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

Effects of Chung-Pae Inhalation Therapy on a Mouse Model of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chung-pae (CP) inhalation therapy is a method frequently used in Korea to treat lung disease, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated the effects of CP inhalation on a COPD animal model. C57BL/6 mice received porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alternately three times for 3 weeks to induce COPD. Then, CP (5 or 20 mg/kg) was administered every 2 h after the final LPS administration. The effect of CP was evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis, histological analysis of lung tissue, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis of mRNA of interleukin- (IL-) 1β, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, IL-6, and tumor growth factor- (TGF-) β. Intratracheal CP administration reduced the number of leukocytes and neutrophils in BAL fluid, inhibited the histological appearance of lung damage, and decreased the mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β. Intratracheal CP administration effectively decreased the chronic inflammation and pathological changes in a PPE- and LPS-induced COPD mouse model. Therefore, we suggest that CP is a promising strategy for COPD

Cerebellar hemorrhage after spine fixation misdiagnosed as a complication of narcotics use -A case report-

Cerebellar hemorrhage occurs mainly due to hypertension. Postoperative cerebellar hemorrhage is known to be associated frequently with frontotemporal craniotomy, but quite rare with spine operation. A 56-year-old female received spinal fixation due to continuous leg tingling sensation for since two years ago. Twenty-one hours after operation, she was disoriented and unresponsive to voice. Performed computed tomography showed both cerebellar hemorrhage. An emergency decompressive craniotomy was carried out to remove the hematoma. On the basis of this case, we reported this complications and reviewed related literature

A Case of Duodenal Anisakiasis with Duodenal Ulcer

Humans can be incidentally parasitized by third-stage larvae of Anisakis species following the ingestion of raw or undercooked seafood. Acute gastric anisakiasis is one of the most frequently encountered complaints in Korea. However, duodenal anisakiasis with duodenal ulcer had not been reported in Korea, despite the habit of eating raw fish. In this case, a 47-year-old man was hospitalized because of sharp epigastric pain and repeated vomiting after eating raw fish 3 days previously. On admission, esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination revealed an active duodenal bulb ulcer. At 5 mm away from the ulcer margin, a whitish linear worm was found with half of its body penetrating the duodenal mucosa. Herein, we report this case of duodenal anisakiasis accompanied by duodenal ulcer