• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In Asia, various medicinal plants have been used as the primary sources in the health care regimen for thousands of years. In recent decades, various studies have investigated the biological activity and potential medicinal value of the medicinal plants. In this study, 100 methanol extracts from 98 plant species were evaluated for their biological activities. MATERIALS/METHODS: The research properties, including 1,1-diphenyl-2-pic-rylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and ${\alpha}$-tyrosinase inhibitory effects, anti-inflammatory activity, and anticancer activity were evaluated for the selected extracts. RESULTS: Fifteen of the extracts scavenged more than 90% of the DPPH radical. Among the extracts, approximately 20 extracts showed a strong inhibitory effect on ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, while most had no effect on ${\alpha}$-tyrosinase. In addition, 52% of the extracts showed low toxicity to normal cells, and parts of the extracts exhibited high anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities on the murine macrophage cell (RAW 264.7) and human colon cancer cell (HT-29) lines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may contribute to further nutrition and pharmacological studies. Detailed investigations of the outstanding samples are currently underway.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2016

This study examined the immunostimulatory activities on a 70% ethanol extract of raw garlic (RG) and steamed garlic (SG) grown in Korea, Japan, and America using primary immune cells isolated from the blood of Soyangin, Taeumin, and Soeumin volunteers. The Soeumin showed the highest cell proliferation, NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production from the immune cells treated with a 70% ethanol raw garlic extract (RGE), followed Taeumin, and Soyangin. The constitution differences were not observed for the same ethanol streamed garlic extract (SGE) and the SGE showed stronger immunostimulatory activities than RGE. The immunostimulatory activities of RG and SG showed a significant difference among countries and the immunostimulatory activities were the highest in RG and SG grown in Korea, followed by RG and SG grown in Japan, RG and SG grown in America. The effect of RGE and SGE on antioxidant activity showed similar trends.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.351-360
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• 2012

Background: Identification of reliable predictors of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) will enable healthcare providers to intervene and change the patterns of LTPA in the population to improve community health. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine prevalence and pattern of LTPA among adult Saudis aged 18-65 years, and to define the socio-demographic determinants that correlate with LTPA in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 2176 adult Saudis attending urban and rural primary health care centers were selected using a multistage proportionate sampling method. Participants were personally interviewed to gather information regarding socio-demographics, physical activity pattern using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Physical activity (PA) in each domain was expressed in metabolic equivalents (METs). Results: The median total METs minutes/week for LTPA for both genders was 256, higher for men (636 METs minutes/week) compared to women (249METs minutes/week). Overall, only 19.8% of the total PA was derived from LTPA. Of the sampled population 50.0% reported doing no leisure activity. Using the cut off of 600 METs-minutes/day or 150 minutes of moderate intensity over 5 or more days/week, only 21.0% of the included sample were considered as being sufficiently active and 10.4% were in the high active category with beneficial health effects. Multivariate regression analysis showed that male, younger age (<35 years), absence of chronic disease conditions and moderate level of total PA were significant predictors for being active in the LTPA domain. Conclusion: The prevalence and intensity of LTPA among the included sample demonstrated low levels. Nearly 80% of the included sample population did not achieve the recommended LTPA level with beneficial health effects. Female gender, urban residence and associated chronic diseases correlated with a low LTPA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6303-6309
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• 2015

Differences in socioeconomic status (SES) such as income levels may partly explain why breast cancer screening (BCS) disparities exist in countries where health care services are free or heavily subsidized. However, factors that contribute to such differences in SES among women living in well resourced Middle East countries are not fully understood. This quantitative study investigated factors that influence SES and BCS of Arab women. Understanding of such factors can be useful for the development of effective intervention strategies that aim to increase BCS uptake among Arab women. Using data from a cross-sectional survey among 1,063 Arabic-speaking women in Qatar, age 35+, additional data analysis was performed to determine the relationship between socioeconomic indicators such as income and other factors in relation to BCS activities. This study found that income is determined and influenced by education level, occupation, nationality, years of residence in the country, level of social activity, self-perceived health status, and living area. Financial stress, unemployment, and unfavorable social conditions may impede women's participation in BCS activities in well resourced Middle East countries.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6913-6917
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• 2015

Background: Due to the rapid progress of industrialization, the expansion of the nuclear family, and an increase in women's social activities, the burden of care of cancer patients has increased, so that all family members are now involved in care. We compared the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between members of families of cancer patients (hereafter, cancer families) and members of cancer-free families (non-cancer families). Materials and Methods: The data were from the Community Health Survey (2012). The study population included respondents at least 30 years of age. Data were adjusted for the following covariates: sex, age, education, marital status, household income, economic activity, household type, chronic disease, and perceived health status. Frequency analysis, analyses of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. Results: Among 163,495 respondents, 3,406 (2.1%) were part of a cancer family and 160,089 (97.9%) were part of a non-cancer family. Cancer families had lower EQ-5D scores than non-cancer families. However, by subgroup, the scores had significant association between cancer and non-cancer families only for females and for those who worked. Conclusions: There was a significant relationship between HRQOL scores and being a family member of a cancer patient. This indicates that the responsibility for care has been extended to the entire family, not only the primary caregiver.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 1982

A special law on health care for rural areas was enacted, as of Dec. 31, 1980, in order to provide effective health care service in rural areas through the primary health care approach. The implementation of the PHC developed the CHP(Community Health Practitioner) and provided the training program lasted 24 weeks. The qualification of CHP is a registered nurses or midwivies. This study was conducted in order to analyze the characteristics of trainees of CHP and training environments. The data was collected from personal questionnaire by means of mailing. Respondent was 338 out of 356 trainees. The summary of the findings are as follows : 1) The 38.0% out of trainees is 25-29 years of age (minimum : 20, maximum 55, mean : 30.3). 2) The 59.0% of respondent come from county area and the 52.5% are married. 3) The 61.0% didn't receive any in-service education. 4) In their experience related to health care service, the 29.8% of them experienced during 4 year 6 year and the 50.8% of the holders in experience was engaged in clinical field. 5) As to motivation of application of CHP, the 55.1% respond to "Independently workable" and the 35.1% respond to "Worthwhile". 6) The 45.1% got any information sources on CHP from Newsletter of KNA. 7) The 46.8% of respondent showed that instructor had utilized both teaching materials and reference book. 8) During the training, the 49.4% stayed at own house but the 35.0% stayed with lodgings and flat. 9) The 52.8% of trainees comment on very short of living allowance. 10) The 19.3% of respondent is willing to serve as CHP for ten years or more, but the 42.1% respond to serve for obligation namely 2 years. This study result could be utilized as a basic data for improving the CHP training program and management of the CHP's field activity in the future.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.395-408
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• 2007

This study reports the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing property of alcoholic extract of Ophiorrhiza nicobarica (ON), a wild herb, used as an anti-infective ethnomedicine of Nicobarese and Shompen tribes of Great Nicobar Island, India. We for the first time investigated the analgesic and antiinflammatory potential of this herb in acute, subacute and chronic model of inflammation in Swiss albino mice and Wistar albino rats, along with sheep RBC-induced sensitivity and membrane stabilization. The acetic acid induced writhing, tail flick and tail immersion tests are used as a model for evaluating analgesic activity; while the carrageenin-induced paw oedema was used as the model for acute inflammation, dextran-induced oedema as sub-acute and cotton-pellateinduced granuloma as chronic inflammatory model. The probable mode by which ON mediate its effect on inflammatory conditions was studied on sheep RBC-induced sensitivity and membrane stabilization. The in vitro results revealed that the ON extract possesses significant (P < 0.05) dose dependent analgesic and antiinflammatory activity at 200 and 300 mg/kg and its fractions at 50 mg/kg, p.o. respectively, compared to the control groups. However, the extract failed to exhibit membrane-stabilizing property as it unable to reduce the level of haemolysis of RBC exposed to hypotonic solution. The acute toxicity studies of ON extract in rats and mice revealed that the extract was nontoxic even up to 3.0 g/kg body weight of the animals, with a high safety profile. We have isolated ursolic acid, ${\beta}$-sitosterol and harmaline respectively, from the bioactive part of the extract. The results indicated that the O. nicobarica is indeed beneficial in primary health care, and suggest that its anti-inflammatory activity may not be related to membrane-stabilization.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.86-97
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• 1997

Background : It is a primary goal for hospital personnel to improve the quality of patient care. In Korea the concept of quality assurance has been spread over the last five years. Many hospitals have implemented quality assurance programs that fit their own philosophy and needs. As a result, they are supposed to have different experiences and attitudes toward quality assurance. To investigate their diversity will be helpful to have a direction to the future and to enhance the quality assurance activities in Korean hospitals. Objectives : The aim of this study is to obtain information about hospital personnel's attitude and opinion toward quality assurance in hospitals. Methods : A questionnaire was developed which consisted of five parts; the general characteristics of respondent, the concepts of quality assurance, need for quality assurance program, current status of quality improvement activities, and participation in programs. Using the registry of Korean hospitals, 102 hospitals with more than 400 beds were selected. Questionnaires were mailed to hospital staffs of each hospital; top managers, clinical department heads, registered nurses, medical recorders, and administrators. Results : Of 2038 questionnaires sent, 877 were returned, giving response rate of 44%. Most respondents(70%) regarded quality assurance as efforts to provide patient with care in highest quality and to improve effectiveness or resource utilization. Ninety-nine percent of respondents agreed to need for quality assurance in their hospitals. There were current quality improvement programs implemented in the department of 553 respondents(62%), and most of the(85%) have participated in at least one program. Lack of motivation was pointed out as a barrier to implement the programs. Conclusion : Although most respondents have known of the concept and need for quality assurance, this study suggests that education and motivation of hospital personnel be needed to activate the quality assurance programs in hospitals.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.158-169
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• 1993

Health promotions have been identified as foundamental concepts for nursing practice, especially in community health nursing. Nurses have been regarded as having important role's in health promotion activities. According to a review of literature, the concepts of health promotion consist of prevention services, health protection. Health prevention services have three levels : Primary secondary and tertiary. The objectives of this study are (1) to analyze the health promotion activities in school nursing. (2) to analyze health promotion activities in community health nursing posts. (3) to analyze the health promotion activities in industrial nursing while suggesting future direction for health promotion in community health nursing areas. The major results are first, Prevention services are most actively performed rather than health protection, and health education in three areas: School, industries, and community. Health nursing, secondary prevention services follow emergency care, and ordinary diseases control are especially active. Health promotion can ultimately from changing life be accomplished styles, and health behavior. As a consequence, future directions promoting health in community health nursing are desirable areas. Focusing on health protection, and health education that is not activated presently.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe health management experience in rural older women. Methods: Qualitative data were collected by focus group interviews with 25 participants from July to September, 2007. All the interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by the content analysis method. Results: Seven main categories were conceptualized, "health concept", "health status", "disease management", "activity for health management", "dependence on the primary health care post", "relationships with families and others", "hope for the rest of life". Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that for health promotion in older women in rural regions, it is important to consider the usefulness of an incorporated program that combines agricultural work with health activity. In addition, complex programs that combine welfare services with health services are needed.