• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.353-360
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• 2017

Several human diseases have been associated with mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel-1 (VDAC1) due to its role in calcium ion transportation and apoptosis. Recent studies suggest that VDAC1 may interact with endothelium-dependent nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Decreased VDAC1 expression may limit the physical interaction between VDAC1 and eNOS and thus impair nitric oxide production, leading to cardiovascular diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In this report, we conducted meta-analysis of genome-wide expression data to identify VDAC1 influenced genes implicated in PAH pathobiology. First, we identified the genes differentially expressed between wild-type and Vdac1 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts in hypoxic conditions. These genes were deemed to be influenced by VDAC1 deficiency. Gene ontology analysis indicates that the VDAC1 influenced genes are significantly associated with PAH pathobiology. Second, a molecular signature derived from the VDAC1 influenced genes was developed. We suggest that, VDAC1 has a protective role in PAH and the gene expression signature of VDAC1 influenced genes can be used to i) predict severity of pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary diseases, ii) differentiate idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension (IPAH) patients from controls, and iii) differentiate IPAH from connective tissue disease associated PAH.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 1993

Interactive effects among eating behavior, obesity and serum lipid levels were studied in 117, 4~12 year old children residing suburban Seoul. Fasting blood samples are obtained and analyzed for serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C) and hematochrit. Obesity was determined by weight for length index(WLI)and the information on eating behavior including food habits and dietary intakes was obtained by questionaire using food record method for 2-consecutive days. Over 40% of children was classified overweight or obese by WIL and children's physical parameters were closely related to those of parents implying genetic influence on obesity. Although it did not reach the statistical significance, there was a tendency of higher TG, TC and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C)levels among girls compared to boys. Blood lipid levels of obese children were similar to those of other groups except TG, which was significantly higher(p<0.05) in obese group. Nutrient intakes seemed adequate in all subjects except iron, calcium and total calorie which were lower than RDAs. Lacking significant relationship between individual nutrient intake and obesity, there was significant correlation between food intake and blood lipid level especially in 10-12 year old group. Vegetable intake was negatively related to TG, LPH(LDL-C/HDL-C) and atherogenic index(AI), and positively to HDL-C. Skipping breakfast and frequent eating out appeared to cause imbalances in nutrient intake. These findings clearly revealed the influence of eating behavior on childhood obesity along with blood lipid profile. To ensure the proper growth and health of these children, devising method and developing media for nutrition education suited to our society should be accomplished first. With well-planned nutrition surveys and thorough intention, childhool obesity could be prevented from progress into adulthood obesity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.248-255
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• 2012

Three levels of boron (0, 30, 60 ppm) were supplemented in practical corn-soybean based starter and grower diets, containing either adequate or inadequate Ca or P. A total of 1,800, 1-day-old sexed broiler chicks were assigned to six dietary treatments and fed with the experimental diets for 42 days. Boron improved the overall feed conversion ratio, but increased body weight only at 21 days of age (p<0.01). Boron decreased feed intake in the case of feeding on a diet deficient in Ca and P, and tended to increase feed intake when birds received a diet adequate in Ca and P, signifying significant boron by Ca-P interaction (p<0.01). Mortality was not influenced by boron (p>0.05). Dietary Ca and P deprivation reduced body weight and feed consumption significantly, but did not influence the feed conversion ratio and mortality (p>0.05). Serum Ca level, ALP and ALT activities were not influenced either by dietary Ca and P deficiency or boron supplementation. Serum P content increased with respect to boron at 30 ppm. Bone breakage strength was not affected by dietary variables. Tibia ash, Ca and P were increased in response to the supplementation diet with 30 ppm boron, whereas 60 ppm showed no effect in most cases. Accordingly, the dietary boron supplementation of 30 ppm significantly decreased fecal Ca and P excretion, while there was a numerical decline in the 60 ppm boron as compared to the 0 ppm boron group. Data presented herein indicated that boron, either at the 30 ppm or 60 ppm supplementation level, was effective in conversion of feed to body weight, whereas only boron at 30 ppm contributed to the mineralization of bone thereby augmenting more Ca and P while excreting less through faeces.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to assess the metabolic profile and nutrient intake data in Korean adolescents according to exercise regularity using the forth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 data. A total of 834 Korean adolescents (440 boys, 394 girls) aged 12 to 18 years were classified into exercising male (EM), non-exercising male (NM), exercising female (EF), and non-exercising female (NF) groups. EM exhibited significantly higher weight (P<0.001), waist circumference (WC) (P<0.01) and body mass index (EMI) (P<0.001) than NM. EF showed significantly greater height (P<0.01), weight (P<0.001), we (P<0.001), and BMI (P<0.001) than NF. Although ratios of macronutrient intake were within the appropriate range in all groups, energy, riboflavin, vitamin e and calcium were assessed as in adequate by the nutritional adequacy ratio (NAR) in all groups. Moreover, EF and NF had inadequate intake of vitamin A and iron according to NAR, respectively. There were significant correlations between height and NAR protein (r=0.249, P<0.001), and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) (r=0.177, P<0.01), and between weight and NAR protein (r=0.180, P<0.01), and MAR(r=0.136, P<0.05) in EM. On the other hand, there were significant correlations between weight and NAR protein (r=0.270, P<0.01), we and NAR protein (r=0.271, P<0.01), and BMI and NAR protein (r=0.326, P<0.01) in NM. There were significant correlations height and NAR Fe (r=0.153, P<0.05) in EF. However, there were no significant correlations between metabolic factors and nutritional adequacy in NF. Although we noted no significant differences in MAR between the groups, the exercising groups showed higher MAR values than the non-exercising groups. Therefore, practicing of ideal dietary behaviors appears to be induced through physical activity and regular exercise in Korean adolescents.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.511-516
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• 2005

In this work, the crosslinked-chitosan microcapsules containing fragrant oil were prepared by oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) multi-emulsion method. The effects of concentration of fragrant oil and stirring rates on the preparing of the microcapsules were investigated. The diameter and form of the microcapsules were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). As a result, the average particle size of microcapsules was decreased with increasing the stirring rate. The formation of chitosan microcapsules was comfirmed by FT-IR. The inclusion of fragrant oil into chitosan microcapsules was determined in the presence of specific peak of fragrant oil, i.e., $1,460cm^{-1}$, $2,960cm^{-1}$. Also, the release behavior or profile of fragrant oil from chitosan microcapsules was examined with UV/vis spectra. Released amounts of fragrant oil were increased with increasing as the content of fragrant oil and decreasing the pH.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.472-477
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• 2018

Pravastatin sodium is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia by reducing cholesterol biosynthesis. Pharmaceutical excipients of commonly used including water, diluents, stabilizers, disintegrants, lubricants and colorants, and were identified for compatibility. All tests were performed by means of physical mixture of pravastatin and the excipients, which were placed in a press-through-pack (PTP) and incubated under accelerated conditions ($40^{\circ}C$ and 75% relative humidity) for 3 months. The blends of pravastatin with all excipients developed white, off white, and light brown powders, which showed no changes upon visual analysis. Accelerated conditions changed the degradation profile of pravastatin calcium in the HPLC system when mixed with different excipients. Although most excipients can have minor effects on pravastatin stability, the major degradation product from pravastatin was lactone. Low-level interaction (assay and impurity) was induced by all excipients except for microcrystalline cellulose and croscarmellose sodium. These excipients increased lactone impurity in 3 months by as much as 0.22% and 0.18% respectively. The total mixture slightly increased the lactone impurity (by 0.43% in 3 months) of pravastatin. There was no change in the assays of all excipients. These results will be helpful in studying tablet size reductions for convenience of use.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to evaluate the food and nutrient intakes in 5th to 8th grade school boys and girls. A total of 1,333 students were recruited from 1 elementary and 1 middle school, both located in Seoul. The data on food and nutrients intake were collected by 3-day food record. The food intake was calculated as the percentage of total energy intake according to 21 food subgroups. The consumption of noodles, and meat's products (including ham and sausage) groups were higher in 7th and 8th grade than 5th and 6th grade. On the other hand consumption of vegetables and milk & its products groups were lower in 7th and 8th grade. As results, calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin C intakes were lower in 7th and 8th grade students. Dietary patterns by cluster analysis resulted in $77\%$ of subjects with traditional pattern based rice and kimchi, and $23\%$ with modified pattern. All students regardless of grades showed high fat intake, above 20 percent energy intake from fat, and high cholesterol intakes. In conclusion, there was significant difference between 5th and 6th grade primary school students and 7th and 8th junior school students regarding food and nutrient intakes; It should be necessary to provide proper nutrient education and monitoring in order to establish good dietary profile.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.564-568
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• 2004

Restructuring had made it possible to utilize lower value cuts and meat trimmings from spent animals by providing convenience in product preparation besides enhancing tenderness, palatability and value. Milk co-precipitates (MCP) have been reported to improve the nutritional and functional properties of certain meat products. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of incorporation of milk co-precipitates at four different levels viz. 0, 10, 15 and 20% on the quality of restructured buffalo meat blocks. Low-calcium milk co-precipitates were prepared from skim milk by heat and salt coagulation of milk proteins. Meat chunks were mixed with the curing ingredients and chilled water in a Hobart mixer for 5 minutes, followed by addition of milk co-precipitates along with condiments and spice mix and again mixed for 5 minutes. Treated chunks were stuffed in aluminium moulds and cooked in steam without pressure for 1.5 h. After cooking, treated meat blocks were compared for different physico-chemical and sensory attributes. Meat blocks incorporated with 10% MCP were significantly better (p<0.05) than those incorporated with 0, 15 and 20% MCP in cooking yield, percent shrinkage and moisture retention. Sensory scores were also marginally higher for meat blocks incorporated with 10% MCP than product incorporated with 15 and 20% MCP, besides being significantly higher than control. On the basis of above results 10% MCP was considered optimum for the preparation of restructured buffalo meat blocks. Instrumental texture profile analysis revealed that meat blocks incorporated with 10% MCP were significantly better (p<0.05) in hardness/ firmness than control although, no significant (p>0.05) differences were observed in cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess and chewiness of both type of samples.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.1215-1221
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• 2002

Normal haematological and biochemical indices along with thyroid hormone status were studied in healthy Kathiawari horses of different age groups (yearling, young stock, adults and old stock) belonging to either sex. Effect of both age and sex was observed on thyroid hormone levels, haematological and biochemical indices. In females, hemoglobin levels was significantly lower in yearlings than adult animals while total leukocyte counts were higher in yearlings than equids of other age groups. Sex had effect only on total erythrocyte counts, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin in horses of 1-3 years age group (young stock) and on packed cell volume in adult female and male equids. Among biochemical indices, activities of enzymes were observed to be influenced both by age and sex. Creatine kinase, gamma glutamyl transferase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were significantly higher in young and adult equids than animals of other age groups in Kathiawari horses while activity of alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in yearlings than equids belonging to other age groups in both male and females. However, activity of sorbitol dehydrogenase was unaltered due to both sex and age factor. Albumin, bilirubin direct, bilirubin total, cholesterol, creatinine, protein, triglyceride and uric acid were statistically different in various age and sex groups of horses. Calcium, magnesium and chloride contents were almost same in various age groups of male horses. Significantly higher levels of $T_3$ and $T_4$ were observed in both male and female yearlings as compared to equids of other age groups in both the sexes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1001-1012
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• 1989

In 1968, Carpentier and his associates introduced glutaraldehyde as a compound for preparing cardiac tissue valve, and this technique has provided a considerably more suitable and durable tissue valve substitute. To increase further durability of valve tissue, Reis and his colleagues designed a flexible stent to reduce the stress on the heterogeneous tissue valve mounted. However with the advent of more innovative mechanical valve currently, many bioprosthetic valves are being substituted by mechanical valves at our department of cardiothoracic surgery because of bioprosthetic valve failure. Main cause of bioprosthetic valves failure were calcification or/and tear of tissue valves. The purpose of this retrospective study is to clarify the relationship between the patients clinical profile during implantation of tissue valves and pathologic features of the failed bioprosthetic valve. From March, 1982 through June, 1988, 53 bioprosthetic heart valves that had been ex-planted from 45 patients at the department of cardiac surgery of Yonsei University Hospital were subjected to this study. The patients were 10 to 65 year-old [mean age: 30.3 yr] with 17 males and 28 females. Re-replacements of prosthetic valves were carried out twenty nine in mitral position, eight in aortic position and eight in both aortic and mitral position simultaneously. The grading and location for calcification of valves were verified by radiograms. The calcification of the explanted valves leaflets was graded from 0 to 4 plus according to Cipriano and associates method. The types of tear and perforation of leaflet were classified into four types as Ishihara has adopted initially in 1981. In younger age group under thirty three years, explanted tissue valves were significantly more affected in terms of grades of severity of valve calcification as compared with older age group [p < 0.035]. Valve calcification appeared more severe in male as compared to female [p< 0.002]. Ionescu-Shiley bovine pericardial bioprosthetic valves showed more severe calcification than Hancock porcine tissue valves [p< 0.035]. Calcium deposit was found very prevalent at the area of commissural attachment [86 % of all]. Type I of valve rupture was shown to be related with simultaneous calcification. However, the relation of explanted valve position, duration of implanted prosthetic valve, atrial fibrillation and anticoagulant therapy to the severity of bioprosthetic valve calcification were not significantly clear statistically [p > 0.05].