• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.5-20
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• 1985

The purpose of this study was to assess the value-of post-operative treatment in terms of nursing care in the allevation of pain. More specifically, the effects of supportive touch and patient education were examined. On the date before each patient's operation, the Bevels of anxiety, depression and affiliation were examined. The post-operative treatment was adminis. tered after an initial measurement of the patient's fain, according to the experimental category for the three days following the operation. On the final day, the level of anxiety and depression were again measured. The subjects of this study were 138 patient from the general surgical and gynecological wards in H university Hospital in Seoul. The study was conducted over a three-month period from June 24, 1984 to September 18, 1984. All patients had undergone laparatomies. Various standard instruments were used to measure the pain, anxiety, depression and affiliation levels. for pain, 5 grate Simple Descriptive Scale, and the Mclachlan four-range Observational Pain Scale were employed. For anxiety and depression, respectively the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory (B.D.I.) were used. Lastly, the affiliation was determined by the Mehrabian Affiliation Scale. The outcome of the research was as follows: 1. The first hypothesis concerning the existence of lower pain levels of Experimental Group A and Experimental Group B than the pain levels of Control Croup C was not supported. 2. The second hypothesis concerning the existence if lower anxiety levels of Experimental Group A and Experimental Group B than the anxiety levels of Control Group C was supported at the level of F=3.58 (p=.03). 3. The third hypothesis concerning the existence of lower depression levels of Experimental Group A and Experimental Group B than the depression levels of Control Group C was not supported. 4. The fourth hypothesis concerning the existence of different levels of pain in accordance with the levels of affiliation in Experimental Group A was not supported. 5. A positive correlation did exist between pain and anxiety after surgery (r=.34, p=.0001). Thus, the fifth hypothesis was supported. 6. A positive correlation did exist between pain and depression following surgery(r=.36, p=.0001). Thus, the sixth hypothesis was supported. Based on the above results, it was found that supportive touch and patient education either through human sources or via tape recorder do influence the anxiety of a patient after surgery, that a Positive correlation between pain, anxiety and deparession exist, that affiliation does not alter the influence of supportive touch, and that the graph on which pain levels were depicted indicates the possibility of development even if the effects of supportive touch did not reach a meaningful level. Thus it can be concluded that patient education, regardless of its form, is essential for the patient after surgery and that supportive touch, when reasonably modified and supplemented, can be an effective method of alleviating pain.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 1992

Serum level of ${\beta}$ subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (${\beta}-hCG$) was studied to evaluate its predictability of pregnancy outcome in 98 in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET) patients using gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) agonist. Serial serum ${\beta}-hCG$ levels were established for 42 singleton pregnancies, 20 normal multiple pregnancies, 18 preclinical abortions, 14 clinical abortions and 4 ectopic pregnancies. In comparison to normal singleton pregnancies, multiple pregnancies showed significantly higher ${\beta}-hCG$ levels on the post-ET day 10 to 13 and day 24 to 25. Clinical abortions did not show significantly lower ${\beta}-hCG$ levels in early pregnancy except the post-ET day 16-17, but showed significantly lower ${\beta}-hCG$ levels from the post-ET day 22, compared with singleton pregnancies. Preclinical abortions showed significantly lower ${\beta}-hCG$ levels than those of singleton pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies showed lower ${\beta}-hCG$ levels than those of singleton pregnancies without statistical significance. In conclusion, determination of serum ${\beta}-hCG$ level in early pregnancy is a useful tool for the prediction of preclinical abortions and multiple pregnancies and serial measurement of serum ${\beta}-hCG$ levels will be helpful in predicting clinical abortion.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2016

Adipose tissue is one of the major endocrine gland. More recently, local production of steroids in adipocytes differentiated from mouse 3T3-L1 cell-line was reported. We hypothesized that rat adipocytes have steroidogenic machinery and the expression patterns of the components might be differentially regulated, depending on the distribution and sex. To verify this hypothesis, we collected the adipose tissues depot-and sex-specifically at postnatal day (PND) 30, and performed quantitative RT-PCRs. In overall aspects, the abundances of the transcripts were lower in the brown adipose of both sexes. $3{\beta}-HSD$ transcript levels in female abdominal and reproductive adipose, CYP17 transcript levels in female reproductive adipose, $17{\beta}-HSD$ transcript levels in female abdominal and reproductive adipose, and CYP19 transcript levels in female abdominal adipose were significantly lower than those of male counterparts. Similar to steroidogenic factors, the abundance of the $ER-{\alpha}$ transcripts were generally lower in the brown adipose of both sexes. $ER-{\beta}$ transcripts were more abundant in male white adipose depots than their female counterparts. The levels of LHR transcripts in female reproductive adipose were significantly higher than those of male counterpart. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the expressions of steroidogenesis-related genes were depot- and sex-specifically occurred in the immature male and female rat adipose tissues. Our study suggested that the adipose tissues are not only targets but de novo synthesizing sites of sex steroid(s), though the synthesizing activities could be much less than in gonads. Further researches in this field will be helpful for understanding the adipose physiology and for medical application such as sex-specific steroid supplement therapies for older populations.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.181-200
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• 2007

Objevtives & Methods : Effects of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at BL18 and LI11 on lipid composition, cytokine level, liver function, anti-oxidative capacity and histological characters were investigated in diet-induced obese rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 400g were divided into 4 groups of control, BL18, LI11 and BL18 plus LI11 pharmacopuncture groups and raised for 4 weeks. Results : 1. Plasma ${\beta}$-lipoprotein, free fatty acids level and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels significantly decreased in the pharmacopuncture groups compared to those of no treatment group. Plasma and liver total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels were also significantly lower than those of no treatment group. There was, however, no difference in TBARS level among pharmacopuncture groups. Liver total cholesterol level of BL18 pharmacopuncture group was lower than those of the other two pharmacopuncture groups. In LDL-cholesterol level, BL18 pharmacopuncture and BL18 plus LI11 pharmacopuncture groups only had significantly lower levels than that of no treatment group. 2. There was no significant difference between cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture groups and no treatment group in IL-6, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartic acid transaminase (AST) levels. 3. Compared with \ those of no treatment group, pharmacopuncture groups had significantly higher levels of HDL-cholesterol, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase activities. There was, however, no significant difference among pharmacopuncture groups. 4. Histological characters of heart, kidney and liver of BL18 pharmacopuncture group were similar to those of normal rats. Conclusions : These results indicate that cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at BL18 and LI11 may suppress adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation and activate antioxidant system.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 1995

A few researchers have reported that major depression may be associated with higher levels of positive acute phase proteins(APPs), such as haptoglobin(Hp), ${\alpha}1$-antitrypsin(${\alpha}1AT$), ceruloplasmin(Cp) and lower levels of negative APPs(visceral proteins), such as albumin(Alb) and transferrin(Tf). Elevated levels of positive APPs and a drop in negative APPs constitute important indicators of immune activation. This study was designed to investigate whether altered serum concentrations of positive APPs and of negative APPs reflect the state of depression. Twenty patients who fulfilled DSM-III-R criteria for major depressive disorder and for dysthymic disorder and twelve normal healthy controls were included. The authors measured positive APPs(Hp, ${\alpha}1AT$, Cp) and negative APPs(Alb, Tf) using rate nephelometry and bromcresol green method. 1) There were significant increases of ${\alpha}1AT$, Cp in major depressed patients as compared with normal controls. Trends towards higher Hp and lower Alb, Tf in major depressed patients were observed. 2) No significant difference of APPs concentrations between dysthymic patients and normal controls was found. 3) Severity of depression(HDRS, BDI score) was related to Hp, Cp, ${\alpha}1AT$ value positively. Our findings are partially compatible with the hypothesis that major depression may be accompanied by acute phase response with higher levels of positive APPs and lower levels of negative APPs.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.246-251
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide quantitative data regarding development of the chest wall in children with cerebral palsy (CP) according to Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels and age using the radiological image diameter measurement method. Methods: Subjects included 112 children with CP and 110 healthy children, All of the children underwent simple chest x-ray. The diameters of the upper chest ($D_{apex}$) and lower chest ($D_{base}$) were measured on the anteroposterior (AP) view of a chest x-ray, and the $D_{apex}$ to $D_{base}$ ratio was calculated. Chest wall ratios were compared among children with CP at GMFCS levels I ~ III, GMFCS levels IV and V, and healthy children. Results: The results showed significant differences between the upper and lower chest wall diameters of children with CP at GMFCS levels IV and V, and healthy children (F=4.54, p=0.01; F=3.20, p=0.04). Results of comparison between the chest wall ratios of children with CP and healthy children, showed that the upper chest walls of healthy children were significantly larger in children younger than 48 months (p<0.05), and both the upper and lower chest walls of healthy children were significantly larger compared to children with CP in children older than 48 months (p<0.05). Conclusion: Radiographic measurement for examination of chest wall development is relatively simple, and the results yield quantitative data on development of the chest wall for children with CP. In addition, therapeutic interventions may be considered based on the results.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.843-849
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the effect of n-3 fatty acids and dietary protein levels on renal function. Fifteen-month old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 diet groups. Two-month old rats were used as a control group. The experimental diets contained either a% or 25% casein and lipid levels of the diets were 20% by weight. For the control group, the lipid was composed of beef tallow and corn oil on a 1:1 basis, and fish oil was comprised 75% of the fat mixture for the fish oil group. Rats were fed the diets ad libitum for 8 weeks. GFR and urinary protein excretion were higher in high protein groups, while fish oil exhibited no effects. Renal medulla TXB$_2$and PGE$_2$ concentrations tended to be higher in high protein groups and lower in fish oil groups. Light microscopic examinations showed that glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, tubular cast, interstitial inflammation and interstitial fibrosis fended to be higher in aged rats and in high protein groups and lower in fish oil groups. Serum levels of total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol were higher in aged rats and lower in fish oil groups while serum HDL-cholesterol level was higher in young rats and in fish oil groups. However, dietary protein level had no effect on serum lipid levels. Serum TBARS concentration was higher in aged rats and in fish oil groups. In conclusion, fish oil caused changes in serum lipid concentrations and eicosanoids metabolism. The effect of fish oil on renal function was less obvious than dietary protein. However, fish oil seemed to be effective in lessening deterioration of renal function due to aging and/or high protein diets through changes in lipid and eicosanoids metabolism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.211-216
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• 2014

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, unfolded protein response (UPR), and mitochondrial biogenesis were assessed following varying intensities of exercise training. The animals were randomly assigned to receive either low- (LIT, n=7) or high intensity training (HIT, n=7), or were assigned to a control group (n=7). Over 5 weeks, the animals in the LIT were exercised on a treadmill with a $10^{\circ}$ incline for 60 min at a speed of 20 m/min group, and in the HIT group at a speed of 34 m/min for 5 days a week. No statistically significant differences were found in the body weight, plasma triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels across the three groups, but fasting glucose and insulin levels were significantly lower in the exercise-trained groups. Additionally, no statistically significant differences were observed in the levels of PERK phosphorylation in skeletal muscles between the three groups. However, compared to the control and LIT groups, the level of BiP was lower in the HIT group. Compared to the control group, the levels of ATF4 in skeletal muscles and CHOP were significantly lower in the HIT group. The HIT group also showed increased PGC-$1{\alpha}$ mRNA expression in comparison with the control group. Furthermore, both of the trained groups showed higher levels of mitochondrial UCP3 than the control group. In summary, we found that a 5-week high-intensity exercise training routine resulted in increased mitochondrial biogenesis and decreased ER stress and apoptotic signaling in the skeletal muscle tissue of rats.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.162-168
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• 2012

Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for metabolic syndromes. We examined whether vitamin D deficiency altered the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older Koreans. Cross-sectional analysis of data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV 2008-2009 was used to examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and the prevalence of CVD in a representative population-based sample of 5,559 men and women aged ${\geq}50$ years. CVD was defined as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The prevalence of CVD (7.0%) in the older Korean population was lower than that in the older US population, although average serum 25(OH)D levels were much lower in the Korean population. Additionally, serum 25(OH)D levels did not differ significantly between the CVD and non-CVD groups. However, subjects in the lowest category (< 25 nmol/l) of serum 25(OH)D level had the greatest prevalence of CVD, about two-fold higher than subjects in the highest category (> 75 nmol/l), after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, education level, residence location, and region. The prevalence of other risk factors for CVD, including higher waist circumference, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, was also higher among subjects in the lowest category than among those in the highest category. In conclusion, low serum 25(OH)D may be an independent risk factor for CVD in older Koreans.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.188-194
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• 2017

Objectives: Environmental pollution is a significant global issue. Both objective (scientifically measured) environmental pollution and perceived levels of pollution are important predictors of self-reported health. The purpose of this study was to compare the associations between perceived environmental pollution and health in China, Japan, and South Korea. Methods: Data were obtained from the East Asian Social Survey and the Cross-National Survey Data Sets: Health and Society in East Asia, 2010 (n=7938; China, n=3866; Japan, n=2496; South Korea, n=1576). Results: South Koreans perceived environmental pollution to be the most severe, while Japanese participants perceived environmental pollution to be the least severe. Although the Japanese did not perceive environmental pollution to be very severe, their self-rated physical health was significantly related to perceived environmental pollution, while the analogous relationships were not significant for the Chinese or Korean participants. Better mental health was related to lower levels of perceived air pollution in China, as well as lower levels of perceived all types of pollution in Japan and lower levels of perceived noise pollution in South Korea. Conclusions: Physical and mental health and individual socio-demographic characteristics were associated with levels of perceived environmental pollution, but with different patterns among these three countries.