Association of Dynamic Changes in Metabolic Syndrome Status with the Risk of Parkinson's Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: The longitudinal association between dynamic changes in the metabolic syndrome (MS) status and Parkinson's disease (PD) has been poorly studied.

Objective: We examined whether dynamic changes in MS status are associated with altered risk for PD.

Methods: This study was a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Best Achievements in Clinical Medicine in Diabetes and Dyslipidemia in 2020.

Over the last two decades, our understanding of diabetes and treatment strategies have evolved tremendously, from scientific, mechanistic, and human perspectives. The categories of anti-diabetic medications expanded from a few to numerous, enabling clinicians to personalize diabetes care and treatment. Thanks to rapid growth in the field of science and medical engineering, newer treatment options are coming to the market with various advantages and disadvantages to be aware of.

Analysis of illegal colourants (citrus red II, diethyl yellow, dimethyl yellow, metanil yellow and rhodamine B) in foods by LC-UV and LC-MS/MS.

Synthetic colourants are highly regulated due to their correlation with a variety of health hazards. Regulatory services must be able to detect the substances in a cost-effective, efficient, and sensitive manner. LC-UV and LC-MS/MS methods have been developed to simultaneously detect five illegal colourants in foods, such as: citrus red II, diethyl yellow, dimethyl yellow, metanil yellow, and rhodamine B.

High-throughput simultaneous analysis of multiple pesticides in grain, fruit, and vegetables by GC-MS/MS.

A multi-component quantitative GC-MS/MS method for monitoring and inspecting agricultural products was developed for the simultaneous determination of 365 pesticide residues in grain, beans, fruit and vegetables. Twenty-six pesticides that have been authorised in foreign countries but not in Korea were included in the newly adapted Korean positive list system. The method was validated by analysing spiked samples at three concentrations (0.

HS-GC/MS method development and exposure assessment of volatile organic compounds from food packaging into food simulants.

A simultaneous headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) method was developed and validated to determine the migration of 12 volatile organic compounds (methanol, acetone, methylethylketone, ethylacetate, isopropylalcohol, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, cumene, propylbenzene, and styrene) from food contact materials into food simulants (water, 4% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and n-heptane). The limits of detection and quantification were 0.007-0.

Safety assessment of antioxidants and color fixatives for the Korean population using dietary intake monitoring.

Food additives such as antioxidants and color fixatives are substances used in food intentionally for technical effect, such as decolorizing or intensifying the color of food. Based on the necessity of re-evaluating food additives for safety and to improve consumer perception, we conducted safety assessments for food additives according to the Risk Assessment Guidelines of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. These safety assessments evaluated new risk information based on toxicology data and estimates of dietary intake exposures to food additives in comparison with the acceptable daily intake (ADI).

Naturally occurring benzoic, sorbic, and propionic acid in vegetables.

Benzoic, sorbic and propionic acid are used as preservatives in foods and can also be naturally present in processed foods. The levels of preservatives in 939 vegetables were determined. Benzoic and sorbic acid were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector and further confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, whereas propionic acid was analysed using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector and further confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Migration of lead and arsenic from food contact paper into a food simulant and assessment of their consumer exposure safety.

Paper is one of the most commonly used food packaging materials. During the production of packaging paper, it is possible for trace amounts of heavy metals to be incorporated as contaminants. These could migrate into food when packaging paper (food contact paper) is used for cooking, storing and eating.

Migration study of caprolactam from polyamide 6 sheets into food simulants.

Caprolactam, used in manufacturing polyamide (PA) 6, may threaten human health. Here, PA 6 sheets were produced by using a twin-screw extruder to evaluate its safety. Caprolactam migration concentrations from the PA 6 sheets into food simulants were evaluated according to the standard migration test conditions under the Korean Food Standards Codex (KFSC).

Simultaneous analysis and exposure assessment of migrated bisphenol analogues, phenol, and p-tert-butylphenol from food contact materials.

A simple, rapid, and novel liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to determine levels of eight bisphenol analogues (A, S, F, B, P, AF, AP, and Z), phenol, and p-tert-butylphenol migrated from food contact material (FCM) into food simulants. Method validation showed acceptable values in terms of linearity, precision, and accuracy. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.

Release of -nitrosamines and -nitrosatable substances from baby bottle teats and rubber kitchen tools in Korea.

Ensuring the safety of baby bottle teats and kitchen tools made from rubber is critical. Therefore, the migration of -nitrosamines and -nitrosatable substances from 30 teats and 45 kitchen tools to artificial saliva was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated by assessing the limits of detection (0.

The Association between Pancreatic Steatosis and Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Background: Whether pancreatic steatosis has a local or systemic effect, like ectopic fat of other major organs, remains unknown. Data on the influence of pancreatic steatosis on microvascular complication are rare. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between pancreatic steatosis and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Perfluorinated compounds in food simulants after migration from fluorocarbon resin-coated frying pans, baking utensils, and non-stick baking papers on the Korean market.

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are used in manufacturing food contact materials, including non-stick cookware coatings and oil- and moisture-resistant paper coatings. The chemical stability of PFCs poses an issue for human safety, as they do not degrade well naturally and hence may accumulate in the body. In terms of food safety, since dietary intake is thought to be a major source of exposure to PFCs, it is necessary to assess the migration of PFCs from food packaging articles to food under typical cooking and storage conditions.

Fast and simple determination and exposure assessment of bisphenol A, phenol, p-tert-butylphenol, and diphenylcarbonate transferred from polycarbonate food-contact materials to food simulants.

Polycarbonate (PC) plastics find extensive use in baby bottles, food storage containers, and various kitchen items. Possibly hazardous chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA), phenol, p-tert-butylphenol (TBP), and diphenylcarbonate (DPC), are source materials or by-products from PC production. Therefore, a fast and simple analytical method was developed to determine and assess the exposure of BPA, phenol, TBP, and DPC transferred from PC food-contact materials to four different food simulants (water, 4% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and n-heptane) at different temperatures.

Sorbic, benzoic and propionic acids in fishery products: a survey of the South Korean market.

This study was conducted to provide basic data as part of a project to distinguish naturally occurring organic acids from added preservatives. Accordingly, we investigated naturally occurring levels of sorbic, benzoic and propionic acids in fish and their processed commodities. The levels of sorbic, benzoic and propionic acids in 265 fish and their processed commodities were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode detection array (HPLC-PDA) of sorbic and benzoic acids and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of propionic acid.

Sequential Sonographic Features of Primary Invasive Aspergillosis Involving Only the Thyroid Gland: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A 29-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with palpitation and neck swelling. Initial sonography showed an ill-defined hypoechoic lesion in the right thyroid gland, mentioning subacute thyroiditis. The patient received conservative care for one week.

Cadmium and lead in animal tissue (muscle, liver and kidney), cow milk and dairy products in Korea.

A survey of Cd and Pb in animal tissue, milk and dairy products was conducted. Muscle, liver and kidney of domestically produced cows, pigs, chickens and ducks were collected from eight regions in Korea. Raw cow milk was collected from 9 regions, and imported dairy products (butter, cheese, cream and powdered milk) were collected from 15 countries.