• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제62권2호
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• pp.48-54
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• 2019

Purpose: Liver metabolism plays a pivotal role in the development of metabolic disorders. We aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory risk factors associated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in young adolescents from an urban population in Korea. Methods: A population of 120 apparently healthy adolescents aged 12-13 years was included in the cross-sectional design study; 58 were overweight or obese and 62 were of normal weight. We estimated anthropometric and laboratory measurements, including waist-to-height ratio, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, aspartate aminotransferases (AST), ALT, and lipid profiles. Results: The mean ages of the overweight or obese and normal weight participants were $12.9{\pm}0.3$ and $13.0{\pm}0.3years$, respectively. Height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, AST, ALT, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score were significantly higher and the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index were significantly lower in the overweight/obese participants in comparison to the normal-weight participants (all P<0.05). In multivariate linear regression analysis, waist-to-height ratio, systolic blood pressure, and HOMA-IR score were independently and positively associated with serum ALT levels. Conclusion: Screening for ALT levels in adolescents may help to differentiate those at risk of metabolic abnormalities and thus prevent disease progression at an early age.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.285-293
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• 2022

Background: This study was conducted to analyze the effects of low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and obesity on aging-related osteoarthritis (OA) in the Korean population. Methods: A total of 16,601 participants who underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and 3,976 subjects with knee X-rays according to the modified Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) system were enrolled. Knees of ≥KL grade 2 were classified as radiologic OA. The severity of joint space narrowing (JSN) was classified by X-rays as normal, mild-to-moderate, and severe JSN in radiologic OA. The subjects were grouped as normal SMI (SMI of ≥-1 standard deviation [SD] of the mean), low SMI class I (SMI of ≥-2 SDs and <-1 SD), and low SMI class II (SMI of <-2 SDs). Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of ≥27.5 kg/m². Results: The modified KL grade and JSN severity were negatively correlated with the SMI and positively correlated with BMI and age. The SMI was negatively correlated with age. JSN severity was significantly associated with a low SMI class compared to a normal SMI, which was more prominent in low SMI class II than class I. Obesity was significantly associated with more severe JSN, only for obesity with a low SMI class. Furthermore, patients with a low SMI class, regardless of obesity, were prone to having more severe JSN. Conclusion: This study suggested that a low SMI class was associated with aging and that an age-related low SMI was more critically related to the severity of JSN in OA.

• 환경생물
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.73-81
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• 2009

멸종위기종 금개구리 (Rana chosenica)개체군의 존속 가능성을 알아보고 효과적인 보전 대책의 마련과 야생복귀 방법을 개발하기 위하여 충북 청원군에 서식하는 개체군을 대상으로 개체군생존분석을 실시하였다. 해당 금개구리의 개체군은 30년간 1,000회의 시뮬레이션을 통해 0.113의 낮은 성장률을 가지고 존속해 나갈 것이라 예측이 되었으나 절멸가능성 또한 81.1%로 매우 높아 환경적으로 민감한 특징을 가지고 있었다. 금개구리 개체군의 개체군 성장률과 절멸가능성은 변태율의 변화에 대해 가장 민감하게 반응하는 것으로 나타났는데, 이는 금개구리의 야외 개체군을 안정적으로 유지하기 위해서는 무엇보다도 금개구리 유생이 변태할 때까지의 생존율을 높이는 것이 결정적이라는 것을 의미한다. 항아리곰팡이병이나 개구리바이러스와 같은 질병이 발병할 경우 개체군의 절멸확률이 100%로 예측되었다. 절멸 개체군의 야생개체군 복원의 방법으로는 수컷의 비율을 83%, 투여개체들의 나이구조가 정상분포를 보이는 100마리의 개체군을 200마리를 수용할 수 있는 지역에 복귀를 시키고, 4년 후 2년 단위로 10년 후까지 10%씩 보충하는 방법이 가장 안정된 개체군을 복원, 유지하는 방법으로 나타났으며, 이 복원된 개체군의 경우 지속적으로 금개구리의 유생이 변태할 때까지의 생존율을 높일 수 있는 보호대책이 마련된다면 성장률 0.297, 절멸가능성 0.290을 갖는 안정된 개체군을 30년 후 138마리까지 유지할 수 있을 것으로 분석되었다. 이러한 결과들은 금개구리 개체군의 보전과 재도입을 위한 효과적인 전략수립의 근거로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.281-286
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• 2010

A Pseudomonas fluorescens strain was isolated and found to show antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi and to possess a gene responsible for production of antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol. For the extension of biocontrol range, a gene for an Androetonus australis Hector insect toxin 1 (AaHIT1), one of the most known toxic insect-selective peptides, was designed and synthesized according to the preferred codon usage of Pseudomonas fluorescens, cloned, and transformed into the strain by pSUP106 vector, a broad-host-range plasmid. Bioassays indicated that the engineered strain was able to produce AaHIT1 with insecticidal activity, and at the same time retain the activity against plant pathogen. The experiments for nonplanted soil and rhizosphere colonization showed that, similar to the population of the wild-type strain, that of the engineered strain remained relatively constant in the first 10 days, and the subsequent 50 days, suggesting that AaHIT1 expression in the bacterial cell does not substantially impair its long-term colonization. It is first reported that a Pseudomonas fluorescens strain expressing an active scorpion neurotoxin has dual activity against phytopathogenic fungi and insects, making at attractive for agronomic applications.

• 한방비만학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.36-45
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this studay was to compare the eating-related index and the patterns of pre- and post-prandial gut hormone level in normal-overweight and obese subjects of Taeemin population. Methods: We enrolled healthy male participants who were diagnosed with Taeeumin by Sasang Constitutional diagnosis and who were normal-overweight ($18.5kg/m^2{\leq}$body mass index [BMI)< $25kg/m^2$) or obese ($25.0kg/m^2{\leq}$BMI< $30kg/m^2$). Eating behavior and gastrointestinal problems were assessed by using standardized scale. Subjective appetite ratings using visual analogue scales and the profiling of serum levels of ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY) were assessed before and after a standard meal (6 time points: 30 minutes pre-prandial, immediately before meal, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes post-prandial). Results: Tewnty two healthy Taeeumin people classified as normal-overweight group or obese group are the final subjects. External eating score of Dutch eating behavior questionaire scores is higher in normal-overweight group than in obese group. The variations of subjective appetite ratings in obese group are smaller than in normal-overweight group. The pattern of ghrelin in normal-overweight group shows a high peak at 30 minutes post-prandial point, which is contrary to existing studies. The pattern of PYY in obese group decreases from 15 minutes post-prandial point and shows lower peak level, whereas in normal-overweight group shows increasing tendency from pre-prandial point until 30 minutes post-prandial point. Conclusions: There are differences in the eating-related index and the gut hormone patterns related to obesity.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.38-43
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• 2023

This study compared the degree of disc degeneration of intervertebral disc between normal disc and disc disease using Magnetic Resonance images of tholacolumbar and lumbar vertebrae in dogs. The sample population consisted of 72 dogs and 188 intervertebral discs. These dogs were divided into four groups according to MRI criteria: normal, disc protrusion, disc extrusion, and fibrocartilaginous embolism. The Pfirrmann classification developed by Pfirrmann for use in human medicine was used to assess the degree of disc degeneration. Statistical analysis revealed that disc diseases had a significant difference in the degree of disc degeneration compared to normal discs in the intervertebral disc. Fibrocartilaginous embolism was found to have a relatively low disc degenerative change compared to two other disc disease groups, disc protrusion and disc extrusion. Disc degeneration in the disc extrusion group was slightly higher than that in the disc protrusion group, although the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.6-12
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• 2012

Objective: Coenzyme (CoQ10) is an enzymatic co factor used in normal cellular metabolism. Recent evidence shows that in people with heart disease it can reverse endothelial cell damage in the blood vessels. It is also a potent antioxidant. Design: One group pretest-posttest design. Methods: In the present study, endothelial function was evaluated using the response to occlusion and heat before and 2 weeks after administration of CoQ10, 300 mg/day. Thirty Eight subjects, who are physical therapy students, participated in a series of experiments to see if taking 300 mg of CoQ10 daily for 2 weeks would impact resting blood flow in the forearm skin and the blood flow response to 4 minutes of vascular occlusion and the response to local heat ($42^{\circ}C$) for 6 minutes. Results: The results showed that, for this population, there was no difference in the response to heat. However, the response to occlusion was improved after administration of CoQ10. Conclusions: It would appear that in a young population CoQ10 has no effect on the nitric oxide vasodilator pathway in skin but does influence other vasodilator pathways.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.194-200
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• 2010

The PIK3CA gene, oncogenic gene located on human chromosome 3q26.3, is an important regulator of cell proliferation, death, motility and invasion. To evaluate the role of PIK3CA gene in the risk of Korean lung cancer, genotypes of the PIK3CA polymorphisms (rs11709323, rs2699895, rs3729679, rs17849074 and rs1356413) were determined in 423 lung cancer patients and 443 normal controls. Statistical analyses revealed that the genotypes and haplotypes in the PIK3CA gene were not significantly associated with the risk of lung cancer in the Korean population, suggesting that these PIK3CA polymorphisms do not contribute to the genetic susceptibility to lung cancer in the Korean population.

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.262-271
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• 2016

Purpose: Using food labels has been related to healthy eating habits and positive health outcomes. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence of food labels utilization and the association between food label use and obesity related factors. Methods: We conducted a self-reported population-based survey including health behaviors, 24-hour recalls, measurements of body mass indices with 6,266 Koreans aged 10 or older. ${\chi}^2$-test and ANOVA examined differences in demographic factors, health behavioral factors, and nutrition factors in tandem with food label use categories. Multivariates logistic regression was used to estimate association between food label use and obesity factors. Results: The percentages of food label users and non-users who perceive food labels were 21.8% and 48.5% respectively. In the multivariate logistic regression, food label use had significant positive associations with women, age, income, education attainment, and subjective obesity. After adjusting for socioeconomic factors and dietetic treatments, the positive associations between food label use and subjective obesity, weight control, and subjective obesity with objective normal weight remained. Conclusion: In order to improve eating habits and weight management, the obesity population that does not use food labels needs to receive proper nutrition education including food choice and body image correction.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.2375-2378
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• 2015

Background: The effects of diet on epidemiology of prostate cancer are inconclusive. Therefore a hospitalbased, case-control study was conducted in a rural population of Faisalabad, Pakistan, to examine the impact of dietary factors on risk of cancer development. Materials and Methods: This study was based on 102 confirmed cases of prostate cancer and 204 normal controls. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for odds ratios to evaluate the relationship between prostate cancer and diet. Results: Consumption of red meat and fat items significantly increased the prostate cancer risk having odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of 3.41; 1.46-7.96 and 2.45; 1.17-5.15, respectively. On the other hand, more consumption of vegetables, fluid intake and fruit significantly decreased the prostate cancer risk (odd ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals of 0.21; 0.10-0.44, 0.10; 0.05- 0.19 and 0.09; 0.03- 0.23, respectively. Conclusions: The present study supports the hypothesis that frequent consumption of red meat and fat items may increase prostate cancer risk while more intake of fruit, vegetables and fluid intake may protect against prostate cancer in the relatively low risk group in rural Pakistan.