• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.425-432
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food insecurity has been suggested as being negatively associated with healthy behaviors and health status. This study was performed to identify the associations between food insecurity and healthy behaviors among Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The data used were the 2011 Community Health Survey, cross-sectional representative samples of 253 communities in Korea. Food insecurity was defined as when participants reported that their family sometimes or often did not get enough food to eat in the past year. Healthy behaviors were considered as non-smoking, non-high risk drinking, participation in physical activities, eating a regular breakfast, and maintaining a normal weight. Multiple logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to identify the association between food insecurity and healthy behaviors. RESULTS: The prevalence of food insecurity was 4.4% (men 3.9%, women 4.9%). Men with food insecurity had lower odds ratios (ORs) for non-smoking, 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68-0.82), participation in physical activities, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.76-0.90), and eating a regular breakfast, 0.66 (95% CI: 0.59-0.74), whereas they had a higher OR for maintaining a normal weight, 1.19 (95% CI: 1.09-1.30), than men with food security. Women with food insecurity had lower ORs for non-smoking, 0.77 (95% CI: 0.66-0.89), and eating a regular breakfast, 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72-0.88). For men, ORs for obesity were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.70-0.87) for overweight and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.39-0.82) for mild obesity. For women, the OR for moderate obesity was 2.04 (95% CI: 1.14-3.63) as compared with normal weight. CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity has a different impact on healthy behaviors. Provision of coping strategies for food insecurity might be critical to improve healthy behaviors among the population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9137-9142
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• 2014

Background: To explore the expression of DcR3 protein and its clinicopathological significance in bladder urothelial carcinomas (BUC). Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of DcR3, caspase-3, Bcl-2, VEGF, Ki-67, PCNA and P53 in 166 BUC and 56 normal bladder tissues. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of DcR3 in the supernatants of cultured BUC cells. Results: Overexpression of DcR3 was found in BUC tissues and cell lines, with significant elevation as compared to normal bladder tissues (p<0.0001). Higher DcR3 expression was related to the status of invasion, lymph node metastasis and recurrence. Furthermore, DcR3 expression was negatively correlated with caspase-3 and positively associated with Bcl-2, VEGF, Ki-67 labeling index (LI), PCNA LI and P53 (all p<0.0001), respectively. Conclusions: DcR3 may play a crucial role as an oncogene in tumorigenesis, deterioration and progress of BUC via influencing related pathways of apoptosis, proliferation and angiogenesis. The detection of DcR3 protein in the formalinfixed and paraffin-embedded samples could assist to predict in prognosis of BUC patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.88-93
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the seminal fluid of the male partners in couples undergoing intrauterine insemination and to evaluate correlations between these values and their semen parameters. Methods: The study was conducted at Vamsam Fertility Center, Coimbatore, India and enrolled 110 male patients from whom semen samples were collected. ROS production was measured by a thiobarbituric acid reactive species assay, and TAC was measured by a 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical assay. The differences in the TAC and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels between the subfertile and fertile groups were analysed. Correlations between sperm parameters and TAC and MDA levels were statistically analysed, and cutoff values with respect to the controls were determined. All hypothesis tests used were two-tailed, with statistical significance assessed at the level of p< 0.05. Results: A total of 87 subfertile and 23 fertile men were included in the study. The mean MDA level was significantly higher in the subfertile subjects than in the fertile subjects, and the mean antioxidant level was significantly lower in the subfertile subjects than in the fertile subjects. Seminal MDA levels were negatively associated with sperm concentration, motility, and morphology, whereas the opposite was seen with TAC levels. Conclusion: Measurements of seminal TAC and ROS are valuable for predicting semen quality, and hence predicting the outcomes of fertility treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3973-3976
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• 2015

Objectives: To explore the expression of aquaporin 1 ($AQP_1$) in bladder uroepithelium cell carcinoma (BUCC) and its relevance to recurrence. Materials and Methods: Tissue samples from 45 BUCC patients who underwent total cystectomy or transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and from 40 patients with non-bladder cancers who underwent special detection or treatments were collected. The level of expression of $AQP_1$ in BUCC tissues and normal bladder tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry so as to analyze the relevance to pathological patterns and time of recurrence in BUCC patients. Results: The expression levels of $AQP_1$ normal bladder tissues and BUCC tissues were $2.175{\pm}0.693$ and $3.689{\pm}0.701$, respectively, and the difference was significant (t=9.99, P<0.0001). Marked increase was noted with BUCC histological grade and pathological stage (P<0.01). Moreover, the expression of $AQP_1$ was evidently higher in cancerous tissues with lymph node metastasis than in those without (P<0.01). With short-term recurrence, the positive cell expression rate of $AQP_1$ was higher in primary tissues, which increased obviously after recurrence. Additionally, the recurrent time of BUCC was negatively associated with the positive cell expression rate of $AQP_1$ and the difference between the expression of $AQP_1$ before and after recurrence (r=-0.843, F=39.302, P=0.000; r=-0.829, F=35.191, P=0.000). Conclusions: $AQP_1$, which reflects the grade, stage, lymph node metastasis and recurrence of BUCC, has potential guiding significance in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancarcinoma.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2018

Objective: Meat quality including muscle color in chickens is an important trait and continuous selective pressures for fast growth and high yield have negatively impacted this trait. This study was conducted to investigate genetic variations responsible for regulating muscle color. Methods: Whole genome re-sequencing analysis using Illumina HiSeq paired end read method was performed with pooled DNA samples isolated from two broiler chicken lines divergently selected for muscle color (high muscle color [HMC] and low muscle color [LMC]) along with their random bred control line (RAN). Sequencing read data was aligned to the chicken reference genome sequence for Red Jungle Fowl (Galgal4) using reference based genome alignment with NGen program of the Lasergene software package. The potential causal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing non-synonymous changes in coding DNA sequence regions were chosen in each line. Bioinformatic analyses to interpret functions of genes retaining SNPs were performed using the ingenuity pathways analysis (IPA). Results: Millions of SNPs were identified and totally 2,884 SNPs (1,307 for HMC and 1,577 for LMC) showing >75% SNP rates could induce non-synonymous mutations in amino acid sequences. Of those, SNPs showing over 10 read depths yielded 15 more reliable SNPs including 1 for HMC and 14 for LMC. The IPA analyses suggested that meat color in chickens appeared to be associated with chromosomal DNA stability, the functions of ubiquitylation (UBC) and quality and quantity of various subtypes of collagens. Conclusion: In this study, various potential genetic markers showing amino acid changes were identified in differential meat color lines, that can be used for further animal selection strategy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.313-319
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• 2005

Adequate vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ intakes are known to be important for the growth and development in infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate concentrations of vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ in human milk and to investigate the relationship between vitamin B levels in human milk and dietary habits and other health-related behaviors. Milk samples were obtained from 38 healthy lactating women (aged 29.0 $\pm$ 3.2 years) who are participating in the cohort study on pregnant women. Vitamin $B_2$ concentrations in human milk were positively correlated with maternal vitamin $B_2$ intakes in lactating mothers. Vitamin $B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentrations in human milk were not correlated with maternal B vitamin intakes. Vitamin $B_6$ concentrations in human milk were negatively correlated with the amount of postpartum weight loss. The vitamin B concentrations in human milk were not associated with maternal age, height, weight and parity. Mothers who were exposed to indirect smoking had lower vitamin $B_2$ concentrations, and those who reported to consume health foods had higher vitamin $B_2$ concentrations in their milk. In conclusion, lactating women need to consume more vitamin B intakes for the growth and development in infants. Further researches are needed to find other diet and health-related factors which influence on B vitamin concentrations in human milk.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2013

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate life stressors and mitigating factors affecting suicide ideation amongst university students in Korea. Methods: Study participants were recruited online from one of the universities in Seoul. The total of 794 samples were included in the final dataset. First, correlation analyses were performed among life stressors, depression and mitigating factors. Second, factorial analysis was conducted to explore different dimensions of he life stressors experienced by the university students. Finally, we used logistic regression to find out the relationship between university students' sub-stressors or mitigating factors, and suicide ideation. Results: Three sub-stressors were identified - interpersonal relationship stress, academic stress and economic stress. All of these stressors were significantly associated with suicide ideation. However, none of them significantly predicted suicide ideation controlling for depression. All mitigating factors - health related behaviors, social support and leisure activities - were statistically significant and negatively related to depression, yet only social support had a significantly negative association with suicide ideation. Conclusions: In conclusion, Social support is the most important factor which may affect suicide ideation among university students in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 2002

Objective : To investigate gamma-Glutamyltransferase (${\gamma}-GTP$) and its related factors in male industrial workers. Method : Five hundred and tony male workers without heart disease, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, hepatitis, and other liver diseases were surveyed in October 1998. Blood samples were collected to test for ${\gamma}-GTP$, total-cholesterol and fasting blood glucose. A self-administered questionnaire survey on life style was also done. Results : The total geometric mean value of ${\gamma}-GTP$ was 30.6 U/L. According to a univariate analysis: age, BMI(body mass index, $kg/m^2$), alcohol consumption, current smoking, stress, diastolic blood pressure, and blood total cholesterol were significantly associated with ${\gamma}-GTP$(p<0.05). From a multiple regression analysis: BMI, alcohol consumption, current smoking, diastolic blood pressure and total-cholesterol were significantly related to ${\gamma}-GTP$(p<0.05). Coffee consumption was negatively related to ${\gamma}-GTP$, but not significantly. Conclusion : We recommend that a change in health behavior (i.e. reducing alcohol intake, controlling BMI and not smoking) is necessary to decrease ${\gamma}-GTP$ in male workers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.977-987
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• 2019

Objective: The use of tannin extract and other phytochemicals as dietary additives in ruminants is becoming more popular due to their wide biological actions such as in methane mitigation, bypass of dietary protein, intestinal nematode control, among other uses. Unfortunately, some have strong astringency, low stability and bioavailability, and negatively affecting dry matter intake and digestibility. To circumvent these drawbacks, an effective delivery system may offer a promising approach to administer these extracts to the site where they are required. The objectives of this study were to encapsulate acacia tannin extract (ATE) with native starch and maltodextrin-gum arabic and to test the effect of encapsulation parameters on encapsulation efficiency, yield and morphology of the microparticles obtained as well as the effect on rumen in vitro gas production. Methods: The ATE was encapsulated with the wall materials, and the morphological features of freeze-dried microparticles were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The in vitro release pattern of microparticles in acetate buffer, simulating the rumen, and its effect on in vitro gas production was evaluated. Results: The morphological features revealed that maltodextrin/gum-arabic microparticles were irregular shaped, glossy and smaller, compared with those encapsulated with native starch, which were bigger, and more homogenous. Maltodextrin-gum arabic could be used up to 30% loading concentration compared with starch, which could not hold the core material beyond 15% loading capacity. Encapsulation efficiency ranged from $27.7%{\pm}6.4%$ to $48.8%{\pm}5.5%$ in starch and $56.1%{\pm}4.9%$ to $64.8%{\pm}2.8%$ in maltodextrin-gum arabic microparticles. Only a slight reduction in methane emission was recorded in encapsulated microparticles when compared with the samples containing only wall materials. Conclusion: Both encapsulated products exhibited the burst release pattern under the pH conditions and methane reduction associated with tannin was marginal. This is attributable to small loading percentages and therefore, other wall materials or encapsulation methods should be investigated.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.921-932
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• 2021

LINC01272 is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that has been considered as a biomarker for many diseases including lung squamous cell carcinoma. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of LINC01272 on lung cancer (LC). The differential expression of LINC01272 in LC and normal samples was analyzed by GEPIA based on the data from TCGA-LUAD database, as survival prognosis was analyzed through Kaplan-Meier Plotter. LINC01272 overexpression plasmid and miR-7-5p mimic were transfected into A549 and PC-9 cells. LINC01272, miR-7-5p and cardiolipin synthase 1 (CRLS1) mRNA expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability was detected through MTT assay. Cell multiplication was evaluated by cell formation assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed through flow cytometry assay. Through bioinformatics, the target miRNA of LINC01272 and downstream genes of miR-7-5p were predicted. The targeting relationship was tested by dual luciferase reporter analysis. CRLS1, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL2-associated X (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels were detected through western blot. LINC01272 was downregulated in LC and low LINC01272 expression had poor prognosis. In A549 and PC-9 cells, LINC01272 inhibited cell viability and multiplication and induced apoptosis. LINC01272 negatively regulated miR-7-5p and CRLS1 was a target of miR-7-5p. MiR-7-5p reversed the effect of LINC01272 on viability, multiplication, apoptosis and expression of miR-7-5p and CRLS1 as well as apoptosis-related factors (Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved caspase-3). LINC01272 suppressed cell multiplication and induced apoptosis via regulating the miR-7-5p/CRLS1 axis in LC.