• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2007

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is a nitrosamine compound that can induce a variety of liver lesions including hepatic carcinoma, forming DNA-carcinogen adducts. In the present study, microarray analyses were performed with Affymetrix Murine Genome 430A Array in order to identify the gene-expression profiles for DEN and to provide valuable information for the evaluation of potential hepatotoxicity. C57BL/6NCrj mice were orally administered once with DEN at doses of 0, 3, 7 and 20 mg/kg. Liver from each animal was removed 2, 4, 8 and 24 hrs after the administration. The histopathological analysis and serum biochemical analysis showed no significant difference in DEN-treated groups compared to control group. Conversely, the principal component analysis (PCA) profiles demonstrated that a specific normal gene expression profile in control groups differed clearly from the expression profiles of DEN-treated groups. Within groups, a little variance was found between individuals. Student's t-test on the results obtained from triplicate hybridizations was performed to identify those genes with statistically significant changes in the expression. Statistical analysis revealed that 11 genes were significantly downregulated and 28 genes were upregulated in all three animals after 2 h treatment at 20 mg/kg. The upregulated group included genes encoding Gdf15, JunD1, and Mdm2, while the genes including Sox6, Shmt2, and SIc6a6 were largely down regulated. Hierarchical clustering of gene expression also allowed the identification of functionally related clusters that encode proteins related to metabolism, and MAPK signaling pathway. Taken together, this study suggests that match with a toxicant signature can assign a putative mechanism of action to the test compound if is established a database containing response patterns to various toxic compounds.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2007

Toll-like receptors induce innate immune responses recognizing conserved microbial structural molecules that are known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Ligand-induced homotypic oligomerization was found to proceed in LPS-induced activation of TLR4 signaling pathways. TLR2 is known to heterodimerize with TLR1 or TLR6 and recognize diacyl- or triacyl-lipopeptide, respectively. These results suggest that ligand-induced receptor dimerization of TLR4 and TLR2 is required for the activation of downstream signaling pathways. Therefore, receptor dimerization may be one of the first lines of regulation in the activation of TLR-mediated signaling pathways and induction of subsequent innate and adaptive immune responses. Here, we report biochemical evidence that curcumin from the plant Curcuma longa inhibits activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$, expression of COX-2, and dimerization of TLRs induced by TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4 agonists. These results imply that curcumin can modulate the activation of TLRs and subsequent immune/inflammatory responses induced by microbial pathogens.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.226-233
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• 2011

Objectives: Being overweight or obese is central to metabolic syndrome, and these characteristics constitute dominant risk factors for chronic diseases. Although behavioral factors, including eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, are considered to be determinants of obesity, the specific childhood factors that contribute to this condition have not been clearly defined. Methods: The subjects consisted of 261 children aged 7- 9 years who were recruited from an elementary school during October 2003. Information was obtained from their parents using a questionnaire focused on eating behaviors and lifestyle factors, additional data were also collected via anthropometric measurements and biochemical examinations, including blood tests. Results: A total of 48 (18.4%) of the 261 children were overweight, and 34 (70.8%) had at least one other component of metabolic syndrome. Eating behaviors emerged as significant lifestyle-related risk factors for being overweight or obese. Those who engaged in overeating more than twice per week had three times the risk of being overweight (odds ratio [OR], 3.10, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39 to 6.92), and those who ate rapidly had three times the risk of being overweight (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.68 to 6.41). Those who had fewer family meals (fewer than 2?3/month) had a nine times higher risk of being overweight than those who had family meals more frequently (at least 1/day) (OR, 9.51; 95% CI, 1.21 to 74.82). Conclusions: This study showed that being overweight or obese during preadolescence is associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome and is related to unhealthy eating behaviors. Thus, weight-control strategies and healthy eating behaviors should be developed early in life to reduce the risk for metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.27-44
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• 1974

A general survey of 82 perschool children and 473 school children (from 1st to 3rd grade) residing in the Dongnae area of Shindong Myun, choonseoung Gun, Kangwon Province was conducted from June 12 to 21, 1973, to obtain information concerning nutritional status, especially the protein and iron nutrition of preschool and school children in a rural area of Korea. A sample of 58 children 2 to 9 years old was selected from these 555 children for hematological, biochemical and parasitological tests. The results of these tests are presented below, 1) Both the mean body height and mean body weight of these children were higher and heavier than the averages in the Korean Physical Standards. About 39 per cent were above the 90 th percentile of the Korean Physical Standards of height and 35 per cent were above the 90th percentile of the Korean Physical Standards of weight. 2) The rate of infestation by helminthes was 67.6 per cent and there were no cases of hookworm infestation Among the ascaris-infected children, 61.6 per cent fell within an Ascaris E.P.G. count range of $501{\sim}2,000$. This was considered a rather mild intensify of ascaris infection. Nutrient loss due to helminthes was also estimated to be low. 3) The mean hemoglobin level was 11.3gm% $({\pm}0.94)$, and 68.4 per cent of the children were anemic (less than 11gm% among those 5 years old or less, less than l2gm% among those 6 years old or more). The average hematocrit value was 36.1% $({\pm}2.36)$, and only 3.5 per cent showed more than 34% on the M.C.H.C. test. These results showed that the incidence of anemia, in these rural children was high, and that in general it displayed hypochromic characteristics. 4) The average serum iron level was $78.2{\mu}g%$\;({\pm}29.8). The Proportion of the children showing less than $50{\mu}g% in the serum iron level was 5.6 per cent, while 41.8 percent revealed $450{\mu}g% or more in the TIBC determination. Transferrin saturation was below 15% in 71.4 percent of the preschool children, and in 28.6 percent of the school children. Those who had a serum iron level of $50{\mu}g% or less and a TIBC of more than $450{\mu}g% constituted 11.9 percent of the children examined. From these results, it was concluded that especially preschool children were low in iron nutrition, and that most of the anemia might be iron-deficiency anemia. 5) The mean values of total serum protein and albumin were 6.98gm% and 4.99gm% respectively. Especially in serum albumin, all children stowed more than 4 gm%. 6) The mean urinary urea nitrogen Per creatinine ratio was 11.5 $({\pm}4.2)$, and 21.8 percent had a ratio of more than 15. Considering these results, it was suggested that protein nutrition in these children was relatively good.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2013

The most critical point in the assessment of adherence to dietary guidelines is the development of a practical definition for adherence, such as a dietary pattern score. The purpose of this study was to develop the Korean Diet Score (KDS) based on the Korean Food Balance Wheel and to examine the association of KDS with various lifestyle characteristics and biochemical factors. The dietary data of 5,320 subjects from the 4th Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey were used for the final analysis. The food guide was composed of six food group categories; 'grain dishes', 'fish and meat dishes', 'vegetable dishes', 'fruits', 'milk' and 'oils and sugars'. Based on the recommended serving numbers for each group, the scores measuring adherence to this food guide were calculated from the dietary information from the 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire, and then its correlation with various characteristics was assessed. KDS was significantly associated with several clinical, lifestyle and socioeconomic factors as well as diagnosed disease history. The higher quintile group of KDS showed a significantly lower level in fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, current smoking and drinking as well as higher leisure time activity, house income and education. Furthermore, the KDS quintile group of women was inversely associated with hypertension, osteoporosis and diabetes. A higher KDS quintile was characterized with a higher intake of several critical nutrients, such as Ca, Fe and vitamins as well as a desirable nutrition balance such as the ratio of macronutrients. Our results demonstrate that KDS is a beneficial tool in assessing the adherence to a healthy diet based on the Korean dietary guidelines. We suggest that KDS could be a useful indicator for evaluating the dietary balance of the Korean population.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.336-341
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: It is expected that dairy products such as cheeses, which are the main source of cholesterol and saturated fat, may lead to the development or increase the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases; however, the results of different studies are inconsistent. This study was conducted to assess the association between cheese consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in an Iranian adult population. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Information from the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) was used for this cross-sectional study with a total of 1,752 participants (782 men and 970 women). Weight, height, waist and hip circumference measurement, as well as fasting blood samples were gathered and biochemical assessments were done. To evaluate the dietary intakes of participants a validated food frequency questionnaire, consists of 49 items, was completed by expert technicians. Consumption of cheese was classified as less than 7 times per week and 7-14 times per week. RESULTS: Higher consumption of cheese was associated with higher C-Reactive Protein (CRP), apolipoprotein A and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level but not with fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and apolipoprotein B. Higher consumption of cheese was positively associated with consumption of liquid and solid oil, grain, pulses, fruit, vegetable, meat and dairy, and negatively associated with Global Dietary Index. After control for other potential confounders the association between cheese intake and metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.81; 96%CI: 0.71-0.94), low HDL-C level (OR: 0.87; 96%CI: 0.79-0.96) and dyslipidemia (OR: 0.88; 96%CI: 0.79-0.98) became negatively significant. CONCLUSION: This study found an inverse association between the frequency of cheese intake and cardiovascular risk factors; however, further prospective studies are required to confirm the present results and to illustrate its mechanisms.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.124-134
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• 1990

To investigate nutritional and growth status of premature infants, survey was conducted against 19 premature infants admitted to Nursery of Pediatrics, Young nam University Hospital from Jan. 1984 to July 1988. Variations in feeding patterns as analyzed through the five feeding phases of dextrose, dextrose/hyperal, dextrose/formula, dextrose/hyperal/formula and formula. During 30days from birth, dietary intake, feeding phase, selective anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and demograpic information of premature infants were as follows: Distributions of birth weight by gestational age and apgar score showed preamture infants below 1499g were 31 weeks, 4/7(1min/5min) and premature infants from 1500g to 1999g were 33 weeks, 8/9(1min/5min) and premature infants from 2000g to 2500g were 33 weeks, 8/9(1min/5min). Average calorie intakes of premature infants below 1499g, premature infants from 1500g to 1999g and premature infants from 2000g to 2500g were 102.0㎉/kg/day, 119.3㎉/kg/day and 101.7㎉/kg/day. The mean values Na, K, Ca, P for all premature infants remained within the normal level for full term infants throughtout the 25days of this study period. Percentages of inital weight loss showned premature infants below 1499g were 5.4%, premature infants from 1500g to 1999g were 6.4%, premature infants from 2000g to 2500g were 11.4%. Percentages of inital weight loss of the amino acid injection group and the amino acid control group were 9.4% and 9.0%.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.187-199
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• 1992

The purpose of the study is to assess and evaluate methods employed in nutrition surveys and to give an information on methodological considerations for future studies in Korea. Three hundred thirty six papers of nutritional surveys published from 1960 to 1990 were classified into 9 groups according to the survey subject and analyzed for methods used in survey. The frequency of publications according to the survey subject was as the following order : 'in-fants and preschool children' 'school age children' 'adolescence' 'college students' 'preg-nant and lactating women' 'housewives' 'the elderly' 'workers' and 'patients' Eighty five percents of papers applied methods of dietary assessment. of which weighing method recall method an record method were extensively used in the order. Questionnairs included items related to nutrition such as food habit nutrition knowledge etc. Anthropometric techniques were employed in 53% of papers and in general growth measurement were undertaken for children and body composition was emphasized for adults. biochemical assessment was limited to 32% of papers and assessment of anemia was the major test. Clinical studies were applied to 26% of the studies. of which only 5% employed examination of clinical signs of malnutrition Recently self-reported health status assessed using questionnaires has been adopted frequently. Further researches are required for evaluation of the methods employed in nutrition surveys in order to develop the standard model for nutrtion survey so that obtained data can become more reliable and utilized efficiently.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8397-8403
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer (BCa) is the most common malignancy in Mexican women. A set of histopathological markers has been established to guide BCa diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Nevertheless, in only a few Mexican health services, such as that of the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA for its acronym in Spanish), are these markers commonly employed for assessing BCa. The aim of this study was to explore the association of Ki67, TP53, HER2/neu, estrogenic receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs) with BCa risk factors. Materials and Methods: Clinical histories provided background patient information. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was conducted on 48 tissue samples from women diagnosed with BCa and treated with radical mastectomy. The Chi square test or Fisher exact test together with the Pearson and Spearman correlation were applied. Results: On average, patients were $58{\pm}10.4$ years old. It was most common to find invasive ductal carcinoma (95.8%), histological grade 3 (45.8%), with a poor Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI; 80.4%). ERs and PRs were associated with smoking and alcohol consumption, metastasis at diagnosis and Ki67 expression (p<0.05). PR+ was also related to urea and ER+ (p<0.05). Ki67 was associated with TP53 and elevated triglycerides (p<0.05), and HER2/neu with ER+, the number of pregnancies and tumor size (p<0.05). TP53 was also associated with a poor NPI (p<0.05) and CD34 with smoking (p<0.05). The triple negative status (ER-/PR-/HER2/neu-) was related to smoking, alcohol consumption, exposure to biomass, number of pregnancies, metastasis and a poor NPI (p<0.05). Moreover, the luminal B subty was associated with histological type (p=0.007), tumor size (p=0.03) and high cholesterol (p=0.02). Conclusions: Ki67, TP53, HER2/neu, ER and PR proved to be related to several clinical and pathological factors. Hence, it is crucial to determine this IHC profile in women at risk for BCa. Certain associations require further study to understand physiological/biochemical/molecular processes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.105 no.2
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• pp.208-215
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• 2016

Vaccinium oldhamii Miq. is a Korean native tree, which is deciduous and shrub tree with broad leaf. Fruits were used primarily for edible or medicinal purposes for bladder infection in Korea and China. However, there is a lack of information on the degree of variation of phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity of these native clonal. We investigated morphological characteristics, phytochemical contents (polyphenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin) and antioxidant activity for the fruits of 24 individual variation from 4 different regions in Korea. The results in terms of horticultural traits and biochemical characteristics showed significant differences among populations and among individuals within population. The total phenolic contents ranged from 4.40 to 10.58 mg GAE/g and the total flavonoid contents ranged from 2.02 to 8.09 mg NE/g. The total anthocyanin contents ranged from 232.5 to 684.3 mg CGE/100g. Reducing power fruits ranged from 0.15 to 1.43 and DPPH free radical scavenging activity ranged from 49.1 to 97.5% at 400 ppm. Results revealed that the region of origin greatly influenced the phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity of V. oldhamii, which might help for the selection and validation of the most productive cultivars in the food and pharmaceutical industries.