• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.137-142
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• 2004

Dioxin-like compounds are ubiquitous environmental polltants that could be accumulated in biological system and toxic to human and wildlife. Given this issue, it is important to develop a reliable dioxin detection methods for a rational risk assesment of dioxin-like compounds. In this study, we tried to set up and validate a sensitive, reliable risk assessment of dioxin-like compounds. In this study, we tried to set up and validate a sensitive, reliable and rapid bioassay model, CALUX bioassay as a screening tool for routine measurement of dioxin-like conpounds in environmental matrices. For the valisation of CALUX bioassay, firstly, we performed dose-response assay for 2,3,7,8-TCDD, most potent dioxin-like compound, using two different methods CALUX and EROD assay. Induction of luciferase activity and CYPIA catalyzed EROD activity were dose-dependently induced by 2,3,7,8-TCDD, with initial induction at 0.1 pM and maximal induction at 1 nM. In order t determine whether the CALUX bioassay could predict the effects of dioxin-like compounds, 2,3,7,8-TCDD dose-response from CALUX was compared with that from EROD assay. The correlation coefficient ($r^2$) was found to be 0.89, indicating a good correlation between two different methods and the possibility of CALUX bioassay as a useful dioxin detecting method.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.279-283
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• 2019

Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture, a treatment that injects Hominis placenta extract into acupoints, has been suggested in the literature and researches that it could be used for cognitive decline. We experienced a case of mild neurocognitive disorder treated with Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture. Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture could be a possible treatment modality producing substantial clinical result in cognitive function which is assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination-Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS), Korean Version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K), and Korean-Dementia Rating Scale (K-DRS). A 84-year-old man with mild neurocognitive disorder received Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture on GV20, CV12, and bilateral ST36 for a month. The results of neuropsychological examination showed increase in scores after treatment of Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture. Before treatment, they were 15 points for MoCA-K, and 120 points for K-DRS (7.6%), but after treatment, they elevated by 21 points for MoCA-K and 137 points for K-DRS (100%). MMSE-DS score was 28 points, unchanged before and after treatment. It did not cause any side-effect. Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture could be a safe option for treating mild neurocognitive disorder.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2011

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the rate of and factors associated with influenza vaccination in Korean elderly people. Methods: For this retrospective cross-sectional study, we used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008. A total of 1,516 men and women aged 65 or above were included. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: The overall rate of influenza vaccination in 2008 was 73.6%. The vaccination rate was lower in women (73.2%) than in men (74.2%; p<.001). It was lower in the elderly aged 80 and above, those living in metropolitan areas, smokers, those who did not receive regular health screening, those who had no history of hospitalization within one year, and those who had liver diseases than in the other groups. The rate of vaccination was higher in those with cancer. Logistic regression analysis revealed that for both men and women, the significant correlates associated with vaccination were demographic factors, chronic disease and health behavior. Conclusion: The influenza vaccination coverage needs to be improved. Efforts should be made to reach the elderly population with relatively low influenza vaccination rates and to increase awareness about the importance of vaccination at a personal and community level.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.256-264
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the association of dietary intake levels with ante-natal depression among pregnant women. Methods: Secondary data analysis was done using Can Pro software (version 3.0) to evaluate the diet intake levels with 24 hour recall diary method with 130 pregnant women visiting a general hospital. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and adjusted logistic regression using the SPSS/WIN program. Results: Whole dietary intake levels of pregnant women were insufficient according to Recommended Nutrient Intake (RI) with the except of phosphorus intake. There were significant differences in RI by gestation period and high risk pregnancies. Non-depressed women showed more intake in niacin (z=1.33, p=.018) and zinc (t=3.99, p=.048) than depressed women did. Niacin was a significant determinant of ante-natal depression (Exp (B)=5.88, p=.47, 95% CI [1.02~23.83]). Conclusion: Dietary intake assessment would be necessary during pregnancies for the screening of ante-natal depression. For ante-natal depression care, a tailored dietary intervention should be applied for women with insufficient nutrient intake.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2807-2811
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• 2015

Scorpion venom peptides recently have attracted attention as alternative chemotherapeutic agents that may overcome the limitations of current drugs, providing specific cytotoxicity for cancer cells with an ability to bypass multidrug-resistance mechanisms, additive effects in combination therapy and safety. In the present study, BmKn-2 scorpion venom peptide and its derivatives were chosen for assessment of anticancer activities. BmKn-2 was identified as the most effective against human oral squamous cells carcinoma cell line (HSC-4) by screening assays with an $IC_{50}$ value of $29{\mu}g/ml$. The BmKn-2 peptide killed HSC-4 cells through induction of apoptosis, as confirmed by phase contrast microscopy and RT-PCR techniques. Typical morphological features of apoptosis including cell shrinkage and rounding characteristics were observed in treated HSC-4 cells. The results were further confirmed by increased expression of pro-apoptotic genes such as caspase-3, -7, and -9 but decrease mRNA level of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 in BmKn-2 treated cells, as determined by RT-PCR assay. In summary, the BmKn-2 scorpion venom peptide demonstrates specific membrane binding, growth inhibition and apoptogenic activity against human oral cancer cells.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1395-1401
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• 2004

Purpose. To compare perimenstrual (premenstrual, menstrual, postmenstrual) symptoms by concurrent reporting using the Women's Daily Health Diary (WDHD) and by retrospective reporting using the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MMDQ). Methods. A prospective and retrospective study was conducted among 31 Korean women, aged 27 to 48 yrs, living in the USA. Results. On the prospective report using the WDHD, the most severe complaints were fatigue or tiredness ($1.48{\pm}.98$), sensation of weight gain ($.88{\pm}98$), increased appetite ($.79{\pm}.96$) in premenstrual phase, fatigue or tiredness ($1.34{\pm}.85$), backaches ($1.06{\pm}.79$), and bloating or swelling of the abdomen ($.93{\pm}.86$) during the menstrual phase. On the retrospective report using the MMDQ, the most severe complaints during the premenstrual phase were fatigue ($2.26{\pm}1.65$), irritability ($2.06{\pm}1.48$), and backaches ($1.97{\pm}1.68$) and during the menstrual phase backaches ($2.35{\pm}1.62$), fatigue ($2.29{\pm}1.75$), and cramps ($2.23{\pm}1.80$). According to both measurements of PMS symptomology during the premenstrual and menstrual phases, the most frequently reported symptom was fatigue or tiredness. Highly rated symptoms on the MMDQ and on the WDHD were found to be similar. Conclusion. The WDHD was found to be suitable for daily prospective PMS assessment, which will be necessary for the screening and management of women with severe PMS.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2006

Many of endocrine disrupting chemicals induce effects via interaction with hormone receptors and responsive elements in target cells. We investigated endocrine disrupting effects of some food additives and contaminants including BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propionic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, CPM, aflatoxin B1, cadmium chloride, genistein, TCDD and PCBs in yeast transformants expressing human steroid hormone receptors along with steroid responsive elements. The response limit of genetically recombinant yeast to $17{\beta}$-estradiol, testosterone and progesterone was $1{\times}10^{-16},\;1{\times}10^{-12}\;and\;1{\times}10^{-13}M$, respectively. BHT induced weak transcriptional activity in estrogen sensitive yeast, while BHA and sorbic acid interacted weakly with androgen receptor/responsive element. CPM induced transcriptional activities in all types of yeasts sensitive to steroid hormones. Zearalenone and genistein induced high transcriptional activation in estrogen sensitive yeast with relative potencies almost $10^8$ folds lower than $17{\beta}$-estradiol. TCDD induced transcriptional activation weakly in estrogen- and progesterone- sensitive yeasts. This study elucidated that recombinant yeast is a sensitive and high-throughput system and can be used for the direct assessment on chemical interactions with steroid receptors and responsive elements. Also, the present study raises the requirement of evaluation on the endocrine disrupting effects of BHT, BHA, sorbic acid, CPM and TCDD for their transcription activity in yeast screening system though weak in intensity.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-57
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• 1993

The study was conducted with 27 health mangers working in manufacturing industries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the health manager's employment status, health examination, and it's follow. up health management level(about the industrial type). The results are as follows: 1. Characteristics of Manufacturing Industries: The ratio of nurse to employees is 1 : 552.6 and the percentage of physician employed was 51.9% All of the physicians were part time except one. 2. Health Examination and Follow Up ; 1) Periodic screening examinations were provided to 92.39% of the employees. Of these 11.56% required a detailed examination. Follow up on routine cases were done for 51.69%. Follow up on intensive cases were done 13.97%. 2) 62% of all employees working in hazardous conditions(noise, artificial light 74.1%) are required to receive a special health examination bi annually. Of these 96.66% were examined. 11.24% of these employees required a detailed follow up examination. 3. Relevancy between health management level, industrial type, and health manager's status 1) Health clinic operated separately except one case. Nursing activity level :. health diagnosis(0.27) Occupational condition (0.97) Health education(0.81) Health assessment(0.74) Health education level is higher at the industries working in environmental technician(P=0.017). The other's significance is not shown by any type of the staff.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5733-5739
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• 2015

The primary objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of medical students and determine variation between different cultural groups. A secondary aim was to find out the willingness to pay for cervical cancer vaccination and the relationships between knowledge and attitudes towards Human Papillomavirus vaccination. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a private medical university between June 2014 and November 2014 using a convenient sampling method. A total of 305 respondents were recruited and interviewed with standard questionnaires for assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practice towards human papilloma virus and their willingness to pay for HPV vaccination. Knowledge regarding human papilloma virus, human papilloma virus vaccination, cervical cancer screening and cervical cancer risk factors was good. Across the sample, a majority (90%) of the pupils demonstrated a high degree of knowledge about cervical cancer and its vaccination. There were no significant differences between ethnicity and the participants' overall knowledge of HPV infection, Pap smear and cervical cancer vaccination. Some 88% of participants answered that HPV vaccine can prevent cervical cancer, while 81.5% of medical students said they would recommend HPV vaccination to the public although fewer expressed an intention to receive vaccination for themselves.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.191-194
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• 2015

Purpose: To estimate the incidence of breast cancer in Yemeni female patients presenting with a breast mass. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out with 595 female patients with palpable breast lumps, attending to Alkuwait university hospital, Sana'a, Yemen. Triple assessment, including breast examination, mammography and biopsy (FNAC, core needle, or excision), for all patients were performed. Results: The incidences of benign and malignant lesions was calculated. Some 160 (26.9%) of 595 patients had malignancies; 213 (35.8%) were fibroadenomas; 12 (2.0%) were fibrocystic change; 143 (24.03%) were inflammatory lesions (including mastitis and ductectasia); 62 (10.4%) were simple cysts, while 5 (0.8%) were phyllodes tumors. The mean age of patients with malignant lumps was 44.3 years. Conclusions: Among Yemeni female patients with palpable breast lumps, the rate of breast cancer is high, with occurrence at an earlier age than in Western countries. Improving breast cancer awareness programs and increasing breast cancer screening centers inb different areas of Yemen are needed to establish early diagnosis and offer early and optimal treatment.