• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2023

Sleep apnea causes various secondary disease such as hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, depression and cognitive impairment. Early detection and continuous management of sleep apnea are urgently needed since it causes cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, wearable device for monitoring respiration during sleep using PVDF film was developed to detect vibration through trachea caused by breathing, which determines normal breathing and sleep apnea. Variables such as respiration rate and apnea were extracted based on the detected breathing sound data, and a noise reduction algorithm was established to minimize the effect even when there is a noise signal. In addition, it was confirmed that irregular breathing patterns can be analyzed by establishing a moving threshold algorithm. The results show that the accuracy of the respiratory rate from the developed device was 98.7% comparing with the polysomnogrphy result. Accuracy of detection for sleep apnea event was 92.6% and that of the sleep apnea duration was 94.0%. The results of this study will be of great help to the management of sleep disorders and confirmation of treatment by commercialization of wearable devices that can monitor sleep information easily and accurately at home during daily life and confirm the progress of treatment.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.251-261
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• 2014

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been found to be superior, in terms of hospital mortality and long-term outcome, compared with thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the clinical benefits of primary PCI have not been precisely evaluated in elderly patients.1,974 patients (Group I: n=1,018, $age{\geq}65years$, $73.8{\pm}5.99years$; Group II: n=956, age<65years, $52.8{\pm}7.96years$) who underwent primary PCI for AMI at Chonnam National University Hospital between 2006 and 2010 were analyzed according to their clinical, angiographic characteristics for hospital and one-year survival. Group I had a higher percentage of women, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, multi-vessel disease and lower prevalence of current smoking, hyperlipidemia, familial history than Group II. Culprit lesions were at the left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, right coronary artery and left main artery in 42.8% vs. 45.0%, 34.1% vs. 29.6%, 14.6% vs 14.6, 2.7% vs. 1.6%, respectively (p=0.007). Stent diameter was smaller in group I ($3.17{\pm}0.39$ vs. $3.29{\pm}0.42mm$, p=0.001). In-hospital mortality was higher in group I (8.4 vs. 1.9%, p<0.001). There were significant differences in the rates of major adverse cardiac events between the two groups during one-year clinical follow-up (20.1 vs.14.0%, p<0.001). On multiple logistic regression analysis, systolic blood pressure<100mmHg, serum $creatinine{\geq}1.3mg/dL$, Killip class> I, multivessel disease, left ventricular ejection fraction <40% and cerebro vascular disease were independent predictors of one-year motality in patients over 65 years after PCI.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.799-804
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• 2010

In humans, CYP2C19, a member of the cytochrome P450 subfamily, metabolizes arachidonic acid to produce epoxyicosanoid acids, which are involved in vascular tone and regulation of blood pressure (BP). Recent findings suggest that CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms might be considered as a novel candidate gene for cardiovascular disease. We thus focused on the Korean population to explore the association of two polymorphisms ($CYP2C19^*2$ and $^*3$) in this gene and essential hypertension (EH). A total of 1,241 participants (537 hypertensive subjects and 704 healthy controls) were recruited from the Yonsei Cardiovascular Genome Center in Korea. The CYP2C19 polymorphisms were genotyped using the $SNaPShot^{TM}$ assay. The allele and genotype frequencies of $CYP2C19^*3$ showed significant difference between hypertensives and normotensives (P=0.019 and P=0.023, respectively). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the $CYP2C19^*3$ A allele carriers were significantly associated with EH (OR, 0.723; 95% CI, 0.538-0.972, P=0.032) under a dominant model. In addition, CYP2C19 G-A haplotype ($2C19^*2\;G-^*3$ A combination) was found to significantly reduce EH risk (OR, 0.714, P=0.015). We believe this provides evidence that $CYP2C19^*3$ polymorphism may contribute to a protective effect in the development of EH.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2004

Purpose : Transient wall motion abnormality and contractile dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV) can be observed in patients with coronary artery disease due to post-stress myocardial stunning. To understand clinical characteristics of stress induced LV dysfunction, we have compared the findings of exercise stress test, myocardial perfusion SPECT and coronary angiography between subjects with and without post-stress LV dysfunction. Materials and Methods : Among subjects who underwent exercise stress test, myocardial perfusion SPECT and coronary angiography within a month of interval, we enrolled 36 patients with post-stress LV election fraction (LVEF) was $\geq5%$ lower than rest (stunning group) and 16 patients with difference of post-stress and rest LVEF was lesser than 1 %(non-stunning group) for this study. Treadmill exercise stress gated myocardial perfusion SPECT was performed with dual head SPECT camera using 740 MBq Tc-99m MIBI and coronary angiography was also performed by conventional Judkins method. Results : Stunning group had a significantly higher incidence of hypercholesterolemia than non-stunning group(45.5 vs. 7.1%, p=0.01). Stunning group also had higher incidence of diabetes mellitus and lower incidence of hypertension, but these were not statistically significant. Stunning group had larger and more severe perfusion defect in stress perfusion myocardial SPECT than non-stunning group(extent 18.2 vs. 9.2%, p=0.029; severity 13.5 vs. 6.9, p=0.040). Stunning group also had higher degree of reversibility of perfusion defect, higher incidence of positive exercise stress test and higher incidence of having severe stenosis ($80{\sim}99%$) in coronary angiography than non-stunning group, but these were not statistically significant. In stunning group, all of 4 patients without perfusion defect had significant coronary artery stenosis and had received revascularization treatment. Conclusion : Patients with post-stress LV dysfunction had larger and more severe perfusion defect and severe coronary artery stenosis than patients without post-stress LV dysfunction. All of the patients without perfusion defect in stunning group had significant coronary artery stenosis and needed revascularization. Therefore, we suggest that invasive diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions might be needed in patients with post-stress LV dysfunction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.8
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• pp.1180-1185
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• 2015

This study was performed to investigate the biological activity of yangha flower buds as well as to manufacture of yanggeng prepared with various levels (0 g, 3 g, 6 g, 9 g, and 12 g) of yangha flower buds. DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities of yangha flower buds were 96% and 57% compared to levels of vitamin C, respectively. In the oxygen radical antioxidant capacity assay, antioxidant activity increased dose dependently up to $500{\mu}g/mL$ of yangha flower buds. There was no toxicity up to $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ in vascular smooth muscle cells, and yanggeng significantly reduced migration and proliferation by platelet-derived growth factor-BB-stimulated rat aortic smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation. In the sensory evaluation, the optimal sample was YY9, which was prepared with 9 g of yangha flower buds. It can be concluded that yangha flower buds show antioxidant and vascular protective activities. The optimal sample (YY9) is expected to contribute as a new functional food.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.495-502
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• 2010

Purpose : Sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the newborn, particularly in preterm. The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence rate, causative pathogens and clinical features of neonatal sepsis in one neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for 6 years. Methods : This study was retrospectively performed to review the clinical and laboratory characteristics including sex, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, length of hospitalization, length of total parenteral nutrition, presence of central venous catheter, underlying diseases, laboratory findings, microorganisms isolated from blood culture, complications and mortality in 175 patients between January 2003 and December 2008. Results : 1) Sepsis was present in 175 of 3,747 infants for 6 years. There were more gram-positive organisms. 2) The gram-negatives were more prevalent in preterm. There were no significant differences of other clinical features between two groups. 3) Underlying diseases were found in 73.7%, and the most common disease was cardiovascular disease. The most common organisms of gram-positives and gram-negatives were methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Serratia marcescens. 4) There was statistically significant difference on platelet counts between two groups (P<0.05). 5) Complications were found in 18.3% and septic shock was the most common. MRSA was the most common pathogen in sepsis with complication. 6) The mortality rate was 7.4%. 7) There were differences in monthly blood stream infection/1,000 patient-days. Conclusion : The studies about the factors that can influence neonatal sepsis will contribute to decrease the infection rates in NICUs.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.83-87
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• 2004

This research was designed to investigate the effects of Estromon including FGF271 (Female Growth Factor 271) which was developed as a phytoestrogen for post- and pre-menopausal syndrome (PMS). The oral administration of two capsules of Estromon twice a day for 3 months significantly improved PMS (Post-/Premenopausal Syndrome) about 5 times more than placebo group (OR=5.04, 95% C.1. 1.40-18.14). In the group of 24 patients having taken Estromon, the concentration of alkaline phosphatase asn the bone marker decreased by -9.3${\pm}$9.5 IU/L after 3 months with a statistic significance. Since the concentration of osteocalcin as the other bone marker also decreased in more patients in Estromon group than in placebo group, the bone density might be expected to be improved in long-term treatment. Serum human growth hormone level increased in 17 out of 24 patients. Triglycerides decreased by -8.0${\pm}$40 (mg%) after 1 month and by -4.4${\pm}$36 (mg%) after 3 months in Estomon group while triglycerides increased in both cases in placebo group (p.0.01). Therefore, PMS patients might benefit from Estromon as a phytoestrogen supplement without any serious side effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 2010

Menopause increases the onset of hypertension and heart disease. Whereas it increases the blood LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and total-cholesterol levels, the HDL-cholesterol concentration is reduced. Accordingly, we examined the effect of internal organs of Todarodes pacificus (IOT) on improvement in blood flow ability and changes in serum lipid content by using ovariectomized rats. For this study, the following four groups of 9-week-old Sprague-Dawley strain female rats were evaluated over 6 weeks: normal rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (CON) and ovariectomized rats that were treated with IOT extracts. Ovary removal promoted platelet aggregability. However, IOT administration in the CON group after ovary excision resulted in a hinderance of coherence. The blood vessel passing time of ovariectomized rats was slower than the SHAM group. But the blood flow ability, which was slowed down for ovary removal, was improved by IOT administration. Serum triglyceride levels were significantly reduced by IOT administration. Moreover, blood HDL-cholesterol levels were reduced by ovary removal. However, IOT administration after ovary excision significantly increase HDL-cholesterol levels. The biological activity of IOT could be confirmed from these results. Moreover, IOT can be used in the development of functional foods which are meant to improve blood circulation and anti-platelet aggregation function. According to these results, we could know that IOT improved blood flow and anti-platelet aggregation. Therefore, it is expected that IOT can be used for the development of functional foods.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1034-1046
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• 2019

The mitochondria is the major cellular organelle of energy metabolism for the supply of cellular energy; it also plays an important role in controlling calcium regulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis. Mitochondrial dysfunction causes various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, Lou Gehrig's disease, cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, diabetes, and cancer. Most of the diseases are age-related diseases. In this review, we focus on the roles of mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer. Mitochondrial dysfunction induces carcinogenesis and is found in many cancers. The factors that cause mitochondrial dysfunction differ depending on the types of carcinoma, and those factors could cause cancer malignancy, such as resistance to therapy and metastasis. Mitochondrial dysfunction is caused by a lack of mitochondria, an inability to provide key substances, or a dysfunction in the ATP synthesis machinery. The main factor associated with cancer malignancy is mtDNA depletion. Mitochondrial dysfunction would leads to malignancy through changes in molecular activity or expression, but it is not known in detail which changes lead to cancer malignancy. In order to explore the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and cancer malignancy in detail, mitochondria dysfunctional cell lines are constructed using chemical methods such as EtBr treatment or gene editing methods, including shRNA and CRISPR/Cas9. Those mitochondria dysfunctional cell lines are used in the study of various diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, including cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1046-1051
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• 2023

Cigarette smoking is one of the major causes of preventable diseases, disability, and death in Korea and worldwide. It has been clearly linked to the most common causes of death among the elderly and contributes to morbidity and disability associated with many chronic illnesses that are common in this age group. The health benefits of smoking cessation for the elderly have been clearly demonstrated. However, few studies have analyzed the relationship between health and smoking by considering the following many factors, especially among disabled people. In this study, we discuss the impacts of many factors on smoking among disabled people. Adults with disabilities are more likely to smoke than their peers. Public health agencies and practitioners should consider what reasonable adjustments may need to be made to policies and interventions to ensure that they are effective for adults with disabilities.