The aim of this study was to investigate the hypolgycemic activity of water extract of fermented yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) leaves tea (Yacon LWE) in high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Male ICR mice were fed with a HFD (37% calories from fat) for 4 weeks prior to intraperitoneal injection with STZ (100 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic mice were supplemented with two doses of Yacon LWE (0.16% and 0.8%, wt/wt) for 6 weeks. The supplementation of high-dose Yacon LWE significantly lowered blood glucose levels and plasma ALT and AST activities compared with the control group. High-dose Yacon LWE also improved the insulin tolerance without any changes in plasma and pancreatic insulin concentrations in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice. Yacon LWE supplementation increased the insulin staining of pancreatic beta-cells in a dose-dependent manner. Both 0.16% and 0.8% of Yacon LWE significantly elevated plasma leptin concentration, hepatic glucokinase activity and glucokinase/glucose-6-phosphatase ratio compared with the control group. However, glycosylated hemoglobin concentration was not different among the groups. These results suggest that high-dose Yacon LWE lowers the blood glucose level partly by enhancing insulin sensitivity and hepatic glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Diet, High-Fat ; Glucokinase ; Glucose ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plasma ; Tea ; Water

PURPOSE: The prevalence of allergic diseases is known to be associated with both demographic and environmental factors. Herein, we aimed to determine significant factors associated with the prevalence of allergic diseases and with total immunoglobulin E (tIgE) and specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels in Korea. METHODS: We analyzed unweighted data collected by the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2,342 subjects who underwent serum tests for tIgE and sIgE to Dermatophagoides farinae, dog, and Blattella germanica, representing a sample of 16,003,645 citizens, by considering the sample weight and stratification. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of self-reported allergic diseases was 37.6%. The prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis decreased with age, whereas the asthma prevalence was not affected by the age of the subjects. When analyzed according to the type of allergic diseases, the prevalence of self-reported allergic disease was significantly associated with various factors (e.g. age, occupation, living in urban areas, and depression). The tIgE level decreased with age, but later increased. Elevation of tIgE was significantly associated with male sex, type of occupation, obesity, and smoking status. However, the risk factors for the increased sIgE levels to each allergen were quite different. Sensitization to D. farinae was more likely in young subjects, whereas the prevalence of sensitization to B. germanica was significantly higher in subjects with male sex, residing in a house (houses), and with glucose intolerance. Finally, young age and the smoking status were significantly associated with sensitization to dog. CONCLUSIONS: Various demographic and environmental factors were significantly associated with the prevalence of self-reported allergic diseases and the levels of tIgE and sIgE to D. farinae, B. germanica, and dog in Korea.
Animals ; Asthma ; Demography ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dogs ; Glucose Intolerance ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Occupations ; Prevalence* ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of MR imaging for differentiation between infectious and non-infectiousbursitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of 16 patients (18 lesions) in whom bursitis around the hip had beendiagnosed were analyzed for homogeneity of the bursa, the presence of septation, the enhancement pattern, andassociated findings. Clinical data (symptoms and signs, laboratory data, aspiration of the bursa, and surgicalfindings) were available for correlation. The location of bursitis was trochanteric (n=9), ischiogluteal (n=5),iliopsoas (n=3), or ischiotrochanteric (n=1). RESULTS: Etiologies included infection in seven cases (3 pyogenic; 4tuberculous) and noninfecti-on in 11 (6 inflammation; 3 hemorrhage; 2 metabolic disease). In seven patients withinfectious bursitis, T1-weighted enhanced image revealed thick rim enhancement of the bursa (n=7) association withchanges in bone marrow signal intensity (n=2), bone erosion (n=2), and cellulitis (n=1). Of 11 cases ofnoninfectious bursitis, three demonstrated typical signal characte-ristics of hematoma within the distended bursa.In six of seven patients who underwent contrast-enh ancement, thick and thin peripheral enhancement of the bursawas noted. Bone erosion was found in one case of tuberculous bursitis and two of metab-olic disease. Internalseptation (n=4) and internal debris (n=3) were found in both infected and noninfected patients. CONCLUSION: MRimaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of bursitis around the hip. MR findings of thick rim enhancement,associated cellulitis, and changes in bone marrow signal intensity are suggestive of infectious bursitis.
Bone Marrow ; Bursitis* ; Cellulitis ; Diagnosis ; Femur ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Hip* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Community-based preconception care for men and women of childbearing age has been introduced in Seoul. The program aims to focus on problem areas such as low birth rate, fertility issues potentially due to late marriages, preterm or premature births, and low-birthweight in newborn babies. The district administration officials of Seoul, as well as, academics from the Korean Society of Maternal and Child Health, developed a protocol by using a questionnaire and laboratory test for screening risk factors in pregnancy. The protocol was tested on a trial basis in four local districts in Seoul from July 2017 to 2018, extended to 12 local districts in 2019, and all 25 districts in Seoul in 2020. The protocol includes AntiMullerian Hormone tests to assess women’s ovarian reserve and male health checkups that include semen analysis and physical examinations of genitalia. These tests are conducted for early detection and treatment of infertility, especially in cases of late marriages. In order to prevent women being abandoned during pregnancy (leading them to single-parenting), the protocol also emphasizes building a gender-sen sitive environment by encouraging more male participation. A monitoring group comprised of Seoul city district officials and academics from the Korean Society of Maternal and Child Health, regularly visited the local districts to observe improvements and keep the program officials up to date. In addition, the group also conducted a mobile phone survey for feedback on the program. The interest and support of the resi dents in Seoul city, and positive results and development in pregnancy care and childbirth, are needed to stabilize and extend this protocol.