• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.243-256
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• 2012

Objectives : This clinical study was done to examine metabolic syndrome (MS) and plasma homocysteine (HCY) level in patients with silent lacunar infarction (SLI) and in normal controls. Methods : A total of 154 patients, who were over 20 years of age and visited the stroke prevention check-up center of a university hospital from December 2006 to December 2010, were examined by brain CT or brain MRI, and classified into two groups. We compared the components of MS and HCY levels between patients with SLI (n=74) and normal controls (n=80). Modified ATP III definition was used for diagnosis of MS while Korean standard for waist circumference was used. Results : Prevalence of MS was significantly higher in the SLI group than the normal group. HCY was also significantly higher in the SLI group than the noraml, and the odds ratio (OR) for SLI, comparing high HCY level (${\geq}10{\mu}mol/L$) with low HCY level ($<10{\mu}mol/L$), was 3.64 (95% confidence interval (CI); 1.81-7.29, p<.0001). However, there was no correlation between MS and HCY in the SLI group. Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension (HT) was higher in the SLI group than the normal group, but there was no significant difference in blood lipids level between the SLI and normal groups. Of note, HT itself was enough to be an independent risk factor for SLI (OR; 4.58, 95% CI; 1.91-11.01, p=0.001). Body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio and visceral fat area were significantly higher in the SLI than normal group, and visceral fat area was enough to be an independent risk factor for SLI (OR; 2.41, 95% CI; 1.04-5.59, p=0.040). Conclusions : SLI is shown to have significant correlation with HCY and prevalence of MS, however there is no relationship between HCY and prevalence of MS in patients with SLI.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.101-117
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• 1973

Socio-medical survey was carried out on six hundred and thirty Korean households in the cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya in Japan from Nov. 1972 to Dec. 1972, and following results were obtained. 1. Age distribution of households showed the highest occurence in the group of 40 to 49 years of age in the both sexes. Families with five members showed highest occurence, and the average number of familial members was 5.7 persons per one household. 2. More than half of the householders were some independent enterprisers rather than to be the employees and most of the household had one familial member engaged in more or less liberal profession. 3. 19.4% of households moved into these cities from 1941 to 1945. 4. 40.5% of all the households had their own houses. The possession rate of one's own house was higher in the households which had long period of residence in Japan. 5. 83.5% of all households had various medical insurances. And the 6.2% of the household which had no insurance stated that the reason for not being affiliated was 'because to be the foreigner'. Household of shorter dwelling period had less tendency to be affiliated to the various insurances. 6. In 41.3% of all the households, average medical expenditure amounted to 1000-5000 Yen per month. And only 25.6% of household stated that they do not worry about the medical expenditure for the futures. 7. 66.3% of households were consulting to medical doctors for their sickness, such as toothache, severe coughing, profuse sputum, children's fever and stomach pain etc. 8. 59.4% of households were using the facilities of health center services. The health center service was used mainly for individual health service rather than the environmental aspect. And 19.8% of households were not aware of health center activities. 9. It was found that 23.5% of households received the screening test of the tuberculosis and adult diseases. Especially, the rate of screening test of the adult diseases showed as following ; stomach cancer, 8.9% ; hypertension, 7.9% ; diabetes mellitus, 2.1% ; and uterus cancer, 1.6%. 10. Birth control was carried out in 17.3% of households but not in 52.5%. The chief reason of birth control was 'because of poor maternal health' (40.0%) or 'should not be done' (5.4%). 11. Most of them are obtaining the knowledges and informations on family plannings. public nuisance problems and nutritions etc. by means of the mass communications, while those no preventing diseases and the environmental hygiene through the administrative organizations.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.43-69
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• 1983

This study was conducted to make the life tables from specific causes of death in Korea. Both "Life tables of Korea in l978-79" and "the statistics on causes of death statistics in 1980" issued by Economic Planning Board were used as source of data for this study. Among the 58, 187 death certificates reported to the concerned authorities, 39, 801 causes were drawn for the purpose of this study. As a result, it is revealed that two thirds of men in Korea died from these 10 major causes of death. The summarized results are as follows: 1. According to recent statistics, 10 major causes of death in 1980 were shown in the order of 1) malignant neoplasms, 2) cerebrovascular disease, 3) accidents and adverse effects, 4)hypertensive disease, 5) ischaemic heart disease and heart attack, 6) chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, 7) tuberculosis, 8) pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema and asthma, 9) suicide, 10) diabetes mellitis. 2. The major causes of death in Korea were very similar to those of developed countries such as West Germany, Denmark and Japan. This means that our pattern of death causes is almost approaching to that of developed countries. 3. Our crude death rate in 1980 was on the line of 6.6 per 1, 000 people. This is very low level, compared with 12.1 in West Germany and 10.0 in Denmark, however, our age sepcific death rate was on the verge of doubled level in each age category as to that of West Germany, Denmark and Japan. The fact tells us that our death rate is very high yet, especially in young and prime adult age, and the proportion of the aged is quite low. 4. Average ages of people died from malignant neoplasms, cerebro vascular diseases and hypertensive diseases were 63.1, 66.6, 67.3 respectively, however, that of accidents and adverse effect was only 42.5. This shows that accidents occur indifferently from age. 5. In the curve of eventual death probability, the curve of malignant neoplasms was the highest of all curves before 60 in age. However, the probability curve of eventually dying from accidents and adverse effects tends to decline with age. 6. In this study five life tables from major causes of death (four leading causes of death and of tuberculosis) were constructed for 1979. These life tables are reflecting accurately the effects of age distribution on the specific cause of death. In the surviving curje of these tables we can see that the curve of accidents is adversely related to age. While curves of neoplasms, hypertension and tuberculosis are not diminishing before 40 in age, they are going sharply downward after 50 in age.ard after 50 in age.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1293-1299
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• 2017

Obesity contributes to the development of diseases, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cancer. In addition, oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is recognized widely as a contributing factor in the development of chronic diseases. This study was examined the antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated with or without EGCG for 6 days. The production of glutathione (GSH) and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. EGCG inhibited significantly the lipid accumulation and the expression of adipogenic specific proteins including CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein. The production of intracellular ROS was decreased significantly by EGCG in 3T3-L1 cells. EGCG increased the GSH production and the activities of GPx, GR, CAT, and SOD. Moreover, EGCG increased the protein expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase and heme oxygenase-1 in 3T3-L1 cells. These results suggest that EGCG increased the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes and suppressed the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, the use of phytochemicals that can maintain the GSH redox balance in adipose tissue could be promising for reducing obesity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.349-355
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• 2018

Ginsenoside Rg5, one of the protopanaxadiol ginsenosides of wood-cultivated ginseng, has been implicated in various diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and hypertension; however, its angiogenic activity and molecular mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Here, we found that wood-cultivated ginseng extract and ginsenoside Rg5 increase in vitro proliferation, migration, and tube-like structure formation, which are typical phenomena associated with angiogenesis, in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, Ginsenoside Rg5 stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt, endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS), and extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, which are well-known signal mediators of the angiogenic pathway. Furthermore, Ginsenoside Rg5 did not accelerate the activation of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 which are inflammatory response mediators. These results suggest that wood-cultivated ginseng extract and ginsenoside Rg5 stimulated in vitro angiogenesis by activating the Akt/eNOS- and ERK1/2-dependent signal pathways without inducing vascular inflammation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.830-837
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• 2007

Background and purpose : Stroke is one of the most deadly diseases and a leading cause of disability. Lipids confer an increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In spite of many studies on the relationship between stroke and lipids, their relationship is not clear. This study was undertaken to determine whether lipids were associated with stroke. Method : We compared the components of blood lipids between stroke patients group (n=217,Cases), non-stroke control group (n=160, Controls) and healthy control group without hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, or hyperlipidemia (n=140, Normals). These data were statically analyzed by general linear models and binary logistic regression analysis to get each adjusted odds ratio. Result : The results were as follows. The blood levels of total cholesterol (T-Chol), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-Chol) were significantly higher in patients of ischemic stroke, while the blood levels of T-Chol and LDL-Chol were significantly lower, and the blood levels of TG significantly higher in patients of hemorrhagic stroke. The blood level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-Chol) was significantly lower in all cases. Conclusion : These results suggest that high TG and low HDL-Chol may be risk factors of hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke, high T-Chol and LDL-Chol may be risk factors of ischemic stroke, and low T-Chol and LDL-Chol may be risk factors of hemorrhagic stroke in Koreans.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2009

Background: Arteriovenous fistula formation is not always easy to perform in hemodialysis patients because of poor preservation of veins due to repeated venipuncture and cannulation. We analyzed the patency rate and complications of prosthetic arteriovenous fistulas using the vena comitantes as a venous outflow in the antecubital fossa, which are protected from venipuncture. Material and Method: Between January 2006 and June 2008, 12 patients underwent prosthetic arteriovenous fistula formation using the vena comitantes as a venous outflow. Arterial inflow was via the brachial artery and the graft was placed in a loop fashion. The male-to-female ratio was 7 : 5 and the mean age was $59{\pm}14$ years. Six patients had diabetes mellitus and 10 patients had hypertension. Result: There were no complications, such as a graft infection or bleeding. Five patients showed postoperative stenosis at an average of 3 months. The primary patency rate was 75.0, 65.6, and 52.2% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. All the patients with stenosis were able to continue hemodialysis after intervention therapy. The secondary patency rate was 100% at 12 months. Conclusion: Creation of a prosthetic arteriovenous fistula using uninjured vena comitantes resulted in a good patency rate and this vein may become a substitute for inappropriate superficial veins.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.50-59
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this review is to investigate studies on skin adverse reactions and to demonstrate subjects related to the adverse effects in dermatology. Methods : Electric searches were performed with KISS(Korean studies Information Search System) and the key words were combination of 'skin' and 'adverse effect'. 87 literatures investigated in this review were issued from 1900 to 2016. Results : Among the 87 papers, dermatologic adverse reactions were reported in 83 papers in medicine, accounting for 95.4%. Of the adverse effects seen on the skin, 84 discoloration such as erythema, pigmentation and hemotelangiosis were the most common, accounting for 21%. Among the medical adverse reactions not seen on the skin, 21 infection were the most common, accounting for 25%. Among the subjective adverse reactions, of which 32 pruritus were the most common, accounting for 43%. Among the 87 papers, there were 3 cases with underlying diabetes and 3 cases with underlying hypertension, followed by 2 cases with chronic renal failure, HBV, atopic dermatitis and respectively 1 case with alcoholism, depression addiction, multiple myeloma, arthritis and psoriasis. The most frequent period until adverse reactions appeared was within 2 weeks, accounting for 13 papers. And 4 were the most frequent adverse reactions lasting less than 1 month, and 4 were more than 3 months and less than 6 months. There were 48 cases where adverse reactions were caused by nonmedical practioner's treatment. The adverse reactions by the pharmacist were the highest at 11 cases (23%). There were 17 cases of adverse reactions due to medical treatment, among which dermatologists and nondermatologists accounted for the majority of 5 cases, 29%. The most common cause of adverse reactions was the application of external medicine (41 cases), followed by 36 cases of foreign body implantation, eyebrow tattooing, ear piercing, etc. Conclusions : In this report, we demonstrated patterns of adverse reactions in the medical field of dermatology caused by non-medical personnel than medical personnel. We suggest that more effort should be followed by medical personnel to establish clear awareness of skin disease and by patients to be aware of the risks of the illegal medical treatment by non-medical personnel.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 2005

Purpose: In Ulleung island, emergency medical transport by helicopter is very important. So, we analysized our experience with emergency medical transport by helicopter for 4 years and we were compared our data with other data for 1997-2001. Therefore we need to research public health development direction. Method: We analysized patient's medical record for 4 years. Result: During 4 years, 104 transports were done and 130 patients were trasported to tertiary hospital center, there was more increased than that from 1997 to 2001. Helicopters from Pohang coast guard, Donghae coast guard, Navy, and 119 rescue etc. were used, but 119 rescue transport was decreased more and more. The 60's patients was most, 22.3% and teenager's and 80's patients was lowest. The male was 65% but the female was increased more and more annually. In addition, the older patients was the more portion of female patient. The transport was concentrated in daytime. The traumatic patient was much in winter period. The cerebrovascular accident was 1st cause of patient and fracture was many also. Conclusioon: Except Fire service's helicopter, the other helicopter was not apt to emergency medical tansport. But Fire service's helicopter was not used commonly because Fire service's helicopter was in Daegu, so distant and time consumed. As a result, emergency medical transport helicopter is needed in east coast like Fire service's helicopter. In addition, trauma prevention education and public health education for hypertension and diabetes will be essential and public health system in Ulleung island will be prepared for aging society.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2007

Korean red ginseng has broad efficacious effects against hypertension, diabetes, nociception, and cancer, and it counteracts weakness. It has been reported that Korean red ginseng is able to normalize blood pressure, improve cholesterol and lower blood glucose levels. We have recently reported that Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) significantly prevented rat carotid arterial thrombosis in vivo, and inhibited platelet aggregation ex vivo and in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of KRGE on blood circulation in human by measuring ex vivo platelet aggregation, plasma coagulation and serum lipid profiles in healthy volunteers. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups (placebo-group, KRGE-low dose group, KRGE-high dose group). Administration of KRGE to subjects significantly inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregations both in KRGE-low dose group from $72.79{\pm}20.53$ to $62.00{\pm}23.06%$ (p=0.0009), and in KRGE-high dose group from $75.14{\pm}21.86$ to $64.52{\pm}24.72%$ (p=0.0039), respectively. Administration of KRGE to subjects also significantly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregations both in KRGE-low dose group from $85.52{\pm}12.57$ to $79.62{\pm}20.47%$ (p=0.0916), and in KRGE-high dose group from $80.24{\pm}18.11$ to $70.31{\pm}25.93%$ (p=0.0565), respectively. Whereas, KRGE has no significant effects on coagulation system, such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and serum lipid profiles, such as total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride. KRGE also has no significant effects on hematological and serum biochemical profiles. These results suggest that KRGE has a potential to improve blood circulation through antiplatelet activity in human, and KRGE intake may be beneficial for the individuals with high risks of thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases.