• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 1997

To determine the concentration and the physiologic role of metal components in blood plasma and seminal plasma in relation to male infertility, the concentrations of twelve metal components in blood plasma and seminal plasma including Na, Mg, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Cd and Pb were measured by atomic absorbance spectrophotometery or ion selective electrode analysis. Semen and blood samples were obtained from a total of 110 men including 70 male infertility patients, 20 vasectomized persons and 20 fertility proven volunteers visited to the Male Infertility Clinic of Pusan National University Hospital. The concentrations of Ca, Zn, Mg, Cr and Cd in control group were higher in seminal plasma than in blood plasma, and additionally Pb were higher in infertility group. The concentrations of all metal components revealed no significant difference according to patients' age, resident, occupation, sperm density, motility and hormone level in blood plasma, but some metal components including Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, Cd and Pb revealed a significant difference according to each these parameters except patient's age in seminal plasma. The concentrations of Mn, Cd and Pb in the vasectomy persons were higher than in the infertility group III including testicular and epididymal factors, but not in blood plasma. We conclude that the quantitative changes of metal components in the seminal plasma may have effects on not only spermatogenesis and sperm function, but also contribute to diagnostic parameter according to organ specificity of the metal in the male reproduction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1339-1348
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• 1999

In present study possible hypolipidemic effects of garlic were investigated in an experimental model which consisted of 4 groups of Wistar rats(three weeks old): CO group received a basal diet(as a standard diet) contained 6.3% of corn oil. LO group was taken the experimental diet in which only 6.3% corn oil in basal diet was substituted by 12.6% of lard oil. So the experimental diet was somewhat high saturated fat diet. LG1 group was treated orally with garlic juice as 1% of raw garlic in the diet together with the same diet as the diet for LO group. LG2 group was taken 2% of garlic under the same dietary condition as that of LG1 group. The rat body weights prior and posterior to the experimental period were measured and the amount of the experimental dietary intake was determined at every 3 day interval. After the experimental dietary period of 30 days the blood obtained from all the sacrificed rats were analyzed for the biochemical parameters. Over the one month period of experiment there was no abnormality or apparent change in appearance and activity or diet consumption in all experimental rat groups. LO group fed a diet rich in lard showed significantly increased body weight gain rate by 30% and also elevated levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by 29.9%, 27.4% and 62.3% respectively and no significant difference in the levels of HDL cholesterol, GOT, GPT, blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen as compared to those of control group. So it seemed that the high calorie diet in LO group mainly contributed to the significant increase in body weight gain rate and other biochemical parameters. In spite of 1% garlic treatment LG1 group had significantly increased body weight gain rate by 25.2%, levels of triglyceride, total choesterol and LDL cholesterol by 25.2%, 24.6% and 50.5% respectively as compared to control and LO group, and no increase in the levels of HDL cholesterol, blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen. At garlic 1% diet there was no hypolipidemic efficacy in rat serum. Under the treatment with garlic 2% in diet LG2 group showed significantly increased body weight gain rate by 19.7% as compared to control and elevated levels of GOT, GPT and BUN by 85.8~96.4%, 127~148% and 88% respectively as compared to control, but LG2 group had significantly reduced levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol as compared to LOand LG1 group. In present study there were no significant change in HDL cholesterol and blood glucose value. In LG2 group GOT, GPT and blood urea nitrogen values were slightly increased presumably due to the inhibiting effects of garlic on the hepatic or renal function of rats. Nevertheless in this study garlic may have some demonstrable hypolipidemic effects in rat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1482-1489
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• 2010

This study aimed to determine the effects of vitamin C and propolis-supplemented feeds on some blood parameters, lipid peroxidation, and activities of some antioxidant enzymes in broilers exposed to oxidative stress. 360 three-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into four treatment groups each containing 90 animals, including six replicate groups for each treatment. The experimental groups were designated for a 3-42 days period as follows: no supplement to basal ration (Control-Group I); supplement of 500 ppm vitamin C and 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group II); supplement of 1 g/kg propolis and 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group III); and supplement of 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group IV). The highest TG level (86.83 mg/dl) was observed in the lead supplemented group; however, the lowest aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) level (90.71 IU/L) was observed in the control group (p<0.05). The addition of lead increased the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level (p<0.01) compared to other treatments. However, the addition of vitamin C and propolis decreased the plasma MDA level close to control levels. The highest erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed in the lead addition group (p<0.01) while no significant differences were observed for SOD activities of the control, vitamin C +lead, and propolis+lead groups. The plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) activity of the control ($2.30{\mu}mol$/ml) was significantly lower than the lead administered group ($6.20{\mu}mol$/ml) (p<0.01); while this parameter was determined to be similar to other groups. No significant differences were observed between groups for liver GSH activity, but heart GSH activity of the control was significantly higher in comparison to other treatments (p<0.05). To obtain similar antioxidant effects, it is recommend that using propolis (1 g/kg) and vitamin C (500 mg/kg) supplementation in broiler diets may overcome the adverse effects of oxidative stress originating from dietary lead.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2009

In this study, pulse waves were measured at radial artery using non-invasive tonometric pulse pressure measurement system, SphygmoCor(AtCor, Australia), according to subject's posture. Then it was analysed whether the pulse wave parameters, which contain heart activities, change among three different postures (upright stand, sit, and supine). And it was also verified that the pulse wave parameters change among blood pressure level groups(hypotensive, normotensive, and hypertensive). As a results, posture effects were verified in time information of pulse wave rather than amplitude. But some parameters calculated by ratio of two amplitude, such as augmented index(AI) and ratio of central aortic pulse and radial artery pulse, showed significant difference according to postures. In post hoc test, time to the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ pulse peak(P_$T_1$, and P_$T_2$), ED(ejection duration), and HR(heart rate) showed significant difference among posture groups with each other. In comparison of blood pressure groups, it was verified that the parameters related to amplitude of pulse wave showed significant difference rather than time information.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.03b
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• pp.385-388
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• 2008

The objective of this paper is simulating blood flow through the branched and stenotic tube numerically. SC-Tetra, which is one of the commercial code using FVM method, was utilized for this analysis. The flow is assumed as an incompressible laminar flow with the additional condition of non-Newtonian fluid. As the constitutive equation for the fluid viscosity, the following models were solved with governing equations ; Cross Model, Modified Cross Model, Carreau Model and Carreau-Yasuda Model. Final goal was achieved to get analytic data about shear stress, at specific points, changing the geometry with various factors like the bifurcation angle, diameter of the branches, the ratio of stenosis, and etc. The material property of blood was referred from the related papers. Furthermore, to verify results they were compared with those of the published papers. There were some discrepancies based on the different solver and the different data post-processing method. However, many parameters like the location of low shear stress, which arised from bifurcation or stenosis, and the tendency of various factors were found to be very similar.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.291-295
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• 2011

The present investigation evaluated the safety of the methanol extract from the fruit body of Phellinus pini Ames (PPA) by determining its potential toxicity after a subacute administration in rats. The extract was orally administered in doses of 1 g/kg, 2 g/kg, and 4 g/kg daily for 14 days to rats. Body weight, biochemical, and hematological parameters were determined at the end of 14 days of daily administration. The no-observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL) of the extract were 4 g/kg, when given by gavage routes. Daily oral administration of PPA extract for up to 14 days did not result in the death of significant changes in the body weight, hematological, and mainly biological parameters. In biological analysis, some significant changes occurred, including triglyceride and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), indicating that the PPA extract has liver and kidney-modulating activity. The PPA extract was found to be low or non-toxic in rats.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.177-187
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• 2021

Metabolic syndrome (MBS) is a widespread disease that has strongly related to unhealthy diet and low physical activity, which initiate more serious conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to examine the therapeutic effects of morin, as one of the flavonoids constituents, which widely exists in many herbs and fruits, against some metabolic and hepatic manifestations observed in MBS rats and the feasible related mechanisms. MBS was induced in rats by high fructose diet feeding for 12 weeks. Morin (30 mg/kg) was administered orally to both normal and MBS rats for 4 weeks. Liver tissues were used for determination of liver index, hepatic expression of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) as well as both inflammatory and fibrotic markers. The fat/muscle ratio, metabolic parameters, systolic blood pressure, and oxidative stress markers were also determined. Our data confirmed that the administration of morin in fructose diet rats significantly reduced the elevated systolic blood pressure. The altered levels of metabolic parameters such as blood glucose, serum insulin, serum lipid profile, and oxidative stress markers were also reversed approximately to the normal values. In addition, morin treatment decreased liver index, serum liver enzyme activities, and fat/muscle ratio. Furthermore, morin relatively up-regulated GLUT2 expression, however, down-regulated NF-κB, TNF-α, and TGF-β expressions in the hepatic tissues. Here, we revealed that morin has an exquisite effect against metabolic disorders in the experimental model through, at least in part, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic mechanisms.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.239-247
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• 2022

Objective: Asafoetida is a gum derived from Ferula assa-foetida, which is used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat some reproductive system disorders. The effects of asafoetida on ovarian tissue, expression of certain genes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and levels of liver, kidney, and blood cell factors after treatment in a rat model were investigated. Methods: Thirty rats were divided into five groups: normal, polycystic, and treatment with three doses of asafoetida (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg for 3 weeks after PCOS induction). PCOS was induced by letrozole at a dose of 1 mg/kg administered orally for 3 weeks. Blood samples were taken, and the ovaries were removed and prepared for histomorphometric examination. Liver and kidney parameters were measured. The mRNA expression levels of luteinizing hormone receptor, CYP11A1, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, adiponectin, and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 were also measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The levels of liver, kidney, and blood parameters did not significantly differ between the treatment groups and the control group. At doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, ovarian histopathology, especially the thicknesses of the theca and granulosa layers, was significantly improved relative to the PCOS group. The expression of target genes also improved in the 25 and 50 mg/kg treatment groups. Conclusion: Asafoetida can be used to treat PCOS as a complementary approach to conventional therapies. Asafoetida appears to act by regulating and activating metabolic and ovarian cycle enzymes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.505-513
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• 2017

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate whether ambient temperature and dietary glycerol addition affect growth performance, and blood metabolic and immunological parameters, in beef cattle. Methods: Twenty Korean cattle steers ($405.1{\pm}7.11kg$ of body weight [BW], $14.2{\pm}0.15$ months of age) were divided into a conventional control diet group (n = 10) and a 2% glycerol- added group (n = 10). Steers were fed 1.6% BW of a concentrate diet and 0.75% BW of a timothy hay diet for 8 weeks (4 weeks from July 28th to August 26th and 4 weeks from August 27th to September 26th). Blood was collected four times on July 28th, August 11th, August 27th, and September 26th. Results: The maximum indoor ambient temperature-humidity index in August (75.8) was higher (p<0.001) than that in September (70.0), and in August was within the mild heat stress (HS) category range previously reported for dairy cattle. The average daily gain (ADG; p = 0.03) and feed efficiency (p<0.001) were higher in hotter August than in September. Glycerol addition did not affect ADG and feed efficiency. Neither month nor glycerol addition affected blood concentrations of cortisol, triglyceride, or non-esterified fatty acid. Blood concentrations of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, glucose, and albumin were lower (p<0.05) on August 27th than on September 26 th, and blood phosphorus, calcium and magnesium concentrations were also lower on August 27th than on September 27th. Glycerol addition did not affect these blood parameters. Percentages of $CD4^+$ T cells and $CD8^+$ T cells were higher (p<0.05) on July 28th than on August 27th and September 26th. The blood $CD8^+$ T cell population was lower in the glycerol supplemented-group compared to the control group on July 28th and August 27th. Conclusion: Korean cattle may not be significantly affected by mild HS, considering that growth performance of cattle was better in hotter conditions, although some changes in blood metabolic and mineral parameters were observed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup2
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• pp.259-265
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• 2001

Objectives : Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage(S-ICH) is generally considered to be a mon-ophasic event. But some patients with ICH continued to bleed even after hospitalization. In order to evaluate the rebleeding and growth factor of hematoma in small volume S-ICH, 125 cases of S-ICH were reviewed retrospectively. Methods : We assesed age, sex, initial mental state, location of hemorrhage, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood pressure patterns, hematologic profile, trauma and stroke history, alcohol consumption and smoking history. Two subgroups-rebleeding groups versus no rebleeding groups-were compared, in terms of data analysis, with student T-test and chi-square test. Results : Substantial growth in the volume of S-ICH occurred in 21 cases(16.8%)-putamen(7 cases), thalamus(6 cases), subcortex(5 cases), cerebellum(2 cases), pons(1 case)-of the 125 patients. There was no significant difference in any of the parameters except initial systolic blood pressure(p=0.037) when patients with and without rebleeding were compared. Conclusion : The rebleeding and growth of the small volume S-ICH was related to the markedly elevated initial systolic blood pressure(${\geq}180mmHg$) and labile pattern of blood pressure.