• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2001

Background : Angiogenesis is an essential process for the growth and metastatic ability of solid tumors. One of the key factors known to be capable of stimulating tumor angiogenesis is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The serum VEGF concentration has been shown to be a useful parameter related to the clinical features and prognosis of lung cancer and has been recently applied to a the malignant pleural effusion showing a correlation with the biochemical parameters. The VEGF has been shown to play a role in the inflammatory diseases, but rarely in the tuberculosis (TB). The serum and pleural fluid VEGF levels were measured in patients with lung cancer and TB. Their relationship with the clinical and laboratory parameters and repeated measurement 3 months after various anticancer treatments were evaluated to assess the utility of the VEGF as a tumor marker. Methods : Using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the VEGF conoentration was measured in both sera and pleural effusions collected from a total of 85 patients with lung cancer, 13 patients with TB and 20 healthy individuals. Results : The serum VEGF levels in patients with lung cancer ($619.9{\pm}722.8pg/ml$) were significantly higher than those of healthy controls ($215.9{\pm}191.1pg/ml$), However, there was no significant difference between the VEGF levels in the lung cancer and TB patients. The serum VEGF levels were higher in large cell and undifferentiated carcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The serum VEGF levels of lung cancer patients revealed no significant relationship with the various clinical parameters. The VEGF concentrations in the malignant effusion ($2,228.1{\pm}2,103.0pg/ml$) were significantly higher than those in the TB effusion ($897.6{\pm}978.8pg/ml$). In the malignant pleural effusion, the VEGF levels revealed significant correlation with the number of red blood cells (r=0.75), the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)(r=0.70), and glucose concentration (r=-0.55) in the pleural fluid. Conclusion : The serum VEGF levels were higher in the lung cancer patients. The VEGF levels were more elevated in the malignant pleural effusion than in the tuberculous effusion. In addition, the VEGF levels in the pleural fluid were several times higher than the matched serum values suggesting a local activation and possible etiologic role of VEGF in the formation of malignant effusions. The pleural VEGF levels showed a significant correlation with the numbers of red blood cells, LDH and glucose concentrations in the pleural fluid, which may represent the tumor burden.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 1999

Background : A sizable percentage of tuberculous pleurisy patients are known to have residual pleural thickening(RPT) despite adequate anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. But, the predictive factors related to the development of RPT is not well known. Therefore, we studied to determine which factors are related to the development of RPT after completion of therapy. Methods: By retrospective review of medical records, fifty-eight patients initially diagnosed as having tuberculous pleurisy between March 1995 and January 1998 were separated into two groups : 27 patients in group 1 had RPT on simple chest radiography, while 31 patients in group 2 had no RPT after 6 month of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. The clinical characteristics, radiologic findings and pleural fluid findings of the two group were compared at the time of diagnosis and during the course of therapy. Results: 47% of patients had RPT after 6 month of chemotherapy, and RPT was more common in man than in women(54% vs 29%, p=0.092). In group 2 patients, complete resorption of pleural lesion occurred rather late stage of therapy(1-2 month: 26%, 3-4 month: 29%, 5-6 month: 45%). Group 1 patients had increased percentage of loculated pleural lesion(26 % vs 19%) and increased white blood cell and lymphocyte count, lactate dehydrogenase level in pleural fluid ($3527\pm5652$ vs $2467\pm2201$/ml, $2066\pm2022$ vs $1698\pm1835$/ml and $1636\pm1143$ vs $1441\pm923$IU/mL respectively) than group 2 at the time of diagnosis, but statistically insignificant. Duration of symptom prior to treatment, size of pleural effusion, presence of parenchymal lung lesion, level of total protein, glucose and adenosine deaminase(ADA)activity in pleural fluid were similar in both group. Conclusion: 53% of tuberculous pleurisy patients showed slow but complete resorption of pleural lesion after 6 month of chemotherapy. But, no clinical, radiological and pleural fluid findings are predictive for the development of RPT.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.107-123
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• 1993

To define the effects of various levels $(0\~1.5\%)$ of dietary n-3HUFA on the physiological changes in the Korean rockfish, variations in blood variables and hepatocytes were studied. Biochemical serum analyses, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of the liver cytosol and ATPase activity of the liver microsomal membrane were also studied. The haematological values (red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCHC, MCV and MCH) were not significantly different in the experimental groups $(P\geq0.05)$. The total protein and glucose levels in the serum were affected by dietary n-3HUFA levels. These levels in groups fed n-3HUFA insufficient diets were significantly lower than those of n-3HUFA sufficient groups (P<0.05). Serum levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetatic transaminase (GOT) showed significantly higher values in the fish fed n-3HUFA deficient diets (P<0.05). The LDH in the serum was dropped with increasing dietary n-3HUFA levels, but the LDH activity of the liver cytosol was elevated. Histologically, the hepatic cell in the fish fed n-3HUFA free diet was abnormal and showed a necrotic condition. $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ activities of the liver microsomal membrane were significantly lower in the fish fed n-3HUFA deficient diets than in those fed n-3HUFA sufficient diets (p<0.005). These results suggested that the liver cell membrane was affected by dietary fatty acid compositions and cell membrane of the fish fed n-3HUFA insufficient diets showed abnormalities.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.795-802
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• 2011

To determine the deacidification factor during carbonic maceration (CM), different temperature conditions were studied. The pH was higher in CM-$35^{\circ}C$ and CM-$25^{\circ}C$ and was lower in CM-$45^{\circ}C$. The total acid was inversely related to the pH. The malic-acid level decreased much more in CM-$35^{\circ}C$ than in CM-$45^{\circ}C$ while the lactic-acid level increased much more in CM-$35^{\circ}C$. The activity of the NADP-malic enzyme, which catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of L-malate into pyruvate, $CO_2$, and NADPH, was higher in CM-$25^{\circ}C$ and CM-$35^{\circ}C$ while CM-$45^{\circ}C$ showed no NADP-malic enzyme activity. The malic-dehydrogenase (MDH) activity was higher in CM-$25^{\circ}C$ and CM-$35^{\circ}C$ while CM-$45^{\circ}C$ showed no MDH activity. The oxalacetate decarboxylase activity was similar to the NADP-malic-enzyme and MDH activities. Pyruvate decarboxylase activity was shown in all the CM treatments. The L-lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was not explored in the fermentation of pyruvate to lactate via LDH in the grapes during CM. In this study, it was confirmed that carbonic maceration reduced the malic acid during fermentation and was affected by the temperature. Moreover, it was assumed that the deacidification during the carbonic maceration of the grapes was probably correlated with the degradation enzyme activity of malic acid.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1152-1158
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• 2009

For the toxicological pathologic study of amanita muscaria, we have investigated single and repeated dose toxicity in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Single dose toxicity study was identified as catalepsy, incline and tail pinch methods (control 0 mg/kg, low 3.3 mg/kg, middle 16.5 mg/kg, high 33.0 mg/kg). Repeated dose toxicity study was carried out in blood tests, serum tests and histopathological methods. Neurotoxicity - muscle paralysis, and convulsion and loss of movement - was observed at 33.0 mg/kg group in the single dose toxicity study. Dysfunction of liver and kidney were shown in the repeated oral administration of the amanita muscaria at 3${\sim}$4 weeks. Serum chemistry results revealed a marked increase of LDH [Lactate Dehydrogenase (3181.5 IU/L; normal 230-460 IU/l)], ALT [Alanine transaminase (124.0 IU/l; normal <40 IU/l)] but the kidney was normal. Histopathological results show interstitial edema and tubular epithelial necrosis in the kidney. These results suggest that amanita muscaria has a neurotoxic effect and causes dysfunction of liver and kidney in the SD rat.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.501-508
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• 1994

This study was undertaken to get basic data for the cold-waterless transportation of live fish. The optimal cold temperature of plaice, Paralichthy olivaceus was determined by checking the changes of dissolved oxygen and ammonia in the sea water and the survival times during storage at various temperatures. After determination of optimal temperature for transportation, the changes of serum components and muscle components of live plaice were also carried out during storage at cold($5^{\circ}C$)-waterless conditions and the recovery conditions($10\%$ density at $15^{\circ}C$). At higher storage temperature, decreases in dissolved oxygen and the increases in ammonia in seawater were observed. In addition, the survival time was short at low temperature($0^{\circ}C\;and\;3^{\circ}C$). Almost all of the serum components(hemoglobin, glucose, LDH, GOT and GPT) of live plaice gradually increased during storage in cold-waterless conditions, and then those values decreased to the initial levels after $3{\sim}10hrs$ storage in conditions of recovery. The concentration of ATP in the muscle steadily decreased during storage in cold-waterless conditions. The contents of ADP and IMP seemed to be directly related to the extent of ATP breakdown. ADP and IMP thus showed a gradual increase during storage. The level of lactate in the muscles gradually increased during these storage times, also. On the other hand, the levels of those components in the muscle entirely recovered to their original levels within $3{\sim}6hrs$ storage after they were returned to conditions of recovery. The ratio of ATP to the ATP and its related compounds${ATP/(ATP+ADP+AMP+IMP){\times}100}$ in the muscle showed $45\%$ after 18hrs storage in cold-waterless conditions. Otherwise, ratios returned to their original levels within $3{\sim}6hrs$ of storage in recovery conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.417-425
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• 2017

Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson is distributed in China and Korea, and the fruit of C. monnieri is used as traditional Chinese medicine to treat carbuncle and pain in female genitalia. In this study, we examined the anti-proliferation and cell cycle arrest effects of ethanol extracts from C. monnieri (CME) in AGS gastric cancer cells. Our results show that CME suppressed cell proliferation and induced release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in AGS cells by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay and LDH assay. Cell morphology was altered by CME in a dose-dependent manner. In order to identify the cell cycle arrest effects of CME, we investigated cell cycle analysis after CME treatment. In our results, CME induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Protein kinase B (Akt) plays a major role in cell survival mechanisms such as growth, division, and metastasis. Akt protein regulates various downstream proteins such as glycogen synthase kinase-$3{\beta}$ (GSK-$3{\beta}$) and tumor protein p53 (p53). Expression levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-$3{\beta}$, p53, p21, cyclin E, and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) were determined by Western blot analysis. Protein levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-$3{\beta}$, and cyclin E were reduced while those of p53, p21, and p-CDK2 (T14/Y15) were elevated by CME. Moreover, treatment with CME, LY294002 (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt inhibitor), BIO (GSK-$3{\beta}$ inhibitor), and Pifithrin-${\alpha}$ (p53 inhibitor) showed that cell cycle arrest effects were mediated through regulation of the Akt/GSK-$3{\beta}$/p53 signaling pathway. These results suggest that CME induces cell cycle arrest at G1 phase via the Akt/GSK-$3{\beta}$/p53 signaling pathway in AGS gastric cancer cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.583-591
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• 1997

The functional derangement of skeletal muscles which may be attributed to chronic hypoxia has been accepted as a possible mechanism of exercise impairment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The metabolic changes in skeletal muscle in patients with COPD are characterized by impaired oxidative phosphorylation, early activation of anaerobic glycolysis and excessive lactate and hydrogen ion production with exercise. But the cause of exercise limitation in patients with chronic lung disease without hypoxia has not been known. In order to evaluate the change in the skeletal muscle metabolism as a possible cause of the exercise limitation in chronic lung disease patients without hypoxia, we compared the muscular metabolic data of seven male patients which had been derived from noninvasive $^{31}P$ magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS) with those of five age-matched normal male control persons. $^{31}P$ MRS was studied during the sustained isometric contraction of the dominant forearm flexor muscles up to the exhaustion state and the recovery period. Maximal voluntary contraction(MVC) force of the muscle was measured before the isometric exercise, and the 30% of MVC force was constantly loaded to each patient during the isometric exercise. There were no differences of intracellular pH (pHi) and inorganic phosphate/phosphocreatine(Pi/PCr) at baseline, exhaustion state and recovery period between two groups. But pHi during the exercise was lower in patients group than the control group (p < 0.05). Pi/PCr during the exercise did not show significant difference between two groups. These results suggest that the exercise limitation in chronic lung disease patients without hypoxia also could be attributed to the abnormalities in the skeletal muscle metabolism.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.280-289
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• 1998

Background: It is sometimes difficult to differentiate tuberculous pleural effusion from malignant pleural effusion by clinical symptoms, signs, by routine tests of pleural fluid, and by pathologic studies. And recently, it was discovered that cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$ are elevated in tuberculous pleural fluid, and there have been several attempts to diagnose tuberculous pleural effusion by using these immunological mediators. There are several studies regarding the diagnostic value of IFN-$\gamma$, and there are two studies in Korea. But the diagnostic values of IFN-$\gamma$ in these studies were slightly lower than those in other countries. To compare the diagnostic value of IFN-$\gamma$ with those of CEA and ADA, and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of IFN-$\gamma$ in Korean, we mesured IFN-$\gamma$, CEA level and ADA activity in pleural effusions. Methods: ADA activity, IFN-$\gamma$ level and CEA level as well as cell count, differential count, and biochemical assays such as protein content and lactate dehydrogenase were measured in 40 cases of tuberculous pleuritis and 42 cases of malignant pleural effusion. Results: Tuberculous pleural fluid showed higher levels of IFN-$\gamma$ and ADA ($832.6{\pm}357.2$ pg/ml and $82.5{\pm}25.9$ U/L, respectively) than those of malignant pleural effusion ($2.6{\pm}8.0$ pg/ml and $19.2{\pm}10.9$ U/L, respectively) (p<0.01). Malignant pleural effusions showed higher median value (102.2 ng/ml) than tubercalous pleural effusions (1.8 ng/ml) (p<0.01). The sensitivities of IFN-$\gamma$, ADA, CEA were 0.97, 0.87, 0.67 and the specificities of IFN-$\gamma$, ADA, CEA were 1.0, 0.97, 1.0, respectively. There was no significant correlation between ADA activity and IFN-$\gamma$ level. Conclusion: This study showed that IFN-$\gamma$ test would be a very useful clinical test for differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis and malignant pleural effusion because it is very sensitive and specific, although it is an expensive test.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1523-1528
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• 1999

The consumer's demands for minimally processed fruits and vegetables have been increased rapidly because of its convenient handling, fresh-like quality as well as producing less wastes from the environmental point of view. Asian pears which are one of the main fruits widely produced and consumed in Korea easily lost their characteristics due to browning and softening after cutting. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of various treatments on delaying deterioration of sliced Asian pears. 'Shingo' pear slices were treated with various solutions $(1%\;NaCl,\;0.2%\;L-cysteine,\;1%\;CaCl_2\;or\;1%\;calcium\;lactate)$ and were packaged with low density polyethylene $(LDPE,\;60\;{\mu}m)$, ceramic $(CE,\;60\;{\mu}m)$ or vacuum $(Ny/PE,\;80\;{\mu}m)$ film at $20^{\circ}C\;and\;0^{\circ}C$. In order to evaluate the quality of packaged sliced pears, quality index was determined in terms of color, firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity. ascorbic acid, changes of gas composition, microbial test, and sensory quality. The results showed that sliced 'Shingo' pears packaged with CE and vacuum film maintained better quality than with LDPE at $0^{\circ}C\;and\;20^{\circ}C$. To retard browning and softening. 0.2% L-cysteine and 1% NaCl solutions applied for 1 minute were effective to reduce surface browning of sliced pears, and 1% $CaCl_2$ was the most effective to prevent softening.