• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2008

Purpose: The most concerning issue in children with urinary tract infection(UTI) is the probability of underlying genitourinary anomalies and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which is frequently associated with renal scarring and eventually end-stage renal disease. Therefore, voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) is usually recommended at the earliest convenient time for children with UTI. However, VCUG is an invasive procedure that requires catheterization and exposure to X-ray. In this study, we aimed to determine the predictability of clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters for VUR in children with UTI. Methods: Data of children with bacteriologically proven UTI who underwent VCUG were evaluated retrospectively for clinical(age, gender, fever), laboratory(leukocytosis, ESR, CRP, pyuria, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine) and imaging(renal ultrasound and DMSA renal scan) findings. First, children with UTI were divided into two groups according to the presence of VUR as non-VUR group and with VUR group, and clinical, laboratory variables were compared between these groups. Second, patients who had VUR were reclassified as low-grade VUR(grade I-II) group and high-grade(grade III-V) VUR group according to grading of VUR, and clinical, laboratory and imaging variables were compared between these groups. Results: Among 410 children with UTI, 137 had VUR and 78 high-grade VUR. Fever, leukocytosis, ESR, CRP, pyuria were associated with VUR. In addition, abnormal findings of ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan were closely related to VUR. However, these clinical and laboratory variable in patients with high grade VUR were not different significantly, compared to those with low-grade VUR group. Conclusion: Fever, leukocytosis, ESR, CRP seems to be potentially useful predictors of VUR in pediatric patients with UTI. In addition, renal ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan findings supported the presence of VUR. Further study of these findings could limit unnecessary VCUG in patients with UTI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.697-706
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• 2000

Background: Isolated lung perfusion(ILP) was developed as a new treatment approach to non-resectable primary or metastatic lung cancer, because of its ability to reduce systemic toxicity while delivering high-dose chemotherapeutic agents to the target organs. This research was planned to evaluate the direct toxic effect of high-dose cisplatin to the lung tissue during isolated lung perfusion. Material and Method: Fifteen mongrel dogs were divided in the perfusate for 40 minutes. The second group was composed of 5 mongrel dogs which underwent ILP with cisplatin 2.5 mg/Kg added to the perfusate for 30 minutes and 10 minutes with washing solution without cisplatin. The third group underwent the same procedure as the second group except cisplatin 5.0 mg/Kg in the perfusate. Activities of serum angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$), and concentration of serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr) were analyzed in each groups at the time of pre-perfusion, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, and 2 weeks after ILP. Result: Serum ACE activities before and 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, and 2 weeks after ILP in control group were 45.1$\pm$6.3, 44.6$\pm$9.3, 46.7$\pm$9.5, 50.8$\pm$9.1, 46.1$\pm$4.3 U/L. Those in cisplatin 2.5 and 5.0 mg/Kg groups were 49.4$\pm$12.6, 39.0$\pm$8.6, 42.3$\pm$15.9, 50.0$\pm$2.6, 53.8$\pm$8.3 and 55.5$\pm$12.3, 47.0$\pm$6.3, 45.1$\pm$6.9, 74.8$\pm$19.5, 60.2$\pm$12.0 U/L, respectively. Serum TNF-$\alpha$ activities in each group before and after ILP were 5.0$\pm$1.5 / 7.7$\pm$2.2 / 6.6$\pm$2.5 / 4.3$\pm$1.3 / 5.2$\pm$1.1(control), 8.7$\pm$1.6 / 9.9$\pm$2.2 / 7.9$\pm$1.5 / 6.3$\pm$2.2 / 7.4$\pm$2.4 (cisplatin 2.5 mg/Kg), and 6.9$\pm$0.7 / 8.9$\pm$3.4 / 7.9$\pm$4.0 / 3.3$\pm$0.9 / 5.8$\pm$1.3 pg/ml(cisplatin 5.0 mg/Kg). Mean LDH levels of each group were 225.7 / 271.3 / 328.9 / 350.8 / 255.7(control), 235.7 / 265.7 / 336.0 / 379.5 / 299.2 (cisplatin 2.5 mg/Kg), and 259.6 / 285.2 / 340.6 / 433.4 / 292.4 IU/L(cisplatin 5.0 mg/Kg). So there was no significant difference in serum ACE, TNF-$\alpha$, and LDH activity changes after ILP between the 3 groups. And, there was no significant changes in BUN/Cr in each groups, which was independent of ILP and perfused concentration of cisplatin. In addition, all dogs survived the ILP and there was no significant evidence of pulmonary vascular injury after 2 weeks of ILP with cisplatin. Conclusion: There was no harmful effect of cisplatin to the lund tissue of the mongrel dog up to 5.0 mg/Kg in perfusate. Therefore, it is perceived to be safe and effective to deliver high-dose cisplatin to the lung without pulmonary toxicity and renal damage with ILP.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.721-730
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• 2005

Effects of levels of Bomboo Vinegar Liquids(BVL) on growth performance, serum profile and meat quality in employing 90 pigs were investigated. Ninety pigs were allocated into 3 groups and fed by dietary levels of BVL 0(control), 2.0 and 4.0% were included in experimental diets of each of the groups. Concentrated diet was supplemented with 2.0 and 4.0% BVL. The results showed that the daily weight gains and the feed conversion increased significantly(p<0.05) in 2.0% BVL and the feed intake increased slightly. The glucose and the cholesterol contents at the serum decreased significantly(p<0.05) in 2.0 and 4.0% BVL. On the other hand the total protein concentration and the blood urea nitrogen(BUN) increased significantly(p<0.05) in 4.0% BVL. The carcass weight increased significantly(p<0.05) in 4.0% BVL, and back fat thickness had decreased significantly(p<0.05) in 2.0 and 4.0% BVL. The carcass grade tended to increase in 2.0 and 4.0% BVL. The total fat content of loin tended to increase in 2.0 and 4.0% BVL while the cholesterol content decreased significantly(p<0.05). The pH had lower slightly in 2.0 and 4.0% BVL, the lightness and the yellowness of the meat color had higher significantly(p<0.05) while the redness decreased. Shear force values had lower significantly(p<0.05) in 2.0 and 4.0% BVL. For the fatty acid composition, the saturated fatty acids decreased significantly(p<0.05) in 2.0 and 4.0% BVL while unsaturated fatty acids(oleic acid and linoleic acid) increased significantly(p<0.05). For the sensory evaluation, 2.0 and 4.0% BVL had a significant(p<0.05) effect of diminishing the odor and improving the appearance. The taste was also significantly(p<0.05) improved. In conclusion the 2.0% BVL had a positive effect on the feeding performance, the carcass grade and the meat quality characteristics therefore 2.0% BVL is the appropriate supplemental levels of BVL for finishing pigs.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.103-108
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• 2010

To obtain the best yield of the beneficial ingredients in green tea, such as catechins, green tea powder is most often prepared by ethyl alcohol extraction. However, the taste, cost and composition of ethyl alcohol extract is different from aqueous spray-dried green tea extract (aq-GTE). Specifically, aq-GTE has a better flavor, lower production costs and higher purity when compared to ethyl alcohol extract. In this study, we elucidated the effect of aq-GTE on diet-induced obesity in male C57BL/6J mice following dose-dependent oral administration of aq-GTE. After eight weeks, the body weight was reduced by 13-17% in mice fed 200 mg/kg bw aq-GTE ($12.468{\pm}0.45\;g$; p<0.05) and 20-25% in mice fed 400 mg/kg bw aq-GTE ($11.259{\pm}0.61\;g$; p<0.05) when compared with the high-fat diet (HFD) control group mice ($14.714{\pm}0.95\;g$; p<0.05). The correlation between epididymal fat accumulation and body weight also decreased by approximately 26.6% (p<0.05) in mice fed a HFD with aq-GTE 400 mg/kg bw. Finally, serum parameters such as the triglyceride, glucose and cholesterol levels in the HFD groups were reduced by the aq-GTE 400 mg/kg bw diet. Analysis on glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, blood urea nitrogen and development of hepatic steatosis revealed no histologic evidence of hepatotoxicity in HFD mice fed aq-GTE. Overall, our results imply that aq-GTE is able to regulate body weight and fat accumulation in mice.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.480-485
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• 2007

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. COPD has systemic effects, such as skeletal muscle dysfunction and abnormal weight loss. It also has been suggested that COPD is related to other chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and anemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate a symptom questionnaire and laboratory findings in subjects with air flow limitation. Methods: We evaluated a symptom questionnaire and laboratory findings in subjects with airflow limitation detected by spirometry in conjunction with the Second Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 9,243 adults over the age of 18 were recruited. Among the adults, we finally analyzed 2,217 subjects who met the acceptability and repeatability criteria of spirometry, showed normal findings on chest radiography, and were older than 40 years of age. Results: There were 288 subjects with airflow limitation as determined by spirometry. The frequency of respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum and wheezing were significantly higher in subjects with airflow limitation (p <0.01). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were higher in subjects with airflow limitation (hemoglobin level 13.98 mg/dL vs. 13.62 mg/dL, hematocrit 42.10% vs. 40.89%; p<0.01). The HDL cholesterol level was lower in subjects with airflow limitation (44.95 mg/dL vs. 45.60 mg/dL; p<0.01). There was no significant difference in the total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and fasting glucose levels. Conclusion: In subjects with airflow limitation, prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher than in normal spirometry subjects and the levels of hemoglobin and the hematocrit were higher. The HDL cholesterol level was lower in subjects with airflow limitation.