• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 1980

In the previous experiment, authors have shown that during the latter half of estrous cycle there was an increase in plasma testosterone level in the rats stimulated with hCG. To determine the physiologic significance of elevated plasma testosterone, changes of the plasma concentrations of TeBG and testosterone following hCG stimulation were analyzed in the rats having a regular 5 day cycle. The rats were divided into three groups; the control, the rats stimulated with single hCG on the day of proestrus and stimulated with hCG throughout the entire cycle. Blood samples were obtained once a day for an estrous cycle and analyzed for the binding capacity of TeBG using ammonium sulphate precipitation method and testosterone concentration by means of radioimmunoassay. Followings were the results; 1) There was no significant variation in the binding capacity of TeBG in peripheral blood during the estrous cycle of the control rats. 2) No cyclic variation in the binding capacity of TeBG was observed in the rats stimulated with single hCG on proestrus. although the levels tended to be higher in the rats with stimulation than in the control rats. 3) Continual stimulation of hCG produced a marked increase in the binding capacity of TeBG especially on the day of metaestrus. 4) The changes in the plasma level of testosterone followed the same basic pattern seen in the TeBG binding capacity. 5) From above results, the followings were suggested. a. hCG related increase of the binding capacity of TeBG is probably secondary to a modest increase in estrogen as well. b. hCG related increase of plasma testosterone in female rats is not entirely due to excess production rather in part due to decreased metabolism induced by the rise in TeBG. c. It seems likely that most of elevated testosterone shown in the rat stimulated with hCG is bound to TeBG and only small portion is unbound form which influence cellular activity. It is rather possible that an increase in TeBG could augment estrogen activity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.455-460
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• 2010

We evaluated the inappropriateness of metformin use in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic medical conditions to identify the frequency of the prescription metformin in violation of the food and drug administration (FDA) black box warning. We reviewed medical records of 307 outpatients who received metformin at endocrinology department in a hospital setting between January 1, 2005 and August 30, 2009. Of the 307 outpatients, 25 discontinued treatment of metformin due to elevated serum creatinine level (Scr${\geq}$1.5 mg/dl in male, Scr${\geq}$1.4 mg/dl in female), cancers, and/or liver disease. 5 were lost to follow-up. 89 (29.0%) of the patients had cardiovascular disease, 54.1% for hypertension, 9.8% for liver disease, and 60 (20.8%) for chronic kidney disease. 12 patients (3.9%) with chronic kidney disease and/or elevated serum creatinine level, and 1 patient (0.3%) with lactic acidosis were contraindicated to metformin use. Metformin should be avoided in 7 outpatients (2.3%) with active hepatitis and 1 patient (2.6%) with liver cirrhosis. Of the 307 outpatients, 13 (4.2%) patients who received metformin at the first visit and 16 (8.7%) patients who received metformin at the last visit violated to black box warning. 8 (2.6%) of the patients were in precautionary conditions to metformin use. Adjusted mean difference of serum creatinine was -0.16 mg/dl [95% CI: -0.22 to -0.11 (p<0.05)] and adjusted mean difference of alanine aminotransferase was 4.46 IU/l [95% CI: 2.47 to 6.44 (p<0.05)] between the first visit and the last visit. Critical number of elderly patients who are at the high risks of drug-disease and drug-laboratory interaction is exposed to the inappropriate metformin use in violation of black box warning. The periodic evaluation of metformin use and monitoring prescription through drug utility review (DUR) system is needed to improve patients' safety and to reduce adverse drug events.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2008

Impairment of hepatic metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids has been known to be linked with induction of liver injury. We determined the early changes in the transsulfuration reactions in liver of rats challenged with a toxic dose of $CCl_4$ (2 mmol/kg, ip). Both hepatic methionine concentration and methionine adenosyltransferase activity were increased, but S-adenosylmethionine level did not change. Hepatic cysteine was increased significantly from 4 h after $CCl_4$ treatment. Glutathione (GSH) concentration in liver was elevated in $4{\sim}8$ h and then returned to normal in accordance with the changes in glutamate cysteine ligase activity. Cysteine dioxygenase activity and hypotaurine concentration were also elevated from 4 h after the treatment. However, plasma GSH concentration was increased progressively, reaching a level at least several fold greater than normal in 24 h. ${\gamma}$-Glutamyltransferase activity in kidney or liver was not altered by $CCl_4$, suggesting that the increase in plasma GSH could not be attributed to a failure of GSH cycling. The results indicate that acute liver injury induced by $CCl_4$ is accompanied with extensive alterations in the metabolomics of sulfurcontaining amino acids and related substances. The major metabolites and products of the transsulfuration pathway, including methionine, cysteine, hypotaurine, and GSH, are all increased in liver and plasma. The physiological significance of the change in the metabolomics of sulfur-containing substances and its role in the induction of liver injury need to be explored in future studies.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2014

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the causal relationship between use of levocetrizine or cetrizine, and liver injury, by comparing frequency and pattern of hepatotoxicity in levocetrizine or cetrizine prescribed patients. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study, using data retrieved from electronic medical record system. Among 1164 patients prescribed levocetrizine or cetrizine during study period (Jul, 2009 - Jun, 2010) at Seoul National University Hospital, 543 patients with more than 4- time liver function test (LFT) results were included in final analysis. Liver injury was defined as greater than 3 times elevated level of alanine aminotransferase or 2 times elevated level of alkaline phosphatase or total bilirubin, compared to upper limit of normal, in patient with normal liver function at baseline. The frequency and pattern of liver injury were assessed. Results: Incidence of liver injury in patients prescribed with levotcetrizine or cetrizine were 1.48% and 2.94%, respectively. With few exceptions, most injuries were shown to be hepatocellular type. Rapid recovery was observed after drug cessation and long term use tends to be associated with incidence of liver injury. In patient with digestive system disorder, rate of liver injury was significantly higher (p=0.011). Conclusion: The result of this study implies potential need of liver toxicity monitoring, especially in patients taking long term levecetrizine or cetrizine or in patient with digestive system disorder. However, prospective large scale observational study is needed to confirm liver injury associated with the use of levocetirizine or cetirizine.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.81-94
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• 2020

Purpose: Duodenal stump leakage (DSL) is a potentially fatal complication that can occur after gastrectomy, but its underlying risk factors are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors and management of DSL after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC). Materials and Methods: Relevant data were collected from several prospective databases to retrospectively analyze the data of GC patients who underwent Billroth II (B-II) or Rouxen-Y (R-Y) reconstruction after laparoscopic gastrectomy from 2 institutions (Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and HwaMei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences). The DSL risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis regression. Results: A total of 810 patients were eligible for our analysis (426 with R-Y, 384 with B-II with Braun). Eleven patients had DSL (1.36%). Body mass index (BMI), elevated preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and unreinforced duodenal stump were the independent risk factors for DSL. DSL was diagnosed in 2-12 days, with a median of 8 days. Seven patients received conservative treatment, 3 patients received puncture treatment, and only 1 patient required reoperation. All patients recovered successfully after treatment. Conclusions: The risk factors of DSL were BMI ≥24 kg/㎡, elevated preoperative CRP level, and unreinforced duodenal stump. Nonsurgical treatments for DSL are preferred.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.258-262
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• 2001

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium picolinate (CrP) on growth, carcass characteristics and serum metabolites in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 96 Landrace$\times$Yorkshire$\times$Duroc hybrid pigs, initial live weight about $38.12{\pm}00kg$, were randomly assigned to 2 groups (16 pigs per pen, 3 pens per group), each group had 48 pigs with an equal number of barrows and gilts. The pigs were fed the diet with or without $200{\mu}g/kg$ Cr from CrP. The results indicated that the addition of $200{\mu}g/kg$ CrP increased ADG by 3.58% and decreased feed conversion rate (FCR) by 3.00% compared to the control group. Pigs fed CrP had 7.58% (p<0.05) higher carcass lean percentage, 15.55% (p<0.05) larger longissimus muscle area (LMA) and 10.90% (p<0.05) lower back fat thickness, 15.17% (p<0.05) lower carcass fat percentage. In addition, the IGF-I level in serum was elevated by 79.20% (p<0.05), the Insulin and cortisol level decreased by 27.35% (p<0.05) and 34.58% (p<0.05) respectively with supplementation of CrP. Analysis of subcutaneous fat (10th rib) showed that the activity of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) increased by 79.58% (p<0.05) and the activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase (ISD) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) decreased significantly by 15.06% (p<0.05) and 54.53% (p<0.05) respectively in the $200{\mu}g/kg$ CrP group. The concentration of RNA, RNA/DNA in LMA increased by 31.89% (p<0.05) and 5.41% (p<0.05) respectively with the addition of CrP. These results suggest that CrP reduced fat deposits by decreasing lipogenic enzyme activities and increasing HSL activity and may have promoted muscle anabolic metabolism through elevated IGF-I levels.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2008

Objectives : The cortex and root of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (AR), a herbal medicine, have been used for several diseases including cancer in Oriental countries. Recently, we reported that AR has an immune-potentiating action. Oga-Power(OP) was made using extract from AR. For these reasons, we hypothesized that OP can potentiate the immune system in terms of accelerating proliferation rates of immune cells such as thymocytes and splenocytes. Methods : In this experiment, proliferation rates of thymocytes and splenocytes were measured using modified 3-[4,5-dimethy -lthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). No production levels in macrophages isolated from normal mice were measured using Griess method. Results : In our results, treatment with OP accelerated proliferation rates of splenocytes, but did not affect those of thymocytes in vitro. On the other hand, proliferation rates of thymocytes was elevated in vivo. In addition, level of NO production from macrophage separated from abdominal cavity of normal mice was elevated by treatment with OP. Conclusions : In conclusion, OP has immune-potentiating action, by acceleration of splenocyte proliferation and elevation of NO production level from macrophages.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.812-818
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• 2014

This study was to investigate the mechanism and role of Kif4A in doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in breast cancer. Using two human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 (with wild-type p53) and MDA-MB-231 (with mutant p53), we quantitated the expression levels of kinesin super-family protein 4A (Kif4A) and poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase-1 (PARP-1) by Western blot after doxorubicin treatment and examined the apoptosis by flow cytometry after treatment with doxorubicin and PARP-1 inhibitor, 3-Aminobenzamide (3-ABA). Our results showed that doxorubicin treatment could induce the apoptosis of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, the down-regulation of Kif4A and upregulation of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR). The activity of PARP-1 or PARP-1 activation was significantly elevated by doxorubicin treatment in dose- and time-dependent manners (P < 0.05), while doxorubicin treatment only slightly elevated the level of cleaved fragments of PARP-1 (P > 0.05). We further demonstrated that overexpression of Kif4A could reduce the level of PAR and significantly increase apoptosis. The effect of doxorubicin on apoptosis was more profound in MCF-7 cells compared with MDA-MB-231 cells (P < 0.05). Taken together, our results suggest that the novel role of Kif4A in doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells is achieved by inhibiting the activity of PARP-1.

• Perinatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.189-194
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• 2018

Congenital neuroblastoma is a rare disease. Placental metastasis is extremely rare and poor prognosis has been reported in neonates. Mirror syndrome could occur in mother with placental metastasis with possibilities of hypertension and edema. We report a case of detection of left suprarenal mass in fetus at $31^{+5}weeks^{\prime}$ gestation. Mother presented with palpitation, edema, headache, and hypertension. Maternal 24 hours urine vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and normetanephrine (NME) level at 34 weeks' gestation were elevated. Consequently, emergent cesarean section was done. Based on abdominal ultrasonography and whole body magnetic resonance imaging, left adrenal tumor with liver metastasis was suspected. Neuroblastoma was confirmed by liver and placenta biopsy. Chemotherapy was started with Pediatric Oncology Group 9243 at day 7 and changed into Children's Oncology Group 3961 due to cholestasis and poor response during 2nd cycle. Plasma exchange was done for aggravated direct hyperbilirubinemia. The baby expired at 73 days due to multi-organ failure. Maternal symptoms were completely resolved in 2 weeks after delivery along with normalization of the elevated level of VMA and NME. We report a first case of mirror syndrome in Korean mother and fetus resulting from metastatic congenital neuroblastoma to placenta.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.72 no.3
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• pp.339-354
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• 2019

Reusing building materials and concrete of old buildings can be a promising strategy for sustained development. In buildings, the performance of materials under elevated temperatures is of particular interest for determining fire resistance. In this study, the effect of pozzolan and aggregate type on properties of concrete exposed to fire was investigated. In doing so, nanosilica with cement-replacement levels of 0, 2, and 4% as well as silica fume and ultrafine fly ash with cement-replacement levels of 0, 7.5, and 15% were used to study effect of pozzolan type, and recycled refractory brick (RRB) fine aggregate replacing natural fine aggregate by 0 and 100% was utilized to explore effect of aggregate type. A total of 126 cubic concrete specimens were manufactured and then investigated in terms of compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and weight loss at $23^{\circ}C$ and immediately after exposure to 400 and $800^{\circ}C$. Results show that replacing 100% of natural fine aggregate with recycled refectory brick fine aggregate in the concretes exposed to heat was desirable, in that it led to a mean compressive strength increase of above 25% at $800^{\circ}C$. In general, among the pozzolans used here, silica fume demonstrated the best performance in terms of retaining the compressive strength of heated concretes. The higher replacement level of silica fume and ultrafine fly ash pozzolans in the mixes containing RRB fine aggregate led to a greater weight loss rate, while the higher replacement level of nanosilica reduced the weight loss rate.