• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.255-263
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• 2007

Purpose : A single center cross sectional retrospective study was performed to compare the outcomes of different peritoneal dialysis(PD) modalities in Korean children. Methods : Among children dialyzed with PD between the year 2004 and 2007, 35 children had reliable data on PD adequacy after 3 to 15 months of dialysis. Subjects were grouped by their modalities; 17, 13 and 5 children were on continuous ambulatory PD(CAPD), continuous cyclic PD(CCPD) and nightly intermittent PD(NIPD), respectively. Body weight and height, number of patients taking anti-hypertensives and laboratory data including biochemical and hemoglobin levels were compared. Dialysis adequacy including weekly Kt/Vurea, creatinine clearance (Ccr) and daily water removal were also compared. Patients were sub-grouped by their peritoneal permeability characteristics. Results : The percentage of patients taking anti-hypertensives, monthly change in Z-scores of body weight and height and laboratory data did not differ among the groups. Patients on CAPD and CCPD showed similar dialysis adequacies. Weekly dialytic Ccr was significantly lower in the NIPD group compared to the others. But total Ccr was not different when residual renal function was added. Weekly dialytic Ccr by CAPD was significantly higher than that of CCPD in low and low-average transporters. Conclusion : We propose that modality can be selected flexibly according to the patients' preferences. And peritoneal permeability characteristics provide valuable information for adjusting PD prescriptions in ultrafiltration failure or in inadequate dialysis. Further study of other clinical performance measures should be performed to clarify the comparable outcomes in different PD modalities.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.290-298
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• 1992

Although early diagnosis of urinary tract infection is important, the radiologic evaluation is still controversial because of the low sensitivity and the lack of cost-effectiveness. This study was carried out to evaluate the clinical utility of high resolution triple head $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging in urinary tract infection. We prospectively performed $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ planar and SPECT imaging, ultrasound of kidney (US), intravenous pyelography (IVP) and voiding cystourethrography (VCU) in all 60 adult patients with UTI [26 with first episode of acute pyelonephritis (APN), 22 with recurrent APN, and 12 persistent asymptomatic pyuria] and 25 normal persons. To assess reversibility of the renal cortical defect (RCD), $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT was repeated 1 to 8 months later in those patients with abnormal initial findings. Overall detection rate of $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging was 83% (50/60), but planar, US, IVP and VCU showed abnormal findings in 68%, 28%, 32% and 13%, respectively. 25 out of 27 patients with normal or single RCD were all normal in other radioligic studies. Only two patients showed vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on VCU (grade I) and mild hydronephrosis on IVP. But, high proportion of those with multiple RCD showed abnormal findings on US (17/33), IVP (18/33), and VCU (7/33): 67% in any of these 3 studies. Especially, 3 out 7 patients with VUR showed multiple RCD on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT without any abnormality on IVP or US. 25 normal persons showed normal findings in all studies except one false positive finding on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging. Follow-up $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT was done in 28 patients (13 with single RCD, 15 with multiple RCD). All 13 patients with single RCD showed improvement. Those with multiple RCD presented improvement in 4, no change in 10, and aggravation in 1 on follow-up studies. With these results, we conclude: 1) $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging is superior to planar imaging, US, IVP or VCU in detection of renal lesion in urinary tract infection. $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT is useful as a initial diagnostic tool in adult patients with urinary tract infection. 2) The multiple RCD on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT represent the high probability of irreversible tissue change and need of extensive urological work-up.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 2010

Purpose : Genetic and clinical factors can influence the permeability of the peritoneal membrane. The peritoneal equilibration test (PET) is helpful in measuring peritoneal permeability in peritoneal dialysis (PD). We investigated the influence of genetic polymorphism of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the PET parameters. Methods : Pediatric patients who underwent PET within 12 months of initiating PD at Seoul National University Children's Hospital and Samsung Medical Center were selected. The patients with positive history of peritonitis before PET were excluded. The VEGF -2578C/A, -14978T/C, -1154G/A, -634G/C, and +936C/T single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped. Results : The mean 4-hour dialysate-to-plasma ratio for creatinine (D/P creatinine) and the mean 4-hour dialysate glucose to baseline dialysate glucose ratio (D/$D_0$ glucose) were $0.56{\pm}0.13$ and $0.43{\pm}0.11$, respectively. The patients with haplotype CTGGC showed higher 4-hour D/P creatinine ($0.67{\pm}0.12$ vs $0.50{\pm}0.09$, P=0.007) and lower 4-hour D/$D_0$ glucose ($0.35{\pm}0.12$ vs $0.47{\pm}0.08$, P=0.037) than those without haplotype CTGGC. Conclusion : The VEGF genetic polymorphism may influence the peritoneal solute transport.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2015

Based on the results of previous studies, endoscopic biopsy sample's quality has a major impact on its adequacy for histopathology, and that the nature of the biopsy forceps can influence the specimen quality. The present study compared the effects of three different types of endoscopic biopsy forceps and two different operators on sample quality and adequacy for histopathology in three healthy cats. Every biopsy was performed between the major papilla and caudal duodenal flexure, and each operator performed five biopsies with each type of forceps on each cat, for a total of 90 biopsies. One pathologist evaluated the quality and adequacy of the obtained samples. Biopsies performed with large-cup forceps provided heavier and longer samples than the standard round forceps. With the same size forceps, the presence of alligator teeth had no effect on sample quality or adequacy for histopathological examination and assessment. Based on the results of the present study, although the standard round forceps could be used to obtain adequate samples for histopathology, large-cup forceps such as the standard oval and alligator jaw type have the advantage of obtaining high quality endoscopic samples.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2012

In this study, a method was developed using molecular biological technique to distinguish an authenticity of meats for processed meat products. The genes for distinction of species about meats targeted at 12S or 16S genes in mitochondrial DNA and the species-specific primers were designed by that PCR products' size was around 200bp for applying to processed products. The target materials were 10 species of livestock products and it checked whether expected PCR products were created or not by electrophoresis after PCR using species-specific primers. The results of PCR for beef, pork, goat meat, mutton, venison, and horse meat were 131, 138, 168, 144, 191, and 142 bp each. The expected PCR products were confirmed at 281, 186, 174, and 238 bp for chicken, duck, turkeymeat, and ostrich. Also, non-specific PCR products were not detected in similar species by species-specific primers. The method using primers developed in this study confirm to be applicable for composite seasoning including beefs and processed meat products including pork and chicken. Therefore, this method may apply to distinguish an authenticity of meats for various processed products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.317-324
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• 2012

In order to determine an authenticity of food ingredient, we used DNA barcode method by universal primers. For identification of animal food ingredients, LCO1490/HCO2198 and VF2/FISH R2 designed for amplifying cytochrome c oxidase subunit1 (CO1) region and L14724/H15915 for cytochrome b (cyt b) region on mitochondrial DNA were used. Livestock (cow, pig, goat, sheep, a horse and deer) was amplified by LCO1490/HCO 2198, VF2/FISH R2 and L14724/H15915 primers. Poultry (chicken, duck, turkey and ostrich) was amplified by LCO1490/HCO 2198 and VF2/FISH R2 primers. But, Fishes (walleye pollack, herring, codfish, blue codfish, trout, tuna and rockfish) were only amplified by VF2/FISH R2 primers. For plant food ingredients, 3 types of primers (trnH/psbA, rpoB 1F/4R and rbcL 1F/724R) have been used an intergenic spacer, a RNA polymerase beta subunit and a ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase region on plastid, respectively. Garlic, onion, radish, green tea and spinach were amplified by trnH/psbA, rpoB 1F/4R and rbcL 1F/724R. The PCR product sizes were same by rpoB 1F/4R and rbcL 1F/724R but, the PCR product size using trnH/psbA primer was different with others for plants each. We established PCR condition and universal primer selection for 17 item's raw materials for foods and determine base sequences aim to PCR products in this study. This study can apply to determine an authenticity of foods through making an comparison between databases and base sequences in gene bank. Therefore, DNA barcode method using universal primers can be a useful for species identification techniques not only raw materials but also processed foods that are difficult to analyze by chemical analysis.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.333-343
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• 2015

This research aims at identifying the goshawk's possible and replaceable breeding ground by using the MaxEnt prediction model which has so far been insufficiently used in Korea, and providing evidence to expand possible protection areas for the goshawk's breeding for the future. The field research identified 10 goshawk's nests, and 23 appearance points confirmed during the 3rd round of environmental research were used for analysis. 4 geomorphic, 3 environmental, 7 distance, and 9 weather factors were used as model variables. The final environmental variables were selected through non-parametric verification between appearance and non-appearance coordinates identified by random sampling. The final predictive model (MaxEnt) was structured using 10 factors related to breeding ground and 7 factors related to appearance area selected by statistics verification. According to the results of the study, the factor that affected breeding point structure model the most was temperature seasonality, followed by distance from mixforest, density-class on the forest map and relief energy. The factor that affected appearance point structure model the most was temperature seasonality, followed by distance from rivers and ponds, distance from agricultural land and gradient. The nature of the goshawk's breeding environment and habit to breed inside forests were reflected in this modeling that targets breeding points. The northern central area which is about $189.5 km^2$(2.55 %) is expected to be suitable breeding ground. Large cities such as Cheongju and Chungju are located in the southern part of Chungcheongbuk-do whereas the northern part of Chungcheongbuk-do has evenly distributed forests and farmlands, which helps goshawks have a scope of influence and food source to breed. Appearance point modeling predicted an area of $3,071 km^2$(41.38 %) showing a wider ranging habitat than that of the breeding point modeling due to some limitations such as limited moving observation and non-consideration of seasonal changes. When targeting the breeding points, a specific predictive area can be deduced but it is difficult to check the points of nests and it is impossible to reflect the goshawk's behavioral area. On the other hand, when targeting appearance points, a wider ranging area can be covered but it is less accurate compared to predictive breeding point since simple movements and constant use status are not reflected. However, with these results, the goshawk's habitat can be predicted with reasonable accuracy. In particular, it is necessary to apply precise predictive breeding area data based on habitat modeling results when enforcing an environmental evaluation or establishing a development plan.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.915-919
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• 2015

This study was performed in order to provide basic data for predicting the usefulness of Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus) as a food raw material. The changes in the physicochemical properties of freeze-dried and hot air-dried Jicama were investigated and analyzed. The moisture content of raw Jicama was 81.84%. The crude protein, crude fat, crude ash and carbohydrate content of hot air-dried Jicama powder were 2.85, 0.79, 7.93 and 88.44%, while those of freeze-dried Jicama powder were 3.93, 0.83, 7.92 and 87.32%, respectively on dry basis. Regarding the color values, the lightness of freeze-dried Jicama (92.86) was higher than that of the hot air-dried Jicama (88.01), whereas the redness (-0.67) and yellowness (3.21) of freeze-dried Jicama were lower than those of the hot air-dried Jicama (0.43) and (11.96), respectively. The brown index was lower in the freeze-dried Jicama (0.029) than in hot air-dried Jicama (0.107). The total sugar content showed no significant differences between freeze (46.49 mg/g) and hot air-dried Jicama (45.11 mg/g). Finally, the amylose content was higher in freeze-dried Jicama (5.66%) than in hot air-dried Jicama (6.63%).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1637-1643
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• 2009

Shikonin, a component of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc, exerts various characteristics such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-obesity functions. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of shikonin-induced inhibition of adipogenesis, we analyzed the mRNA expression level of various adipogenesis-related factors including C/EBPs (CCAAT/enhancerbinding proteins) and $PPAR{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\gamma$). The data showed that mRNA expressions of C/$EBP{\beta}$ and C/$EPB{\delta}$ were only slightly changed by shikonin treatment, but mRNA expressions of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EPB{\alpha}$ were significantly down-regulated. Then, we tested whether upstream regulators of C/$EBP{\beta}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ were involved in anti-adipogenesis of shikonin. C/$EBP{\gamma}$ and CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), which are upstream regulators of C/$EBP{\beta}$, were not affected by shikonin treatment. On the contrary, the mRNA level of KROX20 was markedly down-regulated by shikonin treatment. These results suggest that KROX20 might regulate downstream factors of adipogenesis through C/$EBP{\beta}$-independent pathway. The expression of KLF15 (Kruppel-like factor15), which is a member of KLF family and is a upstream regulator of $PPAR{\gamma}$, was dramatically decreased by shikonin treatment, but KLF2 was not changed. Shikonin had no impact on the expression of KLF5 in the early stage of adipogenesis, but shikonin increased expression of KLF5 in the late stage of adipogenesis. Even though mRNA expression of KLF5 was moderately changed by shikonin treatment, its effect may be small compared with the effect of KLF15, which was markedly inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that shikonin inhibits adipogenesis through the down-regulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EPB{\alpha}$, which is mediated by the down-regulation of two pro-adipogenic factors, KROX20 and KLF15.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2005

Purpose: Bone metastasis is not a common event in patients with gastric cancer. Therefore, most studies of bone metastasis in such patients have been in the form of case reports, so the clinical features of the bone metastasis are not well understood. To clarify metastatic patterns, the efficacy of radiation or chemotherapy, and the prognosis, we analyzed 29 cases of patients with bone metastases after curative surgery for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine (29) gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis who underwent curative resection from January 1989 to December 2002 at the Departments of Surgery, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital and Our Lady of Mercy's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, were analyzed. Results: Nineteen (19) patients were males and, 10 patients were females. The mean age of the patients was $53\pm12$ years. There were more Borrmann type-3 and type-4 cancers and more undifferentiated histologic types. Most of the original cancers were stage III or IV. The most frequently involved bone was the spine. Treatment after recurrence was done in 16 patients ($55.2\%$). The median survival time after recurrence of the patients who received treatment was seven (7) months ($0\∼75$ months in range), which was significantly longer than that of the patients who did not received treatment (P=0.019). However, there was no difference according to the treatment modality (P=0.388). Conclusion: Bone metastasis after a curative resection of gastric cancer tends to occur in Borrmann type-3 and type-4 cancers, cancers with undifferentiated histology and, in stage III/IV disease. The prognosis of bone metastasis is dismal, and aggressive treatment is the only way to prolong survival.