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Background: Limited research has been conducted on the association between intake of fruits and vegetables and hypertriglyceridemia, especially in Asian populations. This study aimed to investigate the association between total fruit and vegetable intake, as well as subgroups of fruit and vegetable intake, with hypertriglyceridemia among Korean adults.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 7934 adults aged 19-64 years from the fourth Korean Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Fruit and vegetable intake was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire. Subgroups of fruits and vegetables included citrus, non-citrus and carotene-rich fruits and cruciferous, green leafy and carotene-rich vegetables. Hypertriglyceridemia (plasma triglyceride ⩾150 mg/dl) was diagnosed using a blood sample drawn after 12+ hours of fasting.Results: There were 2001 (25.2%) cases of hypertriglyceridemia among the participants. Total fruit intake was significantly inversely associated with the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia; the multivariate odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of hypertriglyceridemia across increasing quintiles were 1.00 (ref), 0.76 (0.62, 0.92), 0.72 (0.58, 0.90), 0.68 (0.54, 0.85) and 0.64 (0.49, 0.82; Ptrend=0.001) after controlling for survey year, body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, education and income. Similar inverse associations were found for all fruit subgroups. However, we found no significant association between intakes of total or subgroups of vegetable and hypertriglyceridemia; the odds ratio for top vs bottom quintile was 1.00 (0.81-1.24) for total vegetable intake.Conclusions: Our findings support a potential beneficial role of fruit consumption to reduce blood triglyceride levels in Asian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective Periodontitis is becoming a highly prevalent disease worldwide. Obstructive sleep apnea ( OSA) is a common disorder that is characterized by repeated disruptions in breathing during sleep, and mouth breathing is a common characteristic among patients with OSA. We aimed to assess the hypothesis that OSA is associated with the onset and progression of periodontal disease. Material and Methods This is a cross-sectional study of a total of 687 participants (460 men and 227 women), 47-77 years of age, who were examined between August 2009 and September 2010 as part of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. The participants underwent standard polysomnography, clinical periodontal examination and health-screening examinations. Periodontitis was defined as clinical attachment level ( CAL) ≥ 6 mm and probing pocket depth ≥ 4 mm. OSA was determined using the apnea-hypopnea index ( AHI), and an AHI score of ≥ 5 was the cut-off used to indicate the presence of OSA. Results The results showed that 17.5% of the participants had periodontitis, 46.6% had OSA and 60.0% who were diagnosed with periodontitis had OSA. In our study, old age, male gender, current smoking status, mouth breathing during sleep and high AHI were identified as risk factors for periodontitis. OSA was positively associated with periodontitis [odds ratio ( OR) = 1.84, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.18-2.87], probing pocket depth ( OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.30-3.77) and CAL ( OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.07-3.21) in a dose-response manner. Additionally, OSA was positively associated with periodontitis ( OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.37-4.62) in subjects ≥ 55 years of age, but not in subjects < 55 years of age. Conclusion There is a significant association between OSA and periodontal disease. Further research is needed to clarify the causal relationship between the two conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives:Obesity is associated with increased triglyceride levels. We examined whether overall obesity (body mass index (BMI)) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference (WC)) are independently associated with hypertriglyceridemia among the Korean population.Subjects/Methods:A national sample of 5036 Koreans aged 19-64 was examined with cross-sectional surveys, the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in 2007 and 2008. BMI, WC and other lifestyle information were assessed.Results:We documented 1344 cases (26.7%) of hypertriglyceridemia (fasting triglycerides of >150 mg/dl). Both BMI and WC were each independently associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Multivariate odds ratios (ORs) of increasing categories of BMI (<18.5, 18.5-<23, 23-<25, 25-<28, 28 kg/m2), were 0.49, 1.00 (reference), 1.26, 1.63 and 1.84, respectively (P=0.0007) adjusting for WC. There was a positive association between WC and hypertriglyceridemia across increasing quintiles of WC (multivariate-adjusted ORs: 1.00 (reference), 1.54, 2.54, 2.21 and 2.36; P<0.0001), adjusting for BMI. WC was positively related to hypertriglyceridemia in both gender. However, only women's BMI was independently associated with hypertriglyceridemia after adjusting for WC. The joint relation between BMI and WC and hypertriglyceridemia showed that within each BMI category, higher WC predicted a greater prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and vice versa. The receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that BMI (0.69) and WC (0.72) were similar in predicting hypertriglyceridemia.Conclusions:Both BMI and WC were strongly independently associated with hypertriglyceridemia among the population. Both measurements should be considered for use in assessing health risk at clinical settings and epidemiologic research among Asian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the recognition of certain limitations of ex situ methods for conservation of plant genetic resources the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the ‘Earth Summit’ in 1992 highlighted the importance of traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities that are relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and gave considerable attention to on-farm and other forms of in situ conservation. Unlike semi-static nature of ex situ conservation the in situ or on-farm conservation (OFC) is a dynamic evolutionary process. In developing countries like Republic of Korea, where there is a continuum between the use of traditional and modern cultivars, integration of OFC with already existing gene-bank activities in the country will be an effective approach for conservation and sustainable use of the country's crop genetic resources. However, very little efforts have been made so far in developing strategies for OFC, therefore, in this paper we describe the importance of OFC and strategies for its development in Republic of Korea. Surveys over the last 20 years have shown that the landraces of major crops have been almost replaced by newly bred varieties in the country. But some vegetatively propagated or minor crop species are still being maintained in the farmers’ fields. We have identified crop landraces, which can be classified into four different categories from the OFC point of view. These are vegetatively propagated landraces, sexually reproduced landraces, landraces with improved varieties and landraces cultivated for the reasons of personal preference. The related issues on OFC including implementation methods from the point of national cooperative system in designated specific condition are also discussed to ensure the genetic diversity in the fast changing agro-ecosystem of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is an inducible enzyme involved in neuroplasticity and the neuropathology of the central nervous system. This study evaluated the relationship between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and polymorphisms of PTGS2 (the gene encoding Cox-2) with 151 Korean family trios including children with ASDs. We found that the A allele of rs2745557 was preferentially transmitted in ASDs (p < 0.01) and that the GAAA haplotype was significantly associated with ASDs (p < 0.01). We also observed statistically significant associations between each genotype and the specific symptom domain scores of ADOS and ADI-R, including communication, qualitative abnormalities in reciprocal social interaction, and overactivity/agitation.

The importance of family history of type 2 diabetes (FHD) as a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains controversial. A report of diabetes in parents and siblings was used to establish FHD in a cohort of 1,005,230 Koreans aged 30-95 years insured by the National Health Insurance Corporation who had a biennial medical evaluation during 1992-1995. ASCVD morbidity and mortality from 1993 to 2005 were examined in relation to FHD and other ASCVD risk factors. The risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) increased significantly (19%) in men with FHD but not in women. A strong interaction was observed between FHD and personal history of diabetes for the occurrence of ASCVD; men with both diabetes and FHD were at significantly increased risk of developing IHD, cerebrovascular disease and ASCVD with hazard ratios (HR) of 2.28, 2.07, and 2.12, respectively, compared to those who had neither FHD nor type 2 diabetes. Corresponding risks were 2.64, 2.03, and 2.10 in women, respectively. This study demonstrates that risk of ASCVD is increased among those with diabetes and a family history of diabetes; suggesting that genetic factors associated with occurrence of familial diabetes may increase risk of ASCVD beyond the risk among people without FHD.

Background: IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role for T-helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokine in the presence/absence of IL-12. It has been recently shown that human IL-18 plays a role in atopic dermatitis (AD) by enhancing IL-4 and IL-13 production and by stimulating the synthesis of IgE., Objective: We wanted to evaluate the associations of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the haplotype in the IL-18 gene, hence we performed genotyping for the SNPs in the IL-18 gene in AD patients and normal controls., Method: We genotyped three SNPs from the IL-18 gene for the 1120 case-control samples (646 AD patients and 474 normal controls). We measured the serum IL-18, IL-4 and IL-13 concentrations in 74 individuals (25 ADe, 25 ADi and 24 controls) by performing ELISA., Result: The rs795467 SNP and haplotype T-T-C were significantly associated with AD, and especially between the ADe and normal control groups (P=0.03 and 0.01). The serum IL-18 concentration was higher in the AD group than in the normal controls without any correlation with the rs795467 polymorphism. We did not find any correlations between the serum IL-18 levels and the SCORing atopic dermatitis index, the blood eosinophil counts and the ECP, and there was no correlation between the serum IL-18 levels and the serum IL-4 and IL-13 levels., Conclusion: We found that the one SNP and the haplotype T-T-C were strongly associated with the allergic type of AD, but not with the non-allergic intrinsic type. These data support the hypothesis that IL-18 up-regulates IgE production, yet more experiments will be needed to prove the in vivo involvement of Th2 cytokine.

Most follicular lymphomas (FLs) transform to diffuse lymphoma eventually, comprising a significant proportion of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Judging by bcl-2 rearrangement (bcl-2R), one third of DLBCLs are believed to be of FL derivation in the Western population. However, bcl-2R is not specific and is not detectable in every case of FL. In East Asia, FL is uncommon but DLBCL is not. The proportion of tumors of FL origin in DLBCL is not known in this region. The coexpression of Bcl-6 and CD10 proteins, a reliable marker to identify germinal center (GC) B-cell lymphoma including FL, was analyzed in primary nodal DLBCLs (n = 104) diagnosed at major hospitals in Seoul during a recent 2-year period, along with well-defined cases (n = 17) of nodal FL as controls. Bcl-2 protein expression (n = 77) was also studied along with bcl-2R (n = 64), by polymerase chain reaction. Formalin-fixed archival specimens were used in all these assays. The Bcl-6/CD10 coexpression was observed in 35 DLBCLs (34%) and 14 FLs (82%), and most of them showed a pattern of Bcl-6 expression similar to that of the GC. Bcl-2 expression or bcl-2R did not correlate with Bcl-6/CD10 coexpression. Histologically, compartmentalizing sclerosis was associated with a high rate of the coexpression (8 of 10). In conclusion, to detect GC B-cell lymphoma in routine biopsy specimens, a pattern of Bcl-6 staining similar to the GC must be identified. Bcl-6+/CD10+ GC B-cell lymphomas thus defined comprised one third of primary nodal DLBCLs in Korea. The incidence rate is similar to that in the West. The reasons for the discrepancy between the incidence of GC B-cell lymphoma and the paucity of the follicular pattern in East Asian subjects warrant further studies., (Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company)

Background: Abnormal body fat distribution and reduced antioxidant status have been shown to be effective markers of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)., Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the differences in body fat distribution and antioxidant status in healthy men (control subjects) and in men with CVD with or without diabetes., Design: An oral-glucose-tolerance test was performed and CVD patients were subdivided into groups according to the presence or absence of diabetes. Adipose tissue areas were calculated from computed tomography scans made at the L1 and L4 vertebrae. Fasting serum concentrations of lipids, testosterone, insulin-like growth factor I, antioxidants, and plasma homocysteine were determined., Results: There were no significant differences in mean age, body mass index (in kg/m(2)), or blood pressure between the groups. The visceral fat area at the L1 vertebra was nonsignificantly greater in CVD patients without diabetes than in control subjects, whereas it was significantly greater in CVD patients with diabetes than in control subjects at both the L1 and L4 vertebrae. Both groups of CVD patients had higher plasma concentrations of homocysteine and lower serum insulin-like growth factor I concentrations and superoxide dismutase activities than did control subjects. Serum ss-carotene and lycopene concentrations were lowest in the CVD patients with diabetes., Conclusion: The concurrent presence of CVD and diabetes is associated with a greater negative effect on the risk factors typically associated with significant declines in health status.