• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to estimate the socioeconomic costs resulting from alcohol drinking among adolescents as of 2006 from a societal perspective. Methods: The costs were classified into direct costs, indirect costs, and other costs. The direct costs consisted of direct medical costs and direct non-medical costs. The indirect costs were computed by future income losses from premature death, productivity losses from using medical services and reduction of productivity from drinking and hangover. The other costs consisted of property damage, public administrative expenses, and traffic accident compensation. Results: The socioeconomic costs of alcohol drinking among adolescents as of 2006 were estimated to be 387.5 billion won (0.05% of GDP). In the case of the former, the amount included 48.25% for reduction of productivity from drinking and hangover, 39.38% for future income losses from premature death, and 6.71% for hangover costs. Conclusions: The results showed that the socioeconomic costs of alcohol drinking among adolescents in Korea were a serious as compared with that of the United States. Therefore, the active interventions such as a surveillance system and a prevention program to control adolescents drinking by government and preventive medicine specialist are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyze food intake patterns of individuals by age group. based on the nutrition counseling data from medical health examinations. The subjects were 5811 adults(3258 males and 2553 females) who had undergone comprehensive medical testing in Gyeonggi area, and were evaluated from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. The survey samples were divided by age group: 30>, 30${\sim}$39, 40${\sim}$49, 50${\sim}$59, 60${\sim}$69, 70${\leq}$ years. The subjects were composed 56.1% male and 43.9% female. The results showed significant differences between the group for their intakes of several foods such as Seolleongtang, Samgyetang, canned foods, butter and cream bakery items, vegetables cereals and grain products but eggs, cod roe, kim-chi, salted pickled fish and seaweed showed no significant differences. As a result, nutritional imbalances among these age groups are expected for the future. In conclusion, this study showed there are age-related variations in the dietary patterns and age-specific nutritional education programs on adequate food intake are required.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.49-60
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• 2008

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate correlation of the phlegm-retained fluid, namely Damum(痰飮) and dark circles under eyes. Methods: 2 males and 11 females aged 26-60 years were participated in this study. They were asked the intensity of 29 symptoms related with Damum(痰飮) including dark circle with the questionnaire published by the Journal of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medical Diagnostics. Three skin researchers including OMD graded the dark circles by inspection. We took the pictures around eyes by Facial Stage (Moritex, Japan) and analyzed the skin color by Image-Pro Plus (Media Cybernetics, USA). Results: There was statistically significant correlation between Damum(痰飮) and dark circles measured by self, inspectors and image analysis. Conclusions: In the Oriental Medicine, It is reported that the shadows under eyes are the sign of the retention of fluid, Damum(痰飮). In our study, that shadows, namely dark circles, has correlation with the symptoms of Damum(痰飮). Especially, the correlation between inspected grade and image analysis was very high. According to the above results, it is proved that dark circles under eyes are important diagnostic sign of Damum(痰飮).

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09b
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• pp.769-770
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• 2006

The MIM industry is currently focusing on parts that are used in automobiles and medical instruments. Many of the parts in these categories are very small and often not easy to machine because of its complex geometry. Therefore MIM is well suited for the production of these parts. We tested the sinterability of SUS316L ultra fine powders (3,4, 6, 8micron) produced by ATMIX high-pressure water-atomization, and it showed excellent results. A density of 97% theoretical was obtained by sintering at 1373K when using the ultra fine powder (3micron). Specifically, the finer the powder size, higher was the sintered density. The surface roughness and accuracy are also greatly improved with ATMIX ultra fine powder.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3767-3772
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• 2012

Objective: We estimated the total medical costs incurred during the 5 years following a cancer diagnosis and annual medical use status for the six most prevalent cancers in Korea. Methods: From January 1 to December 31, 2006, new patients registered with the six most prevalent cancers (stomach, liver, lung, breast, colon, and thyroid) were randomly selected from the Korea Central Cancer Registry, with 30% of patients being drawn from each cancer group. For the selected patients, cost data were generated using National Health Insurance claims data from the time of cancer diagnosis in 2006 to December 31, 2010. The total number of patients selected was 28,509. Five-year total medical costs by tumor site and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage at the time of diagnosis, and annual total medical costs from diagnosis, were estimated. All costs were calculated as per-patient net costs. Results: Mean 5-year net costs per patient varied widely, from $5,647 for thyroid cancer to $20,217 for lung cancer. Advanced stage at diagnosis was associated with a 1.8-2.5-fold higher total cost, and the total medical cost was highest during the first year following diagnosis and decreased by the third or fourth year. Conclusions: The costs of cancer care were substantial and varied by tumor site, annual phase, and stage at diagnosis. This indicates the need for increased prevention, earlier diagnosis, and new therapies that may assist in reducing medical costs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3795-3802
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• 2012

Cochinchina momordica seeds (CMS) have been widely used due to antitumor activity by Mongolian tribes of China. However, the details of the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, we found that an EtOAc (ethyl ester) extract of CMS (CMSEE) induced differentiation and caused growth inhibition of melanoma B16 F1 cells. CMSEE at the concentration of $5-200{\mu}g/ml$ exhibited strongest anti-proliferative effects on B16 F1 cells among other CMS fractions (water or petroleum ether). Moreover, CMSEE induced melanoma B16 F1 cell differentiation, characterized by dendrite-like outgrowth, increasing melanogenesis production, as well as enhancing tyrosinase activity. Western blot analysis showed that sustained phosphorylation of p38 MAP accompanied by decrease in ERK1/2 and JNK dephosphorylation were involved in CMSEE-induced B16 F1 cell differentiation. Notably, 6 compounds that were isolated and identified may be responsible for inducing differentiation of CMSEE. These results indicated that CMSEE contributes to the differentiation of B16 F1 cells through modulating MAPKs activity, which may throw some light on the development of potentially therapeutic strategies for melanoma treatment.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.83-90
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• 2010

objectives: This study was conducted to estimate medical expenditure attributable to overweight and obesity in adults with ischemic heart disease and stroke using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination survey data and Korea National Health Corporation data. methods : The medical expenditure of ischemic heart disease and stroke related to overweight and obesity were composed of inpatient care costs, outpatient care costs and medication costs. The population attributable risk (PAR) of overweight and obesity was calculated from national representative data of Korea such as the National Health Insurance Corporation cohort data and 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination survey data. results: The medical expenditure attributable to overweight and obesity of ischemic heart disease were 97.4 billion won(74.1-122 billion won). and stroke were 64.6 billion won(33.1-98.1 billion won). Consequently, these costs corresponded to 11.4% of total medical expenditure due to ischemic heart disease and stroke. conclusion: We conclude that overweight and obesity have increased medical expenditure from ischemic heart disease and stroke in Korea. These findings provide important support for implementing overweight and obesity management strategies in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10157-10164
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the State of Qatar. Due to low participation in breast cancer screening (BCS) activities, women in Qatar are often diagnosed with breast cancer at advanced stages of the disease. Findings indicate that low participation rates in BCS activities are significantly related to women's low level of awareness of breast cancer screening. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the factors that influence Qatari women's awareness of breast cancer and its screening activities: and (2) to find ways to effectively promote breast cancer screening activities among Arabic speaking women in Qatar. Materials and Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional quantitative survey of 1,063 (87.5% response rate) female Qatari citizens and non-Qatari Arabic-speaking residents, 35 years of age or older, was conducted in Qatar from March 2011 to July 2011. Outcome measures included participant awareness levels of the most recent national recommended guidelines of BCS, participation rates in BCS activities, and factors related to awareness of BCS activities. Results: While most participants (90.7%) were aware of breast cancer, less than half had awareness of BCS practices (28.9% were aware of breast self-examination and 41.8% of clinical breast exams, while 26.4% knew that mammography was recommended by national screening guidelines. Only 7.6% had knowledge of all three BCS activities). Regarding BCS practice, less than one-third practiced BCS appropriately (13.9% of participants performed breast self-examination (BSE) monthly, 31.3% had a clinical breast exam (CBE) once a year or once every two years, and 26.9% of women 40 years of age or older had a mammogram once every year or two years). Awareness of BCS was significantly related to BCS practice, education level, and receipt of information about breast cancer and/or BCS from a variety of sources, particularly doctors and the media. Conclusions: The low levels of participation rates in BCS among Arab women in this study indicate a strong need to increase awareness of the importance of breast cancer screening in Qatari women. Without this awareness, compliance with the most recent breast cancer screening recommendations in Qatar will remain low. An increased effort to implement mass media and public health campaigns regarding the impact of breast cancer on women's health and the benefits of early detection of breast cancer must be coupled with an enhanced participation of health care providers in delivering this message to Qatar population.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.77-88
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate medical expenditure attributable to overweight and obesity in adults with hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination survey data and Korea National Health Corporation data. Methods: The medical expenditure of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia related to overweight and obesity were composed of inpatient care costs, outpatient care costs and medication costs. The population attributable risk (PAR) of overweight and obesity was calculated from national representative data of Korea such as the National Health Insurance Corporation cohort data and 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination survey data. Results: The medical expenditure attributable to overweight and obesity of hypertension were 456 billion won (men : 215 billion won, women : 241 billion won). Those of diabetes were 282 billion won (men : 148 billion won, women : 135 billion won), and of dyslipidemia were 17 billion won (men : 9 billion won, women : 8 billion won). Consequently, these costs corresponded to 33.3% of total medical expenditure due to hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Conclusions: We found a substantial medical expenditure due to overweight and obesity of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were very high. In order to reduce these costs, effective national strategies for prevention and management of overweight and obesity should be established and implemented.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.2356-2361
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• 2003

Proteome research in the medical field is expected to accelerate the understanding of disease mechanism, and to create new diagnostic concept. For protein profiling, this paper proposes a new methodology named CPDIB (Crude Protein Direct Blotting). In the CPDIB procedure, crude protein sample is directly immobilized on a membrane and the expression of protein molecules in the sample are analyzed quantitatively by using a special device called ImmobiChip, where the membrane is used as a field of the immune reaction. The over-all structure of the ImmobiChip is based on the conventional Slot blot device. Mechanical improvement in the air-tightness of the case holding the membrane realizes the direct blotting and results in high performance of stability in the immune reaction. In the measurement of multiple proteins, a dispensing robot is used for increasing the efficiency of handling of liquid. Cooperation of the dispensing robot with the ImmobiChip for immobilizing proteins realizes automated and stable performance of the CPDIB procedure. This paper shows the evaluation of the air-tightness of the ImmobiChip, the ability of analyzing proteins using the CPDIB procedure and the performance of the automated equipment.