• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.481-488
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• 2005

Purpose: Functional imaging of dopamine transporter (DAT) defines integrity of the dopaminergic system, and DAT is the target site of drugs of abuse such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Functional imaging the DAT may be a sensitive and selective indicator of neurotoxic change by the drug. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the clinical implications of qualitative/quantitative analyses of dopamine transporter imaging in methamphetamine abusers. Materials and Methods: Six detoxified methamphetamine abusers (abuser group) and 4 volunteers (control group) were enrolled in this study. Brain MRI was performed in all of abuser group. Abuser group underwent psychiatric and depression assessment using brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD), respectively. All of the subjects underwent I-123 IPT SPECT (IPT SPECT). IPT SPECT image was analysed with visual qualitative method and quantitative method using basal ganglia dopamine transporter (DAT) specific/non-specific binding ratio (SBR). Comparison of DAT SBR between abuser and control groups was performed. We also performed correlation tests between psychiatric and depression assessment results and DAT SBR in abuser group. Results: All of abuser group showed normal MRI finding, but had residual psychiatric and depressive symptoms, and psychiatric and depressive symptom scores were exactly correlated (r=1.0, p=0.005) each other. Five of them showed abnormal finding on qualitative visual I-123 IPT SPECT Abuser group had lower basal ganglia DAT SBR than that of control ($2.38{\pm}0.20\;vs\;3.04{\pm}0.27$, p=0.000). Psychiatric and depressive symptoms were negatively well correlated with basal ganglia DAT SBR (r=-0.908, p=0.012, r=-0.924, p=0.009). Conclusion: These results suggest that dopamine transporter imaging using I-123 IPT SPECT may be used to evaluate dopaminergic system of the basal ganglia and the clinical status in methamphetamine abusers.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.260-265
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• 2011

Plantago asiatica L. (P. asiatica) has been used as one of the popular folk medicines in Asia for human health care practices. Various activities of P. asiatica have been reported, such as anti-oxidant, anti-glycation, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity. Therefore, the potential of P. asiatica to reduce oxidative stress has been studied in several ways for over 20 years, especially at liver and kidney. However no investigation has been reported revealing its protective effect on prostate. Method: Treatment of P. asiatica leaf ethanolic extract (PLE) (1 g/kg body weight (b.w.), 2 g/kg b.w., or 4 g/kg b.w.) were given separately to animals for pretreatment once per day for 7 days, and on the seventh day ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA; 0.24 mmol Fe/kg b.w.), which is known as an oxidative stress-inducer at prostate, was administrated by i.p to negative control group. At the end of the study period, dissection was carried out for detecting the prostate protective effect of PLE. Result: Fe-NTA-treated animals produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in depletion of antioxidant biomaker, such as glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione s-transferase (GST) and increase of lipid peroxidation in prostate. However, PLE pretreatment resulted in an increase in the GSH, GST and GR levels concentration dependent manner and in an significant decrease in the levels of lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: Our data suggest that PLE may be effective in protecting oxidative stress-induced damage of prostate, and PLE may be an chemopreventive agent against Fe-NTA-mediated prostate oxidative damage.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.19-32
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• 1976

The laboratory Mejus as well as home-made Meju and improved Meju received from Korea were ripened in the brine for up to 8 months and the changes is the chemical composition during the process were determined and the differences between the types of Meju were compared. On the basis of the amino acid pattern, the changes in the protein quality of soybean during the process was evaluated. No significant changes in the general chemical composition of Meju were noticed during the ripening for 8 months. However, the nitrogen solubility of Meju increased for $13{\sim}29%$ to $66{\sim}78%$ during 8 month ripening of the Meju-brine mixture. The concentration of free amino-N to the total-N increased from $4{\sim}7%$ in Meju to $29{\sim}35%$ in the 8month ripened mixture. The concentration of amino-N to the total-N increased from $1{\sim}4%$ in Meju to $5{\sim}14%$ in the 8month ripened mixture and the changes varied with the type of Meju used. Remarkable changes in the amino acid pattern of soybean were occured during the ripening process. The concentration of methionine decreased to the half of original Meju during the first month of ripening. Arginine and histidine were destroyed rapidly by the ripening longer than 1 month. A considerable amount of ornithine was synthesized during the ripening. The amino acid pattern of Meju did change drastically during the ripening longer than 3 months and the changes varied with the type of Meju. The retention of the nutrients in soybean during 8 month ripening of the laboratory 3 month Meju in the brine was 49% for carbohydrates, 107% for crude fat, 93% for crude protein and 74% for the total amino acid. Histidine, arginine and methionine and 74% for the total amino acid. Histidine, arginine and methionine were the most damaged during the process, retaining only 25%, 27% and 49% of the contents in raw soybean, respectively, whereas lysine retained 79%. By the separation of the 8 month ripened mixture, approximately 60% of crude protein, all of crude fat and 80% of carbohydrates in the mixture were retained in soypaste. Soypaste contained higher concentrations of amino acids per 16gN compared to soysauce, except for lysine. The most limiting amino acid of the protein was the S-containing amino acids in all cases studied, whereas the second limiting amino acid varied from valine in soybean to threonine in most of Mejus and the brine mixtures, lysine in most of soypastes and tryptophan in some of soysauces. According to the protein quality evaluation made by the reference of the FAO provisional pattern of amino acid, the chemical score of raw soybean was 82, which was reduced to 77 by cooking and further reduced to $71{\sim}74$ by Meju fermentation. At the eighth month of ripening the chemical score of the Meju-brine mixtures were reduced to $51{\sim}66. After the separation, the chemical score of soypaste ranged from 60 to 71, whereas that of soysauce varied from 45 to 57. Generally, the products made from improved Meju recorded the highest score, whereas those made from homemade Meju showed the poorest protein quality. The essential amino acid index(EAAI) of the samples was similar to the chemical score, but it appeared to fit the overall changes in the amino acid pattern during the process better than the chemical score.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.130-144
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• 1999

Purpose : Long-term use of Cyclosporine(CsA) reduce renal blood flow by afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction and lead to chronic pathologic changes of CsA nephrotoxicity - 1) interstitial nephritis(IN); tubular atrophy (TA) and/or interstitial fibrosis(IF),2) arteriolopathy(AP). The Object of this study is to estimate the incidence of chronic pathologic CsA nephrotoxicity by duration of treatment and type of renal disease, relationship between histologic and clinical nephrotoxicity, and optimal duration of CsA therapy. Methods : 102 children with steroid resistant or dependent nephrotic syndrome confirmed by renal biopsy and treated with CsA from 1986 to 1997 were enrolled in this study(58 MCNS, 10 FSGS, 10 MGN, 15 $Henoch-Sch\"{o}nlein$ purpura nephritis with nephrotic syndrome (HSPN) and 9 IgA nephropathy with nephrotic syndrome(IgAN)). CsA was administered for 1yr, 1.5yr, 2yr in 24, 12, 22 MCNS patients and 2, 2, 6 FSGS patients respectively, 1yr, 2yr in MGN and 1yr in HSPN and IgAN. Sequential biopsies were done in all 102 patients after CsA treatment for evaluation of pathologic nephrotoxicity. Results : Complete remission rate was 92.2% (100% in MCNS and MGN, 80% in FSGS, 86.6% in HSPN and 55.5% in IgAN). Incidence of relapse during 6months after CsA treatment was significantly decreased compaed with relapsing spisodes during 6months before CsA treatment in MCNS(P<0.0001) and FSGS(P<0.0001). According to pathologic changes, 71 patients(69.6%) showed no pathological change, 24 patients(23.5%) showed IN and 7 patients(6.8%) showed AP. IN was 16.6%, 33.3%, 27.2% in 1, 1.5, 2 year of CsA treatment group in MCNS. AP was 0%, 16.6%, 9% in 1, 1.5, 2 year of CsA treatment group in MCNS. 14 out of 58 MCNS(24.1%) showed IN and 4 out of 58 MCNS(6.8%) showed AP. Incidence of pathologic change was significantly lower in CsA therapy of <1yr than >1yr(P=0.03). There were no significant difference of incidence of pathologic change in original renal disease, age and sex. Conclusion : Duration of CsA treatment was significant risk factor for nephrotoxicity and optimal duration seemed to be 1 year. Pathologic change due to nephrotoxicity did not correlate with deterioration of renal function and only detectable by renal biopsy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.471-479
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• 1999

Background: Patients with tetralogy of Fallot(TOF), pulmonary atresia(PA) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries(MAPCAs) have been managed by heterogenous surgical strategies. We have taken 5 different surgical approaches to this lesion. In this study, relative advantages and disadvantages of each strategy were discussed by analyzing our surgical results. Material and Method: Between January 1986 and June 1998, 50 patients aged 1 to 177(39${\pm}$31) months at a various morphologic spectrum of this lesion were treated at our institution. The groups, which were classified according to the initial approaches, consisted of one-stage unifocalization(A-1, n=9), staged unifocalization(A-2, n=11), right ventricle to pulmonary artery connection(RV-PA)(B-1, n=11), one-stage RV-PA plus unifocalization (B-2, n=11), and one-stage definitive repair(C, n=8). Morphologic charateristics, operative mortalities, and probabilities of definitive repair were compared between the groups and the causes of death, complications and the follow-up results were described. Result: Mean ages at the first operation were 57${\pm}$18(A-1), 42${\pm}$48(A-2), 18${\pm}$14(B-1), 52${\pm}$55(B-2), and 32${\pm}$34(C) months (p<0.05). Mean numbers of MAPCAs were least in group C (A-1=4.3${\pm}$1.0, A-2=4.5${\pm}$1.3, B-1=4.1${\pm}$1.9, B-2=4.1${\pm}$1.6, C=3.4${\pm}$1.8 : p<0.05). The ratios of the direct and the indirect MAPCAs in each group were not different between the grousps (A-1=91%/9%, A-2=78%/22%, B-1=80%/20%, B-2=80%/20%, C=81%/19% : p>0.05). Nineteen patients had more than 1 dependent MAPCAs. True pulmonary arteries were not present 13 patients and they were confluent in 29. A total of 101 operations were performed. Operative mortalities of initial procedures were 33%(3/9, A-1), 18%(2/11, A-2), 0%(0/11, B-1), 36%(5/11, B-2) and 13%(1/8, C) (p<0.05). Percentages of the definitive repair among the patients of each group were 22%(2/9, A-1), 18%(2/11, A-2). 45%(5/11, B-1), 27%(4/11, B-2), and 100%(8/8, C)(p<0.05). Hypoxic respiratory and cardiac failure(6), hypoxic encephalopathy(2) and sepsis(4) were the major causes of death. Phrenic nerve palsy occured in 5 patients. Thirty-one patients among the survivals have been followed up for a mean duration of 74${\pm}$42(3-145) months. One and five year actuarial survival rates were 73% and 73 %. Conclusion: In conclusion, Right ventricle to pulmonary artery connection used in patients with TOF/PA/MAPCA as an inital procedure appeared to be highly successful in enhancing the chance of satisfactory definitive repair without the significant surgical risks. One-stage total repair at an ealier age group could be performed safely with the resonable outcomes. Unifocalization approach, whether it was performed in a single stage or in the multiple stages, resulted in the high operative mortality and the lowest chance of definitive repair, however more tailored selection of the patients and the long follow-up is mandatory to prove the usefulness of this approach.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.1880-1892
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• 2010

The purposes of this study were to: a) provide evidence concerning the effects of emotional intelligence on job outcomes, b) examine the impacts of emotional intelligence on employee-related variables such as 'job satisfaction', 'organizational commitment', 'organizational performance', and 'turnover intention' c) identify the conceptual framework underlying emotional intelligence. A survey was conducted to collect data from foodservice managers (N=231). Statistical analyses were completed using SPSS Win (16.0) for descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, factor analysis, t-test, correlation analysis, cluster analysis and AMOS (16.0) for confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The concept of emotional intelligence (EI) has been on the radar screens of many leaders and managers over the last several decades. The emotional intelligence is generally accepted to be a combination of emotional and interpersonal competencies that influence behavior, thinking and interaction with others. The main results of this study were as follows. The four EI (Emotional Intelligence) dimensions correlated significantly with age. The means of job satisfaction score were above the midpoint (3.04 point) scale. The organizational commitment score was above the midpoint (3.41 point) scale and was higher at 'loyalty' factor than 'commitment' factor. The means of organizational performance score were above the midpoint (3.34) scale. The correlations among the four EI (emotional intelligence) factors were significant with job satisfaction; organizational commitment, organizational performance and turnover intention. The test of hypothesis using structural equation modeling found that emotional intelligence produced positive effects on job attitude and job performance. Emotional intelligence enhanced organizational commitment, and in turn, managers' attitude produced positive effects on organizational performance; emotional intelligence also had a direct impact on organizational performance. This study has identified the effect of emotional intelligence on organizational performance and attitudes toward one's job.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.407-416
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• 1996

The reactive intermediates formed during the metabolism of therapeutic agents, toxicants and carcinogens by cytochromes P450 are frequently capable of covalently binding to tissue macromolecules and causing tissue damage. It has been shown that YH439, a congener of malotilate, is effective in suppressing hepatic P450 2E1 expression. The present study was designed to further establish the mechanistic basis of YH439 protection against toxicant by assessing its effects against chemical-mediated potentiated hepatotoxicity. Retinoyl palmitate (Vit-A) pretreatment of rats for 7 days substantially enhanced carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity, as supported by an ${\sim}5-fold$ increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, as compared to $CCl_4$ treatment alone. The elevation of ALT activity due to Vit-A was completely blocked by the treatment of $GdCl_3$ a selective inhibitor of Kupffer cell activity. Concomitant pretreatment of rats with both YH439 and Vit-A resulted in a 94% decrease in Vit-A-potentiated $CCl_4$ hepatotoxicity. YH439 was also effective against propyl sulfide-potentiated $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity. Whereas propyl sulfide (50 mg/kg, 7d) enhanced $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity by >5-fold, relative to $CCl_4$ treatment alone, concomitant treatment of animals with both propyl sulfide and YH439 at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg prevented propyl sulfide-potentiated $CCl_4$ hepatotoxicity by 35% and 90%, respectively. Allyl sulfide, a suppressant of hepatic P450 2E1 expression, completely blocked the propyl sulfide-enhanced hepatotoxicity, indicating that propyl sulfide potentiation of $CCl_4$ hepatotoxicity was highly associated with the expression of P450 2E1 and that YH439 blocked the propyl sulfide-enhanced hepatotoxicity through modulation of P450 2E1 levels. Propyl sulfide- and $CCl_4-induced$ stimulation of lipid peroxidation was also suppressed by YH439 in a dose-related manner, as supported by decreases in malonedialdehyde production. The role of P450 2E1 induction in the potentiation of $CCl_4$ toxicity and the effects of YH439 were further evaluated using pyridine as a P450 2E1 inducer. Pyridine pretreatment substantially enhanced the $CCl_4$ hepatotoicity by 23-fold, relative to $CCl_4$ alone. YH439, however, failed to reduce the pyridine-potentiated toxicity, suggesting that the other form(s) of cytochroms P450 inducible by pyridine, but not suppressible by YH439 treatment, may play a role in potentiating $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity. YH439 was capable of blocking cadmium chloride-induced liver toxicity in mice. These results demonstrated that YH439 efficiently blocks Vit-A-enhanced hepatotoxiciy through Kupffer cell inactivation and that the suppression of P450 2E1 expression by YH439 is highly associated with blocking of propyl sulfide-mediated hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.147-174
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• 2005

To understand the physical processes that control the high-latitude lower thermospheric dynamics, we quantify the forces that are mainly responsible for maintaining the high-latitude lower thermospheric wind system with the aid of the National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere-Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (NCAR-TIEGCM). Momentum forcing is statistically analyzed in magnetic coordinates, and its behavior with respect to the magnitude and orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is further examined. By subtracting the values with zero IMF from those with non-zero IMF, we obtained the difference winds and forces in the high-latitude 1ower thermosphere(<180 km). They show a simple structure over the polar cap and auroral regions for positive($B_y$ > 0.8|$\overline{B}_z$ |) or negative($B_y$ < -0.8|$\overline{B}_z$|) IMF-$\overline{B}_y$ conditions, with maximum values appearing around -80$^{\circ}$ magnetic latitude. Difference winds and difference forces for negative and positive $\overline{B}_y$ have an opposite sign and similar strength each other. For positive($B_z$ > 0.3125|$\overline{B}_y$|) or negative($B_z$ < -0.3125|$\overline{B}_y$|) IMF-$\overline{B}_z$ conditions the difference winds and difference forces are noted to subauroral latitudes. Difference winds and difference forces for negative $\overline{B}_z$ have an opposite sign to positive $\overline{B}_z$ condition. Those for negative $\overline{B}_z$ are stronger than those for positive indicating that negative $\overline{B}_z$ has a stronger effect on the winds and momentum forces than does positive $\overline{B}_z$ At higher altitudes(>125 km) the primary forces that determine the variations of tile neutral winds are the pressure gradient, Coriolis and rotational Pedersen ion drag forces; however, at various locations and times significant contributions can be made by the horizontal advection force. On the other hand, at lower altitudes(108-125 km) the pressure gradient, Coriolis and non-rotational Hall ion drag forces determine the variations of the neutral winds. At lower altitudes(<108 km) it tends to generate a geostrophic motion with the balance between the pressure gradient and Coriolis forces. The northward component of IMF By-dependent average momentum forces act more significantly on the neutral motion except for the ion drag. At lower altitudes(108-425 km) for negative IMF-$\overline{B}_y$ condition the ion drag force tends to generate a warm clockwise circulation with downward vertical motion associated with the adiabatic compress heating in the polar cap region. For positive IMF-$\overline{B}_y$ condition it tends to generate a cold anticlockwise circulation with upward vertical motion associated with the adiabatic expansion cooling in the polar cap region. For negative IMF-$\overline{B}_z$ the ion drag force tends to generate a cold anticlockwise circulation with upward vertical motion in the dawn sector. For positive IMF-$\overline{B}_z$ it tends to generate a warm clockwise circulation with downward vertical motion in the dawn sector.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.588-596
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• 2010

Most nutrients taken by pregnant women are secreted into their breast milk. Food contains choline together with betaine, and in human body choline is oxidized to betaine which transfer methyl group. The aim of the study was to estimate the concentrations of choline and betaine in breast milk of Korean lactating women and the choline and betaine intakes of their infants. Total choline, free choline and betaine concentrations in breast milk of some lactating women living in Daejon Metropolitan city were analyzed every month by using HPLC-MS and enzymatic method during the first five months. Total choline concentrations of breast milks were 157.64 mg/L (1.52 mmol/L), 157.83 mg/L (1.52 mmol/L), 165.99 mg/L (1.60 mmol/L), 153.67 mg/L (1.48 mmol/L), 145.05 mg/L (1.39 mmol/L) by month after delivery for five months. The concentrations of total choline and free choline in breast milks were not significantly changed for the five months while the betaine concentrations gradually decreased. Daily intake of total choline of the infants appears to be adequate for the infant's requirement according to the US DRI; 124.6 mg/d, 120.9 mg/d, 126.5 mg/d 104.1 mg/d from 2nd to 5th month after birth. Free choline and betaine intakes of the infants were not significantly changed during the four months except showing decrease in betaine intake per kg body weight. Choline intakes of the infants more correlated with choline concentrations of the breast milks (r = 0.982, p = 0.000) than intake amount of the breast milk (r = 0.414, p = 0.028). These results suggest that the choline intake of Korean breast-fed infants appears to be adequate and the intake could be affected by the choline concentration of the breast milk.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1090-1102
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• 2009

Purpose:To evaluate current feeding practices and maternal nutritional knowledge on complementary feeding. Methods:Mothers of babies aged 9-15 months who visited pediatric clinics of 14 general hospitals between September and December 2008 were asked to fill questionnaires. Data from 1,078 questionnaires were analyzed. Results:Complementary food was introduced at 4-7 months in 89% of babies. Home-made rice gruel was the first complementary food in 93% cases. Spoons were used for initial feeding in 97% cases. At 6-7 months, <50% of babies were fed meat (beef, 43%). Less than 12-month-old babies were fed salty foods such as salted laver (35%) or bean-paste soup (51%) and cow's milk (11%). The following were the maternal sources of information on complementary feeding: books/magazines (58%), friends (30%), internet web sites (29%), relatives (14%), and hospitals (4%). Compared to the 1993 survey, the incidence of complementary food introduction before 4 months (0.4% vs. 21%) and initial use of commercial food (7% vs. 39%) had decreased. Moreover, spoons were increasingly used for initial feeding (97% vs. 57%). The average maternal nutritional knowledge score was 7.5/10. Less percentage of mothers agreed with the following suggestions: bottle formula weaning before 15-18 months (68%), no commercial baby drinks as complementary food (67%), considering formula (or cow's milk) better than soy milk (65%), and feeding minced meat from 6-7 months (57%). Conclusion:Complementary feeding practices have considerably improved since the last decade. Pediatricians should advise timely introduction of appropriate complementary foods and monitor diverse information sources on complementary feeding.