• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.633-641
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• 2000

This study was conducted to measure the difference in the total antioxidant status(TAS) of overweight and normal weight adults, and to investigate the correlation between TAS and the nutrient intake. Anthropometric parameter, TAS, biochemical parameters and dietary intake were measured in the normal weight group(n=17, BMI 20-25, obesity index 90-110%, body fat 16-20%) and overweight group(n=13, BMI > 25, obesity index > 120%, body fat > 25%) among Korean young males. The TAS of the overweight group was significantly higher than that of the normal weight group(p < 0.01). Among biochemical parameters, the average uric acid concentration of the overweight group was significantly higher(p < 0.05) compared to that of the normal weight group indicating, the uric acid concentration reflects TAS. Usual dietary intake showed that the intakes of Ca and vitamin B$_2$, are below RDA. The average intake of vitamin C in the overweight group was significantly lower than that in the normal group(p < 0.05). There was no difference in the intake of carotene and vitamin E between groups. The diet quality of both groups was satisfactory. The result of the correlation analysis on TAS, the uric acid concentration, and the measured indexs are as follows : In the overweight group, TAS was negatively correlated with alchol drinking, and uric acid concentration was positively correlated with BMI, obesity index, and TAS. In conclusion, TAS was significantly higher in the overweight group than that of the normal group, although no association was found with nutrient intakes. Serum uric acid showed a positive relationship with TAS indicating, it is a possible determinant of the antioxidant capacity.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.449-459
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• 2023

The design and development of underground nuclear waste repositories should cover the performance evaluation of the different components such as the construction materials because the long term stability will depend on their response to the surrounding conditions. In South Korea, Gyeonju bentonite has been proposed as a candidate to be used as buffer and backfilling material, especially in the form of blocks to speed up the construction process. In this study, various cylindrical samples were prepared with different dry density and water content, and their physical and mechanical properties were analyzed and correlated with X-ray CT observations. The main objective was to characterize the samples and establish correlations for non-destructive estimation of physical and mechanical properties through the utilization of X-ray CT images. The results showed that the Uniaxial Compression Strength and the P-wave velocity have an increasing relationship with the dry density. Also, a higher water content increased the values of the measure parameters, especially for the P-wave velocity. The X-ray CT analysis indicated a clear relation between the mean CT value and the dry density, Uniaxial Compression Strength, and P-wave velocity. The effect of the higher water content was also captured by the mean CT value. Also, the relationship between the mean CT value and the dry density was used to plot CT dry densities using CT images only. Moreover, the histograms also provided information about the samples heterogeneity through the histograms' full width at half maximum values. Finally, the particle size and heterogeneity were also analyzed using the Madogram function. This function identified small particles in uniform samples and large particles in some samples as a result of poor mixing during preparation. Also, the μ_max value correlated with the heterogeneity, and higher values represented samples with larger ranges of CT values or particle densities. These image-based tools have been shown to be useful on the non-destructive characterization of bentonite samples, and the establishment of correlations to obtain physical and mechanical parameters solely from CT images.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.709-718
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• 2019

Objective: To investigate the association of myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantified by dynamic computed tomography (CT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with troponin level and left ventricle (LV) function in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five STEMI patients who successfully had undergone reperfusion treatment within 1 week of their infarction were consecutively enrolled. All patients were referred for dynamic CT-MPI. Serial high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) levels and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by echocardiography were recorded. Twenty-six patients with 427 segments were included for analysis. Various quantitative parameters derived from dynamic CT-MPI were analyzed to determine if there was a correlation between hs-TnT levels and LVEF on admission and again at the 6-month mark. Results: The mean radiation dose for dynamic CT-MPI was 3.2 ± 1.1 mSv. Infarcted territories had significantly lower MBF (30.5 ± 7.4 mL/min/100 mL versus 73.4 ± 8.1 mL/min/100 mL, p < 0.001) and myocardial blood volume (MBV) (2.8 ± 0.9 mL/100 mL versus 4.2 ± 1.1 mL/100 mL, p = 0.044) compared with those of reference territories. MBF showed the best correlation with the level of peak hs-TnT (r = -0.682, p < 0.001), and MBV showed a moderate correlation with the level of peak hs-TnT (r = -0.437, p = 0.026); however, the other parameters did not show any significant correlation with hs-TnT levels. As for the association with LV function, only MBF was significantly correlated with LVEF at the time of admission (r = 0.469, p = 0.016) and at 6 months (r = 0.585, p = 0.001). Conclusion: MBF quantified by dynamic CT-MPI is significantly inversely correlated with the level of peak hs-TnT. In addition, patients with lower MBF tended to have impaired LV function at the time of their admission and at 6 months.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.412-419
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• 2012

This study assessed the impacts of land use types on water quality in the tributary of the Yeongsan river basin. Temporal changes in water quality parameters (BOD, COD, TOC, T-P, T-N, SS) were investigated. 13 water sampling sites were selected; they were then collected and analyzed according to the standard method. The results showed that water quality parameters of the study sites ranged as follows : BOD, from 0.3 to $21.9mg\;L^{-1}$ (mean $3.3mg\;L^{-1}$); COD, from 1.0 to $38.0mg\;L^{-1}$ ($6.4mg\;L^{-1}$); TOC, from 0.6 to $20.0mg\;L^{-1}$ ($4.5mg\;L^{-1}$); T-P, from 0.009 to $1.973mg\;L^{-1}$ ($0.144mg\;L^{-1}$); T-N, from 0.6 to $17.1mg\;L^{-1}$ (mean $3.5mg\;L^{-1}$); SS, from 0.3 to $292.0mg\;L^{-1}$ ($20.3mg\;L^{-1}$). Generally, the paddy and upland dominated region had high concentrations of water quality parameters, whereas the forest dominated region had low concentrations. In addition, water quality parameters were positively correlated with paddy and upland, whereas the parameters were negatively correlated with forest. The result implies that paddy and upland are the dominant factors leading to stream pollution in the study sites, while a higher percentage of forest area contributes to improved water quality. Therefore, it is important to manage paddy and upland in order achieve efficient management of water quality.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2013

In this study, we report the water quality characteristics of pollutants for 4 major tributaries in the Yeongsan and Sumjin river basins using statistical analysis, such as regression equation and factor analysis. The flow rate and water qualtiy data collected from 4 sampling sites(Hwangryoung A, Jiseok A, Chooryeong A, Osu A) in the Yeonsan and Sumjin river basin during the past 3 years were analyzed for 11 parameters(flow rate, dissolved oxgen, pH, water temperature, electric conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen deman, total organic carbon, total nitorgen, total phosphorus, suspended solid). The results showed that the concentrations of BOD, COD, TOC, T-N, T-P in Hwangryoung A(HW) and Jiseok A(JS) of the Yeongsan river basin were decreased as the flow rate was increased. This means that rather than nonpoint soources, point sources affect water quality. In the cases of Chooryeong A(CR) and Osu A(OS) in the Sumjin river basin, howerever, nonpoint sources than point sources are an important factor that affects the water quality. Also, the factor analysis technique was employed to analyze principal component influencing on water quality. The results revealed that the first principal component in HW was correlated with EC, DO, T-N, water temperature. This "nitrogen influx according to seasonal pattern" factor may be interpreted. In JS, the first principal component was correlated with BOD, COD, TOC and is likely to represent "organic matter" processes. In CR and OS, BOD, COD, TOC, SS and T-P were significantly correlated and is considered as representing "Organic matter and adsorption of phosphorus on sediments influx". This study is expected to contribute to the effective pollution control/management of the surfac waters in the study sites.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1629-1640
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• 2015

This study was performed to compare carcass traits, sensory characteristics, physiochemical composition, and contents of nucleotides, collagen, and free amino acids among quality grades (QG) and to understand the association between QG and above parameters in loin and rump of Korean cattle steer. Loin and rump samples were obtained from 48 Korean cattle steers with each of four QG (QG 1++, 1+, 1, and 2; average 32 months of age). Carcass weight and marbling score (MS) were highest in QG 1++, whereas texture score measured by a meat grader was highest in QG 2. A correlation analysis revealed that MS (r = 0.98; p<0.01) and fat content (r = 0.73; p<0.01) had strong positive correlations with QG and that texture had a strong negative correlation (r = -0.78) with QG. Fat content in loin was highest but protein and moisture contents were lowest in QG 1++. Our results confirmed that a major determinant of QG is the MS; thus, intramuscular fat content. The International Commission on Illumination $L^*$, $a^*$, and $b^*$ values in loin were highest in QG 1++. Numeric values of shear force in loin were lowest in QG 1++, whereas those of tenderness, juiciness, and overall acceptability tended to be highest in QG 1++ without statistical significance. QG was strongly correlated with juiciness (r = 0.81; p<0.01) and overall acceptability (r = 0.87; p<0.001). All sensory characteristics were higher (p<0.05) in loin than those in rump. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP) and inosine-5'-monophosphate (IMP) contents in both loin and rump did not differ among QGs. No nucleotide (AMP, IMP, inosine, hypoxanthine) was correlated with any of the sensory traits. Total, soluble, and insoluble collagen contents in loin were higher in QG 1++ than those in QG 1. All three collagens had lower content in loin than that in rump. All three collagens were positively correlated with tenderness, juiciness, and overall acceptability. Glutamic acid content did not significantly differ among the four QGs in either loin or rump. In conclusion, it is confirmed that QG is associated with sensory traits but nucleotide contents in beef may not be a major factor determining meat palatability in the present study.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.521-530
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• 2013

Protein-energy malnutrition, PEM, and increased hs-CRP level are considered to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This is commonly referred to as the vicious circle of malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (MIA syndrome) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Low protein intake can decrease the serum level of albumin and increase inflammational markers; further, both low serum albumin and high hs-CRP are independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in HD patients. The aim of this study is comparing the serum levels of albumin and hs-CRP in HD patients according to the protein intake levels. The total number of subjects was 60 hemodialysis patients; they were grouped by dietary protein intake: low protein intake group (LPI, protein intake < 1.0 g/kg IBW, 11 men and 19 women) and adequate protein intake group (API, protein intake ${\geq}$ 1.0g/kg IBW, 12 men and 18 women). Blood biochemical parameters, nutrient intake, and dietary behaviors were compared between the LPI and API groups. The LPI group showed a significantly lower serum level of albumin and higher serum level of hs-CRP than the API group (p < 0.05). The LPI group showed a significantly lower intake of most nutrients than the API group (p < 0.05). Index of Nutritional Quality of most nutrients of the LPI and API groups were lower than 1.0. Dietary protein intake was positively correlated with the serum level of albumin (r = 0.306, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the serum level of hs-CRP (r = -0.435, p < 0.01). The serum level of hs-CRP was negatively correlated with that of albumin (r = -0.393, p < 0.01). According to these result, serum albumin and hs-CRP in HD patients were influenced by the protein intake levels. To prevent MIA syndrome, it is necessary to improve nutritional status, especially in protein and energy.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.241-257
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• 2000

Rheumatoid arthritis as one of the chronic illness requiring management in long period of time puts great burden to patients, their family and society. For patients with chronic illnesses, providing a social support is important and the most important source comes from spouses. Therefore we assessed burden of husbands of female rheumatoid arthritic patients and also found out the factors affecting burden. The sample of study was 107 female rheumatoid arthritic patients and their spouses. The tool of assessing spouses' burden was the revised version of subjective and objective parameters developed by Montgomery et al.(1985). The results are as follows: 1. General characteristics of patients and spouses: The mean age of the patients was 48 years. Educational level of patients was high school 41.1%. The mean age of the spouses was 51years. Educational level of spouses was mostly high school(40.2%) and college(29.9%) graduate. The mean marital period was 23.4years. Average income per month was 1,609,000 won. The average duration since diagnosis was 9.4years. As a therapy, 67.3% chose standard drug therapy. Average rating of discomfort by patient was 3.05(range 1-5) and that of severity was 3.48 and that of dependency was 2.58. The husband's rating of their spouses disease severity was 3.68. 2. Husbands' burden: The average burden in subjective items was 21.61(range 6-36) and objective items was 35.24(range 10-60). The average of total burden was 56.59(range 16-96). 3. Husband's total burden correlated with patient's age, educational level of patients, therapy method, patient's level of discomfort, patient's severity, patient's level of dependence, husband's recognition of level of severity in statistical level. Husband's objective burden correlated with patient's age, educational level of patient, patient's level of discomfort, husband's recognition of level of severity. Husband's subjective burden correlated with patient's age, educational level of patients, therapy method, patient's severity, patient's level of dependence, husband's recognition of level of severity. 4. Linear correlation analysis on burden: The husbands' total burden is explained in 37 7% by husband's recognition of level of severity and husband's age. The husbands' objective burden is explained in 31.2% by patient's level of dependence, husband's age, husband's recognition of level of severity. The husbands' subjective burden is explained in 26.7% by husband's recognition of level of severity and patient's age. In conclusion, husbands' level of burden is affected by many factors and therefore nursing strategy for relieving burden of middle aged husbands should be individualized taking these factors into consideration.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.92-99
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• 2001

Purpose: E-cadherin is an adhesion molecule essential for tight connection between cells, forming the cadherin/catenin complex. Truncated $\beta$-catenin disrupts the interaction between E-cadherin and $\alpha$-catenin, leading to the loss of intercellular adhesion. Met protein, the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, plays important roles in signal transduction. We investigated the relationships between the expressions of E-cadherin, $\beta$-catenin, and c-met protein and the clinicopathological and prognostic parameters in gastric adenocarcinomas. Materials and Methods: The patterns of E-cadherin, $\beta$-catenin, and c-met protein expression were studied using immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissues from 76 surgically resected gastric adenocarcinomas. Results: Increased expressions of E-cadherin, $\beta$-catenin, and c-met were more significantly correlated in early gastric cancers (EGC) than in advanced gastric cancers (AGC) (P=0.002, P=0.003 and P=0.026). The positive immunoreactivities of all three markers were markedly lower in signet ring-cell type and poorly differentiated type lesions than in intestinal-type lesions. Decreased expression of the $\beta$-catenin protein correlated well with increased tumor invasion depth (P=0.039), and increased lymph node metastasis correlated well with reduced expression of c-met (P=0.046). Conclusion: In gastric cancers, reduced expressions of the E-cadherin, $\beta$-catenin, and c-met proteins may play some role in poorer tumor differentiation, deeper tumor invasion, and increased lymph node metastasis. Also, the c-met gene is thought to play a specific role in the mechanism of the yet unknown catenin action.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.432-441
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• 2019

Objective : Few studies have reported direct comparative data of lumbar spine angles between direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) and oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of DLIF and OLIF, and determine influential factors. Methods : The same surgeon performed DLIF from May 2011 to August 2014 (n=201) and OLIF from September 2014 to September 2016 (n=142). Radiological parameters, cage height, cage angle (CA), cage width (CW), and cage location were assessed. We checked the cage location as the distance (mm) from the anterior margin of the disc space to the anterior metallic indicator of the cage in lateral images. Results : There were significant differences in intervertebral foramen height (FH; $22.0{\pm}2.4$ vs. $21.0{\pm}2.1mm$, p<0.001) and sagittal disc angle (SDA; $8.7{\pm}3.3$ vs. $11.3{\pm}3.2^{\circ}$, p<0.001) between the DLIF and OLIF groups at 7 days postoperatively. CA ($9.6{\pm}3.0$ vs. $8.1{\pm}2.9^{\circ}$, p<0.001) and CW ($21.2{\pm}1.6$ vs. $19.2{\pm}1.9mm$, p<0.001) were significantly larger in the OLIF group compared to the DLIF group. The cage location of the OLIF group was significantly more anterior than the DLIF group ($6.7{\pm}3.0$ vs. $9.1{\pm}3.6mm$, p<0.001). Cage subsidence at 1 year postoperatively was significantly worse in the DLIF group compared to the OLIF group ($1.0{\pm}1.5$ vs. $0.4{\pm}1.1mm$, p=0.001). Cage location was significantly correlated with postoperative FH (${\beta}=0.273$, p<0.001) and postoperative SDA (${\beta}=-0.358$, p<0.001). CA was significantly correlated with postoperative FH (${\beta}=-0.139$, p=0.044) and postoperative SDA (${\beta}=0.236$, p=0.001). Cage location (${\beta}=0.293$, p<0.001) and CW (${\beta}=-0.225$, p<0.001) were significantly correlated with cage subsidence. Conclusion : The cage location, CA, and CW seem to be important factors which result in the different-radiological outcomes between DLIF and OLIF.