• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 2001

Purpose : Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was standardized in 1979 by the National Diabetes Data Group and the World Health Organization as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, replacing groups such as 'borderline' and 'chemical' diabetes. The main clinical significance of IGT is as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and as a component of the metabolic syndrome. In 1997 the American Diabetes Association(ADA) was proposed the new classification and diagnostic criteria for diabetes, which is strict with the diagnostic baseline of Diabetes from 140mg/dl to 126mg/dl. And it's main purpose is to prevent chronic complications by early diagnosis and treatments. In the oriental medicine, Supungsunkihwan has been used in treatments of Diabetes including IGT & NIDDM, however there is not enough studies about the its objective hypoglycemic effect. so in order to investigate whether there is hypoglycemic effect of Supungsunkihwan, clinical studies were performed with IGT and mild NIDDM patients. Methods : Prior to the study, fasting blood sugar(FBS) and postprandial 2hrs(PP2hrs) glucose were checked. In addition, ECG, cholesterol, TG, HbA1c levels were measured, and the dinical characteristics of patients that can be influence to the blood sugar level such as age, gender, rest type, diet type were surveyed. Supungsukihwan was administered for 7 days, and FBS & PP2hrs were measured again after the therapy. Result : PP2hrs glucose levels were decreased by the administration of Supungsunkihwan. And It's hypoglycemic effects has the correlation with age. That is, the more age increase, the more hypoglycemic effect decrease. Conclusion : Supungsukihwan has hypoglycmic effects on IGT & mild NIDDM patients and it is more effective when administrated to young patients relatively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.452-460
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• 2017

Rice fields are important stopover sites for the conservation of shorebirds during long-distance migration. These fields serve as food sources providing energy for the next leg of the journey. Shorebirds are able to change their preferred food source at stopover sites. However, the type and distribution of food resources remain unknown for the shorebirds in the Republic of Korea. Therefore, we studied the type and distribution pattern of food resource (macroinvertebrates, remaining rice, and other seeds) for shorebirds in the rice fields. We have identified potential and actual food sources for shorebirds in the rice fields. The potential food sources were collected by using a core-sampling method and the actual food source was ascertained by observational analysis. As a result, a total 19 species of benthic macroinvertebrates in 15 families were recorded as potential food sources. A total of 9 families in 9 orders of benthic macroinvertebrates known to be actual food sources were also recorded during the study period, including loaches, and a tuber of sea club rush. Also, the distribution of the food source depended on soil conditions generated by cultivation such as plowing, harrowing, and the use of pesticides. In the present study, we identified the type and distribution of food sources for shorebirds. This information can be used as essential primary baseline data for conservation of shorebirds using the rice fields of the Republic of Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2971-2980
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• 2014

To find the risk of cardiovascular disease for breast cancer patients received postoperative adjuvant anticancer therapy, this study was investigated the change of serum lipid profile (total cholesterol and trigyiceride) and the 10 year risk score of ischemic heart disease. Medical data of 432 breast cancer patients diagnosed at the breast cancer center in an university hospital from January, 2003 to December, 2006 were collected and analysed. The results showed that the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were increased at the points of 2 and 5 years after operation. The margin of increase of total cholesterol was higher in the patients without endocrine therapy compared to them with endocrine therapy, however there were no changes in the level of triglyceride regardless of endocrine therapy. There were also no significant changes in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels between chemotherapy, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy. 10 year-risk score of ischemic heart disease was increased by 0.44%p in the final observation compared to that of a baseline.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.527-536
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to explore the components of the geriatric robot pet, which might be helpful in caring for elderly people in the future. Focus group interview-with two focus groups-was performed between August 2014 and December 2014. Study participants were 13 geriatric experts from nursing, medicine, social work, and physical/occupational therapy. All interview data were transcribed, followed by debriefing and a qualitative content analysis. Three main themes emerged: acknowledgment of the usefulness of geriatric robot pet, establishment of elderly-centered appearance, and the functions of the robot pet to meet the needs of elders and family members. The robot pet was considered to be useful to elders who live alone since they can benefit from companionship and care provided by the robot pet. Geriatric robot pet needs to be manageable in size and weight, like a small dog. Moreover, a function that allows for interaction with and monitoring the elderly would be beneficial. The baseline elements that could guide further development of contents for the Korean geriatric robot pet were proposed from the results of FGI. Studies that validate these elements are necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.35-49
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to provide the baseline data for conservation and management of the ecosystem of urban forest by surveying and analysing the vascular plants distributed in Hwangseong Park, Gyeongju-si. The results of the survey of vascular plants from April 2018 to May 2020 were summarized as 338 taxa including 78 families, 222 genera, 296 species, 5 subspecies, 18 varieties, 6 forms, 4 hybrids and 9 cultivars, and 110 taxa of planted species and 235 taxa of native species were identified. The representative planting species was Liriope muscari. The 7 taxa of rare plants and 5 taxa of Korean endemic plants were investigated. The specific plants by floristic region were totally 24 taxa, which were 1 taxa of grade V, 4 taxa of grade IV, 7 taxa of grade III, 4 taxa of grade II and 8 taxa of grade I. The 57 taxa of naturalized plants and 6 taxa of invasive alien plants were showed. In particular, Chionanthus retusus represent traditional landscape trees in Korea and have high ecological value. Therefore, the old trees of Chionanthus retusus will have to be managed by assigning a number for each individual. The invasive alien plants will need periodic control and development of programs that can work in conjunction with civic groups.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Effective weight reduction remains a challenge throughout the world as the prevalence of obesity and its consequences are increasing. This study aimed to determine the effects of an individualized nutrition counseling program (IC) matched with a transtheoretical model (TTM) for overweight and obese subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifty overweight and obese subjects aged 19-60 years with a body mass index ${\geq}23kg/m^2$ were enrolled in the weight reduction study. They were randomized into two groups: Intervention group received an IC matched with a TTM; control group received an educational handbook. Body weight (BW), body fat (BF), waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR), stages of change (SOC), processes of change (POC), food intake, and physical activity (PA) were assessed at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after program initiation in both groups. All data were analyzed by intention-to-treat, using SPSS software for hypothesis testing. RESULTS: Forty-five female subjects were included in the 12-week trial at Ramkhamhaeng Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. The results showed significant weight loss ($1.98{\pm}1.75kg$; 3% loss of initial weight) in the intervention group at 12 weeks, compared to a $0.17{\pm}1.67kg$ loss in the control group. There were significant differences between intervention and control groups in BF mass ($-1.68{\pm}1.78$, $-0.04{\pm}1.62kg$); percentage BF ($-1.54{\pm}2.11$, $0.08{\pm}2.05$); WC ($-5.35{\pm}3.84$, $0.13{\pm}3.23cm$); WHtR ($-0.0336{\pm}0.02$, $-0.0004{\pm}0.02$), and energy consumption ($-405.09{\pm}431.31$, $-74.92{\pm}499.54kcal/day$) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Intragroup SOC was improved in both groups. The POC for the weight management action (WMA) process was significantly different with POC scores increasing by $16.00{\pm}11.73$ and $7.74{\pm}14.97$ in the intervention and the control groups, respectively. PA level did not change in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The IC matched with a TTM resulted in reductions in BW, BF, and WC, thus reducing likely health risks by decreasing energy intake and inducing positive behavior changes while enhancing the WMA process.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2018

Purpose: The number of patients with dyslipidemia have been increasing steadily over the past few decades in South Korea. The association between the chromium level and chronic disease has attracted considerable interest, but few studies have been conducted on the Korean population. The aim of this study was to identify the dietary and non-dietary correlates of the toenail chromium level, and evaluate the association between the toenail chromium level and dyslipidemia. Methods: The baseline data of an ongoing prospective cohort study in Yeungnam area in South Korea were analyzed. A total of 500 participants aged 35 years or older who completed questionnaires on their demographics, lifestyle characteristics, and medical information were included. The toenail chromium level was analyzed by neutron activation analysis. The dietary intake was assessed using a validated 146-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The blood lipid profiles were obtained from medical examinations conducted by the Korean National Health Insurance Service or medical institutions. Results: Higher chromium levels were associated with the residential area (urban), higher education level, higher intakes of noodles and vegetables, and lower intake of fruits. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the toenail chromium levels were not associated significantly with the prevalence of dyslipidemia (odds ratio: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.61 ~ 1.60). Conclusion: This study is the first study in Korea to determine the independent correlates of the toenail chromium levels and the association between chromium exposure and dyslipidemia. These findings provide useful scientific evidence for the development of chromium intake guidelines for the Korean population.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.389-411
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• 2012

A new era of research has focused on examining the growth of change in drinking problems among the elderly. Thus, the purpose of the present study was two fold: (1) to investigate trajectories of drinking problems(CAGE) among the Korean elderly(age$${\geq_-}65$$); and (2) to identify the predicting factors for the intercept and the slope of alcohol problems using multi-level growth curve model. Data come from three waves(1st wave(2006)~3rd wave(2008) of the Korea Welfare Panel(KWP) study. The results indicated that the levels of drinking problems decreased over time and that age, gender, marital status, religion, poverty, self-rated health, and social relationship satisfaction were associated with the baseline CAGE. Further analysis showed that social relationship satisfaction affected the declining slope of drinking problems over time. Specifically, among those who satisfied social relationship, there was a sharp decline of CAGE over time. Overall findings highlight the importance of developing and implementing effective alcohol prevention programs for the elderly in the community settings to mitigate the harmful effects of various psycho-social stressors. Especially, programs to maintain and form healthy social support network are suggested as critical interventions for prevention as well as recovery of alcohol problems in late life.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-311
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• 2019

Background: Cerebrovascular disease is included in four major diseases and is a disease that has high rates of prevalence and mortality around the world. Moreover, it is a disease that requires a high cost for long-term hospitalization and treatment. This study aims to figure out the correlation between grip strength, which was presented as a simple, cost-effective, and relevant predictor of cerebrovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease based on the results of a prior study. And furthermore, our study compared model suitability of the model to measuring grip strength and relative grip strength as a predictor of cerebrovascular disease to improve the quality of cerebrovascular disease's predictor. Methods: This study conducted an analysis based on the generalized linear mixed model using the data from the Korea Longitudinal Study of Ageing from 2006 to 2016. The research subjects consisted of 9,132 middle old age people aged 45 years or older at baseline with no missing information of education level, gender, marital status, residential region, type of national health insurance, self-related health, smoking status, alcohol use, and economic activity. The grip strength was calculated the average which measured 4 times (both hands twice), and the relative grip force was divided by the body mass index as a variable considering the anthropometric figure that affects the cerebrovascular disease and the grip strength. Cerebrovascular diseases, a dependent variable, were investigated based on experiences diagnosed by doctors. Results: An analysis of the association between grip strength and found that about 0.972 (odds ratio [OR], 0.972; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.963-0.981) was the incidence of cerebral vascular disease as grip strength increased by one unit increase and the association between relative grip strength and cerebrovascular disease found that about 0.418 (OR, 0.418; 95% CI, 0.342-0.511) was the incidence of cerebral vascular disease as relative grip strength increased by unit. In addition, the model suitability of the model for each grip strength and relative grip strength was 11,193 and 11,156, which means relative grip strength is the better application to the predictor of cerebrovascular diseases, irrespective of other variables. Conclusion: The results of this study need to be carefully examined and validated in applying relative grip strength to improve the quality of predictors of cerebrovascular diseases affecting high mortality and prevalence.