• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2002

Objectives : To evaluate the accuracy of the registered cause of death in a county and its related factors. Methods : The data used in this study was based on 504 cases, in a county of Chonnam province, registered between January and December 1998. Study subjects consisted of 388 of the 504 cases, and their causes of death were established by an interview survey of the next of kin or neighbor and medical record surveys. We compared the registered cause of death with the confirmed cause of death, determined by surveys and medical records, and evaluated the factors associated with the accuracy of the registered cause of death. Results : 62.6% of the deaths were concordant with 19 Chapters classification of cause of death. external causes of mortality, endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, neoplasms and diseases of the circulatory system showed the good agreement between the registered cause of death and the confirmed cause of death. The factors relating to the accuracy of the registered cause of death were the doctors' diagnosis for the cause of death (adjusted Odds Ratio: 2.67, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.21-5.89) and the grade of the public officials in charge of the death registry (adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.30, 95% CI=0.12-0.78). Conclusions : The accuracy of the registered cause of death was not high. It could be improved by using the doctors' diagnosis for death and improving the job specification for public officials who deal with death registration.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2018

Our review begins with the maize hybrid for grain, called 'Seakso 1,' which was developed in 2008 by the Gangwon Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Korea, and subsequently registered in 2011. In this study, we aimed to investigate the lipid metabolic enzyme activity and inhibitory effect on the adipocyte differentiation, in 3T3-L1 cells of the identified Seakso 1 corn husk and cob extracts (EHCS). We investigated the pancreatic lipase inhibitory effect and anti-adipogenic effect of EHCS.The lipid accumulation and adipocyte differentiation were measured by the procedure of Oil Red O staining, Real-time PCR and the Western blot analysis. The pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of EHCS was measured at higher levels than those of the positive control (orlistat) at 100, 500, and $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. In particular, EHCS was noted as being significantly inhibited and including a measured adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation, when treated during the adipocyte differentiation process in 3T3-L1 cells. Based on the Oil Red O staining, EHCS inhibited lipid accumulation at 19.19%, 33.30% at $1000{\mu}g/mL$, $2000{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The real-time PCR and Western blot analysis showed that EHCS significantly decreased in the mRNA expression and protein level of obesity-related factors, such as peroxisome-proliferatorsactivated-receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT enhancer-binding-proteins ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$). This study potentially suggests that the Saekso 1 corn husk and cob extracts may improve lipid metabolism and reduce lipid accumulation.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.188-193
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• 2018

Objectives : Clozapine is a widely prescribed antipsychotic drug for schizophrenia and is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease due to its metabolic side effects. However, little is known about the effect of clozapine on the platelet activation, another important factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we tried to investigate the effect of clozapine on platelet activity in patients with schizophrenia by comparing the mean platelet component (MPC) values before and after the clozapine administration. Methods : A retrospective review of medical records of patients with schizophrenia, who newly started clozapine treatment from September 1st, 2003 to April 30th, 2007 at the Department of Psychiatry, Konyang University Hospital in Republic of Korea was performed. The final statistical analysis included 14 participants. Bayer ADVIA $120^{(R)}$ system was used to measure MPC. Results : Among the 14 participants, five subjects were males (28.60%), and ten subjects were females (71.40%). The mean age of participants was $37.50{\pm}11.64years$. Average of duration of illness was $91.00{\pm}93.96months$, with the mean dosage of clozapine taken by participants at the time of the last blood test was $337.50{\pm}109.52mg$. The mean MPC measurement before and after receiving clozapine was $26.12{\pm}2.22g/dL$ and $25.14{\pm}2.08g/dL$ respectively. Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that there was a statistically significant decrease in MPC levels after clozapine administration (V=16, p=0.024). Conclusions : Decreased MPC levels after clozapine administration implies that clozapine may increase platelet activation which could have an adverse effect on the occurrence of thromboembolic disease. Our findings also suggest that careful monitoring of the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, such as platelets activity, is necessary when administering clozapine.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.318-325
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• 2017

Alcoholic steatosis is a fundamental metabolic disorder and may precede the onset of more severe forms of alcoholic liver disease. In this study, we isolated enzymatichydrolysate from Semisulcospira libertine by alcalase hydrolysis and investigated the protective effect of Semisulcospira libertine hydrolysate on liver injury induced by alcohol in the mouse model of chronic and binge ethanol feeding (NIAAA). In an in vitro study, the hydrolysate protects HepG2 cells from ethanol toxicity. Liver damage was assessed by histopathological examination, as well as by quantitating activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). After the administration of S. libertina hydrolysate, fat accumulation and infiltration of inflammatory cells in liver tissues were significantly decreased in the NIAAA mouse model. The elevated levels of serum AST, ALT, and ALP activities, along with the lipid contents of a damaged liver, were recovered in experimental mice administrated with S. libertina hydrolysate, suggesting its role in blood enzyme activation and lipid content restoration within damaged liver tissues. Moreover, treatment with S. libertine hydrolysate reduced the expression rate of cyclooxygenase (COX-2), interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6, which accelerate inflammation and induces tissue damage. All data showed that S. libertine hydrolysate has a preventive role against alcohol-induced liver damages by improving the activities of blood enzymes and modulating the expression of inflammation factor, suggesting S. libertine hydrolysate could be a commercially potential material for the restoration of hepatotoxicity.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2022

As a cultivar of Korean wheat, 'Keumgang' wheat variety has a fast growth period and can be grown stably. Hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) has moderately high salt tolerance compared to tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L.). However, the molecular mechanisms related to salt tolerance of hexaploid wheat have not been elucidated yet. In this study, the candidate genes related to salt tolerance were identified by investigating the genes that are differently expressed in Keumgang variety and examining salt tolerant mutation '2020-s1340.'. A total of 85,771,537 reads were obtained after quality filtering using NextSeq 500 Illumina sequencing technology. A total of 23,634,438 reads were aligned with the NCBI Campala Lr22a pseudomolecule v5 reference genome (Triticum aestivum). A total of 282 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the two Triticum aestivum materials. These DEGs have functions, including salt tolerance related traits such as 'wall-associated receptor kinase-like 8', 'cytochrome P450', '6-phosphofructokinase 2'. In addition, the identified DEGs were classified into three categories, including biological process, molecular function, cellular component using gene ontology analysis. These DEGs were enriched significantly for terms such as the 'copper ion transport', 'oxidation-reduction process', 'alternative oxidase activity'. These results, which were obtained using RNA-seq analysis, will improve our understanding of salt tolerance of wheat. Moreover, this study will be a useful resource for breeding wheat varieties with improved salt tolerance using molecular breeding technology.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.375-384
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term aerobic dancing exercise on body composition, physical fitness and mental function in older women over 70 years old. All subjects were limited to older women aged 70 to under 85. The experimental group performed aerobic exercise of 2-3 times a week for 9.2 ± 4.6 yrs, and the control group did not perform any regular exercise and spent 3-4 times a week mainly in the relaxing facility for older. As a results in this study, the weight, muscle mass and body fat percentage of the aerobic group were not significantly different from those of the control group, but there were significantly positive effects of aerobic group in visceral fat mass, abdominal obesity rate(%), body water content and systolic blood pressure(p < .05). In terms of physical fitness, Sit & reach, one-legged stand (right) and TUG of the aerobic group were significantly higher than those of the control group(p < .05), but there were no significant differences between two groups in the shoulder flexibilities and grip strength. MMSE as a cognitive function was not significantly different between the two groups, but GDS was significantly lower in the aerobic group than in the control group(p < .05). According to the correlation analysis between all variables and MMSE and GDS, MMSE was significantly inversely correlated with height (r = -0.425)(p < .05), and no correlation was detected with other variables. However, GDS have signitively negative correlations with resting heart rate(r = -0.464), sit & reach(r = -0.525) left(r = -0.491) and right grip strengths(r = -0.635) as well as positive correlation systolic blood pressure(r = 0.482) and TUG (r = 0.479), respectively(p < .05). In conclusion, long-term aerobic exercise of elderly women over 70 older had positive effects on variables related to metabolic disease (visceral fat and resting heart rate), silver fitness variables related to falls, and depression level in the elderly.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1015-1024
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• 2023

Antibiotics have greatly contributed to the treatment and prevention of bacterial diseases in humans, animals, and fish. However, antibiotic misuse has led to the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. In addition to antibiotic discovery research, efforts are being made to combat such multidrug-resistant bacteria using antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, host immune enhancement, probiotics, and bacteriophages, as well as various symptomatic therapies. To discover novel bioactive compounds, it is crucial to adopt approaches that incorporate fresh ideas, new targets, innovative techniques, and untapped resources. Halophytes are plants that grow in high-salt soils and are known to adapt to salt-induced stress through unique metabolic processes that produce secondary metabolites. This study aimed to investigate the effects of extracts of halophytes native to Korea on oxidative stress and to determine whether they exert inhibitory activity against biofilms, which are major pathogenic factors of infectious bacteria. The Acinetobacter baumannii strain ATCC 17978, a representative drug-resistant bacterium, was used to measure anti-biofilm activity. The results showed that Aster spathulifolius, Carex kobomugi, Rosa rugosa, and Asparagus cochinchiensis exerted strong antioxidant and anti-biofilm effects without affecting bacterial growth itself. The halophytes used in this study are promising candidates for the development of pharmaceutical agents with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 1981

Relatively little has been done on the metabolic changes of the lung produced by the excessive alcohol ingestion to the point of the acute alcohol intoxication. In the present study, an effort was made to clarify the possible changes of the pulmonary surfactant system by the acute alcohol ingestion. The dynamic pulmonary compliance and the levels of protein and inorganic phosphorus (Pi) of both lung lavage and extract were chosen as the parameters of the pulmonary surfactant activities. The albino rats of both sexes were used, and 1.5 ml of 50% ethanol per 100 g body weight was given by oral intubation, and the experiment was performed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the alcohol ingestion. The rat was sacrificed by cutting the carotid arteries, and blood sample for the determination of hematocrit(Hct) and the blood alcohol concentration was obtained. Both lungs were completely removed without dammage to the lung tissue, and the pulmonary compliance was measured by the changes of pressure-volume(P-V) curves by inflating or deflating the lung with air. Immediately after the P-V curves were recorded, the lung lavage was obtained by washing the lobes with 15ml of isotonic saline 3 times with a syringe. Next, total lungs were homogenized and filtered to obtain the lung extract. The protein and Pi levels were measured using the lung lavage and extract as the samples, and the lung/body weight ratio(L/B ratio) was also calculated. The results thus obtained were compared with the normal values and summarized as follows. The blood alcohol concentration reached the highest level of $0.71{\pm}0.02\;g\;%$ at 1 hr and gradually decreased until 24 hrs$(0.36{\pm}0.02\;g%)$ after the alcohol ingestion, but all the experimental groups showed significant increase comparing with the normal. The highest Hct value was obtained at 1hr$(64.86{\pm}2.45%)$ and significantly elevated value was continued throughout the experiment. The L/B ratio was significantly lowered from 3hrs until 24hrs after the alcohol ingestion but from 6 th hr on, a generally elevated value was observed with a significant value at 12 hrs and gradual recovery to the normal value at 24 hrs after the alcohol ingestion. The pulmonary compliance at inflation and deflation did not change appreciablly from the normal until 3 hrs after the alcohol ingestion but from 6 th hr on, a generally elevated value was observed with a significant value at 12 hrs and gradual recovery to the normal value at 24 hrs after the alcohol ingestion. The protein level of the lung lavage stowed a significantly increased value of $12.36{\pm}0.35\;mg/gm(3rd hr)$, $12.70{\pm}0.74\;mg/gm(12 th hr)$, and $12.65{\pm}0.88\;mg/gm(24 th hr)$, respectively, comparing with the normal value of $10.65{\pm}0.62\;mg/gm$, and the Pi level also showed a similar tendency of significant increase at 12th hr $(7.65{\pm}0.63\;{\mu}mol/gm)$ and 24 th hr$(6.70{\pm}0.36\;{\mu}mol/gm)$ comparing with the normal value of $5.32{\pm}0.20\;{\mu}mol/gm$. The protein level of the lung extract in the alcohol group was generally similar to the normal value with a slight decrease at 1st and 3 rd hr, tut the Pi level of the lung extract was generally increased in the alcohol group, and a significant increase was observed at 6 th hr$(17.77{\pm}1.54\;{\mu}mol/gm)$, 12 th hr$(13.92{\pm}0.78\;{\mu}mol/gm)$ and 24 th hr$(14.57{\pm}0.53\;{\mu}mol/gm)$ of the alcohol ingestion comparing with the normal value of $10.34{\pm}0.37\;{\mu}mol/gm$. From the above, it may be concluded that the acute alcohol intoxication produces the metabolic changes of the lungs by the increased surfactant activities and elevated pulmonary compliance.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.167-182
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• 2005

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis according to the criteria of diagnosing knee osteoarthritis in rural women and the factors related with this disease. Methods: The data obtained from 200 women older than 40 years of age residing in 5 Ri's in Goryeong-gun. Gyeongsanbuk-do by random cluster sampling from September to October 2002. Knee osteoarthritis was determined positive according to the Kellgren and Lawrence classification and knee pain. Results: Among these subjects, 71.0% showed more than grade 2 in radiologic finding and the rate of knee pain according to the survey was 67.0%. The rate of subjects meeting the criteria of knee osteoarthritis was 54.0%. According to univariate analysis, the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis increased with age and those farming people and people working in household industry was significantly high at 58.9% compared with others. The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis showed a significant relationship with the family history and past history of knee injury and knee surgery(p<0.01), and diabetes mellitus(p<0.05). The score of ADL was significantly different in the subjects with knee osteoarthritis compared with normal group(p<0.05). When the presence of knee osteoarthritis and the period of the life style of seating down on the floor were compared, a significant difference was present between the osteoarthritis group and normal group. As for metabolic factors, the blood sugar level, bone density, and body mass index(BMI) were significantly different in the osteoarthritis group compared with normal group. When multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with the presence of knee osteoarthritis as the dependent variable, the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis was significantly affected by older age, subjects farming or working in household industry, the history of knee injury, the history of surgery, higher blood sugar level, and higher BMI. Conclusions: These subjects need an intervention through self-care programs such as exercise for preventing osteoarthritis, weight control programs, other exercise programs strengthening knee joints, and guidelines when working in vinyl houses.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.401-405
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• 2005

Purpose : The use of mechanically-assisted ventilators at home reduces morbidity and improves the quality of life in children with chronic respiratory failure. But in Korea there is no clinical data of children with home mechanical ventilation. We investigated ventilator types, duration, the causes of failure or death, and the cost needed for care. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 21 children who were admitted and who applied for home mechanical ventilation at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Asan Medical Center. Phone interviews took place after discharge. and interviewed by phone after discharge. Results : The median age was 31 months; the median duration with ventilator was 25 months. Underlying diseases were 16 neuromuscular diseases, one metabolic disease and four chronic respiratory diseases. The types of ventilator were pressure and volume type(16 and five patients, respectively). The frequency of ventilation failure was once per 19 months. Weaning could be performed in three cases. Frequencies of admission after receiving ventilators were 1.7 times per year; the most common cause was pneumonia. Nine patients(43%) died; four of them died because of endotracheal tube obstruction. The costs for medical care were about 1,110,000 won per month. Conclusion : There is an increment in the numbers of individuals who need mechanical ventilation support. The most common cause of death was endotracheal tube obstruction. The most important problem for the patients was medical cost. There needs to be more interest in patients with ventilator and social welfare systems to support their families need to be prepared.