• Psychiatry investigation
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1130-1134
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• 2018

Objective Trichotillomania is a relatively common illness whose neurobiology is poorly understood. One treatment for adult trichotillomania, n-acetyl cysteine (NAC), has antioxidative properties, as well as effects on central glutamatergic transmission. Preclinical models suggest that excessive oxidative stress may be involved in its pathophysiology. Methods Adults with trichotillomania provided a blood sample for analysis of compounds that may be influenced by oxidative stress [glutathione, angiotensin II, ferritin, iron, glucose, insulin and insulin growth factor 1 (IGF1), and hepcidin]. Participants were examined on symptom severity, disability, and impulsivity. The number of participants with out-of-reference range oxidative stress measures were compared against the null distribution. Correlations between oxidative stress markers and clinical measures were examined. Results Of 14 participants (mean age 31.2 years; 92.9% female), 35.7% (n=5) had total glutathione levels below the reference range (p=0.041). Other oxidative stress measures did not have significant proportions outside the reference ranges. Lower levels of glutathione correlated significantly with higher motor impulsiveness (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale sub-score) (r=0.97, p=0.001). Conclusion A third of patients with trichotillomania had low levels of glutathione, and lower levels of glutathione correlated significantly with higher motor impulsiveness. Because NAC is a precursor for cysteine, and cysteine is a rate limiting step for glutathione production, these results may shed light on the mechanisms through which NAC can have beneficial effects for impulsive symptoms. Confirmation of these results requires a suitable larger follow-up study, including an internal normative control group.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2021

Purpose: This descriptive study aimed to explore nursing workplace spirituality, end-of-life care stress, and resilience as factors influencing compassion fatigue among nurses working in hospice and palliative care units. Methods: Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire completed by 146 nurses at 14 hospice and palliative care institutions across South Korea who had worked in a hospice and palliative care institution for at least 6 months and had experience providing end-of-life care. Data were collected from February 25, 2019 to April 12, 2019, and analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 18.0. As appropriate, descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, the Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression were used. Results: The survey results showed that factors influencing compassion fatigue were resilience, subjective health status, current satisfaction with the hospice ward, and end-of-life care stress. Higher levels of resilience, a subjective health status of "healthy", high levels of current satisfaction with the hospice ward, and lower levels of end-of-life care stress were associated with lower levels of compassion fatigue, explaining 42.9% of the total variance. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that resilience is an important factor mitigating compassion fatigue among nurses at hospice and palliative care institutions. Therefore, intervention programs should be developed to reduce compassion fatigue.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.258-269
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• 2023

This study was conducted to identify the nutrition literacy levels of Korean adults and the associated influencing factors. A total of 770 adults aged 19-64 years participated in online surveys and individual interviews conducted according to age groups from May to October 2021. The results of the evaluation of the nutrition literacy levels showed that the average correct answer rate among the participants was 78.7%. Nutrition literacy levels were found to be high in females, lower age groups, metropolis residents, those with high monthly incomes, and those with a bachelor's degree or higher. Multiple regression analysis showed that males, higher age groups, and rural area residents had a negative correlation with nutrition literacy compared with that of females, lower age groups, and metropolis residents. A more positive correlation was observed in those with higher monthly incomes and educational degrees. In the future, experts should monitor whether the nutritional information transmitted through various forms of media is correct or incorrect, and specific measures should be taken to enhance nutrition literacy to promote the health and nutrition management of Korean adults.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.445-451
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• 2023

Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) hold high nutritional and medicinal value as they contain an abundance of health-promoting compounds. However, the effect of long-term postharvest storage on the variation in the levels of health-promoting compounds has not been extensively studied. In this study, we investigated the changes in the levels of phenolic compounds, antioxidants, eritadenine, and ergothioneine in shiitake mushrooms stored at three different temperatures (1, 3, and 5 ℃) for 4 weeks. Compared to mushrooms stored at lower temperatures, those stored at 5 ℃ exhibited a higher level of total phenolics in their pileus after 2 weeks of storage; however, storage at 5 ℃ also increased the deterioration of the fruiting body of these mushrooms. In mushrooms stored at all temperatures, the eritadenine content in the pilei tended to increase up to 2 weeks of storage. In contrast, the ergothioneine content in the pileus decreased during storage, with a significantly lower level detected in mushrooms stored at 5 ℃ for 4 weeks. Together, these results suggest that the mechanisms underlying the accumulation of phenolics and eritadenine may be related to mushroom deterioration during storage. Our findings indicate that the levels of health-promoting compounds in shiitake mushrooms are influenced by storage temperature, suggesting the potential to control adjustments of specific bioactive compounds by regulating storage conditions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.743-757
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• 1993

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of dietary Fe and Cu levels on Pb accumulation of Pb poisoned rats. 80 male Sprague weaning Dawley rate weighing 80-90g were divided into 8 groups(Pb groups: LFLCPb-low Fe, low Cu and Pb group, LFACPB-low Fe, adequate Cu and Pb group, AFLCPb-adequate Fe, low Cu and Pb group, AFACPb-adequate Fe, adequate Cu and Pb group, without Pb gorups: LFLC-low Fe, low Cu and without Pb grooup, LFAC-low Fe, adequate Cu and without Pb group, AFLC-adequate Fe, low Cu and without Pb group, AFAC-adequate Fe, adequate Cu and without Pb group) according to Pb administration (0, 500ppm in drinking water) and Fe and Cu levels(Fe :6ppm, 40ppm, Cu : 0.5ppm, 0.8ppm) for 12 weeks. The food intake, body weight, gain, and FER of Pb groups were significantly lower than those of without Pb groups(p<0.01, p<0.001, p<0.001). The weights of liver in Pb groups were significantly lower than that of adequate Fe and Cu group in without Pb group(AFAC) (p<0.001). The Cu contents of liver in Pb groups were significantly lower than that of AFAC (p<0.01). The liver Pb accumulation of LFLCPb was significantly higher than those of LFACPb, AFLCPb, AFACPb(p<0.05). The serum Pb content of LFLCPb was significantly higher than those of LFACPb, AFLCPb, AFACPb(p<0.05). The levels of Hb, and Hct, of 12 weeks in Pb poisoned rats were lower than those of 8 weeks, in other words, long term Pb poisoned rats were affected more serious on hematoopoiesis. The fecal excretions of Fe and Cu in Pb groups were significantly higher than those of without Pb groups(p<0.001, p<0.001). The urinary Fe and Cu excretions were significantly higher than those of AFAC(p<0.001, p<0.001). There were significant differences between Pb groups and without Pb groups according to dietary Fe and Cu levels. So, dietary levels of adequate Fe and Cu were effective to reduce Pb accumulation in rats. It were showed that the decrease of food intake, FER, body weight gain, serum level of Fe and Cu in Pb groups than those of without Pb groups. And the increase of liver Pb accumulation, serum Pb levels, fecal and urinary Fe and Cu excretions were showed in Pb groups than those of without Pb groups by long term lead poisoning. Otherwise, adequate Fe and Cu administrations in Pb groups have preventive effects on the Pb poisoned rats.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2447-2451
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• 2015

Background: Human papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is often associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT); their coexistence improves PTC prognosis. Osteopontin, a secreted glycoprotein, plays a role in cell survival, immunity, and tumor progression, its expression being associated with a poor prognosis and metastasis in several malignancies. Osteopontin overexpression correlates with aggressive clinicopathological features in PTC. Lymph node metastases and large tumor size positively correlate with osteopontin positivity. This study aimed to: (1) confirm osteopontin overexpression in human PTC samples; (2) compare osteopontin expression levels in PTC cases with and without HT; and (3) identify correlations between tumor aggressiveness and osteopontin expression levels. Materials and Methods: Plasma osteopontin was assessed in 45 patients with PTC, 22 patients with PTC and HT, and 24 healthy controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thyroid tissue osteopontin mRNA and protein levels were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Results: Plasma osteopontin levels were significantly higher in PTC patients than in healthy controls. Plasma osteopontin, tissue osteopontin mRNA, and tissue osteopontin protein levels were significantly lower in patients with PTC and HT than in those with PTC alone. In advanced disease stage cases, osteopontin mRNA and protein expression levels were lower in patients with PTC and HT than in those with PTC alone. However, the osteopontin expression level was not significantly associated with the TNM stage. Conclusions: Plasma osteopontin, tissue osteopontin mRNA, and tissue osteopontin protein levels were significantly lower in patients with PTC and HT than in those with PTC alone, suggesting that HT attenuates PTC aggressiveness through negative regulation of osteopontin expression.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 1994

Backsulgies containing various levels of guar gum(0g, 2.5g or 5g) were ingested by ten healthy male subjects after 12-h fast. Guar backsulgies was given a time in a week a time in a week for 3 weeks with 75g glucose. The Sensory qualities of backsulgies containing guar gum powder of different levels(0g, 2.5, 5g) were also evaluated using a hedonic scoring technique. On each test day 4ml samples of venous blood were taken from the fasted subjects. Further 4ml post-prandial blood samples were taken from the subjects 30, 60, 90 and 120min after guar backsulgies had commenced. Result were as follows: Plasma glucose and insulin levels were not sifnificantly reduced according to guar gum levels in backsulgies. But plasma glucose and insulin levels of the case which ingested 5g guar backsulgies tended to be lower than those of the case which ingested 0g or 2.5g guar backsulgies. Therefore it is recommended that 5g guar backsulgies is most effective snack of diabetics. KEY WORDS: guar backsulgies plasma glucose, plasma insulin, snack.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.35-48
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• 2004

In this study, by determining lower limb movements which cause significant changes in body surface lines, body parts with the greatest maximum expansion and contraction rate respectively were illustrated in descending order. Using unmarried female university students aged 18 - 24 as subjects, a total of 32 body surface categories (15 body surface lines and 17 body surface segment lines) were measured in one static and 9 movement poses. In particular, expansion and contraction levels and rates were measured and used in the analysis. The analysis first involved the calculation of the average measurement per body part in body surface line in static pose as well as of the average expansion and contraction levels and rates in 9 lower limb movements. Two-way MANOVA and multiple comparison analysis (Tukey) were conducted on movements and individual somatotypes regarding measurement per body part and expansion and contraction rates. Movements which cause measurements of body surface lines differed significantly in body surface line in static pose versus in movement were then identified. Among average expansion and contraction rates in such movements, maximum average expansion and contraction levels, maximum average expansion and contraction rate, and classes of expansion and contraction rate were determined per body part. The results of this study are as follows. First, 5 lower limb movements; F2, F5, F6, F7, F8, which caused significant changes in body surface lines were determined and illustrated in table 4. Second, the levels, rates, and classes of expansion and contraction rate per body part are illustrated in Tables 5 and 6. Body parts with the greatest maximum expansion rate were, in descending order: upper segment of center back leg line, upper segment of inner leg line, middle segment of center front leg line, posterior crotch length, anterior knee girth, anterior thigh girth, center back leg line, girth at crotch height, anterior midway thigh girth, hip girth, anterior crotch length, knee girth, waist girth, inner leg line, thigh girth, and crotch length. Those with the greatest maximum contraction rate were, in descending order: anterior crotch length, upper segment of center front leg line, lower segment of center back leg line, center front leg line, and posterior thigh girth. The maximum expansion rates and maximum contraction rates, which ranged from 2.05 to $35.95\%$ and from -0.20 to $-30.16\%$ respectively, were classified per body part into 4 ABCD classes. The body part with maximum expansion was the upper segment of the center back leg line at vertical body surface line, expanding by $35.95\%$ or 16.03cm in F5 flexion movement. In contrast, the body part with maximum contraction was the anterior crotch length at vertical body surface line, contracting by $-30.16\%$ or -10.54cm in F5 flexion movement. Both, however, were the body parts to expand or contract the most among all horizontal and vertical body surface lines.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.182-190
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• 2010

We examined the association of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < $10\;{\mu}m$ ($PM_{10}$) with asthma-related hospitalization, stratified by socioeconomic status (SES), among children less than 15 years of age in Seoul, Korea, between 2003 and 2005. In addition, we estimated the reduction in the number of asthma-related hospitalizations that would result from implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline. SES was defined based on data concerning health insurance premium grades, and grouped into two levels: lower-income group and control group. The lower-income group was classified as having an accumulated income which did not exceed the 50th percentile of the median income. Time-series analysis was performed to evaluate the association between $PM_{10}$ and asthma-related hospitalization. The Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program was used to analyze the impact on children's health. Based upon an increase of $10\;{\mu}g/m^3$ of $PM_{10}$, the asthma-related hospitalization risk for the lower-income group was increased by 1.78% (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.79-2.78%), while the risk for the control group was increased by 0.83% (95% CI = 0.34-1.32%). Attaining the WHO guideline, relative to the concentration in 2007, would result in a reduction in asthma-related hospitalizations of 18 cases per 100,000 of the children population in the lower-income group, and 7 cases in the control group. The health benefits of improved air quality for children in the lower-income group were thus 2.5 times greater than for children in the control group. Our results show that the lower-income group is disproportionately burdened with asthma-related hospitalization arising from air pollution. Therefore, biologically- and socioeconomically-disadvantaged populations should be considered in public health interventions in order to protect the children's health.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.492-501
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the physiochemical characteristics of Cheongju prepared using different types of rice (rice and glutinous rice) according to addition rate of Nuruk during low temperature fermentation. The characteristics of Cheongju prepared using three different temperatures ($10^{\circ}C$, $18^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$) were compared. After fermentation for 30-50 days, the pH of mash prepared at lower temperature was lower, as was that of mash made from rice relative to that prepared using glutinous rice. The total acidity was formed at lower temperature and generated in mashing prepared by glutinous rice. The organic acid content of mash made from rice at $18^{\circ}C$ was lowest, while that of mash prepared from glutinous rice was lowest at $10^{\circ}C$. The fermentation speed was lowest at $10^{\circ}C$; however, low temperature fermentation resulted in the highest alcohol content. The mash prepared from glutinous rice showed faster fermentation than that made from rice. In addition, the pH was lower when lower levels of Nuruk were added and higher in mash made from glutinous rice than that prepared from rice. The lower addition rate of Nuruk also showed a lower sugar content and final alcohol content. The levels of citric acid and lactic acid were higher, while those of succinic acid, acetic acid, and ethyl acetate were lower when lower levels of Nuruk were added. The mash prepared from glutinous rice showed a higher alcohol content than that made from rice.