• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1113-1127
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Excessive alcohol consumption has harmful health effects, including alcohol hangovers and alcohol-related liver disease. Therefore, methods to accelerate the alcohol metabolism are needed. Laurus nobilis is a spice, flavoring agent, and traditional herbal medicine against various diseases. This study examined whether the standardized aqueous extract of L. nobilis leaves (LN) accelerates the alcohol metabolism and protects against liver damage in single-ethanol binge Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: LN was administered orally to SD rats 1 h before ethanol administration (3 g/kg body weight [BW]) at 100 and 300 mg/kg BW. Blood samples were collected 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after ethanol administration. The livers were excised 1 h after ethanol administration to determine the hepatic enzyme activity. The alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the liver tissue were measured. RESULTS: LN decreased the serum ethanol and acetaldehyde levels in ethanol-administered rats. LN increased the hepatic ADH and ALDH activities but decreased the alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities in the ethanol-administered rats. In addition, LN inhibited lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of SOD and GPx. CONCLUSIONS: LN modulates the mediators of various etiological effects of excessive alcohol consumption and enhances the alcohol metabolism and antioxidant activity, making it a potential candidate for hangover treatments.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1043-1055
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The fruit of Cydonia oblonga Miller (COM) is used traditionally in Mediterranean region medicine to prevent or treat obesity, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. Beyond a demonstrated anti-obesity effect, the fruit was tested for the mechanism of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured for 8 days with COM fruit extract (COME) at different concentrations (0-600 ㎍/mL) with adipocyte differentiation medium. The cell viability was measured using an MTT assay; triglyceride (TG) was stained with Oil Red O. The expression levels of the adipogenesis-related genes and protein expression were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: COME inhibited intracellular TG accumulation during adipogenesis. A COME treatment in 3T3-L1 cells induced upregulation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)α phosphorylation and downregulation of the adipogenic transcription factors, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α. The COME treatment reduced the mRNA expression of fatty acyl synthetase, adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase, adipocyte protein 2, and lipoprotein lipase. It increased the mRNA expression of hormone-sensitive lipase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I in 3T3-L1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: COME inhibits adipogenesis via the AMPK signaling pathways. COME may be used to prevent and treat obesity.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 2014

Objectives In order to extend the bounds of korean medical instruments, we studied on the clinical application of BUDDEUM (the remedy of the synchronus combination of cupping boil and moxibustion) by the industry-academic cooperation. Methods The korean clinic, enterprise and university participated in jointly an educational-industrial complex. We studied on the clinical application of BUDDEUMI according to the structural character, functional efficiency and clinical case. And therefore we confirmed clinically the application of BUDDEUMI. Results The results was as follows. 1. The effects of BUDDEUMI are observed on the detoxification of blood waste material, & the form and appearance of effete matter are various. 2. The BUDDEUMI massage treatment operated in the abdominal and the back in order to recover energy and increase immunity. 3. The heating treatment by BUDDEUMI operated in sickly region, in order to pour into heat of moxibustion. Conclusion According to the results, by the set up the exclusive therapy room and the arrange of the exclusive human agency of BUDDEUMI, the newly and various therapies of korean medicine are possible to develop.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.301-310
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• 2020

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the recent trends for health care indicators including maternal mortality ratio, infant mortality rate, under-five mortality rate, life expectancy, years of life lost, and healthcare resources in South Korea, North Korea, Germany, Russian Federation, Mongolia, Vietnam, China, Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary. Methods: We used data from five sources: World Health Organization, Federal Institute for Population Research, World Bank, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development health statistics, and national statistics. Results: In the early 1990s, health indicators continued to improve in countries that switched to the health insurance system, but the gap widened in North Korea as health indicators worsened. Conclusion: The establishment of a sustainable health care system after unification of the Korean peninsula requires substantial changes in the health care system and efforts to improve the health of North Koreans.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.27-36
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• 2001

This study aims to provide space organization of the Postpartum Care Center and basic data for architectural planning in the reasonable size. Nurturing method of infants at independent Postpartum Care Center combines rooming-in and non rooming-in and space organization is planned accordingly. Types of the existing floor plans are classified as a type centered on maternity protection room, a type of the separate space for multipurpose, a near type to the infants' room. New types of plane are presented as follows a core type concentrate upon nurse room, the infants' room and the same environmental and balanced corridors between the both. When an average capacity of 20 at Postpartum Care Center is planned, proper suitable floor space of Postpartum Care Center is above $753.9m^2$ and $37.69m^2$ per postpartum woman is required. It is indicated that an average floor space per postpartum woman of the reviewed facilities is smaller than one of the Postpartum Care Center in a plan and plane distributed by function too lack in nursing space. Expansion of space for the Postpartum Care Center is generally required, also the enlargement of nursing space is necessary to be harmonized with the management of a medical facilities and those mutual cooperation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2023

Objectives: Discussions regarding "medical blind spots" in Korea's "aging society" are continuously rising. In addition, the demand for medical attention and care for the elderly and vulnerable populations continues to increase. Given this, the government is promoting the "home healthcare service" project. This study aims to lay the foundation for promoting this project by investigating the perception of clinical Korean Medicine (KM) doctors in the "community health care" project. Methods: With the cooperation of the Association of Korean Medicine, we sent a questionnaire to all KM doctors through e-mail. The survey included personal information, awareness, appropriate disease and intervention, proper visit location, and pros and cons. Results: A total of 602 responses were collected and analyzed. Approximately 20% of the doctors answered that they were well aware of the service, while 55% responded that they did not know about it. For a visit, a KM doctor selected the appropriate diseases in the order of stroke, dementia and Parkinson's disease, osteoarthritis, and chronic diseases. Among treatments, acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine exhibited similar results. The most common opinion was that KM doctors should schedule their visits once a week for 6-12 months, which was the most prolonged period among the given options. More than 80% (84.1%) of the doctors replied that care projects were highly essential, and about 63.8% expressed their willingness to participate in these projects. Conclusion: To provide appropriate home health care, we must raise awareness among Korean medicine doctors. In addition, the healthcare budget must be increased to provide the required support.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.17-26
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify policy implications for the construction of public health facilities in the field of international cooperation, by examining the case of establishing a health care delivery system using a public health center in a rural area of Paraguay. Methods: Firstly, to map the capacity of the 20 public health centers that were studied, we used the WHO Capacity Mapping tool to select and analyze relevant items. Secondly, to assess the utilization of public health centers, we conducted a direct visit survey and analyzed the results using the M-survey tool. Results: The floor plan of each public health center, the structure of the health center, the size of the population served by each health center, the number of monthly visitors, medical human resources, and the budget were classified by health center for comparative analysis. In addition, by utilizing the M-survey tool, we analyzed the general characteristics of the respondents, their perceptions of the purpose and accessibility of public health centers, their satisfaction with using public health centers, and the level of demand for public health centers to play a role in promoting community health. Implications: The results of this study suggest that access to public health facilities for residents in the research area was improved. By classifying public health centers into two types, these centers can perform the functions and roles of primary health facilities. A patient request and evacuation system was established in the research area. Finally, a network, such as a social prescribing program, is needed so that public health centers can function as a "setting" for community members to live together.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.3688-3699
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to understand attributes, stress and burnout related to job environment of healthcare facilities workers for the aged, care-givers, analyze the effect of these factors on job satisfaction, and improve their organizational task to help advance the quality of life and the healthcare facilities for the aged. A survey was made on 129 care-givers working in the healthcare facilities for the aged(care facilities, in-home facilities for the aged) located in Jeonbuk Gunsan area. This study showed that sub-factors of care-givers' job environment such as human environment, compensation system and job expertise have a significant effect on the job burnout, stress and satisfaction. This means that a well-organized compensation system, which is proportionate to the job expertise and ability for human environment, and achievement of innovative thinking, will make a positive relationship, reduce the job burnout and stress, and improve the job satisfaction at the same time. Compared to the rapid increase of old aged patients for long-term care and care-givers' real role and job in the facilities, the job specialization has to be guaranteed to improve job environment of care-givers as various beneficial workers for welfare - professional workers - and the compensation system needs to be properly systematized according to their job capacity. Consequently, the production and participation of professionals with high self-esteem may raise organizational commitment through the maximization of job satisfaction by the participation and devotion to the organization of more professionals by removing factors, which can reduce the frequent job burn-out and stress of care-givers.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.435-445
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• 2020

This study is a conceptual analysis of Yangsaeng, which is used as a key factor for healthcare in Oriental medicine that identifies the attributes of the concept of Yangsaeng and establishes a clear definition of the term. For this, the Walker and Avant approach to conceptual analysis was employed. The antecedents included the daily routine habits required for a healthy life and reducing the risk factors in daily life by promoting physical and mental health. The results were prolonged healthy life by preventing diseases, enhanced subjective well-being, and improved quality of life. This is defined as a tool for preventing and treating diseases through positive habits in daily life and for pursuing health and quality of life. This study is a re-evaluation of existing Yangsaeng measurement tools to resolve the antecedents of Yangsaeng and proposes a need for research aimed at developing a practical, new, stand-alone tool that allows the attributes of Yangsaeng and Korean culture to be incorporated. This study is significant in that it investigates and defines the attributes that are vague and abstract and can be applied as a practical basis for nursing intervention in the nursing field at the working level.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.370-379
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• 2018

The Korean government announced plans for the International Science Business Belt as a spatial area for promoting the linkage between scientific knowledge and commercialization in 2009. R&D and entrepreneurial activities are essential for the success of the International Science Business Belt. In particular, prioritizing the types of businesses is critical at the cluster establishment stage in that this largely affects the features and development of clusters comprising the International Science Business Belt. This research aims to predict the entry and growth of firms that specialize in four industrial clusters, including Big Science Cluster, Frontier Cluster, ICT Cluster, and Bio-Healthcare Cluster. For this purpose, we employ the Swann & Prevezer's industrial clustering model to identify sectors that affect the establishment and growth of industrial clusters in the International Science Business Belt, focusing on ICT, Bio-Healthcare and Frontier clusters. Data was collected from the 2014 Korean Innovation Survey (KIS) and University Alimi for the ICT cluster, 2014 National Bio Industry Survey and University Alimi for the Bio-Healthcare Cluster, and the 2015 National Nano Convergent Industry Survey and Annual Report of Nano Technology for the Frontier cluster. Empirical results show that the ICT service sector, bio process/equipment sector, and Nano electronic sector promote clustering in other sectors. Based on the analysis results, we discuss several policy implications and strategies that can attract relevant firms for the development of industrial clusters.