• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.361-366
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• 2004

Defatted methanol extracts of the medicinal plants, Rubus coreanus Miq. (RC) and Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi (AJ) were added at the levels of 0.1, 0.5, or $2\%$ (w/w) to high cholesterol diets and fed to ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley female rats, weighing 212.6 $\pm$ 1.8 g for four weeks. Weight gains were lower in RC and AJ groups than the control group, but there were no changes in uterus weights. Serum levels of triglyceride decreased by 20-$27\%$ in the experimental groups fed $0.1\%$ of each extract (O.1RC and O.1AJ), compared with that of control (Ovx). Serum cholesterol levels were not changed in the RC groups but increased in the group fed $2\%$ of the AJ extract. Liver levels of cholesterol and triglyceride were reduced in both the RC and AJ groups. Microscopic observation revealed that there were no morphological alterations in liver, lung, heart, spleen and kidney tissues of the experimental groups. Plasma levels of albumin, BUN, creatinine, sodium, potassium and phosphate in the IRC and AJ groups were in normal ranges. Serum GOT and GPT activities were, however, higher in the 2.0AJ than Ovx group. These results suggest that the extracts of the Rubus coreanus Miq. and Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi at dietary levels as low as $0.1\%$ may be utilized as hypotriglyceridemic ingredients for functional foods.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1404-1410
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of calcium intake levels on magnesium utilization in young and adult rats fed various levels of calcium(50, 100 or 200% of requirement) for 3 weeks. Feed intake, body weight gain, and feed efficiency ratios of the young group were significantly higher than those of the adult group. In calcium levels of tissues, serum calcium levels in young group were higher than in the adult group and kidney calcium levels in HCa(high-calcium group) were higher than in other groups. There was no significant difference in magnesium intake among age and diet groups. However, magnesium excretions through feces and urine in the adult group were higher than in the young group. Therefore, magnesium retention in the young group was higher than in the adult group. Especially in the young group, fecal magnesium excretion was increased with increasing levels of dietary calcium. Serum magnesium levels were lowest in YHCa(young 8t high-calcium) group, and there was no significant difference in liver and kidney levels among the calcium-diet groups. These results indicate that high calcium consumption promotes of fecal magnesium excretion and decreased magnesium retention rates in growing rats. Therefore, it is suggested that mineral interactions should be considered in the supplementation of dietary calcium intake for growth. (Korean J Nutrition 31(9) 1404-1410, 1998)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.405-414
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• 1998

This study was to evaluate the anthropometry, dietary attitudes and the other factors of 201 children in day-care centers according to their parents' income levels. The evaluation was conducted using anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, skinfold thickness, blood pressure, and questionnaire survey which was completed by the children's mothers. The results are summarized as follows: Overall growth of children was normal according to Korean standard. There were no significant differences in anthropometry according to the income levels. The scores of eating habits of children were different significantly according to income levels. That is, the score was the lowest in the low-income group. Children generally prefer one-dish meal or snacks, while the preference levels of kimchi, seasoned vegetable and beans broiled in soysauce were lower than those cf other foods. In the questions to know mothers' nutrition knowledge, we could see that they didn't know well about protein, breast-feeding, weaning and balance in nutrients. Nutrition knowledge score of mothers was significantly lower in the low income group, which shows close relationship with low-score eating habits of their children. The score of nutrition knowledge was affected by the mother's education level. The higher the mother's nutrition knowledge and education level, the better children's eating habits. These findings emphasize the planning and application of nutrition education programs for mothers especially in the low income group.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.286-294
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA), is acquired by dietary intake or the in vivo conversion of ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid. Many enzymes participating in LCPUFA synthesis are regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha ($PPAR{\alpha}$). Therefore, it was hypothesized that the tissue accretion of endogenously synthesized DHA could be modified by $PPAR{\alpha}$. MATERIALS/METHODS: The tissue DHA concentrations and mRNA levels of genes participating in DHA biosynthesis were compared among $PPAR{\alpha}$ homozygous (KO), heterozygous (HZ), and wild type (WT) mice (Exp I), and between WT mice treated with clofibrate ($PPAR{\alpha}$ agonist) or those not treated (Exp II). In ExpII, the expression levels of the proteins associated with DHA function in the brain cortex and retina were also measured. An n3-PUFA depleted/replenished regimen was applied to mitigate the confounding effects of maternal DHA. RESULTS: $PPAR{\alpha}$ ablation reduced the hepatic Acox, Fads1, and Fads2 mRNA levels, as well as the DHA concentration in the liver, but not in the brain cortex. In contrast, $PPAR{\alpha}$ activation increased hepatic Acox, Fads1, Fads2, and Elovl5 mRNA levels, but reduced the DHA concentrations in the liver, retina, and phospholipid of brain cortex, and decreased mRNA and protein levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in brain cortex. CONCLUSIONS: LCPUFA enzyme expression was altered by $PPAR{\alpha}$. Either $PPAR{\alpha}$ deficiency or activation-decreased tissue DHA concentration is a stimulus for further studies to determine the functional significance.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.403-412
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) status of breastfed infants less than six months old and their mothers, and factors affecting the status. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on breastfed, term, Filipino infants less than six months old who were seen at local health centers and clinics in an urban area. The serum 25(OH)D levels of these infants and their mothers were determined, and their demographic data, nutritional status, sun exposure behavior, and maternal vitamin D intake were analyzed for correlation using regression models. Results: Among the 131 infants, 101 (77%) had vitamin D deficiency (VDD), which was defined as having 25(OH)D levels <37.5 nmol/L, and 13 (10%) had vitamin D insufficiency (VDI), with levels >37.5-50 nmol/L. Conversely, maternal VDD with levels <50 nmol/L was seen in 31 (24%) mothers and maternal VDI with levels 50-75 nmol/L, in 63 (48%) mothers. Infant age and maternal 25(OH)D status were independent predictors of infant VDD. Infants less than three months old were found to have a six-time increased risk of infant VDD (p=0.004). Infants who had mothers with VDD had a six-time increased risk, whereas those with maternal VDI had a four-time increased risk of infant VDD (p=0.049 and p=0.020, respectively). Conclusion: Both infant and maternal VDD and VDI were seen to be highly prevalent in this tropical, urban community. Young infants and maternal VDD/VDI independently increased the risk of infant VDD, whereas lack of sun exposure of the mothers increased the risk for maternal VDI.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.393-400
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• 2001

We examined the relationship between plasma folate and total homocysteine(Hcy) levels and the distribution of plasma folate and Hcy levels from 204 Korean adults(113 men and 91 women aged between 20yr and 69yr). Plasma folate levels were significantly lower in men(12.2nmol/L) than in women(14.6nmol/L) after controlling for smoking and drinking(p<0.05). Plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in men(13.9$\mu$mol/L) than in women(11.8$\mu$mol/L) after controlling and drinking. Plasma Hcy levels were more more strongly correlated with plasma folate in women(${\gamma}$=-0.321, p<0.05) than in men(${\gamma}$=-0.202, p<0.05), but the difference between men and women was no longer statistically significant controlling for plasma folate concentration. Prevalence of mild homocysteinemia(plama Hcy>15$\mu$mol/L) was greatest among subjects with lowest folate status. These results indicate a strong association between plasma Hcy concentration and folate status and the poor folate status is the strong causative factor of mild homocysteinemia. (Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 393~400, 2001)

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.142-145
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• 2007

The levels of citrinin and monacolin K in ten commercial Korean Monascus fermentation products were determined. The products contained citrinin at levels ranging from 0.64 to $112.27\;{\mu}/kg$, with only 2 exceeding the limit of $50\;{\mu}g/kg$ set by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The levels of monacolin K ranged from 0.87 to 1,030 mg/kg, however 6 products contained monacolin K at levels lower than 500 mg/kg, the level required by KFDA to be claimed as a functional food. Therefore, many commercial Korean Monascus fermentation products should be considered safe, however many need to be improved before being considered as functional dietary supplements.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.273-280
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• 1984

The blood components of diabetic patients who visited S- hospital in seoul from January 1982 to June 1983 were compared with the reference levels. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of diabetic patients were significantly lower than the reference. The diabetic patients showed 2-3 times higher levels of fasting blood glucose and postprandial -2 hours blood sugar. Levels of blood urine nitrogen and creatine were also significantly higher in the diabetes mellitus and the levels of potassium sodium and chlorine showed no differences although these were decreased gradually in older patients. Lower serum calcium levels were seen in the diabetic patients and this change was more significant at the ages higher than 40. The effect of an active vitamin D on serum-Ca level in diabetic patients was studied in comparison to that of non- diabetic persons. The serum calcium levels were slightly increased in control and insulin- dependent diabetic patients after a week- intake of 1,000mg calcium a day, while the intake of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol ( 1,000 IU per day ) did not increase the serum calcium levels of these groups. Insulin - independent diabetic patients showed the rather lower serum calcium levels after a week- intake of 1,000mg calcium per day. However, the levels were increased after 2-weeks intake of the calcium and a week-in-take of the active vitamin D(1,000 IU/day ). This effect of vitamin D was seen in the groups with lower intake of calcium(500mg/day ) but not in the groups with 1,000mg calcium intake a day.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.258-267
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• 1982

This study was performed to investigate the effect of different levels of protein and iron in the diet upon Fe, Cu and Zn metabolism in rat during four weeks of growing period. Forty-five male weanling rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing $68.5{\pm}1.1g$ were divided into 9 groups and each group was given with one of the 9 different kinds of diets for four weeks. The three dietary protein levels used were 5, 20 and 40% and Fe levels 0, 35, and 350 ppms. The results obtained were summarized as following ; 1) Food intake and body weight gain in 20%(SP) and 40%(HP) dietary protein groups tended to be significantly higher than 5%(LP) protein groups. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) was higher in LP groups than in HP and SP groups. With dietary Fe levels, there were no significant differences among groups in food intake, body weight gain, and PER. 2) In LP groups, the Fe concentrations in liver, kidney, and hind limb muscle were higher than in SP and HP groups. Regarding with dietary protein levels, the liver Cu concentrations in LP groups were slightly higher, but the liver Zn concentrations were lower in LP groups. The Fe concentrations in liver and kidney tended to decrease with decrease in dietary Fe levels, but Cu and Zn concentrations showed no consistent tendency with dietary Fe levels. 3) The Fe, Cu and Zn concentrations in serum were not different from dietary treatments except that the serum Fe concentrations increased slightly in LP groups. 4) The Fe and Cu concentrations in urine tended to be higher in HP groups. Fecal Cu and Zn concentrations showed no significant differences in dietary protein or Fe levels, but the Fe concentrations tended to increase with increase in dietary Fe levels.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.330-340
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• 2001

This study is to select food offered with higher frequency at restaurants such as hamburger, pizza, chicken, gimbap(boiled rice rolled in laver with seasonings stuffed), and calgooksu(Korean traditional noodles); identify customers' expectation and satisfaction levels on food and service quality and analyze correlation according to each food. The survey was conducted from March 1 to March 24, 2000, by distributing questionnaires. Statistical data analysis was completed using SPSS for t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis. The results of this study were as follows: 1) It is revealed that overall average satisfaction levels on food quality according to individuals' trait came out significantly low compared to their expectation levels, and that balance in nutrition and reasonable prices had problems in relation to food quality. 2) Customers' expectation levels on food quality came out the highest with calgooksu and gimbap, and their satisfaction levels came out the highest with pizza. 3) Customers' overall average expectation levels on service quality showed a very high point, while their satisfaction levels showed a low point with significance. 4) Hamburger was poor in hygiene; pizza showed the highest satisfaction levels over its quality with significance, and calgooksu and gimbap showed very low satisfaction levels over their service quality. 5) Correlation between customers' expectation and satisfaction levels over the nutritional balance and proper taste of the food quality came out significant. 6) Pizza and chicken showed significant correlation with regard to atmosphere, service, and hygiene variables (p<0.01).