• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.825-837
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• 2004

Studies on the health problems of the elderly have been increased with increasing life expectancy of Koreans. To assess the health status of people over 50 years old including the elderly (678 free-living people: men (168), women (510)), anthropometric measurements and biochemical nutritional status were analyzed. General characteristics and the prevalences of specific diseases were also examined. The mean anthropometric values for males and females were heights of 162 cm and 149 cm, respectively; and weights of 59 kg and 52 kg, respectively, which were much lower than the Korean standards established in the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances. The mean BMI, WHR (waist hip ratio), and body fat rate (%), which are obesity indices, were significantly higher in females than in males. As the age went up, height, weight, lean body mass, and mid-arm circumference decreased. Whereas, blood pressure (SBP) for women increased. Mean blood HDL-cholesterol levels of men and women were 46.0 mg/dl and 46.3 mg/dl, respectively; their triglyceride levels were 129.1 mg/d1 and 135.6 mg/dl, respectively, which were not significantly different. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly higher in females than in males. For man there were significantly different in ${\gamma}$-GTP, Na levels by age. As the age went up for women, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, HDL-cholesterol, ${\gamma}$-GTP and $Ca^{2+}$ levels significantly decreased. Levels of total protein and albumin were above the lower normal limit for the majority of the participants. Prevalence of anemia, assessed by hemoglobin using World Health Organization (WHO) definition, was 43.9% for men and 42.1% for women. Also, many of the subjects were out of the normal range in total cholesterol (women), HDL-cholesterol, TAS (total antioxidant status), APase, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit levels. Therefore, measures to improve the biochemical nutritional status for the people in rural area are required.d.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.860-868
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• 2005

Anemia diagnosed early in pregnancy is associated with increased risks of low birth weight and preform delivery. The purposes of this study were to assess the maternal iron status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationships between the iron indices of maternal-umbilical cord serum iron and ferritin levels and pregnancy outcomes. Dietary intakes of the pregnant women were estimated by 24 hour-recall (3 times). Serum iron and ferritin levels in maternal blood and umbilical cord were measured at 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd- trimester and delivery, respectively. The mean of maternal se겨m iron levels of the trimester and delivery were $124.27\;{\mu}g/dl,\;97.03\;{\mu}g/dl,\;94.32\;{\mu}g/dl,\;and\;145.53\;{\mu}g/dl$. Those maternal levels were significantly lower than that of umbilical cord blood ($222.59\;{\mu}g/dl$). Serum ferritin levels of maternal trimester and delivery were 22.68 $22.68\;{\mu}g/l,\;11.09\;{\mu}g/l,\;14.18\;{\mu}g/l,\;and\;\;24.54\;{\mu}g/l$, which were significantly lower than those of umbilical cord blood ($184.35\;{\mu}g/l$) (p < 0.0001). This prevalence of anemia of total subjects was $30.3\%$ by WHO criteria (Hb < 11.0 g/dl, Hct < $33\%$). Iron levels of 2nd-trimester was significantly higher in the normal group than in the anemia group. And ferritin levels of 3rd-trimester and delivery was significantly higher in the normal group than in the anemia group. Therefore, we suggest for successful pregnancy outcome and delivery differential iron supplementation programs will be carried out with individual Pregnant women on the basis of pre-Pregnancy nutrition. (Korean J Community Nutrition 10(6) : $860\∼868$, 2005)

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.129-142
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• 2008

This study examines how economic and psychological characteristics affect the quality of life (QoL) of elderly individuals age 60 and older, who live in the Seoul-metropolitan area. Relationships among socio-demographic status, economic conditions, psychological characteristics, family life, health status, and QoL are examined by t-test and ANOVA(Duncan's test as post hoc multiple comparisons), and the multiple regression analysis is used to estimate QoL determinants in the elderly. The major findings of the study are as follows. First, younger age, higher education levels, better health status, harmonious family relations, higher levels of household income, lower levels of loneliness, and higher self-esteems are related to higher QoL levels. Second, the impacts of factors on QoL are differentiated according to tercile groups that divide monthly allowance of respondents into three categories: below normal (threshold amount below 21MW), near normal (threshold amount between 21MW and 35MW), and above normal (threshold amount above 35MW). For each tercile group, poor health status or higher loneliness have negative effects on QoL, while harmonious family relationship has a positive effect. For the below-normal group, years of education or self-esteem have positive effects, while age or retirement status have negative effects when controlling for other factors. For the near-normal group, being married, or perceived financial insecurity create lower QoL levels, while higher self-esteem increases QoL levels. For the above-normal group, being widowed, employed, or retired have positive effects on QoL, when controlling for other variables. Third, even among elderly with high allowances, the effects of health status and family relationship are significant determinants that explain QoL levels. This result suggests that, for te elderly, poor health status and poor family relationships severely decrease QoL in later life, regardless of economic condition.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2018

Purpose: We investigated fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in preterm infants with and without feeding intolerance (FI), and compared the FC levels according to the type of feeding. Methods: The medical records of 67 premature infants were reviewed retrospectively. The fully enteral-fed infants were classified into two groups; the FI group (29 infants) and the control group (31 infants). Seven infants with necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and perinatal asphyxia were excluded. If breast milk (BM) or preterm formula (PF) could not be tolerated by infants with FI, amino acid-based formula (AAF) was tried temporarily. Once FI improved, AAF was discontinued, and BM or PF was resumed. We investigated the FC levels according to the type of feeding. Results: Significant differences were found in gestational age, birth weight, age when full enteral feeding was achieved, and hospital stay between the FI and control group (p<0.05). The FC levels in the FI group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). The FC levels in the AAF-fed infants with FI were significantly lower than those in the BM- or PF-fed infants (p<0.05). The growth velocities (g/d) and z scores were not significantly different between the FI and control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The FC levels in AAF-fed infants with FI showed significantly lower than those in the BM- or PF-fed infants with FI. The mitigation of gut inflammation through the decrease of FC levels in AAF-fed infants with FI could be presumed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.467-477
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• 2017

Objectives: Oxidative stress and DNA damage have been proposed as mechanisms linking pesticide exposure to health effects such as cancer and neurological diseases. We investigated whether protective measures could significantly reduce the levels of biomarkers for oxidative stress and DNA damage in agricultural workers. Methods: In the present study, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), biomarkers related to oxidative stress and DNA damage, respectively, were analyzed in urine samples collected from agricultural workers in two provinces of Korea (n=60). The influence of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and performing protective behaviors on the levels of these two biomarkers was also evaluated. Results: The median urinary levels of MDA and 8-OHdG were 10.45 nmol/mg creatinine and 14.42 ng/mg creatinine in subjects living in region A, while they were 6.25 nmol/mg creatinine and 24.77 ng/mg creatinine in subjects living in region B, respectively. The levels of MDA and 8-OHdG were higher in male farmers. Farmers wearing greater numbers of PPE and performing more protective behaviors had significantly lower levels of MDA. Greater numbers of protective behaviors was significantly associated with lower levels of 8-OHdG. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that pesticide exposure could induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in agricultural workers, and that protective measures are important for mitigating pesticide exposure.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.368-373
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• 2021

Objective: In this study we aimed to assess anorexigenic peptide levels in patients with or without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and their effects on assisted reproductive treatment (ART) outcomes. Methods: A prospective case-control study was conducted in a tertiary care university-based ART clinic. Eighty-three patients were included in the study. The PCOS group included 41 patients, and the non-PCOS group included 42 controls. The 2003 Rotterdam criteria were used for PCOS patient selection. The ART indications in the non-PCOS group were tubal factor or unexplained infertility. Venous blood samples were taken on the third day of the menstrual cycle to determine the serum anorexigenic peptide levels. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used for laboratory analyses. Results: In the PCOS group, serum obestatin levels were significantly lower than in the control group, but serum anorexigenic peptide levels were similar in PCOS patients with or without clinical pregnancy. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) was diagnosed only in PCOS patients, and the obestatin levels of OHSS patients were significantly lower than those of other PCOS patients. Conclusion: Baseline anorexigenic peptide levels did not affect the clinical pregnancy rate in ART cycles. Obestatin may play a role in the pathophysiology of OHSS. This possibility should be confirmed in further research.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2001

This study investigated the effect of different dietary fats and fibers on colon tumor incidence and cell proliferation, the levels of eicosanoids and polyamines in colonic mucosa of DMH-treated rats. The experiment was conducted on male Sprague Dawley rats using a 2 $\times$3 factorial design with two fats (corn oil and DHA-rich fish oil) and two fibers (cellulose and pectin) and a fiber-free control. The rats were find an experimental diet containing 15% (w/w) dietary fat and 6% (w/w) fiber for 25 weeks. Tumor incidence was Bower in rats fed fish oil as opposed to corn oil. The levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosanoids ($PGE_2, and TXB_2$) in normal colonic mucosa were significantly lower in rats fed fish oil and there was a concomitant increase of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The levels of eicosanoids and AA in tumor tissues were significantly higher than those of normal colonic mucosa. The level of polyamines in normal colonic mucosa was not affected by dietary fats but was significantly lower than that in rumor tissues. Dietary fiber did not have a significant effect on rumor incidence and the levels of AA, eicosanoids and polyamines. Overall, fish oil rich in DHA reduced cell prolifiration and thus inhibited colon carcinogenesis through its effect on the distribution of AA and production of eicosanoids in normal colonic mucosa. However, its effect on colon carcinogenesis revealed a lack of consistency depending on the type of dietary fiber in diet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.543-548
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of rice germ oil supplement on the lipid metabolism of insulin-dependent diabetic mice. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were fed three kinds of experimental diets with 20% lipid, composed of 20% lard (L) : 10% lard and 10% rice germ oil (LRGO) ; and 20% rice germ oil (RBO), respectively, for 7 weeks. Diet intake, body weight, organ weight and lipid levels of serum, liver and feces were measured. There was no significant difference in diet intake, body weight and organ weight among the experimental groups. But the concentrations of serum triglyceride in the LRGO and RGO groups, and of serum total cholesterol in the RGO group, were significantly lower than those of the L group fed the 20% lard diet. The levels of hepatic total lipid of the RGO group, and of hepatic total cholesterol of the LRGO and RGO groups were significantly lower than those of the L group. The contents of total lipid and total cholesterol excreted in the feces of the LRGO and RGO groups were higher than those of the L group. These results suggest that rice germ oil can reduce the levels of total cholesterol concentrations in the serum or livers of insulin-dependent diabetic mice, and that the hypolipidemic effect of rice germ oil may be due to increasing fecal lipid excretion and decreasing lipid absorptivity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.451-455
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• 2008

Body weights and blood biochemical values in chickens infected with reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV)-HI, a Korean isolate, were studied. REV-HI causes severe body weight depression in chickens inoculated but not in chicken contact-infected. Body weights of infected chickens in 3, 4, and 5 weeks after infection were 78%, 76% and 65% of those of control respectively. Blood glucose levels in REVinfected chickens were extremely high compared with those in control (226 $\geq$ 21 vs. 814 $\geq$91.3 mg/dl in week 2) during the experiment period. Triglyceride levels in REV-infected chickens were significantly higher in week 2 and 3, whereas in week 4, REV-infected chickens showed significantly lower levels than the control. Blood lipase, amylase and alkaline phosphatase levels of REV-infected chickens in week 2 were significantly higher, whereas cholesterol, magnesium and calcium values in week 4 were significantly lower than the control. Other blood biochemical values such as alkaline aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and $\gamma$-glutamyltransferase were nonsignificantly different from the control. These above results suggest that weight depression by REV may be related with increase of blood glucose, which indicated that REV-infected chickens could not use blood glucose as energy source.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2011

Magnesium (Mg) plays an essential role in physiological and metabolic reactions. Recently, there has been an increased interest in the role of Mg deficiency, particularly the relationship between serum Mg value and inflammatory response. This study was designed to determine the relationship between serum Mg deficiency with inflammatory response, electrolytes and hematological alteration over long-term periods. Sixteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: control (n=8), and Mg deficiency group (MgD group, n=8). Chow and normal water (tap water) were regularly provided to the control group and Mg-depleted chow and third distilled water were regularly provided for 60 days to the MgD group. Body weights, Serum Mg, $K^+$, inorganic phosphorus (IP) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) levels in the MgD group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Granulocyte fraction and MCV, RDW and PDW levels were higher, whereas lymphocyte fraction, erythrocyte, hemoglobin and MCHC levels were lower in the MgD group than in the control group (P<0.05). MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in the MgD group were greater than those of the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that Mg deficiency over a long-term period had not altered total leukocyte concentration in the blood, but had detrimental effects, including disturbances of electrolytes balance, disturbance of iron indices, potential anemia and elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokine. However, further studies should be performed to determine the relationship between serum Mg deficiency and major organ damage or alteration.