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Background: Sophorae Flos (SF) is a composite of flowers and buds of Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott and has been used in traditional Korean and Chinese medicine for the treatment of hemostasis and inflammation. Previous studies reported that SF possesses anti-obesity properties, as well as anti-allergic, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the effect of SF in bone resorption has not been studies. In this study, we examined the potential of SF extract (SFE) to inhibit receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) -induced osteoclast differentiation in cultured mouse-derived bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). Methods: BMMs, that act as osteoclast precursors, were cultured with M-CSF (50 ng/ml) and RANKL (100 ng/ml) for 4 days to generate osteoclasts. Osteoclast differentiation was measured by tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP) staining and the TRAP solution assay. Osteoclast differentiation marker genes were analyzed by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. RANKLs signaling pathways were confirmed through western blotting. Results: SFE significantly decreased osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. SFE inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by suppressing NF-κB activation. By contrast, SFE did not affect phospholipase C gamma 2 or subsequent cAMP response element binding activation. SFE inhibited the RANKL-induced expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1). Conclusions: SFE attenuated the RANKL-mediated induction of NF-κB through inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation, which contributed to inhibiting of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation through downregulation of NFATc1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the genetic effect of transforming growth factor alpha gene (TGFA) variants on the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without palate (NS-CL±P) in Korean populations. Ten selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were used to examine the association of care-parent trios with the transmission disequilibrium test (TD) and conditional logistic regression models (CLRM). The association of the TFGA gene in NS-CL±P patients was not clearly found.

Background: The two interferon-y release assays such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold / In-Tube (QFT-TB) and T-SPOT.TB-are useful tools for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) but can yield indeterminate test results (ITRs). While some studies have identified risk factors for ITRs in the QFT-TB test, there have been few such studies for the T-SPOT.7B test. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with ITRs in theT-SPOT.TB test. Materials and Methods: From April 2008 to August 2010, all patients with suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis (E-TB) were enrolled in a tertiary hospital in Korea. ITR was defined as < 20 spots in the positive control well or > 10 spots in the negative control well. Results: Out of a total of 368 patients, 32 (8.7%, 95% CI, 6.0% to 11.7%) had ITRs in their T-SPOTTS tests. The ITRs were due to a low mitogen response in 13 (40.6%) patients and to a high nil response in the other 19 (59.4%) patients. Statistical analysis revealed that old age, underlying diseases, immunosuppressive treatment, lymphopenia, and clinical manifestations of E-TB were not significantly associated with ITRs. Conclusions: Indeterminate results in the T-SPOT.TB test are not affected by age, underlying disease, immunosuppressive treatment, lymphopenia, or clinical manifestations of E-TB, which are known risk factors for indeterminate results in the QFT-TB test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tackling socioeconomic inequalities in health risk factors is an important pathway for alleviating health inequalities. The aim of this study was to analyze the current state of inequality in health risk factors by socioeconomic status in Korea through a literature review of recently published studies and description of secondary data from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES). We evaluated the extent and trends of socioeconomic inequalities in health behavior (smoking, high-risk alcohol drinking, moderate exercise, and nutritional deficiency) and clinical risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity) with 1998 to 2010 KNHANES data based on socio-economic status. Furthermore, we summarized the impact of several distal health determinants like income, education and occupation, and childhood period on health inequalities in Korea. The results showed that a wide range of health risk factors including more distal causes were socio-economically patterned to varying degrees. In order to reduce health inequalities by socioeconomic status, more comprehensive monitoring and measures, and well-designed studies are required for promoting the understanding of the causal pathway and developing interventional strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both social interest in and studies of socioeconomic inequalities in health have increased in recent years. This article presents the current state of socioeconomic inequalities in health status in Korea, based on recent research.Socioeconomic inequalities in health status have been consistently observed in Korea as well as abroad. In both men and women, from birth-sometimes evenfrom before birth-to death, inverse relationships between socioeconomic position and most indicators of healthexist. For some health indicators, such as suicide, absolute and relative inequalities have become significantly worse than in the past. Knowledge of health inequalities in small geographic areas can be useful for allocating health resources. Representative indicators of socioeconomic inequalities in health shouldundergo ongoing monitoringby the government. In addition, there is a need for research to explore the mechanisms and to evaluate the effectiveness of specific policies and intervention programs as well as to identify socioeconomic inequalities in a variety of health outcomes.Learning the status of and trends in socioeconomic inequalities in health isan essential step toward increasing awareness of these inequalities in society and promoting an integrated and systematic policy for tackling them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article details the study on the biodiversity of marine invertebrates on rocky shores of Dokdo, Korea. From August 2007 to June 2008, a total of 98 marine invertebrate species were identified. Mollusca and Arthropoda predominated among the 7 phyla that were presented. The relation of the topographical characteristics of each station to the faunal composition and distribution of invertebrates is mentioned. The study concludes that the 403 species, composed of 10 phyla and 172 families, found in Dokdo ecosystem have a high and dynamic biodiversity.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the main prerequisite for Korean Advance Directives [KAD] to ensure their better use. Methods: Data were collected from two focus group interviews and individual email responses. Study participants were 5 doctors and 6 nurses. All interview data were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged; establishing a philosophy of KAD, protocol to practice KAD, and the KAD document itself. A philosophy is needed to ensure individual needs, consensus to practice AD and identify principle agents. The core of protocol was found to be as follows; 1) process, 2) premise, 3) procedure, 4) contextual preparation, 5) timing, 6) feasibility. Component and feasibility need to be established for the document itself. Conclusion: For a positive acceptance of KAD in Korean society, a culture sensitive, reality based, and user friendly AD needs to be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we developed 20 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the Korean black scraper, Thamnaconus modestus (Günther, 1877), Monacanthidae, and used them to compare allelic variation between wild and hatchery populations in Korea. All loci were readily amplified and demonstrated allelic variability, with the number of alleles ranging from 5-35 in the wild population and 5-22 in the farmed population. The average observed and expected heterozygosities were estimated, respectively, as 0.74 and 0.80 in the hatchery samples and 0.78 and 0.81 in the wild ones. These results indicate lower genetic variability in the hatchery population than in the wild population and minor, but significant, genetic differentiation between the two populations (FST = 0.005, P < 0.01). Additionally, cross-amplification was tested in another monacanthid species, Stephanolepis cirrhifer; many loci were found that yielded useful information. The high degree of polymorphism exhibited by the 20 microsatellites will be useful in future aquaculture and population genetic studies for developing conservation and management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predictability of intraseasonal variation in the tropics is assessed in the present study by using various statistical and dynamical models with rigorous and fair measurements. For a fair comparison, the real-time multivariate Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) (RMM) index, proposed by Wheeler and Hendon, is used as a predictand for all models. The statistical models include the models based on a multilinear regression, a wavelet analysis, and a singular spectrum analysis (SSA). The prediction limits (correlation skill of 0.5) of statistical models for RMM1 (RMM2) index are at days 16–17 (14–15) for the multiregression model, whereas they are at days 8–10 (9–12) for the wavelet- and SSA-based models. The poor predictability of the wavelet and SSA models is related to the tapering problem for a half-length of the time window before the initial condition. To assess the dynamical predictability, long-term serial prediction experiments with a prediction interval of every 5 days are carried out with Seoul National University (SNU) AGCM and coupled general circulation model (CGCM) for 26 (1980–2005) boreal winters. The prediction limits of RMM1 and RMM2 occur at around 20 days for both AGCM and CGCM. These results demonstrate that the skills of dynamical models used in this study are better than those of the three statistical predictions. The dynamical and statistical predictions are combined using a multimodel ensemble method. The combination provides a superior skill to any of the statistical and dynamical predictions, with a prediction limit of 22–24 days. The dependencies of prediction skill on the initial phase and amplitude of the MJO are also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mercury (Hg) is toxic to both the reproductive and nervous systems. In addition,glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), which conjugate glutathione to a variety of electrophilic compounds,are involved in the detoxification of Hg.Objective: In this study we examined the association between prenatal exposure to Hg and birthweight as well as the influence of GST polymorphisms.Methods: The total Hg concentration in maternal and cord blood was measured from 417 Koreanwomen and newborns in the Mothers and Children's Environmental Health study from 2006 to2008. Information on birth weight was collected from the patients' medical records. The genotypingof glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) polymorphismswas carried out using polymerase chain reaction. Regression analysis was performed todetermine the association between the blood Hg concentration and birth weight in mothers withGSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms.Results: The geometric mean levels of Hg in the maternal blood during late pregnancy and in cordblood were 3.30 μg/L and 5.53 μg/L, respectively. For mothers with the GSTT1 null genotype,elevated Hg levels in maternal blood during late pregnancy were associated with an increased risk oflower birth weight. For mothers with both GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype, both maternal andcord blood Hg levels were associated with lower birth weight.Conclusions: This study suggests that the interactions of Hg with GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphismsplay a role in reducing birth weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seo J-H, Leem J-H, Ha E-H, Kim O-J, Kim B-M, Lee J-Y, Park H-S, Kim H-C, Hong Y-C, Kim Y-J. Population-attributable risk of low birthweight related to PM10 pollution in seven Korean cities. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2010; 24: 140–148. To understand the preventable fraction of low birthweight (LBW) deliveries due to maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy in Korea, it is important to quantify the population-attributable risk (PAR). Thus, we investigated the association between maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and LBW, and calculated the PAR for air pollution and LBW in seven Korean cities. We used birth records from the Korean National Birth Register for 2004. A geographic information system and kriging methods were used to construct exposure models. Associations between air pollution and LBW were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression, and the PAR for LBW due to air pollution was calculated. Of 177 660 full-term singleton births, 1.4% were LBW. When only spatial variation of air pollution was considered in each city, the adjusted odds ratios unit of particulate matter <10 µm in diameter (PM10) for LBW were 1.08 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99, 1.18] in Seoul, 1.24 [95% CI 1.02, 1.52] in Pusan, 1.19 [95% CI 1.04, 1.37] in Daegu, 1.12 [95% CI 0.98, 1.28] in Incheon, 1.22 [95% CI 0.98, 1.52] in Kwangju, 1.05 [95% CI 1.00, 1.11] in Daejeon and 1.19 [95% CI 1.03, 1.38] in Ulsan. The PARs for LBW attributable to maternal PM10 exposure during pregnancy were 7%, 19%, 16%, 11%, 18%, 5% and 16% respectively. Because a large proportion of pregnant women in Korea are exposed to PM10– which is associated with LBW – a substantial proportion of LBW could be prevented in Korea if air pollution was reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation was conducted into the clinical symptoms and causative agent associated with a whelk poisoning incident that occurred in March 2005 in Korea. The whelk consumed in the poisoning incident was identified as Neptunea intersculpta. All of the 17 patients suffered from eyeball pain, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, and nausea but no diarrhea. The causative agent was identified as tetramine, based on results from liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Based on the tetramine concentration in the leftover whelk meat and the amount of meat consumed, the amount of tetramine ingested by the patients was estimated to be ≥10 mg. This is the first report of the identification of tetramine as the causative agent in whelk poisoning in Korea. The anatomical distribution of tetramine in fresh and boiled N. intersculpta was examined. The toxin concentration in the meat was higher in specimens boiled in the shell than in fresh specimens collected on the same date. In meat boiled separately after removing the shell, the salivary gland, and the midgut gland, the tetramine concentration was much lower than that in fresh specimens or those boiled in the shell. This result suggests that boiling the meat after removing the salivary gland is a suitable way to prevent tetramine poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. A decision matrix for identifying drugs for which pharmacogenetic drug monitoring (PDM) provides the greatest benefit in a Korean setting is described. Summary. We developed a decision matrix including the ethnic frequency of clinically relevant polymorphic cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes, and the metabolic profiles and adverse drug reactions of drugs. Using the developed decision matrix based on the population allele frequencies of CYP enzymes, we identified potential candidates for PDM among the most commonly used drugs at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH). Collectively, 17 of these drugs were largely metabolized by at least one polymorphic CYP enzyme. Pharmacogenetic information was used to identify CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6 as the major CYP enzymes of clinical importance for pharmacologic effect and safety in Koreans. The frequencies of poor and intermediate metabolizers among Koreans were 0% and 2.3–12% for CYP2C9, 12% and 42% for CYP2C19, and 0.44% and 28% for CYP2D6, respectively. The frequency of ultrarapid metabolizers of CYP2D6 was 2.28%. The decision matrix and pharmacogenetic information were used to identify seven drugs for PDM: warfarin, glimepiride, diazepam, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, codeine, and oxycodone. This approach can be applied to other institutional hospitals or other ethnic populations and would be helpful for advancing pharmacy practice. Further work is required to assess the practical and potential clinical relevance of pharmacogenetic variations on drugs of interest before the implementation of PDM. Conclusion. A decision matrix helped identify drugs for which PDM provides the greatest potential benefit at one Korean hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 27 healthcare workers (HCWs) who had contact with a fatally ill patient with severe thrombocytopenia syndrome in Korea (SFTS), 4 who were involved in cardiopulmonary resuscitation complained of fever and were diagnosed with SFTS via seroconversion. Exposure to respiratory secretions, blood, or gowns soiled by body fluids was significantly associated with infection of HCWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article refers to a hospital-based cohort study of pregnant women in Seoul, in relation to PM10 and pregnancy outcomes. The section aims to evaluate the effects of PM10 on birth outcomes using a prospective cohort of pregnant women. It estimated the effects of PM10 exposure on birth outcomes, it uses the logistic and linear regression model and the generalized additive model for nonlinear relationships. It figured the relationship between air pollution and the following birth outcomes: low birth weight, premature delivery, stillbirth, intrauterine growth retardation, and congenital anomaly.