• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.191-197
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• 2015

Laser acupuncture is defined as the stimulation of traditional acupuncture points with low-intensity, nonthermal laser irradiation. Possible advantages in using laser acupuncture are the noninvasive, painless and low risks of infection treatment. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of laser acupuncture on the quality and waveform of arterial pulses. Ten acupuncture points were stimulated repeatedly three times in 30 individuals by laser with emission in the near infrared spectral region (808 nm) using an out power and power density of 45 mW and $143W/cm^2$. The analysis of pulse quality and waveform was performed based on the measurement of arterial pressure of the left and right wrist, using a 3-dimensional blood pressure pulse analyzer. Excess-like pulse quality of subjects before laser acupuncture changed significantly to balanced pulse quality after 10, 20, and 30 minutes of laser acupuncture; coefficient of deficient or excess, $C_{DE}$, decreased significantly from 0.68 before acupuncture to 0.61, 0.55, and 0.55 after 10, 20, 30 minutes of laser acupuncture ($$p{\leq_-}0.006$$), respectively. Other pulse qualities, floating or sinking, slow or rapid, choppy or slippery did not change significantly by laser acupuncture (p > 0.05). Pulse waveform analysis showed that amplitude of main peak (systolic function or aortic compliance, $h_1$) of left and right artery pulse waves decreased significantly after 10, 20, and 30 minutes of laser acupuncture (p < 0.05). Other parameters, duration of one cardiac cycle (T), duration of rapid systolic ejection ($T_1$), duration of the systolic phase ($T_4$), and duration of the diastolic phase ($T_5$) of left and right artery pulses did not change significantly after laser acupuncture (p > 0.05).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.621-628
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• 2016

Hypertension can be caused by various factors while the predominant causes include increase in body fluid volume and resistance in the circulatory system that elevate the blood pressure. Consumption of probiotics has been proven to attenuate hypertension; however, the effect is much strain-dependent. In this study, a newly isolated Lactobacillus casei (Lb. casei ) strain C1 was investigated for its antihypertensive properties in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) suspension of 11 log colony-forming unit (CFU) was given to SHR (SHR+LAB, n=8), and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was given as a control in SHR (SHR, n=8) and in Wistar rats as sham (WIS, n=8). The treatment was given via oral gavage for 8 weeks. The results showed that the weekly systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and aortic reactivity function were remarkably improved after 8 weeks of bacterial administration in SHR+LAB. These effects were mostly attributed by restoration of wall tension and tensile stress following the bacterial treatment. Although not statistically significant, the level of malondialdehye (MDA) in SHR+LAB serum was found declining. Increased levels of glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) in SHR+LAB serum suggested that the bacterium exerted vascular protection through antioxidative functions and relatively high NO level that induced vasodilation. Collectively, Lb. casei strain C1 is a promising alternative for hypertension improvement.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2010

Purpose: High-grade (III, IV, V) renal injury may need interventional management. We investigated whether the selective embolization of the renal artery is effective for the treatment of major renal injury in comparison with emergency renal exploration. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical and radiologic records of patients who underwent surgery or embolization for renal injury (Grade III, IV, V) between January 1990 and December 2007. We analyzed the change in treatment method before and after 2000, the blood pressure, the hemoglobin at the time of visit, the hospital days and the complications in patients who received surgery or embolization. Preserved renal functions of the embolized kidneys were identified by using enhanced CT. Results: Cases of surgery and embolization were 37 and 13, respectively: 5 and 4 in renal injury grade III, 17 and 6 in grade IV and 13 and 3 in grade V. Cases of surgery and embolization were 33 and 1 before 2000 and 2 and 12 after 2000, repectively: embolizations increased after 2000. No significant differences in mean diastolic pressure, hemoglobin, hospital days and complications existed between the surgery and the embolization groups (p>0.05). However, the transfusion volume was significantly smaller in the embolization group (p<0.05). One postoperative complication occurred in the surgery group. We identified the preserved renal functions of the embolized kidney by using enhanced CT. Conclusion: Embolization could be one treatment method for high-grade renal injury. Thus, we might suggest selective embolization a useful method for preserving the renal function in cases of high-grade renal injury.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.408-424
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to analyze the nutritional status and dietary habits in predialysis patients of chronic renal failure(CRF). The patients group was composed of total 35 persons with chronic renal failure(diabetes exclusion), male 20, female 15 who were treated in the kidney internal department and the control group also composed of 35 persons, male 18, female 17 who were classified as normal by the medical examination. Their dietary habits, nutritional status and nutritional knowledge were investigated from two general hospitals in Inchon, middle of this year 2002. There were 31.4% of low weight patients (BMI below 20), 77.1% of anemia patients (serum hemoglobin below 12g/㎗), 6S.6% of hypertension patients with diastolic blood pressure over 90mmHg, 80% with systolic blood pressure over 140mmHg, 20% of hypercholesterolemia patients (serum cholesterol over 230mg/㎗), and 22.9% of hyperlipemia patients (serum triglyceride over 200mg/㎗). The cardiovascular disease seemed to be caused by the abnormality of lipid metabolism. The possibility of the bone disease was shown from patients of hyperphosphatemia (serum phosphorus over 4.7mg/㎗, 22.9%) and hypocalcemia (serum calcium below 8.4mg/㎗, 25.7%). Intake of insufficient calories which was caused by the lack of appetite affected on the nutritional status. The intake of most nutrients was not significantly different from the RDA for Koreans. Consequently, the patient groups took a lot of salt even after the diagnosis of CRF. But patients ate 6.lg of salt which were more than the recommended amount 2∼4g for patients with CRF. The patient groups, who had the experiences of nutritional counselling, had significantly higher nutritional knowledge related to CRF than control group. Unfortunately, patients could not have enough chances for nutritional counselling by the nutritionist even though they needed the nutritional informations and dietetic treatments. The continuous research is expected with regard to the detail plan for the improvement of nutritional support and the nutritional counselling because it is important to decide the requirements of nutrients for patients with kidney disease, considering the kidney function and status of nutrition.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.129-134
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• 2013

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is defined by a 20-mm Hg difference of systolic blood pressure (dtSBP) and/or a 10-mm Hg difference of diastolic blood pressure (dtDBP) between supine and standing, and OH is associated with a failure of the cardiovascular reflex to maintain blood pressure on standing from a supine position. To understand the underlying genetic factors for OH traits (OH, dtSBP, and dtDBP), genome-wide association studies (GWASs) using 333,651 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were conducted separately for two population-based cohorts, Ansung (n = 3,173) and Ansan (n = 3,255). We identified 8 SNPs (5 SNPs for dtSBP and 3 SNPs for dtDBP) that were repeatedly associated in both the Ansung and Ansan cohorts and had p-values of < $1{\times}10^{-5}$ in the meta-analysis. Unfortunately, the SNPs of the OH case control GWAS did not pass our p-value criteria. Four of 8 SNPs were located in the intergenic region of chromosome 2, and the nearest gene (CTNNA2) was located at 1 Mb of distance. CTNNA2 is a linker between cadherin adhesion receptors and the actin cytoskeleton and is essential for stabilizing dendritic spines in rodent hippocampal neurons. Although there is no report about the function in blood pressure regulation, hippocampal neurons interact primarily with the autonomic nervous system and might be related to OH. The remaining SNPs, rs7098785 of dtSBP trait and rs6892553, rs16887217, and rs4959677 of dtDBP trait were located in the PIK3AP1 intron, ACTBL2-3' flanking, STAR intron, and intergenic region, respectively, but there was no clear functional link to blood pressure regulation.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.301-315
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• 2000

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a Rhythmical Exercise Program(REP) on physiological functions such as muscle strength, blood pressure, pulse, flexibility and body fat in the elderly. The research employed a non-equivalent control group pre-post test quasi experimental design. REP consisted of 45 minutes of dance, 3 times a week for 10 weeks. The formulated hypothesis were examined using the non-parametric statistics; Wilcoxon Signed rank sum test and Mann-Whitney test. The results are as follows; 1. The upper muscle strength and lower muscle strength of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group following the REP(P<.0 5). And the Period of REP affected the muscle strength; the longer the exercise period, the stronger the muscle strength became. 2. The systolic blood pressure of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group following the REP(p<.05). But there was no significant difference in the diastolic blood pressure between the experimental and control groups. The period of REP affected only systolic pressure; the longer the exercise period, the lower the systolic pressure became. 3. There was no significant difference in heart rate between the experimental and control groups, following the exercise period. 4. The flexibility of the experimental group was significantly higher than those of the control group following the REP(p<.01). And the period of REP affected flexibility; the longer the exercise period, the higher the flexibility(p<.05) became. 5. There was no significant difference of body fat between the experimental and control groups. The body fat of the experimental groups was significantly lower only 10 weeks after exercise(p<.01). Based on these results, it is suggested that rhythmical exercise program improves muscle strength, systolic pressure, and flexibility in the elderly.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between body fat and risk factors of chronic diseases in obese children and eventually to contribute to the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. Anthropometric parameters such as height, weight, skinfold thickness, circumferences, body fat content were measured in 55 obese subjects of age 5-20. Blood pressure, serum components, daily food intakes were also considered. The average age of the subjects was 12.5$\pm$3.3yrs and the mean obesity index was 64.7$\pm$21.3%. The average percentage of body fat was 35.6$\pm$5.4% and the mean weight of lean body mass was 45.3$\pm$13.9kg. Mean total muscle weight of the subjects was estimated to be 34.11$\pm$1.3kg. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the obese were 134.8$\pm$15.8mmHg and 69.6$\pm$11.6mgHg respectively. The concentrations fo serum triglyceride, total cholersterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol were estimated to be 246.0$\pm$136.4mg/dl, 257.0$\pm$54.3mg/dl, 48.2$\pm$13.1mg/dl and 158.9$\pm$53.5mg/이 respectively. The concentrations of serum GOT and GPT were 34.6$\pm$17.1U/L and 24.7$\pm$15.3U/L. The mean content of uric acid is serum was 6.2$\pm$1.9mg/dl. Of these 55 children, 82% has hyperlipidemia, 26% was abnormal liver function and 24% was hyperuricemia. One patient was diabetic. Eighty seven% of them have developed more than one complications.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.573-581
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• 1999

Although phonocardiography by auscultation has been used in diagnosis long time ago, recognition of heart sound was tried only restricted fields such as the first heart sound, the second heart sound, and specific valve operation for the purpose of analyzing local function or operation of heart and developments of heart sound recognition in full cycle are quite insignificant. in this paper, we proposed a recognition method which extracts features of heart sound in full cycle and classllies heart sounds This proposed recognition algorithm is based on detecting the first and second heart sounds in thme domain. The algorithm classifics heart sound into several classes by extracting the important time blocks and analyzing the peak position, integration values and statistical variables. Heart sounds are classified into normal, early systolic murmur, late systolic mumur, early diastolic murmur, late diastolie murmur, continuous murmur. We can verify our algorithm is useful from the results which show the average recognition rate of heart sounds is 88 perecnt. Recognition error was occurred mainly in early systolic murmur.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.355-358
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• 2004

Chunkookjang, Korean traditional fermented soybean food emerges as a functional food to improve intestinal function and blood circulation. During Chungkookjang fermentation, microorganisms, enzymes, and diverse bioactive compounds increase sharply. Chungkookjang contains diverse oligo-peptides. Formation of peptides was confirmed by SDS-PAGE. Solube fermented soybean in our sample contained Tyr, Gln-Lys, Trp, Gln, and Lys-Pro as major components. Lys-Pro (0.083 mg/100 g sample) was purified by HPLC analysis. Angiotensin I­converting enzyme (ACE) causes hypertension by converting angiotensin I to angiotension II. ACE inhibitory activity of Lys-Pro was determined to be $IC_{50}=32.1\;{\mu}M.$ Whether or not eating Chungkookjang can lower blood pressure was also determined. Sistolic blood pressure dropped by 15 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure by 8 mmHg 2 hr after a single administration of 20 g of fermented soybean. Chungkookjang might be helpful in improving blood circulation since it has ACE inhibitor and antihypertenisve effect.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 1999

Background: Tourniquet pain has important impacts on anesthesia. Tourniquet pain and accompanying cardiovascular changes are important factors that make patients in distress during anesthesia. As tourniquet pain may be modified by anesthesia, a study on the changes in the neural functions by tourniquet inflation in normal volunteers is important. Methods: Time-dependent changes in tourniquet pain, heart rate, phantom limb sensation, motor function, pain to pressure on upper extremity of 10 healthy and unpremedied volunteers were measured. Each parameter were measured every 5 minutes starting from 10 minutes before inflation to 15 minutes after deflation of tourniquet. Tourniquet was deflated when the subject felt unbearable pain (score 100 with visual analog scale). Results: Subjects manifested time-dependent pain responses to tourniquet inflation, characterized by increase in VAS, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Mean duration of tourniquet inflation was 36.4 minutes, volunteers experienced motor paralysis at 27.6 minutes and sensory loss at 33.1 minutes. Pain to pressure decreased over time in both arms. The degree of decrease was greater in the arm on which tourniquet was applied than that in the non-applied arm. Phantom limb sensation occurred in 3 subjects. Conclusions: This study demonstrated dynamic changes in the neural functions during tourniquet inflation period. Tourniquet-induced pain and resultant hypertension occurred in all subjects. Appropriate anesthetic management is needed for the surgery using tourniquet.