• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.69-74
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• 2011

Despite most of tasks in manufacturing, construction and agriculture, etc., were currently mechanized and automated, manual materials handling still existed in atypical working condition. In case of manual materials handling, repetitive work, inappropriate working posture, excessive force, contact stress might cause overload, which could lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders and low back pains. On this basis, the goal of this study is to reveal the effects of various lifting postures of trunk angles and lower extremity postures on maximum holding time(MHT). Twenty two subjects were recruited from a university population. The experiment was designed by a combination of three trunk angle ($0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$) and three lower extremity postures(straight, bent, kneeling). Before experimental trials, subjects performed MVC(maximum voluntary contraction) exertions in three trunk angles ($0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$) to calculate 30%MVC at designated postures. In each trial, they were required to hold the handheld load(30%MVC) for a designated posture as long as they could. The results of MVC by trunk angles were measured in $0^{\circ}$ > $20^{\circ}$ > $60^{\circ}$ orders, but those of MHT measured in $20^{\circ}$ > $0^{\circ}$ > $60^{\circ}$ orders. These results showed that straight posture is the ideal working posture in work exerted a strong force for a short time, but the ability to work might be improved in the trunk angle $20^{\circ}$ in work required 30%MVC for a long time. Also, results of MVC and MHT by lower extremity postures measured in straight > bent > kneeling orders.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.132-136
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• 2013

Parainfluenza virus infection is one of the causes of fatal rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis can be aggravated by mitochondrial fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidation disorders during prolonged periods of fasting. Moreover, in patients with late-onset isovaleric acidemia, hyperammonemia may occur following catabolic stress. In the present report, we describe a case of a 4-year-old boy with parainfluenza virus infection and late-onset isovaleric acidemia that rapidly progressed to coma, seizures, and cardiorespiratory collapse. His serum ammonia and creatinine kinase (CK) levels were $385{\mu}Mol/L$ and 23,707 IU/L, respectively. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was initiated using continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration, after which the ammonia and CK levels returned to normal. Thus, we recommend the immediate initiation of CRRT in the management of patients with life-threatening rhabdomyolysis and hyperammonemia.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2011

Objectives : We examined the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Depression and Somatic Symptom Scale (DSSS) in Korean patients with depressive symptoms. Methods : Participants were 55 outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder, a depressive episode of bipolar I disorder, somatoform disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder according to the DSM-IV criteria. We assessed them using the Korean versions of the DSSS, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self Report (QIDS-SR). Results : The Korean version DSSS had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.90. Moreover, each item's correlation with the total score was statistically significant (r=0.24-0.71, p<0.01). The test-retest correlation coefficient (r=0.83, p<0.01) was relatively high, and the DSSS correlations with the HDRS and QIDS-SR were 0.77 and 0.74, respectively. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that the Korean version of the DSSS could be a reliable and valid tool for screening and assessing depressive patients. The Korean version of the DSSS will be a useful tool for screening both depressive and somatic symptoms in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.50
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• pp.320.1-320.8
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• 2018

Background: Muscle mass and muscle function are related to depressed mood in studies of adults. Like adults, Korean students are highly likely to suffer from decreased muscle mass due to social conditions. In this study, we evaluated the muscle mass status of Korean adolescents and assess the effect of muscle on depressive mood. Methods: A total of 1,233 adolescent boys and girls participants from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were enrolled in our study. Participants underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for assessment of appendicular muscle mass and completed questionnaires regarding depressed mood, stress, suicidal ideations, and attempts. Results: There was no difference in depressive mood according to muscle mass among boys (P = 0.634); girls with decreased muscle mass had a greater tendency for depressed mood compared to girls with optimal muscle mass (P = 0.023). After adjusting for age, waist circumference-to-height ratio, smoking status, alcohol consumption, frequency of physical activity, self-reported obesity, weight-loss efforts, and monthly household income, girls with low muscle mass (LMM) were 2.60 times more at risk of developing depression than girls with normal muscle mass (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-6.49; P = 0.040). This trend was similar for girls with LMM with obesity (95% CI, 1.00-11.97; P = 0.049). Conclusion: Adolescent girls who have insufficient muscle mass are more likely to report depressed mood than girls who have ideal muscle mass. Interventions for maintaining proper muscle mass are required.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.530-539
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• 2019

Brain aging is an inevitable process characterized by structural and functional changes and is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Most brain aging studies are focused on neurons and less on astrocytes which are the most abundant cells in the brain known to be in charge of various functions including the maintenance of brain physical formation, ion homeostasis, and secretion of various extracellular matrix proteins. Altered mitochondrial dynamics, defective mitophagy or mitochondrial damages are causative factors of mitochondrial dysfunction, which is linked to age-related disorders. Etoposide is an anti-cancer reagent which can induce DNA stress and cellular senescence of cancer cell lines. In this study, we investigated whether etoposide induces senescence and functional alterations in cultured rat astrocytes. Senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) activity was used as a cellular senescence marker. The results indicated that etoposide-treated astrocytes showed cellular senescence phenotypes including increased SA-${\beta}$-gal-positive cells number, increased nuclear size and increased senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASP) such as IL-6. We also observed a decreased expression of cell cycle markers, including PhosphoHistone H3/Histone H3 and CDK2, and dysregulation of cellular functions based on wound-healing, neuronal protection, and phagocytosis assays. Finally, mitochondrial dysfunction was noted through the determination of mitochondrial membrane potential using tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) and the measurement of mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR). These data suggest that etoposide can induce cellular senescence and mitochondrial dysfunction in astrocytes which may have implications in brain aging and neurodegenerative conditions.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to verify differences in autonomic responses that are affected by the configurations of one-room type units using an electrocardiogram (ECG). Accordingly, 43 one-room units that were collected randomly were classified into ten different types of floor plan configurations mainly according to the location of the bathroom and kitchen. An ECG was subsequently measured for each plan type and the average ratio of the LF/HF (Power in low frequency range/Power in high frequency range) was calculated to measure the comfort level of each space. The results revealed a significant statistical difference between the average LF/HF ratio between the plan types (p < 0.05) and provided compelling evidence suggesting that the configuration of the plan may affect the quality of one-room space. This approach appears to be effective in counteracting stress that may exacerbate psychological disorders in single person households.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2019

Background: Korea has shown a rapid pace of aging and has become an aged society in a shorter period than Western countries. Therefore, it is important that middle-aged workers maintain their ability to work in the industrial field at the maximum level while maintaining their health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting work ability and to use this data to maintain the working ability of middle-aged workers in the future. Methods: From 2015 to 2017, we surveyed 371 street cleaners who visited a health center for health promotion in a metropolitan city. The relationship between the general characteristics of the survey subjects and the Work Ability Index (WAI) was confirmed by a univariate analysis. Statistically significant (p<0.2) factors were selected and a multiple linear regression analysis was conducted with WAI scores as a dependent variable. Results: Age, body mass index, body fat percentage, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Korea (AUDIT-K) scores, the Psychosocial Well-Being Index-Short Form (PWI-SF) scores, maximal oxygen consumption ($VO_{2max}$), and hypertension showed statistically significant correlations with the WAI in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, the $VO_{2max}$, AUDIT-K scores, and PWI-SF scores were included in the regression equation. $VO_{2max}$ had the greatest effect on the standardization coefficient indicating the relative contribution of independent variables, followed by the AUDIT-K scores and the PWI-SF scores. Conclusion: Programs to increase workers' physical work ability and alleviate psychosocial stress and drinking habits should be developed and implemented in the future.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.111-114
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• 2021

Phytochemicals in fruits, vegetables, cereals, and nuts, advertised as "antioxidants", combat undesirable effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body. These undesirable effects include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Although ROS were initially considered to be primarily damaging agents, ROS have been discovered to play a role in signaling immune and other physiological responses in recent years. Several studies have demonstrated that ROS act as essential signaling molecules to promote metabolic health. Therefore, the overall advantage of the interference of ROS signals by antioxidants could be questionable. Future research is required to understand the implications of the application of phytochemicals in functional foods and supplements for health benefits on ROS levels in the body. This study describes the new roles of ROS and hormesis of various phytochemicals to provide a possible research guideline to food and nutrition scientists.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2020

Noni has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 2,000 years in South Pacific Polynesia, China and India, and has been heavily ingested as an extract for its excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, a recent study found that the noni extract causes digestive disorders, kidney problems, and liver diseases, which made it necessary to use it for other purposes than as an extract. In this study, we want to evaluate the potential of noni as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-wrinkling agent. Methods: Noni was freeze-dried, extracted in water, and concentrated. Skin cells were treated with the noni extract for 24 hrs and then were exposed to UVB (55 mJ/cm²). After 48 hrs of incubation, pro-inflammatory cytokine, elastase, MMP-1 and type-1 procollagen levels were measured by ELISA. Results: To find out the antioxidant effect of the noni extract, the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity experiments were conducted and the noni extract showed 97.0 % and 92.0 % antioxidant efficacy at 200 ㎍/mL respectively. The noni extract (50 and 100 ㎍/mL) decreased IL-6 and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS in a concentration-dependent manner. In the RT-PCR experiment involving NO production, the noni extract (50 and 100 ㎍/mL) inhibited NO production by strongly inhibiting iNOS mRNA expression, and also inhibited the elevation of MMP-1 and elastases caused by UVB irradiation by 25.0 % and 7.0 % respectively. In addition, type-1 procollagen was elevated by 20.0 % by the noni extract treatment in HaCaT cells. Conclusion: The noni extract has photoprotective ability by reducing proinflammatory mediators, elastase and MMP-1 production, and elevation of collagen synthesis. Our findings suggest that the noni extract might be a good natural substance to protect against UVB-induced premature skin aging.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 2021

Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, comprises a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level over a prolonged period of time. Diabetes is classified into type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and the incidence and prevalence of diabetes, mostly type 2, have increased remarkably in recent decades. A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is greatly influenced by heredity, and it is important to prevent diabetes in people with a family history by improving lifestyle and environmental factors. Controlling overeating, obesity, lack of exercise, and stress is effective to prevent diabetes. The patient in this case report had impaired fasting glucose and mild hyperlipidemia. The patient experienced improvements in these sequelae after the administration of herbal medicine (Yangkyuksanwha-tang) for 12 weeks and the implementation of a plant-based diet. The complete blood count, XXXX, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, insulin, and C-peptide levels were measured, and the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and HOMA-β were calculated according to the FBS and fasting insulin levels. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, FBS, and HbA1c levels all decreased after 12 weeks compared with baseline measures. There was no change in the insulin secretory ability; the C-peptide level did not change as a result of β-cell function; and the HOMA-β level reflected an improved insulin secretory ability.