• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.176-184
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• 2011

Objectives: Understanding recent trends in cigarette smoking among adolescents is important in order to develop strategies to prevent cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to compare recent trends in cigarette smoking for adolescents living in rural areas, small towns and metropolitan cities in Korea. Methods: The raw data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS) from 2005 to 2009 were used. Data were analyzed by using the method of complex survey data analysis considering complex sampling design. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate significant linear time trends in cigarette smoking. The indicators of cigarette use behaviors were 'current smoking rate', 'frequent smoking rate', 'heavy smoking rate' and 'smoking experience rate before 13 years of age'. All analyses were conducted according to gender. Results: Statistically significant increasing trends in current smoking rate and frequent smoking rate were observed and borderline significant increasing trends in heavy smoking rate were shown among rural boys. Among metropolitan city boys, statistically significant increasing trends were also seen for frequent smoking. Statistically significant decreasing trends in current smoking rate were observed among small town and metropolitan city girls. Smoking experience rate before 13 years of age for rural girls decreased significantly. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking prevalence among adolescents in the rural areas has increased in the last five years especially among boys. Our findings suggest that anti-tobacco program for adolescents should be conducted primarily for those in rural areas.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2024

Objectives: This study is aimed to survey public's experience of medical use for developing Korean medicine clinical practice guideline of female infertility. Methods: The study engaged women who had experienced infertility despite regular conjugal relations, selected from an online survey company's national panel. Participants were surveyed from November 3 to 8, 2021. The questionnaire, developed from prior studies on Korean medicine, was emailed to 29,465 adults; 550 responses were analyzed after exclusions. The study received an IRB exemption from Pusan National University Korean Medicine Hospital and utilized Microsoft Excel for statistical analysis. Results: Among 550 respondents, 32.2% had experienced infertility, predominantly due to unexplained causes (52%). About half had received medical treatment (49.3%), primarily at hospitals and general hospitals (54.2%) and obstetrics and gynecology clinics (49.4%), with Korean medicine facilities also utilized (24.7% for clinics, 14.4% for hospitals). The most common treatments included herbal medicine in Korean medicine and ovulation induction in Western medicine, with most treatments lasting less than six months (71.4%) and costing between 1 to 5 million won (50.5%). Efforts to conceive included lifestyle adjustments such as maintaining a warm lower abdomen, supplement intake, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Conclusions: It is necessary that the guidelines be revised to address female infertility and to integrate recommendations for combining Korean medical treatments and Western medical treatments, which will enhance patient care in managing female infertility.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.371-374
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• 1984

This study was conducted to establish the statistic model by use the soil physico-chemical properties for prediction of ginseng root yield. Twenty seven farmer's red ginseng fields from the ginseng growing area were chosen for this study. Root yield of 6-year old ginseng was $1.85{\pm}0.54Kg$ per $3.3m^2$, and it showed positive correlation between yield and porosity, content of clay, clay and silt, organic matter, cation exchange capacity of the field soils, respectively, but showed a negative correlation with available phosphate. Prediction of root yield was possible with equation combined with porosity($X_1$), content of clay($X_2$), clay and silt($X_3$), available phosphate($X_4$), CEC($X_5$), the equation is $Y=-1.175+0.033X_1-0.04X_2+0.012X_3-0.001X_4+0.171X_5$. Standard partial regression coefficients were 0.3799 in CEC, 0.1550 in content of clay, 0.0890 in porosity, 0.0599 in content of clay silt, and -0.0138 in available phosphate.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2629-2633
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• 2012

Background: Raw betel nut (RBN) chewing is an important contributing factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), although associated genomic changes remain unclear. One difficulty in assessing the effects of exclusively RBN induced genetic alterations has been that earlier studies were performed with samples of patients commonly using tobacco and alcohol, in addition to betel-quid. Both CDKN2A (at 9p21) and Rb1 gene (at 13q14.2) are regarded as tumor suppressors involved in the development of ESCC. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify the RBN's ability to induce ESCC and assess the involvement of CDKN2A and Rb1 genes. Methods: A panel of dinucelotide polymorphic markers were chosen for loss of heterozygosity studies in 93 samples of which 34 were collected from patients with only RBN-chewing habit. Promoter hypermethylation was also investigated. Results: Loss in microsatellite markers D9S1748 and D9S1749, located close to exon $1{\beta}$ of CDKN2A/ARF gene at 9p21, was noted in 40% ESCC samples with the habit of RBN-chewing alone. Involvement of a novel site in the 9p23 region was also observed. Promoter hypermethylation of CDKN2A gene in the samples with the habit of only RBN-chewing alone was significantly higher (p=0.01) than Rb1 gene, also from the samples having the habit of use both RBN and tobacco (p=0.047). Conclusions: The data indicate that the disruption of 9p21 where CDKN2A gene resides, is the most frequent critical genetic event in RBN-associated carcinogenesis. The involvement of 9p23 as well as 13q14.2 could be required in later stages in RBN-mediated carcinogenesis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7675-7681
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• 2015

Background: Hazardous health behaviour in young people is an important factor that affects the individual risk for non-communicable diseases and other disorders later in life. This study aimed to determine the hazardous health behaviour of first and last class medical students of Erciyes University. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out with 240 medical students from the first and 130 students from the last (sixth) class. Data were obtained by questionnaire between March-April 2012. In total, 339 students were included with a response rate of 91.6%. Socio-demographic characteristics, school success, self-reported economic difficulties, health perceptions, hazardous health behaviour related to chronic disease, tobacco, alcohol, substance use, body weight, height, traffic, violence and nutrition were assessed in line with the literature. Results: Of the participants; 64.0% were from first and 36.0% were from the last class. Mean ages for the first and last classes were $19.4{\pm}1.5$ and $24.0{\pm}1.5years$, respectively. In the current study, males exhibited more hazardous behaviour than females. Sime 19.8% of the students in the study group used alcohol, 35.4% used a waterpipe, and 24.8% used tobacco at least once. These rates increased in both genders in the last class and the increase in males was significant. Some 3.8% of the students in the current study used pleasure-inducing illegal substances at least once. All the students participating in the current study were single, the number of males reported not using condoms (8.6%) was 4.56 times higher compared to females. Some 64.0% of the students did not perform physical activity lasting at least 30 minutes for five times a week, 13.0% did not sleep for mean 7-8 hours daily, males having a 2.9 times higher risk. More than 1/3 of the students did not consume cooked vegetable dishes and 1/4 did not consume fresh fruits and salads, the rates were higher among males. Conclusions: In the current study, hazardous health behaviour was prevalent among medical students, with higher risks among males and last class students. According to these results, medical curriculum may be focused on decreasing hazardous health behaviour. In addition, in order to prevent unhealthy behaviour, the number of youth-friendly health facilities should be increased.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2002.04b
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• pp.49-58
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• 2002

Oxidative stress derived from reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the major damaging factors in plants exposed to environmental stress. In order to develop the platform technology to solve the global food and environmental problems in the 21st century, we focus on the understanding of the antioxidative mechanism in plant cells, the development of oxidative stress-inducible antioxidant genes, and the development of transgenic plants with enhanced tolerance to stress. In this report, we describe our recent results on industrial transgenic plants by the gene manipulation of antioxidant enzymes. Transgenic tobacco plants expressing both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in chloroplasts were developed and were evaluated their protection effects against stresses, suggesting that simultaneous overexpression of both SOD and APX in chloroplasts has synergistic effects to overcome the oxidative stress under unfavorable environments. Transgenic tobacco plants expressing a human dehydroascorbate reductase gene in chloroplasts were showed the protection against the oxidative stress in plants. Transgenic cucumber plants expressing high level of SOD in fruits were successfully generated to use the functional cosmetic purpose as a plant bioreactor. In addition, we developed a strong oxidative stress-inducible peroxidase promoter, SWPA2 from sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). We anticipate that SWPA2 promoter will be biotechnologically useful for the development of transgenic plants with enhanced tolerance to environmental stress and particularly transgenic cell lines engineered to produce key pharmaceutical proteins.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3341-3355
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• 2016

Background: A recent WHO data report on mortality attributable to tobacco use including cigarette smoking indicated a very high burden of deaths in Asia and that people often initiate smoking as early as young adolescents. The objectives of this study were to systematically review peer-reviewed articles on cigarette smoking initiation among Asian adolescents and to develop a conceptual model of factors influencing smoking initiation by integrating all relevant factors based on existing data. Materials and Methods: Following a PRISMA guideline, a systematic review of articles published between 2005 and June 2015 was conducted using 5 databases on cigarette smoking initiation among adolescents (aged 10-19 years) living in Asia. We summarized the main findings of each study according to our research questions and data that emerged during the data extraction process. Analysis and categorization were based on the TTI and TPB models and classification of factors extracted from the study, were as follows: personal factors, social factors, broader environmental factors, mediators, and intention to initiate smoking and smoking behavior. Results: Of 1,227 identified studies, only 20 were included in this review. Our findings found that the mean age of cigarette smoking initiation ranged from 10 to 14 years and those who are more likely to initiate smoking are male, older adolescents, adolescents with low parental SES, individuals with low parental monitoring, low parental education level and having no discussion on smoking at home, those living in public housing and those exhibiting health-risk behavior. Our study also revealed that the risk of smoking initiation increased when they are exposed to smokers, influenced by peers, exposed to tobacco advertisements, receive pocket money, have lack of knowledge about smoking, have poor school performance, have a family conflict and have psychological problems. The conceptual model developed demonstrated complex networks of factors influencing initiation. Conclusions: This systematic review presents various factors influencing smoking initiation of the Asian adolescents and provides a conceptual framework to further analyze factors. Future studies should have a standard measure of smoking initiation, should analyze interactions and the intensity of relationships between different factors or variables in the conceptual model. This will in turn consolidate the understanding of the different factors affecting smoking initiation and will help to improve interventions in this area.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2002

Oxidative stress derived from reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the major damaging factors in plants exposed to environmental stress. In order to develop the platform technology to solve the global food and environmental problems in the 21st century, we focus on the understanding of the antioxidative mechanism in plant cells, the development of oxidative stress-inducible antioxidant genes, and the development of transgenic plants with enhanced tolerance to stress. In this report, we describe our recent results on industrial transgenic plants by the gene manipulation of antioxidant enzymes. Transgenic tobacco plants expressing both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in chloroplasts were developed and were evaluated their protection effects against stresses, suggesting that simultaneous overexpression of both SOD and APX in chloroplasts has synergistic effects to overcome the oxidative stress under unfavorable environments. Transgenic tobacco plants expressing a human dehydroascorbate reductase gene in chloroplasts were showed the protection against the oxidative stress in plants. Transgenic cucumber plants expressing high level of SOD in fruits were successfully generated to use the functional cosmetic purpose as a plant bioreactor. In addition, we developed a strong oxidative stress-inducible peroxidase promoter, SWPA2 from sweetpotato (lpomoea batatas). We anticipate that SWPA2 promoter will be biotechnologically useful for the development of transgenic plants with enhanced tolerance to environmental stress and particularly transgenic cell lines engineered to produce key pharmaceutical proteins.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.126-133
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• 2014

Purpose: Smokeless tobacco-based oral-use products like gutka are popular in India. Gutka usage leads to increased periodontal destruction and inflammation; however, the relevant mechanism remains unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the role of gutka in periodontitis by examining its effect on the levels of interleukin (IL) $1{\beta}$ and IL-8 from the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Methods: A total of 45 patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty patients with periodontitis (15 gutka chewers [GCP] and 15 nongutka chewers [NGC]) and 15 periodontally healthy controls (HC) were selected. The full-mouth plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and recession (RC) were recorded. The IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-8 levels in the GCF of all subjects were assessed through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Quantikine). Results: The IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-8 levels were not significantly higher in the GCP group (IL-$1{\beta}$, $369.01{\pm}273.44{\mu}L$; IL-8, $205.97{\pm}196.78{\mu}L$) as compared to those in the NGC group (IL-$1{\beta}$, $195.57{\pm}96.85{\mu}L$; IL-8, $178.61{\pm}149.35{\mu}L$). More gingival RC and loss of attachment was seen among the GCP group (RC: $2.02{\pm}0.31$, P=0.013; CAL: $4.60{\pm}0.56$, P<0.001) than among the NGC group (RC, $1.21{\pm}1.15$; CAL, $3.70{\pm}0.32$); however, PD was deeper among the NGC subjects (P=0.002). PI and GI were significantly higher for the periodontitis group (P<0.001) when compared to the HC, but there was no difference among gutka chewers and non-chewers (P=0.22 and P=0.89). A positive correlation was found between the IL-8 levels and the duration of gutka chewing (r=-0.64, P<0.01). Conclusions: Gutka chewing leads to increased gingival RC and clinical loss of attachment. There was no effect seen in the proinflammatory cytokine levels in the GCF of gutka users.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.79-90
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• 1997

The world-wide cigarette market is becoming increasingly regulated. This involves restrictions on the freedom to advertise, restrictions on where people can smoke, and in some ways of most importance, limits on cigarette smoke deliveries. In particular, in an increasingly large number of countries maximum tar legislation is being enacted. In many cases, such as the European Union, this type of legislation is progressive and over time it is entirely conceivable that maximum permitted tar deliveries will be reduced to as low as 5 mg, possibly with additional restrictions on smoke nicotine deliveries. In addition, the pace of change is increasing as more and more countries embark on tar reduction programmes. The key challenge facing the cigarette industry is to manage these changes in such a way which ensures that product acceptability is maintained at as high a level as is possible in these circumstances. There are a number of ways of achieving this involving filter ventilation, modifying blends and using different filter constructions The real innovation comes when combining these in a way that gives the most acceptable balance of all these competing variables as far as the smoker is concerned. Undoubtedly, the nature of the filter is of crucial importance in designing the most acceptable low tar products, and this paper will discuss some of the filter types which are currently in use in the various low tar markets around the world. Also, some thoughts about the future in terms of new filter developments will be presented.