• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2016

Purpose In order to calculate the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) accurately, it is important to acquire the best septal view of left ventricle in the multi-gated cardiac blood pool scan (GBP). This study aims to acquire the best septal view by measuring angle of ventricular septal wall (${\theta}$) using enhanced CT scan and compare with conventional method using left anterior oblique (LAO) 45 view. Materials and Methods From March to July in 2015, we analyzed the 253 patients who underwent both enhanced chest CT and GBP scan in the department of nuclear medicine at National Cancer Center. Angle (${\theta}$) between ventricular septum and imaginary midline was measured in transverse image of enhanced chest CT scan, and the patients whose difference between the angle of ${\theta}$ and 45 degree was more than 10 degrees were included. GBP scan was acquired using both LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ views, and LVEFs measured by automated and manual region of interest (Auto-ROI and Manual-ROI) modes respectively were analyzed. Results $Mean{\pm}SD$ of ${\theta}$ on total 253 patients was $37.0{\pm}8.5^{\circ}$. Among them, the patients whose difference between 45 and ${\theta}$ degrees were more than ${\pm}10$ degrees were 88 patients ($29.3{\pm}6.1^{\circ}$). In Auto-ROI mode, there was statistically significant difference between LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ (LVEF $45=62.0{\pm}6.6%$ vs. LVEF ${\theta}=64.0{\pm}5.6%$; P = 0.001). In Manual-ROI mode, there was also statistically significant difference between LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ (LVEF $45=66.7{\pm}7.2%$ vs. LVEF ${\theta}=69.0{\pm}6.4%$; P < 0.001). Intraclass correlation coefficients of both methods were more than 95%. In case of comparison between Auto-ROI and Manual ROI of each LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$, there was no significant difference statistically. Conclusion We could measure the angle of ventricular septal wall accurately by using transverse image of enhanced chest CT and applied to LAO acquisition in the GBP scan. It might be the alternative method to acquire the best septal view of LAO effectively. We could notify significant difference between conventional LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ view.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.382-389
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• 2008

To achieve a better understanding of protective effects of water extracts of Panax ginseng against TCDD-induced toxicities, we monitored physiological and clinical changes in rat for 4 weeks after administrations of each Panax Ginseng extract or TCDD, and co-administration of the two materials. For this study, 120 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighing 190-210 g each (8 weeks old) were divided into four groups: TCDD-administered, co-administered group with TCDD and ginseng extract, ginseng extract-administered, and control group. The TCDD-administered group received single dose of TCDD in a corn oil vehicle ($25\;{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) by intraperitoneal administration on Day 1. The Panax ginseng extracts-administered group received intraperitoneally 100 mg/kg body weight every other day for one month. For the co-administered group with TCDD and ginseng extracts, Panax ginseng extracts were intraperitoneally administered to rats at 100 mg/kg body weight every other day for one month after a single intraperitoneal dose of $25\;{\mu}g$ of TCDD/kg body weight on Day 1. Panax ginseng extracts attenuated the mortality induced by TCDD administration. The extracts also slightly attenuated the TCDD-induced body weight loss. Administration of TCDD alone increased liver weight at 2, 5, and 16 days after administration of TCDD. Administration of Panax ginseng extracts rather decreased liver weight through whole the experimental period, but which was statistically insignificant. Administration of TCDD alone at $25\;{\mu}g/kg$ body weight increased both serum enzyme activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) at 32 days, indicating that liver damage occurred maximally at that time. Ginseng extract administration caused insignificant changes in serum ALT, but gradually decreased in AST as the exposure time increased. Coadministration of TCDD and ginseng extracts caused serum AST activity to significant recovery to normal value at 16 days and 32 days after exposure to TCDD. The extracts also significantly decreased the TCDD-induced ALT activity after 16 days of TCDD administration. These results suggest that Panax ginseng extracts may possess a protective effect against TCDD-induced toxicities including hepatotoxicity in rats.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.18-24
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• 2012

Purpose : Although lung ventilation SPECT (LV-SPECT) has a good sensitivity in detection of deep lung lesions, it is difficult to apply the LV-SPECT to patients having breathing problems due to limited examination time. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of LEAP collimator, which provides high detection sensitivity and tolerable resolution, for the LV-SPECT in terms of diagnostic accuracy and examination time. Materials and Methods : Four volunteers inhaled Technegas (370 MBq) and the lung ventilation planar scan (LVPS, 300 counts/view (cpv)) with LEHR collimator was performed using Siemens E.cam scanner as a reference test. LV-SPECT scans were performed with three collimators, LEHR, LEUHR, and LEAP, in low (7 kcpv) and high (70 kcpv) counting modes. The count ratios of left (LT) and right (RT) lung segments were calculated on the geometric mean view of anterior and posterior images for LVPS and on the summed coronal images of LV-SPECT, respectively. Comparing to LVPS, the usefulness of three different collimators for LV-SPECT was evaluated through statistical analysis (paired t-test), on count ratios of lung segments. Results : The average LT:RT ratio in LVPS was 47:53. For LV-SPECT, there were negligible difference of the LT:RT ratios (48:52 on average) among three different collimators in low and high counting modes. Comparing to standard LVPS with LEHR, all LV-SPECTs with different collimators resulted in similar diagnostic accuracy through paired t-test (p>0.05). The scan time in LVPS (6 views) was 17.3 min. For LV-SPECT (128 views) in low counting mode, it took 18.7 (LEUHR), 15.0 (LEHR), and 12.3 min (LEAP), respectively. Conclusion : Comparing to standard LVPS, the LV-SPECT with LEAP in low counting mode provided the comparable diagnostic accuracy in addition to shortened scan time.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.486-494
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• 2000

Background : The dominant innervation of airway smooth muscle is parasympathetic fibers which are carried in the vagus nerve. Activation of these cholinergic nerves releases acetylcholine which binds to $M_3$ muscarinic receptors on the smooth muscle causing bronchocontraction. Acetylcholine also feeds back onto neuronal $M_2$ muscarinic receptors located on the postganglionic cholinergic nerves. Stimulation of these receptors further inhibits acetylcholine release, so these $M_2$, muscarinic receptors act as autoreceptors. Loss of function of these $M_2$ receptors, as it occurs in animal models of hyperresponsiveness, leads to an increase in vagally mediated hyperresponsiveness. However, there are limited data pertaining to whether there are dysfunctions of these receptors in patients with asthma. The aim of this study is to determine whether there are dysfunction of $M_2$ muscarinic receptors in asthmatic patients and difference of function of these receptors according to severity of asthma. Method : We studied twenty-seven patients with asthma who were registered at Pulmonology Division of Korea University Hospital. They all met asthma criteria of ATS. Of these patients, eleven patients were categorized as having mild asthma, eight patients moderate asthma and eight patients severe asthma according to severity by NAEPP Expert Panel Report 2(1997). All subjects were free of recent upper respiratory tract infection within 2 weeks and showed positive methacholine challenge test ($PC_{20}$<16mg/ml). Methacholine provocation tests were performed twice on separate days allowing for an interval of one week. In the second test, pretreatment with the $M_2$ muscarinic receptor agonist pilocarpine($180{\mu}g$) through inhalation was performed be fore the routine procedures. Results : Eleven subjects with mild asthma and eight subjects with moderate asthma showed significant increase of $PC_{20}$ from 5.30$\pm$5.23mg/ml(mean$\pm$SD) to 20.82$\pm$22.56mg/ml(p=0.004) and from 2.79$\pm$1.51mg/ml to 4.67$\pm$3.53mg/ml(p=0.012) after pilocarpine inhalation, respectively. However, in the eight subjects with severe asthma significant increase of $PC_{20}$ from l.76$\pm$1.50mg/ml to 3.18$\pm$4.03mg/ml(p=0.161) after pilocarpine inhalation was not found. Conclusion : In subjects with mild and moderate asthma, function of $M_2$ muscarinic receptors was normal, but there was a dysfunction of these receptors in subjects with severe asthma. ηlese results suggest that function of $M_2$ muscarinic receptors is different according to severity of asthma.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.631-640
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• 2014

The inhibitory effects of Boswellia serrata (BW) extracts on degenerative osteoarthritis were investigated in primary-cultured rat cartilage cells and a monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. To identify the protective effects of BW extract against $H_2O_2$ ($800{\mu}M$, 2 hr) in vitro, cell survival was measured by MTT assay. Cell survival after $H_2O_2$ treatment was elevated by BW extract at a concentration of $20{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, BW extract treatment significantly reduced and normalized the productions of pro-inflammatory factors, nuclear transcription factor ${\kappa}B$, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 at a concentration of $20{\mu}g/mL$. Treatment of chondrocytes with BW extract significantly reduced 5-lipoxygenase activity and production of prostaglandin E2, especially at a concentration of $10{\sim}20{\mu}g/mL$. For the in vivo animal study, osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of MIA into knee joints of rats. Consumption of a diet containing BW extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 35 days significantly inhibited the development and severity of osteoarthritis in rats. To determine the genetic expression of arthritic factors in articular cartilage, real-time PCR was applied to measure matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13), collagen type I, collagen type II, and aggrecan, and BW extract had protective effects at a concentration of 200 mg/kg. In conclusion, BW extract was able to inhibit articular cartilage degeneration by preventing extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte injury. One can consider that BW extract may be a potential therapeutic treatment for degenerative osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.558-570
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of this study is to investigate the work performances and the factors contributing to the work performance of nutrition teachers and school dieticians according to employment status in Daejeon and Chungcheongnamdo. Methods: A survey was conducted among 415 school dieticians from selected elementary, middle, and high schools in the area. This survey was used for analysis of the general characteristics and the status of working and foodservice environments. The frequency of occurrence was measured using the ${\chi}^2$-test while analysis of differences in work performance of 57 variables grouped according to 12 categories by mean ${\pm}$ SD was performed using student t-test. In addition, a regression analysis was performed to assess the influence of occupational (working and foodservice) environment on work performances. Results: All 14 environmental factors including general characteristics were different between nutrition teachers and school dieticians. In 12 of 57 variables there were significant differences in work performance between the two groups. When compared using average work performance, 5 domains showed significant difference in work performance between the two groups. These 5 domains were other works (T = 6.050), dietary habit guide (T = 4.789), menu (nutrition) management (T = 3.524), foodservice administration and evaluation (T = 2.757), and production and service management (T = 2.588). Overall, the work performances of nutrition teachers were comparably higher than those of school dietitians. A correlation analysis between occupational (working or foodservice) environments and work performances of the two groups showed that the work performances of nutrition teachers were influenced by the number of employees, number of students, meal frequency a day, annual salary, age, foodservice years of school, and school type. Conclusion: Meanwhile, the work performances of school dieticians were influenced by the number of students, number of employees, meal frequency a day, work hour, education level, age, school type, and service years as a dietitian.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2006

This study was conducted to examine relationship between vaginal cytology and reproductive hormones during the estrous cycle and to provide basic data to estimate for ovulation time and optimal mating time in 6 beagle dogs The duration of proestrus, estrus and diestrus were $8.5{\pm}1.4,\;10.0{\pm}1.4\;and\;54.0{\pm}2.8$ days at pregnant respectively, and $7.9{\pm}2.1,\;9.5{\pm}0.7\;and\;62.0{\pm}11.3$ days at non-pregnant respectively. The duration of interestrous intervals were $246.2{\pm}24.5$ days at pregnancy, and $175.3{\pm}34.5$ days at non-pregnancy. The duration of interestrous intervals at pregnancy was longer than that of non-pregnancy. A characteristic features of vaginal cytology during the estrous cycle were the high proportion of superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in proestrus and estrus, parabasal cell, small intermediate cell and leukocyte in diestrus, and parabasal cell and small intermediate cell in anestrus, respectively. Cornification index (CI) in proestrus and estrus were significantly higher than that of CI in diestrus and anestrus. Plasma progesterone concentration was below 1.0 ng/ml at the first day of vulval bleeding at pregnancy and non-pregnancy, and then it was above 2.0 ng/ml at Day -2 in all bitches. When plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml, it was the second day after the first day of male acceptance. Plasma progesterone concentration showed above 40 ng/ml on Day $20{\sim}22$ in all bitches, and then it was gradually decreased until Day 35. Plasma progesterone concentration at pregnancy was higher than that of non-pregnancy from Day 35 to Day 63. Plasma estradiol-$17\;{\beta}$ concentration was above 9.0 pg/ml at the first day of vulval bleeding, and it showed 26.4 pg/ml on Day -2. When it was timed from the first day of male acceptance (Day 0), plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentration showed a peak on Day 0 and plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml on Day 2 which was the third day after plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ peak. CI was first increased above 80 and 90% on Day -1 and Day 1, respectively. CI was maintained above 80% from Day -1 to Day 8 (10 days) and above 90% from Day 1 to Day 6 (6 days), respectively. CI was maintained above 80% from Day 0 to Day 8 (9 days) and above 90% from Day 1 to Day 6 (6 days), respectively. Plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml on the second day after the day which CI was first increased above 90%. In conclusion, beagle bitches ovulated on the second day after the day which CI was first increased above 90% and on the day which plasma progesterone concentration was first increased 4.0 ng/ml, and it was estimated that the optimal mating time was the day which the second day after CI was first increased above 90% and plasma concentration was between $2{\sim}25ng/ml$. The measurement of plasma progesterone was used to determine of and accurate ovulation time and the optimal mating time, but vaginal cytology is low-priced and simple method to estimate estrous cycle, optimal mating time and ovulation time.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.75-91
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• 2004

Biodiversity and seasonal community composition of benthic macroinvertebrates were studied from Upo wetlands in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, comprising Upo (4 sites), Mokpo (2 sites), Sajipo (1 site), Jjokjibeol (1 site), Yeobeol (1 site), and Topyeongcheon (2 sites) areas from October 2002 to August 2003. As a result, it was known that Upo wetlands retained relatively well-preserved littoral zones which may provide good habitats for benthic macroinvertebrates; however, frequent disturbances of littoral zones caused by flood were the major factor affecting on the survival and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the areas. During the study period, a total of 135 species of benthic macroinvertebrates in 10 genera, 59 families, 16 orders, 7 classes, and 3 phyla were collected those of which are the highest degree of diversity of the taxa ever known in Korean wetlands: aquatic insects 103 spp. (Diptera 27 spp., Odonata 24 spp., Coleoptera 19 spp., Hemiptera 16 spp., Ephemeroptera 9 spp., Trichoptera 7 spp., and Collembola 1 sp.), Crustacea 2 spp., Mollusca 19 spp. (Gastropoda 12 spp. and Bivalvia 7 spp.), and Annelids 11 spp. (Oligocaeta 1 sp. and Hirudinea 10 spp.). Sajipo (St.G) and Jjokjibeol (St.H) areas yielded relatively larger numbers of species, 54 spp. and 53 spp., respectively, while more than 40 species occurred at most other sites. Based on quantitative sampling (0.5m${\times}$2m), aquatic insects (88.0％), particularly chironomids in Diptera (61.0％), occupied major proportion of the total individuals of benthic macroinvertebrates, while Mollusca (5.3％), Annelida (3.5％), and Crustacea (3.2％) occupied minor proportions. In standing water areas, diverse groups of benthic macroinvertebrates such as chironomids, demselflies, aquatic bugs, aquatic beetles, crustaceans, and gastropods were dominant in terms of individual number; in the running water areas, on the other hand, chironomids and baetid mayflies were dominant. However, gastropods, i.e. viviparids, were the dominant group of benthic macroinvertebrates in most study areas in terms of biomass. Dominance indices were 0.22-0.51 (mean$\pm$sd 0.42$\pm$0.09) in autumn, 0.31-0.96 (0.02$\pm$0.23) in winter, and 0.30-0.89 (0.57$\pm$0.18) in summer; diversity indices were 3.50-4.26 (3.80$\pm$0.24) in autumn,1.55-4.50 (3.10$\pm$1.01) in winter, and 1.35-3.77 (2.55$\pm$0.09) in summer. Highly movable or true aquatic benthic macroinvertebyates such as aquatic bugs, aquatic beetles, and gastropods recovered earlier after flood. In the study sites of Upo wetlands, Upo and Sajipo areas showed relatively higher values of average diversity index which may indicate a good habitat condition for benthic macroinvertebrates.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resources Conference
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• 1998.05a
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• pp.37-54
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• 1998

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of mugwort extracts on the blood ethanol concentration, liver function and low level of cadmuim(Cd) in rats. The effects of mugwort extracts on the blood ethanol concentration was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats (10 weeks old) administered p.o. with 25% ethanol (5g/1kg body weight) and then injected with mugwort extracts (at the 2% levels of daily feed consumption compared with the concentration of catechins level in mugwort extracts) in caudal vein. SD rats were divided into five groups : control group (CON-E, only ethanol and 0.85% saline sol'n treated instead of each extracts), water extracts of mugwort treated to the control (MDW-E), ethanol extracts of mugwort treated to the control (POH-E). And then rat plasma of each time (0hr, 1hr, 2hr, 3hr) was investigated ethanol concentration by gas chromatography. Another rats were measured at the time of 0 and 5hr for the test of GOD(Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase) and GPT(Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase). Components of each extracts were analyzed by using high performance liquid chromatography. The effects of mugwort extracts on the liver function were studied in culture of rat hepatocyte composed of three groups : Control group and two groups treated with each extracts (1% & 2% MDW, 1% & 2% MOH). Condition of rat hepatocytes cultured for 36hr at $37^{\circ}C$(5% $CO_2$ incubator), number of cells, GOT and GPT activity were investigated. The results obtained were summarized as follows ; 1. Catechins level of mugwort extracts was $8{\sim}10mg/100g(MDW)$, $3{\sim}4mg/100g(MOH)$ 2. The contents of (-)-Epigallocatechin was high in MDW 3. The effects of mugwort extracts on the blood ethanol concentration were as follows; 1) The order in ethanol degradation efficiency was MDW-E > MOH-E > CON-E. 2) Ethanol concentration significantly decreased (p<0.05) in MDW-E and MOH-E. 4. The effects of mugwort extracts on the liver function were as follows; (rat hepatocytes cultured for 36hr at $37^{\circ}C$) 1) Cells condition of MDW-L was better than other groups. 2) The order in number of cells (rat hepatocytes) was 2% MDW-L >1% MDW-L >1% MOH-L > Con-L > 2% MOH-L 5. Cd treatment increased concentrations of hepatic GSH level, and decreased GOT activity in plasma. Therefore, this results suggest that the effects of mugwort extracts may an important rols in degradation ethanol and recovery liver function in body. Also, Mugwort extracts may modify the toxicities of Cd in Cd-treated rats and play an important roles in preventing the liver from various toxicants including Cd in Cd treated rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2003

This study was done to analyze the contents of minerals, to compare the measured values of calcium and the labeled values in food labeling and to analyze the ratio of calcium to other minerals in 43 calcium-fortified Food products sold in markets in Seoul, Korea. Content of minerals such as Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn was measured by atomic absorption or colorimetric method after dry-ashing or wet-ashing. The measured values of calcium were ranged 65.5~343.9% of the labeled values in 43 calcium-fortified products. In 21 calcium-fortified food products, the measured calcium values were ranged 120～160% of the labeled values, and in three drinks those were less than 80% of the labeled, which is not acceptable to the food regulation. The ratios of Ca:P were 2.63$\pm$1.99 (mean$\pm$SD) in grain Products, 1.79$\pm$0.39 in Ramyuns, 2.80$\pm$0.53 in retort pouch food products and 8.35$\pm$12.87 in drinks. The Ca:Fe ratios were 126.33$\pm$44.36 in grain products, 130.65$\pm$34.67 in Ramyuns, 120.31$\pm$71.15 in retort pouch food products and 700.25$\pm$553.70 in drinks. The ratios of Ca:Mg were 11.86$\pm$5.40 in grain products, 9.29$\pm$1.34 in Ramyuns, 9.09$\pm$2.09 in retort pouch food products and 32.50$\pm$41.35 in drinks. The P:Mg ratios were 4.11$\pm$1.54 in grain products, 4.17$\pm$0.67 in Ramyuns, 2.58$\pm$0.45 in retort pouch food Products and 2.59$\pm$2.50 in drinks. These results suggest calcium contents and the ratio of calcium contents to other minerals in calcium-fortified food products should be strictly controlled.