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Zinc is a trace metal vital for various functions in nerve cells, although the effect of zinc deficiency on neuronal autophagy remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate whether zinc deficiency induced by treatment with N, N, N′, N′-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN), a zinc chelator, affects and alters autophagy activity. In cell viability assays, TPEN showed cytotoxicity in HT-22 cells. TPEN treatment also increased LC3-II levels and the ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I. Western blot analysis showed that phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase levels and the ratio of phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase to total AMP-activated protein kinase increased. Protein levels of the mammalian target of rapamycin and sirtuin 1 decreased following TPEN treatment. When TPEN-treated HT-22 cells were cotreated with autophagy inhibitors, 3-methyladenine (1 mM), or bafilomycin A1 (3 nM), the TPEN-induced decrease in cell viability was exacerbated. Cotreatment with chloroquine (10 μM) partially restored cell viability. The study showed that zinc deficiency induces autophagy and may be cytoprotective in neurons. We expect our results to add a new perspective to our understanding of the neuronal pathology related to zinc deficiency.

Introduction Wall-eyed bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia (WEBINO) is a rare variation of internuclear ophthalmoplegia associated with bilateral lesions of the medial longitudinal fasciculus. Case report In this case, the edematous lesions of the ipsilateral midbrain infarction appeared to compress the contralateral medial longitudinal fasciculus, resulting in WEBINO. Treatment of focal cerebral edema caused by ischemic stroke is still under debate. However, in this case, antiedema treatment was implemented to prevent the sequelae of the edematous lesion caused by a midbrain infarction, and a relatively rapid improvement of ocular symptoms was observed. Conclusion Herein, we report a rare case of WEBINO caused by a unilateral midbrain infarction in which the patient experienced edema-related neurological deficits. This case provides evidence that early antiedema therapy may benefit patients with similar presentations.

This study investigated the use of basil seed gum (BSG) as a fat substitute on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of yogurt. A 0.5 and 1% BSG solution was supplemented to reduced-fat and nonfat yogurts, and their physicochemical properties, quality properties, antioxidant activity, and sensory evaluation were compared with each control group. We prepared 3 yogurts as controls and 4 yogurt samples containing BSG as follows: FFY (yogurt made from full-fat milk: a control group), LFY (yogurt made from reduced-fat milk: a control group), SY (yogurt made from nonfat milk: a control group), LFY 0.5% (0.5% BSG added to reduced-fat yogurt), LFY 1.0% (1.0% BSG added to reduced-fat yogurt), SY 0.5% (0.5% BSG added to nonfat yogurt), and SY 1.0% (1.0% BSG added to nonfat yogurt). The pH of LFY 0.5% and LFY 1.0% was decreased compared with LFY control, whereas pH of SY 0.5% and SY 1.0% had no significant difference. The titratable acidity showed no significant increase. The viscosity was the highest in FFY among the control groups and increased with the concentration of BSG in the SY group. The L-value (brightness) and b-value (yellowness) were the highest in FFY at 85.05 among the control groups. The L-value and b-value of LFY 0.5% and SY 0.5% showed higher values than LFY 1% and SY 1%. The a-value (redness) was the highest in SY 0.5% at -2.36, and ΔE (total color difference) was the highest in SY 1% at 7.33. The moisture content of SY was the highest among the control groups and addition of 1% BSG to SY was highest among the BSG-added group. Total contents of phenol and flavonoid slightly increased as the concentration of BSG increased (increase in the contents of phenol and flavonoid). The results of ferric reducing antioxidant power were similar to the findings of phenol and flavonoid content (an increase as the concentration of BSG increased). The overall acceptability of sensory characteristics was improved in all groups of samples when BSG 1% concentration increased. Application of BSG for the production of nonfat yogurt can enhance physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and sensory characteristics of reduced-fat and nonfat yogurt. Addition of BSG to reduced-fat and nonfat yogurt can improve their physical and antioxidant properties to the level of FFY.

We investigated the quality characteristics of cookies prepared using different seaweeds native to the Korean coast. Flour made from four different seaweed species (Sargassum fulvellum, Ent...

Background. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease, and conventional medications are often insufficient for treatment. Bojungikgi-tang (BJIGT) is an herbal medicine widely used in traditional medicine and has anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects. We hypothesize that BJIGT would improve nasal symptoms in patients with persistent AR (PAR). Methods. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II trial. A total of 105 patients, identified with perennial allergens, with a history of PAR and a mean total nasal symptom score (TNSS) ≥ 5 during the run-in period will be recruited from Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital. Participants will be randomly assigned to a high-dose BJIGT group, standard-dose BJIGT group, or control group (placebo) in a 1 : 1 : 1 allocation ratio after a week run-in period. The treatment medication will be taken three times per day for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the mean change in the TNSS before and after medication. The secondary outcome measures include the Korean Allergic Rhinitis-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, total IgE and eosinophil count, overall assessment of AR, pattern identification questionnaire for AR, and Sasang constitution. Discussion. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of BJIGT in the treatment of PAR and to determine the suitable dosage of BJIGT. Therefore, we planned a randomized, controlled, phase II trial of two different doses of BJIGT compared with placebo, and the results of this study are expected to provide evidence for the use of BJIGT as a treatment of PAR. Trial Registration. The National Clinical Trial Registry Clinical Research Information Service, CRIS, KCT0006616, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/20706.

Background. Obstructive airway disease is a major health problem and has a great impact on global socioeconomic burden. Despite therapeutic advances in recent decades, there is still a need for effective and safe therapeutic agents for patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods. This prospective observational study explored the effects of herbal medicines in patients with asthma and COPD. All participants visited the hospital at least every 4 weeks for 12 weeks to receive their herbal medicines based on their pattern identification and to evaluate safety and efficacy endpoints. We followed the diagnostic criteria used by Korean medicine doctors to prescribe herbal medicines, explored variations in prescribed herbal medicines, and explored a number of clinical features in patients with asthma or COPD. Results. A total of 24 patients were enrolled: 14 were diagnosed with asthma and 10 with COPD and 19 completed the study. After 12 weeks of herbal medicine treatment, herbal medicines significantly improved the modified Clinical Asthma Measurement Scale in Oriental Medicine-V in asthma patients and the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire in COPD patients. For all patients, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale score and interleukin-13 were found to be significantly different after treatment. Additionally, the majority of patients were satisfied with our herbal medicine treatments, and no severe adverse events were reported during the study. Conclusions. Our study provides preliminary clinical data on the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines in patients with asthma and COPD.

The distribution of plant communities in the reclaimed land of the southwestern coasts of South Korea, along with the environmental or plant factors, was studied through canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and the competitor (C), stress tolerator (S), and ruderal (R) (CSR) ecological strategies. The coastal reclaimed land plants were classified into three plant-factor groups in the CCA biplot diagram. Axis1 was correlated with LS, SLA, CH, and FS. Axis 2 was correlated with LDMC, FP, and LDW. The reclaimed landplants were classified into three soil-factor groups in the CCA biplot diagram. First, the group factor was correlated with SAND. Second, the group factor was distributed according to T-N and TOC. Third, the group factor was distributed according to Salinity content. To clarify the relative significance of competition, stress, and disturbance in the distribution process of plant communities, the CSR distribution model was adopted. Sixteen of the 19 species were allocated to the factors related to the ruderals strategies such as R/CR and CR including R/CSR, SR/CSR, and CR/CSR, and SC strategies. They displayed ruderal and competition adaptation strategies reflecting the ecological environment. Seven species showed R/CR (ruderal/competitor-ruderal) strategies; Aeschno meneindica, Chenopodium album var. centrorubrum, Lolium perenne, Lotus corniculatus var. japonicus, Phragmites communis, Portulaca oleracea, and Soncous brachyotus and 6 species showed CR (competitor-ruderal) strategies; Bidens frondosa, Echinochloa crus-galli, Echino chloaoryzicola, Erigeron canadensis, Fimbristy lislongispica and Setaria viridis. The three species with R-related strategies were Artemisia princeps, Lolium perenne, and Trifolium repens. The distribution patterns of the CCA diagrams and CSR triangles may provide a useful scientific basis for protecting and restoring reclaimed lands and their valuable ecosystem services, from the increasing disturbances.

This study examined the effects of banana peel powder on the quality of noodles. Five different wet noodle samples were prepared with various ratio of KF (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%). The properties of banana peel powder and wheat flour (WF), the color values, cooking properties, texture, antioxidant activities of wet noodles were investigated. The moisture content of noodles were not show significant difference between the samples. The pH was decreased by adding banana peel powder where as the turbidity was increased by adding banana peel powder. The water absorption and volume expansion ratio and cooking loss were lowest in 8% sample. The L-values was decreased as the amount of banana peel powder increased. The a-value was significantly increased and also the b-value increased as the banana peel powder increased. ΔE was the highest in 8% sample. observed in both raw and cooked noodles, while the a-values and b-values of both types increased (p

In the present study, we substituted sugar with artificial sweeteners (erythritol, fracto-oligosaccharide, tagatose, erythritol with stevia (erythritol: stevia leaf extract = 90:10)) in custard pudding, and compared to the quality characteristics and sensory properties of custard puddings with vario...

Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) leads to impaired mobility and limited independence. Objective We investigated the effects of acupuncture on gait disturbance and analyzed hemodynamic changes caused by acupuncture in the cerebral cortex of patients with PD. Methods Participants (n = 26) with gait disturbance due to PD were randomly assigned to the intervention (acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks + conventional therapy) or control (conventional therapy) groups. We analyzed gait parameters using the GAITRite system and hemodynamic responses in the cerebral cortices using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores, neurotransmitter levels, as well as the immediate effects of acupuncture in patients with PD. Results The participants tended to walk with hypometric gait (high cadence, short steps) overground. After acupuncture treatment, those in the intervention group showed a significant reduction in cadence and the UPDRS scores involving “walking and balance” compared with those in the control group ( P = .004 and P = .020, respectively); the stride, swing, and single support times were significantly increased ( P = .006, P = .001, and P = .001, respectively). Oxyhemoglobin levels in the intervention group while walking on a treadmill were significantly increased in the prefrontal and supplementary motor areas. The oxyhemoglobin levels in the prefrontal cortex and swing time revealed significant positive correlations. Conclusions Our findings indicated that acupuncture tended to improve hypometric gait and rearranged activation of the cerebral cortex. Thus, acupuncture may be a useful complementary treatment for gait disturbance, including hypometric gait, in patients with PD. Trial Registration Number. Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0002603), https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index.jsp

Purpose This preliminary study aimed to compare the outcomes of an occupational therapist-led and a nurse-led computerized cognitive training (CCT) for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults. Design A single-blind randomized controlled trial was performed. Methods Participants 65 years of age and older with MCI were randomly assigned to a group led by an occupational therapist or by a nurse. Both groups received CCT for 4 weeks. Findings Six participants in the occupational therapist-led group and nine in the nurse-led group completed CCT. The nurse-led group showed significant improvement in scores on the Seoul Verbal Learning Test-Elderly's version immediate recall scores (p = .030) and the Korean-Boston Naming Test (p = .012). Conclusions Nurse-led CCT demonstrated improvement in some language and memory areas in older adults with MCI. Clinical relevance This study supports the idea of educating nurses to use a CCT program for treating older adults with MCI to improve their cognitive function.

Pound cakes were prepared with four different proportions of d‐allulose (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, designated AL25‐AL100 cakes, respectively, with sucrose used instead for the control cake (CON)), and the cake product aeration, textural, and sensorial properties were evaluated. The crust browning index increased with the increase in added d‐allulose. The solvent retention capacity was the highest in CON and decreased in the cakes with increasing d‐allulose proportions. The crumb moisture decreased from CON to AL100, whereas the samples showed no significant differences in cooking factor, batter moisture, batter yield, and baking loss. The crumb hardness was the highest for CON and lowest for AL25. Aside from CON, the AL25, AL50, and AL75 cakes had high appearance and flavor scores, and there was no significant difference in the texture scores. These results suggest that pound cake can be accepted as palatable low‐calorie, low‐sugar cakes when up to 25% of allulose is added. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Sugar reduction is a global consumer trend and governments around the world have also implemented policies to reduce the sugar consumption, and the market for alternative sweeteners is growing accordingly. Based on the present study, d‐allulose performed as desirable partial substitute of sucrose in pound cake. Regarding the low calorie and low glycemic index of d‐allulose, replacement of sucrose with d‐allulose would be an appropriate choice. d‐Allulose can be used not only in the baked goods but also in a variety of foods.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a management modality that improves the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, PR is not readily accessible. Therefore, we developed lung-conduction exercises (LCE) that can be performed easily without any limitations. The purpose of this randomized, assessor-blind, multicenter pilot trial was to compare the effects of LCE with PR and standard care (SC) in COPD patients. Methods: Twenty-five participants who met the eligibility criteria were randomly allocated to the SC group (only medication, n = 9), LCE group (medication + LCE, 5 times a week, n = 8), or PR group (medication + PR, 5 times a week, n = 8). The 6-minute walk distance (6WMD), pulmonary function test, modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, COPD assessment test (CAT), and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) survey were carried out before starting the trial and after 4 and 8 weeks to determine motor performance, lung function, and dyspnea. Results: After 8 weeks, the pulmonary function test scores were the same. The 6MWD (PR, 28.3 ± 38.5; LCE, 14.5 ± 53.1; SC, 11.5 ± 20.5; P = .984), modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (PR, 0.8 ± 1.0; LCE, 0.8 ± 0.8; SC, 0.3 ± 0.5; P = .772), CAT (PR, 7.3 ± 6.2; LCE, 4.2 ± 5.2; SC, 1.0 ± 2.2; P = .232), and SGRQ scores (PR, 11.5 ± 15.4; LCE, 5.5 ± 13.1; SC, 4.8 ± 5.1; P = .358 [PR vs LCE], P = .795 [PR vs SC]) had improved in order of PR, LCE, and SC group. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the outcome measures between the groups, there were clinically significant improvements in the CAT and SGRQ scores. Conclusions: In this trial, PR showed more improvement in symptoms and quality of life than SC alone. To seek a more precise use of LCE, further full-sized studies with a long duration and additional outcome measures such as psychological assessment tools and cost-effectiveness ratio should be conducted. Trial registration: KCT0004724.

The involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been suggested in several reports. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number as well as methylation of the D-loop region and peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-1α (PPARGC1A) are considered biomarkers for mitochondrial dysfunction. We compared the mtDNA copy number and methylation ratio of the D-loop region and PPARGC1A between ADHD patients and controls and also among ADHD subtypes. The present study included 70 subjects with ADHD and 70 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs). We measured the relative mtDNA copy number in peripheral blood cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the methylation ratio was measured using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) after bisulfite conversion. The relative mtDNA copy number was significantly higher in ADHD patients than in HCs (p = 0.028). The mtDNA methylation ratio of PPARGC1A was decreased in ADHD patients compared with HCs (p = 0.008). After adjusting for IQ level, only the mtDNA copy number differed between the ADHD and HCs (p = 0.01). There was a significant difference in the methylation ratio of PPARGC1A among ADHD subtypes. These results suggest the possible involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of ADHD. Further large cohort studies investigating the correlation between clinical markers and biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction are warranted.

Background Almost half of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients progress to dementia, which is associated with decreased quality of life and obstacles to independent living. Relevant management is expected to prevent MCI patients from progressing to dementia. In recent years, electroacupuncture (EA) has been used to treat various kinds of neurological disorders including MCI. This study evaluates the use of EA for MCI patients to increase cognitive function through a comparison with Western medications. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCT) or systematical reviews (SR) of EA versus Western medications for MCI were searched using the following 10 databases: Pubmed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry (JON), Korean Medical Database (KMBASE), KoreaMed, and OASIS, from October 2007 to August 2017, without language restriction. A methodological quality assessment of RCTs or SRs that met inclusion criteria was conducted using Cochrane Risk of bias (RoB) tool and a meta-analysis by RevMan (Review Manager) 5.3.5 version of Cochrane collaboration. Results Five RCTs with 257 patients met inclusion criteria and those were randomly divided into two groups: the EA group (n = 103) and Western medications group (n = 154). The methodological quality of the included studies showed high risk or/and unclear of risk of bias. The meta-analysis of five studies reported that the EA group was better than the Western medications group, improving the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score by 0.65 [95% CI 0.28~1.01] higher mean difference, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score by 0.66 [95% CI 0.00~1.32] higher mean difference. Adverse effects were not reported in the selected studies. Conclusion Electroacupuncture was an effective treatment for MCI patients by improving cognitive function. However, the included studies presented a low methodological quality and no adverse effects were reported. Thus, further comprehensive studies with a design in depth are needed to derive significant results.

Detergency and surface active properties of mixed anionic surfactants with amphoteric and nonionic were investigated. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and...

Weekly and monthly electric load forecasting are essential for the generator maintenance plan and the systematic operation of the electric power reserve. This paper proposes the weekly maximum electric load forecasting model for 104 weeks with the multiple regression model. Input variables of the multiple regression model are temperatures and GDP that are highly correlated with electric loads. The weekly variable is added as input variable to improve the accuracy of electric load forecasting. Test results show that the proposed algorithm improves the accuracy of electric load forecasting over the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model. We expect that the proposed algorithm can contribute to the systematic operation of the power system by improving the accuracy of the electric load forecasting.

This study tested key tenets of objectification theory with South Korean women and explored the roles of sexually objectifying media and culture-specific standards of beauty in body image and eating disorder symptoms. Two pilot studies with South Korean college women (n = 40, n = 30) revealed that facial characteristics such as size and shape represent a discrete variable among culture-specific standards of beauty for South Korean women. Results with a sample of 562 South Korean college women indicated that media exposure had significant positive indirect relations with body shame and eating disorder symptoms through the mediating roles of internalization, body surveillance, and face surveillance. Internalization of cultural standards of beauty had significant positive direct relations with body surveillance and face surveillance and had both direct and indirect relations with body shame and eating disorder symptoms. Body and face surveillances had significant positive direct relations with body shame and had indirect relations with eating disorder symptoms. Finally, body shame mediated the links from internalization and surveillance variables to eating disorder symptoms. The results support the applicability of objectification theory as it relates to South Korean women and point to the significance of culture-specific standards of beauty within that framework. These findings could contribute to the broader field of multicultural body image research, with potential implications for therapist practices and training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).