• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.4623-4629
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• 2016

Introduction: Breast cancer is multifactorial therefore more recognition of risk factors is important in its prevention. Objective: This study was conducted in order to determine the factors influencing breast cancer in women referred to health centers in Guilan province in 2015-2016. Method: In a case- control study, 225 women with breast cancer were investigated. The control group consisted of 225 healthy women of the relatives (third-rank) whose phone numbers were obtained from the patients. Data were collected through telephone interviews. Results: The risk of breast cancer raised in women who have a family history of other cancers (OR= 3.5; 95% CI= 1.96-6.6), exposure to X-Ray (OR= 2.5; 95% CI=1.1-5.5), having more than 4 children (OR= 2.695% CI=1.2-4.8), age more than 36 years at first pregnancy(OR=2.3; 95% CI=0.7-5.1),primary levelof education (OR= 5.4;95% CI=2.8-11.2) and inadequate intake of fruit (OR=1.5; 95% CI=1-2.2). Also, presence of the following factors reduced breast cancer risk: regular menstruation (OR= 0.66; CI=0.4-0.9), duration of breastfeeding more than 12 months, less than 6 months and 7-12 months (OR=0.23; 95% CI=0.09-0.59, OR=0.29; 95% CI=0.17-0.49 and OR=0.03; 95% CI=0.01-0.08) and parity (OR=0.4; 95% CI=0.27-0.83) In multiple linear regression analysis of higher education (OR=0.16; 95% CI=0.03-0.77), using contraceptives for more than 16 years (OR=2.3; 95% CI=1.4-3.9), family history of other cancers (OR=6.1; 95% CI=1.9-19.3) and a history of X-Ray exposure (OR=4.4; 95% CI=1.07-18.1) were considered as predictive factors. Conclusion: The results of this study emphasize the importance of informing women about breast cancer risk factors. So, identification of these risk factors is required as important means of prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.24-35
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• 2003

Recent epidemiologic studies revealed that the concentration of air pollutants and fine particulated matter have some effects on health status and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to characterize background mass concentration of fine particle (PM2.5) and metallic composition from September 2001 to August 2002 in comparison with a medium city, Asan and metropolitan city, Seoul. Conclusively, proper management for fine particles was required in a medium city, Asan, considering the concentrations of metallic elements in fine particles in Asan were relatively higher than those in Seoul. The results were as followed. 1. Average mass concentrations of fine particles in Asan and Seoul were 37.70(${\pm}18.41{\;}{\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$) and 5.83(${\pm}38.50$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. When the weather conditions were classified as normal and yellow-sand, measured average mass concentrations of fine particles in yellow-sand weather condition was significantly higher than those of normal weather condition in both cities (p<0.05). 2. Depending on seasons, measured average mass concentrations of fine particles in Asan and Seoul in spring were 47.76(${\pm}19.07$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$m and 61.53 (${\pm}4.37$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. In summer, the average mass concentrations of fine particles in Asan and Seoul were 29.44(${\pm}9.85$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$ and 25.42(${\pm}8.10$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. Especially, the concentration was the highest in spring and the lowest in summer among four seasons. 3. Average concentrations of manganese(Mn), iron(Fe), chromium(Cr), cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb) and silicon(Si) in fine particles in Asan were significantly higher in Seoul (p<0.05). Average concentration of Si in fine particle in Asan was statistically higher than that of Seoul during yellow -sand condition (p<0.05). 4. Considering the characterization of four seasons, average Pb concentration of fine particle in Asan is significantly higher than that of Seoul in spring(p<0.01). In summer, average Mn and Cr concentrations of fine particle in Asan is higher than those of Seoul (p<0.05). Average Mn, Fe. Cr and Si concentrations in fall (p<0.05), and average Mn, Fe, Cr, Pb, and Si concentrations in winter (p<0.05) in Asan were higher than those of Seoul, respectively. 5. Mass concentrations of each Mn, Fe, Cd and Si in fine particles were significantly correlated with both cities. In normal weather condition, Mn, Cu and Si concentrations are statistically significant in Asan, while Mn, Fe, Cu and Si concentrations are statistically significant in Seoul. Mn, Fe and Si concentrations in both cities were statistically significant during yellow-sand weather.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.50-60
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to conduct nutrition education using animations for the establishment of proper eating habits among elementary school students and to evaluate its effectiveness. The subjects of this study were two classes of fourth grade students in an elementary school located in Daegu-city. There were 29 students in each class. One class, the "nutrition-education" group, received nutrition education; the other class, the "no-education" group, did not receive the education. After completing the eight nutrition lessons, the effectiveness of the education was analyzed by measuring changes in the nutrition knowledge, eating habits and food preferences of the nutrition-education group vs. the no-education group. Before nutrition education, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of nutrition knowledge. However, after the nutrition education, the nutrition-education group's nutrition knowledge was significantly improved, compared to that of the no-education group (p < 0.001). Following education, the nutrition-education group's responses to the "eating habit" item, "I eat fruits every day," were significantly more positive, compared to the responses of the no-education group (p < 0.01). However, for the ten food groups listed as food preferences, except for fish and shellfish (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference in the responses of the two groups. Following the education, the nutrition-education group showed significantly increased preferences for 12 food items (red beans, mackerels, yellow corvinas, dried laver, kelps, radish, lettuce, pears, kiwi fruits, plums, grapes and sweet drinks made from fermented rice) out of 112 items, compared to the selected preferences of the no-education group. After education, 75.9% of the students in the nutrition-education group indicated changes in their eating habits, and 89.6% of them answered that the nutrition education helped them change their eating habits. The most helpful medium for changing their eating habits was animations (31.0%), followed by songs (20.7%) and lectures (17.2%). As a result of this study, after completing the nutrition education, students in the nutrition-education group showed significant changes in food preferences, and their level of nutrition knowledge was significantly increased. However, their eating habits did not actively change. Therefore, in order to establish proper eating habits, a longer period of consistent education is required, using various educational media and learning methods such as extracurricular activities and discretionary activity programs.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.413-419
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• 2011

This study was conducted to find out the cadmium (Cd) accumulation and tolerance of Iris pseudacorus and Acorus calamus as aquatic plants native to Korea for Cd removal in water. In the range of Cd concentration from $10{\mu}M$ to $130{\mu}M$, the Cd lethal dose 50 ($LD_{50}$) was $78.5{\mu}M$ in I. pseudacorus and $47.6{\mu}M$ in A. calamus. In I. pseudacorus, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase as antioxidants were relatively effective against oxidative stress caused by Cd, while catalase, superoxide dismutase, and polyphenolics were effective in A. calamus. The polyphenolics known as typical antioxidants were not detected in I. pseudacorus. In both species, the Cd accumulation in plants increased with the higher Cd concentration and the longer processing period. Also, the absorbed Cd was accumulated mainly in the roots. The amount of Cd accumulated in the shoot part was maximally $548.1mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ (82.1% to Cd accumulated in the root part) in I. pseudacorus and $121.4mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ (13.7%) in A. calamus, which implied that both species all were enough evaluated as Cd hyper-accumulators based on 0.01% or more Cd accumulation in the shoot. Especially I. pseudacorus showed outstanding ability to move well Cd into the shoots from the roots and high tolerance to Cd stress.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2003

Background: There is abundance of studies on the decrease in body fat through limited calorie intake or exercise; however, studies focusing simultaneously on functional foods and exercise are rare. This study was aimed to identify the effects of combination of a functional beverage and exercise on body composition and biochemical metabolic profiles. Method: Eighty-one healthy volunteers (69 females aged 19 to 50 years and 12 males aged 19 to 55 years), who maintained their body weight stable with 23 or higher in BMI (kg/$m^2$) and 25% or higher body fat for the last three months, were recruited in the study through written advertisement. All the subjects gave their informed consent, and the study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The study design was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel group design. All participants were given 12-week programed-exercise, which was performed 3 times a week. One bottle (100 ml) of test (Garcinia cambogia 300 mg, L-carnitine 20 mg, Soy peptide 1,000 mg) or placebo solution was given daily 30 min before each session of programed-exercise. BMI (body mass index), %fat, local fat amount (visceral and mid-thigh), waist circumference, skin fold thickness and some biochemical metabolic parameters like glucose, insulin and free fatty acids, etc in the blood were measured and compared before and after 12-week intervention within groups as well as between groups according to the protocol Results: Twenty six volunteers were dropped out and fifty five volunteers completed the study. At the end of 4, 8, and 12 weeks, approximately 1.98%, 3.00% and 3.50% losses of initial body weight were observed, respectively, in the test group (P<0.01), and 0.29, % ,0.74%, 1.60%, respectively, in the placebo group (P>0.05). BMI changed by 2.40%, 3.41% and 4.46%, respectively, in the test group, and 0.38%, 0.95% and 1.75%, respectively, in the placebo group, at each period of time. The reductions of body weight and BMI were significantly higher in the test group than in the placebo group at each period of time (P<0.05). Conclusions: It is thought that the combination of functional beverage, which contains mostly garcinia cambogia, L-carnitine, and soy peptide, and exercise have synergy effects on reducing body fat.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.95-110
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• 1982

For the purpose of investigation to identify the quantities of heavy metals contained in the tissues of the Korean people, a series of analyses was conducted with atomic absorption spectrophotometry to measure the amount of lead, cadmium and copper distributed in various tissues, such as brain, liver, kidney, heart, lung, spleen, large intestine, hair, muscle, fat, stomach, costal cartilage, blood and urine, obtained from 30 cadaverous bodies who were believed not exposed to the said heavy metals during their life time either occupationally or therapeutically. 1. Lead content: Inter-individual difference was noted in lead contents in each tissue, vis., the average content of lead in hair was the highest with $14.90{\pm}9.74ppm$. The next was in costal cartilage that contained $5.56{\pm}3.86ppm$. The average contents of lead in liver, kidney and muscle were the lowest in value, showing $1.11{\pm}0.92ppm,\;0.73{\pm}0.48ppm\;and\;0.06{\pm}0.06ppm$, respectively, The lead contents in tissues of children under the age of 10 were significantly lower than those of adults, and the higher values were shown in males than in females in general. The lead contents in most of the tissues such as hair, costal cartilage, kidney, lung, fat, stomach, large intestine, heart, muscle and urine were well correlated with age. 2. Cadmium content: The average content of cadmium in kidney appeared to be the highest of other tissues showing $20.72{\pm}9.82ppm$, and liver came next with the value of $1.17{\pm}0.99ppm$. It was estimated that 83.9% of the total cadmium absorbed into the body was stored in kidney, 4.796 in liver, and the remaining 11.4% was distributed in the rest of the tissues. Cadmium contents in tissues showed difference between both sexes showing higher values in the females than in the males, which was quite contrary to the lead content. Cadmium contents in tissues steadily increased in amount with age, showing a significant correlation with age in all tissues. 3. Copper content: The average content of copper in hair was the highest with $10.36{\pm}2.21ppm$, and liver came next with $6.31{\pm}1.24ppm$. The copper that was absorbed into the body was distributed in each tissue: 29.9% in hair, 18.2% in liver, $5{\sim}11.0%$ in brain, heart and kidney, and $3.0{\sim}3.5%$ in stomach, blood, and lung. The copper contents in tissues of children under the age of 10 showed significantly higher values in liver, kidney, heart and large intestine than those of the adults. The copper contents in brain, costal cartilage and fat were well correlated with age showing the highest correlation coefficient of 0.870 (p<0.01) in brain tissue. There was no difference in copper contents in tissues between both sexes, and the values were, in general, lower than those for Japanese.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2014

Agricultural soils surrounding mine areas in South Korea are often contaminated with multiple metals such as Cd, Pb and Zn. It poses potential risks to plants, soil organisms, groundwater, and eventually human health. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in phytoavailability of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn after application with calcined eggshell (CES; 0, 1, 3, and 5% W/W) in an agricultural soil contaminated by mine tailings. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in soils were 8.79, 65.4, 1602, and $692mgkg^{-1}$ (aqua regia dissolution), respectively. The experiments were conducted with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) grown under greenhouse conditions during a 30-d period. $NH_4NO_3$ solution was used to examine the mobile fraction of these metals in soil. The application of CES dramatically increased soil pH and inorganic carbon content in soil due to CaO and $CaCO_3$ of CES. The increased soil pH decreased the mobile fraction of Cd, Pb, Zn: from 3.49 to < $0.01mgkg^{-1}$ for Cd, from 79.4 to $1.75mgkg^{-1}$ for Pb, and from 29.6 to $1.13mgkg^{-1}$ for Zn with increasing treatment of CES from 0 to 5%. In contrast, the mobile fraction of Cu was increased from 0.05 to $3.08mgkg^{-1}$, probably due to the formation of soluble $CuCO_3{^0}$ and Cu-organic complex. This changes in the mobile fraction resulted in a diminished uptake of Cd, Pb and Zn by lettuce and an increased uptake of Cu: from 4.19 to < $0.001mgkg^{-1}$ dry weight (DW) for Cd, from 0.78 to < $0.001mgkg^{-1}$ DW for Pb, and from 133 to $50.0mgkg^{-1}$ DW for Zn and conversely, from 3.79 up to $8.21kg^{-1}$ DW for Cu. The increased contents of Cu in lettuce shoots did not exceed the toxic level of $>25mgkg^{-1}$ DW. The mobile contents of these metals in soils showed a strong relationship with their contents in plant roots and shoots. These results showed that CES effectively reduced the phytoavailability of Cd, Pb, and Zn to lettuce but elevated that of Cu in consequence of the changed binding forms of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in soils. Based on these conclusions, CES can be used as an effective immobilization agent for Cd, Pb and Zn in contaminated soils. However, the CES should be applied in restricted doses due to too high increased pH in soils.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.347-353
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• 2016

This study was performed to examine the quality characteristics of the sponge cakes with different contents (2-10% (w/w)) of lemon grass powder (LGP). An increase in LGP content in the cake led to a significant increase in the specific gravity of batter, baking loss rate, redness, hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of the cakes and a significant decrease in pH, moisture content, specific volume, height, volume and symmetry index, lightness, and yellowness of the cakes. Springness and resilience did not show any difference between the cakes. The consumer acceptance test indicated that the addition of LGP up to 2% did not cause a significant negative effect on the consumer acceptances in all attributes. The sponge cakes with 2% LGP can be recommended for manufacturing bakery.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2012

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become a global epidemic. In particular, it is known that there is a dramatic increase in the prevalence of MetS among women during the postmenopausal period. Recently, accumulating studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency may be inversely associated with the risk factors regarding MetS. However, evidence from postmenopausal women is limited. In this study, we examined the association between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and the MetS in Korean adult women aged 20-69 years (n = 2,618) by using the 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. The geometric mean of plasma 25(OH)D were $17.16{\pm}6.28\;ng$/mL and $20.20{\pm}7.69\;ng$/mL for premenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively. The percentages of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 12 ng/mL] were 22.5% and 14.4%, respectively. MetS was more prevalent in postmenopausal women (43.0%) compared with premenopausal women (11.2%). When serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were categorized in quintiles, there was no relationship in the prevalence of MetS in both premonopausal and postmenopausal women. However, in premenopausal women, compared with the lowest 25(OH)D quintile, the odds ratio for hypertriglyceridemia in the highest quintile was 0.57 (95% CI 0.34-0.95, $P_{trend}$ = 0.041) and for low serum HDL cholesterol 0.60 (95% CI 0.42-0.85, $P_{trend}$ = 0.014) after adjusting for all potential confounders. On the other hand, we observed the tendency of an inverse relationship for 25(OH)D regarding low serum HDL cholesterol (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.50-1.22, $P_{trend}$ = 0.029) and a direct relationship with abdominal obesity (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.01, 3.74, $P_{trend}$ = 0.049) in postmenopausal women. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in other research settings.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.109-118
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue. Methods : A randomized, controlled pilot trial was conducted. Twenty-four participants were randomized into one of the two groups: an acupuncture group(n=12) and wait-list group(n=12). The treatment group received 12 sessions of acupuncture over 4 weeks. Eight points($GV_{20}$; bilateral GB20, $BL_{11}$, $BL_{13}$, $BL_{15}$, $BL_{18}$, $BL_{20}$, and $BL_{23}$) were selected for needling. The control group did not receive acupuncture treatment during study period and follow-up were done in the $5^{th}$ and $9^{th}$ weeks after randomization in both groups. The primary outcome was fatigue severity scale(FSS) and the secondary outcomes included a short form of stress response inventory(SRI-short form), beck depression inventory(BDI), and insomnia severity index(ISI). Safety was assessed at every visit. Results : There were statistically significant differences in the between group values of FSS at $5^{th}$ weeks after randomization(p=0.0002), SRI-short form, BDI, and ISI at $5^{th}$, $9^{th}$ weeks after randomization(p<0.01). There were no adverse events. Conclusions : The results suggest that acupuncture is associated with benefits on the short-term outcomes in chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue.