PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the association of food security with the total and individual flavonoid intakes among Korean adults. METHODS: Study subjects were 13,454 men and 19,563 women aged 19 years and older who participated in the 2007~2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Subjects were classified into food-secure and food-insecure groups using the answers to a self-reported question on food sufficiency of subjects' household. The total and individual flavonoid intakes were calculated by linking 24-h dietary recall data of subjects with a flavonoid database. Mean differences in dietary outcomes by food security status, and major food sources of total flavonoids were examined. RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, 5.8% of male adults and 6.6% of female adults were in food insecure households. Mean daily intakes of total flavonoids, flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, isoflavones, and proanthocyanidins were significantly lower in food-insecure groups than food-secure groups among both male and female adults. The differences were maintained in total flavonoids, flavones, flavanones, and flavan-3-ols after adjusting for total energy intake. Mean intakes of fruits and vegetables were significantly lower in food-insecure groups and the total flavonoid intake from fruits and vegetables was also significantly lower in food-insecure groups. The major food sources of total flavonoids were apples (20.7%), mandarines (12.0%), and tofu (11.5%) in the food-secure group, and apples (14.9%), tofu (13.3%), and mandarines (12.6%) in the food-insecure group. CONCLUSION: This study showed that food insecurity was associated with lower intakes of flavonoids and reduced intakes of fruits and vegetables in a representative Korean population.
Adult* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Energy Intake ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Flavanones ; Flavones ; Flavonoids ; Flavonols ; Food Supply* ; Fruit ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; Korea* ; Male ; Malus ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Proanthocyanidins ; Soy Foods ; Vegetables

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate intakes of macronutrients and antioxidant vitamins according to the Hansik consumption rate among Korean adults. METHODS: Using data from the 2007~2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 33,069 subjects aged over 19 years old were included in this study. We estimated individual daily Hansik consumption rates and intakes of macronutrients and antioxidant vitamins, including vitamin A and its subgroup such as retinol, α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin, vitamin C, and vitamin E, by linking food consumption data with the nutrient and antioxidant vitamin database of commonly consumed foods. RESULTS: Around 75% of subjects consumed Hansik in over 75% of their daily total consumed food. The most frequently consumed Hansik was cabbage kimchi (1.57 times/day), followed by multigrain rice (0.86 times/day) and white rice (0.80 times/day). The household income level and education level was inversely associated with the Hansik consumption rate. There was a positive relationship between Hansik consumption rate and vitamin A, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and vitamin C intakes. On the other hand, Hansik consumption rate was inversely associated with energy and fat intake. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that Hansik consumption could provide more antioxidant vitamins and less energy and fat. Thus, further research will be needed to analyze the association between Hansik and health effects.
Adult* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Brassica ; Education ; Family Characteristics ; Hand ; Humans ; Korea* ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins*

We found the changed distribution of glucose transporter (GLUT) proteins in the skin during rat development. At 15 days of gestation, GLUT1 and 2 proteins were expressed in the stratum corneum of epidermal cells. In postnatal skin, however, GLUT1 and 2 exhibit different expression patterns. While GLUT1 expression becomes more restricted to the stratum basale with development, GLUT2 was found mainly in stratum spinosum and granulosum, but not being localized in the stratum basale at any stages of perinatal skin development. Considering all these, it can be speculated that each GLUT protein plays its specific role in different epidermal layers and that the glucose used in mammalian skin in utero could be originated from the amniotic fluid during skin development.
Amniotic Fluid ; Animals ; Epidermis ; Female ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Glucose* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Pregnancy ; Rats* ; Skin*

Background/Aims: Increased esophagogastric junction (EGJ) relaxation is the most important mechanism involved in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). An endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP Ⓡ ) is a device used to quantify EGJ distensibility in routine endoscopy. The aim of the current study was to assess the usefulness of EndoFLIP Ⓡ for the diagnosis of GERD compared to normal controls. Methods: We analyzed EndoFLIP Ⓡ data from 204 patients with erosive reflux disease (ERD), 310 patients with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD), and 277 normal subjects. EndoFLIP Ⓡ uses impedance planimetry to measure 16 cross-sectional areas (CSAs) in conjunction with the corresponding intrabag pressure within a 4.6 cm cylindrical segment of a fluid-filled bag. The EGJ distensibility was assessed using 40 mL volume-controlled distensions. Results: The mean distensibility index values were 13.98 mm 2 /mm Hg in ERD patients, 11.42 mm2 /mm Hg in NERD patients, and 9.1 mm 2 /mm Hg in normal subjects. There were significant differences in EGJ distensibility among the three groups (p<0.001). In addition, the CSAs were significantly higher in the ERD (291.03±160.77 mm 2 ) and NERD groups (285.87±155.47 mm2 ) than in the control group (249.78±144.76 mm 2, p=0.004). We determined the distensibility index cutoff value of EGJ as 10.95 for the diagnosis of GERD by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Conclusions The EGJ distensibilities of GERD patients were higher than those of normal subjects, regardless of the presence of reflux esophagitis. Thus, the measurement of EGJ distensibility using the EndoFLIP Ⓡ system could be useful in the diagnosis of GERD.

Background/Aims: Increased esophagogastric junction (EGJ) relaxation is the most important mechanism involved in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). An endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP Ⓡ ) is a device used to quantify EGJ distensibility in routine endoscopy. The aim of the current study was to assess the usefulness of EndoFLIP Ⓡ for the diagnosis of GERD compared to normal controls. Methods: We analyzed EndoFLIP Ⓡ data from 204 patients with erosive reflux disease (ERD), 310 patients with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD), and 277 normal subjects. EndoFLIP Ⓡ uses impedance planimetry to measure 16 cross-sectional areas (CSAs) in conjunction with the corresponding intrabag pressure within a 4.6 cm cylindrical segment of a fluid-filled bag. The EGJ distensibility was assessed using 40 mL volume-controlled distensions. Results: The mean distensibility index values were 13.98 mm 2 /mm Hg in ERD patients, 11.42 mm2 /mm Hg in NERD patients, and 9.1 mm 2 /mm Hg in normal subjects. There were significant differences in EGJ distensibility among the three groups (p<0.001). In addition, the CSAs were significantly higher in the ERD (291.03±160.77 mm 2 ) and NERD groups (285.87±155.47 mm2 ) than in the control group (249.78±144.76 mm 2, p=0.004). We determined the distensibility index cutoff value of EGJ as 10.95 for the diagnosis of GERD by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Conclusions The EGJ distensibilities of GERD patients were higher than those of normal subjects, regardless of the presence of reflux esophagitis. Thus, the measurement of EGJ distensibility using the EndoFLIP Ⓡ system could be useful in the diagnosis of GERD.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify core keywords and topic groups in the “adolescent pregnancy” field of research for a better understanding of research trends in the past 10 years. Methods: Topics related to adolescent pregnancy were extracted from 3,819 articles that were published in journals between January 2013 and July 2023. Abstracts were retrieved from five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, RISS, and KISS). Keywords were extracted from the abstracts and cleaned using semantic morphemes. Text network analysis and topic modeling were performed using NetMiner 4.3.3. Results: The most important keywords were “health,” “woman,” “risk,” “group,” “girl,” “school,” “service,” “family,” “program,” and “contraception.” Five topic groups were identified through topic modeling. Through the topic modeling analysis, five themes were derived: “health service,” “community program for school girls,” “risks for adult women,” “relationship risks,” and “sexual contraceptive knowledge.” Conclusion This study utilized text network analysis and topic modeling to analyze keywords from abstracts of research conducted over the past decade on adolescent pregnancy. Given that adolescent pregnancy leads to physical, mental, social, and economic issues, it is imperative to provide integrated intervention programs, including prenatal/postnatal care, psychological services, proper contraception methods, and sex education, through school and community partnerships, as well as related research studies. Nurses can play a vital role by actively engaging in prevention efforts and directly supporting and educating socially disadvantaged adolescent mothers, which could significantly contribute to improving their quality of life.

Background/Aims: Integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) is a critical diagnostic criterion to define achalasia. However, there are some cases with typical symptoms and signs of achalasia but with normal IRP. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with achalasia with normal IRP and outcomes after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). Methods: Patients with achalasia were collected in whom POEM was performed from November 2014 to April 2018 at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Achalasia with normal IRP was defined by findings compatible to achalasia in Eckardt score, endoscopy with endoscopic ultrasound, high-resolution manometry, impedance planimetry (EndoFlip), and timed esophagogram. Results: POEM was performed in 89 patients with achalasia; among them, 24 (27%) patients were diagnosed with achalasia with normal IRP. Patients with achalasia with normal IRP were older, had longer duration of symptom, and had a more tortuous esophagus. In EndoFlip, the distensibility index and cross-sectional area were higher in patients with normal IRP. Therapeutic outcomes showed no statistically significant differences. On correlation analysis, IRP had negative correlations with age, disease duration, and distensibility index. Conclusions Patients with achalasia of normal IRP value were older and had longer disease duration and higher distensibility index and crosssectional area than patients with achalasia with abnormal relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter. Therapeutic outcomes were not different between the 2 groups.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the dietary flavonoid intakes of Korean adults according to socioeconomic status. METHODS: Using data from the 2007~2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 31,112 subjects aged over 19 years were included in this study. We estimated individuals' daily intakes of total flavonoids and seven flavonoid subclasses, including flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidin, and isoflavones,by linking food consumption data with the flavonoids database for commonly consumed Korean foods. We compared intakes of flavonoids according to the levels of household income and education. RESULTS: Average dietary flavonoid intakes of the study subjects were 321.8 mg/d in men and 308.3 mg/d in women. Daily flavonoid intakes were positively associated with household income level (p < 0.0001) and education level (p < 0.0001). The subjects in the highest household income and highest education level group (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.30~0.45, p < 0.0001 in men, OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.41~0.60, p < 0.0001 in women) had a lower likelihood of having low total flavonoid intake (less than 25 percentile) compared to the lowest household income and lowest education level group. The food group that contributed to total flavonoid intake with the biggest difference between the lowest and highest groups for both household income level and education level was beverages. CONCLUSION: This study shows that socioeconomic status was positively associated with flavonoid intake in a representative Korean population. Further research is needed to analyze the association of flavonoid intake with health outcomes according to socioeconomic status such as household income and education level.
Adult* ; Anthocyanins ; Beverages ; Education ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Flavanones ; Flavones ; Flavonoids ; Flavonols ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Social Class*

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter Pylori(H.pylori) causes chronoc gastritis and petric ulcer and is related to the development of stomach cancer. Proton pump inhibitor(PPI)-based new triple regimens are widely used at present to eradicate H.pylori. However, it still remains unclear whether these regimens are also effective in the elderly. METHODS: H. pylori was determined by CLO test and/or histology. The effectiveness of 1-wk new triple therapy(OMC25 or OMC5; Omeprazole 20 mg b.d., clarithromycin 250 mg or 500 mg b.d., and metronidazole 500 mg b.d., OAC; omeprazole 20 mg b.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.d., and amoxicillin 10 g b.d.) on the eradication of H.pylori was evaluated in 1,042 patients with peptic ulcer or non-ulcer dyspepsia(NUD) in a retrospective study. We also prospectively investigated the eradication rate of quadruple therapy(omeprazole, tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate, amoxicillin and tetracycline) for 10 days in 150 pa-tients who failed the eradication by the new triple therapy. RESULTS: The overall eradication rate of the new triple therapy was 86.9% with those of OMC25, OMC5 and OAC being 76.6, 87.7 and 88.7%, respectively. The eradication rate of OMC25 was lower than that of OMC5 and OAC(p<0.005). The eradication rate of quadruple therapy was 64.7%. No significant difference in eradication rates was observed between the elderly and young persons, male and female, and underlying diseases. CONCLUSION: The similar eradication rate of the new triple therapy and quadruple therapy between the elderly and young persons suggests that these regimens are also recommendable for the eradication of H.pylori in the elderly.
Aged* ; Amoxicillin ; Bismuth ; Clarithromycin ; Female ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Male ; Metronidazole ; Omeprazole ; Peptic Ulcer ; Prospective Studies ; Proton Pumps ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used for wound healing in various medical fields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of local PRP injections after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). METHODS: Patients were non-randomly divided into the following two groups: (1) control group in which patients were administered only an intravenous proton pump inhibitor (PPI), and (2) a study group in which patients were administered an intravenous PPI and a topical PRP injection. We assessed the reduction in the ulcer area and stage of the ulcer after the procedure (24 hours, 48 hours, and 28 days after endoscopic surgery). RESULTS: We enrolled 7 study and 7 control patients. In the study group, the rate of ulcer reduction was 59% compared to 52% in the control group (p=0.372), 28 days after ESD. There were 5 patients in the S stage and 2 patients in the H stage in the study group compared to no patient in the S stage and 7 patients in the H stage in the control group (p=0.05), 28 days after ESD. There were no serious complications in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The local injection of PRP is a safe and effective procedure for ulcer healing after ESD.
Humans ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Proton Pumps ; Treatment Outcome ; Ulcer ; Wound Healing