• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.394-402
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic unpredictable stress on the reproductive function and ovarian luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) expression. 9-week-old C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into two groups: control group and stressed group. Mice have been stressed twice a day for 35 days with 12 different stressors which were randomly selected. The results demonstrate that there is significant increase in the anxiety-related behaviors (P < 0.05), decrease body weight gain rate (P < 0.01) and decrease in the average of litter size in stressed mice compared with control group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the rate of primary, secondary and early antral follicles in stressed mice significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas that of atretic follicles significantly increased compared with control mice (P < 0.01). The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that reduced LHR expression in granulosa cells of follicle and luteal cells of corpus luteum in response to chronic unpredictable stress. The western blot analysis revealed significantly decrease in LHR expression in the stressed mice ovaries compared with the control (P < 0.05). These results suggest that ovarian LHR expression affected by chronic unpredictable stress and the modulated ovarian LHR is responsible for ovarian follicular maldevelopment and reproductive dysfunction.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.367-374
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• 2005

Background : The fact that only 10-20% of chronic cigarette smokers develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reflects the presence of genetic factors associated with the susceptibility to COPD. Recently, it was reported that the surfactant protein A increases the secretion of matrix metalloprotease 9, which degrades extracellular matrices of the lung, through a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). In this context, possible role of TLR2 in the pathogenesis of COPD was postulated, and a functional dinucleotide repeat polymorphism in intron II of TLR2 was evaluated for any association with COPD. Method : Male patients with COPD and male smokers with a normal pulmonary function were enrolled in this study. The number of Guanine-Thymine repeats in intron II of the TLR2 gene were counted. Because the distributions of the repeats were trimodal, the alleles were classified into three subclasses, 12-16 repeats: short (S) alleles; 17-22 repeats: medium length (M) alleles; and 23-27 repeats: long (L) alleles. Result : 125 male patients with COPD and 144 age- and gender-matched blood donors with a normal lung function were enrolled. There were no differences in the distribution of each allele subclass (S, M and L) between the COPD and control group (p=0.75). The frequencies of the genotypes with and without each allele subclass in the COPD and control group were similar. Conclusion : A microsatellite polymorphism in intron II of TLR2 gene was not associated with the development of COPD in Koreans.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.437-449
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• 2001

Background : In the severe community-acquired pneumonia, it has been known that the immune status is occasionally suppressed. This study was performed to identify the immunologic markers related with the prognostic factors in severe community-acquired pneumonia. Methods : 23 patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia were involved in this study, and divided into survivor (16) and nonsurvivor (7) groups. In this study, the medical history, laboratory tests(complete blood counts, routine chemistry profile, immunoglobulins, complements, lymphocyte subsets, cytokines, sputum and blood culture, urine analysis), and chest radiographs were scrutinized. Results : 1) Both groups had lymphopenia(total lymphocyte count $995.6{\pm}505.7/mm^3$ in the survivor and $624.0{\pm}287.6/mm^3$ in the nonsurvivor group). 2) The T-lymphocyte count of the nonsurvivor group($295.9{\pm}203.0/mm^3$) was lower than the survivor group($723.6{\pm}406.5/mm^3$) (p<0.05). 3) The total serum protein(albumin) was $6.0{\pm}1.0(2.7{\pm}0.7)\;g/d{\ell}$ in the survivor and $5.2{\pm}1.5(2.3{\pm}0.8)g/d{\ell}$ in the nonsurvivor group. The BUN of the nonsurvivor group($41.7{\pm}30.0mg/d{\ell}$) was higher than that of the survivor group($18.9{\pm}9.8mg/d{\ell}$)(p<0.05). The creatinine concentration was higher in the nonsurvivor group($1.8{\pm}1.0mg/d{\ell}$) than that in the survivor group($1.0{\pm}0.3mg/d{\ell}$)(p<0.05). 4) The immunoglobulin G level was higher in the survivor group($1433.0{\pm}729.5mg/d{\ell}$) than in the nonsurvivor group($849.1{\pm}373.1mg/d{\ell}$) (p<0.05). 5) The complement $C_3$ level was $108.0{\pm}37.9mg/d{\ell}$ in the survivor group and $88.0{\pm}32.1mg/d{\ell}$ in the nonsurvivor group. 6) A cytokine study showed an insignificant difference in both groups. 7) Chronic liver disease, DM, and COPD were major underlying diseases in both groups. Conclusion : These results suggest that decreased a T-lymphocyte count and immunoglobulin G level, and an increased BUN and creatinine level may be associated with the poor prognosis of severe community-acquired pneumonia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.382-388
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• 2007

Background: The cognitive function is impaired in patients with hypoxemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there are conflicting results regarding the cognitive function in patients with non-hypoxemic COPD. COPD patients also have sleep disorders. This study examined the cognitive function in non-hypoxemic COPD patients, and nocturnal sleep was assessed in COPD patients with a cognitive dysfunction. Methods: Twenty-eight COPD patients (mean age, 70.7 years) with an oxygen saturation > 90%, and 33 healthy control subjects (mean age, 69.5 years) who had visited for a routine check-up were selected. The neurocognitive tests were performed using the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K) Neuropsychological Battery. Results: The scores of the word list recall test (p=0.03) and the word list recognition test (p=0.006) in the COPD group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Nine patients showed a significantly impaired cognitive function. Seven of these underwent polysomnography, which revealed apnea-hypopnea indices ${\geq}$ five per hour in five patients. The median oxygen desaturation index and median limb movement index were 3.6/h and 38.6/h, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that the verbal memory function is impaired in non-hypoxemic COPD patients. Six out of seven COPD patients with an impaired cognitive function had sleep disorders of sleep apnea and/or periodic limb movements during sleep.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.77-86
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• 1980

The present study was conducted to investigate smoking status and the relationship of smoking to hypertension and diseases on 1,504 subjects who were over 30-year-old age in Kyungsan Gun, Kyungpook province, during the period of 12 months from March 1978 to February 1979. The results obtained are summarized as follows: Of 1,504 subjects, 52.2 percent smoked. The percentage of males smoking showed 84.8 and the percentage of females was 30.7. There were no statistically significant differences between the rate of smoking and educational levels. Protestants demonstrated lower rates of smoking compared with other groups. Regarding the age started to smoke, 66.4 precent of male smokers and 16.9 percent of female smokers commenced smoking before the age of 19. In the regard to the average number of cigarettes smoked daily, 45.8 percent of male smokers consumed some 20 cigarettes and 24.1 percent of female smokers consumed some 10 cigarettes. 3.2 percent of male smellers smoked 40 or more cigarettes a day. Alcohol consumption was closely associated with smoking. 90.7 percent of male alcohol drinkers and 60.1 percent of female drinkers smoked. Cigarette smokers have higher rates of ailments than nonsmokers as a whole. The complaints of cough with sputum and shortness of breath revealed higher rates among smokers than among nonsmokers. Frequency of illnesses showed higher for smokers than for nonsmokers. Smokers were more likely than nonsmokers to suffer from chronic obstructive lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. Abnormal systolic blood pressure (>160mmHg) and diastolic (>100) revealed significantly higher among smokers than among nonsmokers.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2008

Background: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are elevated and an increase of CRP is more exaggerated in the acute exacerbation form of COPD (AECOPD) than in stable COPD. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a common complication of COPD. An increased level of CRP is known to be associated with the risk of systemic cardio-vascular disorders. However, few findings are available on the potential role of CRP in pulmonary arterial hypertension due to COPD. Methods: This study was performed prospectively and the study population was composed of 72 patients that were hospitalized due to AECOPD. After receiving acute management for AECOPD, serum CRP levels were evaluated, arterial oxygen pressure ($PaO_2$), was measured, and the existence of pulmonary arterial hypertension under room air inhalation was determined in the patients. Results: The number of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension was 47 (65.3%)., There was an increased prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension and an increase of serum CRP levels in patients with the higher stages of COPD (e.g., patients with stage 3 and stage 4 disease; P<0.05). The mean serum CRP levels of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and without pulmonary arterial hypertension were $37.6{\pm}7.4mg/L$ and $19.9{\pm}6.6mg/L$, respectively (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of the mean values of $PaO_2$ between patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and without pulmonary arterial hypertension statistically ($77.8{\pm}3.6mmHg$ versus $87.2{\pm}6.0mmHg). Conclusion: We conclude that higher serum levels of CRP can be a sign for pulmonary arterial hypertension in AECOPD patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.680-684
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• 2005

Background: With the increasing age of the population, coronary artery bypass grafting in the elderly patients is becoming common. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has been proven to be less morbidity and to facilitate early recovery. The elderly patients may have benefits by avoiding the adverse effects of the cardiopulmonary bypass. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our results of OPCAB in elderly patients. Material and Method: A retrospective chart review was carried out for 12 patients aged over 80 years who underwent isolated OPCAB from January 2001 and March 2004. Data were collected risk factors for disease, extent of coronary disease, and in-hospital outcomes. Postoperative graft patiency was evaluated in 9 patients by multi-slice computed tomography. Result: Eleven patients had triple vessel disease or left main disease. Four patients were suffered from preoperative CVA, and 4 patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Two patients had myocardial infarction (MI), among them 1 patient was suffered from pulmonary edema after preoperative MI. There was no perioperative death, perioperative MI, and no ventricular arrhythmia. Also there was no perioperative stroke and renal failure. But there was one deep sternal infection who recovered by treating of muscle flap. Atrial fibrillation was newly developed in 1 patient, but was well controlled by medication. Mean intubation time was $15.9\pm4.4(8\~20hrs)$ hrs and mean ICU stay was $2.9\pm0.8(2\~4 days)$ days. Mean hospital day was $21.6\pm14.3(13\~56 days)$ days. Postoperative mean CK-MS was $11.3\pm14.1\;ng/mL$. Early postoperative graft patency rate was $100\%(24/24)$. Follow-up was completed in all patients. In this time, there was no patients with angina or death. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that OPCAB reduces morbidity and favors hospital outcomes. Therefore, OPCAB is safe, reasonable and might be preferable operative strategy in elderly patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 1991

Frequently patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have lowered arterial oxygen saturation in daytime. During sleep, they are apt to experience additional hypoxemia. These episode of nocturnal hypoxemia are usually associated with periods of relative hypoventilation. Noctunal hypoxemia may be associated with cardiac arrhythmia and with acute increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and may be implicated in the development of chronic pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. We selected 14 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 9 with emphysema dominant type and 5 with chronic bronchitis dominant type, to examine the frequency and severity of nocturnal hypoxemia and the effect of oxygen in prevention of nocturnal hypoxemia. The results were as follows; 1) On PFT, FVC, $FEV_1$, and $FEV_1$/FVC showed no significant difference between the emphysema dominant type (pink puffers, PP) and the chronic bronchitis dominant type (blue bloaters, BB). But DLCO/VA for the PP group was $45.7{\pm}15.1%$ which was significantly different from BB group, $82.4{\pm}5.6%$. 2) The daytime arterial oxygen saturation ($SaO_2$) and the lowest $SaO_2$, during sleep for the BB group were significantly lower than for the PP group. 3) The hypoxemic episodes during sleep were more frequent in BB group and the duration of hypoxemic episode was longer in BB group. 4) In both group studied, although there was a tendency for a lower L-$SaO_2$ (the lowest $SaO_2$, during sleep), an increase in hypoxemic episodes and duration as the daytime $SaO_2$, fell lower, the only parameter which showed significant correlation was daytime $SaO_2$, and the frequency of hypoxemic episodes in the PP group (r=-0.68, P<0.05). 5) In PP group, with oxygen supplementation, L-$SaO_2$, during sleep showed significant increase, and there was a tendency for the frequency of hypoxemic episodes and duration to fall but it was not significant. 6) In BB group, oxygen supplementation significantly increased the L-$SaO_2$ during sleep and also significantly decreased the frequency and duration of hypoxemic episode. From these results, we can see that oxygen supplementation during sleep can prevent the decrease in $SaO_2$ to some extent and that this effect of oxygen can be seen more prominently in the BB group.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 1994

Background: Because of the common etiologic factor, such as smoking, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are often present in the same patient. The preoperative prediction of remaining pulmonary function after the resectional surgery is very important to prevent serious complication and postoperative respiratory failure. $^{99m}Tc$-MAA perfusion scan has been used for the prediction of postoperative pulmonary function, but it may be inaccurate in case of large V/Q mismatching. We compared $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA radioaerosol inhalation scan with $^{99m}Tc$-MAA perfusion scan in predicting postoperative lung function. Method: Preoperative inhalation scan and/or perfusion scan were performed and pulmonary function test were performed preoperatively and 2 month after operation. We predicted the postoperative pulmonary functions using the following equations. Postpneurnonectomy $FEV_1$=Preop $FEV_1x%$ of total function of lung to remain Postlobectomy $FEV_1$=Preop $FEV_1{\times}$(% of total 1-function of affected lung${\times}$$\frac{Number\;of\;segments\;to\;be\;resected}{Number\;of\;segments\;of\;affected\;lung})$ Results: 1) The inhalation scan showed good correlations between measured and predicted $FEV_1$, FVC and $FEF_{25-75%}$. (correlation coefficiency; 0.94, 0.91, 0.87 respectively). 2) The perfusion scan also showed good correlations between measured and predicted $FEV_1$, FVC and $FEF_{25-75%}$. (correlation coefficiency; 0.86, 0.72, 0.87 respectively). 3) Among three parameters, $FEV_1$ showed the best correlations in the prediction by lung scans. 4) Comparison between inhalation scan and perfusion scan in predicting pulmonary function did not show any significant differneces except FVC. Conclusion: The inhalation scan and perfusion scan are very useful in the prediction of postoperative lung function and don't make a difference in the prediction of pulmonary function a1though the former showed a better correlation in FVC.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.272-277
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• 1998

Filtering rates of two farming ascidians Styela clava and S. plicata, and of a farming mussel Mytilus edulis were experimentally investigated with reference to effects of water temperature and size. Absorptiometric determinations of filtering rates were carried out in a closed system with experimental animals being decreased indicate dyes neutral red. Optical density (OD) of 440 nm in path length 22 mm cell used as the indication of food particles absorption was appeared directly in proportion with the concentration of neutral red dyes. The filtering rate F is calculated by Kim's equation $F\;=\;V(1-e^{-z})$, where V is the water volume ($\ell$) in the experimental jar, and Z is the decreasing coefficient of OD as meaning of instantaneous removal speed as In $C_t\;=\;In\;C_{o}-Z{\cdot}t$, in this formula $C_t$ is OD at the time t. Filtering rate of S. clava increased as exponential function with increasing temperature while not over critical limit, and the critical temperature for filtering rate was assumed to be between $28^{\circ}C$ and $29^{\circ}C$. In case of S. plicata, the critical temperature was to be below $13^{\circ}C$, and through the temperature range $15\~25^{\circ}C$ appeared a little difference in level even though with significant. M. edulis was not appear any significant effects by water temperature less than $29^{\circ}C$. The model formula derived from the results is as below, where F is filtering rate (${\ell}/hr/animal$), T is water temperature ($^{\circ}C$), and DW is dry meat weight (g) of experimental animal. $$S.\;Clava;\;F\;=\;e xp\;(0.119\;T-4.540)\;(DW)^{0.6745},\;T<29^{\circ}C$$) $$S.\;plicata;\;F\;=\;e xp\;(A_t)\;(DW)^{0.5675},\;(13^{\circ}C $$[A_t =-8.56+0.6805\;T-0.0153\;T^2]$$ $$M.\;edulis;\;F\;=\;0.3844\;(DW)^{0.4952},\;<29^{\circ}C$$)