• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.302-314
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• 2011

Purpose: This study aimed to validate instruments to classify the frailty of Korean elderly people in community. Methods: For this study, 632 elders were selected from community-based elderly houses and home visiting registries, and data on frailty were collected using three instruments during November, 2008. The Korean Frail Scale (KFS) was composed of 10 domains with the maximum score of 20. The Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) had 10 domains with the maximum score of 17. The 25_Japan Frail Scale (25_JFS) was composed of 6 domains with the maximum score of 25. Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's ${\alpha}$. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of ROC were measured to see validity with long.term care insurance grade as a gold standard. Results: The Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ was .72 for KFS, .55 for EFS, and .80 for 25_JFS. Sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 70.0%, 83.2%, and .83, respectively, at cutting point 10.5 for the KFS, 50.0%, 80.9%, and .66, respectively, at 8.5 for EFS, and 80.0%, 85.9%, and .86, respectively, at 12.5 for 25_JFS. Conclusion: KFS and three JFS showed favorable internal consistency and predictive validity. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to confirm predictive validity.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.195-195
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• 2003

It is well known that diesel exhaust particulate matter contains mutagenic PAHs, such as benzo[${\alpha}$]pyrene, benz[${\alpha}$]anthracene, chrysene, etc. Therefore it is suspected that these chemicals act on estrogen receptor and reveal endocrine-disrupting effects. Recent attention has focused on causative chemicals of endocrine-disrupting effects. We examined the estrogenic activity of respirable diesel exhaust particulate matter derived from diesel powered vehicle. PM2.5 diesel exhaust of vehicle was collected using a high volume sampler equipped with a cascade impactor. Diesel exhaust samples were fractionated according to EPA methods. The presence of estrogenic and antiestrogenic chemicals in PM 2.5 diesel exhaust was determined using E-screen assay. To quantitatively assess the estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities in diesel exhaust particulate matter, estradiol equivalent concentration (bio-EEQ) was calculated by comparing the concentration response curve of the sample with those of the estrogen calibration curve. Weak estrogenic activities and strong antiestrogenic activities were detected in the crude extract and moderately polar fractions. Higher antiestrogenic potency was observed with higher EROD activities in aliphatic and aromatic compounds fraction. In conclusion, estrogenic/antiestrogenic-like activities were present in diesel exhaust particulate matter. However, the health consequences of this observation was unknown, the presence of these activities may contribute to and exacerbate adverse health effect evoked by diesel exhaust particulate matter.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2008

Rapid canopy closure (RCC) is one of the physiological attributes that may enhance genetic yield potential of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in a growing season. Crop growth before canopy closure could be described by an exponential equation of $y\;=\;{\alpha}{\cdot}{\exp}({\beta}{\cdot}t)$ where $\alpha$ is the crop leaf area index (LAI) or shoot dry weight (DW), t is the thermal time, $\beta$ is the LAI or DW at the beginning of the exponential growth and is the relative growth rate of LAI ($m^2m^{-2}^{\circ}C^{-1}$) or DW($gg^{-2}^{\circ}C^{-1}$). Field experiment using 22 cultivars revealed that the exponential growth phase before canopy closure can be divided into two sections; an earlier section during which crop dry weight and LAI of varieties are highly dependent on $\alpha$ and a second section where crop dry weight and LAI are highly dependent on $\beta$. Grain weight had significantly positive correlation with $\alpha$ parameter and dry weight and LAI during early exponential phase. The parameter $\beta$ of the exponential growth curve had positive and significant correlation with the LAI and dry weight during the late exponential growth phase, grain number per unit area, and grain yield. There was genotypic difference for RCC parameters, $\alpha$ and $\beta$, indicating the possibility of genetic improvement for these traits.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.353-359
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• 2000

${\alpha}_2$-Adrenoceptor antagonists, which can enhance synaptic norepinephrine levels by blocking feedback inhibition processes, are potentially useful in the treatment of disease states such. as depression, memory impairment, impotence and sexual dysfunction. (10bS)-1,2,3,5,6,10b-Hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline oxalate (YSL-3S) was evaluated in several in vitro biological tests to establish its pharmacological profile of activities as an ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor antagonist. Saturation binding assay revealed that$^{3}[H]$rauwolscine bound to the $\alpha$$_2$-adrenoceptors with a Kd value of 6.3$\pm$0.5 nM and a Bmax value of 25l$\pm$39 fmol/mg protein in rat cortical synaptic membranes. Competitive binding assay showed that YSL-3S inhibited the binding of$^3[H]$rauwolscine (1 nM) in a concentration-dependent manner with a Ki value of 98.2$\pm$12.1 nM while it did not inhibit the binding of [$^3$H]cytisine (1.25 nM) to neuronal nicotinic cholinergic receptors. The Ki values of yohimbine, clonidine and norepinephrine for $^3[H]$rauwolscine binding were 15.8$\pm$1.0, 40.1$\pm$5.9 and 40.0$\pm$11.5 nM, respectively. In addition, the binding affinity of YSL-3S for ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptors was higher than that of its antipode and the racemic mixture. The functional activity of YSL-3S at the presynaptic ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptors was assessed using the prostatic portion of the rat vas deferens. Clonidine inhibited field-stimulated contractions of the vas deference in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of YSL-3S or yohimbine caused a parallel, rightward the dose-response curve of clonidine in a dose-dependent manner, indicating an antagonistic action at the presynaptic ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptors. The $pA_2$values of yohimbine and YSL-3S were 7.66$\pm$0.13 and 6.64$\pm$0.18, respectively. The results indicate that YSL-3S acts as a competitive antagonist at presynaptic ${\alpha}_2$ -adrenoceptors with a potency approximately ten times lower than yohimbine, but is devoid of binding affinity for neuronal nicotinic cholinergic receptors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.611-620
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• 1997

Objectives : The differentiation of tuberculous effusion from the other causes of exudative pleural effusion remained difficult even with aids of biochemical analyses and pleural biopsy. As the pathophysiology of tuberculous pleural effusion is an enhanced cell mediated immunity, Adenosine deaminase(ADA) and various eytokines including Inteferon-$\gamma$, tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-$\alpha$) are considered as useful diagnostic tools in differentiating exudative pleural effusion. The author would like to demonstrate the diagnostic usefulness of TNF-$\alpha$ in the differentiation of exudative pleural effusion, and compared the discriminating ability of TNF-$\alpha$ with ADA. Methods : Pleural fluids obtained from 80 patients (tuberculous : 39, malignant : 31, parapneumonic : 10) with exudate pleural effusions were processed for cell counts and biochemical analysis including ADA and TNF-$\alpha$. Results : Tuberculous pleural fluid showed higher levels of ADA and TNF-$\alpha$, $48.7{\pm}32.7U/L$ and $184.1{\pm}214.2pg/mL$ than that of non-tuberculous effusion $26.0{\pm}41.3U/L$ and $44.1{\pm}114.2pg/mL$, respectively (ADA, TNF-$\alpha$, p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristics(ROC) curves were generated for ADA and TNF-$\alpha$ and the best cut-off value for adenosine deaminase and TNF-$\alpha$were considered as 30U/L and 15pg/ml, respectively. Comparing the area under the ROC curves, there was no significant difference between ADA and TNF-$\alpha$. Conclusion : For the differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion from the other causes of exudative pleural effusions, TNF-$\alpha$ as well as ADA was considered as useful diagnostic method. However adding TNF-$\alpha$ to ADA has no further diagnotic benefit than ADA alone.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.99-112
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• 2007

Objectives : It was to translate three neck and spinal pain disability questionnaires - the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS), and the Functional Rating Index (FRI) - into Korean language, and evaluate the psychometric properties of Korean versions of questionnaires to achieve a good cross-cultural adaptation. Methods : Forty (23 males, 17 females) subjects aged from 15 to 64 years old, participated to examine test-retest reliability. One hundred and eighty (76 males, 104 females) subjects with a primary diagnosis of non-specific neck pain and 81 healthy volunteers were undertaken to examine internal consistemcy, discriminative validity and longitudinal construct validity. Versions of each questionnaire in idiomatic modern Korean were developed using a procedure proposed by Beaton et al. (2000). To assess reliability, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC $_{(2,1)}$) was calculated. Internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha. Discriminative validity was examined with independent-group t-tests. Responsiveness was tested by calculating the effect size and standardized response mean for each questionnaire and using Pearson' s r and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results : Test-retest reliability ofthe translated versions of the three disability questionnaires was excellent (ICC $_{(2,1)$ = 0.86-0.90). High internal consistency was found in the three disability questionnaires (Cronbach's alpha ranged from ${\alpha}=0.88$ for the FRI to ${\alpha}=0.96$ for the NPDS and 0.82 for the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire(SFMPQ)). the VAS subscale of the SFMPQ was found to be the most responsive of the subscales (ES=1.44, SRM=1.37). The VAS was also the most responsive pain and disability index in internal responsiveness analysis, although disability indices showed marginally better responsiveness when compared with external standards. No floor or ceiling effects were observed. Conclusions : It is concluded that the questionnaires were successfully translated and exhibit acceptable measurement properties, and may suggest that they are suitable for use in clinical and research application.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.226-230
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• 2005

To keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible is the major goal of diabetes mellitus treatment $\alpha$-Glucosidase is the enzyme that digests die1my carbohydrate and inhibition of this enzyme may suppress postprandial hyperglycemia. The methanol extract of Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg was tested for inhibitoty activity against $\alpha$-glucosidase in vitro and in vivo. Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg extract inhibited yeast $\alpha$-glucosidase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg showed an $IC_{50}$ value of 0.48 mg/mL. The ability of Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg extract to lower postprandial glucose was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A starch solution (1 g/kg) with and without the methanol extract of Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg extract (500 mg/kg) was administered to diabetic rats by gastric intubation after an overnight fast A single oral dose of Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg extract significantly inhibited increases in blood glucose levels at 60 and 90 min (p<0.05) and significantly decreased incremental response areas under the glycemic response curve (p<0.05). These results suggest that Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg may have an antihyperglycemic effect by inhibiting $\alpha$-glucosidase activity in the animal model of diabetes mellitus.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 2002

The formation of inclusion complexes between cyclodextrin(CD) and Congo red was studied by spectrophotometric methods at various temperatures. The cavity sizes are 0.49 nm, 0.62 nm for $\alpha$-and $\beta$-CD, respectively. Therefore, $\alpha$-CD was not found to form an inclusion complex with Congo red due to steric hinderance. In the $\beta$-CD use two $\beta$-CD molecules formed an inclusion complex with one molecule of Congo red, from the slope of the S-shaped curve increased. Two prominent isosbestic points appear at 346 nm and 478 nm. The formation constants were decreased with the increasing temperatures, due to low binding energy between $\beta$-CD and Congo red. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated from the plot of $lnK_f$ vs 1/T. The $\Delta$H, $\Delta$S and $\Delta$G were -50.73 kJ/mol, $-108.96J/K{\cdot}mol$ and -18.26 kJ/mol, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.171-179
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• 1977

Proton magnetic resonance spectra of five glycine-containing dipeptides glycyl-L-valine, L-valyl-glycine, glycyl-DL-alanine, glycyl-DL-serine and glycyl-L-aspartic acid in $D_2O$ were investigated as a function of pH at room temperature. From the analysis of the spectra, it was found that the chemical shift of the $C_{\alpha}H,\;C_{\beta}H\;and\;C_rH$protons varies with pH as a one-step titration curve, and that the spin-spin coupling constant remains almost unchanged. Two distinct values of the chemical shift for $C_{\alpha}H,\;C_{\beta}H\;or\;C_rH$protons of constituent amino acids in dipeptide solutions indicate the existence of two magnetically non-equivalent sites in solution. From this study, the structures of the five dipeptides have been confirmed by proton magnetic resonance spectra and it has been suggested that the structural change, conformation and sequence determination can be explored for oligopeptides by an analysis of proton magnetic resonance spectra.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.808-812
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• 2009

The ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory and antioxidant effects of water chestnut (Trapa japonica Flerov.) were assessed to explore its possible use as an anti-diabetic agent. Methanol extracts of the fruit shell and meat of water chestnut were assayed for inhibitory activity against yeast ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Effect of fruit shell extract on postprandial glucose response was assessed. Compared with fruit meat, shell extract showed stronger inhibition against ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ with an $IC_{50}$ of 273 ${\mu}g/mL$. Oral administration of fruit shell extract (500 mg/kg) significantly lowered the postprandial area under the glucose response curve to starch (1 g/kg) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (p<0.01). Compared with fruit meat, shell extract showed stronger scavenging activity against DPPH, with an $IC_{50}$ of 27.1 ${\mu}g/mL$. The results indicate that the fruit shell of water chestnut was effective in controlling postprandial hyperglycemia and exerted an antioxidant effect. Therefore, water chestnut may be useful in treating diabetes.