• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.17-34
• /
• 2019

Older women who live alone are among society's most vulnerable people, since they experience increased risk of multiple chronic diseases and have limited financial protection. This can lead older women living alone to catastrophic health expenditure(CHE), which is defined as a healthcare expenditure that exceeds a certain portion of a household's ability to pay. Using the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing(KLoSA), this study investigated the incidence of CHE among older women living alone and identified the factors related to this incidence. Applying health expenditure thresholds of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of ability to pay, the proportions of those with CHE were 41.3%, 22.9%, 14.6%, and 9.4%, respectively. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors related to CHE incidence, which include demographics, income, the number of chronic diseases, perceived health status, and health insurance type. The results show that the health care safety net in South Korea is insufficient for older women living alone. The findings can guide policymakers in improving healthcare and welfare policies to protect people from catastrophic payments. Particularly, welfare policies should be established for poor non-recipients who are not included within the benefits scope of the National Basic Livelihood Security System due to the unrealistic criteria of income recognition and family support obligation.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.363-381
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study examined the Korean elderly's dietary intake status, subjective health-related perception and chronic disease prevalence among age groups. Associations of dietary quality with subjective health-related perception and chronic diseases were also examined. Methods: Based on data from the 7th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 3,231 elderly were selected and categorized into 4 age groups of '65 ~ 69', '70 ~ 74', '75 ~ 79' and 'over 80'. Nutrient intakes, proportions of those with insufficient nutrient intakes, Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), some subjective health-related perceptions and prevalence of major chronic diseases were compared according to the age groups. Differences in the subjective health-related perceptions and odds ratios of the chronic diseases according to the quartile levels of KHEI within the same age group were analyzed. Results: With the increase of age, several nutrient intakes (P < 0.001) and KHEI scores significantly decreased (P < 0.01). In women, activity restriction increased (P < 0.05), and EQ-5D score decreased with age (P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (P < 0.0001), hypercholesterolemia (P < 0.05) and anemia (P < 0.01) significantly increased, while hypertriglyceridemia (P < 0.01) significantly decreased only in men. Obesity prevalence decreased, while underweight prevalence increased (P < 0.05). Subjective health status, EQ-5D score and PHQ-9 score significantly improved as KHEI score increased in certain age groups of women (P < 0.05). Odds ratio of hypercholesterolemia significantly increased with the increase of KHEI score in 65 ~ 69-year-old women. However, hypertension and anemia significantly decreased with the increase of KHEI score in 75 ~ 79-year-old women (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The study findings suggest that nutrition management and policy for the Korean elderly need to apply a segmented age standard that can better reflect their dynamic characteristics.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.220-229
• /
• 2003

Background and Objectives : The diagnosis of allergic diseases in current oriental medicine is in the state of depending mainly on two factors: some distinctive symptoms and scientific 'opinions', MAST CLA test is also believed to be helpful in Oriental Medicine on making definite diagnosis of allergic diseases and identifying causative antigen. This study will address the clinical importance of MAST CLA test, the residential type of allergic patients and its distribution status, etc. Methods : From March of 2000 through September of 2003, tests were made in Oriental Medicine Hospital of Semyung University on sex, age, types of residence, allergic diseases and MAST CLA system for the patients who showed allergic symptoms and had been diagnosed so in other hospitals. Results : 1. Sex: Among 91 subjects, 38 of them were men, 53 of them were women. 2. Age group : 15.3% of them were in their 40s; 31.8% in 30s; 15.3% in 20s; 17.5% in 10s. 3. Residental type : A.P.T(51 of them, 56%), plain type of house(33 of them, 36.2%) and villa(7 of them, 7.6%). 4. Discases : Among the diseases, allergic dermatitis was most common(69 of them. 75.8%); allergic rhinitis(17 of them, 18.6%); and chronic and acute urticaria(4 of them, 4.3%) in order. 5. Among 91 subjects, 39 of them showed positive reaction to more than one type of antigens in MAST CLA test: 23 of them were men(60.5%); 16 of them. women(30.1%). 6. Among 91 subjects. 53 of them(58.2%) showed positive reaction to antibodies in MAST CLA test: 22 of them were men; 31 of them, women. 7. Antigen distribution order among 39 subjects who showed positive reaction in MAST CLA test: Mite-farinae, Mite-pterony, Housedust in men and women subjects alike.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.311-320
• /
• 2021

Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with the development of various diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress that lead to such diseases like autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) remain unclear. Here, we observed that oxidative stress markers were increased in Pkd1f/f:HoxB7-Cre mice. Forkhead transcription factors of the O class (FOXOs) are known key regulators of the oxidative stress response, which have been observed with the expression of FoxO3a in an ADPKD mouse model in the present study. An integrated analysis of two datasets for differentially expressed miRNA, such as miRNA sequencing analysis of Pkd1 conditional knockout mice and microarray analysis of samples from ADPKD patients, showed that miR-132-3p was a key regulator of FOXO3a in ADPKD. miR-132-3p was significantly upregulated in ADPKD which directly targeted FOXO3 in both mouse and human cell lines. Interestingly, the mitochondrial gene Gatm was downregulated in ADPKD which led to a decreased inhibition of Foxo3. Overexpression of miR-132-3p coupled with knockdown of Foxo3 and Gatm increased ROS and accelerated cyst formation in 3D culture. This study reveals a novel mechanism involving miR-132-3p, Foxo3, and Gatm that is associated with the oxidative stress that occurs during cystogenesis in ADPKD.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.5-24
• /
• 2000

Middle age for women is one of the most important stages of the whole normal life span and has unique problems concerning the psychological and physical health, specifically degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. Therefore middle age women should prepare in order to lead a healthy and fruitful life as they enter/begin old age. As the population of middle age women increase, the demands of nurses who care for this age group also continue to glow. Nurses must be interested in this middle age group of women in Korea. This study was designed to identify the extent of family support and self-esteem of the middle age women with degenerative musculoskeletal diseases and the relationship between them and nurse's contribution to middle age women's health promotion that maintain and promote qualify of her life. The population of this study was 112 women aged 40-60, attending the out patient clinic one University Hospital and one Hospital, in Pusan. The data was collected from 1st August to the 30th of September, 1998 by using 36 items questionnaire. The instrument used for measuring family support was of Chai's(1983) FSS which was modified by Kang's(1984) Family Support Scale. And that for self-esteem was Rosenberg's(1965) Self-esteem Scale. The reliability of Chai's FSS and Rosenberg's instruments were tested by Cronbach's alpha and showed that they were 0.93 and 0.89 each respectively. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient using the SPSS computer program. The results of the study were summarized as follows : 1. The mean score of the perceived family support was $39.31{\pm}9.42$. 2. The mean score of the perceived self-esteem was $33.16{\pm}6.75$. 3. Statistically significant factors influencing the family support among sociodemographic variables was satisfaction of marriage(F=-3.069, p<0.003). 4. Statistically significant factors influencing the self-esteem among sociodemographic variables were age(F=3.992, p=0.000), education(F=2.260, P=0.026), housing (F=-1.987, P=0.049) and satisfaction of marriage(F=-2.305, P=0.023). 5. There was a significant correlation between family support and self-esteem (r=.621, p<.000). In conclusion, perceived the family support was important for middle age women to increase their self-esteem. Nurses should be aware of the necessity of family support in the supportive nursing of middle age women and should be able to make a plan to educate the family about supporting the wife/mother. The continuing study of the health promotion of middle age women to find out variables influencing middle age women' health must continue.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.10 no.6
• /
• pp.219-229
• /
• 2010

Background: N-myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) is a member of the NDRG gene family. Our previous report indicated a possible role for NDRG2 in regulating the cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), which is an important immunosuppressive cytokine. Several pathways, including p38-MAPK, NF-${\kappa}B$, and JAK/STAT, are used for IL-10 production, and the JAK/STAT pathway can be inhibited in a negative feedback loop by the inducible protein, SOCS3. In the present study, we investigated the effect of NDRG2 gene expression on IL-10 signaling pathway that is modulated via SOCS3 and STAT3. Methods: We generated NDRG2-overexpressing U937 cell line (U937-NDRG2) and treated the cells with PMA to investigate the role of NDRG2 in IL-10 production. U937 cells were also transfected with SOCS3- or NDRG2-specific siRNAs to examine whether the knockdown of SOCS3 or NDRG2 influenced IL-10 expression. Lastly, STAT3 and SOCS3 induction was measured to identify the signaling pathway that was associated with IL-10 production. Results: RT-PCR and ELISA assays showed that IL-10 was increased in U937-mock cells upon stimulation with PMA, but IL-10 was inhibited by overexpression NDRG2. After PMA treatment, STAT3 phosphorylation was decreased in a time-dependent manner in U937-mock cells, whereas it was maintained in U937-NDRG2 cells. SOCS3 was markedly reduced in U937-NDRG2 cells compared with U937-mock cells. IL-10 production after PMA stimulation was reduced in U937 cells when SOCS3 was inhibited, but this effect was less severe when NDRG2 was inhibited. Conclusion: NDRG2 expression modulates SOCS3 and STAT3 activity, eventually leading to the inhibition of IL-10 production.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.176-186
• /
• 2014

Objectives: Epidemiological studies have suggested that a higher consumption of whole grain foods can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The objective of the current study was to examine associations among the consumption of whole grains and nutrient intakes and biochemical indicators associated with chronic diseases among generally healthy middle-aged Korean women. Methods: Using 24-hour recall data from the 2008-2009 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, whole grain intake (g/day) was calculated for a total of generally healthy 1,953 subjects. The subjects were divided into three groups by the level of whole grain consumption (0 g/day, > 0 and < 20 g/day or ${\geq}20g/day$). Mean values or proportions of various nutrient intakes and metabolic risk factors were compared according to the level of whole grain consumption. All statistical analysis was conducted using SAS software version 9.2. Results: We observed that the overall consumption of whole grains was quite low. Specifically, 58.2% of subjects reported no whole grain consumption on the day of the survey, and the mean whole grain intake was only 15.3 g/day. The whole grain consumption was positively associated with intakes of various macro and micronutrients, namely, plant proteins and fats, dietary fiber, calcium, plant iron, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, ${\beta}$-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin $B_6$ and folic acid. In addition, we found significantly decreasing trends in abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia as whole grain intake levels increase. Conclusions: The study findings suggested the importance of promoting whole grain consumption as an efficient tool for improving various dietary aspects and preventing chronic diseases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.231-236
• /
• 2021

Background: Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle disorder that involves the loss of muscle mass and function. Handgrip strength (HGS) is the most commonly used tool to assess muscle strength to diagnose sarcopenia. HGS is also associated with various diseases and health outcomes. Thus, we aimed this study to examine the HGS status in Korean adults and relevant factors of HGS. Methods: Data was obtained from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a population-based nationwide survey. The estimated mean value of HGS was calculated in each age group. The mean HGS in men and women aged over 40 was compared according to the household income level, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Results: A total of 16,708 participants were included in this study. The mean HGS showed a maximum value in the 30s for both men and women, and then tended to decrease with increasing age. When analyzed for people aged 40 or older, the mean HGS was significantly higher in the current or past smoker, drinker, and aerobic exercise groups in both men and women. The mean HGS was lower in the group with comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and bone diseases. Conclusion: Our study found that the mean HGS was significantly different between those with and without underlying chronic diseases. In groups with relevant comorbidities, close monitoring for the development of sarcopenia and taking preventive measures such as exercise and nutritional support may be recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.515-524
• /
• 2001

Differences in dietary intake of Korean Americans (KA) by the length of residence in the U.S. were studied in relation to health and disease patterns in Michigan. Of 1860 questionnaires mailed, 637 (34.3%) responded with demographics, anthropometrics, self-reported disease patterns, lifestyle, and dietary patterns (93-item FFQ developed for KA). Complete responses were available for 498 people (263 men,253 women, aged 30-87 yr), who were then divided into three groups based on the number of years lived in the U.S.: 15y, 16-25y, 26y. Age-adjusted weight, height, BMI, and waist to hip ratio were within the normal ranges and did not differ among the three groups. Chronic diseases frequently reported in men and women (age-adjusted) included hypertension (14.4%, 14.1%), digestive diseases (5.4%, 8.5%), diabetes (3.6%,4.9%), and arthritis(3.3%, 12.5%), respectively. The length of residence in the U.S. was inversely associated with the age-adjusted prevalence of digestive diseases (12.4%, 6.5%, 0.4% in men, 13.0%, 11.7%, 0% in women). The length of residence was positively associated with health consciousness, receiving regular health care, taking supplements regularly, and exercising, while inversely related to smoking. The majority favored American foods for breakfast and Korean foods for dinner. Foods frequently consumed included cooked rice (w/other grains). kimchi, coffee (w/cream and sugar),bread (white and dark), citrus juice, milk (low fat and skim), lettuce and cucumber, apple, seaweed, and soda. Intake frequency of the Korean starch food group was inversely associated with the length of residence for both men and women (p<0.001), but not with the American starch food group. Fat intake did not differ by the length of residence in the U.S. The dietary changes were associated with the length of residence and chronic disease patterns for the first generation of KA, which should be further examined 'for the subsequent generation of KA.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.308-317
• /
• 2017

Bone morphogenetic protein type 2 receptor (BMPR2) is one of the transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$) superfamily receptors, performing diverse roles during embryonic development, vasculogenesis, and osteogenesis. Human BMPR2 consists of 1,038 amino acids, and contains functionally conserved extracellular, transmembrane, kinase, and C-terminal cytoplasmic domains. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) engage the tetrameric complex, composed of BMPR2 and its corresponding type 1 receptors, which initiates SMAD proteins-mediated signal transduction leading to the expression of target genes implicated in the development or differentiation of the embryo, organs and bones. In particular, genetic alterations of BMPR2 gene are associated with several clinical disorders, including representative pulmonary arterial hypertension, cancers, and metabolic diseases, thus demonstrating the physiological importance of BMPR2. In this mini review, we summarize recent findings regarding the molecular basis of BMPR2 functions in BMP signaling, and the versatile roles of BMPR2. In addition, various aspects of experimentally validated pathogenic mutations of BMPR2 and the linked human diseases will also be discussed, which are important in clinical settings for diagnostics and treatment.