Association between loneliness and cognitive function, and brain volume in community-dwelling elderly.

Introduction: We investigated the relationship between loneliness, cognitive impairment, and regional brain volume among elderly individuals residing in the Korean community.

Methods: Data from the ARIRANG aging-cognition sub-cohort, collected between 2020 and 2022, were utilized for the present study. Loneliness was assessed using the UCLA-Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS) questionnaire and the relevant item from Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Korean version (CES-D-K).

Association between lifestyle factors and metabolic syndrome in general populations with depressive symptoms in cross-setional based cohort study of Ansung-Ansan.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is caused by both genetic and environmental factors, such as daily calorie intake, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption, are considered to be related to the prevalence of MetS and plays an essential role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of depression.

Methods: We investigated the bidirectional association between lifestyle factors and MetS among Korean adults with depressive symptoms in third wave of a community-based cohort study.

Variation in Genotype and DNA Methylation Patterns Based on Alcohol Use and CVD in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES).

Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. We aimed to assess the association between genotype, DNA methylation patterns, alcohol consumption, and chronic diseases in Korean population. We analyzed 8840 subjects for genotypes and 446 for DNA methylation among the 9351 subjects from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES).

Does Exposure of Lead and Cadmium Affect the Endometriosis?

This study aimed to investigate the effects of blood lead levels (BLLs) and lead and cadmium exposure on endometriosis (EM). The study cohort consisted of female workers who underwent a lead-associated special medical examination between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2004 ( = 26,542). The standard admission rate (SAR) and admission odds ratio (OR) for EM were calculated using the general population and noise-exposed groups, respectively, for the same period as the reference standards.

Central blood pressure lowering effect of telmisartan-rosuvastatin single-pill combination in hypertensive patients combined with dyslipidemia: A pilot study.

This multicenter, phase 4, Prospective Randomized Open, Blinded End-point (PROBE) study aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of telmisartan/rosuvastatin single-pill combination (SPC) therapy on lowering central blood pressure (BP) compared with telmisartan monotherapy in hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia in Korea. Study was terminated earlier than planned due to COVID-19 pandemic, thus should be considered as a pilot study. Among 125 patients who met the inclusion criteria of hypertension and dyslipidemia (defined as 10-year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease risk score over 5%), 80 patients went through 4-week single-group run-in period with telmisartan 40-80 mg, then randomized to telmisartan 80 mg + rosuvastatin (10 or 20 mg) SPC group or telmisartan 80 mg monotherapy group.

Differential relationship between dietary fat and cholesterol on total mortality in Korean population cohorts.

Background: Associations among dietary fat, cholesterol intake and total mortality remain controversial, and most available data cover Western populations. The aim of this study was to assess associations for dietary fat and cholesterol in relation to total mortality in Koreans.

Methods: This study used data from three prospective Korean Genome and Epidemiology studies (conducted between June 2001 and December 2013).

Negative Impacts of Prolonged Standing at Work on Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Physical Fatigue: The Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate variations in the risk of low back pain (LBP), lower extremity muscle pain, and whole body fatigue according to differences in prolonged standing work hours in relation to risk factor exposure and rest frequency.

Materials And Methods: From the fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey data collected in 2017, data for 32970 full-time workers who worked for more than 1 year at their present job were analyzed. We classified the workers according to exposure to fatigue or painful postures, carrying heavy objects, performance of repetitive movements that burden the musculoskeletal system, and how often they took a break.

Inference of a causal relation between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hypertension using mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: It is known in some studies that higher the LDL-C, the greater the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, studies of the causal effects between LDL-C and hypertension are limited by their observational study design, and genetic epidemiology studies of associations between LDL-C and hypertension are lacking, as are studies using data for Koreans. In this study, we confirmed the causal effect of LDL-C on hypertension using Korean chip data.

The longitudinal effect of leisure time physical activity on reduced depressive symptoms: The ARIRANG Study.

Background: Depression is a serious mental condition and physical activity is known to be effective in alleviating it. This study for rural residents of South Korea investigated whether meeting the recommended amount of physical activity during leisure time (LTPA) can reduce the depressive symptoms.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 5,178 participants aged 20 years and over, and we analyzed 1,888 participants excluding those diagnosed with depression at baseline and those with insufficient data after an average of 5.

Ameliorating effect of CpG-ODN (oligodeoxynucleotide) against radiation-induced lung injury in mice.

While radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is known to be progressed by Th2 skewed, pro-inflammatory immune response, there have been few therapeutic attempts through Th1 immune modulation. We investigated whether the immunostimulant CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) would be effective against RILI by way of measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxides (NO), histopathology, micro-three-dimensional computer tomography (CT), and cytokine profiling. We found that KSK CpG-ODN (K-CpG) significantly reduced histopathological fibrosis when compared to the positive control (PC) group (p < 0.

Association between Shift Work and Neurocognitive Function among Firefighters in South Korea: A Prospective Before-After Study.

: Recent research indicates that shift work is associated with neurocognitive function. However, studies that examine the association between shift work and neurocognitive function in firefighters have not yet been performed. We examined the effect of shift work on neurocognitive function in firefighters by measuring and comparing neurocognitive function before and after night shift.

Genetically, Dietary Sodium Intake Is Causally Associated with Salt-Sensitive Hypertension Risk in a Community-Based Cohort Study: a Mendelian Randomization Approach.

Purpose Of Review: Excessive dietary salt intake is associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Salt sensitivity, i.e.

Development and Validation of Prediction Model for Risk Reduction of Metabolic Syndrome by Body Weight Control: A Prospective Population-based Study.

Several studies have reported that weight control is of paramount importance in reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome. Nevertheless, this well-known association does not provide any practical information on how much weight loss in a given period would reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome in individuals in a personalized setting. This study aimed to develop and validate a risk prediction model for metabolic syndrome in 2 years, based on an individual's baseline health status and body weight after 2 years.

Age-Period-Cohort Analysis of Influenza in Koreans: the National Health Insurance Research Database, 2009-2018.

Background: This study aimed to identify the incidence rate of episodes diagnosed with influenza and the effects of age-period-cohort (APC) in Koreans.

Methods: The 2009-2018 National Health Insurance Research Database was used for analysis. All time-related claims connected relatively short window period in 100 days.

Leisure Time Physical Activity to Reduce Metabolic Syndrome Risk: A 10-Year Community-Based Prospective Study in Korea.

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.

Pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium outcomes in female firefighters in Korea.

Background: Female firefighters are exposed to hazardous environmental (chemical and physical) and working (shift work, psychological, and ergonomic factors) conditions that have reported or are suspected of adverse effects on reproductive health. However, no previous studies have reported on pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium outcomes (PCPOs) in female firefighters.

Methods: The present study compared hospital admissions for PCPOs, based on 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) codes, among Korean female firefighters with those of the general Korean population.

Burden of male hardcore smokers and its characteristics among those eligible for lung cancer screening.

Background: There are few data available about hardcore smokers and their behavioral characteristics among the lung cancer screening (LCS) population. The study investigated the burden of hardcore smokers within the LCS population, and determine the characteristics of hardcore smokers using nationally representative data in South Korea.

Methods: We used data from 2007 to 2012 from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Association between serotonin 2A receptor (HTR2A) genetic variations and risk of hypertension in a community-based cohort study.

Background: Hypertension is one of the risk factors for obesity-related cardiovascular diseases. We investigated whether genetic variations in serotonin 2A receptor (HTR2A) were associated with hypertension.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study in cohorts A (Ansan-Ansung cohort, N = 6039) and B (Wonju-Pyengchang cohort, N = 7524).

Association between Serum Gamma-Glutamyltransferase and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Using Data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a positive correlation between gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and whether GGT can be used as an easily checkable metabolic index using data from the large-scale Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES).

Methods: We obtained data of 211,725 participants of the KoGES. The collected data included age, sex, height, weight, waist circumference, and various biochemical characteristics, including serum GGT levels.

Does low lead exposure affect blood pressure and hypertension?

Objectives: Historically, little was known about the effects of low blood lead level (BLL < 10 μg/dL) on hypertension (HTN). The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of low BLL on blood pressure (BP) and HTN in lead-exposed male workers in the Republic of Korea.

Methods: From the year 2000 to 2004, 12,060 male workers underwent an Annual Specialised Medical Check-up for lead; 7,341 subjects had a peak BLL < 10 μg/dL and were selected for the study.

Association of dietary lipid intake with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels: analysis of two independent population-based studies.

Purpose: Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, whether cholesterol and fat intake independently affect serum LDL-C levels remains controversial. We aimed to explore the differential effects of dietary cholesterol and fats on blood lipid profiles according to the presence of dyslipidemia.

Development of an Oral and Maxillofacial Frailty Index: A preliminary study.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop an index to measure oral and maxillofacial frailty in older adults as an acceptable screening tool.

Methods: Three hundred adults (aged ≥ 50 years) participated in this study by telephone interview. Ten candidate items for the Oral and Maxillofacial Frailty Index (OMFI) and 20 matched detailed items for oral and maxillofacial functions were asked.

Association between Serum Urate and Risk of Hypertension in Menopausal Women with XDH Gene.

Elevated serum urate (sUA) concentrations have been associated with an increased risk of hypertension. We aimed to examine the association of sUA concentration on the risk of hypertension in pre- and post-menopausal women and investigated the association between the polymorphism of the xanthine dehydrogenase gene and the risk of hypertension. Among 7294 women, 1415 premenopausal and 5879 postmenopausal women were recruited.