• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제49권5호
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• pp.275-287
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• 2016

Objectives: C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory biomarker, has been widely used as a preclinical marker predictive of morbidity and mortality. Although many studies have reported a positive association between CRP and mortality, uncertainty still remains about this association in various populations, especially in rural Korea. Methods: A total of 23 233 middle-aged participants (8862 men and 14 371 women) who were free from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and acute inflammation (defined by a CRP level ${\geq}10mg/L$) were drawn from 11 rural communities in Korea between 2005 and 2011. Blood CRP concentration was analyzed as a categorical variable (low: 0.0-0.9 mg/L; intermediate: 1.0-3.0 mg/L; high: 3.1-9.9 mg/L) as well as a continuous variable. Each participant's vital status through December 2013 was confirmed by death statistics from the National Statistical Office. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the independent association between CRP and mortality after adjusting for other risk factors. Results: The total quantity of observed person-years was 57 975 for men and 95 146 for women, and the number of deaths was 649 among men and 367 among women. Compared to the low-CRP group, the adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality of the intermediate group was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.40) for men and 1.27 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.61) for women, and the corresponding values for the high-CRP group were 1.98 (95% CI, 1.61 to 2.42) for men and 1.41 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.95) for women. Similar trends were found for CRP evaluated as a continuous variable and for cardiovascular mortality. Conclusions: Higher CRP concentrations were associated with higher mortality in a rural Korean population, and this association was more prominent in men than in women.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제58권4호
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• pp.368-372
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• 2015

Objective : The occurrence of acute cerebral infection following deep brain stimulation (DBS) is currently being reported with elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) level. The aim of the present study was to establish normal range of the magnitude and time-course of CRP increases following routine DBS procedures in the absence of clinical and laboratory signs of infection. Methods : A retrospective evaluation of serial changes of plasma CRP levels in 46 patients undergoing bilateral, two-staged DBS was performed. Because DBS was performed as a two-staged procedure involving; implantation of lead and internal pulse generator (IPG), CRP was measured preoperatively and postoperatively every 2 days until normalization of CRP (post-lead implantation day 2 and 4, post-IPG implantation day 2, 4, and 6). Results : Compared with preoperative CRP levels ($0.12{\pm}0.17mg/dL$, n=46), mean CRP levels were significantly elevated after lead insertion day 2 and 4 ($1.68{\pm}1.83mg/dL$, n=46 and $0.76{\pm}0.38mg/dL$, n=16, respectively, p<0.001). The mean CRP levels at post-lead implantation day 2 were further elevated at post-IPG implantation day 2 ($3.41{\pm}2.56mg/dL$, n=46, respectively, p<0.01). This elevation in post-IPG day 2 rapidly declined in day 4 ($1.24{\pm}1.29mg/dL$, n=46, p<0.05) and normalized to preoperative value at day 6 ($0.42{\pm}0.33mg/dL$, n=46, p>0.05). Mean CRP levels after IPG implantation were significantly higher in patients whose IPGs were implanted at post-lead day 3 than those at post-lead day 5-6 ($3.99{\pm}2.80mg/dL$, n=30, and $2.31{\pm}1.56mg/dL$, n=16, respectively, p<0.05). However, there was no difference in post-IPG day 2 and 4 between them (p>0.05). Conclusion : The mean postoperative CRP levels were highest on post-IPG insertion day 2 and decreased rapidly, returning to the normal range on post-IPG implantation day 6. The duration of post-lead implantation period influenced the magnitude of CRP elevation at post-IPG insertion day 2. Information about the normal response of CRP following DBS could help to avoid unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic efforts.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• 제35권
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• pp.38.1-38.10
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• 2023

Background: Hearing loss (HL) is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The pathogeneses of HL and CVD commonly involve inflammatory responses. Previous studies investigated elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers in subjects with HL, however, their findings did not demonstrate statistical significance. In our cross-sectional and longitudinal study, we investigated the correlation between HL and increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels to determine how HL is associated with CVDs. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with workers aged over 18 years who underwent health check-ups at our institution between 2012 and 2018 (n = 566,507), followed by conducting a longitudinal study of workers aged > 18 who underwent health checkups at least twice at our institution between 2012 and 2018 (n = 173,794). The definition of HL was as an average threshold of ≥ 20 dB in pure-tone air conduction at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz in both ears. The incidence of increased hsCRP levels throughout the follow-up period was defined as a level exceeding 3 mg/L. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were performed to estimate the risk of increased hsCRP levels according to the occurrence of HL in groups stratified by age. Results: In the cross-sectional study, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.34); the OR was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.80-1.22) in those under 40 and 1.28 (1.08-1.53) in those over 40. In the longitudinal study, the multivariable-adjusted OR was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.92-1.19); the OR was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.90-1.35) in those under 40 and 1.20 (1.01-1.43) in those over 40. Conclusions: This cross-sectional and longitudinal study identified an association between HL and increased hsCRP levels in workers aged over 40 years.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.1087-1091
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• 2007

In order to obtain practical application of Yiyiren-tang against gout disease, water extract of modified Gami-Yiyiren-tang(GYYT) added with Lonicera japonica is prepared through decoction and freeze drying. The effects were evaluated with blood sample from ICR mice treated with MSU intra-peritoneal injection 1 time a day, 3 days consecutively. The results were as follows. GYYT decreased C-reactive protein level and HDL cholesterol levels. But the creatinine, the LDL cholesterol levels, triglyceride and uric acid levels were not changed were decreased significantly. These results show that GYYT can be used effectively against the urate-related gout disease. But not better than effects of the Gami-daehwangmokdan-tang.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.399-403
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• 2007

In order to obtain practical application of Daehwangmokdan-tang gout disease, water extract of Gami-daehwangmokdan-tang(GDMT) added with Lonicera japonica is prepared through decoction and freeze drying. The effects were evaluated with blood sample from ICR mice treated with MSU intra-peritoneal injection 1 time a day, 3 days consecutively. The results were as follows. GDMT decreased BUN, creatinine and C-reactive protein level in serum significantly. But the HDL and LDL cholesterol levels were not changed in spite of positive tendency in HDL cholesterol. Triglyceride and uric acid levels were decreased significantly too. These results show that GDMT can be used effectively against the urate-related gout disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.480-483
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• 2003

목 적 : 홍역 환아에서 CRP 값에 따라 합병증을 포함한 임상 및 검사실 소견에서 차이가 있는가를 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법 : 홍역으로 입원한 환자 253명을 대상으로 CRP 음성군 134명(0.5 mg/dL 이하, 53.0%)과 6-19 mg/L 군 85명(33.6%), 20-49 mg/L 군 27명(10.7%), 50 mg/L 이상 군 7명(2.8%), 4군으로 나누었다. 각 군에 대하여 총 발열일, 입원일, 합병증 발생 빈도, 백혈구 수와 분획, 비정상 간효소치 비율을 비교하고 통계학적으로 분석하였다. 합병증의 발생은 8일 이상 입원한 경우로 하였다. 결 과 : 전체 홍역 환아의 평균 CRP 값은 $11.1{\pm}7.5mg/L$이었다. CRP 음성군과 5-19 mg/L 군, 20-49 mg/L 군과의 비교에서 총 발열일, 입원일, 2배 이상의 간효소 치 상승 및 합병증의 빈도에서 유의한 차이가 없었다. 한편 CRP 음성군과 50 mg/L 이상 군의 비교에서는 총 발열일($4.7{\pm}1.7$일 vs $7.2{\pm}3.9$일), 입원일(5.4일${\pm}$1.4일 vs 9.4${\pm}$4.7일), 백혈구 수($5,900{\pm}2,700/mm^3$ vs $12,700{\pm}6,700/mm^3$)와 합병증의 빈도(5.2% vs 42.9%)에서 50 mg/L 이상 군에서 유의한 증가가 관찰되었다. 또한 CRP가 증가함에 따라 총 발열일, 백혈구 수 및 합병증의 빈도가 증가하는 경향을 보였으며, 간 효소치의 상승과는 상관 관계가 없었다. 결 론 : 대부분의 홍역 환아에서 CRP는 음성 또는 경도의 양성반응이 관찰되었다. CRP가 50 mg/L 이상일 경우 합병증에 의한 총 발열일과 입원일이 증가하였으며 백혈구 수가 증가하는 경향을 보였으나 간 효소 치의 상승과는 관련이 없었다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.113-121
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• 2024

Since its outbreak in late 2019, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly caused global morbidity and deaths. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has major complications in cardiovascular and pulmonary system. The increased rate of mortality is due to delayed detection of certain biomarkers that are crucial in the development of disease. Furthermore, certain proteins and enzymes in cellular signaling pathways play an important role in replication of SARS-CoV-2. Most cases are mild to moderate symptoms, however severe cases of COVID-19 leads to death. Detecting the level of biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin, creatine kinase, creatine kinaseMB, procalcitonin and Matrix metalloproteinases helps in early detection of the severity of disease. Similarly, through downregulating Renin-angiotensin system, interleukin, Mitogen-activated protein kinases and Phosphoinositide 3-kinases pathways, COVID-19 can be effectively controlled and mortality could be prevented. Ginseng and ginsenosides possess therapeutic potential in cardiac and pulmonary complications, there are several studies performed in which they have suppressed these biomarkers and downregulated the pathways, thereby inhibiting the further spread of disease. Supplementation with ginseng or ginsenoside could act on multiple pathways to reduce the level of biomarkers significantly and alleviate cardiac and pulmonary damage. Therefore, this review summarizes the potential of ginseng extract and ginsenosides in controlling the cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases by COVID-19.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.23-30
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• 2017

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 is a class of steroid glycoside and triterpene saponin in Panax ginseng. Many studies suggest that Rg1 suppresses adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1. However, the detail molecular mechanism of Rg1 on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 is still not fully understood. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocyte was used to evaluate the effect of Rg1 on adipocyte development in the differentiation in a stage-dependent manner in vitro. Oil Red O staining and Nile red staining were conducted to measure intracellular lipid accumulation and superoxide production, respectively. We analyzed the protein expression using Western blot in vitro. The zebrafish model was used to investigate whether Rg1 suppresses the early stage of fat accumulation in vivo. Results: Rg1 decreased lipid accumulation in early-stage differentiation of 3T3-L1 compared with intermediate and later stages of adipocyte differentiation. Rg1 dramatically increased CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein-10 (CHOP10) and subsequently reduced the $C/EBP{\beta}$ transcriptional activity that prohibited the initiation of adipogenic marker expression as well as triglyceride synthase. Rg1 decreased the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and glycogen synthase kinase $3{\beta}$, which are also essential for stimulating the expression of $CEBP{\beta}$. Rg1 also reduced reactive oxygen species production because of the downregulated protein level of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4). While Rg1 increased the endogenous antioxidant enzymes, it also dramatically decreased the accumulation of lipid and triglyceride in high fat diet-induced obese zebrafish. Conclusion: We demonstrated that Rg1 suppresses early-stage differentiation via the activation of CHOP10 and attenuates fat accumulation in vivo. These results indicate that Rg1 might have the potential to reduce body fat accumulation in the early stage of obesity.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.135-140
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• 2015

Background: Identifying early markers of septic complications can aid in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of hospitalized patients. In this study, the utility of procalcitonin (PCT) vs. C-reactive protein (CRP) as early markers of sepsis was compared. Methods: A series of 2,697 consecutive blood samples was collected from hospitalized patients and serum PCT and CRP levels were measured. Patients were categorized by PCT level as follows: < 0.05 ng/ml, 0.05-0.49 ng/ml, 0.5-1.99 ng/ml, 2-9.99 ng/ml, and > 10 ng/ml. Diagnostic utility was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Mean CRP levels varied among the five PCT categories at $0.31{\pm}2.87$, $5.65{\pm}6.26$, $13.78{\pm}8.01$, $12.15{\pm}10.16$, and $17.77{\pm}10.59$, respectively (P < 0.05). PCT and CRP differed between positive and negative blood culture groups (PCT: 15.9 vs. 4.78 mg/dl;CRP: 11.5 ng/ml vs. 9.57 ng/ml;P < 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves (PCT, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.743, range: 0.698-0.789 at a threshold of 0.5 ng/ml; CRP, 95% CI: 0.540, range: 0.478-0.602 at a threshold of 8 mg/l) differed for PCT and CRP (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Therefore, PCT is a reliable marker for sepsis diagnosis and is more relevant than CRP in patients with a positive blood culture. These findings can be useful for the treatment of critically ill sepsis patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권12호
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• pp.471-476
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• 2016

Purpose: Chest radiography is often performed on patients hospitalized with typical clinical manifestations of bronchiolitis. We aimed to determine the proportion of subjects with pathologic chest radiographic findings and the clinical predictors associated with pathologic chest radiographic findings in young children admitted with the typical presentation of bronchiolitis. Methods: We obtained the following data at admission: sex, age, neonatal history, past history of hospitalization for respiratory illnesses, heart rate, respiratory rate, the presence of fever, total duration of fever, oxygen saturation, laboratory parameters (i.e., complete blood cell count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], etc.), and chest radiography. Results: The study comprised 279 young children. Of these, 26 had a chest radiograph revealing opacity (n=24) or atelectasis (n=2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for confounding factors, the clinical predictors associated with pathologic chest radiographic findings in young children admitted with bronchiolitis were elevated hs-CRP level (>0.3 mg/dL) and past history of hospitalization for respiratory illnesses (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The current study suggests that chest radiographs in young children with typical clinical manifestations of bronchiolitis have limited value. Nonetheless, young children with clinical factors such as high hs-CRP levels at admission or past history of hospitalization for respiratory illnesses may be more likely to have pathologic chest radiographic findings.