• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.267-275
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• 2020

Objectives: The causes of dementia have been reported in various ways, but there has been little research on the interrelationship between heavy metals and dementia, and the results also show little consistency. Therefore, it is imperative to compare the levels of heavy metal exposure between the dementia-suffering group and a control group to confirm the correlation between the level of heavy metal exposure and the likelihood of dementia. Methods: In order to assess the dementia level of the elderly, the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were applied. To analyze the concentration of heavy metals in the blood, blood was collected from the veins of study subjects and measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between lead and manganese concentrations in the blood and the MMSE and GDS. It was found that there was a statistically significant correlation between cadmium concentration in the blood and the GDS, but the MMSE was less relevant. It was found that the blood mercury concentration and the MMSE and GDS were less relevant. The lead concentration in the blood was 0.95±0.74 ㎍/dL in the dementia patient group and 0.33±0.22 ㎍/dL in the normal group, while cadmium was 0.69±0.37 ㎍/L in the dementia group and 0.18±0.10 ㎍/L in the normal group. Mercury was 0.81±0.31 ㎍/L in the dementia group and 1.16±0.80 ㎍/L in the normal group. Manganese was 6.83±2.01 ㎍/L in the dementia group and 4.78±1.59 ㎍/L in the normal group. All of these show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: As the concentration of lead, cadmium and manganese in the blood increases, the MMSE scores and GDS scores were found to worsen, and it was confirmed that there is a correlation between heavy metal exposure and cognitive degradation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.921-929
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with oil palm frond (leaf) (OPF) with and without oil palm meal (OPM) on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal fermentation and growth performance in goats. Methods: Six female crossbred goats were fed for 28 days of 3 diet treatments; 100% para-grass (T1); 50% para-grass + 50% OPF (T2), and 30% para-grass + 50% OPF + 20% OPM (T3). Body weight, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and urine volume, food intake, dry matter intake and water intake were measured daily. Nutrient digestibility was determined from five consecutive days of last week in each diet. Ruminal fluid, urine and blood were collected at the end for determination of rumen protozoa and volatile fatty acid contents, urinary allantoin excretion, blood cell count and chemistry profiles. Results: Goats fed T2 and T3 showed higher dry matter and nutrients intakes while protein digestibility was suppressed compared with those for T1. Crude fat digestibility declined in T2 but maintained after adding the OPM (T3). High fat intake by giving OPF and OPM corresponded to a higher ruminal acetate/propionate ratio (C2/C3) and serum cholesterol level. An increased urinary allantoin/creatinine ratio was found in T2 and T3 compared with T1, implying an increased number of ruminal microbes. Conclusion: Increased dry matter intake in T2 and T3 suggested that oil palm by-products are partly useful as a replacement for para-grass in goats. Replacement with the by-products increased plasma cholesterol level, which suggested that these products are a useful energy source. Changes in rumen parameters suggested an increased microbial number and activity suitable for acetate production. However, the limited digestibility of protein implies that addition of high protein feeds may be recommended to increase body weight gain of goats.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.411-415
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• 2002

We compared the hypoglycemic effects of Ginseng Radix Alba (GRA) and Mori Folium (MF) in multiple low dose (MLD) streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In order to induce hyperglycemic state 25 mg/kg of STZ was injected intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days. SD rats were randomly divided into diabetic control and treatment groups. Treatment groups were administered with either 500 mg/kg of GRA (G500), 500 mg/kg of MF (M500), or 250 mg/kg of GRA mixed with same dose of MF (GM250) for 3 weeks. Blood glucose level and body weight were measured every 5th day. G500 and M500 both significantly reduced blood glucose levels as compared to the diabetic control group (diabetic control, 458.3$\pm$25.4 mg/dl; G500, 275.0$\pm$12.0; M500, 278.0$\pm$15.4; GM250, 324.0$\pm$18.4). While body weight in diabetic control group was decreased slightly after 3 weeks, treatment groups showed gradual increases of body weight during 3 week-period. Plasma insulin level was increased by treatment with GRA, but those levels in M500 and GM250 groups were similar to the diabetic control (normal control, 32.0$\pm$13.9 $\mu$IU/mι; diabetic control, 12.4$\pm$1.9; G500, 17.5$\pm$3.4; M500, 11.1$\pm$3.2; GM250, 10.5$\pm$t3.7). Urine glucose levels were also remarkably reduced in all treatment groups (normal control, 0.0$\pm$0.0 g/day; diabetic control, 11.4$\pm$2.5; G500, 4.9$\pm$0.2; M500, 5.7$\pm$1.6 ; GM250, 8.2$\pm$0.2). At the second and third week of the treatment, food and water intakes were determined. At the third week, food and water intakes were significantly decreased in all treatment groups. Taken together, we may conclude that GRA and MF alone may prevent or delay the development of hyperglycemia, however, synergistic hypoglycemic activity was not be seen in group treated with mixed formula of GRA and MF when compared to GRA or MF alone.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1729-1735
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of medicinal plant by-products (MPB) supplementation to a total mixed ration (TMR) on growth, carcass characteristics and economic efficacy in the late fattening period of Hanwoo steers. Twenty seven steers (body weight [BW], $573{\pm}57kg$) were assigned to 3 treatment groups so that each treatment based on BW contained 9 animals. All groups received ad libitum TMR throughout the feeding trial until slaughter (from 24 to 30 months of age) and treatments were as follows: control, 1,000 g/kg TMR; treatment 1 (T1), 970 g/kg TMR and 30 g/kg MPB; treatment 2 (T2), 950 g/kg TMR and 50 g/kg MPB. Initial and final BW were not different among treatments. Resultant data were analyzed using general linear models of SAS. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were higher (p<0.05) for T1 than control, but there was no difference between control and T2. Plasma albumin showed low-, intermediate- and high-level (p<0.05) for control, T1 and T2, whereas non-esterified fatty acid was high-, intermediate- and high-level (p<0.05) for control, T1 and T2, respectively. Carcass weight, carcass rate, backfat thickness and rib eye muscle area were not affected by MPB supplementation, whereas quality and yield grades were highest (p<0.05) for T1 and T2, respectively. Daily feed costs were decreased by 0.5% and 0.8% and carcass prices were increased by 18.1% and 7.6% for T1 and T2 compared to control, resulting from substituting TMR with 30 and 50 g/kg MPB, respectively. In conclusion, the substituting TMR by 30 g/kg MPB may be a potential feed supplement approach to improve economic efficacy in the late fattening period of Hanwoo steers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of yeast with bacteriocin and Lactobacillus cultures (mixture of Lactobacillus agilis BCRC 10436 and Lactobacillus reuteri BCRC 17476) supplements, alone or in combination, on broiler chicken performance. Methods: A total of 300, 1-d-old healthy broiler chickens were randomly divided into five treatment groups: i) basal diet (control), ii) basal diet+0.25% yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (YC), iii) basal diet+0.25% yeast with bacteriocin (BA), iv) basal diet+Lactobacillus cultures (LAB), and v) basal diet +0.25% yeast with bacteriocin+Lactobacillus cultures (BA+LAB). Growth performance, cecal microbiota, cecal fermentation products, and blood biochemistry parameters were determined when chickens were 21 and 35 d old. Results: The supplementation of YC, BA, and BA+LAB resulted in a significantly better feed conversion rate (FCR) than that of the control group during 1 to 21 d (p<0.05). The LAB supplementation had a significant effect on the presence of Lactobacillus in the ceca at 35 d. None of the supplements had an effect on relative numbers of L. agilis and L. reuter at 21 d, but the BA supplementation resulted in the decrease of both Lactobacillus strains at 35 d. The BA+LAB supplementation resulted in higher short chain fatty acid (SCFA) in the ceca, but LAB supplementation significantly decreased the SCFA at 35 d (p<0.05). All treatments tended to decrease ammonia concentration in the ceca at 21 d, especially in the LAB treatment group. The BA supplementation alone decreased the triacylglycerol (TG) concentration significantly at 21 d (p<0.05), but the synergistic effect of BA and LAB supplementation was required to reduce the TG concentration at 35 d. The YC supplementation tended to increase the plasma cholesterol at 21 d and 35 d. However, the BA supplementation significantly decreased the cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol level at 35 d. In conclusion, the BA+LAB supplementation was beneficial to body weight gain and FCR of broiler chickens. Conclusion: The effect of BA and LAB supplementation may be a result of the growth of lactic acid bacteria enhancement and physiological characterization of bacteriocin, and it suggests that the BA and LAB supplementation level or Lactobacillus strain selection should be integrated in future supplementation designs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.1417-1422
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• 2011

The effects of a 12-week weight reduction program applied to obese women at a community health center were studied. Middle aged women participated in the beginning of the program, but 34 persons finished the study (85% completion). Subjects practiced belly dancing three times a week for 60 minutes (60~85% HR max) per session, and nutritional education was carried out four times during the 12 week program. The weight, %body fat, and BMI significantly decreased by 5.6%, 9.5%, and 5.6%, respectively. The concentrations of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-C were also significantly reduced by 13.5%, 9.5%, and 10.4%, respectively. Insulin level was reduced by 19.8%, thus lowering the HOMA-IR index. Leptin level significantly was reduced by 32.35%, adiponectin concentration. Total ROS concentration increased while total antioxidant capacity in serum remained unchanged. In conclusion, a 12-week 'Obesity Clinic Program' belly dancing and nutritional education held at a Community Center seemed to have health-promoting effects through reducing body fats, plasma lipids, and improving insulin resistance.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.205-210
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• 2005

The content of the trace metals in the cultured and wild fishes were determined. The tested fishes were genuin porgy (Pagrus major) and black porgy (Acanthopogrus schlegeli). The samples of the cultured and wild fishes were collected from slices of raw fish in shops, during 2003 to 2004. The samples were digested with acids, then analyzed by ICP (inductively Coupled plasma Spectrometer) and AAS (Automic Absorption Spectrometer) for the content of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn). The content of mercury (Hg) was determined using mercury analyzer. The mean contents of trace metals in cultured and wild fish was 0.031,0.047mg/kg far total-mercury,0.321,0.407 for Pb, 0.048,0.063 for Cd, 1.006, 1.132 for As, 0.467,0.806 for Cu, 0.233, 0.293 for Cr, 9.69, 12.20 for Zn,0.798, 0.624 mg/kg far Mn, respectively. The content of all the trace metals except manganese in wild fish was more than that in cultured fish. The highest level of total-mercury, lead, cadmium, zinc, chromium and arsenic in the samples analyzed were all below the quarantine limit of Korean regulation and guideline established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration f3r human consumption. The level of the trace metals in the samples was negligible, which could be endogenous. Our data obtained in this study showed that the average weekly intakes of lead, cadmium and mercury from cultured and wild fishes takes about $6\∼13\%$ of Un(Provisional Tolerance Weekley Intakes) that FAO/WHO Joint Food Additive and Contaminants Committee has set to evaluate their safeties.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2007

The previous study reported the biological effect of magnetic field exerted by acting on endocrine and anti-oxidant system. The present study aims to study whether ELF-MF (extremely low frequency magnetic field) affects the physiological endocrine systems such as thyroid and whether ELF-MF affects the defense system against oxidative stress when it alters the function of thyroid. Finally, we correlate the effects of MF on oxidative stress, and adrenal and thyroid with an environmental stress factor. We exposed sham or MF to rats for 5 or 25 days. After the exposure, we determined pain sensitivity, level of TSH, $T_3$ and free $T_4$ in plasma. We also assayed in whole brain, lipid peroxidation, the activity of enzymatic anti-oxidant defense including superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and non enzymatic defense such as reduced or oxidized glutathione contents. MF induced the hypersensitivity to thermal stimuli with the reduction of latency. $T_3$ and $T_4$ levels were also increased by the exposure of MF. In addition, we observed the rise of MDA level in rat brain by MF although the MF did not change superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity. The effect of MF on both reduced and oxidized glutathione results in decrease in reduced or oxidized glutathione in whole brain. In every experiment, there was no significant difference in MF influence between short term (5 days) and long term (25 days) exposure. Taken together, MF exposure affects the thyroid hormonal control in brain. The elevated thyroid hormone acts on brain, leading to hyper-utilization of oxygen. This phenomenon may be correlated with oxidative stress resulting from MF exposure. In conclusion, we suggest that MF exposure may be an environmental stress by exerting oxidative stress.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.271-280
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• 1998

Rice flour reference materials were prepared from the unpolished rice grown in Korea and certified for elemental composition. The reference materials consist of two samples containing normal and high level. The reference material at elevated level was prepared by spiking to the normal rice flour six toxic elements of As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Pb with $1.0{\mu}g/g$ on a dry weight basis. Homogeneity of the prepared materials was evaluated through the determination of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Small variance of elemental composition among interbottled samples assured homogeneity of the prepared materials. The materials were decomposed by high pressure digestion and microwave digestion method. INAA, AAS, inductively coupled plasma-atomic absorption spectrometry (ICP-AES), ICP-mass spectrometry (MS) and vapour generation techniques were employed to analyze the reference materials. From this independent analytical results, the certified or reference values are determined for As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Pb, Se, Zn.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.12
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• pp.526-532
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• 2014

Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in atherosclerosis, and therefore, are considered risk factors for metabolic dysfunction in adults. However, there is little data on circulating levels of MMPs and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) with regard to obesity-related biomarkers in the general adolescent population. In the present study, we determined the associations of MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 levels and MMP-8/TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios with obesity-related biomarkers in apparently healthy adolescent boys. Methods: We measured MMP and TIMP concentrations in plasma samples using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed their associations with obesity-related biomarkers, such as liver enzymes and lipid profiles, in a sample of 91 Korean boys aged 13-14 years who participated in a general health check-up. Results: The mean age of the boys was $13.8{\pm}0.3years$; 72 boys were normal weight and 19 were overweight/obese. The Pearson correlation coefficients revealed a significant correlation between MMP-8 and aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.217, P=0.039) and alanine aminotransferase (r=0.250, P=0.017) and between TIMP-1 and aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.267, P=0.011). In a multivariate linear regression analysis, serum alanine aminotransferase was positively associated with the MMP-8 level. There were no significant differences in the MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 levels or MMP-8/TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios between control and overweight/obese subjects. Conclusion: We found a significant association between the MMP-8 level and alanine aminotransferase in the apparently healthy adolescent boys. These findings indicate that there may be a pathophysiological mechanism underlying the relationship between MMP-8 and liver enzymes in young adolescents.