Serum Levels of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Insulin Secretion among Children Age 7–9 Years: A Prospective Cohort Study

Park, Su Hyun,Ha, Eunhee,Hong, Young Sun,Park, Hyesook U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Publ 2016 Environmental health perspectives Vol.124 No.12

<P><B>Background:</B></P><P>Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are endocrine disruptors and have been suggested as possible risk factors for diabetes. Few studies have been performed to investigate this association among children.</P><P><B>Objectives:</B></P><P>In this study, we prospectively examined the relationship between the serum concentration of POPs and glucose metabolism in children.</P><P><B>Methods:</B></P><P>Data were collected from the Ewha Birth & Growth Cohort Study, an ongoing birth cohort study initially constructed between 2001 and 2006. In 2010–2012, the POP concentration was measured in serum from a total of 214 children, 7–9 years of age. Using fasting glucose and insulin measurements at both baseline and the second year of follow-up, the homeostatic model assessment of beta-cell function (HOMA-β) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis and a linear mixed-effects model were used to determine the relationship between POP tertiles and metabolic biomarkers.</P><P><B>Results:</B></P><P>Compared with the lowest tertile of total marker PCBs, participants in the third tertile had decreased HOMA-β values, after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index z-score, mother’s education, ponderal index, and history of breastfeeding (–18.94%; 95% CI: –32.97%, –1.98%). In a linear mixed model, the HOMA-β values were still lower in subjects in the highest compared with the lowest tertile of total PCBs at the 2-year follow-up period (108.3 vs. 135.0, respectively).</P><P><B>Conclusion:</B></P><P>The results of the study suggested that exposure to POPs among children might affect insulin secretory function, which could lead to an increased risk of developing diabetes.</P><P><B>Citation:</B></P><P>Park SH, Ha EH, Hong YS, Park H. 2016. Serum levels of persistent organic pollutants and insulin secretion among children age 7–9 years: a prospective cohort study. Environ Health Perspect 124:1924–1930; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP147</P>

The Pyramid of Injury: Estimation of the Scale of Adolescent Injuries According to Severity

Han, Hyejin,Park, Bomi,Park, Bohyun,Park, Namsoo,Park, Ju Ok,Ahn, Ki Ok,Tak, Yang Ju,Lee, Hye Ah,Park, Hyesook The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine 2018 Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Vol.51 No.3

Objectives: Due to their developmental characteristics, adolescents have a higher probability than other age groups of experiencing injuries caused by accidents, violence, and intentional self-harm. The severity and characteristics of injuries vary by the intentionality and mechanism of injury; therefore, there is a need for a national-level estimate of the scale and the severity of injuries in adolescents that takes these factors into account. Methods: By using data from the Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance Data, National Emergency Department Information System, the Korean National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey, and cause of death statistics, we calculated the emergency department (ED) visit rate, hospitalization rate, and death rate of injuries per 100 000 adolescents for each injury mechanism. The calculated rates were used to generate the injury pyramid ratio (ratio of death rate to hospitalization rate to ED visit rate) to visualize the scale and the severity of the injury. Results: The mortality rate in adolescents due to injury was 10/100 000; the corresponding rates for hospitalization and ED visits were 1623 and 4923, respectively, resulting in an injury pyramid ratio with the general pyramid form, with a 1:162:492 ratio of deaths to hospitalizations to ED visits. The mortality rate due to suicide/intentional self-harm was 5/100 000, while 35 were hospitalized for this reason and 74 made ED visits. The pyramid ratio of 1:7:15 for intentional self-harm/suicide showed a steep pyramidal form, indicating considerable lethality. The mortality rate due to motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) was 3/100 000; 586 were hospitalized for this reason, while 1023 made ED visits. The pyramid ratio of 1:195:341 for MVCs showed a gradual pyramid form, indicating that the lethality was low and the scale of injury was high. Conclusions: The main categories of injuries in adolescents were visualized in pyramid form, contributing to an understanding of the scale of each injury by mechanism in terms of levels of death, hospitalization, and ED visits. These findings will be helpful for understanding how to prioritize injuries in adolescents.

임산부의 Myeloperoxidase 유전자다형성과 혈중 비타민 C 수준에 따른 모체의 산화 스트레스와 출생체중

박보현(Bohyun Park),김영주(Young-Ju Kim),박은애(Eun Ae Park),이화영(Hwayoung Lee),하은희(Eun-Hee Ha),박종순(Jongsoon Park),김정연(Jeongyoun Kim),홍윤철(Yun-Chul Hong),박혜숙(Hyesook Park) 한국독성학회 2004 Toxicological Research Vol.20 No.3

This study aimed to determine the association of maternal oxidative stress and<br/> adverse pregnancy outcome with serum vitamin C concentration and a myeloperoxidase (MPO)<br/> genetic polymorphism during pregnancy. We investigated 450 pregnant women who visited Ewha<br/> Womans University Hospital for prenatal care during gestational weeks 24~28. During the second trimester,<br/> we measured serum vitamin C levels and urinary 8-hydroxyde-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)<br/> and malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidative stress biomarker. We determined the presence of a<br/> maternal MPO polymorphism (G-to-A substitution at nucleotide 463) using a PCR-RFLP assay. We<br/> compared the level of oxidative stress and birth weight with the vitamin C concentration and the<br/> presence of the MPO polymorphism. The mean level of maternal oxidative stress tended to be<br/> higher and the birth weight lower for MPO type A/A than for types A/G and G/G. Vitamin C levels<br/> above the 75 percentiles were associated with reduced concentrations of urinary MDA and 8-OHdG<br/> but increased birth weight. Our data demonstrate that oxidative stress and neonatal birth weight are<br/> associated with the MPO genetic polymorphism, with the association modified by the maternal vitamin<br/> C levels.

한국인에서 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase 유전자 다형성 분석 및 임신의 결과에 미치는 영향

김아리 ( Ari Kim ),강은지 ( Eun Ji Kang ),이경아 ( Kyung A Lee ),박세나 ( Se Na Park ),박종순 ( Jong Soon Park ),박보현 ( Bo Hyun Park ),박혜숙 ( Hyesook Park ),박미혜 ( Mi Hye Park ),전선희 ( Sun Hee Chun ),안정자 ( Jung Ja Ahn ) 대한주산의학회 2006 大韓周産醫學會雜誌 Vol.17 No.3

목적: 본 연구는 한국인 임신 여성에서 MTHFR 유전자형 변이와 혈청내 호모시스테인 및 엽산의 농도와 이들이 임신에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 방법: 임신부 600명에게서 혈액을 채취하여 얻어진 DNA로 MTHFR C677T와 A1298C 유전자의 다형성을 PCR-RELP로 분석하였고 혈청내 호모시스테인은 HPLC 방법으로, 엽산은 RIA 방법으로 측정하였다. 결과: 혈청내 호모시스테인은 MTHFR C677T 유전자형이 C/C형이나 C/T인 군에 비해 T/T인 군에서 유의하게 높았으며 MTHFR A1298C 유전자형이 A/C형이나 C/C인 군에 비해 A/A인 군에서 역시 유의하게 높았다( p<0.05). 혈청 호모시스테인은 모든 MTHFR 유전자형에서 혈청 엽산농도와 역상관관계를 보였으나, 변이형 유전자형(T/T와 A/A유전자형)에서 더 큰 역 상관관계를 보였다. 15?mol/L 이상의 고호모시스테인혈증의 임신부에서 임신 주수와 출생체중이 36.1주, 3053.8 g으로 15 ?mol/L미만인 군의 38.3 주, 3215.3 g 보다 유의하게 낮았다( p<0.05). 결론: 혈청 호모시스테인의 농도는 MTHFR C677T와 A1298T 유전자의 다형성에 의해 영향을 받으며, MTHFR C677T와 A1298T 유전자의 다형성과 혈청 호모시스테인은 모두 임신주수와 신생아의 체중에 영향을 미친다. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze MTHFR polymorphism among the Korean population and to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of homocysteine and MTHFR polymorphism and also to investigate the effect on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: DNA was extracted from whole blood of 600 pregnant women. All samples were genotyped for the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in MTHFR gene by PCR-RELP assay. Serum levels of homocysteine and folate were measured by high performance liquid chromatography for homocysteine and radioassay for folate. Pregnancy outcomes were estimated by gestational weeks and birth weights of newborns. Results: Serum homocysteine was higher in women with the T/T genotype than those with the C/T or C/C genotype of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism (p<0.05). And also serum homocysteine was higher in women with the A/A genotype than those with the A/C or C/C genotype of the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism (p<0.05). Serum homocysteine was negatively correlated with serum folate in all MTHFR genotypes, especially prominent in T/T genotype of MTHFR C677T polymorphism and A/A genotype of MTHFR A1298C polymorphism. Gestational age and the birth weight of infant from hyperhomocysteinemic mothers whose homocysteine levels higher than 15 μmol/L were 36.1 weeks, 3053.8 g, respectively, which were significant lower than those from normohomocysteinemic mothers (38.3 weeks, 3,215.3 g) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Serum homocysteine was influenced significantly by MTHFR C677T polymorphism and MTHFR A1298C polymorphism. MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphism and serum homocysteine levels affect pregnancy outcomes, although not mainly by serum folate level.

Study on features that pregnant women find important and desirable when choosing maternity wear

Park HyeSook,Lee JaeJung 한국디자인학회 2007 디자인학연구 Vol.20 No.2

Effects of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Fashion Design Classes

Park, HyeSook 국제문화기술진흥원 2019 International Journal of Advanced Culture Technolo Vol.7 No.4

In recent years, in order to enhance the problem-solving skills required by the industrial field, universities have introduced the Problem-Based Learning(PBL) method to solve the problems caused by the lack of creativity, problem solving ability and self-directed learning. This study applied PBL class methods such as 'learning based on individual specific problems', 'self-directed learning', and 'small-group learning of small members' to practical design of fashion design. To do this, I conducted a questionnaire after conducting research based on the PBL module for one semester in a practical class of fashion design major at P University. As a result of the survey, the satisfaction and achievement of the class conducted by PBL learning method was improved than the existing teaching method. As such, if PBL class is used as a way of solving problems through close communication between professors and learners, it is expected to be established as a learner-centered education method that can improve creativity and professionalism.

Study on Capstone Design Program in Fashion Major

Park, HyeSook 국제문화기술진흥원 2020 International Journal of Advanced Culture Technolo Vol.8 No.2

In today's world, the design industry is becoming more complex, with the development of networks such as the internet and revolutionary changes in information and telecommunications. As the demand for designers to cope with various situations occurring in these industrial sites or solve problems in practice promptly is required, a capstone design program was developed in collaboration with the industry. Capstone design classes have positive effects on creative problem solving ability, academic achievement and learning satisfaction by allowing students to think and experience the practical problems of the industrial field. It is also effective in improving communication, creative thinking and critical thinking. The purpose of this study is to search for talent training methods needed in the fashion industry and to develop effective programs through capstone design class studies conducted in the fourth grade of fashion design majors from 2017 to 2019 (6 semesters). Through these studies, the aim is to search for talent training methods needed in the fashion industry and to develop effective programs. If the capstone design learning method is used as a method of solving problems through close communication between the company and the educational field as an industry-academia cooperation system, it is expected to be positioned as a field-type human resource education method that is required in the industrial field.

The Role of Interaction in Child L2 Acquisition

Park, Hyesook 한국영어교육학회 2004 ENGLISH TEACHING(영어교육) Vol.59 No.4

This study examines how younger non-native and native children interact in different settings and how the interaction contributes to L2 development. The conversation data of four children in four settings were collected and analyzed. The analyses of the data show that younger children employ various negotiation strategies depending on the situational settings, and that there is a different proportion in use of negotiation strategies according to the settings. The quantitative analyses of interactions show that the children use more clarification and confirmation strategies in doing the two-way task, while there is more negative feedback including recasts for the cooperation task. The qualitative analyses of interactions show that the children have access to more comprehensible input, negative evidence, and produce more comprehensible output through negotiation for meaning. Further, they suggest that negative evidence is an aspect of non-native and native children interaction and that it can have a crucial effect on restructuring the learner’s interlanguage system.

Factors Influencing Vaccination in Korea: Findings From Focus Group Interviews

Park, Bomi,Choi, Eun Jeong,Park, Bohyun,Han, Hyejin,Cho, Su Jin,Choi, Hee Jung,Lee, Seonhwa,Park, Hyesook The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine 2018 예방의학회지 Vol.51 No.4

Objectives: Immunization is considered one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions protecting communities from preventable infectious diseases. The Korean government set up a dedicated workforce for national immunization in 2003, and since then has made strides in improving vaccination coverage across the nation. However, some groups remain relatively vulnerable and require intervention, and it is necessary to address unmet needs to prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases. This study was conducted to characterize persistent challenges to vaccination. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative method in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Three focus group interviews were conducted with 15 professionals in charge of vaccination-related duties. The interviews were conducted according to a semi-structured guideline, and thematic analysis was carried out. Data saturation was confirmed when the researchers agreed that no more new codes could be found. Results: A total of 4 main topics and 11 subtopics were introduced regarding barriers to vaccination. The main topics were vaccine hesitancy, personal circumstances, lack of information, and misclassification. Among them, vaccine hesitancy was confirmed to be the most significant factor impeding vaccination. It was also found that the factors hindering vaccination had changed over time and disproportionately affected certain groups. Conclusions: The study identified ongoing unmet needs and barriers to vaccination despite the accomplishments of the National Immunization Program. The results have implications for establishing tailored interventions that target context- and group-specific barriers to improve timely and complete vaccination coverage.

The Relationships of WTC and Motivation in Korean EFL Learners’ Oral Communicative Competence

( Hyesook Park ),( Ho Jung Lee ) 대한영어영문학회 2013 영어영문학연구 Vol.39 No.1

This study took an aim to explore the relationships among willingness to communicate (WTC), motivation and English oral communicative competence of Korean EFL learners. The participants were 65 Korean college students who took English speaking classes in 2012. Questionnaires related to WTC and motivation were given to the participants and their oral communicative competence was assessed by TOEIC speaking test. The results of analyses showed that WTC was most closely linked with Korean English learners’ oral communicative competence, and that WTC, and instrumentality were significantly positive predictors for Korean EFL learners’ oral communicative competence, while ought-to self was a negative predictor. The results of correlation showed that integrativeness and ideal self had more closely significant correlations with WTC than others. From these findings, suggestions for enhancing Korean EFL learners’ WTC and oral communicative competence were given. (Kunsan Nat’l University · Woosuk University)