• Health Policy and Management
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.149-189
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• 1996

The aims of this study were to find out present situation of self-medication, and to explicate the factors affecting self-medication propensity. To explicate empirically the factors affecting self-medication propensity, a model containing five groups of determining factors such as attitudinal, behavioral, knowled해, and need of health care factors, and demographic factors were developed. Data were collected from 647 residents in Pusan and Kyungnam using the self-administered questionnaire. The major reslts obtained were as follows: First, self-medication was 32% of all utilization of pharmacy. The drugs used for self-medication most commonly were analgesics(16.2%), followed by antacids and stomachics(14.2%), dermatologic preparations(13.1%), tonics and drinks (12.6%). Second, the sources from which people obtained drug information at self-medication were label of the container(50.8%), pharmacist(32.4%), self-decision or lay person(16.8%). The experience of side effect was 10.6% of all self-medication and how people cope with was withdrawal(59.0%), consultation by pharmacist or doctor(35.9%). Third, the results of ANOVA showed a statistically significant relationship between self-medication propensity and 3 demograpic factors, such as sex(p<0.10), age(p<0.10) and job(p<0.05). Forth, the results of multiple regression analysis showed a statistically significant positive relationship betwee self-medication propensity and satisfaction of previous self-medication, knowledge of drug, drug dependency, the frequency of doctor visiting, confidence in drug advertisement, tendency toward self-treatment of the family, and job. And it showed negative relationship between self-medication propensity and confidence in the medical profession, and health behavior. The model explained 29.5% of the variance in self-medication(p<0.001).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.651-660
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• 2006

Natural products are a rich source of biologically active small molecules and a fertile area for lead discovery of new drugs [10, 52]. For instance, 5% of the 1,031 new chemical entities approved as drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were natural products between 1981 and 2002, and another 23% were natural product-derived molecules [53]. These molecules have evolved through millions of years of natural selection to interact with biomolecules in the cells or organisms and offer unrivaled chemical and structural diversity [14, 37]. Nonetheless, a large percentage of nature remains unexplored, in particular, in the marine and microbial environments. Therefore, natural products are still major valuable sources of innovative therapeutic agents for human diseases. However, even when a natural product is found to exhibit biological activity, the cellular target and mode of action of the compound are mostly mysterious. This is also true of many natural products that are currently under clinical trials or have already been approved as clinical drugs [11]. The lack of information on a definitive cellular target for a biologically active natural product prevents the rational design and development of more potent therapeutics. Therefore, there is a great need for new techniques to expedite the rapid identification and validation of cellular targets for biologically active natural products. Chemical genomics is a new integrated research engine toward functional studies of genome and drug discovery [40, 69]. The identification and validation of cellular receptors of biologically active small molecules is one of the key goals of the discipline. This eventually facilitates subsequent rational drug design, and provides valuable information on the receptors in cellular processes. Indeed, several biologically crucial proteins have already been identified as targets for natural products using chemical genomics approach (Table 1). Herein, the representative case studies of chemical genomics using natural products derived from microbes, marine sources, and plants will be introduced.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.725-733
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• 2010

This study examined the understanding and use of information on nutrition labels based on one serving size among female consumers above the age of 20 in Seoul area. According to the survey, 69.9% of respondents were aware of the current system of nutrition labeling based on one serving size, and 51.8% of the respondents expressed their dissatisfaction with the system because the nutrition labels were difficult to understand or appeared unreliable. The nutrition label literacy of the consumers varied with respect to different packaging units. The respondents were likely to be less accurate in calculating the expected caloric intake when only portions of a multi-serving package were used. Initially 69.0% of respondents reported that they had read the nutrition label before purchasing a product but 91.9% of respondents said that they would check the label after learning how to read the label properly. It is very important to make consumers aware that the labels are very reliable sources of nutrition information. A public education campaign on the use of nutrition labels should focus on developing the consumers' ability and skills in using the label information when choosing foods.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.173-181
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the packaging characteristics including pack sources and pack components of processed foods in Korea. For the survey, 704 food package samples were selected based on the consumption of top 10 brackets in each food item. They were consisted of 1,245 packaging components. Seven specific items were firstly investigated including product name, capacity of the food, package component, package source, food contact area, food contact ratio, and package thickness. The processed foods in Korea can be classified into 16 pack sources and 21 pack components, respectively. By using this information, the data were analyzed specifically. The collected data were analyzed in 8 major categories: frequency of use by pack components and pack sources, pack components by the products, pack sources by the products and pack components, pack thickness/food contact ratio by the products, food contact ratio by pack components and pack sources. Consequently, this survey will provide various information of the packaging characteristics of processed foods in Korea.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.34-44
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• 2016

Given that fermented foods, such as kimchi and doenjang, are main food sources for high sodium intake in Korea, there have been needs to develop sodium-reduced kimchi and doenjang with the proper quality. However, small and medium sized business could not actively develop the sodium-reduced products due to lack of techniques and information as well as economical reasons. The most important aspects is to address food safety issues including microbial contaminations in sodium-reduced foods. Hurdle Technology, physical, biological, chemical control technique, would have to be preferentially considered to increase the hygiene safety standards in entire processing steps including raw materials, process water, manufacturing environments, and so on. Once the food hygiene level is stable, the next challenges are to improve the taste of the sodium reduced-products as well as to packaging and storage technologies. The development of a variety of sodium-reduced fermented foods would result in significant mitigation of sodium intake by Korean. This report provides the directions to develop sodium-reduced kimchi, doenjang or pickled food products for small and medium sized business, based on the technical consulting results of sodium reduction project supported by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2015.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3817-3825
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• 2015

Background: The human protein methyl-transferase DOT1L catalyzes the methylation of histone H3 on lysine 79 (H3K79) at homeobox genes and is also involved in a number of significant processes ranging from gene expression to DNA-damage response and cell cycle progression. Inhibition of DOT1L activity by shRNA or small-molecule inhibitors has been established to prevent proliferation of various MLL-rearranged leukemia cells in vitro, establishing DOT1L an attractive therapeutic target for mixed lineage leukemia (MLL). Most of the drugs currently in use for the MLL treatment are reported to have low efficacy, hence this study focused on various natural compounds which exhibit minimal toxic effects and high efficacy for the target receptor. Materials and Methods: Structures of human protein methyl-transferase DOT1L and natural compound databases were downloaded from various sources. Virtual screening, molecular docking, dynamics simulation and drug likeness studies were performed for those natural compounds to evaluate and analyze their anti-cancer activity. Results: The top five screened compounds possessing good binding affinity were identified as potential high affinity inhibitors against DOT1L's active site. The top ranking molecule amongst the screened ligands had a Glide g-score of -10.940 kcal/mol and Glide e-model score of -86.011 with 5 hydrogen bonds and 12 hydrophobic contacts. This ligand's behaviour also showed consistency during the simulation of protein-ligand complex for 20000 ps, which is indicative of its stability in the receptor pocket. Conclusions: The ligand obtained out of this screening study can be considered as a potential inhibitor for DOT1L and further can be treated as a lead for the drug designing pipeline.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.35-44
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitude of breast feeding and to explore the predictive variables for the intention of breast feeding of mothers. One hundred and thirty-five mothers who delivered at the D University hospital during the period of May to June in 1996 comprised the sample. Data were collected by questionnaire methods before discharge at the hospital. Data were analyzed using percent, 1-test, and logistic regression. The results were as follows : 1. During their pregnancy, majority of mothers (74.8%) got the breast feeding information. Information sources were book (34.5%), family and relatives(32.4%), mass media(24.3%), and professionals such as nurses and doctors (8.8% ). The frequently reported sources of most encouragement for breast feeding were mother in law(20.7%) and baby's father (11.1% ). 2. The mean score of the items of Knowledge and Attitude toward Breast Feeding Scale were 42.56 (SD=5.47) and 39.07(SD=5.15) , representing positive attitude toward breast feeding. The correlation between knowledge and attitude score was significant(r 〓.54, p<.001). Knowledge of breast feeding were significantly different between breast feeding intention group (including partial breast feeding) and artificial feeding intention group(t=2.79, p<.01) 3. Logistic regression analysis revealed that feeding method in the hospital, delivery type, knowledge toward breast feeding, disease related to pregnancy, complication related to delivery, and educational level of mother were predictives of the intention of breast feeding. 4. The most frequently rated reasons for the plan for mixed feeding were concern about insufficient milk (37.9%) and work(27.6%), The major reasons for plan for artificial milk feeding were having premature baby(25.9%) and maternal health problems including infection(14.8% ) and drug use due to chronic illness (14.8%). From the result of the study, it is recommended to develop supportive nursing intervention strategy to promote breast-feeding intention and practice. The intervention could be more effective to begin early in pregnancy and include teaching for breast feeding skills as well as information provision for positive attitude formation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.268-276
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study is to estimate total sugar intake and identify major food sources of total sugar intake in the diet of the Korean population. Methods: Dietary intake data of 33,745 subjects aged one year and over from the KNHANES 2008-2011 were used in the analysis. Information on dietary intake was obtained by one day 24-hour recall method in KNHANES. A database for total sugar content of foods reported in the KNHANES was established using Release 25 of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, a total sugar database from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and information from nutrition labeling of processed foods. With this database, total sugar intake of each subject was estimated from dietary intake data using SAS. Results: Mean total sugar intake of Koreans was 61.4 g/person/day, corresponding to 12.8% of total daily energy intake. More than half of this amount (35.0 g/day, 7.1% of daily energy intake) was from processed foods. The top five processed food sources of total sugar intake for Koreans were granulated sugar, carbonated beverages, coffee, breads, and fruit and vegetable drinks. Compared to other age groups, total sugar intake of adolescents and young adults was much higher (12 to 18 yrs, 69.6 g/day and 19 to 29 yrs, 68.4 g/day) with higher beverage intake that beverage-driven sugar amounted up to 25% of total sugar intake. Conclusion: This study revealed that more elaborated and customized measures are needed for control of sugar intake of different subpopulation groups, even though current total sugar intake of Koreans was within the range (10-20% of daily energy intake) recommended by Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans. In addition, development of a more reliable database on total sugar and added sugar content of foods commonly consumed by Koreans is warranted.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.489-494
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• 2020

A total of 101 samples of convenience baby food products were analyzed by microwave digestion and mineral nutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium) were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). By type, the samples included 44 rice porridges, 40 soft-boiled rices, 11 purees, and 6 powders. The mean values for iron (Fe) content were 0.05 to 0.45 mg/100 g (excepted powder type, mg/l0 g). This was equivalent to 22.35% for rice porridge, 10.55% for soft-boiled rice, 9.88% for puree and 2.74% for powder type compared to the KDRIs (Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans), respectively. The mean values for zinc (Zn) was 0.06 to 0.28 mg/100 g (excepted powder type, mg/l0 g) and the KDRI ratio was the lowest at 5.94% in puree, with 27.76%, 28.95% and 10.91% in rice porridge, soft-boiled rice and powder type, respectively. Calcium (Ca) content relative to KDRIs was relatively low compared to other minerals, with 6.65% for rice porridge, 3.61% for soft-boiled rice, 6.24% for puree and 3.07% for powder type, respectively. The magnesium (Mg) content of baby food ranged from 13.4% to 39.0% compared to KDRIs, and was included in all baby food as a whole. For balanced nutritional mineral supply to infants, it is recommended that information on mineral sources and ingredients in convenience baby food be clearly provided to ensure proper growth and development.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.240-246
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Folic acid supplementation before pregnancy is known to significantly reduce the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects (NTDs). Therefore, it is important for women to be aware of the effects of folic acid supplementation before pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness and preconceptional use of folic acid and to assess the current knowledge about folic acid among low-income pregnant women in Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted in 2012. Five hundred pregnant women were selected from the waiting list for the Nutriplus program implemented in public health centers using a multistage clustered probability sampling design. Data from 439 women were analyzed after excluding ones with incomplete answers. RESULTS: Among women who responded to the questionnaire, 65.6% had heard of folic acid before pregnancy, and 26.4% reported on the preconceptional use of folic acid. Women with a university degree or higher education were more likely to be aware of folic acid and to take folic acid in the preconception period. In a multivariate logistic regression, when age, education level, household income, employment status, gravidity, parity, and folic acid awareness were included in the model, folic acid awareness was a strong predictor of preconceptional folic acid use. As of interview, 85.4% and 77.7% of women were aware of the NTD-preventive role of folic acid and the appropriate time to take folic acid, respectively. The main sources of information on folic acid were healthcare professionals (41.2%), friends and family members (31.2%), and the media (26.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that public health strategies are needed to increase the preconceptional use of folic acid among Korean women.