• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.205-223
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• 2016

Objective:This study introduced the status of studies and the projects related with agricultural accident prevention carried out by the Rural Development Administration. This study was conducted to promote Korean farmers' agricultural safety activation by analyzing study trends on farmers' agricultural work safety. Background: Agriculture is one of the dangerous industries, and the agricultural accident rate is on the rise, due to recent serious aging and increased female work force. Such a phenomenon emerges as a serious problem from the social perspective, and therefore measures for farmers' healthy and safe agricultural activities and accident prevention are required. Method: This study conducted literature review related with domestic and international agricultural safety and health. This study also examined the hazard factors of agricultural labor and injuries, agricultural safety and health system and policy, support and education for farmers' safety practice, and the status of convenience tools and protection equipment, based on major study activities performed by the Rural Development Administration for recent four to five years. Results: Through the study results, the status of Korea's agricultural safety system, compensation support policy, safety education of farmers for actual practice, and diverse channels including media were confirmed. This study also presented the R&D implementation status on convenience equipment and protective gear to prevent agricultural diseases and safety accidents. Conclusion: This study found out that continuous monitoring and efforts are required to prevent accidents for the Korea's agricultural labor environment and agricultural safety, and that social bond of sympathy formation is demanded through effect analysis on the implemented projects including education and support projects. Furthermore, it can be understood that agricultural accident prevention should be carried out through shift from current government-led top down approach to bottom-up approach from itself. Application: The results of this study can be utilized as useful data for farmers' safety and health.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.321-327
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• 2013

Impaired naming difficulty is common in normal elderly as well as in patients with neurological impairment. The 60-item Korean version-Boston Naming Test(K-BNT) is one of the most commonly used test for measuring confrontational naming ability. However, age-related cognitive decline may make the elderly difficult concentrating during the 60-item test, therefore, item reduction of the K-BNT would improve test validity and reliability. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a short form of the K-BNT based on Item Response Theory(IRT). Considering item-fit index, sex factor, and item difficulty through Rasch analysis, the 15-item K-BNT(i.e., K-BNT-15) was developed. Via administration of the K-BNT-15, we observed age-related decline in naming ability and significantly different performance between the normal elderly and patients with mild cognitive impairment. This study demonstrates the utility of IRT for developing a short-form language evaluation tool. The K-BNT-15 can be effective as a language screening tool to differentiate between normal aging and pathological diseases.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.7-15
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• 2020

As the paradigm shifts from treatment and provider-centered healthcare to prevention and consumer-centered healthcare, the integration of ICT convergence technology is calling for an era of digital healthcare industry revival in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It is possible to provide individual customized medical services utilizing various medical data, and it is possible to provide various medical services that transcend time and space through integration with other industries. Such digital healthcare includes health, nutrition, exercise, and patient care, while the digital healthcare industry includes healthcare and IT related to medical devices, medical information systems, and healthcare platforms that can provide personal health and medical information. Due to the social demands of the aging and the increase of chronic diseases, digital healthcare is considered as an important policy in the fourth industrial revolution in Korea. In order for the digital healthcare industry to contribute to the prolongation of human life and the improvement of quality of life, it is urgent to develop related infrastructures, legal institutions, and prepare policies. In addition, it is important to activate convergent education to foster talents who will lead the digital healthcare industry. The purpose of this study was to examine the trends of the digital healthcare industry in the era of the fourth industrial revolution and the direction of government R & D policies, and to derive directions and suggestions for future development.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.146-177
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the teeth and Zhang-Fu(臟腑), dental diseases, and the hygiene of the mouth through the literature of oriental medicine. First, the relatonship between the teeth and Zhang-Fu is reviewed as follows: The teeth are influenced by Shen(腎) because they are the end of bone and Biao(標) of Shen. Gingiva is related to Wei(胃) and Da-Chang(大腸) because it is passed by Yangming-Channel(陽明經). The growth and nutrition of teeth depends on Shen. The pathological condition of Shen causes the gingival atrophy, the loose of teeth, dedentition due to aging, withering of teeth, and tartar: whereas the pathological condition of Wei and Da-Chang causes toothache, gingivitis, inflamed gums, bad breath, and gingival hemorrhage. Second, the causes and therapies of dental diseases through the literature can be summarized as follows: The major causes of toothache are the pathogenic condition of wind-heat and wind-cold, the heat syndrome of Wei, the damp-heat of intestine, flaring-up of fire of deficiency type, rotten tooth, etc... The principal causes of dedentition and the shaking and loose of teeth are the deficiency of Shen, and the rest of causes are the damp-heat of Yangming. Gingival atrophy is caused by the deficiency of Shen, whereas the gingival hemorrhage comes from the factors in the pathogenic factor of wind-heat of Yangming-Channel, the heat syndrome of stomach, and the deficiency of Shen. The causes of grinding of teeth during sleeping are stomach-heat, and the delayed dentition and the withering result from the deficiency of Shen-Jing.(腎精) The principal therapies of toothache are removing wind and heat, clearing away heat and prompting diuresis, clearing away the stomach-heat, replenishing vital essence to tonify the Shen, relieving superficial syndrome by wind-cold, and alleviating pain by destroying parasites. For the prescription of the principal therapies, there are Xijio Dihuang Tang, Jiajian Ganlu Yin, Qufeng Wan, Qingwei San, Tiaowei Chenggi Tang Shengong Wan, Liangge San Qingwei Tang Yunu Jian, Liuwei Dihuang Wan Zuogui Yin Bawei Wan Wanshao Dan, Xixin San Badou Wan Gianghuo Fuzi Tang, Jiuzi Tang Badou Wan, etc... The therapies of dedentition and the shaking and loose of teeth are replenishing vital essence to tonify the Shen, and warming and recuperating the Shen-Yang: as the prescription, there are Liuwei Dihuang Wana Zuogui Yin, and Bawei Wan Anshen Wan Wanshao Dan Yougui Wan etc... The therapies of gingival hemorrhage are clearing away the stomach-heat, replenishing vital essence to tonify the Shen, warming and recuperating the Shen-Yang(腎陽), and moisturing and purging intence heat with the prescription of Tiaowei Chenggi Tang Xijiao Dihuang Tang, Liuwei Dihuang Wan Zuogui Yin, Bawei Wan Anshen Wan, and Yunu Jian. The therapy of gingival atrophy is replenishing vital essence to tonify the Shen in the prescription of Liuwei Wan Bawei Wan Ziyin Dabu Wan. The therapies of grinding of teeth during sleeping are clearing away the stomach-heat and purging intense heat, and invigorating the spleen through eliminating dampness in the prescription of Qingwei San, Wumei Wan, etc... The therapy of delaed dentition is replenishing vital essence to tonify the Shen with the prescription of Liuwei Wan Buyin Jian, etc... Third, clinical treatment reports of dental diseases are reviewed as follows: The toothache due to stomach-heat was treated by medical herbs like Gypsum, Natrir Sulfas, Rehmanniae, Schizonepetal Herba, Menthae Folium, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, and Scrophulariae Radix. The therapies of toothache due to flaring-up of fire in deficiency type from deficiency of Shen provided with replenishment of vital essence to tonify the Shen and clean ministerial fire, and the prescription was the kind of Liuwei Wan, which worked very well. The therapy of dedentition and loose of teeth due to deficiency of Shen was done to stablize the teeth as tonifing the Shen with the prescription of Guchi Wan. The rate of imrovement was over 90%. The destruction of periodontal tissue due to periodonititis was cured of dispelling wind, reducing heat, and alleviating pain, It was improved by taking Zizhi Xingiong Tang, Guchi Xiaotong San, Yunii Jian, and Qingwei San about 3-7 days, and the rate of improvement was over 80%. Fourth, the prevention and regimens are reviewed as follows: As a physical and breathing exercise of the teeth, tapping teeth which stimulates the circulation of Qi(氣) and Xue(血) had been used. The tapping time of 14, 17, 36, etc... has been reported, and it should be applied based on the body condition. The medical herbs for gargling and brushing teeth have been used. Specifically, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, Gypsum, Gypsum Fibrosum, and Indigo pulrelrata Lereis have been used to reduce heat, Coptidis Rhizama and Yang Jinggu to eliminate damp-heat, Amomi Semen, Cyperi Rhizoma, Flos Caryophylli, Asari Radix, Piperis Longi Fructus, Santali Albae Lignum, Meliae Fructus, Moschus, Aquillaiae Lignum, and Borneol to promote the circulation of Qi and to relieve pain, Ligustici Radix, Angelice Radix, Rhizoma Nardostachydis, Tribuli Semen to relieve superficial syndrome by means of diaphiresis, and Cnidii Rhizoma, Angelicae sinensis Radix, and Olibanum to promote blood circulation to stop pain.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.319-333
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• 2024

Background: This study aims to identify the factors that influence the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) for the elderly living alone and to discuss how to manage CHE for the elderly living alone. Methods: This study utilizes 6th (2016), 7th (2018), and 8th (2020) data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging to identify the incidence rate of CHE among the elderly living alone and conducts a panel logit analysis. The dependent variable is the incidence of CHE (thresholds: 10%, 20%, 30%), and the independent variables include demographic factors (gender, age group, region), socioeconomic factors (education level, economic activity status, income quintile, financial support rate from children), health-related factors (subjective health status, regular exercise, smoking, drinking, number of chronic diseases), and healthcare coverage factors (type of health insurance, private health insurance). Results: Descriptive statistics classified by gender show that female elderly living alone are more vulnerable than male elderly living alone in terms of disease prevalence and socioeconomic status. In addition, the incidence of CHE is higher for elderly women living alone than for elderly men living alone across all thresholds. The main results of the panel logit analysis show that higher education, income quintile, and financial support rate from children are associated with lower odds of CHE, while poorer subjective health and a higher number of chronic diseases are associated with higher odds of CHE. Medical aid recipients are less likely to incur CHE than those covered by national health insurance. Conclusion: The implications of this study are as follows. First, vulnerable elderly living alone with multiple chronic diseases and low income and education levels are more likely to incur CHE. Second, it is necessary to review policies such as a CHE support program and chronic disease management programs focused on vulnerable elderly individuals living alone. Third, the CHE support program should be operated in a patient-centered manner, with consideration given to a customized system for selecting and supporting elderly individuals living alone who are in need.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1613-1619
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• 2008

It has been reported that Tat-SOD can be directly transduced into mammalian cells and skin and acts as a potential therapeutic protein in various diseases. To isolate the compound that can enhance the transduction efficiency of Tat-SOD, we screened a number of natural products. 3-O-[$\beta$-D-Glucopyranosyl(1$\rightarrow$4)-$\alpha$-L-arabinopyranosyll-hederagenin (OGAH) was identified as an active component of Fatsia japonica and is known as triterpenoid glycosides (hederagenin saponins). OGAH enhanced the transduction efficiencies of Tat-SOD into HeLa cells and mice skin. The enzymatic activities in the presence of OGAH were markedly increased in vitro and in vivo when compared with the controls. Although the mechanism is not fully understood, we suggest that OGAH, the active component of Fatsia japonica, might change the conformation of the membrane structure and it may be useful as an ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics or as a stimulator of therapeutic proteins that can be used in various disorders related to reactive oxygen species (ROS).

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2007

Although animal and epidemiological studies have suggested oxidative stress as an etiological factor in pathogenesis including cancer, inflammation, sepsis, fibrosis, cardiovascularlneurodegenerative diseases and aging-related disorders, conflicting results have been obtained in clinical trial with antioxidants. The reason for this discrepancy remains unknown but may be due, in part, to the lack of a validated assay system for evaluating antioxidant capacity. The antioxidant activity of a series of sugar alcohols against peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrites was determined by the total oxy-radical scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay and cell-based assay using H4IIE cells. Specific TOSC values calculated from the slope of the linear regression for erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol against peroxyl radicals was $2.1{\pm}0.2,\;3.7{\pm}0.3,\;9.1{\pm}0.3$ or $8.7{\pm}1.1$ TOSC/mM, respectively. Specific TOSC values for erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol against peroxynitrite was $1.9{\pm}0.3,\;3.9{\pm}0.4,\;7.8{\pm}0.7$ or $7.7{\pm}0.5$ TOSC/mM, respectively. These results suggest that oxy-radical scavenging capacity is dependent on the number of aliphatic hydroxyl group in sugar alcohols of monosaccharide. Tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced cell toxicity determined by MTT assay was marginally attenuated by 10 mM erythritol, but completely inhibited by 10 mM xylitol, 2 mM sorbitol or 0.75 mM maltitol, a disaccharide alcohol. Oxidative stress markers, such as glutathione (GSH) and malondial-dehyde (MDA) levels, were measured in t-BHP-treated cells using HPLC equipped with a fluorescence detector and a reverse phase column. Erythritol did not change the levels of GSH and MDA in H411E cells treated with t-BHP. The t-BHP-induced changes in cellular GSH and MDA levels were ameliorated by 10 mM xylitol and completely blocked by 10 mM sorbitol and maltitol. These results indicate that sugar alcohols protect cells against oxidative stress via scavenging oxy-radical and suggest that TOSC assay in conjunction with cell-based assay is a valid method for evaluating antioxidant capacity of natural and synthetic chemicals.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.421-447
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• 2014

Traditional medicine has been integrated into the national health system in many countries such as Korea, China, Taiwan, etc. Korea and China are most representative among them. The purpose of this study is to compare the policies on traditional medicine in Korea and China focusing on where it came from and where it is headed. In this regard, the study suggested the first analysis tool in the world for analyzing the policy of traditional medicine. The results of the study are as follows: First of all, the development process of Korean Medicine (KM) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shows the same pattern, that is, both are influenced by its own national policies. Secondly, the difference between the two countries is due to the gap in the development status or the different aspects in national heath system. TCM is more vitalized in health system and has larger category, and stays ahead in globalization compared to KM. TCM covers Chinese medicine, integrative medicine and ethno-medicine. Korea emphasizes the role of KM in the declining birthrate and aging society, and promotes the overseas patient invitation strategy. China, on the other hand, establishes the medical system for emergency medical treatment and preventive treatment of major diseases and promotes overseas expansion of TCM service. In addition, Korea stressed the safety and distribution of herbal medicine, and China emphasizes production technologies. Korea has a strong medical device industry along with the government's fostering policy; however, in China, medical devices are in the R&D stage yet. Even though both countries promotes the drug development from natural products, Korea focuses on developing herbal cosmetics in application industry, but China shows weakness in policies on application industry. China shores up the foundation for culture and theory of traditional medicine, while Korea doesn't have related policy. Korea places emphasis on promoting collaboration with international organizations and medical volunteer programs, whereas China is more interested in mutual cooperation and real trade with other countries.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.352-363
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• 2005

The previous extensive in vitro studies on the antioxidative activities of a number of Korean grains, vegetables, seaweeds and mushrooms, and the various combinations of these food source exhibited a wide range of antioxidative activities, and four food mixtures composed of 5 kinds of foods (5A, 5B, 5C and 5D) were designed from 16 selective foods showing. high antioxidant effect, in vitro, to find the good combinations for the meal planning. Mixture 5B or 5C contained very high levels of total flavonoid and polyphenol, and ethanol extract from 5A, 5B or 5C showed very strong inhibitory effects against in vitro $Fe^{2+}-induced$ lipid peroxidation and ethanol extract from 5B or 5C showed remarkable DPPH radical scavenging effect and lipid peroxide-protein conjugation inhibition effect. And in vivo study was also carried out with two mixtures (5B, 5C). Powders (P5B, P5C) or ethanol extracts (E5B, E5C) of these mixtures were supplemented to Sprague-Dawley rats fed on high fat $(15\%)-high$ cholesterol $(1\%)$ semipurified diet for 5 weeks. The total antioxidant power in serum was significantly higher in P5B, P5C, E5B and E5C groups than in high fat control group, and $ascorbate-Fe^{2+}-induced$ TBARS was significantly lowered by E5B supplementation in rat liver. In liver tissue, Cu, Zn-SOD activity was significantly higher in P5B and E5B groups than in high fat control group, while catalase or GSH-peroxidase (GPx) activity was not changed by any supplementations. In kidney, Cu, Zn­SOD activity was significantly higher in P5B group than in high fat control group, while GPx activity was not changed by any supplementations. Taken together, mixture 5B and 5C showed very strong antioxidative effects both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the ingredient Korean foods of 5B and 5C could be recommended to take a lot together for prevention from age-related chronic diseases.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.279-291
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• 2015

Objective: The purpose of the study is to evaluate appropriate weight for aged farmers in manually handling livestock feed in bags using ergonomic methods. Background: In the livestock industry in South Korea, despite the trend of aging of labor manpower, heavy items are still manually handled in many farms. In particular, among stockbreeding works, the handling of feed in bags weighing 25~30kg is reported as a cause of frequent injuries and musculoskeletal system diseases. However, studies on the standard for recommended weight allowed considering the physical characteristics of aged farmers older than 60 years with greatly decreased physical strength and muscle strength are insufficient. Method: To evaluate appropriate weight for handling of heavy livestock feed in bags, physical techniques for measuring recognized levels of physical work loads, the NLE (NIOSH lifting equation) a method that is an observation type technique, and an ergonomic modeling technique to predict compressive force imposed on L5/S1 were used. Subjects who participated in the experiment were organized into two groups of males/females with mean age exceeding 60 years, and lifting tasks were evaluated for nine weight levels. Results: Based on the results of psychophysical measurement, females showed a tendency of more drastic increases compared to males when weight was over 19kg. The results of estimation of regression models for the weight, 18.0 kg ($r^2=0.97$) and 15.3kg ($r^2=0.97$) were evaluated as stable load for males and females, respectively. In addition, both the observation type evaluation and ergonomic model evaluation showed stable loads in a range of 15~18kg. Conclusion: Given the results of the study, the weight of the feed in bags currently distributed to farms can become a cause of not only overexertion but also farm work related disasters such as musculoskeletal disorders and safety accidents. Providing livestock feed in bags weighing not more than 19kg for aged farmers is judged desirable, and managerial improvement for this matter is considered necessary. Application: The results of the present study can be utilized as useful data for institutional improvement of the weight of livestock feed in bags.