• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.294-301
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• 2024

Toxoplasma gondii, a common protozoan parasite, poses significant public health risks due to its potential to cause toxoplasmosis in humans and can be contracted from pigs, which are considered its critical intermediate host. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of T. gondii in slaughtered pigs for human consumption, emphasizing the zoonotic implications and the need for improved biosecurity and monitoring practices in pig farming. A total of 1,526 pig samples (1,051 whole blood samples and 384 lung tissue samples from the local slaughterhouse and 91 aborted fetus samples from local farms) were collected throughout the whole country of Korea in 2020. Among them, 6 (0.4%) were found to be infected with T. gondii by nested PCR. When compared by sample type, the prevalence of T. gondii was significantly higher in the aborted fetus samples (2.2%, 2/91) than in the blood (0.3%, 3/1,051) and lung tissue samples (0.3%, 1/384). The B1 gene sequence of T. gondii was similar (97.9-99.8%) to that of the other T. gondii isolates. This study represents the first molecular genotyping survey of T. gondii in the lung tissue of fattening pigs and aborted fetuses in Korea. Our findings indicated the importance of adopting preventive measures including the implementation of rigorous farm hygiene protocols and the promotion of public awareness about the risks of consuming undercooked pork. By addressing the gaps in current control strategies and encouraging the One Health approach, this study contributes to the development of more effective strategies to mitigate the transmission of T. gondii from pigs to humans, ultimately safeguarding public health.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2001

The recent reports that endocrine disruptors(EDs) bring about abnormalities in reproductive organs and functions of invertebrates suggest that mammals be affected by the EDs. The present study examined the influence of 2-bromopropane(2-BP) by looking at the sexes of litters in mouse. The expression of sex-related genes during sex differentiation was also investigated in the fetus of mouse. The male and female mice were infused with 2-BP for 3 weeks before mating. The litters were sexed at the weaning time from the 4 different groups. The sex-related genes were identified by RT-PCR from the fetuses at gestation 10 days. The sequences of the genes were analysed by comparing to those of other animals. The mean numbers of litters survived by the weaning time were slightly reduced in the only group of both female and male mice treated with 2-BP. The female litters were greater than male litters in the only group of female treated with 2-BP. The other groups showed male litters greater than female litters. The sex-related genes, SRY, DAX1, SF1 , and AMH genes were identified and sequenced, showing 416, 466, 326, 389 base pairs, respectively. All of the genes had the homology of 89～90％ with rat and 81～92％ with human within the range of bases identified. They were expressed at the time of sex determination. Therefore, it appears that 2-BP somewhat affects the reproductive activity of adult mouse. Influence of 2-BP on the reproductive function is expected to be studied through the expression of the sex-related genes.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2005

It has been more than three decades since the first assay assessing circulating 25 (OH)D in human subjects was performed That publication as well as several that followed it defined 'normal' nutritional vitamin D status in human populations. Recently, the wisdom by which 'normal' circulating 25 (OH)D levels in human subjects were assigned in the past has come under question. It appears that sampling human subjects, who appear to be free from disease, and assessing 'normal' circulating 25 (OH)D levels by plotting a Gaussian distribution is grossly inaccurate. There are many reasons why this method is inaccurate, including race, lifestyle habits, sunscreen usage, age, latitude, and inappropriately low dietary recommendations for vitamin D. For instance, a 400 IU/day. AI for vitamin D is insignificant when one considers that a 10-15 minute whole body exposure to peak summer sun will generate and release up to 20,000 IU vitamin $D_3$ into the circulation. Recent studies, which orally administered up to 10,000 IU/day vitamin $D_3$ to human subjects for several months, have successfully elevated circulating 25 (OH)D levels to those observed in individuals from sun-rich environments. Further, we are now able to accurately assess sufficient circulating 25 (OH)D levels utilizing specific biomarkers instead of guessing what an adequate level is. These biomarkers include intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium absorption, bone mineral density (BMD), insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell function. Using the data from these biomarkers, vitamin D deficiency should be defined as circulating levels of 25 (OH)D$\leq$30 ng/mL. In certain cases, such as pregnancy and lactation, significantly higher circulating 25 (OH)D levels would almost certainly be beneficial to both the mother and recipient fetus/infant.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.22-33
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• 2004

It has been more than three decades since the first assay assessing circulating 25(OH)D in human subjects was performed. That publication as well as several that followed it defined 'normal' nutritional vitamin D status in human populations. Recently, the wisdom by which 'normal' circulating 25(OH)D levels in human subjects were assigned in the past has come under question. It appears that sampling human subjects, who appear to be free from disease, and assessing 'normal' circulating 25(OH)D levels by plotting a Gaussian distribution is grossly inaccurate. There are many reasons why this method is inaccurate, including race, lifestyle habits, sunscreen usage, age, latitude, and inappropriately low dietary recommendations for vitamin D. For instance, a 400IU/day. AI for vitamin D is insignificant when one considers that a 10-15 minute whole body exposure to peak summer sun will generate and release up to 20,000 IU vitamin $D_3$ into the circulation. Recent studies, which orally administered up to 10,000 IU/day vitamin $D_3$ to human subjects for several months, have successfully elevated circulating 25(OH)D levels to those observed in individuals from sun-rich environments. Further, we are now able to accurately assess sufficient circulating 25(OH)D levels utilizing specific biomarkers instead of guessing what an adequate level is. These biomarkers include intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium absorption, bone mineral density (BMD), insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell function. Using the data from these biomarkers, vitamin D deficiency should be defined as circulating levels of $25(OH)D{\leq}30ng/mL$. In certain cases, such as pregnancy and lactation, significantly higher circulating 25(OH)D levels would almost certainly be beneficial to both the mother and recipient fetus/infant.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1994

임신 26주, 27주의 생명력이 없는 한국인 태아 2예를 대상으로 십이지장 점막에서의 장내분비세포군집(일부 일본인 학자들이 명명한 "Segi's cap")의 출현, 형태 및 구조를 관찰하고. 이들 세포군집에서 내분비세포들의 존재 및 면역조직 화학적 특징들을 관찰하고자, 파라핀조직절편과 냉동박절 후 hematoxvlin과 eosin염색. Azan염색, Comori법, 그리고 면역조직화학염색 표본을 제작, 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과들을 얻었다 세포들의 군집 형태는 장 내강을 향해서는 오목한 형태였고, 기저막을 향해서는 볼록한 형태였다. 군집을 이룬 세포들은 중층을 이루었고. 술잔세포도 장 내캉목에서 관찰되었다 또한. 내강쪽에 위치한 세포들의 경우 미세융모들의 줄무의가장자리는 관찰되지 않았다 Leuenkephalin, somatostatin, substance p, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide 및 5-HT 항혈청을 이용하여 면역조직염색한 결과 somatostatin 양성반응세포와 5-HT 양성반응세포만이 관찰되었다. 이들 somatostatin 양성반응 세포와 5-HT 양성반응세포들은 대개가 원추형의 세포들로서 개구형을 이루고 있음을 관찰한 수 있었다.관찰한 수 있었다.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.311-323
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• 1999

The osteonectin is a sort of glycoprotein which is secreted in human tissues. The osteonectin is generally detected in number of normal or neoplastic human tissues in vivo, but hasn't been studied the role of osteonectin in developing human teeth and odontogenic tumors. We evaluated degree of the expression of osteonectin immunohistochemically in 20 cases of developing tooth germ which growth from fetus 5 to 38 weeks, and total 51 odontogenic tumors whitch has taken from routine biopsy, such as 10 ameloblastomas, 5 cases of adenomatoid odontogenic tumors and odontomas and odontogenic fibromas, 4 cases of cementomas and calcifying epithelial odontogenic cyst and odontogenic keratocyst and dentigerous cysts and periapical cysts, and 3 cases of ameloblastic fibromas and myxomas. The results were as follows: 1. The osteonectin on the bud stage of tooth germ was strongly expressed in the epithelial dental lamina and in the outer dental epithelium on the early bell stage, and also strongly expressed in the inner dental epithelium on the late bell stage of tooth germs. 2. In ameloblastoma, the osteonectin was strongly expressed in the epithelial tumor component and especially in the acanthomatous types. 3. In both of calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor and adenomatoid odontogenic tumors, the osteonectin was moderately expressed on the duct like spindle cells and epithelial tumor cells around calcification areas. 4. In odontogenic tumors originated from epithelial-mesenchymal tissues, the osteonectin was moderately expressed on the epithelial tumor components and in odontogenic cysts, it was expressed in ghost cells and calcification areas only. These were summaried the osteonectin may be strongly related to the developing tooth germ and odontogenic tumors and could be regulated hard tissue of human tooth in morphogenesis and involved with calcification mechanism in development odontogenic tumors.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.135-145
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• 2023

Antibiotics are frequently administered during pregnancy. Although necessary to address acute infections, their use facilitates antibiotic resistance. Other associations have also been found with the use of antibiotics, such as perturbations of gut bacteria, delays in microbial maturation, and increased risks of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Little is known about how the prenatal and perinatal administration of antibiotics to mothers affects the clinical outcomes of their offspring. A literature search was conducted of the Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed engines. The retrieved articles were reviewed by two authors and verified for relevance. The primary outcome was the effect of pre- and perinatal maternal antibiotic use on clinical outcomes. Thirty-one relevant studies were included in the meta-analysis. Various aspects are discussed, including infections, allergies, obesity, and psychosocial factors. In animal studies, antibiotic intake during pregnancy has been suggested to cause long-term alterations in immune regulation. In humans, associations have been found between antibiotic intake during pregnancy and different types of infections and an increased risk of pediatric infection-related hospitalization. A dose-dependent positive association between pre- and perinatal antibiotic use and asthma severity has been reported in animal and human studies, while positive associations with atopic dermatitis and eczema were reported by human studies. Multiple associations were identified between antibiotic intake and psychological problems in animal studies; however, relevant data from human studies are limited. However, one study reported a positive association with autism spectrum disorders. Multiple animal and human studies reported a positive association between pre- and perinatal antibiotic use by mothers and diseases in their offspring. Our findings have potentially significant clinical relevance, particularly considering the implications for health during infancy and later in life as well as the related economic burden.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.252-258
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• 2023

The human fetal sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is characterized by unequal development of the paired bones and delayed cavitation. Thus, during the long in utero period, the bony ilium becomes adjacent to the cartilaginous sacrum. This morphology may be analogous to that of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). We examined horizontal histological sections of 24 fetuses at 10-30 weeks and compared the timing and sequences of joint cartilage development, cavitation, and ossification of the ilium. We also examined histological sections of the TMJ and humeroradial joint, because these also contain a disk or disk-like structure. In the ilium, endochondral ossification started in the anterior side of the SIJ, extended posteriorly and reached the joint at 12 weeks GA, and then extended over the joint at 15 weeks GA. Likewise, the joint cartilage appeared at the anterior end of the future SIJ at 12 weeks GA, and extended along the bony ilium posteriorly to cover the entire SIJ at 26 weeks GA. The cavitation started at 15 weeks GA. Therefore, joint cartilage development seemed to follow the ossification of the ilium by extending along the SIJ, and cavitation then occurred. This sequence "ossification, followed by joint cartilage formation, and then cavitation" did not occur in the TMJ or humeroradial joint. The TMJ had a periosteum-like membrane that covered the joint surface, but the humeroradial joint did not. After muscle contraction starts, it is likely that the mechanical stress from the bony ilium induces development of joint cartilage.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.38-57
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• 2003

Objective: The purpose of this study is to discourse upon that the construction of Sasang Constitutional Medicine has a significant property of Oriental Medicine by explaining the disparity of the viscera and bowels of four constitutions through the special quality of ying-qi and wei-qi circulating in human body on the basis of the channel-qi theory of ${\ulcorner}Huangdi$ $Neijing{\lrcorner}$ Conclusion: 1. Primordial-qi is the congenital essence inherited from the parents and pectoral-qi, ying-qi and wei-qi is the acquired essence derived from the food and air that human eat and breathe. 2. Ying-qi and wei-qi circulates in the meridian system by the strength and pushing of pectoral-qi under the influence of primordial-qi 3. Ying-qi, by the pushing function of pectoral-qi, determines large lung-small liver and small lung-large liver according to the innate quantity of qi and blood. 4. Wei-qi, by the pushing function of pectoral-qi, determines large spleen-small kidney and small spleen-large kidney according to the innate quantity of qi and blood. 5. The heart in the theory of the meridian system's fetus-nourishing and Sasang Constitutional Medicine is involved in the formation of viscera and bowels as governing human body and seven emotions. 6. It is considered that Taiyang person and Taiyin person have the constitution influenced by ying-qi. 7. It is considered that Shaoyang person and Shaoyin person have the constitution influenced by wei-qi. The inquiry into several literatures on the basis of the channel-qi theory of ${\ulcorner}Huangdi$ $Neijing{\lrcorner}$ leads us to the idea that the construction of Sasang Constitotional Medicine is another well-implied representation of the property of the meridian doctrine in the existing Oriental Medicine. And it is considered that the more continual studies of literatures and Sasang Constitutional Medicine Acupuncture are necessary henceforth.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.50-56
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• 2013

Objectives: The present study investigated cytotoxicity and DNA damage in human lung cells in vitro. Methods: Neodymium oxide and lanthanum oxide were dispersed by ultrasonic treatments. The assay was performed with MRC-5 (Human male fetus lung cell). Cytotoxicity and comet assay of lanthanum oxide and neodymium oxide were measured after 24 and 48 hours incubation. Results: After 24 hours of exposure to rare earth metals, the cytotoxicities of lanthanum oxide in more than $1{\mu}M$ concentration groups were significantly increased when compared to the control group, but the cytotoxicities of neodymiun oxide in more than $100{\mu}M$ concentration groups were statistically increased. After 48 hours exposure, cytotoxicities of both materials were statistically increased in $100,000{\mu}M$ concentration groups. Olive tail moments of the lanthanum oxide treated group were significantly increased when compared to the control group. Conclusions: The cytotoxicity of lanthanum oxide was higher than that of neodymium oxide. The DNA of MRC-5 cells treated with lanthanum oxide for 48 hours were significantly damaged.