• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.477-486
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• 2016

We investigated the growth pattern of Red-tongued viper snakes (Gloydius ussuriensis), which were captured from the islet of the Jeju Island, Gapado between April, 2006 and November, 2009. The results indicated that there were some snakes that grew relatively fast, but most snakes either almost did not grow or grew around 10mm in snout-vent length during one year period. High growth rates was April and June. Since the growth rate of snakes is highly correlated with their foods, these results implied that the feeding activity of Red-tongued viper snakes is high during this period compared to other months. In female, difference in body condition between good-conditioned and bad-conditioned snakes became large as time elapsed from April to June. The body condition of the male Red-tongued viper snakes improved with the progression of time from April till June. Many of the Red-tongued viper snakes were captured between April and June, while they were rarely captured between July and September. Some of the Red-tongued viper snakes were captured during the autumn season. This tendency was because snakes were rarely active during hibernation and peak summer seasons. Thus, Red-tongued viper snakes are active between April and June and between September and November. They then go into hibernation as the temperature dropped in November. Furthermore, the limitation of the movement period of the Red-tongued viper snakes restricted their feeding activities while foods became scarce, which ultimately restricted their overall growth rate. The growth rate of the snakes decreased with age. The snout-vent length of the Red-tongued viper snakes and growth rate showed a negative correlation (r = -0.591), however, it was not statistically significant due to small sample size. The findings from this study could provide meaningful information in the further study of the life cycle of Red-tongued viper snakes.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.47-62
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• 1981

d-amphetamine이 사람에서 paranoid schizophrenia와 아주 유사한 model psychosis를 일으키며 또한 사람과 실험동물에서 실제 정신분열증에서 뚜렷이 관찰되는 behavioral perservation을 일으킬 수 있음이 관찰되었다. 이에 많은 학자들은 이러한 양상의 행동변화가 정신분열증의 원인 추구에 중요한 의미를 주는 뇌변화를 반영할지도 모른다는 생각에 많은 연구를 거듭하여 왔다. 지금까지는 주로 catecholamine기전에 대하여 집중적 연구가 수행되어져 왔으나 최근에는 d-amphetamine의 약리기전의 일부는 5-HT기전이 차지하고 있으며, 여러 행동변화에는 catecholaimin 보다 5-HT 가 더 중요하게 관계하고 있다는 주장이 나오고 있다. 또한 d-amphetamine은 시험관내에서 MAO 특히 신경전달물질 분해요소인 A type를 가역적으로 억제할 수 있음이 보고되어 많은 흥미를 끌어왔으나 생체내에서의 억제여부는 직접적으로 확인이 되고 있지 않다. 그러나 최근에 Braestrup(1977)과 El Hait(1978)등은 간접적인 방법으로 생체내에서도 억제시킬 수 있음을 보고하고 있다. 이에 저자는 d-amphetamine에 의해 야기되는 행동변화와 그 밑바탕을 이루는 생화학적 기전에 5-HT가 차지하는 역할을 알아보기 위해서 다음의 실험을 시행하였다. 첫째, d-amphetamine의 급성, 만성 투여가 5-HT의 5-HIAA 로의 turnover와 MAO활성도에 어떤 영향을 미치며, 더 나아가서 이 양자사이에 어느 정도 상관관계가 있는지를 알아보기 위해서 d-amphetamine을 투여한 후 시간 경과에 따라서 뇌내 5-HT, 5-HIAA, 5-HT turnover rate와 MAO 활성도를 측정하였다. 둘째, d-amphetamine, 5-HT 합성을 증가시키는 약물과 합성을 억제시키는 약물을 투여하고, 위의 생화학적 실험과 행동관찰을 병합 실시하여 비교분석하였다. 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 1) d-amphetamine (6 mg/kg)을 급성투여시, 뇌내 5-HT함량이 투여 1시간 후에 최고로(대조치의 123%, p<0.001) 증가되다가 이후 감소하며, 5-HIAA 함량은 처음 15분부터 감소하기 시작하다가 30분에 최저로 떨어지며(대조치의 78%, p<0.005) 이후 증가하여 24시간째는 약간 대조치 이상으로 회복되었다. 미토콘드리아 MAO활성도는 1시간째에 최저로 떨어지다가(대조치의 89%, p<0.05)이후 회복하기 시작하여 24시간째에 약간 대조치 이상으로 회복되었다. 5-HT의 turnover rate는 MAO활성도 변화와 거의 같은 변화를 보였다. 2) 만성투여시 (하루 2번, 14일간 투여)는 5-HT 함량, 5-HIAA 함량, MAO 활성도 및 5-HT turnover rate 모두가 중등도로 감소되었다. (각각 대조치의 87%, 69%, 80%, 79%). 3) MAO 활성도와 5-HT turnover rate 사이에는 높은 상관관계가 있었다. (r=0.866, p<0.001, N=94). 4) MAO 활성도의 역동학 실험에서는 대조치에 비해 투여군에서 Km 값은 의미가 있는 증가가 있었으나 $V_{max}$값은 큰 변동이 없었다. 5) d-amphetamine을 급성 투여할때는 sleeping과 lying components는 상당한 감소를 보인 반면, locomotor activity 는 1시간까지는 상당한 증가를 보였으며 용량이 적을수록 더 큰 증가가 있었다. 반면 stereotypy는 1시간까지 용량이 증가할수록 더 큰 증가가 나타나서 locomotor activity에서 stereotypy 의 증가로 이행을 나타내었다. 만성 투여시는 locomotor activity는 점차적인 감소를 보였으나 stereotypy는 점차적인 증가가 나타나서 14일쯤에는 평형에 도달하였다. 6) PCPA 단독 투여군(400 mg/kg, 3번)에 있어서는 5-HT와 5-HIAA 함량의 상당한 감소가 나타났으나 MAO 활성도와 행동에는 큰 변화를 나타내지 않았다. PCPA전 처치군에 있어서도 5-HT와 5-HIAA 함량은 마찬가지로 상당한 감소를 나타내었으나 gnawing, sniffing과 locomotor activity는 더 증가를, stereotyped head weaving, forepaw treading과 hindlimb abduction은 상당한 감소를 나타내었다. 7) L-tryptophan(100 mg/kg)단독 투여시는 5-HT 함량은 약간 증가를 나타내었으나 5-HIAA 함량은 상당한 증가를 보였다. MAO활성도나 행동은 큰 변화없었다. L-tryptophan 전처치군에 있어서는 5-HT 함량은 더 큰 증가를 보였으나, 5-HIaa 함량은 MAO 활성도는 별 변화없었으며 stereotypedlateral head waving, forepaw treading 과 hindlimb abduction은 증가를, locomotor activity, gnawing과 sniffing components는 감소를 나타내었다. 8) d-amphetamine 단독투여, 혹은 L-tryptophan 전처치, PCPA 전처치후 측정한 5-HT 함량과 stereotyped head weaving, forepaw treading, hinilimb abduction components 사이에는 높은 상관관계가 있었다(r=0.789, p<0.001). 반면 5-HT 함량과 locomotor activity, stereotyped gnawing과 sniffing components 사이에는 약한 음성의 상관관계가 있었다. (r=0.554, p <0.005). 이상의 결과로 미루어 볼때 5-HT의 5-HIAA 로의 turnover rate 는 주로 MAO 활성도에 의해서 조절되며 5-HT 기전이 d-amphetamine에 의해서 야기된 여러 행동변화 중 상당한 부분에서 중요한 역할을 하리라고 생각된다.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.254-260
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• 2007

In order to evaluate the toxic effects of butachlor, a herbicide widely used for control of weeds in paddy field, on medaka (Oryzias latipes), acute toxicity tests for five developmental stages and early life stage toxicity test of were conducted. As the results of acute toxicity test, $96h-LC_{50}s$ for 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 2 months and 5 months after hatching of O. latipes were 0.68, 0.52, 0.38, 1.09 and $0.45\;mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. This indicated that the most sensitive stage was 2 weeks after hatching. The early life stage toxicity test showed that no statistically significant hatching period and hatching success of embryo was observed at all concentrations of butaclor. However, 0.05 and $0.1\;mg\;L^{-1}$ of butachlor showed statistically significant post hatching survival with p<0.1. Abnormalities of larva were 2.1, 2.3 and 10% at 0.025, 0.05 and $0.1\;mg\;L^{-1}$ of concentration, respectively. They showed abnormal vertebral axis, craniofacial alteration and retarded yolk-sac resorption. The total length and weight were decreased depending on butachlor concentration the end of test. Weight of larva was showed more sensitive toxic indicator than total length. The toxicological responses of O. latipes to butachlor expressed as LOEC(lowest observed effect concentration), NOEC(no observed effect concentration) and MATC(maximum acceptable toxicant concentration) values were 0.025, 0.013 and $0.018\;mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.234-242
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• 2017

This study was conducted to provide basic data of Cirsium setidens Nakai in different harvest time that will be applied for development of functional foods and ingredients. We investigated pectiolinarin and pectolinarigenin content, total flavonoids content and antioxidant effects (DPPH radical scavenging activity and ORAC assay) of C. setidens Nakai. Our results showed that the pectolinarin and total flavonoids contents of C. setidens Nakai in harvesting time ranged from $43.13{\pm}0.22$ to $95.65{\pm}0.34mg/g$ and from $32.81{\pm}1.68$ to $40.43{\pm}0.35mg$ rutin equivalent (RE)/g, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of C. setidens Nakai did not show differences in harvesting time. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value was highest in August (2016) extracts ($827.72{\mu}mole\;TE/g$). In addition, C. setidens Nakai exthanolic extract in harvesting time did not show any cytotoxicity up to $200{\mu}g/mL$. During adipocyte differentiation, C. setidens Nakai extract in harvesting time significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and ROS production, compared with the controls. These results suggest that C. setidens Nakai extract could be considered as a non-toxic natural resources of functional food ingredients and natural antioxidants.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2009

Purpose: We undertook this study to find out the recognitions of terminal cancer patients and doctors about advance directives (ADs), of how they would do in non-response medical conditions and whether ADs could be one of medical options for their dying with dignity. Methods: One hundred thirty four cancer patients in the Hospice Unit, St. Vincent's Hospital, and 97 medical doctors in the Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Medical Center, were asked about ADs, including Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR), medical power of attorney, living will and medical options. Results: One hundred thirty patients (97%) and 38 doctors (39.2%) were unfamiliar with ADs, however, 128 patients (95.5%), 95 doctors (97.9%) agreed with it. Seventy nine patients (59.0%) and 96 doctors (99.0%) wanted DNR rather then intensive treatments if they were in non-response medical conditions. Eighty four patients (62.7%) and 75 doctors (77.3%) were agreeable to medical power of attorney. One hundred Thirty four patients (100.0%) and 94 doctors (96.9%) did not want medical options to be in terminal conditions, and hoped to die in peace. Conclusion: Most of patients did not know about ADs and how to make it. However, they showed positive attitudes about it. If we advertise it properly, it is highly likely that a large number of cancer patients would make their living wills easily by ADs. Nevertheless, many legal and ethical problems have to be solved. Doctors should engage their patients in an ongoing communication about the end-of-life. Therefore, let the patients have opportunities to plan their own deaths.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.527-533
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• 2005

Purpose : Long-term administration of anticonvulsants in children with epilepsy may cause short stature, hypocalcemia and low bone mineral density. This study was performed for the early detection of abnormal bone metabolism in children with epilepsy on taking anticonvulsants. Methods : Thirty children aged 5 to 16 years who were diagnosed with epilepsy were enrolled in this study. All had taken anticonvulsants for more than one year. Bone mineral density of lumbar vertebra was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol[$25(OH)D_3$], parathyroid hormone, and urine deoxypyridinoline were measured as biochemical bone markers. Bone age and body mass index were also calculated. Results : Bone minreal density, body mass index, bone age, and height were significantly decreased in two female patients who had taken two antiepileptic drugs for more than four years and they also had chronic diseases such as cerebral palsy with microcephaly, encephalomalacia, and microcephaly with atrial septal defect. Bone mineral density had significant positive correlations with body mass index(P<0.01) and bone age(P<0.01). Conclusion : This study showed chronic medication of anticonvulsants in children may cause low bone mineral density and short stature. Bone age and body mass index could be the important surrogate markers to find the population at risk. More studies, including a large study population and long term cohort study, will be required.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.865-870
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• 2005

Purpose : The use of growth hormone(GH) to promote growth in normal short children without classical GH deficiency is controversial. Numerous foreign studies have shown the effects of GH therapy in children with idiopathic short stature(ISS) whereas few has been interested in Korea. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the effects of GH therapy on ISS by observing correlations and changes among various growth parameters such as, insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3). Methods : This study was conducted retrospectively with 15 children with ISS in Chungbuk National University Hospital in Korea. Mean age was $11.44{\pm}2.81$ and the children were treated with 0.66 IU/kg/wk dosage of GH for 1 or 2 years. Also, the growth parameters before and after the GH therapy were observed. Results : Height standard deviation score(HT-SDS) was increased from $-1.85{\pm}0.70$ to $-1.58{\pm}0.56$ at 1 year and to $-1.21{\pm}0.37$ at 2 years after GH therapy. Predicted adult height standard deviation score(PAH-SDS) was also increased from $-2.10{\pm}0.52$ to $-1.67{\pm}0.59$ at 1 year, and to $-0.96{\pm}0.60$ at 2 years. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly increased after 1 year and marginally increased after 2 years of GH therapy. Conclusion : It is concluded that GH therapy has growth promoting effect. The significant increase in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels during the GH therapy suggests that IGF-I and IGFBP-3 are useful predictors of response to the use of GH therapy. It is expected that larger patient samples would provide more reliable information about the effect of GH therapy.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.183-200
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• 2003

In order to assess the ecological changes induced by organic pollutants of the Shihwa Lake, BPI (Benthic Pollution Index) based on the benthic faunal community was employed. It was modified from Infaunal Trophic Index (ITI), and recommended as a pollution detecting method for the environmental assessment. The BPI values were calculated from the benthos data, which were collected for three terms: in 1980, before the Shihwa Lake was built up; in 1994-1997, which the Shihwa Lake was completely isolated from the outer seawater; in 1997-1999, after inflow of the outer seawater. Since the Shihwa Dike was constructed in February 1994, the pollution intensity of the lake had been increased from the narrow and inner part of the former Gyeonggi Bay and spread fast along the coast line of the Shihwa Lake. Then, in 1996 it showed the very high BPI levels all around the Lake. This serious polluted condition had been lasted till 1997, when the inflow of the seawater was begun. In 1998, from the nearest part of the Shihwa Gate, the BPI levels gradually became low in most area of the Lake, except its inner and narrow part. These greatly lowered BPI levels mean that the seawater inflow could be assumed to affect positively in the lake. Furthermore, BPI gave the same results from the other environmental assessment based on the abundance and the species richness of macrobenthic community. It shows that BPI could be useful as an effective method to assess the marine environment and evaluate the status of environmental conditions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.795-802
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• 2003

Purpose : We investigated the hormonal control of OB gene expression and leptin secretion in cultured human visceral adipose tissue. Methods : Visceral adipose tissues were cultured for up to 48 hrs in modified Eagle's medium with varying concentration of hormones : Control(no hormone), bovine insulin(100 nM), Dexamethasone(DEX, 100 nM), growth hormone(GH, 40 ng/mL), insulin+DEX(100 nM each), insulin+DEX+GH(100 nM insulin and DEX, 40 ng/mL GH). Quantitative analysis of leptin mRNA was performed by competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and leptin secretion in culture medium was measured by IRMA using a commercial kit. Results : The addition of dexamethasone to the medium significantly increased OB gene expression and leptin secretion(P<0.05). Unlike dexamethasone, insulin did not affect OB gene expression and leptin secretion. Both insulin and dexamethasone, at high concentration, significantly stimulated leptin secretion compared with basal values(P<0.05). Leptin gene expression was not significantly increased by GH treatment alone, however GH, in combination with high concentrations of insulin and dexamethasone, attenuated the stimulatory effects of high concentrations of insulin and dexamethasone. Conclusion : Insulin cannot increase leptin secretion without the presence of dexamethasone. The mechanism suggested is that insulin may increase leptin secretion in cytoplasm only after dexamethasone increases the expression of OB gene. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of the action of insulin on leptin secretion after increasing OB gene expression by dexamethasone.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.868-874
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• 2007

Purpose : We performed this study to investigate the perinatal and developmental features of the patients with congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM) confirmed by the molecular genetic method and the clinical characteristics of their mother, and to identify the relation between the number of CTG repeats and the clinical severity.Methods : A retrospective review of the medical records and the results of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) gene test was done for the patients who were confirmed as CDM through gene analysis from January 2001 to September 2006. Results : All of the eight patients (male 2, female 6) showed moderate to severe degree of perinatal distress and feeding difficulty associated with profound hypotonia. Three patients had the history of polyhydramnios and two patients had equinovarus deformity. The developmental milestones were delayed in all patients, which improved gradually with age. All of their mothers demonstrated myotonic symptoms and typical myopathic face. The number of CTG repeats in DMPK gene analysis ranged 1,000-2,083, and there was no significant correlation between the number of CTG repeats and the time of walking alone. Conclusion : All patients with CDM presented with severe hypotonia in perinatal period, and developmental delay thereafter, which were improved with age. All of their mothers manifested myotonic symptoms with typical myopathic face, and the identification of such features greatly contributed to the diagnosis of the patients. The number of CTG repeats had no significant influence on the motor development.