• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.655-676
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• 2023

Interest in sex differences in coronary artery disease (CAD) has been steadily increasing. Concurrently, most of the data on these differences have primarily been Western-oriented. The KoRean wOmen'S chest pain rEgistry (KoROSE), started in 2011, has since published numerous research findings. This review aims to summarize the reported differences between men and women in CAD, integrating data from KoROSE. Cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women escalates dramatically due to the decrease in estrogen levels, which normally offer cardiovascular protective effects. Lower estrogen levels can lead to abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, increased blood pressure, and endothelial dysfunction in older women. Upon analyzing patients with CAD, women are typically older and exhibit more cardiovascular risk factors than men. Diagnosing CAD in women tends to be delayed due to their symptoms being more atypical than men's. While in-hospital outcome was similar between sexes, bleeding complications after percutaneous coronary intervention occur more frequently in women. The differences in long-term prognosis for CAD patients between men and women are still a subject of ongoing debate. Pregnancy and reproductive factors also play a significant role as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women. A notable sex disparity exists, with women found to use fewer cardiovascular protective drugs and undergo fewer interventional or surgical procedures than men. Additionally, women participate less frequently than men in clinical research. Through concerted efforts to increase awareness of sex differences and mitigate sex disparity, personalized treatment can be provided. This approach can ultimately improve patient prognosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.233-239
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• 2024

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation has recently emerged as a significant co-transcriptional modification involved in regulating various RNA functions. It plays a vital function in numerous biological processes. Enzymes referred to as m6A methyltransferases, such as the methyltransferase-like (METTL) 3-METTL14-Wilms tumor 1 (WT1)-associated protein (WTAP) complex, are responsible for adding m6A modifications, while m6A demethylases, including fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) and alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), can remove m6A methylation. The functions of m6A-methylated RNA are regulated through the recognition and interaction of m6A reader proteins. Recent research has shown that m6A methylation takes place at multiple sites within hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNAs, and the location of these modifications can differentially impact the HBV infection. The addition of m6A modifications to HBV RNA can influence its stability and translation, thereby affecting viral replication and pathogenesis. Furthermore, HBV infection can also alter the m6A modification pattern of host RNA, indicating the virus's ability to manipulate host cellular processes, including m6A modification. This manipulation aids in establishing chronic infection, promoting liver disease, and contributing to pathogenesis. A comprehensive understanding of the functional roles of m6A modification during HBV infection is crucial for developing innovative approaches to combat HBV-mediated liver disease. In this review, we explore the functions of m6A modification in HBV replication and its impact on the development of liver disease.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.145-154
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• 2012

Recently, the cardiovascular disease has increased by causes such as westernization dietary life, smoking, and obesity. In particular, the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occupies 50% death rate in cardiovascular disease. Following this trend, the AMI has been carried out a research for discovery of risk factors based on national data. However, there is a lack of diagnosis minor suitable for Korean. The objective of this paper is to develop a classifier for short-term relapse mortality prediction of cardiovascular disease patient based on prognosis data which is supported by KAMIR(Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction). Through this study, we came to a conclusion that ANN is the most suitable method for predicting the short-term relapse mortality of patients who have ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Also, data set obtained by logistic regression analysis performed highly efficient performance than existing data set. So, it is expect to contribute to prognosis estimation through proper classification of high-risk patients.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.935-948
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• 2014

As chronic diseases have become more prevalent and problematic, effective cares for major chronic diseases have been a locus of the healthcare policy. In this regard, this study examines how region-specific characteristics affect the prevalence of hypertension in South Korea. To analyze, we combined a unique multi-year data set including key indicators of health conditions and health behaviors at the 237 small administrative districts. The data are collected from the Annual Community Health Survey between 2009 and 2011 by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other government organizations. For the purpose of investigating regional variations, we estimated using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and decision tree model. Our finding first suggests that using the multi-year data is more legitimate than using the single-year data for the geographical analysis of chronic diseases, because the significant annual differences are observed in most variables. We also find that the prevalence of hypertension is more likely to be positively associated with the prevalence of diabetes and obesity but to be negatively associated with population density. More importantly, noticeable geographical variations in these factors are observed according to the results from the GWR. In line with this result, additional findings from the decision tree model suggest that primary influential factors that affect the hypertension prevalence are indeed heterogeneous across regional groups. Taken as a whole, accounting for geographical variations of health conditions, health behaviors and other socioeconomic factors is very important when the regionally customized healthcare policy is implemented to mitigate the hypertension prevalence. In short, our study sheds light on possible ways to manage the chronic diseases for policy makers in the local government.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1091-1096
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• 2007

Purpose : The of common carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) is an acknowledged noninvasive marker for early atherosclerotic changes. We investigate whether common carotid IMT is different between obese and normal-weight children and also evaluate the relationships IMT with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods : We collected the clinical data (age, sex, pubertal stage, body mass index) and measured blood pressure, glucose, insulin, lipid profiles and adiponectin in 49 obese children (mean age, 12 years) and 24 nonobese children as controls. The control group was composed of 24 nonobese children of the same age, sex and pubertal stage. We measured the carotid IMT of all subjects by B-mode ultrasound with a 7.5-MHz linear transducer and analyzed. Results : Obese children demonstrated a significantly thicker intima media (mean, 0.34 mm, peak, 0.42 mm) compared to the control group (mean, 0.31 mm, peak, 0.38 mm, P<0.01). IMT was significantly correlated to the BMI (r=0.431, P<0.01), age (r=0.317, P<0.01), total cholesterol (r=0.377, P< 0.01), triglyceride (r=0.253, P<0.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.289, P<0.05). Serum adiponectin was significantly lower in obese children than in controls (11.2 ng/mL vs. 14.7 ng/mL, P<0.05) and negatively related with IMT (r=-0.267, P<0.05). Conclusion : Obesity is associated with increased carotid artery IMT in children. Our results suggest vascular changes in obesity seem to occur already in childhood and vascular ultrasonography may helpful for screening cardiovascular complications in obese children.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.502-517
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• 1998

This research intends to survey family environment, health behavior and health status of the students in urban-rural elementary schools and analyze those factors comparatively, and use the result as basic material for school health teacher to teach health education in connection with family and regional areas. It also intends to improve a pupil's self-abilitiy in health care. The subjects involve 2,774 students of urban elementary schools and 583 student in rural ones, who were selected by means of a multi -stage probability sampling. Using the questionnaire and school documents, we collected data on family environment, health behavior and health status for 19 days. Feb. 2nd 1998 through Feb. 20th 1998. The R -form of Family Environment Scale (Moos, 1974) was used in the analysis of family environment(Cronbach's Alpha =0.80). Questionnaires of Health Behavior in School-aged children used by the WHO in Europe(Aaro et al., 1986) and the ones developed by the Health Promotion Committee of the Western Pacific(WHO, 1995)(adapted by long Young-suk and Moon Young-hee(1996)) were used in the analysis of health behavior, as well documents on absences due to sickness, school health room-visits, levels of physical strength, height, weight and degree of obesity were used to determine health status. In next step, We used them with an $X^2$-test, t-test, Odds Ratio, and a 95% Confidence Interval. 1. In two dimensions of three, family-relationship (t=3.41, p=0.001) and system -maintenances(t= 2.41, p=0.0l6) the mean score of urban children were significantly higher than those of rural ones. In the personal development dimension however, there was little significant difference. Assorting family environment into 10 sub-fields and analyzing them, we recognized that urban children were superior to rural children in the sub-fields of expressiveness (t =3.47, p=0.001), conflict (t=0.48, p=0.001), active-recreational orientation (t = 1.97, p=0.049) and organization (t=4.33, p=0.000). 2. Referring to the Odds Ratios of urban-rural children's health behaviors, urban children set up more desirable behavior than rural children wear ing safety belts (Odds Ratio =0.32, p=0.000), washing hands after meals(Odds Ratio = 0.43, p= 0.000), washing hands after excreting (Odds Ratio = 0.39, p=O.OOO), washing hands after coming - home ( Odds Ratio = 0.75, p = 0.003), brushing teeth before sleeping(Odds Ratio =0.45, p=0.000), brushing teeth more than once a day (Odds Ratio =0.73, p=0.0l2), drinking boiled water (Odds Ratio = 0.49, p=0.000), collecting garbage at home(Odds Ratio=0.31, p=0.000) and in the school(Odds Ratio =0. 67, p=0.000). All these led to significant differences. As to taking milk(Odds Ratio = 1.50, p=0.000), taking care of eyesight(Odds Ratio=1.41, p=0.001) and getting physical exercise in(Odds Ratio = 1.33, p=0.0l9) and outside the school(Odds Ratio = 1.32, p=0.005), rural children had more desirable behavior which also revealed a significant difference. There was little significant difference in smoking, but the smoking rate of rural children(5.5%) was larger than that of urban children(3.9%). 3. Health status was analyzed in terms of absences, school health room-visits, levels of physical strength, and the degree of obesity, height and weight. Considering Odds Ratios of the health status of urban-rural children, the health status of rural children was significantly better than that of the urban ones in the level of physical strength(t=1.51, p=0.000) and the degree of obesity(t=1.84, p=0.000). The mean height of urban children ($150.4{\pm}7.5cm$) is taller than that of their counterparts($149.5{\pm}7.9$), which revealed a significant difference (t =2.47, p=0.0l4). The mean weight of urban children($42.9{\pm}8.6kg$) is larger than that of their counterparts($41.8{\pm}9.0kg$), which was also a significant difference(t=2.81, p=0.005). Considering the results above, we can recognize that there are significant differences in family environment, health behavior, and health status in urban-rural children. These results also suggestion ideas for health education. What we would suggest for the health program of elementary schools is that school health teachers should play an active role in promoting the need and importance of health education, develop the appropriate programs which correspond to the regional characteristics, and incorporate them into schools to improve children's ability to manage their own health management.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine whether Hamcho freeze-dried powder and Hamcho freeze-dried nano powder have an anti-obese effect on high fat diet-induced obese rats. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 6 different groups, each of which was bred for 8 weeks with a different experimental diet: normal diet group (NC), high fat diet group (HFC), high fat diet + 2% Salicornia herbacea L. freeze-dried powder group (2% HS), high fat diet + 5% Salicornia herbacea L. freeze-dried powder group (5%HS), high fat diet + 1% Salicornia herbacea L. freeze-dried nano powder group (1% HSN), high fat diet + 2% Salicornia herbacea L. freeze-dried nano powder group (2% HSN). Results: The 5% HS group showed a weight loss effect in body weight, liver and adipose tissue by reducing the amount of dietary intake and food efficiency ratio. In addition, the 5% HS group showed a significant reduction of serum leptin concentration, while having a beneficial effect on the improvement of lipid metabolism such as increase the serum concentration of adiponectin. However, Hamcho freeze-dried nano powder did not show a weight loss effect. Conclusion: Overall data indicated that Hamcho seemed to have anti-obesity effects. In particular, consumption of 5% Hamcho freeze-dried powder might have beneficial effects on body weight, serum adiponectin level, and lipid profiles since it led to reduced body weight and growth of adipose tissues by suppressing dietary intakes. However conduct of further research studies is needed for analysis of active components and biochemical action mechanism of Hamcho.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2004

This study was conducted to examine the effects of $\beta$3-adrenergic receptor polymorphism on the blood glucose level and obesity in 530 volunteers, who attended a weight loss program in a local obesity clinic. The age differences in total subjects and the distribution of male and female were 26.55$\pm$0.31 yr, 9.1% (n=48), 90.9% (n=492). The genotype distribution of $\beta$3-AR gene polymorphism were WW type 75%, WR type 22% and RR type 3%. Among many parameters, fasting blood glucose was significantly higher in WR＋RR type (p=0.001) compared with WW type. When the subjects were divided into two groups by 6.105 mmol/L of the fasting blood glucose level, the frequency of hyperglycemia was 23.3% in WW type subjects, while there was a increase to 35.6% in WR＋RR type subjects (p=0.011, $\chi$$^2$-analysis). When hyperglycemia group was compared with normoglycemia group, obesity index (p=0.044), %body fat (p=0.046) and TG (p=0.000) were significantly higher, and HDL (p=0.006) was significantly lower in the hyperglycemia. When all of the above factors were included in stepwise logistic regression analysis to find risk factors of hyperglycemia, the results were that the odds ratio for hyperglycemia were 2.015 (p=0.011) for WR+RR type of $\beta$3-AR gene, 2.165 (p=0.000) for TG and 0.419 (p=0.059) for HDL cholesterol. There was a significantly positive correlation between the blood glucose vs BMI, WHR, body fat in the WW type (r=0.099, 0.119, 0.082) However, in the WR and RR type there were no significance between the blood glucose vs BMI, WHR, body fat. These data suggest that the WR＋RR genotype of $\beta$3-AR has a very strong association with increased blood glucose level and might be a significant risk factor for hyperglycemia among Korean subjects.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of commonly consumed vegetables in Korea on lipid accumulation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines related to obesity/metabolic syndrome. Using KNHANES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) raw data ($1^{st}$; 1998, $5^{th}$; 2010, 2011) and a literature search, we selected vegetables for study. Edible portions of samples were prepared, ethanol-extracted, and then freeze-dried. 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 hepatocytes cells were used as in vitro models. Lipid accumulation determined by Oil-red O staining showed that all samples except bracken had inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Especially, crown daisy and mugwort effectively reduced accumulation of lipids, and their inhibition rates were more than 60% of the control group. Young pumpkin, leeks, crown daisy, and mugwort showed significantly decreased MCP-1 levels compared to the control group. However, adiponectin protein level did not increase in the vegetables experimental group. In HepG2 hepatocytes, all samples showed inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation at one of the two concentrations. Although adiponectin protein levels did not increase, MCP-1 protein levels decreased in adipocytes. Further, lipid accumulation in adipocytes and hepatocytes decreased. In conclusion, all samples showed one or more improved obesity/metabolic syndrome indicators. Among them, young pumpkin, leeks, crown daisy, and mugwort were selected as the most effective portions of vegetables based on improvement of obesity/metabolic syndrome-related indicators.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.179-188
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• 2016

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to document the dietary behaviors, dietary changes, and health status of female marriage immigrants residing in Gwangju, Korea. Methods: The survey included 92 female immigrants attending Korean language class at a multi-cultural family support center. General characteristics, health status, anthropometric data, dietary behaviors, and dietary changes were collected. Results: Mean age of subjects was 31.3 years, and home countries of subjects were Vietnam (50.0%), China (26.0%), Philippines (12.0%), and others (12.0%). Frequently reported chronic diseases were digestive diseases (13.2%), anemia (12.1%), and neuropsychiatry disorder (8.9%). Seventeen percent of the subjects was obese ($BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$). Dietary score by Mini Dietary Assessment was 3.45 out of 5 points. Dietary scores for dairy foods, meat/fish/egg/bean intake, meal regularity, and food variety were low, and those for fried foods and high fat meat intake were also low. Thirty-three percent of subjects answered that they have changed their diet and increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables after immigration. Length of residence in Korea was positively associated with BMI and waist circumference. Length of residence tends to be positively associated with dietary changes and obesity as well as inversely associated with disease prevalence. Conclusion: The study shows that length of residence is inversely related to disease prevalence. However, this association is thought to be due to the relatively short period of residence in Korea and thus the transitional phase to adapting to dietary practices. As the length of residence increases, disease patterns related to obesity are subject to change. Healthy dietary behaviors and adaptation to dietary practices in Korea in female marriage immigrants will not only benefit individuals but also their families and social structure. Therefore, varied, long-term, and target-specific studies on female marriage immigrants are highly needed.