• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.31-34
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• 2004

This paper reviews the effects of Spirulina platensis and its extracts and phycocyanin, a blue photosynthetic pigment protein in Spirulina on the mucosal immune functions in humans and animals as follows: TEX>$\bullet$ IgA antibody response and other classes in mucosal immunity of mice treated with Spirulina platensis and its extract. $\bullet$ Effect of Spirulina phycocyanin ingestion on the mucosal antibody responses in mice. - Distinct effects of phycocyanin on secretory IgA and allergic IgE antibody responses in mice following oral immunization with antigen-entrapped biodegradable microparticles. $\bullet$ Influence of dietary Spirulina platensis on IgA level in human saliva. $\bullet$ A study on enhancement of bone-marrow cell-proliferation and differentiation by Spirulina platensis in mice: in vivo and in vitro study

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 2010

Although copper and zinc are essential metals for human health, excessive level of these metals is toxic. Besides, aluminum is known to induce various adverse health effects including neurological disorders. Therefore, monitoring the human body burden of these metals is important in preventing adverse health effects. In this study, we assessed the exposure to copper, zinc, and aluminum among an adult population residing in Daegu and Kyungbuk areas. Based on data from 171 participants, we found that the geometric mean copper, zinc, and aluminum concentrations in hair were $15.1\;{\mu}g/g$ [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.1~17.5], 76.9 (95% CI: 70.4~84.1), and $1.11\;{\mu}g/g$ (95% CI: 0.81~1.51), respectively. The copper concentrations in hair were significantly related to age, education, and residence area. In addition, zinc concentrations in hair were significantly related to age, whereas higher hair aluminum concentrations were related to alcohol drinking. Correlations between copper and zinc in hair had a significant positive correlation. Our findings suggest that the body burden of copper, zinc, and aluminum varies according to demographic factors, and hair could be used as a valuable biological medium for metal exposure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.319-322
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• 2005

Porous building materials are not only sources of indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) but they are also strong sinks of these pollutants. Volatile organic compounds have been implicated in impaired spermatogenesis, increase in the incidence of malformed sperm and decrease in the percentage of moving sperm. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the direct effects of various volatile organic compounds (phenol, formaldehyde; HCHO, ethanol, toluene, styrene) on motility and survival rate of human sperm in vitro. Semen samples from 3 health subjects were prepared using swim-up method and 1-10mM volatile organic compounds were added to the test medium. HCHO and phenol produced significant decreases in the motility and survival rate with a different potency. The most potent inhibition of motility and survival rate was observed after exposure to HCHO. Less than 1mM HCHO significantly inhibited sperm motility. When ethanol is added directly to sperm, at concentrations equivalent to that in serum after heavy drinking, these damaging effects were lowest compared with other volatile organic compounds. Present study shows that each compound has differential toxic potency to human sperm and we need special caution for the use of HCHO and phenol.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2017

The effects that ultraviolet rays elicit on collagen synthesis and degradation are the most common causes of wrinkle formation and photo-aging in skin. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of Angelica acutiloba root ethanol extract (AAEE) to promote collagen synthesis and inhibit collagen degradation in human dermal fibroblasts. By examining total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, electron donating ability, radical scavenging activity, and superoxide dismutase-like activity, we found that AAEE exhibited fairly good antioxidant activity. Treatment with AAEE significantly increased type I procollagen production by cultured fibroblasts, as well as reduced ultraviolet-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression and MMP-2 activity in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). In addition, AAEE significantly increased TIMP-1 mRNA expression (p < 0.05), although without an associated dose-dependent increase in TIMP-1 protein expression. In summary, we suggest that AAEE may be a potentially effective agent for the prevention or alleviation of skin-wrinkle formation induced by ultraviolet rays.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.297-301
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study is to review the hazards of whole body vibration(WBV) and prevent human injuries due to WBV. Background: Vibrations that shake the whole body in vehicles and vessels is WBV. Vibration at a specific frequency, and intensity in the human body can act as a hazard. But, it has not yet done enough research about effects of WBV. Method: We analyzed and reviewed occupational or ergonomic papers published past 30 years. Results: Exposure to whole body vibration can cause permanent physical injury or damage of the nervous system. In addition, it may cause problem in the cardiovascular system, digestive system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, reproductive system, and psychological system. The effect of vibration depends on its acceleration, duration, frequency, and direction. Conclusion: WBV-exposed human body experience a high risk of some illnesses such as lumbar spinal disorders. Some workers(bus drivers, truck drivers and heavy equipment operators) are the high risk population exposed to WBV. Application: The results of this study might help to judge and prevent occupational disease caused by WBV.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2017

Recently, the health-promoting effects of functional foods have been shown to prevent nutrition-related diseases, improve physical and mental well-being, satisfy hunger, and provide necessary nutrients for the human body. Koumiss is a common type of fermented mare's milk that has been shown to have beneficial therapeutic effects on cardiovascular disease, tuberculosis, and diarrhea as it can nourish vessels, relieve ill mood, and improve digestion. Hence, in this study, we aimed to prepare health-promoting koumiss using different concentrations of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimmum L.), which has the potential to control heart disease, hypertension, inflammation, and lung function. The pH was decreased to around 4.42-4.43, whereas the total anthocyanin (TA) content was increased to around 0.78~0.82% after fermentation of the koumiss premix. There were no significant differences in pH and TA among the three groups, including the control group. In sensory profile analysis, the taste, flavor, color, texture, and overall acceptability decreased in proportion to the added amount of flaxseed. These findings provided the first data describing the effects of flaxseed on koumiss fermentation, establishing a basis for commercial-scale production of koumiss containing fermented flax seed and for improving the health-promoting activity of koumiss.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.995-1008
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• 2009

This study investigated the causal relationships among the elderly, looking at social participation, depression, self-reported health, and life satisfaction. It was especially focused on the mediating effects of depression and self-reported health on the relationship between social participation and life satisfaction. From the 2006 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, data for 4,155 elderly over age 65 was analyzed with structural equations modeling with Amos 7.0 and sobel test. Major findings were as follows. First, social participation of the elderly has a negative influence on depression and a positive influence on self-reported health and life satisfaction. Second, self-reported health has a partial mediating effect on the relationship between social participation and life satisfaction. Third, the direct effect of depression on life satisfaction was not statistically significant, while the direct effect of social participation was significant. Therefore, depression was not proved as a significant mediator. This study tested the effects of social participation on depression, self-reported health, and life satisfaction empirically and confirmed the partial mediating model, in which social participation improves the elderly's self-reported health, which in turn improves the elderly's life satisfaction. These results suggest the importance of an integrated approach for the healthy and successful aging and the diverse types of social participation in an elderly person's quality of life.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2003

Industrialization has brought great changes in human life. Human sleep patterns have also been much influenced by industrialization and the invention of electricity and the light bulb. Insufficient sleep is a common problem with considerable health, social, and economical impacts on modern society. In this review, we will outline the present state of insufficient sleep in our society, especially catastrophic accidents related with chronic sleep insufficiency. We will discuss the effect of sleep deprivation on human performance by reviewing the literature. We will also emphasize the role of sleep specialists in this issue and highlight the areas in which the principles of sleep medicine can constructively improve public policy and public health.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.489-503
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• 2012

Consumers' interest in health is increasing, and health-seeking consumption lifestyles, including comprehensive consumption behaviors related to physical health, mental health, and a healthy dietary lifestyle are becoming increasingly important to many people. The purpose of this study was to develop a health-seeking consumption lifestyle scale that could aid in determining effects of social status, perceived health status, and socio-demographical variables on health-seeking consumption lifestyles. Data were collected via an on-line survey of 500 respondents, all of whom were married women 20 year of age or older. The data were analyzed in terms of frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, factor analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The results of this study are as following: First, health-seeking consumption lifestyle demonstrated three main factors: physical health-seeking consumption lifestyle, mental health-seeking consumption lifestyle and healthy dietary life seeking consumption lifestyle. Second, most respondents identified themselves with the middle class and perceived their health status positively. Third, health-seeking consumption lifestyle demonstrated significant differences based on socio-demographical variables. Fourth, health-seeking consumption lifestyle was significantly affected by social class, age, and health status comparisons within similar age groups.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.57-64
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the general characteristics of the elderly who participate in the planting activities of weekend farms and the effect of the planting activity levels on the subjective health, depression, and human relationships of the elderly. Data were collected and analyzed using subjective health, depression, and human relationship measures that can represent physical, mental, and social health. The main results were as follows. The educational level, the status of spouses, and the number of diseases of the general characteristics of the elderly who participated in the weekend farm showed significant differences in all subjective health, depression, and human relationships. Plant cultivation activity level was positively correlated with the subjective health of the elderly and had a significant effect. The higher the level of plant cultivation activity, the more positively it affected the human relationship. Plant cultivation activity was negatively correlated with the depression of the elderly.