• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.463-472
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• 2015

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide expressed in all body tissues, and its related receptors are increased in liver fibrosis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of AM deficiency on liver fibrogenesis induced by $CCl_4$ using AM heterozygous (HT) mice. The animals received a single injection of $CCl_4$ or olive oil for the acute experiment, and received $CCl_4$ or olive oil three times a week for 6 weeks for the chronic experiment. Fibrosis was accessed using histopathological analysis and the western blot. The AM HT mice showed mild pericentrilobular degeneration when compared to the AM wild type (WT) mice. In the acute experiment, there was no significant difference between the AM WT and AM HT mice. However, in the chronic experiment, the $CCl_4$-treated AM HT mice showed more severe liver fibrosis than that of the CCl₄-treated AM WT mice. The AST and ALT levels of the AM HT $CCl_4$ group were higher than those of the AM WT CCl₄ group. Additionally, the collagen deposition, $\alpha$- SMA protein and TGF-$\beta$ protein were increased in the AM HT $CCl_4$ group when compared to the AM WT $CCl_4$ group. The AM HT mice also exhibited severe lipid peroxidation through the GSH decrement. Taken together, our data suggest that AM deficiency increases the susceptibility to liver fibrosis induced by $CCl_4$, indicating a novel therapeutic target for patients with liver fibrosis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.262-266
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• 2008

Purpose: Many patients suffer with anemia after gastrectomy. Iron deficiency due to a decreased oral intake and malabsoption is the most common cause of anemia in gastrectomized patients. This study evaluated the efficacy of administering intravenous iron sucrose for treating patients with anemia. Materials and Methods: From May 2007 to October 2007 at Yonsei University Severance Hospital, we reviewed 47 outpatients whose hemoglobin levels were below 11 g/dl after gastrectomy. Iron sucrose was used for iron supplementation. To determine the difference between before and after the treatment (at 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after treatment), we prospectively examined such anemia parameters as the hemoglobin level (Hgb), the hematocrit (Hct), serum iron, TIBC, ferritin and transferin. Results: Out of the 47 patients, only 36 completed their treatment. Eleven were male and 25 were female. The Hgb levels, which indicate anemia, were elevated 0.6, 0.8, 1.3, 2.1 and 2.2 g/dl after 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after administration, respectively (P<0.001). The changes from 1 week to 3 months were statistically significant, but those from 3 to 6 months were not. The Hgb levels of 26 patients, which accounted for 72% of all the patients, elevated up to 12 g/dl or more. No side effects or complications were found, but there was one case of temporary nausea. Conclusion: Anemia after gastrectomy is safely treated in a relatively short time with administering iron sucrose. The patients' Hgb levels are expected to increase in a week and keep increasing up to 3 months.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2011

Purpose: The present study was performed to evaluate the safety of ophthalmic lenses in domestic market since eyeglasses wearers could be exposed to the negligent accident by damaged ophthalmic lenses. Method: Totally, 160 ophthalmic lenses (NK55, ${n_{d}}$ = 1.56) with the refractive powers of -3D, -6D, +3D, +6D manufactured by 4 companies in domestic market were evaluated using drop ball test. In accordance with FDA standard, steel ball (~16 g) was freely dropped on these ophthalmic lenses from 127 cm high and the surfaces of lenses were observed. Results: From the study, center thicknesses of NK55 ophthalmic lenses manufactured by 4 different companies showed somewhat different numbers even though the lenses had the same refractive index and powers. All convex lenses of +3D, +6D were evaluated as the safe lenses since there was no damage such as crack and broken found on the lens surfaces after drop ball testing. However, some noticeable broken was shown on the surfaces of concave lenses with relatively thinner center thickness. Especially, 59(73.8%) of total 80 concave lenses with the refractive power of -3D and -6D classified as unacceptable lenses to FDA standard. Conclusions: From the results, the negligent accident by damaged ophthalmic lenses should be considered as well as the correction of visual acuity, design and price when customers purchase eyeglasses. Thus, the enforcement regulation like drop ball testing of uncut ophthalmic lens could be suggested to guarantee the safety of ophthalmic lenses in domestic market.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.220-227
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• 2009

This study was conducted to select superior families based on the open-pollinated (OP) progeny tests of P. densiflora. A total of 232 OP families were analyzed for relative height growth. The OP progeny test trials were established at 1 to 4 sites from 1975 to 1987. To minimize temporal and spatial variation, we applied the standardization method for family selection. In each progeny test, superior and inferior families were selected at ages of 10, 20 and 30. Relative height growth rate (RHGR), growth speed at a given time unit, was comparatively high at age of 10 with range from 0.1 to 0.6 and showed a large variation among families. However, after age 15, the RHGR was low (average 0.04) and also the variation was not significantly different among families. To reduce selection errors due to age differences (from age 23 to 35) of tests, we made the family selection after age 15 when the values of RHGR were stable. Height growth at each age was transformed to be height growth at age 35 based on the RHGR. As the results, family CB2, CB3, KW99 and KW2 were selected as superior families and KW158, KW22, KB40 and GG1 were considered as inferior ones, respectively. Rank correlations (r) between test ages and selection age 35 were high and statistically significant; r = 0.881 between age 30 and 35, 0.653 between age 20 and 35, and -0.222 between age 10 and 35.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.993-997
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• 2011

The aims of this research were to determine the proximate composition of various salts and to compare two digestion methods (direct digestion without heating, and microwave digestion) for the determination of the main mineral contents of various salts. Twelve salt samples were divided into three groups of four samples each (imported, Korean gray, and Korean white salts). As a result, the NaCl contents of the Korean white, Korean gray, and imported salts were 85.1, 89.3, and 91.3%, respectively. The salts in the three groups were analyzed for their main mineral contents via AAS. The sodium (Na) content of the Korean white salt was found to be slightly lower than that of the imported salt while the magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) contents of the Korean white salt were found to be higher than those of the imported salt. The mineral composition (% Na:Mg) obtained using microwave-assisted digestion procedures, and the other dissolutions for the subsequent sample analysis, were 89:1 (for both the imported and Korean gray salts) and 82:3 vs. 81:3 (Korean white salt), respectively. The data regarding the mineral contents and composition of the sun-dried salts obtained through the analysis method of wet digestion and the dissolution procedure were compared, and no significant difference was found between the two datasets. Consequently, in this paper, a direct dissolution procedure is suggested for the analysis of the mineral composition of salt.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.130-137
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• 2021

Purpose: The various suture techniques can be utilized in order to maximize the keratinized tissue healing around dental implants. The aim of this study is to compare the soft tissue healing pattern between two different suture techniques after implant placement. Materials and Methods: 15 patients with 18 implants were enrolled in this study. Simple implant placement without any additional bone graft was performed. Two different suture techniques were used to tug in the mobilized flap near the healing abutment after paramarginal flap design. Digital intraoral scan was performed at baseline, post-operation, stitch out, and 3 months after operation. The scan data were aligned using multiple points such as cusp, fossa of adjacent teeth, and/or healing abutment. After subtracting scan data at baseline with other time-point results, closed space indicating volume increment of peri-implant mucosa was selected. The volume of the close space was measured in mm³. The volume between two suture techniques at three time-points was compared using nonparametric rank-based analysis. Results: Healing was uneventful in both groups. Both suture technique groups showed increased soft tissue volume immediately after surgery. The amount of volume increment significantly decreased after 3 months (P < 0.001). Flap folding suture group showed higher median of volume increment than interrupted suture group after 3 months without any statistical significance (P > 0.05). Conclusion: After paramarginal flap reflection, the raised flaps stabilized by flap folding suture showed relatively higher volume maintenance after 3-month healing period. However, further studies are warranted.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2022

This study was conducted to analyze the genetic polymorphisms of dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) in horse breeds and its association with substrate characteristics in Jeju crossbreds (Jeju Horse × Thoroughbred). Polymorphisms in DRD4 are candidate genes associated with temperament in various mammals, including humans. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) G292A in the exon 3 region of the horse DRD4 has a reported association with curiosity and vigilance in thoroughbreds. Sanger sequencing was used to identify polymorphisms of the mutations in DRD4 in three horse breeds. The SNP frequency in Jeju horses was significantly different from the frequency in other breeds. Character evaluation, conducted in the Jeju crossbreds and scored using a temperament test and contact test, revealed a high correlation between each test. Comparison of the polymorphism in the DRD4 of horses and the results of the character evaluation revealed lower scores for all temperaments in horses carrying allele A. Comparison of the SNP of G292A and blood dopamine levels in Jeju crossbreds showed 2.87 times higher levels for the GA type than for the GG type. This study identified an association between DRD4 polymorphism and various test methods for evaluating horse temperament and levels of neurotransmitters. Further research could validate the use of this gene as a genetic marker for character evaluation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2012

Purpose: This study mainly focuses on the patients treated with chemically stable radiopharmaceutical product $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO (d,l-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime) which yielded reduced image quality due to a decreased brain extraction rate. $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO will be examined further to determine whether this product may be accounted as a factor for this cause. Material and Methods: From January 2010 until December 2010, out of 272 patients who were all subjected to $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO brain blood flow SPECT scans resulting from Cerebral Infarction; 23 patients(ages $55.3{\pm}9$, 21 males, 3 females) with decreased tissue extraction rate were examined in detail. The radiopharmaceutical product $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO was used on patients with normal brain tissue exchange rate as well as those with reduced rate in order to prove its' chemical stability. The patients' age, sex, blood pressure, existence of diabetes, drug use, current health status, known side effects from CT/MRI, examination of the patients' past SPECT before/after images were accounted to determine the factors and correlations affecting the rate of blood tissue extractions. Result: After multiple linear regression analysis, there were no unusual correlations between the 6 factors excluding sex, and before/after examination images. Male subjects showed reduced brain tissue extraction rate than the females ($p$ > 0.05) 91.3% male, 8.7% female. Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Test was used on the before/after images which yielded a value of 0.06, which did not indicate a significant amount of difference on the 2 tests ($p$ > 0.05). As a result, the before/after images indicated similar brain tissue extraction rates, and there were variations depending on the individual patient. Conclusion: The effects of the chemically stable radiopharmaceutical product $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO depended on the patient's personal characteristics and status, therefore was considered to be a factor in reducing brain tissue extraction rate. The related articles of $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO cerebral blood flow SPECT speculates a cerebrovascular disease and factors resulting from portal veins, and it was not possible to pin point the exact cause of decreasing brain tissue extraction rate. However, the $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO cerebral blood flow SPECT scan proved to be extremely useful in tracking and inspecting brain diseases, as well as offering accurate results from patients suffering from reduced brain tissue extraction rates.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.497-504
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to compare body image and dietary behavior in middle and high school girls in the Gyeongbuk area in September, 2014. Data were collected from a total of 194 middle school and 170 high school girls through a self-reported questionnaire. A total of 364 completed questionnaires were collected and used for the final analysis. The mean body mass index (BMI) of respondents was normal at 21.29. Generally, high school girls had greater height, weight and BMI than middle school girls. Height (p<0.001) and weight (p<0.001) were significantly different, while BMI was not. The ratio of students who perceived their body size as 'Fat' was significantly (p<0.05) higher in high school (43.9%) than in middle school (31.6%). The ratio of dissatisfaction with their current body image was significantly (p<0.001) higher in high school girls (64.1%) than in middle school girls (44.0%). Among respondents who perceived their body size as 'Fat', many high school girls actually (53.3%) had normal or low body weight and this was significantly (p<0.001) higher than in middle school girls (39.3%). Experience with weight control was higher in high school girls (67.3%) than in middle school girls (60.6%), but there was no significant difference. Regarding the weight control methods, respondents selected 'combination diet and exercise' (22.2%), 'diet control' (20.9%), 'exercise' (18.7%), and 'reduce snacks and midnight snack' (17.4%). 15 items under obesity-related dietary behavior were measured with 5-point scales and lower scores indicated obesity diet behavior. The mean score for all respondents was 3.19/5.00, and high school girls (3.06) scored significantly (p<0.001) higher than middle school girls (3.33). Our study suggests that the development of effective nutrition and health education for diet control is crucial for adolescent girls. This study will enable educators to plan more effective strategies to improve the dietary knowledge of adolescent girls.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.391-407
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the born density of food and nutrition major and non-major university students in Seoul area. Data for food habits, dietary and health-related behavior were obtained by self administered questionnaires. BQI(bone quality index) of the subjects were measured by Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS). The results are summarized as follows: The average height, weight, BMI and osteopenia percentage of the major and non-major male and female student were l74.49cm, 67.05kg, 21.96 and 22.0%; l74.34cm, 65.98kg, 21.69 and 11.8%; l60.76cm, 54.48kg, 21.07 and 40.0%; l61.30cm, 54.22kg, 20.84 and 40.2%, respectively. The BQI of the major and non-major subjects were 108.07 and 110.47 in male student group, and 89.13, 88.18 in female student group, respectively. The T-score and Z-score of bone density of the subjects were not significantly different. Weight and BMI were positively related with BQI in male and female group but the relationship with BMI tended to be stronger in non-major female group than other groups. BQI was positively affected by exercise time, favorite food, and intake of seafood and tea in major and non-major male student group. One-side eating habit and intake of instant foods were negatively related with BQI in both male groups. In major and non-major female student group, exercise time, meal regularity, favorite food, amount of meal, intake of tofu were related with BQI positively and intake of tea and/or meats negatively. The result of this study revealed that desirable food habits, dietary behavior and health-related lifestyle may have a beneficial effect on bone density. They need practically and systematically organized nutrition education on optimum body weight, good eating habits, weight bearing exercise and intakes of good quality nutrient for higher bone density level.