• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.119-131
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Happiness is an important factor in life, and food literacy (FL) has been emphasized as a core concept for a happy and healthy life. This study examined the level of happiness of Seoul citizens according to their sociodemographic factors and their association with FL. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study used the data from the Seoul Food Survey, a cross-sectional study conducted on 4,039 Seoul citizens from September to October 2021. FL was measured using a validated questionnaire consisting of 33 items from 3 sub-domains: 14 items in the nutrition and safety domain, 8 items in the cultural and relational domain, and 11 items in the socio-ecological domain. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Various sociodemographic factors, such as household income, subjective health status, and food insecurity, were found to be associated with the level of happiness. The level of FL was also associated with the happiness scores. After adjusting for variables associated with happiness, the participants with the highest quartile FL scores were 7.32 times more likely to respond that they were happy than those with the lowest FL score. Three FL domains and total FL showed linear increases in overall happiness after controlling for subjective health status and sociodemographic factors (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for the related covariates, higher levels of FL were associated with higher scores in happiness. Based on this study, it would be meaningful to evaluate ways to intervene in FL to improve the level of happiness among the general population.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.614-629
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• 2024

Hanwoo beef is in high demand because of its unique flavor, freshness, and high-fat content. However, the longer rearing period required to enhance marbling in Hanwoo cattle has adverse environmental consequences, such as greenhouse gas emissions and overall rearing costs. To address consumer preferences for leaner and healthier meat, the Korean meat industry has recently introduced Hanwoo heifer meat as an alternative source, but its quality traits are still unclear. Nevertheless, there is a limited body of research exploring the impact of Hanwoo gender (steer, heifer, and cow) and their corresponding slaughter ages on meat quality traits. This study looked into how gender affected the physicochemical and qualitative features of Hanwoo striploin at their respective slaughter ages. Results revealed that cow striploin has higher levels of moisture (66.81%) and protein (20.76%), whereas it contains lower levels of fat (10.66%) and cholesterol (34.66 mg/100 g). Regarding the physicochemical properties, cow striploin exhibited significantly lower shear force, color indexes, and soluble collagen (p < 0.05). However, chondroitin (1.19%) and muscle fiber area (1,545.23 ㎛²) were significantly higher in steer striploin than in heifer and cow (p < 0.05). Cow striploin exhibited significantly higher levels of oleic acid, unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) while having lower levels of eicosadienoic acid and atherogenic index compared to the other two groups. Cows and heifers had higher concentrations of amino acid metabolites than striploin from steers. Furthermore, bioactive metabolites such as carnitine and carnosine content were found higher in cow and heifer respectively. Overall, Hanwoo cattle gender influences the qualitative attributes of striploin; nevertheless, compared to steer and heifer striploin, cow striploin is a relatively good source of protein, fatty acid content, and metabolites conducive to a healthy diet.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.20-31
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• 2022

Through a survey on dietary intake of children and adolescents with brain lesions, the present study aimed to analyze the current status of nutrient intake and examine the effect of high-protein nutrient drink on their nutritional and muscle statuses. The study participants were 90 juvenile participants aged 8-19 years, with brain lesions. The participants were provided with a protein nutrient drink for 12 weeks and a questionnaire survey on dietary intake was performed to analyze the level of nutrient intake before and after ingestion. The physical measurements were taken to determine the improvements in nutrient and muscle statuses. The results showed that, before the intake of protein nutrient drink as a supplement, the participants exhibited lower height, weight, and body mass index than those of the standard levels of healthy individuals, and the level of nutrient intake through diet was lower than those of the required and recommended levels of nutrient intake for Koreans. Conversely, after the intake of protein nutrient drink for 12 weeks, the level of nutrient intake and physical statuses such as weight showed significant improvements. In addition, the muscle status had undergone approximately 10% of change during the intervention with no significant difference. Thus, to ensure an adequate level of nutrient supply to children and adolescents with brain lesions, there is an urgent need to develop a guideline of nutrient intake. The findings in this study are expected to serve as the basic data for such guidelines.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

Objectives : Koreans consume excessive amounts of sodium due to their traditional diet based on rice, soup, and kimchi. The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship between salty taste preference and physical symptoms. Methods : A survey was conducted on 252 patients visiting L/C oriental medical clinic. Taste preferences were investigated, and the overall physical condition, as well as general lifestyle habits, of people who enjoy salty tastes were checked. We selected symptoms that were significantly more common in people who enjoy salty foods. Results : People who enjoyed salty foods tended to smoke and drink alcohol, and had many thermal symptoms such as dry mouth and prefer to drink cold water. And there was a tendency for cardiovascular diseases such as chest pain, chest congestion, purpura, gastrointestinal diseases such as abdominal pain, bowel sound, constipation·diarrhea, nausea·vomiting, and urogenital diseases such as enuresis, naengdaeha, and menstrual pain, and symptoms such as food urticaria and yawning were significant. There were a lot of them. Conclusion : To quit drinking and smoking, it is good to avoid eating salty foods, and to prevent cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and urogenital diseases, it is also good to avoid excessive sodium intake. It is believed that one can maintain a healthy lifestyle only by eating an appropriate combination of the five flavors.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.701-710
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare nutrient intake according to the presence of glaucoma among Korean individuals aged 60 yrs or older and to establish evidence for the necessity of dietary habits and nutritional management in the prevention and management of glaucoma. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study was conducted on 4,195 older adults aged 60 or older who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2017 and 2018. The subjects were classified into glaucoma (n = 186) and non-glaucoma (n = 4,009) groups based on the doctor's diagnosis of glaucoma. Nutrient intake was estimated using a 24-h recall method, and the intake of nutrients between the 2 groups was compared. RESULTS: The comparison of food group and nutrient intake according to the subjects' prevalence of glaucoma showed that the average intake of potatoes and starches was higher in the glaucoma group than in the non-glaucoma group (P = 0.049), whereas the average intake of meat, fish, and shellfish was higher in the non-glaucoma group than in the glaucoma group (P = 0.045, P = 0.018). Additionally, the average intake of omega-3 and vitamin C was higher in the non-glaucoma group than in the glaucoma group (P = 0.022, P = 0.045), while the average intake of niacin was higher in the glaucoma group than in the non-glaucoma group (P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: The intake of meats, fish, and shellfish, omega-3, and vitamin C was higher in the non-glaucoma group than in the glaucoma group. These results suggest that a healthy diet might be necessary for the prevention and management of glaucoma.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.65.1-65.11
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• 2024

Importance: Recent developments in genetic analytical techniques have enabled the comprehensive analysis of gastrointestinal symbiotic bacteria as a screening tool for animal health conditions, especially the endangered gibbons at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC). Objective: High-throughput sequencing based on 16S ribosomal RNA genes was used to determine the baseline gut bacterial composition and identify potential pathogenic bacteria among three endangered gibbons housed in the NWRC. Methods: Feces were collected from 14 individuals (Hylobates lar, n = 9; Hylobates agilis, n = 4; and Symphalangus syndactylus, n = 1) from March to November 2022. Amplicon sequencing were conducted by targeting V3-V4 region. Results: The fecal microbial community of the study gibbons was dominated by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes (phylum level), Prevotellaceae and Lachnospiraceae/Muribaculaceae (family level), and Prevotella (and its subgroups) (genera level). This trend suggests that the microbial community composition of the study gibbons differed insignificantly from previously reported conspecific or closely related gibbon species. Conclusions and Relevance: This study showed no serious health problems that require immediate attention. However, relatively low alpha diversity and few potential bacteria related to gastrointestinal diseases and streptococcal infections were detected. Information on microbial composition is essential as a guideline to sustain a healthy gut condition of captive gibbons in NWRC, especially before releasing this primate back into the wild or semi-wild environment. Further enhanced husbandry environments in the NWRC are expected through continuous health monitoring and increase diversity of the gut microbiota through diet diversification.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Purpose: Lymphonodular hyperplasia of the colon (LNHC) is a rare finding in children and its significance as a pathologic finding is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of LNHC by analyzing clinical and histopathologic findings in children with LNHC. Methods: We analyzed data from 38 patients who were confirmed to have LNHC by colonoscopy. We checked age, birth history, past history, family history, and clinical symptoms. A hematologic exam, stool exam, and image studies were performed and biopsy specimens were examined by a pathologist. All patients were asked to have short- and long-term follow-up. Results: The mean age of the patients was 12.5${\pm}$14.4 months. All patients presented with complaints of bloody stool. They appeared healthy and the hematologic findings were within a normal range, with the exception of one case. There was no other identified source of bleeding. On histologic exam, 36 patients (94.7%) had lymphoid follicles and 34 patients (84.5%) fulfilled the criteria of allergic colitis. Regardless of diet modification and presence of residual symptom, there was no recurrence of bloody stool through long-term follow-up in all patients. Conclusion: LNHC is more common in infants who are affected by allergic colitis, but it can appear even after infancy. LNHC should be regarded as the etiology when there are any other causes of rectal bleeding, especially in healthy children. We suggest that LNHC has a benign course regardless of diet modification and it might not require excessive concerns.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.742-755
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of the dietary guidelines for Koreans (DGK) among Korean adults based on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Methods: A total of 514 Korean adults aged 19-64 years completed a self-administered online questionnaire assessing their perceptions of DGK, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, and subjective assessments regarding the importance of 11 nutrients and 16 food groups. The differences in the perceptions of DGK according to the characteristics of the participants were analyzed using t-tests or ANOVA. Additionally, the differences in the subjective assessments of nutrients and food groups according to the perceptions of DGK were examined using t-tests. Results: The awareness of DGK was significantly higher among participants aged 50-64 years, living in single-person households, who were physically active, with a lower frequency of eating out, and with a higher interest in dietary information (p < 0.05 for all). The understanding of DGK was significantly higher among participants aged 19-29 years, females, individuals who were under or normal weight, non-smokers, those who self-evaluated their diet as healthy, and those with a high interest in dietary information (p < 0.05 for all). Additionally, the applicability of DGK was significantly higher among participants aged 50-64 years, who were physically active, who self-evaluated their diet as healthy, and who had a high interest in dietary information (p < 0.05 for all). Participants with a higher perception of DGK tended to attribute greater importance to most nutrients and food groups compared to those with a lower perception level. However, processed meat and foods, beverages, and alcoholic drinks consistently received lower importance ratings compared to other nutrients and food groups, regardless of the perception level. Conclusion: This research suggests that the perceptions of DGK among Korean adults may vary depending on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Consequently, there is a need to customize and diversify the methods for providing dietary guidelines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.862-870
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to verify the relation between vegetarian diet and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The subjects of the study were 127 Buddhist nuns (age:23～79y) from Oonmoon Temple in Choungdo District Gyeongsang Bookdoo Province and 118 Buddhist nuns practicing Zen meditation at Soodeok Temple in Yeosan District Chongcheong namdoo Province. For control subjects, 235 healthy female adults (age:23～79y) were selected. They were the teachers, the nurses of the hospital of Gyeongsang National university and the housekeepers living in chinju Gyeongsang Namdoo Province. The period of this study was from October 1996 to February 1997. The contents were consisted of food consumption survey, anthropometric measurement, estimating amount of energy expenditure, physical activity and clinical examination. Results were summarized as follows: The mean ages of the subjects were 44.2y for vegetarians and 40.5y for non-vegetarians, respectively. average body mass index (BMI) of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 22.47 adn 21.08, WHR 0.85 and 0.84, percentage of body fat 28.79 and 26.55 respectively. The average duration of vegetarian diet of the vegetarians was 13.16 years. Levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index (AI), diastolic blood pressure, blood sugar and HDL-cholesterol of non-vegetarians were significantly higher (p<0.01) than those of vegetarians, but ration of HDLcholesterol/total-cholesterol was lower in non-vegetarians. In both of subjects, BMI, WHR, RBW, %BF had sig-nificant positive correlations with triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and AI. BMI, WHR had sig-nificant positive correlation with systolic blood pressure. BMI, WHR had significant negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol. In summary, vegetable diet can contribute to lowering serum lipid level, atherogenic index (AI),systolic blood pressure, blood sugar.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.337-346
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• 2010

We report non-specific immune responses and disease resistance against Vibrio anguillarum, Streptococcus iniae and Edwardsiella tarda by dietary supplementation of fermented garlic powder (FGP) in olive flounder for the first time. Four isonitrogenous (45% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.1 MJ/kg) diets were formulated to have 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% of the FGP (G-0, G-0.5, G-1 and G-2). The experimental diets were fed to juvenile olive flounder averaging 23.4 g in triplicate groups (90 fish/group) in a flow-through system. After a five-week feeding trial, healthy fish with similar sizes from each tank were selected and injected with 1 ml of three bacteria each to evaluate disease resistance of the fish. During the 5-week feeding trial, the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and survival of the fish were not significantly affected by the experimental diets. However, feed intake was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the fish fed the G-2 diet compared with the control group. Hemoglobin, myeloperoxidase activity, cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were not different between the dietary groups. However, hematocrit, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) activity, and lysozyme activity were increased (P<0.05) with an increment of dietary FGP. Plasma triglyceride of the fish fed the G-0.5 diet was significantly lower than that of fish fed the control diet. The cumulative mortality was lower in the fish fed diets containing FGP compared with the control group in the challenge test except for the bacteria Edwardsiella tarda. The results in this study indicate that dietary supplementation of FGP can enhance the non-specific immune responses and disease resistance of olive flounder against V. anguillarum and S. iniae.