• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.391-401
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• 2008

Probiotics have emerged as a potential treatment modality for numerous gastrointestinal disorders, including IBD. However, few probiotics have undergone appropriate preclinical screening in vivo. Kefir is considered a probiotic, benefiting the host through its effects in the intestinal tract. Despite numerous studies examining the action of probiotics on the host organism, few have analyzed the effects on intestinal environment. We assessed the protective effect of kefir for three weeks before inducing colitis with 2% dextran sodium sulfate for five days. The DSS loads were similar in all DSS treatment group. The results of the experiment are as follows. Food intake and FER of experimental groups were not significantly different each other, but water consumption tended to be higher in all DSS treatment groups as compared with the normal control. And visual inspection of feces revealed mild diarrhea in rat given 2% DSS. The anti-inflammatory activity of kefir was determined by myeloperoxidase activity during the DSS treatment, and there was no significant difference in any group. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as a colonic lipid peroxidation were significantly lower in the kefir intake groups than in rats treated with 2% DSS alone. The DNA % in tail and tail moment values as a DNA damage level of the blood lymphocytes in kefir intake groups tended to be lower than 2% DSS treatment alone, especially tail lengths were significantly diminished. According to the colonic histopathological assay, there were a severe inflammation of lamina propria and submucosa and mild edema in mucosa and sub mucosa in DSS alone treated group. We found a slight regenerative change in kefir treatment groups. In our experiments, this means that ulcerative colitis related to oxidative injury might be prevented by kefir as a probiotic. Further studies of the potential benefits of kefir as a probiotic in inflammatory condition are encouraged.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2017

Objectives : Little is known about the influence of urinary incontinence and depression on individual's QOL(Quality of life). We aimed to clarify how the interaction between urinary incontinence and depression influences one's QOL. Methods : A total of 1262 patients were enrolled in this study from April, 2011 to July, 2011. We estimated the severity of depressive symptoms and QOL, using SGDS-K, EQ-5D. We also investigated the morbidity of urinary incontinence for each patient in person or by questionnaire. Comparisons of QOL between groups with or without depression, with or without urinary incontinence were established using t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe's post hoc analysis. The interaction between urinary incontinence and depression was analyzed by each domain of QOL, using multiple regression analysis. Results : Patients with depression and urinary incontinence showed significantly higher EQ-5D scores on every domain of QOL than other patients, which means significantly lower QOL. Patients with depression, no urinary incontinence reported lower QOL, especially in the domain of 'usual activity', 'anxiety' and 'visual analogue scale(VAS)', whereas those with urinary incontinence, no depression showed lower QOL in 'motility', 'usual activities' and 'pain' domain. Statistically significant interaction effects of two diseases were observed in the domain of 'VAS', 'self care' and 'anxiety'. Conclusions : Comorbidity of urinary incontinence and depression showed significantly lower QOL of patients, compared with urinary incontinence or depression respectively, which implies additive interaction effects of the two diseases. Optimal diagnosis and treatment of depression should be emphasized for patients with urinary incontinence.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.389-396
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• 2014

Purpose: The study examined dry eye symptoms of occupants in a newly constructed building and its effects on their work productivity and general activity. Methods: The study subjects were 33 office workers who spent more than eight hours per day on average in a new building constructed in the past three months. The indoor air quality of the new building was evaluated by measuring aldehydes, temperature and humidity. The level of dry eye symptoms was classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe by using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). The experience of LASIK surgery, use of eye makeup, daily use time of a computer and smart-phone, and average daily working hours were also examined. The Work Limitation Productivity Questionnaire was used as the questionnaire about work productivity and general activity to measure the impairment level on a ten-point scale. Results: The concentration variation of formaldehyde in the office was $42.42{\pm}6.30{\mu}g/m^3$. The temperature and humidity were $26.2{\pm}0.70^{\circ}C$ and $40{\pm}1%$, respectively. The respondents with normal, mild, moderate and severe dry eye symptoms were 15.2%, 18.2%, 18.2% and 48.5%, respectively. The severity of dry eye symptoms and impairment of work productivity and general activity demonstrated high correlations of 0.599 and 0.655, respectively (p<0.001). Compared to the normal case, severe dry eye symptoms demonstrated significantly high impairment of work productivity and interruption of general activity (p<0.001). The case of serious dry symptoms showed the possibilities of having impairment level of work productivity and interruption of general activity above three points 3.26 times (p=0.032) and 2.25 times (p=0.045), respectively, higher than that of the normal case. Conclusions: It was confirmed that dry eye symptoms among office workers in a newly constructed building affects work productivity and general activity.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.39-56
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• 1998

This study was an quasi-experimental study, done to identify factors Influencing the reduction of symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia. The primary purpose of the study was to develop a Self-Help Program suitable for patients with fibromyalgia in Korea. The secondary purpose was to identify the effects of a Self-Help Program which included stretching exercise. This study was carried out between Feb. 24 and July 8, 1997 and patients in the study Included out patient diagnosed with fibromyalgia based on the criteria developed by the American College of Rheumatology(1990) and H, University which is a tertiary patient care clinic for Rheumatism. The experimental group included 38 patients who were residents of Seoul or Kyungi province, and a control group of 38 patients who were residents of other areas. The control patients were matched to the experimental group patients and they were selected considering the number of tender points on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score and a score of self-efficacy. The experimental group participated in a Self-Help Program based on the American Arthritis Foundation(1995) guidelines. The program participants participated in a small group which consisted of 12-15 members attending the program once a week, for 6 weeks with each program lasted two to two and a half hours. The stretching exercise was carried out in each patient's home every day following the video tape exercise provided by the researcher, and the researcher provided encouragement and concern to the patients by calling them once a week. The number times the exercise was performed was divided by the number of participants to calculate the percentage of performance and determine the amount of exercise. Self-efficacy was measured by the Self-Efficacy Scale developed by Lorig et al. (1989) for arthritis patients. The degree of pain was converted to scores based on the Visual Analog Scale, the number of tender points was converted to scores based on the criteria of the ACR(1990) and of Yunus. Depression was measured by CES-D and physical disability, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and anxiety of patients with fibromyalgia were measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. The level of the exercise performance was converted to scores using the number of times the exercise was performed following the video tape prepared by Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals. Data were analyzed by SPSS windows and the results ire described below. 1. The experimental group which participated in the Self-Help Program showed higher efficacy scores than the control group when both groups were analyzed for depression and the number of tender points as common variables(F=9.146, p=.003). 2. The experimental group which participated in the Self-Help Program showed lower scores than the control group, for pain, the number of tender points, depression, physical disability, fatigue, sleep disturbance and anxiety. These symptoms of fibromyalgia can all be seen to have subsided(F=9.483, p=.003 : F=32.680, p=.001 ; F=11.104, p=.001, F=5.344 : p=.024, F=7.630 : P=.007, F=15.6512, p=.003 : F= 7.5412, p=.008). 3. In the experimental group, the self-efficacy score for the first three weeks showed a positive correlation with the exercise-performance score for four to six weeks (r=.387, p=.043). 4. In the experimental group, the relationship between the level of exercise-performance and the reduction of symptoms showed a significant correlation only to physical disability(r= -.500, p=.001). 5. In the experimental group, the relationship between the self-efficacy score and pain, the number of tender points, depression, physical disability, fatigue, sleep disturbance and anxiety score showed inverse correlations and thus, a reduction of symptoms occured when the self-efficacy score increased(r=-.325, p=.004 ; r= -.253, p=.027, r=-.452, p=.001 : r=-.434, p=.001 ; r=-.316, p=.005 ; r=-.460, p=.001 ; r=-.397, p=.014). Therefore, self-efficacy improved following the Self-Help Program including the stretching exercise. It was also found that physical symptoms (pain, number of tender points, level physical disability) and psychological symptoms (depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety) were reduced. Moreover, It was found that the higher the self-efficacy, the the higher the degree of achievement of goals set for the stretching exercises. In addition, the level of exercise-performance influenced the level of physical disability, one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Accordingly, the conclusions from this study are that exercise-performance and the reduction of symptoms is achieved through promotion of self-efficacy. Therefore, it is proposed that are the Self-Help Program including stretching exercises is an appropriate nursing intervention for the reduction of symptoms of fibromyalgia.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.232-242
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was done to investigate effects of foot massage and supportive communication provided by hospice volunteers on depression, anxiety, and mood of cancer patients who are going under intravenous chemotherapy at out patient department (OPD). Methods: A non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design was used. Sixty-four participants were recruited from out-patients setting in a university hospital by a convenient sampling. Two trained- hospice volunteers first provided regular hospice volunteer service to 34 patients in the control group. Subsequently, foot massage and supportive communication were provided to 30 participants in the experimental group. After the intervention, all participants answered the structured questionnaire with visual analog scales on depression, anxiety, and mood including general characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two sample t-test, and paired t-test by PASW 17. Results: After the intervention, changes in negative moods, i.e. strain and powerlessness in the experimental group were significantly different from those in control group; strain and powerlessness in the experimental group were significantly decreased by foot massage and supportive communication provided by hospice volunteers. Conclusion: The current findings provide an empirical evidence of a brief and efficacious intervention for cancer patients. Further studies are warranted with larger sample size to validate the effectiveness of foot massage and supportive communication as a solid intervention for cancer patients who are undergoing intravenous chemotherapy at OPD.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.737-744
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• 2013

The present study was investigated to evaluate on the health improving effect of Kochujang (Fermented Korean hot pepper paste), which was famous as Korean traditional healthy food among foreigners as it was served together with Bibimbap. For comparison, observation was made on the experimental animals (Sprague-Dawley rat) as breeding during 5 weeks, which were divided three groups as into the control groups (N-group) fed with normal feed only and high cholesterol feed only (H-group) and the K-group with combined diet of normal feed and Kochujang extracts (Water soluble complex materials). The most outstanding result was found as the definite fatty liver lesions found from all (100%) of the rats of the H-group at the abdominal opening examination. On the other hand, there was any finding on fatty liver lesions in the N-group as well as the K-group. Therefore, it was more than enough to identify the hypolipidemic effect by visual finding only. Furthermore, from the results of blood plasma analysis from SD-rats fed with Kochujang extract (K-group), more prominent differential findings were found, the value of HDL-cholesterol, which was good for preventing the arteriosclerosis, was more or less higher than that of H-groups. But the level of LDL-cholesterol, which was one of the hazardous agents of hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis, was more significantly reduced to the level even lower than that of N-group, based on the statistical analysis, in especial. According to the present results, we could find that the unidentified Korean traditional Kochujang-derived complex components had expressed both the positive health improving effects and hypolipidemic effects on the SD-rat.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2012

Purpose: One of the critical aspects on dispensing glasses is to match the center of pupils to the optical center of lenses as the mismatched glasses are able to induce uncomfortable effects called prism which has been known to induce phoria, a main cause for asthenopia in many cases. Therefore, we investigated the induced prism occurred by mismatching centers between the center of pupils and the optical center of lenses. Methods: In this study, total 103 subjects were examined whether the center of pupils and the optical center of lenses are matched in horizontal and vertical directions, and then, the data was categorized into 4 groups based on the structural components of glasses. Total amount of prism was compared to show the effect of the glasses frame on the prism induction, and the value of measured prism was compared with the German RAL-RG 915 regulations. Results: The results in respect to the horizontal component showed that the induced prism was not found in 10.7% of total subjects. 73.8% of total subjects were influenced by induced prism, the range of prism was in a tolerance level. However, the 15.5% of total subjects seemed to be influenced by prism which is out of the criterion of tolerance. In case of vertical component, 23.3% of total subjects showed no effects of prism while early adopting glasses, 54.4% of total subjects showed a little prism effect within the criterion of tolerance, and 22.3% of total subjects showed the prism effect out of the tolerance range. This data indicates that group A and B that are less likely adjustable by fitting induce more prism than group C and D in horizontal and vertical components. Conclusions: In higher refractive error condition, it was found that aligning the optical center of lenses with the center of pupils by pre-fitting of glasses frame minimized prism induction in horizontal and vertical components, which ameliorates ocular fatigue. Therefore, appropriate optometric dispensing through fitting by opticians and precise design about monocular PD and monocular Oh are necessary to improve visual perception.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 1986

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of formic acid on the quality of the rye silages at the different dry matter content (19.2, 28.6 and 32.2%) and different formic acid addition levels (0.00, 0.24, 0.48 and 0.71%). Rye were taken at vegetative stage (plant height 40cm) on November 29, 1984. Herbage were adjusted dry matter contents by wilting. Materials were ensiled in small polyethelene film bag after addition planned formic acid, and stored under room temperature. The results obtained are as follows: 1. In the visual observation of silage quality by addition of formic acid in unwilted silage show more clear brownish-yellow color and sweet flavor and less acidity compared with untreated formic acid. 2. The pH values of the silage increased by increasing DM content. At lower dry matter contents in materials the pH values decreased with increased formic acid levels. At higher dry matter content silage, however, non significant difference were observed. 3. The formation of total organic acid decreased by increasing DM content in the materials, and there appeared a significant difference (P<01) among formic acid levels. The organic acid contents in silage decreased with higher formic acid levels. 4. The water soluble carbohydrate in silage increased by increasing DM content. And it was also increased (P<01) with increased formic acid addition level. 5. The production of NH_3 - N decreased (P<01) with increasing the addition of formic acid, and decreased by increasing DM content in materials. 6. The in vitro dry matter digestibility of silages showed not difference among dry matter contents of the materials but at 0.71% addition of formic acid in unwilted silages appeared higher (P<05) digestibility compared the others (0.00% and 0.24%).

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.27 no.4 s.63
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• pp.643-659
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• 1997

For the total treatment of skeletal malocclusions, 3-dimensional evaluation and diagnosis are essential. Although anteroposterior discrepancies can be evaluated through various methods, the satisfactory methods for evaluations of facial asymmetry and transverse discrepancies are yet to be found. The adequate diagnosis and treatment of transverse discrepancies may be more important in the maintenance of functional occlusion as well as for the stability of results obtained from orthognathic surgery than the anteroposterior or vertical discrepancies. Since the soft tissue effects from the transverse discrepancies may not be pronounced, especially when combined with anteroposterior or vertical discrepancies which have prominent characteristics, the differentiation of their effects may be difficult from visual inspection alone. Therefore it is essential that the normal facial proportions would be established from the posteroanterior cephalometry as a reference for the accurate diagnosis and treatment. The present study evaluates 76 subjects from Yonsei University freshmen with normal facial symmetry and occlusion. Posteroanterior cephalograms were taken from the subjects and the normal values and facial proportions are obtained. The results are as follows. 1. The transverse and vortical values from posteroanterior cephalometry and their ratio, with means and standard deviations are calculated. 2. The ratio of vertical values to transverse values is 0.837 (male 0.836, female 0.841). 3. The Proportion of maxillary and mandibular widths is 0.747 (male 0.745, female 0.752), with statistically significant correlation. 4. Various degree of significant correlations are observed in the following craniofacial widths; (Cranial width, Bizygomaticofrontal suture width, Facial width, Maxillary width, Upper & Lower Intermolar width, Mandibular width). 5. Although the facial height as well as other line measurements increase as the facial widths increase, angle measurement ($Bj\ddot{o}rk$ Sum, Mandibular Plane Angle, Gonial Angle), decreases and posterior to anterior facial height ratio increases, therefore indicating the tendency for a brachycephalic facial type. These results may be used as references for the treatment planning in orthognathic and orthodontic treatments for the dentofacial deformity patients.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.3-39
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• 2011

People may operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) thousands of miles from the drone's location. Drones were first used (like balloons) for surveillance. By 2001, the United States began arming drones with missiles and using them to strike targets during combat in Afghanistan. By mid-2010, over forty states and other entities possessed drones, many with the capability of launching missiles and dropping bombs. Each new development in military weapons technology invites assessment of the relevant international law. This Insight surveys the international law applicable to the recent innovation of weaponizing drones. In determining what international law rules govern drone use, the most salient feature is not the fact that drones are unmanned. The fact drones carry no human operator may be the most important new technological breakthrough, but the key feature for international law purposes is the type of weaponry drones carry. Whether law enforcement rules govern drone use depends on the situation and not necessarily who is operating the drone. Battlefield weapons may also be lawfully used before an armed conflict in the following situations: when initiating self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter; when authorized by the UN Security Council; when a government seeks to suppress internal armed conflict; and, perhaps, when a state is invited to assist a government in suppressing internal armed conflict. The rules governing resort to force in self-defense are found in Article 51 of the UN Charter and a number of decisions by international courts and tribunals. Commentators continue to debate whether drone technology represents the next revolution in military affairs. Regardless of the answer to that question, drones have not created a revolution in legal affairs. The current rules governing battlefield launch vehicles are adequate for regulating resort to drones. More research must be undertaken, however, to understand the psychological effects of deploying unmanned vehicles and the effects on drone operators of sustained, close visual contact with the aftermath of drone attacks.