• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.481-487
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• 2013

Following breast cancer diagnosis, women often attempt to modify their lifestyles to improve their health and prevent recurrence. These behavioral changes typically involve diet and physical activity modification. The aim of this study was to determine association between healthy eating habits and physical activity with quality of life among Iranian breast cancer survivors. A total of 100 Iranian women, aged between 32 to 61 years were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Eating practices were evaluated by a validated questionnaire modified from the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) study. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A standardized questionnaire by the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life and its breast cancer module (EORTC QLQ-C30/+BR-23) were applied to determine quality of life. Approximately 29% of the cancer survivors were categorized as having healthy eating practices, 34% had moderate eating practices and 37% had poor eating practices based on nutrition guidelines. The study found positive changes in the decreased intake of fast foods (90%), red meat (70%) and increased intake of fruits (85%) and vegetables (78%). Generally, breast cancer survivors with healthy eating practices had better global quality of life, social, emotional, cognitive and role functions. Results showed that only 12 women (12%) met the criteria for regular vigorous exercise, 22% had regular moderate-intensity exercise while the majority (65%) had low-intensity physical activity. Breast cancer survivors with higher level of physical activity had better emotional and cognitive functions. Healthy eating practices and physical activity can improve quality of life of cancer survivors. Health care professionals should promote good dietary habits and physical activity to improve survivor's health and quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.533-544
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• 2016

Objectives: We aimed to examine levels of physical activity, anthropometric features, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Korean breast cancer survivors who reported changes in their diet after diagnosis. Methods: A total of 380 women who had been diagnosed with stage I to III breast cancer and had breast cancer surgery at least six months before the interview were included. Participants provided information on dietary change after diagnosis, post-diagnostic diet, physical activity, anthropometric measures, and HRQoL through face-to-face interview. We assessed HRQoL levels of breast cancer survivors using a validated Korean version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Breast Cancer Module (BR23). We used the logistic regression and generalized linear models to identify the associations of dietary changes in relation with physical activity, anthropometry, and HRQoL. Results: The majority of participants (72.6%) reported that they have changed their diet to a healthier diet after diagnosis. Breast cancer survivors who reported to have change to a healthy diet had higher intakes of vegetables and fruits and lower intakes of red and processed meats, and refined grains than those who did not. Also, survivors with a healthy change in their diet were more likely to engage in physical activity (top vs. bottom tertile: odds ratio [OR], 1.85; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02-3.36) and have lower body mass index (BMI) (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.98 for one $kg/m^2$ increment in BMI) compared to those who did not. We found that a healthy change in diet was associated with higher scores of physical functioning (p=0.02) and lower scores of constipation (p=0.04) and diarrhea (p=0.006) compared to those who did not. Conclusions: Healthy changes in diet after breast cancer diagnosis may be associated with lower levels of BMI, and higher levels of physical activity and HRQoL.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.257-265
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• 2017

Ferulic Acid (FA) is a metabolite of phenylalanine and tyrosine, a phenolic compound commonly found in fruits and vegetables. Several studies have shown that FA has various functions such as antioxidant effect, prevention of cell damage from irradiation, protection from cell damage caused by oxygen deficiency, anti-inflammatory action, anti-aging action, liver protective effect and anti-cancer action. In this study, we investigated the maturation rate, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of porcine oocytes by adding FA to the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium and examined subsequent embryonic developmental competence at 5% oxygen through parthenogenesis. There is no significant difference between the control group ($0{\mu}M$) and treatment groups ($5{\mu}M$, $10{\mu}M$, $20{\mu}M$) on maturation rates. Intracellular GSH levels in oocyte treated with $5{\mu}M$ of FA significantly increased (P < 0.05), and $20{\mu}M$ of FA revealed significant decrease (P < 0.05) in intracellular ROS levels compared with the control group. Oocytes treated with FA exhibited significantly higher cleavage rates (79.01% vs 89.19%, 92.20%, 90.89%, respectively) than the control group. Oocytes treated with $10{\mu}M$ showed significantly higher blastocyst formation rates (28.3% vs 40.3%, respectively) after PA than the control group. Total cell numbers in blastocyst of $10{\mu}M$ FA displayed significantly higher (39.4 vs 51.9, respectively) than the control group. In conclusion, these results suggested that treatment with FA during IVM improved the developmental potential of porcine embryos by increasing intracellular GSH synthesis and reducing ROS levels. Also, there was an improvement of cleavage rate, blastocyst formation and total cell numbers in blastocysts. It might be associated with Keap1-Nrf2 pathway as an antioxidant regulate pathway that plays a crucial role in determining the sensitivity of cells to oxidative damages by regulating the basal and inducible expression of enzymes which is related to detoxification and anti-oxidative effects, stress response enzymes and/or proteins and ABC transporters.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.34-45
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• 2008

For the correct dietary habit and balanced dietary intake of aged people, the nutrition management that fits to the dietary behavior change stage has to be accomplished. In order to do so, in this paper, we chose 175 women that are aged more than 65 years old who are rural long life community residents and surveyed the dietary intake for 2 days including a twice depth interview and the 24 hour recall method. Also, for the sake of our aim, using the transtheoretical model, the dietary behavior change stage group was divided into the contemplation stage group, the preparation stage group, the action stage group and the maintenance stage group. The results are as follows: In the intake amount of protein (p < 0.01), vitamin $B_1$ (p < 0.05) and vitamin $B_6$ (p < 0.05), the intake amount of these nutrients in the action stage group and the maintenance stage group were significantly larger than the intake amount in the contemplation stage group and the preparation stage group. The nutrition evaluation according to the dietary behavior change stage, the ratio of subjects who took insufficient amount of energy, protein, vitamin A, and vitamin C were low as the dietary behavior change stage was upgraded. The subjects of maintenance stage group were most likely to consume vegetables more than once a day, and consume fruits and milk and milk products more than 5 times/week. MAR [13], MAR [10] and MAR [4] of subjects in the action stage group and the maintenance stage group were significantly higher than MAR [13], MAR [10] and MAR [4] of subjects in the contemplation stage group and the preparation stage group (p < 0.001). From the above results, there were differences of nutrient intakes according to the dietary behavior change stage. Therefore, it is considered that the intervention for the dietary behavior motivation induction has to be advanced before accomplishing the individually fitting intervention at the time of nutrient management intervention.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.124-132
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: Silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis) No. 1 was developed for production of bio-ethanol, and for the purpose the silver grass growing sector was established in Geumgang basin, Iksan, Jeonbuk, in 2011. However, the other application potentials except for using as the bio-energy resources should be considered because of the drop in international oil prices. Therefore, there is the necessity of a scientific basis to use the silver grass instead of rice straw as the organic matter source that is used for improvement of soil quality in the plastic film house. METHODS AND RESULTS: The silver grass was applied at 5, 10, 15 and 20 Mg/ha and tilled before the watermelon was planted in the plastic film-house. The control plot was treated with 10 Mg/ha with rice straw, and watermelons have been cultivated for 3 years(2017~2019). Soil aggregation, soil chemistry, and the growth characteristics were investigated, when the watermelon was harvested every year. Soil aggregation levels at the 2nd and 3rd year of watermelon harvest were similar from the plot applied with the silver grass at 5 Mg/ha and the control plot, and increased in the silver grass treated plots with more than 10 Mg/ha. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the plots. The nitrogen mineralization of silver grass in the control plot tended to be similar to the 5 Mg/ha plot, but the silver grass treated plots with over 10 Mg/ha showed low nitrogen mineralization. Soil EC on harvest stage was proportional to the applied mass of the silver grass, but pH was in inverse with the applied mass. Soil organic matter content, available phosphate, and exchangeable cations increased with the continued use of silver grass. Watermelon weight found to be the best on more than 15 Mg/ha of silver grass, and the sugar content was highest when 10 Mg/ha was treated. CONCLUSION: The use of the silver grass at 10 Mg/ha annually as the organic source was effective in replacing rice straw while growing fruits and vegetables on the plastic film house.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.36-46
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• 2022

Purpose: Quercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid abundant in many fruits and vegetables. It has potential health-beneficial properties, such as antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the lipid metabolism improvement effect of quercetin affected the regulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and microRNA (miR)-21 expression in the liver of mice fed a high-cholesterol diet. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with normal diet, quercetin-free diet and diets containing 0.05% or 0.1% quercetin for six weeks. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by adding 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid to all diets. Serum and liver triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) concentrations were analyzed using a commercial enzymatic colorimetric kit. AMPK activity was quantified using an AMPK kinase assay kit. The levels of miR-21 and genes involved in lipid metabolism were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Supplementation of quercetin reduced serum and hepatic TG and TC levels without changing body weight and food intake. Dietary quercetin significantly inhibited the mRNA levels of hepatic sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and fatty acid synthesis, which are involved in hepatic lipogenesis. Dietary quercetin enhanced AMPK activity and suppressed miR-21 expression, promoting hepatic lipid accumulation. Conclusion: These results suggest that the lipid-lowering effect of quercetin on the serum and liver of mice may be partially mediated by the regulation of lipogenic gene expression, AMPK activity and miR-21 expression in the liver of mice fed a high-cholesterol diet.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.47-61
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• 2008

Objectives: This study examined to explain the practical health behaviour and health-related quality of life, and their influencing factors in high school students. Methods: Total of 718 high school students from 1 school in Seoul were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire regarding general characteristics, health related characteristics, obesity index(Height and weight calculated by using the relative weight law: obesity group>20%, overweight group $10{\sim}20%$, normal weight group $-10{\sim}10%$, under weight group <-10%), health behaviour in school-aged children(eating, exercise and weight control) and health-related quality of life(PedsQLTM4.0 Generic Core Scale: physical health, emotional functioning, social functioning, school functioning). Results: Major results were as follows. 1. The rate of obesity by obesity index was 5.3% of high school students. Obesity incidence in adolescents was mainly associated with gender and parents whether obesity. 2. Perceived health status was lower in obese adolescents than in normal adolescents. 3. The rate of miss a breakfast was 37.9%, and obesity group than normal weight group were fruits, vegetables and milk intake at least, a lot of fastfood intake. During the past week, followed by intense physical activity, and overweight consumed a lot of time for TV and the Internet. Overall, under weight group and normal weight group belong to the students evaluated fatter than themselves. Weight control for weight loss, gain and maintain was grater in obesity group than in normal weight group. Weight loss showed highest scores in overweight group which appeared significant difference. 4. Obese adolescents compared with other groups, reported lower total QOL score and all QOL in domain, and especially social functioning showed significant differences. 5. Factors influencing the adolescents's QOL were found to be gender, perceived health status and exercise. Conclusions: High school girls were aware of their bad health status and likely to improve the QOL by practicing health behaviour. But obese adolescents were likely to degrade the quality of life by reducing the practice of health behaviors. So further school-based education about proper practical health behaviors and obesity prevention is necessary.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.577-588
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• 2011

The purpose of this research was to provide basic educational data on the proper eating habits of children who use the community children center. The results of the research conducted by polling the fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade children of the community children centers are summarized as follows. Male children had more meals and ate them faster than those of female children, and they also tended to watch more TV and read books. Moreover, children of families headed by fathers ate until they were full, whereas children of households headed by mothers ate less. More female than male children skipped breakfast, and the percentage of children who had their meals alone was high among children reared by their grandfathers. Most of the children ate only what they liked. Moreover, male children ate only particular fruits and vegetables, whereas female children ate only beans and miscellaneous cereals. Most of the children recognized that they had eating problems, such as eating only what they liked and eating meals on irregular schedules. Such eating habits were affected mainly by family members such as parents, brothers, and sisters. Female children scored higher than male children in terms of nutrition and hygiene knowledge. Approximately 40~50.3% of all subjects became interested in nutrition and hygiene education at the community children center. Most of the children recognized that nutrition and hygiene education is necessary at the community children center. They also recognized their own eating problems and wanted nutrition and hygiene education to be taught at the community children center. Accordingly, regular educational activities and meals for children in the community children center considered a children's particular home background to improve eating habits in the children.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.3-13
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to estimate the nutrient intakes and food habits among preschool children in Kyungjoo city. The subjects were 210 preschool children, aged 4 - 6 years. Measurements of the weight, height, chest circumference, and head circumference of the children were conducted. And general home environment and factors related to eating habits for preschool children were collected using a questionnaire that included information about family income, parents' education and occupations. The average weight-length index (WLI) for the subjects was $103.9\%$. Using the WLI, $20.0\%$ of the preschool children were underweight, $48.6\%$ were normal, $19.0\%$ were overweight, and $12.3\%$ were obese. On the R$\ddot{o}$hrer index, $13.8\%$ of the preschool children were underweight, $38.5\%$ were normal, and $47.7\%$ were over weight or obese. The average daily intake ($\%$ of RDA) of energy and each nutrient was 1323.5 kcal ($81.3\%$), Ca 484.3 mg ($80.7\%$), Fe 7.05 mg ($88.1\%$), vitamin A 420.0 RE ($105\%$), vitamin $B_{2}$ 0.76 mg ($95.0\%$), vitamin $B_{2}$ 0.87 mg ($87.0\%$), and vitamin C 53.1 mg ($106.2\%$) , respectively. In particular, older subjects had lower intake in RDA $%$ of calcium and iron. The energy intake ratio from snacks was much higher than the recommended level of the preschool children. With regard to frequency of regularity of breakfast, $1.9\%$ of preschool children skipped every morning and $7.6\%$ of the children skipped more than 5 per week. With regard to the intake frequency of vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates, and milk, $13.3\%$, $19.9\%$, $22.8\%$, and $41.8\%$ of the children ate more than 5 times per week. The eating habit score was positively correlated (r = 0.18, P < 0.05) with household income. This study suggests that nutrition education to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for preschool children should be emphasized. Also a nutrition education program is needed to enhance consuming calcium and iron intake for adequate growth.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.410-417
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• 2016

Quercetin is a flavonoid usually found in fruits and vegetables. Aside from its antioxidative effects, quercetin, like other flavonoids, has a various neuropharmacological actions. Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (Rham1), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (Rutin), and quercetin-3-(2(G)-rhamnosylrutinoside (Rham2) are mono-, di-, and tri-glycosylated forms of quercetin, respectively. In a previous study, we showed that quercetin can enhance ${\alpha}7$ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (${\alpha}7$ nAChR)-mediated ion currents. However, the role of the carbohydrates attached to quercetin in the regulation of ${\alpha}7$ nAChR channel activity has not been determined. In the present study, we investigated the effects of quercetin glycosides on the acetylcholine induced peak inward current ($I_{ACh}$) in Xenopus oocytes expressing the ${\alpha}7$ nAChR. $I_{ACh}$ was measured with a two-electrode voltage clamp technique. In oocytes injected with ${\alpha}7$ nAChR copy RNA, quercetin enhanced $I_{ACh}$, whereas quercetin glycosides inhibited $I_{ACh}$. Quercetin glycosides mediated an inhibition of $I_{ACh}$, which increased when they were pre-applied and the inhibitory effects were concentration dependent. The order of $I_{ACh}$ inhibition by quercetin glycosides was Rutin${\geq}$Rham1>Rham2. Quercetin glycosides-mediated $I_{ACh}$ enhancement was not affected by ACh concentration and appeared voltage-independent. Furthermore, quercetin-mediated $I_{ACh}$ inhibition can be attenuated when quercetin is co-applied with Rham1 and Rutin, indicating that quercetin glycosides could interfere with quercetin-mediated ${\alpha}7$ nAChR regulation and that the number of carbohydrates in the quercetin glycoside plays a key role in the interruption of quercetin action. These results show that quercetin and quercetin glycosides regulate the ${\alpha}7$ nAChR in a differential manner.