• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.850-856
• /
• 2010

An in vivo oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed on hyperglycemic male Sprague-Dawley rats to assess the effect of fruits and vegetables ($1g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ body weight) on blood glucose levels (${\Delta}BGLs$) at different time intervals of 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. The areas under glucose curve (${\Delta}AUCs$) were calculated at 120 min of OGTT by trapezoid method. Total phenolic content (TPC) and anti-oxidant activity (AOA) of fruits and vegetables were assayed in vitro by Folin Ciocalteu and DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) methods, respectively. At the end of the experiment the correlations among the parameters TPC, AOA and ${\Delta}AUC$ was estimated by Pearson's correlations. Among fruit crops, tangerine, plum, grape and pear and among vegetables, blue leaf mustard, cabbage, chicory, broccoli and others exhibited significant hypoglycemic effects by reducing ${\Delta}BGLs$ with significant ${\Delta}AUC$. The effective ${\Delta}AUC$ ranged from $5548.2{\pm}462.1$ to $3823.3{\pm}282.0mg-min{\cdot}dL^{-1}$. The TPC and AOA ranged from $0.063{\pm}0.00$ to $0.913{\pm}0.14mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$ GAE and $01.05{\pm}0.08$ to $75.46{\pm}0.06%$, respectively. Overall, six fruits and fifteen vegetables exhibited higher TPC and one fruit and four vegetables exhibited higher AOA. There was a better correlation among TPC, AOA and ${\Delta}AUC$ of fruits and TPC & AOA of vegetables. We report that hypoglycemically significant fruits and vegetables investigated in this study have pharmacological importance which reduced ${\Delta}BGLs$ through insulin like activity and AOA in prevention of type-2 diabetes.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.85-95
• /
• 1996

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) in childhood is unique and different n-om that in adulthood in several aspects, including pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic criteria, complications, management, and prognosis. Characteristic features of childhood OSAS in comparison with the adult form are the variety of severe complications such as developmental delay, more prominent behavioral and cognitive impairments, vivid cardiovascular symptoms, and increased death risk, warranting a special attention to the possible diagnosis of OSAS in children who snore. However, the childhood OSAS is often neglected and unrecognized. We, therefore, report a case of very severe OSAS in a 5-year-old boy who was sucessfully treated with continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) treatment. Interestingly, the patient was comor-bid with the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Prior to the initial visit to us, adenotonsillectomy had been done at the age of 4 with no significant improvement of apneic symptoms and heavy snoring. On the initial diagnostic procedures, marked degree of snoring was audible even in the daytime wake state and the patient was observed to be very hyperactive. Increased pulmonary vascularity with borderline cardiomegaly was noted on chest X-ray. The baseline polysomnography revealed that the patient was very sleep-apneic and snored very heavily, with the respiratory disturbance index(RDI) of 46.9 per hour of sleep, the mean SaO2 of 78.8%, and the lowest SaO2 of 40.0%(the lowest detectable oxygen level by the applied oxymeter). The second night polysomnography was done for CPAP titration and the optimal pressure turned out to be $8.0\;cmH_2O$. The applied CPAP treatment was well tolerated by the patient and was found to be very effective in alleviating heavy snoring and severe repetitive sleep apneas. After 18 months of the CPAP treatment, the patient was followed up with nocturnal polysomnography(baseline and CPAP nights) and clinical examination. Sleep apneas were still present without CPAP on the baseline night. However, the severity of OSAS was significantly decreased(RDI of 15.7, mean SaO2 of 96.2%, and the lowest SaO2 of 83.0%), compared to the initial polysomnographic findings before initiation of long-term CPAP treatment. Wechsler intelligence tests done before and after the CPAP treatment were compared with each other and surprising improvement of intelligence(total 9 points, performance 16 points) was noted. Clinically he was found to be markedly improved in his attention deficit hyperactive behavior after CPAP treatment, but with minimal change of TOVA(test of variables of attention) scores except conversion of reaction time score into normal range. On the chest X-ray taken after 18 months of CPAP application, the initial cardiopulmonary abnormalities were not found at all. We found that the CPAP treatment in a young child is very effective, safe, and well-tolerated and also improves the co-morbid attention deficit hyperactive symptoms. Overall, the growth and development of the child has been facilitated with the long-term use of CPAP. Cardiovascular complications induced by OSAS have been also normalized with CPAP treatment. We suggest that early diagnosis and active treatment intervention of OSAS in children are crucial in preventing and ameliorating possible serious complications caused by repetitive sleep apneas and consequent hypoxic damage during sleep.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.60 no.1
• /
• pp.72-75
• /
• 2006

Background : This report reviews our experience with persistent air leaks in the peumothorax that were not considered candidates for surgical treatment in order to evaluate the efficacy and risks of the OK-432 plus autoblood or OK-432 pleurodesis. Material & Methods : From March 2004 to July 2005, 8 consecutive patients who had an air leak in the pneumothorax over 5 days and had been treated with OK-432 plus autoblood or OK-432 pleurodesis. The patients were not considered candidates for surgical treatments because the chest CT findings revealed severe chronic lung disease with multiple bullae and/or bullous changes. A prolonged air leak with/without dead space was treated with either OK-432 plus autoblood or OK-432 pleurodesis. The efficacy and side effects of OK-432 pleurodesis were assessed by determining the duration of the air leak, the number of pleurodesis, the patients' symptoms, measurements of the white blood cell count and the c-reactive protein level. Results : All of eight patients were male and the mean age was $72.4{\pm}8.5$. The mean number of pleurodesis was $1.9{\pm}1.1$ and the mean duration of the air leak was $4.6{\pm}4.6days$ after pleurodesis. Side effects after pleurodesis were encountered in 7 patients, which included a chilling sensation in 7 cases, chest pain in 5 cases, headache in 3 cases, local heat sensation in 2 cases, and fever in 1 case. Leukocytosis was observed in 6 patients, and the mean of WBC count and CRP were $14500{\pm}2100$ and $21.9{\pm}11.4mg/dL$, respectively. Conclusion : Either OK-432 plus autoblood or OK-432 pleurodesis has acceptable side effects, and can be considered a treatment option for persistent air leaks in the pneumothorax that are not candidates for surgical treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.45-56
• /
• 2003

Background : Mycobacterium abscessus is the most common respiratory pathogen in rapidly growing mycobacteria and is resistant to all of the first-line antituberculosis drugs. This report describes the clinical and radiographic characteristics in patients with pulmonary disease caused by M. abscessus. Materials and Methods : Twelve patients with pulmonary disease caused by M. abscessus who fulfilled the 1997 American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria for a nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infection were observed over a five-and-a-half year period. The clinical characteristics and chest radiographic findings were analyzed, retrospectively. Results : The patients were predominantly female(11/12, 92%) and nonsmokers(12/12, 100%). Coughing (10/12, 83%), sputum(10/12, 83%) and hemoptysis(10/12, 83%) were the common symptoms and they had prolonged periods from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis of their disease(median 6.5 years). Eleven (92%) patients had a previous history of being treated for pulmonary tuberculosis. The sputum specimens were acid-fast bacilli smear-positive in all patients. All patients were administered antituberculosis drugs. Six (50%) patients were treated with second-line antituberculosis drugs on account of persistent smear-positive sputum specimens. The chest radiographs showed that reticulonodular opacities(11/12, 92%) were the most common pattern of abnormality, followed by cavitary lesions(5/12, 42%). The computed tomography findings suggested bronchiolitis from the centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud appearances(9/10, 90%) and bronchiectasis (9/10, 90%) were the most common, followed by well-defined nodules smaller than 10-mm in diameter(7/10, 70%). Conclusions : M. abscessus pulmonary disease should be recognized as a cause of chronic mycobacterial lung disease, and respiratory isolates should be assessed carefully.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.65 no.4
• /
• pp.277-284
• /
• 2008

Background: In principle, cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (CTBL) is a medical disease that may require surgical treatment, particularly in young women who complain of psychosocial and cosmetic problems. We encountered 13 cases of aggravated CTBL treated surgically despite the appropriate course of antituberculous chemotherapy. We report the clinical characteristis of these cases. Methods: The clinical data of 13 patients with aggravated CTBL requiring surgical treatment from January 2000 to December 2006 at the Department of Chest Medicine, Internal Medicine and Plastic Surgery, National Medical Center was reviewed retrospectively. Results: Twelve of the 13 cases (92%) were female. The most common age was 21~30 years (69%). Multiple nodes were palpated in 11 cases (85%). The supraclavicular lymph nodes were sites the most commonly involved (54%). The other involved sites in the order of decreasing frequency were the jugular chain, posterior cervical, submandibular and infraauricular lymph nodes. A palpable mass was the most commonsymptom. Neck pain was reported in 3 cases (23%). General symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, anorexia and night sweats were noted in 5 cases (38%). Respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum, hemoptysis, dyspnea and chest pain were observed in 4 cases (31%). Pulmonary tuberculosis was noted in 11 cases (85%). Other extrapulmonary tuberculosis coexisted in 4 cases (31%). This suggests that surgical CTBLs may be manifestations of a systemic disease and might be difficult to treat. Most cases (92%) were stages 2 and 3 at the initial diagnostic period but all cases fell into stage 4 and 5 when reassesed before surgery. The average duration of anti-TB chemotherapy before and after surgery was 10.2 and 15.2 months, respectively. The 13 patients were followed up until June. 2008. Among them, 2 cases had newly developed CTBL and the other 11cases showed no recurrence. Conclusion: In principle, CTBL is the medical disease. However, despite the appropriate course of anti-TB chemotherapy, CTBL can progress to a more advanced stages and grow rapidly to a large-sized or fistulous mass with a persistent abscess. Surgical treatment may be inevitable for patients with psychosocial and cosmetic problems caused by these masses, particularly in young women.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.8
• /
• pp.732-739
• /
• 2007

Purpose : A universal standard of the birth weight for gestational age cannot be made since birth weight distribution varies with races, nations and eras. This report aims to establish the birth weight for gestational age patterns by sex, plurality, and parity, specific for Korean live births. Methods : The national birth certificate data of all live births in Korea from January 2000 to December 2004 were used: for live births with gestational age 24 weeks to 42 weeks (n=2,585,5160), mean birth weight, standard deviation and 10th, 25th, 75th and 90th percentile values were obtained for each gestational age group by one week increment. To establish final standard values of Korean birth weight distribution by gestational age, the finite mixture model to eliminated erroneous birth weights was used for respective gestational age. Same as above method the birth weight for gestational age standard by sex, plurality, and parity were completed. Results : The male newborns are more heavier than female during the entire gestational age. The singletons are more heavier than twin during the entire gestational age. The para 2 are more heavier than the para 1 during the entire gestational age. Korean standard was more heavier in 10th and 50th percentile than Lubchenco's standard. Alexander's standard was more heavier in 50th and 90th percentile than Korean standard. Conclusion : These birth weight for gestational age patterns by sex, plurality, and parity are similar to the other standards. I hope that for Korean infants, this curve will help clinicians in defining and managing the large for gestational age infants and also for infants with intrauterine growth retardation.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.468-472
• /
• 1995

Substantial amount of caryophyllene oxide (CPO) is present in the essential oils of traditionally-used folk medicinal plants and herbal spices. The CPO, produced via chemical and/or enzymatic reaction of caryophyllene (CP), has largely being used as a flavoring component and exhibited a variety of biological activities. Now, we report the antimutagenic activity of CPO determined by Ames's preincubation test. S-9 fraction was prepared from the liver of rats treated with Arochor 1254. Anatoxin $B_1\;(AFB_1)$ and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) were used as mutagens. Reduction of mutagenicity of $AFB_1$ or IQ for S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 by CPO was found to be a dose-dependant manner. CPO (500 ${\mu}g/plate$) reduced mutagenicity of AEB1 for S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 to 89% and 71%, respectively. For IQ, similar results were observed against S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100, resulting in the inhibition percentage of 77% and 51%, respectively. CP also reduced mutagenicity of AEB1 and IQ for S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100, but the reduction rate was somewhat lowered relative to that of CPO. These results indicate that CPO could be developed as a potent antimutagenic flavoring agent.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.317-323
• /
• 2014

Violacein has received much attention due to its various important biological activities, including broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity, anti-malarial, anti-tumoral, anti-oxidant, and anti-diarrheal activities. EP15224 strain isolated from forest soils in Korea was found to be a new species belonged to the genus Massilia based on its 16S ribosomal DNA sequences. The 16S ribosomal DNA of strain EP15224 displayed 97% homology with Massilia sp. BS-1, the nearest violacein-producing bacterium. Strain EP15224 produced bluish-purple pigment well in a synthetic MM2 medium containing glucose, $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, $Na_2HPO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$, $KH_2PO_4$, $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$, and 1 mM $\small{L}$-tryptophan. The chemical analysis of the pigment by LC/MS/MS showed that it is violacein with molecular weight of 343.34. This is the second report on the production of violacein by a Massilia species. In this study, the optimal culture conditions for violacein production were established under which 280 mg/l crude violacein was produced : glucose 2 g/l, $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ 1 g/l, $Na_2HPO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$ 2 g/l, $KH_2PO_4$ 1 g/l, $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$ 0.1 g/l, L-tryptophan 0.24 g/l, 25 ml medium in a 250 ml flask, with an inoculumn size of 10% (v/v), 72 h of cultivation with 250 rpm at $25^{\circ}C$.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.498-513
• /
• 2007

Since it was reported that incipient enamel caries can be recovered, previous studies have quantitatively evaluated that enamel artificial caries have been, remineralized with fluoride showing simultaneously the increase of width of surface layer and the decrease of width of the body of legion. There is, however, little report which showed that remineralization could occur without fluoride. In addition, the observations on the change of hydroxyapatite crystals also have been scarcely seen. In this study, enamel caries in intact premolars or molars was induced by using lactic acidulated buffering solutions over 2 days. Then decalcified specimens were remineralized by seven groups of solutions using different degree of saturation(0.212, 0.239, 0.301, 0.355) and different pH(5.0, 5.5, 6.0) over 10 days. A qualitative comparison to changes of hydroxyapatite crystals after fracturing teeth was made under SEM(scanning electron microscopy) and AFM(atomic force microscopy). The results were as follows: 1. The size of hydroxyapatite crystals in demineralized area was smaller than the normal ones. While the space among crystals was expanded, it was observed that crystals are arranged irregularly. 2. In remineralized enamel area, the enlarged crystals with various shape were observed when the crystals were fused and new small crystals in intercrystalline spaces were deposited. 3. Group 3 and 4 with higher degree of saturation at same pH showed the formation of large clusters by aggregation of small crystals from the surface layer to the lesion body than group 1 and 2 with relatively low degree of saturation at same pH did. Especially group 4 showed complete remineralization to the body of lesions. Group 5 and 6 with lower pH at similar degree of saturation showed remineralization to the body of lesions while group 7 didn't show it. Unlike in Group 3 and 4, Group 5 and 6 showed that each particle was densely distributed with clear appearance rather than crystals form clusters together.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.68-75
• /
• 1999

Objectives: We intended to observe changes in sleep patterns and mood states of night-shift workers following light exposure. We also estimated the degree of tolerance of light exposure. By studying these, we investigated the possibility of applying light therapy to night-shift workers for improving their adaptation. Methods: Twelve night-shift nurses working at Yong-In Mental Hospital volunteered to participate in this study. The study consisted of 3 parts: 1) night-shift control study; 2) light exposure study; 3) day-shift control study. All the nurses accomplished 3 parts of the study, each of which continued for 3 days, except one nurse who did not participate in day-shift control study. During light exposure study, nurses were exposed to bright light for 4 hours from 1AM to 5AM. Sleep patterns were evaluated with wrist actigraphy and automatic sleep analysis program. Mood states and side effects of light exposure were assessed with self-report scales. Results: Sleep period time, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency were increased following light exposure compared with night-shift control study. Light exposure study showed no difference from day-shift control study in above-mentioned sleep parameters. Daily fluctuation of sleep efficiency was less prominent during light exposure study than during night-shift control study. During light exposure study, the subjects felt more elated and energetic in the evening after daytime sleep than during night-shift control study. None of the subjects complained of severe side effects related to light exposure on the third day of light exposure. Tolerance of side effects was noted to develop with the repetition of light exposure. Conclusion: Light exposure improved the daytime sleep of night-shift workers to the level of normal nighttime sleep, making the subjects more elated and energetic. Side effects of light exposure were found to be tolerable. Light exposure seems to be safely applicable to night-shift workers for their adaptation.