• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.79-89
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• 2010

Objectives: This study aims to identify health status and health risks among female marriage immigrants to Korea and to provide a basis for public health strategies to address their health issues. Methods: The participants of the study were 3,069 immigrant wives. The health examination was conducted by the Korea Association of Health Promotion (KAHP) in 2008. The participants also completed self-administered questionnaires on demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors and mental health. Results: Patterns of immigrant women's health problems differed by age and country of origin. Behavior patterns also differed by their heritage, age, and years of residence in Korea. Generally Vietnamese women fell in lower ranges of disease prevalence and health risk factors in the participant group and Japanese women presented most healthy eating habits. Filipina women showed relatively high disease prevalence than any other group. Conclusion: Immigration to Korea by marriage is relatively a new phenomenon, thus continuing surveillance and research are needed to identify health risks, behavior patterns, and their relationships. Interventions and policies for the health of migrant wives, their children and families are required.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.74-89
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• 1995

Selective mutism is a childhood condition defined by persisten failure to speak in specific social situation when speaking is expected, dispite preserved ability to comprehend spoken language and speak. Present study is to investigate clinical characteristics, treatment method and outcome of 23 children who were diagnosed as selective mutism by DSM-IV criteria at the child psychiatry ouptatient department of SNUH. The results were as follows : 1) The Sex ratio was 1: 4.8, female dominant Mear age of onset was 33 years old and mean age of first referral was 7.7 years old. 2) 22% of subjects had perinatal problem such as low birth weight, preterm birth, 26% of the subjects have history of delayed language development. There are subjects who had been separated with mam caretaker before 3 years old(26%) and who experienced physical or psychological trauma before 3 years old(26%). A few subjects had enurests(30%) and encoprests(4%). 3) Many subjects(65%) had symbiotic relationship with their mother. These families consist of dominant, verbally aggressive mother and passive father. Parents of 39% of all subjects were judged to have definite psychopathology(social phobic, depression, hysterical trait or alcohol problem) 26% of all subject, were reported physically abused. 4) The personality trait of the subjects were frequently described as follows(in order of frequency) ; Shy(100%), anxious(83%), stubborn(83%)m rigid and tense posture(78%), immature(65%) overdependent(65%), irritable(52%), manipulative(39%), depressive(39%). 5) The mean performance IQ of 16 subjects by KEDI-WISC was 88.3 Among them, the subjects with IQ below 69 were seven and those with IQ above 70 were nine. When comparing these two group(Mental retardation group vs Normal IQ group), we could find some difference in language development, personality trait, family dynamics and treatment outcome. 6) Among several treatment methods for selective mutism, play therapy was the most frequently used method(65%). Other commonly used treatment methods were pharmacotherapy(21%), behavioral therapy(8%), combined therapy(play therapy+pharmacotherapy+family therapy+behavioral therapy)(12%), 7) Regarding the outcome of treatment 8.6% was evaluated as Excellent, 30.4% as Good, 52% as Fair, 8.7% as Poor at the tinic of treatment. At follow up interview 21.7% was evaluated Excellent, 13% as Good, 21.7% as Fair, 34.8% as Poor. 8) We classified all subjects by Havden's 4 subtype. Symbiotic mutism was most common(65%) and other subtypes are Speech phobic mutism(8.6), Reactive mutism(13%) and Passive-aggressive mutism(30%).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.1172-1178
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• 2005

Purpose : Childhood Obesity is increasing throughout the world, and it is known to incur many diseases especially in later life such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between obesity and insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3) and know if these factors are useful in predicting cardiovascular diseases. Methods : The study group consisted of 64 moderate and severe obese adolescents and the controls were normal adolescents of the same age. body mass index(BMI) was calculated by height and weight; systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured at resting state. After 10-hour fasting period, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol, glucose, insulin, free fatty acid, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured. Results : Insulin was significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $15.6{\pm}7.0{\mu}IU/mL$, P<0.01). IGF-I was also significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $498.1{\pm}122.2ng/mL$, P<0.05). In addition, IGFBP-3 was significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $3,777{\pm}4,721ng/mL$, P<0.05). Insulin showed significantly positive correlation with BMI(r=0.3944) and obesity index(r=0.34). IGFBP-3 were significantly correlated with obesity index(r=0.419), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.264) and BMI(r=0.247). Insulin resistance index significantly positive correlation with BMI(r=0.595), blood triglycerid level(r=0.515) and obesity index(r=0.469). Conclusion : Serum insulin, insulin resistance index, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels may be useful to predict cardiovascular diseases in adolescent obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2005

Purpose : The aim of this study is to find the prevalence of obesity, the serum lipid levels and the age at menarche in adolescent female athletes and to examine the effects of exercise in adolescent stage. Methods : With a questionnaire regarding their age at menarche, physical measurement, body fat, and blood samples of the serum lipid levels to evaluate the hyperlipidemia were obtained from adolescent female athletes(n=107) and general adolescent students(n=650) who didn't exercise at regular intervals, aged 12 to 18 years. Results : The mean weight in the athletes' group was $53.3{\pm}7.3kg$ which was similar with $54.3{\pm}8.0kg$ in the control group. The mean height in the athletes' group was $161.4{\pm}5.4cm$, which was taller than $158.9{\pm}5.3cm$ in the control group. The prevalence of obesity by obesity index, body fat, and BMI in the athletes' group were significantly lower than in control group. There was no significant difference in age at menarche between two groups($12.6{\pm}1.3$, $12.9{\pm}1.2$). The levels of cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol in the athletes' group were higher than in the control group. The levels of triglyceride in the athletes' group was lower than in control group. Conclusion : These data suggest the importance of exercise in adolescents for the prevention of obesity since it may reduce body fat and increase the height. There was no negative effect of exercise on the age at menarche. We think that more controlled assessment of nutrition, diet habit, hormonal effect and height are warranted to find the correlation with hyperlipidemia and exercise at the adolescent stage.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.13
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• pp.423-449
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• 2007

This research is to investigate the detention facilities of police stations and their real operations through the perceptions of detainees at police station cells and to present the policy suggestions for them. To fulfill the research, a questionnaire was made out on the basis of 'the Regulation on Detention and Escort for Suspects'. 'the Regulation on a Standard Plan for Detention Facilities' and 'the Regulation on the Lowest Standard to Treat Detainees' ; and detainees at 23 police station cells under the jurisdiction of Kyungbuk Local Police Agency were asked to answer it. Policy suggestions following from the result of the investigation of detainees' perceptions of the detention facilities of the police stations are as follows; Firstly, the structure of police station cells should be arranged in straight lines in order to take their human rights into consideration and more detention facilities are needed to be built in order to separate male, female, handicapped and juvenile inmates. Secondly, shower rooms and washrooms outside the cells should always be open to detainees whenever they need to be used. Thirdly, any detention facilities deficient in fire fighting equipment should have exit doors installed as soon as possible in case of an emergency and provide sufficient fire extinguishers considering the number of detainees and the size of the facilities. Fourthly, the detention facilities should have sufficient windows for ventilation and take necessary measures to obtain natural lighting instead of electric lighting. Fifthly, air conditioners should be equipped properly taking account of the number of detainees and the dimensions of the facilities. Policy suggestions according to the result of the investigation of detainees' perceptions of the operation of detention facilities of police stations are as follows; Firstly, the problem of operating the detention facilities must deal with worn-out facilities and measures to secure the budget should be taken as soon as possible. Secondly, considering that most detained suspects have difficulties in livelihood, daily necessaries must be issued to them. Thirdly, personal belongings deposited by inmates must be properly managed with the same documentation throughout the police station detention facilities. The number of female guards to take exclusive charge of the physical checkups and processing of female detainees should be increased. Also the facilities for handicapped detainees must be expanded, improved and managed properly. Fourthly, except for handcuffs and ropes to bind detainees in the detention facilities, helmets to prevent self-harm must be withdrawn. The budget to improve the quality of meal issued by the government must be urgently secured and the price of private food sent to detainees must be readjusted to be in line with the consumer price. Health and medical care and sanitation for detainees must be substantial, and also sunbathing and outdoor exercises should be allowed to detainees.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 2009

Purpose : Thymus is a lymphoproliferative organ that changes size in various physiological states in addition to some pathological conditions. Thymus is susceptible to involution, and shows a dramatic response to severe stress. Thymic measurements may be helpful in various diseases. UTI (urinary tract infection) is most common bacterial infection in infants and VUR (vesicoureteral reflux) is a common abnormality associated with UTI. In our study, the size of thymus was compared on the premise that a greater stress is exerted on the body when UTI is accompanied by VUR, than when occurs on its own. Methods : Thymic size was measured on standard chest anteroposterior radiographs and expressed as the ratio between the transverse diameter of the cardiothymic image at the level of the carina and that of the thorax (CT/T). The medical records of 99 febrile urinary tract infection infants without other genitourinary anomalies except VUR were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Among 99 patients with febrile UTIs, 25 were febrile UTI without VUR and 74 with VUR. For the UTI with VUR group, there was a significant decrease in the thymic size compared to the those without VUR group ($0.382{\pm}0.048$ vs $0.439{\pm}0.079$, P<0.05). However, there were no differences in the duration of fever and WBC, CRP between the UTI with VUR and UTI without VUR. In addition, there were no differences in the cardiothymic/thoracic ratios between renal defects and renal scars in febrile UTI patients. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the shirinkage of thymus was more frequently found in the UTI patients with VUR. Therefore, awareness of the risks associated with thymic size is important for the appropriate work up and management of UTI patients.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2017

Foreign materials with a variety of types and sizes are found in food; thus, extraordinary efforts and various analytical methods are required to identify the types of foreign materials and to find out accurate causes of how they unintentionally enter food. In this study, human, cow, pig, mouse, duck, goose, dog, and cat were chosen as various types of animal hairs because they can be frequently incorporated into food during its production or consumption step. We morphologically analyzed them using stereoscopic, optical, SUMP method, and scanning electron microscopes, showing differences in each type. In addition, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) was used to analysis chemical compositions ($^{11}Na{\sim}^{92}U$, Mass%) of samples. As a result, we observed that mammalian hairs were mainly composed of sulfur. Organic compounds of samples were further analyzed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) that can compare spectra of given materials; however, this method did not show significant differences in each sample. In this study, we suggest a rapid method for the identification of the causes and types of foreign materials in food.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.481-487
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• 2005

Purpose : Adiponectin, adipose tissue-specific protein, has anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties. It has been found to have a negative correlation with obesity and to play a role in modulating glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Serum adiponectin concentrations are decreased in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes. We investigated the difference in adiponectin levels between obese and non-obese children, and evaluated the relationship of serum adiponectin with body mass index(BMI), serum fasting insulin, lipid profiles and homeostasis model assessment(HOMA) in children. Methods : We measured serum adiponectin levels by radioimmunoassay in 113 children(82 obese children and 31 non-obese controls) from 8 to 15 years of age, and also checked BMI, fasting serum glucose, insulin and lipid profiles. Fasting and postprandial serum adiponectin concentrations were compared by oral glucose tolerance tests in 27 obese children. The correlations of adiponectin with BMI, insulin, low density lipoprotein(LDL)-cholesterol and HOMA were analyzed by Pearson's correlation. Results : The serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in the obese group(19.7 mg/mL) than in the non-obese group(27.5 mg/mL)(P<0.01). Serum adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with BMI(r=-0.39, P<0.01), serum insulin(r=-0.28, P<0.01), LDL-C(r=-0.20, P<0.01) and HOMA(r=-0.22, P<0.01). At oral glucose tolerance tests in obese children, postprandial 2 hours adiponectin level(19.8 mg/mL) was decreased compared to fasting level(25.8 mg/mL)(P<0.01). Conclusion : Serum adiponectin concentrations were inversely related to adiposity and insulin resistance in children. We suggest the serum adiponectin level could be used as an early marker of insulin resistance in obese children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.267-275
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• 2008

Purpose : To determine whether primary snoring could be distinguished from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) by clinical evaluation and symptom scores. Methods : 56 snoring and 20 asymptomatic subjects were recruited and polysomnography was used to confirm that there were 39 OSAS, 17 primary snoring, and 20 control subjects. We evaluated the size of the childrens adenoids and tonsils. Parents completed sleep disordered breathing scale (SDBS) and obstructive sleep apnea 18 (OSA-18) questionnaires for use as symptom scores, as well as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder rating scale-IV (ADHD RS-IV). Results : There were no differences between primary snoring and OSAS in terms of tonsil and adenoid size, SDBS ($9.4{\pm}4.6\;vs\;10.8{\pm}4.5$), and OSA-18 score ($61.1{\pm}25.1\;vs\;71.2{\pm}8.4$). The patients with OSAS ($15.8{\pm}7.9$) and PS ($22.2{\pm}9.4$) had a higher ADHD RS-IV score than the control subjects ($2.9{\pm}3.3$). There was no difference in the ADHD RS-IV scores of patients with primary snoring and OSAS. Conclusion : We confirmed that clinical evaluation could not distinguish OSAS and primary snoring. In addition, our study suggests that primary snoring as well as OSAS is associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.1037-1041
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• 2006

Purpose : The prevalence of obesity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) was increased in adolescents. This study was performed to observe the prevalence of elevated aminotransferase levels in adolescents and to assess the correlations between aminotransferase levels and obesity related parameters(body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist to hip ratio and insulin level). Methods : We obtained weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference from 2,417 male and 1,219 female adolescents. Mean age was $15.7{\pm}0.7$ years old. We measured fasting insulin, aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT). Obese and overweight were defined as body mass indices(BMI) of more than the 95th, and 85th-94th percentiles, respectively, for age and sex. Results : The number of adolescents with obesity is 324(8.9 percent). 414(11.4 percent) subjects belonged to the overweight group. The average ALT level of obese, overweight and control groups were significantly different(obese : $32.1{\pm}34.3U/L$, overweight : $19.6{\pm}13.6U/L$, control : $12.7{\pm}6.7U/L$, P<0.001). The average AST level was also different according to group(obese : $27.8{\pm}16.5U/L$, overweight : $22.8{\pm}8.6U/L$, control : $20.8{\pm}8.5U/L$, P<0.001). AST and ALT were correlated with anthropometric parameters and insulin level. After multiple regression analysis, waist circumference was the significant predictive value for AST(r=0.234, P<0.001). Waist circumference, BMI and insulin levels were significant predictive values for ALT(r=0.435, P<0.001). Conclusion : The prevalence of abnormal aminotransferase was higher in the obese and overweight groups than control group. Waist circumference was useful to predict abnormal aminotransferase levels.