• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.141-145
• /
• 2014

There is a burgeoning number of products on the market that contain probiotics, but do they do you any good? What exactly are probiotics? They have been defined as living organisms that, when ingested in sufficient quantities, provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They are often referred to as "friendly bacteria" or "good bacteria." Probiotics have been claimed, amongst other things, to (i) reduce the incidence of colon cancer and other diseases of the colon, such as IBS, (ii) stimulate the immune system, (iii) have anti-hypertensive and anti-cholesterolemic properties, (iv) mitigate against the effect of antibiotics on the intestinal microbiota, and (v) protect against gastrointestinal infections. However, the scientific basis for many of these claims is not well-established. Indeed, the European Food Safety Authority has denied the use of several health claims associated with probiotics, particularly those related to mitigation of diarrhea following consumption of antibiotics. Thus, there is a need for research on the mechanisms of action of probiotics. We have been mainly interested in the use of probiotics to control enteric infections. There are several possible modes of action to explain how probiotics may protect the host from enteric pathogens, including competitive exclusion and immunomodulation. We have shown that probiotics produce bioactive molecules that interfere with bacterial cell-cell communication (also called quorum sensing), and this results in a down-regulation of virulence genes that are responsible for attachment of the pathogen to the gastrointestinal epithelium. These bioactive molecules act on a variety of bacteria, including enterohemorrhagic and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens, and there is evidence that they can inhibit the formation of biofilms by Listeria monocytogenes. These bioactive molecules, which are peptidic in nature, can exert their effects not only in vitro but also in vivo, and we have shown that they mitigate against E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in mice and Salmonella and E. coli K88 infections in pigs. They can be delivered in foods such as yoghurt and maintain their activity.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.4342-4348
• /
• 2013

The present study was intended to reveal the relationships between serum lipid levels and various factors of obesity and blood pressure. The study subjects were 1,838 adult women measured at a mass health screening during the period from January through December, 2011. TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, SBP, DBP, degree of obesity, body fat rate were measured and the relation between these obesity and blood pressure measurements to serum lipid levels were studied. As a results, TC, TG, LDL-C, body fat rate and degree of obesity increased linearly with advancing age. TC, TG and LDL-C increased linearly with increasing blood pressure, and these values were higher in hypertension group than that of normal group. TC, TG and SBP increased linearly with increasing degree of obesity, and these values were higher in obesity group than that of normal group. HDL-C decreased linearly with increasing degree of obesity, and these values were lower in obesity group than that of normal group. TC, TG, HDL-C, degree of obesity, body fat rate was positive correlation with each others, but these values negatively correlated to HDL-C. Principal component analysis, showed that subjects could be divided into the group having the hypertensive group(1st principal component), the obesity group(2nd principal component), the hyperlipidemia group(3rd principal component), and HDL-C(4th principal component). In multiple regression analysis, age, TC, TG and body fat rate were affected to HDL-C. Above results suggest that higher the degree of obesity and blood pressure, the higher the serum lipid levels.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.103-108
• /
• 2009

Purpose: This study was performed to assess the effects of metabolic syndrome and its components to cataract. Methods: We investigated the relation of metabolic syndrome and its components to cataract using data for 2,120 adults, aged 60 years or older, from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005, 2007. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we presented significant odds ratio (OR) increase of cataract according to the number of metabolic abnormalities ${\leq}$1, 2, 3, ${\geq}$4). We also analyzed OR by the prevalence of metabolic components, and analyzed the effects of metabolic medication intakes to cataract prevalence using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The risk of cataract development was significantly increased according to the number of metabolic abnormalities, after adjusting for age, sex, life style, and social economic status variables (p for trend < 0.0001). In metabolic components, the disturbances of blood pressure (OR(95% Confidence Interval): 1.32(1.05,1.65)) and fasting glucose (1.35(1.09,1.67)) significantly increased the prevalence of cataract after adjusting for age and sex. Among these metabolic components, the significance of fasting glucose (1.26(1.01, 1.58)) was remained after adjusting for the other variables. Medication intake of hypertensive also increased the risk of cataract (1.49(1.14,1.96)). Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome and its components increased the risk of cataract, and some medication for treating hypertension was also associated with the cataract incidence.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.171-185
• /
• 2017

${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid biosynthesized through decarboxylation of L-glutamic acid by glutamic acid decarboxylase. GABA is believed to play a role in defense against stress in plants. In humans, it is known as one of the major inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, exerting anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic effects. In this report, we wanted to enhance the GABA production from the barley leaf and corn silk by culturing them with lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The barley leaf and corn silk were mixed with various weight combinations and were fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum in an incubator at $30^{\circ}C$ for 48 h. After extracting the fermented mixture with hot water, we evaluated the GABA production by thin layer chromatography and GABase assay. We found that the fermented mixture of the barley leaf and corn silk in a nine to one ratio contained a higher level of GABA than other ratios, meaning that the intermixture and fermentation technique was effective in increasing the GABA content. We also tested several biological activities of the fermented extracts and found that the extracts of the fermented mixture showed improved antioxidant activities than the non-fermented extracts and no indication of cytotoxicity. These results suggest that our approach on combining the barley leaf and corn silk and its fermentation with LAB could lead to the possibility of the development of functional foods with high levels of GABA content and improved biological activities.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.363-372
• /
• 2000

The present study investigated flow dynamics of a straight elastic blood vessel under sinusoidal flow conditions in order to understand influence of wall motion and impedance phase angle(time delay between pressure and flow waveforms) on wall shear stress distribution using computational fluid dynamics. For the straight elastic tube model considered in the our method of computation. The results showed that wall motion induced additional terms in the axial velocity profile and the pressure gradient. These additional terms due to wall motion reduced the amplitude of wall shear stress and also changed the mean wall shear stress. Te trend of the changes was very different depending on the impedance phase angle. As the wall shear stress increased. As the phase angle was reduced from 0$^{\circ}$to -90$^{\circ}$for ${\pm}$4% wall motion case, the mean wall shear stress decreased by 10.5% and the amplitude of wasll shear stress increased by 17.5%. Therefore, for hypertensive patients vulnerable state to atherosclerosis according to low and oscillatory shear stress theory.

• Diabetes and Metabolism Journal
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.496-512
• /
• 2018

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence and severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and development of long-term glucose fluctuation in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CARTs) at baseline and at least 4-year of follow-up with ${\geq}6$ measures of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were included. The severity of CAN was categorized as normal, early, or severe CAN according to the CARTs score. HbA1c variability was measured as the standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation, and adjusted SD of serial HbA1c measurements. Results: A total of 681 subjects were analyzed (294 normal, 318 early, and 69 severe CAN). The HbA1c variability index values showed a positive relationship with the severity of CAN. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that CAN was significantly associated with the risk of developing higher HbA1c variability (SD) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes duration, mean HbA1c, heart rate, glomerular filtration rate, diabetic retinopathy, coronary artery disease, insulin use, and anti-hypertensive medication (early CAN: odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.43) (severe CAN: OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.47 to 5.56). This association was more prominent in subjects who had a longer duration of diabetes (>10 years) and lower mean HbA1c (<7%). Conclusion: CAN is an independent risk factor for future higher HbA1c variability in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Tailored therapy for stabilizing glucose fluctuation should be emphasized in subjects with CAN.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.57-68
• /
• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between Sasang constitution and cold hypersensitivity. Methods: We investigated 391 outpatients who visited Dong-Eui Oriental Hospital OB & GY from June 12, 2013 to April 18, 2014. Among 134 patients who complained feeling of cold, we analyzed 107 patients whose Sasang constitution is confirmed. Results: 1. There were 21 persons 19.8% of under age 27, 28 persons 26.4% of age 28-34, 23 persons 21.7% of age 35-41, 18 persons 17% of age 42-48, 16 persons 15.1% of age over 49. 2. Among 107 patients, there were 52 persons 48.6% of Soeumin, 29 persons 27.1% of Taeeumin, 25 persons 23.4% of Soyangin, 1 person 0.9% of Taeyangin. And Taeyangin interior disease was 1 case 100%, Soyangin exterior disease was 22 cases 88% and interior disease was 3 cases 12%, Taeeumin exterior disease was 11 cases 37.9% and interior disease was 18 cases 62.1%, Soeumin exterior disease was 19 cases 36.5% and interior disease was 33 cases 3.5%. 3. In the distribution of cold-hypersensitive part, hands and feet with chills were 58 cases 4.7% by largest number, and the following was hands and feet in 24 cases 22.6%. 4. In the distribution of chief complaint, there were 25 cases 23.58% of menstrual pain, 19 cases 17.92% of postpartum symptoms, 17 cases 16.04% of oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea, 14 cases 13.21% of cold hypersensitivity. 5. In the distribution of chief complaint depending on age, menstrual pain of under age 27, postpartum symptoms of age 35-41 and cold hypersensitivity of over age 49 were at a high rate. Conclusions: Results suggest that patients with symptom of cold hypersensitivity have some tendencies in age, Sasang constitution, chief complaint, cold-hypertensive part.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.197-203
• /
• 1988

In order to examine cause-specific mortality in Korea by comparing mortality of Japan, various mortality indicators are calculated using 1995 of ficial statistics of twonations. The mortality measures are cause-specific mortality rate by sex, age, andmarital status, cause-specific age-standardized death rate and potential years of lifelost, and their ratios by sex and nation. Items of major causes of death include allcauses (total deaths),tuberculosis, malignant neoplasm, diabetes mellitushypertensive diseases, heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, liver diseasestransport accidents, and suicide. Major characteristics of mortality in Korea are asfollows . (1) Death rates from most causes except suicide are higher in Korea thanJapan and especially death rates from tuberculosis, hypertensive diseases, liverdiseases, and transport accidents are higher for economically active Koreans : (2)Death rates from tuberculosis, liver diseases, transport accidents, and malignantneoplasm are salient for Korean children (3) Sex-differentials in mortality fromliver diseases, tuberculosis , and transport accidents are large for economically activeKoreans, because male mortality is higher than female mortality : (4) Suicide ratesare lower for economically active males, and higher for females aged 10s and 20s inKorea than Japan : (5) Death rates are highest f3r divorced or widowed under 45years of age depending on causes, but death rates from all causes are highest fornever-married of the age 45 and over in Korea : and (6) Sex-differentials inmortality are greatest for widowed in Korea and for divorced in Japan.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.761-767
• /
• 2021

Strawberries fermented with Acetobacter pasteurianus SRCM60009 were prepared, and the quality characteristics and physiological activity were measured. As the fermentation period increased, viable cell counts increased, pH decreased, and total acidity increased from 1.09% to 4.20%. The organic acid content of strawberry through acetic acid fermentation was confirmed in the following order: acetic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid. Measurement of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity showed significantly increased physiological activity owing to fermentation. The use of strawberry vinegar as a functional material was confirmed by measuring the anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-hypertensive physiological activities through acetic acid fermentation of strawberry. Thus, fermented strawberry vinegar can be used as a functional material in vinegar and other foods.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.131-139
• /
• 2019

Objectives: Self-reporting can be used to determine the incidence and prevalence of hypertension (HTN). The present study was conducted to determine the validity of self-reported HTN and to identify factors affecting discordance between self-reported and objectively measured HTN in participants in the Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases (RaNCD) cohort. Methods: The RaNCD cohort included permanent residents of Ravansar, Iran aged 35-65 years. Self-reported data were collected before clinical examinations were conducted by well-trained staff members. The gold standard for HTN was anti-hypertensive medication use and blood pressure measurements. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and overall accuracy of self-reporting were calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine the discordance between self-reported HTN and the gold standard. Results: Of the 10 065 participants in the RaNCD, 4755 (47.4%) were male. The prevalence of HTN was 16.8% based on self-reporting and 15.7% based on medical history and HTN measurements. Of the participants with HTN, 297 (18.8%) had no knowledge of their disease, and 313 (19.9%) had not properly controlled their HTN despite receiving treatment. The sensitivity, specificity, and kappa for self-reported HTN were 75.5%, 96.4%, and 73.4%, respectively. False positives became more likely with age, body mass index (BMI), low socioeconomic status, and female sex, whereas false negatives became more likely with age, BMI, high socioeconomic status, smoking, and urban residency. Conclusions: The sensitivity and specificity of self-reported HTN were acceptable, suggesting that this method can be used for public health initiatives in the absence of countrywide HTN control and detection programs.