• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.353-359
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• 2013

Objectives: We examined the trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Korea as a basis for improving hypertension control programs. Methods: 12 598 participants of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in this study. Weighted linear regression to test time trends from 2007 to 2011 was performed. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 20.7% in 2007, 29.4% in 2009, and 26.2% in 2011. Awareness of hypertension was 64.8% in 2007 and 61.1% in 2011. Awareness in those aged 65 and over was greater than in younger groups (age 19 to 44 and 45 to 64; p<0.001). The treatment rates were 58.4% in 2007 and 56.8% in 2011. The treatment rate was greater for those 65 and over than for younger age groups (p<0.001). The percentage of controlled hypertension was 37.6% in 2011. The percentage of controlled hypertension in those 65 and over was higher than in younger age groups (p<0.001). The treatment-control rates were 65.9% in 2007 and 67.7% in 2011. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in the males (p<0.001), while the awareness (p<0.001), treatment (p<0.001), and control (p<0.001) rates were higher in the females. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension was increasing and the hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates were low in younger age groups and males.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.56-62
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• 2021

Madecassoside, an active ingredient extracted from Centella asiatica, is used for treatment of various skin disorders in humans. However, the effect of madecassoside on the skin of dogs and cats has not been studied yet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical efficacy of topical madecassoside cream in dogs and cats with skin diseases. A total of twenty-one dogs and ten cats with various skin diseases were included in the study. The 1% topical madecassoside cream was applied to the animal's skin lesion at least once a day for 7 days, and the skin condition was evaluated before the application of madecassoside cream (day 0) and 7 days after the application (day 7). The skin condition was scored by five clinical indices: canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index-4 (CADESI-4), coat condition, pruritus, scale, and general condition. In dogs, all five clinical indices (CADESI-4, coat condition, pruritus, scale, and general condition) were significantly decreased on day 7 compared to those on day 0 (p < 0.0001, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively). In cats, the CADESI-4 and scale were significantly decreased on day 7 compared to those on day 0 (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). No adverse effects were observed during the trial period in the dogs and cats included in this study. The results of this study demonstrate that the topical madecassoside cream is applicable to skin lesions in dogs and cats.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.380-384
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• 2015

The relationships between end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide ($P_{ET}CO_2$) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide ($P_aCO_2$), and between $P_{ET}CO_2$ and blood pH in isoflurane-anesthetized cinereous vultures were evaluated. Nine cinereous vultures (weighing 7.3-9.5 kg) were anesthetized via mask with isoflurane, intubated, and connected to a mechanical ventilator. By mechanical ventilator, respiratory rate was altered to achieve a $P_{ET}CO_2$ randomly selected among 30 to 35 mmHg. $P_aCO_2$ and blood pH were determined in serial arterial samples and compared with concurrent $P_{ET}CO_2$ measured with a sidestream capnography. Thirty six samples, nine cinereous vultures were tested 4 times each, were used to determine correlations coefficients between $P_aCO_2$ and $P_{ET}CO_2$, and between $P_{ET}CO_2$ and blood pH. Strong correlations were observed between $P_aCO_2$ and $P_{ET}CO_2$ (r = 0.951, P = 0.000, y = 1.679x - 30.236, $R^2=0.905$) as well as between $P_{ET}CO_2$ and blood pH (r = -0.728, P = 0.000, y = -0.024x + 8.389, $R^2=0.530$) with Pearson's correlation coefficient and simple linear regression. These results suggest that the capnography used provided a sufficiently accurate estimation of $P_aCO_2$ and blood pH. Thus, the monitoring of $P_{ET}CO_2$ can be useful method to prevent hypoventilation for cinereous vultures receiving mechanical ventilation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2004

Objective : Idiopathic Lung Fibrosis(IPF) is chronic fibrotic interstitial pneumonia. The pathogenesis is unclear. Lonicerae Flos is known to prevent the inflammation and reinforce the immune system. The effects of Lonicerae Flos on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis is evaluated. Material and Methods: Lonicerae Flos extract was given to the Normal rats, control(bleomycin) rats everyday and treated(bleomycin and lonicerae flos) rats 21.0 mg per body weight 109 for 14 days. 14 days after, we observed the change of leukocyte count and percentage of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in BALF. and that of Semiquantative histological index(SHI). Results : Compared to control rats, Lonicerae Flos decreased leukocyte count(P<0.01) lymphocyte, neutrophil percentage(P<0.05), SHI(P<0.01), IFN-gamma and IL-4(P<0.05) in Treated rats. Otherwise, macrophage percentage was increased(P<0.01) in Treated rats. Conclusion : This study showed that Lonicerae Flos reduced the change of inflammatory cells and cytokines in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and reduced the fibrosis of tissue. And, we needed many other distinct researches on lung fibrosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.4
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• pp.271-277
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• 2011

Background: A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) has recently been developed as a short and simple method for assessing the quality of life in COPD patients. The object of this study was to assess the usefulness of the Korean version of the CAT for assessing COPD patients in an outpatient clinic. Methods: The study included 60 COPD patients in a stable state from an outpatient clinic. The authors investigated the frequency of acute exacerbation during aprevious year through reviewing medical records. We evaluated the spirometry test, a 6-min walk distance test, and obtained the MMRC dyspnea scale, the Korean version of the CAT, and the BODE index at the time of visit. To assess the usefulness of the CAT, correlations between the CAT and other methods were evaluated. Results: The mean age of patients was $68.3{\pm}8.6$ years and 95% of patients were male. There was a significant correlation between the CAT score and $FEV_1%$ (r=-0.323, p=0.012), the frequency of acute exacerbation (r=0.292, p=0.024), the MMRC dyspnea scale (r=0.554, p<0.001), the BODE index (r=0.380, p=0.003), and 6 MWD (r=-0.372, p=0.004). The mean CAT score increased according to the GOLD stage (stage 1, $10.7{\pm}4.5$; stage 2, $13.1{\pm}7.9$; stage 3, $16.3{\pm}6.2$; stage 4, $16.5{\pm}14.8$; p=0.746). Conclusion: The CAT was shown to be useful for the assessment of COPD severity. Therefore, the CAT is an easily applied and simple method for assessing COPD severity in an outpatient clinic.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.451-456
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• 2001

In rat hippocampus, kainic acid (KA; 10 mg/kg; i.p.) increased the phosphorylated forms of ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and Jun kinase1 (p-JNK1), but not p-JNK2 and p38 (p-p38). The preadministration with cycloheximide (CHX; 5 mg/kg; i.p.) inhibited KA-induced increase of p-JNK1, but not p-ERK1/2. Surprisingly, the phosphorylated upstream MAP kinase kinases (p-MKKs) were not correlated with their downstream MAP kinases. The basal p-MKK1/2 levels were completely abolished by KA, which were reversed by CHX. In addition, p-MKK4 and p-MKK3/6 levels were enhanced by CHX alone, but were attenuated by KA. Thus, our results showed that KA increased the p-ERK and p-JNK levels in rat hippocampus, which were not parallel with their classical upstreamal kinases.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.216-231
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• 2007

Background : An acceleration or deceleration of the heart rate (HR), which reflects autonomic effects, is observed before the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). The purpose of this study was to assess the discrepancy in the autonomic interactions before the onset of PAF for different patterns of change in the HR. Materials and Methods : From 105 Holter tapes with the PAF recorded, 55 episodes (42 patients, 34 men, $58{\pm}12$ years) of PAF (>5 min), preceded by a sinus rhythm for more than 1 hour, were selected and submitted to time-domain and frequency-domain HR variability analyses. Fifty-five episodes were divided into 2 groups: group A PAF (n=30) with acceleration of the HR during the last 2 minutes before the PAF and group B (n=25) with deceleration of the HR. Results : A significant linear decrease in the mean R-R interval was observed in group A ($924{\pm}30$ to $835{\pm}28ms$, $P$=0.001) and an increase from $831{\pm}32$ to $866{\pm}31ms$ in group B PAF episodes ($P$=0.046). In the frequency-domain analyses, the LF/HF ratio exhibited a progressive linear increase before the PAF in group A ($P$=0.005). The HF normalized units (HFnu) and natural logarithm-transformed HF ($In$HF) values decreased from $30.8{\pm}4.0$ to $16.1{\pm}1.8$ ($P$=0.003) and $4.49{\pm}0.25$ to $4.07{\pm}0.22$ ($P$=0.001), respectively. Contrary to the results in group A, a significant increase in the HF components (HFnu and $In$HF) (from $22.6{\pm}3.2$ to $30.2{\pm}4.0$, $P$=0.005, and $4.27{\pm}0.27$ to 4.75 0.33, $P$=0.001, respectively) and a resultant decrease in the LF/HF ratio were observed in group B PAF episodes. No significant changes were observed in the LF components in either PAF group. Conclusion : Autonomic stimuli leading to an acceleration or deceleration of the HR before the onset of AF are due to parasympathetic modulation. Parasympathetic modulation plays a key role in the initiation of PAF.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.386-397
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• 2024

Background: Despite the global increase in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), clinical characteristics show geographical variations. We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with NTM-PD in South Korea. Methods: We systematically reviewed articles concerning patients with NTM-PD in South Korea until February 2022. Individual participant data, regardless of treatment, were collected using a standard case report form. Results: Data of 6,489 patients from 11 hospitals between 2002 and 2019 were analyzed. The mean age was 61.5±11.7 years, of whom 57.7% were women. Mycobacterium avium (41.4%) and Mycobacterium intracellulare (38.4%) comprised most of the causative species, followed by Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus (8.6%) and M. abscessus subspecies massiliense (7.8%). Bronchiectasis (59.4%) was the most common pulmonary comorbidity. Although reported cases of NTM-PD increased over the years, the proportions of causative species and radiologic forms remained similar. Distinct clinical characteristics were observed according to age and sex. Men were older at the time of diagnosis (median 63.8 years vs. 59.9 years, p<0.001), and had more cavitary lesions than women (38.8% vs. 21.0%, p<0.001). The older group (≥65 years) had higher proportions of patients with body mass index <18.5 kg/m² (27.4% vs. 18.6%, p<0.001) and cavitary lesions (29.9% vs. 27.6%, p=0.009) than the younger group. Conclusion: We conducted a meta-analysis of the clinical characteristics of patients with NTM-PD in South Korea, and found age- and sex-related differences in disease-specific severity. Further investigation would enhance our comprehension of the nature of the disease, and inherited and acquired host factors.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2012

The present study aimed to investigate the function of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) in the regulation of Oct4 in mouse embryonic carcinoma P19 cells and mouse J1 embryonic stem (ES) cells. The mRNA level of endogenous TCTP in somatic cells was 2-4 folds higher than that in pluripotent P19 and J1 ES cells. Overexpression of TCTP in mouse pluripotent cells not only reduced the level of Oct4 transcription, but also decreased the pluripotency of stem cells. The N-terminal end of TCTP (amino acids 1-60) played an important role in suppressing the Oct4 promoter. Moreover, overexpression of TCTP in P19 cells suppressed the Oct4 promoter activity in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. In addition, knockdown of TCTP by small interfering RNA increased the expression of Oct4. Our study indicates that TCTP downregulates the Oct4 expression by binding the Sf1 site of Oct4 promoter in mouse pluripotent cells.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.788-798
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• 2009

Objective : This study was undertaken to investigate effects of Opuntia ficus-indica (OP)extract on an asthma murine model. Methods : The total number of cells and eosinophils in BALF and the infiltration of inflammatory cells into lung tissues were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results : The number of OVA-induced total cells and eosinophils, a phenomenon of asthma, were decreased by treatment of the animals with OP extract (200 mg/kg) (respectively, p < 0.001 and p<0.01). Furthermore, we showed that OP extract reduced the increased immune cell infiltration induced by ovalbumin (p < 0.01). The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 in BAL fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, because the eosinophilia is associated with a T helper (Th) 2 response including IL-4. The level of OVA-induced IL-4 was decreased by OP extract in BAL fluid (p < 0.05). We investigated whether OP extract reduced nitrite (NO) production on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 sells, because asthma is an inflammatory disease. The level of LPS-induced NO production was decreased by OP extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/ml) on RAW 264.7 cells (respectively, p < 0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05). Conclusions : Our results indicate that OP extract has an inhibitory effect on lung eosinophilia of asthma and suggest that OP extract is a therapeutic candidate in the treatment of inflammatory disease, including asthma.