• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2017

Objectives: Recently, many studies have demonstrated that the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is more correlated with metabolic syndrome than the waist-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was to investigate and compare WHtR as a predictor of metabolic syndrome with other anthropometric indices. Methods: Approximately 3,800 data of subjects were used for the analysis, and data from Korean Medicine Data Centar). Receiver operating characteristic curve was performed and area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to find the usefulness of WHtR, WHR, and BMI. Results: WHtR was the most predictive factor with the highest diagnostic value for metabolic syndrome than WHR, BMI. AUC of WHtR was significantly higher in total subjects, men and women. Conclusions: WHtR may be the simple and effective anthropometric index for metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.230-237
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of Korean medicine combination treatments for recurring back pain after medical procedures. Methods: This was a retrospective study performed on 311 patients admitted to Daejoen Jaseng hospital who were diagnosed with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral discs. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether or not they had undergone at least one medical procedure on the lumbar spine. They were assessed with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EuroQol-5 Dimensions Index (EQ-5D) before and after treatment. Results: Patients who experienced a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group A), statistically significantly improved EQ-5D and ODI scores. The NRS scores also decreased however it was not statistically significant. Patients who had not undergone a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group B) had statistically significantly improved ODI and NRS scores. The average EQ-5D score decreased however, there was no statistically significant difference before and after scores in Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in variation in EQ-5D, ODI, and NRS scores before and after treatment between the groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that even after a bilateral procedure and surgery, when pain in patients with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral disc did not decrease, (as in failed back surgery syndrome), Korean medicine combination treatment of postoperative pain was helpful and there was improvement in daily life.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.27-53
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• 2018

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of Manisan (Ganghwa-gun) from April of 2017 to August of 2018. The vascular plants identified during the 12 round field surveys were a to total of 508 taxa: 107 families, 306 genera, 456 species, 7 subspecies, 43 varieties, 1 form, and 2 hybrids. The largest families were as follows; Asteraceae (66 taxa), Poaceae (59 taxa), Fabaceae (25 taxa), Cyperaceae (25 taxa), Rosaceae (22 taxa), Liliaceae (20 taxa), Polygonaceae (17 taxa), Lamiaceae (14 taxa), Ranunculaceae (13 taxa), and Caryophyllaceae (13 taxa). Among these plants, 169 taxa were recoeded for the first time from this region. The six taxa of Korean endemic plants including Clematis brachyura Maxim., Viola seoulensis Nakai, Carex brevispicula G. H. Nam & G. Y. Chung, C. erythrobasis H. $L{\acute{e}}v$. & Vaniot, Hemerocallis hakuunensis Nakai, and Lycoris flavescens M. Y. Kim & S. T. Lee were found in this region. The vascular plants on the red list according to IUCN evaluation basis were found to be two taxa: Near Threatened (NT) species of Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino, and Not Evaluate (NE) species of Tylophora floribunda Miq., respectively. The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 26 taxa comprising three taxa of degree IV, four taxa of degree III, seven taxa of degree II, and 12 taxa of degree I. In addition, the alien plants were identified as 49 taxa and the percentage of naturalized index (NI) was 9.7%, and urbanization index (UI) was 15.3%, respectively.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.146-153
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• 2024

The LEPR (leptin receptor) genotype is associated with obesity. Gut microbiome composition differs between obese and non-obese adults. However, the impact of LEPR genotype on gut microbiome composition in humans has not yet been studied. In this study, the association between LEPR single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1173100, rs1137101, and rs790419) and the gut microbiome composition in 65 non-obese Korean adults was investigated. Leptin, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also measured in all participants. Mean ± SD (standard deviation) of age, body mass index, and leptin hormone levels of participants was 35.2 ± 8.1 years, 21.4 ± 1.8 kg/m², and 7989.1 ± 6687.4 pg/mL, respectively. Gut microbiome analysis was performed at the phylum level by 16S rRNA sequencing. Among the 11 phyla detected, only one showed significantly different relative abundances between LEPR genotypes. The relative abundance of Candidatus Saccharibacteria was higher in the G/A genotype group than in the G/G genotype group for the rs1137101 single nucleotide polymorphism (p=0.0322). Participant characteristics, including body mass index, leptin levels, and other lipid levels, were similar between the rs1137101 G/G and G/A genotypes. In addition, the relative abundances of Fusobacteria and Tenericutes showed significant positive relationship with plasma leptin concentrations (p=0.0036 and p=0.0000, respectively). In conclusion, LEPR genotype and gut microbiome may be associated even in normal-weight Korean adults. However, further studies with a greater number of obese adults are needed to confirm whether LEPR genotype is related to gut microbiome composition.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.3 s.54
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• pp.439-449
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• 1996

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between change in obesity indices and change in serum lipids in adult male workers. Two-hundred-eight adult male workers of an industry in Taegu city were followed-up from 1991 to 1995. Height, weight, circumferences of hip and waist, blood pressure were measured and serum lipids were analysed. Data on life style were obtained using self-administered questionnaires. Mean differences of anthropometric measurements between 1991 and 1995 were as follows: 1.63kg in weight, 3.61cm in waist circumferences, 4.23cm in hip circumferences, $0.52kg/m^2$ in BMI and -0.021 in WHR. Those of lipids were as follows; 15.09mg/dl in total cholesterol, 20.43mg/dl in triglyceride, 9.40mg/dl in HDL-cholesterol, 2.87 in MI - index (p<0.01) and 350mg/dl in LDL-cholesterol. The changed value of BMI and Katsura index were strongly correlated with that of total cholesterol(r=0.174, p<0.05), the changed value of BMI correlated with that of triglyceride(r=0.374, p<0.01) and the changed value of weight correlated with that of MI index(r=-0.173, p<0.05). The changed value of WHR was signifiantly correlated with that of total cholesterol(r=0.162, p<0.05), however, was not significantly correlated with HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and MI index. The changed value of weight, BMI and Katsura index were correlated with that of triglyceride (r=0.262, p<0.01; r=0.267, p<0.01; r=0.258, p<0.01) and the changed value of MI index(r=0.143, p<0.05; r=-0.158; r=-0.144, p<0.01), adjusting the pattern of change in life style. The changed values of HDL - cholesterol and MI index between 1991 and 1995 in low WHR group were significantly higher than those in high WHR group(p<0.05, p<0.01), adjusting the baseline value of them. Similar pattern was observed when considering Katsura index. When stratifying by BMI value of 1991, in low BMI group, the changed value of HDL - cholesterol and MI index showed the same pattern as above, however that of triglyceride was statistically higher in obese group than in non obese group(p<0.05). In conclusion BMI might be a better indicator to predict serum lipids change than other obesity indices.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 2012

We report here that an ethanol extract of Tetracera scandens, a Vietnamese medicinal plant, has anti-HIV activity and possesses strong inhibitory activity against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RTase). Using a MT-4 cell-based assay, we found that the T. scandens extract inhibited effectively HIV virus replication with an $IC_{50}$ value in the range of 2.0-2.5 ${\mu}g$/ml while the cellular toxicity value (CC50) was more than 40-50 ${\mu}g$/ml concentration, thus yielding a minimum specificity index of 20-fold. Moreover, the anti-HIV efficacy of the T. scandens extract was determined to be due, in part, to its potent inhibitory activity against HIV-1 RTase activity in vitro. The inhibitory activity against the RTase was further confirmed by probing viral cDNA production, an intermediate of viral reverse transcription, in virus-infected cells using quantitative DNA-PCR analysis. Thus, these results suggest that T. scandens can be a useful source for the isolation and development of new anti-HIV-1 inhibitor(s).

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.429-438
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) for home care nursing (HCN) based on a balanced scorecard, and to construct a performance prediction model of strategic objectives using the Bayesian Belief Network (BBN). Methods: This methodological study included four steps: establishment of KPIs, performance prediction modeling, development of a performance prediction model using BBN, and simulation of a suggested nursing management strategy. An HCN expert group and a staff group participated. The content validity index was analyzed using STATA 13.0, and BBN was analyzed using HUGIN 8.0. Results: We generated a list of KPIs composed of 4 perspectives, 10 strategic objectives, and 31 KPIs. In the validity test of the performance prediction model, the factor with the greatest variance for increasing profit was maximum cost reduction of HCN services. The factor with the smallest variance for increasing profit was a minimum image improvement for HCN. During sensitivity analysis, the probability of the expert group did not affect the sensitivity. Furthermore, simulation of a 10% image improvement predicted the most effective way to increase profit. Conclusion: KPIs of HCN can estimate financial and non-financial performance. The performance prediction model for HCN will be useful to improve performance.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2009

Purpose : This study aims to comparison of ultrasonography on both sides of biceps brachii muscle of hemiplegic patient. Methods : The biceps brachii muscle of fifteen subjects (5 male, 10 female) with stroke were scanned with ultrasonography at the muscle belly at rest at elbow angles of 90 deg. The echogenicity (density, white area index; WAI, anatomic cross-sectional area; ACSA, volume) of ultrasonography was examined. Results : In the biceps brachii muscle, there were significant differences of density, WAI, ACSA, and volume between affected side and non-affected side. biceps brachii muscle, echogenicity (density, WAI) of the affected side was higher than non-affected side. biceps brachii muscle, echogenicity (ACSA, volume) of the non-affected side was higher than affected side. Conclusion : This study showed that change of skeletal muscle architecture properties occurred biceps brachii muscle of the affected side muscle of hemiplegic patient.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.169-178
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• 2015

This study implemented a health support network project to improve the quality of life of women with musculoskeletal disorders. These activities were intended to analyze the effects of the impact on the quality of life of women with musculoskeletal diseases, continuing to base their future needs for materials and practice so as to provide a method for this purpose. On August 19, 2013 through December, a survey of 320 people living in Seoul included 31 women with symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders. Another, 16 weeks led to a total of 127 people with housewives screened as a subjects for social support networks projects. After the research, the health support network project was implemented, and most musculoskeletal pain was reduced, depression levels were reduced, and a quality improvement was noted in health-related life activities. In particular, mental- health-related quality of life was found to increased. As incidental factors that may cause musculoskeletal disorders, marital status, living with family, low income, and a high depression index were related to low health-related quality of life. Future studies can support continued health at the local business community level rather than with smaller samples. This work can also be supported by follow-up studies to evaluate the effectiveness of program.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.919-927
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• 2015

Purpose: Effective transitional care is needed to improve the quality of life in older adult patients with chronic illness and avoid discontinuity of care and adverse events. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the key features, broader implications, and the utility of Meleis' transition theory intended for the transitional care of older adults with chronic illnesses. We present the role of nurse in the context of transitional care and propose future directions to increase the quality of nursing care. Methods: The online databases Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE, and Science Direct were searched for relevant literature published since 1970 along with textbooks regarding nursing theory. Results: An evaluation of the usefulness of transition theory based on transitional care in older adult patients with chronic illnesses is provided. Healthy transition should be the expected standard of nursing care for older adults across all healthcare settings. Conclusion: Nurses need to contribute to the development of transitional care for vulnerable populations; however, transition theory needs to be enhanced through additional theoretical work and repeated evaluations of the applicability in areas of transitional care.