• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.378-394
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• 2016

Purpose: Screening of preschool-age children for nutrition programs to improve dietary intake and behaviors requires cost-effective and easily administered validated assessment tools. The purpose of this study was to develop a parent/caregiver-administered instrument for measuring diet quality and behaviors of preschoolers as a nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P). Methods: Development of NQ-P was carried out in three steps: item generation, item reduction, and validation. The 24-h dietary record was selected as the gold standard reference tool. The 38 items of the NQ-P checklist were derived from a systematic literature review, expert in-depth interviews, statistical analysis of the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, and national nutrition policies and recommendations. Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to parents who recorded 24-h dietary intakes of 100 responders aged 3~5 yr. Pearson's correlation was used to measure the level of agreement between questionnaires. Item reduction was performed, and 20 items were selected based on survey results, expert reviews, and priorities of national nutrition policy and recommendations. The 412 nationwide subjects sampled through daycare centers completed the 20-item checklist questionnaire. The construct validity of the NQ-P was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, LISREL. Results: After analyses of exploratory factors, NQ-P items identified three dimensions of diet (balance, moderation, and environment). The three-factor structure accounted for 49.28% of the total variance. Standardized path coefficients were used as weights of the items. The NQ-P and three-factor scores of the subjects were calculated by the obtained weights of the questionnaire items. Conclusion: A food behavior checklist for preschoolers' NQ would be a useful and suitable instrument for evaluating nutrition adequacy and dietary quality of Korean preschoolers.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.270-281
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• 2002

The growth of Enterobacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. plantarum was promoted by natural products themselves bearing antioxidative capacity and combined two, three and four kinds of them.1. acidophilus was promoted by Paeonia japonica, Acori graminei rhizoma, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium, alone, and two mixed combinations were composed of Acori graminei rhizoma and Cinnamomi cortex, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium and Puerariae radix, and three mixed combinations were formed with Cimicifugae rhi- zoma, Cinnamomi cortex and Glycyrrhizae radix, and four mixed combinations were made up Glycyrrhizae radix, Theae folium, Scutellaria baicalensis george and Cinnamomi cortex. There four combination promoted growth of 1. acidophilus with 1.3 times than that of control, and their antioxidative capacity also higher than that off times, the ratio of elimination of hydroxyl radical was more than 70% in dilution rate of 100 times. In the case of 1. plantarum was premoted by Corm fructus, Nelumbo nuclfera gaertner Sophorae flos, alone, and two mixed combinations were organized with Schizandrae Iructus and Theae folium, Paeonia japonica and Epimedii herba, and three mixed combinations were combined with Corni fructus and Theae folium and Paeonia japonica, Corni fructus and Coptidis rhizoma and Schieandrae fructus, and four mixed combinations were composed of Corm fructus, Theae folium, Coptidis rhizoma, Scutellaria baicalensis george, and Corm fructus, Schizandrae fructus, Paeonia japonica, Theae folium. These four combinations assisted growth of 1. plantarum with 1.5 times than that of control, and their antioxidative capacity also higher than that of 4-5 times, the ratio of elimination of hydroxyl radical was more than 75% in dilution rate of 100 times. As these combinations of natural products could activate some parts of body, they might be applied pharmaceuitcal sources, functional foods, and expected to fermentative beverages.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2003

Neurodegenerative disorders are associated with apoptosis as a causing factor or an inducer. On the other hand, it has been reported that epigallocatechin gallate (EUG), one of antioxidants and flavonoids, and z-VAD-fmk, a nonselective caspase inhibitor, suppress oxidative-radical-stress-induced apoptosis. However, it is not yet known what is the effects of EGCG and z-VAD-fmk on the apoptotic pathway is through phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) as well as mitochondria, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). We investigated the effects of EGCG by using $H_2O_2$ treated N18D3 cells, mouse DRG hybrid neurons. Methods: Following 30 min $100\;{\mu}m\;H_2O_2$ exposure, the viability of N18D3 cells (not pretreated vs. EGCG or z-VAD-fmk pretreated) was evaluated by using MTT assay. The effect of EGCG on immunoreactivity (IR) of cytochrome c, caspase-3, PARP, PI3K/Akt and GSK-3 was examined by using Western blot, and was compared with that of z-Y4D-fmk. Results: EGCG or z-VAD-fmk pretreated N18D3 cells showed increased viability. Dose-dependent inhibition of caspase-3 activation accompanied by PARP cleavage were demonstrated by pretreatment of both agents. However, inhibition of cytochrome c release was only detected in EGCG pretreated N18D3 cells. On the pathway through PI3K/Akt and GSK-3, however, the result of Western blot in EGCG pretreated N18D3 cells showed decreased IR of Akt and GSK-3 and increased IR of p85a PI3K, phosphorylated Akt and GSK-3, and contrasted with that in z-VAD-fmk pretreated N18D3 cells showing no changes on each molecule. Conclusion: These data show that EGCG affects apoptotic pathway through upstream signal including PI3K/Akt and GSK-3 pathway as well as downstream signal including cytochrome c and caspase-3 pathway. Therefore, these results suggest that EGCG mediated activation of PI3K/Akt and inhibition GSK-B could be new potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative injury.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2013

The surgical resection was occurred mainly in liver metastasis before the development of radiation therapy techniques. Recently, Radiation therapy is increased gradually due to the development of radiation dose delivery techniques. 18F-FDG PET image showed better sensitivity and specificity in liver metastasis detection. This image modality is important in the radiation treatment with planning CT for tumor delineation. In this study, we applied automatic image segmentation methods on PET image of liver metastasis and examined the impact of image factors on these methods. We selected the patients who were received the radiation therapy and 18F-FDG PET/CT in Korea Cancer Center Hospital from 2009 to 2012. Then, three kinds of image segmentation methods had been applied; The relative threshold method, the Gradient method and the region growing method. Based on these results, we performed statistical analysis in two directions. 1. comparison of GTV and image segmentation results. 2. performance of regression analysis for relation between image factor affecting image segmentation techniques. The mean volume of GTV was $60.9{\pm}65.9$ cc and the $GTV_{40%}$ was $22.43{\pm}35.27$ cc, and the $GTV_{50%}$ was $10.11{\pm}17.92$ cc, the $GTV_{RG}$ was $32.89{\pm}36.8$4 cc, the $GTV_{GD}$ was $30.34{\pm}35.77$ cc, respectively. The most similar segmentation method with the GTV result was the region growing method. For the quantitative analysis of the image factors which influenced on the region growing method, we used the standardized coefficient ${\beta}$, factors affecting the region growing method show GTV, $TumorSUV_{MAX/MIN}$, $SUV_{max}$, TBR in order. The result of the region growing (automatic segmentation) method showed the most similar result with the CT based GTV and the region growing method was affected by image factors. If we define the tumor volume by the auto image segmentation method which reflect the PET image parameters, more accurate and consistent tumor contouring can be done. And we can irradiate the optimized radiation dose to the cancer, ultimately.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3 s.104
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• pp.356-368
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• 2003

Water quality of effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPS) was reviewed to examine the feasibility of agricultural reuse using USEPA and WHO guidelines. It might meet the guidelines for BOD and SS, however, the most critical microbiological concentration was too high and further treatment is required. The pilot study of three treatments were performed to reduce microbiological concentrations. The UV irradiation was proved to be very effective in disinfection of secondary level effluent, and about 30 mW ${\cdot}$ s/$cm^2$ of dose was suggested to meet the even most stringent USEPA guidelines. Slow sand filter demonstrated effective removal of bacteria, and effluent concentration of total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), and E. coli. dropped from about 10,000/100 mL to 300, 200, and 150 MPN/100 mL, respectively, showing over 95% removal. These level of bacterial concentration sufficiently meet the WHO guidelines ($10^3\;{\sim}\;10^5$ FC/100 mL), and could meet the more stringent USEPA guidelines (200 FC/100 mL) if properly applied. Slow sand filter also provided about 50% removal of SS, turbidity, and BOD in addition to bacterial removal. The removal efficiency of pond system was relatively poor, but still showed over 85% removal and effluent concentration of TC, FC, and E. coli was all below 10,000/100 mL. The pond system alone could meet the WHO guidelines, but hardly meet the USEPA guidelines and further treatment might be necessary. Overall, three methods evaluated in the study treat the effluent to meet the WHO microbiological guidelines for agricultural reuse. The UV disinfection and slow sand filter might also could the USEPA guidelines, while the pond system can hardly meet the USEPA guidelines if applied alone. The WHO and USEPA guidelines were made based on data from upland field agricultural system and may not be directly applicable to the paddy field agricultural system. Therefore, national standards for agricultural reuse of reclaimed water should be made considering domestic agricultural systems as well as international guidelines. Also, further investigation is recommended to develop optimum and feasible treatment measures for agricultural reuse of effluent from WWTPs.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.13-21
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• 2014

Subject : Kim hong-kyung(金洪卿)'s view of eight extra meridians Object : Kim hong-kyung has not only deeply studied Saam acupuncture but also the function and characteristics of extra meridian at the same time. Especially, he has tried the study to connect yin yang wei qiao mai(陰陽維蹻脈) with Lee je-ma(李濟馬)'s four trigram constitution theory, therefore the author felt the need to make public the theory and started reserch on the theory. Method : I researched the physiological properties of extra meridians through the past eastern medical literature, I reported on the types of people to show well the properties of extra meridians gathering Kum-oh's verbal explanation when I had classes from him. Result : Kum-oh Kim hong-kyung defined meridians as passways of consciousness and feeling, he interpreted 12 meridians and extra meridians with the view of mind, which has very important meanings in the history of acupuncture in the point of first trial to interpret meridians from this view. He explained Ren mai(任脈) and Du mai(督脈) are meridians which show clearly properties of yin-yang to appear trusts of affirmation and distrusts of denial in the mind, as Ren(任) means entrusting and Du(督) means supervising in English. He explained Chong mai(衝脈) is the meridian representing impulsive man that has a meaning of impulse as being suggested the name of Chong mai, because Chong mai is borrowed from Foot shao yin kidney meridian(足少陰腎經). Dai mai(帶脈) is the meridian representing the characteristics of woman that has a meaning of binding as being suggested from the name of Dai mai which acts when people have something on their flank or they are pregnant, because Dai mai borrowed from Foot shao yang gall bladder meridian. He thought that four trigram divided from yin and yang is innate trigram, so Yang wei mai(陽維脈), Yin wei mai(陰維脈), Yang qiao mai(陽蹻脈), Yin qiao mai(陰蹻脈) among extra meridians have connections with Tai-yang ren(太陽人), Tai-yin ren(太陰人), Shao-yin ren(少陰人), Shao-yang ren(少陽人) of Four trigram constitution theory respectively which was created by Lee je-ma. He explained yang means opponents and wei(維) means binding. Yang wei mai is the meridian to be active when opponents bind or intervene in you, also the meridian is well active to the people who easily criticize others who are rude, to the people who well refuse restraints from organization. Because he explained yin means me and wei(維) means binding. Yin wei mai is the meridian to be active when I bind and intervene in opponents. He also state that the meridian is easily active to the people who have a tendency to gather people and make party apparatus by nature. He explained Yang qiao mai is the meridian to be active in the situation that people are waiting for others to bridge gap because yang means opponents and qiao(蹻) which has a meaning of standing on one's tiptoes means bridging gap between people. He also state the meridian is easily active to Shao yin ren who has a tendency to be passive, to easily settle down and not to move by nature. He explained Yin qiao mai is the meridian to be active in the situation that I bridge gap between me and others to make friends, because yin means me and qiao(蹻) which has a meaning of standing on one's tiptoes means bridging gap between me and others. He also state the meridian is easily active to Shao yang ren who is active in every business and who has remarkable ability to make friends. Conclusion : Kim hong-kyung stated the physiological properties of extra meridians as below. Ren mai is the meridian representing positive confidence which is easily active when people have a mind to trust others, Du mai is the meridian representing negative distrust which is easily active when people have doubts. Chong mai is the meridian representing the characteristics of man that has impulsive characteristics. Dai mai is the meridian representing the characteristics of woman to be easily active when she is pregnant. Yang wei mai has close connections with Tai-yang ren who has a tendency to refuse restraints from others and to criticize on opponent's remarks and behaviors that are wrong. Yin wei mai has close connections with Tai-yin ren, as the meridian is active in the situation that people enjoy restraining and intervening in others. Yang qiao mai has close connections with Shao yin ren, as the meridian is active to the people who are negative and passive by nature. Yin qiao mai has close connections with Shao yang yin who has a strong tendency to make friends easily by nature.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2003

Objectives: Traffic accidents often occur to power tillers without reflective light in the dawn, evening and night. Because of this reason, there has been a 'campaign to attach reflective lights' to power-tillers in recent years. Therefore, the authors investigated the relationship between reflective light and traffic accidents involving power-tillers. Methods: We defined traffic accidents of power tillers as those cases of rear-end collision by a car in the dawn, evening or night. According to our definition, four cases were confirmed in Hyungok-myeon, Gyeongju and five cases in Gigye-myeon, Pohang. We selected a control group from people in the same village with similar age, sex, driving history and education. Results: The study group contained 9 accidents and 36 non-accidents. Power tillers with reflective light were 32 cases (72.7%) of 44 cases (excluded one case due to death). Of those, the status of reflective light was 'clean' in 18 cases (56.3%). The recognition that reflective light can prevent accidents was 'Yes' in 26 cases of 44 cases (59.1%). The recognition of the 'campaign to attach reflective lights' to power tillers was 'Yes' in 38 cases of 44 cases (86.4%). The recognition about the safety regulation of driving power-tillers was 'Yes' in 32 cases of 44 cases (72.7%). Odds ratio of traffic accidents for no reflective light was 7.00 (95% CI: 1.06-58.37). Conclusions: Although the 'campaign to attach reflective lights' to power tillers are going on, its effectiveness may unknown. Therefore, more extensive epidemiologic study is needed into the relationship between reflective light and power tiller traffic accidents, with effective administration of the government and the attention of medical persons.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2009

Objectives : To assess the protective effects of wearing protective devices among the residents and volunteers who participated in the cleanup of the Hebei Spirit oil spill. Methods : A total of 288 residents and 724 volunteers were surveyed about symptoms, whether they were wearing protective devices and potential confounding variables. The questionnaires were administered from the second to the sixth week following the accident. Spot urine samples were collected and analyzed for metabolites of 4 volatile organic compounds(VOCs), 2 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs), and 6 heavy metals. The association between the wearing of protective devices and various symptoms was assessed using a multiple logistic regression adjusted for confounding variables. A multiple generalized linear regression model adjusted for the covariates was used to test for a difference in least-square mean concentration of urinary biomarkers between residents who wore protective devices and those who did not. Results : Thirty nine to 98% of the residents and 62-98% of volunteers wore protective devices. Levels of fatigue and fever were higher among residents not wearing masks than among those who did wear masks(odds ratio 4.5; 95% confidence interval 1.23-19.86). Urinary mercury levels were found to be significantly higher among residents not wearing work clothes or boots(p<0.05). Conclusions : Because the survey was not performed during the initial high-exposure period, no significant difference was found in metabolite levels between people who wore protective devices and those who did not, except for mercury, whose biological half-life is more than 6 weeks.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 1997

Purpose : The clinical characteristics of renovascular hypertension (RVHT) in children were analyzed. Methods : Medical records of 16 children diagnosed as RVHT on the basis of angiography during Jan. '86 to Jun. 94 in our hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The mean age at the onset was 8.5 yrs and the sex ratio(M:F) was 7:9. The causes of RVHT were Takayasu arteritis in 6, Moyamoya disease in 5, and fibromuscular dysplasia in 3 patients. Abdominal bruit was noted in 6 patients (38%). Peripheral renin activity was raised in all tested patients. Bilateral renal arterial involvemnent was found in 9 patients (56%). Captopril renal scans showed good correlation with angiographic findings. Five patients were treated with antihypertensives only, and blood pressure was controlled completely in 2 and incompletely in 3. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in 10 patients with 50% of success rate. However, hypertension was recurred due to restenosis or accompaning aortic stenosis in 3 patients. Surgical treatment was performed in 4 patients, and the blood pressure was controlled partially in 1 and poorly in the remaining 3. Conclusions : Takayasu arteritis, Moyamoya disease and fibromuscular dysplasia are the major causes of childhood RVHT in our country. The diagnosis of RVHT in children should be based on a set of tests individually selected for case by case. For the low curability of the current treatment modalities available, RVHT in children should not be regarded as 'curable' so far. We expect, however, that the outcome will be improved by more extensive application of the newly developed surgical technique.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 1997

Purpose : Chronic renal failure is often accompanied by severe dyslipidemia, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has recently been characterized as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in adult patients on dialysis. However, there are only limited data available concerning risk factors for atherosclerosis in uremic children. We have measured serum levels of lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins and Lp(a) in uremic children with maintenance dialysis. Methods : Ten uremic children with hemodialysis (HD) and 14 with peritoneal dialysis (PD) in our dialysis unit were included in this study. The mean age of HD patients was $162{\pm}59$ months and the male to female ratio was 7:3. The mean age and sex ratio of PD patients were $123{\pm}63$ months and 6:8, respectively. The levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins and Lp(a) were measured from serum sampled after 14 hours of fasting. The normal control levels were cited from 2 articles presenting the normal blood lipid and lipoprotein levels of primary school and middle school children in Korea. Results : There was no difference in age, sex ratio, body mass index and duration of dialysis between the HD and the PD group. The serum concentration of the cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B were significantly elevated in dialysis patients compared with normal subjects. The serum level of Lp(a) was significantly elevated in only PD group. The serum Lp(a) level was below 30 mg/dl in 13 and above 30 mg/dl in 11 patients. The serum albumin level was significantly decreased in high Lp(a) group than in low Lp(a) group. Conclusion : The uremic children receiving dialysis reveal abnormal serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles. These results suggest that they have a higher risk for coronary heart disease, although there has been no clinical evidence of coronary heart disease at present. A long-term follow-up study of these children to clarify the suggestion should be started now.