• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.74-90
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• 1992

The purpose of this study is to know the effects on school lunch service programme of elementary school in rural area, by using the group consisting of the sixth year students in the schools that have provided them with the lunch for six years or longer(male student:312, & female student:324), while using the comparing group consisting of the sixth year students in the schools that have not provided them with the school lunch under their similar living condition(male student: 306 & female student:322). In addition, this study was carried out by examining all continued information about their height and weight shown in the developmetal record for six years from the 1st to 6th year, and by checking their eating habits on the basis of questionnaires. The result of this study is summarized as follows. As the result of comparing the values of their height and weight grown for 6 years, it was shown that the height of the male group provided with school lunch is 27.8 cm while the male group without lunch is 27.1 cm. And the female group provided with school lunch indicated the growing value of 29.9 cm while the group without lunch did 28.4 cm. Then, it appeared that both male and female groups provided with school lunch show higher growing values of 0.7 cm, respectively, and 1.5 cm than these groups without lunch. Also, the weight of the group without lunch was 14.8 kg. Moreover, the weight of the female group provided with school lunch was 16.9 kg while the group without lunch was 17.2 kg. Then, it was shown that the male group provided with school lunch indicates heavier growing value of 0.9 kg than the group without lunch while the female group without lunch does heavier value of 0.3 kg than the group provided with school lunch. It's figure showed that although this distribution according to percentile in the 1st year is similar to the standard regular curve it is positioned in the upper group(more thatn 70%) divided centering around 50% in the 6th year, of which distribution of children provided with school lunch was higher. When comparing the values of physical status in the 6th year, it was also shown that male children with school lunch are better than these children without lunch in jumping, throwing, chinning and lifting while female children are better than these children without lunch only in jumping, which were a significant difference. In addition, the group provided with lunch showed distribution of the higher physical grade. The result of analysis on their breakfast indicated that the children with every morning breakfast account for 67.6% of the group provided with school lunch while the group without lunch for 57.8%. Regarding the reason that they do not have the breakfast, the group with school lunch answered "Because of habits"(50.7%) while the group without lunch did "Because they have no appetite"(58.9%). When comparing the degree of preference for hot or salty food, it was apparent that these children with school lunch generally tend to prefer less hot or sailty food. With respect to the frequency and place of their eating between meals, it was shown that about 70.0% of both groups has the eating between meals, more than one time a day. Then, the group with school lunch had the eating between meals at home(45.2%) while the group without lunch did it in the process of returning to home(48.4%). Regarding the degree of their preference for a certain food, it was shown that more children of the group with school lunch do not prefer a food to others. Also, their eating attitude indicated that such children as eating the food with chat after completely swallowing food and with T.V watching are larger and lower among the group with school lunch, which showed a remarkable defference from the group without lunch. With respect to their sanitary habits such as hand washing and toothing, these children who always wash their hand before eating, accounted for 84.4 % of the group provided with school lunch while the group without lunch did for 63.6%, of which the female group with school lunch indicated a remarkable difference. The actual condition of their nutrition education showed that these children who answered "Received this education" accounted for 78.0% of the group with school lunch while the group without lunch accounted for 57.5%.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.475-485
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• 1998

To clarify annual reproductive cycle of Koran dark sleeper, odontobutis platycephala, we examined the seasonal changes of gonadosomatic index(GSI), testicular development stages and sex steroid hormones in blood from December 1995 to November 1997. Testis was podlike shape from July to October, and tadpole-like shape from November because of its expanded posterior part. GSI was 0.14~0.18 from July to September and increased to $0.43{\pm}0.04$ in October and then was not changed significantly until February. GSI was reincreased to $0.52{\pm}0.09$ from March and then was kept at similer levels until May, but fell down to $0.28{\pm}0.05$ in June. As results of histological observation, testis was divided into 3 parts(anterior, boundary, posterior) in the development progress of germ cells. In July, the testis was composed of only spermatogonia without seminiferous tubules in most fishes. In the anterior part of testis, the ferquency of spermatogenesis stage seminiferous tubules appearing in August was more than 80% from September to December. decreased gradually from January to March and drastically in April, and then disappeared in June. The frequency of spermiogenesis stage seminiferous tubules appearing in December, increased gradually from January to March and drastically to 80% in April, and reached to 90% the highest levels of the year in June. Post-spawning stage seminiferous tubules did not appear throughout the year. The frequency of spermatogonia was 100% and 65% in July and August, and less than 20% in the rest period of the year. In the boundary part, the frequency of spermatogenesis stage seminiferous tubules appearing in August increased from September and reached to 82% in November, decreased from December, adn disappeared in March. The frequency of spermiogenesis stage seminiferous tubules appearing in November was less than 18% until February, and increased to 29%~57% from March to June. The frequency of post-spawning stage seminiferous tubules appeared 12%~25% only from March to June. The frequency of spermatogonia was 100% in July, decreased to 85% in August and 10% in November, and increased gradually from December to 50% in April, and decreased again from May to June. In the posterior part, seminiferous tubules with some seminiferous tubules increased drastically 80%~85% in August and September, decreased drastically from October to November and remained below 10% until February, and disappeared after March. The frequency of spermiogenesis stage seminiferous tubules appearing in August increased sharply from October and reached to 75% in November. decreased to 15% in December and no significant changes until March, and disappeared after April. The frequency of post-spawning stage seminiferous tubules appearing very early in November increased to 82% in December and 85%~95% until June. The frequency of spermatogonia was 100% in July, decreased drastically to 15% in August, disappeared from October to Mrch, but reappeared from April and kept at less than 10% until June. The blood level of testosterone (T) increrased gradually from August was $0.61{\pm}0.09 ng/m\ell$ in November, increrased drastically to $3.99{\pm}1.22 ng/m\ell$ in December and maintained at in similar level until March, and decreased to $0.25{\pm}0.14 ng/m{\ell} ~ 0.17{\pm}0.13ng/m{\ell}$ in April and May and no significant changes until July (P<0.05). The blood level of 17, 20 -dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one $ng/m{\ell}$in the rest of year without significant changes(P<0.05). Taken together these results, the germ cell development of testis progressed in the order of posterior, boundary, anterior part during annual reproductive cycle in Korean dark sleeper. The testicular cycle of Korean dark sleeper was as follows. The anterior part of testis : i.e. spermatogonial proliferation period (July), early maturation period (from August to November), mid maturation period (from December to March), late maturation period (from April to May) and functional maturation period (June) were elucidated. The boundary of testis, i.e. spermatogonial proliferation period (July), early maturation period (from August to October), mid maturation period (from November to February) and the coexistence period of late maturation, functional maturation and post-spawn (from March to June) were elucidated. The posterior of testis, i.e. spermatogonial proliferation period (July), mid maturation period (from August ot September), late maturation period (October), functional maturation period (November) and post-spawn period (from December to June) were elucidated. It was showed that the changes of sex steroid hormone in blood played a important roles in the annual reproductive cycle of Korean dark sleeper.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.281-313
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• 1976

To obtain fundamental informations on cotton breeding efficiences for Korea, individual genetic relationships and interrelationships between the agronomic characteristics of Upland cotton were investigated. These experiments were couducted at the Mokpo Branch Station $(34^{\circ}48'N, $ $126^{\circ}23'E$ and altitude of 10m above sea level) from 1969 through 1972. Heterosis, combining ability, dominance and recessive gene action, genetic variance, and phenotypic and genotypic correlation were investigated by $F_1'S$ from an 11-parent partial diallel cross and the segregating $F_2$ and $F_3$ populations of the cross Paymaster times Heujueusseo Trice. The following points resulted from this study, 1. Heteroses for number of bolls per plant and lint yield were significant at 27, 84% and 37.26%, respectively. No other character had significant heteroses. 2. The GCA estimates for all studied characteristics were higher than the SCA estimates. Varieties with high GCA effects were Suwon 1 for earliness, Paymaster and Arijona for high lint percent, and Arijona for long fiber, etc, 3. SCA estimates for lint yield varied widely in crosses with Mokpo 4, Mokpo 6 and Heujueusseo Trice. Those crosses with the highest SCA effects were combinations with large characteristics differences, Example of these crosses are Mokpo 4 times Acala 1517W, Mokpo 4 times D. P. L. and Heujueusseo Trice aud Paymaster. 4. Early-maturing varieties were completely dominant to late-maturing varieties in some combinations while other crosses gave intermediate phenotypes. These results suggest additive genetic action by multi-genes. Heujueusseo Trice, Mokpo 6, and Suwon 1 showed highest degree of dominance for earliness. 5. There were no significant trends for inheritance of weight of boll and 100 seeds weight. 6. Long staple was partially to completely dominant to short staple. Though there were single gene ratios the rate of dominance decreased in the $F_2$ and $F_3$ populations in the cross between the long staple variety Paymaster and the short staple variety Heujueusseo Trice. Diallel cross $F_1$ hybrids showed complicated allelic gene action for staple length. Various dominance degree were shown by varieties. 7. Number of bolls per plant indicated strong over-dominance and small non-allelic additive gene action. 8. Lint Yield was characterized by over-dominance and by multiple non-allelic-gene action. High-yielding varieties were dominant to low-yielding ones. However, the low-yielding variety Heujueusseo Trice showed over-dominance, indicating different reactions according to the varieties and combinations. 9. Broad sense heritability for days to flowering was 34-39% while narrow sense heritability was 11%. Large variations of individual plants caused by Korean climatic conditions cause this situation. Heritability estimates for weight of boll was 30% for broad sense and 22% for narrow sense. 10. Heritability estimates for staple length and lint percent were very high suggesting strong selection effects. 11. Narrow sense heritability estimates for number of bolls per plant was 30% in the diallel cross $F_1$ hybrids and 36% in the $F_2$ population of the special cross. Broad sense heritability was estimated at 67% suggesting that. 12. Heritability estimates for lint yield was low due to high over-dominance in the diallel cross $F_1$ hybrids. Heritability estimates for yield was low in the $F_1$ hybrids but high in the $F_2$ and $F_3$ populations. 13. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations between lint percent and days to flowering and between staple length and days to flowering were high in the $F_1, $ $F_2$ and $F_3$ populations. Late-maturing varieties and individuals had long staple and high lint percent in general. As the correlation between days to flowering and lint yield was extremely low, the two traits were considered independent of each other. Days to flowering and number of bolls per plant were negatively correlated in the $F_3$ population, indicating early-maturing individual plants with many bolls may be readily selected. 14. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations between lint percent and staple length were high in $F_1, $ $F_2$ and $F_3$ populations. Accordingly, long staple varieties were high in lint percent. It was recognized that lint yield and lint percent were positively correlated in the diallel cross $F_1$ hybrids, and lint percent and staple length were positively correlated in the $F_2$ population, indicating that lint percent and staple length affect lint yield. 15. Lint yield was significantly and positively phenotypically correlated with number of bolls per plant in $F_1, $ $F_2$ and $F_3$ populations. A high genotypic correlation was also noted indicating a close genetic relationship. The selection efficiencies for a high-yielding variety can be increased when individual plants with many bolls are selected in later generations. The selection efficiencies for good fiber quality can be enhanced when individuals with long staple and high lint percent are selected in early generations.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.41-60
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• 1983

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of stage of maturity at harvest on the quality of silage. Herbage samples taken from the barley plant, rye plant, wheat plant, oat plant, Orchardgrass, Italian ryegrass, a mixed grass sward of Orchardgrass and Italian ryegrass and corn plant at different stages of maturity and ensiled in order to evaluate the effect of maturity on the chemical composition and feeding value as well as digestibility using sheep. Forage material were ensiled in small concrete silo. 1. The dry matter yield per 10a increased with advancing the maturity. Yield of brarley plant was 404, 635 and 900 kg at heading, milk and milk dough stage, respectively. Rye plant yield was 279, 589, 708, 10,000, 1,265, 1,376 and 1,492 kg at booting, before heading, early heading, late heading, early flowering, late flowering and after flowering stage, respectively. Italian ryegrass yield was 355, 613, 844 and 1,109 kg at vegetative, booting, heading and flowering, respectively. Orchardgrass/Italian ryegrass production was 477, 696, 891 and 1,027 kg at before was 458, 1,252, 1,534, 1,986 and 2,053 kg at tassel, early milk, yellow ripe and ripe stage, respectively. 2. Dry matter content increased with advancing maturity, but crude protein declined markedly. The NFE content decreased with advancing maturity of all the herbages except corn plant where NFE content increased, but corn plant increased. The content of crude fiber increased with advancing maturity except corn plant. The content of crude ash decreased with advancing maturity. In the rye plant, the content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and cellulose increased with advancing maturity. 3. In vitro dry matter digestibilities of the rye plant was 53.6, 54.1, 50.7, 47.1, 44.9, 40.1 and 38.9% booting, before hcading, early heading, late heading, early flowering, late flowering and after flowering stage, respectively. The regression equation was $Y=56.22-0.74X+0.009X^2$ (X=cutting date from the first cut, Y=dry matter digestibilities). 4. In vitro digestible dry matter yield (kg/10a) of rye plant increased with advancing maturity, but declined from the flowering stage. The regression equation was $Y=168.88+26.09X-0.41X^2$ (X=cutting date from the first cut). 5. In vitro digestibility of dry matter in the corn plant was 69.2, 71.5, 69.8 and 69.9% at tassel, early milk, milk and yellow ripe stage, respectively. 6. The digestibility of crude protein and crude fiber of all plants decreased with advancing matuity, but NFE of the barley and corn generally increased. 7. The TDN contents on the dry matter basis decreased, but those of barley and corn silage were not different. TDN content of barley was 57.8, 57.1 and 57.9% at heading, milk and milk dough stage, respectively. That of rye silage was 50.0, 27.2 and 43.7% at early flowering, after flowering and milk stage, respectively. Italian ryegrass silage was 67.9, 63.7, and 54.9% at before heading, early heading and after heading, respectively. In case of Orchardgrass silage the TDN was 54.8, 52.9 and 46.1% at after heading, after flowering and milk, respectively. Corn shows TDN value of 59.5, 62.8 and 61.6% at milk, yellow ripe and ripe, respectively. 8. The pH value increased slightly by advancing maturity. 9. the content of organic acid decreased by advancing maturity and also increasing the DM content.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.34-48
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• 1982

1. Production and consumption of chemical fertilizers in Korea could be divided into five different phases of total imports, setting up fertilizer plants, self-sufficiency in production, net export, and diversification in compound fertilizers. Currently the nation has production capacity of 800 thousand M/T of nitrogen, 400 thousand M/T of phosphate ($P_2O_5$) and 200 thousand M/T of potash ($K_2O$). 2. Yearly consumption increased every year, since 1964, 28,000 M/T N, 7,700 M/T $P_2O_5$, and 7,500 M/T $K_2O$ until 1972, when the increase jumped by eight times for $P_2O_5$ and seven times for $K_2O$ for the following 3 years in anticipation of their short supply. Now total consumption has been more or less stabilized at the level of 450 thousand M/T N, 220 thousand M/T $P_2O_5$ and 180 thousand M/T $K_2O$ for the last 7 years. 3. Current operation rate of fertilizer plants is around 80% throughout the whole industry, after going through several different levels depending on demand at times. 4. Fertilizer export started in 1967 and reached a peak of 150 thousand nutrient ton in 1972, about 20% of total production, before temporarily stopping due to over-demand for next three years. The export resumed again in 1976 rise to the all time high of 670 thousand nutrient ton in 1980, almost half of total production, and then started to decline due to higher price of petroleum since then. 5. The decline in fertilizer export appears to be accelerated because several countries, in South-Eastern Asia, traditional export market for Korean fertilizers, started to build their own plants, since 1980, based on their raw materials of especially petroleum. 6. Current consumption in Korea is about 30 nutrient Kg per 10a, equivalent to that in Western European countries, partly due to new high-yielding rice varieties and extensive cultivation of fruit trees and vegetables. Additional fertilizer demand in future can be anticipated in reclaimed land for growing grass and forestry.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2011

Purpose: To assess the usefulness of implanted fiducial markers in the setup of hypofractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients by comparing a fiducial marker matched setup with a pelvic bone match. Materials and Methods: Four prostate cancer patients treated with definitive hypofractionated radiotherapy between September 2009 and August 2010 were enrolled in this study. Three gold fiducial markers were implanted into the prostate and through the rectum under ultrasound guidance around a week before radiotherapy. Glycerin enemas were given prior to each radiotherapy planning CT and every radiotherapy session. Hypofractionated radiotherapy was planned for a total dose of 59.5 Gy in daily 3.5 Gy with using the Novalis system. Orthogonal kV X-rays were taken before radiotherapy. Treatment positions were adjusted according to the results from the fusion of the fiducial markers on digitally reconstructed radiographs of a radiotherapy plan with those on orthogonal kV X-rays. When the difference in the coordinates from the fiducial marker fusion was less than 1 mm, the patient position was approved for radiotherapy. A virtual bone matching was carried out at the fiducial marker matched position, and then a setup difference between the fiducial marker matching and bone matching was evaluated. Results: Three patients received a planned 17-fractionated radiotherapy and the rest underwent 16 fractionations. The setup error of the fiducial marker matching was $0.94{\pm}0.62$ mm (range, 0.09 to 3.01 mm; median, 0.81 mm), and the means of the lateral, craniocaudal, and anteroposterior errors were $0.39{\pm}0.34$ mm, $0.46{\pm}0.34$ mm, and $0.57{\pm}0.59$ mm, respectively. The setup error of the pelvic bony matching was $3.15{\pm}2.03$ mm (range, 0.25 to 8.23 mm; median, 2.95 mm), and the error of craniocaudal direction ($2.29{\pm}1.95$ mm) was significantly larger than those of anteroposterior ($1.73{\pm}1.31$ mm) and lateral directions ($0.45{\pm}0.37$ mm), respectively (p<0.05). Incidences of over 3 mm and 5 mm in setup difference among the fractionations were 1.5% and 0% in the fiducial marker matching, respectively, and 49.3% and 17.9% in the pelvic bone matching, respectively. Conclusion: The more precise setup of hypofractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients is feasible with the implanted fiducial marker matching compared with the pelvic bony matching. Therefore, a less marginal expansion of planning target volume produces less radiation exposure to adjacent normal tissues, which could ultimately make hypofractionated radiotherapy safer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 1996

Purpose : This paper reports a dosimetric study of 88 patients treated with a combination of external radiotherapy and high dose rate ICR for FIGO stage IIB carcinoma of the cervix. The purpose is to investigate the correlation between the radiation doses to the rectum, external radiation dose to the whole pelvis, ICR reference volume, TDF BED and the incidence of late rectal complications, retrospectively. Materials and Methods : From November 1989 through December 1992, 88 patients with stage IIB cervical carcinoma received radical radiotherapy at Department of Radiation Oncology in Yonsei University Hospital. Radiotherapy consisted of 44-54 Gy(median 49 Gy) external beam irradiation plus high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy with 5 Gy per fraction twice a week to a total dose of 30 Gy on point A. The maximum dose to the rectum by contrast(r, R) and reference rectal dose by ICRU 38(dr, DR) were calculated. The ICR reference volume was calculated by Gamma Dot 3.11 HDR planning system, retrospectively The time-dose factor(TDF) and the biologically effective dose (BED) were calculated. Results : Twenty seven($30.7\%$) of the 88 patients developed late rectal complications:12 patients($13.6\%$) for grade 1, 12 patients($13.6\%$) for grade 2 and 3 patients($3.4\%$) for grade 3. We found a significant correlation between the external whole pelvis irradiation dose and grade 2, 3 rectal complication. The mean dose to the whole pelvis for the group of patients with grade 2, 3 complication was Higher, $4093.3\pm453.1$ cGy, than that for the patients without complication, $3873.8\pm415.6$ (0.05$7163.0\pm838.5$ cGy, than that for the Patients without rectal complication, $0772.7\pm884.0$ (p<0.05). There was no correlation of the rate of grade 2, 3 rectal complication with the iCR rectal doses(r, dr), ICR reference volume, TDF and BED. Conclusion : This investigation has revealed a significant correlation between the dose calculated at the rectal dose by ICRU 38(DR) or the most anterior rectal dose by contrast(R) dose to the whole pelvis and the incidence of grade 2, 3 late rectal complications in patients with stage IIB cervical cancer undergoing external beam radiotherapy and HOR ICR. Thus these rectal reference points doses and whole pelvis dose appear to be useful Prognostic indicators of late rectal complication in high dose rate ICR treatment in cervical carcinoma.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.856-868
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate causes for health problems among college women by analyzing factors related to their dietary habits, physical development, health habits, and blood parameters. The subjects were ages 20 to 24 years, lived in the Seoul area and were randomly selected during March, 2008 to August, 2009. The average height and weight of the overall subjects were $162.02{\pm}4.89\;cm$ and $53.96{\pm}7.00\;kg$, respectively. According to a 3-point assessment scale for the subjects' dietary habits, the average point value was 21.2. The percentage of subjects that ate breakfast daily was only 30.5%, and they omitted regular meals at least once a week. Approximately 83.5% of the subjects reported eating out often or frequently, and preferred Korean foods when they ate out. The subjects had interim meals (snacks) one or two times daily, and 40.4% of them preferred unbalanced meals. As their interim meals, among the 'good' group, ate breaded potatoes (39.3%), carbonated beverages, and ice cream (36.8%), whereas the 'poor' group, drank milk and ate dairy products (38.0%) as well as fast food and fried food (22.8%). Intakes of energy, fat, vitamins $B_2$ and $B_6$, niacin, folic acid, calcium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus were higher in the 'poor' group. The average hemoglobin level ($13.77{\pm}1.00\;g/dL$) among the subjects was within normal range; while 2.7% of subjects had hemoglobin levels under 11.1 g/dL (standard value) and were examined as anemic. The degree of interest in health was 24.5% higher among the subjects who had poor dietary habits. In contrast, among those who had good dietary habits, 49.6% reported they had no interest in regular exercise. The subjects reported that regular meals, nutrient intake, sufficient rest, and sleep as necessary to maintain health. The average amount of sleep obtained by the subjects was 6~8 hours. Among the 'poor' group, 36.2% reported that they exercised regularly, whereas 18.5% of the subjects in the 'good' group reported regular exercise (p<0.05). In conclusion, it appears necessary to provide nutrition education through teaching and to promote nutrition and health to college women so they can control their individual health status and create practicable dietary plans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1083-1093
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference between students' beverage preference and dietitians' perception in elementary school lunch program. This study was conducted in three phases: (1) questionnaire development and survey administration to elementary school students (2) survey administration to dietitians who were in charge of the elementary school food service, and (3) comparison of beverage preferences between elementary school students and dietitians. In phase I, 703 elementary school students in Seoul were surveyed from July 11 to July 19. In Phase II, 100 school food service dietitians in Seoul participated by mail survey from September 15 to October 30, 2006. Based on the results, elementary school students tended to show a neutral milk preference (mean=3.04), whereas dietitians perceived that elementary school students had lower milk preference (mean=2.67). Also dietitians perceived higher yogurt preference (mean=4.27) than the real elementary school students' preference (mean=4.02). T-test results showed the gender difference on milk and yogurt preference. Male students had higher milk preference (t=4.912, p<0.001) and yogurt preference (t=3.621, p<0.001) than female students. Elementary school students showed high fruit juice preference (mean=4.34); however, dietitians perceived lower fruit juice preference of students (mean=3.92). There was no gender difference on fruit juice preference. Though elementary school students had higher fruit juice preference, the frequency of fruit juice served in school lunch was quite low. Over half of the dietitians reported that they served fruit juice less than once a semester. The results of this study indicated the existence of distinctive difference between students' fruit juice preference and school lunch menu offerings.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.77-89
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• 1998

Background: Genetic and environmental factors are known to affect the incidence and severity of asthma. Stimulation of $\beta_2$-Adrenergic Receptor ($\beta_2$AR) results in smooth muscle relaxation, leading to decrease in resistance of airflow. The gene encoding the $\beta_2$AR has recently been seguenced. The $\beta_2$AR genotype at the polymorphic loci of codons 16, 27, 34, and 164 was known to cause changes in the amino acids. The relationships between the structure of the $\beta_2$AR and its functions are being elucidated. Purpose : The gene encoding the $\beta_2$AR was carried out to assess the frequency of polymorphisms in bronchial asthma, to determine wheather these polymorphisms have any relation to the severity, or nocturnal symptoms in bronchial asthma. Methods: The subjects studied were 103 patients with bronchial asthma, which consisted of 30 mild episodic, 32 mild persistent, 17 moderate, and 24 severe asthma patients. The polymorphisms of the $\beta_2$AR gene were detected by mutated allele specific amplification (MASA) method at the codons 16,27,34, and 164. Results: The most frequent polymorphism was arginine 16 to glycine. The other two polymorphisms, valine 34 to methionine and glutamine 27 to glutamic acid occured in 11 and 6 patients respectively. The polymorphism of threonine 164 to isoleucine was not found in our enrolled patients. The homozygous polymorphism of $\beta_2$AR gene was found in only arginine 16 to glycine (12.6%). The heterozygous polymorphisms of $\beta_2$AR gene were in arginine 16 to glycine, valine 34 to methionine, and glutamine 27 to glutamic acid, as 65.1 %,10.7%, and 5.8% respectively in asthma patients. The presence of agrginine 16 to glycine heterozygous or/and homozygous polymorphism was associated in severe asthma (p=0.015), but there was no association between the other three polymorphisms and the severity of asthma. The frequency of the $\beta_2$AR gene polymorphisms was no relation in nocturnal asthma as compared with non-nocturnal asthma. Conclusion: The arginine 16 to glycine polymorphism of the $\beta_2$AR gene is the most frequently found in asthma patients and association with severe asthma. But there was no association between the polymorphism of the $\beta_2$AR gene and nocturnal asthma.