• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.133-145
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• 2008

Objectives: The aim of present study was to investigate recovery effects of Hirudo, which has been used clinically in diabetes therapy. Methods: We established three groups: normal, control, Hirudo, and assigned 6 rats to each group. The normal group was not treated by any process and fed by normal saline. The control & Hirudo groups were administered streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. Hirudo extract was orally administered to the Hirudo group for 10 days. After 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and their body weight, 24hrs urinary protein excretion, glucose, albumin, BUN, creatinine, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride in blood, and level of glycation end-product (AGE) and transforming growth factor (TGF-${\beta}1$) in serum were measured. Morphological profiles and morphometric studies of the kidney cortex, renal transforming growth factor (TGF-${\beta}1$) expression, and renal receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) expression were studied. Results: The following results were obtained. The protein amount in urine per 24hrs of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly reduced. The BUN and creatinine level in serum of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly inhibited. The construction change in kidney of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly inhibited. The factor of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly inhibited, which induced the construction change in kidney. Conclusions: The above results suggest that Hirudo partially improved the function of the kidney.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.285-295
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in nutrient intake in patients at nutritional risk. We included 106 malnourished patients who were admitted to Severance Hospital from March to September 2014. The average age was $59.0{\pm}11.6$ years old and 59 patients were male (59.7%). The majority of diagnosis was cancer (94.3%). We evaluated patients' nutritional status by scored patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA), anthropometric measurement (height, weight, body composition by Bioelectrical impedance analysis), hand grip strength, biochemical and dietary assessment. The patients' daily intakes of energy and protein ($1,019.5{\pm}706.4kcal$, $40.4{\pm}27.7g$) during hospitalization were significantly lower than their usual intakes ($1,382.0{\pm}499.8kcal$, $54.4{\pm}25.1g$, P<0.001). Serum levels of albumin, cholesterol, and total lymphocytes were significantly reduced during hospital stay. The negatively influencing factors for reduced dietary intake were anorexia (42.5%), abdominal distention (14.2%), pain (13.2%), and others. The results of this study could be used to establish baseline data for developing new strategies for nutritional intervention in malnourished patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.3
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• pp.158-164
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• 2016

Background: One to three percent of cases of acute tuberculosis (TB) require monitoring in the intensive care unit (ICU). The purpose of this study is to establish and determine the mortality rate and discuss the causes of high mortality in these cases, and to evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings of TB patients admitted to the pulmonary ICU. Methods: The data of patients admitted to the ICU of Yedikule Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Education and Research Hospital due to active TB were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic characteristics, medical history, and clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated. Results: Thirty-five TB patients (27 males) with a median age of 47 years were included, of whom 20 died within 30 days (57%). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were significantly higher, and albumin and $PaO_2/FIO_2$ levels were significantly lower, and shock, multiple organ failure, the need for invasive mechanical ventilation and drug resistance were more common in the patients who died. The mortality risk was 7.58 times higher in the patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. The SOFA score alone was a significant risk factor affecting survival. Conclusion: The survival rate is low in cases of tuberculosis treated in an ICU. The predictors of mortality include the requirement of invasive mechanical ventilation and multiple organ failure. Another factor specific to TB patients is the presence of drug resistance, which should be taken seriously in countries where there is a high incidence of the disease. Finding new variables that can be established with new prospective studies may help to decrease the high mortality rate.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2012

Objectives: Serum uric acid levels have been reported to be associated with a variety of cardiovascular conditions. However, the direct association between uric acid levels and metabolic syndrome remains controversial. Thus, we evaluated the association of serum uric acid levels and metabolic syndrome in a community-based cohort study in Korea. Methods: We performed cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of 889 males and 1491 females (aged 38 to 87) who participated in baseline examinations of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study: Kanghwa study. Blood samples were collected after at least an 8 hour fast. Uric acid quartiles were defined as follows: <4.8, 4.8-<5.6, 5.6-<6.5, ${\geq}6.5$ mg/dL in males; and <3.8, 3.8- <4.3, 4.3 - <5.1, ${\geq}5.1$ mg/dL in females. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Criteria with adjusted waist circumference cutoffs (90 cm for males; 80 cm for females). The association between serum uric acid quartiles and metabolic syndrome was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: The odds ratio for having metabolic syndrome in the highest versus lowest quartiles of serum uric acid levels was 2.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60 to 4.46) in males and 2.14 (95% CI, 1.50 to 3.05) in females after adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol intake, body mass index, total cholesterol, HbA1c, albumin, ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and log C-reactive protein. The number of metabolic abnormalities also increased gradually with increasing serum uric acid levels (adjusted p for trend < 0.001 in both sexes). Conclusions: Higher serum uric acid levels are positively associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome in Korean males and females.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.261-267
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• 2012

Different housing systems have considerable influence on performance in poultry production. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the impact of different housing systems on the performance, bone mineral density and egg yolk fatty acid composition in laying hen. Hy-line brown pullets (n=450) of 12 weeks age were randomly divided into 3 housing systems with 6 replicates of 25 birds in each room. A diet with 2,750 kcal/kg ME and 16.5% CP was assigned to all birds. The pullets provided free access to feed and water. Significantly (P<0.05) higher values for egg production, egg mass and feed conversion efficiency were found in battery cages, however egg weight, egg shell color and breaking strength was remarkably (P<0.05) higher in floor system. The albumin height and Haugh unit were significantly higher (P<0.05) in battery cages which was statistically similar to aviary housing system. The egg yolk fatty acids concentration of linoleic acid and linolenic acids were significantly higher in aviary and in floor system, respectively, however both values were lower in battery cages. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acid content (%) in egg yolk did not influence by any housing systems. Bone mineral density was significantly higher (P<0.05) in floor and aviary housing system than that of battery cage system. It was concluded that in battery cages the egg production and composition maximized, however higher bone mineral density and yolk fatty acids content can be improved in the laying hen reared on floor and aviary housing systems.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.121-130
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• 2001

Objectives : As participation of women in public affairs increases, they are more concerned about postpartum management. However, objectivity of its effect tends to be insufficient. This study was done to investigate the clinical applications of postpartum management in Oriental Medicine. Subjects and methods : This clinical study was done on 74 patients who were treated by postpartum management in the Oriental Medical Hospital of Woosuk University from November 1999 to August 2000. We analyzed the changes of hematology and blood chemistry. Then, we examined the differences between two groups : one group had undergone vaginal duct delivery and the other cesarean section in mode of delivery. Results : I) The ratio of vaginal duct delivery to cesarean section was 39:35. Two major age groups were 25-29 and 30-34, respectively 43% and 35%. 2) According to the hematology, hemoglobin, hematocrit, REC and platelet count significantly increased, while WBC and ESR level significantly decreased. 3) To the hematology by mode of delivery, WBC level decreased in both groups. WBC level of the vaginal duct delivery group was significantly lower than that of cesarean section. RBC level increased in both groups, the cesarean section group were statistically significant. Hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count increased but they were not significant in either group. 4) To the blood chemistry, Triglyceride (TG), protein, albumin and sodium levels were significantly increased but cholesterol, ALT, BUN, creatinine, potassium and chloride levels were not statistically significant. 5) According to the blood chemistry by mode of delivery, TG level of the vaginal duct delivery group was significantly reduced but the others were not significant. Conclusious : The effective results were shown that postpartum management by Oriental Medicine assisted postpartum health care as well as postpartum anemia.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.668-683
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• 1992

To evaluate the current practices of the tube feeding and the status of tube feeding patient 76 adult in-patients at 6 hospitals located in Seoul and Chung-buk province were examined through reviewing patient charts observing patients and interviewing patients nurses dietitians patients' family or care-givers. The results were as follows : 1) An average age of the patients was 54.5 years with 41% over 60 years old. Patients with decreased mental status dysphagia esophageal obstruction and respiratory problem were fed by tubes. 2) The range of duration of tube feeding is between 4 days and 6 years. Most patients were received formula through nasogastric tube(89.5%) while 7.9% of gastrostomy and 2.6% of jejunostomy. Administration method for formula were bolus feeding regardless of the route of formula delivery. 3) Mean total calories received for men were 1590 kcal and 1450 kcal for female. Mean volume per meal was 282m, l and mean frequency of feeding was 5.68 while mean feeding interval 3$\frac{1}{4}$ hours and mean rate of infusion 68.4ml/min. All patients received hospital-blenderi-zed formula as the major source of nutrition. Home-blenderized formula and commercial formula as a supplement were used 35%, 13.2% respectively. 4) Thirty-eight percent of patients was hypoalbuminemia and 61% was at the moderate level of deficiency in hemoglobin. 5) Complications associated with tube feeding were diarrhea (22.4%) constipation(21.1%) vomiting(11.8%) and so on. 6) Serum albumin levels of patients who have complications associated with tube feeding were significantly lower than those of patients without complications In planning a tube feeding regimen the type of a formula must be integrated with both a delivery system and a protocol for administering the tube feeding. the multidisciplinary effort required to deliver enteral therapy is essential to improve current practices used at hospitals.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D is a pleiotropic hormone that affects various body organ systems. We evaluated the prevalence of a vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and its potential role in the clinical condition of critically ill Korean children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Patients under 18 years old with a 25(OH) vitamin D measurement on the first day of PICU admission were included from among the children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of our tertiary children's hospital between October 2017 and January 2019. RESULTS: A total of 172 pediatric patients were enrolled. The mean 25(OH) vitamin D level was 17.5 ± 12.8 ng/mL. There was a 65.1% prevalence of VDD (25(OH) vitamin D level < 20 ng/mL). VDD was associated with age at PICU admission, gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary disorders, International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis disseminated intravascular coagulation (ISTH DIC) score, pediatric multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (pMODS) score and with several laboratory test findings including hemoglobin, platelet, C-reactive protein, serum albumin, total bilirubin, prothrombin time, and anti-thrombin III levels. Most of these parameters also showed significant linear correlations with the 25(OH) vitamin D level (P < 0.05). However, no statistically meaningful association was found between VDD and other clinical conditions such as the need for a mechanical ventilator, requirement for vasoactive drugs, duration of the PICU and hospital stays, or PICU mortality. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of VDD in critically ill Korean children. There were significant associations between the 25(OH) vitamin D level and gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary disorders, the pMODS score and with coagulation related factors. Further large-scale studies with more specific subgroup analyses are required to more precisely assess the clinical implications of VDD in critically ill pediatric patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1615-1621
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• 2005

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are widely implicated in the aging process and age-related diseases. The present study was carried out to investigate scavenging activities of Junglans sinensis extract and its subfraction using fluorescent probes, DCF-DA, DAF-2 and DHR 123. Jungians sinensis was washed and crushed. The crushed Junglans sinensis was extracted 3times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under a reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 16 g. Scavenging activities of $ONOO^-$ was measured by Kooy' method and ROS was measured by DCFDA assay. Junglans sinensis had the marked scavenging activites of $ONOO^-$, NO and $O_2^-$. Junglans sinensis scavenged $ONOO^-$ through electron donation and dose-dependently inhibited the nitration of bovine serum albumin by $ONOO^-$. Junglans sinensis also had ROS scavenging activity. Especially, ethylacetate fraction of Junglans sinensis showed the most effective scavenging activities for ROS and RNS. These results suggest that Junglans sinensis might be developed as an effective ROS and RNS scavenger Therefore, Junglans sinensis might be used as a preventive agent for the aging and relevant to aging of illness.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.568-577
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• 1997

To assess the nutritional and health status of the elderly, anthropometric measurements and blood test for analyzing biochemical indices were carried out from August to September in 1996. Data on the incidence of a specific disease and clinical symptoms were also collected by interviews with a questionnaire. Among the total of 169 free-living elderly interviewed(91 men, 78 women), 86 elderly(57 men, 29 women) participated in the anthropometric measurements, and 73 elderly(52 men, 21 women) in blood tests. Average heights and weights were much lower than the standards established in the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances. While average triceps skinfold thickness of men and women were above the 50 percentile of the reference data, mid-arm muscle circumferences were lower than the 50 percentile. Prevalences of anemia, assessed by hemoglobin using WHO definition, were 38.5% for men and 33.3% for women. Blood levels of total protein and albumin were above the normal limit for all participants. Mean blood cholesterol levels of men and women were 163.9mg/dl and 185.8mg/dl, and triglyceride levels were 138.2mg/dl and 161.9mg/dl, respectively. Women older than 75 years generally had high levels of BMI, total cholesterol and triglyceride. Health status assessed by clinical symptoms generally showed no significant difference by age, and their smoking, and drinking habits. Males and the elderly who exercised regularly had better health status. It was suggested that exercise was a good way to improve health status. (Korean J Community Nutrition 2(4) : 568-577, 1997)