• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2014

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and explore the appropriate number of treatment for postmenopausal women diagnosed with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension. Methods : A 4-arm randomized open label pilot trial will be performed at 2 centers. Sixty participants will be divided into 2 treatment groups and 2 control groups. Treatment groups will receive acupuncture at 8 points(bilateral GB20, LI11, ST36, SP6) for 4 weeks(treatment group A, 10 total sessions) or 8 weeks(treatment group B, 20 total sessions), while maintaining usual care. Control groups will not receive acupuncture but will be under usual care for 16 weeks(control group C) or 20 weeks(control group D). Each patient's living habits will be corrected and drugs that may affect blood pressure(BP) will be prohibited. Treatment group A and control group C will be evaluated at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after randomization, while treatment group B and control group D will be evaluated at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks after randomization. The major outcome variable is the magnitude of change in diastolic BP levels at 4 weeks after randomization; auxiliary outcome variables are (1) diastolic BP change at 8, 16, and 20 weeks, (2) systolic BP change, (3) BP control rate, (4) lipid profiles, and (5) high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Patient safety will be assessed at every visit. Results and Conclusions : The study findings may help develop evidence for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for BP control.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2006

This study was designed to investigate the possibility of the use of dried mackerel, which is enriched with docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3, DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (20:5n-3, EPA) acids, as a means of increasing the intake of these n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and to investigate the effect of the consumption of mackerel on tissue triglyceride, cholesterol contents and fatty acid compositions. Twenty male mice were fed on 5% palm oil (control group) and 5% dried mackerel (mackerel group) diets for four weeks. Total triglyceride, cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels tended to decrease in serum, heart and kidney of the mackerel group compared to the control group, while HDL-cholesterol levels were increased with the intake of mackerel. In fatty acid compositions of serum and heart, the mackerel group showed increased percentages of n-3 fatty acids, especially DHA and EPA, and decreased percentages of arachidonic (20:4n-6, AA) and docosapentaenoic (22:5n-6, DPAn-6) acids compared to the control group (p<0.05). There was a similar tendency in kidney and adipose tissue but AA levels were not significantly different between the control and mackerel groups. These results indicate that intake of dried mackerel as the n-3 vehicle for increasing tissue n-3 fatty acids may be associated with improvement in lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine the possible additive effects of endurance exercise training (EXER) and selenium (SELE) on the improvements of glucose and lactate transport capacities in diabetic Goto-kakizaki rats. Animals either remained sedentary control (SED) or performed EXER or received SELE [$5{\mu}mol$ kg body wt (-1) day (-1)], or underwent both EXER and SELE (COMBI), which lasted for 6 wk. Compared with sedentary control, EXER alone or the SELE alone group, or the combined treatment group had significant reduction in glucose response measured at 90 min and 120 min during an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and body weight after 6week treatment. EXER alone, or combined group individually had significantly higher glycogen contents in liver compared with SED or SELE groups. EXER alone increased glycogen content in soleus and plantaris compared with SED, and this parameter was increased to greatest extent in the combined treatment groups compared with SED or SELE groups. EXER alone, SELE alone or COMBI, caused significant decreases in the plasma lactates, serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol and HOMA-IR along with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with SED. In addition, EXER or COMBI individually had significantly lower serum triacylglycerol compared with SED or SELE. With respect to protein expression related to glucose and lactate transport capacities, EXER alone, SELE alone, or COMBI increased in MCT1 and MCT4 protein level in soleus and plantaris. Furthermore, EXER alone, SELE alone or COMBI caused significant increases in mt MCT1 protein level in soleus and plantaris. The findings of the current study suggest that endurance exercise training and selenium treatment may provide therapeutic values to type II diabetic patients with peripheral insulin resistance and hyperlactatecemia by improving glucose and lactate transport capacities, leading to improvements in plasma lactate, serum glucose, insulin and lipid profiles (TC, TG, HDL).

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12 week weight control program, which included nutrition education and regular physical fitness, on body weight, degree of obesity, BMI, and lowering of blood lipids in 16 obese male elementary school students. Changes in waist and hip circumferences and their ratios were measured at the conclusion of the 12 week program conducted from September 9 to November 25, 2005. Body weight after 12 weeks on the program slightly reduced from 55.4${\pm}$10.9 kg to 54.4${\pm}$9.7 kg. Degree of obesity and BMI decreased from 121.3${\pm}$8.1%, and 25.9${\pm}$3.3 to 120.0${\pm}$8.2% and, 25.6${\pm}$2.7, respectively. Body fat percentage decreased slightly from 38.3${\pm}$4.7% to 37.9${\pm}$5.2%. Waist to hip ratio did not change after 12 weeks. There were slight changes in weight of body fat and lean body mass from 22.12${\pm}$6.53 kg and 34.56${\pm}$4.75 kg to 21.68${\pm}$6.05 kg and 34.70${\pm}$4.54 kg, respectively. Also, after 12 weeks on the weight control program, body, waist, and hip circumferences decreased. However, there were no significant differences among the blood lipid components, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol. Finally, body weight, degree of obesity, BMI, and body fat showed more significant correlations to waist, hip circumference and their ratio than to blood lipid levels.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2013

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Agarum cribrosum on weight change and defecation states in rats with constipation induced by loperamide. Food intake and body weight both decreased in the 5% Agarum cribrosum and loperamide-treated group (SD5) and 10% Agarum cribrosum and loperamide-treated group (SD10), whereas fecal water contents increased by 1.6 and 2.1-fold in the SD5 and SD10 groups, respectively. The concentrations of total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride in the sera of the SD5 and SD10 groups were lower than those in the control (C) group. However, the biochemical parameters, GOT (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic pyruvic transaminase), and glucose levels, were not affected by the level of Agarum cribrosum. In addition, the concentrations of total-cholesterol and triglyceride in the livers of the SD5 and SD10 groups were also lower than those in the control group. The results of the present study demonstrated that Agarum cribrosum might ameliorate constipation symptoms, and lower lipid concentrations in the blood and liver.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.392-396
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• 2010

Purpose : The association between iron deficiency anemia and febrile convulsion in infants has been examined in several studies with conflicting results. Therefore, the authors aimed to evaluate the precise relationship involved. Methods : In this case-control study, the authors assessed 100 children with a diagnosis of febrile convulsion, aged between 9 months and 2 years, during January 2007 to July 2009. The control group consisted of 100 febrile children without convulsion; controls were closely matched to the cases by age, gender, and underlying disease. Results : The mean ages of the febrile convulsion and control group were $16.3{\pm}7.4$ and $15.8{\pm}6.1$ months, respectively, and the two groups had no differences in clinical features. Iron deficiency anemia (Hb <10.5 gm/dL) was more frequent in the febrile convulsion group than in the control group, although there was no statistical significance. Unexpectably, the RDW (red blood cell distribution width) was significantly lower and the MCNC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) was significantly higher among seizure cases than among the controls (P <0.05). There is no statistical difference between simple and complex febrile groups in the clinical and laboratory profiles. On multiple logistic regression analysis, iron deficiency anemia was more frequent, but the RDW was lower, among the cases with febrile convulsion, compared with the controls. Conclusions : Our study suggests that the iron deficiency anemia is associated with febrile convulsion, and screening for iron deficiency anemia should be considered in children with febrile convulsions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.8
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• pp.767-773
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• 2007

Purpose : Obesity has become a pandemic and especially the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased remarkably over the past years. Childhood obesity is often accompanied by the expected morbidities such as hyperlipidemia, fatty liver and glucose intolerance. We evaluated the pattern of alteration in the body mass index (BMI), serum adiponectin concentration, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and complication rates after one year follow-up. Methods : Forty two obese children (age: 8-15 years, 95th percentile of BMI for age and sex) were examined twice annually on June, 2004 and July, 2005. The body mass index (BMI) and sexual maturityrating (SMR) were determined annually by the same examiner and serum fasting glucose, liver enzyme, lipid profiles, adiponectin, insulin and HOMA-IR were measured and annual results were compared. Upper abdominal sonography was performed to detect fatty liver. Results : BMI ($25.3{\pm}2.9kg/m^2$ vs. $26.0{\pm}2.9kg/m^2$) and HOMA-IR ($3.6{\pm}1.8$ vs. $4.7{\pm}1.9$) have increased significantly after one-year follow-up. The serum adiponectin concentration ($17.2{\pm}5.2g/mL$ vs. $12.6{\pm}5.2g/mL$) has decreased after one year. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia and fatty liver were not changed significantly but that of hyperinsulinemia increased after one-year. HOMA-IR showed a positive correlation with BMI and SMR, but was negatively correlated with serum adiponectin concentration. Conclusion : Obese children in our study showed significant increment of insulin resistance during one year. These results suggest that well-organized and continuous obesity control is required especially for obese adolescent to prevent complication of obesity.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2005

This study aims to study the distribution and formation age of Quaternary deposits in the downstream of Yeongsan Estuarine River, encompassing Muan, Illo and Donggang counties. For this purpose the authors examine several borehole data, and step trench survey for excellent profiles was studied in connection with grain size population and magnetic susceptibility. As a result, it is interpreted that the coastal plain of the Yeongsan River was formed by sea level rise after Last Glacial Maximum(LGM). The fore edge/escarpment of coastal terraces distributed 7-10 m asl is assumed to be formed during the last glacial period, while the coastal terraces distributed above 7-10m asl formed during MIS 5a. In addition, the fore edge/escarpment of coastal terraces distributed above 15 m asl is presumed to be have been formed during the stadial of last interglacial period, while the formation age of coastal terraces distributed above 15m(asl) is assumed to be MIS 5e. This formation age can be estimated by the coastal terrace ages of the southeastern coast of Korean Peninsula. The characteristics of Quaternary deposits linked to paleolithic culture will eventually lead to the reconstruction of ecosystem environment of paleolithic peoples.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.308-315
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• 2006

Since sewage characteristics are the most important factors that can affect the biological reactions in wastewater treatment plants, a detailed understanding on the characteristics and on-line measurement techniques of the influent sewage would play an important role in determining the appropriate control strategies. In this study, samples were taken at two hour intervals during 51 days from $1^{st}$ October to $21^{st}$ November 2005 from the influent gate of sewage treatment plant. Then the characteristics of sewage were investigated. It was found that the daily values of flow rate and concentrations of sewage components showed a defined profile. The highest and lowest peak values were observed during $11:00{\sim}13:00$ hours and $05:00{\sim}07:00$ hours, respectively. Also, it was shown that the concentrations of sewage components were strongly correlated with the absorbance measured at 300 nm of UV. Therefore, the objective of the paper is to develop on-line estimation technique of the concentration of each component in the sewage using accumulated profiles of sewage, absorbance, and flow rate which can be measured in real time. As a first step, regression analysis was performed using the absorbance and component concentration data. Then a neural network trained with the input of influent flow rate, absorbance, and inflow duration was used. Both methods showed remarkable accuracy in predicting the resulting concentrations of the individual components of the sewage. In case of using the neural network, the predicted value md of the measurement were 19.3 and 14.4 for TSS, 26.7 and 25.1 for TCOD, 5.4 and 4.1 for TN, and for TP, 0.45 to 0.39, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 2010

The numerical modeling of a coal gasification reaction occurring in an entrained flow coal gasifier is presented in this study. The purposes of this study are to develop a reliable evaluation method of coal gasifier not only for the basic design but also further system operation optimization using a CFD(Computational Fluid Dynamics) method. The coal gasification reaction consists of a series of reaction processes such as water evaporation, coal devolatilization, heterogeneous char reactions, and coal-off gaseous reaction in two-phase, turbulent and radiation participating media. Both numerical and experimental studies are made for the 1.0 ton/day entrained flow coal gasifier installed in the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER). The comprehensive computer program in this study is made basically using commercial CFD program by implementing several subroutines necessary for gasification process, which include Eddy-Breakup model together with the harmonic mean approach for turbulent reaction. Further Lagrangian approach in particle trajectory is adopted with the consideration of turbulent effect caused by the non-linearity of drag force, etc. The program developed is successfully evaluated against experimental data such as profiles of temperature and gaseous species concentration together with the cold gas efficiency. Further intensive investigation has been made in terms of the size distribution of pulverized coal particle, the slurry concentration, and the design parameters of gasifier. These parameters considered in this study are compared and evaluated each other through the calculated syngas production rate and cold gas efficiency, appearing to directly affect gasification performance. Considering the complexity of entrained coal gasification, even if the results of this study looks physically reasonable and consistent in parametric study, more efforts of elaborating modeling together with the systematic evaluation against experimental data are necessary for the development of an reliable design tool using CFD method.