Effect of a Motivational InterviewingBased Brief Intervention on Alcohol Use Behavior in Korean Internal Medicine Settings

A motivational interviewing (MI)-based brief intervention was performed with high-risk drinking outpatients screened at internal medicine settings in Korea after the doctor advised them to reduce alcohol consumption. Participants were assigned to a MI group or a control group where they received a brochure with information on the harm of high-risk drinking and tips on managing drinking habits. Four-week follow-up results showed that Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) scores decreased in the MI group and the control group compared to baseline scores. The difference between groups was not significant; however, group by time interaction was significant between the two groups: the slope of decreasing AUDIT-C scores over time was greater in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.042). The findings suggest that short comments received from doctors might be a key component in performing brief interventions for high-risk drinking management in Korean clinical settings.

Comparison of Bone Mineral Density and Markers of Bone Turnover in Osteoporotic Women after 6-Month Treatment with Alendronate or Bazedoxifene: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background@#In a randomized controlled trial, we compared the bone mineral densities (BMDs) and blood markers of bone turnover during short-term treatment of osteoporotic women with bisphosphonate alendronate or bazedoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator. @*Methods@#Ten and eleven patients were randomized to the alendronate and bazedoxifene groups, respectively. BMDs were measured before and after 6 months of treatment. Blood tests were used to measure the levels of osteocalcin (OC), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), vitamin D3, and parathyroid hormone pretreatment and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. The variables were compared statistically. @*Results@#The alendronate group showed decreases in blood levels of both OC and CTX during the study period (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively), while the bazedoxifene group had a decrease only in OC levels (P=0.012). After 6 months of treatment, BMDs significantly increased in the alendronate group at multiple bone sites, including the L1–4 lumbar vertebrae, femur trochanter, and total femur. However, there was no significant increase in BMD in the bazedoxifene group. BMDs were not significantly different between the 2 groups. @*Conclusions@#Patients treated with alendronate showed more rapid suppression of markers of bone turnover and higher BMD than those treated with bazedoxifene during a short-term regime. Considering the effects and complications of each medication, the relationship between bone turnover rate and bone quality will need to be investigated in future studies.

Comparison of Bone Mineral Density and Markers of Bone Turnover in Osteoporotic Women after 6-Month Treatment with Alendronate or Bazedoxifene: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background@#In a randomized controlled trial, we compared the bone mineral densities (BMDs) and blood markers of bone turnover during short-term treatment of osteoporotic women with bisphosphonate alendronate or bazedoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator. @*Methods@#Ten and eleven patients were randomized to the alendronate and bazedoxifene groups, respectively. BMDs were measured before and after 6 months of treatment. Blood tests were used to measure the levels of osteocalcin (OC), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), vitamin D3, and parathyroid hormone pretreatment and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. The variables were compared statistically. @*Results@#The alendronate group showed decreases in blood levels of both OC and CTX during the study period (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively), while the bazedoxifene group had a decrease only in OC levels (P=0.012). After 6 months of treatment, BMDs significantly increased in the alendronate group at multiple bone sites, including the L1–4 lumbar vertebrae, femur trochanter, and total femur. However, there was no significant increase in BMD in the bazedoxifene group. BMDs were not significantly different between the 2 groups. @*Conclusions@#Patients treated with alendronate showed more rapid suppression of markers of bone turnover and higher BMD than those treated with bazedoxifene during a short-term regime. Considering the effects and complications of each medication, the relationship between bone turnover rate and bone quality will need to be investigated in future studies.

Biomechanical comparison of single-bundle versus double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a meta-analysis

Methods@#The electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for relevant articles comparing the outcomes of SB-ACLR versus DB-ACLR that were published until November 2019. @*Results@#Seventeen biomechanical studies were included. The anterior laxity measured using the anterior drawer test showed significantly better results in DB-ACLR when compared with SB-ACLR. In addition, outcomes of the anterior tibial translation test under a simulated pivot shift presented with better results at low flexion and 30° in DB-ACLR, compared with SB-ACLR. However, there were no significant biomechanical differences between the groups in internal rotation. @*Conclusions@#The present study demonstrated that both techniques for ACLR are associated with restoration of normal knee kinematics. DB-ACLR is superior to SB-ACLR in terms of restoration of anteroposterior stability.However, which technique yields better improvement in internal rotation laxity, and internal rotation laxity under a simulated pivot shift at a specific angle, remains unclear.Level of evidence: This is a level II meta-analysis.

Effective professional intraoral tooth brushing instruction using the modified plaque score: a randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the modified plaque score (MPS) for assessing the oral hygiene status of periodontitis patients. METHODS: A total of 116 patients were included in this study. After evaluation of the Löe and Silness gingival index (GI), Silness and Löe plaque index (PlI), O'Leary plaque control record (PCR), and MPS, patients were randomly assigned to either a conventional tooth brushing instruction (C-TBI) group (n=56) or a professional intraoral tooth brushing instruction (P-TBI) group (n=60). The MPS and clinical parameters were re-evaluated after scaling and a series of root planing. The convergent validity of MPS with the PlI and PCR was assessed. The measurement time for MPS and PCR was compared according to the proficiency of the examiner. RESULTS: After root planing, the GI, PlI, PCR, and MPS improved from their respective baseline values in both groups. Three different plaque indices including the MPS, showed significant differences between the C-TBI group and the P-TBI group after root planing. The MPS showed significant concurrence with the PCR and PlI. The mean time for PCR measurement was 2.76±0.71 times longer than that for MPS measurement after 2 weeks of training. CONCLUSIONS: MPS seems to be a practical plaque scoring system compared with the PlI and PCR. These findings suggest that repetitive plaque control combined with an easily applicable plaque index (MPS) may facilitate more effective oral hygiene education and improved periodontal health.

A Comparison of Results after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in over 40 and under 40 Years of Age: A Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common injuries that occur in the knee, and ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is commonly performed for preventing aggravation of degenerative changes and restoring of knee stability in young, athletic patients. This metaanalysis has a purpose of evaluating the clinical and arthrometrical outcomes of ACLR in a group of middle age patients (40 years and older) and comparing with patients under 40 years of age. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and SCOPUS electronic databases were searched for relevant articles comparing the outcomes of ACLR between younger and older than 40 years of age until December 2016. Data searching, extraction, analysis, and quality assessment were performed based on the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Clinical outcomes were evaluated and compared between groups. The results were presented as mean difference for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals whereas risk ratio for binary outcomes. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. Based on International Knee Documentation Committee classification, side-to-side difference, Tegner activity score, Lysholm knee score, there were no significant clinical and mechanical differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis confirmed that after ACLR, middle age (>40 years) and young age (<40 years) patients did not present with significant difference in clinical and arthrometric results.

Characterization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in Macrophages Infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from Korea Patients

Apoptosis is an important host defense mechanism against mycobacterial infection. Recent reports suggest that links between apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are critical for the regulation of mycobacterial survival; however, the exact regulatory mechanisms are not well known. In this study, we isolated 20 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) clinical strains from Korean patients and examined ER stress-mediated apoptosis in Mtb-infected macrophages. Most Mtb strains increased the rates of apoptosis and production of ER stress-sensing molecules in mouse macrophages, similar to Mtb H37Rv infection. Moreover, the intracellular survival of Mtb clinical isolates in macrophages was similar to that of H37Rv. Our data suggest that infection with Mtb downregulated MCP-1 and MCPIP. The regulation of MCPIP may decrease ROS production, leading to a reduction in ER stress-mediated apoptosis.

Effects of the purified extracts from Lycii Cortex Radicis and ginger on lipid statusand serum cytokine levels in rats fed high fat diet

The present study was to investigate the effects of Lycii Cortex Radicis (LCR), the root bark of lycium (Lycium chenese Miller) and ginger (Gin) on body lipid status and serum levels of cytokines. Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats weighing 193.6 +/- 16.8 g were divided into five groups, including one low fat (LF) and four high fat groups, i.e. HF-Control, HF-LCR, HF-Gin and HF-LCR + Gin groups. Diets for HF-LCR, HF-Gin and HF-LCR + Gin groups contained purified extracts having 0.2 g LCR tyramine, ginerol and 0.1 g tyramine plus 0.02 g gingerol per kg, respectively. Compared with those of the HF-Control total serum cholesterol level decreased, and HDL-cholesterol level increased in the HF-LCR group and serum triglyceride levels decreased in the three experimental groups fed the purified extracts. Liver cholesterol level was lower in the HF-LCR group than the HF-Control group, but triglyceride levels, which were increased by high fat diets were not changed by significantly by LCR or ginger extracts. Fecal lipid excretion was higher in the HF-LCR and HF-Gin groups, but cholesterol excretion was lower in the HF-Gin group than in the HF-Control group. The activities of liver cytosolic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme were lower in the HF-LCR + Gin group than in the HF-Control group. Serum adiponectin levels did not differ among the five groups, while leptin level was lower in the HF-Gin group and C-reactive protein levels were lower in the HF-Gin and the HF-LCR + Gin groups than in the HF-Control group. It is concluded that LCR can be utilized as an ingredient for lipid-lowering functional foods in the form of purified extract and addition of small amount of ginger extract would be useful for reducing one of the inflammatory cytokines to help prevent atherosclerosis.

Consumption and Perception of High Caloric, Low Nutrient Dense Foods by Middle School Students in Daegu

The purpose of this study was to investigate the consumption and perception of high caloric-low nutrient dense foods in middle school students in the Daegu. Among 550 questionnaires distributed to students in Daegu, 528 (256 boys and 272 girls) were analyzed. A little higher than 80% of students ate snacks everyday, and 43.4%, 29.0%, and 8.1% ate snacks once, twice, and three times or more per day, respectively. Snacks and foods most frequently consumed were ice cream, fried noodles, drinks, cookies, and baked goods. Energy supply from snacks was 104.8~356.9 Kcal/intake while that from meal substitution foods was 520.7~980 Kcal/intake. Students' knowledge score of high caloric-low nutrient dense foods was 6.51+/-3.02 out of 10 points. Sixty percent of students did not read nutrition labels, but 67.9% of them thought that they need nutrition education by nutrition teachers. Students recognized the criteria of high caloric-low nutrient dense foods as well as proper food selection for essential educational items, It was concluded that effective education should be implemented in middle schools by nutrition teachers for students to develop good habits in selecting snacks and foods.

Effects of a safflower tea supplement on antioxidative status and bone markers in postmenopausal women

We conducted this study to examine the effects of safflower seed granular tea containing physiologically active polyphenols on antioxidative activities and bone metabolism. Forty postmenopausal women ages 49 to 64-years were recruited from Daegu and Gyeongbuk and were randomly assigned to either a safflower tea supplement (Saf-tea) group (n = 27) or a placebo group (n = 13). The Saf-tea group received 20 g of safflower seed granule tea per day containing a 13% ethanol extract of defatted safflower seeds, whereas the placebo group received a similar type of tea that lacked the ethanol extract. No significant changes in nutrient intake for either the placebo or Saf-tea groups were observed before or after the study period, except vitamin A intake increased after 6 months in the Saf-tea group. Dietary phytoestrogen intakes were similar in the Saf-tea group (60.3 mg) and placebo group (52.5 mg). Significant increases in plasma genistein and enterolactone were observed in the Saf-tea group. After 6 months of supplementation, serum levels of antioxidant vitamins such as alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid increased significantly, and TBARS levels decreased in the Saf-tea group compared to the placebo group. Serum osteocalcin levels were reduced (P < 0.05) in the Saf-tea group after 6 months, whereas serum osteocalcin did not change in the placebo group. Urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine excretion was not different between the two groups at baseline, and did not change in either group after 6 months. Bone mineral density decreased significantly in the placebo group (P < 0.01) but not in the supplemented group. It was concluded that polyphenols (72 mg/day), including serotonin derivatives, in the Saf-tea had both antioxidant and potential bone protecting effects in postmenopausal women without liver toxicity.

Study on the hypochlolesterolemic and antioxidative effects of tyramine derivatives from the root bark of Lycium chenese Miller

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypocholesterolemic effect and potential of tyramine derivatives from Lycii Cortex Radicis (LCR), the root bark of lycium (Lycium chenese Miller) in reducing lipid peroxidation. The activities of enzymes, hepatic 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) and LDL oxidation were measured in vitro and animal experiments were also performed by feeding LCR extracts to rats. The test compounds employed for in vitro study were trans-N-p-coumaroyltyramine (CT) and trans-N-feruloyltyramine (FT), LCR components, N-(p-coumaroyl)serotonin (CS) and N-feruloylserotonin (FS) from safflower seeds, ferulic acid (FA) and 10-gingerol. It was observed that FT and FS at the concentration of 1.2 mg/mL inhibited liver microsomal HMG CoA reductase activity by ~40%, but no inhibition of activity was seen in the cases of CT, CS, FA and 10-gingerol. Whereas, ACAT activity was inhibited ~50% by FT and CT, 34-43% by FS and CS and ~80% by 10-gingerol at the concentration of 1 mg/mL. A significant delay in LDL oxidation was induced by CT, FT, and 10-gingerol. For the animal experiment, five groups of Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed high fat diets containing no test material (HF-control), 1 and 2% of LCR ethanol extract (LCR1 and LCR2), and 1% of extracts from safflower seed (Saf) and ginger (Gin). The results indicated that total cholesterol level was significantly lower in Saf, LCR2 and Gin groups, and HDL cholesterol level was lower only in Gin group when compared with HF-control group; while there was no difference in the serum triglyceride levels among the five experimental groups. The level of liver cholesterol was significantly lower in LCR1 and LCR2 groups than HF-control. Serum levels of TBARS were significantly lower only in LCR2 group when compared with HF-control group. From the observed results, we concluded that LCR can be utilized as a hypocholesterolemic ingredient in combination with ginger, especially for functional foods.

Study on Job Training for Specialty Enhancement of School Nutrition Teachers: In Gyeongbuk Area

The present study was performed to evaluate the job training needs of school nutrition teachers in order to enhance their specialty. Three hundred and forty questionnaires were distributed to school nutrition teachers working at primary and high schools in the Gyeongbuk area while 45 were distributed to professors during 2010~2011. Three hundred and two questionnaires from school nutrition teachers and 33 from professors were returned and analyzed. The rate of teachers practicing nutrition education was 54%, and the educational content was obtained mainly from the internet. The top three problems the teachers encountered were 'lack of standardized educational materials', 'inexperience of teaching', and 'insufficiency of expert knowledge'. The teachers recognized 'training program' as the best solution. However, the job training program operated immediately after teachers were appointed scored only 3.03 out of 5.00. Important contents of the training program ranked highly by the teachers were 'development of education materials', 'nutrition counseling', and 'teaching method'. The professors included 'expert knowledge' in their top three contents. Both the teachers and professors agreed to increase the frequency of 'practice' in training methods. Other factors the teachers considered to be important were high quality, diversity, ability of the instructor, training cycle, and the institution in charge. From these results, it can be concluded that efficient job training programs are needed for school nutrition teachers according to the importance of the education contents and training methods. It is therefore suggested that a cooperation committee be composed of an educator, educatee, and related personal in a local education office in order to operate the program.

Vitamin E: alpha-Tocopherol and the Other Forms of Vitamin E

Vitamin E has been a generic term for all tocopherol and tocotrienol derivatives. The most active form of vitamin E isoforms in vivo is regarded to be alpha-tocopherol which is the only form defined as vitamin E in the US Food and Nutrition Board, causing controversy over setting dietary reference intake (DRI) of vitamin E. However, most of the countries other than the US maintain the original concept that all isoforms are accepted as vitamin E but with different biopotency. The roles of the isoforms of vitamin E other than alpha-tocopherol have received continuous attention. Among them those of gamma-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol have been most studied in comparison with alpha-tocopherol, since gamma-tocopherol comprises major form of vitamin E in many plant seeds and those of the both vitamin E have been implicated in unique physiological functions. This review summarizes findings that have led a better understanding of vitamin E absorption, transport, tissue storage and various functions common and specific to vitamin E isoforms focusing alpha- and gamma-tocopherol as well as tocotrienols. It is expected to help redefining vitamin E and setting its DRI for Koreans.

Effects of Various Mulberry Products on the Blood Glucose and Lipid Status of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

The study aim was to investigate the effects of three types of mulberry products on the blood glucose and lipid statuses and peroxidative state under diabetic condition. The three types were mulberry liquor prepared by adding 30% ethanol to the crushed fresh fruit, mulberry wine and vinegar by fermentation. For diet experiment the mulberry liquor (M-Liquor), wine (M-Wine), and vinegar (M-Vinegar) were prepared as powders by freeze-drying of the respective product and were added to the diet at the level of 1% and mulberry fruit powder (M-Powder) at the level of 5%. Sprague-Dawley female rats weighing 150 +/- 10 g were randomly assigned to one normal group, and five diabetic groups induced by one intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at the level of 50 mg/kg. The normal and diabetic control (DM-Control) groups were fed diet without the mulberry products. During twenty-one days of experimental diet, blood glucose was maintained at a low level in the M-Liquor group compared with the DM-Control group. However, serum insulin level was higher in both M-Liquor and M-Vinegar groups after the experimental diet period. Serum levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) were lower in M-Liquor but HDL-/total cholesterol ratios were higher in the four M groups. The TG liver level was lower in M-Powder and M-Vinegar groups but the cholesterol level was lower in M-Powder than in the DM-Control group. Serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were not different among the groups but the liver levels of these substances were lower in the four M groups than in DM-Control. Serum GOT and GPT levels were not changed by the mulberry products. These results indicated that mulberry liquor is the most effective among the four mulberry products for normalizing blood glucose and lipid status and that all the mulberry products were effective in enhancing antioxidant defense in the diabetic state.

Characteristics of Nutrient Intakes of Adults over 20 years in Daegu-Gyeongbuk: From the 1st to 3rd National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of nutrient intakes of adults aged 20-64 years in Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas in comparison with Seoul and the whole nation. Data from the 1st (1998) to 3rd (2005) Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were used. Total numbers of subjects were 296-369 from Daegu and 307-447 from Gyeongbuk while 1076-1244 from Seoul and 5436-6852 from the whole nation. Average energy intakes (men; 2,386, 2,581, 2,305 Kcal, women; 1,937, 1,981, 1,804 Kcal in 1998, 2001, 2005, respectively) of the subjects from Daegu were higher than those from Gyeongbuk (men; 2309, 2267, 2487 Kcal, women; 1,851, 1,845, 1,901 Kcal) and those from Seoul in 1998 and 2001 but not different from those in 2005. Energy from carbohydrate was consistently higher in the subjects from Daegu and Gyeongbuk than in those from Seoul from 1998 to 2005, when the subjects whose carbohydrate energy was over 70% comprised 34 to 58% of the total in the two regions. In 2005, the average intakes of calcium of women and men from Daegu were 512 and 573 mg, iron, 12.8 and 16.6 mg, sodium, 4,650 and 5,951 mg, potassium, 2,585 and 3,152 mg, vitamin A, 823 and 1,038 microgram RE, thiamin, 1.10 and 1.43 mg, riboflavin, 1.08 and 1.33 mg, and niacin. 15.4 and 19.3 mg, and vitamin C, 94 and 105 mg and these intakes were not very different from those from Gyeongbuk except higher sodium intake of the Gyeongbuk subjects. Nutrients of which the intakes were over 50% lower than EAR were calcium and riboflavin and those about 30% lower than EAR were iron in women, vitamins A and C in men and women from Daegu and Gyeongbuk. From the present results, it is concluded that high dependence on carbohydrate as energy source and low calcium intake in adults of Daegu and Gyeongbuk are serious and that low intakes of riboflavin, iron and vitamins A and C need to be improved. But changes in the intakes of total energy and other micronutrients from 1998 to 2005 were not reliable enough to judge the regional nutrition due to large variations during this period. The present study also provides the adults' nutrient intakes separated by sex and age groups in the three regions which could be readily used for setting up the nutrition policy for the adults in the regions.

Vitamin A and Vitamin E Status of Diabetic Patients and Normal Adults in Korea

We evaluated the vitamin A and E status of type 2 diabetic patients and normal adults living in Daegu area. Dietary intakes for two non-consecutive days were measured by 24-hour recall method for 76 diabetic patients and 72 normal adults. Plasma levels of retinol and alpha-tocopherol were measured using HPLC method. Dietary intakes of vitamin A were not significantly different between the diabetic and the normal adults. However, the diabetic patients had significantly lower vitamin E intakes than the normal adults. Major food sources for vitamin A intake were red pepper powder and carrot. Half of the subjects from diabetic as well as normal adults consumed less than estimated average requirement of vitamin A. Plasma levels of retinol and tocopherol were maintained within normal ranges for most of the subjects regardless of diabetic status. Dietary intake of vitamin A was associated with vitamin E intake, however, there was no significant correlations between vitamin E intake and plasma alpha-tocopherol levels. It seems that diabetic patients should try to increase dietary intake of vitamin E, as prolonged lower-level intake of vitamin E could eventually lead to vitamin E depletion. Further studies are needed to identify the magnitude of dietary variance at individual and seasonal levels, and to understand the discrepancies in dietary intake and plasma levels before establishing the dietary reference intake based on Korean dietary pattern.

Clinical Evaluation of Nephrotic Syndrome Manifesting in the First Year of Life

PURPOSE: This study was performed to report the diagnosis and treatment of nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the first year of life. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data with chart review in 7 patients who were diagnosed as nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the first year of life from 1996 to 2007. RESULTS: Three patients had congenital nephrotic syndrome, the other 4 patients had infantile nephrotic syndrome. Their ages ranged from birth to 11 months and male to female ratio was 1 to 6. Renal biopsies were done in 6 patients. One patient had Finnish type congenital nephrotic syndrome, 2 patients had diffuse mesangial sclerosis, 2 patients had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and 1 patient had minimal change disease. Genetic analyses of NPHS2, PLCE1, and WT1 were done in 4 patients and 2 of them had WT1 mutation. Among 3 patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome, 1 patient was diagnosed as congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finnish type and the other 2 patients were diagnosed as Denys-Drash syndrome. All of the patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome died due to sepsis. Among 4 patients with infantile nephrotic syndrome, 2 patients died and 1 had remission, another patient progressed to end stage renal disease. CONCLUSION: Most of nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the first year was hereditary renal disease. Patients with nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the 3 month of life had poorer prognosis and needed more aggressive management including early dialysis and renal transplantation might be considered compared with infantile nephrotic syndrome. Further genotype-phenotype correlation studies are needed.

Neonatal Hearing Screening in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Graduate

PURPOSE: Hearing loss is one of the common birth defects in humans, with a reported prevalence of 1-3 per 1000 newborns. We investigated the incidence of hearing loss and evaluated the use of neonatal hearing screening test in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates who are at greater risk for hearing loss than normal newborns. METHODS: The neonates admitted to the NICU of Asan Medical Center from 1 March, 2003 to 30 March, 2008 who were available for follow-up were included. Those who failed the first auditory brainstem response prior to discharge were retested with the stapedial reflex test, auditory brainstem response and tympanometry in the Otolaryngology department. RESULTS: Of 2,137 neonates, 2,000 (93.5%) neonates were tested prior to discharge. Sixty-seven neonates (3.4%) failed the first newborn hearing screening test. Of 67 infants, 52 infants were retested for a second hearing test. Excluding 10 infants (19.2%) who were lost during follow-up, 16 infants were confirmed to have hearing impairment of which 12 and 4 infants had unilateral and bilateral hearing loss, respectively. Of 16 infants, 5 did not meet the criteria set by the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hearing impairment in NICU graduates is about 0.8%, excluding those who were lost for follow up, necessitating a systemic and effective hearing assessment program among these high risk infants and more generous national insurance coverage.

Effects of Eisenia Bicyclis Extracts and Pill on Blood Glucose and Lipid Profile in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

The objectives of this study were to investigate the antihyperglycemic and hypolipidmic effects of sea oak (Eisenia bicyclis, EB) in the diabetic state and to examine the appropriateness of formulated EB pill for the effects. The various test materials obtained from EB were included in the experimental diets with 15% fat/0.5% cholesterol and fed to streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice weighing 35.0 +/- 0.7 g for three weeks but not in the control diet having the same composition. The test materials were EB dry powder, water and ethanol extracts, viscozyme-treated EB water extract (EB enzyme-TR) and formulated pill containing dry powders of the EB, two kinds of seaweed, black soybean, sesame, onion and garlic. BG was measured during feeding period and serum insulin, lipids and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and intestinal disaccharidase activities were measured at the end of the three weeks of the feeding. BG increase was lower in the EB enzyme-TR group after 10 days of the experimental diet but lower in EB pill group after 15 days compared with the control group. Serum insulin levels were higher in the EB enzyme-TR and EB pill groups. Intestinal maltase but not sucrase activity was higher in EB enzyme-TR fed group than the control group. Serum levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were reduced by the EB enzyme-TR and EB pill compared with the control diet. HDL-/total cholesterol was increased by all EB test materials. Serum TBARS levels were lower in the EB ethanol extract and EB pill groups than in the control group and tended to be lower in the other EB groups. It is concluded that the EB enzyme-TR is the best among the EB preparations to be utilized as a functional component for improving blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic subjects in the future. However, the pill containing low level of the EB powder is also regarded as effective and readily usable when formulated with the several other ingredients of the proper composition. (Supported by the RIC Program of MOCIE, Korea).

A Study on the Guideline Amounts of Sugar, Sodium and Fats in Processed Foods Met to Children's Taste

Currently, Korea is facing dramatic nutrition transition among children, which may increase risk of degenerative diseases due to excessive intakes of fats, sugars and sodium. Promotion of eating healthier foods among children is difficult because the present nutrition label is not easily understood. Therefore, to promote healthier foods this study was aimed at developing guidance of standard amounts of high, medium and low levels of sugars, sodium, fats and other components contained in foods or drinks that are promoted to or formulated for consumption by children. Multipronged approach was used to collecting information, including key word searches in Medline and other databases, internet searches, reports from world organization, and contact of key individuals who work in organizations. We reviewed dietary reference intakes for Koreans, nutrient reference values, nutrient content claims of nutrition labeling, guideline daily amounts of United Kingdom, dietary guidelines and consumption data of nutrients, and selected components for labeling. And we decided goals of guideline daily amounts for children and nutrient criteria to underpin the high, medium and low content of each component. Then we collected data on processed foods sold at 12 middle schools and 11 high schools in Seoul, and classified processed foods into food category. Sales per one student per day were in the order of snacks, breads, and non-carbonated drinks. One hundred forty five mostly consumed products were selected and classified into criteria of high, medium and low total fat or sodium. Eighty five (58.6%) were classified into high fat food and only 11 (7.6%) into high sodium food, in case that the base is chosen per 100 g or 100 mL. In conclusion, the nutrient criteria and choice of 100 g base, which we suggest in this study, need to be tested by simulation with more processed foods and refined in view of the practical issues suggested by stakeholders in future.