• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2018

Cancer preventive activities of green tea and its main constituent, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been extensively studied by scientists all over the world. Since 1983, we have studied the cancer chemopreventive effects of EGCG as well as green tea extract and underlying molecular mechanisms. The first part of this review summarizes groundbreaking topics with EGCG and green tea extract: 1) Delayed cancer onset as revealed by a 10-year prospective cohort study, 2) Prevention of colorectal adenoma recurrence by a double-blind randomized clinical phase II trial, 3) Inhibition of metastasis of B16 melanoma cells to the lungs of mice, 4) Increase in the average value of Young's moduli, i.e., cell stiffness, for human lung cancer cell lines and inhibition of cell motility and 5) Synergistic enhancement of anticancer activity against human cancer cell lines with the combination of EGCG and anticancer compounds. In the second part, we became interested in cancer stem cells (CSCs). 1) Cancer stem cells in mouse skin carcinogenesis by way of introduction, after which we discuss two subjects from our review on human CSCs reported by other investigators gathered from a search of PubMed, 2) Expression of stemness markers of human CSCs compared with their parental cells, and 3) EGCG decreases or increases the expression of mRNA and protein in human CSCs. On this point, EGCG inhibited self-renewal and expression of pluripotency-maintaining transcription factors in human CSCs. Human CSCs are thus a target for cancer prevention and treatment with EGCG and green tea catechins.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.51-65
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• 2003

Objectives： To examine the regional mortality differences in The Republic of Korea according to geographic location. Methods： All 232 administrative districts of the Republic of Korea in 1998 were studied according to their geographic locations by dividing each district into three categories； "metropolis," "urban," and "rural". Crude mortality rates for doth sexes from total deaths as well as the three major causes of death in Korea (cardiovascular disease, cancer, and external causes) were calculated with raw data from the "1998 report on the causes of death statistics" and resident registration data. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated using the indirect standardization method. Poisson regression analyses were performed to examine the effects of geographic locations on the risk of death. To correct for the socioeconomic differences of each region, the percentage of old ($\geq$ 65 years old) population, the number of privately owned cars per 100 population, and per capita manufacturing production industries were included in the model. Results： Most SMRs were the lowest in the metropolis and the highest in the rural areas. These differences were more prominent in men and in deaths from external causes. In deaths from cancer in women, the rural region showed the lowest SMR. In Poisson regression analysis after correcting for regional socioeconomic differences, the risk of death from all causes significantly increased in both urban (OR＝1.111) and rural (OR＝1.100) regions, except for rural women, compared to the metropolis region. In men, the rural region showed higher risk (OR＝1.180) than the urban region (OR＝1.l51). For cardiovascular disease and cancer, significant differences were not found between geographic locations, except in urban women for cardiovascular disease (OR＝1.151) and in rural women for cancer (OR＝0.887), compared to metropolis women. In deaths from external causes, the risk ratios significantly increased in both urban and rural regions and an increasing tendency from the metropolis to the rural region was clearly observed in both sexes. Conclusions： Regional mortality differences according to geographic location exist in The Republic of Korea and further research and policy approaches to reduce these differences are needed. to reduce these differences are needed.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.74-86
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• 2017

Purposes: This study was performed to understand the recognition about accreditation motives, support within the hospital and accreditation survey process for the hospitals that participated in the accreditation program and to find out whether these factors are related to hospital management performances, so that the study can suggest plans for activation and development of the accreditation program. Methodology: This study was performed targeting 98 hospitals answered th the survey among 189 acute care hospitals that acquired accreditation from December 2010 to February 2014. For data analysis, frequency analysis, ${\chi}^2$-test, reliability analysis, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H test and multiple regression analysis with SPSS 21.0 were used. Findings: The hospitals that had staff in charge of patient safety had bigger hospital culture change than those that didn't have(p<.05). In addition, the hospital culture change was bigger as internal motives were bigger, and as CEO's will was bigger(p<.05). Meanwhile, as maintenance rate of internal management after accreditation was higher, and as CEO's will was bigger, process improvement level was higher(p<.05). The quality improvement and patient satisfaction level were higher as CEO's will was bigger, and as suitability of survey process was recognized to be high(p<.05). As a result of analyzing the factors that affect hospital management performances with hospital culture change, process improvement and quality improvement combined, as internal management maintenance rate was higher, as CEO's will was bigger, and as suitability of survey process was higher, performances were higher(p<.05). Practical Implications: Hospitals need to reinforce internal motives to improve internal competences such as the whole system maintenance opportunity and staff training. In addition, the will of hospital director is most important, and if there is hospital director's interest in quality improvement and improvement intention definitely, employees voluntarily participate in and cooperate with the accreditation program, so that prompt medical service provision and high quality of medical services can be guaranteed, leading to hospitals' management performances.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.383-388
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• 2004

This study was designed to identify how the incidence and severity of premenstrual. syndrome (PMS) correlate with the nutrient intakes and exercise habit of women. The subjects of this study were 299 women residing in Busan metropolitan city. Each subject was asked to complete a menstrual discomfort questionnaire (MDQ) for PMS and nutrient intakes. PMS symptom scores of women in their twenties ranked in order of severity were: behavioral change (2.45), followed by pain (2.36) and water retention (2.28), negative effects (2.20), autonomic reaction (1.91), arousal (1.87), decreased concentration (1.76) and decreased control (1.74). For Women in their thirties, the symptom of pain was the most dominant (2.93) followed by autonomic reaction (2.69) and behavioral change (2.54), and for those in their forties, negative effect (3.06) was highest, followed by pain (2.97) and autonomic reaction (2.86). The overall symptoms of PMS significantly increased with age (20': 2.07 points, 30': 2.34 points, 40': 2.47 points). There was no correlation of the BMI of the subjects with the symptoms of PMS, but there was a significant negative correlation between the symptoms of PMS and exercise frequency for women in their thirties and forties. Subjects in their twenties exhibited a significant negative correlation for PMS symptoms with the intake of carbohydrate (p < 0.05), calcium (p < 0.05) and vitamin E (p < 0.05). For subjects in their thirties, PMS symptoms were negatively correlated with the intake of calcium (p < 0.05) and vitamin C (p < 0.05); and in women in their forties, calcium (p < 0.01) and carbohydrate (p < 0.05) intakes were negatively correlated with PMS symptoms. This suggests that PMS represents the clinical manifestation of a nutrient deficiency state, especially calcium. Therefore, we concluded that nutrient supplementation and exercise management are likely to be of benefit in relieving PMS symptoms.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.367-373
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• 2004

The prevalence of type-2 diabetes increases remarkably in post-menopausal women, possibly because insulin secretion fails to compensate for the insulin resistance induced in various tissues by estrogen insufficiency. However, this has not been fully defined. Therefore, the present study investigated whether an ovariectomy (OVX) would increase insulin resistance and decrease the $\beta$-cell function and mass in female rats with and without a $90\%$ pancreatectomy (Px). Female rats aged 15 weeks were divided into four groups: 1) OVX + Px, 2) SOVX (sham operation of OVX) + Px, 3) OVX + SPx (sham operation of Px), and 4) SOVX + SPx, and given a $30\%$ fat diet for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the islet function and insulin resistance were determined using a hyperglycemic clamp and a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, respectively. The OVX only increased the body weight in the SPx rats, which was partially related to the food intake. Yet, the OVX did increase the peripheral insulin resistance, while the Px increased this resistance further. The OVX and Px both exacerbated the islet function, as measured by the insulin secretion pattern, while delaying and decreasing the first-phase insulin secretion. The OVX only decreased the proliferation of $\beta$-cells in the Px rats, while increasing apoptosis in both the Px and SPx rats. As a result, the OVX decreased the $\beta$-cell mass in the Px rats, but increased the mass in the SPx rats. In conclusion, an OVX was found to accelerate the development and progression of diabetes by increasing the insulin resistance and decreasing the $\beta$-cell mass. Therefore, menopause can be a risk factor for type-2 diabetes, mainly due to a deceased proliferation of $\beta$-cells.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.361-366
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• 2004

Defatted methanol extracts of the medicinal plants, Rubus coreanus Miq. (RC) and Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi (AJ) were added at the levels of 0.1, 0.5, or $2\%$ (w/w) to high cholesterol diets and fed to ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley female rats, weighing 212.6 $\pm$ 1.8 g for four weeks. Weight gains were lower in RC and AJ groups than the control group, but there were no changes in uterus weights. Serum levels of triglyceride decreased by 20-$27\%$ in the experimental groups fed $0.1\%$ of each extract (O.1RC and O.1AJ), compared with that of control (Ovx). Serum cholesterol levels were not changed in the RC groups but increased in the group fed $2\%$ of the AJ extract. Liver levels of cholesterol and triglyceride were reduced in both the RC and AJ groups. Microscopic observation revealed that there were no morphological alterations in liver, lung, heart, spleen and kidney tissues of the experimental groups. Plasma levels of albumin, BUN, creatinine, sodium, potassium and phosphate in the IRC and AJ groups were in normal ranges. Serum GOT and GPT activities were, however, higher in the 2.0AJ than Ovx group. These results suggest that the extracts of the Rubus coreanus Miq. and Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi at dietary levels as low as $0.1\%$ may be utilized as hypotriglyceridemic ingredients for functional foods.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2005

Chlorine dioxide $(ClO_2)$ treatment was evaluated for microbial growth inhibition and its effects on the quality of vacuum-packaged chicken breasts. Chicken breast samples were treated with 3, 50, and 100 ppm of $ClO_2$ solution, respectively. After $ClO_2$ treatment, chicken breast samples were individually vacuum-packaged and stored at $4^{\circ}C$, a typical storage temperature for meat and meat product, for 7 days. The vacuum-packaged chicken breasts treated with $ClO_2$ had significantly lower total bacteria, yeast and mold, total coliform, and Salmonella spp. were significantly reduced by $ClO_2$ treatment. $D_{10}-values$ of total bacteria count, yeast and mold, total coliform, and Salmonella spp. in vacuum-packaged chicken breasts was 93, 83, 85, and 50 ppm, respectively. The pH of vacuum-packaged chicken breasts decreased with increasing $ClO_2$ concentration. Thiobarbituric acid reacted substance (TBARS) values of vacuum-packaged chicken breasts increased during storage, regardless of $ClO_2$ concentration. $ClO_2$ treatment caused negligible changes in Hunter L, a, and b values in the vacuum-packaged chicken breasts. Sensory evaluation of the vacuum-packaged chicken breasts showed that there were no significant changes among the samples treated with various $ClO_2$ concentration. These results indicate that $ClO_2$ treatment could be useful in improving the microbial safety and quality of meat products.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.364-371
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• 2005

This study was performed to evaluate effects of dietary variety scores (DVS) and dietary diversity scores (DDS) on the nutritional quality of the diets of Korean college students, and to examine the association between food group intake patterns and nutritional adequacy. This study examined the relationship of dietary diversity scores (DDS), dietary variety scores (DVS), and food group intake patterns with nutrient intakes using 24-hour recall data (n=.358). The .DDS was calculated from the sum of each of the five food groups consumed as a score of 'I'. DVS was determined by counting the number of food items consumed daily. Food group intake patterns were expressed with the presence or omission of five major food groups-dairy, meat, grain, fruit, and vegetable. The four most prevalent food group patterns and the proportion of the population reporting them were as follows; no dairy and fruit, $23\%;\;no\;dairy,\;20\%;$ no dairy, meat, and fruit, $15\%$; all food groups, $14\%$. Even though the DDS or DVS was higher, the majority of this study population failed to meet the Korean RDA for calcium in both genders and iron in women. Higher DVS scores $(\geq31)$, within all DDS groups, were associated with the largest proportion of individuals consuming more than $75\%$ of the Korean RDA for selected nutrients. The consistency of these results indicates that screening diets to evaluate the overall dietary variety and variety among the major food groups including food group intake patterns provide meaningful information about their quality.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2018

Objectives: Based on the amount of amalgam, the duration of exposure, and the water pH, this study aims to investigate the change patterns in the mercury concentrations in water after amalgams have been introduced into sewage water. It is expected that the study results will be useful in improving the system for regulating the amount of mercury that is introduced into the environment. Methods: During the study, a glass test-tube with a cap was washed and disinfected using the glass laboratory device washing method. Then, 1, 2, 3, and 4 tabs were placed into a 10 mL pH 4 solution and 10 mL pH 7 distilled water. Each specimen was prepared in duplicate. The mean of the two mercury concentrations was used as the representative value, and the mercury concentration was measured using a mercury measurement device (DMA-80, Milestone, Italy) a total of eight times at one-week intervals. Results: The results show that the lower was the pH, the higher was the amount of amalgam. Also the longer was the duration, the more significant was the increase of mercury concentration in the water. Conclusions: Dental clinics are collected separately from dental clinics that used them. Given this, dental clinics in Korea must have the necessary facilities to separately collect mercury at their level. In addition, proper disposal systems and social attention to the proper management of dental wastes are required to prevent environmental pollution from mercury.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.335-339
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• 2010

The effects of baking with broccoli powder on the consumer perception and sensory characteristics were investigated using a model system of cookies incorporated with broccoli powder as a value-added food ingredient. Broccoli powder was incorporated into cookie dough at 5 levels (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%, w/w) by replacing equivalent amount of wheat flour of the cookie dough. After aging and sheeting, cookies were baked at $170^{\circ}C$ for 8 min in an oven. The baked cookies were cooled to room temperature for 1 hour and packed in airtight bags prior to all measurements. Control received the most favorable mean score, which was not significantly different from samples with 1% broccoli powder for color preference (p>0.05). Results of the consumer preference on taste showed a similar trend. Consumers did not find any significant differences on aftertaste and flavor among samples prepared by replacing wheat flour with up to 2% broccoli powder (p>0.05). Overall, incorporation of 1% broccoli powder in the formulation would result in the most favorable broccoli cookies for the consumers without sacrificing the sensory qualities, while still taking advantages of health benefits of broccoli. Correlation analysis indicated that broccoli powder concentration was significantly negatively correlated with the consumer preference for color, taste, aftertaste, flavor, overall acceptability and positively correlated with sensory color, taste, and flavor (p<0.05). Consumers' color, taste, aftertaste, and flavor were well correlated with the overall acceptability (p<0.05). Sensory intensity results are also presented.