• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 2002

Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder with a strong genetic component. There are many candidate genes for obesity and its related phenotypes. We studied genetic variations between Korean obese and lean groups. Polymorphisms investigated were the Msp I polymorphism of the $\alpha$$_{2A}$-adrenergic receptor ($\alpha$$_{2A}$-AR) gene, the Mnl I polymorphism of the $\alpha$$_2$-adrenergic receptor ($\alpha$$_2$-AR) gene, the BstO I polymorphism of the $\beta$$_3$-adrenergic receptor ($\beta$$_3$-AR) gene, the Pml I polymorphism of the lamin A/C (LMNA) gene, the Hga I polymorphism of the clearance receptor (NPRC) gene, the Msp I polymorphism of the leptin gene, BclI polymorphism of the uncoupling protein 1 (UCPI) gene and the Hha I polymorphism of the fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2) gene. Among these genetic markers, Pml I polymorphism at the LMNA gene and Bcl I polymorphism at the UCP1 gene were significantly associated with obesity. However, further studies are required whether thease findings are reproduced in large population, although two polymorphisms might be useful as genetic markers in the ethiology of obesity in Korean population.ion.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.149-158
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to test the effects of Oketani breast massage on breast pain and breast milk pH of mothers, and sucking speed of neonates. Methods: A nonequivalent control group and a pretest-posttest design was used. Postpartum mothers complaining of breast pain were recruited at a postpartum care center. The application of Oketani breast massage by an Oketani massage therapist was the experimental treatment. The control group received the conventional massage technique from a nurse at the postpartum care centre. The collected data were analysed using a $x^2$-test and a t-test with the SPSS WIN 12.0 program. Results: The participants were homogeneous in age, gestation period, and birth weight. Breast pain (t=8.384, p<.001) was significantly relieved, and breast milk pH (t=4.793, p<.001) was significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. The sucking speed of the neonates in the experimental group was significantly increased compared to the control group (t=9.920, p<.001). Conclusion: These findings indicate that Oketani breast massage is effective in relieving breast pain and increasing breast milk pH as well as the sucking speed of neonates.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.285-297
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the differences in sleep disturbance, stress, self-efficacy and depression by fatigue level and to identify the factors influencing fatigue in hemodialysis patients. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design and the subjects were 195 patients undergoing hemodialysis in a local unit. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and medical records from June to August 2012. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one way ANOVA, $Scheff{\grave{e}}$ test, and Pearson's correlation coefficients. Also a multiple regression analysis was used to assess the independent association between fatigue status and indices of sleep disturbance, stress, self-efficacy and depression. Results: A total of 99 (50.8%) subjects experienced a high level of fatigue and 96 (49.2%) experienced a low level of fatigue. There were significant differences in the levels of sleep disturbance, stress, self-efficacy and depression between the two groups. Fatigue was significantly correlated to sleep disturbance, stress, self-efficacy and depression. The most important factor related to fatigue was stress, followed by sleep disturbance. These factors explained about 37% of fatigue of the respondents. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that sleep disturbance and stress were significant predictors of fatigue in hemodialysis patients. Possible interventions for minimizing fatigue in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis should be aimed to manage the known contributing factors.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.174-181
• /
• 2009

Pterocarpus marsupium, Clitoria ternatea, and Sanseveiria cylindrica are some of the important and endangered medicinal plant species of India. Despite of medicinal properties, antibacterial potential of the plants have not yet been explored. The present study was designed to optimize the in vitro technique for micropropagation and to screen the extracts from leaves and in vitro raised calli for antibacterial properties. Excised leaf-explants from the parent plants were surface sterilized and cultivated on Murashige & Skoog's (MS) medium containing $N^6$-benzyladenine (BA) in concentrations of 1, 2, 5, and $10{\mu}M$. Optimal growth of calli was noticed at a concentration of $5{\mu}M$, therefore the extracts from calli grown at this concentration were further studied for antibacterial activity. Both alcoholic and aqueous extracts from leaves of respective plants, and their in vitro raised calli were tested for antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion method against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Aqueous extracts showed antibacterial activity against limited number of bacterial species; notably the extracts of C. ternatea which showed antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus. Alcoholic extracts of all three plants showed antibacterial activity against a wider range of bacteria. Among the Gram-positive bacteria, extracts from C. ternatea showed strong antibacterial activity against Bacillus spp., whereas the extracts of S. cylindrica showed good antibacterial potential for Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and S. pyogenes. The extracts from all three plants showed antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including, Salmonella spp. and Shigella dysenteriae; organisms causing enteric fever and dysentery. In most of the cases, the extracts from respective calli showed comparable, and in some cases better, result in comparison to the extracts from parent leaves. To the best of our knowledge this is the first preliminary report on antibacterial potential, especially through calli extracts, of these plants; and in vitro cultivation of the explants may be used to obtain phytotherapeutic compounds.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.178-183
• /
• 2002

A high molecular ar weight water-soluble chitosan (WSC) with an average molecular weight of 300 kD and a deacethylation level of over 90% was produced using a simple multi-step-membrane separation process. It is known that WSC prevents obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Consequently, this study investigated whether or not WSC improved the ovarian dysfunction caused by obesity in mice. The mice were fed a high density protein and lipid diet for weeks, followed by the administration of WSC at 480 mg/kg body weight per day for 4 days. Thereafter, the changes in body weight, ovulation rate, in vivo and in vitro fertilization and emboryonic development were measured . WSC markedly reduced the body weight of obese mice fed with a high-fat diet, but not in mice fed with a normal diet. WSC had siginificant effects on the ovulation rate, both the in vivo and in vitro fertilization rates and embryonic development. These results indicate an improvement in the ovarian and oviduct dysfunction caused by obesity, and suggest an adjustment in the internal secretions and metabolic functions.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.234-239
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report that acupuncture of Damjeonggyeok(tonifying GB in Sa-Am acupucture) can be effective on chronic insomnia. Methods : The patients were treated with Sa-Am acupucture(Damjeonggyeok) added with HT8 and KI6, once a week. Treatments were performed for 20 minutes. The effectiveness was evaluated using total sleep hours and subjective sleep quality based on the Insomnia Severity Index. Result and Conclusions : In all patients, the sleep quality evaluated with the Insomnia Severity Index has shown amelioration and sleeping time was increased. Also, they quit the insomnia pills. Acupuncture at Damjeonggyeok added with HT8 and KI6 seems to be able to one of useful therapies for the sleep disorder in chronic insomnia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.163-177
• /
• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the perception, consumption, and acceptability of convenience mealsin low-income female elderly attending a lunch program at a community well fare center. Using in-depth interviews, qualitative data were collected 11 elderly females ($62.5{\pm}11.2y$) living in Seoul. Participants tried to eat various foods in small-portionsat home, although they ate out what they were offered. Elderly females preferred lunch box-type meals containing a bowl of rice served with toppings, gruel, or Bibimbop due to the growing unavailability of cooking or preparing a meal. Side-dish type convenience mealswere also preferred among elderly females since boiled rice can be easily prepared according to individual preferences. In addition, participants preferred healthy foods. Convenience meal planning and production, appropriate kinds of foods, cooking methods, menus, and packaging should be selected based on the elderly's functional atrophy in chewing, swallowing, digestion, and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, food preferences and comfort foods among the elderlyneed to be identified and characterized. Therefore, more information, including bite size, cutting size, and food texture, should be provided to understand and develop convenience meals for the elderly.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.79-87
• /
• 2006

Objective : Biologic responses to color stimulation was observed and analyzed in relation with Korean medicine diagnostics. Methods : Twelve volunteers participated and completed the questionnaire on Hanyeol or Joseup patterns of Korean medicine diagnostics. Standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN), an overall indicator of heart rate variability, was measured while wearing partially transparent acetate film glasses of various colors: (1) transparency or black, (2) red, green, or blue, or (3) cyan, or yellow. Results : Different responses to the color environmental stimulation were observed. Yeol pattern score was inversely related with the SDNN value under red color stimulation. Conclusion : This line of observations may serve as a basis of clinical application of color therapy, in particular, in relation with pattern diagnosis of Korean medicine, and may be applied in combination with existing electrodermal meridian measurement systems for better evaluation of Gi (life energy) phenomenon.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.375-379
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of black raspberry wine, administered per os on testosterone levels in rabbits. Black raspberry wine containing 13% alcohol(v/v) was prepared from ripe fruits of Rubus coreanus fermented with Saccharomyces cervisiae. Experimental rats were divided into 2 groups(A and B) with 2 animals group: Group A received black raspberry wine. Group B received 13% concentrated alcohol('Soju') over a period of 6 weeks. all animals were monitored weekly for testosterone levels by radioimmunoassay using $^{125}I$ labeled anti-testosterone monospecific antibody. There was a significant(1.7-2.33 fold) increase in testosterone levels in Group A with a peak at 1 week post administration of black raspberry wine. There was no significant change in testosterone levels of rabbits in Group B. These data point to yet uncharacterized phytotestronegenic mechanisms of black raspberry wine that appear to be independent of ethyl alcohol. Further investigation of the mechanism of action of this fruit is warranted. These observations have potential implications for human reproductive health.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.1014-1020
• /
• 2006

This study was intended to examine the effects of electroacupuncture(EA) and therapeutic exercise on the improvement of exercise function, BNDF, and HSP70 protein expression in an ischemic stroke model induced by MCA occlusion. Experiments were conducted for 1, 3 days, 1, 8 weeks respectively. Group I was a group of EA and therapeutic exercise; Group II was a group of therapeutic exercise; Group III was a group of EA; Group IV was a sham group of EA; Group V was a control group; and Group VI was a sham group without ischemic stroke. In each group, neurologic motor behavior test, histologic observations, BDNF, and HSP70 expression were observed and analyzed. The following results were obtained. The results of behavior test suggest that 8 weeks after ischemic stroke was induced, Group I improved in degeneration and inflammation of muscle fiber and decreased in destruction of nerve cells and cerebral infarction, indicating a similar state of muscle fiber and brain to Group VI. In immunohistochemical observations, Group I showed increase in BDNF and decrease in HSP70. Based on these results, EA and therapeutic exercise may improve muscle atrophy and change in BDNF and HSP70 expression of ischemic stroke rats and contribute to the improvement of exercise function.