• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.138-153
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• 2023

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its cost are increasing due to lifestyle changes and aging. This study aimed to develop a deep neural network model for prediction and classification of MetS according to nutrient intake and other MetS-related factors. This study included 17,848 individuals aged 40-69 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2018). We set MetS (3-5 risk factors present) as the dependent variable and 52 MetS-related factors and nutrient intake variables as independent variables in a regression analysis. The analysis compared and analyzed model accuracy, precision and recall by conventional logistic regression, machine learning-based logistic regression and deep learning. The accuracy of train data was 81.2089, and the accuracy of test data was 81.1485 in a MetS classification and prediction model developed in this study. These accuracies were higher than those obtained by conventional logistic regression or machine learning-based logistic regression. Precision, recall, and F1-score also showed the high accuracy in the deep learning model. Blood alanine aminotransferase (β = 12.2035) level showed the highest regression coefficient followed by blood aspartate aminotransferase (β = 11.771) level, waist circumference (β = 10.8555), body mass index (β = 10.3842), and blood glycated hemoglobin (β = 10.1802) level. Fats (cholesterol [β = -2.0545] and saturated fatty acid [β = -2.0483]) showed high regression coefficients among nutrient intakes. The deep learning model for classification and prediction on MetS showed a higher accuracy than conventional logistic regression or machine learning-based logistic regression.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.293-303
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• 2023

Patients with chronic renal failure, many of which treated with hemodialysis, present a high prevalence of impaired muscle strength which suggest that muscle mass parameters may be used as markers for changes in muscle in these patients. Measurement of handgrip strength (HGS) is a common, simple, and quick measure of muscle function an indicator of overall muscle strength which has been associated with physical activity and several anthropometric traits. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are biochemical markers associated with inflammatory processes which are a common consequence of dialysis. Additionally, hemodialysis patients frequently present signs of malnutrition and depression. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate if muscle and biochemical markers could be used to predict the risk of depression in hemodialysis patients. Several anthropometric parameters, nutrient intake, depression state and the serum levels of ICAM-1 and IGF-1 were determined and Pearson's correlation coefficient and/or Spearman's correlation coefficient were used to test the correlation between them. Our results do not show a correlation between HGF, IGF-1 and ICAM-1 with the depression status of the patients, but mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) was statistically and positively correlated with depression. Additionally, ICAM-1 levels were negatively correlated with HGS, MAMC, and IGF-1. Overall, the results of the present study suggest that HGS may be used as an indicator of cardiovascular diseases and MAMC may be a good predictor of the level of depression in hemodialysis patients, although further studies are required.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1648-1656
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• 2023

We have previously observed that feeding with single-cell hemoprotein (heme-SCP) in dogs (1 g/day for 6 days) and broiler chickens (1 ppm for 32 days) increased the proportion of lactic acid bacteria in the gut while reducing their body weights by approximately 1~2%. To define the roles of heme-SCP in modulating body weight and gut microbiota, obese C57BL/6N mice were administered varied heme-SCP concentrations (0, 0.05, and 0.5% heme-SCP in high fat diet) for 28 days. The heme-SCP diet seemed to restrain weight gain till day 14, but the mice gained weight again later, showing no significant differences in weight. However, the heme-SCP-fed mice had stiffer and oilier bodies compared with those of the control mice, which had flabby bodies and dull coats. When mice were dissected at day 10, the obese mice fed with heme-SCP exhibited a reduction in subcutaneous fat with an increase in muscle mass. The effect of heme-SCP on the obesity-associated dyslipidemia tended to be corroborated by the blood parameters (triglyceride, total cholesterol, and C-reactive protein) at day 10, though the correlation was not clear at day 28. Notably, the heme-SCP diet altered gut microbiota, leading to the proliferation of known anti-obesity biomarkers such as Akkermansia, Alistipes, Oscillibacter, Ruminococcus, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium. This study suggests the potential of heme-SCP as an anti-obesity supplement, which modulates serum biochemistry and gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 2024

Background: Sutureless aortic valves may enable shorter procedure times, which benefits patients with elevated surgical risk. We describe the outcomes of patients with aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) using the sutureless Perceval aortic bioprosthesis. Methods: Data from a retrospective cohort were obtained from a clinical database. The study enrolled patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who underwent surgical AVR with a sutureless bioprosthesis between August 2015 and December 2020. In total, 113 patients were included (mean age, 75.3±8.4 years; 57.5% women; median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, 9.7%; mean follow-up period, 51.19±20.6 months). Of these patients, 41 were octogenarians (36.2%) and 3 were nonagenarians (2.6%). Transthoracic echocardiography was employed to assess changes in ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and mean pressure gradient (MPG). Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.6%, and 13 patients developed new-onset atrial fibrillation. A permanent pacemaker was implanted in 3 patients (2.6%). The median intensive care unit stay was 1 day (interquartile range [IQR], 1-2 days), and the median hospital stay was 12 days (IQR, 9.5-15 days). The overall survival rate at 5 years was 95.9%. LVMI and MPG were reduced postoperatively, while EF increased over the follow-up period. No structural valve deterioration was observed, and no meaningful paravalvular leakage developed during follow-up. Conclusion: The use of a sutureless valve in the aortic position is safe and feasible, even for high-risk elderly patients requiring surgical AVR. LVMI and MPG decreased postoperatively, while EF increased over the follow-up period.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.416-422
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• 2023

Background: Advancements in airport screening measures in response to 9/11 have resulted in increased false alarm rates for patients with orthopedic and metal implants. With the implementation of millimeter-wave scanning technology, it is important to assess the changes in airport screening experiences of patients who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Methods: Here, 197 patients with prior anatomic and reverse TSA completed between 2013 and 2020 responded to a questionnaire regarding their experiences with airport travel screening after their operation. Of these patients, 86 (44%) stated that they had traveled by plane, while 111 (56%) had not. The questionnaire addressed several measures including the number of domestic and international flights following the operation, number of false alarm screenings by the millimeter-wave scanner, patient body habitus, and presence of additional metal implants. Results: A total of 53 patients (62%) responded "yes" to false screening alarms due to shoulder arthroplasty. The odds of a false screening alarm for patients with other metal implants was 5.87 times that of a false screening alarm for patients with no other metal implants (P<0.1). Of a reported 662 flights, 303 (45.8%) resulted in false screening alarms. Greater body mass index was not significantly lower in patients who experienced false screening alarms (P=0.30). Conclusions: Patients with anatomic and reverse TSA trigger false alarms with millimeter-wave scanners during airport screening at rates consistent with prior reports following 9/11. Patient education on the possibility of false alarms during airport screening is important until improvements in implant identification are made. Level of evidence: IV.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 2024

Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate changes in blood pressure, pulse rate and body weight of overweight or obese patients after two weeks of taking Gamitaeeumjowee-tang. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients with auscultatory blood pressure records who visited the clinic after two weeks from the first visit between July 8, 2019 and August 30, 2019. Results: A total of seventy-two patients were included. There were significant differences in systolic blood pressure (121.69±14.3 mmHg to 117.37±12.3 mmHg, P=0.002) and pulse rate (78.56±9.3 bpm to 82.99±9.0 bpm, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in diastolic blood pressure. There were significant differences in body weight (76.28±13.5 kg to 73.41±13.1 kg, P<0.001) and body mass index (28.82±4.4 kg/m² to 27.75±4.3 kg/m², P<0.001). Conclusions: In this study, blood pressure tended to decrease and pulse rate slightly increased after two weeks of taking Gamitaeeumjowee-tang. It is necessary to notice the possibility of pulse rate increase and the plan of action when using Gamitaeeumjowee-tang. Additional well-designed investigations are needed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1229-1238
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• 2024

This study aimed to develop and assess a chitosan biomedical antibacterial gel ZincOxide-GrapheneOxide/Chitosan/β-Glycerophosphate (ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP) loaded with nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene oxide (GO), known for its potent antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and sustained drug release. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were modified and integrated with GO sheets to create 1% and 3% ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP thermo-sensitive hydrogels based on ZnO-GO to Chitosan (CS) mass ratio. Gelation time, pH, structural changes, and microscopic morphology were evaluated. The hydrogel's antibacterial efficacy against Porphyromonas gingivalis, biofilm biomass, and metabolic activity was examined alongside its impact (MC3T3-e1). The findings of this study revealed that both hydrogel formulations exhibited temperature sensitivity, maintaining a neutral pH. The ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP formulation effectively inhibited P. gingivalis bacterial activity and biofilm formation, with a 3% ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP antibacterial rate approaching 100%. MC3T3-e1 cells displayed good biocompatibility when cultured in the hydrogel extract.The ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP thermo-sensitive hydrogel demonstrates favorable physical and chemical properties, effectively preventing P. gingivalis biofilm formation. It exhibits promising biocompatibility, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy for managing and preventing peri-implantitis, subject to further clinical investigations.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.113-123
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: Previous studies have reported an association between impaired renal function and poor outcomes after radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, outcomes of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) in patients with renal insufficiency are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to compare outcomes of CBA in AF patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) versus those without CKD and to assess changes in renal function over 12 months following CBA. Methods: A total of 839 patients (65.1% with non-paroxysmal AF [PAF]) who underwent de novo CBA were prospectively enrolled. We divided patients into two groups based on creatinine clearance rate (CCr) and performed intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-guided contrast agent-free CBA. Results: In comparison with patients without CKD (CCr >50, n=722), those with CKD (CCr ≤50, n=117) were older and predominantly female, had a lower body mass index, and showed a higher prevalence of heart failure and hypertension. Mean CHA₂DS₂-VAS score was significantly higher in CKD group than in non-CKD group. Procedure-related complications were not significantly different between two groups. During a mean follow-up period of 25.4±11.9 months, clinical recurrence occurred in 182 patients (21.7%) and not significantly different between two groups. In multivariate analysis, non-PAF and left atrial size were independent predictors of AF recurrence. CCr levels significantly improved over 12 months after CBA in CKD group. Conclusions: ICE-guided contrast-agent-free CBA showed comparable long-term clinical outcomes without increasing procedure-related complications and improvement of renal function over 12 months following CBA in AF patients with CKD.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2020

Chemical looping hydrogen production (CLHP) is an attractive technology for H₂ production due to its ability to produce H₂ and capture CO₂ from fossil fuels simultaneously. In this paper, we present MgFe₂O₄ as an oxygen carrier material with high efficiency, low cost, and stable properties for CLHP. The redox reactions occurred reversibly in the fuel, steam, and air reactor as MgFe₂O₄→MgO/Fe, MgO/Fe→MgO/Fe₃O₄, and MgO/Fe₃O₄→MgFe₂O₄, respectively. The oxygen transfer capacities of MgFe₂O₄ for 5% H₂/N₂ and 5% CO/N₂ gases were about 23 wt% at 900 ℃. Both the oxygen transfer capacity and rate were well maintained during 10 redox cycles at 900 ℃. No phase changes or agglomeration occurred as the redox cycle number increased. Similarly, MgFe₂O₄ did not exhibit significant degradation in its total amount or maximum rate of H₂ production during four redox cycles. The average calculated amount of H₂ production for MgFe₂O₄ was 2,806 L/day per unit mass (kg).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1580-1591
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• 2024

Menopause is induced by spontaneous ovarian failure and leads to life quality deterioration with various irritating symptoms. Hormonal treatment can alleviate these symptoms, but long-term treatment is closely associated with breast and uterine cancer, and stroke. Therefore, developing alternative therapies with novel anti-menopausal substances and improved safety is needed. In our study, heat-killed Bifidobacterium breve HDB7040 significantly promoted MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner under estrogen-free conditions, similar to 17β-estradiol. This strain also triggered ESR2 expression, but not ESR1, in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, administrating HDB7040 to ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague-Dawley (SD) female rats reduced estrogen deficiency-induced weight gain, fat mass, blood triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels. It also recovered collapsed trabecular microstructure by improving trabecular morphometric parameters (bone mineral density, bone volume per tissue volume, trabecular number, and trabecular separation) and decreasing blood alkaline phosphatase levels with no significant changes in uterine size and blood estradiol. HDB7040 also significantly regulated the expression of Tff1, Pgr, and Esr2, but not Esr1 in uteri of OVX rats. Heat-killed B. breve HDB7040 exerts an anti-menopausal effect via the specific regulation of ERβ in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its potential as a novel substance for improving and treating menopausal syndrome.