Analysis of the Effects of Nutrient Intake and Dietary Habits on Depression in Korean Adults

While several studies have explored nutrient intake and dietary habits associated with depression, few studies have reflected recent trends and demographic factors. Therefore, we examined how nutrient intake and eating habits are associated with depression, according to gender and age. We performed simple and multiple regressions using nationally representative samples of 10,106 subjects from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The results indicated that cholesterol, dietary fiber, sodium, frequency of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and eating out were significantly associated with depression (p-value < 0.05). Moreover, depression was associated with nutrient intake and dietary habits by gender and age group: sugar, breakfast, lunch, and eating out frequency in the young women’s group; sodium and lunch frequency among middle-age men; dietary fibers, breakfast, and eating out frequency among middle-age women; energy, moisture, carbohydrate, lunch, and dinner frequency in late middle-age men; breakfast and lunch frequency among late middle-age women; vitamin A, carotene, lunch, and eating out frequency among older age men; and fat, saturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acid, omega-6 fatty acid, and eating out frequency among the older age women’s group (p-value < 0.05). This study can be used to establish dietary strategies for depression prevention, considering gender and age.     

Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2: Distribution of Clades in the Republic of Korea in 2020

Since a novel beta-coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in December 2019, there has been a rapid global spread of the virus. Genomic surveillance was conducted on samples isolated from infected individuals to monitor the spread of genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Korea. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency performed whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in Korea for 1 year (January 2020 to January 2021). A total of 2,488 SARS-CoV-2 cases were sequenced (including 648 cases from abroad). Initially, the prevalent clades of SARS-CoV-2 were the S and V clades, however, by March 2020, GH clade was the most dominant. Only international travelers were identified as having G or GR clades, and since the first variant 501Y.V1 was identified (from a traveler from the United Kingdom on December 22^nd, 2020), a total of 27 variants of 501Y.V1, 501Y.V2, and 484K.V2 have been classified (as of January 25^th, 2021). The results in this study indicated that quarantining of travelers entering Korea successfully prevented dissemination of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in Korea.     

Culture-Expanded Autologous Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment for Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

BackgroudOutcomes of traditional treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) are not always satisfactory. Hence, cell-supplementation therapy has been attempted to facilitate necrotic-tissue regeneration. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC) transplantation is potentially advantageous over bone marrow-derived MSC implantation, but its outcomes for ONFH remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine 2-year radiological and clinical outcomes of culture-expanded autologous ADMSC implantation for ONFH.MethodsEighteen hips with necrotic lesions involving ≥ 30% of the femoral head were included. ADMSCs were harvested by liposuction and culture expanded for 3 passages over 3 weeks. With a 6-mm single drilling, ADMSCs were implanted into the necrotic zone. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) at screening and 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was the change in the size of necrotic area on MRI. Secondary outcomes were changes in clinical scores and radioisotope uptake on SPECT/CT. Conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) was defined as the endpoint.ResultsPreoperatively, the necrotic lesion extent was 63.0% (38.4%–96.7%) of the femoral head. The mean Harris hip score was 89.2, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score was 5.6, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis index (WOMAC) was 79.4. Three patients underwent THA and 1 patient died in an accident. Finally, 11 patients (14 hips) were available for ≥ 2-year follow-up. At the last follow-up, no surgery-related complications occurred, and 14 of 17 hips (82%) were able to perform daily activities without THA requirement. There was no significant decrease in lesion size between any 2 intervals on MRI. However, widening of high signal intensity bands on T2-weighted images inside the necrotic lesion was observed in 9 of 14 hips (64%); 11 of 14 hips (79%) showed increased vascularity on SPECT/CT at 2 years postoperatively. No significant differences were observed between preoperative and 24-month mean Harris hip score (89.2 vs. 88.6), WOMAC (79.4 vs. 75.7), and UCLA score (5.6 vs. 6.2).ConclusionsOur outcomes suggest that culture-expanded ADMSC implantation is a viable option for ONFH treatment without adverse events.     

Systematic assessment of South Korea’s capabilities to control COVID-19

South Korea’s COVID-19 control strategy has been widely emulated. Korea’s ability to rapidly achieve disease control in early 2020 without a “Great Lockdown” despite its proximity to China and high population density make its achievement particularly intriguing. This paper helps explain Korea’s pre-existing capabilities which enabled the rapid and effective implementation of its COVID-19 control strategies. A systematic assessment across multiple domains demonstrates that South Korea’s advantages in controlling its epidemic are owed tremendously to legal and organizational reforms enacted after the MERS outbreak in 2015. Successful implementation of the Korean strategy required more than just a set of actions, measures and policies. It relied on a pre-existing legal framework, financing arrangements, governance and a workforce experienced in outbreak management.     

Pretreatment of low dose radiation reduces radiation-induced apoptosis in mouse lymphoma (EL4) cells

Induction of an adaptive response to ionizing radiation in mouse lymphoma (EL4) cells was studied by using cell survival fraction and apoptotic nucleosomal DNA fragmentation as biological end points. Cells in early log phase were pre-exposed to low dose of γ-rays (0.01 Gy) 4 or 20 hrs prior to high dose γ-ray (4, 8 and 12 Gy for cell survival fraction analysis; 8 Gy for DNA fragmentation analysis) irradiation. Then cell survival fractions and the extent of DNA fragmentation were measured. Significant adaptive response, increase in cell survival fraction and decrease in the extent of DNA fragmentation were induced when low and high dose γ-ray irradiation time interval was 4 hr. Addition of protein or RNA synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide or 5,6-dichloro-1-β-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRFB), respectively during adaptation period, the period from low dose γ-ray irradiation to high dose γ-ray irradiation, was able to inhibit the induction of adaptive response, which is the reduction of the extent DNA fragmentation in irradiated EL4 cells. These data suggest that the induction of adaptive response to ionizing radiation in EL4 cells required both protein and RNA synthesis.     

Flavonoids fromCirsium rhinoceros

Six flavonoids were isolated from the aerial parts ofCirsium rhinoceros. The flavonoids were identified as apigenin, luteolin, pectolinarigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, linarin, pectolinarin and hispidulin-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence.     

Immunohistochemical analysis of Fas ligand expression in normal human tissues

Cross-linking of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) induces apoptosis in Fas-bearing cells and regulates apoptosis. Fas is widely expressed in normal human tissues, but FasL expression has been considered to be restricted to lymphoid tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated that FasL is also expressed in some nonlymphoid tissues. To screen the in situ expression of FasL in normal human tissues, immunohistochemistry was performed using paraffin-embedded human tissues. FasL immunostaining was easily detected in testis, neurons, trophoblasts, tonsil, lymph node, Paneth cells, hepatocytes, renal tubular epithelium and bronchial epithelium, consistent with previous reports. Surprisingly, FasL was also expressed in many other cell types, including thymic medulla, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, pituitary gland, parathyroid gland, prostate glands, oocytes, epithelium of fallopian tube, endometrial glands, and gastric parietal cells. These findings demonstrate that FasL is widely expressed in human tissues and suggest that wide but cell-type specific expression of FasL may not only be implicated in the regulation of immune homeostasis but also in the regulation of cell death and life in many cell types in vivo.     

Transfer of extensor carpi radialis longus or brevis for opponensplasty

For the restoration of thumb opposition many types of tendon transfer techniques have been described. The flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) of the ring finger is commonly selected as a motor. On occasion, however, the quality of the flexor muscles of the fingers or wrist is not good enough for tendon transfer and another available muscle must be selected. In this situation, we have preferred to use an extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) or brevis (ECRB) transfer to restore opposition of the thumb. Follow-up examination, at an average 5 years and 10 months after operation, showed that the results of ten of 11 transfers were excellent and the other was good.     

The publication rates of presentations at major Spine Specialty Society meetings (NASS, SRS, ISSLS)

STUDY DESIGN: A review of all the presentations at three major spine specialty meetings held over a 3-year period. OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of publication in peer-reviewed journals after presentations at major spine meetings conducted annually by the following three organizations: North American Spine Society (NASS), Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), and International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The rate of publication for presentations at national and international meetings has been determined for medical and surgical subspecialties. This rate has been used to judge the quality of the content of the meetings and to determine the validity of the research presentations. METHODS: All presentations either in poster or oral presentation form were entered into a database covering a 3-year period for spine specialty meetings conducted annually by the following three organizations: NASS 1990 to 1992, SRS 1991 to 1993, and ISSLS 1991 to 1993. A computer search for each abstract was performed with the Melvyl Medline Plus database to determine if the abstract had been published in a peer-reviewed journal from 1990 to the end of 1997. Publication rates for presentations at these three meetings were determined over a 3-year period. RESULTS: A total of 1186 abstracts were listed over a 3-year period in the final programs of these three meetings for the years 1991 to 1993 (SRS, ISSLS) and 1990 to 1992 (NASS). Of these 1186 abstracts, 516 were published in peer-reviewed journals, giving an overall publication rate of 43.5%. The publication rates for the three different meetings (NASS, SRS, ISSLS) were similar, with values of 40%, 47%, and 45% respectively. More than 90% of the publications resulting from these meetings were published within a period of 4 years from the data of the meeting. CONCLUSIONS: The publication rates of presentations at three major spine specialty meetings are high and quite comparable with the publication rates of meetings in other medical subspecialties. This reflects the high quality of the meeting programs and validates their selection process.     

Update on sequential isologous rat organ transplantation: pancreaticoduodenal and kidney transplantations

This periodic report includes intermittent results of consecutive pancreaticoduodenal (Pd) and kidney (Kt) transplants in inbred rats and results on double kidney transplants that did not follow sequential transplant protocol. Eight 24-month-old Lewis pancreas, kidney, and aorta served histological controls showing normal histological architecture with no atherosclerosis developed in the aorta. Thirty-four month old pancreas and thirty-two month old kidneys, which resided in young hosts for at least three occasions, appeared as youthful Pd and Kt grafts. They show normal histological appearance for more than the expected life span of a Lewis rat. The fact that not only pancreases but also kidneys outlived their host leads to the study of other different organs' viability as aged valuable grafts. Nevertheless, the threats by the development of atherosclerosis in graft-associated aortas resulted in slow progression of the follow-ups.