BACKGROUND

Polyphenol intake is associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and obesity. Pigmented rice varieties such as red, purple, and black rice contain polyphenols; however, are not commonly consumed. Apart from price and sensory properties, awareness of its availability, perception of health benefits, and intent to purchase may influence consumer preference and consumption.

This study aimed to develop and validate a short questionnaire designed to determine awareness of the availability, perception of health benefits, and intent to purchase pigmented rice.

The study included three phases: (1) tool development, (2) expert validation, and (3) reliability testing. Questions were initially evaluated for clarity and relevance by two Nutritionist-Dietitians and then by seven lay individuals through a focus group discussion. Following the revision, seven food and nutrition experts evaluated the face and content validity of the questionnaire. Validity was assessed via computation of Item and scale content validity indices and kappa statistics. The validated tool was then tested for internal consistency and parallel form reliability of English and Filipino versions among lay individuals (n=31) and then evaluated for reliability based on Cronbach’s alpha and Intraclass correlation coefficients.

The questionnaire was found to have an acceptable face (I-CVI: 1.00; S-CVI/UA: 1.00; K=1.00) and content validity (I-CVI: 0.86-1.00; S-CVI/UA: 0.96-1.00; K= 0.85-1.00) and reliability (α=0.96-1.00).

The developed questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for assessing awareness of the availability, perception of health benefits, and intent to purchase pigmented rice.

benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is unknown whether it has protective effects against oxidative stress-induced cell death. We investigated whether UA ameliorates H₂O₂-induced neuronal cell death.MATERIALS/METHODS: We induced oxidative damage with 300 µM H₂O₂ after UA pretreatment at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 µM in SK-N-MC cells. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were determined using the CCK-8 assay. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using a 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. Hoechst 33342 staining was used to characterize morphological changes in apoptotic cells. The expressions of apoptosis proteins were measured using Western blotting.RESULTS: UA significantly increased cell viability and decreased intracellular ROS production in a dose-dependent manner in SK-N-MC cells. It also decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the expressions of cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP. In addition, it suppressed the phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.CONCLUSIONS: UA attenuates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis via inhibiting the mitochondrial-related apoptosis pathway and modulating the p38 MAPK pathway, suggesting that it may be an effective neuroprotective agent.]]>
Apoptosis ; Biological Availability ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 9 ; Cell Death ; Cell Survival ; Cytochromes c ; Ellagic Acid ; Hydrolyzable Tannins ; Insurance Benefits ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Oxidative Stress ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinases ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Sincalide

E-cigarettes (ECs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) have become popular in Korea; hence, it is important to determine whether ECs and HTPs are less hazardous than combustible cigarettes (CCs). In general, the levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) are lower in ECs and HTPs than in CCs, although the levels of some heavy metals and HPHCs are higher in ECs and HTPs than in CCs. ECs and HTPs showed possible adverse effects on respiratory and cardiovascular system function, which could result in chronic respiratory and cardiovascular system diseases in animals. An analysis of biomarkers showed that ECs had possible adverse health effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, in addition the effects of HTP on respiratory and cardiovascular systems were not significantly different than those of CC. Epidemiological studies identified positive associations between EC use and asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and myocardial infarction. Only one epidemiologic study reported a positive association between ever using HTPs and asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis among adolescents. Modelling studies of ECs did not show consistent findings regarding the health effects compared with those of CCs. A modeling study of HTPs, performed by tobacco industry, has been criticized for many unfounded assumptions. Lower levels of HPHCs in ECs and HTPs, compared with those in CCs, cannot be directly translated into health benefits because the relationship between exposure and effects is non-linear for cardiovascular diseases and because the duration of exposure is more important than the level of exposure in determining lung cancer mortality. In summary, there is no definite health benefit in using ECs or HTPs instead of CCs, for the individual or the population; hence, tobacco control measures should be the same for ECs, HTPs, and CCs. ECs and HTPs have become popular in Korea; hence, it is important to determine whether ECs and HTPs are less hazardous than CCs.
Adolescent ; Animals ; Asthma ; Biomarkers ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cardiovascular System ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Electronic Cigarettes ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms ; Metals, Heavy ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Smoking ; Tobacco Industry ; Tobacco Products ; Tobacco

PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major public health problem related to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether recommended levels of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) decrease the risk of MetS in a community-based prospective cohort study (Ansung and Ansan cohort).MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3910 adults (1890 men, 2020 women) without MetS examined in 2001–2002 (baseline) were included in this study and followed up from 2013 to 2014. We measured LTPA energy expenditure using the standard metabolic equivalent value [metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h/wk]. Individuals were categorized into five groups (physically inactive, 0.1 to <7.5, 7.5 to <15.0, 15.0 to <22.5, 22.5 to <40.0, and ≥40.0 MET-h/wk).RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 11.8 years. Among the cohort, 482 men (25.5%) and 541 women (26.8%) were diagnosed with newly developed MetS. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed a 4.4% lower MetS risk among those performing two to three times the recommended minimum of 7.5 MET-h/wk [multivariate relative risk (RR), 0.956; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.654–1.398] and a 21.9% lower risk among those performing three to four times the physical activity minimum (multivariate RR, 0.781; 95% CI, 0.574–1.063). This association was only significant in females performing three to four times the minimum (crude RR, 0.655; 95% CI, 0.432–0.994).CONCLUSION: We noted that physical activity at more than 2 times the recommended minimum prevents MetS. Healthcare professionals should encourage inactive adults to be physically active during their leisure time to take advantage of its health benefits.
Adult ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cohort Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Leisure Activities ; Male ; Metabolic Equivalent ; Motor Activity ; Prospective Studies ; Public Health

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the impact of weekend admission with a patient safety indicator (PSI) on 30-day mortality among long-term insurance beneficiaries. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service-Senior claim database from 2002 to 2013. To obtain unbiased estimates of odds ratio, we used a nested case-control study design. The cases were individuals who had a 30-day mortality event after their last medical utilization, while controls were selected by incidence density sampling based on age and sex. We examined the interaction between the main independent variables of weekend admission and PSI by categorizing cases into four groups: weekend admission/PSI, weekend admission/non-PSI, weekday admission/PSI, and weekday admission/non-PSI. RESULTS: Of the 83,400 individuals in the database, there were 20,854 cases (25.0%) and 62,546 controls (75.0%). After adjusting for socioeconomic, health status, seasonality, and hospital-level factors, the odds ratios (ORs) of 30-day mortality for weekend admission/PSI (OR, 1.484; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.371–1.606) and weekday admission/PSI (OR, 1.357; 95% CI, 1.298–1.419) were greater than for patients with weekday admission/non-PSI. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that there is an increased risk of mortality after weekend admission among patients with PSI as compared with patients admitted during the weekday without a PSI. Therefore, our findings suggest that recognizing these different patterns is important to identify at-risk diagnosis to minimize the excess mortality associated with weekend admission in those with PSI.
Case-Control Studies ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insurance Benefits ; Insurance, Long-Term Care ; Long-Term Care ; Mortality ; National Health Programs ; Odds Ratio ; Patient Safety ; Seasons

Though clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are an effective and widely used treatment method worldwide, they are as yet not widely accepted in Korea. Given that cardiovascular (CV) disease is the second leading cause of death in Korea, it is urgent that CR programs be developed. In 2008, the Government of Korea implemented CR programs at 11 university hospitals as part of its Regional Cardio-Cerebrovascular Center Project, and 3 additional medical facilities will be added in 2019. In addition, owing to the promotion of CR nationwide and the introduction of CR insurance benefits, 40 medical institutions nationwide have begun CR programs even as a growing number of medical institutions are preparing to offer CR. The purpose of this research was to develop evidence-based CPGs to support CR implementation in Korea. This study is based on an analysis of CPGs elsewhere in the world, an extensive literature search, a systematic analysis of multiple randomized control trials, and a CPG management, development, and assessment committee comprised of thirty-three authors—primarily rehabilitation specialists, cardiologists, and thoracic surgeons in 21 university hospitals and 2 general hospitals. Twelve consultants, primarily rehabilitation, sports medicine, and preventive medicine specialists, CPG experts, nurses, physical therapists, clinical nutritionists, and library and information experts participated in the research and development of these CPGs. After the draft guidelines were developed, 3 rounds of public hearings were held with staff members from relevant academic societies and stakeholders, after which the guidelines were further reviewed and modified. CR involves a more cost-effective use of healthcare resources relative to that of general treatments, and the exercise component of CR lowers CV mortality and readmission rates, regardless of the type of coronary heart disease and type and setting of CR. Individualized CR programs should be considered together with various factors, including differences in heart function and lifestyle, and doing so will boost participation and adherence with the CR program, ultimately meeting the final goals of the program, namely reducing the recurrence of myocardial infarction and mortality rates.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Cause of Death ; Consultants ; Coronary Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Heart ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Life Style ; Methods ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Nutritionists ; Physical Therapists ; Preventive Medicine ; Recurrence ; Rehabilitation ; Secondary Prevention ; Specialization ; Sports Medicine ; Surgeons

PURPOSE: Protein overloading in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to endoplasmic reticulum stress, which exacerbates various disease conditions. Emodin, an anthraquinone compound, is known to have several health benefits. The effect of emodin against palmitic acid (PA) - induced ER stress in HepG2 cells was investigated. METHODS: HepG2 cells were treated with varying concentrations of palmitic acid to determine the working concentration that induced ER stress. ER stress associated genes such as ATF4, XBP1s, CHOP and GRP78 were checked using RT- PCR. In addition, the expression levels of unfolded protein response (UPR) associated proteins such as IRE1α, eIF2α and CHOP were checked using immunoblotting to confirm the induction of ER stress. The effect of emodin on ER stress was analyzed by treating HepG2 cells with 750 µM palmitic acid and varying concentrations of emodin, then analyzing the expression of UPR associated genes. RESULTS: It was evident from the mRNA and protein expression results that palmitic acid significantly increased the expression of UPR associated genes and thereby induced ER stress. Subsequent treatment with emodin reduced the mRNA expression of ATF4, GRP78, and XBP1s. Furthermore, the protein levels of p-IRE1α, p-elF2α and CHOP were also reduced by the treatment of emodin. Analysis of sirtuin mRNA expression showed that emodin increased the levels of SIRT4 and SIRT7, indicating a possible role in decreasing the expression of UPR-related genes. CONCLUSION: Altogether, the results suggest that emodin could exert a protective effect against fatty acid-induced ER stress and could be an agent for the management of various ER stress related diseases.
Emodin ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Hep G2 Cells ; Immunoblotting ; Insurance Benefits ; Palmitic Acid ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Sirtuins ; Unfolded Protein Response

PURPOSE: Barely sprout is a well-known oriental herbal medicine with a wide range of health benefits. Recent studies have provided scientific evidence of its therapeutic effects with expanded application. This study investigated anti-melanogenic effect of barley sprout water extract (BSE) in murine melanocyte B16F10. METHODS: Various concentrations (0, 50, 125, and 250 µg/mL) of BSE and arbutin (150 ppm) were applied to B16F10 stimulated with or without alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (100 nM) for 72 hours. The whitening potency of BSE was determined altered cellular melanin contents. Activity and expression of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) were also assayed. RESULTS: Experimental results revealed that treatment with BSE reduced cellular melanin production by approximately 40% compared to the control. Molecular findings supported that suppressed activity and expression of tyrosinase and MITF proteins by BSE were associated with declined cellular melanogenesis. Furthermore, anti-melanogenic effect of BSE (250 µg/mL) was similar to that of arbutin, a commonly used whitening agent. Lastly, polyphenols including p-coumaric, ferulic, and vanillic acids were identified in BSE using HPLC analyses. They might be potential active ingredients showing such melanogenesis-reducing effect. CONCLUSION: BSE was evident to possess favorable anti-melanogenic potency in an in vitro model. As a natural food sourced material, BSE could be an effective depigmentation agent with potential application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Arbutin ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Herbal Medicine ; Hordeum ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insurance Benefits ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma ; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Polyphenols ; Therapeutic Uses ; Vanillic Acid ; Water

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the factors affecting vegetable preferences of children based on the social cognitive theory to reduce imbalances in vegetable consumption. METHODS: The survey investigated 177 elementary school students in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, in June of 2018. The subjects consisted of 44 fifth graders (27.7%) and 128 (72.3%) sixth graders. RESULTS: Among personal factors of the Social Cognitive Theory, positive outcome expectation and self-efficacy of the vegetable preference group were significantly higher than those of the non-preference group. Negative barrier scores of the non-preference group were significantly higher than those of the preference group, and the biggest barrier was that vegetables were tasteless. Among behavioral factors, the nutritional knowledge of vegetables was high, but the degree of practice was low. Practice score of the vegetable preference group was significantly higher than that of the non-preference group. Among environmental factors, the vegetable preference group was more likely to accept advice from people around them than the non-preference group and the most influential people were doctors and parents. In the vegetable intake environment, children in the vegetable preference group had high accessibility to vegetables. Correlation analysis and regression analysis of the social cognitive factors and vegetable preferences revealed all factors except nutritional knowledge showed significant correlation with vegetable preference. And surrounding people (p < 0.01), practice (p < 0.01), and self-efficacy (p < 0.05) had positive effects on vegetable preference. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that providing the health benefits from eating vegetables and educating children for improving their self-confidence are necessary for increasing the preference for vegetables and their intake by children.
Child ; Eating ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Parents ; Vegetables

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the relationships of types of dental insurance coverage in Korea with sociodemographic characteristics and the prevalence of systemic and oral diseases, as well as to evaluate the socioeconomic impact of Korean dental insurance policies. METHODS: Sample cohort data from 2006 to 2015 were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The exposed group comprised patients who received insurance benefits for complete dentures, removable partial dentures, and implant care, while the control group comprised patients who did not receive these benefits. The type of insurance coverage and the prevalence of systemic and oral diseases were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Patients who received benefits in the form of complete dentures, removable partial dentures, and implants had similar sociodemographic characteristics in terms of sex, age, income quintile, and type of insurance coverage to the control group. The prevalence of hypertension, anemia, renal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, and cerebral infarction was higher in the exposed group than in the control group (P<0.05). The prevalence of periodontal diseases and dental caries was also higher in the exposed group. CONCLUSIONS: Korean dental health insurance policy has been beneficial for the medical expenses of low-income and elderly people suffering from a cost burden due to systemic diseases. However, since there is a tendency to avoid invasive interventions in older patients due to the high risk of systemic diseases, insurance coverage of dentures may be more helpful from a socioeconomic perspective than coverage of dental implant treatments.
Aged ; Anemia ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Asthma ; Cerebral Infarction ; Cohort Studies ; Dental Caries ; Dental Implants ; Denture, Complete ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Dentures ; Health Services for the Aged ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Insurance Benefits ; Insurance Coverage ; Insurance, Dental ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Osteoporosis ; Periodontal Diseases ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies