• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.295-305
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the economic efficiency of a community-based nursing care center to help policy makers determine whether or not to invest in similar facilities. Methods: The subjects were 101 elderly people over 65 years who participated in a health management program from February 1 to July 31, 2007. Direct cost was estimated with center operations cost, medical cost for out-patients and pharmacy cost. Indirect cost was measured by transportation cost. Direct benefit was calculated by saved medical cost for out-patients, saved pharmacy cost, saved transportation cost, and reducing hospital charges. Indirect benefit was estimated with prevention of severe complications. Economic efficiency was evaluated by cost-benefit ratio and net benefit. Results: Operating a community-based nursing care center was found to be cost-effective. Specifically, the cost of operating the center evaluated here was estimated at 135 million won while the benefit was estimated at 187 million won. Benefit-cost ratio was 1.38. Conclusion: The Community-based nursing care center that was described here could be a useful health care delivery system for reducing medical expenditures.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.250-256
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• 2000

Hyperhomocysteinemia has been shown to be associated with increased risks for macrovascular angiopathy. The present study was conducted to document the relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and the presence of macrovascular angiopath in patients with Type II diabetes mellitus. Plasma total homocysteine was determined by a HPLC-fluorescence detection method in a total of 238 subjects, 127 diabetic patients and 111 control. Dietary information including folate intake was assessed by a 24-hour recall in a total 113 subjects, 70 diabetic patients and 43 control. Folate intake was significantly lower inn patients with diabetes mellitus than that in the control. The lowered folate intake in the diabetic patients was mainly due to reduced intakes of fruits and vegetables. The average plasma homocysteine level of patients with MA was 14.2$\mu$㏖/L, which was significantly higher than that of either the patients without MA(11.4$\mu$㏖/L) or the control(11.5$\mu$㏖/L). Twenty five percent of the diabetic patients were positively correlated with age (r=0.20), body weight (r=0.28), body mass index (r=0.28), body mass index (r=0.18), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.20), and total cholesterol (r=0.14). cigarette smokers had significantly higher levels of plasma homocysteine than the non-smokers. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate whether folate or other B vitamin supplementation could be beneficial for the prevention of hyperhomocysteinemia or macrovascular angiopathy in the diabetic patients.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.67-69
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• 2007

Recently, the prevalence rate of diabetes in Korea has been increasing rapidly due to high growth of economy and changes in dietary lifestyle. Vascular complication is one of diabetic complications which have frequently occurred by obesity, hyperglycemia and impaired glucose metabolism. Photoplethysmogram(PPG) measured from finger and toe is very useful for evaluation of vascular aging and sclerosis level since the PPG signal represents characteristics of peripheral vascular. Several researchers have reported that second derivative of the finger PPG waveform was useful to evaluate vascular compliance and developed various analysis methods for vascular compliance. However, peripheral vascular compliance study for diabetic patient was never evaluated by using second derivative of PPG. Therefore, we aimed to objectively compare and to assess normal and diabetic group vascular compliance using the second derivative of PPG waveform in this study. The evaluated factors of second derivative of PPG are 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e' and b/a represents vascular compliance. Study found out that when vascular compliance is decreased, b/a is increased, the absolute value of b/a is decreased. The average vascular compliance of 50 diabetic patients with neuropathy is statistically lower than the normal group(p<0.05). We suggest an objective evaluation of peripheral vascular compliance for diabetic patients and prevention of vascular complication.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2015

Although it has recently been reported that Acanthopanax senticosus has a protective effect against the development of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, its underlying molecular mechanisms have remained to be elucidated. In this study, we observed that treatment of an extract of A. senticosus (ASE) reduced body weight and adiposity and improved glucose tolerance in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. HFD-induced weight gain in white adipose tissues and liver was also significantly reduced in ASE-treated HFD-fed mice, which was found to be contributed by suppression of mRNA expression of genes involved in fatty-acid uptake and fat synthesis in white adipose tissue. ASE treatment also attenuated M1 macrophage activation, increased regulatory T ($T_{reg}$) cell population, and modulated leptin/adiponectin profile that might alleviate chronic inflammation to protect against HFD-induced insulin resistance. Our findings suggest a therapeutic potential of ASE for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes without adverse effects such as weight gain and dyslipidemia.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2009

Metabolically obese but normal weight(MONW) syndrome is characterized, with potentially increased risks for development of the insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome despite their normal body mass index(BMI) < 25 kg/m2. Such characteristics could confer upon MONW individuals a type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases(CVD) risk however, research on MONW is scarce. MONW individuals have metabolic disturbances typical of obese persons and are identified by having a high amount of visceral fat, a low BMI, a high fat mass, a low lean body mass, low insulin sensitivity, and high triglyceride concentrations. The purpose of this study is to review several markers as potential modulators in individuals displaying the "MONW". Body fat appears to be functionally comparable with a dynamic endocrine organ, producing and secreting various adipocy tokines, such as leptin, adiponectin, CRP, tumor necrosis factor(TNF-), interleukin(IL)-6, all of which play an important role in the onset of cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance. Otherwise, physical activity and a lower inflammation state might be helped to reduce the number of persons at risk of diabetes, CVD complications, or premature mortality. We should provide a method to optimal treatments resolving the emerging public health problem to prevention of MONW by providing guideline for physical activity as an optimal treatment for the MONW Korean. Furthermore we expect to develop a new strategy to manage MONW Korean in this society in terms of reducing medical costs and enhancing public health care for uprising population with MONW.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 1999

This study was conducted to evaluate the workers' health conditions, nutritional status, food habits, and their needs for the nutrition programs at the worksite. Three hundred and fifty one(men 260, women 91) employees from 11 companies in urban area were recruited for the study. The results of this study were as follows : The average consumption of nutrients in the subjects' diets were found to be deficient such as total energy, calcium, iron, vitamin A and $B_2$. More than 42% of the subjects have at least one of the chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes mellitus, anemia, hypercholesterolemia, liver disease, and hypertension. Most subjects did not recognize their own blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or blood sugar level. Nutrition knowledge scores of the subjects were very low, which was only 52.4%. It should be noted that weight problems and other health problems of the employees at the worksite were frequently found among the employees who had relatively low nutrition knowledge scores. The nutrition programs for prevention of the obeses, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, stress, and smoking were urgently needed by the subjects. Many subjects also wanted the nutrition education programs for their family.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.161-167
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• 2022

Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder that increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the anti-obesity effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaf (NL) extract in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and obese db/db mice. NL extract among various parts (leaf, seed, and root) of N. nucifera most effectively reduced adipogenesis via inhibiting CCAAT enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The addition of NL extract enhanced the protein expression of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) as compared to untreated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The oral administration of NL extract (100 mg/kg BW) significantly reduced food efficacy ratio, body weight, and face or total cholesterol level in obese db /db mice. Also, administration of NL extract significantly decreased adipocyte size and C/EBPα or PPARγ expression in the adipose tissues as compared with control (obese db/db mice). Therefore, our results suggest that NL extract among various parts of N. nucifera could be used as a functional food ingredient for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases including obesity and diabetes.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.610-622
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• 2010

The proportion of overweight and obese individuals in the United States has been continuously increasing up to recently. Many studies related to obesity have concentrated on jurisdictional levels of aggregation, making it very difficult to dearly illustrate at risk regions. In other words, little research has been conducted in relation to spatial patterns considering spatial dependency and heterogeneity by spatial autocorrelation models over space. In response, this research analyzes spatial patterns between overweight/obesity and risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, over space. Specifically, the Moran''s I and Geary''s C will be conducted for global and local measures. What is more, the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) linear regression and Geographically Weighted Regression methods will be applied to identify spatial dependency and spatial heterogeneity. Data provided by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) have Body-Mass Index (BMI) rates, containing 4 rates of under, healthy, overweight, and obesity. In addition, high blood pressure and diabetes rates in the United States will be used as independent variables. Lastly, we are confident that this research will be beneficial for a decision maker to make a prevention plan for obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.180-189
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recent living condition improvements, changes in dietary habits, and reductions in physical activity are contributing to an increase in metabolic syndrome symptoms including diabetes and obesity. Through such societal developments, humankind is continuously exposed to metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and the number of the victims is increasing. This study investigated Cordyceps militaris water extract (CMW)-induced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells and the effect of CMW treatment on glucose metabolism. MATERIALS/METHODS: Colorimetric assay kits were used to determine the glucokinase (GK) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activities, glucose uptake, and glycogen content. Either RT-PCR or western blot analysis was performed for quantitation of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha ($HNF-1{\alpha}$), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, GK, PDH, and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta ($GSK-3{\beta}$) expression levels. The ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activities of acarbose and CMW were evaluated by absorbance measurement. RESULTS: CMW induced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells by increasing GLUT2 through $HNF-1{\alpha}$ expression stimulation. Glucose in the cells increased the CMW-induced phosphorylation of AMPK. In turn, glycolysis was stimulated, and glyconeogenesis was inhibited. Furthermore, by studying the mechanism of action of PI3k, Akt, and $GSK-3{\beta}$, and measuring glycogen content, the study confirmed that the glucose was stored in the liver as glycogen. Finally, CMW resulted in a higher level of ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activity than that from acarbose. CONCLUSION: CMW induced the uptake of glucose into HepG2 cells, as well, it induced metabolism of the absorbed glucose. It is concluded that CMW is a candidate or potential use in diabetes prevention and treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.569-575
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• 2008

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1 DM) develops in genetically susceptible individuals as a result of progressive autoimmune destruction of beta cells. There is larger global variation in incidence among children aged 0-14 years. The incidence of T1 DM in Korea is very low. The latest survey in Korea was conducted in 2001 by Korean Society of Pediatrics to analyse the childhood (0-14 years) national-wide incidence during 1 995-2000. The average childhood incidence (/100,000 and year) was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.23-1.48), higher than 1.06 of Korea in 1 994. This survey reported that higher mean annual incidence was observed in female (girls, 1.67 vs boy 1.07), older age group (10-14 years, 1.98; 5-9 years, 1.43; 0-4 years, 0.73), Kangwondo (2.09) and Seoul (1.99), and more new patients developed in spring (spring, 27.1%; winter, 26.6%; summer, 24.8%; autumn, 21.5%). The increase of childhood T1 DM incidence has occurred in every region (4.0% in Asia, 3.2% in Europe during 1990-1999). Also, steady increase in incidence was observed during 1985-2000 in Korea. This trends may be maintained or accelerated by environmental factors, known as triggers, modifiers and promoters of the T1 DM occurrence. The rising incidence of T1 DM suggests the need for continuous monitoring of incidence by using standardized methods in order to plan or assess prevention strategies.