• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1637-1643
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• 2009

Shikonin, a component of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc, exerts various characteristics such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-obesity functions. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of shikonin-induced inhibition of adipogenesis, we analyzed the mRNA expression level of various adipogenesis-related factors including C/EBPs (CCAAT/enhancerbinding proteins) and $PPAR{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\gamma$). The data showed that mRNA expressions of C/$EBP{\beta}$ and C/$EPB{\delta}$ were only slightly changed by shikonin treatment, but mRNA expressions of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EPB{\alpha}$ were significantly down-regulated. Then, we tested whether upstream regulators of C/$EBP{\beta}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ were involved in anti-adipogenesis of shikonin. C/$EBP{\gamma}$ and CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), which are upstream regulators of C/$EBP{\beta}$, were not affected by shikonin treatment. On the contrary, the mRNA level of KROX20 was markedly down-regulated by shikonin treatment. These results suggest that KROX20 might regulate downstream factors of adipogenesis through C/$EBP{\beta}$-independent pathway. The expression of KLF15 (Kruppel-like factor15), which is a member of KLF family and is a upstream regulator of $PPAR{\gamma}$, was dramatically decreased by shikonin treatment, but KLF2 was not changed. Shikonin had no impact on the expression of KLF5 in the early stage of adipogenesis, but shikonin increased expression of KLF5 in the late stage of adipogenesis. Even though mRNA expression of KLF5 was moderately changed by shikonin treatment, its effect may be small compared with the effect of KLF15, which was markedly inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that shikonin inhibits adipogenesis through the down-regulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EPB{\alpha}$, which is mediated by the down-regulation of two pro-adipogenic factors, KROX20 and KLF15.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.650-657
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• 2015

This study aimed to investigate the suppressive effect of acorn extracts, by evaluating 70% ethanol extract (AE) and hot water extract (AW) using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We applied various levels (0, 100, 200, 300 and $500 {\mu}g/mL$) of AE and AW to 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The cell viability of the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was not affected by up $300 {\mu}g/mL$ of extracts, but was suppressed by level $500{\mu}g/mL$ of both AE and AW by 20% and 9% respectively. The accumulation of lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was dose-dependently suppressed by AE and AW. Especially, at high concentrations ($300{\mu}g/mL$), AE (42%) was more effective than AW (41%). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also dose-dependently suppressed by treatment with AE (58%) and AW (52%). With regard to the mRNA related to differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, $PPAR-{\gamma}$ and aP2 were suppressed by treatment with AE (54 and 40%) and AW (38 and 18%). From our results, acorn extract (AE) has more suppressive effects than AW in differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We therefore concluded that acorn has suppressive effects against obesity in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells due to antioxidation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 2007

An evaluation of the influence of nutritional health camp for in obese elementary students was assessed. Anthropometric measurement, 24-hour recall of dietary intake, MMTIC(Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children) and questionnaire response(nutritional knowledge, nutritional attitude, and self-satisfaction) was documented in 43 obese elementary students(29 boys and 14 girls). The mean age of the elementary students was 11.2 years. The mean height, body weight and obesity index was 144.7 cm, 55.4 kg and 41.0% in boys, and 136.1 cm, 45.2 kg, 40.0% in girls. The mean energy intake was 1,522.4 kcal in boys and 1,494.9 kcal in girls. The subjects taking less than estimated average requirement(EAR) for vitamin ${B_2}$, folate, vitamin C and calcium was over 70%. A considerable number of students(65.1%) showed U band(undetermined character). The students demonstrated a propensity towards increased average nutritional knowledge and self-satisfaction after attending the nutritional health camp. In addition, a significant increase in average nutritional attitude was observed(p<0.001). The results of this study suggest that nutritional health camp positively influenced the nutritional attitude of elementary students.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.109-119
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was aimed to clarity the relationship between the pattern of dampness-phlegm and metabolic syndrome in acute stroke patients. Methods: Three hundred fifty-nine subjects were recruited from the patients admitted to the Internal Medical Department at Kyunghee University Oriental Medical Center, Donggnk University Ilsan Oriental Medical Center, Kyungwon University Songpa Oriental Medical Center and Kyungwon University Incheon Oriental Medical Center from April 2007 to March 2008. We diagnosed dampness-phlegm by Oriental medical diagnosis and analyzed their characteristics with type of stroke, blood test result, Sasang constitution, lifestyle and metabolic syndrome. Results: I. On the demographic variables of the patients, the weight and body mass index, the rate of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, silent infarction were significantly higher in dampness-phlegm group than in the control. 2. There was no significant difference of stroke type between the dampness-phlegm group and the control. 3. According to the blood test, the dampness-phlegm group showed higher total cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting blood sugar and lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol than the control group with statistical significance. 4. According to the Sasang constitution distribution, the rate of Tae-Eum was significantly higher in dampness-phlegm group than in the control. 5. According to lifestyle, smoking and drinking were significantly lower in the dampness-phlegm group than in the control. Otherwise, exercise and dietary habits showed no significant difference between the two groups. 6. There were much more patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in the dampness-phlegm group than in the control. 7. Metabolic syndrome, silent infarction and obesity showed close relationship with dampness-phlegm pattern in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: According to the analysis, the relationship between the patterns of dampness-phlegm and metabolic syndrome in acute stroke patients were clarified. These results can be utilized in the future as a basis material.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.307-313
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• 2010

Purpose : Results of the Korea National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children, which was launched in November 2007, were evaluated for future research and policy development. Methods : Data from a total of 2,729,340 cases were analyzed. Five visiting ages, such as 4, 9, 18, 30, and 60 months, were included. Several parameters such as stunting, obesity, and positive rate of developmental screening were also analyzed. Telephone survey was performed in 1,035 users. For the provider survey, 262 doctors participated in our study. Results : The overall participation rate of users was 35.3%. This participation rate showed a decrement tendency to old age and low income. Only 6.9% of users participated in oral screening. Health screening was performed mainly in private clinics (82.6%). The recall rate of 4 months program users at the age of 9 months was 57.3%. The positive rate of screening was 3.1%, and was higher in the low-income group. By telephone survey, users reported that questionnaires were not difficult (94%) and overall satisfaction was good (73%). Longer duration of counseling was related with more satisfied users. Counseling and health education were helpful to users (73.2%). Doctors agreed that this program was helpful to children (98.5%). Conclusion : Korea National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children was launched successfully. Participation rate should be improved, and a quality control program needs to be developed. More intensive support following this program for children of low-income families may lead to effective interventions in controlling health inequality. Periodic update of guidelines is also needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.300-306
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• 2010

Purpose : Recent changes in the population structure of Korea, such as rapid decline in birth rate and exponential increase in old-aged people, prompted us to prepare a new health improvement program in children and adolescents. Methods : We reviewed current health screenings applied for children and adolescents in Korea and other developed countries. We collected and reviewed population-based data focused on mortality and morbidity, and other health-related statistical data. We generated problem lists in current systems and developed new principles. Results : Current health screening programs for children and adolescents were usually based on laboratory tests, such as blood tests, urinalysis, and radiologic tests. Almost all of these programs lacked evidence based on population data or controlled studies. In most developed countries, laboratory tests are used only very selectively, and they usually focus on primary prevention of diseases and health improvement using anticipatory guidance. In Korea, statistics on mortality and morbidity reveal that diseases related to lifestyle, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome, are increasing in all generations. Conclusion : We recommend a periodic health screening program with anticipatory guidance, which is focused on growth and developmental surveillance in infants and children. We no longer recommend old programs that are based on laboratory and radiologic examinations. School health screening programs should also be changed to meet current health issues, such as developing a healthier lifestyle to minimize risk behaviors—or example, good mental health, balanced nutrition, and more exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.840-848
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• 2007

This study was performed in order to investigate the stress levels, sleep, anthropometric measurement and nutrient intakes their correlations of college students. General characteristics, stress scores using a stress test, sleep scores using a sleep test, anthropometric measurement, body composition using Inbody 3.0 and nutrient intakes using 3-day recalls were measured in 353 subjects (183 males and 170 females). Mean total stress score of the male students was 68.2${\pm}$45.0 and that of the female students was 86.5${\pm}$48.7. Stress for study, future, economic and value-related factors were higher than other factors in both male and female students. Female students were more stressed than male in friend, family, study, future and value-related factors. Mean sleeping time and sleep scores of the male students were 7.0 hrs and 40.6${\pm}$5.7, respectively and that of the female students were 7.1 hrs and 41.5${\pm}$5.3, respectively. Mean height, weight, percent body fat (PBF) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) of the male students were 174.8 cm, 73.3 kg, 19.0% and 0.84, respectively. Mean height, weight, PBF, and WHR of the female students were 161.7 cm, 55.3 kg, 28.7% and 0.81, respectively. Mean energy and protein intakes of the male students were 2026.3 kcal (77.9% EER) and 83.0 g (150.9% RI) and those of the female students were 1538.2 kcal (73.2% EER) and 60.7 g (134.9% RI), respectively. In male students, sleep duration, professor and future problem showed significantly negative correlation (p<0.05). For both male and female students, in correlations between sleep scores, life stress experience frequency and importance, the total scores showed significantly negative correlation (p<0.01). Sleep scores (sleep quality) have more significant correlation than sleep duration in life stress. In male students, correlations between economic problem and weight, waist circumference and hip circumference showed significantly negative correlation. In female students, correlations between different gender problem and body mass index (p<0.05), PBF (p<0.01), WHR (p<0.01) and obesity degree (p<0.05) showed significantly negative correlation while correlation between study problem and PBF (p<0.05), WHR (p<0.05) showed significantly positive correlation. In male students, there were significantly positive correlations between life stress experience frequency and carbohydrate calcium, iron, vitamin A; correlation between importance and calcium, iron as well as correlation between total life stress scores and iron (p<0.05). In female students, correlation between life stress experience frequency and thiamin along with correlation between importance and thiamin showed significant negative correlation (p<0.05). College students need to practice good life habits for the purpose of correctly managing life stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.416-425
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of vegetarian (lacto-ovo vegetarian) and non-vegetarian diets on dietary habits, nutrient intake, and health status. The vegan subjects were 22 children. Among them, 54.5% of the subjects had a specific religion, 36.4% had been vegetarian since weaning, and 9.1% had become vegetarian to prevent obesity or atopy. The percentages of excessive eating by the vegetarian children were lower compared to the non-vegetarian children. The rates of intake of vegetables (42.2%) and fruits and fruit juice (55.9%) by the vegetarian children were higher compared to non-vegetarian subjects. Non-vegetarian children consumed more milk, dairy products, as well as meat, fish, eggs, soybean, and tofu than the vegetarian subjects. Vegetarian children ate more bread, potato, and fruits as snacks than non-vegetarian children. Furthermore, non-vegetarian children consumed more carbonated beverages and ice cream than the vegetarian subjects (p<0.05). Generally, the subjects' energy intake was lower than standard values, and vegetarian children's calcium intake was deficient. Non-vegetarian children's fiber intake was deficient, and they consumed fat, vitamin $B_2$, calcium, and cholesterol excessively (p<0.05). Nutrition tablet intake was higher among non-vegetarian children; however, the rate of fatigue among subjects was higher among vegetarian subjects than non-vegetarian subjects. Among the vegetarian subjects, 19.6% reported that they had a cold. Consequently, for the purpose of attaining balanced physical development and growth among children, an education program that emphasizes complete diets should be prepared.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.51 no.12
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• pp.180-188
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• 2014

It is very important accurate diagnosis and quick treatment in cerebrovascular disease, i.e. stenosis or occlusion that could be caused by risk factors such as poor dietary habits, insufficient exercise, and obesity. Time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA), it is well known as diagnostic method without using contrast agent for cerebrovascular disease, is the most representative and reliable technique. Nevertheless, it still has measurement errors (also known as overestimation) for length of stenosis and area of occlusion in celebral infarction that is built by accumulation and rupture of plaques generated by hemodynamic turbulence. The purpose of this study is to show clinical trial feasibility for 3D-SPACE T2, which is improved by using signal attenuation effects of fluid velocity, in diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease. To model angiostenosis, strictures of different proportions (40%, 50%, 60%, and 70%) and virtual blood stream (normal saline) of different velocities (0.19 ml/sec, 1.5 ml/sec, 2.1 ml/sec, and 2.6 ml/sec) by using dialysis were made. Cross-examinations were performed for 3D-SPACE T2 and TOF-MRA (16 times each). The accuracy of measurement for length of stenosis was compared in all experimental conditions. 3D-SPACE 2T has superiority in terms of accuracy for measurements of the length of stenosis, compared with TOF-MRA. Also, it is robust in fast blood stream and large stenosis than TOF-MRA. 3D-SPACE 2T will be promising technique to increase diagnosis accuracy in narrow complex lesions as like two cerebral small vessels with stenosis, created by hemodynamic turbulence.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2004

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence rate of OSA in subjects whose main sleep complaint is insomnia and to find differential factors of OSA in these insomniac subjects. Method: We reviewed the medical records and polysomnographic findings of patients referred to the Sleep Laboratory at Seoul National University Hospital from January 1996 to December 2002. Four-hundred and seventy subjects complained of insomnia as their main sleep problem (235 males and 235 females, mean age $53.6{\pm}12.4\;years$). First, we investigated the prevalence rate of OSA in these insomniac patients. Second, we compared the clinical and demographic characteristics of the OSA-associated group with those of the non-associated group. Third, we examined whether the degree or presence of differential factors within the OSA group correlate with severity of OSA, as determined by the respiratory disturbance index (RDI). Results: Among 470 insomniac subjects, 125 subjects (26.6%) were diagnosed as OSA by nocturnal polysomnography. OSA-associated subjects were significantly older ($58.4{\pm}12.3\;years$ vs. $51.8{\pm}11.2\;years$, p<0.01), and had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) ($23.4{\pm}3.3\;kg/m^2$ vs. $22.5{\pm}3.1\;kg/m^2$, p=0.44) than non-associated subjects. The OSA-associated group had more subjects with male gender (64.0% vs. 44.9%, p<0.01), hypertension (20.0% vs. 9.3%, p<0.01) or snoring (96.0% vs. 63.5%, p<0.01). Within the OSA-associated group, age had a significant positive correlation with RDI (p=0.01). Conclusion: We found that a considerable portion of patients complaining of insomnia as their main sleep problem were diagnosed as OSA. Snoring, old age, male gender, obesity, and comorbid hypertension were found to be differential factors of OSA in insomniac patients. We suggest that diagnostic efforts including nocturnal polysomnography are needed for insomniac patients with any of the above risk factors of OSA.