• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2005

Purpose: Recently the role of vitamins, folate in particular, has been emphasized in the maintenance of health. Folate deficiency is known to give rise to developmental delay, immature vascular disease, neural tube defect, acute leukemia, atherosclerotic vascular disease, delivery defects, breast cancer, and particularly gastrointestinal neoplasia. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an essential enzyme in folate metaboism, and influences DNA synthesis and DNA methylation. Generally, folate deficiency is associated with gastrointestinal neoplasms. The amino-acid- changing and enzyme-activity-reducing nucleotide polymorphism (766C$\rightarrow$T/ Ala222Val) has been described in the MTHFR polymorphism and leads to low enzyme activity that may reduce the capacity of DNA methylation and possibly uracil mis-incorporation into DNA. These processes may be critical in the oncogenic transformation of human cells, especially in colorectal carcinomas. We investigated the relationship between the MTHFR polymorphism in gastric cancer and the tumor site, the smoking history, and the alcoholic history. Materials and Methods: Ninety-six (96) individuals with gastric cancer and 287 healthy persons were analyzed. Blood sampling was performed, PCR-RFLP was analyzed, and MTHFR polymorphism genotypes of C/C, C/T, and T/T were obtained and analyzed statistically for their correlation. Results: In the gastric cancer group there were 69 ($72\%$) males and 27 ($28\%$) females. There were also 58 cases ($60\%$) involving the gastric lower body, 20 cases ($21\%$) the gastric mid-body, and 18 cases ($19\%$) the gastric upper body. In the control group there were 169 ($59\%$) males and 118 ($41\%$) females. Among the gastric cancer, 56 ($61\%$) smoking patients, 40 ($39\%$) non-smoking patients, 45($47\%$) alcoholic patients, 51 ($53\%$) non-alcoholic patients. In the gastric cancer group, MTHER polymorphisms were C/C in 18 ($19\%$) cases, C/T in 59 ($61\%$) cases, T/T in 19 ($20\%$) cases. In the control group polymorphisms were C/C 116 ($40\%$) cases, C/T 103 ($36\%$) cases, and T/T 68 ($24\%$) cases (P=0.045). In cases of lower gastric body cancer, polymorphisms were C/C in 16 ($24\%$) C/C in 16 ($24\%$) cases and C/T or T/T in 42 ($72\%$) cases. In cases of upper and mid-body cancer, polymorphisms were C/C in 2 ($5\%$) cases and C/T or T/T 36 ($95\%$) cases (P=0.006). In the non-smoking patient group, polymorphisms were C/C in 5 (12%) cases and C/T or T/T in 35 ($88\%$) cases. In the smoking patient group, C/C in 13 ($23\%$) cases and C/T or T/T in 43 ($77\%$) cases (P=0.189). In the non-alcoholic patient group, polymorphisms were C/C in 6 ($12\%$) cases and C/T or T/T in 45 ($88\%$) cases. In the alcoholic patient group, polymorphisms were C/C in 12 ($26\%$) cases and C/T or T/T in 33 ($74\%$) cases (P=0.063) Conclusion: MTHFR polymorphisms are associated with gastric cancer and tumor site, but not with smoking and alcohol drinking.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1985

It is important to discriminate between tuberculosis and tuberculosis-like disease by Mycobacteria other than tuberculosis in the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis. But because common antigens share among Mycobacteria, their antigenicities to human are similar. Therefore degree of cross-reactivity of antibody in the sera of patients with tuberculosis between M. tuberculosis and Mycobacteria other than tuberculosis should be checked to increase the specificity in the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis. The activity levels of IgG antibody in the sera of 106 patients confirmed as active pulmonary tuberculosis and 30 normal healthy control person to the pressate extract antigen (TE, BE, AE, and FE antigen) from M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. avium, and M. fortuitum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the crossreactivity of IgG antibody with mycobacterial species was analysed. The results were as follows; 1. The activity level(O.D. at 492nm) of IgG to TE antigen in sera of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was $0.228{\pm}0.167$ in minimal tuberculosis; moderately advanced, $0.556{\pm}0.616$; far advanced, $1.116{\pm}0.651$ and $0.315{\pm}0.245$ in miliary tuberculosis. 2. The activity level (O.D. at 492nm) of IgG to BE antigen in sera of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was $0.190{\pm}0.162$ in minimal tuberculosis; moderately advanced, $0.337{\pm}0.361$; far advanced, $0.713[\pm}0.460$ and $0.204{\pm}0.162$ in miliary tuberculosis. 3. The activity level (O.D. at 492nm) of IgG to AE antigen in sera of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was $0.165{\pm}0.114$ in minimal tuberculosis; moderately advanced, $0.392{\pm}0.494$; far advenced, $0.751{\pm}0.512$ and $0.233{\pm}0.191$ in miliary tuberculosis. 4. The activity level (O.D. at 492nm) of IgG to FE antigen in sera of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was $0.280{\pm}0.227$ in minimal tuberculosis; moderately advanced, $0.460{\pm}0.564$ ; far advanced, $0.845{\pm}0.573$ and $0.257{\pm}0.103$ in miliary tuberculosis. 5. The activity level (O.D. at 492nm) of IgG in sera of healthy control person was $0.126{\pm}0.084$ to TE antigen. $0.105{\pm}0.041$ to BE antigen, $0.103{\pm}0.052$ to AE antigen, and $0.095{\pm}0.061$ to FE antigen. 6. Degree of correlation(r) in activity level of IgG between TE antigen and BE antigen was 0.905 ; between TE antigen and AE antigen, 0.760; between TE antigen and FE antigen, 0.790, and between AE antigen and FE antigen, 0.945. 7. As O.D. above 0.200 was determined positive for the serodiagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, the sensitivity and specificity in ELISA using TE antigen were 80% and 87% respectively, whereas in the case of using BE antigen, 66% and 100%; in the case of using AE antigen, 62% and 100%, and in the case of using FE antigen, 72% and 93%, respecitively.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-23
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• 2018

This study aims to propose a way for evaluating thermal environment vulnerability associated with policy to improve thermal environment. For this purpose, a variety of indices concerning thermal vulnerability assessment and adaptation policies for climate change applied to 17 Korean cities were reviewed and examined. Finally, 15 indices associated with policies for improving thermal environment were selected. The selected indices for thermal vulnerability assessment were applied to Daegu Metropolitan City of South Korea as a case study. As results, 15 vulnerability maps based on the standardized indices were established, and a comprehensive map with four grades of thermal vulnerability were established for Daegu Metropolitan City. As results, the area with the highest rated area in the first-grade(most vulnerable to heat) was Dong-gu, followed by Dalseo-gu and Buk-gu, and the highest area ratio of the first-grade regions was Ansim-1-dong in Dong-gu. Based on the standardized indices, the causes of the thermal environment vulnerability of Ansim-1-dong were accounted for the number of basic livelihood security recipients, the number of cardiovascular disease deaths, heat index, and Earth's surface temperature. To improve the thermal environment vulnerability of Ansim-1-dong, active policy implementation is required in expansion and maintenance of heat wave shelters, establishment of database for the population with diseases susceptible to high temperature environments, expansion of shade areas and so on. This study shows the applicability of the vulnerability assessment method linked with the policies and is expected to contribute to the strategic and effective establishment of thermal environment policies in urban master district plans.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.285-296
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of exposure to humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and their association with the presence of a person who experienced the adverse health effects in general households in Korea. Methods: During the month of December 2016, a nationwide online survey was conducted on adults over 20 years of age who had experience of using HDs. It provided information on exposure characteristics and the experience of health effects. The final survey respondents consisted of 1,555 people who provided information on themselves and their household members during the use of HD. Exposure characteristics at the household level included average days of HD use per week, average hours of HD use per day, the duration within which one bottle of HD was emptied, average input frequency of HD, amount of HD (cc) per one time used, and active ingredients of HD products (PHMG, CMIT/MIT, PGH, or others). The risk of the presence of a person who experienced adverse health effects in the household was evaluated by estimating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for monthly income and region using a multiple logistic regression model. Subgroup analyses were conducted for households with a child (≤7 years) and households with a newborn infant during HD use. Results: The level of exposure to HD tended to be higher for households with a child or newborn infant for several variables including average days of HD use per week (P<0.0001) and average hours of HD use per day (P<0.0001). The proportion of households in which there was at least one person who experienced adverse health effects such as rhinitis, asthma, pneumonia, atopy/skin disease, etc. was 20.6% for all households, 25.3% for households with children, and 29.9% for households with newborn infants. The presence of a person who experienced adverse health effects in the household was significantly associated with average hours of HD use per day (P_trend<0.001), duration within which one bottle of HD was emptied (P_trend<0.001), average input frequency of HD (P_trend<0.001), amount of HD per one use (P_trend=0.01), and use of HDs containing PHMG (OR=2.23, 95% CI=1.45-3.43). Similar results were observed in subgroup analyses. Conclusion: Our results suggest that level of exposure to HD tended to be higher for households with a child or newborn infant and that exposure to HD is significantly associated with the presence of a person who experienced adverse health effects in the household.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.114-124
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• 1999

Purpose : To clarify the relation between psychosocial variables and cancer in Korea. Methods : Case-control study. Participants: 239 subjects in 2 university hospitals in Seoul completed a series of psychometric instruments(the Olson's FACES III and the Lee's 98-items life event scale). Results : In bivariable analysis, there were statistically significant difference in age and economic status(income): marginal significance in education status and marital status between the cases and controls. The family function type and stress score were not significantly different. The result of multivariable logistic regression, analysis showed that the risk of cancer was associated with economic status and marital status, but neither the family function nor the life event stress. Conclusion : In this study, we cannot prove the statistical association between the family function, life event stress and cancer. It is necessary to persevere in our efforts to clarify the relation between stress and disease and to develop the useful tools to measure the Korean family function and life event stress.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.675-679
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• 2005

Background: Clinical reports on replacement of all three (AV + MV + TV) valves are rare. Material and Method: From January 1992 to December 2003, 38 patients received triple valve replacement (aortic, mitral, tricuspid) at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center. Mean age of patients was $49.5\pm10.7 (28\~69)$ years, and 24 patients $(63.1\%)$ were female. Rheumatic valve disease was the most common cause of operation (n=37). Preoperative New York Heart Association functional class were II in 4, III in 24 and IV in 10. Fifteen patients (group 1) received triple valve replacement at their first operation. Twenty three patients (group 2) received one or more operations before tricuspid valve replacement (TVR). Seven patients received tricuspid valve annuloplasty at first operation and received TVR later. Result: Six patients died at hospital after operation $(15.8\%)$ and all these patients were in group 2. All patients in group I survived and were discharged. Three patients $(9.4\%)$ died during follow up periods. Most of the survivors had improved functional class (I in 22, II in 8, III in 1, IV in 1). During follow up period, there were 4 valve related complications. The 10-year survival rate was $68.8\%$ and survival rate for free from valve related event at 10 years was $85.5\%$. Conclusion: After triple valve replacement, most patients showed improvement of symptoms. And during follow up period, valve related complications and survival were acceptable. Therefore, if indicated, triple valve replacement is recommended before the patients' conditions get worse.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.209-217
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• 2013

Adiponectin (AdipoN), brain-derived nerotrophic factor (BDNF) and leptin (LeP) are mainly secreted from adipose tissue and are known to be involved in regulation of the development of obese. However, there are not many studies on the association between abdominal fat and neuropeptides such as AdipoN, BDNF and LeP. The aim of this study was undertaken to investigate the association between abdominal fat thickness, neuropeptides and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The participants in the study were 138 male employees without CVD. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. Written informed consent for the participants in this study was obtained from all individuals. We obtained subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and visceral fat thickness (VFT) by using ultrasonography and neuropeptides levels were measured with ELISA kit according to the method suggested by kit manufacturer. The mean SFT and VFT were $1.58{\pm}0.51$ and $4.52{\pm}1.44$ cm. The mean concentrations of AdipoN, BDNF and LeP were $3.14{\pm}3.52$ ng/ml, $24.11{\pm}8.52$ pg/ml and $4.27{\pm}2.38$ ng/ml, respectively. VFT were positively correlated with total cholesterol (r=0.217, p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol (r=0.271, p<0.01), triglyceride (r=0.233, p<0.05) and insulin (r=0.338, p<0.01), but was inversely correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r=-420, p<0.01). AdipoN levels were positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r=0.220, p<0.05) and were inversely correlated with total cholesterol (r=-0.196, p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol (r=-0.190, p<0.05), triglyceride (r=-0.199, p<0.05), SFT (r=-0.195, p<0.05) and VFT (r=-0.412, p<0.01). However, LeP levels showed a reverse trend to AdipoN. AdipoN level was significantly higher in non-obese participants (BMI<25 kg/m), but LeP concentration was significantly higher in obese participants (BMI>25 kg/m) than in non-obese. On multiple logistic regression analysis, obese were significantly associated with AdipoN (odds ratio=0.784) and LeP (odds ratio=1.494). These results suggested that AdipoN and LeP concentrations are affected abdominal fat and that dysfunction and/or declination in the production and secretion of neuropeptides might induced ultimately obese and CVD.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.8
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• pp.249-256
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• 2010

To the detect of SPIO-labelled hMSC, in vitro study on various cell concentration and in vivo molecular magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) technique using T2, $T2^*$ and SWI are compared with pathology. Cell concentration was $1.56{\times}10^4$, $3.13{\times}10^4$, $6.25{\times}10^4$, $1.25{\times}10^5$, $2.5{\times}10^5$, $5{\times}10^5\;cells/m{\ell}$ and for control $5{\times}10^5\cells/m{\ell}$. MRI technique using T2, $T^2$ and SWI. Photothrombotic infarction was located 2.5mm from bregma right, posterior. Cell injected through the tail vein of rat for 8 rats. MRI performed pre injection and post injection of 1, 3, 7 and 14days and sacrifice for pathology. MRI analysed on quantitatively. In vitro result, SWI was highest CNR as compared with $T2^*WI$, T2WI and $2.5{\times}10^5\;cells/m{\ell}$ cell concentration. In vivo result among the T2WI, $T2^WI$, SWI, T2WI is highest CNR between normal and infarction. CNR in normal-SPIO and infarction-SPIO is high score in SWI. Therefore, T2WI is good distinguish between normal and infarction, SWI are well detect SPIO-labelled hMSC from normal and infarction. Nowaday, SWI are mostly used on hemorrhage, calcification etc. in clinically, but for the future, stem cell therapy is commonly application at all disease which is good observing tool for SPIO-labelled stem cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.871-876
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• 2005

Purpose : Recently, it was reported that tumor necrosis factor(TNF) and $lymphotoxin-{\alpha}$($LT-{\alpha}$) gene regions might be a susceptible loci to type 1 diabetes in Japanese. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of TNF and $LT-{\alpha}$ gene polymorphisms with disease susceptibility in Korean children with type 1 diabetes. Methods : Forty-nine Korean children with type 1 diabetes(29 girls and 20 boys) and 94 healthy Koreans were investigated in this study. Genotyping for -857T/C polymorphism in the TNF promoter region and $LT-{\alpha}$ gene polymorphism were performed by PCR-RFLP(restriction fragment length polymorphism). TNF promoter -1031C/T polymorphism was detected by allele-specific PCR. Results : The distribution of the -857T/C and -1031C/T genotype in the TNF promoter region was not different between diabetic children and the controls. The frequency of TT genotype in the distribution of TNF -1031C/T polymorphism in diabetic children with diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA) at diagnosis was significantly lower than those without DKA(P<0.05). No significant difference in the distribution of $LT-{\alpha}$ gene polymorphism was observed between diabetic children and the controls. There was no association between clinical characteristics of type 1 diabetes and $LT-{\alpha}$ gene polymorphisms. Conclusion : These results suggest that TNF promoter -857T/C and $LT-{\alpha}$ gene polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes in Korean children. TNF promoter -1031C/T polymorphism might be related to clinical manifestations(DKA) of type 1 diabetes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.258-268
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) consumption with nutrition and health status. Examination of health status for this project included obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, low-HDL-cholesterolemia, diabetes, anemia, and metabolic syndrome. Methods: Two groups, RTEC consumers and those who did not consume RTEC, were identified using 24-hour dietary recall data from the 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Nutritional intakes and risk factors of the two groups were compared using covariates-adjusted statistical procedures. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS survey procedures, and strata, cluster, and weight were considered. Subjects of analysis of nutritional intake were between the ages of 1 and 75, and those considered in the risk factor analysis were between the ages of 19 and 75. Results: Results showed that 3.8% of the Korean population was RTEC consumers. Compared to the subjects who did not intake RTEC, RTEC consumers exhibited significantly higher intakes of calcium, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin C. It was also discovered that the percentage of people whose intakes were less than EAR decreased with RTEC consumption. RTEC consumption showed significant association with decreased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, and serum total cholesterol. Consequently, prevalence of hypertension among RTEC consumers was significantly lower than that among non-consumers, and the odds ratio for hypertension was 0.19 after adjusting the models for covariates. Conclusion: Results of this study clearly suggest an association of RTEC consumption with improved nutritional status and cardiometabolic risk profile in Korean adults. Conduct of additional studies will be necessary in order to determine the nature of these relationships.