independently associated with glycaemic control. CONCLUSIONS: Medication adherence should be continuously emphasized and monitored in clinical practice to effectively manage glycaemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, consideration of diabetes-related distress may help improve glycaemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Prediction of motor outcome using remaining corticospinal tract in patients with pontine infarct: Diffusion tensor imaging study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the remaining corticospinal tract (CST) as determined by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and 6-month motor outcome in patients with pontine infarct. Ratios of fractional anisotropy (FA), fiber number (FN), and CST area were calculated, and the FN ratio and CST area ratio showed significant correlation with all 6-month motor outcome. Thus, the remaining CST in the pons measured using DTI at early stage of stroke could predict motor outcome in patients with pontine infarct.

Neural responses to various rewards and feedback in the brains of adolescent Internet addicts detected by functional magnetic resonance imaging.

AIM: This study aimed to examine differences in brain activation for various types of reward and feedback in adolescent Internet addicts (AIA) and normal adolescents (NA) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS: AIA (n = 15) and NA (n = 15) underwent fMRI while performing easy tasks for which performance feedback (PF), social reward (SR) (such as compliments), or monetary reward (MR) was given. Using the no reward (NR) condition, three types of contrasts (PF-NR, SR-NR, and MR-NR) were analyzed. RESULTS: In NA, we observed activation in the reward-related subcortical system, self-related brain region, and other brain areas for the three contrasts, but these brain areas showed almost no activation in AIA. Instead, AIA showed significant activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for the PF-NR contrast and the negative correlation was found between the level of activation in the left superior temporal gyrus (BA 22) and the duration of Internet game use per day in AIA. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that AIA show reduced levels of self-related brain activation and decreased reward sensitivity irrespective of the type of reward and feedback. AIA may be only sensitive to error monitoring regardless of positive feelings, such as sense of satisfaction or achievement.

Ethanolic extract of Taheebo attenuates increase in body weight and fatty liver in mice fed a high-fat diet.

We evaluated whether intake of an ethanolic extract of Taheebo (TBE) from Tabebuia avellanedae protects against body weight increase and fat accumulation in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Four-week old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a HFD (25% fat, w/w) for 11 weeks. The diet of control (HFD) mice was supplemented with vehicle (0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose by gavage); the diet of experimental (TBE) mice was supplemented with TBE (150 mg/kg body weight/day by gavage). Mice administered TBE had significantly reduced body weight gain, fat accumulation in the liver, and fat pad weight, compared to HFD mice. Reduced hypertrophy of fat cells was also observed in TBE mice. Mice administered TBE also showed significantly lower serum levels of triglycerides, insulin, and leptin. Lipid profiles and levels of mRNAs and proteins related to lipid metabolism were determined in liver and white adipose tissue of the mice. Expression of mRNA and proteins related to lipogenesis were decreased in TBE-administered mice compared to mice fed HFD alone. These results suggest that TBE inhibits obesity and fat accumulation by regulation of gene expression related to lipid metabolism in HFD-induced obesity in mice.

The Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging and Addition of Rosemary Extract, Sodium Acetate and Calcium Lactate Mixture on the Quality of Pre-cooked Hamburger Patties during Refrigerated Storage.

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 30% CO2+70% N2 or 100% N2) and an additive mixture (500 ppm rosemary extract, 3,000 ppm sodium acetate and 1,500 ppm calcium lactate) on the quality of pre-cooked hamburger patties during storage at 5°C for 14 d was evaluated. The addition of the additive mixture reduced aerobic and anaerobic bacteria counts in both 30% CO2-MAP (30% CO2+70% N2) and 100% N2-MAP (p<0.05). The 30% CO2-MAP was more effective to suppress the microbial growth than 100% N2-MAP, moreover the 30% CO2-MAP combined with additive mixture resulted in the lowest bacterial counts. The hamburger patties with additive mixture showed lower CIE L* and CIE a*, and higher CIE b* than those with no additive mixture. The 30% CO2-MAP tended to decrease the TBARS during storage regardless of the addition of additives. The use of 30% CO2-MAP in combination with additives mixture was effective for maintaining the quality and extending the shelf-life of pre-cooked hamburger patties.

The Lived Experiences of COVID-19 Patients in South Korea: A Qualitative Study.

The purpose of this qualitative study is to provide an in-depth understanding and description of the disease experiences of COVID-19 patients. The participants were 16 patients discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment for COVID-19 in isolation. Data collection was conducted through individual in-depth interviews until data saturation, and the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. The participants were quarantined after their COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed, and they experienced desperate and uncertain times during treatment. The participants expressed shock and dissatisfaction due to an excessive invasion of privacy during the quarantine process and in the quarantine system. As confirmed COVID-19 cases, the participants experienced social stigma and feelings of guilt, negative attitudes from others and society, and negative influences from social networking services and the media. The participants also experienced mental and physical difficulties due to COVID-19 symptoms. However, they rediscovered meaningful relationships through the support of their family and friends in the midst of adversity. It is necessary to provide an integrated psychosocial rehabilitation program to reduce social stigma and improve the resilience of COVID-19 patients.

Circulating microRNA expression profiling in young obese Korean women.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigates correlations between circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) and obesity-related parameters among young women (aged 20-30 years old) in Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We analyzed TaqMan low density arrays (TLDAs) of circulating miRNAs in 9 lean (body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg/m2) and 15 obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2) women. We also performed gene ontology (GO) analyses of the biological functions of predicted miRNA target genes, and clustered the results using the database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery. RESULTS: The TLDA cards contain 754 human miRNAs; of these, the levels of 8 circulating miRNAs significantly declined (> 2-fold) in obese subjects compared with those in lean subjects, including miR-1227, miR-144-5p, miR-192, miR-320, miR-320b, miR-484, miR-324-3p, and miR-378. Among them, miR-484 and miR-378 displayed the most significant inverse correlations with BMI (miR-484, r = -0.5484, P = 0.0056; miR-378, r = -0.5538, P = 0.0050) and visceral fat content (miR-484, r = -0.6141, P = 0.0014; miR-378, r = -0.6090, P = 0.0017). GO analysis indicated that genes targeted by miR-484 and miR-378 had major roles in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION: Our result showed the differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in obese subjects compared to lean subjects. Although the mechanistic study to reveal the causal role of miRNAs remains, these miRNAs may be novel biomarkers for obesity.

Differential circulating and visceral fat microRNA expression of non-obese and obese subjects.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Altered microRNA (miRNA) expression is associated with the pathophysiology of obesity; however, little is known about the miRNAs commonly dysregulated in the blood and visceral fat tissue of obese patients. This study compared the circulating and visceral fat miRNA expression in subjects with and without obesity. METHODS: For the circulating miRNA study, 20 healthy control and 30 obese subjects were recruited. For the tissue miRNA expression study, omental fat tissue was collected in ten female subjects each in the control and obese groups. MiRNA expression was measured by TaqMan low-density arrays. Metabolic risk factors were measured. Target genes for selected miRNAs were analyzed using informatics tools and a functional network map was constructed. RESULTS: 11 miRNAs were down-regulated (miR-133a, -139-5p, -15b, -26a, -301, -30b, -30c, -374, -451, -570, and -636), and one was up-regulated (miR-155) in both depots in obese subjects. These miRNAs had significant associations with BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass. Among them, miR-15b, miR-26a, miR-301, miR-30b, and miR-30c had more predicted obesity-related target genes than other miRNAs. In particular, miR-15b had numerous target genes associated with adipogenesis, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, diabetes and insulin resistance, and mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the miRNA alteration in the serum and visceral fat has pathophysiological implications for obesity. Our study identified dysregulated miRNAs that may be novel therapeutic targets to combat obesity.

Evaluation of the SD Bioline Strep A Ultra Test in Relation With Number of Colony Forming Units and Color Intensity.

BACKGROUND: The SD Bioline Strep A Ultra (SD, Yongin, Korea) is a recently developed rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for diagnosing bacterial pharyngitis caused by Group A Streptococcus, We evaluated the performance of SD Bioline Strep A Ultra, using the number of colony forming units and color intensity. METHODS: Three throat swabs each were taken from 343 children with pharyngitis who visited pediatric clinics. We evaluated the performance of SD Bioline Strep A Ultra and compared its positive rate with the number of colony forming units, using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (95% confidence interval) were 97.4% (94.0-99.1%), 90.8% (85.0-94.9%), 93.0% (88.5-96.1%), and 96.5% (92.0-98.9%), respectively. Positive rate significantly differed by number of colony forming units (P=0.021). ROC plot for color intensity showed 0.938 of AUC (area under curve). CONCLUSIONS: SD Bioline Strep A Ultra showed excellent performance, and its positive rate differed by the number of colony counts. This RADT could be used as a sensitive and semi-quantitative method detecting bacterial pharyngitis.

Apigenin Ameliorates the Obesity-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy by Attenuating Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Muscle of Obese Mice.

SCOPE: It was investigated whether apigenin (AP) protected against skeletal muscle atrophy induced by obesity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 9 weeks to induce obesity, and then were assigned to two groups; the HFD group received a high-fat diet, and the HFD+AP group received a 0.1% AP-containing HFD. After additional feeding of the experimental diet for 8 weeks, mice in the HFD group were highly obese compared with the mice in the standard diet fed mice group. The mice in the AP-treated group showed less fat pad accumulation and less inflammatory cytokines without body weight reduction. The weight of skeletal muscle in the AP group tended to increase as compared with that of the HFD group. Furthermore, AP reduced the expression of atrophic genes, including MuRF1 and Atrogin-1, but increased the exercise capacity. The mitochondrial function and mitochondrial biogenesis were enhanced by AP. In cultured C2C12 cells, AP also suppressed palmitic acid-induced muscle atrophy and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, AP activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the C2C12 and the muscle of HFD-induced obese mice. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that AP ameliorated the obesity-induced skeletal muscle atrophy by attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction.

Zerumbone ameliorates high-fat diet-induced adiposity by restoring AMPK-regulated lipogenesis and microRNA-146b/SIRT1-mediated adipogenesis.

Obesity is characterized by increased fat mass, as adipose tissue serves as a storage site for excess energy from food consumption. In obesity, altered lipid metabolism of adipose tissue, characterized by fatty acid uptake, de novo lipogenesis, and lipolysis, are induced. In this study, we examined the effect of zerumbone, a major sesquiterpene from wild ginger, on high-fat diet (HF)-induced obesity and dysregulated lipid metabolism in the white adipose tissues (WAT) of C57BL/6N mice. Dietary supplementation with zerumbone ameliorated HF-induced obesity and improved impaired lipid metabolism in WAT. Zerumbone additionally induced AMPK activation and phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and effectively decreased adipogenic differentiation, in a concentration-dependent manner in the 3T3-L1 cells. Dysregulated microRNAs in obese WAT and adipocytes were examined, and zerumbone treatment was found to effectively reverse the robust upregulation of microRNA-146b. An increase in the levels of SIRT1, the direct target of microRNA-146b, was observed in zerumbone-treated differentiated adipocytes. This increase was additionally observed in WAT of zerumbone-supplemented mice. The antiadipogenic effect of zerumbone was found to be abolished in SIRT1-silenced 3T3-L1 cells. The increase in SIRT1 levels induced by zerumbone led to deacetylation of FOXO1 and PGC1α in WAT and differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. These findings indicate that zerumbone ameliorated diet-induced obesity and inhibited adipogenesis, and that the underlying mechanisms involved AMPK and the microRNA-146b/SIRT1 pathway. Zerumbone may represent a potential therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases, particularly obesity.

Difference of recovery course of motor weakness according to state of corticospinal tract in putaminal hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated differences in recovery course of motor weakness according to the state of the corticospinal tract (CST) in putaminal hemorrhage, using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). METHODS: We recruited 36 patients with complete weakness of the affected extremities at onset. The patients were classified into two groups according to the findings of DTT for the CST at chronic stage: group A- preserved integrity of the CST around the lesion, and group B- discontinued integrity of the CST. Motor function of the affected extremities was measured over a six month period using the Motricity Index (MI). RESULTS: The MI scores differed significantly each month, except at the onset, between group A and group B (p<0.05). In both groups, we observed significant increases between onset and one month, between one month and two months, between two month and three months, and between three months and four months (p<0.05). However, there were no significant increases after four months (p>0.05). The degree of difference between months was as follows: onset ∼1 month, 1 month ∼2months, 2 months ∼3months, and 3 months ∼4months. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with preserved integrity of the CST showed better motor function than patients with discontinued integrity of the CST. In both groups, significant motor recovery was achieved during the first four months after onset. In addition, the most rapid motor recovery occurred during the first month and then decreased gradually with the passage of time.

Protective effect of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb on amyloid beta-peptide 25-35 induced cognitive deficits in mice.

Amyloid beta protein (Abeta) may be neurotoxic during the progression of Alzheimer's disease by eliciting oxidative stress. This study was designed to determine the effect of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb water extract (PWE) on Abeta25-35-induced cognitive deficits and oxidative stress in mice. Mice were fed experimental diets comprising either 0.5 or 1% PWE for 4 weeks, and then received a single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of Abeta25-35 (10 microg/mouse). Behavioral changes in the mice were evaluated using passive avoidance and water-maze tests. The consumption of PWE significantly ameliorated the cognitive deficits caused by i.c.v. injection of Abeta25-35. The Abeta25-35 treatment accelerated the lipid peroxidation, and PWE attenuated the Abeta-induced increase in brain levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. There was an increase in glutathione peroxidase activity in PWE-treated groups. The acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain and serum was lower in PWE supplemented groups than in the only Abeta-injected group. These findings suggest that PWE exerts a preventive effect against cognitive deficits induced by Abeta25-35 accumulation in Alzheimer's disease, and that this effect is mediated by the antioxidant properties of PWE.

ß-Lapachone Prevents Diet-Induced Obesity by Increasing Energy Expenditure and Stimulating the Browning of White Adipose Tissue via Downregulation of miR-382 Expression.

There has been great interest in the browning of fat for the treatment of obesity. Although ß-lapachone (BLC) has potential therapeutic effects on obesity, the fat-browning effect and thermogenic capacity of BLC on obesity have never been demonstrated. Here, we showed that BLC stimulated the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT), increased the expression of brown adipocyte-specific genes (e.g., uncoupling protein 1 [UCP1]), decreased body weight gain, and ameliorated metabolic parameters in mice fed a high-fat diet. Consistently, BLC-treated mice showed significantly higher energy expenditure compared with control mice. In vitro, BLC increased the expression of brown adipocyte-specific genes in stromal vascular fraction-differentiated adipocytes. BLC also controlled the expression of miR-382, which led to the upregulation of its direct target, Dio2. Upregulation of miR-382 markedly inhibited the differentiation of adipocytes into beige adipocytes, whereas BLC recovered beige adipocyte differentiation and increased the expression of Dio2 and UCP1. Our findings suggest that the BLC-mediated increase in the browning of WAT and the thermogenic capacity of BAT significantly results in increases in energy expenditure. Browning of WAT by BLC was partially controlled via the regulation of miR-382 targeting Dio2 and may lead to the prevention of diet-induced obesity.

Factors affecting fatigue in patients with type II diabetes mellitus in Korea.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to characterize and identify the factors affecting fatigue in patients with type II diabetes mellitus in Korea. METHODS: A total of 180 patients with type II diabetes mellitus were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital. For data collection, a questionnaire survey of diabetes history, hypoglycemia symptoms, and fatigue was conducted between January and February 2011. Data were analyzed using t test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean fatigue and hypoglycemia symptom scores of patients with type II diabetes mellitus were 2.88 ± 0.61 and 6.18 ± 12.60, respectively. Hypoglycemia symptoms (p = .004), disease duration (p < .001), and age (p < .001) correlated positively with fatigue. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that hypoglycemia symptoms was the variable positively influencing fatigue in patients with type II diabetes mellitus after adjustment for influences of demographic and clinical characteristic variables. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoglycemia symptoms were confirmed to be a predictor of fatigue. Consequently, it is essential to consider age, and disease duration as well as hypoglycemia symptoms to intervene fatigue effectively among patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

γ-Oryzanol Enhances Adipocyte Differentiation and Glucose Uptake.

Recent studies show that brown rice improves glucose intolerance and potentially the risk of diabetes, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. One of the phytochemicals found in high concentration in brown rice is γ-oryzanol (Orz), a group of ferulic acid esters of phytosterols and triterpene alcohols. Here, we found that Orz stimulated differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and increased the protein expression of adipogenic marker genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and CCAAT/enhanced binding protein alpha (C/EBPα). Moreover, Orz significantly increased the glucose uptake in insulin-resistant cells and translocation of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) from the cytosol to the cell surface. To investigate the mechanism by which Orz stimulated cell differentiation, we examined its effects on cellular signaling of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a central mediator of cellular growth and proliferation. The Orz treatment increased mTORC1 kinase activity based on phosphorylation of 70-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (S6K1). The effect of Orz on adipocyte differentiation was dependent on mTORC1 activity because rapamycin blocks cell differentiation in Orz-treated cells. Collectively, our results indicate that Orz stimulates adipocyte differentiation, enhances glucose uptake, and may be associated with cellular signaling mediated by PPAR-γ and mTORC1.

Anti-metastatic activity of Acanthopanax senticosus extract and its possible immunological mechanism of action.

Antitumor and immunomodulatory activities of an aqueous extract (GF100) of Acanthopanax senticosus were examined. In experimental lung metastasis of colon26-M3.1 carcinoma cells, intravenous (i.v.) administration of GF100 2 days before tumor inoculation significantly inhibited lung metastasis in a dose-dependent manner. The i.v. administration of GF100 also exhibited the therapeutic effect on tumor metastasis of colon26-M3.1 cells, when it was injected 1 day after tumor inoculation. In an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, GF100 at the concentration up to 1000 microg/ml did not affect the growth of colon26-M3.1 cells. In contrast, GF100 enhanced the responsiveness to a mitogen, concanavalin A (ConA), of splenocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Peritoneal macrophage stimulated with GF100 produced various cytokines such as IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-12 and IFN-gamma in an in vitro experiment. The macrophages obtained from the mice which were injected with GF100 (500 microg) 3 days before the assay showed significantly higher tumoricidal activity against tumor cells than that of the untreated macrophages. In addition, the i.v. administration of GF100 significantly augmented NK cytotoxicity to Yac-1 cells. The depletion of NK cells by injection of rabbit anti-asialo GM1 serum completely abolished the inhibitory effect of GF100 on lung metastasis of colon26-M3.1 cells. These data suggest that GF100 has antitumor activity to inhibit tumor metastasis prophylactically as well as therapeutically, and its antitumor effect is associated with activation of macrophages and NK cells.

[Immersion experience of the cyber world of adolescents].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to explore the cyber world immersion experience of adolescents. METHOD: Multiple strategies for data collecting were used: an in depth face-to-face interview; analysis of adolescent' writings; and analysis of examples of phenomenon in the realistic world. The sample group consisted of 10 adolescents. RESULT: Although the experience was different for all adolescent interviewed, the essential themes of experience emerged: "fill up", "homoeologous feeling", "the older generation has a conflicting negative opinion", "change in social character", "become habitually skeptic", "have bad health", "mean of superiority and getting everything solved", "ease of access", "monetary benefit", "addiction to the computer", "forget real life solved stress", "do harm to society", "take comfort", or "new job". CONCLUSION: Accordingly this paper suggests that contact with various software is necessary in adolescents, and good quality contents function to prepare and activate adolescents to apply the internet for good use.