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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between dietary patterns and blood levels of lead and mercury in Korean adults. A total of 858 Korean adults (≥20 years) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) V-1 2010 were included in this study. Data of biochemical measurements including blood lead and mercury levels, nutrients intakes and anthropometric measurements were acquired. 'Balanced diet', 'Grain and kimchi', and 'Alcohol and noodle' dietary patterns were derived from a factor analysis, and the subjects were divided into tertiles by each dietary pattern score. A logistic multiple regression analysis showed that the balanced diet pattern was negatively associated with blood levels of lead before and after adjustment. On the other hand, the alcohol and noodle pattern was positively associated with blood lead and mercury levels. These results indicate that the alcohol and noodle dietary pattern characterized by high alcohol consumption and lack of various foods, and the balanced dietary pattern, including vegetable, fish, meat and milk intake, was associated with the blood concentrations of heavy metals in Korean adults.

The GaN layer was typical III-V nitride semiconductor and was grown on the sapphire substrate which cheap and convenient. However, sapphire substrate is non-conductivity, low thermal conductivity and has large lattice mismatch with the GaN layer. In this paper, the poly GaN epilayer was grown by HVPE on the metallic compound graphite substrate with good heat dissipation, high thermal and electrical conductivity. We tried to observe the growth mechanism of the GaN epilayer grown on the amorphous metallic compound graphite substrate. The HCl and gas were flowed to grow the GaN epilayer. The temperature of source zone and growth zone in the HVPE system was set at and , respectively. The GaN epilayer grown on the metallic compound graphite substrate was observed by SEM, EDS, XRD measurement.

The modulatory effects of daily fisetin supplementation for 8 weeks on genes involved in hepatic lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis and hyperglycemia in rats fed a high fat (HF) diet were evaluated. Elevated levels of triglyceride (TG), along with hepatic TG content and glucose concentrations in a high fat diet group were found to be reduced by fisetin supplementation. The high fat diet significantly increased hepatic mRNA expressions of PPARγ, SREBP1C and SCD-1 genes in comparison to the control diet, which was subsequently reversed by supplementation with fisetin. In addition, fisetin supplementation significantly reduced hepatic mRNA abundance of FAS, ATPCL and G6Pase compared to the control group. Finally, epididymal mRNA abundance of GLUT4 was significantly increased by fisetin supplementation, compared to levels in the control and HF groups. Enhancement of GLUT4 expression by fisetin was further confirmed in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Fisetin supplementation decreases cardiovascular risks by ameliorating hepatic steatosis and lowering circulating glucose concentrations.

The aim of this study was to examine whether oral supplementation of quercetin-rich onion peel extract (OPE) influences blood coagulation and arterial thrombosis in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. 24 male rats, 5 weeks old, were divided into three groups with different diets (C: control, 2mg OPE: chow diet with 2mg OPE supplementation, 10mg OPE: chow diet with 10mg OPE supplementation) for 6 weeks. Blood coagulation parameters including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and platelet aggregation were examined. The OPE did not affect blood cholesterol levels but significantly decreased blood triglyceride and glucose levels. PT, aPTT and platelet aggregation were not significantly different among all tested groups. However, in vivo arterial thrombosis was significantly delayed in groups that were fed 2mg and 10mg OPE diets compared to the control group. In addition, the OPE greatly diminished thrombin-induced expression of tissue factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), a coagulation initiator. In addition, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways activated by thrombin treatment were prevented by the OPE pre-treatment. These results indicate that OPE may have anti-thrombotic effects through restricting the induced expression of tissue factor via down-regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation upon coagulation stimulus, leading to the prolongation of time for arterial thrombosis.

Cholesterol-laden macrophages trigger accumulation of foam cells and increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that quercetin could lower the content of cholesterol in macrophages by regulating the expression of the ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene in differentiated human acute monocyte leukemia cell line (THP-1) cells and thereby reducing the chance of forming foam cells. Quercetin, in concentrations up to 30 μM, was not cytotoxic to differentiated THP-1 cells. Quercetin up-regulated both ABCA1 messenger RNA and protein expression in differentiated THP-1 cells, and its maximum effects were demonstrated at 0.3 μM for 4 to 8 hours in incubation. In addition, quercetin increased protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and liver X receptor α (LXRα) within 2 hours of treatment. Because PPARγ and LXRα are important transcriptional factors for ABCA1, quercetin-induced up-regulation of ABCA1 may be mediated by increased expression levels of the PPARγ and LXRα genes. Furthermore, quercetin-enhanced cholesterol efflux from differentiated THP-1 cells to both high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein A1. Quercetin at the dose of 0.15 μM elevated the cholesterol efflux only for HDL. At the dose of 0.3 μM, quercetin demonstrated effects both on HDL and apolipoprotein A1. Our data demonstrated that quercetin increased the expressions of PPARγ, LXRα, and ABCA1 genes and cholesterol efflux from THP-1 macrophages. Quercetin-induced expression of PPARγ and LXRα might subsequently affect up-regulation of their target gene ABCA1. Taken together, ingestion of quercetin or quercetin-rich foods could be an effective way to improve cholesterol efflux from macrophages, which would contribute to lowering the risk of atherosclerosis.

Hypercholesterolemia is known to be associated with enhanced oxidative stress related to increased lipid peroxidation. Several epidemiological and clinical studies have reported the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables, leading to reduced risks for cardiovascular diseases and several types of cancers. Flavonoids are potential antioxidants found in foods such as onions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of decocted onion juice (about 300 g onion) supplementation for 10 weeks on antioxidant status in mild hypercholesterolemic subjects. Twenty-seven participants were studied in a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Indices of antioxidant status used were plasma total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant vitamins, LDL oxidation, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity, and leukocyte DNA damage. After 10 weeks of consuming decocted onion juice, there were no significant differences in all the tested parameters. In conclusion we failed to find any antioxidant effect of onion supplementation in subjects with mild hypercholesterolemia.

We studied an inorganic/organic hybrid heterostructure for optoelectronic device and applications. The structure was fabricated using inorganic material consisting of GaN nanoneedles and the hole-conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS. A PEDOT:PSS layer with a thickness of ∼50 nm was deposited using spin coating on GaN nanoneedles grown using an HVPE system. To elucidate the effects of the nanostructure, we compared the properties of the GaN nanoneedle/PEDOT:PSS structure with those of a GaN epilayer/PEDOT:PSS structure. The GaN nanoneedle/PEDOT:PSS structure showed a broader, shifted emission peak in the PL measurements compared with the GaN epilayer/PEDOT:PSS structure, as well as a lower turn-on voltage when the I – V characteristics were measured.

A dielectric resonator antenna with broad bandwidth at millimeter wave band is presented. This antenna is fabricated using low temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) process, which is one of the most promising candidates for system-in-package (SiP) technology. The proposed antenna is an aperture coupled dielectric resonator antenna. The central region surrounded by equally spaced metallic vias act as a dielectric resonator, and an aperture for the signal feeding is located on the bottom of the resonator. The simulated antenna bandwidth is as wide as 11.7 GHz (55.4–67.1 GHz), and the measured bandwidth decreases to 9.6 GHz (56.5–66.1 GHz), which is still wider than the internationally allocated bandwidth for the communication.

Background/Aims: Low socioeconomic status (SES) is linked to higher incidence/mortality of cardiovascular disease, but emerging evidence inconsistently reported that education level, a proxy for SES, is related to cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Koreans. Furthermore, limited information is available on whether dietary components would mediate the relationship between education level and cardiovascular risk. We hypothesized that selected food consumption mediates the association between education level and MetS prevalence. Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2008-2011) were included in cross-sectional analyses (n = 11,029, 30-64 years). The possible mediating effect of selected food groups (fruits, raw vegetables, red meat, milk, and soft drinks) on the association between education level and MetS was tested using a multiple mediation model. Results: Education level was negatively associated with MetS prevalence. The association between lower education level and higher MetS prevalence was partially mediated by selected food consumption (lower intakes of fruit, red meat and milk; higher intakes of vegetable and soft drink) after adjusted for covariates. Gender also modified the association between education level and MetS prevalence that was more prominent in women than in men. Conclusions: Selected food consumption substantially contributes to the association between education level and MetS in Korean adults, especially among women.

Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels are associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes in observational studies, but the underlying causal relationship is still unclear. Here, we tested a hypothesis that GGT levels have a causal effect on type 2 diabetes risk using Mendelian randomization. Data were collected from 7640 participants in a South Korean population. In a single instrumental variable (IV) analysis using two stage least squares regression with the rs4820599 in the GGT1 gene region as an instrument, one unit of GGT levels (IU/L) was associated with 11% higher risk of type 2 diabetes (odds ratio (OR) = 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04 to 1.19). In a multiple IV analysis using seven genetic variants that have previously been demonstrated to be associated with GGT at a genome-wide level of significance, the corresponding estimate suggested a 2.6% increase in risk (OR = 1.026, 95% CI: 1.001 to 1.052). In a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis using genetic associations with type 2 diabetes taken from a trans-ethnic GWAS study of 110 452 independent samples, the single IV analysis confirmed an association between the rs4820599 and type 2 diabetes risk (P-value = 0.04); however, the estimate from the multiple IV analysis was compatible with the null (OR = 1.007, 95% CI: 0.993 to 1.022) with considerable heterogeneity between the causal effects estimated using different genetic variants. Overall, there is weak genetic evidence that GGT levels may have a causal role in the development of type 2 diabetes.

This study was designed with the goal of examining the effects of voglibose administration on body weight and lipid metabolism and underlying mechanism high fat diet-induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups: a control diet (CTL), high-fat diet (HF), high-fat diet supplemented with voglibose (VO), and high fat diet pair-fed group (PF). After 12 weeks, the following characteristics were investigated: serum lipid and glucose levels, serum polar metabolite profiles, and expression levels of genes involved in lipid and bile acid metabolism. In addition, pyrosequencing was used to analyze the composition of gut microbiota found in feces. Total body weight gain was significantly lower in the VO group than in the CTL, HF, and PF groups. The VO group exhibited improved metabolic profiles including those of blood glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels. The 12-week voglibose administration decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes found in feces. Circulating levels of taurocholic and cholic acid were significantly higher in the VO group than in the HF and CTL groups. Deoxycholic acid levels tended to be higher in the VO group than in the HF group. Voglibose administration downregulated expression levels of CYP8B1 and HNF4α genes and upregulated those of PGC1α, whereas FXRα was not affected. Voglibose administration elicits changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and circulating metabolites, which ultimately has systemic effects on body weight and lipid metabolism in mice.

Scientific Reports 5: Article number: 18422; published online: 21 December 2015; updated: 27 May 2016 This Article contains typographical errors in Table 6. In the column ‘OR (95% CI) by IV estimation’, the Cardiovascular disease OR value “0.949 (0.988,1.004)” should read: “0.949 (0.876, 1.029)”.

BACKGROUND: Established in 2000, Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4) catalysed extraordinary political, financial, and social commitments to reduce under-5 mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015. At the country level, the pace of progress in improving child survival has varied markedly, highlighting a crucial need to further examine potential drivers of accelerated or slowed decreases in child mortality. The Global Burden of Disease 2015 Study (GBD 2015) provides an analytical framework to comprehensively assess these trends for under-5 mortality, age-specific and cause-specific mortality among children under 5 years, and stillbirths by geography over time. METHODS: Drawing from analytical approaches developed and refined in previous iterations of the GBD study, we generated updated estimates of child mortality by age group (neonatal, post-neonatal, ages 1-4 years, and under 5) for 195 countries and territories and selected subnational geographies, from 1980-2015. We also estimated numbers and rates of stillbirths for these geographies and years. Gaussian process regression with data source adjustments for sampling and non-sampling bias was applied to synthesise input data for under-5 mortality for each geography. Age-specific mortality estimates were generated through a two-stage age-sex splitting process, and stillbirth estimates were produced with a mixed-effects model, which accounted for variable stillbirth definitions and data source-specific biases. For GBD 2015, we did a series of novel analyses to systematically quantify the drivers of trends in child mortality across geographies. First, we assessed observed and expected levels and annualised rates of decrease for under-5 mortality and stillbirths as they related to the Soci-demographic Index (SDI). Second, we examined the ratio of recorded and expected levels of child mortality, on the basis of SDI, across geographies, as well as differences in recorded and expected annualised rates of change for under-5 mortality. Third, we analysed levels and cause compositions of under-5 mortality, across time and geographies, as they related to rising SDI. Finally, we decomposed the changes in under-5 mortality to changes in SDI at the global level, as well as changes in leading causes of under-5 deaths for countries and territories. We documented each step of the GBD 2015 child mortality estimation process, as well as data sources, in accordance with the Guidelines for Accurate and Transparent Health Estimates Reporting (GATHER). FINDINGS: Globally, 5·8 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 5·7-6·0) children younger than 5 years died in 2015, representing a 52·0% (95% UI 50·7-53·3) decrease in the number of under-5 deaths since 1990. Neonatal deaths and stillbirths fell at a slower pace since 1990, decreasing by 42·4% (41·3-43·6) to 2·6 million (2·6-2·7) neonatal deaths and 47·0% (35·1-57·0) to 2·1 million (1·8-2·5) stillbirths in 2015. Between 1990 and 2015, global under-5 mortality decreased at an annualised rate of decrease of 3·0% (2·6-3·3), falling short of the 4·4% annualised rate of decrease required to achieve MDG4. During this time, 58 countries met or exceeded the pace of progress required to meet MDG4. Between 2000, the year MDG4 was formally enacted, and 2015, 28 additional countries that did not achieve the 4·4% rate of decrease from 1990 met the MDG4 pace of decrease. However, absolute levels of under-5 mortality remained high in many countries, with 11 countries still recording rates exceeding 100 per 1000 livebirths in 2015. Marked decreases in under-5 deaths due to a number of communicable diseases, including lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, measles, and malaria, accounted for much of the progress in lowering overall under-5 mortality in low-income countries. Compared with gains achieved for infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies, the persisting toll of neonatal conditions and congenital anomalies on child survival became evident, especially in low-income and low-middle-income countries. We found sizeable heterogeneities in comparing observed and expected rates of under-5 mortality, as well as differences in observed and expected rates of change for under-5 mortality. At the global level, we recorded a divergence in observed and expected levels of under-5 mortality starting in 2000, with the observed trend falling much faster than what was expected based on SDI through 2015. Between 2000 and 2015, the world recorded 10·3 million fewer under-5 deaths than expected on the basis of improving SDI alone. INTERPRETATION: Gains in child survival have been large, widespread, and in many places in the world, faster than what was anticipated based on improving levels of development. Yet some countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, still had high rates of under-5 mortality in 2015. Unless these countries are able to accelerate reductions in child deaths at an extraordinary pace, their achievement of proposed SDG targets is unlikely. Improving the evidence base on drivers that might hasten the pace of progress for child survival, ranging from cost-effective intervention packages to innovative financing mechanisms, is vital to charting the pathways for ultimately ending preventable child deaths by 2030. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Erratum: Department of Error, The Lancet,Volume 389, Issue 10064, 2017, Page e1. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32608-3

Objective: While data on the relationship between fatty acid (FA) composition and the risk for total stroke have accumulated, the association between FA composition and the risk for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) has never been studied. We compared plasma phospholipid FA composition between non-stroke control and ischemic stroke in Korean population, to discern the FA that distinguishes ICAS from total ischemic stroke patients. Methods: Non-stroke controls (n ¼ 215) and stroke patients (no cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis, NCAS: n ¼ 144 and ICAS: n ¼ 104) were finally included in the analysis. Plasma phospholipid FA compositions were analyzed. Results: Age, coexistence of hypertension/diabetes were significantly different among the groups. Phospholipid FA compositions were significantly different between non-stroke control and ischemic stroke patients, and interestingly, between NCAS and ICAS in stroke patients. Pattern analysis showed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the u3-polyunsaturated FAs were important FAs in distinguishing NCAS and ICAS in strokes. Particularly, the risk of ICAS was inversely associated with levels of DHA contents in phospholipids (OR: 0.590, 95% CI: 0.350e0.993, p < 0.05), indicating that the risk may be increased at lower levels of DHA contents. Conclusion: DHA and EPA are important FAs for distinguishing NCAS and ICAS in strokes. Additionally, the risk of ICAS was inversely associated with the levels of phospholipid DHA, which indicates that sufficient amounts of DHA in plasma or in diet may reduce the risk of ICAS.

Aims: We aimed to determine the potential blood markers responsible for the risks of intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) in Korean ischemic stroke patients. Methods: One hundred and sixteen patients diagnosed with ICAS and 188 patients without cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis were examined. All subjects were diagnosed as acute ischemic stroke patients based on brain magnetic resonance imaging results and were admitted within 7 days of symptom onset. Blood lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins including apolipoprotein CIII and apolipoprotein E (apoE), and lipoprotein(a) were measured. Results: No significant differences in total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed between the groups. Also, plasma levels of apolipoprotein CIII and lipoprotein(a) were similar between the groups. On the other hand, patients with ICAS had significantly lower plasma levels of apoE (p < 0.001). Logistic regression and multiple linear regression analysis revealed that plasma apoE levels influenced the risk of ICAS after adjusting for age, body mass index, gender, associated lipid measures, medications and coexisting condition including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and previous stroke. Conclusions: Plasma concentrations of apoE were significantly lower in Korean subjects with ICAS, indicating that a low plasma apoE level may be a risk factor for ICAS in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

We tested the effects of dietary intake of freeze-dried Korean traditional fermented cabbage (generally known as kimchi) with varying amounts of sodium on blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), as a control group, received a regular AIN-76 diet, and the SHRs were divided into four groups. The SHR group was fed a regular diet without kimchi supplementation, the SHR-L group was fed the regular diet supplemented with low sodium kimchi containing 1.4% salt by wet weight, which was provided in a freeze-dried form, the SHR-M group was supplemented with medium levels of sodium kimchi containing 2.4% salt, and the SHR-H group was supplemented with high sodium kimchi containing 3.0% salt. Blood pressure was measured over 6 weeks, and cardiac hypertrophy was examined by measuring heart and left ventricle weights and cardiac histology. SHRs showed higher blood pressure compared to that in WKY rats, which was further elevated by consuming high sodium containing kimchi but was not influenced by supplementing with low sodium kimchi. None of the SHR groups showed significant differences in cardiac and left ventricular mass or cardiomyocyte size. Levels of serum biochemical parameters, including blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, sodium, and potassium were not different among the groups. Elevations in serum levels of aldosterone in SHR rats decreased in the low sodium kimchi group. These results suggest that consuming low sodium kimchi may not adversely affect blood pressure and cardiac function even under a hypertensive condition.

Quercetin, an abundant flavonol found in fruits and vegetable, has been implicated in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease that is often associated with high plasma levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Here we investigated whether quercetin could modulate the expression of LDL receptors (LDLR) in HepG2 cells and the possible underlying mechanisms to exert quercetin's effects. We found that quercetin was able to induce LDLR expression with at least a 75 µ m concentration, which was accompanied by an increase in nuclear sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2). This effect was mediated by activation of c-jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signalling pathways as implicated by experiments using chemical inhibitors of each pathway. When cells were challenged with protein synthesis inhibitors in quercetin-activated LDLR transcription, LDL mRNA levels were not significantly affected by cycloheximide but puromycin abolished quercetin-induced LDLR transcription. Taken together, we conclude that quercetin can initiate LDLR transcription by enhancing SREBP2 processing, but new protein synthesis might be necessary to exert a maximum effect of quercetin in the up-regulation of the LDLR gene. Our findings demonstrate that quercetin strongly up-regulated LDLR gene expression, which might elicit hypolipidemic effects by increasing the clearance of circulating LDL cholesterol levels from the blood. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Metabolic syndrome is one of the major factors to increase the incidence of heart failure. In our study, we compared plasma fatty acid compositions among heart failure patients with and without Metabolic syndrome. Fatty acid (FA) composition of plasma phospholipids was analyzed and the activities of desaturase were estimated as the ratio of substrate and product fatty acids in 85 stable heart failure patients. Fatty acid and estimated desaturase activities were further examined for their associations with Metabolic syndrome components. Heart failure patients with Metabolic syndrome showed significant changes in fatty acid composition in comparison to those without Metabolic syndrome, which had a decreased proportion of lauric acid (C12:0) and an increased proportion of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (C20:3n-6). Also, estimated desaturase activities (D5D and D6D) were closely related to Metabolic syndrome condition among heart failure patients. The content of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid showed positive correlations with BMI, waist circumference, and plasma triglyceride levels. D6D were positively associated with plasma triglyceride levels, whereas D5D showed a negative correlation with plasma triglyceride levels and waist circumferences. The content of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid as well as estimated D6D and D5D were altered in heart failure patients with Metabolic syndrome.

This study examined the relationships between plasma levels of adiponectin and the features of the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype (ALP), including HDL subclasses.Blood lipids and apolipoproteins were measured in 293 healthy individuals. LDL particle size and HDL subspecies (HDL(2), HDL(3)) were measured using gradient gel electrophoresis. Plasma adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with levels of apoB (r=-0.199, p0.001), TG (r=-0.262, p0.001), and HOMA-IR (r=-0.323, p0.001) and positively correlated with levels of apoAI (r=0.173, p=0.006), HDL-cholesterol (r=0.287, p0.001), and LDL particle size (r=0.289, p0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed the relationship between plasma adiponectin and LDL particle size (p0.05) was no longer significant after adjusting for plasma TG levels. However, adiponectin (p0.005) together with apoAI and TG were independent factors for HDL-cholesterol. With regard to HDL subclasses, plasma adiponectin levels were positively correlated with HDL(2b) (r=0.204, p0.001), HDL(2a) (r=0.132, p0.05) and negatively with HDL(3a) (r=-0.128, p0.05), HDL(3b) (r=-0.203, p0.001), and HDL(3c) (r=-0.159, p0.01). The relationship between circulating adiponectin and HDL(2) (HDL(2b)+HDL(2a)) was independent of apoB and TG levels (p0.05), but not of apoAI and HOMA-IR.Our results show that circulating adiponectin is associated with reduced manifestations of ALP.

Numerous studies have suggested that dietary flavonoids contribute to prevent cardiovascular disease. Onion contains many functional phytochemicals such as quercetin. The aim of this study was to examine whether onion peel extracts supplementation affect blood lipid profiles and blood coagulation in animal model. Total 48 Sprague-Dawley male rats at 5 weeks old were divided into 6 groups with different diets(C: control, HF: high fat diet, HFOE 0.01%: high fat+onion peel extract 0.01% diet, HFOE 0.02%, HFOE 0.05%, HFOE 0.1%) for 8 weeks. Onion peel extract supplementation significantly decreased serum levels of LDL-cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol, while total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not affected. Hematological parameters(hematocrit, white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet count) and blood coagulation parameters(prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and fibrinogen) were not significantly different among 6 groups. However, activated partial thromboplastin time of HFOE 0.05% group was significantly longer than that of HF group. These results indicate that onion peel extract supplementation displays hypocholestrolemic effects but does not seem to have anti-coagulation effects in high fat fed SD rats.

Gallium nitride (GaN) nanoflowers were synthesized on a silicon (Si) substrate at growth temperatures of 650 and 600 °C and under HCl:NH 3 flow ratios of 1:20, 1:30, and 1:40 by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. Numerous nanorod and nanoneedle burs were formed within each nanoflower. The nanoflower size increased with increasing NH 3 gas flow rate. The nanoflower formation mechanism is proposed based on cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy images and bright field image of scanning transmission electron microscopy. Nanoflowers were evolved from irregular regions with AlN–SiO 2 grains on a Si substrate, i.e., the roughness of substrate affects nanoflower formation by causing nanoburs to protrude, exposing them to higher gas concentrations.

We examined the effects of quercetin-rich onion peel extract supplementation on adipokine expressions from adipose tissues in a diet-induced obese animal model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24) were randomly assigned into control (n = 8), high fat diet (HF, n = 8) and high fat diet with onion peel extract (HFOE, n = 8). After 8 weeks, serum biochemical parameters, weights of adipose tissues (epididymal, perirenal and mesenteric fats) and adipokine mRNA levels (adiponectin, IL (interleukin)-6 and visfatin) along with PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) γ2 from adipose tissues were measured. After the 8 week supplementation, mesenteric fat weights were lower in the HFOE group than the HF group (p

This study aimed to examine the association of dietary vitamin intakes with plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in Korean heart failure patients. Stable outpatients with heart failure were recruited and finally 91 patients were included. Dietary intakes were estimated by a developed semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The simultaneous measurement of 17 cytokines was performed along with analysis of plasma C-reactive protein. Plasma C-reactive protein levels significantly correlated with dietary intakes of vitamin C (r = −0.30, p

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CLA supplementation on antioxidant metabolism in healthy overweight/obese Korean individuals. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, where 29 healthy overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2) participants (2 men and 27 women) were randomly selected to receive placebo (n = 15, 2.4 g olive oil/day) or 2.4 g/day CLA mixture (n = 14, 36.9% of cis-9, trans-11 and 37.9% of trans-10, cis-12) for 8 weeks. There were no significant differences in plasma total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP), lipid peroxidation (conjugated dienes), lipid-soluble antioxidant vitamin concentration, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) activities, and leukocyte DNA damage between the CLA and placebo groups. The data suggest that short-term supplementation (8 weeks) with CLA (2.4 g/day) might have no significant effects on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant metabolism.

Objectives This study aimed to investigate new biomarkers of obesity particularly in relation with inflammation-associated proteins using protein differential display techniques. Design and methods Comparison of protein expression in plasma between non-obese (n = 109, body mass index, BMI

Objectives We sought to identify metabolic pathways characterizing human heart failure (HF) using 1NMR based urinary metabolomic analysis in conjunction with multivariate statistics. Design and methods Patients with systolic HF of ischemic origin (n = 15) and healthy controls (n = 20) participated in this study. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were excluded. Results The results showed that the urine of the HF patients had higher levels of metabolites for acetate (p Conclusions TCA cycle metabolites and fatty acid metabolism were modified in the HF patients, indicating altered energy metabolism. Moreover, perturbations of metabolism in nucleotide and methylmalonate were observed.

Limited information from human studies indicates that dietary quercetin supplementation influences blood lipid profiles, glycemic response, and inflammatory status, collectively termed cardiometabolic risks. We tested the hypothesis that quercetin-rich supplementation, derived from onion peel extract, improves cardiometabolic risk components in healthy male smokers in a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled parallel design. Randomly assigned subjects were instructed to take either the placebo (n = 43) or 100 mg quercetin capsules each day (n = 49) for 10 weeks. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured, and blood lipids, glucose, interleukin-6, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were determined at baseline and after 10 weeks of quercetin supplementation. Quercetin-rich supplementation significantly reduced serum concentrations of total cholesterol (P < 0.05) and LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.01), whereas these effects were not shown in the placebo group. Furthermore, significant increases were observed in serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol both in the placebo (P < 0.005) and quercetin-rich supplementation group (P < 0.001); however, changes in HDL-cholesterol were significantly greater in subjects receiving quercetin-rich supplementation than the placebo. Both systolic (P < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01) decreased significantly in the quercetin-rich supplementation group. Glucose concentrations decreased significantly after 10 weeks of quercetin-rich supplementation (P < 0.05). In contrast, no effects of quercetin-rich supplementation were observed for the inflammatory markers-IL-6 and sVCAM-1. Daily quercetin-rich supplementation from onion peel extract improved blood lipid profiles, glucose, and blood pressure, suggesting a beneficial role for quercetin as a preventive measure against cardiovascular risk.

In the present study, we evaluated the relationships of estimated desaturase activities with cardiometabolic risk factors including abdominal obesity, atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype and inflammation in Koreans. Ninety-three healthy volunteers participated in this cross-sectional study. LDL particle size was determined using gradient gel electrophoresis and inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and adiponectin were measured. Stearoyl–coA desaturase, delta-6 desaturase and delta-5 desaturase were estimated as precursor to fatty acid ratios. The results showed that stearoyl–coA desaturase was correlated with body mass index (r = 0.235, p

A controlled and double blinded trial was performed to evaluate the effects of OPE supplementation on blood circulation in healthy male smokers. The study population consisted of 92 healthy male smokers aged 44.4±7.8 years. The supplement group (n=49) received OPE containing 100 ㎎ quercetin/day for 10 weeks, while the control group (n=43) received placebo powders. The prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time increased significantly after OPE consumption, indicating the attenuated blood clot formation by OPE. In conclusion, these results indicate that the daily consumption of OPE (containing 100 ㎎ quercetin) for 10 weeks exerts significant health benefits through the modulation of physiological functions including the blood circulation in male smokers.

Plasma levels of both apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) and small, dense LDL particles are associated with plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations, and are markers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We tested whether there is an association of apoCIII with small, dense LDL levels that is independent of plasma TG level.For study I, concentrations of blood lipids, apolipoproteins, and LDL subfractions (analytical ultracentrifugation, AnUC) were measured in 141 healthy middle-aged males. In study II (n=14), density gradient ultracentrifugation of plasma was performed, and 3 fractions in the LDL density range (1.019-1.063 g/ml) were collected.In study I, plasma levels of apoCIII in apoB-containing lipoproteins (LpB:CIII) were associated positively with concentrations of LDL3 (p0.001) and LDL4 (p0.001) and negatively with LDL peak particle size (p0.05) with adjustment for plasma TG. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that LpB:CIII was significantly associated with small, dense LDL (LDL3+LDL4) levels after adjusting for age, BMI, plasma levels of TG, apoB, and HDL-cholesterol. In study II, the molar ratio of apoCIII to apoB in the LDL fraction of highest density (1.049-1.064 g/ml) was found to be significantly greater (p0.001) than that in each of two LDL fractions of lower density (1.033-1.038 g/ml; p0.001 and 1.038-1.049 g/ml; p0.001).Increased apoCIII content may contribute to metabolic and pathologic properties of small, dense LDL particles.

GaN nanochestnuts with numerous nanorods and nanoneedles were synthesized on AlN/Si(111) substrate using hydride vapour phase epitaxy (HVPE) method under constant N2 carrier gas flow rate. The formation process of nanochestnuts was systematically investigated and discussed on the basis of the experimental results. The nanochestnuts were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and cathodoluminescence (CL). GaN nanochestnuts were revealed as the composition of core, circular stacking layers, and surrounded with nanorods or nanoneedles on all sides. The resultant nanochestnuts may be a promising structure for omnidirectional nano device applications in the future.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES This study aimed to test the association between APOA5 3'-UTR variants (rs662799) and cardiometabolic traits in Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS For this study, epidemiological data, Apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) genotype information, and lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) biospecimens from a subset of the Ansung-Ansan cohort within the Korean Genome and Epidemiology study (KoGES-ASAS; n = 7,704) as well as epidemiological data along with genomic DNA biospecimens of participants from a subset of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES 2011-12; n = 2,235) were obtained. APOA5 mRNA expression was also measured. RESULTS APOA5 rs662799 genotype distributions in both the KoGES-ASAS and KNHANES groups were 50.6% for TT, 41.3% for TC, and 8.1% for CC, which are similar to those in previous reports. In both groups, minor C allele carriers, particularly subjects with CC homozygosity, had lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and higher triglyceride levels than TT homozygotes. Linear regression analysis showed that the minor C allele significantly contributed to reduction of circulating HDL cholesterol levels [β = −2.048, P < 0.001; β = −2.199, P < 0.001] as well as elevation of circulating triglyceride levels [β = 0.053, P < 0.001; β = 0.066, P < 0.001] in both the KoGES-ASAS and KNHANES groups. In addition, higher expression levels of APOA5 in LCLs of 64 healthy individuals were negatively associated with body mass index (r = −0.277, P = 0.027) and circulating triglyceride level (r = −0.340, P = 0.006) but not significantly correlated with circulating HDL cholesterol level. On the other hand, we observed no significant difference in the mRNA level of APOA5 according to APOA5 rs662799 polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS The C allele of APOA5 rs662799 was found to be significantly associated with cardiometabolic traits in a large Korean population from the KoGES-ASAS and KNHANES. The effect of this genotype may be associated with post-transcriptional regulation, which deserves further experimental confirmation.

We developed a novel technique for obtaining a residual-strain-free GaN layer by the hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) method using one-dimensional nanostructures. The GaN layer was grown on a Si(1 1 1) substrate with a conventional AlN film and one-dimensional GaN nanostructures. The nanostructures were grown for 2 h with a HCl:NH3 gas flow ratio of 1:50. The growth rate of nanoneedles at 600 °C and nanorods at 650 °C were 2.553 and 2.193 μm/h, respectively. The overgrown GaN layer was grown at 1050 °C for 5 and 10 min. We obtained a GaN layer of 1.833 μm thickness and c = 5.1849 A. The morphology, crystalline structure, and optical characteristics of the GaN layer were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence.

Red cell distribution width (RDW) has recently been discovered to be a novel prognostic marker in patients with heart failure. However, the relation between RDW and echocardiographic parameters in acute heart failure (AHF) has not been studied.We analyzed laboratory findings including RDW, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and echocardiographic parameters in 100 patients with AHF. The mean RDW was 14.2 +/- 2.0% and median NT-proBNP was 5183 pg/mL. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 33.1 +/- 14.5% and early mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/E'), was 21.2 +/- 9.4. When the RDW was considered in tertile categories, the highest tertile group (14.5%) had higher E/E' (P.001) and higher NT-proBNP (P = .02) than the lowest tertile group (13.2%). In multiple linear regression analysis, RDW was independently correlated with E/E' even after adjustment of other risk factors (beta-coefficient 0.431, P = .001). The optimal cutoff value of RDW for predicting E/E'15, suggesting elevated left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) was 13.45% (area under the curve 0.633, P.05). An additive power of RDW with NT-proBNP for predicting E/E'15 was found in logistic regression analysis (P = .038).We found a novel relation between higher levels of RDW and elevated E/E' in patients with AHF. This novel finding raises the possibility that a simple marker, RDW may be associated with elevated LVFP in patients with AHF.

Background: Although ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are known to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases, their prognostic value has not been studied prospectively in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods and Results: The plasma levels of phospholipids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (% of total fatty acids), were measured in 508 patients (365 males; mean age, 63 years) with AMI. Clinical and biomarker predictors of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were identified by stepwise Cox regression model. During a mean follow-up of 16.1 months, 36 (7.1%) patients died. After controlling for confounding variables, age (hazard ratio (HR): 1.09, P

Oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs) on apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) particles are strongly associated with lipoprotein [a] (Lp[a]). In this study, we evaluated whether Lp[a] is preferentially the carrier of OxPL in human plasma. The content of OxPL on apoB-100 particles was measured with monoclonal antibody E06, which recognizes the phosphocholine (PC) headgroup of oxidized but not native phospholipids. To assess whether OxPLs were preferentially bound by Lp[a] as opposed to other lipoproteins, immunoprecipitation and ultracentrifugation experiments, in vitro transfer studies, and chemiluminescent ELISAs were performed. Immunoprecipitation of Lp[a] from human plasma with an apolipoprotein [a] (apo[a])-specific antibody demonstrated that more than 85% of E06 reactivity (i.e., OxPL) coimmunoprecipitated with Lp[a]. Ultracentrifugation experiments showed that nearly all OxPLs were found in fractions containing apo[a], as opposed to other apolipoproteins. In vitro transfer studies showed that oxidized LDL preferentially donates OxPLs to Lp[a], as opposed to LDL, in a time- and temperature-dependent manner, even in aqueous buffer. Approximately 50% of E06 immunoreactivity could be extracted from isolated Lp[a] following exposure of plasma to various lipid solvents. These data demonstrate that Lp[a] is the preferential carrier of PC-containing OxPL in human plasma. This unique property of Lp[a] suggests novel insights into its physiological function and mechanisms of atherogenicity.

We tested whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PPARalpha gene (PPARA) are associated with variations in levels of plasma apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) levels, as well as other lipids and lipoproteins, in African-Americans and Caucasians.We initially identified an intronic SNP (rs4253728) in PPARA that was associated with plasma apoCIII level (p0.05) in a subset of 435 individuals from the total study population (n=944; 335 African-Americans and 609 Caucasians). This SNP was then genotyped in a second subset of 476 individuals (total 911 subjects with available data), and a previously described PPARA coding SNP (L162V) which was shown to be in moderate linkage disequilibrium with the intronic SNP (r(2)=0.18) was genotyped in 928 subjects from the same study population. The minor allele frequencies for both SNPs were significantly lower in African-Americans compared with Caucasians (7.2% vs. 27.3% for rs4253728, 1.5% vs. 6.1% for L162V, both p0.0001). African-Americans had significantly lower levels of TG and apoCIII compared with Caucasians after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and other baseline characteristics. However, racial differences in TG levels were attenuated after adjusting for apoCIII levels. The minor alleles for both PPARA SNPs were associated with higher TG and apoCIII levels. Race modified the associations of L162V with TG (p for interaction=0.0056) and apoCIII (p for interaction=0.0011). Levels of both TG and apoCIII were lower in African-American but not Caucasian homozygotes for the major allele compared with carriers of the minor allele. Similar results were obtained for the intronic SNP, but the findings were no longer significant in a model that also contained L162V.Two PPARA SNPs, L162V and rs4253728 (intronic), are less prevalent in African-Americans than in Caucasians and in African-Americans only are associated with higher apoCIII and TG levels.

Statins are known to possess antioxidant properties in addition to their cholesterol-lowering effects. However, recent studies have suggested that statins reduce the levels of antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin E and coenzyme Q(10), possibly resulting in impaired left ventricular function. We investigated the effects of simvastatin on the blood lipids, LDL oxidation and plasma antioxidant status, and whether these effects were associated with changes in plasma antioxidant vitamin levels.Simvastatin (20-40 mg/day) was administered for 8 weeks in seventy-six hypercholesterolemic patients. We measured plasma lipids, oxidized LDL, total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) and plasma antioxidant vitamin levels at baseline and after 8 weeks of simvastatin administration.Simvastatin significantly lowered serum levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol by 30.1% and 41.9%, respectively. A significant reduction in oxidized LDL levels (p0.0001) and improvement in plasma antioxidant status as measured by TRAP (p0.05) after the 8-week simvastatin treatment were observed. Regarding the effects of simvastatin on plasma antioxidant vitamin levels, there were significant increases in the levels of lipid-corrected retinol (p0.001), alpha-tocopherol (p0.001) and gamma-tocopherol (p0.005) after the 8-week simvastatin treatment. Lipid-corrected levels of coenzyme Q10 and carotenoids remained unchanged after simvastatin treatment.Our results show that simvastatin reduced blood lipids and circulating oxidized LDL, and improved plasma antioxidant status without altering the antioxidant vitamin system. These data indicate that simvastatin not only decreases blood lipids and circulating oxidized LDL but also increases lipid corrected levels of antioxidant vitamins and may improve plasma antioxidant status synergizing with the biological effects of antioxidants.

Mendelian randomisation studies from Asia suggest detrimental influences of alcohol on cardiovascular risk factors, but such associations are observed mainly in men. The absence of associations of genetic variants (e.g. rs671 in ALDH2) with such risk factors in women – who drank little in these populations – provides evidence that the observations are not due to genetic pleiotropy. Here, we present a Mendelian randomisation study in a South Korean population (3,365 men and 3,787 women) that 1) provides robust evidence that alcohol consumption adversely affects several cardiovascular disease risk factors, including blood pressure, waist to hip ratio, fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels. Alcohol also increases HDL cholesterol and lowers LDL cholesterol. Our study also 2) replicates sex differences in associations which suggests pleiotropy does not underlie the associations, 3) provides further evidence that association is not due to pleiotropy by showing null effects in male non-drinkers and 4) illustrates a way to measure population-level association where alcohol intake is stratified by sex. In conclusion, population-level instrumental variable estimation (utilizing interaction of rs671 in ALDH2 and sex as an instrument) strengthens causal inference regarding the largely adverse influence of alcohol intake on cardiovascular health in an Asian population.

This study examined whether oral administration of an arginase inhibitor regulates adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and inflammation in mice with high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 30) were randomly assigned to control (CTL, n = 10), HFD only (n = 10), and HFD with arginase inhibitor Nω-hydroxy-nor- l -arginine (HFD with nor-NOHA, n = 10) groups. Plasma and mRNA levels of cytokines in epididymal adipose tissues (EAT), macrophage infiltration into EAT, and macrophage phenotype polarization were measured in the animals after 12 weeks. Additionally, the effects of nor-NOHA on adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and mRNA expression of cytokines were measured in co-cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages. Macrophage infiltration into the adipocytes was significantly suppressed by nor-NOHA treatment in adipocyte/macrophage co-culture system and mice with HFD-induced obesity. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were significantly downregulated, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was significantly upregulated in nor-NOHA-treated co-cultured cells. In the mice with HFD-induced obesity, plasma and mRNA levels of MCP-1 significantly reduced after supplementation with nor-NOHA. In addition, oral supplement of nor-NOHA modified M1/M2 phenotype ratio in the EAT. Oral supplementation of an arginase inhibitor, nor-NOHA, altered M1/M2 macrophage phenotype and macrophage infiltration into HFD-induced obese adipose tissue, thereby improved adipose tissue inflammatory response. These results may indicate that arginase inhibition ameliorates obesity-induced adipose tissue inflammation.

Cardioembolic (CE) stroke is the most severe subtype of ischemic stroke with high recurrence and mortality. However, there is still little information on the association of plasma fatty acid (FA) with CE stroke. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis whether the composition of plasma phospholipid FA is associated with the risk of CE stroke. The study subjects were collected from the Korea University Stroke Registry. Twenty-one subjects were selected as CE stroke group, and 39 age- and sex-matched subjects with non-CE stroke were selected as controls. Sociodemographic factors, clinical measurements, and plasma phospholipid FA compositions were compared between the groups. Logistic regression was used to obtain estimates of the associations between the relevant FAs and CE stroke. The result showed that the CE stroke group had higher levels of free FA and lower levels of triglycerides before and after adjustment (all P < .05). In the regression analysis, elaidic acid (18:1Tn9) and arachidonic acid (20:4n6) were positively related, but lignoceric acid (24:0) was negatively related to CE stroke in all constructed models (all P < .05). In conclusion, plasma phospholipid FA composition was associated with CE stroke risk in Korean population, with higher proportions of elaidic acid and arachidonic acid and lower proportion of lignoceric acid in CE stroke.

Lipid metabolites are indispensable regulators of physiological and pathological processes, including atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the complex changes in lipid metabolites and metabolism that occur in patients with these conditions are incompletely understood. We performed lipid profiling to identify alterations in lipid metabolism in patients with angina and myocardial infarction (MI). Global lipid profiling was applied to serum samples from patients with CAD (angina and MI) and age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy subjects using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis. A multivariate analysis showed a clear separation between the patients with CAD and normal controls. Lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (lysoPE) species containing unsaturated fatty acids and free fatty acids were associated with an increased risk of CAD, whereas species of lysoPC and lyso-alkyl PC containing saturated fatty acids were associated with a decreased risk. Additionally, PC species containing palmitic acid, diacylglycerol, sphingomyelin, and ceramide were associated with an increased risk of MI, whereas PE-plasmalogen and phosphatidylinositol species were associated with a decreased risk. In MI patients, we found strong positive correlation between lipid metabolites related to the sphingolipid pathway, sphingomyelin, and ceramide and acute inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). The results of this study demonstrate altered signatures in lipid metabolism in patients with angina or MI. Lipidomic profiling could provide the information to identity the specific lipid metabolites under the presence of disturbed metabolic pathways in patients with CAD.