Development of Korea Neuroethics Guidelines

Background@#Advances in neuroscience and neurotechnology provide great benefits to humans though unknown challenges may arise. We should address these challenges using new standards as well as existing ones. Novel standards should include ethical, legal, and social aspects which would be appropriate for advancing neuroscience and technology.Therefore, the Korea Neuroethics Guidelines were developed by stakeholders related to neuroscience and neurotechnology, including experts, policy makers, and the public in the Republic of Korea.Method: The guidelines were drafted by neuroethics experts, were disclosed at a public hearing, and were subsequently revised by opinions of various stakeholders. @*Results@#The guidelines are composed of twelve issues; humanity or human dignity, individual personality and identity, social justice, safety, sociocultural prejudice and public communication, misuse of technology, responsibility for the use of neuroscience and technology, specificity according to the purpose of using neurotechnology, autonomy, privacy and personal information, research, and enhancement. @*Conclusion@#Although the guidelines may require a more detailed discussion after future advances in neuroscience and technology or changes in socio-cultural milieu, the development of the Korea Neuroethics Guidelines is a milestone for the scientific community and society in general for the ongoing development in neuroscience and neurotechnology.

The development of a taste education program for preschoolers and evaluation of a program by parents and childcare personnel

The change in people's dietary life has led to an increase in an intake of processed foods and food chemicals, raising awareness about taste education for preschoolers whose dietary habits start to grow. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction of parents and childcare personnel after developing a taste education program and demonstrating it in class. A part of the curriculum developed by Piusais and Pierre was referred for the program. After educating 524 preschoolers in child care facilities in Seoul, a satisfaction survey was conducted on the program. The data in this study were analyzed using SPSS 14.0. Statistical analysis was conducted based on the frequency after collecting the data. Mean +/- SD used to determine satisfaction with taste education, with preferences marked on a five-point scale and the alpha was set at 0.05. The program includes five teachers' guides with subjects of sweetness, saltiness, sourness, bitterness and harmony of flavor, and ten kinds of teaching tools. For the change in parents' recognition of the need for taste education based on five-point scale, the average of 4.06 +/- 0.62 before the program has significantly increased to 4.32 +/- 0.52 (P < 0.01). Regarding the change in the preferences for sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and bitterness, the average has increased to 3.83 +/- 0.61, 3.62 +/- 0.66, 3.64 +/- 0.66, and 3.56 +/- 0.75 respectively. In an evaluation of instructors in child care facilities, the average scores for education method, education effect, education contents and nutritionists, and teaching tools were at 4.15 +/- 0.63, 3.91 +/- 0.50, 4.18 +/- 0.50, and 3.80 +/- 0.56 respectively. In addition, the need for a continuous taste education scored 4.42 +/- 0.67. This program has created a positive change in preschoolers' dietary life, therefore the continuation and propagation of the taste education program should be considered.

Relationship between inflammation biomarkers, antioxidant vitamins, and bone mineral density in patients with metabolic syndrome

Few studies have shown the correlation between metabolic syndrome and bone mineral density (BMD). The main pathogenic mechanisms of metabolic syndrome rely on chronic low-level inflammatory status and oxidative stress. There are few studies that examine the gender-specific effects of inflammation and antioxidants on BMD. In this study, we evaluated the relative contribution of these factors in patients with metabolic syndrome. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 67 men and 46 postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome; metabolic syndrome was defined as having three or more metabolic syndrome risk factors. BMD, body fat mass, and lean body mass were evaluated. We also examined the levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin, vitamin E, and C in serum. Log-transformed hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in lumbar spine osteoporotic subjects than in normal subjects for women but not for men. There was no significant difference between the normal group and the osteoporotic group in other inflammatory markers. Stepwise regression analyses for BMD of the lumbar spine showed that lean body mass and vitamin E were significant determinants in men. Lean body mass and log-transformed hs-CRP were significant determinants in women Analysis for BMD of the femoral neck showed that lean body mass was a significant determinant for both men and women. There was no significant factor among the inflammatory markers or antioxidant vitamins affecting the femoral neck BMD for either gender. In conclusion, while hs-CRP is an independent predictor of the BMD of the lumbar spine in women, vitamin E showed profound effects on BMD in men but not women with metabolic syndrome.

Status and Needs for Nutrition Services for Infants and Preschoolers among Public Health Center Workers and Infants Mothers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out to investigate the present status of nutrition services for infants in public health centers and the need for nutrition services of health workers and infants mothers. The study subjects were 146 health workers and 197 infants mothers. The results were as follows : At present, the only major nutrition services for infants were vaccination and dental care. Proper nutrition management services were available to infants. Nutrition knowledge scores were 16.8 for health workers and 15.3 for mothers out of 20 possible points. Health workers strongly demanded a well-organized nutrition education program, government support, audio-visual materials and the employment of a community nutritionist. The public health workers, in particular, demanded the development of education programs for breastfeeding and weaning. The infants mothers demanded services of nutrition information and teaching of cooking and menu planning. Based on this, the results suggest that the employment of a community nutritionist and the development of practical nutrition service programs for infants are needed very urgently for public health centers.

A Study on feeding Practices and Growth Status of Infants and the Correlation of Mothers' Perceptions of Breast Feeding with Infant Feeding Methods in the Pocheon Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out to investigate the feeding practices, growth status and correlation with maternal perceptions of breast feeding and lactation with infuts' feeding methods in the Pocheon area. The subjects were 103 infants ranging from 3 to 21 postpartum months and their mothers. The results obtained were as follows : In this survey, 36.9% of the infants were breast-feeding, while 53.4% of them were bottle-feeding, and 9.7% of them were mixed-feeding. The reason for bottle-feeding was due mainly to the lack of breast-milk secretion. Z-scores of weight-f3r-age and height-for-age were similar to Korean standards, but malnutrition and overnutrition were also noticed by kaup index and WLI. The average maternal perceptions of breast-feeding and lactation was 3.7 out of 10 possible points, the breast-feeding group scored 4.7, and formula-feeding and mixed-feeding group scored 3.0. That of BF group was higher than FF+MF groups and was positively correlated with growth status. Therefore to ensure proper growth of infants and to promote breast-feeding, efforts should be given to community nutritional services including nutrition education for the importance of colostrum and breast-milk, practical breast-feeding methods, and nutritional management during pregnancy. Also nutrition education for mothers will be continued to 1-3 postpartum months to promote successful breast-feeding.

A Longitudinal Study of the Iron and Zinc Intakes of Korean Infants from 1 to 3 Months-Breast-Fed vs Formula-Fed Infants / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out to longitudinally investigate the iron and zinc intakes and correlation with growth performance of 25 male breast-and formula-fed infants from 1 to 3 months postpartum, longitudinally. There were four groups breast fed(BF) and three formula fed groups((FFM, FFN and FFP). Milk intakes and the concentration of iron and zinc from human milk and the formulas were measured. The iron content of human milk was 2.07+/-1.05(0.63~5.65) microgram/ml. The zinc content was 2.43+/-1.14(0.70~5.30) microgram/ml. Both were not significantly different among postpartum months. The average iron intake of the breast-fed and formula-fed infants was 1.6+/-0.7mg/day and 8.4+/-2.3mg/day, respectively. The iron intake of breast-fed infants was higher than previous reports. And that of formula-fed infants was higher than the RDA. The average zinc intake of the breast-fed group was 1.9+/-0.9mg/day and formula-fed infants' was 2.7+/-0.7mg/day, which was higher than the RDA. There was no correlation between these mineral intakes and the growth performance during 1 to 3 postpartyum months. So, extensive studies of the iron content of human milk and wide cross-sectional studies for establishing iron and zinc recommended dietary allowances for infants are needed.

Evaluation of Growth between Breast-Fed and Formula-Fed Korean Infants from 1 to 3 Postpartum Months: Compared with the Korean Standard and NCHS Reference / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study compares the growth performance(weight-for-age Z-score, height-for-age Z-score, weight-for-height Z-score) of one- to three-month-old Korean infants(n=232) with the Korean standard(1994) and NCHS reference(1983). The weight-for-age Z-scores(WAZ) by the Korean standard were -2~1,5 for males and -3~1 for females. The NCHS reference, WAZ results were -1~2.5 and -2.5~3.5 for males and females, respectively. The WAZ compared Korean standard showed no subjects with overnutrition. But 1.3% of the infants showed signs of malnutrition. Comparison with NCHS reference revealed that 0.4% of the infants were malnourished and 7.0% of the infants were overnourished. The WAZ of formula-fed infants were distributed higher than breast-fed infants, but that was not significant. The height-for-age Z-score(HAZ) by the Korean standard were -4.5%~1.5% for males and -4~1.5% for females. According to the NCHS reference, HAZ were -2.5%~2.5% and -3~3 for males and females, respectively. When the WAZ was compared with the Korean standard, there was no overnutrition but 16% of the infants showed signs of malnutrition. The NCHS reference, revealed that 6.9% of the infants were malnourished and 1.8% of the infants were ovemourished. The weight-for-height Z-scores(WHZ) by the Korean standard were -2~5 for males and -2.5~5 for females. The NCHS reference WAZ scores were -1~4 and -1.5~4.5 for males and females, respectively. When the WHZ was compared with the Korean standard, 2.2% of infants were malnourished and 19.5% were overnourished. There were no malnourished subjects according to the NCHS reference and 19.1% of the infants were overnourished. When the three Z-scores are considered together, 92.0% of the infants should a normal growth status, there was no malnutrition, and 8.0% of the infants were overnourished. The growth performance was evaluated differently according to the type of standards. Thus, it is necessary to set proper growth standards for infants, according to which classification of feeding methods is chosen. A longterm and careful assessment of infants's growth performances to develop any group of standards.

Cross-sectional Study of Growth of Korean Breast Fed Formula Fed Infants from 1 to 3 Postpartum Months / 대한지역사회영양학회지

One-to three -month-old infants(n=252) were compared their growth performance(weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference) by feeding methods in cross-sectional study. There were two groups : breast-fed(BF) and formula-fed groups(FF). The weights of infants at 1, 2, and 3 postpartum month were 4.50+/-.48kg, 5.76+/-0.62kg and 6.67+/-0.68kg, respectively. The weigh of male infants was higher than females. The length were 53.7+/-2.6cm, 57.4+/-3.3cm, 61.1+/-3.1cm at one to three postpartum months, respectively. The length of male infants was higher than females, too. Overall there were no significant differences between feeding methods in weight, length, head and chest circumferences, and monthly weight and length velocity. But 3-month-old formula-fed male infants showed bigger significantly in weight, monthly weight velocity and chest circumference than the breast-feds. By Korean standards, weight-for-height Z-score were distributed from 0 to +2. Not only was there a few malnourished infants but also overnourished were noticed, especially in formula-fed group.