• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.2 s.75
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• pp.253-258
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• 2006

Garlic is a perennial herb primarily distributed throughout the world. These plants are regarded as a medically and agricultural important crop in the world. The genetic relationships between cultivated and wild species were investigated at the population levels by constructing tree based on ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeats) markers. In addition, ISSR analysis was also conducted to estimate genetic diversity and population structure of these species. Three wild garlic populations in Korea were found to have more alleles per locus (mean 1.672 vs. 1.510) higher percent polymorphic locus (67.2 vs. 51.0), and higher diversity (0.250 vs. 0.198) than three cultivated populations. The cultivated and wild species in Korea are well separated from each other at phylogenetic trees. Although there is not direct evidence that A. victorialis is an ancestor of Korean A. sativum, there is a possibility that cultivated A. sativum in Korea has evolved from wild A. victorialis in Korea. Populations of A. victorialis may be useful in germ-plasm classification and evolutionary process.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.5-17
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• 2008

Purpose: To understand the dietary habits and factors influencing the dietary habits in adults of an urban community. Method: The data were collected via questionnaires that investigated dietary habits, health behaviors, health-related factors, and general characteristics. A total of 302 subjects were selected from those who had visited an urban public center over a 2-week period. The data of 294 subjects were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression, after 8 questionnaire were excluded due to incomplete data. Results: The degree of dietary habits was in the middle range. The most positive dietary habit was 'intake fibers from vegetables, fruits, and cereals', followed by 'not enjoy salty food and salt' and 'eating breakfast everyday'. The significant predictors influencing dietary habits were age, present smoking behavior, perceived health status, and drinking frequency, and these variables accounted for 27.3% of the variance in the dietary habits score. Conclusion: Health care providers should focus on health promotion planning regarding dietary habits and other health-related behaviors in combination and use integrated strategies regarding the factors that influence dietary habits and other health-related behaviors.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1176-1183
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• 2015

Ulmus macrocarpa has been used in Korean medicinal food material to physical disorder or tonic material. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate splenocyte life span expansion effects of Ulmus macrocarpa water extract (UMWE) in general cell culture condition. Splenocytes were handled in the presence of 100 μg/ml UMWE for several different time conditions. Live cells were detected with Hoechst 33,342 dye and cell survival molecules were identified through Western blot. Changes in level of cytokine synthesis were evaluated by ELISA. UMWE showed an effect on increased splenocyte survival. UMWE elevated slightly PI3K phosphorylation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation used at 48 hr and 96 hr. Moreover, Bcl-2 was elevated at 48 hr and 96 hr in UMWE-treated splenocytes. UMWE decreased caspase-3 level at 48 hr and 96 hr. ICAD protein increased at 48 hr culturing time. Hematopoietin IL-2 cytokine was down-regulated, however IL-4 hematopoietin cytokine was up-regulated in UMWE treated cell culture media. Increased IFN-γ levels were verified in the supernatant of UMWE-treated cells in all periods (48 hr and 96 hr). Increased patterns in the production of IL-12 cytokine occurred as compared with control after 48 and 96 hr in UMWE-treated-cell cultures. These results suggested that UMWE can prolong splenocyte life span by controlling various signal factors and cytokines.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2008

This study was performed to understand recognition and behaviors related to sodium intake of Korean adults. The data were collected from subjects including 267 male and 285 female adults in nationwide and compared by gender and by age. We found that the male group showed significantly higher smoking, alcohol drinking, and exercise does the female group. The older group (40 to 59 years) revealed significantly higher exercise and lower alcohol drinking; however general disease and hypertension prevalence, diet therapy practice, and meditation for hypertension were higher. Recognizing sodium levels of foods containing high-sodium, and sodium-nutriture labels when purchasing foods, and knowing differences between salt and sodium of the male group or recognizing sodium levels of foods containing high-sodium of the older group was worse than the other. Among the 32 food behaviors, only 12 were identified as significantly correlated to sodium intake levels including behaviors of preferring Chinese and Japanese foods to Western foods, preferring kimchi to raw vegetables, completely consuming soup, stew, noodle liquid, liking of dried fish and salted mackerel, frequent eat-outs or delivered foods, and so forth. There were significant differences between gender or age groups in terms of sodium intake-increasing behaviors; the male group showed higher behaviors of preferring salty taste and eating all broths. And the older group revealed higher behavior of adding table salt as well as the previous two, however, the younger group showed more behaviors of eat-outs or delivered foods and not the liquid of kimchi.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1156-1163
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• 2015

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory properties of four different medicinal plants in a cyclophosphamide-treated Balb/c mouse model. One of the four plants, Ulmus macrocarpa, showed partial resistance against immune suppression induced by cyclophosphamide. The bark of U. macrocarpa, commonly known as the Chinese elm, has been used as a pharmaceutical material in Korean traditional medicine to treat bacterial inflammation and induce wound healing. In this study, water extract of U. macrocarpa, named DEU-7, was used for its immunomodulating functional activity. DEU-7 increased the weight of the spleen and the number of splenocytes but did not significantly affect the liver, kidney, and thymus in vivo. A splenocyte viability assay confirmed that DEU-7 influenced ex vivo splenocyte survival. DEU-7 also increased the levels of cytokines, such as IL-2 and IL-4, and immunoglobulins, such as IgM, IgG, and IgA. These results indicated that DEU-7 is involved in the activation of T and B lymphocytes. In addition, DEU-7 was able to maintain the production of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-12, and IFN-γ, in the condition of cyclophosphamide-induced immune suppression, suggesting that DEU-7 activated innate immune cells, even under immune suppression. We concluded that DEU-7 aids immunological homeostasis, thereby preventing immune suppression, and aids both innate and adaptive immune response by maintaining the levels of various cytokines and immunoglobulins. Consequently, it is worth investigating the potential of DEU-7 as a supplemental source for immune-enhancing agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1151-1156
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• 2014

Traditional medicinal plants are widely used to treat many diseases, such as inflammation, infections, and even cancer. Ulmus macrocarpa Hance, a Chinese elm species, is distributed in Korea, China, and Japan. The stem bark is widely employed in Korean traditional medicine to treat dermatitis, mastitis, and edema. The aim of this study was to investigate whether water extract of U. macrocarpa Hance bark (Ulmus cortex) has a immune-modulating function in a mouse model. Three different concentrations (30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) of Ulmus cortex water extract (UCWE) were orally administered to mice for 14 days, and their immune responses were analyzed. Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, and IFN-${\gamma}$, increased in the blood of UCWE-fed groups when compared with a control group. In contrast, the IL-4 level did not change in any of the UCWE-fed groups Cell-mediated cytotoxicity was also assayed using lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK). LAK showed greater cytotoxicity in the UCWE-fed groups than LAK in the control group. Internal organ indices, such as liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus, were similar in all the groups, including the control group, indicating that UCWE may have been nontoxic in the experimental animals. These data suggest that UCWE has an immune-modulating function in a mouse model.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 2012

Objectives : We investigated the effects of Ingecheonggeumdan(ICD) on body weight and examined whether blood lipid levels and visceral fat are inhibited by it in high fat diet-fed obese male mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet-fed obese male mice were divided into 6 groups: C57BL/6N normal, control, ICD-1(150mg/kg), ICD-2(300mg/kg), ICD-3(600mg/kg) and orlistat(10mg/kg). After mice were treated with ICD and orlistat for 8 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also performed histological analysis for liver and fat on the mice. Results : Compared with controls, ICD and orlistat-treated mice had lower body weight gain and adipose tissue weight, the magnitudes of which were prominent in ICD-3. Compared with controls, ICD and orlistat-treated mice had lower blood leptin levels, the magnitude of which was prominent in ICD-3. Compared with controls, ICD and orlistat-treated mice had higher blood HDL-cholesterol and lower blood plasma LDL-cholesterol, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels, the magnitudes of which were prominent in ICD-3. Blood plasma AST and ALT concentrations were not changed by ICD and orlistat, indicating ICD and orlistat do not show any toxic effects. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, the size of adipocytes and hepatic lipid accumulation were significantly decreased by ICD and orlistat. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that ICD and orlistat effectively reduce body weight gain, blood plasma LDL-cholesterol, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels and improves abdominal fat, the magnitudes of which were prominent in ICD-3.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.19 no.1 s.19
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• pp.130-136
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• 1986

The particle size of suspended particulates was measured by a Anderson air sampler from Mar. 1982 to Feb. 1984 in a part of Seoul. It was concluded as follows : 1) The arithmetic concentration of suspended particulates was $147.8{\mu}g/m^3$ in Spring, 136.9 in Summer, 131.9 in Autumn and 158.1 in Winter respectively. 2) The cumulative distribution of suspended particulates size in logarithmic diagram showed similar to normal log distribution. 3) The atmospheric particulate matters showed a bimodal size distribution on the base of unit particle concentrations, which divided at approximately $2{\mu}m$ in the diameter. 4) While the fine particulates less than $2.1{\mu}m\;was\;35.4{\sim}45.0%$, the coarse particulates was $55.0{\sim}64.5%$. 5) The higher the concentration of suspended particulates, the more increased the ratio of fine particulates. The higher the concentration of suspended particulates, the lower median size of suspended particulate as well. 6) The respirable dust particulates less than $4.7{\mu}m\;was\;52.2{\sim}62.9%$ in seasonal average through the 2 year samples. With the above result, air pollution concerned with public health could be evaluated and the control measures also are suggested.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.801-809
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was aimed at exploring the current status of graduate programs for an advanced practice nurse(APN) to recommend future directions of APN education. Methods: A total of 142 students enrolled in seven APN specialty programs, 67 professors who were involved in APN education, and nine nurse administrators participated in the study. Data was collected by questionnaires and focus group interviews. Results: The current definition of APN was found not to be specific enough to represent expected roles of APN in regards to knowledge, attitudes, roles, and skills. Standard curricula employed regardless of the area of APN specialty, lack of qualified clinical practice settings, as well as prepared instructors were found to be problematic. Conclusion: The following needs to be addressed: 1. redefining of APN roles, 2. tailoring specialty areas of APN, 3. consolidating educational programs, and 4. ensuring APN role models and faculty. Suggesting a CNS role in Korean APN, areas of APN should be rearranged toclarify their roles and educational programs need to be further developed to meet the expectations and quality of APNs. It is necessary to ensure APN's employment in the health care system by laws and policies to perform advanced nursing roles.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2016

The root bark of Ulmus macrocarpa has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as edema, infection and inflammation. Nevertheless, the biological activities and underlying mechanisms of the immunomodulatory effects remain unclear. In this study, as part of our ongoing screening program to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of new compounds from traditional medicinal resources, we investigated the effects of U. macrocarpa water extract (UME) on immune modulation in a murine RAW 264.7 macrophage model. As immune response parameters, the productions of as nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such tumor necrotic factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 were evaluated. Although the release of IL-1β remained unchanged in UME-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, the productions of NO, TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly increased, along with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase, TNF-α and IL-10 expression at concentrations with no cytotoxicity. UME treatment also induced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) indicating that UME activated macrophages through the activation of NF-κB, phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and MAPKs signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, pre-treatment with UME significantly attenuated the production of NO, but not TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells suggesting that UME may be useful in preventing inflammatory diseases mediated by excessive production of NO. These findings suggest that the beneficial therapeutic effects of UME may be attributed partly to its ability to modulate immune functions in macrophages.