• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.113-123
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• 2008

Objectives: Obesity is chronic condition which can severely influence health. People with a high percentage of body fat (%BF) have high prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Abdominal obesity (AO) seems to play a major role in the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. This study investigated the %BF and AO of workers in the automobile manufacturing industry. Methods: The subjects were categorized by sex, age, job class, drinking history and smoking history. %BF and AO were measured by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (Jawon Medical, Seoul, Korea). We analyzed the relationship between age, sex, job class, drinking history, smoking history and %BF and WHR into frequencies, $X^2$-test using the SPSS Ver. 12.0. Results: Regarding the relationship between sex and %BF, AO, there was statistically significant difference as men had a significant higher level of %BF and AO than women. There was a positive correlation between age and both %BF and AO. Workers in their 40s especially ran level of AO up. In job class, office workers were apt to have a higherlevel of %BF and AO than production line workers. %BF and AO of the non-drinker group showed a lower level than the drinker group. On the other hand, the ex-smoker group had higher levels of %BF and AO than the non-smoker or current-smoker groups. Conclusions: The above results showed that men, the advanced in years, office workers, drinkers and ex-smokers had high levels of %BF and AO.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.416-425
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• 2009

Angiogenesis is important for promoting cardiovascular disease, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. We here investigated the pharmacological effects of Korea red ginseng water extract (KRGE) on angiogenesis and its underlying signal mechanism. This study showed that KRGE increased in vitro proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical endothelial cells, as well as stimulated in vivo angiogenesis. KRGE-induced angiogenesis was accompanied by phosphorylation of ERK1/2, Akt, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) as well as an increase in NO production. Inhibition of PI3K activity by wortmannin completely inhibited KRGE-induced angiogenesis and phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2, and eNOS, indicating that PI3K/Akt activation is an upstream event of KRGE-mediated angiogenic pathway. The MEK inhibitor PD98059 completely blocked KRGE-induced angiogenesis and ERK phosphorylation without affecting Akt and eNOS activation. However, the eNOS inhibitor NMA effectively inhibited tube formation, but partially blocked proliferation and migration as well as ERK phosphorylation without altering Akt and eNOS activation, revealing that eNOS/NO pathway is in part involved in ERK1/2 activation. This study first demonstrated the critical involvement of both ERK1/2 and eNOS activation in KRGE-induced angiogenesis, which lie on downstream of PI3K/Akt. Thus, these results indicate that KRGE requires activation of both the PI3K/Akt-dependent ERK1/2 and eNOS signal pathways and their cross-talk for its full angiogenic activity.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2010

As the frequency and the intensity of so called Asian dust (AD) events have increased, public concerns about the adverse health effects has spiked sharply over the last two decades. Despite the recent reports on the correlation between AD events and the risk for cardiovascular and respiratory disease, the nature of the toxicity and the degree of the risk are yet largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the dichloromethane extract of AD (AD-X) and that of urban dust (NAD-X) collected during a non-AD period on gene expression in HL-60 cells using Illumina Sentrix HumanRef-8 Expression BeadChips. Global changes in gene expression were analyzed after 24 h of incubation with 50 or 100 ${\mu}g$/ml AD-X and NAD-X. By one-way analysis of variance (p < 0.05) and Benjamini-Hochberg multiple testing correction for false discovery rate of the results, 573 and 297 genes were identified as AD-X- and NAD-X-responsive, respectively. The genes were classified into three groups by Venn diagram analysis of their expression profile, i.e., 290 AD-X-specific, 14 NAD-X-specific, and 283 overlapping genes. Quantitative realtime PCR confirmed the changes in the expression levels of the selected genes. The expression patterns of five genes, namely SORL1, RABEPK, DDIT4, AZU1, and NUDT1 differed significantly between the two groups. Following rigorous validation process, these genes may provide information in developing biomarker for AD exposure.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.513-520
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• 2016

Recently, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases including high blood pressure and heart disease has increased with increased meat consumption in Korea. This study was performed to determine the optimal mixing ratio among ratios of 0, 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 2:1, and 1:2 of mulberry leaf powder to mulberry fruit powder based on the anti-inflammatory effects. Then, the quality characteristics of the sauce for meat prepared with different mixing ratios (0, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5) of mulberry leaf powder to mulberry fruit powder were assessed. The inhibitory effects of ML2MF1 (2:1 ratio of mulberry leaf powder to mulberry fruit powder) on NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ production were superior to those of other mixing ratios. With respect to color values of the sauce for meat prepared with different mixing ratio of mulberry leaf powder to mulberry fruit powder, as the mulberry fruit powder mixing ratios was increased, redness was increased but lightness and yellowness were decreased. The sensory evaluation of ML1MF5S (1:5 ratio of mulberry leaf powder to mulberry fruit powder) sauce for meat showed the highest score with respect to color, smell, taste, harmony with meat and the overall preference. In conclusion, as the mulberry leaf powder mixing ratio was increased, the anti-inflammatory activities were increased. But sensory evaluation scores were increased as the mulberry fruit powder mixing ratio was increased. Therefore, by performing further study, the method to increase mulberry leaf powder in the mixing ratio for improving the sensory evaluation should be provided.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.57-63
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• 2012

Effective use of stethoscope is very important for primary clinical diagnosis for the increasing cardiovascular and respiratory disease. This study developed the contact vibration sensor using piezopolymer film which minimizes the ambient noise, and signal processing algorithm was applied for providing better auscultation sounds compare to the existing electronic stethoscopes. Especially, low frequency heart sounds were acquired without distortion, and the quality of lung sounds were improved. Also, auscultating sounds could be transmitted using bluetooth, which made possible to be used for the u-healthcare environment. Results of this study, auscultation of heart and lung sounds, could be applied to the convergence industry of medical and information communication technology through remote diagnosis.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.214-221
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate and reveal the effects that the complex exercise training consisting of aerobic exercise and strength training(sit up, push up) that everyone can easily practice regardless of a time and a place in order to manage practically the physical strength of the aged affects the difference on their body composition and the change of physical fitness level. Looking into the change of body composition of an experimental group, the weight of 2.5kg was reduced after applying complex training for 12 weeks and the body fat mass of 2.65kg was reduced. Also, the abdominal fat of 0.13% was decreased and the muscle mass of 1.56kg was increased. For the change factors of physical fitness, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance and flexibility excluding agility showed significant improvement after applying complex exercise training. The improvement of health fitness of the aged under this study was significantly effective to improve specified body functions which had been lowered by aging and insufficient physical activities. So, it is regarded that their health fitness is the important factor to improve the activity competence required for daily life and to lead healthy living by the improved activity competence. Henceforth, it needs to study more the complex composition of several sports, exercise intensity and the frequency based on the previous researches and studies. In addition, it needs to develop the complex exercise training in accordance with various characteristics such as a sex of the aged, an age, a physical fitness level, environment, a disease and the program in consideration of the efficacy and safety during training.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.64-70
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• 2009

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis(DNM) can occur as a complication of oropharyngeal and cervical infections that spread to the mediastinum via the cervical spaces. Delayed diagnosis and inadequate mediastinal drainage through a cervical or minor thoracic approach are the primary causes of a high mortality rate. Therefore, We emphasize that aggressive and emergent mediastinal drainage by surgical approach is most important method of DNM treatment. We studied 5cases diagnosed as DNM from 2005 through 2007. All patients underwent emergent surgical drainage of deep neck infection combined with mediastinal drainage through a thoracic approach. Primary oropharyngeal infection lead to DNM in four cases(80%) and odontogenic abscess in one case(20%). The outcomes were favorable 5patients. Overall mortality rate was 0%. The time interval from diagnosis based on manifestation of initial symptoms(oral or pharyngolaryngeal area) to surgical intervention was $7.4{\pm}4.2$days. One patient required reoperation due to remnant mediastinal abscess and pericardial effusion. Early diagnosis and emergent combined drainage with neck and chest incisions, together with broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics, should be considered standard care for this disease. And intensive postoperative care which it is continuous mediastinal irrigation and antibiotics use can significantly reduce the mortality rate.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.98-106
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• 2018

Panax ginseng has been used since ancient times based on the traditional Asian medicine theory and clinical experiences, and currently, is one of the most popular herbs in the world. To date, most of the studies concerning P. ginseng have focused on specific mechanisms of action of individual constituents. However, in spite of many studies on the molecular mechanisms of P. ginseng, it still remains unclear how multiple active ingredients of P. ginseng interact with multiple targets simultaneously, giving the multidimensional effects on various conditions and diseases. In order to decipher the systems-level mechanism of multiple ingredients of P. ginseng, a novel approach is needed beyond conventional reductive analysis. We aim to review the systems-level mechanism of P. ginseng by adopting novel analytical framework-network pharmacology. Here, we constructed a compound-target network of P. ginseng using experimentally validated and machine learning-based prediction results. The targets of the network were analyzed in terms of related biological process, pathways, and diseases. The majority of targets were found to be related with primary metabolic process, signal transduction, nitrogen compound metabolic process, blood circulation, immune system process, cell-cell signaling, biosynthetic process, and neurological system process. In pathway enrichment analysis of targets, mainly the terms related with neural activity showed significant enrichment and formed a cluster. Finally, relative degrees analysis for the target-disease association of P. ginseng revealed several categories of related diseases, including respiratory, psychiatric, and cardiovascular diseases.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2014

Background: Bankrupted households have recently been increased due to excessive medical expenditure in Korea. They have not been protected from economic risk when household's member has severe diseases that need a lot of money for treatment. Purpose of this study examines policy effect by comparing unmet needs' change of policy object households and non-object groups. Methods: We used Korea Health panel 2nd 4th data collected by Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs and National Health Insurance Service. Analysis subjects were 381 households (pre-policy) and 393 households (post-policy) that had cancer and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Since it was major concern that estimates benefit strengthening policy started by certain time, we setup comparing households which had diabetes, hypertension disease. Comparison subjects were 393,247 households, respectively and we evaluated policy effect using difference in difference (DID) model. Results: Although unmet needs of policy object households were higher than non-object groups, policy execution variable affected negative direction. But interaction-term which shows pure effect of policy was not statistically significant. We utilized multi-DID model to examine factors affecting unmet needs causes. Copayment assistance policy did not significantly affect households that responded to 'economic reason,' and 'no have time to visit' for unmet needs causes. Conclusion: The second copayment assistance policy did not significantly give positive effect to beneficiary households than non-beneficiary groups. When we consider that primary purpose of public insurance guarantee high medical expenditure occurred by unexpected events, it needs to deliberate on switch of benefit strengthening policy that can assist vulnerable people. Also, we suggest that government forward a policy covering non-reimbursable medical expenses as well as switch of benefit strengthening direction because benefit policy do not affect non-covered medical cost which accounts for quarter of total health expenditure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.711-715
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• 2001

Background: Deep venous thrombosis(DVT) is a curable disease when it is appropriately treated in the early stages of onset. The long term follow up of chronic DVT shows poor prognosis with serious complications such as venous valvular insufficiency, venous claudication, venous ulcer and leg swelling. Thrombolytic therapy is a very active treatment that delivers thrombolytic agents via catheter to the target thrombi. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of catheter directed thrombolysis using urokinase to acute DVT. Material and Method: We studied 5 patients, who were diagnosed as acute DVT and had no contraindication for selective hemolysis using urokinase. Result: All the patients were successfully recanalized. Total infusion time of urokinase was 2.0$\pm$0.6 days, and the amount was 5.9$\pm$2.45 million IU. In 4 patients, who were diagnosed as May-Therner syndrome, we performed the balloon angioplasty and inserted the stent at the stenotic portion. There were minor complications such as hematuria, hematoma at puncture site, and all of them are self limited. Conclusion: Catheter induced thrombolysis is an effective treatment in acute DVT.