• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.231-239
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• 2022

This study aimed to examine the influence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on areas of Korean medical students' lives, assess concerns, and investigate the strategies they used to cope with stress due to the pandemic. An online survey with a total of 53 items on the impact of COVID-19, concerns, and coping strategies was sent to medical students, and responses were collected from April 27, 2021 to May 30, 2021. In total, 1,329 students were included in the study. Analysis was performed using the chi-square test, independent-sample t-test, and one-way analysis of variance, and the post-hoc Scheffé test or Games-Howell test was performed for multiple comparisons. The main negative impacts of the pandemic were on hobbies/leisure activities and mental health, and medical students expressed the highest levels of concern regarding restriction of movement, returning to everyday life, and risk of infection for family and friends. Female students more strongly agreed that COVID-19 had increased their depressed mood and anxiety (p<0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). Furthermore, the negative impacts of the pandemic on different areas of life significantly affected current levels of depressed mood and anxiety. To cope with pandemic-related stress, students used several strategies such as talking with family or friends (91.5%), sleeping (83.1%), exercising (72.8%), using social networking services (60.8%), drinking alcohol (37.8%), and practicing meditation/mindfulness (24.4%); the effectiveness of these strategies ranged from 3.45 to 4.19 on a 5-point Likert-type scale (1-5). The study findings suggest that COVID-19 has influenced the mental health of medical students and raised concerns in many areas of their lives. Students used various strategies to cope with the pandemic-related stress; since the effectiveness of frequently used approaches varied, it is essential to guide medical students to develop effective coping strategies.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 1998

Recently, a variety of arthroscopic techniques have been reported for the treatment of the displaced tibial eminence fracture. The purpose of this study was to describe details of arthroscopic technique using pull-out wire and to evaluate the results. Eleven patients with irreducible type II and type III tibial eminence fractures underwent the arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation using double strand pull-out wiring. The anterior cruciate ligament tibial drill guide was utilized for the reduction of fracture and passage of the guide pins. The tibial eminence fracture was firmly fixed with double strand 26-gauge pull-out wire(0.45mm diameter). Fracture union was achieved at 7.2 weeks (range, six to eight weeks) after operation. All cases were united at the last follow-up. Subjectively, nine patients had no pain and no restriction of daily activities. Two patients with combined injuries had limitation of knee motion(10 to 130 degrees, respectively) and one patient showed mild anterior laxity. Early rehabilitation was enabled without loss of reduction and breakage of pull-out wire. The arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation using pull-out wire showed good results including early rehabilitation, early fracture union, minimal morbidity, and no requirement of the second operation for hard ware removal.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.552-560
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• 1999

In this study, we investigated the effects of lowering the fat and cholesterol in the diets of 26 Korean hypercholesteolemic men($\geq$240mg/dl). They consumed 2378kcal/day with 20.9% of the energy deriving from fat, and a cholesterol intake of 282mg(118mg/1000kcal). The experimental diet consisted of 2400kcal, the same as their usual diet, but the fat content was restricted to 15%, and the cholesterol level to below 100mg/1000kcal. The subjects kept to this diet for four weeks and were asked to maintain their usual life activities during the experimental period. The dietary intake and levels of plasma lipid, lipoprotein-cholesterol and apoprotein of the subjects were analyzed before, two weeks into, and after four weeks dietary intervention. After two of the dietary intervention, there were no significant changes of plasma total cholesterol or triglyceride levels but there was some changes of phospholipid level. However, after four weeks, the levels of plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid had decreased significantly: 18.2%, 32.9%, and 11.9%, respectively. And the LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol levels also showed a marked reduction of 18.1%, and 33.0% respectively without change of HDL-cholesterol level. There were no changes in the levels of Apo-A 1, Apo-B, or Lp(a). The changes of the plasma lipid levels were significantly associated with the changes in dietary fat intake but not the cholesterol intake. In conclusion, although the responses to the dietary intervention varied among the individual subjects, the lowering of dietary fat component from 21% to 15% of energy intake seems to be an effective way to reduce plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels without decreasing HDL-cholesterol level. It was also found that the restriction of dietary cholesterol to below 100mg/1000kcal not seem to be effective for the hypercholesterolemic patient who already consuming below 300mg/day of cholesterol.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7589-7594
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• 2015

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules, implicated in several activities like initiation, progression and prognosis of various cancers. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA genes can lead to alteration in mRNA expression, resulting in diverse functional consequences. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of miR-149C>T and miR-196a2C>T SNPs with susceptibility to development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in South Indian subjects. Materials and Methods: 100 OSCC patients and 102 healthy controls from the general population were recruited for the study. Genetic analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) as per a standard protocol. Results: The genotype frequencies in miR-196a2 polymorphism, of TT, CT and CC in the OSCC patients were 69%,10% and 22% respectively while for control group it was 80%, 15% and 5% respectively. The CC genotype of miR196a2 polymorphism was significantly associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The genotype frequencies in miR-149 polymorphisms of CC, CT and TT in the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients were 72%, 22% and 6% respectively and for control group 88%, 12% and 0% respectively. CT and TT genotypes of miR149 polymorphism were found to be significantly associated with OSCC (p = 0.05 and 0.07). Conclusions: Our study suggests that miR-196a2C>T and miR-149C>T polymorphisms may play crucial roles in the development of OSCC in South Indian subjects.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.158-163
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among pain, range of motion of the neck, neck disability index and grip strength after thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: In this study, twelve subjects with chronic neck pain were included. All participants had thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training. Intervention was conducted three times per a week, for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion of neck, neck disability index (NDI), as well as the grip strength before and after intervention were measured in all participants. Paired t-test was used to compare variables before and after intervention. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify the correlations between the variables. Results: All variables after the intervention were significantly improved. There was a significant negative correlation between VAS and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.669, p<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between NDI and VAS (r=0.636, p<0.05), and a significant negative correlation between NDI and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.692, p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with reduced pain following therapeutic intervention illustrated that there would be an improvement in the flexion angle rather than the extension angle of the neck, and that those with increased flexion angle would have less restriction of activities in daily living.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 1999

The first step of the branch pathway in tryptophan biosynthesis is catalyzed by anthranilate synthase, which is subjected to feedback inhibition by the end product of the pathway. The $trpE^{FBR}$ gene from a mutant Escherichia coli strain coding for anthranilate synthase that was insensitive to feedback inhibition by tryptophan has been cloned. To identify the amino acid changes involved in the feedback regulation of anthranilate synthase, the nucleotide sequence of the mutant $trpE^{FBR}$ gene was determined. Sequence analysis of the $trpE^{FBR}$ gene revealed that four bases were changed in the structural gene while alteration was not found in the 5' control region. Among these base changes, only two base substitutions caused the alterations in amino acid sequences. From the results of restriction fragment exchange mapping, the 61st nucleotide, C to A substitution, that changed $Pro^{21}{\rightarrow}Ser$ was identified as the cause of the desensitization to feedback inhibition by tryptophan. Additional feedback-resistant enzymes of the E. coli anthranilate synthases were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis to examine the effect of the $Ser^{40}\;{\rightarrow}\;Arg^{40}$ change found in the $trpE^{FBR}$ gene of Brevibacterium lactofermentum. From the feedback inhibition analysis, the $Pro^{21}{\rightarrow}Ser$ and $Ser^{40}{\rightarrow}Arg$ mutants maintained about 50% and 90% of their maximal activities, respectively, even at the extreme concentration of 10 mM tryptophan. From these results, we suggest that the $Pro^{21}$ and $Ser^{40}$ residues are involved in the tryptophan binding in the E. coli enzyme.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.51-64
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aims to examine diabetic patients' quality of life by using the data of the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1st year, 2019), identify the factors related to this, and utilize the results as basic data for intervention that can improve diabetic patients' quality of life. Methods: For the research subjects, this study extracted 624 patients who were diagnosed with Diabetes by a doctor from the total sample of 8,110 participants of the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The SPSS(version25.0) program was used for the analysis of the collected data. Then, this study used a backward elimination multiple regression analysis method that applied complex sample, to examine the factors related with the finally estimated quality of life. Results: The results of this study revealed that diabetic patients' quality of life was related with gender, age, occupation, restriction of activity, subjected health status. The final model explained 35.7% of the variance (Wald F=28.210, p<.001). Conclusions: In order to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients, it would be desirable to provide differentiated management by developing a customized intervention strategy that takes into account gender, age, and occupation. When managing diabetic patients, the state, local governments, and hospitals should include content that prevents and copes with restrictions on activities that may occur due to disease. In addition, it is required to prepare a strategy to induce positive perception of the subject's own health status.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2018

An antioxidant peptide derived from Pinctada fucata meat using an Alcalase2.4L enzymatic hydrolysis method (named AOP) and identified by LC-TOF-MS has promising clinical potential for generating cosmetic products that protect skin from sunshine. To date, there have been few published studies investigating the structure-activity relationship in these peptides. To prepare antioxidant peptides better and improve their stability, the design and expression of an antioxidant peptide from Pinctada fucata (named DSAOP) was studied. The peptide contains a common precursor of an expression vector containing an ${\alpha}$-helix tandemly linked according to the BamHI restriction sites. The DNA fragments encoding DSAOP were synthesized and subcloned into the expression vector pET-30a (+), and the peptide was expressed mostly as soluble protein in recombinant Escherichia coli. Meanwhile, the DPPH radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of DSAOP $IC_{50}$ values were $0.136{\pm}0.006$, $0.625{\pm}0.025$, and $0.306{\pm}0.015mg/ml$, respectively, with 2-fold higher DPPH radical scavenging activity compared with chemosynthesized AOP (p < 0.05), as well as higher superoxide radical scavenging activity compared with natural AOP (p < 0.05). This preparation method was at the international advanced level. Furthermore, pilot-scale production results showed that DSAOP was expressed successfully in fermenter cultures, which indicated that the design strategy and expression methods would be useful for obtaining substantial amounts of stable peptides at low costs. These results showed that DSAOP produced with recombinant Escherichia coli could be useful in cosmetic skin care products, health foods, and pharmaceuticals.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.34 no.6 s.119
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• pp.54-65
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• 2007

There is little research on the exterior spaces or gardens of single detached urban dwellings in Korea because apartments are the general housing type of most inhabitants. However there is an increasing demand for idyllic houses in the urban fringe and for environmentally friendly dwellings or healthy houses that is represented in urban residents gardening activities. The purpose of this research is to analyze residents' preferences and problems in gardening and management of single detached urban dwellings, and to evaluate the possibility of gardens as biotopes. It also addresses the issue of providing public amenities in the urban landscape. One hundred thirty-six dwellings were selected in residential areas of the city of Gwangju. The layout and plant composition, residents' evaluation and understanding of their own gardens, and maintenance and management were investigated. The results indicated that residents associate gardening with mental health and recognized a lack of space as one environmental restriction. Watering was seen as a primary difficulty for maintaining gardens. This research suggests that providing space for gardening could be a tool for participatory community making. When considering the important aspects of gardening, residents responded that gardens offer naturalness, scenic beauty, and practicality and also felt that gardens provide a buffer from environmental pollution and relief from mental duress. Results from the factor analysis using 15 semantic differential variables showed that 'spatial openness', 'natural variety' and 'familiarity' were representative factors. Although a garden is mainly considered as a space for the appreciation of nature with plant material, our results suggest that meaning and environmental symbolism are important elements.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.726-737
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• 2020

This study analyzed 4,284 elderly people aged 65 or older by SPSS 22.0 in the 7th data of 「2018 Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing(KLoSA)」 to confirm the effect of the health-promoting behavior of the elderly on life satisfaction through cognitive function. The cognitive function level of the subjects was 13.8% doubtful about dementia, 23.8% cognitive decline, and 62.4% normal, and the satisfaction level of life was 59.304 points. The results of the study were as follows: First, the difference in cognitive function according to demographic characteristics was significant in gender, age, education, religion, and marriage factors. Second, the satisfaction of the elderly's life according to demographic characteristics was confirmed to have significant differences in gender, age, education, religion, and marriage factors. Third, the satisfaction of the elderly's life was significantly positive in drinking and regular exercise factors among independent variable the health-promoting behavior when cognitive function was mediated. On the other hand, The significant negative effect of the restriction of daily life activities was confirmed. In this way, the mediating effect of cognitive function was verified in the effect of the health-promoting behavior on the satisfaction of the elderly life.