• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.19-29
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• 2013

Objectives : The main purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of Gagamchengyoung-tang (Ji$\bar{a}$ji$\check{a}$nq$\bar{i}$ngy$\acute{i}$ng-t$\bar{a}$ng) and examine the febrile tendency in the alopecia patients Methods : Of the patients who have visited Balmers Korean Medicine clinic for alopecia from December first 2012 to December 31st 2012, we enrolled 30 patients and performed heat and cold diagnosis, examine scalp and check hair density. We administrated Gagamchengyoung-tang(Ji$\bar{a}$ji$\check{a}$nq$\bar{i}$ngy$\acute{i}$ng-t$\bar{a}$ng) and acupuncture to all patients. The effect was assessed by scalp condition and hair density Results : The scalp disorder index decreased and hair density increased in alopecia patients with febrile tendency Conclusions : All patients had febrile tendency and Gagamchengyoung-Tang(Ji$\bar{a}$ji$\check{a}$nq$\bar{i}$ngy$\acute{i}$ng-t$\bar{a}$ng) can be effective in the scalp disorder and alopecia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2011

Many immune down-regulatory molecules have been isolated from parasites, including cystatin (cystain protease inhibitor). In a previous study, we isolated and characterized Type I cystatin (CsStefin-1) of the liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis. To investigate whether the CsStefin-1 might be a new host immune modulator, we induced intestinal inflammation in mice by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and treated them with recombinant CsStefin-1 (rCsStefin-1). The disease activity index (DAI) increased in DSS only-treated mice. In contrast, the DAI value was significantly reduced in rCsStefin-1-treated mice than DSS only-treated mice. In addition, the colon length of DSS only-treated mice was shorter than that of rCsStefin-1 treated mice. The secretion levels of IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were significantly increased by DSS treatment, but the level of TNF-${\alpha}$ in MLNs was significantly decreased by rCsStefin-1 treatment. IL-10 production in both spleen and MLNs was significantly increased, and IL-$10^+F4/80^+$ macrophage cells were significantly increased in the spleen and MLNs of rCsStefin-1 treated mice after DSS treatment. In conclusion, rCsStefin-1 could reduce the intestinal inflammation occurring after DSS treatment, these effects might be related with recruitment of IL-10 secreting macrophages.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 2002

Objective : To investigate gamma-Glutamyltransferase (${\gamma}-GTP$) and its related factors in male industrial workers. Method : Five hundred and tony male workers without heart disease, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, hepatitis, and other liver diseases were surveyed in October 1998. Blood samples were collected to test for ${\gamma}-GTP$, total-cholesterol and fasting blood glucose. A self-administered questionnaire survey on life style was also done. Results : The total geometric mean value of ${\gamma}-GTP$ was 30.6 U/L. According to a univariate analysis: age, BMI(body mass index, $kg/m^2$), alcohol consumption, current smoking, stress, diastolic blood pressure, and blood total cholesterol were significantly associated with ${\gamma}-GTP$(p<0.05). From a multiple regression analysis: BMI, alcohol consumption, current smoking, diastolic blood pressure and total-cholesterol were significantly related to ${\gamma}-GTP$(p<0.05). Coffee consumption was negatively related to ${\gamma}-GTP$, but not significantly. Conclusion : We recommend that a change in health behavior (i.e. reducing alcohol intake, controlling BMI and not smoking) is necessary to decrease ${\gamma}-GTP$ in male workers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.260-266
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• 2011

Objectives: We evaluated the association between common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), brachialankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), carotid plaque, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as indicators of macroangiopathy and diabetic retinopathy as an indicator of microangiopathy in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: We analyzed 605 type 2 diabetic patients registered at a public health center in Korea. Following overnight fasting, venous blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed. The CCA-IMT, levels of carotid plaque, baPWV, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) of the subjects were assessed. We used non-mydriatic fundus photography to diagnose diabetic retinopathy. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between macroangiopathy and diabetic retinopathy. CCA-IMT and baPWV were divided into tertiles: CCA-IMT, 0.39 to 0.65 mm, 0.66 to 0.78 mm, and 0.79 to 1.30 mm; baPWV, 9.9 to 15.8 m/s, 15.9 to 18.9 m/s, and 19.0 to 38.0 m/s. Results: The association between baPWV and diabetic retinopathy remained significant after adjustment, with an increasing odds ratio (OR) in the second tertile (OR, 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27 to 4.55) and the third tertile (OR, 4.63; 95% CI, 2.33 to 9.21). No significant differences were observed in carotid plaque, PAD, and each tertile of CCA-IMT. Conclusions: BaPWV was associated with diabetic retinopathy, while CCA-IMT, carotid plaque, and PAD were not. This study suggests that the association between macroangiopathy and microangiopathy may be attributable to functional processes rather than structural processes within the vascular system.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe the changes of the pain, fatigue, perceived health status, disability in ADL, and depression after Tai Chi for arthritis. Method: The subjects were 19 osteoarthritis women enrolled at one primary health care post. They have agreed to participate in this study, and participated in the 12-week Tai Chi program from Dec. 2006 to Mar. 2007, and all the measurement processes in right after, 2 months later, and 4 months later after Tai Chi program. The measurement tools of this study were all self-reported questionnaires such as Numerical Rating Scale (0-100) for pain, fatigue, and perceived health status, Korean-WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis) Index for joint stiffness, Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire, and CES-Depression scale. Results: The repeated measure ANOVA revealed the significant differences on pain among the right after, 2 months later, and 4 months later the program. Especially 2 months later after program, pain was significantly increased than right after by t-test. There were no significant differences on fatigue, perceived health status, disability in ADL, and depression. Conclusion: Pain was increased after Tai Chi for arthritis program, but fatigue, perceived health status, disability in ADL, and depression were not changed until 4 months after Tai Chi program.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.461-467
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• 2017

Shrimps infected with WSSV(White Spot Syndrome Virus) generally exhibit white spots in their inner space of carapaces as an acute clinical sign. In an effort to identify the correlation between this acute clinical sign and the condition, the index factors (RNA/DNA concentration and ratio, trypsin activity) were analyzed. A total 580 farmed Fenneropenaeus chinensis and 130 Lithopenaeus vannamei were collected from western and southern fifteen outdoor ponds in Korea. The status of the white spot pathology was divided into four stages (stage 0, stage I, stage II, and stage III), in accordance with the clinical signs as to the size and area of white spots. A significant decrease in RNA concentration and RNA/DNA ratio for multi-infected fleshy prawn (WSSV and vibrio sp.) occurred during the stage III (the whole carapace is covered with a white spot). In particular, RNA/DNA ratio was significantly lower as $1.47{\pm}0.04$ than other groups. A similar trend was also found in the single infection (WSSV), but the decrease was less than the multi-infection. In the species comparison, both species were vulnerable to the multi-infection, but L. vannamei was more sensitive than F. chinensis(ANOVA, p<0.05): A significant decrease in RNA concentration and RNA/DNA ratio was first found in stage II for the former species, while it was found in stage III for the latter species. Trypsin activity was also showed a similar tendency with nucleic acid variation. Multi-infected shrimp showed drastically decrease of trypsin activity. According to the results, clinical signs of the white spot under carapace have an only physiological effect on shrimp if they covered entirely with white spots.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular diseases is a major cause of death and is responsible for 23.8% of deaths in Korea. Clinical symptoms manifest in adulthood, but susceptibility begins in utero. Elevated homocysteine levels and adiposity might be linked to a greater risk in children as well as adults. We hypothesized that those who have simultaneous risk for folate and adiposity would be affected with elevated homocysteine levels at 3 years of age. SUBJECTS/METHODS: From the ongoing birth cohort at Ewha Womans University Mok-Dong Hospital, we compared adiposity parameters, serum homocysteine, and folate levels in 238 children (118 boys and 120 girls) at three years of age. The relationship between birth outcome, current weight and body mass index (BMI), postnatal growth, and homocysteine level were assessed using correlation and general linear model. Additionally, we assessed the combined effect between blood folate status and adiposity on current homocysteine levels. RESULTS: Birth characteristics were not correlated with homocysteine. Current weight, BMI, upper-arm circumference, skinfold thickness, waist circumference, and hip circumference were positively correlated with homocysteine at three years of age (P < 0.05). Folate level was negatively correlated with homocysteine at three years of age (P < 0.0001). A relative high anthropometric measure which is compatible with adiposity and low folate level was associated with high homocysteine levels. CONCLUSION: We found a combined effect of adiposity and folate levels with homocysteine levels at three years of age. This implicates the beneficial role of folate supplementation in the high-risk population at an early age.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in Health Locus of Control (HLOC), depression, wellbeing, and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP) between middle aged Korean and Korean-American women. Methods: Data from 80 Korean-American women living in Los Angeles, USA and 82 Korean women living in W-city, Korea, were collected using a self administered questionnaire including items on HLOC, HPLP, a Wellbeing Index and Major Depression Inventory. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the middle aged Koreans and Korean-Americans on mean age, education, religion, and current health insurance. Significant differences were found on HLOC (F= 2.504, p=.033) and Wellbeing (F=2.451, p=.036). The results also showed significant differences on HPLP (total HPLP, F=4.655, p=.001; physical activity, F=2.967, p=.014; nutrition, F=4.250, p=.001; spiritual growth, F=4.398, p=.001; interpersonal relations, F=2.648, p=.025; and stress management, F=5.201, p<.001) using ANCOVA. However, there were no significant differences on depression, or health responsibility in HPLP between the groups. Conclusion: Understanding middle aged women's health adjustments based on their culture will enhance the ability of health professionals to provide culturally congruent care and enable middle aged women to develop healthy lifestyles.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2008

The impact on streamflow and groundwater recharge considering future potential climate and land use change was assessed using SLURP (Semi-distributed Land-Use Runoff Process) continuous hydrologic model. The model was calibrated and verified using 4 years (1999-2002) daily observed streamflow data for a $260.4km^2$ which has been continuously urbanized during the past couple of decades. The model was calibrated and validated with the coefficient of determination and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency ranging from 0.8 to 0.7 and 0.7 to 0.5, respectively. The CCCma CGCM2 data by two SRES (Special Report on Emissions Scenarios) climate change scenarios (A2 and B2) of the IPCC (Intergovemmental Panel on Climate Change) were adopted and the future weather data was downscaled by Delta Change Method using 30 years (1977 - 2006, baseline period) weather data. The future land uses were predicted by CA (Cellular Automata)-Markov technique using the time series land use data of Landsat images. The future land uses showed that the forest and paddy area decreased 10.8 % and 6.2 % respectively while the urban area increased 14.2 %. For the future vegetation cover information, a linear regression between monthly NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) from NOAA/AVHRR images and monthly mean temperature using five years (1998 - 2002) data was derived for each land use class. The future highest NDVI value was 0.61 while the current highest NDVI value was 0.52. The model results showed that the future predicted runoff ratio ranged from 46 % to 48 % while the present runoff ratio was 59 %. On the other hand, the impact on runoff ratio by land use change showed about 3 % increase comparing with the present land use condition. The streamflow and groundwater recharge was big decrease in the future.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.557-564
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• 2018

Along with the aging society, the prevalence of dementia is also increasing. Dementia causes short-term memory loss as well as difficulties of performing daily activities and gradually causes suffering of the patients and their family. In spite of various programs for prevention of dementia of older people are being implemented, there is a lack of developing natural-based program for physical and mental health promotion. Therefore, it is necessary to develop programs for the elderly living alone who are more vulnerable to dementia because of their social and economic isolation. The purpose of this study was to develop a natural-based program and investigate the effects of 10 weeks forest therapy program for dementia prevention to improve the psychological and physical health of the elderly living alone. The experimental subjects were 30 elderly (aged 65 or older) and 31 elderly participated in control group. The Stress response, depressive symptoms, weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass and muscle mass were measured for pre and post test. The results showed that the experimental group showed subjective stress relief (t=5.249, p=.000), improvement in symptoms of depression (t=4.152, p=.000), and decreases in weight (t=2.686, p=.012), BMI (t=2.629, p=.014) and fat mass (t=2.918, p=.007) after the forest therapy program. The experimental group showed lower stress reactions(t=-7.185, p=.000) and less depressive symptoms (t=-5.303, p=.000) than control group after participating the program. These results suggest that periodic forest exposure can help having less stressful and depressive status than non-forest exposure and the forest therapy program can reduce participants' psychological and physical risk factors of dementia.