• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2011

To investigate the toxicological effects of ${\beta}$-glucan, we performed basic studying on ${\beta}$-glucan in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Standard endpoints in this study included mortality, clinical observations, changes of body weights, analysis on food consumption, ophthalmoscopic examination, hematologic examination, serum biochemistry, analysis of organ weights, gross anatomic pathology and histopathology. No clinical signs and mortality were observed in animals treated with beta-glucan throughout the experimental period. The average body weight of each treatment groups showed similar levels at end of experiment. There were no treatment-related changes in mortality, body weights changes, food consumption, ophthalmoscopic examination. Although there were statistically significant differences between the control and treated groups in some relative and absolute organ weights, and hematological and biochemical analysis, the data were in biologically normal ranges and did not show a dose-dependent manner. In the morphological change, hepatic tissue were not showed ballooning degeneration and irregular arrangement of hepatic cell in ${\beta}$-glucan treatment groups with control group. Also, organs weights (liver, heart, kidney and stomach) and hematological indices (WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct and Platelet) did not show statistically significant differences among the experimental groups. In summary of these results, there were no changes in mortality, mean body weight, clinical signs, food consumption. There were no changes in ophthalmological examination, hematology, blood chemistry, necropsy and histopathology. In conclusion, although further investigation of glucan should be performed in the functions registered in many ancient literatures, ${\beta}$-glucan is physiologically safe and may have potential as candidate food for human health.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.539-544
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine whether N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) may be used to differentiate acute Kawasaki disease(KD) from other clinically similar diseases. Methods : Using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, NT-proBNP concentrations were measured in the acute phase within 10 days after the onset of KD(n=58) and in the convalescent phase, 60 to 81 days after the onset(n=51), and also in patients with acute febrile disease as a control(n=34). Echocardiography was performed to detect pericardial effusion(PE) and coronary artery lesions(CAL), and to measure the left ventricular dimension at diastole(LVIDd) and ejection fraction(LVEF). The cutoff value of NT-proBNP for separating KD from other diseases was determined. Results : NT-proBNP concentration in the acute phases of KD was significantly higher than that in the control group($1,501.6{\pm}2,132.6$ vs. $139.0{\pm}88.8pg/mL$, P<0.0001). In KD patients, NT-proBNP was elevated in the acute phase and was lowered in the convalescent phase($1,466.0{\pm}2,173.2$ vs. $117.5{\pm}95.5pg/mL$, P<0.0001). The cutoff value of 260 pg/mL discriminated KD patients from other patients, with a sensitivity of 93 percent and a specificity of 88 percent. The NT-proBNP was higher in patients with PE(n=17) compared with those without PE(n=41)($1,784.2{\pm}1,903.1$ vs. $1,384.4{\pm}2,232.6pg/mL$, P=0.52). Comparison of NT-proBNP could not be done between patients with CAL and those without, owing to a small number of patients with CAL(n=3). There was no correlation between NT-proBNP and LVEF index(r=0.104, P=0.46) or LVIDd index(r=0.171, P=0.22). Conclusion : NT-proBNP increases in the acute phase of KD and decreases to within normal range in the convalescent phase. NT-proBNP >260 pg/mL may be highly suggestive of acute KD. NT-proBNP may be used as a diagnostic tool for KD.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.387-399
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of oriental herb extracts (Alpha $Plus^{(R)}$ (AP)+Dried Foxglove Powder (DFP)) on growth performance and proliferation of splenocytes in broiler chicken raised under low or high density stocking conditions. A total of 240 male broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups with three replicates composed of ten birds in low density stocking groups and thirty birds in high density stocking groups. The four treatment groups were as follows: Cl (low density without AP and DFP); T1 (low density with AP 0.2% and DFP 0.03%); C2 (high density without AP and DFP); T2 (high density with AP 0.2% and DFP 0.03%). The feed intake of the high density stocking group was significantly lower than that of low density stocking groups during overall experimental period (p<0.05). The body weight of high density stocking groups was lower than that of low density stocking groups (p<0.05). The decrease of feed intake and body weight gain in growing stage (7~25day) under the high density stocking condition seems to be recovered in final stage (26~34day). Meanwhile dietary supplementation of AP+DFP in low and high density stocking groups tended to have higher daily body weight gain than control groups. The proliferation of splenocytes in treatment groups was significantly higher than control groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, the result of the present study suggested that the oriental herb extracts (AP+DFP) could be used as an alternative feed additive resources to improve growth performance and immune activity in broiler chickens.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.347-361
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of wormwood (Artemisia sp.) addition on the growth performance, nutrients utilization and abdominal fat deposition of broiler chickens. Two hundred twenty five and two-day old Arboracre strain male commercial broiler chicks were distributed to 5 treatments with wormwood supplementation levels; C(O%), $T_1$ (1%), $T_2$ (3%), $T_3$ (5%), and $T_4$ (10%) and with 3 replications each with 5 birds for five weeks. Body weight gain during the experiment was improved in $T_1$ (1723.0g) compared with that of $T_3$ (1557.7g) and $T_4$ (1450.7g) (P<0.05). Feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) increased as the levels of wormwood addition increased (C: 2653.8g, T1: 2852.0, $T_2$: 2900.3, $T_3$: 2900.7g, T4: 2954.7g). Feed conversion rate (feed/gain) was significantly (P<0.05) increased as the levels of wormwood addition increased (C: 1.55, $T_1$: 1.66, $T_2$: 1.70, $T_3$: 1.86, $T_4$: 2.04). The days reaching to 2.0kg of body weight were expected to be 43.2 days in control, whereas those of group T1 were reduced to 42.6 days by 0.6 day from control. Nutrient utilization and abdominal fat deposition in the experiment were significantly decreased (P<0.05) and small intestine contents in the broilers was significantly increased (P<0.05) as the levels of wormwood addition increased. Therefore, although there was no significant improvement for the performance of broiler chickens with the dietary supplementation of wormwood meal, less than 1% addition of wormwood to broiler diets might have beneficial for human health by reducing the abdominal fat deposition of the broiler chicknens.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.102-111
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of life and it's related factors in caregivers of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients. Methods : The subjects were 38 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients' caregivers(mean age : $37.5{\pm}6.5$, 38 women). Patients were diagnosed with DSM-IV-TR ADHD criteria. Korean version of WHOQOL-BREF(World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument Abbreviated Version) was used for assessment. Results : 1) No significant differences were found in the score of WHOQOL-BREF, overall QOL, physical health domain, psychological domain, social relationships domain and environmental domain between caregiver and control group. 2) The score of Activity of daily living facet$(3.0{\pm}0.7\;vs.\;3.6{\pm}0.7)(p=0.008)$ and self-esteem facet $(2.8{\pm}0.7\;vs.\;3.3{\pm}0.7)(p=0.049)$ were significantly decreased in caregivers of ADHD. 3) Total score of WHOQOL-BREF(r=0.437, p=0.007) and physical health domain(r=0.370, p=0.024) were correlated with caregiver's educational age. 4) In the psychological domain, the score of self-esteem facet(r=-0.337, p=0.039) and thinking, learning, memory & concentration facet(r=-.341, p=0.036) were decreased with caregiver's age. 5) The score of environmental domain were significantly increased with caregiver's educational age (r=0.482, p=0.003), but decreased with patient's age(r=0.328, p=0.044). Conclusion : Although the quality of life in caregivers of ADHD patient had not significantly decreased than control, the quality of lift were positively correlated with educational age of caregives, and negatively correlated with chronological age of caregivers and children. Above results suggest that physicians should consider integrated approaches for caregiver's subjective quality of life in the management of ADHD.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.265-273
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• 2015

It is the better to take preventative measures against the natural intrusion in advance from invasive alien species that reduce biodiversity and cause economic loss to humans. If the prevention of intrusion and spread fails, we need to make active control and eradication. This study aims to introduce nutria (Myocastor coypus) control cases performed in the United Kingdom and the United States and to provide information for the contribution of nutria management measure improvements. The nutria eradication campaign in the United Kingdom was developed as a long-term plan based on sufficient understanding on the management target and objective and suitable support. Sufficient information on nutria was accumulated and the management strategy was flexibly modified according to the changes in management that were proactively reflected in the field. Regarding the eradication project at Chesapeake Bay in the United States, based on long-term ecological information, more advanced capture technology than in the United Kingdom were introduced and the eradication plan, strategy and implementation were configured by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the eradication campaign in the United Kingdom. The successful cases in the United Kingdom and the United State provide an information on how to improv the nutria management measure. For the eradication of nutria, it is necessary to reach a consensus between stakeholders and to form a consultative group between related organizations for periodic communication. Opinions on the field must be actively accepted in the consultation process for strategy and policy decision, and the eradication plan needs to be developed based on a management index. The eradication plan is required to be managed, evaluated and adjusted in a systematic way. Scientific management must be introduced and the management performance must be evaluated objectively so that a practical plan can be flexibly adjusted. It is also required to secure a long-term budget support and a stable organization and to input a concentrated budget at the proper period when there is high efficiency of eradication.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.571-580
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of secondary task such as sending text message (STM) and searching navigation (SN) using the variable indicating control of vehicle ((Medial-Lateral Coefficient of Variation, MLCV), (Anterior-Posterior Coefficient of Variation, APCV)) and motion signal (Jerk-Cost function, JC). Participants included 50s taxi drivers; 14 males and 14 females. Participants were instructed to keep a certain distance (30m) from the car ahead with constant speed (80km/hr or 100km/hr). Experiement consisted of driving alone for 1minute and driving with secondary task for 1minute. Both MLCV and APCV were significantly increased during Driving + Sending Text Message(STM) and Driving + Searching Navigation(SN) than Driving only. Also, JC was increased during Driving + STM and Driving + SN than Driving only. In this study, we found that even in the experts group who are taxi driver and have 25 years driving experience, the smoothness of motion is decreased and the control of vehicle is disturbed when they were performing secondary tasks like sending text message or searching navigation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.234-241
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• 2009

Purpose : We investigated the relationship between thyroid hormone and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL-6) and N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods : Serum levels of thyroid hormone, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and NT-proBNP were measured in 52 KD patients in the acute and subacute phase and 10 patients with acute febrile illness (control group). TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Echocardiography was performed to detect coronary artery lesions (CAL) in KD patients. Results : Low $T_3$ syndrome occurred in 63.5% of KD patients. $T_3$ in the acute phase of KD was lower than that in the control. In KD patients, $T_3$ was lowered in the acute phase and elevated in the subacute phase, whereas TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and NT-proBNP were elevated in the acute phase and decreased in the subacute phase. NT-proBNP, and IL-6 were higher in patients with low $T_3$ than in those with normal $T_3$. In addition, $T_3$ inversely correlated with IL-6 and NT-proBNP. Of the 4 patients with CAL, 3 had very low $T_3$. Compared with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-responsive patients, IVIG-resistant patients had lower $T_3$ and higher IL-6 and NT-proBNP. Conclusion : $T_3$ decreases in the acute phase of KD and normalizes in the subacute phase without thyroid hormone replacement. Low $T_3$ may be partially induced by IL-6 rather than TNF-${\alpha}$, and is strongly associated with high NT-proBNP. $T_3$ in KD may be used for the differential diagnosis, monitoring the activity of the disease, and predicting the severity of inflammation.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2020

Arthrospira platensis is the oldest marine microalgae on the planet, is said to contain most of the nutrients needed by the human body. It's components are reported to contain a large amount of various substances such as phycocyanin, chlorophyll and β-carotene, and are known to have an aging and whitening effect. In this study, UVB-induced reactive oxygen species reduction efficacy and antioxidant activity of spirulina purified water extract were investigated. effect was confirmed by measuring DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAP reducing power and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity of 0.05, 0.10, 0.50 1.0 mg/mL of spirulina purified water extract. The coagulation rate, hatching rate and heart rate toxicity were measured by treating spirulina purified water extract with 0.05, 0.10, 0.50 mg/mL concentration using Zebrafish, an alternative experimental animal model. UVB-induced ROS measurement was treated with spirulina extract at 0.05, 0.10, 0.50 mg/mL concentration, and then stained with DCFH-DA to confirm the inhibitory effect of ROS. As a result of measuring antioxidant effect, DPPH, FRAP and ABTS⁺ showed concentration-dependent antioxidant effects in comparison with ascorbic acid. and measuring the coagulation rate, hatching rate, and heart rate using Zebrafish, an alternative experimental animal, it was confirmed that there was no toxicity in 0.05 and 0.10 mg/mL except 0.5 mg/mL compared to the control group. The ROS scavenging activity of UVB-induced zebrafish showed higher ROS reduction than the positive control. The results of this study suggest that spirulina and purified water extracts are valuable for UV and skin protection cosmetics.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.221-232
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• 1988

Studies were conducted to determine whether reduced renal blood flow (RBF) exhibited by rats with uncontrolled, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes is attributable to diabetes-associated, enhanced renal vasoconstrictor influence of endogenous thromboxane $(TX)A_2$. Rats which were injected with STZ after pretreatment with 3-O-methyl glucose (3OMG), an agent which prevents STZ-induced hyperglycemia, were also studied. Basal values of total RBF (RBF; ml $min^{-1}$ $gKw^{-1}$; electromagnetic flow probe), systemic arterial pressure (BP; mm Hg) and renal vascular resistance (RVR;BP $RBF^{-1})$in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats during a control period were $5.9{\pm}0.3$(P<0.1_{VS}. CR), $115{\pm}3$ and $20.3{\pm}1.0$(P<0.1_{VS}. CR) for STZR (n=15), and $8.4{\pm}0.4$, $123{\pm}3$ and $15.1{\pm}0.8$ for age-matched control rats (CR; n= 15), respectively. Basal values of RBF, BP and RVR in 3OMG pretreated STZR were identical to CR. In preparations shown capable of renal vasodilatation, OKY 1581 (1 mg/kg, i.v. followed by 0.4 mg/kg min infusion) abolished arachidonate-induced $(TX)A_2$ synthesis, but did not alter basal BP, RBF or RVR in either STZR or CR (n=4/group). Similarly, i.r.a. infusion of SQ29548 (100 ng/ml RBF) abolished renal vasoconstriction induced by a TX/prostaglandin endoperoxide mimic, U46619, but had no discern able affect on RVR in either STZR (n=8) or CR (n=8). The data indicates that $TXA_2$ does not participate in the elevated basal RVR of STZR which are associated with the diabetic state.