• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2005

Purpose: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is frequently yet little understood disease. Review was performed to promote understanding on the characteristics, pathophysiology, and risk factors of IBS. Content: IBS is characterized by abdominal discomfort associated with pain and altered bowel function; structural and biochemical abnormalities are absent. Generally IBS is more prevalent in women and people with higher educational and social background, but there are some controversies. IBS is diagnosed by the Rome II or Manning criteria after excluding organic gastrointestinal diseases. The pathophysioloy is explained by abnormal control mechanism of central and enteric nervous system. Mucosal immunity, secretions, and neurotransmitter are also associated with the hypersensitivity and motility change of bowel function. Stress is known as a major triggering factor and contributed to symptoms. Other risk factors are genetic elements, childhood experiences, inflammation, anxiety, depression, diet, and sleep disorders.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.83-95
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• 2017

This study examined the socioeconomic factors that affect self-rated health (SRH) in healthy adults, and the relationship of SRH to health-related habits, serum biochemical indices, and nutritional intakes. Subjects consisted of 1,154 healthy adults without any known disease, aged 19 to 65 years (average age of 36.7), whose information was obtained from the 2013 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey data. Of these subjects, 73 rated themselves as 'very healthy,' 460 indicated that they were 'healthy,' 568 self-identified as 'ordinary', and 53 put themselves in the 'unhealthy' category. The proportion of subjects who chose 'unhealthy' was significantly increased with higher frequencies of disruptions in their daily lives (p<0.05), regret after drinking (p<0.05), smoking (p<0.001), and higher levels of stress (p<0.001). On the other hand, the proportion of subjects reported as 'very healthy' was significantly higher with regular intense (p<0.001) or moderate physical activities (p<0.05), regular walking (p<0.05), a perception of being 'normal' in their body image (p<0.01), a decrease of body weight more than 3 kg in the past year (p<0.05), and without risk factors for metabolic syndrome (p<0.05). Serum triglyceride level was lower, and 25-(OH) vitamin D content was significantly higher, in the 'very healthy' group as compared to the 'unhealthy' group (p<0.05). Dietary fiber and vitamin C intakes were significantly higher in the 'very healthy' group than 'unhealthy' group (p<0.05). The overall results suggest that a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, non-smoking, good stress management, and higher intakes of fiber and vitamin C, may be potential factors that affect one's positive perception of health.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.596-604
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• 2019

Vibrio parahaemolyticus causes food poisoning, mainly via marine fisheries products. We investigated the virulence factors and drug resistance of V. parahaemolyticus isolated from fisheries products purchased from the Yeosu Fisheries Market. The isolates were identified using a variety of biochemical tests and the detection of toxR and hns gene. The presence of the virulence factor-encoding genes tdh and trh in the isolates was also investigated by PCR. The resistance of the isolates to 13 antibacterial agents was tested using the disc-diffusion method and carriage of β-lactamase genes and class 1 integrons by ampicillin-resistant isolates was investigated by PCR. Four of seventeen isolates identified as V. parahaemolyticus by biochemical tests produced a species-specific PCR band. Those isolates showed >98% 16S rRNA gene sequence homology with V. parahaemolyticus and only one isolate harbored the tdh gene. All of the V. parahaemolyticus isolates were resistant to ampicillin and amoxicillin; moreover, VPA0477, a class A β-lactamase gene, and class 1 integrons were detected. Therefore, V. parahaemolyticus from fisheries products represents a low risk to human health. Also, V. parahaemolyticus is likely to develop multidrug resistance because it has class 1 integrons.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.4959-4962
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• 2012

The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate prognostic factors associated with survival of patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Included were 200 patients admitted to the Liberation Army General Hospital with a diagnosis of ES-SCLC. The demographics of patients, disease characteristics, pre-treatment biochemical parameters and therapeutic plan were assessed or evaluated. Univariate analysis found that second-line chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and no liver metastasis were associated with improved survival. Tumor response to first-line chemotherapy and normal initial hemoglobin levels were also associated with a survival benefit (all P-values ${\leq}$ 0.0369). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that liver metastasis and the total number of all chemotherapy cycles were independent prognostic factors of survival. The morbidity risk in patients with liver metastasis was 2.52-fold higher than that in patients without liver metastasis (hazard ratio (HR)=2.52 (1.69-3.76); P<0.0001). However, one unit increase in the total number of chemotherapy cycles decreased the risk of death by 0.86-fold (HR=0.86 (0.80-0.92); P<0.0001). Absence of liver metastasis and ability of a patient to receive and tolerate multiple lines of chemotherapy were associated with longer survival.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.448-458
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• 2014

Objectives: Increasing salt preferences with age are said to increase preferences of salty foods, thereby leading to greater sodium consumption, which has further implication for hypertension. This study examined the link between preference of salty taste and dietary factors and health-related risk factors in Korean elderly people. Methods: We studied 312 elderly individuals aged > 65 years (male, 100 and female, 212). With each subject, pleasant concentration of NaCl was estimated using the sip-and-spit method. Dietary habits, food preferences, consumption frequencies, anthropometric and biochemical assessment were assessed. Results: The pleasant salt concentration was significantly increased in individuals older than 75 years (p < 0.05). Subjects who liked high concentration of salt showed significantly higher preferences for salty foods (p < 0.001). Results showed significant effects (p < 0.01) of fruit & fruit juice consumption frequencies, MNA (mini-nutritional assessment), cognition score, BMI, body fat %, waist circumference, arm circumference, calf circumference, vitamin D level that subjects who likes low salty taste were higher than subjects who likes high salty taste. Conclusions: The preference for salty taste in the elderly was not correlated with hypertension. But, increased preference for salty taste with age and increased salty food preferences may result in higher sodium consumption. Therefore, nutritional education regarding lowering salt preference and favorable behaviors of low-salt diet is needed to improve the quality of life in the rural elderly.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) evaluation is a useful tool for monitoring disease activity in various inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions. ESR is known to be influenced by a multitude of confounding factors. The present study aimed to assess the possible determinants of the ESR and its relationship with various risk factors involved in ischemic stroke. ESR and other hematological and biochemical parameters were investigated in 163 ischemic stroke patients (107 males and 56 females) selected based on imaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 16.0 software. Linear regression analysis showed a significant inverse relationship of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV) (P<0.001 for females; P<0.01 for males) with the ESR. It was observed that the red blood cell (RBC) count was not strongly correlated with the ESR (P<0.05 for both males and females). It was also observed that sex significantly affected the variables determining the ESR levels, whereas age had no effect. Gender differences were also observed with respect to Hb, RBC, PCV, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and ESR. The possible determinants of higher ESR levels in ischemic stroke may be sex, Hb, hematocrit, and RBC count, but the role of other clinical and laboratory parameters cannot be underestimated.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.226-233
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• 2011

Objectives: Being overweight or obese is central to metabolic syndrome, and these characteristics constitute dominant risk factors for chronic diseases. Although behavioral factors, including eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, are considered to be determinants of obesity, the specific childhood factors that contribute to this condition have not been clearly defined. Methods: The subjects consisted of 261 children aged 7- 9 years who were recruited from an elementary school during October 2003. Information was obtained from their parents using a questionnaire focused on eating behaviors and lifestyle factors, additional data were also collected via anthropometric measurements and biochemical examinations, including blood tests. Results: A total of 48 (18.4%) of the 261 children were overweight, and 34 (70.8%) had at least one other component of metabolic syndrome. Eating behaviors emerged as significant lifestyle-related risk factors for being overweight or obese. Those who engaged in overeating more than twice per week had three times the risk of being overweight (odds ratio [OR], 3.10, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39 to 6.92), and those who ate rapidly had three times the risk of being overweight (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.68 to 6.41). Those who had fewer family meals (fewer than 2?3/month) had a nine times higher risk of being overweight than those who had family meals more frequently (at least 1/day) (OR, 9.51; 95% CI, 1.21 to 74.82). Conclusions: This study showed that being overweight or obese during preadolescence is associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome and is related to unhealthy eating behaviors. Thus, weight-control strategies and healthy eating behaviors should be developed early in life to reduce the risk for metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.511-520
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• 2013

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Genetic polymorphism in the regulatory regions of MCP-1 could affect MCP-1 expression. The purpose of the study was to explore the possible association of MCP-1 -2518 A/G genetic polymorphism and CVD risk factors in the elderly Korean population. Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical factors were assessed in 168 subjects. The frequency of A/A, G/A, and G/G genotypes was 14.2%, 45.8%, and 40.0%, respectively. The blood level of MCP-1 was significantly higher in subjects with A/A genotype. The MCP-1 level was significantly higher in A/A genotype with hypercholesterolemia than in other genotypes. Meat intake and percent energy from lipids were significantly positively correlated with the MCP-1 level, especially, stronger in A/A genotype. In the stepwise discriminant analysis, TNF-${\alpha}$ level, meat intake, HDL-C were associated with MCP-1 in all subjects (model $R^2=24%$). TNF-${\alpha}$ level, sugar intake, cholesterol intake, and meat intake affected MCP-1 in A/A genotype (model $R^2=82%$), but not in G/A or G/G. In conclusion, subjects possessing A/A genotype exhibited higher levels of MCP-1 than other genotypes in Korean elders. Further, meat, sugar, and cholesterol intakes affected the MCP-1 level. Therefore, the decrement of meat, sugar, and cholesterol intakes helps to normalize the MCP-1 level and can decrease CVD risk in A/A genotype.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.14-24
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension, and to assess the risk factors associated with hypertension in elderly (over 65 years old) Koreans, using data from the 4th Korean National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (the 4th KNHANES), 2007~2009. A total of 1,887 participants were analyzed for assessing the risk factors after excluding those who took hypertension medicines or underwent diet therapy (hypertension perceivers). On the other hand, in analyzing prevalence, a total of 3,526 people were analyzed, including hypertension perceivers. Hypertension was more frequently found in female (64.1%) and urban (62.0%) groups compared to male (55.6%) and rural (57.4%) groups. The mean age of the hypertensive group was significantly higher than that of normal group. The mean values of total cholesterol levels were also significantly higher in the hypertensive group, while body weight, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin, hematocrit, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol were not. Multiple logistic regression showed that smoking was significantly related to the prevalence of hypertension, but alcohol drinking, stress, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes, anemia, and nutrient intakes were not. The results of this study does not support clear relations of hypertension with chronic diseases including obesity, hyperlipidemia, anemia, and diabetes as well as nutrient intakes among a Korean elderly population. A prospective long-term research study is needed to establish the effects of these factors on hypertension.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.291-300
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• 2015

Objectives: The prevalence of hypertension in Korean rural elderly was significantly higher than that of the general population. Determining the potential risk factors of hypertension would be useful for managing and improving the treatment and prevention of hypertension in rural areas. Methods: We studied 336 elderly individuals 110 males, 226 females) aged between 65 years and 95 years residing in the rural area, S-gun Jeonbuk. Health-related habits, frequency of intake of food groups, nutrient intakes, anthropometric and biochemical measurements were assessed. Subjects were defined as hypertensive if SBP was ${\geq}140mmHg$ or if DBP was ${\geq}90mmHg$ or take an antihypertensive drug. Results: The rate of prevalence of hypertension in the study group was 51.8% (male 40.0%, female 57.5%). The risk of occurrence of hypertension was higher among females (OR, 1.98), 75 years old or older (OR, 1.62), BMI ${\geq}25kg/m^2$ (OR, 2.84), acceptable range (upper end) of body fat (OR, 2.29) and unhealthy (too high) range of body fat (OR, 3.28), hypertriglyceridemia (OR, 2.17) and hypercholesterolemia (OR, 5.42), low protein intakes (OR, 1.78). However, health related habits, frequencies of intake of food groups and most nutrient intakes except for protein did not show any significant relationship with the occurrence of hypertension. Conclusions: To reduce the risk of occurrence of hypertension among elderly individuals in rural areas, it is needed to avoid increase of body fat, 25 or higher BMI ($kg/m^2$) and hyperlipidemia and low intake of proteins.