• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.492-504
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• 2014

Feral pigeon (Columba livia) has been known as a good indicator for accumulations of chemical pollutants in urban areas. However, it is against the animal rights to kill the indicator species in order to monitor pollutants accumulations in wild birds. Eggs and feathers of birds, therefore, have been used as non-invasive monitoring materials. Even though eggs are a good indicator for accumulations of lipophilic pollutants, but unsuitable for some heavy metals such as lead and cadmium because bird's ovary builds a sort of barrier to inhibit higher accumulations of some heavy metals in the eggs. Therefore, feathers instead of eggs have been used as a non-invasive indicator for accumulations of heavy metals. However, there are few studies of heavy metal accumulations of feral pigeon in Korea. In this study, we characterized the characteristics of heavy metal accumulations of feathers in relation to internal organs (bloods, viscera and bones) in feral pigeons between two sites (Hangang Park representing urban area and Hampyeong Park for rural area). The samples from the Hangang Park showed significantly higher lead (Pb) concentrations in the blood, liver and bone than those from Hampyeong Park. The Pb concentration in the feathers was also significantly higher at Hangang Park than at Hampyeong Park. The analytical result for the breast, wing and tail feathers, and the internal organs (blood, lung, liver, kidney and bone) indicated that the Pb concentrations in the feathers were significantly positively correlated with the levels in the kidney and bone. Overall, feathers of feral pigeon may be candidate for bioindicator to monitor for Pb accumulations in urban areas.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.990-998
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• 2012

This study investigated the effects of the diet with Cucurbita moschata (CM), adlay seed (AS), and Cudrania tricuspidata leaf (CTL) mixed-powder on the visceral fat, fecal amount, and serum lipid profiles in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The mixed ratio of CM, AS, and CTL as a functional food ingredient was 1:1:1 on a weight basis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet (D12492; 45 kcal fat) for 5 weeks during the first phase. In the second phase, which lasted 5 weeks, the rats were divided into six experimental groups. The groups were: a high-fat diet group as a control during the 10 weeks of experimental period; and a high-fat diet with 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30% mixed-powder supplement group. The adipose tissue (RFP, EFP) weights were significantly decreased in the 20% and 30% mixed-powder supplement groups than in the HFD group (p<0.05). The fecal weight produced by the 15%, 20%, and 30% mixed-powder supplement groups was significantly increased during the second phase compared to the first phase (p<0.05). In terms of serum lipids, TG (triglyceride) content was decreased in the 10% and 15% mixed-powder supplement groups. The blood glucose levels were significantly decreased in all experimental diet supplement groups than in the HFD group (p<0.05). The findings show that the high supplement groups could improve the visceral fat accumulation, fecal amount, and blood glucose content compared to the HFD group.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.894-903
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• 2003

Protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury is crucial for successful transplantation of the lung. It has been known that nitric oxide has many favorable effects on the donor lungs but at the same time, has some potential side effects of cytotoxicity. In this regards, we investigated whether the administration of nitroglycerin could decrease ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat lung reperfusion model for the confirmation of the effect of nitroglycerin, a donor of nitric oxide, on lung transplantation. Material and Method: 35 Sprague-Dawley species male white rats were used for this experiment. For nitroglycerin group (n=18), nitroglycerin was administered intravenously followed by mixed in flushing solution for preservation. As a control group (n=17), we used the same amount of normal saline. To evaluate the effect of nitroglycerin on the lung, heart-lung block was obtained, weighed and stored in University of Wisconsin Solution at 1$0^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. In each group of the isolated lungs, reperfusion was carried out with Krebs-Hensleit-diluted human blood for 60 minutes. As parameters of the state of the isolated lung, peak inspiratory and pulmonary arterial pressures were continuously recorded. Oxygen and carbon dioxide tension of reperfusing blood were measured before and after 30, 60 minutes of reperfusion. After sixty minutes of reperfusion, protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was measured also for the evaluation of the degree of alveolar flooding. Lung myeloperoxidase activity was determined to verify the accumulation of neutrophils. Results: Although statistically significant differences were not noted in peak inspiratory and pulmonary arterial pressure between control and nitroglycerin group, latter group showed lowering tendency of pulmonary arterial pressure during the entire reperfusion period. Oxygen tension was higher (p<0.05) in nitroglycerin group compared with that of the control group, in contrast, there were no differences in carbon dioxide tension, protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and myeloperoxidase activity between the groups. In the examination of ultrastructural changes, nitroglycerin denoted the protective effect on the pulmonary architecture compared with that of control group. Conclusion: Collectively, on the bases of these experimental results, prior treatment of donor lung with nitroglycerin could result in better preservation of the lung. Consequently, these nitroglycerin preserved lungs are thought to be more suitable for successful transplantation of the lung.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1225-1230
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• 2007

Purpose : Multiple transfusions in patients with chronic anemia can result in excessive iron deposition in tissues and organs. Effective iron chelation therapy in chronically transfused patients can only be achieved when iron chelators remove sufficient amounts of iron equivalent to those accumulated in the body from transfusions, thus leading to maintain body iron load at a non-toxic level. This study was retrospectively carried out to investigate the effect of intravenous iron chelation therapy with deferoxamine in patients who have received multiple transfusions. Methods : From March 2005 to January 2007, 15 patients who have received multiple transfusions were included in this study. Transfusion dependent patients were defined as those receiving >1 packed red blood cell (RBC) units/month for at least 6 months. They received intravenous deferoxamine for 7 days (10-30 mg/kg/day, 24 hour continuous infusions). Before and after deferoxamine infusions and 3 months later, we compared serum iron, TIBC, and ferritin in transfusion dependent patients and transfusion independent patients. Results : There were 6 males and 9 females and their age range was 5.6-21.3 (median 8.3) years. Transfusion dependent patients were 7 and 8 were transfusion independent states after stem cell transplantation or chemotherapy. There was no significant change in ferritin level after deferoxamine treatment for the transfusion dependent patients but significant falling of ferritin level was observed for the transfusion independent patients 3 months later compared with baseline ferritin level (P=0.046). Some adverse events were observed but symptoms were mild and tolerable. Conclusion : Seven days of intravenous deferoxamine was safe and effective in transfusion independent patients. In transfusion dependent patients, chelation therapy should be maintained, in order to minimize or prevent iron accumulation and storage in the tissues.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.569-584
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• 1993

This study was done to verify validity of nursing diagnoses related to difficulty in respiratory function. First, content validity was examined by an expert group considering the etiology and the signs / symptoms of three nursing diagnoses - ineffective airway clearance, ineffective breathing pattern, impaired gas exchange. Second, clinical validity was examined by comparing the frequencies of the etiologies and signs / symptoms of the three nursing diagnoses in clinical case studies with the results of the content validity. This study was a descriptive study. The sample consisted of 23 experts (professors, head nurses and clinical instructors) who had had a variety of experiences using nursing diagnoses in clinical practice, and 102 case reports done by senior student nurses of the college of nursing of Y-university. These reports were part of their clinical practice in the ICU. The instrument used for this study was a checklist for etiologies and signs and symptoms based on the literature, Doenges and Moorhouse (1988), Kim, McFarland, McLane (1991), Lee Won Hee et al. (1987), Kim Cho Ja et at. (1988). The data was collected over four month period from May 1992 to Aug. 1992. Data were analyzed using frequencies done with the SPSS / PC＋ package. The results of this study are summarized as follows : 1. General Characteristics of the Expert Group A bachelor degree was held by 43.5% and a master or doctoral degree by 56.5% of the expert group. The average age of the expert group was 35.3 years. Their average clinical experience was 9.3 years and their average experience in clinical practice was 5.9 years. The general characteristics of the patients showed that there were more women than men, that the age range was from 1 to over 80. Most of their medical diagnoses were diagnoses related to the respiratory. system, circulation or neurologic system, and 50% or more of them had a ventilator with intubation or a tracheostomy. The number of cases for each nursing diagnoses was : · Ineffective airway clearance, 92 cases. · Ineffective breathing pattern, 18 cases. · Impaired gas exchange, 22 cases. 2. The opinion of the expert group as to the classification of the etiology, and signs and symptoms of the three nursing diagnoses was as follows : · In 31.8% of the cases the classification of etiology was clear. · In 22.7%, the classification of signs and symptoms was clear. · In 17.4%, the classification of nursing interventions was clear. 3. In the expert group 80% or mere agreed to ‘dysp-nea’as a common sign and symptom of the three nursing diagnoses. The distinguishing signs and symptoms of (Ineffective airway clearance) were ‘sputum’, ‘cough’, ‘abnormal respiratory sounds : rales’. The distinguishing sings and symptoms of (Ineffective breathing pattern) were ‘tachypnea’, ‘use of accessory muscle of respiration’, ‘orthopnea’ and for (Impaired gas exchange) it was ‘abnormal arterial blood gas’, 4. The distribution of etiology, and signs and symptoms of the three nursing diagnoses was as follows : · There was a high frequency of ‘increased secretion from the bronchus and trachea’ in both the expert group and the case reports as the etiology of ineffective airway clearance. · For the etiologies for ineffective breathing pat-tern, ‘rain’, ‘anxiety’, ‘fear’, ‘obstructions of the tract, ca and bronchus’ had a high ratio in the ex-pert group and ‘decreased expansion of lung’ in the case reports. · For the etiologies for impaired gas exchanges, ‘altered oxygen -carrying capacity of the blood’ and ‘excess accumulation of interstitial fluid in lung’ had a high ratio in the expert group and ‘altered oxygen supply’ in the case reports. · For signs and symptoms for ineffective airway clearance, ‘dyspnea’, ‘altered amount and character of sputum’ were included by 100% of the expert group. ‘Abnormal respiratory. sound(rate, rhonchi)’ were included by a high ratio of the expert group. · For the signs and symptoms for ineffective breathing pattern. ‘dyspnea’, ‘shortness of breath’ were included by 100% of the expert group. In the case reports, ‘dyspnea’ and ‘tachypnea’ were reported as signs and symptoms. · For the sign and symptoms for impaired gas exchange, ‘hypoxia’ and ‘cyanosis’ had a high ratio in the expert group. In the case report, ‘hypercapnia’, ‘hypoxia’ and ‘inability to remove secretions’ were reported as signs and symptoms. In summary, the similarity of the etiologies and signs and symptoms of the three nursing diagnoses related to difficulty in respiratory function makes it difficult to distinguish among them But the clinical validity of three nursing diagnoses was established through this study, and at last one sign and symp-tom was defined for each diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.620-626
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of taro powder on body weight and lipid metabolism in high fat and cholesterol fed mice. C57BL6 mice were divided into four groups; normal (normal) diet group, a high fat and cholesterol (HF) diet group, and high fat and cholesterol diet groups with 20% taro powder (HF-taro 20%) and 30% taro powder (HF-taro 30%). After 8 weeks, body weight in the HF group increased to 175% of the normal group, while those of HF-taro 20% and HF-taro 30% group decreased by 12.5 and 14% compared to the HF group. The HF-taro 20% and HF-taro 30% groups had significantly reduced epididymal adipose tissue weight. Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in the HF group than those in the normal group, while their amounts were significantly diminished in the HF- taro 20% and HF- taro 30% groups. Furthermore, the leptin and insulin concentrations in blood plasma decreased significantly in the HF-taro 20% and HF-taro 30% groups. Accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol in the liver was significantly inhibited in the HF- taro 20% and HF-taro 30% groups through liver weights, a blood analysis, and histological findings. These results suggest that taro powder may be an effective material for anti-obesity by reducing plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.51 no.12
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• pp.180-188
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• 2014

It is very important accurate diagnosis and quick treatment in cerebrovascular disease, i.e. stenosis or occlusion that could be caused by risk factors such as poor dietary habits, insufficient exercise, and obesity. Time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA), it is well known as diagnostic method without using contrast agent for cerebrovascular disease, is the most representative and reliable technique. Nevertheless, it still has measurement errors (also known as overestimation) for length of stenosis and area of occlusion in celebral infarction that is built by accumulation and rupture of plaques generated by hemodynamic turbulence. The purpose of this study is to show clinical trial feasibility for 3D-SPACE T2, which is improved by using signal attenuation effects of fluid velocity, in diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease. To model angiostenosis, strictures of different proportions (40%, 50%, 60%, and 70%) and virtual blood stream (normal saline) of different velocities (0.19 ml/sec, 1.5 ml/sec, 2.1 ml/sec, and 2.6 ml/sec) by using dialysis were made. Cross-examinations were performed for 3D-SPACE T2 and TOF-MRA (16 times each). The accuracy of measurement for length of stenosis was compared in all experimental conditions. 3D-SPACE 2T has superiority in terms of accuracy for measurements of the length of stenosis, compared with TOF-MRA. Also, it is robust in fast blood stream and large stenosis than TOF-MRA. 3D-SPACE 2T will be promising technique to increase diagnosis accuracy in narrow complex lesions as like two cerebral small vessels with stenosis, created by hemodynamic turbulence.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.318-325
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• 2017

Alcoholic steatosis is a fundamental metabolic disorder and may precede the onset of more severe forms of alcoholic liver disease. In this study, we isolated enzymatichydrolysate from Semisulcospira libertine by alcalase hydrolysis and investigated the protective effect of Semisulcospira libertine hydrolysate on liver injury induced by alcohol in the mouse model of chronic and binge ethanol feeding (NIAAA). In an in vitro study, the hydrolysate protects HepG2 cells from ethanol toxicity. Liver damage was assessed by histopathological examination, as well as by quantitating activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). After the administration of S. libertina hydrolysate, fat accumulation and infiltration of inflammatory cells in liver tissues were significantly decreased in the NIAAA mouse model. The elevated levels of serum AST, ALT, and ALP activities, along with the lipid contents of a damaged liver, were recovered in experimental mice administrated with S. libertina hydrolysate, suggesting its role in blood enzyme activation and lipid content restoration within damaged liver tissues. Moreover, treatment with S. libertine hydrolysate reduced the expression rate of cyclooxygenase (COX-2), interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6, which accelerate inflammation and induces tissue damage. All data showed that S. libertine hydrolysate has a preventive role against alcohol-induced liver damages by improving the activities of blood enzymes and modulating the expression of inflammation factor, suggesting S. libertine hydrolysate could be a commercially potential material for the restoration of hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.629-640
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• 2023

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver which is not a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Its global prevalence was estimated to be approximately 32% in the years 1994-2019. More than half of obese individuals and patients with diabetes are reported to have NAFLD as a comorbidity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) berry on insulin resistance and steatosis in rats fed a high-fructose diet. Methods: Six-week-old Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The control group received a diet consisting of 65% corn starch, while the fructose and experimental groups were fed a diet comprising 65% fructose (FRU) and an FRU diet containing 0.5% (low-dose autumn olive berry group; LAO) or 1.0% (high-dose autumn olive berry group; HAO) ethanol extract of autumn olive berry, respectively, for 10 weeks. Results: The HAO group exhibited significantly lower blood glucose levels compared to the fructose-fed group. Both the LAO and HAO groups showed a substantial reduction in serum insulin levels and insulin resistance when compared to the fructose-fed group. The consumption of LAO and HAO significantly ameliorated dyslipidemia and reduced the levels of triglycerides in the liver compared to the fructose-fed group. Additionally, the consumption of HAO resulted in lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities compared to the fructose group. The hepatic expression of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) was significantly reduced in the LAO and HAO groups compared to the fructose group. Conclusion: Autumn olive berries improved steatosis by ameliorating insulin resistance and down-regulating the lipogenesis proteins in rats fed on high fructose diet.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.795-804
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• 1998

Background: Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia(CEP) is interstitial lung disease characterized by multiple infiltration on radiographic study, accumulation of eosinophils in the alveolar space and interstitium of the lung, chronic persistent symptoms and possible relapse. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia(AEP) is a recently described illness, characterized by rapid clinical course, acute respiratory insufficiency and no relapse. Method : To better characterize acute and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, we studied the clinical and laboratory features of 16 patients(AEP : 7 patients, CEP : 9 patients), which were clinico-pathohistologically diagnosed and not to be associated with organic disorders producing peripheral blood eosinophilia. Results: The mean age was higher for patients with CEP than for patients with AEP ($55.4{\pm}15.1$ vs. $24.6{\pm}7.9$ years, p<0.05). High fever(above $38^{\circ}C$) was presented in all patients of AEP and in one patient(11%) of CEP. All patients of AEP and eight patients (89%) of CEP showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, and 6 patients(86%) of AEP and 2 patients(22%) of CEP showed pleural effusion in chest radiograph. The mean white blood cell count of AEP and CEP were $17,186/mm^3$ and $12,867/mm^3$, respectively. The mean peripheral blood eosinophil count of AEP and CEP were $939/mm^3$ and $2,104/mm^3$, respectively. The mean eosinophil fraction of BAL fluid of AEP and CEP were 32.4% (range: 18~47%) and 35.8% (range: 15.3~88.2%), respectively. The mean $PaO_2$ was lower for patients with AEP than for patients with CEP ($44.1{\pm}15.5$ vs. $62.7{\pm}6.9$mmHg, p<0.05). All patients of AEP and CEP were initially treated with antibiotics. All patients of CEP and one patients of AEP were finally required systemic steroid therapy. 6 patients of AEP were improved without steroid therapy. Relapse was observed in 3 patients(33%) of CEP. Conclusion : Compair with of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, acute eosinophilic pneumonia was characterized by relatively young age, acute onset, high fever, severe hypoxemia, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates with pleural effusion, steroid therapy is effective but spontaneous improvement with conservative therapy was frequent.