• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.67-82
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze how the different lifestyles between Koreans and Korean Americans have significant effects on their health. Despite being the same race, Koreans and Korean Americans have different health conditions and health attitudes due to the acquired environmental factors such as social-economic factors, lifestyle risk factors, healthcare systems, and medical utilization. It is crucial to examine how the different lifestyle habits between Koreans and Korean Americans lead to various health conditions for establishing an effective health promotion policy. Methods: In this study, a comparative analysis was conducted using the National Health and Nutrition Survey of Korea and CHIS data of the United States in 2005 and 2015 to provide valuable insights when establishing such a policy. Results: The specific research purpose is as follows: First, socioeconomic factors, such as (1)living habits risk factors, (2)health satisfaction levels, (3)disease outbreaks, and (4)medical uses, are analyzed to find the distinct characteristics among Koreans, Korean Americans, and Americans. Second, the three groups --Koreans, Korean Americans, and Americans-- were compared based on their exposure to disease-related lifestyle risk factors related to their body mass index and their general health condition. The research results are as follows: First, all three groups improved health conditions in 2015 better than in 2005. Koreans maintained relatively higher general health conditions compared to other groups: their prevalence rate of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and asthma was lower than that of U.S. residents. Second, in regards to health behavior factors, the lifetime smoking experience for Koreans and Americans both decreased in 2015 compared to 2005, while the lifetime smoking experience for Korean Americans increased slightly. The number of smokers for Koreans has greatly decreased over a decade while that of Americans has moderately increased. Third, according to the results of the multiple regression, the general health conditions, which is a dependent variable, suggests that the number of men who answered they are healthy is greater than that of women in Korea, compared to the United States. Conclusions: In conclusion, the acquired environmental factors had more significant impacts on health than the racial factors did. Compared to 2005, the health behaviors and health levels of Korean Americans in 2015 gradually became more similar to those of Americans.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2016

Purpose: Gestational weight gain and prepregnancy body weight are important factors of childbirth outcomes, which further cause obesity, metabolic diseases, or psychological problems later in women's lives. Changes in diet, westernized lifestyle, traditional postpartum care, and childbirth at older age are thought to be threats to proper weight management in Korean women of reproductive age. Public health and antenatal care need to focus on the proper body weight management of women by carefully planning pregnancy to postpartum periods. Purpose: This study explored the body weight changes from pregnancy to postpartum and the related characteristics in women within 12 months after childbirth. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted with 102 Korean women within 12 months after childbirth. Data were collected using an online survey system, and a structured questionnaire available for electronic self-administration was modified to include demographics, obstetrical history, and body weight at 6 time points. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Eating Habit Measurement instruments were also used in data collection. A professional survey agency recruited the participants, and data were automatically saved and then analyzed. Results: The average age of the participants was 33.8 years, 48% were housewives and were well-educated. Seventy-two percent of the participants were primiparas and 82% had breastfed their babies. The body mass index (BMI) ranged from 17.3 to 27.8, indicating that 21.5% of the participants were overweight or obese. The mean gestational weight gain was 11.8 kg, and weight loss was apparent during the first 3 months postpartum. The mean decline in weight was 3.4 kg at one year after childbirth. Women wanted to lose 5.6 kg (range: 3~20 kg), however 44% of them reported that they had not engaged in any weight control efforts. Further, 72% of them reported having engaged in a low level of physical activity. Body weight was not associated with women's characteristics, physical activity score, and diet. Conclusion: Women's awareness of gestational weight gain, lifestyle modification, and the risk of prolonged weight retention should be promoted through the antenatal and women's healthcare systems. As pregnancy and childbirth are critical events that affect women's health, integrative education to ensure healthy transition to life after delivery is required.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

Hematological and serum biochemical analyses are routinely used to screen dogs for disease and monitor their clinical progression. These values in dogs may be affected by internal factors, such as breed and age, and external factors like environment, diet, and lifestyle. Apparently, subclinical breed-related variations in hematologic and serum biochemical results have been characterized for Bernese Mountain dogs, Alaskan Malamutes, English Setters, and Golden Retrievers. It is possible that some breed-related differences in clinical pathology analyses may reflect evidence of underlying disease and impact clinical decision plan. In this study, we estimated hematologic and serum biochemical parameters in small breed dogs and compared among four different breed dogs. Blood samples were collected from 38 domestic dogs that were 10 Beagles, 9 Malteses, 10 Poodles, and 9 Miniature Schnauzers. In terms of RBC count, Beagle ($7.2{\pm}0.24{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher count than other breeds (Maltese, $6.51{\pm}0.25{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$; Poodle, $6.35{\pm}0.24{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$; and Miniature Schnauzer, $6.35{\pm}0.25{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$). For MCV, Miniature Schnauzer ($67.05{\pm}0.84fl$) results were significantly (P<0.05) higher than Beagle with $64.33{\pm}0.8fl$. For cholesterol value, Beagle ($163.3{\pm}9.15mg/dl$) had significantly (P<0.05) higher values than Miniature Schnauzer with $119.12{\pm}9.64mg/dl$. There was no statistically difference among breeds in terms of enzyme markers of liver diseases. In conclusion, data obtained from this study may be valuable as breed-related variability for interpretation of the results in hematologic and serum biochemical analysis among four small breed dogs.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.9-12
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• 2017

Recently, DNA vaccination is attracting attentions as a new therapeutic method for lifestyle diseases and autoimmune diseases. However, its clinical applications are limited because a safe and efficient gene transfer method has not been established yet. In this study, a new method of gene transfer was proposed which utilizes the jet injection and the magnetic transfection. The jet injection is a method to inject medical liquid by momentary high pressure without needle. The injected liquid diffuses in the bio tissue and the endocytosis is considered to be improved by the diffusion. The magnetic transfection is a method to deliver the conjugates of plasmid DNA and magnetic particles to the desired site by external magnetic field. It is expected that jet injection of the conjugates causes slight membrane disruptions and the traction of the conjugates by magnetic field induces the efficient gene transfer. In conclusion, the possibility of improvement of the gene expression by the combination of jet injection and magnetic transfection was confirmed.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.53-61
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine the path analysis of factors related to musculoskeletal diseases of shipbuilding workers by considering related factors synthetically. The survey was completed by 1,536 shipbuilding workers and except for poor responses, 1,532 were analyzed. The survey consisted of questions about lifestyle, duration of service, physical and mental stress, and musculoskeletal diseases. The collected data was analyzed with SPSS/PC+ (a descriptive statistics program) and with AMOS 4.0 (a statistical program for path modeling) to test whether the hypothesized path model fitted the collected data. The results of the correlation analysis showed that musculoskeletal disease was associated with duration of service (r=-.095), physical stress (r=.077), and mental stress (r=.602). The results of the hypothesized path model satisfied the criteria required in relation to fitting the collected data. Musculoskeletal disease was directly affected by mental stress but not by physical stress, duration of service and life style. Thus, it is suggested that reducing mental stress is a strategy for the prevention for musculoskeletal disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1591-1597
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• 2015

Background: Korea has experienced rapid economic development in a very short period of time. A mixture of traditional and modern risk factors coexists and the rapid change in non-genetic factors interacts with genetic constituents. With consideration of these unique aspects of Korean society, a large-scale genomic cohort study-the Health Examinees (HEXA) Study-has been conducted to investigate epidemiologic characteristics, genomic features, and gene-environment interactions of major chronic diseases including cancer in the Korean population. Materials and Methods: Following a standardized study protocol, the subjects were prospectively recruited from 38 health examination centers and training hospitals throughout the country. An interview-based questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, medication usage, family history, lifestyle factors, diet, physical activity, and reproductive factors for women. Various biological specimens (i.e., plasma, serum, buffy coat, blood cells, genomic DNA, and urine) were collected for biorepository according to the standardized protocol. Skilled medical staff also performed physical examinations. Results: Between 2004 and 2013, a total of 167,169 subjects aged 40-69 years were recruited for the HEXA study. Participants are being followed up utilizing active and passive methods. The first wave of active follow-up began in 2012 and it will be continued until 2015. The principal purpose of passive follow-up is based on data linkages with the National Death Certificate, the National Cancer Registry, and the National Health Insurance Claim data. Conclusions: The HEXA study will render an opportunity to investigate biomarkers of early health index and the chronological changes associated with chronic diseases.

• Korean Journal of Artificial Intelligence
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.4-6
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• 2014

These days, aging, the aged and patients rapidly increased to produce problems, for instance, rapid increase of demand on medical service, higher medical expenses, low quality of the elderly's lives, shortage of physicians and nurses, and others [1]. These days, not only IT technology but also medical technology has taken the lead in settlement of the problems. Patients see a doctor to be given medical treatment and service when they are sick to have difficulty. The study investigated lifestyle monitoring system of chronic disease patients to indicate variation depending upon time. The health care is likely to solve problems of the elderly and chronic disease patients and to satisfy desire of better life quality by living healthy life and to diagnose diseases and give medical treatment and to give solutions in accordance with changes of paradigm of medical services.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.540-545
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare level of functional independence and its correlates among community-dwelling older adults in rural areas between South Korea and the United Sates. Methods: The study employed a comparative and correlational design. Data were collected from 198 community-dwelling older adults in rural areas (South Korea=100, & US = 98). Functional independence, cognitive function, obesity and general characteristics were measured. Results: From both countries, approximately fifteen percent of older adults living independently had cognitive problems without any treatments. Among Korean older adults functional independence was associated with a number of chronic diseases and aging while in the United States the participants had a negative correlation with obesity and aging. Conclusion: For Korean older adults in rural areas, nurses should focus on monitoring older adults' abilities to manage chronic illness and designing self-management programs while in the United States the focus should be on healthy lifestyle programs about exercise and diet to increase functional independence.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.232-252
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• 2004

Japan is experiencing a most rapidly aging demographic. Despite this, the overall morbidity has been increasing due to the proportion of aging population that has increased rapidly along with the proportion of lifestyle related diseases, such as： all types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. As a result, the number of people requiring special care has become a serious problem. In response to these emerging health issues, the Strategic Planning force proposed the National Health Promotion Actualization Initiative in the 21st Century (“Healthy Japan 21”) so that it could be achieved by the year 2010. The policies should be conducted by providing adequately as well as with active participation and collaboration, effectively networking with the various organizations dealing with health issue. The Japanese Health Promotion Act passed by the National Assembly, 2001. As well as the many individuals that contributed to the development of this national health plan.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

Purpose: This study is aimed at grasping the benefit/effect of program promoting intention to exercise performance based theory of planned behavior in the elderly who live in the rural areas with degenerative joint diseases (DJDs). Methods: There were 2 groups; 32 people in the experimental group and 24 in the control group, all above the age of 60. Program promoting intention to exercise performance was applied to the experimental group for 12 weeks. Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed a significant the increase of attitude towards exercise, subjective norm, perceived behavior control, exercising intention, and exercise performance. Also, pain as a physical function, joint stiffness, ADLs, body flexibility, parallel, perceived health state as a psychological function, and life satisfaction were significantly improved. Conclusion: We expect that program promoting intention to exercise performance is used in nursing practice for the elderly with DJDs are needed to manage lifestyle.