• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.561-570
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• 2008

This study aimed to determine the effects of freeze-dried onion powder (OP) which contains rich in quercetin (22 mg/10 g) on hyperlipidemic participants. Fourteen participants (total cholesterol level in plasma $270.8{\pm}21.4mg/dL$) $40{\sim}59$ years of age who were diagnosed as hyperlipidemia by a physician at Fatima Hospital in Changwon took part in this study for 12 weeks. We investigated the anthropometric data and dietary habit by using questionnaires. Also, blood samples were collected from the patients in fasting before and after this 12 weeks intervention study. 78.6% of the patients showed interest in health diet management and weight control; however, they also showed some problems in their dietary habit (meal irregularity, food choice, calorie nutrient balance, high fat and cholesterol etc.) and life style (smoking, eating out, alcohol intake) that could have adverse effect on hyperlipidemic therapy. Most participants (85.7%) thought that OP was good for their health. The total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol significantly decreased with OP intake. The HDL-cholesterol increased and the Atherogenic index (AI) significantly decreased. Regarding the correlations of dietary habit and life style with anthropometric and biochemical factors, the alcohol intake level was significantly correlated with the frequency of eating out and body mass index (BMI). Exercise level showed positive correlation with HDL-cholesterol and negative correlation with atherogenic index (AI). These results suggest that the intake of polyphenol rich onion may decrease the risk of hyperlipidemia by reducing cholesterol level. We consider these hypolipidemic effects of OP as a possible functional food. However, further research such as a well designed longterm clinical study with experimental and placebo groups is needed.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2010

Purpose: Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) is gaining wider acceptance as a minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer, but the safety, efficacy and clinical benefits of this type of surgery are still unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LADG) and conventional open distal gastrectomy (CODG) for early gastric cancer (EGC) according to the changes of the postoperative nutritional status and acute inflammatory reaction. Materials and Methods: Eighty seven patients with EGC and who underwent a LADG between March 2006 and May 2009 at Daegu Catholic University Hospital, was enrolled. Over the same period, we enrolled 30 patients who underwent CODG and they were confirmed to have EGC from their pathology. The clinico-pathological features and serologic parameters were evaluated from the medical records and then retrospectively analyzed. Results: There were no differences in the preoperative white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, albumin level, the T4/T8 ratio and the other clinical data between the two groups. The total WBC counts gradually increased and they were significant lower at the $1^{st}$ and $3^{rd}$ postoperative days in the LADG group than that in the CODG group (P=0.001 and 0.008, respectively). The postoperative CRP levels were significantly lower at postoperative $5^{th}$ day in the LADG group (P<0.001). The postoperative albumin and T4/T8 ratio gradually decreased, and the T4/T8 ratio was significantly higher at the $3^{rd}$ postoperative day in the LADG group compared to that in the CODG group (P=0.003). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the LADG has less of an influence on an acute inflammatory reaction than does CODG. Therefore, it is one of the safe and feasible procedures for the treatment of early gastric cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2009

This study investigated the beneficial effects of crude saponins from soybean cake on body weight and glucose tolerance in high-fat (37% calories from fat) diet fed C57BL/6 mice. The mice were supplemented with three doses of saponins (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%, wt/wt) and 1.0% Garcinia cambogia (wt/wt), positive control for 9 weeks. The body weight, visceral fat weight and epididymal adipocyte area were significantly reduced in the saponin supplemented groups in a dose dependent manner compared to the high-fat group. Saponins did not significantly affect food intake; however, cambogia significantly lowered food intake compared to the high-fat fed control group. The crude saponins from soybean cake supplement significantly lowered plasma leptin, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, whereas they significantly elevated the fecal excretion of triglyceide in a dose dependent manner compared to the high-fat group. Cambogia did not affect the fecal excretion of lipid in the diet-induced obese mice. Supplementation of 1.5% saponin reduced the hepatic triglyceride content compared to the high-fat group. High-fat induced glucose intolerance with the elevation of blood glucose levels compared to the normal group; however, the saponins supplement significantly improved postprandial glucose levels. After 9 weeks of being fed a high-fat diet, the mice presented with significantly increased activities of hepatic fatty acid synthase and fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidation; however, saponins and cambogia normalized these activities. These results indicate that saponins from soybean cake exhibit a potential anti-obesity effect and may prevent glucose intolerance by reducing body weight and plasma lipids, increasing fecal lipid excretion and regulating hepatic lipid metabolism in high-fat fed mice.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2008

Purpose : Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity and is considered to be a multifactorial disorder involving a genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, and alterations in the ET-1 system are thought to play a role in triggering the vasoconstriction seen with preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of the 4 common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (c.1370T>G, c.137_139delinsA, c.3539+2T>C, and c.5665G>T) of the ET-1 gene in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies and to investigate whether these SNPs are associated with preeclampsia in pregnant Korean women. Methods : We analyzed blood samples from 206 preeclamptic and 216 normotensive pregnancies using a commercially available SNapShot kit and an ABI Prism 3100 Genetic analyzer. Results : There were no significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies of the 4 SNPs in the ET-1 gene between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies. The respective frequencies of the 3 haplotypes (TDTG, GDCT, and TICT; >10% haplotype frequency) were 61%, 13% and 13%, respectively, in preeclampsic pregnancies and 62%, 14% and 12%, respectively, in normotensive pregnancies. The frequencies of these haplotypes were similar for both groups. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we did not observe an increase in the risk of preeclampsia for the 4 SNPs of the ET-1 gene under either a recessive or dominant model. Conclusion : This study suggests that the 4 SNPs of the ET-1 gene are not associated with an increased risk for preeclampsia in pregnant Korean women.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2010

Purpose : Although eosinophilia is a common laboratory finding in many neonatal intensive care units (ICUs), its causative mechanisms remain obscure. We aimed to determine the causes of eosinophilia in the neonatal ICU environment. Methods : Serial eosinophil counts were determined weekly for 288 hospitalized, appropriately grown neonates. Infants were divided into four groups according to gestational age, and the incidence and etiologic factors of eosinophilia were retrospectively studied. Results : Absolute eosinophilia (>$700/mm^3$) was documented in 18% (52/288) of neonates. Twenty-two infants (42.3%) exhibited mild eosinophilia ($700-999cells/mm^3$), 27 (51.9%) exhibited moderate eosinophilia ($1,000-2,999cells/mm^3$), and 3 (5.8%) exhibited severe eosinophilia (>$3,000cells/mm^3$). Of the 288 infants studied, 54 suffered sepsis. Thirty of these 54 infants (55.6%) showed eosinophilia, and 22 out of the remaining 234 infants (9%) without sepsis showed eosinophilia, indicating that eosinophilia was more prevalent in the sepsis group (P <0.05). All 5 infants suffering from bronchopulmonary dysplasia showed eosinophilia, and 47 out of the remaining 283 infants (16.7%) without bronchopulmonary dysplasia showed eosinophilia. Thus, eosinophilia was more prevalent in the bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (P<0.05). Furthermore, increased prevalence of eosinophilia was associated with respiratory distress syndrome, ventilator use, blood transfusion, and total parenteral nutrition (P<0.05). Conclusion : Our results suggest that eosinophilia is influenced by sepsis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, although it can also occur idiopathically at birth. Moreover, the potential role of eosinophils in conditions such as wound healing and fibrosis in sepsis or chronic lung disease may be a cause of eosinophilia.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.180-187
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• 2008

Purpose : We wanted to determine the characteristics of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) who were unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Methods : The patients with KD were divided into two groups: the IVIG responsive group (25 cases) and the IVIG unresponsive group (14 cases). We analyzed various parameters before and after the administration of IVIG, including the complete blood cell count with the differential count (%), the erythrocyte segmentation rate (ESR), the C-reactive protein (CRP) level and the protein and lipid profiles. Results : The IVIG unresponsive group had a prolonged duration of fever and a higher incidence of CAL compared to the IVIG responsive group (P<0.001, respectively). Before IVIG infusion, the neutrophil differential, the ESR and the CRP values were higher (P<0.001), and the total protein and albumin values were lower in the IVIG unresponsive group (P=0.01) compared to the IVIG responsive group. After IVIG infusion, there were no significant changes in the WBC count and CRP levels in the IVIG unresponsive group. The reduction of the HDL-cholesterol levels by IVIG was more significant in the unresponsive group (P=0.02). Conclusion : A more severe and prolonged inflammatory response occurred in the IVIG unresponsive group at an early stage, and this finding can be detected by such inflammatory parameters as the neutrophil count and the CRP and HDL-cholesterol levels after IVIG infusion.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.634-641
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• 2012

It was reported that the novel compounds (LP9M80-H) of $Liriope$ $platyphylla$ regulate glucose transporter (Glut) biosynthesis by activating the insulin-signaling pathway in the liver and brain of ICR mice. To investigate the therapeutic effects of LP9M80-H on the pathology of diabetes and obesity, alterations of key factors related to symptoms were analyzed in the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats treated with LP9M80-H for 2 weeks. The abdominal fat masses in the LP9M80-H-treated group were lower than the vehicle-treated group, although there was no difference in body weight between the two groups. Additionally, when compared to the vehicle-treated group, LP9M80-H treatment induced a significant decrease in glucose levels and an increase in the insulin concentration in the blood of OLETF rats. A high level of insulin protein was also detected in pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells of LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats. A significant reduction in the concentration of lipids and adiponectin was detected only in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats. Furthermore, the expression of insulin receptor ${\beta}$ and the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) was dramatically decreased in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats compared to the vehicle-treated group. Of the glucose transporters located downstream of the insulin-signaling pathway, glucose transporters (Glut) -2 and -3 were significantly decreased in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats, while the level of Glut-4 was maintained under all conditions. Therefore, these results suggest that LP9M80-H may contribute to relieving symptoms of diabetes and obesity through glucose homeostasis and regulation of lipid concentration.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.181-192
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• 1999

Background: Nitric oxide, a vasodilator synthesized from L-arginine by vascular endothelial cells, accounts for the biological activity of endothelium derived relaxing factor. Previous studies demonstrated that nitric oxide inhibitor, $N^{\omega}$-Nitro-L-Arginine(NNA) diminished the hyperdynamic splanchnic and systemic circulation in portal hypertensive rats The present study was done to determine the role of nitric oxide in the development of hyperdynamic circulations in the prehepatic portal hypertensive rat model produced by partial portal vein ligation. Methods: The portal hypertensive rats were divided into water ingestion group and NNA ingestion group. After partial portal vein ligation, NNA ingestion group and water ingestion group received NNA 1mg/kg/day and plain water through the mouth for 14 days, respectively. Cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, organ blood flow and porto-systemic shunting were measured by radioisotope labeled microsphere methods. Vascular resistances were calculated by standard equation. Results: There were significant decreases in mean arterial pressure, increases in cardiac output and cardiac index, and decreases in total systemic and splanchnic vascular resistance in portal hypertensive rats compared to normal control group (p<0.01). Compared to the water ingestion group, significantly increased mean arterial pressure with decreased cardiac output and cardiac index were developed in the NNA ingestion group. Total systemic and splanchnic vascular resistance were significantly increased in the NNA ingestion group compared to water ingestion group (p<0.05). But, there was no significant difference in portal pressure between the two groups. Conclusion: The hemodynamic results of this study indicate that hyperdynamic circulation in prehepatic portal hypertensive rat mode1 was attenuated by ingestion of NNA. Nitric oxide may play an important role in the development of hyperdynamic circulation with splanchnic vasodilation in chronic portal hypertension.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.265-273
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• 2000

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a highly prevalent, age-related disorder in men which place a considerable burden on health care resources worldwide. While BPH and hypertension are apparently diverse disease processes, they have some features in common(e.g. underlying etiology of the sympathetic nervous system). The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms using I-PSS(international prostate symptom score) and to investigate the association of hypertension with I-PSS. This study was carried out to 390 men(40~86 year old) at 3 Myun in Chungju City from July to August, 1997. Subjects answered on questionnaire for I-PSS and were checked age, education, marital status, annual income, blood pressure. The mean age of subjects was 59.8 year old. The mean of I-PSS were increased by age decades(40~49, 50~59, 60~69, 70~86) and it's scores were 4.4, 7.0, 8.2, 12.3 respectively. Strong correlations were observed between the I-PSS and the QUL(quality of life)(P=0.0001). I-PSS(mean-value) were 7.85 in hypertensive group and 8.39 in normotensive group but there was no statistically significance between the two groups(P>0.05). The proportion of mean scoring greater than 8 was 42.5%. There have been reports of association between lower urinary tract symptoms and hypertension, but there was no consistent suggestion that such an association could be casual. The need for high-quality epidemiological information and consequent increased prospects for prevention is obvious.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.644-652
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• 2007

In this study, we examined family history of chronic diseases, food group intake and physical activity in $5^{th}\;and\; 6^{th}$ grade elementary school children. Food group intake was compared with the KDRI food guides for children. The measurements of daily physical activity, television viewing, computer use, and daily servings of five food groups, including grains, meats, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables, were based on child and parent self-reports. As indices of obesity, the obesity index(%) and BMI(Body Mass Index) were used. The results were as follows. In boys, 83.2% were normal weight with 7.4% slightly obese, 7.4% moderately obese, and 2.0 were highly obese while the percentages of normal and slightly obese in girls were 89.9% and 6.2% respectively (p<0.05). The boys had more hours of daily physical activity(p<0.05) and more hours of computer usage(Internet searching or games)(p<0.05) than the girls. Slightly over 50% of the subjects met the daily recommended servings of grains, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables according to the KDRI food guides. However, only 26% of boys and 27% of girls met the recommended daily servings of protein foods such as meats, beans, and eggs. Thirty two percent(32%) of girls consumed high fat snacks everyday while 32% consumed high sugar snacks every day. The girls consumed more vegetables(p<0.05) and more high sugar snacks(p<0.05) than the boys. The children with family histories of obesity showed greater obesity rates(p<0.05) and sedentary lifestyles(p< 0.05) than those children without a family history of obesity. Children with family histories of high blood pressure consumed more sewings of vegetables and high fat snacks than the controls(p<0.05). The children with family histories of obesity consumed more high sugar or high fat snacks than the controls(p<0.05).