• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.27-37
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study is to propose a method to more specifically identify Sasang constitutional risk factors of metabolic syndromes by adjusting the cut-off value of Korea Sasang Constitutional Diagnostic Questionnaire (KS-15). Methods Data of 1997 participants in Korean medicine Daejeon Citizen Cohort study (KDCC) were analyzed. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the NCEP-ATP III, lifestyle information, and hematologic information including KS-15 and demographic characteristics were used as covariates. Results The 179 subjects with metabolic syndrome accounted for 9.0% of the total. As a result of determining the Sasang constitution for the KS-15 response based on the cut-off values (approximate 0.33), 0.5, and 0.6 of the constitutional score, when performed at the 0.6 cut-off model, the odds ratio of TE was 2.46 which showed a statistically significantly higher risk than the borderline group. For the accuracy of the model and the Area under the curve (AUC), the model accuracy based on the original cut-off of the KS-15 was 0.902 and AUC was 0.737. The accuracy of the model with cut-off of 0.5 and with of 0.6 were 0.904 and 0.902, respectively, and the AUCs were 0.687 and 0.741, respectively. Conclusion In this study, we confirmed that it is effective to increase the cut-off value of KS-15 to 0.6 in the metabolic syndrome risk model. It is expected that this could increase the accuracy of identifying high-risk groups for metabolic syndrome.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.44-55
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• 2021

Objectives: As the use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) increases worldwide, systematic verification of the safety of HMPs is required. The induction of cardiotoxicity is one of the major factors in post-approval withdrawal of medicinal products, and drug-induced cardiotoxicity assessment is emerging as an important step in drug development. In the present study, we evaluated human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channel-related cardiotoxicity to predict the risk of cardiac arrhythmia in thirteen herbal medicines known to have cardiac toxicity. Methods: We measured the inhibition rate of hERG potassium channel activity of 13 medicinal herbal extracts in hERG-expressing HEK 293 cells using an automated patch-clamping system. Quinidine was used as a positive control for inhibition of hERG activity. Results: Extracts of Evodiae Fructus, Strychni Semen, and Corydalis Tuber potently inhibited the activity of hERG, and IC₅₀ values were 3.158, 19.87, and 41.26 ㎍/mL, respectively. Cnidi Fructus, Ephedra Herba, Lithospermi Radix, Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Visci Ramulus et Folium, Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma, and Scolopendra weakly inhibited hERG activity, and the IC₅₀ value for each herbal medicine was more than 400 ㎍/mL. Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber and two types of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Po and Yeom) had weak inhibitory activity against hERG, and the IC₅₀ values were more than 700 ㎍/mL. The IC₅₀ value of quinidine against hERG was 1.021 𝜇M. Conclusion: Evodiae Fructus, Strychni Semen, and Corydalis Tuber acted as potent inhibitors against hERG. These herbal medicines may cause cardiac arrhythmia through QT prolongation, so care should be taken when taking them.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.173-195
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• 2023

Objectives: To investigate and analyze the assessment indicators and tools used in clinical practice to assess Korean medicine (KM) treatment for infertility, and to establish a basis for assessment tools to diagnose and assess infertility. Methods: Relevant studies published until March 2023 were extracted from Pubmed, Research Information Sharing Service, and National Digital Science Library databases. Results: Sixty-four studies comprising 4,105 patients were included. We investigated pregnancy outcomes, and assessed pregnancy- and childbirth-related factors, overall health, reproductive health, and mental health. Pregnancy result was most common primary outcome. Ongoing pregnancy, stillbirth, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy rates were suggested as indicators of pregnancy and childbirth-related assessment. Overall health was most commonly assessed with Likert and Visual analogue scale (VAS). Among reproductive health variables, menstrual history was most frequently assessed. Moreover, indicators such as reproductive function, sexual intercourse, and gynecological disease were assessed. The Infertility Stress Scale and the Fertility Quality of Life tool (FertiQoL) were used to assess mental health. Conclusions: Subjective scales and objective assessment tools, such as the Likert scale and blood tests/ultrasonography, respectively, are used to assess KM infertility treatment. Inconsistent assessment tools make quantitative analyses more challenging. The development of a standardized mental and physical function assessment questionnaire with confirmed reliability and validity ensure the effectiveness of KM infertility treatment, and promote future studies on infertility treatment.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to examine the differences in the distribution of metabolic syndrome(MetS) and cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet(CHHF) according to Sasang constitution, and to determine whether CHHF and MetS have an inverse association. Methods MetS and its components, CHHF, Sasang constitution data from 1,998 participants in the Korean medicine Daejeon Citizen Cohort study(KDCC) were obtained. The participants were divided into a non-CHHF(n = 1,270, 63.6%), intermediate(n = 220, 11.0%) and CHHF(n = 508, 25.4%) group according to the thermal sensitivity questionnaire. Sasang constitution was diagnosed by Korea Sasang Constitutional Diagnostic Questionnaire(KS-15). One-way ANOVA and the chi-square test were used for participants' general characteristics and thermal sensitivity and MetS related factors. ANCOVA and logistic regression were used to compare the differences and the odds ratios(ORs) for MetS and its components. Results The MetS and CHHF prevalence rates of the Taeeumin, Soeumin, and Soyangin were 27.6%, 3.8%, 7.7%, and 18.3%, 42.3%, 26.4% respectively. The ANCOVA for MetS components showed that the waist circumference was significantly lower in the CHHF group as compared to the non-CHHF group in total and Soyangin. The logistic regression for MetS prevalence showed that CHHF had a significant inverse association in total(OR = 0.611) and Taeeumin(OR = 0.521). Conclusions The MetS prevalence had the highest in Taeeumin, followed by Soyangin and Soeumin, while the prevalence of CHHF was highest in Soeumin, followed by Soyangin and Taeeumin. In addition, it was confirmed that CHHF and MetS had an inverse association independently.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.113-122
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• 2023

Although the Relative Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning technique provides high accuracy, it has several drawbacks. The scarcity of control points, the long baselines, and using of ultra-rabid and rabid products increased position errors. This study has designed a New MATLAB Program that helps users automatically select suitable IGS stations related to the baseline lengths and the azimuth between GNSS points and IGS stations. This study presented criteria for the length of the baselines used in Egypt and an advanced estimated accuracy before starting the project. The experimental test studies the performance of the position accuracy related to the relation between three factors: observation session, final, rabid, and ultrarabid products, and the baseline lengths. Ground control point mediates Egypt was selected as a test point. Nine surrounding IGS stations were selected as reference stations, and the coordinates of the tested point were calculated based on them. Baselines between the tested point and the IGS stations were classified regarding proposal criteria. The coordinates of the tested point were obtained in different observation sessions (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7.5 h). The results indicated that the lengths of the baseline in Egypt were classified short (less than 600 km), medium (600-1,200 km), and long (greater than 1,200 km) and required a minimum observation time of 4, 5, and 7 h to obtain accuracy 10, 19, 48 mm sequentially. The position accuracy was superior for the rapid and the final than the ultra-rapid products by 16%. A short baseline was at the best case; there was a performance in position accuracy with a 57% deduction in observation time compared with the long baseline.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.654-676
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• 2012

This study aims to develop an ecoregion classification using a multi-hierarchy of environmental factors for spatial patterns in the capacities and potentials of ecological systems in mountain regions. To achieve the objectives, we describe the spatial distribution of environmental factors and identify the multi-hierarchy of these factors using spatial statistics. Lastly, we assess ecosystem-units using both a forest type map (yung & kung) and a forest soil map in order to present a ecoregion classification. This study was performed at a $1,168km^2$ area in Gangwon-do, Korea. Sedimentary rocks, particularly limestone (36.6%) exist in high proportions in the research area. While higher mountains are present in the north and central Korean peninsula, plain areas show large proportions along Odae and Pyeongchang river. In a multi-hierarchy, geology and elevation are identified as upper levels and landform classification (surface curvature, upslope area) is considered as a lower level. 'Geology+elevation+landform' shows equally higher ${\chi}^2$ values than that of other classifications and we map ecoregions based on this result. Uniqueness of environmental characteristics in the research area such as high proportions of sedimentary rocks and higher elevations influences our ecoregion classification. We are looking forward to considering this study as an effective approach to integrating various ecological themes for mountain ecosystem management.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.799-809
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• 2011

Objectives: This study is aimed at identifying the influential factors on the pulmonary function of ordinary residents in the surrounding areas of Yeosu Industrial Complex. Methods: The PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) was conducted on the target residents numbering 989 people (male 361, female 628). The exposed group (813 people) resided within the radius of 5km from Yeosu Industrial Complex and the control group (176 people) resided in the radius of more than 15 km from May 2007 to November 2007. The survey also took into account other factors including personal characteristics, life habits, respiratory diseases and allergic symptoms, medical histories, and the living environments of the residents in order to further identify influential factors on pulmonary function. Result: When comparing the PFT values of the exposure groups to the control group of the same city, values of the exposure groups were meaningfully lower with an %$FEV_1$ of 107.05% and %FVC of 100.28%. Conversely, the control group reported an %$FEV_1$ and %FVC of 107.26% and 102.85% respectively, indicating that ambient air pollutants reduce lung function. The odds ratio of asthma diagnosis history increased when a subjects residence was close to a heavily trafficked road, traffic amount was huge, a bed was used, and the family had less than four members. However the results were not statistically meaningful. The odds ratios of abnormal pulmonary function were statistically higher among those with asthma(OR=4.29, CI=1.75-10.56), wheezing (OR=2.59, CI=1.24-5.41), and nasal congestion (OR=2.87, CI=1.36-6.08) (p<0.01). The factors affecting $FEV_1$ were symptoms including asthma, passive smoking and allergic eye disease ($R^2$=0.049, p<0.001). For the FVC symptoms including asthma ($R^2$=0.014, p<0.001) were measured. The analysis showed that FVC decreased with increases in $O_3$ and CO(p<0.01). Furthermore, $FEV_1$ decreased with increases in $O_3$(p<0.01). Conclusions: These results will provide preliminary data for establishing responsive measures to protect the health of residents in industrial complexes from air pollution, and to develop lasting environmental health policies.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.271-279
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• 2003

Soil blocks were taken into culture boxes from 12 paddy fields within 5 km radii of Yonggwang and Ulchin NPPs and $^{90}Sr$ was applied to the surface water at a pre-transplanting stage and $1{\sim}2$ days before the start of heading. Following the pre-transplanting application, transfer factors were investigated for $2{\sim}4$ years. In the year of application, transfer factors $(m^2\;kg^{-1}-dry)\;of\;^{90}Sr$ applied before transplanting, showing no regionally distinguishable trend, varied with soils by a factor of about 2 with averages of $2.6{\times}10^{-4}$ for hulled seeds and $1.3{\times}10^{-2}$ for straw Transfer factors of $^{90}Sr$ applied shortly before heading were about 2 times greater than those applied before transplanting. Transfer factors tended to decrease with increasing soil pH and exchangeable Ca. Generic values of $^{90}Sr$ transfer factors in the year of deposition were proposed for the Korean paddy fields. In the second year compared with the first year, the transfer factor decreased more in Ulchin soils, which were on the whole higher in sand content, than in Yonggwang soils. For Yonggwang soils as a whole, the annual decrease in transfer factor was well described by an exponential equation with a half-life of about 2.2 years.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.182-192
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to identify the influential factors on the pulmonary function of targeted general residents in the areas surrounding Gwangyang Steel Mill. Methods: An PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) was conducted from May 2007 to November 2007 on 974 target residents (438 male, 536 female), including an exposed group (674 people) who resided within a radius of 5 km from Gwangyang Steel Mill in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do and a control group (300 people) who resided outside a radius of 15 km. A survey related to personal characteristics, life habits, respiratory diseases and allergic symptoms, medical histories and living environments of the residents was also conducted to identify influential factors on pulmonary function. Results: As %$FEV_1$ and %FVC of the exposed group are 99.17% and 96.98%, respectively, and those of the control group are 105.47% and 101.91%, respectively, with the PFT values of the exposed group being lower than those of the control group (p<0.001), it turns out that the pollution in the industrial complex is likely to trigger a reduction in the pulmonary function of local residents. The odds ratio analysis result for asthma diagnosis history indicates that the odds ratios tend to be higher among surveyed residents who are living near above-average traffic volumes and are using beds, where it is statistically meaningful that especially the odds ratios are higher if the residences are closer to roads (p<0.01, CI=1.12-4.52). The factors that affect the FEV1 are identified as smoking, passive smoking, asthma diagnosis history, nasal congestion symptoms and allergic eye disease ($R^2$=0.154, p<0.001). The factors that affect the FVC are identified as smoking, passive smoking, asthma diagnosis history and allergic coryza ($R^2$=0.158, p<0.001). In addition, the analysis result for the relevance of air pollution levels to pulmonary function ($FEV_1$, FVC) shows that FEV1 and FVC tend to decrease as the concentration of $O_3$ increases. Conclusions: We believe that this study may provide preliminary data for the development of preventive measures for health effects on the residents and environmental health control measures for environmental pollution in the industrial complex area.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.585-596
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• 2022

This study determined major factors influencing landslide occurrence along a forest road near Sangsan village, Sancheok-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. Within a 2 km radius of the study area, landslides occur intensively during periods of heavy rainfall (August 2020). This makes study of the area advantageous, as it allows examination of the influence of only geological and tomographic factors while excluding the effects of rainfall and vegetation. Data for 82 locations (37 experiencing landslides and 45 not) were obtained from geological surveys, laboratory tests, and geo-spatial analysis. After some data preprocessing (e.g., error filtering, minimum-maximum normalization, and multicollinearity), structural equation model (SEM) and logistic regression (LR) analyses were conducted. These showed the regolith thickness, porosity, and saturated unit weight to be the factors most influential of landslide risk in the study area. The sums of the influence magnitudes of these factors are 71% in SEM and 83% in LR.