The Gangwon Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome Study: Methods and Initial Baseline Data

The prevalence of obesity has been continuously increasing, especially in rural areas of South Korea. Therefore, it is important to examine various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors associated with obesity in these rural areas. The Korean Society for the Study of Obesity commenced a community-based prospective cohort study of the Gangwon area called the Gangwon Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (GOMS) study to investigate longitudinal changes in the status of obesity and its related factors.



Read full text

Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome

Skeletal Muscle Mass is Associated with HDL Cholesterol Levels and the Ratio of LDL to HDL Cholesterol in Young Men: A Pilot Study

It is unclear whether greater skeletal muscle mass is beneficial for improving cardiometabolic health in young individuals. Our purpose was to investigate the association between skeletal muscle mass and cardiometabolic risk factors in young males.



Read full text

Journal of Men's Health

Effects of Forest Healing Anti-Aging Program on Psychological, Physiological, and Physical Health of Older People with Mild Cognitive Impairment

This study aimed to determine the effect of a forest healing anti-aging program on psychological, physiological, and physical health in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).



Read full text

MDPI International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Noninvasively measured radial pressure wave analysis provides insight into cardiovascular changes during pregnancy and menopause

Pregnancy and menopause are significant life events associated with major changes in female hormone levels and changes in cardiovascular health. The role of estrogen in influencing cardiovascular risk is an ongoing research topic. Many studies have provided evidence that radial pressure wave characteristics are an important indicator to consistently and independently predict cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to investigate if radial pressure wave analysis provided statistical insights into the physiological variations due to pregnancy and menopause.



Read full text

Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

The verification of the reliability of a triglyceride–glucose index and its availability as an advanced tool

The triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index has been considered as insulin resistance (IR) assessment index. The current study aimed to verify the reliability of the TyG index as an IR assessment marker; the study of plasma fatty acids and body fat composition to determine potential metabolic syndrome (MetS) participants with a body mass index (BMI) of between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m².



Read full text

BMC Metabolomics

Juxtapapillary Deep-Layer Microvasculature Dropout and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thinning in Glaucoma

We sought to characterize juxtapapillary (JP) and non-JP microvasculature dropout in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and to compare their rate of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning.



Read full text

American Journal of Ophthalmology

Eating Speed, Physical Activity, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Are Independent Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean University Students

Little is known regarding the role of eating quickly, physical inactivity, and poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in assessing the onset of metabolic syndrome (Mets) in Korean young adults. This study examined the association between the three risk factors and Mets in 1891 Korean university students (30% female) aged 18–29 years.

Read full text

MDPI Nutrients

Associations Between Systolic Interarm Differences in Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes and Mortality

Systolic interarm differences in blood pressure have been associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease. We undertook individual participant data meta-analyses to (1) quantify independent associations of systolic interarm difference with mortality and cardiovascular events; (2) develop and validate prognostic models incorporating interarm difference, and (3) determine whether interarm difference remains associated with risk after adjustment for common cardiovascular risk scores.



Read full text

Hypertension

Acute Effects of Foam Rolling Exercises on Arterial Stiffness, Flexibility and Autonomic Nervous System Function in Young and Middle-Aged Women

Arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and inversely associated with flexibility. Self-myofascial release (SMR) using a foam roller is a popular intervention to improve flexibility, restore the muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments, and regain soft-tissue extensibility. This study aimed to investigate whether a single bout of SMR has a beneficial effect on arterial stiffness and the function of the autonomic nervous system and the relationships among these variables in young and middle-aged women by age.



Read full text

Exercise science

Inflammatory Markers and Plasma Fatty Acids in Predicting WBC Level Alterations in Association With Glucose-Related Markers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aging leads to immune function changes which contribute to occurrence of chronic conditions. White blood cell (WBC) level is a marker widely known to reflect the immune function, thus, prediction of WBC level changes by using certain biomarkers is needed to prevent chronic conditions and to decrease the burdens of aging. In this respect, the present study aimed to explore the relationships between inflammatory markers and plasma fatty acid (FA) composition according to WBC levels for verifying potential predictors of WBC levels.



Read full text

Frontiers in Immunology