An in-mold packaging process for plastic fluidic devices

Micro or nanofluidic devices have many channel shapes to deliver chemical solutions, body fluids or any fluids. The channels in these devices should be covered to prevent the fluids from overflowing or leaking. A typical method to fabricate an enclosed channel is to bond or weld a cover plate to a channel plate. This solid-to-solid bonding process, however, takes a considerable amount of time for mass production. In this study, a new process for molding a cover layer that can enclose open micro or nanochannels without solid-to-solid bonding is proposed and its feasibility is estimated. First, based on the design of a model microchannel, a brass microchannel master core was machined and a plastic microchannel platform was injection-molded. Using this molded platform, a series of experiments was performed for four process or mold design parameters. Some feasible conditions were successfully found to enclosed channels without filling the microchannels for the injection molding of a cover layer over the plastic microchannel platform. In addition, the bond strength and seal performance were estimated in a comparison with those done by conventional bonding or welding processes.

Determination of an applicable FRAX model in Korean women

We investigated which of the three FRAX fracture risk assessment tool models is most applicable to Korean women. For 306 postmenopausal women (mean age, 77 yr) with a hip fracture, fracture probabilities were calculated using FRAX models from Japan, Turkey and China. Data on bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck were available for 103 patients. Significant differences existed among the models, independent of the inclusion of BMD in the calculation of fracture probabilities. The probabilities of both major osteoporotic fractures and hip fractures were significantly higher in the Japanese model than in the Turkish or Chinese models. In all of the models, the probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture, but not of a hip fracture, decreased significantly if calculated without BMD values. By applying the Japanese model, the ten-year probabilities for major osteoporotic and hip fractures increased significantly with age. Our results suggest that the Japanese FRAX model might be the most appropriate for Korean women.

The association between the ratio of visceral fat to thigh muscle area and metabolic syndrome: the Korean Sarcopenic Obesity Study (KSOS)

OBJECTIVE

A relationship between visceral fat accumulation and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been established. However, the effect of a relative increase in visceral fat and a decrease in muscle mass on metabolic disorders has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the ratio of visceral fat to thigh muscle area (VMR) and MetS in Korean adults. STUDY SUBJECT/MEASUREMENTS: A total of 264 age-and gender-matched subjects recruited from the Korean Sarcopenic Obesity Study (KSOS), an ongoing prospective observational cohort study, were categorized into four groups based on their body mass index (BMI) and VMR. We measured visceral fat area and thigh muscle area using computed tomography.

RESULTS

Subjects with MetS showed a significantly higher VMR than those without MetS. In both obese and nonobese groups, the subjects with a higher VMR had a higher prevalence of MetS than those in the lower VMR groups. VMR was significantly related to components of the metabolic syndrome, especially in women, and was positively correlated with a number of MetS components in both men and women. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio for MetS was 6·72 (highest vs lowest quartile, 95% confidence interval, 1·60-28·14) after an adjustment of potential confounders, including BMI and waist-to-hip ratio.

CONCLUSION

VMR is significantly increased in subjects with MetS and independently associated with MetS. These results suggest that the VMR may be a potential indicator for MetS risk in Korean adults.

The efficacy and tolerability of short-term low-dose estrogen-only add-back therapy during post-operative GnRH agonist treatment for endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a low-dose estrogen-only regimen as a short-term add-back therapy during post-operative GnRH agonist (GnRHa) treatment of patients with endometriosis.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study. One hundred seventeen women of reproductive age who were treated with post-operative GnRHa after conservative laparoscopic surgery for endometrioma were eligible for this study. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 56) received tibolone (2.5mg) between 2002 and 2004 and group B (n = 61) received estradiol valerate (1mg) between 2005 and 2007 as an add-back therapy for five months, beginning at the time of the second injection of a GnRHa. The incidence of hypoestrogenic symptoms and the degree of pelvic pain according to a verbal rating scale (VRS) scoring system, the incidence and patterns of uterine bleeding during add-back therapy, the endometrial thickness by ultrasonography two months after the last GnRHa treatment, and the serum CA-125 level were evaluated.

RESULTS

The incidence of uterine bleeding, hypoestrogenic symptoms such as hot flashes and sweating, and pelvic pain did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. However, the endometrium was thicker in group A than group B (p = 0.022). In group B, the frequency of uterine bleeding was lower from the second month after starting add-back therapy than in group A, but without statistical significance (at the sixth month, p = 0.086).

CONCLUSION

The low-dose estrogen-only regimen was efficacious and tolerable as a short-term add-back therapy during post-operative GnRHa treatment after surgery for endometriosis.

Clinical characteristics of adnexal masses in Korean children and adolescents: retrospective analysis of 409 cases

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical characteristics of young Korean female children and adolescents who underwent surgery because of adnexal masses during the last 14 years.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Three hundred ninety-six young female patients aged 20 years or younger who underwent surgery because of adnexal masses between January 1995 and March 2009.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

For over 14 years, 396 young patients underwent 409 operations because of adnexal masses (13 patients underwent 2 separate operations). Abdominal pain (n = 184 [45.0%]) was the most common initial symptom and was more frequent in group 1 (<11 years of age; n = 26 [70.4%]) than in group 2 (11-20 years of age; n = 370; [ 43.2%]) (p<.01). In group 2, menstrual problems were the second most common initial symptom (n = 80 [20.9%]), followed by incidental detection (n = 57; [14.9%]). In patients with malignant neoplasms, the incidence of menstrual problems was lower (p<.01) and abdominal distention was more common (p<.01) than in patients with benign neoplasms. The incidence of malignant neoplasms in our study was 14.9% and was correlated with increased mass size (p<.01).

CONCLUSION

Knowing the clinical characteristics of young Korean females with adnexal masses will provide insight into the evaluation and surgical management of children and adolescents.

Induction of apoptotic cell death via accumulation of autophagosomes in rat granulosa cells

This study evaluated the effect of autophagosome accumulation on apoptotic cell death in granulosa cells from developing follicles. Our results indicate that the accumulation of autophagosomes induces apoptotic cell death of granulosa cells through decreased bcl-2 expression and subsequent caspase activation.

Reproductive health characteristics of urban South Korean women

AIMS

To characterize the reproductive health of urban South Korean women of reproductive age.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey on menstrual patterns, sexual behavior, utilization of contraception, and perception of gynecological diseases was administered to 500 women from 15 to 39 years of age in five major cities of South Korea.

RESULTS

Among the respondents, 76.8 and 25% experienced dysmenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding, respectively. Two-thirds of the respondents with dysmenorrhea used analgesics. After analgesics, herbal medicine was the next most commonly used treatment. The mean age of first sexual intercourse was 24.3 years, and 68.8% of the sexually active women used contraception. The most commonly used contraceptive method was the condom (79.7%), and many women (up to 62.2%) demonstrated a distorted understanding of oral contraceptives. Although many women were aware of general gynecological diseases such as cervical cancer (77%), endometriosis (64.4%), and leiomyoma (62.6%), only 22.2% of the respondents had visited a clinic for a gynecological examination, and among those who had visited a clinic, the main reason for the visit was pregnancy (44.1%).

CONCLUSION

The results of this survey provide insight into and allow us to characterize the reproductive health status of urban South Korean women.

Effect of bath temperature on the properties of nanocrystalline ZnO thin films

The nanocrystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films have been prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method from aqueous zinc nitrate solution at room temperature (25 degrees C) and at higher temperature (75 degrees C). The changes in structural, morphological and optical properties were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical absorption. The structural studies revealed that the film deposited at room temperature showed mixed phases of ZnO and Zn(OH)2 with wurtzite and orthorhombic crystal structure whereas at higher temperature, the deposited film is ZnO with wurtzite crystal structure. After air annealing at 400 degrees C, all the films converted into pure ZnO with wurtzite crystal structure. The films deposited at room temperature showed fibrous surface morphology with interconnected flakes while films deposited at higher temperature shows well-developed nano-rod morphology. Optical study shows that band gap energy (E(g)) of as-deposited thin films deposited at room temperature and at higher temperature are 3.81 and 3.4 eV, decreases up to 3.20 eV, after annealing treatment.

The impact of premenstrual symptoms on activities of daily life in Korean women

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of premenstrual symptoms on activities of daily life (ADL) of Korean women, and their knowledge and treatment seeking regarding premenstrual syndromes (PMSs).

METHODS

A population-based online survey regarding premenstrual symptoms was conducted in 1000 Korean women aged 15-49 years. Symptoms were classified according to their intensity, persistence each cycle, and impairment of ADL. Women's knowledge of PMSs and physician consultations were assessed.

RESULTS

The approximate prevalence of PMS/premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) by the WHO's International Classification of Disease (ICD-10), American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV[4th edition]) criteria was 98.6, 32.1, and 2.8%, respectively. Among 23 documented symptoms, the most predominant symptoms were joint-muscle-back pain, abdominal pain, and irritability. Physical symptoms were more prevalent than mental symptoms. There was a high correlation between the duration and severity of symptoms. The impact of PMS on ADL and the proportion of women with impaired ADL were significantly associated with the severity of PMS. The proportion of women consulting physicians increased with severity of PMS from 2%, 2.3%, for ICD-10, ACOG PMS to 10.7% for DSM-IV PMDD, respectively. Most of the women (91.5%) had no knowledge regarding terminology pertaining to PMS and PMDD.

CONCLUSION

PMSs occur frequently and have a significant impact on daily life for a proportion of Korean women. However, Korean women have little knowledge about PMSs and only infrequently consult their physicians.

GnRH agonist therapy to protect ovarian function in young Korean breast cancer patients

The increased survival of patients with breast cancer has given rise to other problems associated with the complications of chemotherapy. One major complication is premature ovarian failure, an especially harmful outcome for women of reproductive age. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of GnRH agonist (GnRHa) treatment on protecting ovarian function in young breast cancer patients (30.59+/-5.1 yr) receiving chemotherapy after surgery. Twenty-two women were enrolled and given subcutaneous injections of leuprolide acetate (3.75 mg) every 4 weeks during chemotherapy. Follow-up laboratory tests (luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], and estradiol) were performed 1, 3, and 6 months after chemotherapy. Menstruation patterns and clinical symptoms were followed up for a mean duration of 35.6+/-1.7 months. FSH and LH levels were normal in all patients 6 months after completing chemotherapy (8.0+/-5.3, 4.4+/-2.7 mIU/mL, respectively). During follow-up, none of the patients complained of menopausal symptoms and 81.8% experienced recovery of menstruation. This report is the first trial of GnRHa as a treatment modality to protect ovarian function during adjuvant chemotherapy in young Korean breast cancer patients.

Detection of neural signals with vertically grown single platinum nanowire-nanobud

We developed a nanoscale neural probing device for in vitro sensing of neural activity. Single vertical platinum (Pt) nanowires were fabricated on a microelectrode array by focused ion beam (FIB)-chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in order to improve the spatial resolution of recording and to minimize damage to the cells. Rat neuroblasts were cultured on the electrode array. Electrodes in contact with cells detected prominent spontaneous electrical activity. Our experiments demonstrate the nanoprobes for the real-time detection of electrophysiological signals in neuronal cells.

A Ubiquitous Chronic Disease Care system using cellular phones and the internet

AIMS

The rapidly increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is an important challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. To improve the quality and efficiency of chronic disease care, we investigated the effectiveness and applicability of the Ubiquitous Chronic Disease Care (UCDC) system using cellular phones and the internet for overweight patients with both Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial over 3 months that included 123 patients at a university hospital and a community public health centre.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, there were significant improvements in HbA(1c) in the intervention group (7.6 +/- 0.9% to 7.1 +/- 0.8%, P < 0.001) compared with the control group (7.4 +/- 0.9% to 7.6 +/- 1.0%, P = 0.03). Furthermore, we observed a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as improvements in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the intervention group. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in adiponectin levels in the intervention group compared with the control group, although high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels did not change in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel UCDC system presented in this paper improved multiple metabolic parameters simultaneously in overweight patients with both Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Effect of exercise training on A-FABP, lipocalin-2 and RBP4 levels in obese women

OBJECTIVE

Lipocalin family proteins, including adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), lipocalin-2 and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), have recently been identified as novel adipokines associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. We have evaluated the effect of exercise training on lipocalin family proteins and inflammatory markers.

STUDY SUBJECTS

Thirty obese Korean women and 15 age-matched nonobese control subjects were studied.

DESIGN

Concentrations of the lipocalin family proteins were compared between obese and nonobese women and were evaluated before and 3 months after an exercise programme consisting of aerobic exercise (45 min/session, 300 kcal/day) and muscle strength training (20 min/session, 100 kcal/day) five times a week.

RESULTS

Obese women exhibited higher A-FABP levels compared to nonobese women (21.4 +/- 6.4 microg/l vs. 13.6 +/- 4.4 microg/l, P < 0.001). However, neither lipocalin-2 nor RBP4 levels were significantly different between the two groups, although the difference in lipocalin-2 was marginally significant (P = 0.054). Circulating A-FABP levels were significantly associated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lipocalin-2 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. After 3 months of the exercise training programme, serum A-FABP levels decreased significantly from 21.4 +/- 6.4 microg/l to 19.3 +/- 6.8 microg/l (P = 0.038), along with a reduction in weight, BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose and total cholesterol levels. There was no significant change in the lipocalin-2 and RBP4 levels, although IL-6 levels increased after the exercise programme.

CONCLUSION

Exercise training with weight loss induced a significant reduction in circulating A-FABP levels in obese Korean women.

Prevalence of albuminuria and cardiovascular risk profile in a referred cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes: an Asian perspective

BACKGROUND

Microalbuminuria (MA) is a risk marker for diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of albuminuria, CV risk factors, and treatments for renal and CV protection in an Asian population with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study conducted in eight Asian countries enrolled normotensive/hypertensive adults with type 2 diabetes without known proteinuria and/or non-diabetic kidney disease. Exclusion criteria were type 1 diabetes, menstruation, pregnancy, and acute fever. A single random urinary albumin/creatinine test was carried out in all patients.

RESULTS

Of 8,561 patients, 14% had diabetic retinopathy, and 17% and 21% had history of CV disease and smoking, respectively. Normoalbuminuria was seen in 44%, MA in 44%, and macroalbuminuria in 12%. Target glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (<7%) was reached in only 37% of 3,834 patients with available values. Diabetes was managed by diet alone in 6%, while others received oral hypoglycemic drugs and/or insulin. In total, 75% did not reach target blood pressure (BP) of <or=130/80 mm Hg. Antihypertensive drugs were prescribed to 52%, with the number of drugs increasing as the level of systolic BP increased. Drugs blocking the renin-angiotensin system were most commonly prescribed, followed by calcium channel blockers. Lipid-lowering drugs and anticoagulant/antiplatelet agents were used in about 30% and 25% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Asian patients with type 2 diabetes had a high prevalence of MA and reduced kidney function. Furthermore, BP and HbA1c control was only achieved in a minority of patients. Aggressive risk management by administration of reno- and cardioprotective treatments is urgently needed.

Hyperthermia with magnetic nanowires for inactivating living cells

We describe a method to induce hyperthermia in cells, in-vitro, by remotely heating Ni nanowires (NWs) with radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. Ni NWs were internalized by human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). Only cells proximal to NWs or with internalized NWs changed shape on exposure to RF fields indicative of cell death. The cell death occurs as a result of hyperthermia, since the RF field remotely heats the NWs as a result of magnetic hysteresis. This is the first demonstration of hyperthermia induced by NWs; since the NWs have anisotropic and strong magnetic moments, our experiments suggest the possibility of performing hyperthermia at lower field strengths in order to minimize damage to untargeted cells in applications such as the treatment of cancer.

Serum retinol-binding protein 4 levels are elevated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

OBJECTIVE

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a recently identified adipokine that is elevated in the serum in several insulin-resistant states. We investigated the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and serum RBP4 in nondiabetic adults.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-nine nondiabetic, non-alcoholic subjects (95 males and 64 females) participated in this study. Division of subjects into a NAFLD group (n = 73; 45 males and 28 females) or a normal group (n = 86; 50 males and 36 females) was based on the presence of fatty liver disease determined by sonography.

RESULTS

Serum RBP4 levels in the NAFLD group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (62.8 +/- 16.0 mg/l vs. 51.7 +/- 14.6 mg/l, P < 0.0001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the RBP4 level was an independent factor associated with NAFLD (P = 0.0042). In addition, serum RBP4 levels were positively correlated with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) levels. The significant association between serum RBP4 and GGT levels remained even after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, the homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA) value and the presence of NAFLD (r = 0.3097, P = 0.0002).

CONCLUSION

Serum RBP4 levels are significantly associated with NAFLD and liver enzymes.

Implication of lipocalin-2 and visfatin levels in patients with coronary heart disease

OBJECTIVES

Visfatin and lipocalin-2 are novel adipokines associated with insulin resistance (IR) and obesity-related metabolic disorders. We compared lipocalin-2 and visfatin concentrations between patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and control subjects and evaluated their association with cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS

We examined serum visfatin, lipocalin-2 levels, and cardiovascular risk factors in 91 subjects (49 patients with angiographically confirmed CHD versus 42 age- and gender-matched control participants).

RESULTS

Circulating lipocalin-2 levels were significantly higher in patients with CHD compared with the control subjects (82.6+/-38.7 ng/ml versus 43.8+/-27.8 ng/ml; P<0.001). However, visfatin levels were not significantly different between patients with CHD and control subjects. Serum lipocalin-2 levels were positively associated with weight (r=0.26; P=0.036), fasting insulin (r=0.36; P=0.003), and IR (r=0.33; P=0.007), whereas these levels showed a negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (r=-0.30; P=0.016) after adjustment for gender and body mass index. However, visfatin levels were not associated with any variables of the metabolic syndrome. The multiple regression analysis showed that lipocalin-2 levels were independently associated with HDL cholesterol and IR (R2=0.199). Furthermore, the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure, IR, and lipocalin-2 levels were independently associated with CHD.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum lipocalin-2 levels were significantly elevated in patients with CHD and were independently associated with CHD. The present findings suggest that the measurement of serum lipocalin-2 levels may be useful for assessing CHD risk.

Cryopreservation of the mouse ovary inhibits the onset of primordial follicle development

The cryopreservation of ovarian tissue has been reported to affect the development of preantral follicles. However, the effect of cryopreservation of ovarian tissue on the development of primordial follicles remains to be elucidated. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on the development of frozen-thawed mouse primordial follicles. One-day-old mouse ovaries were cryopreserved by either slow-freezing or a vitrification method. The development of primordial follicles was evaluated histologically and also with markers for follicle development such as: GDF-9, inhibin-alpha subunit and ZP3 in fresh and frozen-thawed ovaries cultured for five days. The proportion of apoptotic and necrotic areas was analyzed in fresh and frozen-thawed ovaries at one and five days after culture, in order to examine the viability of ovarian cells that influence primordial follicle development. The development rate of primordial follicles was significantly lower in slow-frozen and vitrified ovaries than the fresh controls after five days of in vitro culture (P<0.05). The mRNA expression for all developmental markers was slightly decreased in the frozen-thawed ovaries; this difference was not significant. The proportion of apoptosis was significantly increased in the slow-frozen and vitrified ovaries compared to the fresh ovaries at one day (P<0.05); however, there was no difference at five days after culture. The proportion of the area of necrosis was significantly higher in slow-frozen and vitrified ovaries compared to the fresh ovaries at one and five days after culture (P<0.05). Our preliminary data suggest that ovarian tissue cryopreservation using slow-freezing and vitrification methods inhibits development of primordial follicles. This may be caused by the death of ovarian cells through apoptosis and necrosis after cryopreservation.

Serum adiponectin, interleukin-10 levels and inflammatory markers in the metabolic syndrome

We examined the association between interleukin-10 (IL-10), adiponectin levels and inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Furthermore, the association of these anti-/pro-inflammatory cytokine levels with the metabolic syndrome was investigated. The study subjects were composed of 312 Korean individuals without diabetes. Serum adiponectin level was associated with hsCRP (r=-0.21, P<0.001), IL-6 (r=-0.13, P<0.05) and IL-10 (r=-0.22, P<0.001) levels. Subjects without the metabolic syndrome showed higher adiponectin (17.03 microg/ml versus 13.85 microg/ml, P<0.001) and IL-10 (4.74 pg/ml versus 4.34 pg/ml, P=0.014) levels, and lower serum hsCRP (0.38 microg/ml versus 0.66 microg/ml, P=0.001) and IL-6 (0.94 pg/ml versus 1.32 pg/ml, P=0.009) levels compared to those with the metabolic syndrome. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the metabolic syndrome was associated with sex, age, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose and interleukin-10. Furthermore, serum adiponectin levels are associated with serum hsCRP, IL-6 and IL-10 levels. These results suggest that adiponectin might be associated with the metabolic syndrome through regulation of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Prevalence and trends of metabolic syndrome in Korea: Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey 1998-2001

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major international health problem. Limited information is available about the prevalence of MetS in Asia, especially in Korea.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence and trends of MetS in a Korean population. In addition, we investigated the risk factors associated with MetS.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 7445 participants aged >/=20 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHNS) 1998 and 5964 participants from the KNHNS 2001 were included in this analysis. The KNHNS is a cross-sectional health survey of a nationally representative sample of the Korean population. The prevalence of MetS was determined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria and the Asia-Pacific criteria for obesity based on waist circumference (APC-WC).

RESULTS

Using the ATP III criteria, the age-adjusted prevalence of MetS among Korean adults was 15.7% (13.7% male, 17.8% female) in 1998 and 14.4% (13.0% male, 16.2% female) in 2001. Using the APC-WC criteria, the prevalence was 21.6% (19.4% male, 23.9% female) in 1998 and 21.4% (20.1% male, 23.4% female) in 2001. Of the five MetS components, increasing trends were found between 1998 and 2001 in the prevalence of hypertriglyceridaemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and central obesity for both men and women. Age, sex, body mass index and a family history of diabetes were associated with MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

These results from a representative sample show that MetS is common in Korean adults. A systemic public health programme is required to prevent future increases in diabetes and cardiovascular complications.

Glioblastoma cell death induced by asiatic acid

Asiatic acid (AA), a triterpene, is known to be cytotoxic to several tumor cell lines. AA induces dose- and time-dependent cell death in U-87 MG human glioblastoma. This cell death occurs via both apoptosis and necrosis. The effect of AA may be cell type-specific as AA-induced cell death was mainly apoptotic in colon cancer RKO cells. AA-induced glioblastoma cell death is associated with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9 and -3, and increased intracellular free Ca2+. Although treatment of glioblastoma cells with the caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk completely abolished AA-induced caspase activation, it did not significantly block AA-induced cell death. AA-induced cell death was significantly prevented by an intracellular Ca2+ inhibitor, BAPTA/AM. Taken together, these results indicate that AA induces cell death by both apoptosis and necrosis, with Ca2+-mediated necrotic cell death predominating.

Formation of photoluminescent germanium nanostructures by femtosecond laser processing on bulk germanium: role of ambient gases

We present preparation of Ge nanostructures formed using by femtosecond laser pulse and origin of visible photoluminescence (PL) properties. High intensity of incident laser energy gives rise to make oxidized layer to surface of Ge nanoparticle after irradiation. Moreover, size dependent Raman shift and PL spectrums are observed with different fluences and various process surroundings. It is noted that the oxidation of Ge nanoparticle formed ambient surroundings plays an important role of photoluminescence.

Effects of green tea consumption on inflammation, insulin resistance and pulse wave velocity in type 2 diabetes patients

In this study, we examined the effects of green tea on inflammation and arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes patients. As results, inflammatory markers, such as hsCRP and IL-6, were unchanged after green tea consumption, and neither were blood glucose, lipid profiles, insulin resistance, or serum adiponectin levels. Furthermore, tea consumption did not improve baPWV. These results suggest that the above-described mechanisms are unlikely to explain the cardiovascular risk reduction by tea consumption observed in epidemiological studies.