• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 2016

Objectives: This study is aimed to evaluate oral health knowledge and behavior according to subjective awareness characteristics of oral health in university student. Methods: The data was collected from June, 2015 in K university, Korea. It was investigated about subjective awareness characteristics, knowledge and behavior of oral health by questionnaires in university students. The data was analysis into t-test and one-way ANOVA by SPSS 22.0. Results: Subjects who responded that they had a problem with oral health in subjective awareness characteristics were a statistically significant differences according to gender. Subjects who were interested of oral health and responded to their subjective oral health state as good condition were higher than the others in oral health knowledge. According to subjective awareness characteristics of oral health, the oral health behaviors were a statistically significant differences. Conclusions: There were statistically significant differences in oral health knowledge and behavior according to subjective awareness characteristics of oral health.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.97-105
• /
• 2019

Objectives: This study examined whether the infant feeding type and duration are related to the introduction of complementary feeding, and whether the appropriate introduction of complementary feeding in infancy is related to tooth decay in toddlers. Methods: The subjects were 1,521 toddlers among 2~3 year old children in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2015. The toddlers were divided into the appropriate group (4~6 months) and delayed group (>6 months) according to the timing of complementary feeding introduction. Results: The delayed group were 26.5% of subjects and the formula feeding period in the appropriate group and delayed group was 8.4 and 10.3 months, respectively (P=0.002). On the other hand, there was no difference in the breastfeeding period between the appropriate group and delayed group (P=0.6955). Early childhood caries was more common in the delayed group (P=0.0065). The delayed introduction of complementary feeding was associated with a risk of early childhood caries according to the logistic models (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.27-2.57). Conclusions: The introduction of complementary feeding is associated with early childhood caries. Therefore, the importance of the proper introduction of complementary feeding in infancy should be emphasized, and public relations and education for maternal care and breastfeeding should be provided through health care institutions.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.412-422
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigates correlations between circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) and obesity-related parameters among young women (aged 20-30 years old) in Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We analyzed TaqMan low density arrays (TLDAs) of circulating miRNAs in 9 lean (body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg/㎡) and 15 obese (BMI > 25 kg/㎡) women. We also performed gene ontology (GO) analyses of the biological functions of predicted miRNA target genes, and clustered the results using the database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery. RESULTS: The TLDA cards contain 754 human miRNAs; of these, the levels of 8 circulating miRNAs significantly declined (> 2-fold) in obese subjects compared with those in lean subjects, including miR-1227, miR-144-5p, miR-192, miR-320, miR-320b, miR-484, miR-324-3p, and miR-378. Among them, miR-484 and miR-378 displayed the most significant inverse correlations with BMI (miR-484, r = -0.5484, P = 0.0056; miR-378, r = -0.5538, P = 0.0050) and visceral fat content (miR-484, r = -0.6141, P = 0.0014; miR-378, r = -0.6090, P = 0.0017). GO analysis indicated that genes targeted by miR-484 and miR-378 had major roles in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION: Our result showed the differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in obese subjects compared to lean subjects. Although the mechanistic study to reveal the causal role of miRNAs remains, these miRNAs may be novel biomarkers for obesity.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.129-140
• /
• 2009

Objectives: This study aimed to examined the socioeconomic disparities in oral health related behaviors and to assess if those behaviors eliminate socioeconomic disparities in oral health in a nationally representative sample of adults aged 30-64. Methods: Data are from the Korea Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005). Behaviors were indicated by smoking, over intake of daily calories from carbohydrate, perceived stress, frequency of daily tooth brushing, use of oral hygiene goods, insufficient oral treatment. Oral health outcomes were self-reported dental caries and periodontitis during the last 12 months and perceived oral health. Education, household income, and employed status indicated socioeconomic position. Sex, age, residential area, marital status were adjusted for in the logistic regression analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess socioeconomic disparities in behaviors. Logistic regression model adjusting and not adjusting for behaviors were compared to assess the change in socioeconomic disparities in oral health. Results: Clear socioeconomic disparities in all behaviors were showed. After adjusting for behaviors, the association between oral health and socioeconomic indicators attenuated but did not disappear. For example, the odd ratios of reporting poorer oral health for persons in no education or elementary school education and middle school education groups, compared with college or higher education group, were 1.77 (95% CI: 1.36-2.29) and 1.56 (1.19-1.97), respectively. After adjusting for all indicators of behaviors, these odds ratios attenuated to 1.54 (1.17-2.03) and 1.48 (1.15-1.91) for those groups, respectively. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the presence of more complex determinants of socioeconomic disparities in oral health should be considered with developing preventive policies for those disparities.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.477-488
• /
• 2017

This study presents a discussion on the biomedical laboratory science (formally clinical laboratory science or medical laboratory science) with the identity of biomedical laboratory science, as well as the academic classification system for systematic approach. The field of biomedical laboratory science is not registered in the academic research area classification system of the National Research Foundation of Korea. Since the inception of the first department of biomedical laboratory science in 1963, about 52 departments were since established. Despite the scientific identity, biomedical laboratory science have not been acknowledged professionally in most institutions. Observing the academic research area classification, the physical therapy, occupational therapy, and dental hygiene science are systematically classified and approved the identities by the authorities. This study is freshly academic area classification system of the biomedical laboratory science. The contents of this study are summarized as follows. The medical laboratory technologist's discipline is considered within the medical and science category, clinical pathology in class, and biomedical laboratory science in division. Sections of biomedical laboratory science include hematology, transfusionology, immunology, biochemistry, microbiology, parasitology, science, molecular biology, histology, cytology, cardiopulmonary physiology, and neurophysiology.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.135-146
• /
• 2016

Objectives : This study explored ways to improve the quality of life related to oral health and the oral health of senior citizens by identifying the relevance of oral health-related quality of life issues, and satisfaction with dentures in elderly 65 years of age or older. Methods : This study surveyed 220 senior citizens who are currently using dentures and 65 years of age or older living in Busan. As a result, 200 questionnaires were returned. All of these questionnaires were used in the final analysis. The method of analysis was descriptive statistics using SPSS VER. 19.0, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and regression analysis. Results : First, when verifying the difference in the quality of the health-related life of the oral cavity in accordance with the general characteristics, only average monthly income showed a significant difference. Second, the results of the analysis for factors that affect the quality of the health -related life of the oral cavity, fixation satisfaction, and mastication satisfaction, in that order, affected the general satisfaction of the elderly. Conclusions : Dentures satisfaction and the quality of the health-related life of the oral cavity show a high correlation and causality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.49 no.sup1
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate longitudinal changes of the utilization of operational and surgical medical care inside and outside a metropolitan area over 10 years, analyzing the residential areas of patients and the locations of medical facilities for major cardiovascular surgery. Methods: Data analysis was conducted by classifying the addresses of patients and the locations of medical care facilities of metropolitan cities and provinces, using data from the National Health Insurance Corporation from January 2003 to December 2013. Results: There is serious concentration of major heart surgery to medical facilities in Seoul; this problem has not improved over time. There were differences in percentages of surgical procedures performed in the metropolitan areas according to major diseases. In the case of Busan and Daegu provinces, at least 50% of the patients underwent surgery in medical facilities in the city, but there are other regions where the percentage is less than 50%. In the case of provinces, the percentage of surgical procedures performed in medical facilities in Seoul or nearby metropolitan cities is very high. Conclusion: Policies to strengthen the regional capabilities of heart surgery and to secure human resources are required to mitigate the concentration of patients in the capital area. Many regional multi-centers must be designated to minimize unnecessary competition among regional university hospitals and activate a win-win partnership model for medical services.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.59 no.2
• /
• pp.149-152
• /
• 2021

Our previous research on coprolite specimens from the mummies of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910 CE) has revealed various species of parasite eggs. Herein, we added 2 new helminthic cases of human remains from Joseon-period graves in the Republic of Korea (Korea). The organic materials precipitated on the hip bones of 2 half-mummied cases (Goryeong and Gwangmyeong cases) were collected, rehydrated, and examined by a microscope. In the sample from Goryeong-gun (gun=County), ova of Trichuris trichiura, Clonorchis sinensis, and Metagonimus spp. were detected, and eggs of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides were found from the sample of Gwangmyeong-si (si=City). By adding this outcome to the existing data pool, we confirm our previous estimates of Joseon-period parasite infection rates. The overall rates of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and C. sinensis decreased dramatically from Joseon to the modern period. In Goryeong mummy specimen, we also found Metagonimus spp. eggs that has rarely been detected in archaeological samples so far.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.63-67
• /
• 2006

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) is known to playa key role as a negative feedback regulator in JAK/STAT signaling cascade in innate immunity. Our laboratory has recently been interested in elucidating the interactions between Spodoptera exigua (Se) and SeNPV. This context leads us to clone and characterize SeSOCS that may have important functions in response to SeNPV infection. Using the RT-PCR and TA cloning approach, we found a partial fragment (416 bp) of SeSOCS. Blast search and multiple alignment data showed that it has a homology to various insects such as Anopheles gambiae (78%), Aedes aegypti (75%), Drosophila melanogastar (77%), Mus musculus (69%), and Homo sapiens (69%). Temporal induction patterns of SeSOCS were analysed after being immune-challenged with either NPV or laminarin. It showed that the level of SeSOCS mRNA was strongly induced in a biphasic manner in response to SeNPV and laminarin, respectively. It seems that SOCS, a negative regulator of JAK/STAT signaling system is also present in S. exigua and may playa role in innate immunity albeit its precise role should be further elucidated at the molecular and cellular level in the early phase of SeNPV infection in larvae.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.170-175
• /
• 2018

Background: Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common liver tumor and the main cause of cancer-related death. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib and GNF5 which were developed to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia, regulate the progression of various cancers. The aim of this study was to confirm the anti-tumor activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors through regulation of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), an important oncogenic factor in various cancer cells, in human hepatocarcinoma SK-HEP1 cells. Methods: Cell viability and colony formation assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of imatinib, GNF5 and GNF2 on the growth of SK-HEP1 cells. Using immunoblot analysis, we assessed change of the activation of caspases, PARP, Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and Skp2/p27/p21 pathway by imatinib and GNF5 in SK-HEP1 cells. Using sh-Skp2 HCC cells, the role of Skp2 in the effects of imatinib and GNF5 was evaluated. Results: Imatinib and GNF5 significantly inhibited the growth of SK-HEP1 cells. Treatment of imatinib and GNF5 decreased Skp2 expression and Akt phosphorylation, and increased the expression of p27, p21, and active-caspases in SK-HEP1 cells. In sh-Skp2 HCC cells, cell growth and the expression of Skp2 were inhibited by more than in the mock group treated with imatinib and GNF5. Conclusions: These results suggest that the anti-growth activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be associated with the regulation of p27/p21 and caspases through Skp2 blockage in HCC cells.