Heart diseases are a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality, and despite their diverse and complex mechanisms, treatment options remain limited. Maltol, a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, exhibits potential for addressing this need. This study evaluates the cardioprotective effects of maltol in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac stress models and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Maltol’s cardiac cytotoxicity was assessed in rodent (H9c2) and human (AC16) cells and compared with that of dapagliflozin to illustrate its cardiac safety. In ISO-induced stress models, maltol significantly reduced hypertrophic markers and inflammation while enhancing autophagy and antioxidant pathways. In the mdx mice, a DMD model, maltol treatment improved cardiac contractility and reduced pathogenic remodeling. Enhanced phosphorylation of phospholamban and trends toward higher SERCA2a expression indicated enhanced Ca 2+ handling, which is crucial in DMD cardiomyopathy. This study demonstrated that maltol has the potential to provide therapeutic benefits for DMD and other cardiac conditions characterized by hypertrophy and inflammation, as evidenced by its well-known antioxidant properties, low cytotoxicity, and capacity to enhance cardiac function and Ca 2+ handling.

Background: We investigated whether nutritional intake is associated with physical activity (PA) and handgrip strength (HGS) in individuals with airflow limitation. Methods: This study analyzed data from the 2014 and 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We assessed total protein intake (g/day), caloric intake (kcal/day), and other nutritional intakes, using a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. HGS was measured three times for each hand using a digital grip strength dynamometer, and PA was assessed as health-enhancing PA. Airflow limitation was defined as a forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity ratio of 0.7 in individuals over 40 years of age. Participants were categorized into groups based on their PA levels and HGS measurements: active aerobic PA vs. non-active aerobic PA, and normal HGS vs. low HGS. Results: Among the 622 individuals with airflow limitation, those involved in active aerobic PA and those with higher HGS had notably higher total food, calorie, water, protein, and lipid intake. The correlations between protein and caloric intake with HGS were strong (correlation coefficients=0.344 and 0.346, respectively). The forest plots show that higher intakes of food, water, calories, protein, and lipids are positively associated with active aerobic PA, while higher intakes of these nutrients are inversely associated with low HGS. However, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, no significant associations were observed between nutritional intake and active aerobic PA or HGS. Conclusion Nutritional intake was found to not be an independent factor associated with PA and HGS. However, the observed correlations suggest potential indirect effects that warrant further investigation.

Purpose: Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is rich in phytochemicals (e.g., tannin and beta-carotene.), vitamins (e.g., vitamins A and C), minerals (e.g., calcium and potassium), and dietary fiber. Persimmon exhibits efficacy against diseases such as cancer, hypertension, and heart disease. This study examined the antioxidant and immune-enhancing activities of Fuyu (a sweet persimmon) and Hachiya (an astringent persimmon) and evaluated their potential as functional food ingredients. Methods: The antioxidant and immune-enhancing activities of Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons were evaluated by extracting them with hot water and ethanol (100%). The antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (RSA), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Six-year domestic red ginseng was used as a reference for assessing the immune-enhancing activity. Nitric oxide (NO) production, phagocytosis, cytokine levels interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon-γ), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression were analyzed. Results: The hot water extracts of Fuyu and Hachiya persimmon exhibited significantly higher TPC, TFC, DPPH RSA, and ORAC levels than the ethanol extract. The Hachiya persimmon extract generally showed comparable or higher immune-enhancing activity than the Fuyu persimmon extract in NO production, cytokine activity, phagocytosis, and expression of iNOS and COX-2 genes. Conclusion Hachiya persimmon possesses superior antioxidant properties to Fuyu persimmon while exhibiting comparable immune-enhancing activity. These characteristics highlight its potential for beneficial applications. Nevertheless, further research is required to elucidate these effects and optimize their use in health-promoting interventions.

Background: The positive relationship between triiodothyronine (T3) and steatotic liver disease (SLD) demonstrated only in crosssectional study. We aimed to evaluated whether total T3 (TT3) is associated with the development/resolution of SLD in longitudinal design. Methods: This retrospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort study included 1,665 South Korean euthyroid adults with ≥4 thyroid function test. We explored the impact of mean TT3 during follow-up on development/resolution of either SLD (diagnosed by ultrasound) or modified metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: During about median 5 years follow-up, 807/1,216 (66.3%) participants among participants without SLD at baseline developed SLD, and 253/318 (79.5%) participants among participants with SLD at baseline SLD resolved fatty liver. Mean TT3 rather than thyroid stimulating hormone or mean free thyroxine was significantly related with development (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.02; P=0.002) and resolution (adjusted HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96 to 0.99; P=0.005) of SLD. Compared with low mean TT3 group, high mean TT3 group was positively associated with development of SLD (adjusted HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.38; P=0.008) and inversely associated with resolution of SLD (adjusted HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.85; P=0.001). The statistical significance remained for development (adjusted HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.51; P=0.001) and resolution (adjusted HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.94; P=0.018) of modified MASLD. Conclusion In Korean euthyroid adults, TT3 level was associated with development and resolution of either SLD or modified MASLD.

Conversion therapy is a treatment strategy that shifts from palliative systemic therapy to curative surgical treatment for primary and/or metastatic stage IV gastric cancer (GC).To address its clinical statements, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association aims to present a consensus on conversion therapy among experts attending KINGCA WEEK 2024. The KINGCA Scientific Committee and Development Working Group for Korean Practice Guidelines prepared preformulated topics and 9 clinical statements for conversion therapy.The Delphi method was applied to a panel of 17 experts for consensus and opinions. The final comments were announced after the statement presentation and discussed during the consensus meeting session of KINGCA WEEK 2024. Most experts agreed that conversion herapy provides a survival benefit for selected patients who respond to systemic therapy and undergo R0 resection (88.3%). Patients with limited metastases were considered good candidates (94.2%). The optimal timing was based on the response to systemic therapy (70.6%). The regimen was recommended to be individualized (100%) and the duration to be at least 6 months (88.3%). A minimally invasive approach (82.3%) and D2 lymph node dissection (82.4%) were considered for surgery. However, resection for metastases with a complete clinical response after systemic therapy was not advocated (41.2%). All experts agreed on the need for large-scale randomized-controlled trials for further evidence (100%).Recent advancements in treatment may facilitate radical surgery for patients with stage IV GC. Further evidence is warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of conversion therapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore and deeply understand the essential meaning of international students' healthcare management experiences in Korea. Methods: This study applied Colaizzi‘s phenomenological research method to identify the meanings and needs related to health care management experienced by international students during their academic stay in Korea. Data were collected through unstructured interviews, in which open-ended questions were asked to 12 international students. The interviews were conducted from May 10, 2024, to the end of July 2024, followed by an analysis based on Colaizzi’s six-step approach. The criteria set by Lincoln and Guba were used to enhance the reliability and validity of qualitative research. Results: Regarding the meaning of international students' healthcare management experiences in Korea, this study identified four categories, 11 themes, 27 sub-themes, and 108 significant statements. The four categories of international students' health care management experiences were: “neglecting health care management due to unresolved economic difficulties,” “choosing better healthcare management options than those in their home country,” “acquiring a new perspective on healthcare management during their stay in Korea,” and “suggesting directions for improvement and expectations based on their healthcare management experiences in Korea.” This study enabled an understanding of health management practices, with implications for ensuring the successful academic lives of international students. Conclusion This study implies that a deep understanding of international students' healthcare management experiences would contribute to the development of effective health promotion policies and programs for them in the future.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the actor and partner effects of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy on parental intentions to vaccinate adolescent sons against HPV. Methods: The participants were 191 couples who met the eligibility criteria. Data were collected from June 2024 through internet communities in Gyeongsangnam Province. The actor-partner interdependence model was used to analyze the parent's actor and partner effects of HPV vaccination knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy on parents' intentions to vaccinate their adolescent sons against HPV. Results: The actor effects of fathers' intentions to vaccinate their adolescent sons against HPV were perceived benefits and self-efficacy; however, the partner effect was not significant. The actor effects of mothers' intentions to vaccinate their adolescent sons against HPV were perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy, and the partner effects were fathers' perceived severity and benefits. Conclusion This study indicates that fathers' intentions to vaccinate their adolescent sons against HPV may play an essential role in increasing HPV vaccination rates among adolescent sons.

Purpose: Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is rich in phytochemicals (e.g., tannin and beta-carotene.), vitamins (e.g., vitamins A and C), minerals (e.g., calcium and potassium), and dietary fiber. Persimmon exhibits efficacy against diseases such as cancer, hypertension, and heart disease. This study examined the antioxidant and immune-enhancing activities of Fuyu (a sweet persimmon) and Hachiya (an astringent persimmon) and evaluated their potential as functional food ingredients. Methods: The antioxidant and immune-enhancing activities of Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons were evaluated by extracting them with hot water and ethanol (100%). The antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (RSA), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Six-year domestic red ginseng was used as a reference for assessing the immune-enhancing activity. Nitric oxide (NO) production, phagocytosis, cytokine levels interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon-γ), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression were analyzed. Results: The hot water extracts of Fuyu and Hachiya persimmon exhibited significantly higher TPC, TFC, DPPH RSA, and ORAC levels than the ethanol extract. The Hachiya persimmon extract generally showed comparable or higher immune-enhancing activity than the Fuyu persimmon extract in NO production, cytokine activity, phagocytosis, and expression of iNOS and COX-2 genes. Conclusion Hachiya persimmon possesses superior antioxidant properties to Fuyu persimmon while exhibiting comparable immune-enhancing activity. These characteristics highlight its potential for beneficial applications. Nevertheless, further research is required to elucidate these effects and optimize their use in health-promoting interventions.