• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.80-85
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• 2014

Objective: To investigate: the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Korean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and the relationship between vitamin D status and clinical or metabolic features in this group. Methods: We recruited 38 women with PCOS using the Rotterdam criteria. A total of 109 premenopausal control women were matched with patients based on age and body mass index. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentrations less than 20 ng/mL were classified as frank vitamin D deficiency. Since vitamin D may play a significant role in metabolic disturbances in women with PCOS, correlations between clinical or metabolic parameters and vitamin D status were analyzed separately in patients and controls. Results: Women with PCOS showed no differences in the level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D ($19.6{\pm}6.6ng/mL$ in patients vs. $20.1{\pm}7.4ng/mL$ in controls, respectively, p=0.696) or prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (57.9% in patients vs. 56.5% in controls, respectively, p=0.880). In addition, we did not find any correlations between serum vitamin D level and clinical or metabolic profiles in either PCOS patients or controls. Conclusion: Our study found no differences in the absolute level of serum vitamin D between PCOS patients and matched controls. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was equally common among both patients and controls. Additionally, we did not find any correlations between serum vitamin D level and clinical or metabolic profiles, suggesting that the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of PCOS is not yet clear.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.203-207
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• 2005

Objectives: Recently, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) redefined the criteria of prediabetes, which has lowered the diagnostic level of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) from 110 to 125 mg/dl, down to levels between 100 to 125mg/dl. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive cutoff level of FPG as a risk for the development of diabetes mellitus in Korean men. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 11,423 (64.5%) out of 17,696 males $\leq$30 years of age, and who met the FPG of $\leq$125 mg/dl and hemoglobin A1c of $\leq$ 6.4% criteria, without a history of diabetes, and who were enrolled at the screening center of a certain university hospital between January and December 1999. The subjects were followed from January 1999 to December 2002 (mean follow-up duration; 2.3(${\pm}0.7$) years). They were classified as normal (FPG <100mg/dl), high glucose (FPG $\geq$100mg/dl and <110mg/dl) and impaired fasting glucose (FPG $\geq$110mg/dl and $\leq$125mg/dl) on the basis of their fasting plasma glucose level measured in 1999. We compared the incidence of diabetes between the 3 groups by performing Cox proportional hazards model and used receiver operating characteristic analyses of the FPG level, in order to estimate the optimal cut-off values as predictors of incident diabetes. Results: At the baseline, most of the study subjects were in age in their 30s to 40s (mean age, 41.8(${\pm}7.1$) year). The incidence of diabetes mellitus in this study was 1.19 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI=0.68-1.79), which was much lower than the results of a community-based study that was 5.01 per 1,000 person-years. The relative risks of incident diabetes in the high glucose and impaired fasting glucose groups, compared with the normal glucose group, were 10.3 (95% CI=2.58-41.2) and 95.2 (95% CI= 29.3-309.1), respectively. After adjustment for age, body mass index, and log triglyceride, a FPG greater than 100mg/dl remained significant predictors of incident diabetes. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal cutoff level of FPG as a predictor of incident diabetes was 97.5 mg/dl, with a sensitivity and a specificity of 81.0% and 86.0%, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that lowering the criteria of impaired fasting glucose is needed in Korean male adults. Future studies on community-based populations, including women, will be required to determine the optimal cutoff level of FPG as a predictor of incident diabetes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.177-187
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• 1993

The exposure levels of mixed organic solvents for 66 exposed workers in six paint manufacturing plants were evaluated. In 66 exposed workers and 30 control subjects, we also determined the concentrations of toluene and xylene metabolites, hippuric acid, ($o^-$, $m^-$, and $p^-$)methylhippuric acid. The results were as follow ; 1. Seven organic compounds, which on averge accounted for approximately 90% of the identified mass in each painting plants air samples, were selected for quantification : methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, butyl acetate, ethyl benzene, ($o^-$, $m^-$, $p^-$)xylene. 2. The average mixed organic solvent exposure levels in 66 points with workplce were 3.8ppm of MEK, 12.2ppm of ethyl acetate, 4.0ppm of MIBK, 28.7ppm of toluene, 3.8ppm of butyl acetate, 10.2ppm of ethyl benzene, 14.6ppm of xylene, respectively. 3. For the total 66 points with workplace, the rate of them of which mixed solvents in air was exceeded th TLV of 1.0 were obtained for 23%(15/66 point). 4. The concentrations of hippuric acid in urine of exposed group and control were $0.94{\pm}0.65g/g$ of creatinine, $0.16{\pm}0.11g/g$ of creatinine, respectively. 5. There was a linear correlation between the end shift hippuric acid acid levels in urine and exposed toluene in air : y=0.02079X+494.2, r=0.6488, n=55 y:hippuric acid in urine(mg/g of creatinine), x:toluene levels in air(ppb) Toluene levels of 100ppm in air have been caculated to hippuric acid of 2.57g/g of creatinine in urine. 6. There was a linear correlation between the end shift methylhippuric acid acid levels in urine and exposed xylene in air : y=0.01664X+31.6, r=0.7264, n=55 y:methylhippuric acid in urine(mg/g of crea.), x:xylene levels in air(ppb) Xylene levels of 100ppm in air have been caculated to methylhippuric acid of 1.69g/g of creatinine in urine.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.749-761
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• 2002

This study investigated the anthropometric and biochemical indices, and the health and nutritional factors influencing the two indices among 194 middle-aged and elderly subjects (108 middle-aged and 86 elderly) residing in a medium sized city for more than 10 years. In the examination of their dietary habits, 8.3% of the middle-aged subjects and 14.0% of the elderly subjects had two meals a day, and more female subjects had two meals per day. Of the subjects who ate meals at regular times, 75.0% were middle-aged and 79.1% were elderly, and the degree of irregularity of meals was greater for female subjects. The study of the dietary behavior of the subjects indicated that 71.3% and 66.3% of the middle-aged and elderly, respectively responded that the amount of food in each meal was sufficient. The subjects ate alone comprised 19.7% of the middle-aged females and 31.5% of the elderly females. The prevalence of smoking among the subjects was 28.1% for the middle-aged, 18.8% for the elderly male and 7.4% for the elderly females. The percentage of the subjects who drank alcohol was 34.4% of the middle-aged males and 13.2% of the middle-aged females. Slightly less than half of the subjects exercised more than once a week, with the male subjects showing a higher rate than the female subjects. The average body mass indices (BMI) were 24.5 and 24.6 for the middle-aged male and female, respectively, and 22.6 and 24.0 for the elderly male and female, respectively. BMI assessment showed that underweight subjects (BMI ＜ 20) comprised 3.7% of the middle-aged, 14.0% of the elderly, and that 40.7% of the middle-aged and 24.4% of the elderly were overweight (25 ＜ BMI ＜ 30) , and 0.9% of the middle-aged and 1.2% of the elderly were classified as obese (BMI $\geq$ 30) . A waist/hip ratio (WHR) greater than 0.8 was found in 89.5% of the middle-aged females and 90.7% of the elderly females, showing high abdominal fat deposition in the majority of females. The average systolic blood pressure of females was 121.1 $\pm$ 17.1 mmHg for the middle-aged and 129.6 $\pm$ 21.3 mmHg for the elderly subjects. The systolic blood pressures showed a significantly difference between the two age groups. Those defined as anemic subjects based on hemoglobin values comprised 13.0% of the middled-aged group and 16.3% of the elderly group. There was a tendency for higher fasting glucose levels among the elderly subjects. An increase in total plasma cholesterol levels with age was shown. The female subjects had higher cholesterol levels than the males'The study of the correlation between the daily habits and health status showed that the amount of food eaten at each meal, the frequency of eating out, and the use of dietary supplements appeared to influence BMI, WHR, the plasma triglyceride and plasma cholesterol levels; omitting one meal had a positive correlation with the systolic blood pressure and plasma cholesterol. These results suggest that desirable dietary habits and concerns for health are contributing factors for maintaining good health, as indicated by normal blood lipid levels.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.211-220
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• 2011

The study conducted a survey on the perception level for radiological technologists with 321 nurses and auxiliary nurses working at university hospitals in Busan in order to supply preliminary data to enhance the status as well as professional images of radiological technologists. The result shows the perception level of $3.02{\pm}0.42$ with the highest score for the professional image and the lowest score for the business image. By question, 'they are professional' gets the highest score while 'they understand problems of patients well' gets the lowest. Among respondents, those who are well aware of education courses as well as leading organization of examination and who answer as a health care provider or a medical technician under the medical law show a high level of perception while those who answer as technician show a low perception level. Those who agree with radiologists as a career and consider their status as high in medical institutions have a high level of perception. In order to improve the perception level, individuals as well as associations' promotion and strategies are required to fix the title and enhance the negative images through active interests and kind attitudes toward patients. Also, efforts to escape from previous images limited to technical colleges, to vitalize academic conference and remedial education, and to frame the law of professional radiological technologists system are asked to heighten the qualification and status of radiological technologists. More than that, advertising and monitoring via mass media are needed to develop the image as professional career men as well.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.755-760
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• 2010

In this study, we mainly focused on the PM (Particulate Matter) emission characteristics of a diesel engine. To analyze particle behavior in the tail-pipe, particle emission was measured on the engine-out (downstream of turbocharger), each upstream and downstream both of DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) and DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Moreover, particle emission contours on each sampling point were constructed. The reduction efficiency of particle number concentration and mass through the DOC and DPF was studied. Parameters such as EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and the main injection timing were varied in part load conditions and evaluated using the engine-out emissions. The DMS500 (Differential Mobility Spectrometer) was used as a particle measurement instrument that can measure particle concentrations from 5 nm to 1000 nm. Nano-particles of sizes less than 30 nm were reduced by oxidation or coagulated with solid particles in the tail-pipe and DOC. The DPF has a very high filtration efficiency over all operating conditions except during natural regeneration of DPF.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.238-246
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• 2012

Once oil is spilled into marine environment, it experiences various weathering processes among which evaporation is the most dominant process in the initial stage of weathering. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of evaporation on the physicochemical properties of spilled oil using standardized laboratory experiments. Laboratory evaporation process was successfully reproduced using controlled rotary evaporation method. In case of Iranian Heavy crude (IHC), evaporation rate after 48 hours was $29.3{\pm}0.4%$ (n=40, p<0.001). Evaporation was simulated using ADIOS2 weathering model and the result was in agreement with laboratory experiment. Chemical composition changes of petroleum hydrocarbons including alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and biomarkers by evaporation rate were also analyzed. As oil evaporated, low molecular weight alkanes and PAHs decreased, while biomakers showed conservative characteristics. Among biomarkers, $17{\alpha}(H)$, $21{\beta}(H)$-hopane was used for calculation of weathering rates, which matched with evaporative mass losses. Weathering rate calculation using hopane showed that stranded oils of weathering stage I (28.9%) and mesocosm oil weathering experiment till 5 days (26.5%) were mainly affected by evaporation process.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.154-158
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• 2007

In order to increase the content of germanium in ginseng adventitious roots, the effects of chelating agents on germanium content and root growth were investigated in the submerged cultures of ginseng adventitious roots. Chelating agents such as citric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, EDTA (Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) or EGTA (Ethylene glycol-bis $({\beta}-aminoethylether)-tetraacetic$ acid) were administrated in the submerged culture of ginseng root containing 50 ppm $GeO_2$. After 6 weeks of cultivation, fresh weight, germanium and saponin contents in the roots were analyzed. Among chelating agents, addition of 1.0mM phosphoric acid was found to be best for germanium accumulation. Under this condition, germanium content increased 1.4 times as compared to that of the control. The germanium content in the adventitious roots also increased with addition of EDTA or EGTA, while they inhibited the growth of ginseng adventitious root. Citric and oxalic acids were not effective for increasing germanium content in adventitious roots. As the results, it suggests that the phosphoric acid can be proved as the optimal agent for the enhancement of germanium accumulation in ginseng adventitious roots. These results can be served as a guideline for the mass production of ginseng adventitious roots containing germanium by large-scale production.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.209-214
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• 2017

Background: Both ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins are widely used as nutritional supplements. They are often taken together so as to fully utilize their antifatigue and refreshing effects, respectively. Whether actually a drug-nutrient interaction exists between ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins is still unknown. The objective of this study was to simultaneously investigate the effect of B-complex vitamins on the antifatigue activity and bioavailability of ginsenoside Re after their oral administration. The study results will provide valuable theoretical guidance for the combined utilization of ginseng and B-complex vitamins. Methods: Ginsenoside Re with or without B-complex vitamins was orally administered to mice to evaluate its antifatigue effects and to rats to evaluate its bioavailability. The antifatigue activity was evaluated by the weight-loaded swimming test and biochemical parameters, including hepatic glycogen, plasma urea nitrogen, and blood lactic acid. The concentration of ginsenoside Re in plasma was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: No antifatigue effect of ginsenoside Re was noted when ginsenoside Re in combination with B-complex vitamins was orally administered to mice. B-complex vitamins caused to a reduction in the bioavailability of ginsenoside Re with the area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity markedly decreasing from $11,830.85{\pm}2,366.47h{\cdot}ng/mL$ to $890.55{\pm}372.94h{\cdot}ng/mL$. Conclusion: The results suggested that there were pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug-nutrient interactions between ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins. B-complex vitamins can significantly weaken the antifatigue effect and decrease the bioavailability of ginsenoside Re when simultaneously administered orally.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.123-138
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the real condition of urinary incontinence(UI), interstitial cystitis(IC), atrophic viginitis(AV) for elderly women and analyze the cognition of traditional korean medicine(TKM) for them. Methods: We utilized questionnaire from May to June, 2010. Questionnaires were taken from 125 women using senior welfare center and nursing home, aged over 65 up to 92. The data were analyzed by $X^2$-test using SPSS/PC ver 18.0 program. Results: The prevalences of UI, IC and AV symptoms were 50.4%, 40.8%, 56%, respectively. The average I-QoL score for UI was $82.62{\pm}21.16$, and the average ICSI score for IC was $8.16{\pm}2.50$. After adjustment for each of the variables considered in this study, alcohol was associated with UI and age, BMI(body mass index) were associated with IC. Most of respondents have no experience(94.4%) or don't know (79.2%) about TKM for UI, IC and AV. 44 women(37.3%) indicated that they weren't willing to use TKM for UI, IC and AV. Reasons for not taking TKM were because of 'no knowledge of TKM(34.1%)' and 'more accustomed to western treatment(34.1%)'. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of UI, IC, AV for elderly women was high, the actual percentage of treatment for these diseases was low, furthermore, patients were not aware of TKM and had very few experiences of TKM for these diseases. The development and increased promotion about TKM program for elderly women's urogenital diseases is needed.