• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.217-226
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• 2015

As the aging society is globally increasing, the guide for the aged-friendly city is suggested by WHO and many cities are preparing to meet with it. The base of this guide for an age-friendly city is an active aging. This study examined how degree the neighborhood environment is age-friendly from older persons' standpoints. The data were collected through the interview with old persons who aged more than 65 years, 117 persons in an urban area and 110 ones in a rural area. The age-friendly degree of neighborhood environment was examined from two aspects. One is how close 12 neighborhood facilities were from the elderly's houses. Another one is how degree the elderly were considered in 4 areas: pedestrian road, traffic, the amount of housing for the elderly, and space layouts of their houses. Findings were as follows. First, the elderly related neighborhood facilities in urban area were closer located to old persons' houses than in rural area, except the senior center. Second, in case of the age-friendly degree of their neighborhood environments, the space layout of house was the highest, and then traffic, pedestrian road, and the amount of housing for the elderly, in order. The consideration degree of wheelchair users was the lowest. Third, the age-friendly degree of pedestrian road, traffic, and room layout of house in rural area were higher than in urban area. However, the amount of housing for the elderly in urban area was higher than in rural area.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.95-106
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• 1995

The effects of various n-6/n-3 ratios(about 2, 4, 6, 8) of dietary fatty acids on various lipid levels and prostaglandin production were studied at the constant P/S ratio (1.5-1.6) in young (5 weeks old) and adult(8 months old) Sprague-Dawley rats using palm oil, safflower oil and sardine oil. The concentration of serum cholesterol tended to increase with the increasing n-6/n-3 ratio. The tendency of HDL-cholesterol levels was similar to serum cholesterol levels. These were not apparent differences between young and adults rats. Serum triglyceride levels increased according to increasing n-6/n-3 ratio in young rats. These were generally high in the adult rats compared with the young rats. Though liver cholesterol level tended to increase according to the increasing n-6/n-3 ratio in the young rats. The liver triglyceride level did not change according to the n-6/n-3 ratio. However, these levels were apparently higher in the adult than in the young rats. The fatty acid compositions of phosphatidylcholine(PC) were similar in serum and liver. The arachidonate/linoleate ratios in tissue PC were influenced by the n-6/n-3 ratio. They tended to be lower in the adult rats compared with the young rats. It was suggested that the activity of $\Delta$6-desturase was decreased by aging. Production of platelet thromboxane A2(TXA2)and aortic prostacyclin(PGI2) was not apparently influenced with n-6/n-3 ratio. Whereas the ratio of TXA2/PGI2 was the lowest value at 3.8 of n-6/n-3 ratio, expecially in the young rats. Thus this ratio seemed to be a desirable level to protect atherosclerosis. These results indicate that the lipid level and prostaglandin production were influenced not only by n-6/n-3 ratio(under constant P/S ratio) but by aging, particulary triglycerde level and arachidonic/linoleic acid ratio.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.389-396
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• 2006

Objectives: A community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine theprevalence of osteoporosis and to evaluate the effects of body composition, health behaviors and reproductive history on bone density in postmenopausal women. Methods: The study subjects were 362 postmenopausal women, aged 45 years old or over, who were invited to the hospital. Information on their socio-demographic characteristics and the potential risk factors such as their past medical history, smoking, alcohol intake, exercise, diet and menstrual/reproductive histories were collected by trained interviewers. Weight, height, the body mass index ($kg/m^{2}$), and body composition variables were measured. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis was 30.6% in the $45{\sim}64$ years old women, 52.5% in the elderly women aged $65{\sim}74$, and 68.7% in the women aged 75 years or over. After adjustment for the effect of potential covariates, those women in the highest 25% (4th quartile) of the lean body mass are less likely to have osteoporosis (aOR=0.31, 95% CI=0.12-0.76), compared with the lowest quartile group. More parity also had significantly detrimental effects on osteoporosis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women increased with age from 46.3% of those aged 45-64 to 68.7% for those aged 75 and over. Lean body mass and parity appeared significant contributor to bone mineral density in postmenopausal women in this population.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.257-269
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• 2021

This study aimed to secure basic data for the development and operation of well-aging education programs by analyzing the physical, mental, and socio-economic needs of well-aging education for successful aging. The research tool was developed as a questionnaire to investigate the perception of well aging and the needs of well-aging education in terms of physical, mental, and socio-economic aspects. In February 2021, 1949 adults over the age of 19 were surveyed through an online and mobile survey by Gallup Korea. Descriptive statistics analysis, variance analysis, Borich needs analysis, and IPA analysis were conducted to analyze the needs of well-aging education. The results revealed economic power, exercise, and chronic disease management to be high in terms of the overall priority of the education needs for well-aging, and infectious disease management, independence, and social responsibility were surveyed in the order of low education needs. In terms of economic power, education needs were highest among all age groups except for the middle-age group (35-49 years old), 82.4% of all respondents, and education needs for exercise and chronic disease management were highest in the middle-age group. Therefore, it is necessary to develop well-aging education programs for each life cycle. These results are expected to be used as empirical data in establishing a platform for developing and operating educational programs for well aging.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2018

Background: Saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJ) are the most abundant and main active components of P. japonicus, which replaces ginseng roots in treatment for many kinds of diseases in the minority ethnic group in China. Our previous studies have demonstrated that SPJ has the effects of anti-inflammation through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) signaling pathways. The present study was designed to investigate whether SPJ can modulate intestinal tight junction barrier in aging rats and further to explore the potential mechanism. Methods: Aging rats had been treated with different doses (10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 60 mg/kg) of SPJ for 6 mo since they were 18 mo old. After the rats were euthanized, the colonic samples were harvested. Levels of tight junctions (claudin-1 and occludin) were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) were examined by Western blot. NF-${\kappa}B$ and phosphorylation of MAPK signaling pathways were also determined by Western blot. Results: We found that SPJ increased the expression of the tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin in the colon of aging rats. Treatment with SPJ decreased the levels of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, reduced the phosphorylation of three MAPK isoforms, and inhibited the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in the colon of aging rats. Conclusion: The studies demonstrated that SPJ modulates the damage of intestinal epithelial tight junction in aging rats, inhibits inflammation, and downregulates the phosphorylation of the MAPK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in skin temperature and thermal comfort of participants in a $19^\circ{C}$ room (the recommended room temperature in the winter) depending on age, sex and clothing weight. Subjects were divided into four groups (6 young males, 5 young females, 6 old males, 6 old females) and experimental trials consisted of three conditions: wearing underwear in a $19^\circ{C}$ room (19CUW), without underwear in a $19^\circ{C}$ room (19C), and without underwear in a $24^\circ{C}$ room (24C). The results indicated the following: 1) There were no significant differences in mean skin temperature based on age or sex, and the mean skin temperatures of the four groups were in the range of 32.4∼$34.0^\circ{C}$. 2) In the 19C condition, the skin temperatures of the hands and feet of old females were higher than those of the other three groups. 3) In terms of perceived thermal comfort, young females showed a tendency to feel the most uncomfortable. Both old and young groups agreed that the 24C condition was the most comfortable. 4) Relational coefficients between thermal comfort and skin temperatures were higher in the young group than in the old group. Furthermore, the perceived thermal comfort had a stronger relationship with mean skin temperatures than with local skin temperatures. 5) The mean skin temperatures of subjects who indicated they were 'comfortable' were in the range of 31∼$36^\circ{C}$ regardless of age or sex.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.327-335
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• 2010

We reported previously that the administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) protected the guinea pig testis against damage induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (a potent endocrine disruptor). We also found that crude saponin from ginseng was the active ingredient responsible for this protection. Here, we examined the biological role of KRG-WE in an animal model of age-induced dysfunction of spermatogenesis. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (six 2-month-old and eighteen 12-month-old) rats were used. The young and old control groups received only vehicle. The ginseng saponin (GS)- and KRG-WE-treated groups received GS (40 mg/kg body weight/day) and KRG-WE (200 mg/kg body weight/day), respectively, for 4 months. The number of cells, Sertoli cell index, Johnsen's score, and sex hormone levels decreased significantly with age. However, the administration of KRG-WE and GS markedly improved the number of germ cells, seminiferous tubular size, and Johnsen's score in the old rats. Ginseng produced a distinct testicular histological improvement in old rats. KRG-WE and GS elevated testosterone levels, while attenuating the aberrant increase in follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. Sperm kinematics evaluated by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer demonstrated improvement in the percentage of motile sperm, progressive sperm motility, and curvilinear velocity associated with sperm quality, supporting the beneficial role of red ginseng in senile spermatogenesis. Overall, the total water extract had a more potent effect than the corresponding saponin fraction. In conclusion, Korean red ginseng rejuvenated age-induced testicular dysfunction. Additionally, the total water extract was more potent than the corresponding saponin fraction.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.589-612
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• 2019

Korea has undergone rapid modernization and globalization process in the last few decades. The purpose of this study is to explore how shifting traditional values are impacting Korean elderlies and their perceptions of aging experience. In order to understand how changing social and cultural practices are affecting older adults, the similarities and differences among Korean elderlies living in three different geographical locations are examined in a multidimensional comparative framework. Life story interviews were conducted with 30 Korean elderlies (10 urban residents in Korea, 10 rural residents in Korea, and 10 residents in the US). Paying attention to within-group variation, this study particularly focused on analyzing the psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual experiences that made lives meaningful and resilient in old age in spite of physical decline. Based on analysis of narrative, the following major areas were identified as having positive or negative influence on aging experiences: physical health, emotional health, family relationship, work, leisure/social activity, and spirituality. Common themes of aging well across all settings included: "life not indebted to their offspring," "physical and mental health," and "dying well." Spirituality played a critical role in cultivating perspectives on life and accepting aging process, which were rooted in specific religious traditions participants identified (e.g., Christianity or Buddhism). Interesting differences in the meaning of work and leisure were also found between elderlies residing in Korea and the US immigrant context. One unique factor continuing to negatively affect Korean elderly in rural community was related to shame of not obtaining higher education. Implications for future research are also addressed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.429-440
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• 2019

The proportion of people aged 65 or older in the world's major advanced nations is increasing to a significant extent. Aging population causes various socioeconomic problems. One of the most important issues is the welfare of the elderly. Advanced foreign countries that have already experienced aging early are investing a lot of money or legal system to provide welfare services necessary for old age such as income security system for the elderly, health care service for the elderly, and long-term protection problems. The contents of the social welfare legislation including the welfare of the elderly are closely related to the society, politics, economy, and culture of each country. Both Korea and Japan are actively intervening in the social security of the nation based on the constitutional ideology. The elderly welfare Act is a time when more careful diagnosis is needed because it is in the process of establishing the basic direction based on human dignity and pursuing the most efficient way to achieve it in such an ideology and reality. Therefore, in this study, based on the Elderly Welfare Act of Japan, which is the selection country of aging, I would like to examine the implications for the Elderly Welfare Act in Korea.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2015

Extract from Gryllus bimaculatus crickets inhibits oxidation at the DNA level, with reduced production of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Microarray analyses were performed with a rat 28K cDNA clone set array to identify the gene expression profiles of aged (10 months old) Wistar Kyoto rats treated for one month with 100 mg/kg G. bimaculatus ethanol extract to assess the effects. The extract produced a meaningful anti-edema effect, evident by the inhibition of creatinine phosphokinase activity. The weights of abdominal and ovarian adipose tissues were reduced and the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissues was increased in an extract dose-dependent manner. Compared with untreated control rats, rats treated with the extract displayed the upregulation of 1053 genes including Fas (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 6), Amigo3 (adhesion molecule with an immunoglobulin-like domain), Reticulon 4, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme (Hmgcr; a reductase), related anti-fatigue (enzyme metabolism), and Rtn antioxidant, and the downregulation of 73 genes including Ugt2b (UDP glycosyltransferase 2 family), Early growth response 1, and Glycoprotein m6a. Data suggest that G. bimaculatus extract may have value in lessening the effects of aging, resulting in a differential gene expression pattern indicative of a marked stress response and lower expression of metabolic and biosynthetic genes.