• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.207-211
• /
• 2020

Adult land crabs generally live on land while their larvae live in the sea. In the case of Sesarma haematoche, female crabs migrate from land to sea to release the larvae at the high tide of syzygy night. Artificial structures along coastal areas are being obstacles for the migration of land crabs and causing synchronized roadkills on coastal roads during breeding migration. In this research, we compared the sex ratios of crab populations in coastal areas with coastal roads and uninhabited island areas with no road. The proportion of females in inland habitats with coastal roads was significantly smaller than island habitats. In particular, females are exposed to the risk of annually repeated roadkills, and the proportion of females decreases rapidly with their growth. If this tendency is general for land crab populations in the coastal areas with roads, significant road mortality of female land crabs during breeding migration can lead to severe population decline in coastal areas. Therefore, it is necessary to take an action to save land crabs crossing coastal roads.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.100-106
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to find out the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of elderly suicide attempters visiting emergency room, compared to non-elderly adult suicide attempters. Methods : We enrolled suicidal attempters who were treated in the emergency room of the Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital between June 2013 and July 2015. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 336 suicidal attempters, and compared sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between elderly and non-elderly adult suicide attempters. Results : During the study period, 336 patients visited the emergency room of the medical center after suicide attempts. Among these, there were 71 elderly(21.2%) and 265 non-elderly adult(79.8%) suicide attempters. The suicidal methods among elderly were poisoning(73.3%), hanging(19.7%), cutting(5.6%), and jumping(1.4%). Those in non-elderly were poisoning(73.2%), cutting(17.0%), hanging(6.8%), and jumping(3.0%). The elderly suicide attempters had the tendency to choose more dangerous methods and showed higher lethality compared to adult suicide attempters(20.6% vs. 1.9%, ${\chi}^2=34.565$, p<0.05). On the other hand, premorbid psychiatric disorders had been more commonly diagnosed in non-elderly adults than elderly suicide attempters(49.8% vs. 26.8%, ${\chi}^2=12.024$, p<0.05). Conclusions : The results provide evidence of different sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of elderly suicide attempters compared to non-elderly ones visiting the emergency room. Through this study, it can be seen that the suicide attempt in the elderly tends to be severer than in the non-elderly, but only a small portion of them seek for help from psychiatric intervention. Further study is required to provide effective suicide prevention programs for elderly population.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.175-178
• /
• 1980

Normal values of serum electrolytes were determined for adult 36 females and 18 males, 1 to 6 years old, of Jindo dogs. The mean values, standard deviation and rangEs of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and inorganic phosphorus were studied and data analyzed to determine whether differences existed between the values of female and those of male dogs. The results obtained in this study were as follows: 1. The mean value of serum sodium was $143{\pm}1.5mEq/liter$, ranged from 138mEq/liter to 152 mEq/liter. The mean values for the females and males were $144{\pm}2.0mEq/liter$ and $142{\pm}1.7mEq/liter$, respectively. They showed that the female dogs had a tendency toward higher values than the male dogs, but no significant sex-related differences were observed. 2. The mean value of serum potassium was $4.6{\pm}0.2mEq/liter$, ranged frem 3.5mEq/liter to 6.0mEq/liter. The mean values for the females and males were $4.7{\pm}0.4mEq/liter$ and $4.5{\pm}0.3mEq/liter$. They showed that the female dogs had a tendency toward higher values than the male dogs, but sex differences were not found to be significant. 3. The mean value of serum chloride was $103{\pm}3.0mEq/liter$ ranged from 95mEq/liter to 117mEq/liter. The mean values for the females and males were $103{\pm}3.2mEq/liter$ and $103{\pm}3.3mEq/liter$, no sex differences showed. 4. The mean value of serum calcium was $5.2{\pm}0.1mEq/liter$ ranged from 4.7mEq/liter to 5.8mEq/liter. The mean values for the females and males were $5.4{\pm}0.1mEq/liter$ and $5.2{\pm}0.09mEq/liter$ respectively, no significant sexd iffere-nces were observed. 5. The mean value of serum inorganic phosphorus was $4.3{\pm}0.7mg/100ml$, ranged from 2.5mg/100ml to 5.8mg/100ml. The mean values for the females and males were $4.3{\pm}0.9mg/100ml$ and $4.1{\pm}0.8mg/100ml$, respectively, no sex differences showed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.525-547
• /
• 1989

Hemorrhagic tendency observed in open heart surgery patients has been attributed, among other causes, to increased fibrinolytic activity during extracorporeal circulation. But the exact mechanism of enhanced fibrinolytic activity which occurs during extracorporeal circulation is still unknown. So, we studied and compared the changes of parameters of fibrinolytic and protein C system according to time obtained from the plasma of 31 adult open heart surgery patients[EGG group] and 10 adult general thoracic surgery patients[control group], in order to confirm the hypothesis that the activated protein C system might affect the fibrinolytic system during extracorporeal circulation. In ECC group, the nature of the enhanced fibrinolytic activity that evolved during extracorporeal circulation was characterized by significant increase in fibrin degradation products[P < 0.01] and significant decrease in plasminogen and alpha2-antiplasmin[P < 0.05, P < 0.01] in spite of adequate amount of heparin administration. These changes were most pronounced in the early phase of extracorporeal circulation and normalized after termination of extracorporeal circulation. The results of these observations were the same after volume correction with the value of hematocrit. The change of volume corrected protein C ratio during extracorporeal circulation revealed similar pattern to those of plasminogen and alpha2-antiplasmin [P < 0.01], but volume corrected ratio of free protein S showed significant increase after the commencement of extracorporeal circulation then decreased after extracorporeal circulation. Although the above mentioned changes occur similarly in both bubble type oxygenator-used and membrane oxygenator-used patients groups, but the degree of decrease was more severe in membrane oxygenator-used patients group [P < 0.01] and showed much slower recovery to reach to the preextracorporeal circulation level. These results confirm the hypothesis that the enhanced fibrinolysis during extracorporeal circulation might be caused by the activation of protein C system and the activation is possibly linked to the appearance of thrombin from contact activation of blood after wide exposure to the synthetic surfaces of extracorporeal circuit. Key words: Extracorporeal circulation, Enhanced fibrinolysis, Protein C system.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.4 no.6
• /
• pp.507-514
• /
• 2010

Vitamin K intake has been reported as an essential factor for bone formation. The current study was conducted under the hypothesis that insufficient vitamin K intake would affect inflammatory markers and bone mineral density in young adult women. The study was a cross-sectional design that included 75 women in their 20s. Physical assessments, bone mineral density measurements, 24-hr dietary recalls, and biochemical assessments for high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and percentages of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (%ucOC) were performed. An analysis of vitamin K nutritional status was performed comparing first, second, and third tertiles of intake based on %ucOC in plasma. Vitamin K intake levels in the first, second, and third tertiles were $94.88{\pm}51.48\;{\mu}g$, $73.85{\pm}45.15\;{\mu}g$, and $62.58{\pm}39.92\;{\mu}g$, respectively (P < 0.05). The T-scores of the first and third tertiles were 1.06 and -0.03, respectively, indicating that bone mineral density was significantly lower in the group with lower vitamin K intake (P < 0.05). There was a tendency for different serum hs-CRP concentrations between the first ($0.04{\pm}0.02$) and third tertiles ($0.11{\pm}0.18$), however this was not statistically significant. Regression analysis was performed to identify the correlations between vitamin K nutritional status, inflammatory markers, and bone mineral density after adjusting for age and BMI. Serum hs-CRP concentrations were positively correlated with vitamin K deficiency status (P < 0.05). And bone mineral density, which was represented by speed, was negatively correlated with vitamin K deficiency status (P < 0.05). In conclusion, status of vitamin K affects inflammatory status and bone formation. Therefore, sufficient intake of vitamin K is required to secure peak bone mass in young adult women.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.409-420
• /
• 2004

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Tai chi exercise for improving balance and its tendency and helps to identify directions for future research. Method: 19 articles from Medline search of foreign journals(1981-2003) and 5 from Korean nursing journals (1981-2003) were surveyed. The contents analyses were focused on outcome measures and relative factors regarding balance. Result: Variable measures for balance were used in Tai Chi studies relating to balance. They included the functional measures such as 14 single-leg stance, 7 walking in physiological measures and 7 laboratory-based balance measures were done with platform stability test. The measure of effective Tai Chi exercise depended on the health status of subjects and the methods. Health status of subjects were only on physically inactive older adults in 17 articles and arthritis patients in 7 articles in the Tai Chi study. The significant effects of Tai Chi exercise on balance was revealed after 10weeks duration. Conclusion: Considering the results, Tai Chi exercise is more effective than any other studies for walking balance. But the reports on the outcome are inconsistent with wide variations in the choice of balance measures. It is suggested that future studies analyze systemic change through meta analysis and have a wide variety of subjects who need postural control and balance control. The methods of measures should be distinct from the balance state of subjects for the effectiveness of Tai chi exercise.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 1988

In an attempt to determine the susceptibility of inbred golden hamsters(Mesocricetus auratus) to the experimental infection with Clonorchis sinensis, twenty-five hamsters were divided into 5 groups and administered orally 5, 10, 20, 30 or 50 metacercariae each. The hamsters were killed on the 45th day after infection. The adult flukes were recovered from all hamsters. The overall recovery rate for the fluke was 57.9% with the range of 48.4% to 92.0%. As the number of the metacercariae given increased, a porportionate decrease in the recovery rate was found, the prepatent period of the fluke in the hamster varied from 15 to 17 days, with the average of 16 days. No significant differences in the development of the flukes were observed. Egg production expressed by EPG, increased step by step as the time elapsed. However, a tendency of decreasing egg laying capacity was observed with the increase of worm burden. It is suggested that the hamster is a suitable final host of C. sinensis.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.41-50
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the factors influencing attitude toward one's own aging among Korean middle-aged adults and the elderly. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed with a total sample of 70 middle-aged adults and 64 elderly reside in two metropolitan areas. Data were collected from August 2015 to November 2015 using the Perceived Health Status Scale, the Health Locus of Control Scale and the Attitude Toward own Aging (ATOA) Scale. The statistics used include percentage, t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. Results: Mean age for each age group were about 52 and 76 years old for middle-aged adults and the elderly respectively. A considerable proportion of all participants reported a negative attitude toward aging. Perceived health status was the common factor influencing attitude toward one's own aging in both age groups. Middle-aged adults identified presence of chronic illness and internal health locus of control as important factors. In contrast, the elderly reported that education and others-dependent health locus of control such as powerful others had a significant impact on ATOA. Each regression model explained 31% and 55% of the total variance of ATOA among middle-aged adults and among the elderly. Conclusion: Both middle-aged adults and the elderly with low perceived health status are at risk of negative ATOA's. The type health locus of control need to be identified and utilized based on individuals' tendency to improve positive ATOA. That is, middle-aged adults might need reinforcement of their self-will whereas the elderly might need enhancement of social support and network of family and healthcare providers.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.461-467
• /
• 1989

The activity of lactate dehydrogenase in plasma and various tissues(skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, liver, lung, kidney and spleen) of Korean native cattle in a Chonju abattoir, the Breeding Stock Farm and Animal Farm of Chonbuk University was determined by using ultra violet method. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme distrimution of plasma and various tissues in Korean native cattle was studied. The plasma lactate dehydrogenase activity of Korean native cattle was $554.80{\pm}92.70IU/l$ and the lactate dehydrogenase activity of male plasma was $543.96{\pm}97.89IU/l$, which was lower than that of female plasma, $579.19{\pm}78.09IU/l$. The plasma lactate dehydrogenase activity of calf was $557.31{\pm}110.27IU/l$ and was no significantly different from that of adult Korean native cattle. But the range of calf lactate dehydrogenase activity was larger than that of adult Korean native cattle. In tissues, the lactate dehydrogenase activity was decreased in order of lung, kidney, spleen, liver, heart and skeletal muscle. The lung had the greatest activity and the skeletal muscle had the least. Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in plasma and tissues were found to have a characteristic distribution and quantitative isoenzyme patterns. In plasma, the LDH1 usually had the greatest activity and other isoenzymes showed a decreasing tendency in order of LDH2, LDH3, LDH4 and LDH5. The distribution of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes had a wide variation in tissues. But the distribution of LDH isoenzymes in plasma was similar to that in kidney, and also cardiac muscle and spleen had similar pattern in LDH isoenzymes distribution.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.611-625
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate dietary behaviors and health-related lifestyles of adult visitors at a public health center in Gyeonggi urban area. A survey using questionnaire was conducted with 949 visitors at Seongnam public health centers from June to August, 2012. The data from 905 respondents were analyzed by gender, consisting of 322 males and 583 females, and age group, consisting of 243 low-age group (LA), 312 middle-age group (MA), 350 high-age group (HA), aged 20 to 30 years, 31 to 50 years, and 51 to 69 years, respectively. Average Body Mass Index was 23.0, which increased with age, and education level was high in LA. 59.0 percent of the subjects had various diseases, and the incidence of hypertension was the highest, followed by allergy, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, joint rheumatism. Incidence rates of chronic disease increased with age, which were lower than those from 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Weekly drinking frequency rate and smoking rate decreased with age, and exercise performing rate was high at male and HA, which showed the same tendency as KNHANES. Female and HA showed more healthy dietary behaviors such as restricting salt, sugar, oily foods, foods containing food additives, calorie, caring for balanced diet, and referring to nutrition label. Subjects chose stress as the first factor, followed by diet, exercise, etc., among 13 suggested factors which strongly influence on human's life-span. In general, public health center visitors, especially female and HA, showed better dietary behaviors and health-related lifestyles compared with KNHANES.