• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2021.05a
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• pp.369-372
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• 2021

These days, people spend more time sitting at a desk for studies or work. Also, because people continue to use computers, smartphones, and tablet PCs often during break times, their posture is getting worse. Maintaining a position of bad posture for an extended period of time causes problems with the musculoskeletal system related to the neck, shoulders, and spine. Additionally, problems such as physical fatigue and posture deformation are predicted to expand to a wide range of age groups. Therefore, the core function of the system we are developing is to ensure correct sitting posture and to receive alert notifications via the created mobile application. To create the system, a flex sensor, pressure sensor, and tilt sensor are attached to a chair and utilized. The flex sensor detects and compares the amount of bending in the chair's posture and transmits this value to an Arduino Uno R3 board. Additionally, information such as body balance and incline angle are collected to determine whether or not the current sitting posture is correct. When the posture is incorrect, a notification is sent through the mobile application to indicate to the user and the monitoring app that their posture is not correct. The system proposed in this study is expected to be of great help in future posture-related research.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.1377-1392
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning and essence of leisure activities experienced by older females in rural communities and, in reference to that, to provide basic data to help develop health-promoting nursing intervention programs by investigating the indications of leisure and its effects on older individuals' life process. The qualitative research method of van Manen's Hermeneutical analysis and Phenomenological research are useful to study the true meaning and nature of experiences inherited from their language, belief, culture and social traditions. Consequently, the leisure that the women from the rural community were found to have experienced came down to a total of seven themes or activities: (a) to overcome loneliness through social interaction and get-togethers; (b) to achieve balance between body and mind by engaging in physical activities; (c) to try and help ease the burden on one's children; (d) to simply kill time; (e) to find oneself small pleasures; (f) to learn something new and feel proud; and (g) to live one's life as maintaining communication with the outside world. The study herein confirmed that the female elderly in rural area spend their free time on appreciating the nature, maintaining health and social interaction and hanging around with the peers of similar age to overcome economic woes and the feeling of estrangement unique in the social and economic context of rural communities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.95-104
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to introduce a 12-week muscular endurance exercise program and β-glucan consumption to obese elderly people with sarcopenia. We evaluated the program's impact on appendicular skeletal muscle strength and function, muscle function-related physical strength, blood lipids, and IGF-1. The results will serve as foundational data for preventing and improving sarcopenia. Methods : Forty elderly people aged 65 or older were recruited and underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Based on criteria related to appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM/Height2: less than 5.4 kg/m2) and body fat percentage (at least 30% for women and 25% for men), we selected 24 obese elderly people with sarcopenia and excluded 56 who did not meet the criteria. Variables related to sarcopenia, blood lipids, IGF-1, and muscle function were measured before the 12-week muscular endurance exercise program. Results : In sarcopenic obese elderly participants, the 12-week muscular endurance exercise program significantly increased bone density and muscle mass while decreasing fat mass and percentage (p<.05). This program also improved grip strength, static balance, and SPPB in sarcopenic obese older adults. Furthermore, their 6-minute walk distance significantly increased (p<.05). Conclusion : Muscular endurance exercises combined with supplement intake can increase appendicular skeletal muscle and improve muscle strength and function, thereby improving the daily physical performance of the elderly.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.641-654
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• 2023

Purpose: Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) contains abounding phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and anthocyanins, and has antioxidative effects. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a crucial regulator in enhancing the lipid metabolism. This study hypothesized that the intake of sour cherry affects AMPK signaling. Therefore, this study examined whether sour cherry regulates AMPK to balance the hepatic lipid metabolism and exert ameliorating effects. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice had obesity induced with a 45% fat diet. The mice were divided into four groups: control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD), low percentage sour cherry powder (LSC), and high percentage sour cherry powder (HSC). The mice in the sour cherry groups were fed 1% sour cherry or 5% sour cherry in their respective diets for 12 weeks. Results: The body weight, visceral fat weight, and lipid droplet size significantly decreased in the treatment groups. The serum and hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol levels improved significantly in the HSC group. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also reduced significantly, whereas the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased significantly in both treatment groups. The sterol regulator binding protein-1c and fatty acid synthase expression levels as fatty acid synthesis-related enzymes were significantly lower in the treatment groups than in the high-fat diet group. Furthermore, the adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase expression levels as lipolytic enzyme activity and AMPK/acetyl-CoA carboxylase/carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 as fatty acid β-oxidation-related pathway were upregulated significantly in both sour cherry groups. Conclusions: These results show that sour cherry intake improves hepatic lipid synthesis and chronic diseases by activating AMPK signaling. Therefore, this study suggests that phytochemical-rich sour cherry can be developed as a healthy functional food.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2024

Objectives: Rural housewives are integral to household management and family care, yet their sedentary lifestyles present significant health risks. This study used the transtheoretical model (TTM) to investigate strategies that encourage and maintain regular exercise habits among rural housewives. Methods: A semi-experimental study was conducted in 2021 with 114 housewives aged 30 to 59 who attended rural health centers in Gorgan, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Data collection involved a validated questionnaire that gathered demographic information and constructs of the TTM. The intervention group participated in a comprehensive educational program, which included four 60-minute sessions. Data were collected again 6 months post-intervention and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 21. Results: The study encompassed women with an average age of 39.75±6.05 years, the majority of whom had educational levels below a diploma, and over 90% were married. We observed strong correlations between the processes of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance. At the outset, there were no significant differences in demographics or model structures between the 2 groups. However, 6 months post-intervention, the intervention group exhibited statistically significant differences in the mean scores of model structures, stages of change, and body mass index (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of physical activity training for rural housewives. The findings suggest that the educational intervention, which utilized the TTM, significantly impacted the participants' model structures and their stages of change.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.48-54
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• 2024

Purpose: Foot alignment affects the overall balance and alignment of the body. This study examined the relationship between the foot parameters and scoliosis in children and adolescents through simple radiographs. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and forty-one outpatients under 15 years old from 2013 to 2022 were evaluated. Patients with an abnormal leg length discrepancy or pelvic tilt were screened. The patients included were divided into four groups. Each group was tested to determine if they had scoliosis. The foot anterior-posterior/lateral X-rays were selected for the foot parameters, and the EOS system was used for the spline and pelvis parameters. Results: A t-test of all groups showed no statistically significant difference as the p-value exceeded 0.05. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) comparing the Cobb's angle and foot parameters did not show a significant correlation. On the other hand, female and older patients had a higher Cobb's angle. Conclusion: No direct relationship was noted between scoliosis and the foot parameters that could be measured radiographically among children and adolescents. In addition, no correction between the Cobb's angle and foot parameters was found.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 2024

Objectives: Orthognathic surgery is a surgical procedure performed by intraoral approach with established and safe techniques; however, excessive blood loss has been reported in rare cases. In response, investigative efforts to identify methods to reduce the amount of blood loss have been made. Among such methods, the administration of tranexamic acid was reported to reduce the amount of intraoperative blood loss. However, few studies to date have reported the effect of tranexamic acid in orthognathic surgery under hypotensive anesthesia. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the administration of tranexamic acid on intraoperative blood loss in patients undergoing bimaxillary (maxillary and mandibular) orthognathic surgery under hypotensive anesthesia. Patients and Methods: A total of 156 patients (mean age, 27.0±10.8 years) who underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery under hypotensive anesthesia performed by the same surgeon between June 2013 and February 2022 were included in this study. The following data were collected from the medical records of each patient: background factors (age, sex, and body mass index), use of tranexamic acid, surgical procedures, previous medical history, duration of surgery, American Society of Anesthesiology physical status findings before surgery, intraoperative blood loss as a primary outcome, in-out balance, and blood test results. Descriptive statistics were calculated for statistical analysis, and a t-test and the chi-squared test were used for between-group comparisons. Group comparisons were performed after 1:1 propensity score matching to adjust for confounding factors. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: Comparison between the groups based on the use of tranexamic acid revealed a significant difference in operation time. Propensity score matching analysis revealed that intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the tranexamic acid group. Conclusion: The administration of tranexamic acid was effective in reducing intraoperative blood loss in patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery under hypotensive anesthesia.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.228-243
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the distinctions in dietary and health-related behaviors among Indonesian women who marry Koreans or into multicultural families (MF) and those who marry Indonesians living in Korea (IK) and in Indonesia (II). Methods: The study was performed with 192 subjects using an online questionnaire regarding food choice, dietary and health behavior, and nutrition quotient (NQ). The analysis used Pearson's chi-squared test, the Fisher's exact test, multinomial logistic regression, and the general linear model. Results: The MF group consumed Korean food more than once a day and Indonesian food 1-2 times monthly (p < 0.001). The main challenge for the IK and II groups in consuming Korean food was the presence of pork and the different food flavors (p < 0.001). The MF group tended to have normal body mass index, consumed more vitamin and mineral supplements (p = 0.014), and exercised regularly ≥150 min/week compared to the IK and II groups (p < 0.001). However, the MF group had the highest rate of skipping breakfast (p = 0.040). When evaluating the NQ of the participants, the MF group consumed more vegetables (p = 0.026), mixed grains (p = 0.031), and spicy and salt soups (p = 0.006). The II group consumed more fish (p = 0.005), beans (p = 0.009), and nuts (p = 0.003). The IK group checked the nutrition labels the most (p = 0.005), while their consumption of vegetables, fish, beans, and nuts was lowest. The MF group had a higher balance score, which resulted in a substantially more nutritious food intake compared to the other two groups (p = 0.037). Conclusion: The MF group consumed more vegetables and mixed grains, adequate fish, beans, and nuts, and engaged in longer daily physical activity. However, the IK group had a relatively low-quality diet and nutritional intake status compared to the other two groups, and this needs to be improved in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.253-264
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• 2024

Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) is a complex condition often arising from neural maladaptation after nerve injury. Understanding CNP complications involves the intricate interplay between brain-heart dynamics, assessed through quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) and heart rate variability (HRV). However, insights into their interaction in chronic pain are limited. Resting EEG and simultaneous electrocardiogram (lead II) of the participants were recorded for qEEG and HRV analysis. Correlations between HRV and qEEG parameters were calculated and compared with age, sex, and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. CNP patients showed reduced HRV and significant increases in qEEG power spectral densities within delta, theta, and beta frequency ranges. A positive correlation was found between low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio in HRV analysis and theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands in qEEG among CNP patients. However, no significant correlation was observed between parasympathetic indices and theta, beta bands in qEEG within CNP group, unlike age, sex, and BMI-matched healthy controls. CNP patients display significant HRV reductions and distinctive qEEG patterns. While healthy controls exhibit significant correlations between parasympathetic HRV parameters and qEEG spectral densities, these relationships are diminished or absent in CNP individuals. LF/HF ratio, reflecting sympathovagal balance, correlates significantly with qEEG frequency bands (theta, alpha, beta), illuminating autonomic dysregulation in CNP. These findings emphasize the intricate brain-heart interplay in chronic pain, warranting further exploration.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.369-378
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• 2007

Three experiments with different stage of Hanwoo steers (average BW of 167kg, 355kg and 449kg, respectively) were conducted to examine the effect of different quantities of CP intake with similar DM intake on protein balance and N excretion. Twelve Hanwoo steers in each experiment were offered three diets containing three levels of protein (9, 14 and 18% on DM basis) in the concentrate formulated with using different amount of ground corn grain or corn gluten meal. There were significant effects of increasing CP intake on CP digestibility but not on DM digestibility. Despite different CP intake, apparent fecal N outputs were not significantly affected. However, amounts of N excreted into urine increased (p<0.05) with increasing CP intake. There was an obvious effect of live body weight on efficiency of body protein conversion of CP consumed in excess of animal requirement for maintenance, with slopes of 70% and 46~39% for growing and fattening stage, respectively. Nitrogen excretion into feces and urine in this experiment was 70% of the daily N consumption for fattening stage, compared with 60% for growing stage.