Nitrosylation of b2-Tubulin Promotes Microtubule Disassembly and Differentiated Cardiomyocyte Beating in Ischemic Mice

BACKGROUND@#Beating cardiomyocyte regeneration therapies have revealed as alternative therapeutics for heart transplantation. Nonetheless, the importance of nitric oxide (NO) in cardiomyocyte regeneration has been widely suggested, little has been reported concerning endogenous NO during cardiomyocyte differentiation. @*METHODS@#Here, we used P19CL6 cells and a Myocardiac infarction (MI) model to confirm NO-induced protein modification and its role in cardiac beating. Two tyrosine (Tyr) residues of b2-tubulin (Y106 and Y340) underwent nitrosylation (Tyr-NO) by endogenously generated NO during cardiomyocyte differentiation from pre-cardiomyocyte-like P19CL6 cells. @*RESULTS@#Tyr-NO-b2-tubulin mediated the interaction with Stathmin, which promotes microtubule disassembly, and was prominently observed in spontaneously beating cell clusters and mouse embryonic heart (E11.5d). In myocardial infarction mice, Tyr-NO-b2-tubulin in transplanted cells was closely related with cardiac troponin-T expression with their functional recovery, reduced infarct size and thickened left ventricular wall. @*CONCLUSION@#This is the first discovery of a new target molecule of NO, b2-tubulin, that can promote normal cardiac beating and cardiomyocyte regeneration. Taken together, we suggest therapeutic potential of Tyr-NO-b2-tubulin, for ischemic cardiomyocyte, which can reduce unexpected side effect of stem cell transplantation, arrhythmogenesis.

Evidence-based customized nutritional intervention improves body composition and nutritional factors for highly-adherent children and adolescents with moderate to severe obesity

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#Evidence-based customized nutritional interventions are required for effective treatment of moderate to severe obese children and adolescents. @*SUBJECTS/METHODS@#Sixty six (64.1% of 103) of the eligible participants who joined the usual care or physical activity group in the clinic were involved in 16-week intervention. Customized nutritional intervention was implemented for each participant based on a nutrition care process (NCP) model. Sociodemographic assessment, anthropometrics data, health- and dietary-related behaviors, and dietary intake of the study subjects were assessed at baseline and follow-up. All participants engaged in 30-minute nutritional sessions on a monthly basis. @*RESULTS@#After 16 weeks, there were significant improvements in body composition [BMI (−0.8 ± 0.9, P < 0.05), BMI z-score (−0.3 ± 0.2, P < 0.001), body fat (kg) (−1.3 ± 2.1, P < 0.05), and body fat (%)(−1.5 ± 1.9, P < 0.05)] as well as macronutrient intake [total energy intake (kcal) (−563.7 ± 656.8, P < 0.05), energy (%) (−26.5 ± 30.0, P < 0.05) and fat (g) (−28.3 ± 40.6, P < 0.05)] in the adherent group than the non-adherent group. The SOC was higher in both groups after the intervention (P < 0.001). @*CONCLUSIONS@#Our results highlight the positive effects of an evidence-based approach as a multidisciplinary intervention for people-centered nutritional care and weight management.

Association between Physical Fitness and Cardiometabolic Risk of Children and Adolescents in Korea / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the association between physical fitness and cardiometabolic health of Korean children and adolescents. METHODS: In total, 168 participants (89 boys and 79 girls) aged 10–16 years were recruited for the Intervention for Childhood and Adolescent Obesity via Activity and Nutrition Study in 2016. The subjects were categorized into two groups using the definition of metabolic syndrome by the International Diabetes Federation: metabolically unhealthy (with at least two of the five criteria) and healthy groups (with less than one criterion). Correlation analysis of the participants' general characteristics was performed. Odds ratios (ORs) of physical fitness for cardiometabolic risk were evaluated via logistic regression. RESULTS: Metabolically unhealthy children showed greater weight, height, and body mass index, higher Children's Depression Inventory score, and longer screen time than did the metabolically healthy children. Metabolically healthy children showed greater upper and lower extremity muscular strength than did the metabolically unhealthy children (P=0.04 and P<0.001, respectively). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, lower extremity muscle strength was inversely related to the clustered cardiometabolic risk of the children and adolescents with or without adjustment for confounders (OR, 4.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.87–9.97; OR, 7.64; 95% CI, 1.55–37.74, respectively). CONCLUSION: Physical fitness, especially lower extremity muscle strength, is significantly inversely associated with individual and clustered cardiometabolic risks in Korean children and adolescents.

College Alcohol Study for Alcohol-Related Behaviors and Problems / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to investigate the drinking behaviors and drinking-related problems of college students in South Korea to produce national alcohol statistics. METHODS: We carefully examined the questionnaires and previous research developed in the previous research project and selected questions that reflect the special environment and culture of college students. In order to stratify a nationally representative sample of college students, the distribution of students around the country were found through the educational statistics database of the Korea Educational Development Institute. Based on this information, we conducted a survey in collaboration with Gallup (Korea) to survey and analyze the drinking behaviors of 5,024 Korean students. RESULTS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017, for Korean college students. A total of 5,024 students were recruited and analyzed. The monthly drinking rate was 78.0% for male students and 72.9% for female students. The high-risk drinking rate was 23.3% for male students and 17.2% for female students. The most popular category for number of drinks per drinking session was ‘more than 10 glasses’ per drinking session for both male (44.1%) and female (32.8%). On the alcohol use disorders identification test, the greatest proportion of male students were in the high-risk drinking category (score 8 to 15) 43.8%, followed by the ‘low-risk drinking’ (score 0 to 7) in 43.6%, ‘alcohol abuse’ (score 16 to 19) 7.2%, and ‘alcohol dependence’ (greater than 20) 5.4% categories, respectively. For female students, the greatest proportion of female students were in the ‘low-risk drinking’ in 49.6%, followed by ‘high-risk drinking’ 37.1%, ‘alcohol abuse’ 8.4%, and ‘alcohol dependence’ 4.9% categories, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that the drinking behavior of Korean college students was excessive. Overall, it was found that the college population has a greater high-risk drinking behaviors than general adult population. Furthermore, these problem drinking behaviors were prominent among female college students. Results from the present study suggest that it is necessary to monitor the drinking behavior of college students with constant interest and to prepare policies and strategies suitable for these circumstances.

Evidence-based Nutritional Intervention Protocol for Korean Moderate-Severe Obese Children and Adolescents

Diet-related behavioral modification for healthy eating and lifestyle is required to improve childhood obesity. The present study aimed to develop customized nutritional intervention protocol and education program to find barriers to adhere healthy diet and lifestyle for moderate to severe obese children and adolescents and their families. Theoretical framework approaches can be used to change behavior and achieve goals. Previous studies that described the relationship between behavioral modification and nutrition education theory were reviewed. The social cognitive theory and transtheoretical model were employed with behavioral changes to target a healthful diet and lifestyle. The nutrition care process (NCP) model was adopted to customize nutrition care for the participants. Customized nutritional intervention protocol was developed following as the four steps of the NCP. Firstly, nutrition status of the participants was assessed by the nutrition expert. Nutrition problems were described as “inadequate energy intake,” “overweight/obesity,” or “food and nutrition-related knowledge deficit.” All nutrition sessions were designed for nutrition intervention to give nutritional knowledge and a practical mission in real life for individual goal setting and self-control. Meal planning, portion control, healthy snack selection and cooking with fruits and vegetables were consisted of five components of the nutrition education session. During each session, the participants and their families were interviewed by a nutrition expert for monitoring and evaluating diet-related goal setting and achievement. A theoretical and evidence-based nutritional intervention was developed for the secondary to tertiary prevention of childhood obesity. This nutrition intervention protocol and program might be helpful for the further research on childhood obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0002111

Assessment of Diet Quality by Weight Status and Its Association with Obesity in Children and Adolescents

Numerous studies have investigated quantifying dietary intake according to the weight status of children and adolescents. However, studies on differences in quality among diets remain scarce. This study compared diet quality by weight status and examined correlations between quality of diet and obesity in children and adolescents. Two hundred fourteen children and adolescents aged between 9 and 18 years participated in this study (Normal weight n=104, Obesity n=110). The data related to food intake were investigated by dietary records, Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I), and Nutrition Quotient (NQ) and then compared with Dietary Reference Intakes for Korean (KDRIs). In DQI-I, moderation factor (control of unhealthy foods) score was 21.7 in the normal weight group and 19.5 in the obesity group. The normal weight group showed a higher score for moderation factor than the obesity group (P<0.001). Compared with KDRIs, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, and zinc intakes were insufficient in both groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that DQI-I moderation was negatively associated with obesity (OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.69-0.87) after adjustment for age, gender, income, and total energy intake. Our results suggest that children and adolescents require nutritional education to understand the importance of vitamin and mineral consumption. Especially, education for children and adolescents with obesity needs to emphasize moderation of nutrient intake that can cause diseases with hyper-ingestion such as sodium and high calorie-low nutrition foods.

Recurrent Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Thirty six conseutive patients with recurrent hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage were identified in a retrospective review of 307 cases of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(HICH) treated at the Fatima hospital between September, 1989, and August, 1992. The recurrence rate was 1.7%. There were 14 males and 22 females, aged 38 to 83 years. Only one patient had recieved regular antihypertensive therapy after initial hemorrhage. The mean volume of hemorrhage was 21.7cc at first attack and 19.5cc at recurrent attack. The site of recurrent hemorrhage was putamen in 18 cases, thalamus in 12 cases, cerebellum in 8 cases and lobar in 3 cases. The most common pattern of recurrence was "Ganglionic-Ganglionic"(10 cases). Recurrent hemorrhage occurred at the same side in 54.8% and same side & same wite in 16.7% of recurrent hemorrhage. Mean interval between the hemorrhage was 17.4 months and 55.8% of recurrent hemorrhage occurred within 1 year. Initial condition was worse at recurrent hemorrhage and outcome also was worse regardless of treatment methods. We concluded that recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage in HICH patients was not a rare condition and regular follow up and antihypertensive therapy was important in prevention of recurrent hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

Odontoid Process Fracture in a 18-Month-Old Child

A 18-month-old child admitted with neck pain, spasm and neck motion limitation after traffic accident. On C-spine lateral view, there was anterior angulation of odontoid process with anterior displacement of atlas. Neurologic examination showed no specific focal deficits. The patient was treated with Gardner-Wells tongs traction, skeletal traction with wiring, Halo vest for 2 months, Minerva cast for 2 months and cervical collar brace. Eight months after the trauma, follow-up dynamic C-spine lateral view showed bone fusion without false movement or growth retardation.