BACKGROUND: Protein is the most important nutrient for the muscle synthesis and maintenance of muscle mass. However, there have been no studies comparing muscle mass indexes according to protein intake in obese patients. Thus, the present study investigated the hypothesis that high protein intake positively affected muscle mass indexes in obese patients. METHODS: Male (n=50) and female (n=30) obese patients were recruited. Each sex was divided into 2 groups according to their protein intake. Dietary intake, fat-free mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height², skeletal muscle index, total bone area, bone mineral count, bone mineral density, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α, smoking, alcohol, and exercise were assessed. RESULTS: Fat-free mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height² were significantly higher in obese men in the higher protein intake group, while serum triglyceride was significantly lower in the same group. However, bone indexes and inflammatory cytokines according to protein intake were not significantly different in obese men. Fat-free mass, bone indexes, muscle indexes, blood lipid profiles, and inflammatory cytokines were not significantly different according to protein intake in obese women. CONCLUSION: In this population, increasing protein intake may positively affect fat-free mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height², and serum triglyceride in obese men. Therefore, additional studies may be necessary to identify the appropriate level of protein intake required to prevent a decrease in muscle mass, and increase muscle mass in obese patients.
Bone Density ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Cytokines ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Male ; Miners ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

This study investigated the hypothesis that a sorghum extract exerts anti-diabetic effects through a mechanism that improves insulin sensitivity via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) from adipose tissue. Seven C57BL/6 mice were fed an AIN-93M diet with fat consisting of 10% of total energy intake (LF) for 14 weeks, and 21 mice were fed a high-fat AIN diet with 60% of calories derived from fat (HF). From week 8, the HF diet-fed mice were orally administered either saline (HF group), 0.5% (0.5% SE group), or 1% sorghum extract (1% SE group) for 6 weeks (n = 7/group). Perirenal fat content was significantly lower in the 0.5% SE and 1% SE groups than that in the HF mice. Levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and the area under the curve for glucose were significantly lower in mice administered 0.5% SE and 1% SE than those in HF mice. Serum insulin level was significantly lower in mice administered 1% SE than that in HF mice or those given 0.5% SE. PPAR-gamma expression was significantly higher, whereas the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was significantly lower in mice given 1% SE compared to those in the HF mice. Adiponectin expression was also significantly higher in mice given 0.5% SE and 1% SE than that in the HF mice. These results suggest that the hypoglycemic effect of SE may be related with the regulation of PPAR-gamma-mediated metabolism in this mouse model.
Adiponectin ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Energy Intake ; Glucose ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins ; Mice ; PPAR gamma ; Sorghum ; Triglycerides ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND/AIMS: After cholecystectomy, patients have reported postcholecystectomic syndromes such as abdominal symptoms, dyspepsia, and diarrhea, which suggest a relationship between cholecystectomic symptoms and diet, although the details of this association remain unclear. The present study investigated the hypothesis that dietary intake of nutrients and foods was significantly associated with postcholecystectomic syndromes. METHODS: Gallstone patients (n = 59) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled, and dietary intake and clinical parameters were assessed immediately postcholecystectomy and 3 months later. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in biochemical measurements or characteristics between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Immediately postcholecystectomy, there were no significant differences in consumption of nutrients or foods between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. However, 3 months after cholecystectomy, symptomatic patients consumed more animal protein, cholesterol, and eggs, and fewer vegetables than did asymptomatic patients. Multivariable-adjusted regression analyses also indicated that the risk for symptoms was positively associated with intake of animal protein, cholesterol, and eggs, but negatively associated with intake of vegetables after adjusting for confounders. In addition, symptomatic patients consumed more bread-based breakfast foods, while asymptomatic patients consumed more rice. CONCLUSIONS: Postcholecystectomic syndromes were positively associated with intake of cholesterol, animal protein, and eggs, and negatively associated with intake of vegetables, suggesting that diet was plays a role in postcholecystectomic syndromes.
Animals ; Breakfast ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholesterol ; Diarrhea ; Diet ; Dyspepsia ; Eggs ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gallbladder Diseases* ; Gallbladder* ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Ovum ; Postcholecystectomy Syndrome ; Vegetables

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate factors that influence university women with eating problems. METHODS: Study participants were 307 women from two universities. Self-report questionnaires which included items on eating problems, satisfaction with body shape, self-esteem, body mass index, and weight control methods were used. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, chi2 tests, and a multiple binary logistic regression. RESULTS: About 20% of the undergraduate women were experiencing eating problems. The problematic eating group showed more dissatisfaction with body shape than the normal eating group, and used more diets, fasting, diet-products, and uretics/laxatives to control body weight. Significant predictors for the problematic eating group were diets, diet-products, BMI, self-esteem and dissatisfaction with body shape. The strongest predictors were diets; risk for women university students who had been on a diet was 15 times higher than their counterparts. CONCLUSION: It is pertinent for health professionals to start intervention programs to educate university women with eating problems. The contents should include information on healthy weight control methods, improving satisfaction with body shape and self esteem, as well as creating social atmosphere about healthy body shape for women.
Atmosphere ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Diet ; Feeding and Eating Disorders ; Eating* ; Fasting ; Female ; Health Occupations ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self Concept

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore professional autonomy, nursing work environment, and clinical decision making ability and to determine predictors of clinical decision making ability among clinical nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used in this study and 263 clinical nurses were selected from advanced-level hospitals with over 500 beds located in D metropolitan city. Independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were done with the SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. RESULTS: Clinical nurses reported moderate levels of professional autonomy, nursing work environment and clinical decision making ability. Marital status, professional autonomy and nursing work environment accounted for 25% of variance in clinical decision making ability required in various clinical settings. Importantly, being married, higher level of professional autonomy, and greater satisfaction with work environment were significantly associated with better decision making ability. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that improving the quality of decision making in the healthcare settings requires awareness of the multiple effects of individual, occupational and environmental features. Nurses' ability to make effective clinical decisions may rely on personal characteristics, the degree of autonomy in their job, and nurses' satisfaction with their work environment.
Decision Making* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Nursing* ; Professional Autonomy*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore professional autonomy, nursing work environment, and clinical decision making ability and to determine predictors of clinical decision making ability among clinical nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used in this study and 263 clinical nurses were selected from advanced-level hospitals with over 500 beds located in D metropolitan city. Independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were done with the SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. RESULTS: Clinical nurses reported moderate levels of professional autonomy, nursing work environment and clinical decision making ability. Marital status, professional autonomy and nursing work environment accounted for 25% of variance in clinical decision making ability required in various clinical settings. Importantly, being married, higher level of professional autonomy, and greater satisfaction with work environment were significantly associated with better decision making ability. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that improving the quality of decision making in the healthcare settings requires awareness of the multiple effects of individual, occupational and environmental features. Nurses' ability to make effective clinical decisions may rely on personal characteristics, the degree of autonomy in their job, and nurses' satisfaction with their work environment.
Decision Making ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Nursing ; Professional Autonomy

Background: We previously developed the Korean Calcium Assessment Tool (KCAT) for assessing the intake of calcium and vitamin D in Korean women. However, based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VI and VII (2013–2018), major food sources for calcium and vitamin D have changed, and the National Standard Food Composition database was updated. Therefore, the present study aimed to update the KCAT and validate the Updated KCAT. Methods: A total of 285 women aged >19 years were asked to complete questionnaires of the KCAT and the Updated KCAT. Results: Calcium intake did not differ significantly between the KCAT (566±245 mg/day) and the Updated KCAT (569±248 mg/day; P=0.343). A correlation coefficient of 0.99 indicated a positive correlation on calcium intake between the KCAT and the Updated KCAT, with an almost perfect agreement by Cohen’s κ coefficients (0.95). Vitamin D intake assessed by the Updated KCAT was significantly higher than that assessed by the KCAT, which was positively correlated with a moderate agreement measured by Cohen’s κ coefficients (0.41). Conclusions The present study demonstrated that the Updated KCAT was a valid tool for the rapid evaluation of calcium and vitamin D intake for Korean women.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Onion, particularly onion peel, is a quercetin-rich food with, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, the effect of onion peel extract (OPE) in humans is unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether OPE improves natural killer (NK) cell activity and cytokine concentration in a randomized doubleblind placebo-controlled trial. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Eighty participants aged 19–64 yrs old with a white blood cell count of 4,000–10,000 cells/µL, symptoms of upper respiratory infection at least once within the previous 12 mon, and perceived stress scale (PSS) over 14 were included. Participants were randomly assigned to take either 1,000 mg/day OPE or a placebo for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Compliance were 87.4 ± 8.6% and 86.9 ± 79.0% in OPE and placebo groups.Compared to the placebo, OPE supplementation improved “Hoarseness” (P = 0.038) of the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS)-21 symptom, and stress scores (P = 0.001; 0.021) of PSS. Supplementation of OPE had no significant effect on NK cell activity and concentrations of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-1β, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α. At baseline, the WURSS-21 symptom and PSS score (P = 0.024;0.026) were higher in the OPE group than the placebo group. Among participants with higher than median WURSS-21 symptom score, OPE supplementation increased NK cell activity (P = 0.038). Supplementation of OPE had no significant effects on safety measurements and adverse events. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggested that OPE supplementation improves NK cell activity in participants with moderate upper respiratory symptoms without any significant adverse effects.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the hypothesis that a highly pure linear β-1,3-glucan produced by Agrobacterium sp. R259 enhances human natural killer (NK) cell activity and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In an eight-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 83 healthy adults with white blood cell counts of 4,000-8,000 cells/µL were participated and randomly assigned to take two capsules per day containing either 350 mg β-1,3-glucan or placebo. Six participants withdrew their study consent or were excluded due to NK cell activity levels outside the normal range. NK cell activity and serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured. RESULTS: NK cell activity and the serum levels of IL-10 were significantly higher from baseline to week 8 in the β-glucan group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.048, P = 0.029). Consumption of β-1,3-glucan also significantly increased NK cell activity compared with placebo after adjusting for smoking and stress status (P = 0.009). In particular, the effect of β-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants with severe stress than in those experiencing mild stress. However, the administration β-1,3-glucan did not significantly modulate the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IgG compared with the placebo. CONCLUSION: The results showed that supplementation with bacterial β-1,3-glucan significantly increased NK cell activity without causing any adverse effects. Additionally, the beneficial effect of β-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants experiencing severe stress.
Adult* ; Agrobacterium* ; Capsules ; Cytokines ; Glucans ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interferons ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Killer Cells, Natural* ; Leukocyte Count ; Reference Values ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

The aim of this in-vitro study is to evaluate the effect of potassium iodide (KI) on erythrosine-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) against Streptococcus mutans biofilms. S. mutans ATCC 25175 was cultured to form a biofilm on a hydroxyapatite disk. After diluting erythrosine to 20 μM and KI to 10, 50, and 100 mM, respectively, PDT was performed. The number of surviving bacteria was calculated as colony forming units (CFU)/mL and the statistical significance of the difference between groups was confirmed by Bonferroni post-hoc analysis. Cell viability was visually evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). As a result of the experiment, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in CFU was observed in the experimental groups in which PDT was performed after applying KI regardless of the concentration of KI. In addition, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in CFU was observed in the experimental group to which 100 mM KI was applied compared to 10 mM KI. The same results were confirmed when observing CLSM. KI significantly improved the efficacy of erythrosine-mediated PDT on S. mutans biofilms at all concentrations. This may compensate for the low sensitivity of PDT to biofilm-state bacteria strains, but it is necessary to establish an optimal clinical protocol through further research.