BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome and depression severity based on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) score in men aged >50 years.METHODS: In this study, we used data of 1,230 individuals from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII-1) 2016 conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We diagnosed metabolic syndrome in accordance with National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines using waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting serum triglyceride level, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and fasting glucose level in men aged >50 years (mean±standard deviation: 64.6±8.8 years), and their PHQ-9 scores were classified as mild and severe (cutoff, 10).RESULTS: The mean waist circumference, fasting glucose level, triglyceride level, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level were 87.1±8.2 cm, 109.8±28.3 mg/dL, 155.9±123.9 mg/dL, and 46.5±12.2 mg/dL, respectively. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 124.7±15.9 mmHg and 76.2±10.7 mmHg, respectively. The mean body mass index, was 24.2±2.9 kg/m². The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 43.7%. The mean PHQ-9 score was 2.0±3.3. The prevalence of severe depression with a score of >10 was 4.2%. Metabolic syndrome and depression were related (P<0.05). The adjusted odds ratio for metabolic syndrome was 0.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3–0.9). However, age (95% CI, 0.9–1.0), sleep duration during weekdays (95% CI, 0.9–1.0), and sleep duration during weekends (95% CI, 0.9–1.0) were not related.CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome was associated with depression in men aged >50 years in this study.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Cholesterol ; Depression ; Education ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Nutrition Surveys ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

The cytokine pattern on viral antigen recognition is believed to exert a profound influence on the resolution of viral infections and viral clearance. This study was initiated to investigate whether a cytokine imbalance oriented toward Th2 type response plays a role in chronic hepatitis B. Cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells associated with chronic hepatitis B were analysed by RT-PCR. Upon HBsAg stimulation, expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 was detected in 41%, 8%, 41%, and 50% of the patients, respectively. Among these cytokines, the expression of IFN-gamma was associated with high levels of serum AST/ALT. However, we could not prove that Th2 type cytokines had a protective effect on hepatocytes. Upon HBxAg stimulation, there was no recognizable association of cytokine patterns with AST/ALT levels. In conclusion, production of a Th1 cytokine, IFN-gamma, by HBsAg-reactive cells was associated with hepatocyte damage in chronic hepatitis B, while no counteracting effect of Th2 cytokines produced by those cells was observed.
Cytokines/genetics ; Cytokines/biosynthesis* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/pharmacology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/immunology* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/immunology* ; Human ; Interferon Type II/genetics ; Interferon Type II/biosynthesis ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology ; Liver/cytology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/pharmacology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology ; Th1 Cells/immunology* ; Th1 Cells/drug effects ; Th2 Cells/immunology* ; Th2 Cells/drug effects ; Trans-Activators/pharmacology ; Trans-Activators/immunology*

Assays of clinical diagnosis and species identification using molecular markers are performed according to a quantitative method in consideration of sensitivity, cost, speed, convenience, and specificity. However, typical polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay is difficult to quantify and have various limitations. In addition, to perform quantitative analysis with the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) equipment, a standard curve or normalization using reference genes is essential. Within the last a decade, previous studies have reported that the digital PCR (dPCR) assay, a third-generation PCR, can be applied in various fields by overcoming the shortcomings of typical PCR and qRT-PCR assays. We selected Stilla Naica System (Stilla Technologies), Droplet Digital PCR Technology (Bio-Rad), and Lab on an Array Digital Real-Time PCR analyzer system (OPTOLANE) for comparative analysis among the various droplet digital PCR platforms currently in use commercially. Our previous study discovered a molecular marker that can distinguish Hanwoo species (Korean native cattle) using Hanwoo-specific genomic structural variation. Here, we report the pros and cons of the operation of each dPCR platform from various perspectives using this species identification marker. In conclusion, we hope that this study will help researchers to select suitable dPCR platforms according to their purpose and resources.

In this study, we have successfully established a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the quality assessment of Actinidiae Fructus Vermicultus, known as Mokcheonryo(ja) in Korea. This is the dried vermiculate fruit of Actinidia polygama and A. kolomikta, as stipulated by the Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia (KHP). However, the Korean herbal market often witnesses the inclusion and distribution of ‘Mihudo’, an alternative herbal product sourced from the dried fruits of A. arguta, belonging to the same botanical genus. This confluence has raised substantial apprehensions concerning the veracity of quality. In response to this concern, we have meticulously developed an HPTLC analytical methodology capable of differentiation between Mokcheonryo and Mihudo by exploiting their distinct chemical profiles. We identified umbelliferone as a key marker compound for Mokcheonryo and quantified the content of umbelliferone in each sample using a TLC scanner. Throughout this study, we confirmed distinct fingerprints for Mokcheonryo and Mihudo, providing a reliable means to differentiate between these two herbal medicines. Furthermore, the presence of umbelliferone in Mokcheonryo serves as an indicator compound for quality assessment. The proposed HPTLC method offers a practical and effective tool for ensuring the quality and authenticity of Mokcheonryo in the herbal market.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate femoral anteversion angle (FAA) change in children with intoeing gait depending on age, gender, and initial FAA using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). METHODS: The 3D-CT data acquired between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Children 4 to 10 years of age with symptomatic intoeing gait with follow-up interval of at least 1 year without active treatment were enrolled. Subjects were divided into three groups based on age: group 1 (≥4 and <6 years), group 2 (≥6 and <8 years), and group 3 (≥8 and <10 years). Initial and follow-up FAAs were measured using 3D-CT. Mean changes in FAAs were calculated and compared. RESULTS: A total of 200 lower limbs of 100 children (48 males and 52 females, mean age of 6.1±1.6 years) were included. The mean follow-up period was 18.0±5.4 months. Average initial and follow-up FAA in children with intoeing gait was 31.1°±7.8° and 28.9°±8.2°, respectively. The initial FAA of group 1 was largest (33.5°±7.7°). Follow-up FAA of group 1 was significantly reduced to 28.7°±9.2° (p=0.000). FAA changes in groups 1, 2, and 3 were −6.5°±5.8°, −6.4°±5.1°, and −5.3°±4.0°, respectively. These changes of FAA were not significantly (p=0.355) different among the three age groups. However, FAA changes were higher (p=0.012) in females than those in males. In addition, FAA changes showed difference depending on initial FAA. When initial FAA was smaller than 30°, mean FAA change was −5.6°±4.9°. When initial FAA was more than 30°, mean FAA change was −6.8°±5.4° (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: FAA initial in children with intoeing gait was the greatest in age group 1 (4–6 years). This group also showed significant FAA decrease at follow-up. FAA changes were greater when the child was a female, younger, and had greater initial FAA.
Bone Anteversion ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Heme oxygenase-1-derived carbon monoxide prevents inflammatory vascular disorders. To date, there is no clear evidence that HO-1/CO prevents endothelial dysfunction associated with the downregulation of endothelial NO synthesis in human endothelial cells stimulated with TNF-α. Here, we found that the CO-releasing compound CORM-2 prevented TNF-α-mediated decreases in eNOS expression and NO/cGMP production, without affecting eNOS promoter activity, by maintaining the functional activity of the eNOS mRNA 3′-untranslated region. By contrast, CORM-2 inhibited MIR155HG expression and miR-155-5p biogenesis in TNF-α-stimulated endothelial cells, resulting in recovery of the 3′-UTR activity of eNOS mRNA, a target of miR-155-5p. The beneficial effect of CORM-2 was blocked by an NF-κB inhibitor, a miR-155-5p mimic, a HO-1 inhibitor and siRNA against HO-1, indicating that CO rescues TNF-α-induced eNOS downregulation through NF-κB-responsive miR-155-5p expression via HO-1 induction; similar protective effects of ectopic HO-1 expression and bilirubin were observed in endothelial cells treated with TNF-α. Moreover, heme degradation products, except iron and N-acetylcysteine prevented H₂O₂-mediated miR-155-5p biogenesis and eNOS downregulation. These data demonstrate that CO prevents TNF-α-mediated eNOS downregulation by inhibiting redox-sensitive miR-155-5p biogenesis through a positive forward circuit between CO and HO-1 induction. This circuit may play an important preventive role in inflammatory endothelial dysfunction associated with human vascular diseases.
Acetylcysteine ; Bilirubin ; Carbon Monoxide* ; Carbon* ; Down-Regulation* ; Endothelial Cells ; Heme ; Humans ; Iron ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Vascular Diseases