• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.142-153
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine environmental chemical exposure related to residential and personal lifestyle characteristics in the adult Korean population. The observations of this study can provide information useful for developing reduction approaches for exposure to chemicals among the general adult population. Methods: The second stage of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNHES) was conducted from 2012 to 2014, with 6,478 persons participating. Using the results of the survey, the relationship between exposure levels of heavy metals and organic chemicals and exposure factors, e.g. residential and personal lifestyle characteristics, were analyzed. Results: The exposure levels of VOCs and PAHs were significantly lower in participants living at a distance of more than 100 m from roads versus living closer to roads. Home ventilation lowered VOC and PAH exposure but did not lower chemical exposure from household products. Use of public transportation showed lower exposure to heavy metals, VOCs, and PAHs. Current smoker was significantly higher for levels of heavy metals, VOCs, and PAHs, and the exposure trend was similar for current drinkers. Physical activity was related with higher exposure to phthalates and environmental phenols. Conclusion: Our observations based on a nationally representative population for Korea show that exposure to chemicals varies by residential and personal lifestyle, and this should be considered for developing appropriate mitigation measures and policies. Given the health concerns surrounding environmental chemicals, it is necessary to develop comprehensive measures to reduce chemical exposure.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.34.1-34.13
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• 2022

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between lead exposure and serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT) levels as an oxidative stress marker in male steelworkers. Methods: Data were collected during the annual health examination of workers in 2020. A total of 1,654 steelworkers were selected, and the variables for adjustment included the workers' general characteristics, lifestyle, and occupational characteristics. The association between the blood lead level (BLL) and serum γGT level was investigated by multiple linear and logistic regression analyses. The BLL and serum γGT values that were transformed into natural logarithms were used in multiple linear regression analysis, and the tertile of BLL was used in logistic regression analysis. Results: The geometric mean of the participants' BLLs and serum γGT level was 1.36 ㎍/dL and 27.72 IU/L, respectively. Their BLLs differed depending on age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, drinking status, shift work, and working period, while their serum γGT levels differed depending on age, BMI, smoking status, drinking status, physical activity, and working period. In multiple linear regression analysis, the difference in models 1, 2, and 3 was significant, obtaining 0.326, 0.176, and 0.172 (all: p < 0.001), respectively. In the multiple linear regression analysis stratified according to drinking status, BMI, and age, BLLs were positively associated with serum γGT levels. Regarding the logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of the third BLL tertile in models 1, 2, and 3 (for having an elevated serum γGT level within the first tertile reference) was 2.74, 1.83, and 1.81, respectively. Conclusions: BLL was positively associated with serum γGT levels in male steelworkers even at low lead concentrations (< 5 ㎍/dL).

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2005

Cordyceps, an entomopathogenic fungus, contains many health-promoting ingredients. Recent reports indicate that the consumption of cordyceps helps reduce blood-sugar content in diabetics. However, the mechanism underlying this reduction in circulatory sugar content is not fully understood. Methanolic extracts were prepared from the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces tenuipes, and 4-beta acetoxyscirpendiol (4-ASD) was eventually isolated and purified. $Na^+$/Glucose transporter-1 (SGLT-1) was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and the effect of 4-ASD on SGLT-1 was analyzed utilizing a voltage clamp and by performing 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) uptake studies. 4-ASD was shown to significantly inhibit SGLT-1 activity compared to the non-treated control in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of the derivatives of 4-ASD (diacetoxyscirpenol or 15-acetoxyscirpendiol), SGLT-1 activity was greatly inhibited in an 4-ASD-like manner. Of these derivatives, 15-acetoxyscirepenol inhibited SGLT-1 as well as 4-ASD, whereas diacetoxyscirpenol was slightly less effective. Taken together, these results strongly indicate that 4-ASD in P. tenuipes may lower blood sugar levels in the circulatory system. We conclude that 4-ASD and its derivatives are effective SGLT-1 inhibitors.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.75-82
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• 2018

Purpose : The present study tested the hypothesis that acupressure at Zusanli(ST36) would attenuate immobilization-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Methods : The left hind limb was immobilized using casting tape (ST36 group, n=10), and the animals were then treated daily with a pressure needle at ST36. Ten untreated animals with hind limb immobilization and no treatment served as a control group (n=10). After 2 weeks of immobilization, The body weight changes of rats were evaluated and the morphologies of the right and left gastrocnemius muscles in both the ST36 and control groups were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) of gastrocnemius muscles were observed. Results : The acupressure at the accupoint of Zusanli conferred significant protection against reductions in left gastrocnemius muscle weights and average cross-sectional muscle areas in the ST36 group as compared with those in the control group. Moreover, the acupressure at the ST36 point significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in the gastrocnemius muscles as compared with that in the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupressure at the accupoint of Zusanli provides protection against immobilization-induced muscle atrophy by decreasing MDA activity in gastrocnemius muscles.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2010

Objectives: We investigated the clustering of selected lifestyle factors (cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, lack of physical exercise) and identified the population characteristics associated with increasing lifestyle risks. Methods: Data on lifestyle risk factors, sociodemographic characteristics, and history of chronic diseases were obtained from 7,694 individuals ${\geq}20$ years of age who participated in the 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Clustering of lifestyle risks involved the observed prevalence of multiple risks and those expected from marginal exposure prevalence of the three selected risk factors. Prevalence odds ratio was adopted as a measurement of clustering. Multiple correspondence analysis, Kendall tau correlation, Man-Whitney analysis, and ordinal logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify variables increasing lifestyle risks. Results: In both men and women, increased lifestyle risks were associated with clustering of: (1) cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and (2) smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of physical exercise. Patterns of clustering for physical exercise were different from those for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. The increased unhealthy clustering was found among men 20-64 years of age with mild or moderate stress, and among women 35-49 years of age who were never-married, with mild stress, and increased body mass index (>$30\;kg/m^2$). Conclusions: Addressing a lack of physical exercise considering individual characteristics including gender, age, employment activity, and stress levels should be a focus of health promotion efforts.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.351-357
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate level of functioning in patients with stroke using Modified Bathel Index (MBI), World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0), and ICF core-set for stroke. Methods: Sixty-four patients with stroke were recruited for this study from nine medical institutes. The ICF core-set for stroke, WHODAS 2.0, and MBI were used to collect subjects' functional levels. ICF core-set was employed here as a standard frame to observe multi-dimension of functioning, that is physiological bodily function, activity and participation (AP) in daily life, and current environmental factors (EF) in patients with stroke. WHODAS 2.0 and MBI were also used in order to have a specific functioning level for subjects. The linkage of each item in WHODAS 2.0 and MBI into the ICF core-set for stroke was examined. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for analysis of their relationships. Results: Functioning level of participants showed moderate resulting from MBI and WHODAS 2.0 ($73.48{\pm}22.27$ and $35.55{\pm}12.53$, respectively). Strong relationship was observed between ICF core-set and WHODAS 2.0, and with MBI. Each item of disability scales was obtained its linkage into ICF in the domain of AP. However, lack of correlation between MBI and ICF in the domain of EF was found due to absence of related factors. Conclusion: MBI was found to be linked mainly into ICF in the domain of AP and to have limited linkage into EF. Therefore, it should be suggested that the ICF concept frame should be used as a multi-dimensional approach to patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.175-186
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• 2019

Objective: Non-specific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP) has been related to abnormal trunk muscle activations, but literature reported considerable variability in muscle amplitudes of NS-CLBP patients during prolonged sitting periods. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences among homogenous NS-CLBP subgroups in muscle activity, using muscle co-contraction indices as a more objective approach, and their roles on pain development during a 1-hour period of prolonged sitting. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty NS-CLBP subjects with motor control impairment (MCI) [10 classified as having flexion pattern disorder, and 10 with active extension pattern disorder], and 10 healthy controls participated in the study. Subjects followed a 1-hour sitting protocol on a standard office chair. Four trunk muscle activities including amplitudes and co-contraction indices were recorded using electromyography over the 1-hour period. Perceived back pain intensity was recorded using a numeric pain rating scale every 10 minutes throughout the sitting period. Results: All study groups presented with no significantly distinctive trunk muscle activities at the beginning of sitting, nor did they change over time when pain increased to a significant level. Both MCI subgroups reported a similarly significant increase in pain behavior through mid-sitting (p<0.001). However, after mid-sitting, they significantly differed from each other in pain (p<0.01) but did not differ in the levels of muscle activation. Conclusions: This study was the first to highlight the similarities in trunk muscle activities among homogenous NS-CLBP patients related to MCI and compared them to healthy controls while sitting for an extended period of time, and the significant increase in pain over the 1-hour sitting might not be attributed to trunk muscle activation.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.130-140
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore levels of suicidal ideation and identify subgroups of high suicidal risk among the depressed elderly in Korea. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted on secondary data from the 6th (1st year) Korean national health and nutrition examination survey (KNHANES). A total of 239 depressed elders aged 60 or over who participated in the KNHANES. The prevalence of suicidal ideation and its related factors, including sociodemographic, physical, psychological characteristics and quality of life (EQ-5D index) were examined. Descriptive statistics and a decision tree analysis were performed using the SPSS/WIN 23.0 and SPSS Modeler 14.2 programs. Results: Of the depressed elderly, 28.9% had suicidal ideation. Three groups with high suicidal ideation were identified. Predictive factors included perceived stress level, household income level, quality of life and restriction of activity. In the highest risk group were those depressed elderly with moderate and low levels of stress, less than .71 of EQ-5D index and restriction of activity, and 80.0% of these participants had suicidal ideation. The accuracy of the model was 80.8%, its sensitivity 85.9%, and its specificity 68.1%. Conclusion: Multi-dimensional intervention should be designed to decrease suicide among the depressed elderly, particularly focusing on subgroups with high risk factors. This research is expected to contribute itself to the policy design and solution building in the future as it suggests policy implications in preventing the suicide of the depressed elderly.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.2256-2264
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• 2014

This study was a descriptive study to identify the effect of health promoting behavior on fatigue and depression and to investigate these levels among nurses. Data were collected from September 19th 2012 to September 25th 2012 by questionnaires from 243 hospital nurses of 3 hospitals in Kyungsang-Bukdo. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, ANCOVA, and Stepwise multiple regression. The result showed that in health promoting behavior, shift nurses had higher scores than it of non-shift nurses. The health promotion behavior predictors of fatigue were spiritual growth and stress management and the predictors of depression were physical activity and interpersonal relationship. This results suggest that development of professional health promoting program which is strengthened these parts of spiritual growth, stress management, physical activity and interpersonal relationship, is needed.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 1998

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with Q-35 at the dose levels of 0, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg/day by oral gavage from gestation day 17 to lactation period. Effects of the test chemical on general findings, reproductive performance of dams and development of Fl generation were examined. There were no treatment related changes in physical signs, body weight, necropsy findings, organ weights, delivery and nursing behavior. In 100 and 300 mg/fg/day treated groups, the food consumption of dams was decreased significantly during gestational day 19~21. The gestation length of 300 mg/tg/day treated group was increased significantly compared to the control group (22.3 $\pm$0.48 vs 22.0$\pm$0.39). Although the gestational length of all groups were in normal range of the rat, potential effect of the drug could not be ruled out. External anomaly of Fl fetus induced by Q-35 was not detected in any groups. There were no treaoent related changes in physical development, reflex functions, sensory functions, locomotor activity and motor coordinating activity. Estrus cycle, fertility and reproductive performance of Fl were not changed in all treated groups. There was no external abnormality related to the drug administration on the examination of F2. These results suggest that Q-35 has no adverse effect on the peri- and postnatal period in rats except the reduction of food consumption at the beginning of drug administration and the potential effect on the elongation of gestation length.