• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.403-414
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• 2015

Lithospermum erythrorhizon has long been used as a traditional oriental medicine. In this study, the acute and 28-day subacute oral dose toxicity studies of hexane extracts of the roots of L. erythrorhizon (LEH) were performed in Sprague-Dawley rats. In the acute toxicity study, LEH was administered once orally to 5 male and 5 female rats at dose levels of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg. Mortality, clinical signs, and body weight changes were monitored for 14 days. Salivation, soft stool, soiled perineal region, compound-colored stool, chromaturia and a decrease in body weight were observed in the extract-treated groups, and no deaths occurred during the study. Therefore, the approximate lethal dose (ALD) of LEH in male and female rats was higher than 2,000 mg/kg. In the subacute toxicity study, LEH was administered orally to male and female rats for 28 days at dose levels of 25, 100, and 400 mg/kg/day. There was no LEH-related toxic effect in the body weight, food consumption, ophthalmology, hematology, clinical chemistry and organ weights. Compound-colored (black) stool, chromaturia and increased protein, ketone bodies, bilirubin and occult blood in urine were observed in the male and female rats treated with the test substance. In addition, the necropsy revealed dark red discoloration of the kidneys, and the histopathological examination showed presence of red brown pigment or increased hyaline droplets in the renal tubules of the renal cortex. However, there were no test substance-related toxic effects in the hematology and clinical chemistry, and no morphological changes were observed in the histopathological examination of the kidneys. Therefore, it was determined that there was no significant toxicity because the changes observed were caused by the intrinsic color of the test substance. These results suggest that the no-observed-adverse-effect Level (NOAEL) of LEH is greater than 400 mg/kg/day in both sexes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8101-8105
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• 2016

Background: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Colorectal Cancer-specific Quality Of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-CR29). Materials and Methods: We studied 93 patients recruited from University Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Medical Centers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia using a self-administered method. Tools included QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29 and Karnofsky Performance Scales (KPS). Statistical analyses included Cronbach's alpha, test-retest correlations, multi-traits scaling and known-groups comparisons. A p vaue ${\leq}0.05$ was considered significant. Results: The internal consistency coefficients for body image, urinary frequency, blood and mucus and stool frequency scales were acceptable (Cronbach's alpha ${\alpha}{\geq}0.65$). However, the coefficients were low for the blood and mucus and stool frequency scales in patients with a stoma bag (${\alpha}=0.46$). Test-retest correlation coefficients were moderate to high (range: r = 0.51 to 1.00) for most of the scales except anxiety, urinary frequency, buttock pain, hair loss, stoma care related problems, and dyspareunia (r ${\leq}0.49$). Convergent and discriminant validities were achieved in all scales. Patients with a stoma reported significantly higher symptoms of blood and mucus in the stool, flatulence, faecal incontinence, sore skin, and embarrassment due to the frequent need to change the stoma bag (p < 0.05) compared to patients without stoma. None of the scales distinguished between patients based on the KPS scores. There were no overlaps between scales in the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 (r < 0.40). Conclusions: the BM version of the QLQ-CR29 indicated acceptable psychometric properties in most of the scales similar to original validation study. This questionnaire could be used to complement the QLQ-C30 in assessing HRQOL among BM speaking population with colorectal cancer.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 1982

This study was undertaken to evaluate the present status of parasitic infection and swine pen human latrine system in Cheju Do, from July to September 1982. The 663 stool specimens (male 323 and female 340) and 579 scotch tape anal swabs collected from 161 households of 2 areas in Cheju Do were examined. The methods employed were formalin-ether technique for the prevalence rate of various helminthic and protozoan infection, and scotch tape anal swab technique for the prevalence rates of Enterobius vermicularis. In addition to these, questionaire was used to evaluate the present status of swine pen human latrine system and prevalence rates of taeniasis in these areas. The results are as follows ; 1) Prevalence rates of parasitic infections of any kind was 33.9%. It was 35.7% in Cheju City in contrast to 32.1% in North Cheju Gun. The infection rates of Trichuris trichiura was 10.0% and it was the highest prevalence rate in this survey. The prevalence rates of the other parasites were as follows ; Ascaris lumbricoides 2,3%, Hookworm 0.2%, Clonorchis sinensis 0.5%, Hymenolepis nana 1.5%, Entamoeba coli 3.2%, and Giardia lamblia 0.5%. 2) The infection rates of Enterobius vermicularis in 579 peoples (male 285, female 294) by applying scotch tape anal swab technique was 13.1% through the survey. It was 16.9 in Cheju City and 8.5% in North Cheju Gun. 3) The Infection rate of Taenia species by applying the stool examination and making up a question was 19.2%(21.4% in Cheju City and 16.7% in North Cheju Gun). 4) Sexual distribution of the parasitic infections showed slightly higher rate in female than that of male. 5) The positive rates of parasitic infection by the stool examination and questionaire positive cases of taeniasis were higher in 0-9 and over 60 year old than any other age group. 7) The swine pen human latrine systems were used in 46 households (28.6%). 7) Relationship between swine pen human latrine system and taeniasis was not noted.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.379-383
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• 2018

The present study was performed with morphological and molecular analysis (cox1 and nad1 mitochondrial genes) to identify the proglottids of spirometrid tapeworm found in the stool of an African lion, Panthera leo, in the Serengeti plain of Tanzania. A strand of tapeworm strobila, about 75 cm in length, was obtained in the stool of a male African lion in the Serengeti National Park ($34^{\circ}$ 50' E, $02^{\circ}$ 30' S), Tanzania, in February 2012. The morphological features of the adult worm examined exhibited 3 uterine coils with a bow tie appearance and adopted a diagonal direction in the second turn. The posterior uterine coils are larger than terminal uterine ball and the feature of uteri are swirling rather than spirally coiling. The sequence difference between the Spirometra species (Tanzania origin) and S. erinaceieuropaei (GenBank no. KJ599680) was 9.4% while those of S. decipiens (GenBank no. KJ599679) differed by 2.1% in the cox1 and nad1 genes. Phylogenetic tree topologies generated using the 2 analytic methods were identical and presented high level of confidence values for the 3 major branches of the 3 Spirometra species in the cox1 gene. The morphological and molecular findings obtained in this study were nearly coincided with those of S. ranarum. Therefore, we can know for the first time that the African lion, Panthera leo, is to the definitive host of this tapeworm.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.600-604
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• 2012

Rotavirus is the main cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children of the world. However, the frequency of genetic alterations makes it hard to control the prophylaxis. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the rotavirus's genetic change is inevitable to prevent disease prevalence and is useful in inventing an efficient vaccine. From January 2005 to December 2010, we investigated 11,607 stool samples of acute gastroenteritis patients in the Incheon metropolitan area. About 13.18% (1,530 stool samples) of all samples had a positive reaction against rotavirus using an antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then, the 160 stool samples were searched for subtypes of group A rotavirus by using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a nested multiplex RCR. In P sub-typing, P8 (56.3%) was an extremely prevalent genotype, followed by P6 (21.3%), and P1A (10.0%). G1 (39.4%) was most widespread in the G subtype, followed by G4 (25.0%) and G3 (18.8%). G1P8 (35.5%) was the most common G and P subtype combination, followed by G4P6 (19.3%) and G3P8 (13.1%). These results might be useful data for understanding the epidemiological status of group A-rotavirus dispersion in the Incheon metropolitan area.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2004

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential acute toxicity of CKD-602 by a single intravenous dose in Beagle dogs. The test chemical was administered intravenously to male and female Beagle dogs at dose levels of 0.3, 0.5, or 2.5 mg/kg. Mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight changes were monitored for the 14-day period following the administration. At the end of 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete gross postmortem examinations were performed. All males and females of the 2.5 mg/kg dose group were found dead between the fourth and seventh day after the injection. Treatment related clinical signs, including vomiting, anorexia, mucous stool, diarrhea, and no stool were observed. Decrease or suppression of body weight was observed in a dose-dependent manner. In autopsy, dark red discoloration of the gastrointestinal tract, atrophy of the thymus, paleness of the spleen, sporadic dark red spots of the lung and petechia of the heart were observed in dead animals of the 2.5 mg/kg dose group. There were no specific adverse effects on males and females of the 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg dose groups, except for the transient clinical signs such as anorexia, vomiting, and mucus/no stool. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that a single intravenous injection of CKD-602 to Beagle dogs resulted in increased incidence of abnormal clinical signs and death, decreased body weight, and increased incidence of abnormal gross findings. The absolute toxic dose of this chemical was 2.5 mg/kg for both genders. The $LD_{50}$ value was 1.1 mg/kg (95% confidence limit not specified) for both genders. The no-observed-effect level (NOEL) was considered to be below 0.3 mg/kg for both genders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.471-477
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• 1992

This study was conducted to determine the effect of seaweed ingestion on Na, Ca and K balances in healthy male subjects and to elucidate possible hypolipidemic mechanisms. Six subjects were given a nutritionally controlled diet based on their usual intake for 5-days followed by 5 days in which seaweed was added to the basal diet. Based on the results of the study, the relation between the levels of intake and excretions in stool, urine and serum concentrations was analyzed. In this study, the ingested sodium and potassium were mostly excreted in urine. The highest the rate of urinary excretion to intake for K at 64%, followed by 56% for Na, Conversely, Ca was excreted in stool at higher rates. Analysis of the relation between the intake and excretion in stool revealed that Na and K showed a positive relation with statistical significance. There was no statistically significant relation between the intake and serum concentration of any these minerals. The levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride were remarkably reduced (p<0.05) by seaweed intake. Thus, the results suggest a beneficial effect of seaweed on Na, Ca, K metabolic control and hypolipidemic mechanism of the healthy male subjects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.939-948
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• 2018

Objectives: We treated a stroke patient with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) colonization using Gami-sipjeondaebo-tang. Methods: A patient diagnosed with intracranial hemorrhage with VRE colonization was treated with herbal medicine and acupuncture. We checked general conditions every day and performed stool VRE culture once a week. We evaluated the improvement of symptoms by change in VAS grade, general weakness, and stool VRE culture results. Results: After a treatment of Gami-sipjeondaebo-tang combined with acupuncture therapy, improvement of the general condition was observed. Also, VRE colonization was no longer detected in the stool culture. Conclusions: This case report proved the effect of Korean medicine for a stroke patient with VRE colonization, but further study is needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.425-430
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• 2005

Objectives : To investigate the prevalence of Clonorchis Sinensis infestation and to determine the associated risk factors among a population in a part of the rural area of Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, which is an area known to have a high mortality from liver cancer and a high infection of C. sinensis. Methods : The study populat ion consisted of those people who have lived in rural areas and who were over 40 years old. This study was performed in 5 areas during the period from 1999 to 200 3. Informed consents were obtained from the 2,381 study participants, and these people were interviewed about their life style habits with using the structured questionnaire that was administered by trained staff members. The subjects underwent blood sampling and their stool specimens were examined by using the Formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Results : Among the study subjects (N=2,381), the positivity for C. sinensis in the stool was 34.4% (95% CI=36.3-42.5); it was 39.4% (95% CI=36.3-42.5) in the males and 30.9% (95% CI=28.5-33.3) in the females . The positivity for C. sinensis was associated with current alcohol drinking (odds ratio=1.8, 95% CI: 1.5-2.1) and raw fish consumption (odds ratio 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9-1.6). Conclusion : The present study confirmed the high prevalence of C. sinensis in the study subjects. It is necessary to establish consistent medical management and education programs for the treatment and prevention of C. sinensis infestation in the rural inhabitants of Korea.

• 한국노년학
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1113-1128
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate toilet terms and pictograms recognized by elders living in Seoul and Incheon. Method: Data were collected from 308 elders by individual interviews using questionnaires. Result: As for the name of places for elimination, those elders responded Hwajangsil 88.3%, followed by Byeonso 49.3% and Dwitgan 44.4%. Most elders preferred Hwajangsil as the term indicating the place for elimination. The mean age of the group preferred Bunso was significantly higher than that of the group preferred Hwajangsil, whereas educational level was higher in the latter group. Of the 256 respondents, 55% preferred the pictogram of international toilet sign, while 34.8% preferred the pictogram of toilet stool. Those with no formal education tended to prefer the pictogram of toilet stool. Conclusion: The term Hwajangsil is suggested for indicating toilet for elders in general. Other terms familiar with residents need to be investigated in the facilities for elders and those terms should be used in combination with Hwajangsil. English toilet signs alone are not recommended for elders. Simple pictograms of toilet stool is suggested for elders with low educational level. Toilet signs for elders need to include both terms and pictograms.