Energy expenditure measurement of various physical activity and correlation analysis of body weight and energy expenditure in elementary school children / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: There is a lack of data on the energy cost of children's everyday activities, adult values are often used as surrogates. In addition, the influence of body weight on the energy cost of activity when expressed as metabolic equivalents (METs) has not been vigorously explored. METHODS: In this study 20 elementary school students 9~12 years of age completed 18 various physical activities while energy expenditure was measured continuously using a portable telemetry gas exchange system (K4b2, Cosmed, Rome, Italy). RESULTS: The average age was 10.4 years and the average height and weight was 145.1 cm and 43.6 kg, respectively. Oxygen consumption (VO2), energy expenditure and METs at the time of resting of the subjects were 5.41 mL/kg/min, 1.44 kcal/kg/h, and 1.5 METs, respectively. METs values by 18 physical activities were as follows: Homework and reading books (1.6 METs), playing game with a mobile phone or video while sitting (1.6 METs), watching TV while sitting on a comfortable chair (1.7 METs), playing video game or mobile phone game while standing (1.9 METs), sweeping a room with a broom (2.7 METs) and playing a board game (2.8 METs) belong to light intensity physical activities. By contrary, speedy walking and running were 6.6 and 6.7 METs, respectively, which belong to high intensity physical activities over 6.0 METs. When the effect of body weight on physical activity energy expenditure was determined, R2 values increased with 0.116 (playing a game at sitting), 0.176 (climbing up and down stairs), 0.246 (slow walking), and 0.455 (running), which showed that higher activity intensity increased explanation power of body weight on METs value. CONCLUSION: This study is important for direct evaluation of energy expenditure by physical activities of children, and it could be used directly for revising and complementing the existing activity classification table to fit for children.

Relationships among Serum Adiponectin, Leptin and Vitamin D Concentrations and the Metabolic Syndrome in Farmers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among serum adiponectin, leptin and vitamin D concentrations and the metabolic syndrome in Korean farmers. 105 (26 males, 79 females) farmers (39~78 years, mean age 59.4 +/- 9.6 years) in Gangwon - area were included in this study. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical blood analysis of subjects were carried out. The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and hyper LDL-cholesterolemia, metabolic syndrome were 51.9%, 65.7%, 49.5%, 15.3%, 17.3%, 13.5%, 11.5% and 40.9%, respectively. Serum adiponectin and leptin levels (8.90 microg/ml and 12.6 ng/ml) of females were significantly higher than those (6.49 microg/ml and 4.88 ng/ml) of males. But there was no significant difference in 25(OH)vitamin D concentration between males (15.4 ng/ml) and females (16.9 ng/ml). In the subjects with metabolic syndrome, the adiponectin levels were significantly lower and leptin levels were significantly higher than those of the subjects without metabolic syndrome. Serum adiponectin level had positive correlations with HDL-cholesterol level (r = 0.325, p < 0.001), but showed negative correlations with triglyceride and fasting blood glucose concentrations, body weight and waist/hip circumference ratio (r = -0.202 ~ -0.317, p < 0.05). Serum leptin and 25(OH)vitamin D concentrations were positively correlated with body fat (kg, %) and BMI, waist and hip circumferences (r = 0.244 ~ 0.682, p < 0.001). The results of this study suggested that adiponectin and leptin levels could be credible indices to predict chronic diseases in farmers. However, further research on vitamin D should be carried out considering another factors.

The Measurements of the Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) and the Accuracy of RMR Predictive Equations for Korean Farmers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to measure the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and to assess the accuracy of RMR predictive equations for Korean farmers. METHODS: Subjects were 161 healthy Korean farmers (50 males, 111 females) in Gangwon-area. The RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry for 20 minutes following a 12-hour overnight fasting. Selected predictive equations were Harris-Benedict, Mifflin, Liu, KDRI, Cunningham (1980, 1991), Owen-W, F, FAO/WHO/UNU-W, WH, Schofield-W, WH, Henry-W, WH. The accuracy of the equations was evaluated on the basis of bias, RMSPE, accurate prediction and Bland-Altman plot. Further, new RMR predictive equations for the subjects were developed by multiple regression analysis using the variables highly related to RMR. RESULTS: The mean of the measured RMR was 1703 kcal/day in males and 1343 kcal/day in females. The Cunningham (1980) equation was the closest to measured RMR than others in males and in females (males Bias -0.47%, RMSPE 110 kcal/day, accurate prediction 80%, females Bias 1.4%, RMSPE 63 kcal/day, accurate prediction 81%). Body weight, BMI, circumferences of waist and hip, fat mass and FFM were significantly correlated with measured RMR. Thus, derived prediction equation as follow: males RMR = 447.5 + 17.4.Wt, females RMR = 684.5 - 3.5.Ht + 11.8.Wt + 12.4.FFM. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that Cunningham (1980) equation was the most accurate to predict RMR of the subjects. Thus, Cunningham (1980) equation could be used to predict RMR of Korean farmers studied in this study. Future studies including larger subjects should be carried out to develop RMR predictive equations for Korean farmers.

Assessment of Energy Intake and Physical Activity Level for Korean Farmers to Establish Estimated Energy Requirements during the Off-Season for Farmers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to assess the physical activity level of Korean farmers to establish estimated energy requirements during the off-season. Subjects were 90 healthy males (n = 25) and females (n = 65). Body weight, height and body fat and muscles of subjects were measured. The prevalence of obesity among farmers was 56.7% according to the BMI. The farmers spent about 18 hours 7 minutes (75.5%) in sleeping and resting. The farmers spent about 19 hours 56 minutes (83.1%) out of 24 hours (one day) in "sedentary activities" and spent about 3 hours 56 minutes (16.4%) in "light activities". Physical activity level (PAL, activity coefficient) of female farmers was 1.42 which was not significantly higher than that (1.37) of male farmers. Estimated energy requirements (EER) for farmers who were different in age groups and gender were calculated. For example, the EERs for male and female farmers were 2190 kcal/day and 1712 kcal/day, respectively. The daily energy intakes of male and female farmers were 1803 kcal/day and 1610 kcal/day, respectively. The EER of male farmers was 2190 kcal/day which was significantly higher than that (1803 kcal/day) of the recommended daily energy intake of male farmers. The results of this study suggest that estimated EER of farmers should be modified according to seasonal workload and energy balance of farmers should be evaluated to prevent obesity.

A Comparative Study on the Postpartum Depression of Vietnamese Marriage Immigrant Women and Korean Women / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine postpartum depression of Vietnamese married immigrant women and Korean women, and to identify factors that affect postpartum depression. METHODS: Subjects of one hundred and thirty-five women who had delivered a baby within 3 years were part of the study. Of these women, sixty were Vietnamese married immigrant women and sixty -seven were Korean women living in Gangwon Province. Kim's (2005) Korean version of Cox's (1987) EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) was used to evaluate postpartum depression. The reliability of the entire subjects was Cronbach's alpha=.677, Vietnamese women .743, and Korean women .654. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in demographic data and obstetric history. There were significant differences in EPDS (t=-0.236, p=.814) of the type of household between the two groups. Korean women experienced more depression in the items of EPDS 1,2,5, and Vietnamese women experienced more depression in the items of EPDS 7, 8, and 10 when comparing item by item. The influencing factors of EPDS in entire subjects were marriage type, satisfaction of relationship with the husband and other household extended family members, and emotional experience during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Postpartum depression has occurred regardless of ethnicity, therefore prevention programs targeted at depression, and family support programs should be developed for all childbearing women.

Benzoxathiol derivative BOT-4-one suppresses L540 lymphoma cell survival and proliferation via inhibition of JAK3/STAT3 signaling

Persistently activated JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in various human cancers including major carcinomas and hematologic tumors, and is implicated in cancer cell survival and proliferation. Therefore, inhibition of JAK/STAT3 signaling may be a clinical application in cancer therapy. Here, we report that 2-cyclohexylimino-6-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo [1,3]oxathiol-4-one (BOT-4-one), a small molecule inhibitor of JAK/STAT3 signaling, induces apoptosis through inhibition of STAT3 activation. BOT-4-one suppressed cytokine (upd)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and transcriptional activity of STAT92E, the sole Drosophila STAT homolog. Consequently, BOT-4-one significantly inhibited STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation and expression of STAT3 downstream target gene SOCS3 in various human cancer cell lines, and its effect was more potent in JAK3-activated Hodgkin's lymphoma cell line than in JAK2-activated breast cancer and prostate cancer cell lines. In addition, BOT-4-one-treated Hodgkin's lymphoma cells showed decreased cell survival and proliferation by inducing apoptosis through down-regulation of STAT3 downstream target anti-apoptotic gene expression. These results suggest that BOT-4-one is a novel small molecule inhibitor of JAK3/STAT3 signaling and may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of human cancers harboring aberrant JAK3/STAT3 signaling, specifically Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Effects of a Tai Chi Exercise Program for Patients with Arthritis in Rural Areas

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Tai-Chi exercise program on subjective health and physiological function index. METHODS: This study was designed as non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest research. Eighteen women in each group completed the posttest with an attendance rate of 78.3 % after 12 weeks. The Tai Chi exercise program was provided two times a week over three months for the experimental group, but no program for the control group. A questionnaire was used for subjective health index, which consisted of Korean-WOMAC Index for joint stiffness, K-HAQ for physical disability, EQ-5D for quality of life and perceived health status, and CES-D for depression. To measure the effect on the physiological function index, femoral muscle strength, shoulder joint and back flexibility were measured. RESULTS: All variables except left anterior femoral muscle strength had significant homogeneity between the two groups. There were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in joint stiffness (t=-2.165, p=.03), physical disability (t=-2.231, p=.038), EQ-5D index (t=3.783, p=.001), perceived health status (t=-2.349, p=.025) and femoral posterior muscle strength (t=2.487, p=.038). CONCLUSION: The Tai-Chi exercise program was beneficial for women with arthritis in rural communities.

The Life of Elderly Women Living Alone

PURPOSE: This study aimed to uncover the fundamental nature of living alone in female elderly. METHODS: The phenomenological research approach developed by van Manen was adopted. RESULTS: The theme was 'taking a firm stand alone on the edges of life'. The composition elements of living alone experienced by elderly women were as follows: 1) Corporeality: participants perceived their bodies by their health status. Unhealthy participants were suffering with diseases and dependant on other persons, while healthy participants were free from family responsibility and kept on moving. 2) Spatiality: participants felt both freedom and loneliness while they stayed home. 3) Relationality: participants felt pity and yearning for their bereaved husband and sometimes talked to his picture. According to their children's filial piety, participants were pleased or displeased. However, they incessantly devoted themselves to their children. 4) Temporality: participants considered the rest of their life as extra-time which was proceeding to death, and tried to keep themselves busy before they died. CONCLUSION: A nurse should understand the multifarious aspects of elderly women's life, and then intervene to consolidate their strengths for self-supporting the final years of life.

Influences of Particles on Pro-inflammatory Signalings in Pre-osteoclasts / 대한정형외과연구학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the roles of macrophages and their influences on the signal transduction in the periprosthetic osteolysis, the pro-inflammatory signals were analyzed in particles-stimulated macrophages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Raw 264.7 cell line derived from mice macrophages was used as pre-osteoclasts. To increase the stimulatory effects, the particles were composed of PMMA and polyethylene. Under the similar conditions as osteoclast differentiation, we examined the effect of particles on the pro-inflammatory signals in macrophage: the production of TNF-alpha, the activity of MAPKs (mitogen-activated phosphorylation kinase), the expression of I-kappaB (Inhibitory (B) and the production of H2O2 and nitric oxide. RESULTS: The particles stimulated the secretion of TNF-alpha and increased the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK in course of time. The concentration of H2O2 was increased; however the nitric oxide formation was not increased by particle treatment. In addition, the production of H2O2 was synergistically increased by suboptimal stimulation with PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate). Expressions of I-kappaB were inhibited by particles. CONCLUSION: The particles may stimulate the activation of MAPKs, the production of TNF-alpha, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activation of NF-kappaB in the pre-osteoclasts. We speculate that particles may mediate the pro-inflammatory signal cascade by the activation of NF-kappaB through ROS in pre-osteoclasts, rather than reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Therefore we suggest that the macrophages in inflammatory osteolysis may have the characteristics of pre-osteoclast as well as pro-inflammatory cell. Further researches should be recommended.

Effect of Green Tea on Calcium Oxalate Stone Formation and Excretion in Ethylene Glycol-treated Rats / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic potential of green tea to treat renal stone, we examined the effect of green tea on the formation and the excretion of experimentally induced calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones in rat kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CaOx nephrolithiasis was induced by administering 1% ethylene glycol (EG) for 4 weeks. To investigate the effect of tea on the formation CaOx stones, the rats were simultaneously administered either 0.2% green tea or 0.5% rooibos tea. To verify the action of green tea on the excretion of CaOx stones, the rats were divided into four groups after the administration of 1% EG water for 4 weeks and then fed with either 0.2% green tea, 0.5% rooibos tea or 80mg/l furosemide-containing 1% EG water for 4 weeks. The right kidney was frozen for mRNA measurements, with the left fixed for counting crystal deposits. Twenty-four hour urine volume and urinary excretions of oxalate, uric acid, calcium and magnesium were measured. RESULTS: Urinary biochemistry and 24 hour urine output were apparently unchanged by taking either the green tea or rooibos tea. The increases of CaOx crystal deposits and osteopontin mRNA expressions in the kidneys by the administration of 1% EG water were markedly decreased by both tea intakes, while there were no significant differences in the mRNA levels of CuZn- and Mn-superoxide dismutases between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Green and rooibos teas significantly attenuated the calcium crystal depositions in the kidneys. Down-regulations of the osteopontin mRNA levels may be involved in the inhibitory effects of the teas on the renal CaOx stone formation.

Characteristics of Nursing Performance based on the Expertise among ICU Nurses / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to describe how nurses in intensive care units (ICU) work. METHOD: A total of 18 ICU nurses participated in the research. The data was collected through individual in-depth interviews and analyzed by grounded theory method using NUDIST 4.0 software program. RESULTS: Three different patterns regarding nursing performance among ICU nurses were identified. These are 1) nursing performance of nurses who perform excellently, 2) nursing performance of nurses who do not perform well because of their lack of experience, and 3) nursing performance of nurses who do not perform well in spite of their good years of experience. These three different nursing performances were described in terms of seven different categories; 1) assessing and monitoring nursing problems, 2) clinical decision making, 3) interpersonal relationships, 4) holistic care, 5) technical skills, 6) problem solving, 7) working independently and creatively. This study also identified two intervening factors that influenced the advancement of their expertise. CONCLUSION: The results of this study might help nurse managers in developing continuing educational programs for inexperienced nurses or those nurses not performing well to become experts by a deeper understanding of the nature of nursing performance and the factors that influence nursing performance in ICU settings.

Two Cases of Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy

The vitreoretinopathy with familial tendency was first described by V.G.Criswick and C.L. Schepens in 1969. The disease is slowly progressive and can be clinically grouped into 3 stages according to the severity of ocular manifestation. The etiology of this disease which is similar to the other vitreoretinopathy without the history of prematurity and oxygen supply is unknown. Two sibling patients suggesting to have the familial exudative vitreoretinopathy were reported and reviewed herein with their clinical features.

A Human case of thelaziasis in Korea

The authors recovered a white thread-like living nematode in left conjunctival sac of a 33 years old male on May 29, 1981. The chief complaints were foreign body sensation and itching sensation of eye. The worm was a female measuring 12.1 mm in length and 0.171 mm in maximum width. It was identified as Thelazia callipaeda Railliet et Henry, 1910. And we recorded the patient as the 10th reported thelaziasis case in Korea.