• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.289-298
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• 2009

Effects of Nattokinase fibrinol (NKF), defined as a fibrinolytic product, on fibrinolytic and atherogenetic markers were studied for healthy adults (20-31 years old), who is smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day. Subjects were divided into 29 for NKF group and 10 for placebo group in a short term study. They were given 2 tablets of NKF (4,000 unit) or placebo tablet and thereafter blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4 hr prerid. For a 4-week long term study, 15 subjects for NFK group and 10 subjects for placebo group were supplemented one tablet of each NKF (2,000 unit) and placebo per day, respectively. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4 weeks later. The short-term experimental trial showed that NKF remarkably increased fibrinolytic activity at 2hr after consumption, which was maintained up to 4 hr, relative to that of placebo, while NKF reduced the euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) and retarded the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), as compared to placebo group. NKF supplementation for 4 weeks elevated fibrinolytic activity, shortened ECLT and retarded aPTT. Furthermore, NKF supplementation increased anti-atherogenic index by decreasing triglyceride (TG) and elevating high-density lipiprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. These results indicate that NKF supplementation for short term or long term might have beneficial effects on preventing and treating cardiovascular disease by increasing fibrinolytic activity and improving atherogenic markers such as hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1812-1819
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• 2010

Skipping breakfast is a risk factor closely related to metabolic syndrome and obesity. We analyzed the relationship between breakfast size, metabolic syndrome and obesity. The study included 5,548 adults who visited a health promotion center at Pusan National University from January to November of 2006. Subjects were divided into four groups according to breakfast size - skipper group (no breakfast), small intake group, medium intake group and large intake group. 959 (17.3%) of the 5548 subjects were included in the Skipper group. Intake of daily calories, proteins, carbohydrates and fats was the lowest in the Skipper group. Breakfast size increased linearly with an increased intake of daily calories, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Body mass index ($23.4\;kg/m^2$) and waist circumference (79.6 cm) were the lowest in the Small intake group. In the Small intake group, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were the lowest, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were the highest. The number of metabolic risk factors was the lowest in Small intake group. Odds ratio of metabolic syndrome (Odds ratio=0.612) was the lowest in Small intake group. Along with increasing breakfast size, the odds ratio also increased. In this study, breakfast size was found to influence metabolic risk factors. Skipping breakfast worsened metabolic risk factors, while a small breakfast size had a favorable effect on metabolic risk factors.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the effect of 12-week weight control program including nutrition education, diet therapy and regular exercise on body weight, obesity degree, BMI and blood lipid levels among middle aged obese women. The 31 middle aged obese women participated in the weight control program for 12-week. The body weight, body composition, blood lipid levels and food habit were measured before and after the weight control program. Changes in body weight after 12 week weight control program showed the slight reduction from $67.4{\pm}10.8kg\;to\;65.1{\pm}9.2kg$. Obesity degree and BMI were decreased from $128.4{\pm}19.1%,\;27.8{\pm}3.9\;to\;123.4{\pm}15.7%,\;26.8{\pm}3.0$, respectively. Waist-hip ratio was also decreased from $0.98{\pm}10.16\;to\;0.94{\pm}0.04$. LBM was also slightly reduced from $39.9{\pm}5.6kg\;to\;37.0{\pm}8.5kg$ with the reduction of body fat. The levels of systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride were slightly decreased, HDL-chol level was significantly increased from $43.1{\pm}14.1mg/dL\;to\;50.4{\pm}16.5mg/dL$. Waist-hip ratio was also slightly decreased after 12 weeks. Food habit score was significantly increased after nutriton education and personal counseling about their eating behaviors and nutritional status.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.735-741
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• 2004

Blood cardioplegia is known as an established cardioplegic solution during open heart surgery. Recently, the Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK) solution has been introduced as a cardioplegia in Korea. This study was designed to compare the myocardial protective effect between the cold blood cardioplegia (CBC) and HTK solution. Material and Method: Forty patients who underwent valve surgery or coronary artery bypass surgery were randomly divided into CBC group (n=20) and HTK group (n=20). The perioperative hemodynamic and clinical data were analyzed. The concentration of CK-MB, Troponin 1 and Lactate from coronary sinus and radial arterial blood were compared for the evaluation of the myocardial damage. The postoperative serial CK-MB levels were measured. Result: The characteristics of preoperative patients were similar in two groups. The hemodynamic parameters and postoperative clinical data were also similar between the two groups. There were no statistical significances between the CBC and HTK group in the difference of biochemical markers: Δ CK-MB (15.3$\pm$26.0 vs 19.3$\pm$14.3), ΔTro-1 (2.4$\pm$4.9 vs 2.0$\pm$2.20), ΔLac (1.6$\pm$1.0 vs 1.9$\pm$2.5). The serial CK-MB levels were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: These results suggested that the myocardial protective effect of HTK solution was similar to cold blood cardioplegia during open heart surgery.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.359-367
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was to identify the changes of body fat, blood pressure, blood glucose and serum lipid of middle and old aged women after participation in exercise program which includes aerobic(dance sports) and anaerobic(dumbbell gymnastics) exercises. Methods: One hundred women aged from 55 to 72 were surveyed before and after an exercise program. The exercise program was provided to the subjects performed during 6 months from July, 2007 to December, 2007 at a public health subcenter in Gumi City. Questionnaire survey for general characteristics, anthropometric measurement and blood test were taken before starting the program and anthropometric measurement and blood test after completing the program. Results: Body Weight, body fat and blood pressure showed significant change after the exercise program(p<0.05). Additionally in total glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride significant change was observed(p>0.05). Waite circumference decreased, however did not show statistically significant difference. Conclusions: It was effective to participate in dance sports and dumbbell gymnastics exercise regularly. All of the positive changes through the study showed that there should be the program for middle and old aged women to exercise actively and also the middle and old aged women need have a active exercise habits as regular as possible. Additional studies confirming the results of this study are needed to compare the effects of the dance sports and dumbbell gymnastics exercise on the other age groups.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.187-198
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• 1996

The cut-off values and related factors for total cholesterol of serum in normal Korean adults were studied from March to October, 1995, based on the data of 1,818 healthy adults of human involved the male and female. The comparisons of the serum total cholesterol levels were analyzed by sex, age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, body weight, height, PIBW, BMI and other biochemical tests. 1. The serum total cholesterol level were 194.4 mg/dl in total group, 186.9 mg/dl for male, and 197.6 mg/dl for female. 2. There was no significant differences by sex among the 21 to 50 ages group, but significantly higher in women than in men over 51 years old. 3. In general, the levels of serum total cholesterol were increased with age, the highest level in men was 192.7 mg/ dl in 51 to 60 years old, and 210.5 mg/dl in more than 60 years old in women. 4. The cut-off values of serum total cholesterol for moderate risk were 191 mg/dl in 21 to 30 years group, 195 mg/dl in 31 to 40 years,214 mg/dl in 41 to 50 years, 227 mg/dl in 51 to 60 years, and 222 mg/dl in more than 61 years. The cut-off values of serum total cholesterol for high risk were 214 mg/dl dl in 21 to 30 years group, 214 mg/dll in 31 to 40 years, 239 mg/dl in 41 to 50 years, 213 mg/dl in 51 to 60 years, and 248 mg/dl in more than 61 years. 5. The mean values of serum total cholesterol were showed positive correlation with age, PIBW, BMI, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. 6. Serum total cholesterol level of drinking group(188.9$\pm$34.85mg/dl) was showed love. than those of non-drinking group(196.0$\pm$36.0 mg/dl). 7. Serum total cholesterol levels of regular excercise group(192.1$\pm$33.3 mg/dl) was significantly lower than those of non regular excercise group(195.8$\pm$37.0 mg/dl).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.5 s.174
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• pp.535-545
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• 2005

Environmental survey from some abandoned metal mine areas was undertaken on to assess the risk of adverse health effects on human exposure to arsenic influenced by past Au-Ag mining activities. Elevated levels of As were found in tailings from the studied mine areas. This high concentration may have a impact on soils and waters around the tailing piles. In order to perform the human risk assessment, chemical analysis data of soils, rice grains and waters fur As have been used. The HQ values fer As via the rice grain and groundwater consumption were significantly higher compared with other exposure pathways in all metal mine areas. However, there were minimal soil and water dermal contact risks. The resulting Hl values of As from the Dongil, Okdong and Hwacheon mine areas were higher than 5.0, and their toxic risk due to drinking water and rice grain was strong in these mine areas. The cancer risk of being exposed to As by the rice grain route from the Dongil, Okdong and Hwacheon mine areas was $5.2\times10^{-4},\;6.0\times10^{-4}\;and\;8.1\times10^{-4}$, respectively. The As cancer risk via the exposure pathway of drinking water from these mine areas exceeded the acceptable risk of 1 in 10,000 fer regulatory purposes. Thus, the daily intakes of groundwater and rice grain by the local residents from the Dongil, Okdong and Hwacheon mine areas can pose a potential health threat if exposed by long-term arsenic exposure.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 2008

Purpose: To assess the relationship between lifestyle and metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and laboratory results of 109 subjects (7~15 years of age) who visited our pediatric obesity clinic between January 2004 and December 2007. They completed the parent- and self-report questionnaire developed by the Committee on Nutrition of the Korean Pediatric Society to assess lifestyle. The metabolic syndrome was defined as having 3 or more of the following metabolic risk factors: obesity, hypertension, serum triglycerides ${\geq}$110 mg/dL, HDL-cholesterol ${\leq}$40 mg/dL, fasting glucose ${\geq}$110 mg/dL, and insulin ${\geq}20{\mu}IU/mL$. Results: All subjects had at least 1 risk factor (obesity). Sixty-three percent of subjects had 2 or more risk factors, 32% of subjects had 3 or more risk factors, and 10% had 4 or more metabolic risk factors. Hypertriglyceridemia (36%), hypertension (32%), hyperinsulinemia (24%), and HDL-hypocholesterolemia (20%) were observed. Fasting blood glucose levels were normal in all subjects. Hypertension was significantly associated with an unbalanced diet and hyperinsulinemia was significantly associated with parental obesity (p<0.05). Those who ate after 8 PM were at a risk of hypertension (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.0~6.1). Those who did not have a preference for exercise were at a risk of hyperinsulinemia (odds ratio, 10.4; 95% CI, 2~54.1). Those who watched TV for ${\geq}$3 hours/day were at a risk of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.2∼18.8). Conclusion: Lifestyle, such as eating late, no preference for exercise, and TV watching ${\geq}$3 hours/day, were related to metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.350-356
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to verify the relation among vegetarian diet, physical activity and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Two hundred and forty five buddhist nuns (age : 23~79 yrs) were selected as vegetarians. For control subjects, 235 healthy female adults (age : 23~79 yrs) were selected. Study period was from October 1996 to February 1997. The contents are consist of food consumption survey, anthropometric measurement, amount of energy expenditure, physical activity and clinical examination. Results were summarized as follows : The average ages of vegetarians were $44.2{\pm}17.3\;yrs$ and those of non-vegetarians were $40.5{\pm}18.4\;yrs$. Average body mass indices (BMI) of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were $22.5{\pm}2.7\;and\;21.1{\pm}2.5$, WHRs were $0.9{\pm}0.1\;and\;0.8{\pm}0.1$, and the average duration of vegetarian diet of the vegetarians was 13.1{\pm}12.9 years. All the nutrient intakes of both groups were over RDA's except calcium and vitamin A intakes of non-vegetarians that were below RDA's Fiber and vitamin C intakes of the vegetarians were significantly higher than those of non-vegetarians (p<0.01). Average energy intakes of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were $2177.1{\pm}420.6\;kcal/day\;and\;2103.2{\pm}534.9\;kcal/day$, total daily energy expenditure were $1789.9{\pm}325.8\;kcal/day\;and\;1703.8{\pm}344.8\;kcal/day$, those by physical activity were $507.8{\pm}360.9\;kcal/day\;and\;400.0{\pm}247.8\;kcal/day$. Serum lipid level, blood sugar, systolic blood pressure of vegetarians were significantly lower than those of non-vegetarians, but ratio of HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol was higher than those of non-vegetarians. Levels of total serum cholesterol of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 161.4{\pm}33.3 mg/dL and 189.6{\pm}33.6mg/dL, HDL-cholesterol were $48.2{\pm}11.4\;mg/dL\;and\;50.8{\pm}12.2\;mg/dL$, LDL-cholesterol were $86.6{\pm}26.9\;mg/dL\;and\;111.1{\pm}17.0\;mg/dL$, atherogenic indice(AI) were $2.4{\pm}0.6\;and\;2.9{\pm}0.7$, fasting blood sugar were $90.8{\pm}14.3\;mg/dL\;and\;103.6{\pm}24.6\;mg/dL$, systolic blood pressure were $107.5{\pm}14.9\;mmHg\;and\;119.3{\pm}15.3\;mmHg$. Energy expenditure by physical activity was negatively correlated with levels of serum total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic indice(AI). Therefore, physical activity and vegetarian diet effectively helped reduce blood lipids related to cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.1 s.258
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• pp.35-41
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• 2006

Background: The radial arteries are being used more often for coronary artery bypass grafting, We tried to the endoscopic radial artery harvest to reduce the cosmetic problems and neurologic complications of the conventional open harvesting and report the techniques and early results. Material and Method: The 86 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting between May 2003 and April 2005 had their nondominant radial artery endoscopically removed through a 2 cm incision at the wrist. The radial pedicle was dissected and was divided at antecubial area through a 5 mm counterincision. Result: The 23 patients complained of neuralgias on territory of superficial raidal none but no one complained of neuralgias on territory of lateral antebrachial cutaneous none. There was no functional impairment of the hand. There was no wound complication except a localized hematoma. All patients were contacted by telephone after postoperative 7.9$\pm$3.6 months. The 4 patients still complained of neuralgia. All the patients were satisfied with the aesthetics of the wounds. The multidetectional tomography was done on the 66 patients for the estimation of early patency of radial artery. There were 2 cases of stenosis and a case of occlusion. Conclusion: Endoscopic radial artery harvest had no functional impairment of the hand, lesser rate of neurologic complications and outstanding aesthetics. The results of early patency of the radial artery was similar to conventional methods. Therefore, we think that endoscopic radial artery harvest is the optimal procedure.