• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.464-472
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• 2022

Background: Gut microbiota influence the central nervous system through gut-brain-axis. They also affect the neurological disorders. Gut microbiota differs in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), as a potential factor that leads to progression of AD. Oral intake of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) improves the cognitive functions. Therefore, it can be proposed that KRG affect the microbiota on the gut-brain-axis to the brain. Methods: Tg2576 were used for the experimental model of AD. They were divided into four groups: wild type (n = 6), AD mice (n = 6), AD mice with 30 mg/kg/day (n = 6) or 100 mg/kg/day (n = 6) of KRG. Following two weeks, changes in gut microbiota were analyzed by Illumina HiSeq4000 platform 16S gene sequencing. Microglial activation were evaluated by quantitative Western blot analyses of Iba-1 protein. Claudin-5, occludin, laminin and CD13 assay were conducted for Blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation demonstrated through Aβ 42/40 ratio was accessed by ELISA, and cognition were monitored by Novel object location test. Results: KRG improved the cognitive behavior of mice (30 mg/kg/day p < 0.05; 100 mg/kg/day p < 0.01), and decreased Aβ 42/40 ratio (p < 0.01) indicating reduced Aβ accumulation. Increased Iba-1 (p < 0.001) for reduced microglial activation, and upregulation of Claudin-5 (p < 0.05) for decreased BBB permeability were shown. In particular, diversity of gut microbiota was altered (30 mg/kg/day q-value<0.05), showing increased population of Lactobacillus species. (30 mg/kg/day 411%; 100 mg/kg/day 1040%). Conclusions: KRG administration showed the Lactobacillus dominance in the gut microbiota. Improvement of AD pathology by KRG can be medicated through gut-brain axis in mice model of AD.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2013

Objectives Non-major depression with fewer symptoms than required for a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-4th edition diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) has consistently been found to be associated with functional impairment. In this study, we aim to estimate the cognitive impairment and the quality of life in elderly patients with subsyndromal depression (SSD) compared with non-depressive elderly (NDE). Methods The Korean version of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview was administered to 194 outpatients with depression and 108 normal controls. SSD is defined as having five or more current depressive symptoms with core depressive symptoms (depressive mood or loss of interest or pleasure) during more than half a day and more than seven days over two weeks. Depression was evaluated by the Korean form of Geriatric Depression Scale of a 15-item short version. Global cognition was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination in the Korean version of CERAD assessment packet (MMSE-KC). Subjective cognitive impairment was assessed by the Subjective Memory Complaint Questionnaire. Quality of life was evaluated by the Korean Version of Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey. Results The mean score of the MMSE-KC in the SSD group was lower than that in the NDE group with adjustment for age, gender, and education [F = 4.270, p = 0.04, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)]. If we defined those having Z-score of MMSE-KC < -1.5 as a high risk group of cognitive impairment, the odds ratio for the high risk group of cognitive impairment was 1.86 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.04-3.34] in SSD and 7.57 (95% CI 3.50-16.40) in MDD compared to NDE. The scores of physical component summary (F = 9.274, p = 0.003, ANCOVA) and mental component summary (F = 53.166, p < 0.001, ANCOVA) in the SSD group were lower than those in the NDE group with adjustment for age, gender, and education. Conclusions The subjects with SSD, as well as those with MDD, showed impairment of global cognition and also experienced low quality of life in both physical and mental aspects, compared to the NDE group.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.20 no.3 s.63
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• pp.71-84
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• 2006

This research is designed for Disaster Mangement Information System(DMIS) which is essential to management of disaster. Management of disaster is not only social problem but also official policy. To perform the research, we examined the necessities, characteristics, and problems of DMIS, analyzed the actual conditions of DMIS in operation, and reviewed relevant documents. To investigate the actual conditions of using DMIS, we analyzed degrees of cognition, channels of cognition, ratio of application, the reason why people do not use DMIS, and the fields suitable for applications of DMIS. And, to evaluate DMIS, we performed regression analysis. In that analysis, we set utility, accessibility, quickness, compatibility, and public ownership of information as independent variabls, and we set overall estimation as dependent variable. Objectives of this research are to understand the actual conditions of DMIS in operation, to evaluate the DMIS from the viewpoint of fire officers, to reveal the problems of DMIS, and to present better ways for using DMIS from its own problems. For analysis of data, we used frequency analysis, T-test, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. From the results of the research, we advised that better application of DIMS requires Standardization and compatibility of DIMS, public ownership of information, use of IT(Information Technology) like mobile information system, management and analysis of disaster information, maintainment of personnel specialized in information part, and necessities for education and training.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.653-662
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• 2011

As technology in 3D industry has rapidly advanced, a lot of studies primarily focusing on visual function and cognition have become vigorous. However, studies on effect of 3D visual fatigue on autonomic nervous system have not less been conducted. Thus, this study was to identify and determine the effect that might have a negative influence on sympathetic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, and cardiovascular system. Fifteen undergraduates (female: 9, mean age: $22.53{\pm}2.55$) participated and were sat on a comfortable chair, viewing a 3D content during about 1 hour. Cardiac responses like SDNN(standard deviation of RR intervals), RMS-SD(root mean squared successive difference), and HF/LF ratios extracted from the measured PPG(Photo-PlethysmoGram) before viewing 3D were compared to those after viewing 3D. The results showed that after subjects watched the 3D, responses in sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system were activated and deactivated, respectively relative to those before watching the 3D. The results showed that HF/LF ratio, Ln(LF), and Ln(HF) after viewing 3D were significantly reduced relative to those before viewing 3D. No significant effects were observed in SDNN and RMS-SD. Results obtained in this study showed that visual fatigue induced by watching 3D adversely influenced autonomic nervous system, and thereby reduced heart rate variability causing sympathetic nervous acceleration.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.58 no.10
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• pp.36.1-36.5
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• 2016

Background: Liquid feeding system has been introduced to domestic swine farms, but negative cognition about liquid feeding system has been remained for feed waste decay related with poor management and microbial contamination. For these reasons, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding method in lactating sows. Methods: A total of 30 mixed-parity (average 4.13) lactating sows (Yorkshire ${\times}$ Landrace) with an initial BW of $218.8{\pm}19.5kg$ was used in a 3 week trial. Sows were allotted to 1 of 2 treatments in a completely randomized design by their body weight, backfat thickness, parity and alive litter weight. One of treatments was dry feeding and the other was liquid feeding (water to feed ratio, 1:1). Experimental diets contained 3265 kcal ME/kg, 12.6 % CP, 5.76 % EE, 1.09 % total lysine, 0.25 % total methionine, as fed basis. Results: Dry feeding treatment had high body weight loss rather than liquid feeding treatment (P = 0.04). Dry feeding treatment had tendency to increase litter weight at 21d of lactation (P = 0.06) and litter weight gain (P = 0.04) during lactation period (0-3 week). Sows fed dry feeding method made milk containing high content of casein and total solid rather than sows fed liquid feeding method (P = 0.04). In addition, dry feeding treatment had tendency to higher content of milk fat, protein and solid not fat on 21d of lactation (P = 0.07). Sows fed dry feeding type also showed higher milk energy content in milk of 21d lactation (P = 0.05). Furthermore, liquid feeding treatment showed high occurrence in feed waste during lactation period (P <0.01). Conclusion: Dry feeding method was more suitable feeding method to lactating sows under high temperature environment like lactating barn.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2016

Objectives: Season of birth, an exogenous indicator of early life environment, has been related to higher risk of adverse psychiatric outcomes but the findings for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been inconsistent. We investigated whether the month or season of birth are associated with AD. Methods: A nationwide nested case-control study including all community-dwellers with clinically verified AD diagnosed in 2005 to 2012 (n=70 719) and up to four age- sex- and region of residence-matched controls (n=282 862) residing in Finland. Associations between month and season of birth and AD were studied with conditional logistic regression. Results: Month of birth was not associated with AD (p=0.09). No strong associations were observed with season (p=0.13), although in comparison to winter births (December-February) summer births (June-August) were associated with higher odds of AD (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.05). However, the absolute difference in prevalence in winter births was only 0.5% (prevalence of those born in winter were 31.7% and 32.2% for cases and controls, respectively). Conclusions: Although our findings do not support the hypothesis that season of birth is related to AD/dementia risk, they do not invalidate the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis in late-life cognition. It is possible that season does not adequately capture the early life circumstances, or that other (postnatal) risk factors such as lifestyle or socioeconomic factors overrule the impact of prenatal and perinatal factors.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.209-223
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). There were 11 databases searched for randomized controlled trials using acupuncture treatment for AD. The risk-of-bias assessment tool of the Cochrane Library was used to evaluate the quality of each study. Using the Review Manager (RevMan), a meta-analysis was performed using risk ratio, mean difference, 95% confidence interval, and random effect model. There were 32 studies selected, all of which were conducted in China. There were 16 studies where acupuncture was used as the intervention, and 23 studies used Donepezil as the control group. Acupoint GV20 was most frequently selected during the treatment. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was the most frequently used outcome variable. A period of 12 weeks was the most common treatment duration. As a result of meta-analysis (n = 25), acupuncture improved the MMSE and activities of daily living scores. Electroacupuncture improved the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale, and scalp acupuncture improved the MMSE score for AD. Acupuncture alleviates the symptoms of AD. However, further research is necessary to provide a better level of evidence.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-27
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the overall developmental characteristics of Korean children ages 0 to 8, and then explore specifically how children's social and emotional developmental levels are related to mothers' psychological states. This study was part of newly launched Boryung Baby Panel Study using web-based survey in 2011. The subjects were all mothers of 940 infants(0-2 years), 654 toddlers(3-5 years), and 484 school-age children(6-8 years) The mothers were asked to administer the web-based standardized developmental checklist for their child and fill out the questionnaires of psychological variables(life satisfaction, depression, parenting attitude, parenting efficacy, and parenting stress). The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, and logistic regression for SPSS 20.0 windows. Major findings were as follows: 1. Infants(0 to 2) showed higher developmental level in cognition and fine motor skill domain compared to other domains. 2. Most toddlers(3 to 5) showed normal development in the most domain such as gross motor skill, fine motor skill, language, letter, number, self-help behavior. 3. In socio-emotional development domain, the ratio of risk or delay group were highest at both infant and toddler. 4. The 6-8 years old children that belong to risk group by the result of SDQ(emotion and behavior assessment) were also relatively high. 5. The relation of the children's socio-emotional developmental level and the mother's psychological variables were reciprocal. Based on these findings, the implications and the limitations of current study were discussed.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.89-99
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• 2008

Objectives Obesity is not only a matter of accumulation of adipose tissue but also a projection of self-cognition. This study examined the association between low self-esteem and visceral obesity; visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and visceral adipose tissue /subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio (VSR). Methods This cross-sectional study was performed in pre-menopausal obese(BMI $\geq\;25\;kg/m^2$) women in Seoul, from 2007 to 2008 (n=54). Simple anthropometry including BMI and waist circumference and Computed Tomography (CT) including VAT and VSR were done. To measure self-esteem, Rosenberg self-esteem scale (SES) questionnaire was administered. Subjects were given written consent and this study was performed under the permission of institutional review board of Kyung-Hee East-west Neo Medical Center. Results There was a significant relationship self esteem (SES score) with visceral obesity (VAT and VSR). 1. SES was correlated with VAT (r=-0.377, p<0.01) and VSR (r= -0.400, p<0.01) significantly by Pearson Correlation. 2. VAT and VSR could be predicted from SES by Simple linear regression. VAT = -1.701 ${\times}$ (SES score) +161.191 ($R^2$=0.142) VSR = -1.09${\times}$$10^{-2}$ ${\times}$ (SES score) +0.858 ($R^2$=0.160) Conclusions This study proves that low self-esteem might contribute to visceral obesity in Korean pre-menopausal obese women. Self-esteem and psychological factor should be considered in treatment of visceral obesity in adult-women.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.74-80
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• 2014

Objectives More than half of the elders suffer from chronic sleep disturbances. Moreover, sleep disturbances are more prevalent in patients with depressive disorder than in community dwelling elderly. In this study, we aim to estimate the risk factors of poor sleep quality and its effect on quality of life in patients with late life depression. Methods This study included 159 depressive patients aged 65 years or older who completed Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A global PSQI score of 5 or greater indicates a poor sleeper. Structural diagnostic interviews were performed using the Korean version of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Depression was evaluated by the Korean form of Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS). Global cognition was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination in the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease assessment packet. Quality of life was evaluated by the Korean version of Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). Results The frequencies of poor sleepers were 90.5% in major depressive disorder, 71.8% in minor depressive disorder, 47.1% in subsyndromal depressive disorder, and 73.0% in all types of depressive disorders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that female [odds ratio (OR) = 2.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20-6.67] and higher KGDS score (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05-1.21) were risk factors of poor sleep quality in patients with late life depression. In the analysis of ANCOVA adjusted for age, gender, education and KGDS score, the mean scores of vitality mental health and mental component summary of SF-36 were lower in poor sleepers than in good sleepers. Conclusions Poor sleepers among patients with late life depression are very common and are associated with female and higher KGDS scores. Poor sleep quality causes a significant negative effect on mental health quality. So researchers and clinicians should be more vigilant in the evaluation and treatment of sleep disturbances in patients with late life depression.