• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.95-104
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• 2024

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of enzymolysis fermentation of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) on egg production performance, egg quality, lipid metabolism, serum reproductive hormone levels, and the mRNA expression of the ovarian hormone receptor of laying hens in the late-laying stage. Methods: A total of 360 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (age, 390 days) were randomly categorized into four groups. Hens in the control (C) group were fed a basic diet devoid of CHMs, the crushed CHM (CT), fermented CHM (FC), and enzymatically fermented CHM (EFT) groups received diets containing 2% crushed CHM, 2% fermented CHM, and 2% enzymatically fermented CHM, respectively. Results: Compared with crushed CHM, the acid detergent fiber, total flavonoids, and total saponins contents of fermented CHM showed improvement (p<0.05); furthermore, the neutral and acid detergent fiber, total flavonoids, and total saponins contents of enzymatically fermented CHM improved (p<0.05). At 5 to 8 weeks, hens in the FC and EFT groups showed increased laying rates, haugh unit, albumin height, yolk color, shell thickness, and shell strength compared with those in the C group (p<0.05). Compared with the FC group, the laying rate, albumin height, and Shell thickness in the EFT group was increased (p<0.05). Compared with the C, CT, and FC groups, the EFT group showed reduced serum total cholesterol and increased serum luteinizing hormone levels and mRNA expressions of follicle stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated that the ETF group improved the laying rate and egg quality and regulated the lipid metabolism in aged hens. The mechanism underlying this effect was likely related to cell wall degradation of CHM and increased serum levels of luteinizing hormone and mRNA expression of the ovarian hormone receptor.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.303-314
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• 2024

Objective: Rutin, also called vitamin P, is a flavonoids from plants. Previous studies have indicated that rutin can alleviate the injury of tissues and cells by inhibiting oxidative stress and ameliorating inflammation. There is no report on the protective effects of rutin on goat rumen epithelial cells (GRECs) at present. Hence, we investigated whether rutin can alleviate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced damage in GRECs. Methods: GRECs were cultured in basal medium or basal medium containing 1 ㎍/mL LPS, or 1 ㎍/mL LPS and 20 ㎍/mL rutin. Six replicates were performed for each group. After 3-h culture, the GRECs were harvested to detect the relevant parameters. Results: Rutin significantly enhanced the cell activity (p<0.05) and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) (p<0.01) and significantly reduced the apoptosis rate (p<0.05) of LPS-induced GRECs. Rutin significantly increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activity (p<0.01) and significantly decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity and reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in LPS-induced GRECs (p<0.01). The mRNA and protein levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) and the mRNA level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and chemokine C-C motif ligand 5 (CCL5) were significantly increased in LPS-induced GRECs (p<0.05 or p<0.01), while rutin supplementation significantly decreased the mRNA and protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and CXCL8 in LPS-induced GRECs (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The mRNA level of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) was significantly improved in LPS-induced GRECs (p<0.05 or p<0.01), whereas rutin supplementation could significantly reduce the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 (p<0.05 or p<0.01). In addition, rutin had a tendency of decreasing the protein levels of CXCL6, NF-κB, and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B alpha (0.05

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권7호
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• pp.869-879
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• 2020

Objective: To evaluate the performance of a convolutional neural network (CNN) model that can automatically detect and classify rib fractures, and output structured reports from computed tomography (CT) images. Materials and Methods: This study included 1079 patients (median age, 55 years; men, 718) from three hospitals, between January 2011 and January 2019, who were divided into a monocentric training set (n = 876; median age, 55 years; men, 582), five multicenter/multiparameter validation sets (n = 173; median age, 59 years; men, 118) with different slice thicknesses and image pixels, and a normal control set (n = 30; median age, 53 years; men, 18). Three classifications (fresh, healing, and old fracture) combined with fracture location (corresponding CT layers) were detected automatically and delivered in a structured report. Precision, recall, and F1-score were selected as metrics to measure the optimum CNN model. Detection/diagnosis time, precision, and sensitivity were employed to compare the diagnostic efficiency of the structured report and that of experienced radiologists. Results: A total of 25054 annotations (fresh fracture, 10089; healing fracture, 10922; old fracture, 4043) were labelled for training (18584) and validation (6470). The detection efficiency was higher for fresh fractures and healing fractures than for old fractures (F1-scores, 0.849, 0.856, 0.770, respectively, p = 0.023 for each), and the robustness of the model was good in the five multicenter/multiparameter validation sets (all mean F1-scores > 0.8 except validation set 5 [512 x 512 pixels; F1-score = 0.757]). The precision of the five radiologists improved from 80.3% to 91.1%, and the sensitivity increased from 62.4% to 86.3% with artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis. On average, the diagnosis time of the radiologists was reduced by 73.9 seconds. Conclusion: Our CNN model for automatic rib fracture detection could assist radiologists in improving diagnostic efficiency, reducing diagnosis time and radiologists' workload.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권8호
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• pp.1007-1017
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the predictive abilities of clinical and computed tomography (CT) features for outcome prediction in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: The clinical and CT data of 238 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in our two hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred sixty-six patients (103 males; age 43.8 ± 12.3 years) were allocated in the training cohort and 72 patients (38 males; age 45.1 ± 15.8 years) from another independent hospital were assigned in the validation cohort. The primary composite endpoint was admission to an intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to identify independent predictors. A nomogram was constructed based on the combination of clinical and CT features, and its prognostic performance was externally tested in the validation group. The predictive value of the combined model was compared with models built on the clinical and radiological attributes alone. Results: Overall, 35 infected patients (21.1%) in the training cohort and 10 patients (13.9%) in the validation cohort experienced adverse outcomes. Underlying comorbidity (hazard ratio [HR], 3.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67-6.71; p < 0.001), lymphocyte count (HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04-0.38; p < 0.001) and crazy-paving sign (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.03-4.48; p = 0.042) were the independent factors. The nomogram displayed a concordance index (C-index) of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.76-0.88), and its prognostic value was confirmed in the validation cohort with a C-index of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82-0.96). The combined model provided the best performance over the clinical or radiological model (p < 0.050). Conclusion: Underlying comorbidity, lymphocyte count and crazy-paving sign were independent predictors of adverse outcomes. The prognostic nomogram based on the combination of clinical and CT features could be a useful tool for predicting adverse outcomes of patients with COVID-19.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권8호
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• pp.998-1006
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• 2020

Objective: To compare the accuracies of quantitative computed tomography (CT) parameters and semiquantitative visual score in evaluating clinical classification of severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 187 patients with COVID-19 treated at Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College from February 15, 2020, to February 29, 2020. Demographic data, imaging characteristics, and clinical data were collected, and based on the clinical classification of severity, patients were divided into groups 1 (mild) and 2 (severe/critical). A semiquantitative visual score was used to estimate the lesion extent. A three-dimensional slicer was used to precisely quantify the volume and CT value of the lung and lesions. Correlation coefficients of the quantitative CT parameters, semiquantitative visual score, and clinical classification were calculated using Spearman's correlation. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to compare the accuracies of quantitative and semi-quantitative methods. Results: There were 59 patients in group 1 and 128 patients in group 2. The mean age and sex distribution of the two groups were not significantly different. The lesions were primarily located in the subpleural area. Compared to group 1, group 2 had larger values for all volume-dependent parameters (p < 0.001). The percentage of lesions had the strongest correlation with disease severity with a correlation coefficient of 0.495. In comparison, the correlation coefficient of semiquantitative score was 0.349. To classify the severity of COVID-19, area under the curve of the percentage of lesions was the highest (0.807; 95% confidence interval, 0.744-0.861: p < 0.001) and that of the quantitative CT parameters was significantly higher than that of the semiquantitative visual score (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The classification accuracy of quantitative CT parameters was significantly superior to that of semiquantitative visual score in terms of evaluating the severity of COVID-19.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권12호
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• pp.1326-1333
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• 2020

Objective: To evaluate urologist satisfaction on structured prostate MRI reports, including report with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging (report B) and with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score with/without TNM staging (report C, report with PI-RADS score only [report C-a] and report with PI-RADS score and TNM staging [C-b]) compared with conventional free-text report (report A). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective comparative study. Altogether, 3015 prostate MRI reports including reports A, B, C-a, and C-b were rated by 13 urologists using a 5-point Likert Scale. A questionnaire was used to assess urologist satisfaction based on the following parameters: correctness, practicality, and urologist subjectivity. Kruskal-Wallis H-test followed by Nemenyi test was used to compare urologists' satisfaction parameters for each report type. The rate of urologist-radiologist recalls for each report type was calculated. Results: Reports B and C including its subtypes had higher ratings of satisfaction than report A for overall satisfaction degree, and parameters of correctness, practicality, and subjectivity (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between report B and C (p < 0.05) in practicality score, but no statistical difference was found in overall satisfaction degree, and correctness and subjectivity scores (p > 0.05). Compared with report C-b (p > 0.05), report B and C-a (p < 0.05) showed a significant difference in overall satisfaction degree and parameters of practicality and subjectivity. In terms of correctness score, neither report C-a nor C-b had a significant difference with report B (p > 0.05). No statistical difference was found between report C-a and C-b in overall satisfaction degree and all three parameters (p > 0.05). The rate of urologist-radiologist recalls for reports A, B, C-a and C-b were 29.1%, 10.8%, 18.1% and 11.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Structured reports, either using TNM or PI-RADS are highly preferred over conventional free-text reports and lead to fewer report-related post-hoc inquiries from urologists.

• 한국어류학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.139-155
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• 2024

한국산 중고기속(genus Sarcocheilichthys)에 속하는 중고기(S. nigripinnis morii) 8개 집단과 참중고기(S. variegatus wakiyae) 5개 집단의 미토콘드리아 DNA의 cytb 유전자를 이용하여 각 집단의 유전적 다양성 및 분자계통학적 유연관계를 검토하였다. 참중고기 집단이 중고기 집단보다 유전적 다양성이 높은 것으로 확인되었다. cytb 유전자를 기반으로 한 한국산 중 고기속 어류의 분자계통도상에서 참중고기의 영산강(YSR) 집단은 중고기의 탐진강(TJR), 영산강(YSR), 섬진강(SJR) 집단과 clade를 이루며 현재의 분류체계와 일치하지 않는 유전적 유역관계가 나타났다. 한편, 핵 DNA 분자계통도상에서는 참중고기와 중고기로 뚜렷하게 구분이 가능하여 미토콘드리아 및 핵 DNA가 분자계통도상에서 상충하는 mitonuclear 불일치 현상이 나타냈다. 중고기의 섬진강(SJR) 집단이 동진강(DJR) 집단에 이입되어 교배가 일어난 것으로 추정되는 유전자형이 확인되었다. 동해로 유입되는 하천 중 유일하게 형산강(HSR)에만 이입되어 서식하는 것으로 알려진 중고기 집단은 한강(HR) 집단으로부터 이입되어 형성된 집단으로 추정되었지만, 고유한 유전적 그룹을 나타내는 유전자형도 확인되었다. 중고기의 한강(HR), 금강(GR), 만경강(MGR) 집단은 압록강 이북에 분포하는 북방중고기(S. czerskii), S. soldatovi와 유전적으로 동일 집단을 형성하였으며, 이에 다양한 표본을 확보하여 형태학적 및 분자계통학적 연구를 통한 분류학적 재검토가 요구되었다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.647-659
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• 2020

Objective: The occurrence of intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) and microvascular obstruction (MVO) in myocardial infarction (MI), known as severe ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), has been associated with adverse remodeling. APT102, a soluble human recombinant ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1, can hydrolyze extracellular nucleotides to attenuate their prothrombotic and proinflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to temporally evaluate the therapeutic effect of APT102 on IRI in rats and to elucidate the evolution of IRI in the acute stage using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). Materials and Methods: Fifty-four rats with MI, induced by ligation of the origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 60 minutes, were randomly divided into the APT102 (n = 27) or control (n = 27) group. Intravenous infusion of APT102 (0.3 mg/kg) or placebo was administered 15 minutes before reperfusion, and then 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and on day 4 after reperfusion. CMRI was performed at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and on day 5 post-reperfusion using a 7T system and the hearts were collected for histopathological examination. Cardiac function was quantified using cine imaging and IMH/edema using T2 mapping, and infarct/MVO using late gadolinium enhancement. Results: The extent of infarction (p < 0.001), edema (p < 0.001), IMH (p = 0.013), and MVO (p = 0.049) was less severe in the APT102 group than in the control group. IMH size at 48 hours was significantly greater than that at 24 hours, 72 hours, and 5 days after reperfusion (all p < 0.001). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly greater in the APT102 group than in the control group (p = 0.006). There was a negative correlation between LVEF and IMH (r = -0.294, p = 0.010) and a positive correlation between IMH and MVO (r = 0.392, p < 0.001). Conclusion: APT102 can significantly alleviate damage to the ischemic myocardium and microvasculature. IMH size peaked at 48 hours post reperfusion and IMH is a downstream consequence of MVO. IMH may be a potential therapeutic target to prevent adverse remodeling in MI.

• 스마트미디어저널
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• 제12권11호
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• pp.175-184
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• 2023

농촌 지역 노인들은 거주 환경이 열악하고 사회성이 떨어지며 노후지식이 부족한 곤경에 직면하고 있다. 이와 더불어 부족한 사회보장시설 및 의료시설의 문제로 인해 농촌에 거주하는 노인들의 자살률은 도시보다 훨씬 높다. 편안한 지역사회 환경을 통해 농촌 지역 노인들이 긍정적인 마음을 가지고 이를 통해 날로 심각해지는 고령화 문제를 해결하기 위해서 연구자는 간쑤성 톄러우향(甘肅省鐵樓鄕) 바이마장족(白馬藏族) 노인들의 지역사회 환경을 연구대상으로 하여 지역사회 환경의 개선 방안을 연구했다. 선행연구로써 농촌 지역사회 환경의 고령친화적 개선에 대한 연구를 살펴보고 이를 통해 이론적 배경으로써 ERG 이론을 본 연구의 이론적 근거로 삼았다. 연구방법으로써 현지 조사 및 인터뷰를 통해 바이마장족 거주 지역의 독거노인 수를 조사하고 국가 표준을 근거로 분류했다. 그리고 노인들의 현재사회 환경 현황이 드러난 사진을 수집하고 이를 통해 파악된 문제를 종합했다. 마지막으로 ERG 이론의 세가지 욕구인 생존 욕구, 관계 욕구, 성장 욕구의 세 가지 측면에서 노인들의 지역사회 환경을 분석하고 이에 대한 고령친화적 개선 방안을 마련했다. 본 연구의 목적은 지역사회 환경의 고령친화적 개선을 통해 노인의 생활환경, 사회성 및 생존력을 향상 시키며 이를 통해 노인들의 노후 생활에 즐거움을 더하는 데에 있다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.277-288
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• 2024

Objective: We previously found that the incidence of sarcopenia increased with declining glucose metabolism of muscle in patients with treatment-naïve diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and muscle glucometabolism using ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT at baseline and end-of-treatment, analyze the changes in these parameters through treatment, and assess their prognostic values. Materials and Methods: The records of 103 patients with DLBCL (median 54 years [range, 21-76]; male:female, 50:53) were retrospectively reviewed. Skeletal muscle area at the third lumbar vertebral (L3) level was measured, and skeletal muscle index (SMI) was calculated to determine sarcopenia, defined as SMI < 44.77 cm²/m² and < 32.50 cm²/m² for male and female, respectively. Glucometabolic parameters of the psoas major muscle, including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), were measured at L3 as well. Their changes across treatment were also calculated as ΔSMI, ΔSUVmax, and ΔSUVmean; Δbody mass index was also calculated. Associations between SMI and the metabolic parameters were analyzed, and their associations with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were identified. Results: The incidence of sarcopenia was 29.1% and 36.9% before and after treatment, respectively. SMI (P = 0.004) was lower, and sarcopenia was more frequent (P = 0.011) at end-of-treatment than at baseline. The SUVmax and SUVmean of muscle were lower (P < 0.001) in sarcopenia than in non-sarcopenia at both baseline and end-of-treatment. ΔSMI was positively correlated with ΔSUVmax of muscle (P = 0.022). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that sarcopenia at end-of-treatment was independently negatively associated with PFS (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.469 [1.022-5.965]), while sarcopenia at baseline was independently negatively associated with OS (5.051 [1.453-17.562]). Conclusion: Sarcopenic patients had lower muscle glucometabolism, and the muscular and metabolic changes across treatment were positively correlated. Sarcopenia at baseline and end-of-treatment was negatively associated with the prognosis of DLBCL.