A Prediction Model for Osteoporosis Risk Using a Machine-Learning Approach and Its Validation in a Large Cohort

Background@#Osteoporosis develops in the elderly due to decreased bone mineral density (BMD), potentially increasing bone fracture risk. However, the BMD is not regularly measured in a clinical setting. This study aimed to develop a good prediction model for the osteoporosis risk using a machine learning (ML) approach in adults over 40 years in the Ansan/Anseong cohort and the association of predicted osteoporosis risk with a fracture in the Health Examinees (HEXA) cohort. @*Methods@#The 109 demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, genetic, nutrient, and lifestyle variables of 8,842 participants were manually selected in an Ansan/Anseong cohort and included in the ML algorithm. The polygenic risk score (PRS) of osteoporosis was generated with a genome-wide association study and added for the genetic impact of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis was defined with 0.85) in 15 features among seven ML approaches. The model included the genetic factor, genders, number of children and breastfed children, age, residence area, education, seasons to measure, height, smoking status, hormone replacement therapy, serum albumin, hip circumferences, vitamin B6 intake, and body weight. The prediction models for women alone were similar to those for both genders, with lower accuracy. When the prediction model was applied to the HEXA study, the correlation between the fracture incidence and predicted osteoporosis risk was significant but weak (r = 0.173, P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#The prediction model for osteoporosis risk generated by XGBoost can be applied to estimate osteoporosis risk. The biomarkers can be considered for enhancing the prevention, detection, and early therapy of osteoporosis risk in Asians.

Oncologic outcomes according to the level of disease burden in patients with metachronous distant metastases from uterine cervical cancer: a Korean Radiation Oncology Group study (KROG 18-10) / 부인종양

Objective@#This study aimed to evaluate the oncologic outcomes according to disease burden in uterine cervical cancer patients with metachronous distant metastases. @*Methods@#Between 2005 and 2015, 163 patients with metachronous distant metastases from uterine cervical cancer after receiving a definitive therapy were evaluated at seven institutions in Korea. Low metastatic burden was defined as less than 5 metastatic sites, whereas high metastatic burden was others. Each metastasis site was divided based on the lymph node (LN) and organs affected. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed. Cox proportional hazards models, including other clinical variables, were used to evaluate the survival outcomes. @*Results@#The median follow-up duration was 22.2 months (range: 0.3–174.8 months). Para-aortic LNs (56.4%), lungs (26.4%), supraclavicular LNs (18.4%), and peritoneum (13.5%) were found to be the common metastasis sites. Among 37 patients with a single metastasis, 17 (45.9%) had LN metastases and 20 (54.1%) had organ metastases. The 1- and 2-year OS rates were 73.9% and 55.0%, respectively, whereas the PFS rates were 67.2% and 42.9%, respectively. SCC Ag after recurrence and high metastatic burden were significant factors affecting the OS (p=0.004 and p<0.001, respectively). Distant organ recurrence, short disease-free interval (≤2 years), and high metastatic burden were unfavorable factors for PFS (p=0.003, p=0.011, and p=0.002, respectively). @*Conclusion@#A favorable oncologic outcome can be expected by performing salvage treatments in selected patients with a long disease-free interval, low metastatic burden, and/or lymphatic-only metastasis.

Diagnostic index for acute eosinophilic pneumonia without bronchoscopy in military smokers

Background/Aims@#Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is common among military smokers; however, bronchoscopy is required for the diagnosis. We aimed to derive and validate a scoring system to diagnose AEP without bronchoscopy. @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective study including patients diagnosed with AEP or any other pneumonia among military smokers hospitalized in the Armed Forces Capital Hospital from 15 November 2016 through 25 December 2019. The patients were divided into derivation and validation groups according to their admission day. Patient symptoms, laboratory findings, and computed tomography findings were candidate variables. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to calculate the scores for each variable. @*Results@#Among 414 patients, AEP was confirmed in 54 of 279 patients (19.4%) in the derivation group and in 18 of 135 patients (13.3%) in the validation group. Ten variables were selected using LASSO regression: new-onset or a recently increased smoking (≤ 4 weeks) (8 points), interlobular septal thickening (5 points), absence of sputum (3 points), ground glass opacity (3 points), acute onset (≤ 3 days) (2 points), dyspnea (2 points), chest pain (2 points), leukocytosis (2 points), bronchovascular bundle thickening (2 points), and bilateral involvement (2 points). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of the score to diagnose AEP was 0.997 (95% confidence interval, 0.992 to 1.000) in the derivation group and 0.985 (95% confidence interval, 0.965 to 1.000) in the validation group. @*Conclusions@#We introduce a scoring system that can distinguish AEP from other types of pneumonia in military smokers without the need for bronchoscopy.

Efficacy and safety of Di-Tan Decoction for treating post-stroke neurological disorders: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials / 中国天然药物

The management of post-stroke complications plays an important role in the quality of life. Di-Tan Decoction (DTD; ) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. This study incorporated systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of DTD in post-stroke neurological disorders. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were searched from English, Chinese and Korean electronic medical databases, by including the keywords "Di-Tan Tang", "Di-Tan Decoction", "Scour Phlegm Decoction", "stroke", and "RCT. Each RCT included control (placebo, conventional therapy, or Western medicine) and experimental (DTD treatment) groups. For patients inflicted with stroke for 1-6 weeks, the outcomes of post-stroke neurological disorders were measured by scales for post-stroke symptoms and were classified as "completely healed", "markedly effective", "effective" and "ineffective". Totally, 11 RCTs (n = 490 controls and n = 502 DTD subjects) were selected from 210 articles identified in the initial search. A meta-analysis of evaluation criteria in post-stroke symptoms revealed that the overall odds ratio (ORs) for alleviating post-stroke neurological disorders were 0.30-fold lower (95% CI = 0.21-0.43) in the DTD group than the control (Western medicine) group (P < 0.000 01). Moreover, regardless of the type of stroke diagnostic scale applied (including NFA, HDS, and NIHSS), the overall post-stroke symptoms determined were less severe in the DTD group (n = 219) than the control group (n = 217). No adverse effects of DTD were observed in the 11 RCTs reviewed. All 11 studies used an appropriate method for randomization of subjects to evaluate the risk of bias (ROB), and 7 studies included allocation concealment as well as blinding of patients and practitioners. High-risk ROB was included in 6 RCTs. No significant publication bias was derived from the funnel plot. Our results indicate that the administration of DTD alone, and DTD in combination with Western medicine, exert greater efficacy for post-stroke complication therapy, than Western medicine administered alone. More rigorous and regulated studies are required to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of DTD for post-stroke neurological disorders. disorders.

Hyperglycemia and Hypo-HDLcholesterolemia Are Primary Risk Factors for Age-related Cataract, and a Korean-style Balanced Diet has a Negative Association, based on the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

Background@#The prevalence of cataracts is steadily increasing among the middle-aged and elderly worldwide. We hypothesized that adults aged > 50 years with age-related cataracts (ARCs) have an association with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components, and MS has interactions with different dietary patterns and lifestyles that affect ARC risk. We examined the hypothesis using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES; a large-scale hospital-based cohort study), which collected data between 2004–2013. @*Methods@#Participants ≥ 50 years old were classified as cases (1,972 ARC patients) and controls (38,290 healthy controls) based on a diagnosis of cataract by a physician. MS and its components were defined using WHO definitions for Asians. Dietary consumption was evaluated using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ), which contained 106 foods, and dietary patterns were analyzed by principal component analysis. After adjusting for potential covariates, logistic regression was used to investigate associations between MS and its components and between dietary patterns and a positive cataract history. @*Results@#ARC had a positive association with MS after 1.32-fold adjusting for age, sex, residence area, body mass index, and energy intake. Plasma glucose and HbA1c concentrations exhibited an increased ARC risk in the participants with MS by 1.50- and 1.92-fold and without MS by 1.35 and 1.88-fold, respectively. Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations were negatively associated with ARC risk only in the MS patients, but not without MS. However, blood pressure, abdominal obesity, and serum triglyceride concentrations did not associate with ARC risk regardless of MS. High intake of a Koreanbalanced diet (KBD) containing fermented food exhibited a negative association with ARC risk (OR = 0.81) only in the MS group. The fat and coffee intake had a negative association with ARC only in the non-MS group. Current- and former-smokers were positively associated with ARC risk. @*Conclusion@#Persons who have hyperglycemia and low-HDL-cholesterolemia had increased susceptibility of ARC prevalence. A KBD with a proper amount of fat (≥ 15%) is recommended, and smoking should be prohibited.

Hyperglycemia and Hypo-HDLcholesterolemia Are Primary Risk Factors for Age-related Cataract, and a Korean-style Balanced Diet has a Negative Association, based on the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

Background@#The prevalence of cataracts is steadily increasing among the middle-aged and elderly worldwide. We hypothesized that adults aged > 50 years with age-related cataracts (ARCs) have an association with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components, and MS has interactions with different dietary patterns and lifestyles that affect ARC risk. We examined the hypothesis using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES; a large-scale hospital-based cohort study), which collected data between 2004–2013. @*Methods@#Participants ≥ 50 years old were classified as cases (1,972 ARC patients) and controls (38,290 healthy controls) based on a diagnosis of cataract by a physician. MS and its components were defined using WHO definitions for Asians. Dietary consumption was evaluated using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ), which contained 106 foods, and dietary patterns were analyzed by principal component analysis. After adjusting for potential covariates, logistic regression was used to investigate associations between MS and its components and between dietary patterns and a positive cataract history. @*Results@#ARC had a positive association with MS after 1.32-fold adjusting for age, sex, residence area, body mass index, and energy intake. Plasma glucose and HbA1c concentrations exhibited an increased ARC risk in the participants with MS by 1.50- and 1.92-fold and without MS by 1.35 and 1.88-fold, respectively. Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations were negatively associated with ARC risk only in the MS patients, but not without MS. However, blood pressure, abdominal obesity, and serum triglyceride concentrations did not associate with ARC risk regardless of MS. High intake of a Koreanbalanced diet (KBD) containing fermented food exhibited a negative association with ARC risk (OR = 0.81) only in the MS group. The fat and coffee intake had a negative association with ARC only in the non-MS group. Current- and former-smokers were positively associated with ARC risk. @*Conclusion@#Persons who have hyperglycemia and low-HDL-cholesterolemia had increased susceptibility of ARC prevalence. A KBD with a proper amount of fat (≥ 15%) is recommended, and smoking should be prohibited.

Long-term Disease-free Survival after Trimodality Treatment of Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma Involving the Inferior Vena Cava and Right Atrium

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involving the inferior vena cava (IVC) and/or right atrium (RA) is a rare and intractable disease. A standard treatment has not been established yet, owing to the rarity of disease and difficulties in the therapeutic treatment. Herein, we report the case of a patient who had recurrent HCC (after a prior lobectomy) involving both IVC and RA and underwent multimodality treatments including external beam radiotherapy and transarterial chemotherapy, followed by sorafenib treatment. The disease was well controlled with local treatments and sustained for 7 years until last follow-up after the systemic treatments. Our case shows a possibility of long-term survival for patients affected by HCC involving IVC and/or RA, after a rigorous multimodality treatment strategy.

Prevalence and Clinical Features of Drug Reactions With Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms Syndrome Caused by Antituberculosis Drugs: A Retrospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE: Although there have been reported cases of drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome caused by antituberculosis drugs, there has been no research to examine its prevalence. This study assessed the prevalence and clinical characteristics of DRESS syndrome caused by antituberculosis drugs. METHODS: The electronic medical records of a cohort consisting of adult patients diagnosed with tuberculosis between July 2006 and June 2010 were reviewed and retrospectively inspected. We searched the surveillance system for adverse drug reactions and the electronic medical records to identify patients who reported severe cutaneous adverse reactions to antituberculosis drugs. These patients were then re-assessed using a European Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions to Drugs and Collection of Biological Samples (RegiSCAR) scoring system. Clinical characteristics, including the symptoms and latency of DRESS syndrome, the therapeutic dosage and period of steroids, and the final duration of tuberculosis therapy, were examined. RESULTS: Of the 1,253 adult patients with tuberculosis receiving antituberculosis drugs, 15 were identified as potential cases of DRESS syndrome (prevalence of 1.2%). Ethambutol was the most frequently used drug (53.5%), followed by rifampicin (26.7%), pyrazinamide (20.0%), streptomycin (13.3%), and isoniazid (6.7%). The median latency after day 1 of antituberculosis medication was 42 days. The median daily dose of steroids, expressed in prednisone-equivalent units, was 33-mg/day, and the median dosing period was 14 days. The duration of tuberculosis treatment was 76 days longer than the standard treatment period of 180 days. There was a significant difference in the peak eosinophil counts of DRESS syndrome patients according to RegiSCAR scores. Moreover, there was a significant quantitative correlation between the RegiSCAR score and peak eosinophil count. A negative correlation was also found between the RegiSCAR score and latency. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the prevalence of DRESS syndrome in a cohort of adult patients with tuberculosis.

Carbohydrate Intake Exhibited a Positive Association with the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Both Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaires and 24-Hour Recall in Women

We compared the usual nutrient intake in both the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) and 24-hour recall methods and determined the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk and nutrient intake calculated by both methods in Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES; 2012–2014) data. Adjusted odds ratios for MetS were calculated according to the intake of macronutrients, measured by the 2 methods in 10,286 adults, while controlling for covariates associated with MetS. Fat and carbohydrate intake (energy percent) calculated by 24-hour recall and SQFFQ was significantly different between the MetS and non-MetS groups, particularly in women. The differences in other nutrient intakes determined by both methods were mainly non-significant. The correlation coefficients between the 2 methods were about 0.4 for most nutrients except total vitamin A and iron (Fe). Energy intake according to gender and MetS presence was similar between the 2 methods. Carbohydrate intake exhibited a positive association with the MetS risk, while fat intake showed a negative association in both methods. The association exhibited a gender interaction with carbohydrate and fat intake calculated by 24-hour recall: women exhibited a significant association. However, for the SQFFQ a gender interaction was evident only for carbohydrate intake. In diet quality index of SQFFQ the adequacy of vegetables and total fat intake was higher in the non-MetS than the MetS. In conclusion, the MetS prevalence exhibited a positive association with carbohydrate intake only in women, as assessed by 24-hour recall and SQFFQ. The SQFFQ can be used to assess the association between usual food intake and MetS risk in large population studies.

Refining prognostic stratification of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: different prognosis between T1 and T2

PURPOSE: To validate the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control (AJCC/UICC) TNM staging system for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and investigate whether a modified classification better reflects the prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients diagnosed with non-metastatic HPV-related OPSCC between 2010 and 2016 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. HPV status was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of p16 and/or HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We reclassified TNM stage T0-1 and N0-1 as group A, T2-3 or N2 as B, and T4 or N3 as C. Survival analysis according to 8th AJCC/UICC TNM staging and the modified classification was performed. RESULTS: Of 383 OPSCC patients, 211 were positive for HPV DNA PCR or p16. After exclusion, 184 patients were included in this analysis. Median age was 56 years (range, 31 to 81 years). Most primary tumors were in the palatine tonsil (148 tumors, 80%). The eighth AJCC/UICC TNM classification could not differentiate between stage I and II (p = 0.470) or II and III (p = 0.209). Applying modified grouping, the 3-year overall survival rate of group A was significantly higher than that of group B and C (98% vs. 91%, p = 0.039 and 98% vs. 78%, p < 0.001, respectively). Differentiation between group B and C was marginally significant (p = 0.053). CONCLUSION: The 8th AJCC/UICC TNM staging system did not clearly distinguish the prognosis of stage II from that of other stages. Including the T2N0-1 group in stage II may improve prognostic stratification.

Role of fractionated radiotherapy in patients with hemangioma of the cavernous sinus

PURPOSE: We performed this retrospective study to investigate the outcomes of patients with hemangioma of the cavernous sinus after fractionated radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 10 patients with hemangioma of the cavernous sinus who were treated with conventional radiotherapy between January 2000 and December 2016. The median patient age was 54 years (range, 31–65 years), and 8 patients (80.0%) were female. The mean hemangioma volume was 34.1 cm3 (range, 6.8–83.2 cm3), and fractionated radiation was administered to a total dose of 50–54 Gy with a daily dose of 2 Gy. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 6.8 years (range, 2.2–8.8 years). At last follow-up, the volume of the tumor had decreased in all patients. The average tumor volume reduction rate from the initial volume was 72.9% (range, 18.9–95.3%). All 10 of the cranial neuropathies observed before radiation therapy had improved, with complete symptomatic remission in 9 cases (90%) and partial remission in 1 case (10%). No new acute neurologic impairments were reported after radiotherapy. One probable compressive optic neuropathy was observed at 1 year after radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Fractionated radiotherapy achieves both symptomatic and radiologic improvements. It is a well-tolerated treatment modality for hemangiomas of the cavernous sinus.

Refining prognostic stratification of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: different prognosis between T1 and T2

PURPOSE: To validate the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control (AJCC/UICC) TNM staging system for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and investigate whether a modified classification better reflects the prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients diagnosed with non-metastatic HPV-related OPSCC between 2010 and 2016 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. HPV status was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of p16 and/or HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We reclassified TNM stage T0-1 and N0-1 as group A, T2-3 or N2 as B, and T4 or N3 as C. Survival analysis according to 8th AJCC/UICC TNM staging and the modified classification was performed. RESULTS: Of 383 OPSCC patients, 211 were positive for HPV DNA PCR or p16. After exclusion, 184 patients were included in this analysis. Median age was 56 years (range, 31 to 81 years). Most primary tumors were in the palatine tonsil (148 tumors, 80%). The eighth AJCC/UICC TNM classification could not differentiate between stage I and II (p = 0.470) or II and III (p = 0.209). Applying modified grouping, the 3-year overall survival rate of group A was significantly higher than that of group B and C (98% vs. 91%, p = 0.039 and 98% vs. 78%, p < 0.001, respectively). Differentiation between group B and C was marginally significant (p = 0.053). CONCLUSION: The 8th AJCC/UICC TNM staging system did not clearly distinguish the prognosis of stage II from that of other stages. Including the T2N0-1 group in stage II may improve prognostic stratification.

Role of fractionated radiotherapy in patients with hemangioma of the cavernous sinus

PURPOSE: We performed this retrospective study to investigate the outcomes of patients with hemangioma of the cavernous sinus after fractionated radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 10 patients with hemangioma of the cavernous sinus who were treated with conventional radiotherapy between January 2000 and December 2016. The median patient age was 54 years (range, 31–65 years), and 8 patients (80.0%) were female. The mean hemangioma volume was 34.1 cm3 (range, 6.8–83.2 cm3), and fractionated radiation was administered to a total dose of 50–54 Gy with a daily dose of 2 Gy. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 6.8 years (range, 2.2–8.8 years). At last follow-up, the volume of the tumor had decreased in all patients. The average tumor volume reduction rate from the initial volume was 72.9% (range, 18.9–95.3%). All 10 of the cranial neuropathies observed before radiation therapy had improved, with complete symptomatic remission in 9 cases (90%) and partial remission in 1 case (10%). No new acute neurologic impairments were reported after radiotherapy. One probable compressive optic neuropathy was observed at 1 year after radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Fractionated radiotherapy achieves both symptomatic and radiologic improvements. It is a well-tolerated treatment modality for hemangiomas of the cavernous sinus.

Self-rated Subjective Health Status Is Strongly Associated with Sociodemographic Factors, Lifestyle, Nutrient Intakes, and Biochemical Indices, but Not Smoking Status: KNHANES 2007-2012

Despite advertised health warnings regarding the deadly hazards of smoking, many people have not heeded recommendations to quit smoking. We examined factors that affect self-rated subjective health status (SRH) scores among lifestyle, nutrient intake and biochemical parameters, and the association of SRH scores and smoking status in a large Korean adult population. Adjusted odd ratios for SRH were calculated for smoking status, selected biochemical data, and food and nutrient intake obtained using the 24-hr recall method after covariate adjustment in the 2007-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (27,534 men and women aged > or = 20 yr). Age, sex, income, education, drinking, exercise and stress levels were associated with SRH scores, regardless of smoking status (P < 0.001). Interestingly, people in any smoking status groups considered the well-known indicators for metabolic diseases (HDL cholesterol, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase in the circulation), and the intake of fiber, total vitamins A, and vitamin C as indicators of SRH. Especially in current smokers, higher intake of nutritious food groups such as grains (OR = 1.227), vegetables (OR = 1.944), and milk (OR = 2.26) significantly increased the adjusted odds ratio of SRH. However, smoking status was not associated with SRH scores. In conclusion, SRH is affected by the indices related to health but not smoking status in Korean adults. The development of a new indicator of the direct adverse effects of smoking at regular health check-ups might be required to modulate the SRH in smokers and a nutritional education should not include the possible attenuation of adverse effects of smoking by good nutrition.

Serum Magnesium Level Is Associated with Type 2 Diabetes in Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: The Korea National Diabetes Program Study

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a strong predictor of postpartum prediabetes and transition to overt type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Although many reports indicate that low magnesium is correlated with deteriorated glucose tolerance, the association between postpartum serum magnesium level and the risk for T2DM in women with a history of GDM has not been evaluated. We analyzed postpartum serum magnesium levels and development of prediabetes and T2DM in women with prior GDM according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria using the Korean National Diabetes Program (KNDP) GDM cohort. During a mean follow-up of 15.6+/-2.0 months after screening, 116 women were divided into three groups according to glucose tolerance status. Ultimately, eight patients (6.9%) were diagnosed with T2DM, 59 patients (50.9%) with prediabetes, and 49 patients (42.2%) with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) after follow-up. The T2DM group had the lowest serum magnesium level (0.65 [0.63-0.68] mM/L) in the postpartum period, but there was no significant difference between the prediabetes group (0.70 [0.65-0.70] mM/L) and the NGT group (0.70 [0.65-0.70] mM/L) (P=0.073) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that postpartum HOMA-IR was a significant predictor of both prediabetes and T2DM. Moreover, we found that postpartum serum magnesium level was also a possible predictor for T2DM development. Serum magnesium level in the postpartum period may be a possible predictor for T2DM development in women with a history of GDM.

Antioxidant action of soy isoflavones on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities in exercised rats

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Isoflavones are widely believed to be beneficial to human health, in relation to their antioxidant potentials. Exercise can cause an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. This study was conducted in order to investigate the ability of isoflavones in amelioration of oxidative stress induced by exercise. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of four groups: isoflavone-free with no exercise (CON-sd), isoflavone-free with exercise (CON-ex), isoflavone-supplemented with no exercise (ISF-sd), and isoflavone-supplemented with exercise (ISF-ex). Animals exercised on the treadmill for 30 minutes per day, five days per week. TBARS as a marker of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity, including SOD, GSH-px, and catalase were determined in liver tissue. Serum lipid profile was also examined. RESULTS: A significant effect of isoflavone alone was observed on abdominal fat pad mass. ISF-ex had significantly less abdominal fat pad than CON-ex. Both exercise and isoflavone treatment had significant effects on lowering plasma triglyceride (TG), thus, the ISF-ex group had a significantly lower TG level than the CON-sd group, by 30.9%. However, no differences were observed in plasma cholesterol, HDL-C, and cholesterol/HDL-C ratio. Exercise, isoflavone, and exercise-isoflavone interaction effects were significant on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (P = 0.001, 0.002, and 0.005, respectively). The CON-ex group showed a higher TBARS level than the other three groups. By contrast, in the ISF-ex group, TBARS was restored to the level of the ISF-sd or CON-sd group. Isoflavone had a significant effect on superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P = 0.022) and catalase activities (P = 0.049). Significantly higher SOD and catalase activities were observed in ISF-ex than CON-ex. SOD and catalase activities showed an inverse pattern of TBARS. Taken together, isoflavones increased the activities of SOD and catalase with concomitant decreases in TBARS, indicative of decreased oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflavone supplementation enhances antioxidant action with attenuation of exercise-induced oxidative stress, as measured by decreases in TBARS, and inhibits body fat accumulation and plasma TG increase. Antioxidative effects ascribed to isoflavones may be partially exerted via enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities.

Inappropriate Survey Design Analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey May Produce Biased Results / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The inherent nature of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) design requires special analysis by incorporating sample weights, stratification, and clustering not used in ordinary statistical procedures. METHODS: This study investigated the proportion of research papers that have used an appropriate statistical methodology out of the research papers analyzing the KNHANES cited in the PubMed online system from 2007 to 2012. We also compared differences in mean and regression estimates between the ordinary statistical data analyses without sampling weight and design-based data analyses using the KNHANES 2008 to 2010. RESULTS: Of the 247 research articles cited in PubMed, only 19.8% of all articles used survey design analysis, compared with 80.2% of articles that used ordinary statistical analysis, treating KNHANES data as if it were collected using a simple random sampling method. Means and standard errors differed between the ordinary statistical data analyses and design-based analyses, and the standard errors in the design-based analyses tended to be larger than those in the ordinary statistical data analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Ignoring complex survey design can result in biased estimates and overstated significance levels. Sample weights, stratification, and clustering of the design must be incorporated into analyses to ensure the development of appropriate estimates and standard errors of these estimates.

Maternal and lifestyle effect on bone mineral density in Korean children and adolescents aged 8-19

Higher bone mineral density (BMD) at a young age, calcium intake, and exercise are important for prevention of osteoporosis later in life. We examined familial effects of BMD between mothers and children and adolescents aged 8-19 in Cheonan, Korea and the relationships between BMD and lifestyle parameters, including: food and nutrient intake and exercise. For daughters and sons, significant differences in BMD were observed at the three bone sites (total femur, femur neck, and lumbar spine) according to age, gender, body mass index, exercise, and milk consumption, compared to the reference value for each classification category. Mean differences in children's BMD were observed according to maternal BMD. Energy and calcium intake were lower in both children and mothers in comparison to the estimated daily energy requirement; however, their protein intake was much greater than the daily recommended intake. After adjusting for age and gender and for mother's age, body mass index, and total calorie intake, results of the food frequency test showed an association of a higher intake of meat, meat products, milk and milk products with greater BMD of total femur, femur neck, and lumbar spine of children. In addition, exercise was positively associated with higher BMD. Regression analysis showed a positive association of BMD with age, male gender, exercise, and mother's BMD. In conclusion, after adjustment for environmental parameters, maternal BMD had a positive influence on BMD in daughters and sons. This finding suggests that parents need to check their BMD in order to determine whether their children are at increased risk of low BMD.

Retraction: Maternal and lifestyle effect on bone mineral density in Korean children and adolescents aged 8-19 / 한국영양학회지

It has come to my attention that the manuscript below contains an accidental mistake in writing the institution that approved the IRB approval.

Vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Koreans aged > or = 50 years: results from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for metabolic syndromes. We examined whether vitamin D deficiency altered the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older Koreans. Cross-sectional analysis of data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV 2008-2009 was used to examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and the prevalence of CVD in a representative population-based sample of 5,559 men and women aged > or = 50 years. CVD was defined as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The prevalence of CVD (7.0%) in the older Korean population was lower than that in the older US population, although average serum 25(OH)D levels were much lower in the Korean population. Additionally, serum 25(OH)D levels did not differ significantly between the CVD and non-CVD groups. However, subjects in the lowest category ( 75 nmol/l), after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, education level, residence location, and region. The prevalence of other risk factors for CVD, including higher waist circumference, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, was also higher among subjects in the lowest category than among those in the highest category. In conclusion, low serum 25(OH)D may be an independent risk factor for CVD in older Koreans.