• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.161-168
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• 2016

Purpose: Patients who suffer from rheumatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, other various inflammatory diseases and musculoskeletal disorders, which are all similar to temporomandibular disorders (TMD), have been complaining about changes in the level and type of pain in response to changes in weather conditions for a long time. Through an investigation about pain perception in TMD patients in response to weather conditions, our primary objective was to develop base materials for future studies on change in pain in response to meteorological factors. Methods: Among patients who presented with TMD to Department of Oral Medicine, Pusan National University Dental Hospital from August to October 2016, one hundred consecutive TMD patients diagnosed with TMDs according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were recruited for the study and 28 patients were excluded according to exclusion criteria. Survey was done with the questionnaire and investigated whether there was any difference in incidence and level of pain in TMD patients between non-rainy and rainy days. Results: Among a total of 72 samples, 4 patients reported change in pain on rainy days rather than non-rainy days. Two patients from chronic group (joint and complex subgroup) reported increased pain on rainy days rather than non-rainy days but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). One patient from chronic/muscle group reported the change in pain characteristics while pain intensity remained unchanged. One patient from acute/complex group reported decreased pain intensity. In comparison of the patients who reported increased pain on rainy days between acute and chronic groups, there were two reported cases and were both from chronic group only. There was a significantly higher chance of reporting increased pain on rainy days in chronic group than acute group (p<0.001). Conclusions: It is considered that TMD patients couldn't perceive the change in pain well in response to weather change on rainy days but some chronic patients could perceive the increase in pain in rainy days.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3369-3375
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• 2014

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP), considered as a prototypical inflammatory cytokine, has been proposed to be involved in tumor progression through inflammation. Recent studies have indicated CRP as a progostic predictor for urological cancers, but the results remain controversial. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of Medline, Scopus and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify eligible studies published between Jan 1, 2001 and Sep 1, 2013. Outcomes of interest were collected from studies comparing overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients with elevated CRP levels and those having lower levels. Studies were pooled, and combined hazard ratio (HR) of CRP with its 95% confidence interval (CI) for survival were used for the effect size estimate. Results: A total of 43 studies (7,490 patients) were included in this meta-analysis (25 for RCC, 10 for UC, and 8 for PC). Our pooled results showed that elevated serum CRP level was associated with poor OS (HR: 1.26, 95%CI: 1.22-1.30) and RFS (HR: 1.38 95%CI: 1.29-1.47), respectively. For CSS the pooled HR (HR: 1.33, 95%CI: 1.28-1.39) for higher CRP expression could strongly predict poorer survival in urological cancers. Simultaneously, elevated serum CRP was also significantly associated with poor prognosis in the subgroup analysis. Conclusions: Our pooled results demonstrate that a high serum level of CRP as an inflammation biomarker denotes a poor prognosis of patients with urological cancers. Further large prospective studies should be performed to confirm whether CRP, as a biomarker of inflammation, has a prognostic role in urological cancer progression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2009

The myosin light chain kinase (MYLK) gene encodes both smooth muscle and nonmuscle cell isoforms. Recently, polymorphisms in MYLK have been reported to be associated with several diseases. To examine the genetic effects of polymorphisms on the risk of asthma and related phenotypes, we scrutinized MYLK by re-sequencing/genotyping and statistical analysis in Korean population (n = 1,015). Seventeen common polymorphisms located in or near exons, having pairwise $r^2$ values less than 0.25, were genotyped. Our statistical analysis did not replicate the associations with the risk of asthma and log-transformed total IgE levels observed among African descendant populations. However, two SNPs in intron 16 (+89872C> G and +92263T> C), which were in tight LD (|D'| = 0.99), revealed significant association with log-transformed blood eosinophil level even after correction multiple testing ($P=0.002/P^{corr}=0.01$ and $P=0.002/P^{corr}=0.01$, respectively). The log-transformed blood eosinophil levels were higher in individuals bearing the minor alleles for +89872C> G and +92263T> C than in those bearing other allele. In additional subgroup analysis, the genetic effects of both SNPs were much more apparent among asthmatic patients and atopic asthma patients. Among atopic asthma patients, the log-transformed blood eosinophil levels were proportionally increased by gene-dose dependent manner of in both +89872C> G and +92263T> C(P = 0.0002 and P = 0.00007, respectively). These findings suggest that MYLK polymorphisms might be among the genetic factors underlying differential increases of blood eosinophil levels among asthmatic patients. Further biological and/or functional studies are needed to confirm our results.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.160-165
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Korea is quickly becoming an aged society. Dementia is also becoming a vital public health problem in Korea. Cognitive impairment as a pre-stage of dementia shares most risk factors for dementia. The aim of the present study was to determine associations of serum levels of vitamins A, C, and E with the risk of cognitive impairment among elderly Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 230 participants aged 60-79 years from Yangpyeong cohort were included. Cognitive function was assessed by the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening. The logistic multivariable regression model was applied to determine the effect of serum vitamins A, C, and E on the risk of cognitive impairment. RESULTS: There was no significant association between the risk of cognitive impairment and serum levels of vitamin A and vitamin C. There was a significant odd ratio when the second tertile group of beta-gamma tocopherol level was compared to the first tertile group [odds ratio (OR) = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.14-0.98, P for trend = 0.051]. In subgroup analyses, there were significant negative associations between beta-gamma tocopherol level and the risk of cognitive impairment in men (OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.03-0.87, P for trend = 0.028), non-drinkers or former drinkers (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02-0.66, P for trend = 0.025), and non-smokers or former smokers (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.09-0.82, P for trend = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Serum beta-gamma tocopherol levels tended to be inversely associated with the risk of cognitive impairment. Further prospective large-scaled studies are needed to examine this association.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1231-1244
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to report the glucose-lowering effect and safety of herbal extracts in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: We investigated 21 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were administered Daeshiho-tang, Bojungikgi-tang, Jowiseunggi-tang, and Hoechunyanggyeok-san at Kyung-Hee University Korean Medical Hospital from 2014 to 2019. The hypoglycemic effect of the herbal extracts was assessed by comparing blood glucose levels, including fasting blood sugar (FBS) and 2-hour postprandial glucose (PP2) levels. For safety assessment, the effects of herbal extracts on liver and kidney function were analyzed by liver function tests, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and kidney function tests, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr). Patients were stratified according to their glycated hemoglobin (<6.5 or >6.5) levels and the kind of herbal extract used for treatment. Results: After administration of herbal extracts, FBS and PP2 significantly decreased to 20.24 mg/dL and 35.0 mg/dL respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed that, regardless of the glycated hemoglobin level, FBS and PP2 were significantly reduced in both groups. The safety profile showed no significant difference before and after taking herbal extracts. Conclusions: Daeshigo-tang, Bojungikgi-tang, Jowiseunggi-tang, and Hoechunyanggyeok-san may show the further glucose-lowering effects on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have already treated with anti-hyperglycemic agents.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.825-846
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• 2019

This study aims to identify subgroups of ageism among young adults of age 20-39, and to examine its relationship to perceptions of generational conflict and elderly welfare policy. Latent Profile Analysis(LPA) was applied on the data 'Survey on Age Integration and Generational Integration', which was executed by institute for Age Integration Researchof Ewha Womans university, and descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation analysis were performed to examine the socio-demographic characteristics of each subgroup. Then, regression analysis was performed to observe the effect of the subgroups on the perceptions of generational conflict and elderly welfare policy. The results are as follows. The resulting subgroups of ageism among young adults were 'compound perception on aging and active age discrimination', 'medium-level aging anxiety and passive age discrimination', and 'low-level aging anxiety and beyond age discrimination'. Subgroups of ageism affected both perceptions of generational conflict and elderly welfare policy, whereas social support only affected perception of elderly welfare policy. Based on the results, political implications, such as activation of education on perception on aging, expansion of generational exchange for age integration, and renewal of social atmosphere for intergenerational coexistence, which will promote social integration

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.22
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• pp.231-258
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• 2010

A study apartment house inhabitants of to, crime prevention effort is done satisfaction analysis and that deduce design plan of CPTED that can overcome safe life space embodiment and criminal fear from crime in Juminin viewpoint through atomize group's interaction by background fantast. Is positive because factor analysis wave and satisfaction index of deduce universe (Total group) 8 factor are presented more than all 0, and quite was expose by level that is worth accommodating. Satisfaction index of The secondary design group (Group1) 8 factor is positive because is presented more than all 0, and mechanical access control, mechanical surveillance is level that is worth accommodating quite, and level that is proper in remainder 6 dimension appear. Can know that 1 The secondary design group(Group2) is expose by level that satisfaction characteristic of 8 factor can be presented more than all 0 and appeared positively, and accommodate quite in all dimensions. Result that analyze Two-way ANOVA satisfaction difference of environment design of group by satisfaction of the primary and the secondary design group is high in 8 all dimensions of CPTED, and satisfaction by appeared satisfaction high in group less than natural access control, 2 years of natural surveillance, and reciprocal action effect that go with group is high satisfaction in 2 years low in The secondary design group more than the primary and the secondary design group of systematic access control and natural access control, and the primary and the secondary design group appeared high in subgroup of 2 remainders. Satisfaction difference by group by crime prevention effort satisfaction of the primary and the secondary design group is high in 8 all dimensions of CPTED, and satisfaction difference by crime prevention effort appeared satisfaction high in 'A prize' group to The secondary design group, and reciprocal action efficiency is high in 'A prize' group in The secondary design group more than the primary and the secondary design group in mechanical access control, systematic access control, natural access control, territoriality reinforcement, and satisfaction of 'Between' and 'Very' group appeared high in the primary and the secondary design group.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4617-4622
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• 2014

Background: Several studies have previously focused on associations between the (GT)n repeat polymorphism of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene promoter region and risk of cancers, but results are complex. We conducted the present meta-analysis to integrate relevant findings and evaluate the association between HO-1(GT)n repeat polymorphism and cancer susceptibility. Materials and Methods: Published literature was retrieved from the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and ISI Web of Science databases before November 2013. For all alleles and genogypes, odds ratios were pooled to assess the strength of the associations using either fixed-effects or random-effects models according to heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to ethnicity and histopathology. Results: A total of 10 studies involving 2,367 cases and 2,870 controls were identified. The results showed there was no association between HO-1 (GT)n repeat polymorphism and the cancer risk both at the allelic and genotypic level. However, in the stratified analysis, we observed an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma in persons carrying the LL genotype and the LL+LS genotype as compared with those carrying the SS genotype. When the LS and SS genotypes were combined, the odds ratio for squamous cell carcinoma in LL-genotype carriers, were also significantly increased. No publication bias was observed. Conclusions: The LL genotype and L-allele carrying genotypes (LL+LS) of HO-1 (GT)n repeat polymorphism are potential genetic factors for developing squamous cell carcinoma. More large and well-designed studies are required for further validations.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1987

This study was designed to evaluate the characteristics, land use and genesis of well adapted paddy soils. They were mostly classified as the Haplaquepts in the U.S.D.A soil taxonomy and as the Grey soils in the Japanese soil classification system. The proportion of these soils in the total acreage of paddy lands was thirty three percents. The fifty four percents in average of these soils were distributed on the local valley and fans on gentle slopes developed from granite, granite gneiss and shale parent materials. The rests were on the fluvio-marine deposits and alluvial deposits. The soils were characterized with prominant development of gleized horizons and clayey or fine loamy textured category. The available soil depth and the ground water level were relatively deep. The base saturation percent were high with weak acidic pH. The potential productivity of these soils was high.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 1992

The purpose of this study is to obtain the effective concentration of capsaicin to relieve pain with no change in the number of C-fibers and its effective duration for pain relief. Capsaicin has been used extremely as a experimental tool and as topical medications for acute or chronic tissue injuries and partial nerve injury is the main cause of causalgiform pain disorders in humans. Here, the left sciatic nerve was ligated unilaterally at the high level of the thigh to prepare an animal model of this pain condition. The rat developed guarding behavior of the ipsilateral hind paw within a few hours after the operation and this behavior was maintained for several months thereafter, suggesting the possibility of spontaneous pain. These animals were divided into two groups(4-week & 8-week) and each group was subdivided into five groups by different concentration (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 & 2.0%). Each capsaicin concentration was treated locally on the spinal cord-side of the ligated nerve and the foot withdrawal latency was measured. Thereafter, the dorsal roots of L5 were removed from both sides immediately after in tracardial perfusion for the counting of C-fibers by the histological procedure. There were no significant differences in the foot-withdrawal latency and the number of C-fibers between the left side treated with 0.05% capsaicin and the right side treated with the vehicle. However, latencies of the left sides treated with 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% capsaicin increased significantly throughout 4-6 weeks with almost no change in the number of C-fibers, and the latencies showed the trends to approach slowly to those of the conditions after operation. The latency of subgroup treated with 2.0% increased by approximate 10% more than that of the right side throughout 8 weeks, and the number of C-fibers decreased by about 30% or more These results suggest that the elevated latency with capsaicin(0.1-1.0%) treatment is due to the inhibition of impulse transmission throughout the primary afferent fiber and the data from 2.0% are due to partial destruction of C-fibers. Therefore, capsaicin concentrations from 0.1% to 1.0% are probably very effective for the treatment of causalgiform pain with almost no destruction of C-fibers.