• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2011

Purpose: Hypernatremia most frequently occurs in the immature newborn and be severe in association with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). This study examined the frequency, onset and risk factors of hypernatremia, and the relationship between hypernatremia and IVH in very low birth weight (VLBW; <1,250 g) infants. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 55 VLBW infants admitted between January 2006 and December 2009 to the neonatal intensive care unit of Wonkwang University Hospital and who survived over 7 days. Serum sodium concentration, sodium intake, fluid and weight loss, as suggested risk factors of hypernatremia, and the incidence of IVH were evaluated. The infants were divided into a hypernatremia group (${\geq}$150 mEq/L) and nonhypernatremia group, and were compared. Results: Incidence of hypernatremia in the VLBW infants was 52.7%, and mean starting time of hypernatremia was 2.8${\pm}$1.3 days. There were no differences in the sodium and fluid intake between the two groups. Weight loss at day 3 after birth was significantly higher in the hypernatremia compared to the nonhypernatremia group (P<0.05); thereafter weight loss was non-significantly higher. The incidence of IVH in VLBW infants was 38.2%, and the difference between the two groups was not significant. Conclusion: Hypernatremia occurs commonly in VLBW infants and is most commonly caused by weight loss in the early days after birth. Incidence of IVH is not likely influenced by hypernatremia with marginally elevated sodium concentration.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.945-950
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• 2014

Purpose: To explore the value of systemic inflammatory markers as independent prognostic factors and the extent these markers improve prognostic classification for patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving palliative chemotherapy. Methods: We studied the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory factors such as circulating white blood cell count and its components as well as that combined to form inflammation-based prognostic scores (Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Prognostic Index (PI) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)) in 384 patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving first-line chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the impact of inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS). Results: Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated white blood cell, neutrophil and/or platelet count, a decreased lymphocyte count, a low serum albumin concentration, and high CRP concentration, as well as elevated NLR/PLR, GPS, PI, PNI were significant predictors of shorter OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only elevated neutrophil count (HR 3.696, p=0.003) and higher GPS (HR 1.621, p=0.01) were independent predictors of poor OS. Conclusion: This study demonstrated elevated pretreatment neutrophil count and high GPS to be independent predictors of shorter OS in inoperable advanced or metastatic GC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy. Upon validation of these data in independent studies, stratification of patients using these markers in future clinical trials is recommended.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.350-360
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined and compared the associations of the iron status and food intake with the blood lead, mercury, and cadmium concentrations among Korean adolescent girls, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. Methods: The data from the 2010~2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) was used. The subjects were classified into three groups: adolescent girls (n = 268), premenopausal women (n = 1,157), and postmenopausal women (n = 446). The iron status was assessed by hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin, and iron concentrations, as well as the total iron binding capacity (TIBC). The food intake was estimated by a food frequency questionnaire. Results: The blood heavy metal concentrations and poisoning rate in postmenopausal women were higher than in the other groups. The iron status in the adolescent girls and postmenopausal women was higher than that in the premenopausal women. In the adolescent girls, the iron status was inversely associated with the blood cadmium concentration. The dairy food intake was inversely related to the blood lead and cadmium concentrations. In premenopausal women, the iron status was inversely associated with the cadmium concentrations. The fish and shellfish food intakes were positively associated with the mercury concentrations. In postmenopausal women, the iron status was positively associated with the mercury and cadmium concentrations. Fast foods and fried foods were inversely associated with the lead concentration. Conclusion: The premenopausal women showed a lower iron status than the adolescent girls and postmenopausal women. The associations of the iron status with the blood heavy metal concentrations were different among the adolescent girls, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. In addition, the relationships of the food intakes with the blood heavy metal concentrations differed among adolescent girls, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. Further studies will be needed to confirm these findings.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary herbal plant mixture on the performance in laying hens under heat stress. One hundred ninety two 54-weeks-old ISA Brown commercial layers, were used in 56 d experimental assay. Dietary treatments included CON (control; basal diet), HPM0.05 (basal diet ＋ 0.05% herbal plant mixture), HPM0.1 (basal diet ＋ 0.1% herbal plant mixture), and HPM0.2 (basal diet ＋ 0.2% herbal plant mixture). For overall period, the hens fed with HPM0.1 and HPM0.2 diets showed lower in the hen day egg production than the hens fed with CON diet(P＜0.05). At the end of the experimental period, egg weight was heavier in HPM 0.1 treatment than in CON (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences among the treatments in egg shell breaking strength, egg shell thickness, Haugh unit, and yolk color unit. Total cholesterol concentration of yolk tended to decrease as the level of herbal plant mixture in the diet increased. Total protein of blood was higher in the hens fed with herbal plant mixture than in the hens fed with CON diet (P＜0.05). Albumin concentration of blood was increased in HPM0.05 and HPM0.1 treatments compared with CON(P＜0.05). Red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) concentrations in serum were increased in HPM0.1 and HPM0.2 treatments compared with CON treatment (P＜0.05). In conclusion, dietary herbal plant mixture in laying hens under heat stress adversely affected egg production but increased total protein, albumin, RBC and WBC in blood.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of the natural deep sea water, which contained approximately 2.3% salt, and various minerals of K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu etc, on the immune response and antioxidant activity in rats. 24 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allotted to a control group and 3 treatment groups. Control rats were supplied with filtered tap water, and each treatment group rats were supplied with 0.5% deep sea water, 1% deep sea water and Jijangsoo, respectively, which is upper clear water separated from sediment by the clay. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experiment that lasted for 4 weeks. The results showed that 1% deep sea water group showed the highest values in weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency than those of other groups. The levels of water intake of 1%- and 0.5%-deep sea water, and Jijangsoo group were 49.1%, 22.8%, and 40.5% higher than that of control group, respectively. The Jijangsoo group rats showed that perirenal and epididymal adipose tissue weights were decreased by 32% and 25%(p<0.05), respectively, when compared to control group rats. There were no remarkable differences of serum glucose concentration among all experimental groups. However, insulin concentration of experimental groups were remarkably increased in order of Jijangsoo (4.54), 1% deep sea water (3.70), 0.5% deep sea water (3.25)(p<0.05). B cell and T cell stimulation were increased about 44.7% and 207%, respectively, by 0.5% deep sea water in comparison with control (p<0.05). TBARS values of 0.5 % deep sea water group were significantly lower than that of control(p<0.05). Catalase and SOD activities of 0.5 % deep sea water group were 200% and 47% higher than that of control, respectively. From the results, it can be concluded that the supply of natural deep sea water can slightly improve the physiological activity which modulates immune response and antioxidant activity in rats.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2006

To evaluate the functional status of ovarian cyst in Korean native cows, progesterone ($P_4$) and estrogen ($E_2$) level of cystic follicular fluid, ultrasonography for measuring the cystic diameter and thickness of cystic wall, and histological findings were investigated in cystic ovaries from slaughtered Korean native cows. Ovarian cysts were classified as single follicular cyst 51 cows (59.3%), multiple follicular cysts 19 cows (22.1%), single luteal cyst 13 cows (15.1%) and multiple luteal cysts 3 cows (3.5 %) by anatomical and ultrasonography. Ovarian cysts were classified as follicular cysts (54 cows), luteal cyst (16 cows) and non-functional ovarian cyst (16 cows) by hormone analysis, anatomical finding and ultasonography The luteal cyst was accurately diagnosed by cystic wall thickness, but follicular cysts was misdiagnosed 16 cows of 70 cystic cows The cystic fluid $P_4$ concentration was 3.3 ng/ml in follicular cysts and 30.1 ng/ml luteal cysts. There was significantly positive correlations between cystic wall thickness and serum $P_4$ concentration in follicular ($r^2=0.59$, p<0.001) and luteal cysts ($r^2=0.65$, p<0.001). These results indicated that ovarian cysts had various stages of degeneration and luteal cyst was accurately diagnosed measurement of cystic wall thickness by ultrasonography, but follicular cysts were not diagnosed only cystic diameter and cystic wall thickness.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2017

This study intends to analyze the contents of rutin, procyanidin B3, quercetin, kaempferol, known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects, among the polyphenol type contained in the grape pruning stem extracts (GPSE), utilizing grape stems being discarded after harvest, measure the effects on the skin moisture, inhibition of skin cell proliferation, anti-inflammatory on the damaged skin of a HR-1 mice induced with UVB, and verify the applicability as a material for functional food and functional cosmetics. The results of verifying the photoprotection effects through the skin proliferation control through of GPSE showed similar result to suncream was achieved at the GPSE concentration of 2,000 mg/kg on the epidermis (p<0.05). The results showed anti-inflammatory effects on all groups applied with GPSE as compared to the control group irradiated with UVB, but at the GPSE concentration of 1,000 mg/kg, a lower COX-2 protein expression at 8%, lower than the 22% of suncream, was observed to achieve an excellent anti-inflammatory effect (p<0.05). The results of this study confirmed the existence of active polyphenol type, such as rutin, kaempferol, querocetin and procyanidin B3, within the GPSE, and GPSE has improvement effects on moisturizing effects, skin proliferation control effect, inflammatory control effect and improvement effects on the skin barrier function through UV ray damage. GPSE is a functional ingredient with a potential for skin protection effects, and has high utilization as an ingredient for functional food and functional cosmetics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.619-624
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• 2011

Tea extract (TE) has been shown to have anti-tumor properties in a wide variety of experimental systems. We evaluated green tea extract (GTE) as a biochemical modulator for the antitumor activity of cisplatin and doxorubicin in the treatment of human lung cancer A549 cells. Cells were grown in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% (v/v) heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and two antibiotics (100 units/mL penicillin and $100\;{\mu}g$/mL streptomycin). Two types of TE, epigallocatechin galate (EGCG) and GTE, were used in this experiment. The cells were seeded at $1{\times}10^4$ cells/well in the RPMI-1640 media with or without TE ($100\;{\mu}g$/mL) and then treated with different concentrations of doxorubicin ($0{\sim}14\;{\mu}g$/mL) or cisplatin ($0{\sim}35\;{\mu}g$/mL). After incubation in 5% $CO_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr, cell viability was determined with a MTT assay. We used a Western blot to detect the influence of EGCG and GTE on the expression of p53 and caspase-3 genes in the A549 cells. A549 cell viability decreased to 15% with a $10\;{\mu}g$/mL concentration of cisplatin, and to 21% with a $8\;{\mu}g$/mL concentration of doxorubicin, as measured with the MTT assay. However, pre-treatment of the cells with EGCG ($100\;{\mu}g$/mL) or GTE ($100\;{\mu}g$/mL) resulted in decreased cell viability with $6\;{\mu}g$/mL of cisplatin and $4\;{\mu}g$/mL of doxorubicin. There was no apparent change in cell viability between EGCG or GTE administration in cisplatin- or doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells. The levels of p53 and caspase-3 in the A549 cells increased with both EGCG and GTE treatment. We found that GTE could potentially affect cisplatin- or doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity of A549 cells, which may be useful in the chemotreatment of cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.171-178
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• 1999

The follicular fluid (FF) of ovary contains various biological active products which affected on the growth of follicles and the fertilization of oocyte in physiological reproductive process of mammals. This study was designed to determine the effects of human FF on fertilization of oocyte and embryonal development in vitro culture. The FF was prepared as clear without blood contamination by needle aspiration from mature follicles of human at the time of oocytes retrieval for in vitro fertilization (IVF). As the medium for culture in vitro of embryonal cells, human tubal fluid (HTF) supplemented with follicular fluids at concentrations of 10%, 40% and pure FF were used. These effects were compared to control group of cultured embryos in HTF supplemented with 0.4% BSA (bovine serum albumin). For IVF, 64 eggs in control group, 67 eggs in 10% FF, 57 eggs in 40% FF and 64 eggs in pure FF were respectively allocated. And the rates of fertilization were almost similar in all groups as resulting 82.81% in control, 85.07% in 10% FF, 87.71% in 40% FF and 81.25% in pure FF. On the examination for embryonal cleavage from fertilized eggs, the rates of developing to 4 cell stage was similar in all groups, as results 98.11% in control, 98.27% in 10% FF and 98% in 40% FF but 78.84% in pure FF. And the rates of developing to 8-16 cell stage were significantly reduced as 44% in 40% FF and 44.23% in pure FF (p<0.05) compare to 71.69% in control media. As likewise, the rates of developing to morular stage were also significantly reduced to 36% (p<0.05) and 21.15% (p<0.01) respectively in 40% FF and pure FF. And the rates to blastocystic stage of embryo was lowest as 7.69% in pure FF (Table 1). The quality of embryonal cells on cleavage to the 8-16 cell stage was poorer, higher concentrations of FF. The rates of grade 1 in pure FF, as 23.07%, was lowest compare to those of other groups, in which the rates of grade 1 in control, 10% FF and 40% FF were 58.49%, 47.36% and 34% respectively. And on the contrary, the rate of grade 4 in pure FF was highest as 23.07%, while those were 5.66% in control, 8.77% in 10% FF and 20% in 40% FF (Table 2). On the viability of embryos, the rate of embryonal cell death was more rise, at the higher concentrations as well as longer exposure in the follicular fluid. At 48 hours after in vitro culture of embryos, the rate of survival embryos in pure FF was markedly lowered as 44.23%, compare to that of control (p<0.05). But there was not significant difference between the rates of survival embryos in each group beside the pure FF, which the rates were 77.35% in control, 70.17% in 10% FF and 60% in 40% FF respectively. And at 72 hours after in vitro culture, the rates of survival embryos were also significantly dropped to 21.15% in pure and 36% in 40% at concentration of FF compare to 62.26% in control (p<0.05, p<0.01). Finally, the rate of embryonal death at 96 hours after in vitro culture was highest as 82.69% in pure FF among all groups which those were 35.84 in control, 56.14% in 10% FF and 64% in 40% FF respectively (Fig. 1, 2, 3). In conclusion, this study suggests that the FF has no effects, in particular, to the in vitro fertilization of oocytes but exerted a bad effect to the cleavage, quality and viability of the embryonal cells during in vitro culture. However, the FF is harmful on embryonal development at conditions in higher concentration and especially on the embryos after $8{\sim}16$ cell stage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1274-1280
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• 2011

The concentration of cordycepin produced by crossbred Cordyceps militaris JLM 0636 (CM${\alpha}$) was 7.42 mg/g dry weight, which was 7-fold higher than that of C. militaris (CM). However, cordycepin was not detected in Paecilomyces japonica (PJ). The improvement effects of CM${\alpha}$, CM and PJ on orotic acid (OA)-induced fatty liver in male Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated. Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) based on five dietary categories: normal (N), OA control (C), OA plus 3% (w/w) PJ (PJ), OA plus 3% CM (CM), and OA plus 3% CM${\alpha}$ (CM${\alpha}$). OA treatment induced the retardation of body weight gain and enlargement of the liver. The concentration of hepatic triglyceride was markedly increased by OA-feeding, whereas this rise was significantly reduced by simultaneous feeding of OA, PJ, CM, and CM${\alpha}$, and this phenomenon was more pronounced by cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$. The contents of total lipid, triglyceride, and free fatty acid in the serum were significantly or slightly lower in the OA control group than those of the N group, but there were no significant differences among the OA treatment groups. The hepatocytes in the OA-induced fatty liver contained numerous large lipid droplets, but PJ, CM, and CM${\alpha}$ feeding prevented the OA-induced lipid droplet accumulation in the hepatocytes. This effect was more pronounced in cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$ than in PJ or CM in OA treatment rats. Accordingly, cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$ could be an ideal candidate material as a dietary supplement in healthy functional foods to improve the effects of fatty liver.