Korean kimchi: promoting healthy meals through cultural tradition

Nobuko Hongu,Angela S. Kim,Asuka Suzuki,Hope Wilson,Karen C. Tsui,박선민 한국식품연구원 2017 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.4 No.3

Kimchi, a spicy traditional Korean side dish, is made with a variety of fermented vegetables, such as Napa cabbage (baechu), hot red pepper, garlic, ginger, and other spices. Throughout generations for thousands of years, kimchi has been served daily at virtually all meals in Korean households. It gives the flavors of garlic, ginger, scallions, and chili. Kimchi is an ingredient with many culinary benefits as it is commonly added to soups, noodles, and rice dishes. In addition to its exotic and refreshing taste, kimchi also has its own unique nutritional value and ingredients that are linked to promoting health and preventing disease. In this article, the varieties of kimchi, nutritional values, health benefits and “cook-with-kimchi” recipes (incorporating kimchi into today's Western dishes) are explored. Methods Data were collected through literature review, direct observation at grocery stores, and interviews for cooking recipes. Results Four types of literatures (peer-reviewed journals, websites, books, and United States (US) University articles) were reviewed about kimchi. Prices of each type of kimchi were checked at four to five Asian markets in Tucson, Arizona for 2 years, and averaged. There were only few cents differences in 2 years. One family home-style kimchi recipe and four “cook-with-kimchi” recipes were introduced in this article. Conclusion The availability and many varieties of kimchi exist in the US. Despite new trends and changes in the US, kimchi continues to be a significant important staple in many Korean and non-Korean families in the US.

Evaluation of spatial distribution of tactile sensitivity on the palm for developing tactile interface

Kensuke Takenkaka,Akihito Jinnai,Kentaro Kotani,Satoshi Suzuki,Takafumi Asao,Asuka Otsuka,Seiji Nakagawa 대한인간공학회 2014 대한인간공학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2014 No.5

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the intensity of perceived tactile stimuli on the difference of the spatial location on the palm. Air-puff stimuli were presented on 16 different locations on the palm as well as the tip of the index finger. Participants performed magnitude estimation protocol, where each tactile stimulus was evaluated in terms of the stimulus intensity. The results revealed that the relationship of perceived tactile intensity between distal and proximal sides showed no significant difference, whereas the relationship between medial and lateral sides showed significant differences in perceived stimulus. Difference of perceived intensity between medial and lateral sides implied that hardness of the skin surface may affect the perceived intensity rather than the distribution of mechanoreceptors on the palm. Overall, current results obtained in this study would contribute to the optimum design specifications for tactile interface devices.

Evaluation of Spatial Distribution of Tactile Sensitivity on the Palm for Developing Tactile Interface

( Kensuke Takenkaka ),( Akihito Jinnai ),( Kentaro Kotani ),( Satoshi Suzuki ),( Takafumi Asao ),( Asuka Otsuka ),( Seiji Nakagawa ) 한국감성과학회 2014 춘계학술대회 Vol.2014 No.-

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the intensity of perceived tactile stimuli on the difference of the spatial location on the palm. Air-puff stimuli were presented on 16 different locations on the palm as well as the tip of the index finger. Participants performed magnitude estimation protocol, where each tactile stimulus was evaluated in terms of the stimulus intensity. The results revealed that the relationship of perceived tactile intensity between distal and proximal sides showed no significant difference, whereas the relationship between medial and lateral sides showed significant differences in perceived stimulus. Difference of perceived intensity between medial and lateral sides implied that hardness of the skin surface may affect the perceived intensity rather than the distribution of mechanoreceptors on the palm. Overall, current results obtained in this study would contribute to the optimum design specifications for tactile interface devices.

Possible Translocation of Periodontal Pathogens into the Lymph Nodes Draining the Oral Cavity

G. Amodini Rajakaruna,Makoto Umeda,Keisuke Uchida,Asuka Furukawa,Bae Yuan,Yoshimi Suzuki,Ebe Noriko,Yuichi Izumi,Yoshinobu Eishi 한국미생물학회 2012 The journal of microbiology Vol.50 No.5

Numerous publications have reported the presence of periodontopathogenic bacteria in peripheral and central vascular lesions. However, it is unclear how this bacterial translocation occurs. The objective of this study was to investigate whether periodontopathic bacteria are translocated to lymph nodes proximal to the oral cavity. Obtaining lymph node samples is not ethically feasible unless they are excised as part of the surgical management of patients with cancer. This study analyzed formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded lymph nodes, histologically negative for cancer cell invasion, that were excised from 66 patients with histories of head and neck cancer. Real-time PCR was performed to amplify the 16S ribosomal DNA fragments from Porphyromonas gingivalis,Treponema denticola, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans,Tannerella forsythia, and Prevotella intermedia. The relationship between bacterial detection and cancer severity,gender, and the use of anti-cancer therapy was examined by Fisher’s exact test. P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and P. intermedia were present in 17%, 8%, and 8% of the samples of submandibular and submental lymph nodes, respectively. There were no significant relationships between bacterial detection and the cancer disease status, patient gender or use of anticancer therapy. According to these data, it appears that the translocation of periodontopathic bacteria may occur via lymphatic drainage, irrespective of the cancer disease status, gender or anticancer therapy.

Stillbirth rates and their association with swine leucocyte antigen class II haplotypes in Microminipigs

Imaeda, Noriaki,Ando, Asako,Matsubara, Tatsuya,Takasu, Masaki,Nishii, Naohito,Miyamoto, Asuka,Ohshima, Shino,Kametani, Yoshie,Suzuki, Shingo,Shiina, Takashi,Ono, Tetsushi,Kulski, Jerzy K.,Kitagawa, Hi Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.11

Objective: Microminipig (MMP) is a miniature pig with an extra small body size for experimental use. In the present study, the occurrence of stillbirths and their genetic association with swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class II haplotypes were evaluated in a population of MMPs. Methods: The occurrences of stillbirth and genetic association with SLA class II haplotypes using 483 stillborn and 2,246 live piglets, and their parents were compared among the three groups of newborn piglet litters; an all stillborn (AS) group consisting of only stillborn piglet litters, a partial stillborn (PS) group consisting of stillborn and live piglet litters, and an all alive (AA) group consisting of only live piglet litters. Results: The incidence of stillborn piglets was 483/2,729 (17.7%). Distributions of litter sizes, numbers of stillborn piglets in a litter, parities, and gestation periods were distinct among the three groups. The frequencies of low resolution haplotype (Lr)-0.7 or Lr-0.23 were higher in the AS group than in the PS or AA groups. In sires, the frequency of Lr-0.7 associated with the AS group was significantly higher in the AS group than with the AA group. In dams, the frequency of Lr-0.23 was significantly higher in the AS group than in the PS or AA groups, whereas the frequency of Lr-0.7 was not significantly different. Conclusion: The incidence of stillborn piglets in MMPs appears to be higher than those in other pig breeds. Several traits related with stillbirths such as the number of stillborn piglets and parities of the AS group were different from those of the PS and AA groups. Specific SLA class II haplotypes were associated significantly with a high incidence of stillbirths and could be used as genetic markers to adopt breeding strategies to lower the rate of stillbirth in MMPs.

Usability of a smartphone food picture app for assisting 24-hour dietary recall

Nobuko Hongu,Benjamin T. Pope,Pelin Bilgic,Barron J. Orr,Asuka Suzuki,Angela Sarah Kim,Nirav C. Merchant,Denise J. Roe 한국영양학회 2015 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.9 No.2

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The Recaller app was developed to help individuals record their food intakes. This pilot study evaluated the usability of this new food picture application (app), which operates on a smartphone with an embedded camera and Internet capability. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adults aged 19 to 28 years (23 males and 22 females) were assigned to use the Recaller app on six designated, nonconsecutive days in order to capture an image of each meal and snack before and after eating. The images were automatically time-stamped and uploaded by the app to the Recaller website. A trained nutritionist administered a 24-hour dietary recall interview 1 day after food images were taken. Participants’ opinions of the Recaller app and its usability were determined by a follow-up survey. As an evaluation indicator of usability, the number of images taken was analyzed and multivariate Poisson regression used to model the factors determining the number of images sent. RESULTS: A total of 3,315 food images were uploaded throughout the study period. The median number of images taken per day was nine for males and 13 for females. The survey showed that the Recaller app was easy to use, and 50% of the participants would consider using the app daily. Predictors of a higher number of images were as follows: greater interval (hours) between the first and last food images sent, weekend, and female. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study provide valuable information for understanding the usability of the Recaller smartphone food picture app as well as other similarly designed apps. This study provides a model for assisting nutrition educators in their collection of food intake information by using tools available on smartphones. This innovative approach has the potential to improve recall of foods eaten and monitoring of dietary intake in nutritional studies.