• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2000

Purpose: We performed this study to evaluate the changes of gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) in diabetic patients with or without autonomic neuropathy. Materials and Methods: This study included 37 diabetic patients (25 women, 12 men, mean age 51 years) and 24 normal controls (10 women, 14 men, mean age 38 years). After intravenous injection of 185 MBq of $^{99m}Tc$-DISIDA, serial anterior abdominal images were acquired before and after fatty meal. Regions of interest were applied on gallbladder and right hepatic lobe on 60 and 90 minute images to calculate GBEF. Results: GBEF was significantly reduced in diabetes with autonomic neuropathy ($43{\pm}12.3%$) and without autonomic neuropathy ($57.5{\pm}13.2%$) compared with normal controls ($68{\pm}11.6%$, p<0.05). And also, GBEF was significantly reduced in diabetes with autonomic neuropathy compared with diabetes without autonomic neuropathy (p<0.05). Fasting blood glucose level, age, sex, hemoglobin Alc, body mass index, serum lipid level were not different in these two diabetic patient groups (p>0.05). When 50.2% of GBEF was used as the criteria for diabetic autonomic neuropathy, the sensitivity and specificity were 80%, 76.5%, respectively. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.846. Conclusion: GBEF of diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy was significantly reduced than that of diabetic patients without autonomic neuropathy.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.385-398
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• 2002

The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether stromal cells supporting specific microenvironment for hematopoiesis of bone marrow are affected by toxicants and therapeutic drugs such as antibiotics and anticancer drugs and whether laminin-1 is associated with such effects. SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with 75 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide which is widely used to treat infant's solid tumor, leukemia and myeloma and sacrificed after 3 days, 1 week, 3 weeks or 5 weeks of injection. The bone marrow extracted and paraffin-sectioned was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. A part of tissues was subjected to electron microscopy following reaction with rabbit anti-laminin antibody, biotinylated goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugated with 12 nm gold particles, and staining with uranyl acetate. 1. The bone marrow tissue at day 3 post injection with cyclophosphamide displayed dilated venous sinus, partial necrotic death, and decreased number of hematopoietic cells. Laminin-1 was intensively stained in the reticular and adipose tissues. 2. Up to 5 weeks post injection, laminin-1 was stained at a low level in the stromal tissue of bone marrow and the number of hematopoietic cell was increased. 3. Deposition of the gold particle which represents laminin-1 expression was observed at the highest level in the stromal cells of bone marrow obtained 3 days after injection, and decreased after 1 to 5 weeks. These results suggest that stromal cells which play a role in supporting microenvironment for bone marrow hematopoiesis augment induction of laminin-1 expression and activation upon administration of cyclophosphamide.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2006

There is growing concern that dietary soy intake is associated with protection of breast cancer. However, questions persist on the potential adverse effects of the main soy constituent genistein(GS) on female reproductive physiology. In this study, we examined whether prepubertal exposure to GS affected on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. GS(100mg/kg/day) was administrated daily from postnatal day 25(PND 25) to the day when the first vaginal opening(VO) was observed, and the animals were sacrificed on the day after VO occurred. Gross anatomy and tissue weight were compared to test the GS's effect on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in tissues. Specific radioimmunoassay(RIA) were carried out to measure serum LH levels. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptors(PR), total RNAs were extracted from ovary and uterus and were applied to semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a results, advanced VO was shown in the GS group(PND $31.2{\pm}0.6$) compared to the vehicle group (PND $35.3{\pm}0.7$). GS treatment significantly increased wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the vehicle group. Increased serum LH levels were also shown in the GS group. Graafian follicles and corpora lutea(CL) were observed only in the ovaries from GS treated animals. Similarly, hypertrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium were found only in the GS group. Collectively, these effects were probably due to the estrogenic effects of GS. In the semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activities of PR in both ovary and uterus from GS-treated group were significantly higher than those from the vehicle group. The present studies demonstrated that acute exposure to GS, at levels comparable to the ranges of human exposure, during the critical period of prepubertal stage activates the reproductive system resulting precocious puberty in immature female rats.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.285-293
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• 2007

The study was to determine zonal characteristics of nutrients and chlorophyll and evaluate their trophic relations in Daechung Reservoir. For this study, we compared longterm water quality data among three zones along with trophic state using 1993 to 2002 dataset, obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. Total phosphorous (TP), Secchi depth (SD) and chlorophyll (CHL) showed typical longitudinal declines from the riverine to lacustrine zone, but total nitrogen (TN) was not evident. Largest seasonal variations in TP and CHL occurred during the summer monsoon from July to August. In the reservoir, ambient TN averaged 1.67 mg $L^{-1}$ and ratios of TN : TP averaged 88.04, indicating that nitrogen is not likely limited but phosphorus limitation was evident. Trophic State Index (TSI), based on CHL, TP, and SD, varied depending on the zones and seasons. Mean TSI (TP) in the riverine zone was 62 during the monsoon, indicating a hypertrophic condition, whereas the mean was 40 in the lacustrine, indicating a nearly oligotrophic. Values of TSI (CHL) showed maximum in the transition zone during the monsoon. The deviation analysis of TSI showed that about 65% of TSI (CHL)-TSI (TP) and TSI (CHL)-TSI (SD) values were less than zero and the lowest values were -42, indicating an effect of inorganic turbidity on algal growth in the reservoir. Correlation analysis of CHL vs. SD shewed greater correlation coefficient (p<0.001, r=-0.47) in the transition than other two zones (p<0.001, $r{\leq}-0.40$). Correlation analysis of TP vs. CHL was greatest in the lacustrine and TP was minimum in the lacustrine zone, indicating a lowest yield of algal biomass in the lacustrine. Overall data suggests that zonal response of chlorophyll yield at a given nutrient unit is clearly differed among the longitudinal gradients, so the management strategy such as cross sectional modelling should be provided in each zone.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.718-725
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• 2018

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been implicated in cell proliferation and apoptosis in several types of cancer. In this study, the impact of TLR4 activation on apoptotic cell death in gynecologic cancers induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated. Cervical cancer cell lines were produced from isolated surgical specimens supplied by Paik Hospital. The primary cultures of normal myometrium and gynecologic cancers, including cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, were used to examine the differences in morphological characteristics between normal and cancerous cells. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to determine the relative expression levels of TLR4 gene involved in apoptosis-associated signaling in cervical cancer cells. The cancer cell colonies showed a tendency to reach high levels of confluency compared with normal cells. In addition, an enhanced growth rate and loss of contact inhibition were observed in gynecologic cancer cells compared with normal cells (doubling times of 16.6 hr vs. 26 hr, respectively). The expression level of ITGA5, an alpha-5 integrin marker, was upregulated in normal myometrial cells, but this tendency was not exhibited in cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, p53 tumor suppressor gene expression was upregulated, whereas TLR4 and caspase-3 gene expressions were downregulated in cervical cancer cells. Notably, the expression levels of TLR4 and caspase-3 were increased significantly in LPS-treated cancer cells compared with those in non-LPS-treated cells. These results suggest that the TLR4-mediated caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway could be suggested as a therapeutic target for the treatment of gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancers.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate evaporation rate of moisture per surface area and degradation rate of organic matter in full scale escalator reversing composting facility were analyzed to develope a computer program for the computation of an optimum volume of composting facility according to handling methods of swine farm, moisture levels of manure, degradation rate of organics and evaporation rate of moisture during composting. The obtained results can be followed as bellow; The temperature in full scale escalator reversing composting facility during composting reached $70^{\circ}C$ in 4 days and maintained until 11 days. Reduction rate of moisture and density was average 1.20% and 29.7%, respectively. Annual degradation rate of organic matter was 3.53%, showing lowest rate in winter as 3.23%. These seasonal degradation rate could be a factor to be considered for proper management and installation of composting facility. When computed with the amount of feces, urine, slurry and manure plus wastewater produced, the optimum volumes of composting facility for slurry and manure plus wastewater including each 95% moisture was $229m^3$ and $277m^3$, respectively, showing 21% ($48m^3$) difference.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.251-261
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• 2003

As a part of an on-going project investigating flux of materials in Gomso Tidal Flat, we have monitored temporal and spatial distribution of nitrogen components(TN, PON, DON, DIN) and have sought the relationships with the freshwater input(tidal range, salinity), the biological activities(chlorophyll-${\alpha}$, TP, DIP, silicate) and the resuspended bottom sediment in seawater(SPM) from 1999 to 2000. TN in seawater was 39.05 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/ (31.03∼42.93 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/) without any statistical difference(p<0.05) between the studied periods. Organic nitrogen (DON and PON) occupied 75％, 95％, 73％, and 75％ in April, August, September and November, respectively. DON and PON have been found within the narrow concentration ranges of 11.30∼16.38 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/ and 13.16∼20.04 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/ in spite of severe environmental differences through the studied periods. Dissolved fractions of nitrogen(DON and DIN) occupied 53∼65％ of TN. Only DIN varied with an evident temporal variability: low concentrations(1.325∼1.616 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/) in August and high enrichment(8.377∼14.65 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/) in September. High consumption rate of DIN by phytoplankton and a long-lasted drought probably induced such low concentration of DIN in August. Eventually heavy precipitation probably introduced plenty of new nitrogen sources into Gomso Bay in September. The portion of PON, DON and DIN in the total nitrogen was 40％, 38％ and 22％, respectively. Their contents were in the order of DON>PON>DIN for the year round except PON>DON>DIN only in September. The highest DON portion in August probably due to the active microbial decomposition of organic material in summer. Only in April, some evident negative correlations have been found between chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ and DIN mostly nitrate(-0.64, p<0.01), phosphate(-0.46, p<0.01) and silicate(-0.55, p<0.01). The Si(OH)$_4$/DIN/DIP ratios in the water column suggests the limitation of DIN for the growth of phytoplankton during the dry summer in Gomso Bay, which was the case of August in this work. Even with some difference between the studied periods, the primary factors on the distribution of nitrogen components in seawater overlying the Gomso Tidal Flat have been the tidal range and the freshwater input, but the additional variations were due to the biological activities.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 1999

Purpose : Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a rare X-linked disorder associated with renal tubule resistance to arginine vasopressin (AVP). The hypothesis that the defect underlying NDI might be a dysfunctional renal AVPR2 has recently been proven by the identification of mutations in the AVPR2 gene in NDT patients. To investigate the association of mutations in th AVPR2 gene with NDI, we analyzed the AVPR2 gene located on the X chromosome. Methods : We have analyzed the AVPR2 gene in a kindred with X-linked NDI. The proband and proband's mother were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism(PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing of the AVPR2 gene. We also have used restriction enzyme analysis of genomic PCR product to evaluate the AVPR2 gene. Results : C to T transition at codon 202, predictive of an exchange of tryptophan 202 by cysteine(R202C) in the third extracellular domain was identified. This mutation causes a loss of Hae III site within the gene. Conclusion : We found a R202C missense mutation in the AVPR2 gene causing X-linked NDI, and now direct mutational analysis is available for carrier screening and early diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2003

Feeding probiotics in broiler chicks still critical in several aspects. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the impact of feeding multiple probiotics on performance, intestinal microflora, blood cholesterol and ND antibody vaccine titer in broiler chicks. Three hundred twenty one day old male broiler chicks(cobb ${\times}$ cobb) were divided into four levels of multiple probiotics(0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3%) with five replicates for 35 days. Basal diets contained 21.5, 19.0% CP and 3,100 kcal/kg ME for starting and finishing period, respectively. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion were measured weekly. The number of Salmonella, E. coli, Lactobacillus, and yeast were examined from ileum and cecum at the end of experiment. ND vaccine titer, cholesterol were detected from sera. Weight gain of birds fed probiotics were 669.33, 679.75 at the level of 0.1 and 0.2% supplemental groups for starting period. It was also improved in those treatments for finishing period and higher than control for total period. Feed conversion tended to be improved compared to that of control by the supplementation of probiotics for the first three weeks and seemed to show the similar tendency for the rest of two weeks. It was 1.611, 1.621 for the entire feeding period and improved compared with control. Total salmonella, was not decreased in ileal digesta of birds fed the probiotics compared with control, whereas the number of yeast increased in 0.1% treatment. However, the number of Lactobacillus and yeast in cecum was higher than control. Even though the blood cholesterol seem to high in 0.1% probiotics treatment, the ratio of HDL to total cholesterol showed higher than control. ND vaccine titer of birds fed probiotics were significantly higher than control (P<0.05). These results 0.1% multiple probiotics would be possible to improve the performance of broiler chicks and ND vaccine titer.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.361-372
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• 2010

Serological evaluation for the poultry is important for various reasons, such as designing and assessing the vaccination program and diagnosing diseases and for this reason, serologic tests for the layer flocks have been conducted on a regular basis. Moreover, the nationwide serological survey and analysis are essential to understand the epidemiological status of national poultry industry. In this sense, the study was conducted to evaluate the immune status of the layer flocks with the sera submitted to Avian Disease Laboratory, Chungbuk National University in 2009, and several important viral diseases were selected for evaluation including low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), Newcastle disease (ND), infectious bronchitis (IB) and avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). For LPAI and ND, the age-related patterns of geometric mean titer (GMT) changes were similar but there were differences in the flock positive rate and the level of GMT due to the different vaccination policy. In the case of IB, the values of GMT showed that the field infection was more prevalent than expected. For aMPV, positive birds in a flock increased as the layers got older, which reflected the course of field infection because vaccination against aMPV was not allowed in 2009. From this study, the immune status for the main viral diseases in layers became more clarified but this information was limited because of only one year study. Therefore, serological survey needs to be conducted on a yearly basis and furthermore include broilers and breeders for a better understanding of the health status in the national poultry industry.