Objectives: This study investigated the association between exacerbated economic hardship during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and changes in the health behaviors of Korean adolescents. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey and included 44 908 students (22 823 boys and 22 085 girls) as study subjects. The dependent variables included changes in health behaviors (breakfast habits, physical activity, and alcohol use) that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aggravation of economic hardship by COVID-19 and the subjective economic status of the family were used as exposure variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was utilized to calculate the prevalence odds ratios (PORs). Results: Severe exacerbation of a family’s economic hardship due to COVID-19 was negatively associated with the health behaviors of adolescents, including increased breakfast skipping (POR, 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55 to 2.21 for boys and POR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.92 for girls) and decreased physical activity (POR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.57 for boys and POR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.60 for girls). These negative changes in health behaviors were further amplified when combined with a low subjective family economic status. Conclusions The experience of worsening household hardship can lead to negative changes in health behavior among adolescents. It is crucial to implement measures that address the economic challenges that arise from stressful events such as COVID-19 and to strive to improve the lifestyles of adolescents under such circumstances.

Cancer metabolism is considered as one of major cancer hallmarks. It is important to understand cancer-specific metabolic changes and its impact on cancer biology to identify therapeutic potentials. Among cancer-specific metabolic changes, a role of serine metabolism has been discovered in various cancer types. Upregulation of serine synthesis pathway (SSP) supports cell proliferation and metastasis. The change of serine metabolism is, in part, mediated by epigenetic modifiers, such as Euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 and Lysine Demethylase 4C. On the other hand, SSP also influences epigenetic landscape such as methylation status of nucleic acids and histone proteins via affecting S-adenosyl methionine production. In the review, we highlight recent evidences on interactions between SSP and epigenetic regulation in cancer. It may provide an insight on roles and regulation of SSP in cancer metabolism and the potential of serine metabolism for cancer therapy.
Biology ; Cell Proliferation ; Epigenomics* ; Hand ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase ; Histones ; Lysine ; Metabolism* ; Methionine ; Methylation ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nucleic Acids ; Serine* ; Up-Regulation

PURPOSE: Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychostimulant of the methylxanthine class. Among adolescents, high-dose of caffeine consumption has increased rapidly over the last few decades due to the introduction of energy drinks. However, little is known about the time-dependent effect of high doses of caffeine consumption in adolescents. The present study aims to examine the short- and long-term influence of high-dose caffeine on behavior of adolescence. METHODS: The animals were divided into three groups: a “vehicle” group, which was injected with 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline for 14 days; a “Day 1” group, which was injected with caffeine (30 mg/kg), 2 h before the behavioral tests; and a “Day 14” group, which was infused with caffeine for 14 days. An open-field test, a Y-maze test, and a passive avoidance test were conducted to assess the rats'activity levels, anxiety, and cognitive function. RESULTS: High-dose caffeine had similar effects in short-and long-term treatment groups. It increased the level of locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior, as evidenced by the increase in the number of movements and incidences of rearing and grooming in the caffeine-treated groups. No significant differences were observed between the groups in the Y-maze test. However, in the passive avoidance test, the escape latency in the caffeine-treated group was decreased significantly, indicating impaired memory acquisition. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that high-dose caffeine in adolescents may increase locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior and impair learning and memory, irrespective of the duration of administration. The findings will be valuable for both evidence-based education and clinical practice.
Adolescent ; Animals ; Anxiety ; Behavior Rating Scale ; Caffeine ; Cognition ; Education ; Energy Drinks ; Grooming ; Humans ; Incidence ; Learning ; Locomotion ; Memory ; Models, Animal ; Motor Activity ; United Nations

Purpose: Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely available drug responsible for a large part of drug-induced hepatotoxicity in developed countries. Although acetaminophen overdose cases in Korea are being continuously reported, there are no reports related to the level of this drug in the patient’s blood or of laboratory analysis at emergency departments (ED). This study sought to analyze the acetaminophen overdose cases at a toxicological laboratory and to survey APAP analysis services offered at select EDs. Methods: We analyzed the demographic and analytic data at a toxicological laboratory run by the National Emergency Medical Center (NMC) in 2019-2020. We surveyed the APAP laboratory service in the 38 regional emergency medical centers (EMCs) and 68 local EMCs near the toxicological laboratory. Results: We studied 175 acute poisoning cases (112 women) with positive blood APAP results (mean age 47.0±24.1 years).Suicide attempts comprised 40.0% of the cases and 30.3% APAP overdose events. In the univariate analysis, we observed that patients were significantly younger, with fewer underlying medical diseases. There were a higher number of APAP overdose events, more favorable initial mental status, more toxic quantity intake in the above treatment line group (p<0.05), In multivariate analysis, the toxic amount intake was significantly more frequent in the above treatment line group (p<0.01). Hospital APAP analysis services were available in six EMCs (3/38 regional and 3/68 local). The hospital blood APAP level reporting intervals were shorter than outside-hospital laboratory services (p<0.01, regional 7.0±3.0 vs. 40.6±27.5, local 5.3±3.1 vs. 57.9±45.1 hours).The NMC toxicological laboratory reporting interval was shorter than the other outside-hospital laboratories (p<0.01, regional 5.7± 0.6 vs. 50.2±22.7 local 7.5±3.0 vs. 70.5±41.5 hours). Conclusion Over the treatment line group, toxic amount intake was significantly more frequent. Only six of 106 EMCs have their own APAP analysis service in their hospitals.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for various kidney diseases. In this study, we aimed to identify a circulating miRNA signature for detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) in scrub typhus. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 40 patients with scrub typhus (20 with AKI, AKI group; 20 without AKI, non-AKI group) and 20 healthy volunteers (the HV group). Thereafter, we performed microarray analysis to assess the serum miRNA profiles of all the participants. Then, to identify miRNAs predictive of scrub typhus-associated AKI, we compared miRNA profiles among these three groups. Results: The proportions of miRNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, and small Cajal body-specific ribonucleoproteins were higher in patients with scrub typhus than in the HVs. Further, relative to the HVs, we identified 120 upregulated and 449 downregulated miRNAs in the non-AKI group and 101 upregulated and 468 downregulated miRNAs in the AKI group. We also identified 11 and 110 upregulated and downregulated miRNAs, respectively, in the AKI group relative to the non-AKI group, and among these miRNAs, we noted 14 miRNAs whose levels were significantly upregulated or downregulated in the AKI group relative to their levels in the HV and non-AKI groups. Biological pathway analysis of these 14 miRNAs indicated their potential involvement in various pathways associated with tumor necrosis factor alpha. Conclusion: We identified miRNAs associated with AKI in patients with scrub typhus that have predictive potential for AKI. Thus, they can be used as surrogate markers for the detection of scrub typhus-associated AKI.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for various kidney diseases. In this study, we aimed to identify a circulating miRNA signature for detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) in scrub typhus. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 40 patients with scrub typhus (20 with AKI, AKI group; 20 without AKI, non-AKI group) and 20 healthy volunteers (the HV group). Thereafter, we performed microarray analysis to assess the serum miRNA profiles of all the participants. Then, to identify miRNAs predictive of scrub typhus-associated AKI, we compared miRNA profiles among these three groups. Results: The proportions of miRNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, and small Cajal body-specific ribonucleoproteins were higher in patients with scrub typhus than in the HVs. Further, relative to the HVs, we identified 120 upregulated and 449 downregulated miRNAs in the non-AKI group and 101 upregulated and 468 downregulated miRNAs in the AKI group. We also identified 11 and 110 upregulated and downregulated miRNAs, respectively, in the AKI group relative to the non-AKI group, and among these miRNAs, we noted 14 miRNAs whose levels were significantly upregulated or downregulated in the AKI group relative to their levels in the HV and non-AKI groups. Biological pathway analysis of these 14 miRNAs indicated their potential involvement in various pathways associated with tumor necrosis factor alpha. Conclusion: We identified miRNAs associated with AKI in patients with scrub typhus that have predictive potential for AKI. Thus, they can be used as surrogate markers for the detection of scrub typhus-associated AKI.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for various kidney diseases. In this study, we aimed to identify a circulating miRNA signature for detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) in scrub typhus. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 40 patients with scrub typhus (20 with AKI, AKI group; 20 without AKI, non-AKI group) and 20 healthy volunteers (the HV group). Thereafter, we performed microarray analysis to assess the serum miRNA profiles of all the participants. Then, to identify miRNAs predictive of scrub typhus-associated AKI, we compared miRNA profiles among these three groups. Results: The proportions of miRNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, and small Cajal body-specific ribonucleoproteins were higher in patients with scrub typhus than in the HVs. Further, relative to the HVs, we identified 120 upregulated and 449 downregulated miRNAs in the non-AKI group and 101 upregulated and 468 downregulated miRNAs in the AKI group. We also identified 11 and 110 upregulated and downregulated miRNAs, respectively, in the AKI group relative to the non-AKI group, and among these miRNAs, we noted 14 miRNAs whose levels were significantly upregulated or downregulated in the AKI group relative to their levels in the HV and non-AKI groups. Biological pathway analysis of these 14 miRNAs indicated their potential involvement in various pathways associated with tumor necrosis factor alpha. Conclusion: We identified miRNAs associated with AKI in patients with scrub typhus that have predictive potential for AKI. Thus, they can be used as surrogate markers for the detection of scrub typhus-associated AKI.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for various kidney diseases. In this study, we aimed to identify a circulating miRNA signature for detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) in scrub typhus. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 40 patients with scrub typhus (20 with AKI, AKI group; 20 without AKI, non-AKI group) and 20 healthy volunteers (the HV group). Thereafter, we performed microarray analysis to assess the serum miRNA profiles of all the participants. Then, to identify miRNAs predictive of scrub typhus-associated AKI, we compared miRNA profiles among these three groups. Results: The proportions of miRNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, and small Cajal body-specific ribonucleoproteins were higher in patients with scrub typhus than in the HVs. Further, relative to the HVs, we identified 120 upregulated and 449 downregulated miRNAs in the non-AKI group and 101 upregulated and 468 downregulated miRNAs in the AKI group. We also identified 11 and 110 upregulated and downregulated miRNAs, respectively, in the AKI group relative to the non-AKI group, and among these miRNAs, we noted 14 miRNAs whose levels were significantly upregulated or downregulated in the AKI group relative to their levels in the HV and non-AKI groups. Biological pathway analysis of these 14 miRNAs indicated their potential involvement in various pathways associated with tumor necrosis factor alpha. Conclusion: We identified miRNAs associated with AKI in patients with scrub typhus that have predictive potential for AKI. Thus, they can be used as surrogate markers for the detection of scrub typhus-associated AKI.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) characterized by an enlarged prostate gland is common in elderly men. Corni Fructus (CF) and Schisandrae Fructus (SF) are known to have various pharmacological effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory efficacy of CF, SF, and their mixture (MIX) on the development of BPH using an in vivo model of testosteroneinduced BPH.MATERIALS/METHODS: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups. To induce BPH, testosterone propionate (TP) was injected to rats except for those in the control group. Finasteride, saw palmetto (SP), CF, SF, and MIX were orally administered along with TP injection. At the end of treatment, histological changes in the prostate and the level of various biomarkers related to BPH were evaluated. RESULTS: Our results showed that BPH induced by TP led to prostate weight and histological changes. Treatment with MIX effectively improved TP-induced BPH by reducing prostate index, lumen area, epithelial thickness, and expression of BPH biomarkers such as 5α-reductase type 2, prostate-specific antigen, androgen receptor, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen compared to treatment with CF or SF alone. Moreover, MIX further reduced levels of elevated serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and prostate-specific antigen in BPH compared to the SP, a positive control. BPH was also improved more by MIX than by CF or SF alone. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results, MIX is a potential natural therapeutic candidate for BPH by regulating 5α-reductase and AR signaling pathway.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the validity of the Gene-Health application in terms of estimating energy and macronutrients. Methods: The subjects were 98 health adults participating in a weight-control intervention study. They recorded their diets in the Gene-Health application, took photographs before and after every meal on the same day, and uploaded them to the Gene-Health application. The amounts of foods and drinks consumed were estimated based on the photographs by trained experts, and the nutrient intakes were calculated using the CAN-Pro 5.0 program, which was named ‘Photo Estimation’. The energy and macronutrients estimated from the Gene-Health application were compared with those from a Photo Estimation. The mean differences in energy and macronutrient intakes between the two methods were compared using paired t-test. Results: The mean energy intakes of Gene-Health and Photo Estimation were 1,937.0 kcal and 1,928.3 kcal, respectively. There were no significant differences in intakes of energy, carbohydrate, fat, and energy from fat (%) between two methods. The protein intake and energy from protein (%) of the Gene-Health were higher than those from the Photo Estimation. The energy from carbohydrate (%) for the Photo Estimation was higher than that of the Gene-Health. The Pearson correlation coefficients, weighted Kappa coefficients, and adjacent agreements for energy and macronutrient intakes between the two methods ranged from 0.382 to 0.607, 0.588 to 0.649, and 79.6% to 86.7%, respectively. Conclusion The Gene-Health application shows acceptable validity as a dietary intake assessment tool for energy and macronutrients. Further studies with female subjects and various age groups will be needed.