A 24-Hour Movement Behavior for Young Children in South Korea

PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the 24-h movement behavior of young children in Korea and examine the associations of their physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) with parental cognition and behavior in homes and neighborhood environments. METHODS Participants included 164 young children (4.4±1.2 years; boys 42.1%) and their parents. Young children's sleep, PA, ST, parental cognitions and behaviors, and home and neighborhood environment were measured via parental reports using the Parents’ Role in Establishing Healthy Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Habits Questionnaire. Two-tailed independent sample t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests, and correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS The average sleep time of toddlers was 9.8±0.8 h/day, the total time of PA was 72.1±40.0 min/day, and the ST was 87.6±70.5 min/day. The adherence rate to the guidelines for sleep, PA, and ST increased with age except for 2-year-olds, and PA was found to be significantly lower than the guidelines at each age. Parental support for their children was positively associated with young children's PA (r=0.195, p<.01), and negative parental outcome expectations for limiting young children's ST were associated with young children's ST (r=0.275, p<.01). CONCLUSIONS Young children in South Korea do not meet PA, ST, and sleep guidelines. Parental cognition may play an essential role in establishing young children's behavior. These findings can inform family-based interventions to increase PA and minimize ST

Effect of repetitive lysine–tryptophan motifs on the bactericidal activity of antimicrobial peptides

Previous studies identified lysine- and tryptophan-rich sequences within various cationic antimicrobial peptides. In the present study, we synthesized a series of peptides composed of lysine (K)-tryptophan (W) repeats (KW)(n) (where n equals 2, 3, 4 or 5) with amidation of the C-terminal to increase cationicity. We found that increases in chain length up to (KW)(4) enhanced the peptides’ antibacterial activity; (KW)(5) exhibited somewhat less bactericidal activity than (KW)(4). Cytotoxicity, measured as lysis of human red blood cells, also increased with increasing chain length. With (KW)(5), reduced antibacterial activity and increased cytotoxicity correlated with greater hydrophobicity and self-aggregation in the aqueous environment. The peptides acted by inducing rapid collapse of the bacterial transmembrane potential and induction of membrane permeability. The mode of interaction of the peptides and the phosphate groups of lipopolysaccharide was dependent upon the peptides’ ability to permeate the membrane. Longer peptides [(KW)(4) and (KW)(5)] but not shorter peptides [(KW)(2) and (KW)(3)] strongly bound and partially inserted into negatively charged, anionic lipid bilayers. These longer peptides also induced membrane permeabilization and aggregation of lipid vesicles. The peptides had a disordered structure in aqueous solution, and only (KW)(4) and (KW)(5) displayed a folded conformation on lipid membranes. Moreover, (KW)(4) destroyed and agglutinated bacterial cells, demonstrating its potential as an antimicrobial agent. Collectively, the results show (KW)(4) to be the most efficacious peptide in the (KW)(n) series, exhibiting strong antibacterial activity with little cytotoxicity. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00726-012-1388-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

iPSC Modeling of Presenilin1 Mutation in Alzheimer's Disease with Cerebellar Ataxia.

Disease modeling of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been hampered by the lack of suitable cellular models while animal models are mainly based on the overexpression of AD-related genes which often results in an overemphasis of certain pathways and is also confounded by aging. In this study, we therefore developed and used induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from a middle-aged AD patient with a known presenilin 1 (PSEN1) mutation (Glu120Lys; PS1-E120K) and as a control, an elderly normal subject. Using this approach, we demonstrated that the extracellular accumulation of Aβ was dramatically increased in PS1-E120K iPSC-derived neurons compared with the control iPSC line. PS1-E120K iPSC-derived neurons also exhibited high levels of phosphorylated tau, as well as mitochondrial abnormalities and defective autophagy. Given that the effect of aging is lost with iPSC generation, these abnormal cellular features are therefore indicative of PSEN1-associated AD pathogenesis rather than primary changes associated with aging. Taken together, this iPSC-based approach of AD modeling can now be used to better understand AD pathogenesis as well as a tool for drug discovery.This work was supported by the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (HI14C2746) and a grant (2016-0588) from the Asan Institute for Life Sciences

Association between coenzyme Q 10-related genetic polymorphisms and statin-associated myotoxicity in Korean stroke patients

IntroductionThe purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10)-related gene polymorphisms and statin-related myotoxicity (SRM).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected samples from February to May 2021. To investigate the association between CoQ10-related genetic factors and SRM, we selected 37 single nucleotide polymorphisms from five genes (COQ2, COQ3, COQ5, COQ6, and COQ7). The odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses, respectively.ResultsA total of 688 stroke patients were included in the analysis, including 56 SRM cases. In the multivariable analysis, two models were constructed using demographic factors only in model I, and demographic and genetic factors in model II. Compared to other statins, atorvastatin decreased the SRM risk whereas ezetimibe use increased the SRM risk in model I and model II. Patients with COQ2 rs4693075 G allele, COQ3 rs11548336 TT genotype, and COQ5 rs10849757 A allele had a 2.9-fold (95% CI: 1.6–5.3), 1.9-fold (95% CI: 1.1–3.5), and 3.3-fold (95% CI: 1.5–8.3) higher risk of SRM, respectively.ConclusionThis study could be utilized to develop a personalized medicine strategy in patients treated with statins

Association of gamma-glutamyl transferase variability with risk of venous thrombosis

Abstract Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a biomarker of inflammation, and is known to be associated with stroke and atrial fibrillation. Venous thromboembolism (VT), a not uncommon thrombotic disorder, shares similar mechanisms with other thrombotic disorders including these stroke and atrial fibrillation. Given these associations, we intended to investigate the potential association between variability in GGT and VT. The study included data from the National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort, comprising 1,085,105 participants with health examinations 3 or more times from 2003 to 2008. Variability indexes were the coefficient of variation, standard deviation, and variability independent of the mean. The occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VT) was defined with more than one claim of the following ICD-10 codes: deep VT (I80.2–80.3), pulmonary thromboembolism (I26), intraabdominal venous thrombosis (I81, I82.2, I82.3), or other VT (I82.8, I82.9). To determine the relationship of quartiles of GGT with incident VT risk, Kaplan–Meier survival curve and logrank test were used. Cox’s proportional hazard regression was used to investigate the risk of VT occurrence by GGT quartile (Q1–Q4). A total of 1,085,105 subjects were incorporated in the analysis, and the average follow-up was 12.4 years (interquartile range 12.2–12.6). VT occurred in 11,769 (1.08%) patients. The GGT level was measured 5,707,768 times in this stud. Multivariable analysis showed that GGT variability were positively associated with the occurrence of VT. Compared to the Q1, the Q4 showed an adjusted HR of 1.15 (95% CI 1.09–1.21, p < 0.001) when using coefficient of variation, 1.24 (95% CI 1.17–1.31, p < 0.001) when using standard deviation, and 1.10 (95% CI 1.05–1.16, p < 0.001) when using variability independent of the mean. Increased variability of GGT may be related to an increased risk of VT. Maintaining a stable GGT level would be beneficial in reducing the risk of VT

Flood Forecasting and Warning System Structures: Procedure and Application to a Small Urban Stream in South Korea

The runoff from heavy rainfall reaches urban streams quickly, causing them to rise rapidly. It is therefore of great importance to provide sufficient lead time for evacuation planning and decision making. An efficient flood forecasting and warning method is crucial for ensuring adequate lead time. With this objective, this paper proposes an analysis method for a flood forecasting and warning system, and establishes the criteria for issuing urban-stream flash flood warnings based on the amount of rainfall to allow sufficient lead time. The proposed methodology is a nonstructural approach to flood prediction and risk reduction. It considers water level fluctuations during a rainfall event and estimates the upstream (alert point) and downstream (confluence) water levels for water level analysis based on the rainfall intensity and duration. We also investigate the rainfall/runoff and flow rate/water level relationships using the Hydrologic Engineering Center&rsquo;s Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) and the HEC&rsquo;s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) models, respectively, and estimate the rainfall threshold for issuing flash flood warnings depending on the backwater state based on actual watershed conditions. We present a methodology for issuing flash flood warnings at a critical point by considering the effects of fluctuations in various backwater conditions in real time, which will provide practical support for decision making by disaster protection workers. The results are compared with real-time water level observations of the Dorim Stream. Finally, we verify the validity of the flash flood warning criteria by comparing the predicted values with the observed values and performing validity analysis

Association of triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with severe complications of COVID-19

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus can lead to serious complications such as respiratory failure, requiring mechanical ventilation or ICU care, and can even result in death, especially in older patients with comorbidities. The ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL), a biomarker of atherosclerotic dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, is related to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. We aimed to evaluate the link between serious complications of COVID-19 and TG/HDL in the general population. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of 3,933 COVID-19 patients from a nationwide cohort in Korea spanning from January 1 to June 4, 2020. TG/HDL ratio was calculated from the national health screening examination data underwent before the COVID-19 infection. Serious complications of COVID-19 were defined as a composite of high-flow oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mortality. We employed logistic regression analysis to investigate the relationship between the TG/HDL ratio and the likelihood of developing severe complications within 2 months of the diagnosis. To visualize this association, we used a smoothing spline plot based on the generalized additive regression model. Multivariate analysis was performed with adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, lifestyle measures, and comorbidities. Results: Among the 3,933 COVID-19 patients, the proportion of serious complications was 7.53%. Regarding individual outcomes, the number of patients who received high-flow oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, ICU care, and died was 84 (2.14%), 122 (3.10%), 173 (4.40%), and 118 (3.00%), respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression, a positive association was found between TG/HDL ratio and serious complications of COVID-19 (adjusted OR, 1.09; 95% CI [1.03–1.15], p = 0.004). Conclusion: Our study revealed a significant positive association between TG/HDL ratio and the risk of developing severe complications in COVID-19-infected patients. While this finding provides valuable insight into the potential prognostic role of TG/HDL ratio in COVID-19, further studies are needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms behind this relationship

Association of Tooth Loss with New-Onset Parkinson’s Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Introduction. Tooth loss is associated with poor oral hygiene. During insufficient oral sanitation, focal infection and inflammation can occur and these reactions may induce systemic inflammation. Systemic inflammatory reaction may be related to the degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra. We hypothesized that tooth loss is related to increased risk of new-onset Parkinson’s disease. Methods. Between 2003 and 2006, we included 153,165 participants from the national health insurance system-health screening cohort in Korea. The incidence of new-onset Parkinson’s disease was defined as International Classification of Diseases-10 code “G20,” accompanying the prescription records for any anti-Parkinson’s disease medication. Results. Approximately 19.9% of the included participants had periodontal disease. After a median duration of 10.4 years, 1,227 (0.8%) cases of new-onset Parkinson’s disease were noted. The number of tooth loss was positively related to an increased risk of new-onset Parkinson’s disease. Contrastingly, the frequency of tooth brushings and dental clinic visits for any causes as well as competent dental care were negatively related to the development of new-onset Parkinson’s disease. In multivariable analysis, the number of tooth loss (≥15) was positively related to new-onset Parkinson’s disease development (hazard ratio: 1.38, 95% confidence interval (1.03–1.85), p=0.029, p for trend = 0.043) after adjusting variables. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated that the number of tooth loss was positively correlated with a higher risk of new-onset Parkinson’s disease development in a longitudinal study setting. Increased number of tooth loss may be an important risk indicator of new-onset Parkinson’s disease