• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7897-7907
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• 2014

Background: There is paucity of studies defining the prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in Saudi Arabia despite the surging epidemic of obesity, change in dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of NCDs risk factors among employees at King Faisal University in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia and to determine the possible correlates for clustering of NCDs risk factors among them. Materials and Methods: All employees were invited to participate; the World Health Organization STEPwise approach was used for data collection which consisted of a personal interview to collect socio-demographic characteristics, NCD history, tobacco use, vegetables and fruit consumption, and physical activity (PA), followed by anthropometric measurements namely weight, height and waist circumference and blood pressure measurements, subjects were finally subjected to biochemical tests with determination of fasting plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol and high density lipoproteins. Results: Of the surveyed employees (n=691), daily current smokers accounted for 22.7%. 94.9%, 95.1% and 86% consumed < 5 servings per day of vegetables, fruits and both fruits and vegetables respectively, 73% were physically inactive, 64% were overweight or obese, 22.1% had hypertension, and 21.5% were diabetics. Elevated cholesterol levels were found in 36.6%, low high density lipoproteins in 36.8%, and elevated triglycerides in 36.1%. Only 3% had no NCD risk factors, and 57.6% had ${\geq}3$ factors. Multivariate logistic regression showed that gender (being male, adjusted odds ratio 'aOR'=1.51), aged ${\geq}50$ years (aOR=3.06), < college education (aOR=1.75), current smokers (aOR=2.37), being obese (aOR=6.96) and having a low PA level (aOR=4.59) were the significant positive predictors for clustering of NCD risk factors. Conclusions: Over fifty percent of the studied university's employees had multiple (${\geq}3$) NCD risk factors. Screening and health promotion initiatives should be launched at least targeting the modifiable factors to avert the excessive risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and several types of cancers.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.139-146
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the association dining-out frequency, nutritional intake level and health risk factors related to metabolic syndrome among Korean women. The data in this study were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2013 (KNHANES VI). Sample of Korean women (n=3,413), aged over 20 with biochemical, dietary and health screening data, was divided into three groups according to dining-out frequency; "Rarely" (< 1 time / week), "Occasionally" (2~4 times / week) and "Frequently" (${\geq}5times/week$). The results showed that there were significantly different intake levels in energy, water, protein, fat, calcium, sodium and vitamin A according to the dining-out frequency. Each dining-out frequency group was significantly associated to obesity and Low HDL Cholesterolemia. In conclusion, this study found significant association between dining-out frequency, nutritional intake and health risk factors among Korean women. Further studies are necessary to examine subdividing into age and dining-out frequency and health risk factors related to metabolic syndrome among Korean.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.412-418
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• 2023

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) persistence in pathological stage T3aN0 prostate cancer (PCa) after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 326 patients with pT3aN0 PCa who underwent RALP between March 2020 and February 2022. PSA persistence was defined as nadir PSA of >0.1 ng/mL after RALP, and the risk factors for PSA persistence were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 326 patients, 61 (18.71%) had PSA persistence and 265 (81.29%) had PSA of <0.1 ng/mL after RALP (successful radical prostatectomy [RP] group). In the PSA persistence group, 51 patients (83.61%) received adjuvant treatment. Biochemical recurrence occurred in 27 patients (10.19%) in the successful RP group during the mean follow-up period of 15.22 months. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for PSA persistence were large prostate volume (hazard ratio [HR], 1.017; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.036; p=0.046), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (HR, 2.605; 95% CI, 1.022-6.643; p=0.045), and surgical margin involvement (HR, 2.220; 95% CI, 1.110-4.438; p=0.024). Conclusion: Adjuvant treatment may be needed for improved prognosis in patients with pT3aN0 PCa after RALP with a large prostate size, LVI, or surgical margin involvement.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.994-999
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• 2010

Purpose: Mitochondrial dysfunction can present with various symptoms depending on the organ it has affected. This research tried to analyze the ophthalmologic symptoms and ophthalmologic examination (OE) results in patients with mitochondrial disease (MD). Methods: Seventy-four patients diagnosed with mitochondrial respiratory chain complex defect with biochemical enzyme assay were included in the study. They were divided into 2 groups based on the OE results by funduscopy and were analyzed on the basis of their clinical features, biochemical test results, morphological analysis, and neuroimaging findings. Results: Thirty-seven (50%) of the 74 MD patients developed ophthalmologic symptoms. Abnormal findings were observed in 36 (48.6%) patients during an OE, and 16 (21.6%) of them had no ocular symptoms. Significantly higher rates of prematurity, clinical history of epilepsy or frequent apnea events, abnormal light microscopic findings in muscle pathology, diffuse cerebral atrophy in magnetic resonance imaging, and brainstem hyperintensity and lactate peaks in magnetic resonance spectroscopy were noted in the group with abnormal OE results. Conclusion: Although the ophthalmologic symptoms are not very remarkable in MD patients, an OE is required. When the risk factors mentioned above are observed, a more active approach should be taken in the OE because a higher frequency of ocular involvement can be expected.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Even though the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents is increasing, little is presently known about this syndrome in adolescents. This study aimed to cluster metabolic risk factors as well as examine the associations between identified patterns and nutrient intake using data from the Korean National Health Examination and Nutritional Assessment (KNHANES). SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 2,958 subjects aged 10 to 18 years along with both biochemical and dietary data information were obtained from KNHANES 2007-2010. Six components of metabolic syndrome were used to identify any patterns via factor analysis. Individuals were categorized into quartile groups according to their pattern score. RESULTS: Three clustering patterns with high loadings were identified and named as follows: 1) high blood pressure, 2) dyslipidemia, and 3) glucose abnormality patterns. The high blood pressure pattern showed high loadings of systolic and diastolic blood pressures, the dyslipidemia pattern showed high loadings of triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol levels, and the glucose abnormality pattern showed high loadings of fasting blood glucose levels. Intakes of fat and riboflavin were significantly decreased, whereas those of sodium and niacin were significantly increased across the quartiles in the dyslipidemia pattern. No nutrient intake except that of thiamin was significantly associated with the high blood pressure or glucose abnormality pattern. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that metabolic syndrome risk factors in the Korean adolescent population are characterized by three distinct patterns, which are differentially associated with dietary factors. Characterizing metabolic risk factors and providing specific dietary guidelines for target groups are important.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.168-174
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate correlation between soybean and their products consumption and risk factors for atherosclerosis in the healthyKorean adults. Health behaviors such as smoking, exercise, alcohol consumption and dietary patterns and nutrient intakes of 193 healthy adult subjects aged from 26 to 69 were assessed by using interview and semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The BMI, blood pressure and biochemical parameters of blood were examined as well as preferences for taste and family history of disease. Data were expressed as quartile according to soybean and their products consumption. The average daily soybean and their product consumption for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th percentile group were 36, 78, 112, and 182g, respectively. The more consumption of soybean and their products, the more intake of energy, protein, lipid, fiber, Ca, cholesterol as well as frequency of exercise, smoking and drinking. Serum TG, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and AI as risk factors of atherosclerosis were positively correlated with smoking and drinking (p<0.05). Especially, serum TG was positively correlated with hypertension and BMI (p<0.01). But, no correlation between exercise, salty taste, meat preference, soybean products consumption and atherosclerosis risk factors was found, which means that life styles such as smoking and drinking rather than dietary habits might influence atherosclerosis in healthy adults. In conclusion, present soy products consumption should be increased by way of developing new generation soy products in order to exert anti-atherosclerotic effect by soybean in human.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.232-238
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• 2003

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most common causes of death in elderly Koreans, and HDL-cholesterol is known to have a pivotal role in protecting against CVD. This study was undertaken to study the relationships between plasma HDL-cholesterol levels and dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical factors in elderly Koreans. The 102 subjects, who were over 60 years old, were classified into two groups based on their plasma HDL-cholesterol levels: a risk group with plasma HDL-cholesterol < 40mg/dl in men or HDL-cholesterol < 50mg/d1 in women, and a control group with higher HDL-cholesterol levels. The subjects' mean intakes of energy, calcium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin E, and folate did not meet the Korean RDA for elderly people. Vitamin $B_2$ and folate intakes were significantly lower (p<0.l) in the risk group compared to the control group. The consumption of seaweed was significantly lower (p<0.05), and fish intake was 33% lower, in the risk group compared to the control group. Subjects in the risk group showed a higher BMI, waist/hip ratio, triceps skinfold thickness, and % body fat, compared to control subjects. Plasma triglyceride levels and values of the atherogenic index were significantly higher (p<0.00l) in risk group subjects. Significant negative correlations between HDL-cholesterol level and plasma triglyceride level (r= 0.37), and values of the atherogenic index (r=-0.74), were found. In summary, subjects with low levels of HDL-cholesterol were found to have relatively low intakes of vitamin B$_2$, folate, and seaweed, and higher levels of the CVD risk factors: body fat, plasma TG, and AI. These results suggest that plasma HDL-cholesterol levels can be modified by dietary, anthropometric, and hematological means.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1030-1039
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• 2016

This study aimed to compare energy nutrient intake, health related factors, physical characteristics, blood biochemical indices, prevalence of metabolic syndrome and odds ratio (OR) of metabolic syndrome based on dietary fat energy ratio. Subjects were 1,205 men aged 40~64 years. The average fat intake was 52.8 g. Subjects were divided into three groups (deficient, normal, excess) based on dietary fat energy ratio. The dietary fat energy rations of the three groups were 36.9%, 42.9% and 20.2%, respectively. Energy and protein intake were increased significantly with dietary fat energy ratio (p<0.001), whereas carbohydrate intake decreased (p<0.001). In health related factors, amount of smoking alone showed increase based on dietary fat energy ratio (p<0.001). In comparing physical characteristics, blood pressure and blood biochemical indices, excepting diastolic blood pressure, increased significantly based on dietary fat energy ratio (p<0.01~p<0.001). The rate that exceeded criteria in risk factors for metabolic syndrome was higher in the serum triglyceride (41.2%) and was lower in the waist circumference (22.2%). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 37.9%, and showed significant correlation to dietary fat energy ratio (p<0.05). The OR of metabolic syndrome was higher in deficient and excess group than in normal group, but it had no relationship between fat energy ratio and metabolic syndrome. The results of this study provide basic data to establish fat intake guidelines for prevention of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged men.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.299-302
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• 2013

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has been reported to be associated with DNA methylation, an epigenetic feature frequently found in gastric cancer. We conducted a case-control study to explore the association of MTHFR C677T polymorphisms with gastric cancer risk and its relation with the DNA methylation of COX-2, MGMT, and hMLH1 genes. Genotyping of P16, MGMT and HMLH1 was determined by methylation-specific PCR after sodium bisulfate modification of DNA, and genotyping of MTHFR C677T was conducted by TaqMan assays using the ABI Prism 7911HT Sequence Detection System. Folate intake was calculated with the aid of a questionnaire. Compared with the MTHFR 677CC genotype, the TT genotype was significantly associated with 2.08 fold risk of gastric cancer when adjusting for potential risk factors. Individuals who had an intake of folate above $310{\mu}g$/day showed protective effects against gastric cancer risk. The effect of MTHFR C677T polymorphisms on the risk of gastric cancer was modified by folate intake and methylation status of MGMT (P for interaction <0.05).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.981-990
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• 1996

To define the risk facots of subclinical vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal women, circulating serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, known to be the indicator of vitamin D status, were measured and risk faxtors affecting it were investigated in 27 women with low 25-hydoxyvitamin d level(ie, the study group : serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D<10ng/ml) by comparing to 55 age-matched control(the control group) were analyzed. The serum level of 25-hydorxyvitamin D was analyzed by HPLC(High Pressure Liquid Chor-matography) and analyzed biochemical parameter. The following information was obtained by interviews : sociodemographic charateristics, the intake of food containing vitamin D, proxy measure of sunlight exposure(time spent outdoors), and reprocuctive histpry of the subjects. The study group had significantly lower levels of serum calcium, increased levels of iPTH and alkaline phosphatase, Among the dietary determents, energy, protein, fat, calcium, phophorus, and vitamin D intakes were lower in the study group than the normal group. The time spent outdoors in a day was not significantly different between the two groups. However, during the day, a specific time of time spent out doors between 12:00 and 14:00 was significantly lower in the study group. Logistic analysis revealed that vitamin D and calcium intake were more important affecting factors than the time spent outdoors in post menopausal women.