• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.55-55
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• 2023

With the COVID-19 pandemic, there is increasing interest in anti-obesity strategies. According to the National Statistical Office, the obesity rate in Korea was 38.3% in 2020 and 37.1% in 2021. Obesity is a risk factor for several severe diseases, including stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Pinus rigida × Pinus taeda is a hybrid of Pinus rigida Mill and Pinus taeda Linn, and its cones are considered a by-product. Although previous studies have investigated their pharmacological effects on antioxidant activity and protection against oxidative DNA damage, few researchers have explored their potential as functional natural materials. Therefore, we evaluated the anti-obesity effects of the cone of ethyl acetate fraction of P. rigida × P. taeda (ERT), specifically its ability to inhibit lipid accumulation. Our analysis showed that ERT contains phytochemicals (catechin and caffeic acid) which are known to improve immune function and inhibit cell damage. ERT inhibited lipid droplet accumulation at the cellular levels through Oil Red O staining. Furthermore, ERT suppressed the expression of adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ and CEBP/α) as well as downstream lipogenic target genes (FAS and SREBP-1) thereby inhibiting adipogenesis. ERT also down-regulated key adipogenic markers, including aP2α, while inducing the phosphorylation of AMPK. It has been reported that PPARγ and CEBP/α are expressed in the early stages of adipose differentiation, while SREBP-1 is expressed in the late stage. Therefore, our findings suggest that ERT activates AMPK signaling pathways, which inhibits adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP1) and lipogenic genes (FAS and aP2α), thereby blocking lipid accumulation and preventing obesity and related disorders. ERT showed potential as a new resource for developing a functional material for anti-obesity agents.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.51-60
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• 2023

Objectives: This study attempted to examine the factors that affect the national health checkup rate of the elderly, analyze the impact of these factors, and discuss countermeasures to problems that may arise based on this. Methods: This study used the '8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2021)', a nationwide survey, as the main data. The subjects of the study are seniors aged 65 years or older, the dependent variable is whether or not they underwent a national health checkup, and the independent variables are gender, marital status, residence, education level, income level, economic activity, type of medical coverage, private insurance subscription, subjective health, High blood pressure, diabetes, depression, stress, and weight change were selected. The statistical analysis package for data analysis is SPSS ver. 27.0 was used, and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 2,806 seniors aged 65 years or older, 2,074 (73.9%) took the national health screening over the past two years. In terms of marital status, married was 1.451 times higher than single (p<0.001), and in terms of residence, myeon was 1.240 times higher than dong (p<0.01). In terms of education level, college graduates were 2.053 times higher than elementary school graduates (p<0.001), and in terms of economic activity, the employed were 1.325 times higher than the unemployed (p<0.01). Private insurance was 1.883 times higher than non-subscription (p<0.001), weight change was 1.234 times higher for change than no change (p<0.05), and current smoking rate was 2.003 times higher for non-smokers than for former smokers. It was high (p<0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, if differentiated promotion and health education are strengthened for the elderly who cannot participate in the national health screening, the participation rate of the elderly in the national health screening is expected to increase.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.762-770
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• 2022

Hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes can be alleviated by promoting cellular glucose uptake. Betulinic acid (3β,-3-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid) is a pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid compound. Although there have been studies on the antidiabetic activity of betulinic acid, studies on cellular glucose uptake are lacking. We investigated the effects of betulinic acid on glucose uptake and its mechanism of action in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Betulinic acid significantly stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by increasing the phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate 1-tyrosine (IRS-1tyr) in the insulin signaling pathway, which in turn stimulated the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt). The activation of PI3K and Akt by betulinic acid translocated glucose transporter 4 to the plasma membrane (PM-GLUT4), thereby increasing the expression of PM-GLUT4 and thus stimulating cellular glucose uptake. Betulinic acid also significantly increased the phosphorylation/activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. The activation of PI3K and AMPK by betulinic acid was confirmed using the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin and the AMPK inhibitor compound C. The increase in glucose uptake induced by betulinic acid was significantly decreased by wortmannin and compound C in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results suggest that betulinic acid stimulates glucose uptake by activating PI3K and AMPK in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It is well-known that alcohol consumption is associated with stroke risk as well as with aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene (ALDH2) polymorphisms. However, it is unclear whether ALDH2 polymorphisms are associated with stroke risk independent of alcohol consumption and whether such association is modified by sex. We evaluated sex-specific associations of a common ALDH2 polymorphism and alcohol consumption with stroke risk in a Korean population. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 8,465 men and women, aged 40-69 years and free of stroke between June, 2001 and January, 2003, and followed for the development of stroke. We identified new cases of stroke, which were self-reported or ascertained from vital registration data. Based on genome-wide association data, we selected a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2074356), which shows high linkage disequilibrium with the functional polymorphism of ALDH2. We conducted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis considering potential risk factors collected from a baseline questionnaire. RESULTS: Over the median follow-up of 8 years, 121 cases of stroke were identified. Carrying the wild-type allele of the ALDH2 polymorphism increased stroke risk among men. The multivariate hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] of stroke was 2.02 [1.03-3.99] for the wild-type allele compared with the mutant alleles, but the association was attenuated after controlling for alcohol consumption. Combinations of the wild-type allele and other risk factors of stroke, such as old age, diabetes mellitus, and habitual snoring, synergistically increased the risk among men. Among women, however, the ALDH2 polymorphism was not associated with stroke risk. CONCLUSIONS: The prospective cohort study showed a significant association between a common ALDH2 polymorphism and stroke risk in Korean men, but not in Korean women, and also demonstrated that men with genetic disadvantages gain more risk when having risk factors of stroke. Thus, these men may need to make more concerted efforts to control modifiable risk factors of stroke.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.301-317
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• 1998

A clinical analysis was carried out for 32 patients who were treated in Dept. of Dong-shin Oriental Medicine Hospital from 10st January to 16st May in 1998 and ruled out as dememtia. The results were summarized as follows. 1. In the distribution of sex, female was more than male. And the age of seventies(17 cases, 53.125%) was highest in the frequency of age. 2. In the distribution of having history of drinking and smoking were each 4 cases(12.5%) and 7 cases(21.875%). 3. In the distribution of seasons, the ratio of spring and winter were each 16 cases(50.0%), 15 cases(46.875%), that of summer and fall were comparatively low. 4. In the period from onset to admission, the period within a week had 20 cases(62.5%) as top, and the most period of treatment was 2 and 3 weeks(28.125%). 5. The number of cases that had preceding disease was 35 cases(71.875%), a major portion of preceding diseases were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, stroke. 6. The most common symptom was disorientation(78.125%), and the next common symptom was motor desability(71.875%), and memory disturbance, verbal disturbance was each 59.375 and 47.1%. 7. In the distribution of the CT scan films, 15 cases(46.875%) showed cerebral infarction and that of another 5cases (15.625%) showed cerebral hemorrhage, that of another 2 cases(6.25%) showed brain atrophy. 8. In the lipid density of blood, T-Cholesterol, TG, HDL-Cholesterol, LDL- Cholesterol was within normal limit. 9. In the MMSE-K, the most score was from 16 point to 20 point, and second only was from 11 point to 15 point, and the next was from 6 point to 10 point. 10. In the Ischemic score, 20 cases(62.5%) was diagnosed as brain vascular type dementia, and mixed type dementia was 9 cases(28.125%), Alzheimer type dementia was 3 cases(9.375%). 11. The most used recipes were a sort of recipes to activate of flow the vital energy and the blood, to remove the phlegm(41 cases 33.9%), especially DODAMHOALHEL TANG (12 cases, 9.9%), ANSINCHUNGNOITANG (8 case, 6.6%) was the most used recipe. 12. In the judgement of efficacy, 17 cases(53.125%) showed excellent efficacy, 10 cases(31.25%) showed good efficacy, 5 cases(15.625%) showed no change and that according to MMSE-K, 4 case(18.18%) showed excellent efficacy, 15 cases(68.18%) showed good efficacy, 15 cases(68.18%) showed no change.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.661-670
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze influential factors for blood transfusion for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty, which are chronic degenerative arthritis, using the 2017 sample data of Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, to research the impact of blood transfusion on the usage of medical services among arthroplasty patients, and ultimately to provide some information on how to offer quality medical services. The findings of the study were as follows: First, whether there were any significant differences in the use or nonuse of transfusion during total knee arthroplasty according to hospital characteristics and patient characteristics was compared. As for significant variables, the type of health care institution, the level of sickbed, gender and anemia were found to have been statistically significantly related. Second. whether there were any significant differences in the use or nonuse of transfusion during total hip arthroplasty according to hospital characteristics and patient characteristics was compared. As for significant variables, the type of health care institution and the level of sickbed were found to have been statistically significantly related. Third, whether there were any significant differences in the presence or absence of diabetes among the total knee arthroplasty patients according to hospital characteristics and patient characteristics was compared. As for significant variables, the type of health care institution, the number of sickbed and anemia were found to have been statistically significantly related. In the case of the total hip arthroplasty patients, there were no variables that were significantly related.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.729-735
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• 2021

Type 2 diabetes occurs when there is an abnormality in the tissue's ability to absorb glucose. Glucose uptake and metabolism by insulin are the basic mechanisms that maintain blood sugar. Glucose uptake goes through various signaling steps initiated by the binding of insulin to receptors on the cell surface. In line with the foregoing, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 2,7-phloroglucinol-6,6-bieckol (PHB), an active compound isolated from Ecklonia cava, on glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Notably, PHB increased glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner owing to the enhanced glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) expression in the plasma membrane of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These effects of PHB were attributed to the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 and protein kinase B (PKB or AKT), as well as to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation in the insulin signaling pathway. PHB also stimulated 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and activation. The phosphorylation and activation of the PI3K/AKT and AMPK pathways by PHB were identified using wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor) and compound C (an AMPK inhibitor). In this study, we showed that PHB can increase glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by promoting GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane via the PI3K and AMPK pathways. The results indicate that PHB may help improve insulin sensitivity.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.23-39
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• 2007

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the risk factors for falls among the Korean elderly population. Methods: We analyzed the data on 167 persons of 65 years of age or older who have experienced falls drawn from the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We conducted a cross-tabulation analysis and logistic regression analysis of the impact of the socio-demographic characteristics, health-related behavior, mobility, and morbidity upon the frequencies of falls. Results: Among the socio-demographic characteristics, gender(p<0.001), marital status(p<0.1), and the type of medical insurance(<0.1) were found to be statistically significant, Among the constraints on mobility, the severity of walking problems, (p<0.001) and depression(p<0.05) proved to be significant, As for variables related to health-related behavior, the level of routine physical activities (p<0.001) was found significant, Finally, rheumatism(p<0.1), osteoporosis(p<0.05), diabetes(p<0.1), urinary incontinence(p<0.01) were also significant. A logistic regression analysis of the incidence of falls revealed that urinary incontinence was the most important risk factor with an odds ratio of 2.7. Conclusion: Although a variety of factors affect the frequencies of falls in the elderly population, urinary incontinence proved to be the single most important risk factor. This finding implies that education for fall prevention is crucial for those with urinary incontinence.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.148-153
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• 2007

Obesity-induced inflammation plays a crucial role in obesity-related pathologies such as type II diabetes and atherosclerosis. Adipose tissue macrophages and the cell-derived proinflammatory chemokines are key components in augmenting inflammatory responses in obesity. Anthocyanins such as cyanidin and $cyanidin-3-O-{\beta}-D-glucoside$ (C3G) are known to elicit anti-inflammatory activities by suppressing the production of proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated macrophages. In the present study, we investigated whether cyanidin and C3G have the potential to suppress the inflammatory responses of adipose cells. Cyanidin and C3G not only suppressed the migration of RAW 264.7 macrophages induced by mesenteric adipose tissue-conditioned medium, but also inhibited the activation of the cells to produce inflammatory chemokines such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-related protein-2 (MRP-2) in a dose-dependent manner. Cyanidin and C3G also inhibited the release of MCP-1 and MRP-2 from adipocytes and/or macrophages. These findings suggest that cyanidin and C3G may suppress the inflammatory responses of adipose tissue in obesity.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.142-147
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• 2020

Lipid accumulation in white adipose tissue is the key contributor to the obesity and orchestrates numerous metabolic health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Nonetheless, the prevention and treatment of obesity are still inadequate. Recently, scientists found that brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans has functions that are diametrically opposite to those of white adipose tissue and that BAT holds promise for a new strategy to counteract obesity. In this study, we evaluated the potential of sinapic acid (SA) to promote the thermogenic program and lipolysis in BAT. SA treatment of brown adipocytes induced the expression of brown-adipocyte activation-related genes such as Ucp1, Pgc-1α, and Prdm16. Furthermore, structural analysis and western blot revealed that SA upregulates protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation with competitive inhibition by a pan-PKA inhibitor, H89. SA binds to the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) site on the PKA catalytic subunit where H89 binds specifically. PKA-cat-α1 gene-silencing experiments confirmed that SA activates the thermogenic program via a mechanism involving PKA and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling. Moreover, SA treatment promoted lipolysis via a PKA/p38-mediated pathway. Our findings may allow us to open a new avenue of strategies against obesity and need further investigation.