• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2024

Background: Indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in residential houses can be affected by various factors depending on the season. This is because not only do the climate characteristics depend on the season, but the activity patterns of occupants are also different. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare factors affecting indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in apartments and detached houses in Daegu according to seasonal changes. Methods: This study included 20 households in Daegu, South Korea. The study was conducted during the summer (from July 10 to August 10, 2023) and the autumn (from September 11 to October 9, 2023). A sensor-based instrument for PM_2.5 levels was installed in the living room of each residence, and measurements were taken continuously for 24 hours at intervals of one minute during the measurement period. Based on the air quality monitoring system data in Daegu, outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations were estimated using ordinary kriging (OK) in Python. In addition, the indoor activities of the occupants were investigated using a time-activity pattern diary. The affecting factors of indoor PM_2.5 concentration were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results: Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations of the residences during summer were 15.27±11.09 ㎍/m³ and 11.52±7.56 ㎍/m³, respectively. Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations during autumn were 13.82±9.61 ㎍/m³ and 9.57±5.50 ㎍/m³, respectively. The PM_2.5 concentrations were higher in summer compared to autumn both indoors and outdoors. The primary factor affecting indoor PM_2.5 concentration in summer was occupant activity. On the other hand, during the autumn season, the primary affecting factor was outdoor PM_2.5 concentration. Conclusions: Indoor PM_2.5 concentration in residential houses is affected by occupant activity such as the inflow of outdoor PM_2.5 concentration, cooking, and cleaning, as found in previous studies. However, it was revealed that there were differences depending on the season.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1249-1259
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for osteoporosis screening. Materials and Methods: Eligible patients who had and had not undergone DXA screening were identified from among those aged 50 years or older at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan. Age, sex, screening year (index year), and Charlson comorbidity index of the DXA and non-DXA groups were matched using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) for propensity score analysis. For cost-effectiveness analysis, a societal perspective, 1-year cycle length, 20-year time horizon, and discount rate of 2% per year for both effectiveness and costs were adopted in the incremental cost-effectiveness (ICER) model. Results: The outcome analysis included 10337 patients (female:male, 63.8%:36.2%) who were screened for osteoporosis in southern Taiwan between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021. The DXA group had significantly better outcomes than the non-DXA group in terms of fragility fractures (7.6% vs. 12.5%, P < 0.001) and mortality (0.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.001). The DXA screening strategy gained an ICER of US$ -2794 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) relative to the non-DXA at the willingness-to-pay threshold of US$ 33004 (Taiwan's per capita gross domestic product). The ICER after stratifying by ages of 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and ≥ 80 years were US$ -17815, US$ -26862, US$ -28981, and US$ -34816 per QALY, respectively. Conclusion: Using DXA to screen adults aged 50 years or older for osteoporosis resulted in a reduced incidence of fragility fractures, lower mortality rate, and reduced total costs. Screening for osteoporosis is a cost-saving strategy and its effectiveness increases with age. However, caution is needed when generalizing these cost-effectiveness results to all older populations because the study population consisted mainly of women.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2019

Objective: To compare digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and conventional full-field digital mammography (FFDM) in the detectability of breast cancers in patients with dense breast tissue, and to determine the influencing factors in the detection of breast cancers using the two techniques. Materials and Methods: Three blinded radiologists independently graded cancer detectability of 300 breast cancers (288 women with dense breasts) on DBT and conventional FFDM images, retrospectively. Hormone status, histologic grade, T stage, and breast cancer subtype were recorded to identify factors affecting cancer detectability. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare cancer detectability by DBT and conventional FFDM. Fisher's exact tests were used to determine differences in cancer characteristics between detectability groups. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine whether the detectability score differed according to cancer characteristics. Results: Forty breast cancers (13.3%) were detectable only with DBT; 191 (63.7%) breast cancers were detected with both FFDM and DBT, and 69 (23%) were not detected with either. Cancer detectability scores were significantly higher for DBT than for conventional FFDM (median score, 6; range, 0-6; p < 0.001). The DBT-only cancer group had more invasive lobular-type breast cancers (22.5%) than the other two groups (i.e., cancer detected on both types of image [both-detected group], 5.2%; cancer not detected on either type of image [both-non-detected group], 7.3%), and less detectability of ductal carcinoma in situ (5% vs. 16.8% [both-detected group] vs. 27.5% [both-non-detected group]). Low-grade cancers were more often detected in the DBT-only group than in the both-detected group (22.5% vs. 10%, p = 0.026). Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)-negative cancers were more often detected in the DBT-only group than in the both-detected group (92.3% vs. 70.5%, p = 0.004). Cancers surrounded by mostly glandular tissue were detected less often in the DBT only group than in the both-non-detected group (10% vs. 31.9%, p = 0.016). DBT cancer detectability scores were significantly associated with cancer type (p = 0.012), histologic grade (p = 0.013), T and N stage (p = 0.001, p = 0.024), proportion of glandular tissue surrounding lesions (p = 0.013), and lesion type (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Invasive lobular, low-grade, or HER-2-negative cancer is more detectable with DBT than with conventional FFDM in patients with dense breasts, but cancers surrounded by mostly glandular tissue might be missed with both techniques.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status and nutritional condition of children living in a low-income community through anthropometric, laboratory evaluation. Methods : A community-based survey identified children below 15 years living in a low-income community. Their weight, height, visual acuity, hearing level and dental status were measured. Blood sample were obtained on June and July, 2004. Hemoglobin, serum cholesterol, Hepatitis B antigen/antibody, AST and ALT were measured. Results : A total of 285 students(M : F=141 : 144) aged 6 to 14 years were included in this study. The heights and weights in some grades were smaller than controls. The prevalence of obesity was 10.6 percent in males and 10.7 percent in females. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairments and dental carries were 20.5 percent, 0.3 percent and 69.4 percent. The prevalence of anemia was 10.1 percent. Serum total cholesterol was over 200 mg/dL in 7 percent. They complained of abdominal pain(22.1 percent) and headache(17.1 percent). Hyperthyroidism, cataract, neurofibromatosis, severe atopic dermatitis, ventricular septal defect, strabismus and inguinal hernia were newly diagnosed. Conclusion : Mean heights and weights of children in the low-income community were smaller than controls. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairment and dental carries were higher than in the 2003 national health survey. Additional research is needed to evaluate the health status of the low-income community.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.126-132
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to examine the difference of Chinese consumer preference between chicken burgers cooked by Sous-vide adding Korean-styled seasoning and chicken burgers from local fast food restaurants. For Chinese women in their 20s who reside in Beijing, China, the most important attribute for eating-out was taste (M=6.5), health (M=6.0) and pleasure (M=5.6) in order and 68.60% of them replied that they were interested in Korean cuisine. More than 90% answered they like Korean food for its good taste, shape and color. As for burger preference, BB was significantly higher in terms of the overall and appearance preference. However, there was no significant difference between AB and SB. As for flavor and texture, it showed no significant differences among BB, AB, and SB products. For SB, total balance, soft texture of patty and balance of flavor characteristics were the reasons for their preference of the burger.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.101-119
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• 2022

Purpose: This study examined the demographics, health status, dietary habits, energy, nutrient intake, and protein intake based on levels of inclusion of animal food among females in their 20s by using data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: The subjects (n = 912) were divided into 4 groups according to the frequency of animal foods consumed which were categorized as meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products, or other animal-derived foods. Results: The subjects with a lower frequency of animal food intake ate out less frequently. As the frequency of animal food intake decreased, the total energy intake too decreased with higher carbohydrate and lower protein intake ratios. In the low frequency of animal food intake group, a higher proportion of subjects had energy intake below the estimated energy requirement and the intake of protein, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, and iron were below the estimated average requirements. The average protein intake was more than the recommended 45 g in all four groups. However, the lower the frequency of animal food intake, the higher the proportion of people having lower protein intake compared to the recommended intake of 0.91 g per kg body weight. It became apparent that people who do not consume animal foods at all did not meet the recommended levels of protein intake. Thus, people pursuing a vegan diet may be at risk of low protein intake. Conclusion: This study suggests that economic characteristics, dietary habits, energy, and nutrient intake are affected by the frequency of animal food consumed, or in other words, by the degree of vegetable-centered diet. Thus, this study would help improve the perception of vegetarianism, develop individualized dietary guidance and nutrition education programs for people practicing vegan or vegetarian diets to ensure that they have a balanced diet.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.321-331
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• 2009

In this study, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge(Danshen) powder was extracted with ethanol, and its antimicrobial activity was investigated. The ethanol extract of the Danshen had antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibition zones of the Danshen extract(3 mg/disc) against B. subtilis, E. coli and S. aureus were 13, 12 and 8.5 mm, respectively. To test the food preservation effect of Danshen and determine the optimal ratio of the Danshen extract in a formulation, Sulgidduk samples were prepared with substitutions of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1% Danshen extract, and then their quality characteristics were investigated over 4 days of storage. According to the results, total cell counts showed a decreasing trend with an increasing amount of added Danshen extract. Moisture contents were not significantly different among the Sulgidduk samples. As the content of Danshen extract increased, the L-values of samples decreased and the a- and b- values increased. For the textural characteristics, the hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of the Sulgidduk samples decreased as the amount of Danshen extract increased; however, they increased with the progression of storage time. In the sensory evaluation, the control group had significantly higher scores for color, flavor and after-taste as compared to the Danshen extract-added groups. With increasing Danshen extract contents, flavor and overall acceptability decreased, while Danshen flavor, bitterness and off-flavor increased. Chewiness was not significantly different among the samples. In conclusion, the results indicate that substituting 0.5% Danshen extract in Sulgidduk is optimal for quality and provides a product with reasonably high overall acceptability.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.435-444
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• 2009

In this study, Paeonia japonica powder was extracted with ethanol, and its antimicrobial activity was investigated. The ethanol extract of the P. japonica had antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibition zones of the P. japonica ethanol extract (3 mg/disc) against B. subtilis, E. coli and S. aureus were 10, 11, 8.5 mm, respectively. To test the food preservation effect of P. japonica and determine the optimal ratio of the P. japonica extract in the formulation, Sulgidduk samples were prepared with substitutions of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1% P. japonica extract, and the quality characteristics of the samples were then investigated over 4 days of storage. In these experiments, total cell counts tended to decrease as the amount of added P. japonica extract increased. Moisture contents were not significantly different among the Sulgidduk samples. As the content of the P. japonica extract increased, the L-values of the samples decreased and the a- and b- values increased. In regards to the textural characteristics, the hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of the Sulgidduk samples decreased as the amount of P. japonica extract increased; however, they increased with the progression of storage time. Adhesiveness, springiness and cohesiveness were not significantly different at the different P. japonica extract concentrations and decreased with storage time. In the sensory evaluation, the control group had significantly higher scores for color, flavor and after taste as compared to the P. japonica extract added groups. When the P. japonica extract content was increased, the flavor and overall acceptability decreased, while Bakjakyak flavor, bitterness and off-flavor increased. Softness was not significantly different among the samples. In conclusion, the results indicate that substituting $0.25{\sim}1%$ P. japonica extract in Sulgidduk is optimal for quality and provides a product with reasonably high overall acceptability.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2022

This study aimed to determine the photosynthesis and growth characteristics of Peucedanum japonicum T. grown under aquaponics in a plant factory (AP) by comparing those grown under hydroponic cultivation system (HP). The AP system raised 30 fishes at a density of 10.6 kg·m^-3 in a 367.5 L tank, and at HP, nutrient solution was controlled with EC 1.3 dS·m^-1 and pH 6.5. The pH level ranged from 4.0 to 7.1 for the AP system and 4.0 to 7.4 for the HP system. The pH level in the AP began to decrease with an increase in nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) and lasted bellower than pH 5.5 for 15-67 DAT. It was found that ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) continued to increase even under low pH conditions. EC was maintained at 1.3 to 1.5 dS·m^-1 in both systems. The concentration of major mineral elements in the fish tank was higher than that of the hydroponics, except for K and Mg. There was no significant difference in the photosynthesis characteristics, but the PIABS parameters were 30.4% lower in the AP compared to the HP at the 34DAT and 12.0% lower at the 74DAT. There was no significant difference in the growth characteristics, but the petiole length was 56% longer in the leaf grown under the AP system. While there was no significant difference in the fresh and dry weights of leaf and root, the leaf area ratio was 36.43% higher in the AP system. All the integrated results suggest that aquaponics is a highly-sustainable farming to safely produce food by recycling agricultural by-products, and to produce Peucedanum japonicum as much as hydroponics under a proper fish density and pH level.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2014

Body fluid has been studied for diverse fields like Ringer's solutions, artificial joint fluids, cell growth culture media because it plays a crucial role in controlling body temperature and acts as a solvent for diverse metabolite processes in the body and delivery media of mineral, energy source, hormone, signal and drug from and to cell via blood or lymphatic vessel by osmotic pressure or active uptake. Stratum corneum containing extracellular lipids and NMF (natural moisturizing factor) absorbs atmospheric water residing outside of cells and utilize it to hydrate inside of their own. This process is related to skin barrier function. In this study, we conducted the cell viability test with Cell Bio Fluid $Sync^{TM}$, which mimicks body fluids including amino acids, peptides, and monosaccharides to strengthen skin barrier, and the clinical skin improvement test with cosmetics containing Cell Bio Fluid $Sync^{TM}$. In the cell viability test, HaCaT cell was treated with PBS for 3 hours, followed by the treatment of a cell culture medium (DMEM) and isotonic solution (PBS) and Cell Bio Fluid $Sync^{TM}$ for 3 hours each. Then, MTT assay and image analysis were conducted. In the clinical skin improvement test, twenty-one healthy women participated. Participants applied cosmetics containing Cell Bio Fluid $Sync^{TM}$ on their face for a week and evaluated the skin hydration, skin roughness, brightness and evenness. All measurements were conducted after they washed off their face and took a rest under the constant temperature ($22{\pm}2^{\circ}C$) and constant humidity conditions ($50{\pm}5%$) for 20 minutes. All the data were analyzed by SPSS (version 21) software program. Results showed that Cell Bio Fluid $Sync^{TM}$ improved both the cell viability and in vivo skin conditions such as skin hydration, roughness, brightness and evenness.