Many of early findings regarding intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and their niche in the human intestine have relied on colorectal cancer cell lines and labor-intensive and time-consuming mouse models. However, these models cannot accurately recapitulate the physiologically relevant aspects of human ISCs. In this study, we demonstrate a reliable and robust culture method for 3D expanding intestinal spheroids (InSexp ) mainly comprising ISCs and progenitors, which can be derived from 3D human intestinal organoids (HIOs). We did functional chararcterization of InSexp derived from 3D HIOs, differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells, and optimization culture methods. Our results indicate that InSexp can be rapidly expanded and easily passaged, and show enhanced growth rates via WNT pathway activation. InSexp are capable of exponential cell expansion and cryopreservation. Furthermore, in vitro-matured HIO-derived InSexp proliferate faster than immature HIO-derived InSexp with preservation of the parental HIO characteristics. These findings may facilitate the development of scalable culture systems for the long-term maintenance of human ISCs and provide an alternative platform for studying ISC biology.

PURPOSE: This study analyzed iodine intake by establishing an iodine database of general Korean foods eaten by Korean adults based on the data from the 1998 ~ 2014 KNHANES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). METHODS: Data on 56,818 subjects aged 19 years and older were obtained from health behavior interviews and a 24-hour dietary recall survey. Iodine intake of subjects was analyzed according to general characteristics, dietary lifestyle, food groups, and cooking method. RESULTS: An iodine database was established for 312 food items. The mean iodine intake of Korean adults decreased from 641.6 μg in 1998 to 236.2 μg in 2014 per day. Iodine intake of women was higher than that of men. For age distribution, those aged 30 ~ 49 years constituted more than 39 ~ 46% of subjects by survey year. Regarding iodine intake according to dietary lifestyle, the highest iodine intake was 29.4 ~ 34.4% for lunch while that of breakfast decreased. The highest iodine contribution by food group was seaweed such as kelp, sea mustard, and laver. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that iodine intake of Korean adults has been decreasing, and iodine intake is associated with the prevalence of thyroid disease. This study provides basic data for the estimation of iodine intake in Korean adults.
Adult* ; Age Distribution ; Breakfast ; Cooking ; Female ; Functional Food ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Iodine* ; Kelp ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Lunch ; Male ; Methods ; Mustard Plant ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Prevalence ; Seaweed ; Thyroid Diseases

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Even short-term treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in essential hypertension has been known to improve left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, LV hypertrophy (LVH), and aortic stiffness. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist (Losartan) on LV diastolic function, LVH, and aortic stiffness in essential hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three hypertensive patients who were aged over 50 years, previously untreated, and without cardiac, renal, neurologic disease, or diabetes, were studied. Before and 12 weeks after monotherapy with Losartan 50 mg q.d., (1) supine arterial blood pressure by sphygmomanometry, (2) interventricular septum and LV posterior wall thickness, and LV end-diastolic dimension by M-mode echocardiography, (3) mitral peak E and A wave velocity by doppler echocardiography, (4) pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the descending aorta from aortic arch to the bifurcation by doppler echocardiography, were done. RESULTS: Twelve weeks after treatment, systolic blood pressure was lowered from 168.2+/-3.5 mmHg to 142.9+/-2.9 mmHg (p<0.05), diastolic blood pressure from 98.52.4 mmHg to 87.51.3 mmHg (p<0.05). Peak E/A ratio was increased from 0.75+/-0.04 to 0.82+/-0.04 (p<0.05). LV mass was decreased from 267.5+/-15.8 g to 235.6+/-12.6 g (p<0.05), and LV mass index from 166.8+/-8.0 g/m2 to 146.9+/-6.0 g/m2 (p<0.05). However, there were no significant change in PWV (from 7.18+/-0.10 m/sec to 7.23+/-0.30 m/sec, p>0.05), compliance (from 1.31+/-0.04 to 1.34+/-0.12, p>0.05), and compliance index (from 0.16+/-0.01 to 0.15+/-0.01, p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment with Losartan decreases blood pressure, improves LV diastolic function and LVH, but not aortic stiffness.
Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensins* ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Compliance ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Losartan* ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; Vascular Stiffness* ; Ventricular Function, Left*

Clinical suggestion for the limitation of application time of NaOCl solution is needed to avoid large reductions in resin-dentin bond strength. The aim of this study was to measure the change of micro-tensile bond strength after the various application time of 5.25% NaOCl solution to pulp chamber dentin in endodontic access cavity, and to evaluate the effect of 10% sodium ascorbate application for 10 min on bond strength after the treatment of 5.25% NaOCl solution. In this experiment, there were no statistical differences(p>0.05) in bond strengths between upper chamber dentin and lower chamber dentin. NaOCl-treated group for 20 min did not show any significant decrease(p>0.05) in bond strength than non-treated control group. In contrast to that, bond strengths of NaOCl-treated groups for 40 & 80 min were significantly lower(p<0.05) than that of non-treated control group. 10% sodium ascorbate retreated group for 10 min after 5.25% NaOCl application for 40 min to chamber dentin showed the recovery of bond strength significantly. However, the bond strength of sodium ascorbate retreated group after 5.25% NaOCl application for 80 min was still significantly lower(p<0.05) compared to the non-treated control group, which means the reductions in resin-dentin bond strength were not fully reversed. On the contrary, sodium ascorbate retreated group after 5.25% NaOCl application for 5 min showed significantly higher(p<0.05) bond strength compared to the control group, which demonstrates its superior recovery effect. In SEM exminations of specimens retreated with 10% sodium ascorbate after NaOCl application for 40 & 80 min showed that resin tags were formed clearly and densely, but weakly in density and homogeneity of individual resin tag compared to the control specimen.
Ascorbic Acid ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dentin ; Sodium

BACKGROUND: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) confer resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporin (e.g., cefotaxime, ceftazidime) and aztreonam. But the diversity of ESBLs results in various susceptibility profiles with different beta-lactams. To study the relative in vitro activities of various beta-lactams and non-beta-lactam antibiotics against the clinical isolates of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae, we determined the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of various antimicrobials. METHODS: Fifty-seven isolates of K. pneumoniae which produced ESBL and 63 isolates which did not produce ESBL from 3 university hospitals in Korea were tested. The MIC values of antimicrobials were determined by agar dilution method and detection of ESBL production was performed by double disk synergy test. RESULTS: The MIC values of beta-lactams against K. pneumoniae which produced ESBLs exhibited heterogeneous susceptability profiles. In differentiation of ESBL production, MIC value of 8 ug/mL (breakpoint of intermediate resistance) of ceftazidime was more sensitive and more specific than that of cefotaxime or aztreonam. MIC50 values of gentamicin, amikacin and ciprofloxacin against K. pneumoniae that produced ESBL were significantly higher than those against Non-ESBL producing isolates (P<0.001), suggesting that ESBL producing isolates are multi-drug resistant. CONCLUSION: The level of resistance to various beta-lactams of K. pneumoniae which produced ESBL was heterogeneous. ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae showed higher resistance to aminoglycoside and quinolone antibiotics. Ceftazidime was the most appropriate antibiotic to differentiate ESBL production.
Agar ; Amikacin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents* ; Aztreonam ; beta-Lactamases* ; beta-Lactams ; Cefotaxime ; Ceftazidime ; Ciprofloxacin ; Gentamicins ; Hospitals, University ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Korea ; Pneumonia

The current socioeconomic climate has meant more children spend more time alone at home even for dining. This study was performed to characterize modem Korean childrens' food ecology based on mealtime atmosphere. A total of 705 elementary school students, 347 girls and 358 boys took part in the study. They were chosen evenly from the Seoul metropolitan areas, provincial cities, or rural areas, and were asked to fill out a questionnaire. The questionnaire was categorized to determine various factors related to food ecology, life styles, and health related symptoms. The average age of the study subjects was 11.5 years. The average height, weight, body mass index, and Rohrer index were 143.2 cm, 37.6 kg, 18.2 and 127.2 respectively. A significant number of children(39.2%) answered their bed time was between 11 and 12 pm. Only 28.3% answered that the whole family has breakfast together, and 47.7% have dinner together. A considerable number of children, 17.8% for breakfast and 6.9% for dinner, answered they eat alone. Most of the children answered they like to have dinner with the whole family. Half of the children answered they do not feel hungry before having breakfast. Proportions of children for their favorite meal time were 66.8%, and 25.4% and 7.8% for dinner, school lunch, and breakfast respectively. The largest proportions of children, 53.3% and 68.7%, have breakfast and dinner at home. Most of the children(75.2%) never purchase their dinner. Forty two% of the children answered they like school lunch, however, 60% of children answered they leave portions of lunch uneaten occasionally or always. Only 38.0% and 46.2% of the children have nutritionally adequate diet for breakfast and dinner. Children having more meals with the whole family possessed a more positive attitude towards breakfast compared to the children who eat with the whole family less frequently. In conclusion, Korea children are exposed to different health threatening food ecology problems related to changing environments, and consistent concern and support from community nutritionists are required.
Atmosphere ; Body Weight ; Breakfast ; Child* ; Climate ; Diet ; Ecology ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Lunch ; Meals ; Modems ; Nutritionists ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism can occur in various clinical situation and its diagnosis is difficult to be made but once it happens it can be a fatal disease to cause a death. We investigated 27 autopsied cases in the recent three years at National Institute of Scientific Investigation (NISI) who received anesthesia and diagnosed as pulmonary thromboembolism as cause of death and evaluated clinial situation and mortality by reviewing medical records. METHODS: Among 6848 autopsied cases in NISI from 1/1997 to 12/1999, 27 cases who were recieved anesthesia and whose cause of death were confirmed as pulmonary thromboembolism were investigated through its autopsy record, clinical record and statement. RESULTS: The type of anesthesia of 17 cases was general anesthesia, 4 cases was local anesthesia and 6 cases was unknown. As clinical distribution, obstetric were 17 cases, orthopedic 7 cases and thoracic surgery, general surgery and urology were 1 cases. By comparing the time interval between operation and death, 7 cases of obstetric were on postoperative 1 2 days. Deep thromboembolism was observed on lower extremities by 22 cases and anatomocally heart lesion was observed by 14 cases by autopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary thromboembolism is one of the leading causes of sudden postoperative death, but because reliable symptoms, signs and diagnostic methods were absent, physician have to be aware of the problem and make effort to diagnose if possible.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Diagnosis ; Heart ; Hospital Distribution Systems ; Lower Extremity ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Orthopedics ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Thoracic Surgery ; Thromboembolism ; Urology

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism can occur in various clinical situation and its diagnosis is difficult to be made but once it happens it can be a fatal disease to cause a death. We investigated 27 autopsied cases in the recent three years at National Institute of Scientific Investigation (NISI) who received anesthesia and diagnosed as pulmonary thromboembolism as cause of death and evaluated clinial situation and mortality by reviewing medical records. METHODS: Among 6848 autopsied cases in NISI from 1/1997 to 12/1999, 27 cases who were recieved anesthesia and whose cause of death were confirmed as pulmonary thromboembolism were investigated through its autopsy record, clinical record and statement. RESULTS: The type of anesthesia of 17 cases was general anesthesia, 4 cases was local anesthesia and 6 cases was unknown. As clinical distribution, obstetric were 17 cases, orthopedic 7 cases and thoracic surgery, general surgery and urology were 1 cases. By comparing the time interval between operation and death, 7 cases of obstetric were on postoperative 1 2 days. Deep thromboembolism was observed on lower extremities by 22 cases and anatomocally heart lesion was observed by 14 cases by autopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary thromboembolism is one of the leading causes of sudden postoperative death, but because reliable symptoms, signs and diagnostic methods were absent, physician have to be aware of the problem and make effort to diagnose if possible.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Diagnosis ; Heart ; Hospital Distribution Systems ; Lower Extremity ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Orthopedics ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Thoracic Surgery ; Thromboembolism ; Urology

Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) is a major constituent of most cereals, legumes, nuts, oil seeds and soybean. Previous studies reported the anticancer effect of IP6 and suggested that co-treatment of IP6 with inositol may enhance anticancer effect of IP6. Although the anticancer effect of IP6 has been intensively studied, the combinational effect of IP6 and inositol and involved mechanisms are not well understood so far. In the present study, we investigated the effect of IP6 and myo-inositol (MI) on cell cycle regulation and apoptosis using PC3 prostate cancer cell lines. When cells were co-treated with IP6 and MI, the extent of cell growth inhibition was significantly increased than that by IP6 alone. To identify the effect of IP6 and MI on apoptosis, the activity of caspase-3 was measured. The caspase-3 activity was significantly increased when cells were treated with either IP6 alone or both IP6 and MI, with no significant enhancement by co-treatment. To investigate the effect of IP6 and MI of cell cycle arrest, we measured p21 mRNA expression in PC3 cells and observed significant increase in p21 mRNA by IP6. But synergistic regulation by co-treatment with IP6 and MI was not observed. In addition, there was no significant effect by co-treatment compared to IP6 treatment on the regulation of cell cycle progression although IP6 significantly changed cell cycle distribution in the presence of MI or not. Therefore, these findings support that IP6 has anticancer function by induction of apoptosis and regulation of cell cycle. However, synergistic effect by MI on cell cycle regulation and apoptosis was not observed in PC3 prostate cancer cells.
Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Line ; Edible Grain ; Fabaceae ; Inositol ; Nuts ; Phytic Acid ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; RNA, Messenger ; Soybeans

PURPOSE: T cells play a central role in cell-mediated immunity, atopic disease, and asthma. The balance of CD28/cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4)-derived signal transduction plays an important role in the activation of T cells and an increased immunoglobulin E (IgE) response. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between polymorphisms in the genes encoding both CTLA4 and the high-affinity IgE receptor 1B (FCER1B) and serum IgE levels in Korean children with asthma. METHODS: We enrolled 238 controls and 742 children with asthma. The CTLA4 +49A/G and FCER1B -654C/T polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: We observed no difference in the distribution of CTLA4 +49A/G among controls, children with asthma, and those with atopic asthma. In contrast, the GA genotype of CTLA4 +49A/G in children with atopic asthma was significantly higher compared to that in those with non-atopic asthma. Moreover, significantly higher log Dp/Df-specific IgE levels were found in children with asthma and those with atopic asthma carrying one or two copies of the CTLA4 +49A versus those homozygous for +49G. Gene-gene interactions between CTLA4 and FCER1B with the heterozygote and homozygote of variant genotypes were associated with the log Dp/Df-specific IgE levels, but not asthma development. In addition, children with Dp/Df (+) asthma carried an elevated combined genotype of risk allele compared to those with Dp/Df (-) asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The CTLA4 +49A/G polymorphism may contribute to the production of IgE in Korean children with asthma, especially in Dp/Df-specific IgE levels, but not in the direct development of asthma. In addition, Dp/Df-specific IgE levels with a FCER1B -654C/T polymorphism may involve additive effects.
Alleles ; Asthma ; Child ; Coat Protein Complex I ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Genotype ; Heterozygote ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Lifting ; Signal Transduction ; T-Lymphocytes