This study evaluated effects of food additive nutrition education on food additives-related knowledge, subjective awareness, and perception and dietary behaviors of food label use and processed-food intake. The study subjects were 5th grade students attending an elementary school in Seoul. A total of 101 subjects were assigned to either education (N = 50) or control (N = 51) group, and 3 food additive nutrition education classes were implemented to the education group. Self-administered questionnaires were collected from all the participants twice, a week before and after the nutrition education to compare the changes between two groups. The food additives-related knowledge and subjective awareness significantly improved in the education group compared to the control group. The changes in perceived harmfulness and perceived necessity for taste were also detected significantly different between the two groups, with more positive changes in the education group. Dietary behaviors of checking food labels and trying to purchase processed-foods with less food additives improved in the education group at a significant level in comparison with the control group. Additionally changes in intake frequency of several processed-food items were significantly different between the groups, again in a more positive direction in the education group. The study findings showed short-term food-additive nutrition education including hands-on activities could positively modify elementary school children's food additives-related knowledge, perception, and certain dietary behaviors, stressing better settlement of in-class nutrition education within an elementary school's education curriculum.
Curriculum ; Food Additives ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study assessed the current concepts of pediatric elbow fractures. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for publications in English on elbow fractures. Papers believed to yield significant findings to this area were included in this review. The supracondyle of humerus, lateral condyle of the humerus, proximal radius, and proximal ulna fractures were included. Sixteen papers and textbooks were selected. Pediatric elbow fractures should be evaluated for combined injuries. Treatment should be done accurately for each fracture for the further growth of children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Limited studies reported that quercetin inhibited adipogenesis and neovascularization by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity, but such mechanisms have not been elucidated in animal experiments. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of quercetin on weight gain and adipose tissue growth through the regulation of mRNA expressions of adipogenic transcription factors and MMPs in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).MATERIALS/METHODS: Five-wk-old C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD containing 0.05% of quercetin (HFQ0.05), or HFD containing 0.15% of quercetin (HFQ0.15) for 16 wks. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity was measured using a commercial kit. The mRNA expressions of transcription factors related to adipocyte differentiation were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mRNA expressions of MMPs and concentrations of MMPs were measured by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, respectively. RESULTS: Quercetin intake reduced body weight gain and epididymal adipose tissue weights (P < 0.05). GPDH activity was higher in the HFD group than in the ND group but lower in the quercetin groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ), C/EBPα, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and fatty acid-binding protein 4 were lower in the quercetin groups than in the HFD group (P < 0.05). Similarly, the mRNA expression and concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly lower in the quercetin groups than in the HFD group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The study confirms that quercetin suppresses body weight gain and adipogenesis by inhibiting transcription factors related to adipocyte differentiation and MMPs (MMP-2 and MMP-9), in mice fed a HFD.

Background: and Purpose: The Korean-Mini Mental State Examination, 2nd edition (K-MMSE~2) was recently released. This study aimed to determine whether the K-MMSE~2:Standard Version (K-MMSE~2:SV) had the same test characteristics as the K-MMSE. Methods: A total of 1,514 healthy community-based participants aged 19 to 90 years were administered the K-MMSE~2:SV Blue Form along with the language items from the K-MMSE.The item and test characteristics and test information for the K-MMSE~2:SV and K-MMSE were compared using Item Response Theory analysis. Results: Item discriminations for the K-MMSE~2:SV and K-MMSE were above the moderate range for all items except Recall. Most of the items on the K-MMSE~2:SV and K-MMSE had item category difficulty in the very easy or easy range. The test information curve (TIC) showed that the K-MMSE~2:SV and K-MMSE provide almost the same amount of information (27.86 vs. 28.44), with both tests providing the most information at an ability level of −1.57.The generalizability (G) coefficient for the K-MMSE~2:SV and K-MMSE was 0.99. Conclusions These results indicate that the K-MMSE~2:SV and K-MMSE are equally optimal tests for screening for mild cognitive impairment and early dementia. Given that the amount of test information provided by the two tests was almost identical, the shapes of the TICs were very similar, and the G coefficient was close to 1, we can conclude that the K-MMSE and K-MMSE~2:SV are equivalent tests.

OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological studies have suggested that a higher consumption of whole grain foods can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The objective of the current study was to examine associations among the consumption of whole grains and nutrient intakes and biochemical indicators associated with chronic diseases among generally healthy middle-aged Korean women. METHODS: Using 24-hour recall data from the 2008-2009 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, whole grain intake (g/day) was calculated for a total of generally healthy 1,953 subjects. The subjects were divided into three groups by the level of whole grain consumption (0 g/day, > 0 and < 20 g/day or > or = 20 g/day). Mean values or proportions of various nutrient intakes and metabolic risk factors were compared according to the level of whole grain consumption. All statistical analysis was conducted using SAS software version 9.2. RESULTS: We observed that the overall consumption of whole grains was quite low. Specifically, 58.2% of subjects reported no whole grain consumption on the day of the survey, and the mean whole grain intake was only 15.3 g/day. The whole grain consumption was positively associated with intakes of various macro and micronutrients, namely, plant proteins and fats, dietary fiber, calcium, plant iron, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and folic acid. In addition, we found significantly decreasing trends in abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia as whole grain intake levels increase. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggested the importance of promoting whole grain consumption as an efficient tool for improving various dietary aspects and preventing chronic diseases.
beta Carotene ; Calcium ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Edible Grain* ; Chronic Disease ; Dietary Fats ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Iron ; Micronutrients ; Niacin ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Plant Proteins ; Plants ; Potassium ; Riboflavin ; Risk Factors* ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin B 6 ; Zinc

Carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication is a leading cause of the variable neuropsychiatric impairment. Despite of widely known central nerve system complications after CO intoxication, peripheral neuropathy due to CO poisoning is rare and has been under-recognized. We report interesting case of a 29-year-old male who suffered from motor weakness and sensory abnormalities in his lower extremity following acute CO intoxication. The patient revealed direct and indirect signs of peripheral neuropathy of the left inferior gluteal and sciatic nerve on magnetic resonance imaging.
Adult ; Carbon Monoxide* ; Carbon* ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases* ; Poisoning ; Sciatic Nerve ; Sciatic Neuropathy

OBJECTIVES: The current survey environment is changing and participation rates in national nutrition surveys are decreasing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop strategies for improving the nutrition survey system in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). METHODS: To develop an alternative system for conducting the KNHANES nutritional survey, we conducted focus group interviews with stakeholders of the survey, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, and expert reviews. In addition, spatial analysis of potential sites for conducting surveys instead of relying on household visits was performed, and the perception of nutritional surveys in the population eligible for KNHANES was evaluated. RESULTS: Based on the results of the focus group interviews, SWOT analysis, and expert reviews, we propose two options for survey sites: vehicles specifically prepared for nutritional surveys and public facilities such as community service centers or public health centers. Among public facilities, community service centers were found to be more appropriate sites than public health centers because they were considered more accessible. About 90% of respondents would participate in the survey in public facilities and about 74% would in vehicles. CONCLUSIONS: Conducting national nutrition surveys in specially designed vehicles and public facilities could be a viable alternative to home visits. Next, the validity of these newly proposed nutrition survey methods needs to be compared to the results of the current national nutrition survey.
Family Characteristics ; Focus Groups ; House Calls ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys ; Public Facilities ; Public Health ; Social Welfare ; Spatial Analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: The current survey environment is changing and participation rates in national nutrition surveys are decreasing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop strategies for improving the nutrition survey system in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). METHODS: To develop an alternative system for conducting the KNHANES nutritional survey, we conducted focus group interviews with stakeholders of the survey, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, and expert reviews. In addition, spatial analysis of potential sites for conducting surveys instead of relying on household visits was performed, and the perception of nutritional surveys in the population eligible for KNHANES was evaluated. RESULTS: Based on the results of the focus group interviews, SWOT analysis, and expert reviews, we propose two options for survey sites: vehicles specifically prepared for nutritional surveys and public facilities such as community service centers or public health centers. Among public facilities, community service centers were found to be more appropriate sites than public health centers because they were considered more accessible. About 90% of respondents would participate in the survey in public facilities and about 74% would in vehicles. CONCLUSIONS: Conducting national nutrition surveys in specially designed vehicles and public facilities could be a viable alternative to home visits. Next, the validity of these newly proposed nutrition survey methods needs to be compared to the results of the current national nutrition survey.
Family Characteristics ; Focus Groups ; House Calls ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys ; Public Facilities ; Public Health ; Social Welfare ; Spatial Analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Background: and Purpose: The Mini Mental State Examination, 2nd edition: Expanded version (MMSE-2: EV) involves an immediate recall (IR) of story memory (SM). A full version of SM has been developed and standardized; it includes delayed recall (DR) and recognition tests in addition to IR to increase its clinical utility as an independent story recall test. This study was conducted to provide norms for the full version of SM in the Korean version of MMSE-2: EV for clinical use. Methods: A total of 1,168 participants (496 males and 672 females) were included in the study. The ages ranged from 19 to 90 years, and the education level ranged from illiterate to post-graduate. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the relative contributions of demographic variables (age, education, and sex) on the SM measures. Results: We stratified age into 11 groups, and categorized the education level into 6 groups.It was found that the IR, DR, and recognition scores of SM were affected by age, education level, and sex. We provided corrected means and standard deviations of the IR, DR, and recognition scores of the SM for the demographic variables. Conclusions The results indicate the importance of considering demographic variables in interpreting the full version of SM measures. The normative data we have provided in this study should be useful in clinical and research settings for detecting the impairment in verbal memory.

A previously reported study highlighted the neuroprotective potential of the novel benzylideneacetophenone derivative, JC3, in mice. In pursuit of compounds with even more robust neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties compared to JC3, we synthesized substituted 1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-ones based on chalcones. Molecular modeling studies aimed at discerning the chemical structural features conducive to heightened biological activity revealed that JCII-8,10,11 exhibited the widest HOMOLUMO gap within this category, indicating facile electron and radical transfer between HOMO and LUMO in model assessments.From the pool of synthesized compounds, JCII-8,10,11 were selected for the present investigation. The biological assays involving JCII-8,10,11 demonstrated their concentration-dependent suppression of iNOS and COX-2 protein levels, alongside various cytokine mRNA expressions in LPS-induced murine microglial BV2 cells. Furthermore, western blot analyses were conducted to investigate the MAPK pathways and NF-κB/p65 nuclear translocation. These evaluations conclusively confirmed the inflammatory inhibition effects in both in vitro and in vivo inflammation models. These findings establish JCII-8,10,11 as potent anti-inflammatory agents, hindering inflammatory mediators and impeding NF-κB/p65 nuclear translocation via JNK and ERK MAPK phosphorylation in BV2 cells. The study positions them as potential therapeutics for inflammation-related conditions. Additionally, JCII-11 exhibited greater activity compared to other tested JCII compounds.