• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.174-187
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate an education program for housewives to reduce sodium intake based on the social cognitive theory. Methods: Housewives (n = 387) received 2 education sessions focused on food purchase and cooking, and completed a questionnaire on their perceptions of environmental, cognitive, and behavioral factors and the stages of behavioral change to reducing sodium intake both before and after the education program. Results: After the education program, the recognition of social efforts for sodium reduction and sodium labeling and experience with low-sodium products increased. Positive expectancies for the prevention of osteoporosis by the reduction of sodium were enhanced while the main barriers in practicing sodium reduction decreased, especially 'interrupting social relationships when dining with others', 'bad taste', 'preference for soup or stew', and 'limited knowledge and skills to practice'. In addition, cognition and nutrition knowledge related to reducing sodium intake were improved on all scores, but the effect on self-efficacy and dietary behavior was limited to only a few items. The percentage of participants in the pre-action stage (including pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages) for reducing sodium intake decreased from 43.2% before education to 21.5% after education, while that in the action stage increased from 19.6% before education to 43.5% after education (p < 0.001). The education program had the most significant impact on participants who were in the pre-action stage and showed improved scores in all sections. Conclusion: These results suggest that a customized education program for housewives could be an effective tool to reduce sodium intake by improving personal expectancies, cognition, and nutrition knowledge regarding sodium reduction and enabling a greater section of the population to move to the action stage of reducing sodium intake.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.506-520
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• 2022

Purpose: Physical activity (PA) has a beneficial effect on the prevention of arteriosclerosis in healthy adults. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between PA measured using an accelerometer and arterial stiffness in healthy Korean adults. Methods: This study involved 87 subjects (36.8% women) aged 20-64 years. PA was evaluated using an accelerometer (wGT3X-BT, ActiGraph, Florida, USA) for 7 days. Based on the results of the accelerometer measurement, subjects were classified into active and inactive groups according to the World Health Organization (WHO) PA guidelines. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) to assess arterial stiffness were measured by a non-invasive vascular screening device (VP-1000 Plus, Omron). Results: The average age of the study subjects was 47.7 ± 11.3 years and the WHO PA guideline achievement rate was 29.9%. There was no significant difference in arterial stiffness (baPWV and ABI) between the active and inactive groups. In females, the time spent in light PA were positively correlated with ABI (r = 0.396; p < 0.05) and the number of sedentary bouts over 50 minutes was inversely correlated with ABI (r = -0.402; p < 0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between PA and arterial stiffness in males. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that light PA and sedentary behavior have a positive correlation with arterial stiffness in females.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.168-183
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• 2023

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of death not only in Korea but also worldwide. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been extensively investigated, but studies on nutritional intake and eating habits are scarce. The purpose of this study was to analyze the general characteristics, dietary habits, and nutritional status of Korean adults based on their AIP values using data from the 2013-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: A total number of 3,040 adults in their 20s and 30s were included as study subjects. They were divided into quintiles according to their AIP values. Comparisons were then made among the general information, eating habits, and nutritional intake statuses of the groups. Results: The averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, smoking, and exercise in men. As for women, the averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, and smoking status. Except for high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, higher AIP values in men were associated with significant increasing trends in health indicators, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. As for women, as AIP increased, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol showed significant increasing trends except HDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol showed a significant decreasing trend as AIP increased in men and women. In the high AIP group of women, the frequency of breakfast was lower, whereas the frequency of alcohol beverage consumption was higher. Conclusion: Among young adults, the risk of arteriosclerosis was higher in obese, smoking, and non-exercise individuals. More frequent alcohol drink consumption in women is associated with a higher risk of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, weight and lifestyle management are necessary for the prevention of atherosclerosis among young adults.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2023

This study focused on determining the specific causes and prevention methods of mass fish deaths occurred in five reservoirs (Gagugi, Neupgokgi, Danggokgi, Sagokji, and Hangokji) in Andong-si. For this purpose, a survey of agricultural land and livestock in the upper part of the reservoirs and analysis of water quality in the reservoir irrespective of whether it rains or not were conducted. We attempted to examine the changes in dissolved oxygen (DO) in the surface and bottom layers of reservoirs and changes in DO depending on the amount of livestock compost and time. Based on the above investigations, treatment plans were established to efficiently control the inflow of contaminated water into reservoirs. The rainfall and farmland areas in the upper part of the reservoir were investigated using Google and aviation data provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. The current status of livestock farms distributed around the reservoirs was also examined because compost from these farms can flow into the reservoir when it rains. Various water quality parameters, such as phosphate phosphorus (PO₄-P) and ammonium nitrogen (NH₃-N), were analyzed and compared for each reservoir during the rainy season. Changes in the DO concentration and electrical conductivity (EC) were also observed at the inlet of the reservoir during raining using an automated instrument. In addition, DO was measured until the concentration reached 0 ppm in 10 min by adding livestock compost at various concentrations (0.05%, 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% by wt.), where the concentration of the livestock compost represents the relative weight of rainwater. The DO concentration in the surface layer of reservoirs was 3.7 to 5.3 ppm, which is sufficient for fish survival. However, the fish could not survive at the bottom layer with DO concentration of 0.0-2.1 ppm. When the livestock compost was 0.3%, DO required 10-19 h to reach 0 ppm. Considering these results, it was confirmed that the DO in the bottom layer of the reservoir could easily change to an anaerobic state within 24 h when the livestock compost in the rainwater exceeds 0.3%. The results show that the direct cause of fish mortality is the inflow of excessive livestock compost into reservoirs during the first rainfall in spring. All the surveyed reservoirs had relatively good topographical features for the inflow of compost generated from livestock farms. This keeps the bottom layer of the reservoir free of oxygen. Therefore, to prevent fish death due to insufficient DO in the reservoir, measures should be undertaken to limit the amount of livestock compost flowing into the reservoir within 0.3%, which has been experimentally determined. As a basic countermeasure, minerals such as limestone, dolomite, and magnesia containing calcium and magnesium should be added to the compost of livestock farms around the reservoir. These minerals have excellent pollutant removal capabilities when sprayed onto the compost. In addition, measures should be taken to prevent fish death according to the characteristics of each reservoir.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.408-419
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside compound K (CK), the main active metabolite in Panax ginseng, has shown good safety and bioavailability in clinical trials and exerts neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemic stroke. However, its potential role in the prevention of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of ginsenoside CK against cerebral I/R injury. Methods: We used a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, including oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion induced PC12 cell model and middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion induced rat model, to mimic I/R injury. Intracellular oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rate were analyzed by Seahorse multifunctional energy metabolism system; ATP production was detected by luciferase method. The number and size of mitochondria were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and MitoTracker probe combined with confocal laser microscopy. The potential mechanisms of ginsenoside CK on mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy were evaluated by RNA interference, pharmacological antagonism combined with co-immunoprecipitation analysis and phenotypic analysis. Results: Ginsenoside CK pretreatment could attenuate mitochondrial translocation of DRP1, mitophagy, mitochondrial apoptosis, and neuronal bioenergy imbalance against cerebral I/R injury in both in vitro and in vivo models. Our data also confirmed that ginsenoside CK administration could reduce the binding affinity of Mul1 and Mfn2 to inhibit the ubiquitination and degradation of Mfn2, thereby elevating the protein level of Mfn2 in cerebral I/R injury. Conclusion: These data provide evidence that ginsenoside CK may be a promising therapeutic agent against cerebral I/R injury via Mul1/Mfn2 mediated mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.244-253
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• 2019

Purpose: Total hip arthroplasty was performed using a direct anterior approach (DAA) on an ordinary operation table and a short femoral stem. The clinical radiographic results were evaluated by a comparison with those performed using the modified hardinge (anterolateral approach, ALA) method. Materials and Methods: From January 2013 to November 2015, 102 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty using DAA (DAA group) and the same number of patients using ALA (ALA group), both performed by a single surgeon, were compared and analyzed retrospectively. The operation time and amounts of bleeding were compared, and the improvement in post-operative pain, ambulatory capacity and functional recovery of the hip joint were checked. The location of insertion of the acetabular cup and femoral stem were evaluated radiologically, and the complications that occurred in the two groups were investigated. Results: The amount of bleeding was significantly smaller in the DAA group (p=0.018). Up to 3 weeks postoperatively, recovery of hip muscle strength was significantly higher in the DAA group (flexion/extension strength p=0.023, abduction strength p=0.031). The Harris hip score was significantly better in the DAA group for up to 3 months (p<0.001) and the Koval score showed significantly better results in the DAA group up to 6 weeks (p≤0.001). The visual analogue scale score improvement was significantly higher in the DAA group by day 7 (p=0.035). The inclination angle (p<0.001) and anteversion angle (p<0.001) of the acetabular cup were located in the safe zone of the DAA group more than in the ALA group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the position of the femur stem and leg length difference. During surgery, two cases of greater trochanter fracture occurred in the DAA group (p=0.155). Conclusion: The DAA performed in the ordinary operation table using a short femoral stem showed post-operative early functional recovery. Because a simple to use fluoroscope was used during surgery with an anatomical position familiar to the surgeon, it is considered to be useful for the insertion of implants into the desired position and for an approach that is useful for the prevention of leg length differences.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.136-146
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• 2023

Biological materials, such as stuffed specimens, can release various acids or volatiles. There has been no research carried out on the emission characteristics of organic compounds generated from the preservatives used in taxidermy specimens or associated manufacturing materials and methods. Therefore, in order to identify the organic compounds generated from taxidermy specimens, a degradation experiment was conducted on specimens for each material and for storage specimens. To produce Ogye chicken specimens, naphthalene and borax were used as preservatives, and planer sawdust, newspaper, and polystyrene foam were used as the core body materials. The deterioration experiment was conducted for 2 weeks in a high-temperature environment(50℃) and a high-humidity environment (95%), with an Ogye chicken specimen (year 2015) kept in an animal storage facility. Results indicated that the concentration of organic compounds generated by the specimen in the high-temperature environment tended to be greater than that in the high-humidity environment. The preservatives benzene, toluene, xylene, and p-dichlorobenzene were detected in the specimens using naphthalene, confirming that naphthalene is a major organic compound release factor, and the specimens that used sawdust, newspaper, and polystyrene foam also exhibited organic compounds. This appears to have been due to degradation of the material. In addition, ammonia was detected in the specimens for each material due to decay. In particular, the specimens using borax at high temperature were subject to approximately 9 times higher rates of ammonia-related deterioration than the specimens using naphthalene. These results can be considered to result from the prevention of biological damage through insecticidal effects by accelerating the sublimation of naphthalene in a high-temperature environment. Naphthalene is a potentially carcinogenic substance, and when used as a preservative, proper use management is required. Taxidermy specimens can release various organic compounds depending on the manufacturing techniques used, so a systematic preservation management plan is required that depends on conditions such as the applicable manufacturing materials and preservatives.

• Korean journal of health promotion
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.91-95
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• 2019

Background: Obesity and deterioration of pulmonary function are known to increase all-cause mortality and morbidity associated with chronic diseases. Obesity is a known risk factor for decreasing pulmonary function; however, studies on the effect of changes in body weight or body mass index (BMI) on pulmonary function are rare. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the change in body weight or BMI and the pulmonary function test (PFT) in Koreans who underwent consecutive screening at a health promotion center. Methods: We enrolled 5,032 patients who underwent consecutive screening health check-ups at a health promotion center in 2015 and 2017. The BMI was calculated as the body weight (kg) divided by the square of the height (m²) in 2015 and 2017. We analyzed the association between the change in body weight or BMI and PFT. Results: In males, PFT and changes in body weight were associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) but not with changes in BMI. In females, FEV₁/forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow between 25-75% of vital capacity (FEF_25-75%) were significantly associated with the changes in body weight and BMI. A correlation analysis between body weight and BMI showed a negative correlation with FEF_25-75% in males. In females, FEV₁/FVC and FEF_25-75% were negatively correlated. Conclusions: We observed that the increase in body weight and BMI was significantly associated with pulmonary function. This finding suggests that careful monitoring of body weight and BMI may aid in maintaining proper pulmonary function, thereby, reducing mortality and morbidity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.667-682
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the changes in health behavior, mental health, and nutritional status of Korean adolescents before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak. Methods: A total of 800 adolescents (12~18 years old) who participated in the 2019-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were included as study subjects and divided into four groups (204 middle school boys, 172 middle school girls, 219 high school boys, and 205 high school girls). The 2019 and 2020 KNHANES data were classified into data collected before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, respectively. Results: After the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, middle school boys showed an increased tendency toward becoming overweight and obese, with significantly increased levels of diastolic blood pressure and insulin. While there was no major change in the subjective health status among adolescents, the high school boys showed a significantly decreased physical activity after COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, the proportion of middle school students feeling a little stressed significantly increased after the COVID-19 outbreak. The rate of skipping breakfast significantly increased in middle school girls, but the rate of having lunch with companions significantly increased among all adolescents after the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the intake of milk, vegetables, fruits, seaweeds, and pulses significantly decreased, although the intake of sugars, beverages, and seasonings significantly decreased as well, during this period. These changes may lead to an increased proportion of adolescents with insufficient intake of nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and riboflavin. Conclusion: These results highlight the impact of COVID-19 on comprehensive changes in physical and mental health status, lifestyle behavior, and nutritional status in adolescents, suggesting the need for targeted prevention and intervention for physical and mental well-being during the pandemic.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.554-572
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to analyze the priorities for educational content regarding precautions to be taken to prevent safety accidents for employees in school foodservice using the Borich priority formula and the Locus for Focus model. Methods: A survey was conducted in February 2019 on 194 employees in elementary school and 122 employees in middle- and high school foodservice in the Jeonbuk area. Demographic characteristics, status of safety accidents, safety education, and their importance and performance levels were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The priorities for the educational content on precautions to prevent safety accidents were based on a 3-step analysis method, including the paired sample t-test, Borich priority formula, and the Locus for Focus Model. Results: The average perceived importance of the precautions to be taken against safety accidents of employees in elementary-, middle-, and high schools was higher compared to the average performance of the employees (p < 0.001). The top priority for elementary school employees was caution against falls during the cleaning of the gas hood and the trench in the kitchen. In addition, 'awareness of chemical signs' was added as one of the top priorities of middle- and high school employees. The second highest priority items were 'do stretching', 'safely adjusting workbench height', 'keeping the right attitude', 'using assistive devices when moving heavy things', and 'checking the material safety data sheet', which were the same for all elementary, middle- and high school employees. Conclusion: Thus, to improve the educational preparedness of employees in the area of safety precautions, eight safety/accident prevention items should be included in the safety education program.