• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.189-193
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• 2009

Hypoxia inducible factor $1\alpha$ (HIF-$1\alpha$) is a potential marker of carcicnogenesis since it is overexpresssed in many human cancers such as brain, breast, and uterus, and its role has implicated in tumor cell growth and metastasis. In this study, we established a stable cell line that express green fluorescence protein (GFP)-fused hypoxia inducible factor $1\alpha$ (HIF-$1\alpha$) and evaluated the potential use of this cell line for assessment of carcinogenicity of chemical toxicants. Western blot analysis as well as fluorescence measurements showed that protein-level of GFP-HIF-$1\alpha$ was significantly enhanced in a dose-dependent manner upon treatment of hypoxia mimicking agents such as dexferrioxamine and $CoCl_2$. Well-Known tumor promoters such as mitomycin and methyl methanesulfonate. significantly induced the fluorescence intensity of GFP-HIF-$1\alpha$, whereas the known negative controls such as o-anthranilic acid and benzethonium chloride, did not. These results indicate that HIF-$1\alpha$ could be a biological parameter for detection of tumor initiators/promoters and suggest that the GFP-HIF-$1\alpha$ cell line is a useful system for screening of carcinogenic toxicants.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.7.1-7.7
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• 2015

Objectives The widely promising applications of graphene nanomaterials raise considerable concerns regarding their environmental and human health risk assessment. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the toxicity profiling of graphene family nanano-materials (GFNs) in alternative in vitro and in vivo toxicity testing models. Methods The GFNs used in this study are graphene nanoplatelets ([GNPs]-pristine, carboxylate [COOH] and amide [$NH_2$]) and graphene oxides (single layer [SLGO] and few layers [FLGO]). The human bronchial epithelial cells (Beas2B cells) as in vitro system and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as in vivo system were used to profile the toxicity response of GFNs. Cytotoxicity assays, colony formation assay for cellular toxicity and reproduction potentiality in C. elegans were used as end points to evaluate the GFNs' toxicity. Results In general, GNPs exhibited higher toxicity than GOs in Beas2B cells, and among the GNPs the order of toxicity was pristine > $NH_2$ > COOH. Although the order of toxicity of the GNPs was maintained in C. elegans reproductive toxicity, but GOs were found to be more toxic in the worms than GNPs. In both systems, SLGO exhibited profoundly greater dose dependency than FLGO. The possible reason of their differential toxicity lay in their distinctive physicochemical characteristics and agglomeration behavior in the exposure media. Conclusions The present study revealed that the toxicity of GFNs is dependent on the graphene nanomaterial's physical forms, surface functionalizations, number of layers, dose, time of exposure and obviously, on the alternative model systems used for toxicity assessment.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2012

This study was conducted to assess improvements in nutritional status following the application of nutrition education to elderly patients in a long-term care hospital. The study was carried out from January to May 2009, during which a preliminary survey, a pretest, the application of nutrition education, and a post-test were applied in stages. The number of subjects at pretest was 81, and the number of participants included in the final analysis was 61 (18 men, 43 women), all of whom participated in both the nutrition education program and the post-test. The survey consisted of general demographic items, health behaviors, dietary behaviors, the Nutrition Screening Initiative checklist, and nutrient intake assessment (24 hour recall method). The nutrition education program lasted for four weeks. It included a basic education program, provided once a week, and mini-education program, which was offered daily during lunch times. The survey was conducted before and after the education program using the same assessment method, although some items were included only at pretest. When analyzing the changes in elderly patients after the nutritional education program, we found that, among subjective dietary behaviors, self-rated perceptions of health (P<0.001) and of depression (P<0.001) improved significantly and that dietary behavior scores also improved significantly (P<0.001), while nutritional risk levels decreased. In terms of nutrient intake, subjects' intake of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C all increased significantly (P<0.001). These results indicated that nutritional education is effective in improving the nutritional status of elderly patients. We hope that the results of this study can be used as preliminary data for establishing guidelines for nutrition management tailored to elderly patients in long-term care hospitals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.234-245
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• 2009

Nutritional assessment for the elderly can identify health status and morbidity. However, development of Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) remains limited for elderly because of difficulties in understanding physiological mechanism of elderly. This study was performed to analyze and develop Nutritional Risk Index for Korean elderly Women (Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, GNRI). Based on literature review, factors for NRI were identified and indices were assessed by a cross-sectional survey. The survey involved Korean elderly women (${\geq}$60, n = 94) in Gwangju area, and sociodemographics, lifestyle characteristics, health conditions, dietary intakes based on 24h- recall, anthropometric measures (wt, ht, BMI, waist, hip, WHR, body protein, body fat, abdominal fat, and triceps skinfold thickness), and clinical biochemistry parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, prealbumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, fasting blood glucose, HbAlc, ferritin, Zn, Ca, Na, K, Vit E, Vit $B_{12}$, folate, C-reactive protein) were examined relation to nutritional risk index. Based on literature review and data analyses, three NRIs were categorized (NRI I, NRI II, NRI III) and used for further analysis. NRI I was related to having metabolic syndrome, NRI II was related to serum albumin and body weight, and NRI III was related to food habit and health concerns. Abdominal fat (%) of elderly was correlated with each NRIs. NRI II was correlated with nutritional deficiency and higher tendency of inflammatory response, and NRI III was correlated with nutritional status which tend to be lower on aging (protein, folate, Vit $B_{12}$). NRI can serve as a useful tools in assessing health risk and nutritional status. Some modification of items in NRI and validity study are need to apply to Korean elderly.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2014

The capital city of Himalayan Country Nepal, Kathmandu Valley is surrounded by consecutive high mountains, which limits the air distribution and mixing effects significantly. It in turn generates steady air flow pattern over a year except in monsoon season. The air shed in the Valley is easily trapped by the surrounded mountains and the inversion layer formulated as the cap. The $PM_{10}$ concentration was noticeably higher than the standard level (120 ${\mu}g/m^3$) in urban and suburban area of Kathmandu valley for all seasons except monsoon period. The Valley area experiences similar wind patterns (W, WWS, and S) for a year but the Easterly wind prevails only during the monsoon period. There was low and calm wind blows during the winter season. Because of this air flow structure, the air emission from various sources is accumulated within the valley air, high level of air pollution is frequently recorded with other air polluted cities over the world. In this Valley area, brick kilns are recognized as the major air pollution source followed by vehicles. Mostly Bull Trench Kiln (BKT), Hoffman Kiln and Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK) are in operation for brick firing in Kathmandu valley where the fuels such as crushed coal, saw dust, and natural gas are used for processing bricks in this study. Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts (TRACI) was used for screening and quantifying the potential impacts of air emission from firing fuels. The total Environmental Performance Score (EPS) was estimated and the EPS of coal was approximately 2.5 times higher than those of natural gas and saw dust. It is concluded that the crushed coal has more negative impact to the environment and human health than other fuel sources. Concerning the human health and environment point of view, alternative environment friendly firing fuel need to be used for brick industry in the kiln and the air pollution control devices also need to be applied for minimizing the air emissions from the kilns.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.289-295
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• 2008

Toxicology screening following treatment with astemizole, a histamine receptor antagonist, at oral doses of 0, 10, 30 and 60 mg/kg was carried out in male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). No dose-related changes in mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, food consumption, or urine analysis occurred in any animal compared to the vehicle control. However, the high-dose group showed a decrease in BUN and ALP compared to vehicle control group. In addition, the levels of TG, AST, ALP and CK increased. Although astemizole did not produce significant toxicological changes at any dose tested, we predict that it can cause toxicological changes of the liver and heart based on the changes in the serum parameters related to the heart and liver. The Action Potential Duration (APD) was prolonged in the heart of 60 mg/kg treatment group compared to the control group. The APD increase in 60 mg/kg treatment group along the other related changes in toxicological parameters imply that astemizole has major cardiotoxic effects in the cynomolgus monkey. This study is a valuable assessment for predicting the general toxicity and cardiotoxic effects of antihistamine drugs using nonhuman primates.

• 대한핵의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.17-24
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• 2002

Recurrence of colorectal cancer after apparently curative resection remains common, with reported relapse rates of up to 40%. Because complete resection of solitary metastases or local recurrence may improve long-term survival, surgical management of such cases has become increasingly aggressive but has led to only modest survival benefit. The limitations of current approaches based on structural imaging are well documented, with over half of the patients who are thought suitable for curative surgery being found to have unresectable disease at operation. Therefore, better preoperative assessment is crucial. The increasing use of FDG-PET as an oncologic staging investigation has significantly improved the assessment of patients with suspected colorectal cancer recurrence. Several studios show that substantial and largely appropriate changes in patient management occur, often soaring patients the significant morbidity and mortality associated with aggressive but futile therapies while also saving scarce community resources. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance of these findings has still been questioned. The utility of PET in routine clinical practice will likely depend on its ability to provide incremental information compared with CT in selected patients rather than to serve as a replacement for CT. In conclusion, in patients with suspected recurrent or metastatic colorectal carcinoma, FDG-PET should be performed (1) when there is rising carcinoembryonic antigen levels in the absence of a known source, (2) to increase the specificity of structural imaging when there is an equivocal lesion, and (3) as a screening method for the entire body in the preoperative staging before curative resection of recurrent disease.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.67-77
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• 1986

The research was carried out in order to assess, at an early stage, the potential barrier in mother-child relationship in the childs' development by using the screening tool. Consequently, after modifying the Neonatal Perception Inventory developed by Broussard and testing its reliability. It has been applied to 152 mothers at the hospital of three universities in Seoul from August 1 to September 30, 1986. The data was analyzed by S.P.S.S. pro-gram and the results were as follows: 1) Mothers perceived the newborn as an individual, and evaluated their baby higher than other babies. 2) Mothers indicated difficulties in their role performance in the fellowing order-bathing, safety, detecting pain or suffering, and feeding. 3) Mothers' perception of a newborn was positive for 75% of the mothers. 4) The factor analysis of the modified tool using principal components analysis and Varimax rotation resulted in the two factors: Factor 1, Baby as an individual: Factor Ⅱ, Performances are required to meet the new-born's needs. 5) The difference in mothers' individual characteristics such as the number of childbirth, the desire to get pregnant or not, the type of deli-very, and the sex of the newborn did not influence on a mothers' perception of her newborn. As seen above, most of the mothers perceived their newborns as able individuals and expressed difficulties involved in taking care of the newborn. Also most of the mothers perceived their babies positively. My point here is, we ought to observe those mothers who perceive their babies negatively, and then compare them with those mothers who perceive their babies extremely positive or extremely negative. In the future, for more comprehensive assessment tool for maternal perception of the newborn, a repetitive verification and modification of this tool is demanded. At the same time, father's perception of the newborn should be included.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2008

Purpose: This study examines the effects of elastic band of resistance exercise for balance control of the elderly. Methods: Thirty of eighty participants in experiment subjects who demonstrated balance-impairment through the use of primary screening tests including the one leg standing test (OLST), functional reach test (FRT) and timed up and go (TUG) were selected as subjects. Fifteen subjects that underwent muscle-strengthening exercise using an elastic band were selected as the exercise group and fifteen subjects were selected as a control group. Subjects undertook a home-based exercise program three times per week for 9 weeks. Muscle strength, functional assessment and a balance test were quantitatively measured before and after the exercise regimen. Results: After muscle strengthening exercises, changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) showed a significant increase in all of the lower extremity muscles of the exercise group subjects. There were statistically significant differences between the exercise and control groups for changes in the OLST, FRT and TUG, which are functional assessments of balance ability, and changes of the unit path length and circumference area, measurement items of quantitative analysis. In addition, from examining correlations between MVIC, balance ability, it was found that an increase of muscle strength in the hip joint group of muscles among the lower extremity muscles had greater improvement in correlation with balance ability in this elderly population. Conclusion: Resistance exercise using elastic bands had significant effects on muscle strengthening in elderly subjects, with a resultant increase of lower extremity muscle strength with significant improvement of balance ability.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.198-202
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• 2012

Background : Maxillary hypoplasia refers to a deficiency in the growth of the maxilla commonly seen in patients with a repaired cleft palate. Those who develop maxillary hypoplasia can be offered a repositioning of the maxilla to a functional and esthetic position. Velopharyngeal dysfunction is one of the important problems affecting speech after maxillary advancement surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of maxillary advancement on repaired cleft palate patients without preoperative deterioration in speech compared with non-cleft palate patients. Methods : Eighteen patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomy between 2005 and 2011. One patient was excluded due to preoperative deterioration in speech. Eight repaired cleft palate patients belonged to group A, and 9 non-cleft palate patients belonged to group B. Speech assessments were performed preoperatively and postoperatively by using a speech screening protocol that consisted of a list of single words designed by Ok-Ran Jung. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to determine if there were significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative outcomes in each group A and B. And Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine if there were significant differences in the change of score between groups A and B. Results : No patients had any noticeable change in speech production on perceptual assessment after maxillary advancement in our study. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between groups A and B. Conclusions : Repaired cleft palate patients without preoperative velopharyngeal dysfunction would not have greater risk of deterioration of velopharyngeal function after maxillary advancement compared to non-cleft palate patients.