• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.337-349
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• 2015

This study has focused on investigation of correlation for As and heavy metals in paddy soil and rice crops sampled in the vicinity of the abandoned Munmyung Au-Ag mine. Soil samples extracted by various methods including aqua regia, 1 M $MgCl_2$, 0.01 M $CaCl_2$ and 0.05 M EDTA were analyzed for As and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn). Rice grain samples grown on the soils were also analyzed for the same elements to evaluate the relationships between soils and rice crops. According to soil extraction methods, As and heavy metal contents in the soils were decreased in the order of aqua regia > 0.01 M $CaCl_2$ > 1 M $MgCl_2$ > 0.05 M EDTA. In addition to correlation analysis, statistically significant correlation with the four extraction methods (p<0.01) were found in the soil and rice samples. As calculation of biological accumulation coefficients (BACs) of the rice crops for As and heavy metals, the BACs for Cd, Zn and Cu were relatively higher than those for As and Pb. This study also carried out a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to identify the dominant factors influencing metal extraction rates of the paddy soils. Furthermore, daily intakes of As and heavy metals from regularly consumed the rice grain (287 g/day) grown on the contaminated soils by the mining activities were estimated, and found that Cd and As intakes from the rice reached up to 73.7% and 51.8% for maximum allowance levels of trace elements suggested by WHO, respectively. Therefore, long-term consumption of the rice poses potential health problems to residents around the mine, although no adverse health effects have yet been observed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.3 s.54
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• pp.539-553
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• 1996

The study was conducted from May to September in 1994 to investigate applicability of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening version(HHIE-S) in parallel with the pure-tone audiometer to the initial screening test of noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL) in some noise-exposed workers. Subjects were selected by systemic sampling that took every 10th person from 6, 700 workers taking the annual occupational health examination by the department of Health Maintenance of Dongsan Hospital Keimyung University in Taegu. The authors administered the pure-tone audiometric test and self-reported questionnaire of HHIE-S including items of sociodemographic and job-related variables concurrently. The final subjects analysed were 1,019(488 males and 531 females) excluding fourteen persons who had many missing values in their questionnaires. The reliability coefficients of HHIE-S scale by Cronbach's alpha were 0.84. In the univariate analysis of hearing handicap measured by the HHIE-S, work duration, military service and the hearing threshold loss at 1KHz and 4KHz by the initial audiometer were significant in males while age, work duration and hearing threshold loss at 1KHz and 4KHz were significant in females. In the stepwise linear regression analysis, hearing threshold loss at 1KHz and 4KHz, was the only selected variable explaining the hearing handicap in males and hearing threshold loss at 1KHz and 4KHz, age, and work duration were selected in females. In ROC curves for HHIE-S scores against NIHL as gold standard which was defined by the follow-up audiogram as more than 30dB of the average of 0.5/1/2KHz and 50dB at 4KHz, the optimal cutoff for the parallel HHIE-S appeared to be 8. The results suggest that HHIE-S appeared to have some reliability and validity in this data and might be used in screening NIHL in parallel with pure-tone audiometer in noise-exposed workers.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.193-203
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between depression and physical health of the elderly and to provide fundamental data for programs which improve the health of this population. The subjects were 168 elderly people(55 years and older) who resided at home in Taegu. They were surveyed by interview using a closed- ended questionnaire. The survey was done from September 16 to October 16 in 2000. The instruments used in this study were general characteristics, Short form Geriatric Depression Scale(SGDS), Barthel Index, Muscular skeletal symptoms scale, Northern Illinois University's Health Self Rating Scale. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, multiple regression with SPSS PC 10.0 version for Windows. The findings were as follows: 1. As compared 65-74 years elderly group, 75-84 years group was significantly higher score for depression(F=3.17, p=.026). As compared elderly group who has own spouse, the group who has no own spouse was significantly higher score for depression(t=- 2.44, p=.016). 2. The aged who have more limitation of Activities of Daily Living(ADL)(t=3.93, p=.000), pain of muscular skeletal symptoms(F=5.33, p=.002) and poor perceived health state(F=17.04, p=.000) showed the higher severity of depression than the aged who have not. 3. ADL correlated negatively with depression(r=- .293, p=.000), pain of muscular skeletal symptoms correlated positively(r=.251, p=.001), perceived health status correlated negatively(r=-.522, p=.000). 4. The combination of perceived health status and ADL explained 29.1% of the varience of depression. On the basis of the above findings the following recommendations are made; 1. Developing health programs is needed considering ADL, pain of muscular skeletal symptoms, perceived health status, demographic variables (age, spouse status) which have an significant effects on depression of the elderly. 2. In the following study, the use of the various scale is needed which reflects physical status of the elderly in home.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 2004

This study explored the association between the bone nutrition indicators and the bone mineral density (BMD) in 138 apparently healthy elderly (male: 38, female: 100) dwelling in a low income area of the city. Dietary intakes were estimated from two meals (breakfast ＆ dinner) and snack using 24 hr-recall method and lunch with weighing over 3 consecutive days. Female elderly showed significant lower intakes (p<0.001∼p<0-05) for most of the nutrients except calcium and vitamin C than the elderly male. Calcium and vitamin D intakes for both male and female were 331.0 mg, 1.89 $\mu\textrm{g}$ and 308.6 mg, 1.21 $\mu\textrm{g}$, respectively and they were below the 50% of the RDA. Both the BMDs at lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) were positively correlated with the energy intake, calcium intake and vitamin D intake (p<0.05, respectively) for male. In female BMDs of the both sites were positively correlated with the intakes of carbohydrates, protein, lipid, calcium and vitamin D (p<0.01∼p<0.05). Female showed higher serum osteocalcin (p<0.01) and urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine (DPYR/CR) (p<0.001), meaning that female had elevated rate in bone turn over and bone resorption. The proportion of subjects with vitamin D deficiency assessed with serum 25(OH)VitD$_3$<10 mg/mL was 35.0% for female and 23.7% for male, respectively Both the BMDs at lumbar spine and trochanter were positively correlated with serum 25(OH)VitD$_3$ but BMDs in most of the sites were negatively associated with urinary DPYR/CR, phosphate/CR. Stepwise multiple regression showed physical activity, serum alkaline phosphatase, weight, vitamin D explained 47.6% of the variation of the LS BMD. The indicator variable for serum alkaline phosphatase was negatively associated with LS BMD. However, the indicator variable for weight and vitamin D intake were positive and significant (p=0.0087, p=0.0007, respectively). For FN BMD, the indicator variable for age and serum alkaline phosphatase were negative and significant (p<0.0075, p<0.0015, respectively) and the weight was positively associated with the FN BMD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.182-195
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• 2003

Background: Marriage is one of the major life events and the primary source of individual happiness and meaning of life. It is not possible to predict who will marry whom and which marriage will be successful. Marital adjustment has significant influences on an individual and relationship functioning and is associated with mental health. Good marital quality may imply good general relationship. There are several factors that correlate with or predict good marital quality. Especially individual personality factors may be a major factor in achieving and maintaining marital stability, satisfaction and happiness. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible relationship between dyadic adjustment and personality dimensions in urban married women. Methods: Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were administered to 215 married women. Data analysis was based on 170 women who provided reliable informations. The descriptive statistics of demographic data and 4 scales were obtained. Then the possible relationships between each data were tested by calculating Pearson's product moment correlations. To test the effects of depression and anxiety on dyadic adjustment, stepwise multiple regression analysis was done. Results: Age and length of marriage were negatively correlated with affectional expression and dyadic cohesion. Educational level was positively correlated with total dyadic adjustment score and dyadic satisfaction. Family income was positively correlated with total dyadic adjustment score, dyadic consensus, dyadic satisfaction and dyadic cohesion. Different family type showed different total dyadic adjustment score, dyadic satisfaction and dyadic cohesion. Psychoticism was negatively correlated with total dyadic adjustment score, dyadic consensus, dyadic satisfaction, affectional expression and dyadic cohesion. Neuroticism was negatively correlated with total dyadic adjustment score, dyadic consensus, dyadic satisfaction and affectional expression. Extraversion and lie were not correlated with any factors. Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores were negatively correlated with total dyadic adjustment score, dyadic consensus, dyadic satisfaction, affectional expression and dyadic cohesion. The result of multiple regression analysis indicated that psychoticism was correlated with dyadic adjustment. Conclusion: These results showed that the demographic factors such as age, length of marriage, educational level, family income and family type were significantly correlated with dyadic adjustment. Psychoticism and neuroticism measured by Eysenck Personality Inventory were significantly correlated with dyadic adjustment. But the correlations with extraversion and lie were not significant. Especially correlation between neuroticism and dyadic adjustment seemed to be mediated by emotional state such as depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that personality factors may be involved in marital relationship and that clinician must consider personality aspect in dealing with marital problems. Future study about differences between control group and psychiatric patient group will be needed.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2005

This study was carried out to provide fundamental data for an examination of a health promotion program by determining the influence of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile on the quality of life of female dental hygienists. The sample was selected from the population of 1,148 who were registered in the Association of Seoul Dental Hygienists. 800 subjects were randomly selected from 25 districts in Seoul. The data was collected by calling the dental hygienists to, explaining the contents and objective of our study, and sending them a questionnaire by post. The questionnaire consists of the total number of 97 questions: 62 questions on the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile, 26 questions on the quality of life and 9 general characteristics questions. The data was collected from August 16 to October 15, 2004. Out of 800 subjects, 481(60.1%) completed the questionnaires. For statistical analysis, the frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis, were analyzed using the SAS 8.1 Analysis program. The significance level was set to 0.05. The results of this study were as follows: First, The average score of the subjects' quality of life was 3.1. For the sub-categories, it was shown that the degree of satisfaction on the condition of society was the highest at 3.2, and the degree of satisfaction on the condition of the individuals was the lowest at 3.1. The average score of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile variable was 2.5. For the sub-categories, it was shown that the degree of sanitary life was at 3.2, and degree of the professional health maintenance was the lowest at 1.7. Second, There were significant differences in the Quality of Life benefits of action with the general characteristics. There were significant differences in age, educational level, income, marital status, career, and Perceived Health Status. There were significant difference in Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile benefits of action with the general characteristics. There were significant differences in terms of age, educational level, income, marital status, career, and the Perceived Health Status. Finally, The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the powerful predictors were Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile, income and the Perceived Health Status. These factors accounted for 37.6% of the variance in the Quality of Life patterns. As the subjects were limited to dental hygienists in Seoul, care should be taken when applying these results to all dental hygienists in Korea. In order to generalize the study, a large number of subjects selected from all regions in Korea will be needed.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2014

Objective: Few studies have evaluated the personality characteristics of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and simple snoring. We investigated the personality characteristics of OSA and simple snoring patients and compared differences in personality between the two groups using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). Materials and Methods: Two hundred and thirty-seven patients who were suspected to have OSA or simple snoring participated in this study. A self-questionnaire which included the EPQ was administered to all participants. All subjects underwent polysomnography in a sleep laboratory and those with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ${\geq}5$ were included in the OSA group, while those with an AHI <5 were included in the simple snoring group. Results: OSA patients had significantly lower scores for Psychoticism (F=4.563, p=0.034) than simple snorers. There were no significant differences in Extraversion (F=3.029, p=0.083), Lie (F=0.398, p=0.529), or Neuroticism (F=3.367, p=0.068) scores between the two groups. In the correlation analysis of the OSA group, AHI was positively correlated with Extraversion score (r= 0.16, p=0.029) and negatively correlated with Lie score (B=-0.31, p<0.001). Using multiple stepwise linear regression analysis with the four EPQ parameter scores as dependent variables, Lie score was associated with older age (B=0.14, p<0.001) and lower AHI (B=-0.05, p<0.001), Psychoticism score was associated with higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI ; B=0.14, p<0.001), Neuroticism score was associated with higher PSQI (B=0.34, p=0.001) and female sex (B=3.15, p=0.003), and Extraversion score was associated with younger age (B=-0.08, p=0.020) and higher body mass index (B=0.26, p=0.023). Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with OSA are significantly less prone to psychotic personality characteristics than those with simple snoring. Among OSA patients, higher AHI was correlated with low falsehood and high extraversion tendencies.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2014

Objectives: Depression, sleep complaints and cognitive impairments are commonly observed in the elderly. Elderly subjects with depressive symptoms have been found to show both poor cognitive performances and sleep disturbances. However, the relationship between sleep complaints and cognitive dysfunction in elderly depression is not clear. The aim of this study is to identify the association between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline in late-life depression. Methods: A total of 282 elderly people who underwent nocturnal polysomnography in a sleep laboratory were enrolled in the study. The Korean version of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery developed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K) was applied to evaluate cognitive function. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the geriatric depression scale (GDS) and subjective sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI). Results: The control group ($GDS{\leq}9$) when compared with mild ($10{\leq}GDS{\leq}16$) and severe ($17{\leq}GDS$) depression groups, had significantly different scores in the Trail making test part B (TMT-B), Benton visual retention test part A (BVRT-A), and Stroop color and word test (SCWT)(all tests p<0.05). The PSQI score, REM sleep duration, apnea-hypopnea index and oxygen desaturation index were significantly different across the three groups (all indices, p<0.05). A stepwise multiple regression model showed that educational level, age and GDS score were predictive for both TMT-B time (adjusted $R^2$=35.6%, p<0.001) and BVRT-A score (adjusted $R^2$=28.3%, p<0.001). SCWT score was predicted by educational level, age, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and GDS score (adjusted $R^2$=20.6%, p<0.001). Poor sleep quality and sleep structure alterations observed in depression did not have any significant effects on cognitive deterioration. Conclusion: Older adults with depressive symptoms showed mild sleep alterations and poor cognitive performances. However, we found no association between sleep disturbances (except sleep apnea) and cognitive difficulties in elderly subjects with depressive symptoms. It is possible that the impact of sleep disruptions on cognitive abilities was hindered by the confounding effect of age, education and depressive symptoms.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.150-165
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the prognostic factors of postpsychotic depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients were selected based on the diagnostic criteria from the DSM-IV, PANSS and ESRS. For all patients information was collected on demographic and clinical characteristics. The subjective depressive symptoms and the objective depressive symptoms, as well as patients insight regarding psychosis were evaluated. The subjective depressive symptoms were evaluated by BDI and ZDS; the objective depressive symptoms were evaluated by HDRS and CDSS, and patient insight into the psychosis was evaluated by KISP. Results: The comparisons using demographic and clinical characteristics showed that HDRS and CDSS had significant difference with regard to gender and suicide attempts; the BDI was associated with difference in education level and age of onset. The patients with scores above cuff-off score for each scale were 20(25.0%) for the BDI, 16(20.0%) for the ZDS, 18(22.5%) for the CDSS and 6(7.5%) for the HDRS. The results of the stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the scores for the KISP, education levels, gender and suicide attempts were the main prognostic factors in patients with the psychotic depressive disorder of schizophrenia. Conclusion: The main prognostic factors in psychotic depressive disorder of schizophrenia included: insight into psychosis, suicidal attempts. Insight into the psychosis was the most reliable prognostic factor but this characteristic had a negative relationship to the with depressive symptoms.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2016

Purpose: It is important to alleviate care burden for terminal cancer patients and their families. This study investigated the factors associated with care burden among family caregivers (FCs) of terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: We analyzed data from 289 FCs of terminal cancer patients who were admitted to palliative care units of seven medical centers in Korea. Care burden was assessed using the Korean version of Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) scale which comprises five domains. A multivariate logistic regression model with stepwise variable selection was used to identify factors associated with care burden. Results: Diverse associating factors were identified in each CRA domain. Emotional factors had broad influence on care burden. FCs with emotional distress were more likely to experience changes to their daily routine (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.29~5.02), lack of family support (aOR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.04~4.97) and health issues (aOR, 5.44; 2.50~11.88). Family functionality clearly reflected a lack of support, and severe family dysfunction was linked to financial issues as well. FCs without religion or comorbid conditions felt more burdened. The caregiving duration and daily caregiving hours significantly predicted FCs' lifestyle changes and physical burden. FCs who were employed, had weak social support or could not visit frequently, had a low self-esteem. Conclusion: This study indicates that it is helpful to understand FCs' emotional status and family functions to assess their care burden. Thus, efforts are needed to lessen their financial burden through social support systems.