• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.38-43
• /
• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cord serum adiponectin (APN) and IGF-I concentrations and fetal growth. Methods : Umbilical cord serum APN and IGF-I concentrations were measured in healthy term singleton deliveries (n=72). The association of cord serum APN and IGF-I concentrations was evaluated in relation to birth weight, height, head circumference, gender, ponderal index, placental weight, feto-placental (F/P) weight ratio, maternal weight gain, and maternal body mass index (BMI). Results : The mean cord serum APN was 29.2${\pm}$10.46 $\mu$g/mL. The cord serum APN and birth weight demonstrated a bell-shape relationship. The cord serum APN concentration was higher in females than males (P=0.001). The cord serum APN was negatively correlated with maternal BMI (r=-0.301, P=0.027), but the mean cord serum APN concentration was not correlated with birth height, birth head circumference, ponderal index, placental weight, F/P ratio, or maternal weight gain. The mean cord serum concentrations of IGF-I was 51.26${\pm}$21.54 ng/mL. The cord serum IGF-I concentration was positively correlated with birth weight (r=0.312, P=0.009), but not birth height, ponderal index, placental weight, F/P weight ratio, or maternal BMI. Conclusion : APN demonstrated a bell-shaped relationship with birth weight in healthy term infants. IGF-I was highly correlated with fetal growth, especially birth weight.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.332-339
• /
• 2012

Horizontal distributions and their ecotoxicological implications relating to organochlorine compounds (OCs) were determined in surface sediments sampled from the West Nakdong River. The concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in surface sediments were in the range of 0.57-3.68, 0.41-8.35, 0.63-1.65, and n.d.-0.56 ng/g, respectively. DDTs represent the major OC in the West Nakdong River. Concentrations of PCBs and DDTs correlate with the total organic carbon (PCBs: r=0.874, p<0.001, and DDTs: r=0.762, p<0.05, respectively), indicating that organic content in the sediments is one of the major factors for influencing horizontal distribution of the organochlorine compounds in this river. Examining the potential poisonous character of the surface sediments to benthic organisms according to the sediment quality guideline (SQG), set out by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), we found that the concentrations of total PCBs, p,p'-DDD, and ${\gamma}$-HCH were lower than the effects range-low (ER-L) and the probable effects level (PEL). As a result, it is considered that the effect of organochlorines in the region considered on benthic organisms is very low from the perspective of environmental toxicology. However, in terms of the Canadian SQC, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, and total DDTs, respectively, exceeded the interim sediment quality guidelines (ISQG) and the threshold effect level (TEL) in 30%, 17%, and 19%, respectively, of the sediment samples analyzed.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.46-52
• /
• 2019

Pimobendan has inotropic and vasodilating effects on cardiovascular system, and pentoxifylline is known to decrease blood viscosity and improve blood flow to the heart. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics following oral administration of pimobendan-pentoxifylline powder mixture in dogs. Eight healthy dogs were included and were divided into control (n = 4) and experimental (n = 4) groups. Vehicle powder and pimobendan-pentoxifylline powder mixture (pimobendane 0.25 mg/kg, pentoxifylline 15 mg/kg) were administrated orally to control and experimental groups, respectively. Plasma samples and measurement of echocardiographic indices were obtained for 24 hours following administration. Pimobendan and pentoxifylline concentrations were investigated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) assay. The elimination half-life ($T_{1/2}$) were $2.65{\pm}1.42hours$ for pimobendan and $0.29{\pm}0.23hours$ for pentoxifylline. The time to reach maximum concentration ($T_{max}$) were $1.08{\pm}0.72hours$ for pimobendan and $0.29{\pm}0.14hours$ for pentoxifylline. The maximum blood concentration ($C_{max}$) were $2.83{\pm}1.50ng/mL$ for pimobendan and $1184.33{\pm}932.37ng/mL$ for pentoxifylline. Among echocardiographic indices, fractional shortening (FS), left ventricular internal diameter at end systole (LVIDs), and pre-ejection period (PEP) showed significant changes at 1-4 hours after the administration of pimobendan-pentoxifylline powder mixture. No adverse effects were observed during the investigation. This study demonstrates that pimobendan-pentoxifylline powder mixture can be used to control cardiovascular diseases in dogs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.2649-2656
• /
• 2013

Background: Depression is common in breast cancer patients. The aim of this paper was to make a systematic review of its prevalence and associated factors oin breast cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: An extensive systematic electronic review (PUBMED, CINAHL, PsyINFO and Ovid) and handsearch were carried out to retrieve published articles up to November 2012, using Depression OR Dysthymia AND (Cancer OR Tumor OR Neoplasms as the keywords. Information about the design of the studies, measuring scale, characteristics of the participants, prevalence of depression and its associated factors from the included studies were extracted and summarized. Results: We identified 32 eligible studies that recruited 10,826 breast cancer survivors. Most were cross-sectional or prospective designed. The most frequent instrument used to screen depression was the Center for Epidemiological Studies for Depression (CES-D, n=11 studies) followed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI, n=6 studies) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, n=6 studies). CES-D returned about similar prevalence of depression (median=22%, range=13-56%) with BDI (median=22%, range=17-48%) but higher than HADS (median=10%, range=1-22%). Depression was associated with several socio-demographic variables, cancer-related factors, treatment-related factors, subject psychological factors, lifestyle factors, social support and quality of life. Conclusions: Breast cancer survivors are at risk for depression so that detection of associated factors is important in clinical practice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.11
• /
• pp.5483-5488
• /
• 2012

Background: Although nicotine dependence plays a role as a main barrier for smoking cessation, there is still a lack of solid evidence on the validity of biomarkers to determine nicotine dependence in clinical settings. This study aimed to investigate whether urinary cotinine levels could reflect the severity of nicotine dependence in active smokers. Materials and Methods: Data regarding general characteristics and smoking status was collected using a self-administered smoking questionnaire. The Fagerstr$\ddot{o}$m test for nicotine dependence (FTND) was used to determine nicotine dependence of the participants, and a total of 381 participants were classified into 3 groups of nicotine dependence: low (n=205, 53.8%), moderate (n=127, 33.3%), and high dependence groups (n=49, 12.9%). Stepwise multiple linear regression model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analyses were used to determine the validity of urinary cotinine for high nicotine dependence. Results: In correlation analysis, urinary cotinine levels increased with FTND score (r=0.567, P<0.001). ROC curves analysis showed that urinary cotinine levels predicted the high-dependence group with reasonable accuracy (optimal cut-off value=1,000 ng/mL; AUC=0.82; P<0.001; sensitivity=71.4%; specificity=74.4%). In stepwise multiple regression analysis, the total smoking period (${\beta}$=0.042, P=0.001) and urinary cotinine levels (${\beta}$=0.234, P<0.001) were positively associated with nicotine dependence, whereas an inverse association was observed between highest education levels (>16 years) and nicotine dependence (${\beta}$=-0.573, P=0.034). Conclusions: The results of this study support the validity of using urinary cotinine levels for assessment of nicotine dependence in active smokers.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.1581-1586
• /
• 2006

A La (III) ion-selective membrane sensor has been fabricated from poly vinyl chloride (PVC) matrix membrane, containing 3-hydroxy-N'-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-2-naphthohydrazide (HPMN) as a neutral carrier, potassium tetrakis (p-chlorophenyl) borate (KTpClPB) as an anionic excluder and ortho-nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE) as a plasticizing solvent mediator. The effects of membrane composition and pH as well as the influence of the anionic additive on the response properties were investigated. The sensor with 30% PVC, 62% solvent mediator, 6% ionophore and 2% anionic additive, shows the best potentiometric response characteristics. It displays a Nernstian behavior (19.2 mV per decade) across the range of $1.0{\times}10^{-2}-1.0{\times}10^{-7}$ M. The detection limit of the electrode is $7.0{\times}10^{-8}$ M ($\sim$10 ng/mL) and the response time is 15 s from $1.0{\times}10^{-2}$ up to $1.0{\times}10^{-4} $M and 30 s in the range of $1.0 {\times}10^{-5}-1.0{\times}10^{-7}$ M. The sensor can be used in the pH values of 3.0-9.0 for about seven weeks. The membrane sensor was used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of lanthanum ions with EDTA. It was successfully applied to the lanthanum determination in some mouth wash preparations.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.49-58
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among urn leptin, nutritional status, and urn lipids, glucose of 99 middle school girls residing in Kyluggi-do, Korea. Subjects were assigned to one of three groups such as underweight(BMI < 20, n=38), normal(20$\leq$BMI<25, n=36) and over weight(BMI$\geq$25, n=25) groups. The nutritional status of the subjects was evaluated by anthropometric measurements, questionnaires, 24-hr dietary recalls and blood anal),sis. The results were as follows : The mean age, body weight, height and BMI were 13.93 years, 55.19kg, 158.40cm and 21.96kg/㎡ respectively. The mean menarche age of the subjects was 12.64 years and the mean daily energy intake was 94.22% off RDA for Koreans. The energy ratio from carbohydrate fat and protein was 63: 24: 13. Underweight group showed the lowest intakes of oils and fats among three groups(p<0.05). The mean serum levels of leptin, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol. LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride were 10.57ng/ml 78.80mg/dl, 12.29mg/dl, 48.07mg/dl, 93.50mg/dl and 78.61mg/d1, respectively. The mean atherogenic index was 2.37. There were significant increases in serum leptin, glucose, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and atherogenic index of subjects with increases in their BMIs. Serum leptin showed a significantly positive correlation with BMI(p<0.001), body fat percent(p<0.001). When BMI was adjused, serum leptin showed a significantly positive partial correlations with intakes of animal protein(p<0.05), milks and animal foods(p<0.05), Serum leptin showed a significantly positive correlation with serum glucose(p<0.05) total cholesterol(p<0.01), LDL-cholesterol(p<0.001), triglyceride(p<0.001) and atherogenic index(p<0.001), however, it had significantly negative correlations with HDL-cholesterol(p<0.05). Therefore, these results suggest that the increase of serum levels of leptin may elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease and lipids and some nutrient intakes may be related with serum leptin levels. (Korean J Nutrition 33(1) : 49-58, 2000)

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.115-118
• /
• 2002

This study was conducted to determine the effects of pig manure composting on emission of dinitrogen oxide ($N_2O$) that is greenhouse gas. Fresh pig manure was mixed with sawdust as bulking agent and moisture content of mixed compost was adjusted by 61.9%. After mixing bulking agent with pig manure that was left to compost with aeration in composting chamber for an initial period of 30 days. At the end of this period, that was decomposed and a second period of composting was conducted without aeration for 60 days. Temperature during the initial composting period was above $55^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. Moisture reduction rate by composting pig manure was 36.7%. $N_2O$ Produced during composting was 0.043g/T-Ng.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.15
• /
• pp.6407-6412
• /
• 2015

Purpose: To predict prostatic carcinoma using a logistic regression model on prebiopsy peripheral blood samples. Materials and Methods: Data of a total of 873 patients who consulted Urology Outpatient Clinics of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital between February 2008 and April 2014 scheduled for prostate biopsy were screened retrospectively. PSA levels, prostate volumes, prebiopsy whole blood cell counts, neutrophil and platelet counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), biopsy results and Gleason scores in patients who had established diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) were evaluated. Results: This study was performed on a total of 873 cases, with an age range 48-76 years, divided into three groups as for biopsy results. with diagnoses of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (n=304, 34.8 %), PCa (n=265, 30.4 %) and histological prostatitis (n=304; 34.8 %). Intra- and intergroup comparative evaluations were performed. White blood cell and neutrophil counts in the histological prostatitis group were significantly higher than those of the BPH and PCa groups (p=0.001; p=0.004; p<0.01). A statistically significant intergroup difference was found for PLR (p=0.041; p<0.05) but not lymphocyte count (p>0.05). According to pairwise comparisons, PLR were significantly higher in the PCa group relative to BPH group (p=0.018, p<0.05, respectively). Though not statistically significant, higher PLR in cases with PCa in comparison with the prostatitis group was remarkable (p=0.067, and p>0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Meta-analyses showed that in patients with PSA levels over 4 ng/ml, positive predictive value of PSA is only 25 percent. Therefore, novel markers which can both detect clinically significant prostate cancer, and also prevent unnecessary biopsies are needed. Relevant to this issue in addition to PSA density, velocity, and PCA3, various markers have been analyzed. In the present study, PLR were found to be the additional predictor of prostatic carcinoma.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.189-193
• /
• 2000

Preservative and antimutagenic effects of green tea leaves added Chinese cabbage kimchi (GK1, GK2, GK3, and GK4 : 1, 2, 3 and 4 of green tea leaves (GTL) in proportion of 100 of salted Chinese cabbage were added to kimchi) were compared to those of the Chinese cabbage kimchi without GTL (control kimchi, CK). Fermentation period of GKs was further delayed than that of CK. The initial pH and acidity between GKs an CK were similar, but the time reach optimally ripened status of kimchi (pH 4.3) was different. CK took 6 days, while GK1, GK2, GK3 and GK4 took 6, 10, 12 and 14 days at 10℃, respectively. The growth of Leuconostoc sp. and Lactobacilus sp. in GKs delayed comparing to those in FCK. Among GKs, as the added amount of green tea leaves increased, the growth of lactic acid bacteria was retarded. The antimutagenic effects of juices from GKs and CK were studied against aflatoxin B₁(AFB₁) in the Ames test on Salmonella typehimurium TA100 and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in the SOS chromotest using E. coli PQ37. Juices from optimally ripened GKs (pH 4.3) showed 52∼76% inhibition rates against the indirect mutagen, aflatoxin B₁ induced mutagenicity while 49% inhibition rate by CK in the Ames test. Juices from GKs and CK showed 44∼67% and 36% inhibition rate against direct mutagen, MNNG (70 ng/assay) induce mutagenicity in the SOS chromotest. Thus GKs delayed fermentation period of kimchi and exhibited higher antimutagenic activity than CK.