• Design Convergence Study
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.169-180
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• 2015

This research is to analyze the status of menu guides provided to inpatients in Korean hospitals, analyze the problem of delivering information, and propose improvement plans through information visualization as a part of improving service for inpatients. The nutrition department in hospitals were directly visited, data were collected, and the types and contents of menu guides were analyzed. Then, problems were found by focusing on whether there is an effective delivery of information, in terms of information visualization aspects. The menu provided to inpatients in Korean hospitals are divided into general, optional, and therapeutic menu depending on patients' conditions, and the menu guide is largely divided into a general guide and optional guide. The information covers menu, origin of ingredients, guide, withdrawal time, etc. However, there is no categorization according to the contents or importance of information, thus creating inefficient problems for patients to acquire information. The problem of menu guides is that they do not deliver information properly due to disorganized information. In order to improve this, information should be categorized and visualized according to its contents and importance for enhancing readability, which will then be able to provide menu guides that can deliver information more efficiently to patients.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.672-680
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• 2023

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng, has pharmacological activities for immunological and neurodegenerative disorders. But, the role of KRGE in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unclear. Purpose: To determine whether KRG extract (KRGE) could inhibit demyelination in corpus callosum (CC) of cuprizone (CPZ)-induced murine model of MS Methods: Male adult mice were fed with a standard chow diet or a chow diet supplemented with 0.2% (w/w) CPZ ad libitum for six weeks to induce demyelination while were simultaneously administered with distilled water (DW) alone or KRGE-DW (0.004%, 0.02 and 0.1% of KRGE) by drinking. Results: Administration with KRGE-DW alleviated demyelination and oligodendrocyte degeneration associated with inhibition of infiltration and activation of resident microglia and monocyte-derived macrophages as well as downregulation of proinflammatory mediators in the CC of CPZ-fed mice. KRGE-DW also attenuated the level of infiltration of Th1 and Th17) cells, in line with inhibited Mrna expression of IFN-γ and IL-17, respectively, in the CC. These positive effects of KRGE-DW mitigated behavioral dysfunction based on elevated plus maze and the rotarod tests. Conclusion: The results strongly suggest that KRGE-DW may inhibit CPZ-induced demyelination due to its oligodendroglial protective and anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting infiltration/activation of immune cells. Thus, KRGE might have potential in therapeutic intervention for MS.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.178-188
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• 1997

As a descriptive survey, this study was attempted to get basic data necessary to recognize the factors that disturb the therapeutic atmosphere of hospital wards as perceived by nurses and hospitalized patients, to identify differences between the perceptions of the nurses and of patients. The subjects, 159 patients in Pusan National Hospital and 68 nurses working there were sampled between March 18 and April 13, 1996. The tool used to measure the disturbing factors was an amended form of the one developed by Kim, Mae Ja(1983). The differences between each subject's score for each factor were analyzed using means & SD. and the highest 3 items above the mean score for each factor were collected and compared. The results are described below : 1. Subject's perception of main disturbing factors : patients reported that the main factors were 'loss of role & economic trouble', 'the prognosis of disease', 'the change of daily life' but nurses replied that the main factors were' the prognosis of disease', 'the communication trouble with the medical team & interpersonal relationships'. 'The change of daily life' was not a perceved factor by nurses, but ranked third by the patients. 2. Subject's perception degree of each disturbing factor : (1) among the items related to interpersonal relationship. the patient group reported that the worst disturbance was dur to severely ill patients in the same room' but the nurse group regarded 'greed to monopolize wheelchairs or other supplies' as the worst disturbance. (2) among the items related to physical factors. the patient group regarded 'limitations to wash their body, physical pain and limitations in physical activity' as the worst disturbance, but the nurse group regarded' physical pain', and 'limitations to activity or change of appearance' as the worst disturbance. (3) among the items related to the change of daily activity, the patient group regarded 'the boredom of hospitalization or infavorable diet' as the worst disturbance, but the nurse group regarded 'too much noise or unclean room' as the worst disturbance. (4) among the items related to the communication trouble with medical team, the patient group regarded 'the ignorance of their disease due to poor information. the inability to understand the language of the medical team or the difficulty in seeing physician in time' as the worst disturbance, but the nurse group regarded 'the inability to trust physicians and physician's poor attention to patients' as the worst disturbance.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 1981

For centuries, ginseng has been used for the therapeutic purpose in oriental herb medicine. Several studies have been conducted in the past to evaluate the effect of ginseng on erythropoiesis. However the results were controversial. We therefore attempted in the present studies to evaluate the effect of ginseng on the erythropoietic activity. In one series of experiments, the recovery pattern of peripheral blood(red cell count, hemoglobin content, hematocrit and reticulocyte count) was studied in posthemorrhagic anemic rabbits. After animals were maintained with normal(control group) or 1 gm% ginseng (experimental group) diet for 2 weeks, hemorrhagic anemia was induced by withdrawing blood equivalent to 25% of the total blood volume and then changes in peripheral blood were followed for following 30 days. In other series of experiments, we studied effect of ginseng on erythrokinetics using $^{59}Fe$. $^{59}Fe(10{\sim}40\;{\mu}Ci/animal)$ was injected intravenously after animals were fed with normal (control group) or 1 gm% ginseng(experimental group) diet for 2 weeks. And radioactivities in the blood compartments were measured at appropriate intervals for 15 days. Front these various erythrokinetic parameters were estimated. Results are summarized as follows: 1) Reticulocyte count was higher in the experimental group than in the control group after 2 weeks of administration of experimental diet. During the posthemorrhagic period, the reticulocyte count increased in both the control and experimental groups, but the increase appeared much earlier in the experimental group. 2) The posthemorrhagic recoveries of hematocrit, hemoglobin content and red cell count appeared to be faster in the experimental group as compaired with the control group. 3) The half life$(T_{1/2})$ of $^{59}Fe$ in the plasma was significantly(P<0.05) shorter in the experimental group(82.6 min, N=8) than in the control group(121 min, N=6). Plasma iron turnover (PIT) of the experimental group (1.78 mg/dl/24 hr.) was approximately 4 times greater than that of the control group(0.45 mg/dl/24 hr.). 4) The maximum red cell utilization(RC-U) was 82.1% in the experimental group ana 74.5% in the control group. Red cell iron turnover(RIT) of the experimental group(1.62 mg/dl/24 hr.) was slightly higher than that of the control group(0.35 mg/dl/24 hr). 5) Erythron turnover was significantly(p<0.05) greater in the experimental group(1.27 mg/dl/24 hr.) than in the control group(0.24 mg/dl/24 hr.). Marrow transit time of the experimental group(2.05 days) tended to he faster than that of the control group(2.84 days). These results suggest that the gingseng improves the recovery of posthemorrhagic anemia and stimulates the erythropoiesis in rabbits.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.201-208
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• 2020

This study examined the anti-obesity effect of krill oil (KO) by regulating adipokines in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. The mice were fed a 60 kcal% HFD for 16 weeks, and KO was then administered at an oral dose of 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg/day for four weeks before the end of the experiment. The administration of KO at concentrations of 200 and 500 mg/kg/day decreased body weight gain significantly compared with the HFD-fed control group. In addition, the HFD-fed control group showed the abnormal release of adipokines by an increase in leptin and decrease in adiponectin, compared to the normal diet-fed normal group. On the other hand, KO (500 mg/kg/day)-administered group attenuated the abnormal release of adipokines by the down-regulation of leptin and the up-regulation of adiponectin. Therefore, KO could be a promising therapeutic agent for obesity by the regulation of adipokines.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2011

Background: Metabolic disorders, including type II diabetes and obesity, present major health risks in industrialized countries. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has become the focus of a great deal of attention as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic syndromes. In this study, we evaluated whether dietary aloe could reduce obesity-induced inflammation and adipogenesis. Methods: Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of aloe formula (PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and Aloe QDM complex) or pioglitazone (PGZ) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation. Results: Aloe QDM complex downregulated fat size through suppressed expression of scavenger receptors on adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) compared with HFD. Both white adipose tissue (WATs) and muscle exhibited increased AMPK activation through aloe supplementation, and in particular, the Aloe QDM complex. Obesity-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$ and -6) and $HIF1{\alpha}$ mRNA and protein were decreased markedly, as was macrophage infiltration by the Aloe QDM complex. Further, the Aloe QDM complex decreased the translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 from the cytosol in the WAT. Conclusion: Dietary aloe formula reduced obesity-induced inflammatory responses by activation of AMPK in muscle and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines in the WAT. Additionally, the expression of scavenger receptors in the ATM and activation of AMPK in WAT led to reduction in the percent of body fat. Thus, we suggest that the effect of the Aloe QDM complex in the WAT and muscle are related to activation of AMPK and its use as a nutritional intervention against T2D and obesity-related inflammation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.196-201
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• 2023

Renal fibrosis is the final manifestation of chronic kidney disease (CKD) regardless of etiology. Hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) is an important regulator of chronic hypoxia, and the late-stage renal tubular HIF-2α activation exerts protective effects against renal fibrosis. However, its specific role in progressive renal fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of the long-term tubular activation of HIF-2α on renal function and fibrosis, using in vivo and in vitro models of renal fibrosis. Progressive renal fibrosis was induced in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) of tetracycline-controlled HIF-2α transgenic (Tg) mice and wild-type (WT) controls through a 6-week adenine diet. Tg mice were maintained on doxycycline (DOX) for the diet period to induce Tg HIF-2α expression. Primary TECs isolated from Tg mice were treated with DOX (5 ㎍/ml), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) (10 ng/ml), and a combination of both for 24, 48, and 72 hr. Blood was collected to analyze creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Pathological changes in the kidney tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Sirius Red staining. Meanwhile, the expression of fibronectin, E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was observed using western blotting. Our data showed that serum Cr and BUN levels were significantly lower in Tg mice than in WT mice following the adenine diet. Moreover, the protein levels of fibronectin and E-cadherin and the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were markedly reduced in the kidneys of adenine-fed Tg mice. These results were accompanied by attenuated fibrosis in Tg mice following adenine administration. Consistent with these findings, HIF-2α overexpression significantly decreased the expression of fibronectin in TECs, whereas an increase in α-SMA protein levels was observed after TGF-β1 stimulation for 72 hr. Taken together, these results indicate that long-term HIF-2α activation in CKD may inhibit the progression of renal fibrosis and improve renal function, suggesting that long-term renal HIF-2α activation may be used as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CKD.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.1011-1014
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• 2008

The ability or inability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) is a classic inherited trait that has been best-studied in human populations. Also, variation in PTC perception has been correlated with dietary preferences and thus may have important consequence for diet-related diseases in modem populations. The recent identification of the TAS2R38 gene (PTC gene) which is a member of TAS2R family of bitter taste receptor genes and three common polymorphisms in the gene is highly correlated with taste sensitivity to PTC. Balancing natural selection has acted to maintain high frequency of both alleles of the gene in human population. Future detailed studies of the relationships between molecular mechanisms and taste function may have therapeutic implications, such as helping patients to consume beneficial bitter-tasting compounds.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.143-153
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of herbal acupuncture with Schizandrae Fructus solution at $GB_{34}$(Yangneungcheon) on hyperlipidemia in rats. Methods : In the present study, herbal acupuncture with Schizandrae Fructus solution was administered into hyperlipidemic mice. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results : 1. In the Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture group, serum total cholesterol and Atherogenic index were significantly decreased, and the ratios of HDL to total cholesterol, and phospholipid to total cholesterol in serum were significantly increased as compared with those of the control group. 2. In the Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture group, HMG-CoA reductase activity was significantly decreased as compared with those of the control group. 3. Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture reduced deposit of lipid in the liver tissue. Conclusions : From the above results, it is suggested that Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture at $GB_{34}$ has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 1996

This study was conducted to analyze dietary fiber content of 113 common Korean foods. Content of total dietary fiber(TDF) in vegetables, mushrooms, fruite, and seaweeds was determined by enzymatic-gravimetric method developed by Prosky et al. and adopted by AOAC. The average TDF content of the foods analyzed was 3.62$\pm$2.09% for green vegetables, 5.90$\pm$7.61% for light vegetables, 14.27$\pm$18.11% for mushrooms, 3.02$\pm$4.48% for fruits, and 11.39$\pm$12.68% for seaweeds. The foods containing the highest TDF values in the food groups were boiled radish leaves(10.84%) in green vegetables, dried braken(38.36%) in light vegetables, dried juda's ear(18.18%) in mushrooms except dried manna lichen(52.87%), dried persimon(17.73%) in fruits and dried sea mustard(37.77%) in seaweeds. Dried Seaweeds such as sea mustard (37.77%), sea tangle(29.30%), and laver(31.36%) were good sources of dietary fiber. When we consider the health and therapeutic benefits of dietary fiber, it is recommended to continue to consume traditional Korean diet which are mainly composed of vegetables rather than animal foods and to increase consumption of dried mushrooms and seaweeds which contain high content of TDF.