Effects of elastic neutral ankle-foot orthoses on 3 dimensional parameters during gait training in patients with stroke: A pilot study.

Background: General ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) cannot be flexibly adjusted to volumetric change in the lower leg because the molding is custom-fit. Thus, we developed a flexible assistive device called elastic neutral AFO (EN-AFO) to help stroke patients hold a neutral ankle position. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of EN-AFO and improve gait patterns in stroke patients with rearfoot varus deformity.

An anti-cancer effect of Sambou bamboo salt in melanoma skin cancer both in vivo and in vitro models.

Bamboo salt has anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, diabetics, anti-aging, and immune-enhancing effects, which are closely related to anti-cancer effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of Sambou bamboo salt (SBS) in melanoma skin cancer in vivo and in vitro models. SBS-administered mice effectively reduced tumor growth and increased survival rate compared with B16F10 cell-inoculated mice without tissue damage, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity.

A Positive Association of Overactivated Immunity with Metabolic Syndrome Risk and Mitigation of Its Association by a Plant-Based Diet and Physical Activity in a Large Cohort Study.

The association between immunity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been studied, but its interaction with lifestyles remains unclear. We studied their association and interactions with lifestyles in 40,768 adults aged over 40 years from a large-scale, hospital-based cohort study collected during 2010-2013. White blood cell counts (WBC) and serum C-reactive protein concentrations (CRP) were used as indexes of immune status.

Efficacy and Safety of Aronia, Red Ginseng, Shiitake Mushroom, and Nattokinase Mixture on Insulin Resistance in Prediabetic Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

We determined whether oral consumption of Aronia, red ginseng, shiitake mushroom, and nattokinase mixture (3.4: 4.1: 2.

Dietary supplementation with curcumin nanomicelles, curcumin, and turmeric affects growth performance and silver nanoparticle toxicity in Cyprinus carpio.

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of curcumin nanomicelle, curcumin, and turmeric (Curcuma longa) on growth performances, body composition, fatty acid profile, and biochemical parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and their ameliorative effects against toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). A total of 120 healthy carps were randomly distributed into four equal treatments. Curcumin nanomicelle, curcumin, and turmeric were each added separately to the basal diet.

Combined association of skeletal muscle mass and grip strength with cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and grip strength (GS) have been suggested to be related to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but their association with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the combined association of ASM and GS with the prevalence of CVD in patients with T2D.

Methods: A total of 1230 patients with T2D were recruited and divided into four groups based on the sex-specific median values of ASM adjusted for body mass index (ASM/BMI; short: SM) and GS: high SM/high GS (HSM/HGS), high SM/low GS (HSM/LGS), low SM/high GS (LSM/HGS), and low SM/low GS (LSM/LGS).

Luteinizing hormone-like and follicle-stimulating hormone-like activities of equine chorionic gonadotropin β-subunit mutants in cells expressing rat luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor and rat follicle-stimulating hormone receptor.

To identify the specific region of eCG involved in FSH-like activity, the following mutant expression vectors were constructed targeting the amino acid residues 102-104 of the eCG β-subunit: single mutants, eCGβV102G/α, eCGβF103P/α, and eCGβR104K/α; double mutants, eCGβV102G;F103P/α, eCGβV102G;R104K/α, and eCGβF103P;R104K/α; triple mutant, eCGβV102G;F103P;R104K/α. The LH-like and FSH-like activities of eCG mutants were examined in CHO-K1 cells expressing rat LH/CG receptor and rat FSH receptor. The levels of eCGβV102G/α, eCGβR104K/α, and eCGβV102G;R104K/α in the culture supernatant were markedly lower than those of eCGβ/α-wt.

Interaction between ALDH2 rs671 and life habits affects the risk of hypertension in Koreans: A STROBE observational study.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) is associated with the risk of hypertension, and the effects of lifestyle factors on blood pressure vary according to genotype. Among the Han Chinese, the risk of hypertension is lower in the group with the rs671 A allele than in the group with the G allele, and there is a significant association between the frequency of fried food consumption and hypertension. However, the A allele significantly increases the risk of hypertension with increased fried food intake.

Effects of abdominal drawing-in maneuver with or without prior iliopsoas stretching on gluteus maximus activity during prone hip extension.

Background: Prone hip extension (PHE) has been investigated to strengthen the hip joint and back extensor muscles. However, it has not been compared with various PHE exercises in individuals with iliopsoas shortness.

Objective: This study compared pelvic compensation and hip and back extensor muscle activities in individuals with iliopsoas shortness during prone hip extension (PHE) using the abdominal drawing-in maneuver alone (PHEA) and after iliopsoas stretching (PHEAS).

Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version of the Smoking Media Literacy Scale for Adolescents.

Smoking media literacy has proven to be an effective competency for reducing adolescents' smoking. This study aimed to cross-culturally modify the smoking media literacy scale and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the revised Smoking Media Literacy Scale for Adolescents (K-SMLS). The translation of the K-SMLS was conducted according to the World Health Organization's guidelines.

Surfactin exerts an anti-cancer effect through inducing allergic reactions in melanoma skin cancer.

Surfactin is a mast cell degranulator, that increases the immune response via the degranulation of mast cells. Recently, numerous studies reported that allergic reactions play an important role in the reduction of melanoma development. So, this study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer effects of surfactin in a melanoma skin cancer in vivo model and a melanoma cell line, B16F10.

Bacterial Distribution, Biogenic Amine Contents, and Functionalities of Traditionally Made Doenjang, a Long-Term Fermented Soybean Food, from Different Areas of Korea.

Since doenjang quality depends on the bacterial composition, which ambient bacteria in the environment and production conditions influence, a complete understanding of the bacteria community in traditionally madetraditionally made doenjang (TMD) from different regions is needed. We aimed to investigate the bacteria composition and quality of TMD in the following areas: Chonbuk (CB), Chonnam (CN), Kyungsang (KS), Kangwon (KW), Chungchung (CC) provinces, and Jeju island (JJ) of Korea. Twenty-nine TMD samples from different regions were used to assess biogenic amine contents, bacteria composition using next-generation methods, and metabolic functions of the bacteria using Picrust2.

Extract Decreases Neuronal Damage Induced by Oxidative Stress in HT22 Cells and Ischemia in Gerbils by Reducing the Inflammation and Phosphorylation of MAPKs.

In the present study, we examined the effects of leaf extracts (CVE) against hydrogen peroxide (HO)- and ischemia-induced neuronal damage in HT22 cells and gerbil hippocampus. Incubation with CVE produced concentration-dependent toxicity in HT22 cells. Significant cellular toxicity was observed with >75 μg/mL CVE.

Factors Affecting Healthcare Utilization among Patients with Single and Multiple Chronic Diseases.

Background: We aimed to investigate the factors affecting healthcare utilization among patients with single and multiple chronic diseases using the Andersen healthcare utilization model.

Methods: We used a combination of the data from the sixth and seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (2014-2016). The study population was 3,901 patients with single chronic disease and 1,829 patients with multiple chronic diseases as defined by the WHO.

Quantitative changes of Veillonella, Streptococcus, and Neisseria in the oral cavity of patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate that these bacteria counts in the oral cavity were modulated by the recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) status according to age and ethnicity with a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Design: The relevant case-control studies were searched in the literature database in English, Korean, and Chinese until June 2020 using keywords, and the literature was screened and collated for Review Manager analysis. Sensitivity analysis and quality check of the included literature were conducted.

Model Setting and Interpretation of Results in Research Using Structural Equation Modeling: A Checklist with Guiding Questions for Reporting.

Purpose: This study develops a checklist with guidelines for the methods and important factors to consider in research using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Method: The paper discusses the factors to consider in the process across the three stages of 1) model setting, 2) model evaluation and modification, and 3) interpretation and reporting of SEM-based studies.

Results: The authors present a checklist for researchers during the stages of model setting, model evaluation and modification, result analysis, and reporting, along with examples of figures and tables with explanations.

Hyperglycemia and Hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia Are Primary Risk Factors for Age-related Cataract, and a Korean-style Balanced Diet has a Negative Association, based on the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Background: The prevalence of cataracts is steadily increasing among the middle-aged and elderly worldwide. We hypothesized that adults aged > 50 years with age-related cataracts (ARCs) have an association with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components, and MS has interactions with different dietary patterns and lifestyles that affect ARC risk. We examined the hypothesis using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES; a large-scale hospital-based cohort study), which collected data between 2004-2013.

A comparative study of navigation interfaces in virtual reality environments: A mixed-method approach.

Recently, motion-based navigation interfaces have been widely utilized in virtual reality (VR) environments. However, improper navigation interfaces can negatively impact the VR experience, and because different interfaces have different characteristics, the navigation experience may vary. Although comparative studies have been conducted with various interfaces, information obtained by focusing on qualitative evaluation was limited.

Association between Gene Variants and Chronic Kidney Disease in a Korean Population.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a damaged condition of the kidneys, is a global public health problem that can be caused by diabetes, hypertension, and other disorders. Recently, the gene was identified in CKD by integrating CKD-related variants and kidney expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data. This study evaluated the effects of gene variants on CKD and kidney function-related traits using a Korean cohort.

Factors Influencing Preparedness for Bioterrorism among Koreans.

Bioterrorism is destructive enough to cause a societal collapse, and preparation for bioterrorism is imperative. This study aims to identify the factors influencing preparedness for bioterrorism among Koreans. A total of 1050 subjects were included in the study, which were allocated according to region and age in proportion to population.

An Inverse Relation between Hyperglycemia and Skeletal Muscle Mass Predicted by Using a Machine Learning Approach in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Large Cohorts.

Background: Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and fat mass (FM) are essentially required for health and quality of life in older adults.

Objective: To generate the best SMM and FM prediction models using machine learning models incorporating socioeconomic, lifestyle, and biochemical parameters and the urban hospital-based Ansan/Ansung cohort, and to determine relations between SMM and FM and metabolic syndrome and its components in this cohort.

Methods: SMM and FM data measured using an Inbody 4.

Aqueous Blackcurrant Extract Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Secretion and Modulates the Gut Microbiome in Non-Obese Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

This study was undertaken to determine whether aqueous blackcurrant extracts (BC) improve glucose metabolism and gut microbiomes in non-obese type 2 diabetic animals fed a high-fat diet and to identify the mechanism involved. Partially pancreatectomized male Sprague-Dawley rats were provided a high-fat diet containing 0% (control), 0.2% (L-BC; low dosage), 0.

A Genome-Wide Association Study for Hypertensive Kidney Disease in Korean Men.

Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the coexistence of hypertension and CKD increases morbidity and mortality. Although many genetic factors have been identified separately for hypertension and kidney disease, studies specifically focused on hypertensive kidney disease (HKD) have been rare. Therefore, this study aimed to identify loci or genes associated with HKD.