BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by excessive adipose tissue accumulation, dysregulated lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance, leading to an increased risk of metabolic disease. While Withania somnifera (AS) and Chrysanthemum zawadskii Herbich var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitamura (C) have traditionally been used for their metabolic regulatory properties, their combined effects on adipogenesis, lipogenesis, lipolysis, and insulin signaling remain unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effects of AS, C, and their optimal combination (ASC) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by investigating their impact on lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis.MATERIALS/METHODS: Following adipogenic differentiation, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with AS, C, and ASC at different concentrations. RESULTS: AS, C, and ASC significantly inhibited adipogenesis by downregulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins alpha and beta phosphorylation, thereby reducing lipid accumulation in adipocytes. They also suppressed lipogenesis by downregulating the expression of dephosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and lipoprotein lipase. In contrast, they markedly enhanced lipolysis, as evidenced by increased hormone-sensitive lipase and protein kinase A expression, along with elevated glycerol release and cAMP levels. Furthermore, AS, C, and ASC activated energy metabolism pathways, as indicated by the upregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase, uncoupling protein 1, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, suggesting a transition toward enhanced mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Notably, AS, C, and ASC significantly improved insulin signaling by restoring insulin receptor substrate 1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and Akt phosphorylation, while upregulating glucose transporter type 4 expression, indicating enhanced glucose uptake. Among all treatments, ASC showed relatively greater efficacy compared to AS or C alone, suggesting a potential additive effect. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that ASC effectively modulates multiple metabolic pathways in adipocytes, including adipogenesis, lipogenesis, lipolysis, energy metabolism, and insulin signaling, to exert its anti-obesity effects.

The population attributable fraction (PAF) indicates the proportion of disease cases in a given population that can be attributed to a specific factor, assuming a causal relationship. In other words, it quantifies the extent to which that factor contributes to disease occurrence. PAF calculation methods have been applied to studies factors and several, studies have reported PAFs for dietary contributors to overall or specific cancer risks. Our team has conducted several PAF studies and presents findings on the contributions of dietary factors to cancer risk in the Korean population.Current Concepts: For colorectal cancer, the PAF of dietary factors is 34.9%, with insufficient whole grain intake contributing the largest share (16.6%). For gastric cancer, dietary factors have a PAF of 18.6%, with excessive intake of salted vegetables contributing the most (16.0%). Notably, the PAFs for inadequate whole grain and milk consumption were higher than those reported in previous studies, while the PAFs for other dietary factors fell within the expected range. These findings emphasize the need to prioritize interventions that effectively reduce the diet-attributable cancer burden.Discussion and Conclusion: Country-specific PAF estimates are crucial for developing effective cancer prevention strategies tailored to the Korean population. To better apply dietary PAF estimates, future studies should (1) integrate data from existing and ongoing cohort studies to determine Korea-specific relative risks, (2) estimate dietary prevalence using assessment tools that capture long-term dietary habits, and (3) establish optimal intake levels specific to the Korean context.

The population attributable fraction (PAF) indicates the proportion of disease cases in a given population that can be attributed to a specific factor, assuming a causal relationship. In other words, it quantifies the extent to which that factor contributes to disease occurrence. PAF calculation methods have been applied to studies factors and several, studies have reported PAFs for dietary contributors to overall or specific cancer risks. Our team has conducted several PAF studies and presents findings on the contributions of dietary factors to cancer risk in the Korean population.Current Concepts: For colorectal cancer, the PAF of dietary factors is 34.9%, with insufficient whole grain intake contributing the largest share (16.6%). For gastric cancer, dietary factors have a PAF of 18.6%, with excessive intake of salted vegetables contributing the most (16.0%). Notably, the PAFs for inadequate whole grain and milk consumption were higher than those reported in previous studies, while the PAFs for other dietary factors fell within the expected range. These findings emphasize the need to prioritize interventions that effectively reduce the diet-attributable cancer burden.Discussion and Conclusion: Country-specific PAF estimates are crucial for developing effective cancer prevention strategies tailored to the Korean population. To better apply dietary PAF estimates, future studies should (1) integrate data from existing and ongoing cohort studies to determine Korea-specific relative risks, (2) estimate dietary prevalence using assessment tools that capture long-term dietary habits, and (3) establish optimal intake levels specific to the Korean context.

The population attributable fraction (PAF) indicates the proportion of disease cases in a given population that can be attributed to a specific factor, assuming a causal relationship. In other words, it quantifies the extent to which that factor contributes to disease occurrence. PAF calculation methods have been applied to studies factors and several, studies have reported PAFs for dietary contributors to overall or specific cancer risks. Our team has conducted several PAF studies and presents findings on the contributions of dietary factors to cancer risk in the Korean population.Current Concepts: For colorectal cancer, the PAF of dietary factors is 34.9%, with insufficient whole grain intake contributing the largest share (16.6%). For gastric cancer, dietary factors have a PAF of 18.6%, with excessive intake of salted vegetables contributing the most (16.0%). Notably, the PAFs for inadequate whole grain and milk consumption were higher than those reported in previous studies, while the PAFs for other dietary factors fell within the expected range. These findings emphasize the need to prioritize interventions that effectively reduce the diet-attributable cancer burden.Discussion and Conclusion: Country-specific PAF estimates are crucial for developing effective cancer prevention strategies tailored to the Korean population. To better apply dietary PAF estimates, future studies should (1) integrate data from existing and ongoing cohort studies to determine Korea-specific relative risks, (2) estimate dietary prevalence using assessment tools that capture long-term dietary habits, and (3) establish optimal intake levels specific to the Korean context.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: UV radiation is a major factor contributing to DNA damage in skin cells, including stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, leading to the depletion of these crucial cells. This study examined whether a mixture of Indian gooseberry and barley sprout (IB) could inhibit UVB irradiation and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced photoaging and oxidative stress in the skin using HaCaT, Hs27, and B16F10 cells.MATERIALS/METHODS: The moisturizing-related factors, the collagen synthesis-related c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/c-Fos/c-Jun/matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) pathway, and the melanogenesis-related cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP-responsive binding protein (CREB)/melanocyte inducing transcription factor (MITF)/tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)/tyrosinase activation pathways were analyzed in vitro by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The IB complex increased the hyaluronic acid and sphingomyelin levels and the collagenase inhibitory activity, enhanced hydration-related factors, including collagen, hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS), elastin, long chain base subunit 1 (LCB1) (serine palmitoyltransferase; SPT), and delta 4-desaturase sphingolipid 1 (DEGS1), modulated the inflammatory cytokines levels, antioxidant enzyme activities and the NF-κB/MMPs/cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, and inhibited wrinkle formation by down-regulation of the JNK/c-Fos/c-Jun/MMP pathway and up-regulation of the transforming growth factor-β receptor I (TGFβR1)/small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad3)/procollagen type I pathway in UVB-irradiated Hs27 cells. Moreover, the IB complex prevented melanin production by down-regulating the PKA/CREB/MITF/TRP-1/TRP-2 pathway in IBMX-induced B16F10 cells. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the IB complex has the potential to serve as a safeguard, shielding the skin from UVB radiation-induced photo-damage.

Conjugate upward and downward gaze palsy related to unilateral midbrain infarction is a rare neurological symptom, as there were few reported cases worldwide. Here, we report a case of 55-year-old male patient presenting with conjugate vertical gaze palsy. In this case, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images demonstrated a localized infarction in the right rostral midbrain.

A pulmonary artery periadventitial hematoma is a rare complication of a Stanford type A intramural hematoma. As the proximal ascending aorta and pulmonary artery share a common adventitial layer, extravasated blood from the intramural hematoma in the ascending thoracic aorta may extend to beneath the adventitia of the pulmonary artery. The authors describe a case involving a 66-year-old male with acute chest pain who presented with a pulmonary artery periadventitial hematoma associated with a Stanford type A intramural hematoma.

Conjugate upward and downward gaze palsy related to unilateral midbrain infarction is a rare neurological symptom, as there were few reported cases worldwide. Here, we report a case of 55-year-old male patient presenting with conjugate vertical gaze palsy. In this case, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images demonstrated a localized infarction in the right rostral midbrain.

A pulmonary artery periadventitial hematoma is a rare complication of a Stanford type A intramural hematoma. As the proximal ascending aorta and pulmonary artery share a common adventitial layer, extravasated blood from the intramural hematoma in the ascending thoracic aorta may extend to beneath the adventitia of the pulmonary artery. The authors describe a case involving a 66-year-old male with acute chest pain who presented with a pulmonary artery periadventitial hematoma associated with a Stanford type A intramural hematoma.

The Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) Committee under the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine developed a Korean pre-hospital emergency patient classification tool (Pre-hospital Korean Triage and Acuity Scale [Pre-KTAS]) under contract from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea. The classification tool was developed separately for adults and children. The patient’ s emergency level is classified into five distinct levels and is the same as the KTAS classification system, which is a hospital-level emergency patient classification tool.