• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.61-65
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• 2010

Background: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) refers to a fall in systolic blood pressure (BP) of 20 mmHg or more, or in diastolic BP of 10 mm Hg or more within 3 minutes of standing up. The head-up tilt test (HUT) is the most useful, but potentially invasive test for the diagnosis of OH. The purpose of this study was to identify the usefulness of spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (sBRS). Methods: Ninety one patients with orthostatic intolerance, in whom the HUT data were available, were included in the study. Patients were classified into HUT-positive (group I) and HUT-negative (group II) group. Twenty five healthy volunteers served as normal controls, and were designated as group III. In all subjects, beat-to-beat BP and heart rate were recorded using BeatScope 1.1a. We collected the 50 sBRS data in each patient in a supine position. The average value of one to ten of 50 sBRS data was defined as sBRS10, one to twenty as sBRS20, one to thirty as sBRS 30, one to forty as sBRS 40, and one to fifty as sBRS 50. Differences in sBRS10 and sBRS50 levels were statistically analyzed and compared between groups I, II, and III. Results: No significant difference in the sBRS50 level was found between Groups II and III. sBRS50 was significantly lower in Group I than in Groups II and III (p<0.05), and the same pattern of differences was observed for sBRS40, sBRS30, sBRS20, and sBRS10. Conclusions: Patients with OH showed significantly lower sBRS levels than HUT-negative patients or normal controls. Our study implies that a supine-position sBRS would provide additional diagnostic information for OH.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2001

Background: Usually, lumbar epidural block is performed on the $L_{3-4}$ interspace. This study was designed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and shortening of labor duration comparing the $L_{1-2}$ and $L_{3-4}$ interspace epidural blocks in nulliparous normal vaginal deliveries and then investigates side effects following the blocks. Methods: Eighty healthy nulliparous women were divided into two groups, $L_{1-2}$ (n = 40) and $L_{3-4}$ (n = 40). Epidural blocks, lumbar epidural block were performed at the $L_{1-2}$ and $L_{3-4}$ interspace with a catheter advancing 3 cm cephalad. The initial dose of 12 ml (0.167% bupivacaine, fentanyl $50{\mu}g$ and clonidine $75{\mu}g$) was injected epidurally at 4 cm dilatation of cervix and severe pain of labor. If a visual analogue scale (VAS) score was more than 4 points, an additional dose was administered epidurally using the same volume as the above mentioned, but with the exception that the bupivacaine was diluted to 0.1 percentage. The maternal blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate and fetal heart rate were measured at 10 min intervals for the first 30 min, at 15 min interval for the next 30 min and at 30 min interval for the last one hour following the blocks. The duration of the first (active) and second stages of labor was counted and the neonatal Apgar score was recorded at one and five min after delivery. The degree of motor block, pruritus, nausea and vomiting were also noted. Results: The patients in group $L_{1-2}$ had lower pain scores than group $L_{3-4}$ at 5, 20, 30, 60 mins. The duration of 1st and 2nd labor stage in the $L_{3-4}$ epidural block were $272{\pm}33.5$ min, $49.2{\pm}27.4$ min respectively but those in the $L_{1-2}$ epidural block were $253.5{\pm}32.5$ min, $37.3{\pm}22.3$ min, respectively. Conclusions: We concluded the analgesic efficacy and shortening of labor duration in $L_{1-2}$ epidural block was better than those in $L_{3-4}$ epidural block. Maternal hemodynamic change, motor block. pruritus, nausea, vomiting and Apgar score showed no significant differences between the two groups.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.935-938
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• 2005

Purpose : The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether the increase of carotid intima-media thickeness(cIMT) as one of premature pathologic changes of atherosclerosis, was present in obese children compared to normal weight children. Methods : The obese group consisted of 21 obese/overweight(body mass index(BMI) above 85 percentile of age, sex standards) children and the control group of 11 normal weight children. None of the children had any chronic illnesses or previous medication history. We investigated the age, sex, height, weight, and systolic/diastolic blood pressure. We measured cIMT by ultrasonogram. In 19 of the obese group, we tested the serum glucose level, liver transaminase level, and cholesterol level etc. Results : The increase of cIMT in obese group did not achieved statistical significance(obese group vs. control group; 0.42 vs. 0.40 mm, P=0.0592). In addition, cIMT showed no significant correlation with any physical/laboratory variables including BMI(P=0.0585). Conclusion : To our knowledge, this is the first study to measure the cIMT in Korean children. Though the results approached statistical significance, we could not prove an increase of cIMT in obese children or an association between cIMT and BMI, due to the study's small sample size. In the future, larger and more extensive trials are needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.2 s.30
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• pp.167-177
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• 1990

The author investigated the values of total serum cholesterol and its coreelation with the physical factors to have potential as a line in the chain of basic investigation to establish maternal health program. The study group was composed of 167 healthy non-pregnant and 209 pregnant women in the age of 20-39 residing in Pusan area. The obtained results were as follows : 1. No significant differences were found in height and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both groups except for the elevation of Broca's index by gaining the weight in pregnant women. 2. There were significant differences in the total serum cholesterol level of the healthy and pregnant women as 165.9 mg/dl and 212.6 mg/dl, repectively, not showing the differences in the age. Total serum cholesterol values in both group followed approximately normal distribution curve. 3. The significant correlation to the values of total serum cholesterol were found between weight and Broca's index in healthy women and between weight, Broca's index and duration of pregnancy in pregnant women. 4. The values of total serum cholesterol by weight were 162.9-189.4 mg/dl in healthy women and 167.2-246.2 mg/dl in pregnant women, showing the increasing tendency of values by weight, especially in pregnant women. 5. The values of total serum cholesterol in pregnant women showed increasing tendency with the duration of pregnancy as 168.1 mg/dl in 12 weeks and below, 209.6 mg/dl in 13-26 weeks and 235.4 mg/dl in 27 weeks and above group. Total nm cholesterol values by duration of pregnancy followed normal distribution curve.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the associations of non alcoholic fatty liver with metabolic syndrome and the serum carotenoids. Methods : This study was conducted in a general hospital in South Korea from November, 2004 to August, 2005. The study subjects were 350 sampled persons who were aged from 40 years and older (males : 180, females : 170). They were grouped into the normal, mild and severe groups according to fat accumulation in their livers, as determined by ultrasonography. We analyzed the association between non alcoholic fatty liver and metabolic syndrome by multiple logistic regression analysis and we analyzed the association between non alcoholic fatty liver and the serum carotenoids by a general linear model(ANCOVA). Results : After adjustment for the effect of potential covariates, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was associated with fat accumulation in the liver (p trend <0.001). If the odds ratio of normal group is 1.00, then that of the mild group is 2.80 (95% C.I=1.17-6.71) and that of the severe group is 7.29 (95% C.I=2.76-19.30). The prevalence of metabolic alterations fitting the criteria of metabolic syndrome, according to the class of fat accumulation in the liver, was significantly increased, except for criteria of high blood pressure, a large waist circumference and low HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol level (p trend <0.001). The level of serum ${\beta}$-carotene was decreased according to the class of fat accumulation in the liver (p trend=0.036), but the levels of serum ${\alpha}$-carotene, lycopene, ${\beta}$-cryptoxanthin and lutein were not decreased. Conclusions : This study shows that non alcoholic fatty liver was associated with metabolic syndrome and with the serum ${\beta}$-carotene level.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.513-526
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of low sodium diet education program on dietary habits, diet quality, and measures of obesity in overweight or obese middle-aged women. Methods: Subjects were 81 individuals aged 45 years or over, who completed an 8-week nutrition education. The subjects were divided into a normal group (N = 30) and an overweight-obese group (N = 51) according to the BMI. The effects were evaluated by anthropometric measurement, biochemical analysis, questionnaire, and diet records before and after the program. Results: Overweight-obese group showed significant decreases in weight (p < 0.0001), BMI (p < 0.0001), percent of body fat (p = 0.0087), waist circumference (p < 0.0001), systolic (p = 0.0003) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.0261). Nutrients intakes were not different between the two groups and only sodium intake was decreased after education. Total score of general dietary habits, dietary behavior related to sodium intake, dietary diversity score (DDS), diet variety score (DVS), and diet quality index-international (DQI-I) were improved in both groups compared to the baseline. Overweight-obese group showed significant improvement in 'having fruits everyday', 'having fish everyday', 'trying to eat many kinds of food', 'eating less broth when eating soup, stew, and noodles', 'eating less kimchi and salt-fermented vegetable', and 'propensity to think that dishes should be pretty seasoned'. In addition, moderation of empty calories food (p = 0.0064) and macronutrient ratio (p = 0.0004) were improved in the overweigh-obese group, but in the normal group, the results did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: These results suggested that low sodium diet education program may contribute to obesity management by improving diet quality and dietary habits in middle-aged women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.495-502
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• 2020

Kidney stones are a common disease with an annual prevalence of about 30,000 people in Korea, and are deeply related to an increase in chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and abdominal obesity. Therefore, in this study, 135 examinees who visited a general hospital in Dalseong-gun from May 2019 to June 2020 for a medical examination were examined. The relationship between kidney stones and factors related to obesity and metabolic syndrome were found in abdominal ultrasound. I tried to find out the relevance. As a result of the study, the risk of kidney stones in the abnormal group was increased by 4.255 times compared to the normal group in total cholesterol factor, and the risk of kidney stones in the abnormal group was increased by 2.072 times compared to the normal group in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol factor. Total cholesterol factor and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol It was found that the factor affects the prevalence of kidney stones and metabolic syndrome. Since the risk of kidney stones is related to total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol factors, active attention should be paid to preventive purposes through health check-ups.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.132-142
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• 2010

Hypokalemia usually reflects total body potassium deficiency, but less commonly results from transcellular potassium redistribution with normal body potassium stores. The differential diagnosis of hypokalemia includes pseudohypokalemia, cellular potassium redistribution, inadequate potassium intake, excessive cutaneous or gastrointestinal potassium loss, and renal potassium wasting. To discriminate excessive renal from extrarenal potassium losses as a cause for hypokalemia, urine potassium concentration or TTKG should be measured. Decreased values are indicative of extrarenal losses or inadequate intake. In contrast, excessive renal potassium losses are expected with increased values. Renal potassium wasting with normal or low blood pressure suggests hypokalemia associated with acidosis, vomiting, tubular disorders or increased renal potassium secretion. In hypokalemia associated with hypertension, plasam renin and aldosterone should be measured to differentiated among hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism, primary hyperaldosteronism, and mineralocorticoid excess other than aldosterone or target organ activation. Hypokalemia may manifest as weakness, seizure, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, constipation, ileus, arrhythmia, paresthesias, etc. Therapy for hypokalemia consists of treatment of underlying disease and potassium supplementation. The evaluation of hyperkalemia is also a multistep process. The differential diagnosis of hyperkalemia includes pseudohypokalemia, redistribution, and true hyperkalemia. True hyperkalemia associated with decreased glomerular filtration rate is associated with renal failure or increased body potassium contents. When glomerular filtration rate is above 15 mL/min/$1.73m^2$, plasma renin and aldosterone must be measured to differentiate hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism, primary aldosteronism, disturbance of aldosterone action or target organ dysfunction. Hyperkalemia can cause arrhythmia, paresthesias, fatigue, etc. Therapy for hyperkalemia consists of administration of calcium gluconate, insulin, beta2 agonist, bicarbonate, furosemide, resin and dialysis. Potassium intake must be restricted and associated drugs should be withdrawn.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.378-385
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the association between sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity and cardiovascular disease risk in Korean postmenopausal women. Methods: We analyzed data of 2,019 postmenopausal women aged 50-64 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2008-2011 and were free of cardiovascular disease history. Blood pressure, height, and weight were measured. We analyzed the serum concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Waist circumference was used to measure obesity. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sarcopenia was defined as the appendicular skeletal muscle mass/body weight<1 standard deviation below the gender-specific means for healthy young adults. The estimated 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease risk was calculated by Pooled Cohort Equation. Subjects were classified as non-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, or sarcopenic obesity based on status of waist circumference and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity was 16.3% (n=317) and 18.3% (n=369), respectively. The 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease risk in the sarcopenic obesity group was higher ($3.82{\pm}0.22%$) than the normal group ($2.73{\pm}0.09%$) and sarcopenia group ($3.17{\pm}0.22%$) (p < 0.000). The odd ratios (ORs) for the ${\geq}7.5%$ 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease risk were significantly higher in the sarcopenic obesity group (OR 3.609, 95% CI: 2.030-6.417) compared to the sarcopenia group (OR 2.799, 95% CI: 1.463-5.352) (p for trend < 0.000) after adjusting for independent variables (i.e., exercise, period of menopausal, alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) score, income, education level, calorie intake, %fat intake and hormonal replacement therapy). Conclusions: Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity appear to be associated with higher risk factors predicting the 10-year risks of cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women. These findings imply that maintaining normal weight and muscle mass may be important for cardiovascular disease risk prevention in postmenopausal women.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.5-14
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• 2004

Acupuncture has fairly good weight-reducing effect in treating simple obesity due to the neuroendocrine regulation. In this study, the antiobesity effects of herbal acupuncture(HA) with Sang-hwang(phellinus linteus) at Fuai(SP16) were investigated in the rat fed on high-fat(HF) diet. Sang-hwang mushroom has been proven to have anti-carcinogenic effects and Sang-hwang extracts are highly effective in treatment and preventive treatment of AIDS, diabetes and high blood-pressure. To determine whether the Sang-hwang herbal acupuncture may have the anti-obesity effect, male Sprague-Dawley(4-wk-old) rats were fed a HF diet for 5 wk, which produced significant weight gain compared to rats were fed a normal diet, and then herbal acupuncture were treated for 3 wk in HF diet group. The body weight, food consumption, food effeciency ratio(FER), body fat mass, plasma nitric oxide(NO) were investigated in rats fed on normal diet, HF diet, and HF diet with HA(HF-diet-HA) groups. NO has been proposed to be involved in the regulation of food intake. In addition, the expression of appetite peptides such as orexigenic peptide neuropeptide Y(NPY) and the anorectic peptide cholecystokinin(CCK) were observed in the hypothalamus. HF-HA group reduced body weight gain, FER, body fat contents and NO concentration compared to HF diet group. The expression of NPY was reduced in arcuate nucleus(ARC), and CCK was increased in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN) after treatment of HA. In conclusion, Sang-hwang HA reduced adipocity, plasma NO and hypothalamic NPY, but increased CCK expression in the HF dietinduced obesity rat, therefore HA may have anti-obesity action through regulating body weight and appetite peptide of the central nervous system.