Obesity and Vitamin D Insufficiency among Adolescent Girls and Young Adult Women from Korea

Although there is evidence of the biological mechanisms by which obesity may induce vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, limited epidemiological studies have been conducted, especially among Asian adolescent girls and young adult women who are at a high risk of vitamin D deficiency. This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional association between obesity and vitamin D insufficiency among adolescent girls and young adult women in Korea. We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008–2014, and 3623 girls and young adult women aged 12–29 years were included. Demographic and lifestyle data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from the health interview survey. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage (BF%) were measured during health examinations. Multivariable logistic regression was used considering the complex, multistage probability sample design of KNHANES. In the multivariable-adjusted analyses, obese girls and women, defined by BMI, were more likely to have a higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (odds ratio [OR]: 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–2.17). This association was also evident for BF%. Participants with ≥30% BF% had a significantly higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.07–2.16). Obesity may worsen vitamin D insufficiency among adolescents and young women because of the fat-soluble characteristics of vitamin D and related health behaviors, such as a lack of outdoor activity. Further large-scale prospective cohort studies or randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm this causality

Trends in the management levels of metabolic risk factors in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998-2014.

The present study examined the temporal trends in the management of blood pressure, glucose, and lipid levels among middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1998-2014). A total of 3,689 patients with diabetes were included and divided into middle-aged (30-64 years old) and elderly (≥65 years old) groups. Demographic and lifestyle data were obtained using a self-reported questionnaire, and trained medical staff obtained fasting blood samples and blood pressure data. Laboratory testing was performed to determine blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. In the multivariable adjusted models, significant decreasing trends in the prevalences of hyperglycemia and hypertension were observed in both age groups during 1998-2014, although no trends were observed for lipid levels. Based on the most recent survey, approximately 50% of patients with diabetes had hyperglycemia, and one-third of patients with diabetes and hypertension did not appropriately manage their blood pressure. In addition, 50% of the patients in both age groups did not manage their lipid profiles, and the management of lipid profiles did not improve in recent years. These results suggest that continuous follow-up is needed to effectively manage metabolic risk factors, especially lipid profiles, among patients with diabetes

The prevalences of hyperglycemia among patients with diabetes mellitus according to age group and survey period.

<p>Values are adjusted for sex, medication use, smoking status (current smoker, previous smoker, or never smoker), alcohol consumption (<1 vs. ≥1 drink/day for women or <2 vs. ≥2 drinks/day for men), body mass index (<23 kg/m² or ≥23 kg/m²), education level (less than high school or more than high school), duration of diabetes, and psychosocial stress. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.</p

Characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus according to age group.

<p>Characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus according to age group.</p

The prevalences of uncontrolled blood pressure and hypertension among patients with diabetes mellitus according to age group and survey period.

<p>Values are adjusted for sex, medication use, smoking status (current smoker, previous smoker, or never smoker), alcohol consumption (<1 vs. ≥1 drink/day for women or <2 vs. ≥2 drinks/day for men), body mass index (<23 kg/m² or ≥23 kg/m²), education level (less than high school or more than high school), duration of diabetes, and psychosocial stress. *p < 0.05.</p

The effects of visitors and social isolation from a peer on the behavior of a mixed-species pair of captive gibbons

Human visitors affect the behavior of captive animals, which is the so-called visitor effect. The number and behavior of visitors may influence stress-related behaviors in captive animals, such as self-scratching, yawning, and visitor-directed vigilance. A social group setting can be applied to alleviate such negative visitor effects and facilitate social behavior and interactions between individuals. In this study, we examined how the number and behavior of visitors are related to stress-related behaviors of a captive mixed-species gibbon pair comprising a yellow-cheek gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae) and a white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar). The two gibbons were separated during the study period, and we examined whether the social isolation stimulated the visitor effect. The frequency of stress-related behaviors of the gibbons increased and the social playing between them decreased proportionally to visitor number. In the indoor enclosure, the gibbons increased their visitor-directed vigilance when visitors shouted or struck the glass partition. Our findings indicate that the number and behavior of visitors negatively affect captive gibbons and that a mixed-species social setting can help gibbons reduce visitor-induced stress. Future studies with larger sample sizes will improve the understanding of the visitor effect and the social setting in the captivity

Study flow chart using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1998–2014).

<p>The final participants (3,689 patients) was selected from 177,056 individuals who participated in the six surveys, and the participants for each KNHANES survey are shown.</p

Catalytic C–H Allylation and Benzylation of Pyrazoles

We describe a general approach for the synthesis of allylated and benzylated pyrazoles. An electron-withdrawing substituent, such as nitro, chloro, and ester groups, at C4 renders the Lewis basic nitrogen atom to be less basic and the C–H bond more acidic than the ones of the parent ring, enabling Pd-catalyzed C–H allylation and benzylation reactions of pyrazoles. The new method expanding the scope of the C–H functionalization of pyrazoles beyond arylation reactions provides a rapid access to complex pyrazole compounds

High transference number enabled by sulfated zirconia superacid for lithium metal batteries with carbonate electrolytes

The prospect of increasing the energy density has promoted research on lithium metal batteries. Yet, avoiding the uncontrolled growth of lithium dendrites and the resulting interfacial instability to ensure the practical viability of the given battery technology remains a considerable challenge. Here, we report coating the separator with sulfated zirconia superacid to achieve a high lithium ion transference number of 0.85 and excellent cycle life when a full-cell paired with a LiNi0.82Co0.07Mn0.11O2 cathode was tested in a carbonate electrolyte under practical operating conditions. The exceptionally high transference number is attributed to strengthened binding of the PF6- anion of the lithium salt with the superacid. Furthermore, the presence of the superacid induces a mechanically stable solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) layer rich in LixPOyFz. This study demonstrates the beneficial effect of the superacid on emerging post-lithium-ion batteries by immobilizing the anion of the salt as well as modifying the SEI composition.