• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.918-923
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• 2003

L-theanine Is an amino acid in green tea and has been known to decrease serotonin and increase norepinephrine in rat brains, and also reported to produce mental relaxation, lower blood pressure and improve learning ability in human beings. But, few studies on these effects for human beings have been conducted so far. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of L-theanine on the release of brain alpha waves known to be related with mental relaxation and concentration. Twenty healthy male volunteers aged 18 to 30 years without any Physical and Psychological diseases were recruited through written advertisement. Alpha power values of EEG as a surrogate marker of mental relaxation and concentration were measured in frontal and occipital regions for 40 minutes after administration of four placebo or test tablets and 20 minute resting period. The same procedure crossed over at 7-day intervals. We analyzed average alpha power values in frontal and occipital regions at 10 minute intervals. Repeated ANOVA revealed that there were significant differences of occipital alpha power values between placebo and test groups with high anxiety (p < 0.05). The mean values at 20,30,40,50 and 60 minute intervals were 0.23, 024, 0.28, 0.25 and 0.34 in placebo, respectively and 0.23, 0.29, 0.40, 0.34, and 0.45 in test, respectively. But there were no significant differences of frontal and occipital alpha power values between placebo and test groups with low anxiety (p > 0.05) . The results of this study suggest that L-theanine containing tablets promote the release of alpha waves related to mental relaxation and concentration in young adult males.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.10
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• pp.249-257
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to find a classification method with high accuracy in regard with sasang constitutional diagnosis. The BMI, blood pressure, pulse wave, and Sasang constitution diagnosed by a specialist was collected from 2848 subjects who were apparently healthy. Through a selective procedure, the data of 1635 subjects was used in the analysis. The results with the classification methods such as the discriminant analysis, regression, decision tree and neural network were compared with the diagnosis of a Sasang constitutional specialist. In result, the discriminant analysis method was hard to qualify the assumption of the equality of covariance matrices within constitutional groups. Moreover, without BMI, the decision tree and neural network methods were very sensitive to the change of the analysis data. Therefore, the Logistic regression and the decision tree is recommended on condition that the decisive factors of constitution are well concerned.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-96
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate arterial stiffness index, physical activity, and food and nutrient intake in middle-aged adults over 40 years when the incidence of cardiovascular disease begins to increase. Methods: This study included 106 subjects (48 males and 58 females) aged between 40 and 64 years. The arterial stiffness index (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV], and ankle-brachial index [ABI]) were measured using a blood pressure pulse wave testing device. Physical activity was assessed using the Korean version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and food and nutrient intake was calculated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 54.4 years. Although the ABI of the subjects was within the normal range, they were divided into tertiles to compare physical activity and food and nutrient intake. In males, the time spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significantly higher in T3 (600.6 min/week) than in T1 (304.4 min/week). In females, the time spent in sedentary behavior was significantly lower in T3 (294.5 min/week) than in T1 (472.1 min/week). In addition, the frequency of fish consumption was significantly higher in T3 (1.27 frequency/day) than in T1 (0.64 frequency/day) in females. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and ω-3 fatty acid intake, adjusted for energy intake, were significantly positively correlated with ABI (r = 0.200 and r = 0.218, respectively). Conclusions: High MVPA (in males), low sedentary behavior (in females), and PUFA and ω-3 fatty acid intake through fish consumption may be associated with low peripheral artery stiffness. Therefore, arteriosclerosis can be prevented through physical activity and proper dietary therapy.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.191-196
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• 2006

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors may be acting several decades before CVD becomes manifest. Data from young subjects may be valuable in further elucidating at this issue. We evaluated the association between baPWV (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity) and cardiovascular risk factors in apparently healthy young adults. A total of 46 male and 91 female adolescents aged $18{\sim}25 years$ were studied. baPWV increased in a dose-responsive manner as the number of metabolic syndrome components. In both gender groups, baPWV was positively correlated with age. In males, waist, circumference total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were positively correlated with baPWV, and in females, blood pressure (BP) was positively correlated with baPWV. Age, gender, mean BP, and Homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were found to be independent factors associated with baPWV levels. In conclusion, mean BP, age, gender, and HOMA-IR were associated with baPWV in young adults. This result suggests that multiple cardiovascular risk factors may be associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness in young adults.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1078-1084
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• 2007

Purpose : The prevalence of childhood obesity has doubled over the last 30 years. Obesity-associated sequelae in the vasculature begins in the early stages of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate how pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle brachial index (ABI) change with height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in obese adolescents. Methods : Seventy-nine obese adolescents (group 1: $85th{\leq}BMI<95th$ percentile, n=40; group 2 ($BMI{\geq}95th$ percentile, n=39) were included. The control group(group 3) included 99 healthy adolescents. Brachial- ankle (ba) PWV and ABI were estimated with blood pressure from four extremities. Heart rate (HR), and pre-ejection period/ejection time (PEP/ET) were also estimated. BMI was calculated from individual height and weight. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between BMI and PWV. Results : Blood pressure and baPWV were significantly higher in group 2, compared to either group 1 or group 3. However, there was no significant difference in ABI, HR and PEP/ET between the groups. PWV showed linear correlation with both BMI and body weight. Conclusion : Obesity was associated with higher arterial stiffness in adolescents, which was demonstrated by an increase in PWV. There was no significant correlation between obesity and ABI.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.359-367
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of propofol on cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) in seven dogs. Propofol infusion was accomplished from low concentration to high concentration in series, and each concentration was infused for 20 minutes (M0: 0, M0.5: 0.5, M1.0:1.0, and M1.5: 1.5 mg/kg/min of infusion rate). EEG was recorded via needle electrode placed at Cz, which was applied to International 10-20 system. Arterial blood pressure. blood gas analysis and ECG were also measured. Hoemodynamics, Pa$CO_2$, PaO$_2$, heart rate and respiratory rate were variable, but were net significant(p>0.05). The power spectra of EEG in every concentration was compared wish those of control (MO). The powers at a1l frequencies at M1.0 and Ml.5 were decreased. Especially, the powers of the frequencies over 20 Hz were significantly decreased (p<0.O5). Powers at frequencies between 8 and 15Hz at MO.S were significantly increased (p<0.05) in response to the painful stimuli. It was inferred that they may reflect activity of the brain which is consciously processing the external Stimuli. Like the Power spectra, al1 the band powers of He EEG ($\delta$ 1-4, $\theta$4-8, $\alpha$ 8-13, $\beta$L13-21. $\beta$H 21-30, \ulcorner 30-50, and total 1-5OHz) were decreased in proportion to the increase of infusion rate at M1 .0 and M1.5. Especially, decrease of $\beta$H and ${\gamma}$ were significant(p<0.01). At M0.5, $\alpha$ band was significantly increased(p<0.05) among all the bands. Seizure activities which were concide with occurrence of spike wave were shown in all dogs at Ml .0 and M1.5.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.503-506
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• 2001

There are four factors for patient monitoring : electrocardiography, blood pressure, temperature and respiration. While there are a lot of studies of E.C.C (electro-cardiography) monitoring system in the world, the studies of Respiratory system are not enough and leave much to be desired in the country. In this paper, we developed a respiratory system with the electrical impedance change of the lungs depending on the breath. Using the same electrode, we can monitor E.C.C and Respiration simultaneously, so we can monitor a patient's no-breathing state due to the central nerve paralysis in the emergency room easily. In this monitoring system, the analog part was made separated from the digital part for reducing power source noise and protecting patient from electric shock. The analog part consists of the several parts a high-frequency sine-wave generator, all amplifier for amplifying any impedance change signal, an analog processing part for rectifying and filtering. And the digital parts consists of three parts an AD convertor for converting analog signal to digital signal, digital filter, and a digital part for digital signal processing. This system's merits are using the same electrode with E.C.C and developing the multiple patient monitoring system easily.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.104-109
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• 2018

A non-intrusive ECG and BCG measurement system is introduced. The system is built on a auxiliary backrest of a chair. The developed system is aimed to non-intrusive assessment of cardiovascular dynamic indices such as pulse arrival time(PAT) and pre-ejection period (PEP). In the system, capacitive active electrodes and capacitive grounding were used for the non-intrusive indirect-contact ECG measurement, and EMFi pressure sensor was used for the non-intrusive BCG measurement. The capacitive active electrodes and the EMFi sensor were attached on the backrest. Using the system, ECG and BCG were successfully acquired. The measured BCG showed peaks that following ECG R peaks. It was shown that the time interval between Q wave in ECG and first peak in BCG correlates Pre-ejection period measured by impedance-cardiogram. The results showed that the introduced system can be used for the non-intrusive various cardiovascular information including ECG, PAT, PEP.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.79-89
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study is to propose the W area of pulse (AW) as a new index which can confirm the arteriosclerosis by analyzing parameters of 5-level pressure pulse waveform measurement system for normotensive group according to aging. Methods : We measured radial pulse waveforms of normotensive group (20 to 60 years old) using 3-dimensional pulse imaging analyser (DMP-3000, DAEYOMEDI Co., Korea). And then we analyzed various parameters for sclerosis of the arteries such as Height (h1, h2, h3, h4, h5), Time (t1, t2, t3, t4, t5), AW, AW rate, Total area of pulse (At) and Augmentation Index (AIx). Results : As a result of analyzing parameters according to the aging, h2, h3, AS (systolic area rate to AT), AIx and AW were increased but t2/t, t3/t, t5/t and AD (diastolic area rate to AT) were decreased. Conclusions : We checked blood vessel conditions for normotensive group according to aging and confirmed various parameters. Also, we found that AW was analogous to AIx which has been used for diagnosing arteriosclerosis. Furthermore, we confirmed the usefulness of AW as a new parameter for checking vessel condition and characteristic compared with the AIx.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2023

A 12-year-old Standard Poodle presented with intermittent weakness and occasional dyspnea at the Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital of Kangwon National University. A grade of 4 out of 6 systolic murmur with an irregular tachycardic rhythm was auscultated on both sides of the chest. Systolic blood pressure was 140 mmHg. Panting was noticed in the hospital, but there was no crackle sound. Blood analysis revealed mild increases in liver panel levels (alanine aminotransferase 149 [reference interval, 19-70] U/L; and alkaline phosphatase, 185 [reference interval, 15-127] U/L) and severe increases in cardiac biomarker levels (n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, 4169 [reference interval, 50-900] pmol/L; and cardiac troponin I, 0.22 [reference interval, 0.03-0.12] ng/mL). On electrocardiography, irregularly irregular supraventricular tachycardic rhythm with an f-wave and no distinct p-wave was observed. Generalized cardiomegaly with an enlarged right atrium and left ventricle was confirmed on thoracic radiography. Moreover, hepatomegaly and an enlarged caudal vena cava were observed. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed a fibromuscular diaphragm in the right ventricle. Because of the obstructive lesion in the right ventricle, the right atrium and ventricle were enlarged (right atrial area index, 38.82 cm²/m² [reference interval, 4.2-10.2 cm²/m²]; right ventricle end-diastolic area index, 14.152 cm²/m² [reference interval, 4.9-10.92 cm²/m²]). Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV). Pimobendan, furosemide, enalapril, diltiazem, and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) were prescribed, and all symptoms were relieved. DCRV is a right-sided congenital heart defect resembling pulmonic valve stenosis. If symptoms are not severe, medical therapy can be facilitated without surgery or the balloon dilation.