• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.152-161
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• 2011

Koreans have undergone many changes in dietary patterns with economic growth. The purpose of this research was to examine changes in dietary patterns using data from the 1998, 2001, and 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study included 21,525 subjects (8,295 from 1998, 6,880 from 2001, and 6,350 from 2005) who were 20 years or older and who participated in a 24-h diet recall. The percentage energy intake from 22 food groups was calculated, and a cluster analysis was applied to identify dietary patterns. Two dietary patterns emerged; the first pattern was characterized by high intake of white rice, legumes, vegetables, kimchi, and seaweeds, the so-called "traditional" pattern (53%), whereas the other pattern was characterized by high intake of other grains, noodle dumplings, floured bread, pizza, hamburgers, cereals and snacks, potatoes, sugared sweets, nuts, fruits, meat·its products, eggs, fish, milk and dairy products, oils, beverages and seasoning, or the so-called "modified" pattern. The modified pattern comprised a higher proportion of younger aged, metropolitan residents with more education and higher incomes. However, the gender distribution was not significantly different. The modified pattern had a significantly higher intake of all nutrients except carbohydrates and had a higher proportion of energy from fat and protein. No association with a risk for metabolic syndrome was found for either dietary pattern. After age was standardized, the traditional pattern included 52% of the respondents in 1998, 54% in 2001, and 50% in 2005. However, the modified pattern was significantly more prevalent in the younger age group (20-29 yr), whereas the traditional pattern increased significantly in the older age group (${\geq}$ 65 yr). In conclusion, a secular trend was found for dietary pattern by age group, suggesting that it is necessary to monitor the changes in dietary pattern by age group and to develop appropriate dietary education and guidelines.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.298-304
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the association of blood pressure levels with the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) and carotid plaques. Methods : Data were obtained from 2,635 subjects, aged 50 years and over, who participated in the Community Health Survey (a population-based, cross-sectional study) in Dong-gu, Gwangju city between 2007 and 2008. Participants were categorized into three groups according to blood pressure levels; normotensives (<120/80 mmHg), prehypertensives (120-139/80-89 mmHg), and hypertensives ($\geq$140/90 mmHg). Prehypertensives were further categorized as low prehypertensives (120-129/80-84 mmHg) and high prehypertensives (130-139/85-89 mmHg). Carotid intima-media thickness and plaques were evaluated with a high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test, ANOVA, and multiple logistic regression. Results : Prehypertensives had significantly greater maximal CCA-IMT values than normotensives, with a multivariate adjusted odds ratio of 1.78 (95% CI=1.36-2.32) for abnormal CCA-IMT (maximal CCA-IMT$\geq$1.0 mm), and 1.45 (95% CI=1.19-1.77) for carotid plaques. The multivariate adjusted odds ratio of low prehypertensives was 1.64 (95% CI=1.21-2.21) for abnormal CCA-IMT, and 1.30 (95% CI=1.04-1.63) for carotid plaques compared with normotensives. Subject with hypertension had higher frequency of abnormal CCA-IMT (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% CI=1.49-3.18), and carotid plaques (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% CI=1.46-2.67) compared with normotensives after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions : Our results indicate that there is a significant increase in the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with prehypertension (even in low prehypertensives) compared with normotensive subjects. Further studies are required to confirm the benefits and role of carotid ultrasonography in persons with prehypertension.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.830-837
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• 2015

Space debris has been a major issue recently for the space-active nations because its growing population is expected to increase the collision risk with operational satellites. Radar and electro-optical system has been used for space debris surveillance, which may cause unnecessary anti-collision manoeuvers due to their low tracking accuracy. So an additional tracking system is required to improve the predicted orbit accuracy and then to jude the anti-collision maneouvers more efficiently. The laser tracking system has been considered as an alternative to decrease these unnecessary manoeuvers. Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute has been developing a space object laser tracking system which is capable of laser tracking for satellites with retro-reflectors and for space debris using high power laser, and satellite imaging using adaptive optics. In this study, the tracking capability is analyzed for space debris using high power laser based on link budget, false alarm probability and signal detection probability.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.1-13
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• 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing stress coping behaviors of elementary students in Korea. Methods: This study used a descriptive comparative survey design. A total of 1,161 elementary students voluntarily participated in the study from 10 schools at three regional levels (large and medium-sized cities, and rural towns). Coping behaviors were measured by the modified Ways of Coping Checklist. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression. Results: The most commonly used stress coping behavior reported by the participants was mystic coping, followed by positive coping, and negative coping. Students living in the large city and female students tended to use more coping behaviors than students living in the medium-sized city or rural towns and male students, respectively. Positive coping behaviors were associated with high school performance while myotic coping behaviors were associated high life satisfaction. Conclusion: Elementary students who are males, dissatisfied with their lives, or living in large cities or rural towns tended to be at risk for poor coping. There were differences in factors influencing coping behaviors by type of coping behaviors. An approach to building a successful coping behavior that is specifically tailored to the gender subsets of population and region-specific social and physical environment is recommended.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.565-574
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• 2018

High population density in deltaic settings, especially in Asia, tends to increase and causes coastal flood risk because of lower elevations and significant subsidence. Large flood annually causes numerous deaths and huge economic losses. In this paper, an innovative technology of spatial satellite imagery has been used as tool to analyze the socio-economic flood-related damage in Mekong river basin. The relationship between nightlight intensity and flood damages has been determined for the period of 1992-2013 with a spatial resolution of 30 arc sec ($0.0083^{\circ}$), which is nearly one kilometer at the equator. Flow path distance was calculated to identify the distance of each cell to river network and to examine how nightlight intensity correlate to the area close to and far from river network. Statistical analysis results highlight the significant correlation between nocturnal luminosity intensity and flood-related damages in countries along the Mekong river (i.e., Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam). This result reveals that the areas close to the river network correspond to high human distribution and causes huge damage during flooding. The result may provide key information to the region with respect to decisions, attentions, and mitigation strategies.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.126-136
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of a health education program for the aged on knowledge about the warning signs and symptoms of acute myocardial infarction and stroke. Methods: Data from 337 elderly people (159 participated and 178 non-participated) at senior centers in Jeju-si were collected by 1 to 1 interview from January to March 2012, one year after the education program provided. Two stages of study were performed: Cross-sectional, case-control study on the level of knowledge about the warning signs and symptoms; and multivariate logistic regression to fine out predictors of optimal awareness. Results: No significant discrepancy of knowledge level between case and control group was found. The knowledge level as high as a surge was shown in both groups one year later. A surge of knowledge had been shown after the education provided in one month. The factors affecting the optimal level of knowledge were education (Odds ratio 3.01; Confidence Interval 1.72-5.26; P-value <0.001) and 7 days of watching TV news per week (2.97; 1.68-5.23; P<0.001). However, participation in the health education was not significant (1.60; 0.98-2.61; P=0.059). Conclusions: The effects of a targeted program in high-risk groups for cardio-cerebrovascular disease are only guaranteed in the enhancement by a population-based mass-media education campaign.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.184-228
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• 1998

This study reviews the relationship between son preference and fertility behavior, and infant and chlid mortality in the context of fertility and mortality decline. In Korea the situation reveals that fertility can decline to a very low level even in the presence of strong son preference, but son preference has certain effects on fertility and childhood mortality. The effect of son preference on fertility increased as the level of fertility declined. Our findings show that son preference causes excess female childhood mortality both directly and indirectly through fertility. Also, in Korea, the analysis reveals that female children suffer excessively high level of mortality and part of the excess mortality is due to parents' behavior on family building related to the effort to secure the birth of a son.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2007

Purpose : Short stature is an important complication that impairs the quality of life in survivors of childhood brain tumors. We studied their final adult height (FAH) to evaluate risk factors for short stature. Methods : We reviewed the medical data of 95 survivors of childhood brain tumors (64 males and 31 females) who had been followed up from 1982 to 2006, reached FAH, and had a more than five year-disease-free survival. Results : Final adult height standard deviation score (FAHTSDS: $mean{\pm}SD$) of the patients was lower than those of general population ($-1.15{\pm}1.72$), HTSDS at diagnosis ($-0.13{\pm}1.57$), and target HTSDS ($-0.49{\pm}0.69$). FAHTSDS of craniopharyngioma patients did not decrease ($0.57{\pm}1.17$), but those of germ cell tumor and medulloblastoma patients were significantly reduced ($-1.20{\pm}1.45$, $-2.70{\pm}1.46$; P<0.05). The patients treated with craniospinal radiation or chemotherapy had lower FAHTSDS ($-1.93{\pm}1.58$, $-2.27{\pm}1.44$; P<0.01). In the spinal irradiation group, the younger the age at diagnosis was, the more the loss of FAH (r=0.442, P<0.01). Growth hormone replacement (GHR) didn't improve FAHTSDS, but starting GHR under 12 years was an independent factor for improving FAH once treatment methods were taken into account (P=0.01). Conclusion : The younger age at diagnosis, spinal radiation and chemotherapy were all important risk factors of height loss, and height gain was expected in patients who received GHR under the age of 12 years. Therefore, regular check-ups of growth and early intervention with growth hormones are needed for high risk groups to improve FAH.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.21 no.1 s.23
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• pp.10-20
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• 1988

This study was conducted to compare the maternal charactristics, and birth weight of infants delivered at five different categories of medical facility in Taegu to examine the risk level of pregnant women and children by the medical facility for delivery. The study population included 1,410 pregnant women who delivered a baby at one of nine medical facilities (3 university hospitals, 2 general hospitals, 2 private clinics, 1 midwife clinic, 1 MCH center) in Taegu in April, 1987(April and May, 1987 for K university hospital), Pregnant women were interviewed to ask the age and educational level of woman, payment of medical fee, birth order, delivery method. Birth weight of infant was obtained from medical record. Mean ages of the women delivering at the university hospitals(27.5 years) and at general hospitals(26.7 years) were higher than those at midwife clinic(25.4 years) and at MCH center(26.1 years). Also, mean years of school education were higher in women of university hospitals(12.7 years) and general hospitals (12.2 years) than in women of midwife clinic(9.2 years) and MCH center (9.3 years). The percentages of women covered by the medical insurance were far greater in the university hospitals(78.1%) and general hospitals(82.9%) than in private clinics(44.3%) , midwife clinic(29.1%) and MCH center (5.4%). Infants born at the MCH center were mostly the second birth (47.3%) while 56.0% to 61.7% of infants born at all the other medical facilities were the first birth more women delivering at the university hospitals had history of spontaneous abortion as well as still birth than the women delivering at the other medical facilities. The preform birth rate (11.4%) and low birthweight incidence rates(5.8-13.0%) in university hospitals were significantly higher than those of other medical facilities. Accordingly, c-section rates showed a wide variation among the medical facilities. Study findings revealed that most of women delivering at the university hospitals and general hospitals are in the middle of or upper socio-economic class and obstetrically high risk group regardless of socioeconomic class while the wome delivering at the midwife clinic and MCH center are low risk group of low socioeconomic class. Therefore, the data of a specific medical facility are highly limited in interpretation and can not be generalized.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6273-6276
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• 2012

Background/Aim: Six prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility loci were identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in populations of European decent. However, the associations of these 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with PCa has remained tobe clarified in men in Northern China. This study aimed to explore the loci associated with PCa risk in a Northern Chinese population. Methods: Blood samples and clinical information of 289 PCa patients and 288 controls from Beijing and Tianjin were collected. All risk SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-high resolution melting curve technology and gene sequencing. Associations between PCa and clinical covariates (age at diagnosis, prostate-specific antigen [PSA], Gleason score, tumor stage, and level of aggressiveness) and frequencies of alleles and genotypes of these SNPs were analyzed using genetic statistics. Results: Among the candidate SNPs, 11p15 (rs7127900, A) was associated with PCa risk (P = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.46). Genotypes showed differences between cases and controls on 11p15 (rs7127900, A), 11q13 (rs7931342, T), and HNF1B (rs4430796, A) (P = 0.03, P = 0.01, and P = 0.04, respectively). The genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) was positively associated with an increased Gleason score (P = 0.04, OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.02-4.55). Patients carrying TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) were negatively associated with an increased body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03, OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21-0.92) while those with AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) were more likely to have PSA increase (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Our study suggests that 11p15 (rs7127900, A) could be a susceptibility locus associated with PCa in Northern Chinese. Genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) could be related to an increased Gleason score, AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) could be associated with PSA increase, and TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) could be negatively associated with an increased BMI in Chinese men with PCa.