• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was designed to test the effect of heating condition and Panax ginseng on body temperature, hematologicala changes, and immune response. Methods : The extract from Panax ginseng was made by the pharmacy department of Kyung Hee Oriental Medical Hospital. The animals were divided into four groups; control, room temperature Panax ginseng (G), $28^{\circ}C$ heating, and $28^{\circ}C$ heating Panax ginseng (heating G). Each group has 8 Sprague-Dawley rats. We measured body weight & temperature twice a week. After 2 weeks of experiment, serum lipid level, WBC, differential count, lymphocyte proliferation and immune cytokine concentration were measured. Results : 1. Simultaneous application of heating condition and Panax ginseng induced decreased body weight and increased body temperature. 2. Simultaneous application of heating condition and Panax ginseng induced decreased AST, ALT and BUN. 3. Simultaneous application of heating condition and Panax ginseng tended to decrease TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration, while application of room temperature and Panax ginseng tended to increase TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration. Conclusions : Simultaneous application of heating condition and Panax ginseng decreseas body weight, increases, body temperature and has a tendency to decrease TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 1993

This study was performed to investigate effects of dietary fat content and degree of saturation on the function of the immune system. Sixty male BALB/c mice average-weighing 17g were divided into three dietary groups: 5% safflower oil group, 20% safflower oil group, 19.3% beef tallow & 0.7% safflower oil group. Food intake and body weight were measured every day. At 4th, 7th, 10th week after dietary treatment, organ weight measurements, delayed-type hypersensitivity test, plaque forming cell test, agglutination test, differential white cell count and histological examination of spleen were performed. Results are follows; 1) Body weight, food intake and calorie intake were not different in the three dietary groups during the experimental period($\alpha$=0.05). 2) Liver weight was significantly higher in 5% safflower oil group($\alpha$=0.05). Spleen index was slightly higher in mice fed 5% safflower oil and 19.3% beef tallow & 0.7% safflower oil. Thymus index in all mice was decreased by aging. 3) Delayed-type hypersensitivity of the mice fed 5% safflower oil and 19.3% beef tallow & 0.7% safflower oil was significantly higher than that of the mice fed 20% safflower oil. 4) The number of plaque forming cell was significantly reduced at 10th week compared to 7th week in all group($\alpha$=0.05). Although there was no difference in plaque forming cell among three groups at 10th week, 5% safflower oil group showed slightly higher plaque forming cell than 20% safflower oil group at 7th week. 5) At 4th week, agglutination test seems to be higher in 5% safflower oil group and 19.3% beef tallow & 0.7% safflower oil group compared to 20% safflower oil group. 6) Percentage of neutrophil and eosinophil was slightly reduced in 20% safflower oil group. 7) Spleen tissue was not affected by and dietary treatments. According to our results, the higher the fat content & unsaturation of the diet the lower the cell-mediated immunity of the mice. Humoral-immunity did not appear to be affected by the dietary manipulation. However humoral-immunity was decreased significantly by aging in all dietary groups.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.98-108
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio and dysmenorrhea, history of gynecological disease, heart rate varibility(HRV). Methods: From May 1st 2011 to July 10th 2011, a total of 40 female subjects (age 20-39) were recruited. We evaluated the menstruation condition by questionnaires including VAS(Visual Analog Scale), VRS(Verbal Rating Scale) and MVRS (Multidimensional Verbal Rating Scale), also measured subject's WBC differential count and HRV. Results: 1. There was no statistically significant difference in granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio according to menstruation cycle, duration, amount, color, and blood clot. 2. There was no statistically significant difference in VAS, VRS, MVRS mean scores between normal group and abnormal group according to granulocyte/ lymphocyte ratio. 3. The past prevalence of gynecological disease of abnormal group showed significantly higher compared with that of normal group($x^2$=6.578, p=0.010). 4. LF/HF ratio and granulocyte ratio significantly showed positive correlation ($r_s$=0.311 p=0.048) and LF/HF ratio and lymphocyte ratio significantly showed negative correlation($r_s$=-0.319 p=0.045). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the gynecologic diseases are related to disorder of autonomic nervous system, but not dysmenorrhea. And the balance state of sympathetic/parasympathetic nerve infered through granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio and HRV seems to be consistent. However, reconfirmation through further studies is needed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 1971

The effects of aconite root in rats and rabbits were studied following oral administration of the powder which was prepared by lyophilization of the decoction of the salted aconite roots. The $LD_{50}$ of the powder, the blood picture, total blood volume, uptake rate of ${42}^K$ and ${24}^Na$ in various organs, oxygen consumption, thyroid activity, and histopathological changes in various organs, were observed. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The $LD_{50}$ of the powder of decoction of the aconite root was 4.07g/kg of body weight in mice which is equivalent to approximately 40g/kg of the salted aconite roots. 2. The number of erythrocytes and leukocytes, hematocrit value, and the amount of hemoglobin in blood were increased in the rats administered daily dosages of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0g/kg respectively. No significant differences were observed in the differential count of leukocytes. A slight tendency of hemoconcentration was recognized. 3. No changes in the erythrocyte volume, plasma volume and total blood volume were observed in the rats after administration of the powder for one, three, and six days. However, those were decreased in rats treated for ten days. 4. Generally, in various organs of rats the uptake rate of ${24}^Na$ showed a tendency of increasing but that of ${42}^K$ slowed a decreasing tendency. 5. The oxygen consumption was markedly decreased in rats administered the powder. 6. Iodine-131 uptake of thyroid gland was markedly decreased in the rabbits following administration of the powder. 7. In rabbits administered 0.5g/kg for 20 days, fatty changes of hepatic cells, cloudy swelling of the epithelial cells of proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney and the dilation of splenic sinuses were observed, however, milder changes were found in rabbits treated with 0.1g/kg for the same period.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to test the effect of a warm environment and Bujaijung-tang on immune and lipid metabolism in rats. Methods : The extract from Bujaijung-tang was made by the pharmacy department of Kyung-Hee oriental medical hospital. The animals were divided into four groups, by room or warm environment and Bujaijung-tang administration. Each group had 8 Sprague-Dawley Rats. We measured body temperature twice a week, body weight three times a week. After 3 weeks of experiment, serum lipid level, WBC, differential count, lymphocyte proliferation and immune cytokine concentration were measured. Results : 1. warm environment induced weight loss in rats. 2. warm environment induced a decrease of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol gain. 3. warm environment and Bujaijung-tang induced an increase of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ concentration. Conclusions : The warm environment had a hyperlipidemia modulating effect. The warm environment and Bujaijung-tang had an immune modulating effect.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1406-1415
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• 2013

The study was conducted to correlate the periparturient immune status in terms of neutrophil functions and cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture with impending postpartum reproductive disorders in buffaloes. Forty pregnant buffaloes were observed for occurrence of postpartum reproductive disorders (PRD), i.e., metritis, endometritis and delayed uterine involution etc., during one week prepartum to four weeks postpartum period. A representative number (n = 6) of buffaloes that did not develop any PRD were included in group I (healthy, control), while the animals which experienced PRD were assigned into group II (PRD, n = 8). The blood samples were collected at weekly interval from one week prepartum to four weeks postpartum period considering the day of calving as 'd 0'. Differential leucocytes counts, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production activity in isolated neutrophils and the mRNA expression profile of cytokines i.e., IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in PBMC culture were studied in all the samples. A higher total leucocytes, neutrophil and band cells count along with impaired neutrophil functions i.e., lowered level of production of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide before parturition and during early postpartum period were observed in buffaloes developing PRD. Further, a lower expression of IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-4 mRNA in PBMC culture was observed at calving in buffaloes that subsequently developed PRD at later postpartum. Thus, suppression in neutrophil function and cytokine expression at prepartum to early postpartum period predisposes the buffaloes to develop postpartum reproductive disorders. Hence, monitoring of neutrophils function and cytokine expression profile would be effective to predict certain reproductive disorders at late pregnancy or immediately after parturition in buffaloes. In future, this may be a novel approach for determining suitable management and therapeutic decisions for prevention of commonly occurring reproductive disorders in farm animals.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2016

Purpose: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder of DNA repair in which the ability to repair damage caused by ultraviolet light is deficient. We reported the first molecularly confirmed Korean patient of XP by targeted exome sequencing. The prevalence of XP included all subtype and carrier frequency of XP-A the using public data were estimated for the first time in South Korea. Materials and Methods: We described a 4-year-old Korean girl with clinical diagnosis of XP. We performed targeted exome sequencing in the patient for genetic confirmation considering disease genetic heterogeneity and for differential diagnosis. We verified a carrier frequency of c.390-1G>C in XPA gene known as mutational hot spot using Korean Reference Genome Data Base. We estimated the period prevalence of all subtypes of XP based on claims data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in South Korea. Results: We identified homozygous splicing mutation of XPA (c.390-1G>C) in the patient. The carrier frequency of risk for XPA (c.390-1G>C) was relatively high 1.608 e-03 (allele count 2/1244). The prevalence of XP in South Korea was 0.3 per million people. Conclusion: We expect that c.390-1G>C is hot spot for the mutation of XPA and possible founder variant in South Korea. However, the prevalence in South Korea was extremely low compared with Western countries and Japan.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.141-158
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• 2020

Skin is a major thermoregulatory organ in the body controlling homeothermy, a critical function for climate adaptation. We compared genes expressed between tropical- and temperate-adapted cattle to better understand genes involved in climate adaptation and hence thermoregulation. We profiled the skin of representative tropical and temperate cattle using RNA-seq. A total of 214,754,759 reads were generated and assembled into 72,993,478 reads and were mapped to unique regions in the bovine genome. Gene coverage of unique regions of the reference genome showed that of 24,616 genes, only 13,130 genes (53.34%) displayed more than one count per million reads for at least two libraries and were considered suitable for downstream analyses. Our results revealed that of 255 genes expressed differentially, 98 genes were upregulated in tropically-adapted White Fulani (WF; Bos indicus) and 157 genes were down regulated in WF compared to Angus, AG (Bos taurus). Fifteen pathways were identified from the differential gene sets through gene ontology and pathway analyses. These include the significantly enriched melanin metabolic process, proteinaceous extracellular matrix, inflammatory response, defense response, calcium ion binding and response to wounding. Quantitative PCR was used to validate six representative genes which are associated with skin thermoregulation and epithelia dysfunction (mean correlation 0.92; p < 0.001). Our results contribute to identifying genes and understanding molecular mechanisms of skin thermoregulation that may influence strategic genomic selection in cattle to withstand climate adaptation, microbial invasion and mechanical damage.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2002

Churg-Strauss syndrome(CSS) is a systemic vascular disorder that has an unknown cause with multiorgan involvement and diverse presentations. The three main histologically distinct phases were necrotizing vasculitis, tissue eosinophilia and extravascular granulomas. A diagnosis of CSS can be made on four or more of the following six criteria : 1) asthma, 2) peripheral eosinophilia >10% on the differential leukocyte count, 3) mononeuropathy (including multiple) or polyneuropathy, 4) paranasal sinus abnormalities, 5) nonfixed pulmonary infiltrates and 6) biopsy evidence of extravascular eosinophils in the skin, the nerves, or the lungs. CSS has a good prognosis with systemic steroid therapy. The 5 year survival is approximately 70%. We experienced a 66-year-old man who presented with cough, sputum, edema and numbness in both legs. He presented with all of the 6 CSS criteria. A nerve and muscle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Here, we report this case with a review of the relevant literatures.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.55-59
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• 1975

Safety study of the continuous releasing dichlorvos-resin insecticide $(Mopari^{\circledR})$ was conducted in human volunteers and domestic fowls. For the purpose, the potential hazards in using the insecticide were observed in terms of the inhibition of plasma cholinesterase activity and the changes in the liver function (GOT, GPT, Alkaline phosphatase, Bilirubin, Thymol turbidity), the blood picture (RBC, WBC with differential count, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit and ESR) and the urine picture (sugar, albumin, pH and microscopic findings) in 40 healthy adult volunteers and 60 leghorn domestic fowls. In case of the human study the observation was continued for 2 months during the application of the insectiside ($1{\sim}3$ solid formulations/$30m^3$) in the living rooms of ordinary Korean dwelling houses or in the office. In the animal test, however, 1 to 5 solid formulations of the insecticide were applied in the fowl cage of $9.2m^3$ for 5 weeks. Any significant inhibition of the plasma cholinesterase activity was not observed in both the human volunteer and the fowl throughout the experimental period. And the liver function as well as the blood and urine pictures were also not changed after exposure to the vaporizing insecticide. It is considered from the result that the amount of dichlorvos released into the air by the continuous vaporizing dichlorvos-resin insecticide presents no significant hazardous effect on humans or animals in the present experimental condition.