• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2014

As with humans, overweight or obesity is a major health concern in the companion animal population. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of dog owners attending primary small animal veterinary practices from different areas in Chuncheon, Kangwon province, Korea was undertaken to explore the relationships between socioeconomic and other relevant risk factors associated with canine obesity. In addition, the author was to estimate the prevalence of obesity compared to published literatures for dogs. Owners were asked about dog age, neuter status, feeding habits, dog exercise, household income and owner age. The body condition score (BCS) of the dogs was also assessed. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between BCS and potential risk factors controlling for confounding variables, using odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 275 dogs (136 males and 139 females) aged 1-12 years (mean age $5.6{\pm}3.7$ years) were surveyed in 2013. Of these, 46.9% of dogs (n = 129) were classed as an ideal body shape (BCS = 3), 30.9% (n = 85) were overweight (BCS = 4), 8.4% (n = 23) were obese (BCS = 5) and 13.8% (n = 38) were underweight (BCS = 1 or 2). Neutered males and spayed females had the highest prevalence of obesity (43.4% and 33.9%); intact females had the lowest prevalence of obesity (31.6%). In univariable model, risk factors associated with canine obesity are multifactorial and include owner income, owner age, age of dog, neuter status, frequency of feeding per day, frequency of snacks and consultation with veterinarian on dog's weight. In final multivariable logistic regression model, dogs whose owners reported no consultation with veterinarians for weight management were significantly more likely to be obesity than ideal (OR = 7.6, 95% CI, 4.2-13.8; p < 0.0001). This study showed a high prevalence of obesity in domestic companion dogs. Since this was a cross-sectional study with small samples, the association of canine obesity with risk factors warrants more research. To the author's best knowledge, this is the first Korean study on dog body condition and obesity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5195-5199
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• 2012

Objectives: Global cancer statistical data show that India has one of the highest incidence rates of oral cancer worldwide. Early detection is extremely important as it results in lower morbidity and death rates. The present study was undertaken to assess awareness of oral cancer and knowledge of its early signs and risk factors in the general public of the semi-urban Gorakhpur area of Uttar Pradesh (India). It was also intended to educate the same population for early detection by increasing their ability to recognize signs and risk factors. Method: A questionnaire-based household survey was conducted over a period of one month in different parts of Gorakhpur district, a region where tobacco use is apparently very high. A total of 2,093 persons participated in the survey. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software to assess and associate oral cancer awareness with the prevalence, and abstract risk factors, as well as other confounding variables. Results: The general awareness, knowledge of signs and risk factors of oral cancer were found to be proportionate to the literacy level with the highest rate of awareness being among high school and graduates and lowest among illiterates. It was also observed that on most of these dimensions the younger age groups (<30 years) were significantly more knowledgeable. Conclusion: Overall, the awareness of oral cancer in the high-risk population of Gorakhpur was not satisfactory, pointing to a need for further dissemination of information on this issue and its associated risks. This is especially important for the youngsters, as this may possibly help them keep away from the deleterious habit of tobacco indulgence in any form. If necessary risk factor cessation counselling should be provided.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.80-90
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• 2000

To determine the effect of air pollutants in Taejon City, we used medical insurance claim data for asthma and the data monitored from telemetry system of Ministry of Environment for air pollutants and meteorological factors. From November 1st, 1997 to October 31th, 1998, 95,629 asthma patients were covered by medical insurance at Taejon City. Subjects were composed of 49,563 males (51.8%) and 46.336 females(48.2%), and among the subjects, the proportion under 15 years old was 62.8% of the total. During the study period, daily mean concentrations of each air pollutants-So2, No2, CO, O3 and TSP-were 9.8 ppb, 17.6 ppm, 1.414 pp, 17.3 ppb and 60.6 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively, which were lower than each of the environmental recommended exposure levels, Through the simple correlation analysis between each air pollutants and meteorological factors, O3 was positively correlated with temperature, but negatively with relative humidity. TSP, SO2, NO2, CO were negatively correlated with meteorological factors, and these air pollutants except O3 were positively correlated with each other, O3 was correlated with TSP positively but the others negatively. Estimating relative risks of each air pollutant with the baseline general additive model, daily mean concentrations of TSP(Lag 0, 1, 4, 5day) were significantly associated with the increase of the asthma admission. Two age subgroups, under 15 and 15~54 have shown various association of all air pollutants concentration with the asthma admission. However, in case of over 54 age subgroup, only TSP(Lag 0 day) among all air pollutants was associated with the asthma admission. Each of ambient outdoor pollutant concentrations in Taejon City are significantly associated with the admission of asthma patients even though all concentrations in Taejon City are significantly associated with the admission of asthma patients even though all concentrations were much lower than the environmental recommended exposure levels. Therefore, continuous effort lowering air pollutant concentration and introducing an active environmental conservation policy should be implanted for preventing hazardous health effects. Considering major proportion of asthma admissions, high susceptibility and less confounding factors among the age subgroup under 15 will be a useful target population for assessing such health effect monitoring.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.496-502
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the association between the dietary intake of fish and shellfish, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in the middle-aged Korean female patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed with 356 female patients (means age: 55.5 years), who were recruited from the Huh's Diabetes Clinic in Seoul, Korea between 2005 and 2011. The dietary intake was assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and analyzed using the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis program (CAN-Pro) version 4.0 software. RESULTS: In a multiple regression analysis after the adjustment for confounding factors such as age, BMI, duration of diagnosed T2D, alcohol consumption, fiber intake, sodium intake, and total energy intake, fish and shellfish intake of the subjects was negatively associated with triglyceride and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Omega-3 PUFAs intake was negatively associated with triglyceride, systolic blood pressures, diastolic blood pressures, and PWV. The multiple logistic regression analysis with the covariates showed a significant inverse relationship between the omega-3 PUFAs consumption and prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia [OR (95% CI) for greater than the median compared to less than the median: 0.395 (0.207-0.753)]. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the consumption of fish and shellfish, good sources of omega-3 PUFAs, may reduce the risk factors for CVD in the middle-aged female patients with T2D.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.1279-1285
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of green tea or coffee consumption on the serum lipids profiles. This study analyzed data of 1,343 participants (753 males and 590 females) among the people who underwent medical check-up. The subjects were divided by three groups as pattern of green tea or coffee consumption. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical analysis and nutrient intake using a food frequency questionnaire were performed. There were no significant differences among groups in height, % body fat, waist circumference, and body mass index. There was no significant difference among groups in energy intake. Fat intake was significantly higher in green tea and coffee group than the control group in men subjects. The intakes of dietary Fe, vitamin A, $\beta$-carotene, and folate was the lowest in coffee group (p<0.05). The intakes of dietary fat was the highest in coffee group in male subjects (p<0.05). Serum concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were green tea< control< coffee group in order by multivariate analysis after adjusting for confounding factors. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in green tea group than coffee group by multivariate analysis after adjusting for confounding factors (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the serum concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol between green tea and control group. These results suggest that green tea consumption didn't show positive effects in preventing hyperlipidemia but coffee consumption showed negative effects in hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1200-1206
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between NEAP (net rate of endogenous noncarbonic acid production) from dietary potassium and protein intakes, and bone mineral density and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) in Korean women. The subjects were 276 women aged $18\sim81$, and they were asked about general characteristics and nutrient intake using 24-hr recall method. Also, their bone mineral density of spine and femoral neck were measured using DEXA. Urinary DPD analysis was done in 106 postmenopausal women. The average energy, protein and potassium intake were 1503.0 kcal, 57.7 g and 60.8 mEq, respectively. Mean NEAP [54.5$\times${protein intake (g)/potassium intake (mEq)}-10.2] was 44.6. NEAP showed a significantly negative correlation with spine bone mineral density of the subjects after controlling for confounding factors (age, height and weight) (p<0.05). The lowest quartile of protein intake had the highest spine bone mineral density after controlling for confounding factors (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between urinary DPD and calculated NEAP. These results provided positive relation between a ratio of lower protein to higher potassium dietary intake and bone mineral density.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.209-220
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• 2021

The effect of body composition such as lean mass and fat mass on bone mineral density (BMD) is complex and still controversial. In this study, we investigated the relationship between body composition and bone mineral density using nation-wide data from 2008 to 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2,139 men and 2,193 postmenopausal women aged 50 years or older. Subjects with history of medication for osteoporosis or with diseases or malignancy affecting bone metabolism were excluded. Data of anthropometric measurements and demographic characteristics were collected by trained examiner. Fasting blood sample was obtained for blood chemistry analysis. BMD of the lumbar spine, total femur, and femoral neck, and body composition such as total lean mass (TLM), total fat mass (TFM), truncal fat mass (TrFM) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). There were significant positive correlations between body composition indices such as lean mass and fat mass with BMD. In multiple regression analysis, TLM was positively associated with BMD after adjusting age, body mass index, monthly house income, education level, physical activity, daily calcium intake and vitamin D concentration in both men and postmenopausal women. BMD at lumbar spine and femur in lowest quartile of TLM was significantly lower than other quartiles after adjusting those confounding factors in both gender. TrFM was negatively associated with total femur BMD in male and femur neck BMD in postmenopausal women after adjusting confounding factors. In conclusion, TLM is very important factor in maintaining BMD in subjects aged 50 years or older in men and postmenopausal women.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2022

There was a report that the prevalence of gallbladder polyps (GBPs) and some clinical variables were different between the urban and rural area, which was performed in a mainland. Thus the previous report could have some confounding factors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of GBPs and clinical variables on the isolated island to exclude extrinsic confounding factors. We compared the prevalence of GBPs and clinical variables among 21,734 residents who visited a single medical check-up center in Jeju National University Hospital from January 2010 to December 2019 according to their residences on Jeju Island. The prevalence of GBPs were 10.1% in the urban area 8.7%, respectively (P = 0.006). Among clinical variables, the rate of central obesity, the mean levels of fasting blood glucose, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, alkaline phosphate and gamma-glutamyltransferase and the mean age among residents in the rural area was statically higher in the urban area; however, the mean total cholesterol level among residents in the urban area significantly higher than in the rural area. This study showed that the prevalence of GBPs and some clinical variables among residents were statistically different between the urban area on Jeju Island.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.79-88
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the effects of shift-work on psychological factors in university hospital's nurses. Method: The subjects were 276 nurses who have worked in a university hospital and the nurses were questioned with self-reported questionnaire forms. We investigated psychological factors(anxiety, depression, stress and self-esteem), nurses' general characteristics and shift-work. The data was analyzed by using SAS for Windows 9.13. Results: The frequency of nurses with anxiety, depression and high stress were 56.5%, 44.9% and 19.6%, respectively. The mean score of self-esteem was 30.03. Stress was higher in cases of having shift-work. Immediately after doing shift-work, nurses had higher depression and stress, and lower self-esteem scores. After controlling confounding variables, psychological factors affected by shift-work was stress. An upward tendency in anxiety, depression and stress were found in cases of doing shift-work for more than 5 years. Conclusions: It is necessary to develope a program for reducing psychological disturbance at the early times of shift-work and to plan adequate shift-work intervals.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1993-1999
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• 2014

Background: This study aimed to explore the role of XRCC1 (Arg399Gln) and XPD (Lys751Gln) gene polymorphisms, lifestyle and environmental factors as well as their possible interactions in propensity to develop lung cancer in a population with high incidence from North East India. Materials and Methods: A total of 272 lung cancer cases and 544 controls were collected and XRCC1 (Arg399Gln) and XPD (Lys751Gln) genotypes were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Conditional multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals after adjusting for confounding factors. Results: The combined Gln/Gln genotype of XRCC1 and XPD genes (OR=2.78, CI=1.05-7.38; p=0.040) was significantly associated with increased risk for lung cancer. Interaction of XRCC1Gln/Gln genotype with exposure of wood combustion (OR=2.56, CI=1.16-5.66; p=0.020), exposure of cooking oil fumes (OR=3.45, CI=1.39-8.58; p=0.008) and tobacco smoking (OR=2.54, CI=1.21-5.32; p=0.014) and interaction of XPD with betel quid chewing (OR=2.31, CI=1.23-4.32; p=0.009) and tobacco smoking (OR=2.13, CI=1.12-4.05; p=0.022) were found to be significantly associated with increased risk for lung cancer. Conclusions: Gln/Gln alleles of both XRCC1 and XPD genes appear to amplify the effects of household exposure, smoking and betel quid chewing on lung cancer risk in the study population.