• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 2019

Women who undergo natural menopause transition have increased numbers of risk factors relating to metabolic syndrome due to estrogen deficiency. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Superhongmi bran extract on metabolic syndrome improvement in menopausal women. Thirty women, who participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, were assigned to placebo-control (n=15) or Superhongmi bran extract (n=15) groups and were asked to consume two tablets (350 mg per extract per tablet) per day. After 12 weeks, weight, body mass index (BMI), plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, and total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly decreased, whereas HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), adiponectin, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and GSH (glutathione) concentrations were significantly increased in the Superhongmi bran extract group. Moreover, $17{\beta}-estradiol$, and progesterone levels in the Superhongmi group were significantly higher than those in the placebo-control group. These results suggest that Superhongmi bran extract alleviates metabolic symptom in menopausal women.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2021

The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio and pulse pressure in Korean adults with hypertension. Data from 1,515 adults from the sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-3, 2015) were analyzed. There were several key findings in the present study. First, aspartate aminotransferase (odds ratio [OR], 1.018; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002 to 1.033), alanine aminotransferase (OR, 0.982; 95% CI, 0.969 to 0.996), and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (OR, 1.367; 95% CI, 1.027 to 1.819) were the independent factors determining high pulse pressure. Second, after adjusting for related variables [age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, regular exercise, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC)], the ORs of high pulse pressure with the 1st quartile as a reference were significantly higher in the 4th quartile of aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio [1.632 (95% CI, 1.113~2.393)]. The high pulse pressure was positively associated with aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio in Korean adults with hypertension, but was inversely associated with alanine aminotransferase.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.617-622
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• 2006

Purpose : High-Sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) has been recognized as a very useful and sensitive predictor of the future risk of myocardial infarction. But the clinical significance of hs-CRP in children remains uncertain. To confirm the existence of obesity-induced vascular inflammation and the association between metabolic syndromes and elevation of CRP in children, we investigated the relationship among CRP, obesity, blood pressure(BP), and serum lipids in schoolboys. Methods : Twenty-eight obese(BMI $29.61{\pm}3.29kg/m^2$) and 93 non-obese(BMI $18.99{\pm}2.21kg/m^2$) boys aged 14 years were examined. Serum CRP levels was measured by the high sensitive latex turbidimetric immunoassay and subjects with CRP levels below 0.3 mg/dL were adopted to avoid the influence of acute infection. Results : Obese children had significantly higher hs-CRP levels than their non-obese group($0.104{\pm}0.075$ vs. $0.054{\pm}0.005mg/dL$). In the obese group, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein B, atherogenic index, and triglyceride were significantly higher than in nonobese. The BMI, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein E, atherognic index, and triglyceride showed positive correlation with log CRP by simple regression. Multiple regression analysis indicated that BMI and apolipoprotein E were strongly related to CRP. Conclusion : This study revealed that obese children tended to have higher levels of serum hsCRP, BP elevation and dyslipidemia than the control group and that BMI and apolipoprotein E were strongly related to CRP. These results indicate that obesity related metabolic syndrome can be developed in children.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.507-516
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to identify physical activity levels of the basic livelihood security recipients elderly women, to investigate relation between cardiovascular disease risk factors and sacrcopenia based on the levels, and to develop physical activity programs for healthy life of the elderly. The subjects of this study were 134 old females with $71{\pm}6.67$ years old who used senior centers in K-gu. The authors used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for investigating the physical activity levels of the elderly, measuring their physical activity levels for seven days on average and classifying them into two groups, the Low Physical Activity (n=77) and the Moderate Physical Activity (n=57) groups based on the levels. Blood pressure, waist measurement, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG, Glucose, and atherogenic index (AI) were measured as the cardiovascular disease risk factors; percent body fat, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, total muscle mass, and skeletal muscle index were measured as factors related to sarcopenia. Independent samples t-Test was conducted to analyze differences on the two groups based on the physical activity levels, with ${\alpha}=.05$ the as significance level. According to the results, HDL (p=.017) were higher and AI (p=.007) was lower; percent body fat (p=.008) was lower, and ASM (p=.000), total muscle mass (p=.000), and SMI (p=.001) were higher. In conclusion, moderate intensity physical activities rather than low intensity ones may have positive effects on the cardiovascular disease risk factors and sarcopenia levels, and participation in regular physical activities with at least moderate intensity by various methods may be needed for prevention of illness and healthy life of the elderly.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2010

Background: Our goal was to evaluate anti-calcification effects of decellularization and diverse fixing methods including preincubation of the bovine pericardium with ethanol. We also assessed changes in mechanical properties. Material and Method: Harvested bovine pericardium was decellularized with 0.25% sodim dodecysulfate and then treated with 5 methods of fixation: (1) 0.5% glutaraldehyde (GA) for 14 days, (2) 0.5% GA for 5 days, 2% GA for 2 days and 0.25% GA for 7 days, (3) 0.5% GA for 5 days, 2% GA for 2 days, 0.25% GA for 7 days, and then 70% ethanol for 2 days, (4) 0.5% GA for 5 days, a mixture of 2% GA and 70% ethanol for 2 days, and 0.25% GA for 7 days, (5) 0.5% GA for 5 days, a mixture of 2% GA, 65% ethanol, and 5% octanediol for 2 days and then 0.25% GA for 7 days. All treated bovine pericardia were tested for histological variables, lipid content, and mechanical properties including tensile strength and thermal stability. A total 10 kinds of differently treated bovine pericardia were implanted into rat subdermis and harvested 8 weeks later. Harvested pericardia were evaluated for calcium content. Result: No protein denaturation was observed microscopically after decellularization. There was a 32% mean decrease in tensile strength index after decellularization in the bovine pericardium group fixed. Octanediol preincubation attenuated the decrease in tensile strength and maintained thermal stability. TG and cholesterol were not affected by decellularization but were decreased by organic solvent. Calcium content was decreased after decellularization, and organic solvent preincubation decreased calcification in the non-decellularized bovine pericardium group. Conclusion: Decellularization and organic solvent preincubation have anti-calcification effects but decellularization may cause mechanical instability. A method of decellularization and fixation that does not cause damage to matrices will be needed for evaluation of the next step in using tissue-engineering for replacement of cardiac valves.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.7 s.80
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• pp.1071-1079
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of the feeding physiological activity substance in feral peach(Prunus Persica Batsch var. davidiana Max.) extract intake on the improvement of the lipid compositions, apolipoprotein and blood pressure level in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR, Wistar strain, male) fed the experimental diets for 33 days. Concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride(TG), LDL-cholesterol, free cholesterol and atherosclerotic index in serum were significantly lower in the feral peach extract intake groups[groups 5g% Ex.(basal diet+feral peach 5.0g% extract), 10g% Ex.(basal diet+feral peach 10.0g% extract)] than those in the group Control(basal diet+water). In the ratio of HDL-cholesterol concentration to total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentration, feral peach 5.0g%, 10.0g% extract intake groups(group 5g% Ex. and 10g% Ex.) were higher percentage than in the group Control. However, concentrations of total cholesterol and TC in liver and brain were significantly lower in the groups 5g% Ex. and 10g% Ex. than those in the group Control. But the concentrations of apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I and Apo A-II in serum were significantly higher in the feral peach 5.0g% and 10.0g% extract intake groups(5g% Ex. and 10g% Ex.) than in the control group. However, concentrations of Apo C-II, Apo C-III, Apo E and ratio of Apo B to Apo A-I in serum were fairly reduced in the groups 5g% Ex. and 10g% Ex. than in the control group. The levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower in feral peach 5g% Ex. and 10g% Ex. groups than control group. However, no significance was found in the effect of among the groups(groups 5g% Ex. and 10g% Ex.). From these results, physiological activity substance in feral peach(Prunus persica Batsch var. davidiana Max.) extracts were effective on the improvement of the lipid compositions and cardiovascular heart disease, hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. And particularly, feral peach extracts were more effective as a therapeutic regimen for the control of blood pressure in hypertension.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.395-405
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• 2009

The maturity of amber matrix and inclusion was studied to explore the effect of heat treatment on the formation of the sun spangle in the transparent Baltic amber from Gdansk, Poland. Optical microscope revealed two types of inclusions in the original amber samples. The inclusions in the amber which had sun spangle were dramatically expanded by the heat treatment, comparing to those without sun spangle which contains fissure and shows different refractive index. The amber sample which didn't show sun spangle after the heat treatment showed a strong carbon related peak in TOF-SIMS spectra and weak oxygen related peak. it means that the maturity of this amber sample is comparatively higher than the one with spangle. The two amber samples show similar IR spectra before the heat treatment. However, the amber which had sun spangle exhibited an additional 1019 $cm^{-1}$ absorption peak and a more intense 887 $cm^{-1}$ peak. The different chemical compositions between the two types of amber is believed to be due to the different absorption spectra between 1000~600 $cm^{-1}$. According to the study of DSC analysis, the two samples show different DSC profiles. Although they have the same geological origin, their geological ages are different and have different chemical compositions. Thus, they exhibited different behavior after the heat treatment. The formation of sun spangle seemed to depend on the difference in the heat expansion rate of amber matrix with different maturity and chemical compositions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.98-110
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary potassium intake, Na/K intake molar ratio, consumption of 18 food groups, and foods contributing to potassium intake of Korean adults as well as the relationships among quartile of potassium intake level and blood pressure, blood biochemical index. Methods: This study was conducted using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007~2010. The total number of subjects was 20,291. All analyses were conducted using a survey weighting to account for the complex survey design. Results: Overall average intakes of potassium were 2,934.7, 3,070.6, 3,078.1, and 3,232.0 mg/day, and they significantly increased by year in Korean adults. The average dietary potassium intake was close to adequate intake (AI), whereas that of women was considerably lower than the AI. The Na/K intake molar ratio in males (2.89~3.23) was higher than in females (2.62~2.95). The major food groups contributing to potassium intake were vegetables, cereals, and fruits/meats. The two major foods contributing to potassium intake were polished rice and cabbage kimchi. The rankings of food source were as follows; polished rice > cabbage kimchi > potato > oriental melon > sweet potato > seaweed > radish > apple > black soybean. In 50~64 year old females, systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreased (p < 0.01) and HDL-cholesterol significantly increased (p < 0.05) as potassium intake increased. Triglyceride (TG) was significantly higher in the other quartile of potassium intake level than in the first quartile (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, our study suggests the need for an appropriate set of dietary reference intakes according to caloric intake by sex and age groups and for development of eating patterns to increase potassium intake and decrease sodium intake.