• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.339-343
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• 2011

This study determined the effects of twin birth on subsequent postpartum disorders, culling and reproductive performance, and its risk factors in dairy cows. Detailed data related to reproduction, health, and calving events, including dates of artificial insemination (AI) and calving, hormonal treatment prior to conception, cow parity, twin birth, retained placenta, metabolic disorders, and endometritis were collected from 1,717 individual calvings on 9 dairy farms. The incidence rate of twin birth was 3.4%. Gestation length was shorter in cows with twin birth ($270.6{\pm}2.0$ days) than cows giving birth to singletons ($279.5{\pm}0.2$ days, P < 0.01). The incidence of retained placenta (47.5 vs. 16.0%), metabolic disorders (18.6 vs. 3.8%) endometritis (62.7 vs. 28.2%), and culling rate (32.2 vs. 16.5%) was greater in cows with twin birth than in cows giving birth to singletons, respectively (P < 0.01). The hazard of pregnancy (adjusted hazard ratio, AHR) by 210 days in milk analyzed using Cox proportional hazards model was affected by calving season, in that the rate of pregnancy for cows calved during spring was less than for cows calved during winter (AHR = 0.80; P = 0.01); this was also true for endometritis (AHR = 0.46, P < 0.01). AHR was not affected by twin birth. Logistic analysis demonstrated that increasing the cow parity (P < 0.01) and hormonal treatment prior to conception (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 1.84, P < 0.05) increased the risk of twin birth. These results demonstrate that twin births are responsible for severe economic losses through the increased occurrence of postpartum disorders and culling; thus, appropriate management for the deleterious impact of twin birth, and/or reducing the risk factors by herd control regarding cow parity and the use of reproductive hormones prior to conception might be necessary.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.266-272
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• 2018

Background: Limited comparative data are available on the efficacy of cryoablation versus radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation. This study aimed to compare radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation with regard to clinical outcomes and the restoration of sinus rhythm or atrial contractility. Methods: A total of 239 patients who underwent surgical ablation between August 2003 and December 2016 at our institution were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the energy device that was used (group A: n=140, radiofrequency ablator; group B: n=99, cryoablator). Echocardiographic data, overall survival, and major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE)-free survival were compared between the 2 groups. Results: At 1 year of follow-up, the atrial contractility recovery rate was 32.2% (19 of 59) in group A and 48.8% (21 of 44) in group B. In addition, cryoablation was found to be a predictive factor for the recovery of atrial contractility (cryoablation vs. radiofrequency ablation: odds ratio, 2.540; 95% confidence interval, 1.063-6.071; p=0.036). The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher in group B ($53.1%{\pm}11.5%$ vs. $59.1%{\pm}6.3%$, p=0.001). The median follow-up duration was 36 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was $80.1%{\pm}3.6%$ in group A and $92.1%{\pm}2.9%$ in group B (p=0.400). The 5-year MACCE-free survival rate was $70.3%{\pm}4.0%$ in group A and $70.9%{\pm}5.6%$ in group B (p=0.818). Conclusion: Cryoablation was associated with a higher atrial contractility restoration rate and better left ventricular function than radiofrequency ablation. However, no significant relationship was observed between the energy source and overall or MACCE-free survival.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 2015

Background: The aim of the study was to determine whether the expression of baseline phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) levels were prognostic in terms of stage and overall survival (OS) in newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively, 130 patients were selected at the time of diagnosis oflung cancer (100 with NSCLC and 30 with SCLC), before the initialization of any chemo-radiotherapy. The median age was 67 (range 29-92). IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB and IV stages were present in 3, 4, 19, 6, 25, 8, and 65 patients, respectively. After centrifugation, the levels of serum P and Mg were measured using the nephelometric method/ photometry and evaluated before any type of treatment. Results: Higher than normal levels of P were found in 127/130 patients, while only four patients had elevated Mg serum values. In terms of Spearman test, higher P serum values correlated with either stage (rho=- 0.334, p<0.001) or OS (rho=-0.212, p=0.016). Additionally, a significant negative correlation of Mg serum levels was found with stage of disease (rho=-0.135, P=0.042). On multivariate cox-regression survival analysis, only stage (p<0.01), performance status (p<0.01) and P serum (p=0.045) showed a significant prognostic value. Conclusions: Our study indicated that pre-treatment P serum levels in lung cancer patients are higher than the normal range. Moreover, P and Mg serum levels are predictive of stage of disease. Along with stage and performance status, the P serum levels had also a significant impact on survival. This information may be important for stratifying patients to specific treatment protocols or intensifying their therapies. However, larger series are now needed to confirm our results.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.728-735
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• 2018

Background/Aims: The combination of nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine (nab-P/Gem) is widely used for treating metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC). We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes and prognostic role of treatment-related peripheral neuropathy in patients with MPC treated with nab-P/Gem in clinical practice. Methods: MPC patients treated with nab-P/Gem as the first-line chemotherapy were included. All 88 Korean patients underwent at least two cycles of nab-P/Gem combination chemotherapy (125 and $1,000mg/m^2$, respectively). Treatment-related adverse events were monitored through periodic follow-ups. Overall survival and progression-free survival were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Cox proportional hazards regression linear model was applied to assess prognostic factors. To evaluate the prognostic value of treatment-related peripheral neuropathy, the landmark point analysis was used. Results: Patients underwent a mean of $6.7{\pm}4.2$ cycles during $6.3{\pm}4.4$ months. The median overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 14.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.8 to 20.3 months) and 8.4 months (95% CI, 7.1 to 13.2 months), respectively. The disease control rate was 84.1%; a partial response and stable disease were achieved in 30 (34.1%) and 44 (50.0%) patients, respectively. Treatment-related peripheral neuropathy developed in 52 patients (59.1%), and 13 (14.8%) and 16 (18.2%) patients experienced grades 2 and 3 neuropathy, respectively. In the landmark model, at 6 months, treatment-related peripheral neuropathy did not have a significant correlation with survival (p=0.089). Conclusions: Nab-P/Gem is a reasonable choice for treating MPC, as it shows a considerable disease control rate while the treatment-related peripheral neuropathy was tolerable. The prognostic role of treatment-related neuropathy was limited.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2021

Objective: Chronic reflux esophagitis (CRE), characterized by esophageal mucosa ulcer, is caused by continuous backflow of gastric acid and consequent inflammation due to unstable gastroesophageal sphincter. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of an Arecae Semen and Coptidis Rhizoma mixture (AC-mix) on CRE. Methods: CRE was surgically induced in SD rats with three experimental groups used: normal; CRE control; and CRE treatment (200 mg/kg AC-mix). Blood and esophageal tissue were collected after two weeks of drug administration. The anti-oxidant activity of the AC-mix was measured by total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents as well as by radical scavenging activity with protein levels evaluated using western blotting. Results: CRE damage to the esophageal mucosa was significantly reduced in the AC-mix group as compared with the controls, and administration of the AC-mix was seen to inhibit NF-κBp65 activity. Consequently, the inactivation of NF-κBp65 significantly inhibited inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 and iNOS. Moreover, the anti-oxidant enzyme HO-1 significantly increased through activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which can break down collagen from the basement membrane and extracellular matrix, was decreased following AC-mix treatment, and elevated levels of MMP-2 were regulated by its tissue inhibitor. Conclusions: These results show that AC-mix can alleviate esophageal mucosa ulcer though inhibition of the NF-κBp65 inflammatory pathway and enhancement of the anti-oxidant Nrf2-Keap1 pathway.

• 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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.111-119
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the effects of a mixture of pinecone oil, garlic, and brown seaweed extracts (PGBE) on milk production traits as well as physiological and ethological parameters in Holstein cows during the summer season (24 May to 03 July 2015, Korea). Methods: Among the extract combinations tested, we found that the level of 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylberzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) cation radical scavenging activity of the 0.16% PBGE complex at ratio of 1:1:1 (vol/vol) was comparable to that of the control (ascorbic acid; 1 mg/mL). Additionally, the PBGE complex reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced COX-2 expression in bovine mammary epithelial cells. Based on these findings, 40 lactating Holstein cows were used to measure the effects of PBGE complex at ratio of 1:1:1 (vol/vol) on milk production, immune response, metabolites, and behavior patterns by dividing the cows into two groups fed diets containing PGBE complex (n = 20; 0.016%/kg feed dry matter basis) or not containing PGBE complex (control, n = 20) for 40 d. Results: Results showed that PGBE complex did not influence milk composition, eating and ear surface temperature patterns, immune response, or metabolic parameters but promoted average milk yield throughout the experimental period. Additionally, a tendency of higher total antioxidant capacity and glutathione in the PGBE group was observed compared to the those in the control. When the temperature-humidity index (THI) exceeded 72 (average THI = 73.8), PGBE complex-fed cows experiencing heat stress showed increased milk yield and a tendency of increased rumination compared to the control. Conclusion: We suggest that incorporation of a combined mixture of 0.016% PGBE (1:1:1 ratio, vol/vol) to diet has the potential to improve milk yield and health status of cows under mild to moderate heat stress, denoting that it might be useful as an alternative anti-stressor in the diet of dairy cows under hot conditions.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It is well-known that alcohol consumption is associated with stroke risk as well as with aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene (ALDH2) polymorphisms. However, it is unclear whether ALDH2 polymorphisms are associated with stroke risk independent of alcohol consumption and whether such association is modified by sex. We evaluated sex-specific associations of a common ALDH2 polymorphism and alcohol consumption with stroke risk in a Korean population. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 8,465 men and women, aged 40-69 years and free of stroke between June, 2001 and January, 2003, and followed for the development of stroke. We identified new cases of stroke, which were self-reported or ascertained from vital registration data. Based on genome-wide association data, we selected a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2074356), which shows high linkage disequilibrium with the functional polymorphism of ALDH2. We conducted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis considering potential risk factors collected from a baseline questionnaire. RESULTS: Over the median follow-up of 8 years, 121 cases of stroke were identified. Carrying the wild-type allele of the ALDH2 polymorphism increased stroke risk among men. The multivariate hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] of stroke was 2.02 [1.03-3.99] for the wild-type allele compared with the mutant alleles, but the association was attenuated after controlling for alcohol consumption. Combinations of the wild-type allele and other risk factors of stroke, such as old age, diabetes mellitus, and habitual snoring, synergistically increased the risk among men. Among women, however, the ALDH2 polymorphism was not associated with stroke risk. CONCLUSIONS: The prospective cohort study showed a significant association between a common ALDH2 polymorphism and stroke risk in Korean men, but not in Korean women, and also demonstrated that men with genetic disadvantages gain more risk when having risk factors of stroke. Thus, these men may need to make more concerted efforts to control modifiable risk factors of stroke.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.682-693
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Intestinal barrier dysfunction is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as ulcerative colitis. This dysfunction is caused by increased permeability and the loss of tight junctions in intestinal epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether estradiol treatment reduces colonic permeability, tight junction disruption, and inflammation in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colon cancer mouse model. Methods: The effects of $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) were evaluated in ICR male mice 4 weeks after AOM/DSS treatment. Histological damage was scored by hematoxylin and eosin staining and the levels of the colonic mucosal cytokine myeloperoxidase (MPO) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To evaluate the effects of E2 on intestinal permeability, tight junctions, and inflammation, we performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the expression levels of mucin 2 (MUC2) and mucin 4 (MUC4) were measured as target genes for intestinal permeability, whereas zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), occludin (OCLN), and claudin 4 (CLDN4) served as target genes for the tight junctions. Results: The colitis-mediated induced damage score and MPO activity were reduced by E2 treatment (p<0.05). In addition, the mRNA expression levels of intestinal barrier-related molecules (i.e., MUC2, ZO-1, OCLN, and CLDN4) were decreased by AOM/DSS-treatment; furthermore, this inhibition was rescued by E2 supplementation. The mRNA and protein expression of inflammation-related genes (i.e., KLF4, NF-${\kappa}B$, iNOS, and COX-2) was increased by AOM/DSS-treatment and ameliorated by E2. Conclusions: E2 acts through the estrogen receptor ${\beta}$ signaling pathway to elicit anti-inflammatory effects on intestinal barrier by inducing the expression of MUC2 and tight junction molecules and inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.244-254
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• 2020

Atractylodes macrocephala is a perennial herb and is a member of the Compositae family. This plant is known to contain various bioactive constituents indicating anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-oxidant, immunological enhancement, and gastroprotective effects. In this investigation, we isolated four compounds with similar chemical structures from A. macrocephala, and evaluated their anti-inflammatory effects. Among the four compounds, compound 2(atractylenolide II) showed the second-best inhibitory effect on the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide in RAW264.7 macrophages and BV2 microglial cells. Compound 2 also inhibited the LPS-induced the production of prostaglandin E2(PGE2), and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 proteins in both cells. In addition, compound 2 suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α. These inhibitory effects were contributed by inactivation of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs) pathways by treatment with compound 2. This compound did not induce the expression of heme oxygenase(HO)-1 protein indicating that the anti-inflammatory effect of compound 2 was independent with HO-1 protein. Taken together, these results suggested that atractylenolide II can be a candidate material to treat inflammatory diseases.