• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.218-225
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• 2016

Recently, Korea has undergone rapid social and economic development, and with that came various changes in living habits and disease patterns; the nation, accordingly, has been alerted to the associated risks of chronic ailments. As risk factors of metabolic syndrome commonly include causal factors of chronic diseases, prevention is important. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults is 22.4%, which comprises a large portion of the whole disease (Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013). This study aims to examine the elements of healthy living practices by analyzing the risk factors of metabolic syndrome and health behaviors, and provide basic materials to contribute to the activation of health promotion. Among 12,481 subjects of the source data from the 2014 community health survey, which was performed on adults aged 19 and over in Jeonlabuk-do, 12,185 people were analyzed in this study using SPSS 23.0. There were significant differences with respect to sex, smoking status, age, education level, and number of days of physical activity among the results of the difference of the risk factors of the metabolic syndrome according to the characteristics of the health behavior of the subjects. Of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome, this study emphasized the necessity of strategies to promote health programs regarding the management of drinking, smoking, physical activities, depression, subjective health condition and quality of life to the group of those with dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.50-59
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this review is to investigate studies on skin adverse reactions and to demonstrate subjects related to the adverse effects in dermatology. Methods : Electric searches were performed with KISS(Korean studies Information Search System) and the key words were combination of 'skin' and 'adverse effect'. 87 literatures investigated in this review were issued from 1900 to 2016. Results : Among the 87 papers, dermatologic adverse reactions were reported in 83 papers in medicine, accounting for 95.4%. Of the adverse effects seen on the skin, 84 discoloration such as erythema, pigmentation and hemotelangiosis were the most common, accounting for 21%. Among the medical adverse reactions not seen on the skin, 21 infection were the most common, accounting for 25%. Among the subjective adverse reactions, of which 32 pruritus were the most common, accounting for 43%. Among the 87 papers, there were 3 cases with underlying diabetes and 3 cases with underlying hypertension, followed by 2 cases with chronic renal failure, HBV, atopic dermatitis and respectively 1 case with alcoholism, depression addiction, multiple myeloma, arthritis and psoriasis. The most frequent period until adverse reactions appeared was within 2 weeks, accounting for 13 papers. And 4 were the most frequent adverse reactions lasting less than 1 month, and 4 were more than 3 months and less than 6 months. There were 48 cases where adverse reactions were caused by nonmedical practioner's treatment. The adverse reactions by the pharmacist were the highest at 11 cases (23%). There were 17 cases of adverse reactions due to medical treatment, among which dermatologists and nondermatologists accounted for the majority of 5 cases, 29%. The most common cause of adverse reactions was the application of external medicine (41 cases), followed by 36 cases of foreign body implantation, eyebrow tattooing, ear piercing, etc. Conclusions : In this report, we demonstrated patterns of adverse reactions in the medical field of dermatology caused by non-medical personnel than medical personnel. We suggest that more effort should be followed by medical personnel to establish clear awareness of skin disease and by patients to be aware of the risks of the illegal medical treatment by non-medical personnel.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2007

Objective: To compare the outcome of twin pregnancies after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with that of spontaneously conceived twins. Methods: We analyzed 146 twins retrospectively, who had been delivered between January 2000 and July 2005. After reviewing their obstetric medical records, 72 twins conceived with IVF (IVF group) and 51 spontaneously conceived twins (spontaneous group), whose gestational age was over 24 weeks, were recruited for this study. Results: There were no significant statistical differences of demographic features such as maternal age, gestational age and fetal weight between the two groups. However, the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and gestational diabetes (G-DM) had significantly increased in the group of IVF (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.01$\sim$6.66). The risk of fetal weight discordancy rate (>20%) and fetal-sex homology rate in IVF group were decreased (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.14$\sim$0.96, OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.21$\sim$0.99). Conclusion: In this comparative study, maternal PIH and G-DM risks of IVF group are higher than that of spontaneous group. But, fetal-weight discordancy risk and fetal-sex homology rate were lower in IVF group.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2006

Recently, there has been prevailing of the combined utilization (CU) with herbs and prescribed drugs in medical therapies in the world. But the information about frequency, efficacy and safety of this CU has not well known in Korea, yet. This study aimed to identify the status of CU by Koreans, and to inquire which side effects of CU represent to those people. A self-completed questionnaire survey was performed through each health examination center in twenty general hospitals and one oriental hospital. Of the initial 2,100 health examinees, 1,851 were participated in this survey, resulting in a response rate of 88.1%. The proportion of CD was 26.3%. The most commonly mentioned reason of CD was 'to promote general health and well-being' (17l persons, 35.5%). The main route of taking CD was self-purchase at drugstore or at herbs market, followed by the prescription of (oriental)physicians. 33.0% (151 persons) of those who took the CD rated it as effective. 93 respondents (19.8%) were experienced several adverse effects including nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. The growing simultaneous use of herbal products and pharmaceutical drugs by Korean consumers may be continuously increased the risk of herb-drug interactions. The medical professionals should be provided with comprehensive and up-to-date information about potential benefits and risks of herbs and prescribed drugs. In the future studies it may be recommended to deal common cold, health promotion, indigestion, headache, and hypertension for the effect and safety of the CD by well-organized prospective study design.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1324-1330
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• 2017

Salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is a critical ingredient in many foods. It has roles in the flavor profiles of food products, textures of foods and preservation of foods against microbes. However, it increases risks of hypertension and is closely related to the development of cardiovascular disease. In recent years, health concerns related to sodium intake caused an increased demand for salt-reduced products in worldwide; it became necessary to develop natural salt-alternative products that are globally competitive. In a recent study, researchers succeeded in obtaining a natural salt enhancer through the hydrolysis of vegetable- and animal-matter mixtures. This study used various methods to identify and quantify peptide-containing arginine as a salt-alternative peptide (SAP) in an optimum combination. Arginine, or dipeptide-containing arginine, was analyzed as a standard substance using an NMR spectroscopy. The NMR carbon signal of the guanidine group of the standard substance was verified in a similar location (the L-arginine (Arg) was 156.8 ppm, the Arg-Alanine was 156.4 ppm and the Arg-Serine was 156.4 ppm). The results suggested that it is possible to analyze peptide-containing arginine quantitatively through the hydrolysis of vegetable- and animal-matter mixtures.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1538-1544
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of kale (Brassica oleracea acephala) juice supplementation on serum lipid levels and phospholipid (PL) fatty acid compositions in hypercholesterolemic men. Thirty-two men with hypercholesterolemia (>200 mg/dl) were recruited among the faculty and staff at Y University after annual health examinations. The subjects consumed 150 ml of kale juice per day for a 12-week intervention period. Dietary and anthropometric assessments were performed before and after supplementation, respectively, to ensure that the subjects maintained their usual diet and lifestyle throughout the intervention. Serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to LDL-cholesterol were significantly increased (p<0.001) after intervention. Serum LDL-cholesterol concentration and atherogenic index were significantly reduced (p<0.001). Levels of 12:0, 14:0, $18:1{\omega}9$, $18:3{\omega}6$, and sum of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in serum pholspholipid (PL) were significantly increased, while $22:4{\omega}6$ level was significantly reduced (p<0.05). It can be speculated that kale juice, containing large amounts of antioxidant nutrients, contributes to changes of serum-PL-fatty acid compositions and the improvements of serum lipid profiles. This study demonstrates the supplementation of regular meals with kale juice may favorably affect serum lipid profiles and serum-PL fatty acid compositions and, hence, could lower the risks of coronary artery disease in men with hypercholesterolemia.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2007

Korean red ginseng has broad efficacious effects against hypertension, diabetes, nociception, and cancer, and it counteracts weakness. It has been reported that Korean red ginseng is able to normalize blood pressure, improve cholesterol and lower blood glucose levels. We have recently reported that Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) significantly prevented rat carotid arterial thrombosis in vivo, and inhibited platelet aggregation ex vivo and in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of KRGE on blood circulation in human by measuring ex vivo platelet aggregation, plasma coagulation and serum lipid profiles in healthy volunteers. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups (placebo-group, KRGE-low dose group, KRGE-high dose group). Administration of KRGE to subjects significantly inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregations both in KRGE-low dose group from $72.79{\pm}20.53$ to $62.00{\pm}23.06%$ (p=0.0009), and in KRGE-high dose group from $75.14{\pm}21.86$ to $64.52{\pm}24.72%$ (p=0.0039), respectively. Administration of KRGE to subjects also significantly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregations both in KRGE-low dose group from $85.52{\pm}12.57$ to $79.62{\pm}20.47%$ (p=0.0916), and in KRGE-high dose group from $80.24{\pm}18.11$ to $70.31{\pm}25.93%$ (p=0.0565), respectively. Whereas, KRGE has no significant effects on coagulation system, such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and serum lipid profiles, such as total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride. KRGE also has no significant effects on hematological and serum biochemical profiles. These results suggest that KRGE has a potential to improve blood circulation through antiplatelet activity in human, and KRGE intake may be beneficial for the individuals with high risks of thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.580-586
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• 2019

This study selected 2,134 fertile women aged 20 to 44 years as the final study subjects using the 6th source data of the National Health and Nutrition Survey. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between female characteristics, chronic diseases and oral health behavior, and the effects of each factor on periodontal diseases. There were statistically significant differences in age(p<0.001), education level(p<0.001), income(p<0.05), marital status(p<0.001), smokes(p<0.05) and pregnancy(p<0.001). Chronic disease factors showed statistically significant differences in hypertension(p<0.001), obesity(p<0.001), diabetes(p<0.001), hypercholesterolemia(p<0.05), hypocholesterolemia(p<0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia(p<0.001). Oral health behaviors were statistically significant in terms of toothache(p<0.05), orthodontic treatment(p<0.05) and chew discomfort(p<0.05). As a result of examining the risk factors affecting periodontal disease, the risk of chronic disease was 1.576 times higher in the obese group, and 2.569 times higher in the diabetic group than in the normal group. The subjective oral health status was 1.372 times higher for normal women and 1.614 times higher for bad women than for good ones. As a result, diabetes has shown the greatest risk among chronic diseases in women, and diabetes and obesity are highly relevant and therefore are considered important variables for the risk factors of dementia. In this regard, it is necessary to examine the risks of chronic and periodical diseases, expand oral health education programs for women's dental disease, and prepare oral health policies.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1985-1995
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• 2021

Objective: Although the liver-to-spleen volume ratio (LSVR) based on CT reflects portal hypertension, its prognostic role in cirrhotic patients has not been proven. We evaluated the utility of LSVR, automatically measured from CT images using a deep learning algorithm, as a predictor of hepatic decompensation and transplantation-free survival in patients with hepatitis B viral (HBV)-compensated cirrhosis. Materials and Methods: A deep learning algorithm was used to measure the LSVR in a cohort of 1027 consecutive patients (mean age, 50.5 years; 675 male and 352 female) with HBV-compensated cirrhosis who underwent liver CT (2007-2010). Associations of LSVR with hepatic decompensation and transplantation-free survival were evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards and competing risk analyses, accounting for either the Child-Pugh score (CPS) or Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and other variables. The risk of the liver-related events was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Aalen-Johansen estimator. Results: After adjustment for either CPS or MELD and other variables, LSVR was identified as a significant independent predictor of hepatic decompensation (hazard ratio for LSVR increase by 1, 0.71 and 0.68 for CPS and MELD models, respectively; p < 0.001) and transplantation-free survival (hazard ratio for LSVR increase by 1, 0.8 and 0.77, respectively; p < 0.001). Patients with an LSVR of < 2.9 (n = 381) had significantly higher 3-year risks of hepatic decompensation (16.7% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.001) and liver-related death or transplantation (10.0% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.001) than those with an LSVR ≥ 2.9 (n = 646). When patients were stratified according to CPS (Child-Pugh A vs. B-C) and MELD (< 10 vs. ≥ 10), an LSVR of < 2.9 was still associated with a higher risk of liver-related events than an LSVR of ≥ 2.9 for all Child-Pugh (p ≤ 0.045) and MELD (p ≤ 0.009) stratifications. Conclusion: The LSVR measured on CT can predict hepatic decompensation and transplantation-free survival in patients with HBV-compensated cirrhosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 1999

Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) is known as the primary physiological inhibitor of tissue-type plasminogen activator(t-PA) in the plasma, and is present within the atherosclerotic vessels. Increased plasma levels of PAI-1 are one of the major disturbances of the hemostatic system in patients with diabetes and/or hypertension, and may have multiple interrelations with the important risk factors in the development of atherosclerosis. This study was performed to determine whether altered gene expression of PAI-1 occurs within the arterial wall, and thereby potentially contributing to the increase of cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes and/or hypertension. Material and Method: The aortic vascular smooth muscle cells of the rat were exposed to 22 mM glucose, angiotensin II, and insulin increased PAI-1 mRNA expression with the use of Northern blotting were examined. Also examined were the effects of 22 mM glucose, angiotensin II and insulin on the growth of the rat's aortic smooth muscle cells by using MTT assay. Result: Twenty-two mM glucose treatment increased the PAI-1 mRNA expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Aniotensin II treatment synergistically increased the glucose-induced PAI-1 mRNA expression. In contrast, addition of insulin attenuated the increase of 22 mM glucose and angiotensin II induced PAI-1 mRNA expression. Furthermore, treatment of 22 mM glucose, angiotensin II and insulin resulted in a significant increase in cell numbers. This study demonstrated that 22 mM glucose and angiotensin II have a synergistic effect in stimulating the PAI-1 mRNA expression and in the cell growth of the rat's aortic smooth muscle cells. Conclusion: Elevation of glucose and angiotensin II may be important risk factors in impairing fibrinolysis and developing atherosclerosis in diabetic patients.