• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4217-4224
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• 2014

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a slow growing but highly metastatic tumor, is highly prevalent in Northeast Thailand. Specific tests that predict prognosis of CCA remain elusive. The present study was designed to investigate whether peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) transcriptional profiles might be of use as a prognostic test in CCA patients. Gene expression profiles of PBLs from 9 CCA and 8 healthy subjects were conducted using the Affymetrix HG_U133 Plus 2.0 GeneChip. We indentified informative PBLs gene expression profiles that could reliably distinguish CCA patients from healthy subjects. Of these CCA specific genes, 117 genes were up regulated and 60 were down regulated. The molecular and cellular functions predicted for these CCA specific genes according to the Gene Ontology database indicated differential PBL expression of host immune response and tumor progression genes (EREG, TGF ${\beta}1$, CXCL2, CXCL3, IL-8, and VEGFA). The expression levels of 9 differentially expressed genes were verified in 36 CCA vs 20 healthy subjects. A set of three tumor invasion related genes (PLAU, CTSL and SERPINB2) computed as "prognostic index" was found to be an independent and statistically significant predictor for CCA patient survival. The present study shows that CCA PBLs may serve as disease predictive clinically accessible surrogates for indentifying expressed genes reflective of CCA disease severity.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

Lumbopelvic stabilization exercise has become the most popular treatment method in lumbar rehabilitation since its effectiveness was shown in some aspects of pain and disability. The abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) has been extensively implemented to promote lumbopelvic stability. However, performing ADIM correctly is difficult even for healthy subjects, and it is time consuming to train people in ADIM. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare abdominal muscle [rectus abdominalis (RA), external oblique (EO), and transverse abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO)] activity during lumbopelvic stabilization exercises (ADIM only, ADIM with a ball, maximum exhalation only, and maximum exhalation with a ball) performed in a supine position with feet against a wall. Fifteen healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Surface electromyography was used to measure abdominal muscle activity during lumbopelvic stabilization exercises. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine the statistical significance of RA, EO, and TrA/IO muscle activity during four lumbopelvic stabilization exercises. Both-side TrA/IO muscle activity was significantly greater with maximum exhalation with a ball than with ADIM only or ADIM with a ball (p<.008). The results of this study suggest that maximum exhalation with a ball can be used as an effective lumbopelvic stabilization exercise to increase TrA/IO muscle activity in healthy subjects.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2010

Kinesio Taping (KT) is widely used by physical therapists to treat a variety of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. In this study it was examined whether or not KT has an effect on the peak torque and muscle activity of the quadriceps muscles in healthy subjects. KT was applied to the anterior thigh and tibia of fifteen healthy males (mean age, 25.42${\pm}$1.38 years, mean body height 178.58${\pm}$3.03 cm, mean body weight 71.58${\pm}$6.42 kg) who have no problem within past 2 months. The quadriceps peak torque was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer while the mean data of muscle activity was measured by surface electromyography (EMG). The maximal voluntary isometric contraction was carried out on all subjects at $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$ before, during, and after KT. There were no significant differences in the peak torque and mean data of quadriceps muscle(vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis oblique) activity at $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$ before, during and after application of KT (p>.05). From this study it could be concluded that the application of KT to the anterior thigh and tibia doesn't affect the peak torque and the muscle activity.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.176-186
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• 2014

Objectives: Epidemiological studies have suggested that a higher consumption of whole grain foods can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The objective of the current study was to examine associations among the consumption of whole grains and nutrient intakes and biochemical indicators associated with chronic diseases among generally healthy middle-aged Korean women. Methods: Using 24-hour recall data from the 2008-2009 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, whole grain intake (g/day) was calculated for a total of generally healthy 1,953 subjects. The subjects were divided into three groups by the level of whole grain consumption (0 g/day, > 0 and < 20 g/day or ${\geq}20g/day$). Mean values or proportions of various nutrient intakes and metabolic risk factors were compared according to the level of whole grain consumption. All statistical analysis was conducted using SAS software version 9.2. Results: We observed that the overall consumption of whole grains was quite low. Specifically, 58.2% of subjects reported no whole grain consumption on the day of the survey, and the mean whole grain intake was only 15.3 g/day. The whole grain consumption was positively associated with intakes of various macro and micronutrients, namely, plant proteins and fats, dietary fiber, calcium, plant iron, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, ${\beta}$-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin $B_6$ and folic acid. In addition, we found significantly decreasing trends in abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia as whole grain intake levels increase. Conclusions: The study findings suggested the importance of promoting whole grain consumption as an efficient tool for improving various dietary aspects and preventing chronic diseases.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to examine the intake of Cr, Cu, and Zn, which play important roles in lipid metabolism, and the relationship of these microminerals with serum lipids of healthy college living in the Choongnam area. The nutritional status of the subjects(35 women) was evaluated based on anthropometric measurements, 24-hr dietary recall for 3 days. Three-day meals and fasting blood were collected to analyze Cr, Cu, and Zn. The mean age, height, weight and BMI were 20 years, 158 cm, 55kg and 22.42kg/$m^2$ respectively. The mean daily energy intake was 85.9% of RDA for Koreans. The ratio of energy from carbohydrate, protein and fat was 60 : 24 : 16. The mean daily intake of Cr, Cu, and Zn was 60.07 $\mu\textrm{g}$/day, 2.64 mg/day, and 11.35 mg/day, respectively. The mean serum levels of Cr, Cu, and Zn were 143$\mu$g/dl, 81.34$\mu$g/dl, adn 101.54$\mu$g/dl, respectively. The mean serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol were 158.56mg/dl, 29.27 mg/dl, 56.00mg/dl, 6.12mg/dl, respectively. In conclusion, the subjects of the present study were healthy and consumed normal levls of dietary Cr, Cu and Zn, which play roles in lipid metabolism. Therefore, serum lipids of the subjects were all in the normal range. There was no significant correlation between dietary microminerals and serum lipids.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study compared the changes in the range of motion (ROM ) on the knee joint according to three different isometric contraction intensities when applying Evjenth - Hamberg stretching (EHS) to the hamstring muscles of healthy subjects. METHODS: Forty eight healthy subjects aged between 20 and 39 years were allocated randomly to four groups; performing EHS at 10% maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) group, EHS at 50% MVIC group, EHS at 100% MVIC group, and control group (CG) pre-, and post-intervention. The flexibility of the hamstring muscles was evaluated using a digital goniometer for measuring the knee joint ROM motion. A Chattanooga stabilizer was used to adjust the MVIC intensity by 10%, 50%, and 100%, respectively. RESULTS: These results show that the pre- and post-intervention knee joint ROM were significantly different in all four groups (p<.05). The post-intervention knee joint ROM showed a significant difference between the 100% MVIC group and non-MVIC group (p<.05). The knee joint ROM difference between the pre- and post-interventions was similar in the 10% MVIC and 50% MVIC groups but significant differences were observed among the other groups (p<.05). CONCLUSION: EHS of the hamstring muscles was effective in improving the knee joint ROM with an isometric contraction intensity of 10%, 50%, or 100% MVIC, and of these, 100% MVIC was most effective.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.316-322
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The association between dietary patterns and depression has been reported but the results have been inconsistent. This study was conducted to investigate the association between dietary patterns and depression in middle-aged Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were selected from a community-based cohort, a subset of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Depression was assessed using the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and those with a BDI score ${\geq}16$ were defined as having depression. The subjects' food intakes over the year preceding the survey were estimated by using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were identified by using factor analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association of dietary pattern with depression. RESULTS: Among 3,388 participants, 448 (13.2%) were identified as having depression. We identified two major dietary patterns: 'Healthy' dietary pattern was characterized by high intakes of vegetables, soybeans, mushroom, seaweeds, white fish, shellfish and fruits and a low intake of white rice. 'Unhealthy' dietary pattern was characterized by high intakes of white rice, meats, ramen, noodles, bread and coffee and a low intake of rice with other grains. Compared with subjects in the lowest quartiles, those in the highest quartiles of the healthy dietary pattern had a significantly lower odds ratio (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42-0.82, P for trend = 0.0037) after adjusting for potential confounders. In contrast, the unhealthy dietary pattern was negatively associated with depression (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.19-2.28, P for trend = 0.0021). CONCLUSION: This results suggest that a healthy dietary pattern (rich in vegetables, soybeans, mushroom, seaweeds, white fish, shellfish, and fruits) is associated with low risk of depression. Whereas an unhealthy dietary pattern (rich in white rice, meats, ramen, noodles, bread, and coffee) is associated with a high risk of depression in middle-aged Korean adults.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.84-90
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• 2019

Background: Ankle evertor muscles are important for preventing lateral ankle sprain. Since, the evertor muscles cross the ankle and toe joints, the position at which the ankle evertor muscle strength is measured is important. However, no studies have previously investigated the effect of ankle and toe positions on the strength of the ankle evertor muscle. Objects: This study is aimed to determine the effect of various ankle and toe joint positions on the strength of the ankle evertor muscles in healthy subjects. Methods: Eighteen healthy subjects participated in this study. Isometric ankle evertor strength of the dominant leg was determined in each subject in different ankle and toe positions (dorsiflexion (DF) with toe extension (TE), DF with toe flexion (TF), plantar flexion (PF) with TE, and PF with TF). A 2 by 2 repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the difference in the evertor strength between the ankle positions (PF and DF) and toe positions (TE and TF). Results: The results indicate that there was no significant ankle position by toe position interaction effect (p=.83). However, the ankle evertor strength was significantly increased in the ankle DF position than in the PF position (p<.01), and the ankle evertor strength during eversion with TE was significantly higher than eversion with TF (p<.01). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that clinicians should consider the ankle and toe positions when measuring the muscle strength and during performance of selective muscle strengthening exercises of the ankle evertor muscles.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.348-354
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a serious concern worldwide, for which the restaurant industry holds partial responsibility. This study was conducted to estimate restaurant consumers' intention to select healthy menu items and to examine the relationships among behavioral beliefs, past behaviors, attitudes and behavioral intentions, which are known to be major determinants of consumer behaviors. SUBJECTS/METHODS: An online, self-administered survey was distributed for data collection. The study sample consisted of customers who reported having visited casual dining restaurants in the last three months at the time of the survey. Structural equation modeling was used to verify the fit of the proposed research model. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling revealed that the proposed model supports the sequential, mediated (indirect) relationships among behavioral beliefs, past behaviors, attitudes and behavioral intentions toward healthy menu selection. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the available literature regarding obesity by adding past behaviors, one of the most influential variables involved in prediction of future behaviors of consumers, to the TPB model, enabling a better understanding of restaurant consumers' rational decision process regarding healthy menu choices. The results of this study provide practical implications for restaurant practitioners and government agencies regarding ways to promote healthy menus.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.128-134
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was conducted to determine the reference interval of serum thyroid hormones(TSH, $FT_3$, $FT_4$) in healthy Korean adults. Methods : Health examination data from 1,591 healthy Korean adults who visited an university hospital were analyzed. Patients with specific health conditions capable of altering laboratory results were excluded from the study. Serum thyroid hormones were measured using IMMULITE 2000 (DPC, USA, 2002). Subjects were 18-65 years old; 911 were male, and 690 were female. Results : The arithmetic means of TSH, $FT_3$, and $FT_4$ values for male subjects were $1.28{\pm}1.84\;{\mu}IU/ml$, $3.23{\pm}0.57\;pg/ml$, and $1.42{\pm}0.22\;ng/dl$, respectively. In female subjects, the arithmetic means of TSH, FT3, and FT4 values were $1.49{\pm}2.08\;{\mu}IU/ml$, $3.08{\pm}0.54\;pg/ml$, and $1.29{\pm}0.24\;ng/dl$, respectively. The arithmetic mean $FT_4$ value for males decreased with age (p<0.01). The arithmetic mean $FT_3$ value for females increased with age (p<0.01). The arithmetic mean thyroid hormone values of all study subjects differed significantly based on season. The arithmetic mean of male $FT_4$ decreased with increasing BMI (p<0.01). The arithmetic mean of female $FT_3$ increased with increasing BMI (p<0.01). The reference intervals recommended by the IMMULITE 2000 manufacturer are $0.40-4.00\;{\mu}IU/ml$ for TSH, 1.80-4.20 pg/ml for $FT_3$, and 0.80-1.90 ng/dl for $FT_4$ (same values for both genders). Conclusions : There was a significant difference in the interval of thyroid hormones between males and females, but the reference interval of IMMULITE 2000 was not established by gender. There is a need to reestablish the reference interval for thyroid hormones in Korean healthy adults.