• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.120-125
• /
• 2015

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of MSG on cognitive function and anxiety by the T-maze and elevated-plus-maze test and repeated oral dose toxicity in SD rat of MSG. The rats were treated with MSG of control group, low group (3 g/kg) and high group (5 g/kg) intragastrically for 4 weeks, respectively. We examined the body weight, the clinical signs, T-maze, Elevated-plus-maze, hematological analysis and serum biochemical analysis, we also observed the histopathological changes of liver, kidney in rats. No significant differences in body weights, biochemical analysis and histopathological observations between control and MSG treatment group were found. In the elevated plus maze (EPM), MSG-treatment group has more open arm visited than controls. MSG-treatment group has been more activated in T-maze test. These data indicate the continuous high MSG intake could be increased the anxiety and could be decreased cognitive ability. In conclusion, MSG is physiologically safety, but high MSG intake could be increased the anxiety and could be decreased cognitive ability in juvenile rat.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.51-59
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Predicting life expectancy of terminally ill cancer patients is very important. In many studies, ferritin is detected at higher levels in the sera of cancer patients, and higher ferritin level correlates with aggressiveness of disease and poor outcomes of patients. This study evaluated a prognostic role of serum ferritin levels in terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: This study enrolled 65 terminally ill cancer patients from March through June 2012. We assessed routine laboratory findings including serum ferritin levels as well as demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. To examine the association between serum ferritin levels and patient's characteristics, we used Spearman's correlation analysis, Wilcoxon's rank sum test or Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriately. For multivariate analysis, Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate significance of serum ferritin levels as a prognostic factor. Results: A negative correlation between serum ferritin levels and survival time was found. After adjusting for sex, age, performance status, creatinine levels and white blood cell counts, serum ferritin levels were significantly associated with survival time. Conclusion: Even at the very end of life of terminal cancer patients, serum ferritin levels were an independent prognostic factor for survival.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.51 no.6
• /
• pp.559-569
• /
• 2001

Background : Pleural effusion is one of the most common clinical manifestations associated with a variety of pulmonary diseases such as malignancy, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. However, there are no useful laboratory tests to determine the specific cause of pleural effusion. Therefore, an attempt was made to analyze the various types of pleural effusion and search for useful laboratory tests for pleural effusion in order to differentiate between the diseases, especially between a malignant pleural effusion and a non-malignant pleural effusion. Methods : 93 patients with a pleural effusion, who visited the Severance hospital from January 1998 to August 1999, were enrolled in this study. Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis was done and a confirmational diagnosis was made by a gram stain, bacterial culture, Ziehl-Neelsen stain, a mycobacterial culture, a pleural biopsy and cytology. Results : The male to female ratio was 56 : 37 and the average age was $47.1{\pm}21.8$ years. There were 16 cases with a malignant effusion, 12 cases with a para-malignant effusion, 36 cases with tuberculosis, 22 cases with a para-pneumonic effusion, and 7 cases with transudate. The LDH2 fraction was significantly higher in the para-malignant effusion group compared to the para-pneumonic effusion group [$30.6{\pm}6.4%$ and $20.2{\pm}7.5%$, respectively (p<0.05)] and both the LDH1 and LDH2 fraction was significantly in the para-malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$16.4{\pm}7.2%$ vs. $7.6{\pm}4.7%$, and $30.6{\pm}6.4%$ vs.$17.6{\pm}6.3%$, respectively (p<0.05)]. The pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio was significantly lower in the malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$1.5{\pm}0.8$ vs. $2.1{\pm}0.6$, respectively (p<0.05)]. The LDH4 fraction and the pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio was significantly lower in the para-malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$17.0{\pm}5.8%$ vs. $23.5{\pm}4.6%$ and $1.3{\pm}0.4$ vs. $2.1{\pm}0.6$, respectively (p<0.05)]. Conclusion : These results suggest that the LDH isoenzyme was the only useful biochemical test for a differential diagnosis of the various diseases. In particular, the most useful test was the pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio to distinguish between a para-malignant effusion and a tuberculous effusion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.41 no.11
• /
• pp.1534-1539
• /
• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the possible subacute toxicity of gamma-irradiated Tarakjuk. Tarakjuk was irradiated at a dose of 30 kGy at room temperature. For the animal study, AIN-93G as a control diet and 30 kGy irradiated and non-irradiated Tarakjuk diets were administered to male and female ICR mice (10 mice per group) for 3 months. During the experimental period, the group fed 30 kGy irradiated Tarakjuk did not show any changes in appearance, behavior, mortality, body weight, organ weight, or food consumption compared to control. Further, all biochemical parameters were in normal ranges. In the histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissues of ICR mice, there were no significant differences between the control and 30 kGy irradiated Tarakjuk groups. These results indicate that Tarakjuk irradiated at 30 kGy did not cause any toxic effects under these experimental conditions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.9
• /
• pp.848-854
• /
• 2007

Purpose : The present study examined the etiology and risk factors of the early breast-feeding jaundice and the usefulness of auditory brainstem response test as early predictor of kernicterus. Methods : Medical records of neonatal jaundice in newborn admitted to Daegu Fatima Hospital between September 2005 and May 2006 were analyzed prospectively. Infants were grouped according to feeding method : breast feeding group (breast feeding only, n=23), mixed feeding group (breast feeding mainly plus addition of fomula feeding, n=13). Results : There were no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, sex, duration of phototherapy, serum bilirubin and hemolytic evidence between the two study groups. First visiting day of life at out patient department was significantly delayed in breast feeding group ($8.7{\pm}3.6day$) compared to mixed feeding group ($6.0{\pm}1.9$) (P=0.009). Weight loss was significantly severe in breast feeding group compared to mixed feeding group (P<0.05). In auditory brainstem response test, loss of Wave V in 3 cases was observed and recoverd after blood exchange transfusion in follow up test.Wave III latency had significant correlation to serum bilirubin in auditory brainstem response test (70 dB) (P=0.002). Conclusion : Our study suggest that further education about breast feeding and follow up within the first postnatal week would be necessary for early detection and prevention of early breast-feeding jaundice. Test of serum bilirubin and auditory brainstem response would be helpful in determination of blood exchange transfusion.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
• /
• 1982.05a
• /
• pp.16.2-16
• /
• 1982

The palatine tonsils which are located in entrance of digestive and upper respiratory tracts are the most important organ in anatomical and functional structures of the pharyngeal lymphatic tissues. As for function of the tonsil, there have been many suspected theories that were included hematopoietic, hormonal, digestive function and production of vitamin, entry of bacteria with other antigenous materials and defence mechanism of which has taken charge by Virchow in 1860 in past. But among these theories, in recently, defence mechanism of the tonsil was strongly accepted immunologically. For the purpose of elucidating immune response of the tonsil, the author observed serum immunoglobulin levels, peripheral total lymphocyte counts and populations of T, B and Null lymphocytes before and after tonsillectomy in 30 cases of patients with chronic tonsillitis and 29 cases of healthy controls. The results obtained were as follows; 1) Serum Ig M level was significantly higher in patient group than in control group but was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. 2) Population of T-lymphocyte more significantly decreased in patient group than in control group but it was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. 3) Population of B-lymphocyte more significiantly increased in patient group than in control group but it was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. On the basis of these results, it may be suggested that tonsil play partially a role in the immune response of human.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.71-80
• /
• 2013

Objectives: Outbreaks of pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) occur every 3-4 years in Korea, most recently in 2011. The aim of our study was to determine the optimal time to perform indirect particle agglutination antibody assays to improve early diagnosis of MP pneumonia in children. Methods: A database of 206 pediatric patients treated for pneumonia at the Hanyang University Hospital from June to October 2011 was analyzed retrospectively for demographic characteristics and laboratory test results. Results: Among the 206 patients treated for pneumonia during the study period, there were 160 children (mean age, 5.44 years) diagnosed with MP pneumonia, who were studied further. The mean age of these MP pneumonia patients was 5.44 years. Antibody titers increased with increasing time between symptom onset and the collection of serum collection: MP titers were <1:640 for sera collected after 5.44 days and titers ${\geq}1:640$ for those collected after 8.58 days; P<0.001). Antibody titers were considered positive when they reached ${\geq}1:640$. In 42 MP pneumonia patients in whom there was a four-fold or greater increase in titer between successive serum samples, the optimal cut-off time-point for distinguishing between the initial and second titer groups was 7.5 days after the onset of symptoms (sensitivity, 90.5%; specificity, 92.9%). Conclusions: Negative MP antibody titers earlier than 8 days after the onset of symptoms in children with pneumonia may require repeating to confirm the diagnosis. This finding could optimize diagnosis and result in better therapeutic outcomes of MP pneumonia in children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.28-35
• /
• 2009

Purpose : We compared body growth, blood cell counts, and chemistry among infants receiving soy-based formula (SF), breast milk (BM), and casein-based formula (CF). Methods : Full-term neonates delivered at our hospital from June 2001 to August 2003 were recruited and divided into 3 feeding groups (BM=20, SF=19, CF=12 ) according to the parents wishes. Breast feeding or artificial formulae were given during the initial 3 months of age; thereafter, weaning foods were added freely. Height, weight, head circumference, skin-fold thickness, and mid-arm circumference were measured at birth and 1, 2, 4, 5, 12, and 36 months of age. Cell counts and blood chemistry were analyzed at 5, 12, and 36 months of age. Result : At 5 months of age, body weight was the lowest in the SF group; the height was similar among all groups. Thereafter, there were no differences in height or weight among the groups until 36 months of age. Hemoglobin was the lowest in the BM group at 5 and 12 months of age (P< 0.05 ). At 5 months of age, serum cholesterol, BUN, phosphates, and K+ were significantly lower in the SF group; thereafter, all chemical parameters were similar until 36 months of age. Conclusion : Infants fed with SF showed normal growth during the first 3 years of life as compared to infants fed with BM and CF. Low values of serum phosphates and K+ at 5 months of age in the SF group, despite the high mineral content, suggest that further investigation is needed for effective mineral absorption.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.120-128
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Early detection of recurrence is an important factor for long term survival of patients with colorectal cancer. Measurement of serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9, CT and PET/CT has been commonly used in the postoperative surveillance of colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic ability of PET/CT, tumor marker and CT for recurrence in colorectal cancer patients after treatment. Materials and Methods: F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging was performed in 189 colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative surgical resection and/or chemotherapy. Measurement of serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9 and CT imaging were performed within 2 months of PET/CT examination. Final diagnosis of recurrence was made by biopsy, radiologic studies or clinical follow-up for 6 months after each study. Results: Overall sensitivity, specificity of PET/CT was 94.7%, 91.1%, while those of serum CEA were 44.7% and 97.3%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 94.2%, 90.4% for PET/CT and better than those of combined CEA and CA 19-9 measurement(52.1%, 88.5%) in 174 patients measured available both CEA and CA 19-9 data. In 115 patients with both tumor markers and CT images available, PET/CT showed similar sensitivity but higher specificity(92.9%, 91.3%) compared to combination of tumor markers and CT images(92.9%, 74.1%). Conclusion: PET/CT was superior for detection of recurred colorectal cancer patients compared with both CEA, CA 19-9, and even with combination of both tumor markers and CT. Therefore PET/CT could be used as a routine surveillance examination to detect recurrence or metastasis of colorectal cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.252-256
• /
• 2005

Purpose: Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a valuable and sensitive tool as a marker for diagnosis and follow-up for several thyroid disorders, especially, in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Often, clinical decisions rely entirely on the serum Tg concentration. But the Tg assay is one of the most challenging laboratory measurements to perform accurately owing to antithyroglobulin antibody (Anti-Tg). In this study, we have compared the degree of Anti-Tg effects on the measurement of Tg between availale Tg measuring kits. Materials and Methods: Measurement of Tg levels for standard Tg solution was performed with two different kits commercially available (A/B kits) using immunoradiometric assay technique either with absence or presence of three different concentrations of Anti-Tg. Measurement of Tg for patient's serum was also performed with the same kits. Patient's serum samples were prepared with mixtures of a serum containing high Tg levels and a serum containg high Anti-Tg concentrations. Results: In the measurements of standard Tg solution, presence of Anti-Tg resulted in falsely lower Tg level by both A and B kits. Degree of Tg underestimation by h kit was more prominent than B kit. The degree of underestimation by B kit was trivial therefore clinically insignificant, but statistically significant. Addition of Anti-Tg to patient serum resulted in falsely lower Tg levels with only A kit. Conclusion: Tg level could be underestimated in the presence of anti-Tg. Anti-Tg effect on Tg measurement was variable according to assay kit used. Therefore, accuracy test must be performed for individual Tg-assay kit.