• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2004

Objective : To examine the association between dietary factors and cognitive impairment in older Korean women living in the community. Methods : Wave 2 data, from the Suwon Longitudinal Aging Study (SLAS), of 365 women aged 65 years or over, were used. The Korean version of the 30-point Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K) was used to assess cognitive impairment (score$\geq$19). Dietary habits and frequencies of food group consumption were also examined. Results : A total of 67 women (18.4%) were found to be cognitively impaired. In bivariate analyses, nondietary factors, such as age, marital status, education, income, self-rated health, depression, emotional support, social activity, exercise, and dietary factors, such as self-rated nutritional status, frequency of beans and bean products and milk and dairy products consumption were associated with cognitive impairment. In the multivariate analysis, a higher frequency ($\geq$1 vs. <1 time/day) of beans and bean products (OR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.23-0.99) and milk and dairy products (OR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.10-0.61) consumption was inversely associated with cognitive impairment, after adjustment for non-dietary factors. Conclusion : These results suggest that dietary factors may play a significant role in cognitive impairment of older Korean women.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.503-514
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• 2002

During the past two decades, primary pollutants in the ambient air have been substantially reduced in Korea by aggressive government efforts such as the switchover to clean fuels and equipment of automobiles with a three-way catalytic converter. However, visibility impairment in Seoul and major metropolitan areas has been a stubborn problem. It is apparent that both directly emitted fine particles mainly from vehicles and secondary fine particles from photochemical reactions could contribute to this visibility impairment. In addition, Korea is located downwind of the prevailing westerlies from China and is influenced by the emissions of air pollutants in China. In order to assess this complicated problem of visibility impairment, the visibility trends for the past 17 years observed at more than 60 stations throughout the country were analyzed. The results showed that visibilities were generally the lowest in the winter morning in comparison with those in the summer afternoon as well as the annual average values. It was believed that primary pollution was principally responsible for visibility impairment in most areas. The visibility in the summer afternoon was lower in clean coastal areas along with a high level of relative humidity due to the inflow of moist air accompanied by sea breeze. Although contributions of secondary particles from photochemical reactions and long-range transport of fine particles to the visibility impairment were probable, their certain evidences were not found.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2020

This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of rice bran oil (RBO) on amyloid β protein (Aβ) (25-35)-induced memory impairment and brain damage in an ICR mouse model. Memory impairment was produced by intracerebroventricular microinjection of 15 nmol Aβ (25-35) and assessed using the passive avoidance test. Treatment with RBO at 0.1, 0.5, or 1 mL/kg (p.o. daily for 8 days) protected against Aβ (25-35)-induced memory impairment. Furthermore, Aβ (25-35)-induced decreases in glutathione and increases in lipid peroxidation and cholinesterase activity in brain tissue were inhibited by RBO, and Aβ (25-35)-induced increases of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inflammatory factors, and changes in the levels of apoptosis-related proteins were significantly inhibited by RBO. Furthermore, Aβ (25-35) suppressed the PI3K/Akt pathway and the phosphorylation of CREB, but increased phosphorylation of tau (p-tau) in mice brain; these effects were significantly inhibited by administration of RBO. These results suggest that RBO inhibits Aβ (25-35)-induced memory impairment by inducing anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects, promoting PI3K/Akt/CREB signaling, and thus, inhibiting p-tau formation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.139-148
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• 2003

Objectives : Polyneuropathies are diseases of multiple peripheral nerves. They are usually characterized by symmetrical, bilateral distal motor and sensory impairment with a graded increase in severity distally. It is generally regarded that the natural courses are poor, so we wanted to study the effects of Oriental medical treatment on a patient with polyneuropathy. Methods : We treated by conservative Oriental medical treatment a woman of 68 years who was diagnosed as a polyneuropathy and was hospitalized at Seoul Oriental Hospital, Kyungwon University, from 12th Mar. to 31st May, 2003. Changes of functional disability were checked by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS), muscle atrophy was checked by measuring circumference of the thighs, calves, arms, and sensory impairment was checked by a sensory test. Results : 1. Functional disability caused by motor impairment was reduced after the Oriental medical treatment 2. Muscle atrophy was reduced after the Oriental medical treatment 3. Sensory impairment was reduced after the Oriental medical treatment Conclusion : We treated a patient who was diagnosed with polyneuropathy for over 80 days and recorded good effects of Oriental medical treatment on polyneuropathy.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.324-328
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• 2013

Soy (Glycine max, family Leguminosae) contains isoflavones and saponins as main constituents. In our preliminary study, soybean ethanol extract (SE) ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice in the passive avoidance task. Therefore, to confirm its ameliorating effect for memory impairments, we measured its effect in scopolamine-induced memory-impaired mice in Morris water maze task. SE significantly prevented scopolamine-induced memory impairment in the Morris water maze task. SE also increased the swimming time within quadrant section of the platform on the day after the final training session test. SE protected the reduction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in the hippocampi of scopolamine-treated mice. However, SE did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase. To understand the possible role of soysaponins in memory impairments, we prepared soyasaponins-rich (butanol) fraction of soybean (SRF) and investigated its protective effect against in the passive avoidance and Morris water maze tasks. SRF ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. The memory impairment-ameliorating effect of SRF was more effective than that of SE. Based on these findings, soybean may improve memory impairment by regulating CREB phosphorylation and BDNF expression.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of LOTCA-G and ADL by individualized cognitive program in elderly with vascular dementia, alzheimer dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Method : The subjects of this study, old man and woman diagnosed with vascular dementia, alzheimer dementia and mild cognitive impairment, 24 patients were picked up, who were agreed with this research and were having hospital care for 3weeks at nursing care centers. Individualized cognitive program was applied to 8 patients of vascular dementia, 8 patients of alzheimer dementia and 8 patients of mild cognitive impairment. Cognitive function measured by LOTCA-G and performance measured by FIM. The SPSS Ver. 22.0 statistical program was used for data processing. The significance level for statistical inspection was set as 0.05. Result : In comparison of LOTCA-G was significant increased after intervention and among three groups were significant difference. But FIM was no significant difference after intervention and among three groups were no significant difference. Conclusion : Therefore, the individualized cognitive program is useful to improve the cognitive function in elderly with dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.46
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• pp.319-348
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• 2001

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the buffering effect of social welfare services on the relationship between the level of older persons' impairment and burden experienced by the family caregivers. It also assessed the level of caregiving burden as well as the effect of both older person's impairment and the characteristics of the caregivers on burden. The survey data collected from 150 community residing family caregivers was used for analyses. Findings are as follows. First, the caregivers are more burdened in the deterioration of mental health, scarce time for oneself, and the suffering of social life than in other areas of burden. Second, the more severe the physical and the mental impairment of the elder, the more burden the caregivers experience. The caregivers' characteristics such as the worse mental health, the lower level of attachment to the elder, the longer caregiving hours are also related to the higher level of caregiving burden. Third, the caregivers' use of adult day care and respite care services buffer the relationship between the level of impairment of older persons and the caregiving burden. However, social work counselling, visiting nurse, homemaker services do not have such buffering effects. Among informal support, instrumental support buffers the relationship between the elder's physical impairment and burden, while emotional support buffers the relationship between the elder's mental impairment and burden. According to the results, implication for social welfare services and practice methods for the family caregivers was discussed.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.450-465
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify cognitive impairment and risk factors among elderly persons aged 60 or more in Korea using raw data from the 2008 Elderly Survey: Basic Analysis Report of Actual Living Condition of the Elderly and Welfare Need Survey in Korea. Methods: This study was conducted using raw data obtained from 13,335 subjects representing elderly persons aged 60 or more in Korea. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 software. Results: The rate of cognitive impairment was found to be 22.0%. Logistic regression analysis became more prevalent with increased aged. In addition elderly subjects with the following factors showed increased cognitive impairment: mails; underweight; slept well for 3 to 4 days per week at most; lack of high intensity physical activity; Eub/Myoun area; did not live alone; did not graduate from high school; un-employed; lack of active social participation, and not computer/Internet savvy. Conclusion: This study identified cognitive impairment and risk factors among elderly persons aged 60 or more in Korea using samples representing elderly persons aged 60 or more throughout the country.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.75-85
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of cognitive impairment in survivors discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods : This secondary analysis study utilized data from a multicenter prospective cohort of post-ICU patients. We analyzed the data of 175 patients enrolled in the primary cohort who completed the cognitive function evaluation three months after ICU discharge. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale. The cut-off points for cognitive impairment were < 23 for face-to-face evaluation and < 18 for telephone evaluation. Results : The prevalence of cognitive impairment three months after ICU discharge was 32.6%. Significant risk factors for cognitive impairment were age ≥ 60 years (OR=10.52, 95% CI=3.65~30.33, p<.001), education < high school graduation (OR=2.53, 95% CI=1.07~6.01, p=.035), unplanned ICU admission (OR=4.01, 95% CI=1.45-11.14, p=.008), and delirium in the ICU (OR=4.33, 95% CI=1.08-17.23, p=.038). Conclusion : ICU nurses should use preemptive strategies to reduce post-ICU cognitive impairment of patients with risk factors. It is necessary to frequently assess and detect early delirium in critically ill patients, while attempting various non-pharmacological interventions.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 1997

Dementia is defined as a syndrome which is characterized by various impairments in cognitive functions, especially memory function. Most of the diagnostic criteria for dementia include memory impairment as on essential feature. Memory decline can be present as a consequence of the aging process. But it does not cause significant distress or impairment in social and occupational functionings while dementiadoes. Depression may also be associated with memory impairment. However, unlike dementia, depression dose not cause decrease in delayed verbal learning and recognition memory. In dementia, different features of memory impairment may be present depending on the involved area. Memory impairment in cortical dementia is affected by the disturbance of encoding of information and memory consolidation, while memory imparnene in subcortical denentiy is affected by the disturbance of retrieval in subcortical dementia.