An Evaluation on the Attitudes and Importance-Satisfaction on Service Quality of University Foodservice among International Students in Busan / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the usage status and the degree of satisfaction of university foodservice (UF) perceived by international students in Busan. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted on the utilization of UF, improvement requirements, preference type and recipe, as well as the importance and satisfaction of UF quality attributes as perceived by international students (n=604) at universities in the Busan area between April and June 2017.

Development and relative validity of semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for Korean adults / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was implemented to develop and validate the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) to assess energy, carbohydrates, fat, protein, minerals, and vitamins as well as fatty acids and alcohol in Korean adults. METHODS: The SQ-FFQ consisted of 88 food items, and 12 food groups were selected based on information of frequently consumed foods from the Korean Health and Nutrition Examination survey. Each portion size was categorized as one of three amounts: small (0.5 times), medium (1 time), and large (1.5 times). A total of 111 subjects finished 3-day diet records and the SQ-FFQ. The relative validity of SQ-FFQ was assessed by comparison with the 3-day diet records. RESULTS: The mean nutrient intakes obtained from the SQ-FFQ were estimated to be greater than those of the two 3-day dietary records. Spearman's correlation coefficient between the two methods was the highest for energy (r = 0.583; p < 0.001) and lowest for saturated fatty acid (r = 0.121). Correlation coefficients were energy (r = 0.583; p < 0.001), carbohydrates (r = 0.500; p < 0.001), protein (r = 0.466; p < 0.001), fat (r = 0.411; p < 0.001), dietary fiber (r = 0.467; p < 0.001), alcohol (r = 0.527; p < 0.001), calcium (r = 0.409; p < 0.001), phosphorus (r = 0.499; p < 0.001), potassium (r = 0.418; p < 0.001), magnesium (r = 0.427; p < 0.001), and zinc (r = 0.464; p < 0.001), respectively, for all subjects. CONCLUSION: The developed SQ-FFQ in this study seems to be useful for estimating nutritional status, particularly energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, dietary fiber, alcohol, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc of Korean adults.

Inorganic sulfur reduces cell proliferation by inhibiting of ErbB2 and ErbB3 protein and mRNA expression in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells

Dietary inorganic sulfur is the minor component in our diet, but some studies suggested that inorganic sulfur is maybe effective to treat cancer related illness. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of inorganic sulfur on cell proliferation and gene expression in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured the absence or presence of various concentrations (12.5, 25, or 50 micromol/L) of inorganic sulfur. Inorganic sulfur significantly decreased proliferation after 72 h of incubation (P < 0.05). The protein expression of ErbB2 and its active form, pErbB2, were significantly reduced at inorganic sulfur concentrations of 50 micromol/L and greater than 25 micromol/L, respectively (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of ErbB2 was significantly reduced at an inorganic sulfur concentration of 50 micromol/L (P < 0.05). The protein expression of ErbB3 and its active form, pErbB3, and the mRNA expression of ErbB3 were significantly reduced at inorganic sulfur concentrations greater than 25 micromol/L (P < 0.05). The protein and mRNA expression of Akt were significantly reduced at an inorganic sulfur concentration of 50 micromol/L (P < 0.05), but pAkt was not affected by inorganic sulfur treatment. The protein and mRNA expression of Bax were significantly increased with the addition of inorganic sulfur concentration of 50 micromol/L (P < 0.05). In conclusion, cell proliferation was suppressed by inorganic sulfur treatment through the ErbB-Akt pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells.

Dietary Therapy for Prevention of Atherosclerosis

Beside pharmacological therapy, therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) including diet therapy is essential for prevention of atherosclerosis. Dietary guidelines to reduce risk for atherosclerosis should be individualized considering the risk factors of atherosclerosis, i.e., obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. In obese patients, the primary goal should be weight reduction to improve overall health by reducing the calorie intake allowed for balanced essential nutrients, especially, adequate protein and micronutrients. Especially, alcohol has been the critical factor in calorie intake in Koreans. Nutritional recommendations of the TLC diet for hyperlipidemia are reduced intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, and increased intake of polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, soluble fiber, and phytosterols. Excessive intake of carbohydrate and simple sugar might be the risk factors for elevating VLDL in Korean women. For the management of diabetes, mealtime regularity, regular meal size, and balanced nutrients should be emphasized. Low GI diet can be beneficial to control blood glucose. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is known to improve the health of hypertensive patients. Nutrient targets for the DASH diet are low fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and high fiber. Low sodium diet (2,300 mg/day) and foods rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium are recommended. The Korean traditional diet considering the individual dietary pattern of patients could be the practical healthy diet to prevent atherosclerosis.

Improvement of Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation with Right Heart Failure Associated with Thyrotoxicosis due to Graves' Disease

Hyperthyroidism can be a cause of congestive heart failure. Left heart failure is occasionally complicated in patients with hyperthyroidism. However, predominant right heart failure without LV systolic dysfunction rarely develops in patients with hyperthyroidism. We present herein a case of reversible severe tricuspid regurgitation with predominant right heart failure associated with thyrotoxicosis.

Expression and Function of Calcineurin in Inflammatory Arthritis

BACKGROUND: Calcineurin plays a crucial role in T cell activation, cell growth, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, and its over-expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy and stroke. However, the expression and function of calcineurin in the pathologic lesion of chronic inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid synovium, remain to be defined. This study was aimed to determine the role of calcineurin in inflammatory arthritis and investigate the expression and function of calcineurin in the rheumatoid synovium and synoviocytes, the actual site of chronic inflammation. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining using specific antibody to calcineurin was perfomed in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients were isolated from RA and OA patients, and cultured with IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in the presence or absence of cyclosporin A, a calcineurin inhibitor. The calcineurin expression was assessed by phosphatase assay and Western blotting analysis. IL-6, -10, -17, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -2, -3, and -9 released into the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. After transfection with GFP-Cabin 1 gene into synoviocytes, the levels of IL-6 and MMPs were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Calcineurin was highly expressed in the lining layer of synovium and cultured synoviocytes of RA patients. The elevated calcineurin activity in the rheumatoid synoviocytes was triggered by proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. In contrast, IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, failed to increase the calcineurin activity. The targeted inhibition of calcineurin by the over-expression of Cabin 1, a natural calcineurin antagonist, inhibited the production of IL-6 and MMP-2 by rheumatoid synoviocytes in a similar manner to the calcineurin inhibitor, cyclosporin A. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that abnormal activation of calcineurin in the synoviocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic arthritis, and thus provide a potential target for controlling inflammatory arthritis.

Elevated Serum Osteoprotegerin Levels in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: To determine the serum levels of soluble osteoprotegerin (OPG), decoy receptor of receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (RANKL), in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to assess the its relationships with certain clinical manifestations. METHODS: Serum levels of OPG in 60 patients with SLE and 30 healthy controls were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At the time of serum sampling, clinical manifestations and lupus disease activity index (SLEDAI) were assessed. RESULTS: Serum levels of OPG in 60 patients with SLE were significantly higher than in 30 healthy controls (1,058+/-699 versus 806+/-113 pg/mL, p=0.008). Patients with active disease had higher levels of OPG levels than those with inactive disease (1,355+/-837 versus 760+/-113 pg/mL, p<0.001). Serum OPG levels correlated with SLEDAI (gamma=0.588, p<0.0001), anti-dsDNA antibody titers (gamma=0.337, p=0.009) and serum MCP-1 levels (gamma=0.485, p<0.0001). In particular, serum OPG levels were found to be significantly increased in patients with neurological manifestation compared to those without (1,504+/-1,152 versus 918+/-376 pg/mL, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that serum OPG levels are increased in patients with SLE. Serum OPG has a role as marker for disease activity and its increased levels reflect the involvement of neurological manifestation.

Hypoxia Induces the Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Dermal Fibroblasts / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been proposed to play a role in fibrotic process of systemic sclerosis. Since hypoxia was known to be associated with fibrosis in several profibrogenic conditions, we investigated whether CTGF expression in dermal fibroblast is regulated by hypoxia caused by microvascular loss. METHODS: Dermal fribroblasts from patient with systemic sclerosis and normal controls were cultured in the presence of cobalt chloride (CoCl2), a chemical inducer of HIF-1alpha or hypoxic culture conditions. Expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and CTGF was evaluated by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. RESULTS: Scleroderma fibroblasts expressed increased levels of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and CTGF compared to normal dermal fibroblasts. Dermal fibroblasts exposed to various concentration of CoCl2 (1~100microM) enhanced the expression of CTGF mRNA in dose-dependent fashion. Actinomycin D significantly blocked the hypoxia-mediated up-regulation of CTGF mRNA expression, whereas cycloheximide did not block the up-regulation. Up-regulation of CTGF by hypoxia was not mediated by endogenous production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. In time-kinetics study, dermal fibroblasts from scleroderma patients exhibited earlier peak expression of CTGF mRNA than those from normal dermal fibroblasts. In addition, simultaneous treatment of suboptimal concentration of CoCl2 and TGF-beta exhibited the up-regulation of CTGF mRNA in additive fashion. Interferon-gamma did not modulate the expression of CTGF mRNA induced by CoCl2, while the up-regulation of CTGF by TGF-beta was downregulated by Interferon-gamma in a dose-dependent fashion. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that hypoxia up-regulates the expression of CTGF in dermal fibroblasts and provide the evidence that hypoxia caused by microvascular alterations contributes the progression of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis by up-regulation of CTGF.

A Case of Placenta Previa-Percreta Treated with Methotrexate Treatment / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Placenta previa-percreta is a rare but highly morbid condition usually diagnosed clinically, intraoperatively. The cause of placenta accreta is considered to be deficient decidualization and absence of the fibrinous layer of Nitabuch. The condition is usually, but not always, seen in women having previous trauma, eg, cesarean section, manual removal of placenta, or curettage. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) might allow antepartum diagnosis of the this condition. Management included cesarean supracervical hysterectomy and bilateral hypogastric arterial ligation, and adjuvant methotrexate administration. We experienced a case of placenta previa percreta at 40 weeks gestational age. Here we present the case with brief review of literature.