• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

Background: A validation study is needed to make domestic applications of German Kneipp therapy. Purpose: The study aims to test the effect of a Kneipp therapeutic program in a domestic forest environment on the autonomic nervous system. Methods: The program was made considering the 4 key elements ('exercise', 'regulative therapy', 'nutrition', and 'phytotherapy') of the Kneipp therapy. Total 3 sessions (once a week for 5 hours in each session) were performed to 40 domestic adults divided into four groups (10 in each group). HRV was measured on the subjects before and after the intervention, and its 6 characteristic parameters (TP, VLF, LF, HF, LF/HF, CSI: Cumulative Stress Index) were compared for statistical analysis. Results: For 33 subjects excluding 7 who were disturbed by interrupt factors during measurements, significant improvements after the intervention, were observed in TP(8.64%, p < ..001), VLF(6.96%, p < .05), LF(15.86%, p < .001), HF(8.46%, p < .01), LF/HF(5.77%, p < .05) and CSI(-16.06%, p < ..001). Conclusions: The Kneipp therapy performed in the forest environment was shown to activate the autonomic nervous system and in particular the sympathetic and parasympatheric nervous to promote heart activity, and was also shown to most significantly reduce cumulative stress. The present observations would be the first preliminary evidence that the Kneipp therapeutic interventation in a domestic forest environment results in positive responses of the autonomic nervous system including stress relief.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2022

The relationship between lipoprotein(a) and dyslipidemia is not clear. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the relationship between lipoprotein(a) and dyslipidemia in elderly patients over 60 years. From 2014 to 2020, a total of 2,580 adults aged 60 years or older (73.31±7.24 years, 1,954 males) were enrolled in the study. The patients had checked into a general hospital, and data were obtained for lipoprotein(a), LDL-C, TG, HDL-C, hs-CRP, HbA1c, sex, age, BMI, dyslipidemia diagnosis, and use of lipid-lowering agents. BMI and HbA1c showed no correlation with lipoprotein(a), but hs-CRP (r=0.138), LDL-C (r=0.097), HDL-C (r=-0.089), TG (r=-0.073), and age (r=0.072) were significantly correlated to lipoprotein(a). The partial correlation between lipoprotein(a) and LDL-C, which was adjusted for variables, was significant only in the male gender (r=0.158, P<0.001). As the odds ratio of the 4^th quartile of lipoprotein(a) (OR=1.376, 95% CI=1.038~1.822) for dyslipidemia was found to be significant in this study when the level of LDL-C, the primary target, could not be reduced even by taking lipid-lowering drugs, we propose that lipoprotein(a) should also be included among the several factors considered as secondary targets. Our results indicate that studies on various lipid factors considering the sex, age, types and use of lipid-lowering agents, are warranted.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2021

Background: It is necessary to verify the resilience of the newly improved Kneipp psychotherapy. Purpose: This study assesses whether Kneipp Lebensordnung psychotherapy; KnLP program improves resilience. Methods: The KnLP program, including salutogenesis, logotherapy, meditation, and resilience training, is reorganized in consideration of Korean culture and sentiments. It was conducted 4 times for 25 adults (once a week, 3 hours a time), and data, KRQ-53 (Korean Resilience Quotient-53) measured intervention, before, and after was compared and analyzed. Results: The data for 9 adults were selected to draw reliable analysis, and it concluded that participants' KRQ-53 mean score increased by 14.66 from 191.56 to 206.22 during and after the program. The score increase by factor in resilience training is 5.89 points for self-regulation skills, 4.89 points for in interpersonal skills, and 3.89 points for positive capacity. Conclusions: KnL program improves participants' resilience skill (p<.05), and especially in self-regulation skill. Subsequent studies with more participants are required to achieve statistically significant and generalized results in the future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2022

Background: Lower back pain (LBP) is a major cause of disability and a common musculoskeletal disorder encountered at some point in life. Dysfunction of the lumbar vertebrae has been associated with decreased flexibility of the hamstrings, which exhibited a strong positive correlation with LBP. Hamstring tension affects lumbar pelvic rhythm. We aimed to activate pelvic stability with compression by Active Therapeutic Movement (ATM), muscle energy technique (MET) was applied to increase the flexibility of the hamstring. Objects: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of MET with ATM and general MET were applied to the hamstring of adults, who were in their twenties with nor without LBP, on their pelvic inclination and the length of their hamstring. Methods: A total of 32 subjects were briefed about the purpose of this study and agreed to participate voluntarily. Before the experiment, all subjects were pre-examined, and they were divided into an LBP group and a no lower back pain group accordingly. Thereafter, all subjects participated in both in a crossover manner. After at least one week, they switched to another group and participated in the same experiment. Results: The study results revealed that both groups demonstrated significant results in the modified active knee extension test (p < 0.01) and the sit and reach test (p < 0.01) performed to assess the hamstring flexibility; an interaction (p < 0.05) was noted. Moreover, a more significant difference was observed between the MET with ATM and the general MET. Although significant results were obtained for the pelvic inclination (p < 0.01), interaction was not noted. Conclusion: Conclusively, in this study, when the MET with ATM was applied to the two groups, there was a significant difference compared to the general MET for hamstring flexibility, but it was confirmed that there was no significant difference for the pelvic inclination.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.749-761
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• 2022

This study evaluated the antioxidizing and antiproliferative effects of Angelica japonica extract and its solvent-partitioned fractions. A dried sample of the halophyte A. japonica was extracted twice using methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂) and extracted twice again using methanol (MeOH). The combined crude extracts were then fractionated by solvent polarity into distilled water (water), n-butanol (n-BuOH), 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq.MeOH), and n-hexane fractions. The antioxidant activities of the crude extracts and their solvent-partitioned fractions were assessed according to their DPPH radical and peroxynitrite scavenging abilities, formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA oxidation, NO production, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The crude extract showed significant antioxidant activity in the overall antioxidizing bioassay systems. Among solvent-partitioned fractions, good antioxidant activities were observed in n-BuOH and 85% aq.MeOH fractions and significantly correlated with the polyphenol and flavonoid contents of the samples. Furthermore, all samples tested, including the crude extract, not only showed cytotoxic effects against human cancer cells (AGS, HT-29, MCF-7, and HT-1080) but also prevented cell migration in a dose-dependent manner in the wound healing assay using HT 1080. Among the solvent-partitioned fractions, the 85% aq.MeOH fraction most effectively inhibited the invasion of HT-1080 cells. Therefore, these results suggest that A. japonica may be a potential antioxidizing and antiproliferative agent.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.545-550
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• 2022

As a result of the rapid entry into an aging society and westernized eating habits, the number of heart disease patients caused by angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and high blood pressure has increased by more than 100,000 over five years. Heart disease has consistently ranked second in the cause of death in Korea over the past eight years, and medical expenses consumed annually reach 6 trillion won. While various treatments are being proposed for more patients, drug-coated balloon catheters have been developed and gradually commercialized to solve the disadvantages of stent implantation such as restenosis and increased risk of bleeding due to long-term double antiplatelet medication. In Korea, it began to use a drug-coated balloon catheter with the first release of it called "SeQuent Please^Ⓡ (Bibrown Korea)" in 2010. Its demand increased gradually as insurance benefits were applied in 2012. Drug-coated balloon angioplasty is increasing in use not only in Korea but also around the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan. Until now, the demand for domestic products is increasing, and if the efficiency in vivo and clinical trials is proven in the future, it is expected to be an effective procedure compared to high-risk stent implantation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.423-432
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• 2022

Background: The decreased expression of mu-opioid receptors (MOR) in the amygdala may be a key molecular in chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP). It is known that miR-339-5p expression in the amygdala of a stressed rat model was increased. Analyzed by RNAhybrid, miR-339-5p could target opioid receptor mu 1 (oprm1) which codes MOR directly. So, the authors hypothesized that miR-339-5p could regulate the expression of MOR via targeting oprm1 and cause the effects to CPSP. Methods: To simulate perioperative short-term stress, a perioperative stress prolongs incision-induced pain hypersensitivity without changing basal pain perception rat model was built. A pmiR-RB-REPORT^TM dual luciferase assay was taken to verify whether miR-339-5p could act on oprm1 as a target. The serum glucocorticoid level of rats was test. Differential expressions of MOR, GFAP, and pERK1/2 in each group of the rats' amygdala were tested, and the expressions of miR-339-5p in each group of rats' amygdalas were also measured. Results: Perioperative stress prolonged the recovery time of incision pain. The expression of MOR was down-regulated in the amygdala of rats in stress + incision (S + IN) group significantly compared with other groups (P < 0.050). miR-339-5p was up-regulated in the amygdala of rats in group S + IN significantly compared with other groups (P < 0.050). miR-339-5p acts on oprm1 3'UTR and take MOR mRNA as a target. Conclusions: Perioperative stress could increase the expression of miR-339-5p, and miR-339-5p could cause the expression of MOR to decrease via targeting oprm1. This regulatory pathway maybe an important molecular mechanism of CPSP.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.151-161
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to identify citizens' needs and what they perceive the health-related problems are so public opinion can be reflected in the Daegu Community Health Plan. A citizen participation group was organized, and two roundtable discussions were held in June and July 2018. The number of participants in the first and second round was 40 and 44, respectively. Customer itinerary guidance, DVDM (Definition, Value, Difficulty, and Method) Map, and Persona-based scenario method were used for the roundtable discussions. The measures to improve the health status proposed by the citizens included expanding access to health services, establishing health services centered on small-living areas, expanding mental health services, creating health-friendly environments, resolving environmental problems, and improving social health. In addition, enhancing communication and creating harmonized environments, improving access to healthcare, generating pleasant physical environments, and assigning socials roles for vulnerable individuals were brought up as the means to resolve health disparities. The strength of the present study lies in the fact that, unlike survey methods, the citizens' exact needs were identified by sharing their thoughts. Moreover, it was proven that practical measures would be needed to implement citizen participation in planning health-related projects.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.633-640
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to research the prevalence and related factors for the life care of knee osteoarthritis in Koreans agricultural and fishery population. Among the agricultural and fishery population over the age of 50, 816 people were chosen to analyze the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis and the prevalence odds ratio of social demographic or health related factors based on the primitive data of the 5th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012). The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis was 26.3% and, in demographic terms, female, elders, and individuals with low level of educational attainment and monthly income showed higher prevalence of knee osteoarthritis. In health related factors, nonsmokers and people with higher BMI showed higher prevalence of knee osteoarthritis. The present cross-sectional study showing the prevalence ratio and the prevalence odd ratio revealed a high incidence of knee osteoarthritis in Korean agricultural and fishery populations.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.79-94
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• 2022

Due to the highly contagious nature and severity of the respiratory diseases caused by COVID-19, economical and accurate tests are required to better monitor and prevent the spread of this contagion. As the structural and molecular properties of SARS-CoV-2 were being revealed during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, many manufacturers of COVID-19 diagnostic kits actively invested in the design, development, validation, verification, and implementation of diagnostic tests. Currently, diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 are the most widely used and validated techniques for rapid antigen, and immuno-serological assays for specific IgG and IgM antibody tests and molecular diagnostic tests. Molecular diagnostic assays are the gold standard for direct detection of viral RNA in individuals suspected to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. Antibody-based serological tests are indirect tests applied to determine COVID-19 prevalence in the community and identify individuals who have obtained immunity. In the future, it is necessary to explore technical problems encountered in the early stages of global or regional outbreaks of pandemics and provide future directions for better diagnostic tests. This article evaluates the commercially available and FDA-approved molecular and immunological diagnostic assays and analyzes their performance characteristics.