• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.227-232
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• 2013

Purpose: The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system plays a significant role in osteoclastogenesis, activation of osteoclasts, and regulation of bone resorption. This study aimed to evaluate the use of the salivary soluble RANKL (sRANKL)/OPG ratio as a diagnostic marker for periodontitis in nonsmokers. Methods: Twenty-five patients with chronic periodontitis and 25 individuals with a healthy periodontium were enrolled in this study. Samples containing 5 mL of unstimulated saliva were obtained from each subject. Salivary sRANKL and OPG concentrations were determined using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 18.0. Results: The levels of sRANKL and OPG were detectable in all of the samples. Positive relationships were found between the plaque index and clinical attachment level and both the salivary concentration of sRANKL and the salivary sRANKL/OPG ratio (P<0.05). The salivary concentration of sRANKL and the sRANKL/OPG ratio were significantly higher in the periodontitis group than in the healthy group (P=0.004 and P=0.001, respectively). In contrast, the OPG concentration showed no significant differences between the groups (P=0.455). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the salivary sRANKL/OPG ratio may be helpful in the screening and diagnosis of periodontitis. However, longitudinal studies with larger populations are needed to confirm these results.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2011

Obesity contributes to an increased risk for chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. The prevalence of obesity has increased in Korea. We compared the clinical and dietary characteristics of obese adults (n = 30, 17 men and 13 women, mean age 29.9) to those with a normal weight (n = 15, 8 men and 7 women, mean age 26.5). We determined lipid profiles, fasting blood sugar (FBS), blood pressure, and serum free fatty acid (FFA). Dietary intake was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a 3-day dietary record. Exercise patterns and average alcohol intake were determined. The average body mass index was 28.3 kg/$m^2$ in the obese and 21.2 kg/$m^2$ in the normal weight groups. The obese group had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, lower levels of HDL cholesterol, and higher blood pressures compared to the normal weight group. FBS was not significantly different between the two groups. The obese group had significantly more subjects with metabolic syndrome (26.7%) compared to the normal weight group (0%). Serum FFA levels tended to be higher in the obese (P = 0.087). No significant difference in caloric intake was observed between the two groups. No differences in carbohydrate, protein, or fat intake between two groups were observed from the FFQ. However, results from the 3-day dietary record showed that the percentage of energy from fat was significantly higher in the obese group. The frequency and amount of exercise did not differ between the two groups. Alcohol consumed per drinking episode was significantly higher in the obese group. These results confirm that excessive weight is associated with disturbances in lipid metabolism in these fairly young and otherwise healthy adults. Dietary factors, including higher fat intake and alcohol consumption, seem to be contributing to the obesity of these subjects.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.317-330
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to figure out the characteristics of dietary habits and lifestyles related to the development of insulin resistance syndrome(IRS). The participants in this study were 595 adults with one or more abnormal data from a health examination and 215 normal adults. When IRS was defined as a condition in which the subjects have 2 or more abnormalities among obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and hyperglycemia, the prevalence rate was 37.8%. We classified the 595 adults by the number of components of IRS components they had, the higher age and obesity index they had. Total cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood were also positively related to the number of IRS components. IRS subjects tended to practice less habitual drinking and more exercise and weight control. Coffee consumption and dining out frequency were also lower in the IRS group. An analysis of food habits by odds ratio indicated that total food score was better in the IRS group. However, it appeared that food habits such as \"frequent snacking\" and \"never rejecting offered foods\" need to be improved in IRS subjects. Other undesirable food habits were related to the consumption of eggs, dairy products, fried foods, garlic and onion. Dietary intake of Ca, Fe, riboflavin, Vit A, and energy were less than 75% of the Korean recommended allowance for more than half of the subjects. Nutrient intake was lower, Ca/P ratio from food intake was worse in the IRS group. Our results indicated that nutrition counseling for IRS need to be focused on balanced food intake to supply sufficient amount of each nutrient.nt of each nutrient.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.206-211
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity, which is a known risk factor for many chronic diseases, has also been associated with vitamin D deficiency. This study explored the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and adiposity measures in a general Korean population using the most recent, nationally representative survey data. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study sample consisted of 4,771 Korean adults (${\geq}19years$) who participated in the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Serum 25(OH)D was determined by radioimmunoassay. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and total body fat content were measured as adiposity measurements. Total body fat content was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The serum 25(OH)D level was significantly higher in men than in women. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was positively correlated with energy intake, and it was negatively correlated with total body fat content (P < 0.0001) and percentage body fat (P < 0.0001) after adjustment for age in both sexes, while was inversely correlated with BMI only in women. In multivariable regression analysis, serum 25(OH)D was inversely associated with the total body fat content after adjustment for age, BMI, education, region, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and energy intake only in men (P = 0.0047). However, the serum 25(OH)D concentration was not associated with WC or BMI, indicators of adiposity after adjustment for potential risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Serum 25(OH)D concentration was independently associated with the total body fat content in a general Korean population, but it may be not associated with the indicators for estimating adiposity, such as WC or BMI.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.390-399
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the construct validity of a Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for children. In a previous report (Kang, et al., 2012), the food behavior checklist for children's NQ, consisting of 19 items, was grouped into a 5-factor structure according to the exploratory factor analysis: balance, diversity, moderation, regularity, and practice. In this study, the construct validity of the NQ was assessed using a confirmatory factor analysis. Elementary school students (n = 1,393) from six large cities completed the NQ test. Indicator tests suggested an adequate model fit (goodness of fit index = 0.9613; adjusted GFI = 0.95; standardized root mean square residual = 0.0464; chi-square test statistics of < 0.001 p-value, 82.1), and item loadings were significant for all subscales (p < 0.05). The standardized path coefficients were used as the weights of the items. The NQ and the 5 factor scores of the student were calculated by the obtained weights of the questionnaire items. Logistic regression was applied to find the significant factors in order to affect a specific nutrient status. The receiver operation characteristic curve analyses were performed in order to find diagnostic cut-off points of the five factors. The food behavior checklist for children's NQ would be a handy and suitable instrument for evaluating dietary behaviors of Korean children.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: North Korean refugees (NKRs) in South Korea are a unique population as they must adapt in a new country with similar cultural traits but different social, political, and economic systems, but little research has been conducted on diet and nutrition in this population. This study examined food security, dietary behaviors, and nutrient intakes among adult NKRs living in South Korea and compared them to those of South Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 139 adult NKRs (25 men, 114 women) living in the Seoul metropolitan area, and 417 age- and sex- matched South Korean controls (SKCs; 75 men, 342 women) selected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Food security and dietary behaviors (meal skipping, eating-out, meals with family, nutrition education and counseling, and nutrition label knowledge and utilization) were obtained using self-administered questionnaires. Nutrient intakes were assessed by 24-hr recall. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS ver. 23.0. RESULTS: In South Korea, food security had improved over the previous 12 months, but remained significantly poorer for NKR women than SKC women. Meal skipping was three times more frequent than for SKCs and eating-out was rare. Average energy intake was 1,509 kcal for NKR men and 1,344 kcal for NKR women, which was lower than those of SKCs (2,412 kcal and 1,789 kcal, respectively). Significantly more NKRs (men 24.0%, women 21.9%) showed simultaneously deficient intake in energy, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and riboflavin than SKCs (men 2.7% (P = 0.003), women 7.0% (P < 0.001)). NKR women had a significantly higher index of nutrient quality (INQ) for some nutrients than SK women. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports significant differences in food security, dietary behaviors, and nutrient intakes between NKRs and SKCs. Generally, NKRs reported lower intakes despite improved food security, but relatively good INQs across nutrients. Further research is needed to understand processes of food choice and consumption among NKRs to provide appropriate support aimed at improving diets.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.400-408
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• 2013

Obesity may be the consequence of various environmental or genetic factors, which may be highly correlated with each other. We aimed to examine whether grandmaternal and maternal obesity and environmental risk factors are related to obesity in daughters. Daughters (n = 182) recruited from female students, their mothers (n = 147) and their grandmothers (n = 67) were included in this study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association between the daughter's obesity and maternal, grandmaternal, and environmental factors. Maternal heights of 161-175cm (OD: 8.48, 95% CI: 3.61-19.93) and 156-160 cm (2.37, 1.14-4.91) showed positive associations with a higher height of daughter, compared to those of 149-155 cm. Mothers receiving a university or a higher education had a significant OR (3.82, 1.27-11.50) for a higher height of daughter compared to those having a low education (elementary school). Mother having the heaviest weight at current time (59-80 kg, 3.78, 1.73-8.28) and the heaviest weight at 20 years of age (51-65 kg, 3.17, 1.53-6.55) had significant associations with a higher height of daughters, compared to those having the lightest weight at the same times. There was no association between the height, weight, and BMI of daughters and the characteristics and education of her grandmothers. In conclusion, although genetic factors appear to influence the daughter's height more than environmental factors, the daughter's weight appears to be more strongly associated with individual factors than the genetic factors.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.718-728
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• 1998

Breast self-examination is the most effective and easiest way for women to increase the responsible consciousness about their health. The purpose of this study was to test the variables impacted to promote breast self-examination practice. The research design used in this study was a nonequevalent control group of a non-synchronized design. The sample that was assembled consisted of 124 women. A purposive sample consisted of 124 women. Each subject was given to assessed on the following the demographic data related to the breast self-examination, knowledge of self-examination, accuracy, in performing self-examination, self-efficacy about breast cancer and breast self-examination, and the number of subjects who found a mass. The result of this study may be summarized as follows : 1. To examine the theretical model fit to the data, chi square test statistics and goodness of fit index were identified($\chi$$^2$=2.30, df=2, GFI=0.99, AGFI=0.94 RMSR=0.02, NFI=0.99, NNFI=0.99, Critical Number=439). 2. The direct effects of education of breast self-examination were knowledge, self-efficacy, accuracy, number finding a mass. But the Indirect effect of education on breast self-examination was frequency of breast self-examination. 3. Knowlege, as direct paths to the breast self-examination practices, was removed in the theoretical model. The parsimonious best fit model included self-efficacy, accuracy, the number finding mass, frequency of breast self-examination practices. 4. The final model produced a chi-square=5.58(p=0.35) with df=5, and GFI =0.99, AGFI =0.94, RMSR=0.03, NFI=0.99, NNFI=0.99, CN=339 indicating very a good fit. Based on the result of this study, education of breast self-examination is very effective for increasing the competency of the breast self-examination through the knowledge and self-efficacy. Resources to promote self-efficacy may be helpful to increase the frequency of self-examination because self-efficacy is a direct effect on it. These findings suggest the need to develop nursing strategy to promote the self-efficacy of breast self-examination.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.220-229
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• 2016

Background: The treatment goal for patients with chronic hepatitis B infection is to prevent progression of the disease to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies include standard and pegylated interferon-alfa and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues: lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, telbivudine, clevudine, and tenofovir. This study aims to analyze changes in the prescribing patterns of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) medications in South Korea between 2013 and 2014. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using National Patients Sample data compiled by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2013 and 2014. Patients with CHB were identified with Korean Standard Classification of Diseases code-6 (B18.0 and B18.1) and those who were maintaining active prescriptions with CHB medications covering the index date (December $1^{st}$, each year) were included. The utilization of antiviral therapy was investigated during 2013 and 2014. Results: A total of 4,204 and 4,552 patients in 2013 and 2014 respectively, were included in the analysis. The proportion of male patients was two of third and the patients 41-60 years old accounted for 60% of all analyzed patients. The most utilized drug was entecavir (55.1% in 2013 and 44.8% in 2014) and the second most utilized drug was tenofovir in both years (18.8% in 2013 and 29.0% in 2014). The percentage of combination therapy was 13.6% and 13.1% in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The proportion of tenofovir prescriptions was increased in 2014 compared with 2013. Conclusion: With the development of new drugs and the changes in clinical practice guidelines, the prescription pattern of the antiviral agents for patients with CHB has changed. The rate of utilization of tenofovir has increased.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.514-524
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• 2011

The Korean Society of Adult Nursing (KSAN) was founded in 1971. KSAN is dedicated to the development of nursing's knowledge base and specifically in the area of adult nursing. Other goals are knowledge dissemination, promotion of nursing research and education, and the encouragement and support of nurse researchers, nurse educators and nurse practitioners through forums fostering interactions. With more than 1,100 active members in 2011, this year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of KSAN by lookingback at our past, living our present, and pursuing the future. KSAN has six branches nationwide and is governed by an eleven board of directors. KSAN's conferences, held two or three times every year, offer members opportunities to share creative nursing ideas. The Korean Journal of Adult Nursing (KJAN), our bi-monthly Journal, provides innovative ideas in the field of adult nursing for our members through peer-reviewed articles. It was launched in 1989, listed in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) in 2011, and strives to publish the best articles. Each issue of the Journal examines current problems and trends in nursing practice, education, and research. On the occasion of our 40th anniversary, we pledge to continue the development of our society in order to meet the needs of our members, and contribute to expand and extend the knowledge base of adult nursing.