• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.26.1-26.8
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• 2016

Background: The nematode species belonging to genus Anisakis occur at their third larval stage in numerous marine teleost fish species worldwide and known to cause accidental human infection through the ingestion of raw or undercooked fish or squids. They may also draw the attention of consumers because of the visual impact of both alive and dead worms. Therefore, the information on their geographical distribution and clear species identification is important for epidemiological survey and further prevention of human infection. Results: For identification of anisakid nematodes species isolated from largehead hairtail (Trichiurus japonicus), polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of internal transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA were conducted. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 gene was also sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was conducted. From the largehead hairtail (n = 9), 1259 nematodes were isolated in total. Most of the nematodes were found encapsulated throughout the viscera (56.2 %, 708/1259) or moving freely in the body cavity (41.5 %, 523/1259), and only 0.3 % (4/1259) was found in the muscles. By PCR-RFLP, three different nematode species were identified. Anisakis pegreffii was the most dominantly found (98.7 %, 1243/1259) from the largehead hairtail, occupying 98.7 % (699/708) of the nematodes in the mesenteries and 98.1 % (513/523) in the body cavity. Hybrid genotype (Anisakis simplex ${\times}$ A. pegreffii) occupied 0.5 %, and Hysterothylacium sp. occupied 0.2 % of the nematodes isolated in this study. Conclusions: The largehead hairtail may not significantly contribute accidental human infection of anisakid nematode third stage larvae because most of the nematodes were found from the viscera or body cavity, which are not consumed raw. But, a high prevalence of anisakid nematode larvae in the largehead hairtail is still in concern because they may raise food safety problems to consumers. Immediate evisceration or freezing of fish after catch will be necessary before consumption.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.357-361
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• 2013

Several epidemiological surveys have reported the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in stray cats in Korea, but little information is available on T. gondii infection in household cats. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection among household cats reared in Seoul, Korea. A total of 474 blood samples were collected from clinically healthy household cats. All samples were tested using ELISA and PCR. The risk factor analysis was based on a questionnaire filled out by the owners. The overall positive rate for ELISA and PCR assays was 2.2% (10/437) and 2.1% (10/474), respectively. With regard to the origin of cats, the positive rates among cats adopted from the animal shelter and veterinary clinic for stray cats were significantly different (P<0.05). Our study demonstrated that the positive rate of T. gondii infection in household cats was low and that this low prevalence was assumed to be associated with keeping the cats indoors and restriction of eating raw food and uncooked meat. Therefore, we suggest that the owners check the origin of the cats prior to adoption to prevent infection of other animals, including humans.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.884-889
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes of body composition and heinz body blood component after 3 days rapid weight loss(5.16% of total body weight) through combined method with total food restriction and dehydration. The result were as follows: The average weight showed a significant difference between before and after rapid weight loss(p < .05). The percentage of body fat showed some decrease in average with $12.14{\pm}1.80\;(%)$ after weight decrement in an average of $12.68{\pm}1.69\;(%)$ before rapid weight loss, but the difference that noted did not show. The body fluid showed a significant difference between before and after rapid weight loss(p < .05). RDW, ESR, and Heinz body formation showed a significant increase after rapid weight loss. It was concluded that rapid weight loss techniques result in deleterious effects on body composition and red blood cell in middle school wrestler.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.109-132
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• 2002

The study surveyed 1,127 mothers whose children aged 3 to 5 went to 25 randomly selected kindergartens, which were located in Busan Metropolitan City and the adjacent Gimhae City, and analyzed the preventive health behaviors on their children and the condition of home health education on their children. As the compulsory kindergarten education will e to be implemented within 4 years, this study aimed to draw up the rudimentary material for health education at kindergartens. The study results are summed up as follows: 1. Mothers' awareness of health-related attitude and behavioral level for their children at kindergarten: 1) The general health condition of the children, which mothers are aware of, was that they were healthy on the whole. As their children becomes older, the income level of the parents is lower, and mothers have lower level of educational standard, the health condition of the children was found a little lower. 2) In terms of mothers' recognition of the practice level of preventive health behaviors, the items such as going to bed regularly, washing hands and feet well, and having meals regularly were high in the practice level, while exercise and tooth-brushing were not practiced well. 2. The condition of mothers' health education of their children: 1) It was found that washing hands and feet, restriction of overeating and preference for specific kinds of food, guidance on regular sleep and regular meal were practiced well among items of home health education targeting kindergarten children. 2) Mothers have obtained information on family health from printed matter such as newspaper or magazine rather than the visual media. 3) From the cross analysis of mothers' health education on children and children's health behaviors, as the standard of education of mothers was higher, so was the level of preventive health behaviors of children. 3. From the result of multi regression analysis of the factors influencing the preventive hygiene of kindergarten children, it was found that as the home health education level was higher, so was the health behavior of children. On the other hand, as the mothers were older, the health behavior of children became lower.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2001

Microalbuminuria is a strong predictor of diabetic nephropathy and is also associated with increased mortality in people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM) patients. Improved glycemic control and dietary protein restriction are recommended to retard and avoid developing microalbuminuria. The purpose of this study was to measure the dietary counseling effects for diabetes mellitus patients with microalbuminuria. To investigate the effects of the dietary counseling effect, thirty NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria were selected from outpatient diabetic clinic of Seoul National University Hospital for this study. None of them had evidence of renal and heart complications. For 24 weeks, they received individualized dietary counseling 3 times. The results of this study can be summarized as follows 1) Dietary protein and calorie intake decreased significantly from 79.8$\pm$29.9g/d to 66.6$\pm$16.5g/d, from 1845.4$\pm$631.9kcal to 1515.7$\pm$392.7kcal after dietary counseling, respectively (p<0.05). 2)The glycosylate hemoglobin level showed significantly decreased after dietary counseling(p<0.05). However there were no change in lipid profiles and blood pressure after counseling. 3) There was a significant correlation between the duration of disease and the amount of microalbuminuria. Any other cardiovascular risk factors, such as duration of diabetes, total cholesterol level and systolic blood pressure were not correlated with microalbuminuria. These results shown that dietary counseling can be used as an effective therapy to control blood sugar levels for NIDDM patients who are poorly controlled with microalbuminuria.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.217-224
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• 2017

Purpose: Although it is well known thatmortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular diseases are higher in salt-sensitive subjects than in salt-resistant subjects, their underlying mechanisms related to obesity remain unclear. Here, we focused on salt-sensitive gene variants unrelated to monogenic obesity that interacted with sodium intake in humans. Methods: This review was written based on the modified $3^rd$ step of Khans' systematic review. Instead of the literature, subject genes were based on candidate genes screened from our preliminary Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). Finally, literature related to five genes strongly associated with salt sensitivity were analyzed to elucidate the mechanism of obesity. Results: Salt sensitivity is a measure of how blood pressure responds to salt intake, and people are either salt-sensitive or salt-resistant. Otherwise, dietary sodium restriction may not be beneficial for everyone since salt sensitivity may be associated with inherited susceptibility. According to our previous GWAS studies, 10 candidate genes and 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with salt sensitivity were suggested, including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), ${\alpha}$-adducin1 (ADD1), angiotensinogen (AGT), cytochrome P450 family 11-subfamily ${\beta}$-2 ($CYP11{\beta}$-2), epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), G-protein b3 subunit (GNB3), G protein-coupled receptor kinases type 4 (GRK4 A142V, GRK4 A486V), $11{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-2 (HSD $11{\beta}$-2), neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down regulated 4 like (NEDD4L),and solute carrier family 12(sodium/chloride transporters)-member 3 (SLC 12A3). We found that polymorphisms of salt-sensitive genes such as ACE, $CYP11{\beta}$-2, GRK4, SLC12A3, and GNB3 may be positively associated with human obesity. Conclusion: Despite gender, ethnic, and age differences in genetics studies, hypertensive obese children and adults who are carriers of specific salt-sensitive genes are recommended to reduce their sodium intake. We believe that our findings can contribute to the prevention of early-onset of chronic diseases in obese children by facilitating personalized diet-management of obesity from childhood to adulthood.

• Korean Journal of Family Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.355-359
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• 2018

Background: Body image is associated with the perception of people on themselves. Influencing factors are generated internally and/or externally. The most common issue pertaining to body image is body weight and weight loss. This study aimed to determine the association between body weight perception and weight loss practices among college students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 297 college students from private nursing colleges in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic characteristics, body weight perception, and weight loss methods. Weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on weight and height measurement. The World Health Organization BMI cutoffs were applied in the study. Results: More than half (54.2%) of college students perceived their weight correctly as per actual measured BMI. A total of 51.5% of participants had tried various methods to reduce their weight. Body weight perception is associated with weight loss practices (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.50; P<0.001) adjusted for sex, marital status, and status of having obese family members. Those who had correct body weight perception were less likely to engage in weight loss practice. Food intake restriction (42.4%) is the most popular weight reduction method among students in nursing colleges. Over a quarter of the participants chose physical exercise (25.3%) to reduce their weight, and a small number engaged in unhealthy weight loss practices. Conclusion: Body weight perception is an important factor that influences the practice to reduce weight especially among young adult group and college students.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-53
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Abdominal obesity is associated with metabolic disorders, and, in recent years, its prevalence in Korea has continuously increased. The change of lifestyle, particularly diet, is critical for the reduction of abdominal obesity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention focused on dietary self-efficacy and behaviors on the improvement of abdominal obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Abdominally obese adults with additional cardiovascular risk factors were recruited through 16 medical facilities in South Korea from the year 2013 to 2014. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: an intensive intervention group (IG) that received a multi-component intervention to reduce abdominal obesity, by mainly focusing on dietary attitude and dietary behavior change, and a minimal information intervention group (MG) that received a brief explanation of health status and a simple recommendation for a lifestyle change. The interventions were provided for 6 mon, and health examinations were conducted at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-mon follow-ups. A path analysis was conducted to identify the process governing the changes in abdominal obesity. RESULTS: The IG showed an improvement in self-efficacy for eating control and diet quality at 6-mon follow-up. Abdominal obesity improved in both groups. Waist circumference was observed to be decreased through the path of "improved self-efficacy for eating control in food availability-eating restriction-improved dietary quality" in IG. Most changes in follow-ups were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The intensive program targeting the modification of dietary behavior influenced management of abdominal obesity, and the effect occurred through a step-by-step process of change in attitude and behavior. Generally, improvements were also seen in the MG, which supports the necessity of regular health check-ups and brief consultation. The results can be used for further development and implementation of more successful interventions.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.247-266
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• 2022

This study examines the sociodemographic and anthropometric data, health-related and dietary habits, and nutrient intakes according to depression levels in men and women aged over 65 years. A total of 2,938 subjects were analyzed from the 2016~2018 Korean National Health and Examination Survey. Statistical analyses for complex samples were applied using the SPSS software package. Based on the health questionnaire-9, the subjects were applied into two groups. The percentage of depression in women was significantly higher than in men (P<0.001). The factors associated with men's depression were marital status (P<0.05), household income (P<0.001), occupation (P<0.01), and body mass index (P<0.01). Women's depression was found to be significantly associated with household income (P<0.001), education level (P<0.01), basic living allowance (P<0.001), and body weight status (P<0.01). Perceived health status, stress level, quality of life, not feeling very well for the last two weeks, and activity restriction (P<0.001, respectively) were significant health-related habits associated with depression in both sexes. Diabetes (P<0.05) amongst men and hypertriglyceridemia (P<0.01) in women were significant factors associated with depression. Frequency of meals and eating meals together were significant dietary habits associated with depression by sex. Significant associations between improper nutrient intake and depression were also derived for both sexes; 7 nutrients were identified in men and 10 in women. Our results indicate that different factors are associated with depression in the elderly based on sex. Hence, sex-based health promotion programs are required to prevent the onset of depression among the elderly.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.671-678
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• 2023

Objective: Previous studies isolated the thermophilic ammonium-tolerant (TAT) bacterium Bacillus sp. TAT105 that grew in composting swine manure with the assimilation of ammonium nitrogen and reduced ammonia emissions during composting. Those studies also investigated the potential for applications of TAT105 to composting. It was observed that the concentration of TAT bacteria, phylogenetically close to TAT105, increased during composting. The objectives of this study were to identify the phylogenetic placement of these TAT bacteria and investigate their distribution in various composts. Methods: The phylogenetic placement of TAT105 was examined based on the sequence of 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The genomic DNA homology between TAT105 and the type strains of bacterial species that were phylogenetically close to TAT105 were examined by DNA-DNA hybridization. Moreover, the tolerances of these strains to NH₄Cl and NaCl were analyzed using a cultivation method. Concentrations of TAT bacteria in various composts were evaluated using an agar medium specific to TAT bacteria and polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results: TAT105 was most closely related to Bacillus thermolactis and Bacillus kokeshiiformis. Many variants of these species have been detected in various environments, including composts. The type strains of these species displayed TAT characteristics that were similar to those of TAT105. Among the composts examined in this study, TAT bacteria were detected at high concentrations (10⁵ to 10⁹ colony forming units per gram of dry matter) in most of the composts made from cattle manure, swine manure, bark, and excess sludge. Conclusion: TAT bacteria comprised B. thermolactis, B. kokeshiiformis, and their phylogenetically close relatives. They were considered to be adaptable to composting of some certain materials, and a favorable target for searching for strains with some useful function that could be applied to composting of these materials.