• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2024

Background: There are concerns about the health effects of various environmental pollution exposures among residents living near coal-fired power plants (CFPP). Objectives: This study attempted to compare the concentrations of heavy metals in blood and urine and those of urinary volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolites according to the residential separation distance. Methods: Participants in the study totaled 334 people who have lived for more than 10 years in areas within 10 km of a CFPP. The separation distance was analyzed in quartiles by dividing it into Q1 (88 people), Q2 (89 people), Q3 (89 people), and Q4 (68 people). We explained the purpose of this study to the participants and collected blood and urine after obtaining signatures on a participation agreement. Results: The study participants were 102 males (30.5%) and 232 females (69.5%), with an average age of 71. The average length of residence and distance were 43.8 years and 4,800 meters. The geometric mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Hg in blood and As and Cd in urine were respective 1.35 ㎍/dL, 1.43 ㎍/L, 3.16 ㎍/L. They were 167.88 ㎍/g for creatinine and 1.58 ㎍/g creatinine. The metabolite concentrations of VOCs were 50.67 ㎍/g creatinine in t, t-muconic acid (t, t-MA), 10.73 ㎍/g creatinine in benzyl mercapturic acid, 317.05 ㎍/g creatinine in phenylglyoxylic acid, 123.55 ㎍/g creatinine in methylhippuric acid, and 190.82 ㎍/g creatinine in mandelic acid. The concentration of Pb in the blood and Cd and t, t-MA in the urine of residents within affected area of the CFPP showed statistically significant differences among distance groups. Conclusions: The concentration of urinary VOCs metabolites, especially t, t-MA, differed according to the distance groups of residents within the affected area of CFPP (p<0.05).

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.2.1-2.15
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• 2023

Background: Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are widely used in the production of items of daily life such as in polyvinylchloride plastics, insecticides, and medical devices. This study aimed to determine the association between phthalate exposure and shellfish consumption using data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3 (2015-2017), which is a nationally representative survey. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the KoNEHS cycle 3 data of 3,333 (1,526 men and 1,807 women) adults aged more than 19 years. Data related to the variables of sociodemographic factors, health-related behaviors, dietary factors, seafood consumption frequency, and urinary phthalate metabolites concentrations were collected. The concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites of all the participants were divided into quartiles to define high and low concentration groups based on the 75th percentile concentration. A χ² test was conducted to analyze the distribution of independent variables. To analyze the relationship between shellfish consumption and phthalate exposure, the odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression analysis. Results: Total adults with shellfish consumption frequency of over once a week showed the following adjusted ORs for high concentrations of the following metabolites compared with the group that consumed shellfish once a week or less: 1.43 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-2.06) for mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), 1.43 (95% CI: 1.01-2.03) for mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), 1.57 (95% CI: 1.10-2.24) for ∑di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (∑DEHP), 2.01 (95% CI: 1.46-2.77) for mono-carboxyoctyl phthalate (MCOP), 1.56 (95% CI: 1.11-2.18) for mono-carboxy-isononly phthalate (MCNP), and 2.57 (95% CI: 1.85-3.56) for mono (3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP). Conclusions: The concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites (MEOHP, MECPP, ∑DEHP, MCOP, MCNP, and MCPP) were higher in adults with a higher frequency of shellfish consumption.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1011-1024
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of general characteristics and risk factors according to onset time in acute stroke patients. Methods : We studied hospitalized patients within 4 wks after the onset of stroke who were admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine at Kyunghee University Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyunghee University East-West Neo Medical Hospital, Kyungwon University Songpa Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyungwon University Incheon Oriental Medical Hospital, and Dongguk University Ilsan Oriental Medical Hospital from April 2007 to August 2008. The 24-hour day was divided into quartiles (6:00 to 12:00, 12:00 to 18:00, 18:00 to 24:00 and 24:00 to 6:00). We analyzed the general characteristics and risk factors according to onset time in acute stroke patients. Results : 468 subjects were included into the final analysis. 1. The most common time period for ischemic stroke onset was between 6:00 and 12:00. It demonstrated a 50% excess risk between 6:00 and 12:00. 2. On the demographic variables of the patients, the rate of hypertension was significantly higher from 18: 00 to 24: 00 than 24:00 to 6:00. 3. There was no significant difference of stroke type, Sasang constitution, or lifestyle between times. 4. According to the blood test, high density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher at 24:00 to 6:00 and lower at 12:00 to 18:00 than other time-groups. 5. The patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome were significantly more at 12:00 to 18:00 and fewer at 24:00 to 6:00. 6. Hypertension and coffee drinking showed close relationship with patients whose stroke occurred while awake in multivariate analysis. Conclusions : The above results showed that the overall tendency of acute stage cerebral infarction patients varied according to their onset time. These results can be utilized in the future as a basis material.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.62-71
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence by gender and to evaluate associations of depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances in a large sample of adolescents from the general population. Methods : 1422 subjects, aged 14 years students were recruited in the seven middle-school of the local community. The self-report questionnaire(Children's Depression Inventory : CDI, Beck Anxiety Inventory : BAI and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index : PSQI) was used for screening depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances in adolescent. CDI, BAI, and PSQI score was categorized into the following quartiles : $\leq$21, 22-25, 26-28, and $\geq$29 ; $\leq$21, 22-26, 27-31, and $\geq$32 ; $\geq$5, <5. The cut-off score is that CDI is 22, BAI is 22 and PSQI is 5. The result was analyzed using the independent t-test, the chi-square test and logistic regression analyses. Results : The mean CDI score($12.52{\pm}8.32$ vs. $10.39{\pm}7.52$ ; p=0.003), BAI($7.77{\pm}7.93$ vs. $9.84{\pm}9.04$ ; p<0.001) and PSQI($4.57{\pm}2.67$ vs. $3.64{\pm}2.30$ ; p=0.013) of girls were significantly higher than for boys. But, boys in the fourth quartile of CDI(CDI$\geq$29) and BAI(BAI$\geq$32) were at significantly elevated risk for sleep disturbances more than for girls after adjustment for sex, history of psychiatric treatment(CDI odd ratio, 14.66 ; 95% CI, 4.17-51.53, BAI odd ratio, 32.99 ; 95% CI, 4.26-255.39). Conclusion : The results suggest that high CDI, BAI score appears to increase the risk for developing sleep disturbances in boys more than girls.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.335-346
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to conduct dietary assessment of Korean adults according to intake of Korean soup and stew. Methods: To accomplish this study, 20,926 adults aged 19 yr or higher who participated in the dietary intake survey (24 h recall method) were analyzed from the data of the 2011~2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The items included in the soup and stew were guk, tang, jjigae, jijimi, and jeongol. Results: Intakes of soup and stew of subjects were divided into quartiles; intake range by quartile was Q1: < 22.96 g, Q2: 22.96~98.75 g, Q3: 98.75~212.23 g, and Q4: $${\geq_-}212.24g$$. In the case of the Q4 group, male, married, employed, higher educated, and high income subjects showed increased intakes of soup and stew. In addition, sodium intake among nutrient intakes increased from 3,849.04 mg in Q1 group to 5,363.57 mg in Q4 group. Intakes of cereals/grains, potatoes/starches, legumes, seeds/nuts, vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, meat, fishes/shell fishes, milks/dairy products, oils/fats, and seasonings among all foods significantly increased from Q1 group to Q4 group. Lastly, in the multivariable regression analysis, male, higher age, married, eating breakfast, consumption of snacks, prepared meals from home/institution, average eating-out frequency per week, energy consumption, and sodium intake related parameters increased intake of Korean soup and stew. Conclusion: Excessive intake of sodium was related to high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. Thus, there are needs to improve dietary guidelines and nutrition education for balanced intake of soup and stew.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the association between intakes of potassium, magnesium, and calcium and diet quality in ischemic stroke patients. Methods: This study analyzed data from 285 subjects recruited from February 2011 to August 2014 in Seoul, Korea. Nutrition intakes were obtained from a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire composed of 111 food items. The subjects were divided into 4 groups by quartiles according to intakes of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ), Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR), and DQI-International (DQI-I) were analyzed for assessment of diet quality. Results: We found a positive association of intakes of these three minerals with MAR and DQI-I after adjustment for age, sex, education level, smoking, atrial fibrillation, and total energy intake. However, total moderation of DQI-I score in the Q4 group was significantly lower than that of the Q1 group. The age, sex, education level, and smoking, atrial fibrillation, and total energy intake-adjusted odds ratios of extensive cerebral atherosclerosis were inversely associated with intake of magnesium (Ptrend = 0.0204). However, this association did not exist with intakes of potassium and calcium. Conclusion: Potassium, magnesium, and calcium rich and high quality diet could be associated with decreased risk of ischemic stroke, in part, via effect on extensive cerebral atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.473-479
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• 2002

This study investigated associations between calcium intake, exercise behaviors, lumbar bona mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral content (BMC) among 79 premenopausal women (mean age = 41yr). The BMD and BMC of the lumbar spine (L$_2$-L$_4$) were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Nutrient intake was estimated by the convenient method and a quantitative food frequency questionnaire was designed for this study that included the most commonly consumed floods sources of Ca. Participants were asked to identify all activities of exercise they had participated in including estimation of number of years of participation, number of weeks per year, number of times per week, and the number of hours per session. Participants were then categorized into the exercise group or nonexercise group (control). To meet the criteria for inclusion in the exercise group, the subjects participated more than 3 sessions per week and more than 30 minutes per session and the length of the exercise participation was at least more then 6 months. The participants were also grouped by calcium intake. The total calcium intake of all participants was estimated by dietary calcium intake and then the subjects were divided into quartiles to assess the lumbar BMD and BMC of the upper 25% (average calcium intake = 910 mg) and the lower 25% (average calcium intake = 414 mg). Results indicated that there were no significant differences in energy and calcium intake, and that there were no significant differences in lumbar BMD and BMC between participants in exercise group and the nonexercising control group. However, the exercise group had significantly lower ALP concentration than the nonexercise group. The upper 25% calcium intake group had significantly greater lumbar bone mineral density and bone mineral content than the lower 25% calcium intake group. Also the upper 25% calcium intake group had significantly lower ALP concentration than the lower 25% calcium intake group. Correlation analysis revealed that the spinal BMB was positively associated with body weight, while calcium intake was negatively associated with ALP concentration in nonexercising women. However, neither body weight nor dietary calcium intake were associated with both spinal BMD or ALP concentration in exercising women. These results suggest that calcium intake positively influence bone mineral density and bone mineral content in nonexercisulg premenopausal women. Exercise group did not affected by body weight and dietary calcium, but decreased ALP concentration than nonexercising group. Both exercise and calcium intake positively influence bone mineral density and bone mineral content in premenopausal women.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.69-84
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• 1984

This study was carried out to investigate the time distribution of single storms and to establish the model of storm patterns in korea. Rainfall recording charts collected from 42 metheorological stations covering the Korean peninsula were analyzed. A single storm was defined as a rain period seperated from preceding and succeeding rainfall by 6 hours and more. Among the defined single storms, 1199 storms exceeding total rainfall of 80 mm were qualified for the study. Storm patterns were cklassified by quartile classification method and the relationship between cummulative percent of rainfalls and cummulative storm time was established for each quartile storm group. Time distribution models for each stations were prepared through the various analytical and inferential procedures. Obtained results are summarized as follows: 1. The percentile frequency of quartile storms for the first to the fourth quartile were 22.0%, 26.5%, 28.9% and 22.6%, respectively. The large variation of percentile frequency was show between the same quartile storms. The advanced type storm pattern was predominant in the west coastal type storm patterns predominantly when compared to the single storms with small total rainfalls. 3. The single storms with long storm durations tended to show delayed type storm patterns predominantly when compared to the single storms with short storm durations. 4. The percentile time distribution of quartile storms for 42 rin gaging stations was estimated. Large variations were observed between the percentiles of time distributions of different stations. 5. No significant differences were generally found between the time distribution of rainfalls with greater total rainfall and with less total rainfall. This fact suggests that the size of the total rainfall of single storms was not the main factor affecting the time distribution of heavy storms. 6. Also, no significant difference were found between the time distribution of rainfalls with long duration and with short duration. The fact indicates that the storm duration was no the main factor affecting the time distribution of heavy storms. 7. In Korea, among all single storms, 39.0% show 80 to 100mm of total rainfall which stands for the mode of the frequency distribution of total rainfalls. The median value of rainfalls for all single storms from the 42 stations was 108mm. The shape of the frequency distribution of total rainfalls showed right skewed features. No significant differences were shown in the shape of distribution histograms for total rainfall of quartile storms. The mode of rainfalls for the advanced type quartile storms was 80~100mm and their frequencies were 39~43% for respective quartiles. For the delayed type quartile storms, the mode was 80~100mm and their frequencies were 36!38%. 8. In Korea, 29% of all single storms show 720 to 1080 minutes of storm durations which was the highest frequency in the frequency distribution of storm durations. The median of the storm duration for all single storms form 42 stations was 1026 minutes. The shape of the frequency distribution was right skewed feature. For the advanced type storms, the higher frequency of occurrence was shown by the single storms with short durations, whereas for the delayed type quartile storms, the higher frequency was shown gy the long duration single storms. 9. The total rainfall of single storms was positively correlated to storm durations in all the stations throughout the nation. This fact was also true for most of the quartile storms. 10. The third order polynomial regression models were established for estimating the time distribution of quartile storms at different stations. The model test by relative error method resulted good agreements between estimated and observed values with the relative error of less than 0.10 in average.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.581-592
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated major dietary patterns among healthy Korean adults using cluster analysis and analyzed the relationship between energy intake and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: This study was conducted using the data from the 2008 ~ 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey. The data of 7,922 subjects aged 30 years and over, without any missing values, were included in the final analysis. K-means cluster analyses were conducted to identify the dietary patterns of the study subjects, which were based on the energy intake from 21 food groups using a 24-h recall method. The changes in energy intake with each dietary pattern, according to quartiles of skeletal muscle mass, were investigated. Results: Three dietary patterns were identified for both men and women: 'Flour, Animal fat', 'White rice' and 'Healthy mixed diet'. The association between energy intake and skeletal muscle mass for both men and women was significant only in the 'White rice' dietary pattern. In the 'White rice' pattern, the energy intake increased up to > 300 kcal from the lowest to the highest quartile of skeletal muscle mass after adjustment for covariates. Within the 'White rice' pattern, skeletal muscle mass was linearly associated with energy intake in all the age groups in men. Conclusion: Energy intake was significantly associated with changes in skeletal muscle mass only in the 'White rice' pattern. Furthermore, the degree of association between the change in skeletal muscle mass and energy intake differed according to gender. These results indicate that the association between skeletal muscle mass and energy intake may be specific to Korean people who are accustomed to a traditional Korean diet.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.25-54
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• 2023

At a time when open data receives attention as an international trend, there is a need to discuss the role of international journals in Korea to support data sharing. Based on surveys and interviews of editors from the international journals, we identified factors affecting the policy adoption and examined the journal editors' perception on the adoption and components of the data sharing policy. As a result, scholarly journals that have adopted or are planning to adopt policies have recognized that data sharing is an international trend and can contribute to research development, but they stressed that efforts to improve the perception of data sharing were still necessary. Educational activities and compensation for sharing data were needed at scholarly journals' and communities' level. Also, components perceived important and selected by more than half of the editors as mandatory were 'data availability statement', 'data sharing level', 'data sharing method', and 'data citation'. While scholarly journals do not always need to mandate data sharing, it was necessary to mention conditions where data cannot be shared through data availability statements. The role of the organization developing and operating a repository appropriate for situations in Korea was also emphasized. In addition, by identifying factors affecting the policy adoption, significant differences were found in Journal Impact Factor quartiles, publication type, and subject area. This finding indicated that journals with a high impact factor are likely to have resources to support data sharing, and open access or hybrid journals are likely to have interest in open data as a part of open science. In the medical research area, active movements for data sharing in academic communities have promoted the adoption of data sharing policies. This study would be used as basic data to facilitate the adopton and operation of scholarly journals' data sharing policies in Korea.