• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.454-462
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• 2021

Background: This study was performed to reveal the relationships between the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the paraspinal muscles and the severity of low back pain (LBP), including the level of disability. Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 164 patients with chronic LBP. The effects of demographic characteristics, posture, level of physical activity, disc herniation type, and sarcopenia risk on the CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated along with the relationship between the CSAs and severity of pain and disability in all patients. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated using the software program Image J 1.53. Results: A negative significant correlation was found between age and the paraspinal muscle's CSA (P < 0.05), whereas a positive correlation was present between the level of physical activity and the CSA of the paraspinal muscle at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles in patients with sarcopenia risk was significantly lower than those in patients without sarcopenia risk (P < 0.05). The CSAs of paraspinal muscles at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels in obese patients were significantly higher than those in overweight patients (P = 0.028, P = 0.026, respectively). There was no relationship between the CSAs of paraspinal muscles and pain intensity or disability. Conclusions: Although this study did not find a relationship between paraspinal CSAs and pain or disability, treatment regimens for preventing paraspinal muscles from atrophy may aid pain physicians in relieving pain, restoring function, and preventing recurrence in patients with chronic LBP.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.169-180
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• 2022

Tomato has a limited shelf life and is highly perishable due to its high moisture content. As fruit leather, is a traditional food of Nepal, it can be beneficial to move towards value addition and diversification of the traditional product. The main aim was to analyze the nutritional values and phytochemicals of the tomato pulp and prepared leather, and sensory evaluation of prepared tomato leather. Five samples A, B, C, D and E were prepared with 80:20, 72.5:27.5, 95:5, 87.5:12.5 and 65:35 fruit pulp: sugar ratio respectively. Analysis of raw tomato pulp and all the five samples was performed. Sensory quality of the product sample A was found superior to that of other samples but chemical and phytochemical properties of product sample C was found superior than that of other prepared samples. Therefore, we had two best products, in terms of sensory properties and in terms of nutritional properties. The best product on the basis of nutrients (sample C) had acidity (%), TSS (°Bx), pH, total ash content (%), crude protein (%), crude fat (%), crude fiber (%), carbohydrate (%), vitamin C (mg/100 g), total energy (Kcal/100 g), TPC (mg GAE/g of dry extract), TFC (mg QE/g of dry extract), DPPH scavenging activity (% of inhibition) and lycopene content (mg/100 g) was found to be 3.70.1, 20 ± 0.02, 3 ± 0.1, 2.30 ± 0.05, 2.69 ± 0.04, 0.87 ± 0.02, 5.46 ± 0.01, 69.68 ± 0.02, 25.17 ± 1.25, 297.31 ± 0.01, 85.35 ± 0.02, 65.39 ± 0.02, 59.23 ± 0.03 and 98.57 ± 0.02 respectively. A tasty and nutritious product of tomato, leather can be prepared which can be more appealing to the consumer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.235-244
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• 2007

By comparing the proteins from the workers exposed to styrene with the ones from controls, it may be possible to identify proteins that play a role in the occurrence and progress of occupational disease and thus to study the molecular mechanisms of occupational disease. In order to find the biomarkers for assessing the styrene effects early, before clinical symptoms develop and to understand the mechanisms of adverse health effects, we surveyed 134 employees, among whom 52 workers(30 male and 22 female) were chronically exposed to styrene in 10 glass-reinforced plastic boat manufacturing factories in Korea and 82 controls had never been occupationally exposed to hazardous chemicals including styrene. The age and drinking habits and serum biochemistry such as total protein, BUN and serum creatinine in both groups were significantly different. Exposed workers were divided into three groups according to exposure levels of styrene(G1, below 1/2 TLV; G2, 1/2 TLV to TLV; G3, above TLV). The mean concentration of airborne styrene in G1 group was $10.93{\pm}11.33ppm$, and those of urinary mandelic acid(MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid(PGA) were $0.17{\pm}0.21$ and $0.13{\pm}0.11g/g$ creatinine, respectively. The mean concentration of airborne styrene in G2 and G3 groups were $47.54{\pm}22.43$ and $65.33{\pm}33.47ppm$, respectively, and levels of urinary metabolites such as MA and PGA increased considerably as expected with the increase in exposure level of styrene. The airborne styrene concentration were significantly correlated to the urinary concentration of MA(r=0.784, p=0.000) and PGA(r=0.626, p<0.001). In the 2D electrophoresis, the concentration of five proteins including complement C3 precursor, alpha-1-antitrypsin(AAT), vitamin D binding protein precursor(DBP), alpha-1-B-glycoprotein(A1BG) and inter alpha trypsin inhibitor(ITI) heavy chain-related protein were significantly altered in workers exposed to styrene compared with controls. While expression of complement C3 precursor and AAT increased by exposure to styrene, expression of DBP, A1BG and ITI heavy chain-related protein decreased. These results suggest that the exposure of styrene might affects levels of plasma proteinase, carriers of endogenous substances and immune system. In particular, increasing of AAT with the increase in exposure level of styrene can explain the tissue damage and inflammation by the imbalance of proteinase/antiproteinase and decrease of DBP, A1BG and ITI heavy chain-related protein in workers exposed to styrene is associated with dysfunction and/or declination in immune system and signal transduction

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1385-1393
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrient intake status and dietary behaviors in elementary school children. The subjects were 98 boys and girls in the 4~6 grade and divided into three groups by body shape. The protein intakes of the subjects were higher than the Korean EER (estimated energy requirements). Especially male over weight group had more than twice intakes (216.0% ) comparing the Korean EER. The mean daily intakes of calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C in all subjects did not meet the Korean RI (recommended intake). The vitamin C intake of male underweight group was only 43.2% comparing the Korean RI. Rice & cereals were main food sources of energy, protein and iron, and milk & milk products were main food sources of calcium. As their weights were high, the meal volume and the rate of skipped meal were shown to be high (p<0.05). Thus, this study implicates that desirable nutrition education may be needed for overweight and underweigh children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 1976

Chemical determination were made to analyze the concentration of nutrients including proximate composition, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids in three kinds of locally produced infantile formula milk(DFM) and one fermented milk(FM). An attempt was also made to compare the analytical values of nutrients against guaranteed values. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The analyzed value of protein and fat content in DFM-A.B.C was slightly lower than that of guaranteed values and a reverse trend was observed in the case of total carbohydrate. There were no differences in proximate composition among the three kinds of DFM. It was found that the FM contained less protein and fat than the fresh milk, but it seemed that a considerable amount of sugar was added to FM. 2. The analyzed values of vitamin $A(2{\sim}3\;times)$ and $E(4{\sim}6\;times)$ contents in DFMS were higher than those of the guaranteed values except niacin. There were a little differences in vitamin contents among DFMS analyzed. 3. In the case of minerals, the analyzed values were similar to the guaranteed values except the calcium concentration that analyzed value was much higher than guaranted value. When the DFMS were diluted to 15% by adding water to compare with the human and fresh cow milk, it was found that the diluted DFMS resembled the human milk rather than cow milk in the content of energy, carbohydrates, protein and ash. The higher contents of iron and most vitamins in the diluted DFMS than the human milk or cow milk would indicate that they were fortificated with these nutrients. When these diluted DFMS were compared with the Korean R.D.A. for infant, it was clear that they could supply sufficient amount of the nutrients required by R.D.A. except the niacin which failed to reach the recommended level. The fact that iron content of DFM-C was not sufficient while vitamin A supply was excessive by 6 fold would indicate that further studies for the improvement may be necessary. 4. There was a little difference among DFMS in amino acid composition. The similarity of the essential amino acids composition between DFMS and cow milk indicated that there was no modification of the essential amino acids. However, present data showed that the amino acid compositon of FM was similar to that of the cow milk. 5. There was no difference among DFMS in the degree of saturation of fatty acids. The similar or higher levels of essential fatty acids contents of DFMS as compared with human milk revealed that essential fatty acids were added to DFMS during the course of process. From the experimental results described above, it may be concluded that the nutritive effects of three kinds of locally produced DFMS were much alike. It was also found that macro and micro nutrient composition except amino acid composition of locally produced dried formula milk was very much similar to that of the human milk. Moreover, fortification of iron and vitamins resulted in improving their nutritive values as the single form of infantile food, but it seemed that more consideration should be given on the fortification of some nutrients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2020

A 22-month-old girl who had taken iron supplements due to iron deficiency anemia, presented bloody mucoid stool for one month. She had a bruise at the right periorbital area due to minor trauma and hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory studies showed anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), hypophosphatemia, decreased haptoglobin, hypocomplementemia, negative direct/indirect Coomb's test, normal vitamin D3 level and high PTHi. Wrist x-ray showed no signs of rickets. The abdominal ultrasound showed only accessory spleen. Tandem mass spectrometry was normal. During follow up, bloody stool regressed after seven days of withdrawal of iron supplement and cow milk, and the total CO2 level had been within 15-20 mEq/L with normal anion gap. NGS (next generation sequencing) panel test for evaluation of renal tubular acidosis showed negative results. After low dose steroid and vitamin D supplements under the impression of hypocomplementemic vasculitis, thrombocytopenia, C3/C4, decreased haptoglobin, and elevated ALP level became normal. At 57 months of age, laboratory findings showed elevated liver enzyme, ALP and gamma-glutamyl transferase again. And liver cirrhosis with splenomegaly and diffuse renal disease were reported with abdomen CT scan. Liver biopsy reported macro- and micronodular cirrhosis. Urine organic acid profile showed elevated succinylacetone level. Whole exome sequencing revealed novel compound heterozygous mutations (NM_00137.2:c.107T>C, NM_00137, 2:c.614T>C) in FAH gene and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed as chronic hereditary tyrosinemia type I. She started low phenylalanine/tyrosine diet and nitisinone treatment. Our case had presented symptoms very slowly, which is the first case of chronic tyrosinemia type I in South Korea.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.104-108
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• 2001

Aging is a senescence and defined as a normal physiologic and structural alterations in almost all organ systems with age. As Leonard Hayflick, one of the first gerontologists to propose a theory of biologic aging, indicated that a theory of aging or longevity satisfies the changes of above conditions to be universal, progressive, intrinsic and deleterious. Although a number of theories have been proposed, it is now clear that cell aging (cell senescence) is multifactorial. No single mechanism can account for the many varied manifestations of biological aging. Many theories have been proposed in attempt to understand and explain the process of aging. Aging is effected in individual by genetic factors, diet, social conditions, and the occurrence of age-related diseases as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis. It involves an endogenous molecular program of cellular senescence as well as continuous exposure throughout life to adverse exogenous influences, leading to progressive infringement on the cell's survivability so called wear and tear. So we could say the basic mechanism of aging depends on the irreversible and universal processes at cellular and molecular level. The immediate cause of these changes is probably an interference in the function of cell's macromolecules-DNA, RNA, and cell proteins-and in the flow of information between these macromolecules. The crucial questions, unanswered at present, concerns what causes these changes in truth. Common theories of aging are able to classify as followings for the easy comprehension. 1. Biological, 1) molecular theories - a. error theory, b. programmed aging theory, c. somatic mutation theory, d. transcription theory, e. run-out-of program theory, 2) cellular theories - a. wear and tear theory, b. cross-link theory, c. clinker theory, d. free radical theory, e. waste product theory, 3) system level theory-a. immunologic/autoimmune theory, 4) others - a. telomere theory, b. rate of living theory, c. stress theory, etc. Prevention of aging is theoretically depending on the cause or theory of aging. However no single theory is available and no definite method of delaying the aging process is possible by this moment. The most popular action is anti-oxidant therapy using vitamin E and C, melatonin and DHEA, etc. Another proposal for the reverse of life-span is TCP-17 and IL-16 administration from the mouse bone marrow B cell line study for the immunoglobulin VDJ rearrangement with RAG-1 and RAG-2. Recently conclusional suggestion for the extending of maximum life-span thought to be the calory restriction.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1012-1022
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• 2020

Objective: Caseins and fatty acids of milk are synthesized and secreted by the epithelial cells of the mammary gland. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, has been shown to promote mammary development. This study was conducted to determine the effect of ATRA on casein synthesis and fatty acid composition in MAC-T cells. Methods: MAC-T cells were allowed to differentiate for 4 d, treated with ATRA (0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 μM), and incubated for 3 d. We analyzed the fatty acid composition, the mRNA expression of casein and fatty acid synthesis-related genes, and the phosphorylation of casein synthesis-related proteins of MAC-T cells by gas chromatography, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting, respectively. Results: In MAC-T cells, ATRA increased the mRNA levels of α_S1-casein and β-casein, janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and E74-like factor 5 of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 β (STAT5-β) pathway, ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 (S6K1) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, inhibited the mRNA expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E of the mTOR pathway, and promoted the phosphorylation of STAT5-β and S6K1 proteins. Additionally, ATRA increased the de novo synthesis of fatty acids, reduced the content of long-chain fatty acids, the ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (SFA), the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to SFA, and the ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 PUFA. The mRNA levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, fatty acid synthase, lipoprotein lipase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) were enhanced by ATRA. Conclusion: ATRA promotes the synthesis of casein by regulating JAK2/STAT5 pathway and downstream mTOR signaling pathway, and it improves the fatty acid composition of MAC-T cells by regulating SREBP1-related genes.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.234-240
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• 2017

The goal of this study was to isolate wild yeasts from reed fields in the Seocheon-gun county in Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. Molecular analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rDNA of the yeasts isolated from soil samples was performed using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). In total, 20 yeast strains from 11 species were isolated from 20 different soil samples. Candida species were observed to be the most common yeasts. Of these 20 strains, Candida subhashii (6 strains), Candida tropicalis (3 strains), Candida boleticola MS008, and Lachancea thermotolerans (2 strains) were identified as alcohol-fermenting yeasts. Further, Bullera japonica YJ10-1, Candida subhashii J7-1, Kluyveromyces yarrowii YJ11-1, and Ustilago shanxiensis Y10-1 were newly recorded yeast strains in Korea, and therefore, their microbiological characteristics were investigated further. All of these unrecorded yeast strains had oval cells; only Candida subhashii J7-1 formed ascospores and pseudomycelia. Kluyveromyces yarrowii YJ11-1 grew in vitamin-free medium, and all of these strains, except Candida subhashii J7-1, grew in 5% NaCl-containing YPD broth.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 1999

To search for antioxidative compounds from plant resources, methanol extracts of 45 plant species were investigated using DPPH method. The highest activity was shown in the methanol extract of Acer ginnala($RC_{50}\;:\;15{\mu}g$), followed by Stewartia koreana($RC_{50}\;:\;28{\mu}g$) and Carpinus laxiflora($RC_{50}\;:\;33{\mu}g$). Two antioxidative compounds were isolated from the methanolic extract of Acer ginnala Max and identified as acertannin(2, 6-di-O-galloyl-1, 5-anhydro-D-glucitol) and gallicin (methyl-3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) on the basis of mass spectroscopy, $^1H-\;and\;^{13}C-NMR$ data. The DPPH free radical scavenging activities of acertannin($RC_{50}\;:\;3.5{\mu}g$) and gallicin($RC_{50}\;:\;2.8{\mu}g$) were more effective than those of BHA($RC_{50}\;:\;14{\mu}g$) and ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ ($RC_{50}\;:\;12{\mu}g$).