• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.661-667
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• 2009

Trabecular-bone-mimicking phantoms consisting of parallel-nylon-wire arrays were used to investigate correlations of phase velocity and attenuation coefficient with structural properties in trabecular bone. Trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) of the 7 trabecular-bone-mimicking phantoms ranged from 300 to $900\;{\mu}m$ and volume fraction (VF) from 1.6% to 8.7%. Phase velocity and attenuation coefficient of the phantoms were measured by using a through-transmission method in water, with a matched pair of broadband unfocused transducers with a diameter of 12.7 mm and a center frequency of 1 MHz. Phase velocity and attenuation coefficient at 1 MHz decreased almost linearly with increasing Tb. Sp and increased almost linearly with increasing VF. The simple and multiple linear regression models with phase velocity and attenuation coefficient as independent vanables and Tb.Sp and VF as dependent variables demonstrated that the coefficients of determination for the prediction of VF were higher than those for the prediction of Tb.Sp. The results obtained in the trabecular-bone-mimicking phantoms consisting of parallel-nylon-wire arrays were consistent with those in human trabecular bone suggesting that the structural properties can be estimated from the measurements of phase velocity and attenuation coefficient in trabecular bone.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.158-166
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• 2011

In the present study, copper and nickel foams with an open-celled structure as trabecular-bone-mimicking phantoms were used to investigate the dependencies of group velocity and attenuation coefficient on structural properties such as trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) in trabecular bone. The group velocity and attenuation coefficient of the copper and nickel foams were measured by a through-transmission method in water, using a pair of broadband, unfocused transducers with a diameter of 12.7 mm and a center frequency of 1.0 MHz. The separation of the Biot's fast and slow waves was consistently observed in the ultrasonic signals transmitted through the copper and nickel foams. The group velocities of the copper and nickel foams showed highly positive correlations with Tb.Th and Tb.Sp. The attenuation coefficient of the copper foam showed a highly negative correlation with Tb.Th and Tb.Sp, whereas that of the nickle foam showed a highly positive correlation with Tb.Th and Tb.Sp. These results advance our understanding of those previously reported by other researchers using trabecular bone samples or phantoms.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.1 s.52
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• pp.27-34
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• 2006

Numerous studies reported the significant association between genetic polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and various bone phenotypes such as bone mineral density (BMD) and bone quality, although conflicting results were produced. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between a TaqI RFLP in the VDR gene and calcaneal BMD in Korean vegetarian men, and its interaction with nutrition status as an environmental factor. BUA (broadband ultrasound attenuation), SOS (sound of speed) and stiffness index of the calcaneus were measured using an ultrasound bone densitometer in 266 Korean men (age: $mean{\pm}SD;\;50.9{\pm}12.0$ year), and a TaqI RFLP in the VDR gene analysed by PCR-RFLP method. In total subjects, the distribution of TT, Tt and tt genotypes occurred with frequencies of 90.8%, 8.8% and 0.4%, respectively. There were no significant associations between this polymorphism and osteopenia-osteoporosis or several bone phenotypes in our subjects irrespectively of nutrition status (P>0.05). Therefore, our results suggest that a TaqI RFLP in the vitamin D receptor gene does not contribute to the susceptibility to the calcaneal BMD in Korean men.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.551-556
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to suggest a systematic and scientific method for measurement of children's growth development, in which the accuracy of existing diagnosis method has not been concretely examined yet. The most popular method for diagnosis of children's growth is to analyze the opening degree of growth plate in each joint by X-ray image. However, X-ray method has some disadvantages; it is impossible to measure the diagnosis of growth periodically and repeatedly due to the radiation problem. Hence, this study introduced a profile analysis and the algorithm of analyzing the image of growth plate with the BUA(Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation) of calcaneus, to verify the possibility of alternative ultrasonic method harmless to human body. We obtained the images of growth plate in proximal tibiae, phalanges, and calcanei of 269 children (7∼16 years old) with X-ray. And the image of growth plate in calcanei was also obtained front those children with ultrasound. The results showed that the time of the opening degree of growth plate in each joint was almost consistent between X-ray and ultrasonic images. Also, the images of growth plate measured by X-ray and ultrasound showed the high correlation. Therefore, it is expected that the algorithm of ultrasonic profile analysis introduced in this study can replace the existing X-ray method to measure the growth plate correctly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1551-1558
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• 2009

The management of skeletal health in the twenties is the number one priority for preventing fracture or osteoporosis occurrence in later life cycle. Therefore, the factors influencing bone mineral density were examined by anthropometric measurements, food intakes, bone mineral density and biochemical nutritional indexes in blood among college students. Among the students who received health examinations from May to December, 2007, 532 male and 507 female students who agreed to participate in the study were selected. Nutritional intakes were estimated with 3-day 24-hour recall method. Bone mineral density was measured by ultrasonic attenuation passing through right calcaneus bone and expressed as broadband ultrasound attenuation and t-score was calculated by WHO criteria. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit values were measured by whole blood analysis, and alkaline phosphatase, serum calcium and serum iron were used as indexes for biochemical nutritional status. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 14.0 program, and protecting and risk factors on bone health status were analyzed by logistic regression analysis between normal bone health group (t-score$\underline{\geq}$ -1.0) and osteopenia group (t-score<-1.0). The results showed that more people belong to the normal bone health group probably because this study was conducted among those with their peak bone density. Biochemical nutritional status and nutrition intakes of both groups for normal and osteopenia did not show statistically significant difference except MCHC, animal protein and animal iron intakes in female. According to the results of logistic regression analyses, dietary intakes of animal protein, animal iron and zinc showed protecting effects against osteopenia. Therefore, dietary nutritional intakes of micronutrients, especially iron and zinc are important for bone health of young people.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.440-448
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• 2007

The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of 16-month milk consumption as a part of the health promotion community program for women in Asan. Subjects included 313 women belonging to the milk group (mean age = 69.1, range $47{\sim}89 y$) and 66 women to the control (mean age=43.6, range $20{\sim}69 y$) group. For those in the milk group, one cup (200 ml) of partially lactose-digested low-fat milk was provided everyday for 16 months. Each subject was interviewed to assess calcium intake by a 24-h recall after fasting blood was obtained for analyzing bone turnover markers, and calcaneus broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) was measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) on the left heel before and after the milk supplementation. After 16 months, the calcium intake levels changed from 55% of recommended dietary allowance (RDA) to 85% RDA in the milk group and from 73% RDA to 84% RDA in the control group. BUA were reduced from $67.9{\pm}8.1$ to $64.7{\pm}17.5$ dB/MHz for milk and from $90.4{\pm}13.0$ to $87.2{\pm}15.2$ dB/MHz for control groups. Paired t-test showed the changes of BUA for both groups (-3.24 and -3.15 dB/MHz for milk and control groups, respectively) were significant, but the two groups did not show any differences in absolute changes. When post-BUA was analyzed after age, initial BUA and menopausal status were controlled as covariates in ANCOVA model, the milk group showed significantly (p < 0.05) smaller changes than the control group (-3.50 vs -6.71 dB/MHz, respectively). According to a multiple regression analysis, milk consumption and initial BUA showed significant interaction meaning that those with lower initial BUA showed higher milk effects. We conclude that one-cup a day milk consumption for 16 month can prevent further bone loss and significantly improve calcium intake.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2005

Nutrition factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between nutritional status and bone mineral density of elderly women. Three hundred thirty five elderly women (over 65 years) in Asan were divided into three age groups (group 1, less than 70 y ; group 2, from 70 to 75 y ; group 3, 75 y or more). Total alkaline phosphatase and serum calcium (Ca) were analyzed using spectrophotometric procedure. Data for food and nutrient intakes were obtained by a 24-hour recall method. Bone density was measured by broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) using QUS-2. Age differences were tested with the X 2 test for categorical variables and with ANOVA and Tukey's test for continuous variables. Correlation was conducted to test the association between bone density and nutrient intake. The subjects in age groups 1,2 and 3 were $36.7\%$, $32.8\%$ and $30.4\%$, respectively. Height and body weight of the subjects were significantly decreased with age. Average bone density of the subjects in group 3 was lower than the other age groups. Osteoporosis determined by t-score is $17.9\%$ for group 1, $24.5\%$ for group 2 and $55.9\%$ for group 3 (p < 0.001). The serum Ca level of the subjects in group 2 was significantly lower than that of group 1 although mean values in all age groups are within the normal range. Dietary Ca intake, nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and index of nutrient quality (INQ) were decreased with age. Bone density was negatively correlated with age (p < 0.001), while body mass index (p < 0.01) was positively related with bone density. Although partial correlation did not reveal the significant correlation of BMD and dietary calcium after controlling for age, since calcium intake was very poor compared to sodium and phosphorous intakes, recommendation of more calcium intake for elderly women especially those over 75 years must be continuously emphasized.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.324-333
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• 2006

This study was designed to investigate the effect of bone demineralization and tibia lead on blood lead in retired lead workers. Two hundred thirty five(126 females and 109 males) retired lead workers who worked in 4 different lead factories and 101 non-occupationally lead exposed subjects(51 females and 51 males) were recruited from March 2004 to October 2004. Bone mineral density(BMD) was measured at left calcaneous bone area by broadband ultrasound attenuation(BUA) method with QUS-2(Metra Biosystems Inc, USA). The BUA value transformed into T-score by WHO standard conversion criteria. Tibia bone lead was measured for skeletal bone lead with K-xray fluorescence(K-XRF) and blood lead was analyzed with flameless atomic spectrophotometer. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum calcium and iron were also analyzed. In addition, information for smoking and drinking status and basic personal data such as age, gender and lead exposure were also collected using questionnaire inquiry. Blood lead was correlated with tibia lead (r=0.664) and these two variables were negatively correlated with BMD in bivariate analysis. BMD showed significant main effect on the change of blood lead independent to tibia lead without any effect modification of age or gender; the one T-score unit decrease of mineral bone density made $0.43{\mu}g/dl$ increase of blood lead. On the other hand, tibia lead showed effect modification with gender on blood lead; the slope of tibia lead on blood lead in male was steeper than in female and crossed at around zero of tibia lead. In the multiple regression analysis of blood lead and tibia lead on BMD after adjustment of related covariates, only blood lead showed statistically significant effect on BMD. This study confirmed that BMD and blood lead were significantly associated. To verify the causal association of BMD on blood lead and vice versa, further longitudinal studies are needed.