The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mangosteen extract complex (MEC; Garcinia mangostana L. and propolis extracts) on the inhibition of inflammation and prevention of alveolar bone loss using a ligature-induced periodontitis model. Rat molars were ligatured with silk, and 1 μg/mL of lipopolysaccharide of Porphyromonas gingivalis was injected into the buccal and palatal gingivae of the teeth with or without treatment with the MEC. Changes in the expression levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-8 (IL-8), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, and COX-2 in gingival tissues were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Alveolar bone loss around the ligated molars was examined using micro-computed tomography. The expression levels of PGE2, IL-8, iNOS, MMP-8, COX-1, and COX-2 in gingival tissues were significantly reduced in the group treated with a mixture of 16 μg of mangosteen extract powder and 544 μg of propolis extract powder (ligation [Lig] + lipopolysaccharide extracted from P. gingivalis KCOM 2804 [L] + MEC 1:34). Additionally, alveolar bone loss was significantly reduced in the Lig + L + MEC 1:34 group compared with that in other groups. These results indicate that the MEC could be useful in preventing and treating periodontitis.

Radon is an inert gas, and a naturally occurring radioactive material. Radon is produced by radium and uranium. Generated radon causes lung cancer through the inhalation. Therefore, If uranium contaminated soil is close to indoor spaces, residents may be exposed to this radioactive material(Radon). Generally, radon affects the first to third floors of buildings. But our research team has often detected high radon concentration in the indoor air of high-rise apartments. The reason for this is that building materials containing uranium and radium are brought into apartments. This study was conducted an investigation into the radon emission rate of building materials being used in South Korea. Also, our team conducted an investigation into the radon emission rate of gypsum tiles and concrete found in an apartment(17th floor apartment indoor radon concentration 5.03 pCi/L, Rad- 7(DURRIDGECo.USA)). Finally, we investigated the radon emission rate of bricks containing the soil near a uranium mine. The average radon emission rates of general building materials are as followings: (gypsum board : 0.20·h-1/kg, gravel : 0.05, gypsum tile : 0.02, indoor tile : 0.08, general brick : 0.02, red clay tile : 0.02, concrete : 0.11, uranium mine soil : 4.81). The results regarding the radon emission rate from a 17th floor apartment’s building materials are as followings: (gypsum board : 0.70, concrete : N/A). The results regarding the radon emission rate from bricks containing soil near a uranium mine was 0.19. This experiment indicates that gypsum boards show the highest radon emission rate among general building materials. In particular, the radon emission rate from the gypsum boards in a 17th floor apartment was 3.5 times higher than general gypsum boards. Overall the results suggest that building materials that possess high levels of uranium emit more radon gas than any other materials. South Korea has not established legal regulations on radon emission from building materials. However, the results of this study strongly suggest that it is of the utmost importance to manage the radon emission rate of building materials and control their usage before construction.

We conducted this study to determine the factors associated with childhood obesity. The subjects were 170 preschool children in Busan. Data were collected by using questionnaires which asked for information about socioeconomic status, parental perception of their child’s weight status and dietary/physical activity behavior. BMI was calculated for each child and their classification was determined, according to their age and sex, as follows: “overweight” at or above the 85th percentile, “normal” for the 15th-85th percentile, and with a BMI below the 15th percentile the children were deemed as underweight. Classification according to BMI percentile showed that 23.5% (18.25±1.33 kg/m2) of the children were overweight, 62.9% (15.51±0.76 kg/m2) normal, and 13.5% (13.23±2.86 kg/m2) were underweight. Socioeconomic status, as represented by the parents' level of education, the occupation of the father and the household income, did not affect the results. However, mothers working outside the household was a factor that was more likely to affect the weight status (p<0.05). Among mothers whose children were overweight, 30% underestimated their children’s weight status (believing them to be of normal weight when they were overweight), and 25% failed to recognize the necessity of weight control for their overweight children. While sedentary activity and total daily activity levels were not related to BMI, the level of physically active leisure activity was inversely correlated with BMI (p<0.05). Although there were no differences in total energy intake, dietary behavior was significantly related to weight status. Overweight children had poor eating tendancies: they eat faster (in less than 15 minutes), overeat, and eat late at night. Based on our findings where hereby recommended the following interventions to help limit weight problems in Korean pre-schoolers: early promotion of active leisure behavior and healthy eating habits, along with attempting to correct parental misperception of healthy weight status for children.