• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.41-58
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of three single aqueous herbal extracts(Trichosanthes Semen, Gardeniae Fructus, and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including mastitis in Korea, against Staphylococcus aureus and lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Methods: Anti-bacterial activities of three single aqueous herbal extracts against S. aureus were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the cell viability, $PGE_2$, NO, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 productions of LPS activated Raw 264.7 cells. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects were compared with lincomycin and piroxicam, respectively in the present study. Results: MIC of three single aqueous herbal extracts against S. aureus were detected as over 25, $4.063{\pm}2.096$ and $1.641{\pm}0.972$ mg/ml, respectively. MIC of lincomycin was detected as $0.469{\pm}0.297{\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, $ED_{50}$ against LPS-induced cell viabilities and cytokine releases of three single aqueous herbal extracts were as follows - cell viability: 7.635, 13.761, 6.986 mg/ml, NO production : 4.808, 22.015, 2.949 mg/ml, $PGE_2$ production : 3.040, 4.312, 0.821 mg/ml, TNF-${\alpha}$ production : 9.563, 54.931, 1.240 mg/ml, IL-$1{\beta}$ production : 1.362, 1.801, 0.534 mg/ml, IL-6 production : 0.371, 0.797, 0.202 mg/ml, respectively. $ED_{50}$ of piroxicam against LPS-induced cell viabilities, NO, $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were detected as 35.179, 6.552, 1.162, 7.273, 7.101 and 5.044 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively at same conditions. Conclusions: The results of the study showed anti-bacterial effects against S. aureus in the order of Gardeniae Fructus and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix aqueous extracts, except for Trichosanthes Semen. They also showed anti-inflammatory effects against LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells in the order of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Trichosanthes Semen, and Gardeniae Fructus aqueous extracts. These three herbs are expected to be great substitutes to reduce side-effect of lincomycin and piroxicam, if the amount of those three single aqueous herbal extracts is adjusted appropriately.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.73-88
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the factors such as self-esteem, social supports, socio-economic status of parents, degree of disability in child, stress coping, religion, and sports.exercise on the qualities of lives in mothers with disabled children. Data were collect from 45 institutions(schools from kindergarten to senior-high, special education institutes, and social welfare institutions) by self-report questionnaire, and the subjects of the study were 386 mothers in Seoul whose children were attending the schools or institutions. Findings according to socio-demographic variables are as follows: 1. Mothers with disabled children in this study thought their quality of life as average degree. 2. The younger the mothers and children, the higher the quality of life was. 3. The higher the educational level and monthly income, the higher the quality of life was. 4. There was no statistically significant difference between the existence and nonexistence of spouse, and between the existence and nonexistence of religion as well. Findings analyzed by multiple regression are as follows: 1. Among 7 independent variables 'self-esteem'(${\beta}$=.49, p<.001), 'social supports'(${\beta}$=.15, p<.01), and 'socio-economic status'(${\beta}$=.11, p<.05) were found to be statistically significant in quality of life in mothers, while the rests were found not significant. 2. 'Self-esteem' was found to be the most influencing variable, meaning that the psychological factor such as self-esteem is more important than environmental factors in qualities of lives in mothers. 3. The total amount of explanation of the model was Adjusted R square=.301, so that it can be said about 30% can be explained among total variance of the qualities of lives in mothers with disabled children. Conclusions and recommendations based on the results above are: First, it is strongly recommended to conduct programs promoting self-esteem in mothers with disabled children, and to include 'self-esteem' hereafter in the studies related to qualities of lives in mothers with disabled children. Second, comprehensive and practical countermeasures should to be formulated to back up expenses for education and medical care, purchasing relative tools and equipments, plus helping to find jobs.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.253-262
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• 2008

Previous studies have indicated that incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is partly related to the damage of antioxidant systems, but etiology of RA is not fully identified. This study was performed to evaluate nutrient intakes including antioxidants, health related behaviors and food habits of RA patients and controls. RA patient group (n = 68) and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 68) were joined in this study. Nutrient intake was estimated using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. As mean age of RA ($52.9{\pm}13.8$ years) was significantly higher than those of controls ($48.7{\mp}5.9$ years), data were analyzed by using Student's t-test, adjusted for age. There was no significant difference between two groups in body mass index. Compared with those of controls, frequencies of drinking (p < 0.001) and coffee consumption (p < 0.05) of RA groups were lower. RA groups had lower frequencies of fruit (p < 0.01), vegetable (p < 0.05) and fatty meat (p < 0.05) consumptions and balanced diet (p < 0.01), and higher frequencies of fried dishes (p < 0.01), and salty dishes (p < 0.01), compared to controls. The most nutrient intakes including energy intake of RA were tended to be lower than those of controls. Vitamin A, ${\beta}$-carotene and vitamin C intakes were significantly lower in RA than controls (p < 0.001). Daily vitamin A, ${\beta}$-carotene and vitamin C intakes of RA were lower than those of control (vitamin A: RA $360.6{\pm}252.23{\mu}g$ RE, control $844.5{\pm}426.2{\mu}g$ RE, p < 0.001; ${\beta}$-carotene: RA $1450.9{\pm}1019.0{\mu}g$, control $3968.8{\pm}2248.21{\mu}g$, p < 0.001; vitamin C; RA $40.6{\pm}21.48mg$, control $84.7{\pm}40.29$, p < 0.001) These results suggest sufficient consumption of antioxidant nutrients may prevent and improve RA status.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.27
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• pp.81-105
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• 2011

Lately, with the increase of the private security industry, individual quality improvement of the private security guards is rising. Especially, in accordance with competence of the private security guards, in the base of individual technical or knowledge, the confidence of own ability is essential for the improvement of the private security industry. In accordance with the private security guards, the study of their competence is rare. But through the study of teenagers or members of the public organization, we can know the influence of variables competence. The purpose of this study is to show how the self-esteem, need for Achievement, relation with co-worker and supervisor, and leadership effect on competence. Consequently this study will offer effective ways to develop the private security guards competence. We can show that self-esteem effects competence of the private security guards between the need for achievement and self-esteem which are adjusted as the individual characteristic. Namely, the higher the self-esteem of the private security guards is, the higher competence is. The study shows that the relation with co-worker and supervisor of the private security guards doesn't effect competence. Unlike the previous studies, this study proves that contingent reward has a positive effect on the Private Security Guards competence in the transactional leadership. That is, the higher the contingent reward of leader is, the higher the level of competence of the Private Security Guards is. Lastly, We can know individualized consideration effect the competence of the private security guards in the transformational leadership.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.1002-1011
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• 2018

Background and Objectives: The prognostic impact of left axis deviation (LAD) on clinical outcomes in acute heart failure syndrome (AHFS) with left bundle branch block (LBBB) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of axis deviation in acute heart failure patients with LBBB. Methods: Between March 2011 and February 2014, 292 consecutive AHFS patients with LBBB were recruited from 10 tertiary university hospitals. They were divided into groups with no LAD (n=189) or with LAD (n=103) groups according to QRS axis <-30 degree. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Results: The median follow-up duration was 24 months. On multivariate analysis, the rate of all-cause death did not significantly differ between the normal axis and LAD groups (39.7% vs. 46.6%, adjusted hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.66, 1.53; p=0.97). However, on the multiple linear regression analysis to evaluate the predictors of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), presence of LAD significantly predicted a worse LVEF (adjusted beta, -3.25; 95% confidence interval, -5.82, -0.67; p=0.01). Right ventricle (RV) dilatation was defined as at least 2 of 3 electrocardiographic criteria (late R in lead aVR, low voltages in limb leads, and R/S ratio <1 in lead V5) and was more frequent in the LAD group than in the normal axis group (p<0.001). Conclusions: Among the AHFS with LBBB patients, LAD did not predict mortality, but it could be used as a significant predictor of worse LVEF and RV dilatation (Trial registry at KorAHF registry, ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT01389843).

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.242-248
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• 2015

In this paper, three carbon sources, i.e., solid graphite, gaseous CH4 and liquid ethanol, and one solid silicon source were employed to synthesize SiC/C nanocomposite powders by arc-discharge plasma. The processing conditions such as the component ratios of raw materials, atmospheric gases, etc. were adjusted for controllable synthesis of the nanopowders. It is indicated that both of solid graphite and silicon can be co-evaporated and reacted to form nanophases of cubic ${\beta}$-SiC with ~50 nm in mean size and a little free graphite; the carbon atoms decomposed from gaseous $CH_4$ favor to combine with the evaporated silicon atoms to form the dominant SiC nanophase; liquid carbon source of ethanol can also be used to harvest the main ${\beta}$-SiC and minor 6H-SiC phases in the assembly of nanoparticles. The as-prepared SiC/C nanocomposite powders were further purified by a heat-treatment in air and their photocatalytic performances were then greatly improved.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.377-383
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• 2006

The purpose of the present study was to examine the pharmacokinetic characteristics of arsenic hexaoxide($As_4O_6$), a novel anticancer compound, after i.v. bolus and oral administration in rats. We developed an ICP-Mass based method to analyze arsenic hexaoxide levels in plasma, bile, urine, feces, and tissue and validated the method. Arsenic hexaoxide rapidly disappeared from the plasma by 10 min($\alpha$ phase) after i.v. administration, which was followed by the late disappearance in the $\beta$ phase. The mean plasma half-lives($t_{1/2}$) of arsenic hexaoxide at the a and $\beta$ phase when administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg were 1.57 and 29.8 min, respectively. The maximum plasma concentration($C_{max}$) was 230 ng/mL, after oral administration of arsenic hexaoxide at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The bioavailability, which was calculated from the dose-adjusted ratio, of the oral administered arsenic hexaoxide was 1.61%. Of the various tissues tested, arsenic hexaoxide was mainly distributed in the spleen, lung, liver and kidney after oral administration. Arsenic hexaoxide levels in the spleen or lung at 24 hr after oral administration were higher than those of maximum plasma concentration($C_{max}$). The cumulative amounts of arsenic hexaoxide found in the urine by 48 hr after the administration of 50 mg/kg were 5-fold higher than those in the bile. However, the cumulative amounts in the feces were 10-fold higher compared with those of urine, suggesting that arsenic hexaoxide is mostly excreted in the feces. In conclusion, our observations indicated that arsenic hexaoxide was poorly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract to the blood circulation and transferred to tissues such as the spleen and lung at 24 hr after oral administration. Moreover, the majority of arsenic hexaoxide appears to be excreted in the feces by 48 hr after oral administration.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.6694-6701
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to identify the correlation between low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and the pulmonary function. This study enrolled premenopausal women in their aged 40s, who visited the health promotion center of a general hospital more than two times. A total of 384 subjects were classified into four groups based on their LDL-cholesterol levels; A, LDL(mg/dL)<100 at both initial and follow-up; B, LDL<100 at initial but ${\geq}100$ at follow-up; C, $LDL{\geq}100$ at initial but <100 on follow-up; and D, $LDL{\geq}100$ at both the initial and follow-up test. The result showed no significant differences in the pulmonary function between the four groups. Multiple linear regression analysis, which was adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, exercise, and follow-up duration, showed a significant negative relationship between the changes in the LDL and the changes in the $FEV_1/FVC$ (${\beta}=-0.109$, S.E.=0.029, P<0.001), but not in the $FEV_1$ and FVC. In conclusion, there was a significant but weak relationship between the LDL and pulmonary function. Further larger studies will be needed.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2002

A rapid, selective and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of terazocin in human plasma. Terazocin plus the internal standard, prazocin hydrochloride, were extracted from alkalified plasma with tert-butylmethyl ether, back-extracted into 0.05% phosphoric acid. Fifty ${\mu}l-portions$ of extract were injected onto a octadecylsilane column and eluted with a mixture of acetonitrile, water and triethylamine (30 : 70 : 0.1 v/v, adjusted to pH 5.0 with dilute phosphoric acid) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The fluorescence intensity of column eluents was monitored at excitation wavelength of 250 nm and emission wavelength of 370 nm. No interference peaks were observed. The practical limit of quantitation was 5 ng/ml for terazocin. The average intraday and interday coefficients of variation were 4.15 and 3.54%, respectively. Also intraday and interday precisions over the range $5{\sim}60\;ng/ml$ were $0.49{\sim}2.92\;and\;0.38{\sim}5.12%$, respectively. The bioequivalence of two terazosin tablets, the $Hytrine^{\circledR}$ (Il Yang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and the $Teratonin^{\circledR}$ (Sam-A Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), was evaluated according to the guideline of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Sixteen healthy male volunteers $(24.6{\pm}2.0\;years\;old)$ were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 2 mg of terazosin was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentration of terazosin in plasma was determined with a HPLC method using spectrofluorometric detector. AUC was calculated by the linear trapezoidal method. $C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were compiled from the plasma drug concentration-time data. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between the two preparations were 0.21 %, 5.53% and 8.82%, respectively. The powers $(1-{\beta})\;for\;AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were >99%, 97.49%, and 33.26%, respectively. Minimum detectable differences $({\Delta},\;%)\;at\;{\alpha}=0.1\;and\;1-{\beta}=0.8$ and the 90% confidence intervals were all less than ${\pm}20%$ except for $T_{max}.\;AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$ met the criteria of KDFA for bioequivalence, indicating that $Teratonin^{circledR}$ tablets are bioequivalent to $Hytrine^{circledR}$ tablets.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2008

The fyn-related kinase (FRK) belongs to the tyrosine kinase family of protein kinases. Recent studies have shown that Frk affects pancreatic beta cell number during embryogenesis and promotes beta cell cytotoxic signals in response to streptozotocin. To investigate the genetic association between FRK polymorphisms and the risk of obesity in Korean population, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FRK gene region were selected and analyzed. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and biochemical data (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1C, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein) of blood sample from each subject were also measured. One hundred fifty five healthy control and 204 overweight/obesity subjects were recruited. Genotype frequencies of six SNPs [rs6568920 (+8391G>A), rs3756772 (+56780A>G), rs3798234 (+75687C>T), rs9384970 (+68506G>A), rs1933739 (+72978G>A), and rs9400883 (+75809A>G)] in the FRK gene were determined by Affymetrix Targeted Genotyping Chip data. According to the classification of Korean Society for the Study of Obesity, control (BMI 18 to < 23) and overweight/obesity (BMI$\geq$23) subjects were recruited. For the analysis of genetic data, EM algorithm, SNPStats, Haploview, HapAnalyzer, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were used. Multiple logistic regression analysis (codominant, dominant, and recessive models) was performed. Age and gender as covariates were adjusted. For biochemical data, Student's t test was used. The mean value of BMI in the control and overweigh/obesity groups was 21.1${\pm}$1.2 (mean${\pm}$SD) and 25.6${\pm}$2.0, respectively. All biochemical data of the overweight/obesity group were statistically significance, compared with the control group. Among six SNPs, two linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks were discovered. One block consisted of rs1933739 and rs9400883, and the other comprised rs3756772 and rs3798234. One SNP (rs9384970, +68506G>A) showed an association with overweight/obesity in the codominant model (p=0.03). Interestingly, the AA genotype distribution in the overweight/obesity group (n=7, 3.5%) was higher than those in the control group (n=1, 0.6%), which is not found in either Japanese or Chinese subjects. Therefore, the AA genotype of rs9384970 may be a risk factor for development of obesity in Korean population. The results suggest that FRK may be associated with overweight/obesity in Korean population.