Relationship between Mediterranean diet and depression in South Korea: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BackgroundSeveral studies have shown that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of depression; however, little is known about the Asian population. This study investigated the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and depression in a sample of the South Korean population.MethodsIn total, 5,849 adults from the 2014 and 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were included in the study. The Mediterranean diet adherence was measured using a modified alternate Mediterranean diet score (mMED) developed to adjust for Korean dietary patterns. The mMED scores using the Food Frequency Questionnaire were divided into four categories (0–2, 3–4, 5–6, and 7–9 points). Subjects with depression were defined as having moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, with a cutoff value of 10. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A subgroup analysis was performed based on sex.ResultsThe results of logistic regression analysis indicated that individuals with higher mMED were 42–73% less likely to report depression compared to individuals with the lowest mMED [ORs (95% CIs) =0.58 (0.37–0.90), 0.50 (0.31–0.80), 0.27 (0.15–0.47)] after adjusting for socio-demographic and health-related variables. In women, individuals with mMED of 7–9 had 71% lower odds of depression [ORs (95% CIs): 0.29 (0.13–0.64)]. In men, individuals with mMED of 5–9 had 55% [ORs (95% CIs): 0.45 (0.23–0.91)] to 79% [ORs (95% CIs): 0.21 (0.08–0.57)] lower odds of depression.ConclusionThis study suggests that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with depression in both men and women among Korean adults. This study provides evidence that a Mediterranean diet is crucial in preventing depressive symptoms in Asian populations

Predictive Scale for Amyloid PET Positivity Based on Clinical and MRI Variables in Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

The presence of amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition is considered important in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), since they can progress to Alzheimer's disease dementia. Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) has been used for detecting Aβ deposition, but its high cost is a significant barrier for clinical usage. Therefore, we aimed to develop a new predictive scale for amyloid PET positivity using easily accessible tools. Overall, 161 aMCI patients were recruited from six memory clinics and underwent neuropsychological tests, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype testing, and amyloid PET. Among the potential predictors, verbal and visual memory tests, medial temporal lobe atrophy, APOE genotype, and age showed significant differences between the Aβ-positive and Aβ-negative groups and were combined to make a model for predicting amyloid PET positivity with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.856. Based on the best model, we developed the new predictive scale comprising integers, which had an optimal cutoff score ≥ 3. The new predictive scale was validated in another cohort of 98 participants and showed a good performance with AUC of 0.835. This new predictive scale with accessible variables may be useful for predicting Aβ positivity in aMCI patients in clinical practice

Initial Biopsy Outcome Prediction in Korean Patients-Comparison of a Noble Web-based Korean Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator versus Prostate-specific Antigen Testing

We developed and validated a novel Korean prostate cancer risk calculator (KPCRC) for predicting the probability of a positive initial prostate biopsy in a Korean population. Data were collected from 602 Koreans who underwent initial prostate biopsies due to an increased level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a palpable nodule upon digital rectal examination (DRE), or a hypoechoic lesion upon transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). The clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed by simple and multiple logistic regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was computed to compare its performance to PSA testing alone. Prostate cancer was detected in 172 (28.6%) men. Independent predictors included age, DRE findings, PSA level, and prostate transitional zone volume. We developed the KPCRC using these variables. The AUC for the selected model was 0.91, and that of PSA testing alone was 0.83 (P < 0.001). The AUC for the selected model with an additional dataset was 0.79, and that of PSA testing alone was 0.73 (P = 0.004). The calculator is available on the website: http://pcrc.korea.ac.kr. The KPCRC improved the performance of PSA testing alone in predicting the risk of prostate cancer in a Korean population. This calculator would be a practical tool for physicians and patients

Post-mortem re-cloning of a transgenic red fluorescent protein dog

Recently, the world's first transgenic dogs were produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer. However, cellular senescence is a major limiting factor for producing more advanced transgenic dogs. To overcome this obstacle, we rejuvenated transgenic cells using a re-cloning technique. Fibroblasts from post-mortem red fluorescent protein (RFP) dog were reconstructed with in vivo matured oocytes and transferred into 10 surrogate dogs. One puppy was produced and confirmed as a re-cloned dog. Although the puppy was lost during birth, we successfully established a rejuvenated fibroblast cell line from this animal. The cell line was found to stably express RFP and is ready for additional genetic modification

Correction to: Failure to maintain full-term pregnancies in pig carrying klotho monoallelic knockout fetuses

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article

Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen Stapf sprout extract has anti-metastatic activity in colon cancer cells in vitro

Abstract Background Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen (Rom.Caill.) Stapf has been used in China as an herbal medicine. Many studies of this plant have reported anti-proliferative and apoptotic activities on human cancer cell lines. Therefore, this study of the anti-metastatic effect of Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen Stapf sprout extract (CLSE) in colorectal cancer cells may provide a scientific basis for exploring anti-cancer effects of edible crops. Methods To evaluate the effect of CLSE on cell proliferation and signaling, we performed a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay in HCT116 cells and used western blot analysis. Furthermore, scratch-wound healing, transwell migration, matrigel invasion, and adhesion assays were conducted to elucidate the anti-metastatic effects of CLSE under hypoxic conditions in colon cancer cells. Results First, CLSE decreased deferoxamine (DFO)-induced migration of colon cancer cells by 87%, and blocked colon cancer cell migration by 80% compared with hypoxia control cells. Second, CLSE treatment resulted in a 54% reduction in hypoxia-induced invasiveness of colon cancer cells, and 50% inhibition of adhesive potency through inactivation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and protein kinase b (AKT) pathways. Third, conditioned medium collected from CLSE-treated HCT116 cells suppressed tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by 91%. Conclusions CLSE inhibited migration, invasion, and adhesion of colon cancer cells and tube formation by HUVECs via repression of the ERK1/2 and AKT pathways under hypoxic conditions. Therefore, CLSE may be used to treat patients with colon cancer

In-vitro antioxidative, antiinflammatory properties of Aurea helianthus leaf extract a Korean traditional medicinal plant

The leaf of Aurea helianthus (A. helianthus Jinhuakui) is popularly used in China traditional medicine, however, scientific evidence on its antioxidant properties rarely studied. In this study, biological activities of A. helianthus leave’s 80% ethanol extract (AHL) were investigated. The measured total polyphenol and flavonoid content of AHL was 184.24 ± 5.01 mg GAE/g and 102.53 ± 0.98 mg NAR/g. AHL showed the highest α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities of 98.30 ± 0.18% at 1000 µg/mL. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities significantly increased in a AHL concentration-dependent manner. AHL treatment significantly suppressed the generation of pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. AHL demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity that reduced NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. To test the potential protective effect of AHL, the antioxidant capacity, on the cell growth, viability of a human hepatoma cell (HepG2) and Raw 264.7 cell were investigated. AHL also enhanced cytotoxicity on the proliferation of HepG2 cells and was capable of inhibiting 56% against LPS at 400 µg/mL. The results of this study the potential of AHL as an excellent antioxidant substance for inhibiting inflammatory mediators. Therefore, AHL may be used as a therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases

Characteristics of metabolic factors related to arterial stiffness in young and old adults

It has not been adequately studied which biomarkers for cardiovascular risk indicate changes of atherosclerosis by aging process. The current study aimed to investigate the characteristics of metabolic factors related to arterial stiffness in young and old adults. Our cross-sectional study enrolled 851 healthy young adults and 719 old adults. Metabolic biomarkers included glucose, lipid profiles, and liver enzymes. In young adults, additional biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, apolipoproteins, lipoprotein(a), ferritin, and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol were measured. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by measuring brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The mean age was 37.8 and 65.1 years old in the young and old groups, respectively. Without adjustment, most parameters were significantly correlated with baPWV in both young and old groups. Mean baPWV was significantly different according to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in both groups (13.1 and 12.1 m/s in the young subjects with and without MetS, respectively; 17.4 and 15.8 m/s, respectively, in the old group). After adjusting for age, sex, and hemodynamic factors, the difference in baPWV according to MetS was significant only in the old group. The relationship between most biomarkers and baPWV was influenced by metabolic disorders such as hypertension and diabetes in old adults. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and apolipoprotein B were significant in young group. In conclusion, the metabolic biomarkers related to arterial stiffness were different between young and old adults. Contrary to old adults, TC, LDLC, and apolipoprotein B were independent biomarkers for arterial stiffness in healthy young adults

Predictive Scale for Amyloid PET Positivity Based on Clinical and MRI Variables in Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

The presence of amyloid-beta (A beta) deposition is considered important in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), since they can progress to Alzheimer&apos;s disease dementia. Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) has been used for detecting A beta deposition, but its high cost is a significant barrier for clinical usage. Therefore, we aimed to develop a new predictive scale for amyloid PET positivity using easily accessible tools. Overall, 161 aMCI patients were recruited from six memory clinics and underwent neuropsychological tests, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype testing, and amyloid PET. Among the potential predictors, verbal and visual memory tests, medial temporal lobe atrophy, APOE genotype, and age showed significant differences between the A beta-positive and A beta-negative groups and were combined to make a model for predicting amyloid PET positivity with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.856. Based on the best model, we developed the new predictive scale comprising integers, which had an optimal cutoff score &gt;= 3. The new predictive scale was validated in another cohort of 98 participants and showed a good performance with AUC of 0.835. This new predictive scale with accessible variables may be useful for predicting A beta positivity in aMCI patients in clinical practice.N