• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2019

This study aims to see what changes flower arrangement programs bring to the stress index of elderly people with chronic diseases and its correlation with cognition. Furthermore, seniors from a day care center and a nursing home were compared for the purpose of identifying the effectiveness of flower arrangement activities as a supplementary remedy designed to relieve the symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases. In this study, 24 seniors with chronic diseases were divided into two groups: Group A consists of 15 seniors from a day care center and Group B consists of nine seniors from a nursing home. Both groups participated in simple flower arrangement activities in 10 sessions. In each session, red and green cut flowers that were preferred by the elderly were provided to elicit and develop their thoughts and behaviors. The results showed that the overall average stress index was significantly reduced from 58.0±11.6 before the program to 50.6±17.1 after the program (p = .037). This study examined that the program was more effective for Group A (p = .021) than for Group B (p = .678). Results of the correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between cognitive function and stress index (p = .569), but that the activity was more effective for Group A. This study shows that arranging flowers effectively lowers the stress index of elderly people with chronic diseases. Also, sharing the outcomes of such activities with others or continuously caring for the flowers even after the activity can maximize the effectiveness of the therapy and rehabilitation. Thus, the study concluded that the program needs to be applied continuously, not in the short-term, in order to relieve or treat the symptoms of elderly patients with chronic diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.817-824
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to analyze the intake of antioxidant vitamins and plasma TRAP concentrations of 60 maternal-infant pairs (30 in normal term delivery group, NT; 30 in preform group, PT) We also investigated the relationship between plasma TRAP levels of maternal-umbilical cord blood and pregnancy outcomes. Mean energy intakes of NT and PT pregnant women were 93.2% and 85.4% and their protein intakes were 113.3% and 110.9% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), respectively. The vitamin A intakes of NT and W pregnant women were 559.7 RE and 497.8 RE, which were less than RDA. While the vitamin E and C intakes of both NT and PT pregnant women were more than RDA. The maternal plasma TRAP level of PT was 1.41 mmol/l and that of was 1.50 mmol/l, which was significantly higher than TRAP level of PT (p < 0.05) . The umblical cord plasma TRAP levels of NT and PT were 1.44 mmol/l and 1.23 mmol/l, which indicates the significant difference between those two groups (p < 0.001) . In case of comparing the TRAP level of maternal and umbilical cord blood, there was no significant difference in NT pregnant women, however, in PT group maternal the TRAP level significant higher than that of umbilical cord (p < 0.001). The length of gestation and plasma TRAP level of maternal and umbilical cord showed a positive correlation. However, other parameters of pregnancy outcomes such as birth weight, weight gain, and Apgar score were not affected by the plasma TRAP levels. Based on these results, preform infants could have a risk of oxidative stress because of low plasma TRAP level.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2007

Objective : The objective of this study was to validate the effects of a titanium mesh cage and dynamic plating in anterior cervical stabilization after corpectomy. Methods : A retrospective study was performed on 31 consecutive patients, who underwent anterior cervical reconstruction with a titanium mesh cage and dynamic plating, from March 2004 to February 2006. Twenty-four patients had 1-level and 7 had 2-level corpectomies. Ten patients underwent surgery with a cage of 10-mm diameter and 21 with 13-mm diameter. Neurological status and outcomes were assessed according to Odom's criteria. Sagittal angle, coronal angle, settling ratio, sagittal displacement, and cervical lordosis were used to evaluate the radiological outcomes. Results : In overall, 26 [83.9%] of 31 showed excellent or good outcomes. Thirteen percent [4 cases] of the patients developed surgical complications, such as hoarseness, transient dysphagia, or nerve root palsy. Seven [22.6%] patients had reconstruction failure:5 [20.8%] in the 1-level corpectomy group and 2 [28.5%] in the 2-level corpectomy group. Revisions were required in 2 patients with plate pullout due to significant instability. However, none of 5 patients who demonstrated cage displacement or screw pullout, underwent a revision. Radiographs revealed bony consolidation in 96.3% of the patients, including 6 patients with implantation failure during the follow-up period. Conclusion : Based on our preliminary results, the titanium mesh cage and dynamic plating was effective for cervical reconstruction after corpectomy. The anterior cervical reconstruction performed with dynamic plates is considered to reduce stress shielding and greater graft compression that is afforded by the unique plate design.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.513-527
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• 2016

The objective of the present study was to review the current research about the outcomes of horticultural activity interventions in order to determine research trends and analyze the characteristics of horticultural activity interventions. We reviewed the literature using search engines such as the Web of Science, Proquest Dissertation and Theses, Academic Search Premier, Research Information sharing Service, and Korean National Assembly Digital Library to locate journal articles that include relevant search terms (e.g., gardening activity, gardening program, allotment garden, urban agriculture, horticultural therapy, and horticultural activity). We initially identified 14,414 journal articles that were published before April 2014 and selected 509 of the papers for review. We found that studies investigating treating children and adults 8 to 64 years old were the most common, and horticultural activities such as gardening outdoors, planting indoors, making crafts with live plants, arranging flowers, making crafts with artificial or pressed flowers, and other activities were usually combined. Short/medium term (11 to 20 sessions) horticultural activity programs were the most frequent, and most interventions were of medium duration (> 60 min to 120 min). Most of the studies focused on the psychological or emotional effects of horticultural intervention, such as its effects on emotional intelligence, self-esteem, stress, and depression. Further studies are needed to analyze the research methodology, specific outcomes, and strengths or weaknesses of studies investigating horticultural activity interventions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.440-444
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• 2013

Background Axillary osmidrosis is characterized by unpleasant odors originating from the axillary apocrine glands, resulting in psychosocial stress. The main treatment modality is apocrine gland removal. Until now, of the various surgical techniques have sometimes caused serious complications. We describe herein the favorable outcomes of a new method for ablating apocrine glands by minimal subdermal shaving using sclerotherapy with absolute ethanol. Methods A total of 12 patients underwent the procedure. The severity of osmidrosis was evaluated before surgery. Conventional subdermal shaving was performed on one side (control group) and ablation by means of minimal subdermal shaving and absolute ethanol on the other side (study group). Postoperative outcomes were compared between the study and control groups. Results The length of time to removal of the drain was 1 day shorter in the study group than in the control group. There were no serious complications, such as hematoma or seroma, in either group, but flap margin necrosis and flap desquamation occurred in the control group, and were successfully managed with conservative treatment. Six months after surgery, we and our patients were satisfied with the outcomes. Conclusions Sclerotherapy using absolute ethanol combined with minimal subdermal shaving may be useful for the treatment of axillary osmidrosis. It can reduce the incidence of seroma and hematoma and allow the skin flap to adhere to its recipient site. It can degrade and ablate the remaining apocrine glands and eliminate causative organisms. Furthermore, since this technique is relatively simple, it takes less time than the conventional method.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2018

Background: The type and regimen of anesthesia may affect perioperative hyperglycemia following major surgical stress. This study compared the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on the incidence of hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing lung surgery. Methods: This retrospective study included 176 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had undergone lung surgery. Blood glucose levels and clinical outcomes from the preoperative period to the first 2 postoperative days (PODs) were retrospectively examined in patients who received sevoflurane (group S, n= 87) and propofol (group P, n=89) for maintenance of general anesthesia. The primary endpoint was the incidence of persistent hyperglycemia (2 consecutive blood glucose levels >180 mg/dL [10.0 mmol/L]) during the perioperative period. The secondary composite endpoint was the incidence of major postoperative complications and 30-day mortality rate after surgery. Results: Blood glucose levels similarly increased from the preoperative period to the second POD in both groups (p=0.857). Although blood glucose levels at 2 hours after surgery were significantly lower in group P than in group S (p=0.022; 95% confidence interval for mean difference, -27.154 to -2.090), there was no difference in the incidence of persistent hyperglycemia during the perioperative period (group S, 70%; group P, 69%; p=0.816). The composite of major postoperative complications and all-cause in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were also comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: Sevoflurane and propofol were associated with a comparable incidence of perioperative hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing lung surgery.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2009

The principal objective of this study was to assess the weight control behavior, body shape satisfaction, and obesity stress depending on the degree of obesity in college students who applied for a weight control program. The average BMI of the participants was $21.4\;kg/m^2$ which was in the normal range, and 76.3% of the participants were of normal body weight. Ideal BMI in this participant was $18.1\;kg/m^2$, which is in the underweight range. In terms of body perception, participants generally overestimated their body weight. The overweight and normal weight groups were less satisfied with their body shape than was the underweight group. The overweight group also expressed fears of showing their bodies to others. Additionally, the overweight and normal groups exhibited higher obesity stress than the underweight group. 97.0% of participants were interested in weight control as a way to improve their appearance. They usually obtained their weight control information from the internet and mass media. More than 80% of participants had weight control experience, having undergone weight control attempts for duration of less than a month. However, after the discontinuation of weight control efforts, these participants regained the weight. As a consequence, they were generally unsatisfied with the outcomes of weight control programs. This study demonstrated that the college women who had applied for the weight control program were unsatisfied with their body shape owing to distorted notions of the ideal body shape, and these women had generally undertaken frequent efforts to control their body weights. These results underline the importance of educating college-aged women on proper body perception and the maintenance of healthy body weight and shape.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.820-828
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• 2014

This study was done to identify factors influencing suicidal ideation in middle school students. Data were collected by questionnaires from 673 middle school students in D metropolitan city. Measures were daily life stress, problem of life, social support, depression, and suicidal ideation. Data were analyzed using frequencies, means and standard deviation, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis with SPSS/WIN 19.0 version. The mean score for suicidal ideation of the participants was 1.22, out of a possible 5. There were significant differences in suicidal ideation according to religion, record, family structure, experience of school violence, and economy status. Suicidal ideation correlated positively with daily life stress, problem of life and depression and negatively with social support. According to the research, factors influencing suicidal ideation in middle school students were problem of life, depression, social support, daily life stress, and experience of school violence. Based on the outcomes of this study, it is necessary to design an intervention program that emphasizes the reducement of problem of life, depression, daily life stress, school violence and enhancement social support in order to prevent suicidal ideation in middle school students.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.386-392
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Changes in nutritional status during gestation and lactation have detrimental effects on offspring metabolism. Several animal studies have shown that maternal high-fat diet (HFD) can predispose the offspring to development of obesity and metabolic diseases, however the mechanisms underlying these transgenerational effects are poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the effect of maternal HFD consumption on metabolic phenotype and hepatic expression of involved genes in dams to determine whether any of these parameters were associated with the metabolic outcomes in the offspring. MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mice were fed a low-fat diet (LFD: 10% calories from fat) or a high-fat diet (HFD: 45% calories from fat) for three weeks before mating, and during pregnancy and lactation. Dams and their male offspring were studied at weaning. RESULTS: Dams fed an HFD had significantly higher body and adipose tissue weights and higher serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels than dams fed an LFD. Hepatic lipid levels and mRNA levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism, including $LXR{\alpha}$, SREBP-2, FXR, LDLR, and ABCG8 were significantly changed by maternal HFD intake. Significantly lower total liver DNA and protein contents were observed in dams fed an HFD, implicating the disturbed liver adaptation in the pregnancy-related metabolic demand. HFD feeding also induced significant oxidative stress in serum and liver of dams. Offspring of dams fed an HFD had significantly higher serum cholesterol levels, which were negatively correlated with liver weights of dams and positively correlated with hepatic lipid peroxide levels in dams. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal HFD consumption induced metabolic dysfunction, including altered liver growth and oxidative stress in dams, which may contribute to the disturbed cholesterol homeostasis in the early life of male mice offspring.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2017

Occupational hazards of firefighting and rescue works include frequent exposure to emergencies and life-threatening situations. These stressful work conditions of being constantly under pressure and exposed to potentially traumatic events put them at higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared to the general population. PTSD is a potentially debilitating mental disorder, due to persistent intrusive thoughts, negative alterations of mood and cognition, hypervigilance, avoidance of similar situations and reminders, and re-experiences of the traumatic event. Previous studies have shown a relatively high prevalence of PTSD among firefighters, indicating the need for a systematic approach of early detection and prevention. Therefore, a critical review of the current literature on PTSD in firefighters would provide valuable insights into developing effective prevention and intervention programs. Literature indicated that there are risk factors of PTSD in firefighters, such as pre-existing depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, occupational stress, physical symptoms, and binge drinking, whereas social support and adequate rewards are protective factors. Although there are differences in the prevalence of PTSD across studies, partly due to various assessment tools utilized, different sample sizes, and sample characteristics, over one tenth of the firefighters were estimated to have PTSD. The current review warrants further investigations to precisely assess PTSD and co-morbid mental disorders, functional outcomes, and associated factors, and to develop evidence-based preventive and interventional programs to help firefighters with PTSD.