• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2023

Background: We analyzed our experience with descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) treatment and investigated the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for mediastinal drainage. Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent surgical drainage for DNM at our hospital from 2005 to 2020. We analyzed patients' baseline characteristics, surgical data, and perioperative outcomes and compared them according to the mediastinal drainage approach among patients with type II DNM. Results: Twenty-five patients (male-to-female ratio, 18:7) with a mean age of 54.0±12.9 years were enrolled in this study. The most common infection sources were pharyngeal infections (60%). Most patients had significantly increased white blood cell counts, elevated C-reactive protein levels, and decreased albumin levels on admission. The most common DNM type was type IIB (n=16, 64%), while 5 and 4 patients had types I and IIA, respectively. For mediastinal drainage, the transcervical approach was used in 15 patients and the transthoracic approach (VATS) in 10 patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 26.5±23.8 days, and the postoperative morbidity and in-hospital mortality rates were 24% and 12%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found among patients with type II DNM between the transcervical and VATS groups. However, the VATS group showed shorter mean antibiotic therapy duration, drainage duration, and hospital stay length than the transcervical group. Conclusion: DNM manifested as severe infection requiring long-term inpatient treatment, with a mortality rate of 12%. Thus, active treatment with a multidisciplinary approach is crucial, and mediastinal drainage using VATS is considered relatively safe and effective.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2015

The importance of genetic resource preservation has been highlighted in the literature as a means of maintaining genetic diversity. Investigations for hematologic values and the differential count of white blood cell count (WBC) for Korean indigenous cattle (KIC) and endangered indigenous cattle (EIC) are rarely performed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the hematologic values of total 40 EIC (White, Black, Mini cattle) and 35 KIC as control by analysis of hematologic characteristics. As a result, the mean values of RBC and platelet of EIC were significantly decreased by age (p<0.05). The mean values of RBC, HCT, MCV and MCHC between EIC and KIC of the same age (2~3 years) showed the statistical significance (p<0.05). Also, in the WBC of EIC, the mean values were decreased according to the age from $13.9{\times}10^3/{\mu}L{\sim}12.7{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$ under 1 year to $9.1{\times}10^3/{\mu}L{\sim}11.5{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$ over 2 years respectively. In the differential count of WBC of EIC (White, Black, Mini cattle), it showed generally the rates of 40.2%, 52.2%, 49.0% lymphocyte and 27.2%, 33.9%, 32.0% segmented neutrophil from 2~3 years respectively. Result of this study will be used for establishing reference range for blood analysis in EIC such as white, black and mini cattle. This study reported hematological values which could serve as baseline information for comparison in conditions of nutrient deficiency, physiological and health status of endangered Korean native cattle. In addition, this study provides a valuable resource for further investigations of the preservation of rare genetic stocks underlying traits of interest in cattle.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2014

Purpose: Anorexia is a common symptom in terminal cancer patients. Some data have suggested a role of visfatin in regulating feeding behavior. We studied the relationship of a serum visfatin level and anorexia in cancer patients provided with hospice care. Methods: After informed consent was obtained, 69 cancer patients over 20 years old at a hospice center were enrolled in the study from July 2009 to July 2010. We characterized patients by age, sex, body mass index, primary cancer site, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, etc. Also, blood tests were performed to measure the level of hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, albumin, lymphocyte count, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interukin-6, leptin and visfatin. Results: The mean age of subjects was 65.5 years old, According to univariate analysis, pulse, ECOG performance scale, opioid use and visfatin level were different between the anorexia and non-anorexic group (P<0.05). The median visfatin level was higher in the anorexia group than the good appetite group (P=0.0323). Serum visfatin concentrations were not related with either body mass index or serum leptin or total cholesterol levels, but it was negatively correlated with serum albumin levels (P=0.0198) and lymphocyte counts (P=0.0013). Conclusion: This study did not identify a novel link between visfatin levels and anorexia in cancer patients at a hospice.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.8
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• pp.258-263
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• 2018

Purpose: Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is characterized by prolonged fever and radiological progression despite macrolide treatment. Few studies have examined serum procalcitonin (PCT) level in children with MPP. We aimed to investigate the association of acute inflammation markers including PCT with clinical parameters in children with MPP. Methods: A total of 147 children were recruited. The diagnosis of MPP relied on serial measurement of IgM antibody against mycoplasma and/or polymerase chain reaction. We evaluated the relationships between C-reactive protein (CRP), PCT, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and white blood cell (WBC) counts, and clinical severity of the disease. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds ratio for prolonged fever (>3 days after admission) and hospital stay (> 6 days), comparing quintiles 2-5 of the PCT levels with the lowest quintile. Results: The serum PCT and CRP levels were higher in children with fever and hospital stay than in those with fever lasting ${\leq}3days$ after admission and hospital stay ${\leq}6days$. CRP level was higher in segmental/lobar pneumonia than in bronchopneumonia. The LDH level and WBC counts were higher in children with fever lasting for >3 days before compared to those with fever lasting for ${\leq}3days$. The highest quintile of PCT levels was associated with a significantly higher risk of prolonged fever and/or hospital stay than the lowest quintile. Conclusion: Serum PCT and CRP levels on admission day were associated with persistent fever and longer hospitalization in children with MPP.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.323-329
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• 2007

We investigated the immunomodulatory actions of water extract from Acanthopanax senticosus in male ICR mice. The mice were treated with fermented milk containing three added doses of freeze dried extract: 3 mg/kg (A), 9 mg/kg (B), and 27 mg/kg (C) of body weight with Acanthopanax senticosus: Codonopsis lanceolata (8:2) for 7 and 10 weeks, respectively. Organ weights, plaque-forming cell tests, agglutination tests, IgG tests, differential white cell counts, and histological tests were performed at the 7th and 10th weeks of dietary treatment. There were no significant differences in body weight and organ weight. The spleen indices of group B at 7 weeks and group C at 10 weeks were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). For the plaque-forming cell test, groups B and C at 7 weeks, and group C at 10 weeks, showed significant increases over the control group (p<0.05). The agglutination test decreased with an extended experimental period. Groups A, B, and C at 7 weeks, and groups B and C at 10 weeks, had greater antibody responses to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) than the control group. The IgG antibody production of group C at 7 weeks and groups B and C at 10 weeks were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). In groups B and C, lymphocyte percentage was higher than the control group, and their spleen and thymus tissues showed active immune reactions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.285-297
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• 1988

The present study was conducted in order to get the normal hematologic values of Korean Jindo dogs. Blood samples were taken from 328(♂ 92, ♂ 236) healthy Jindo dogs in Jindo area. The results obtained in this study were summarized as follows: 1. The mean values of red blood cell(RBC) count, hemoglobin(Hb) content and packed cell volume(PCV) in the age group of less than one year were 6.77(♂ 6.80, ♂ 6.76)${\times}10^6/{\mu}l$, 13.14 (♂ 13.53, ♂ 12.99)g/100ml and 43.28(♂ 44.47, ♂ 42.79)ml/100ml, respectively, whereas the RBC count, Hb content and PCV in the age group of one year and more were 7.42(♂ 7.44, ♂ 7.42)${\times}10^6/{\mu}l$, 14.98(♂ 15.56, ♂ 14.76)g/100ml and 47.18 (♂ 48.43, ♂ 46.71)ml/100ml, respectively. The values of RBC count, Hb content and PCV appeared to be higher in the male than in the female and it increased with aging in the age group of less than one year. 2. The mean values of mean corpuscular volume(MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin content(MCHC) in the age group of less than one year were 63.93(♂ 65.40, ♂ 63.30)fl, 19.41(♂ 19.90, ♂ 19.22) pg and 30.36(♂ 30.43, ♂ 30.36)g/100ml respectively, whereas the MCV, MCH and MCHC in the age group of one year and more were 63.58(♂ 65.09, ♂ 62.95)fl, 20. 19(♂ 20.91, ♂ 19.89) pg and 31.75(♂ 32.13, ♂ 31.60)g/100ml respectively. The values of MCV, MCH and MCHC appeared to be higher in the male than in the female. No differences were found in the MCV and MCH between age groups. The MCHC appeared to be higher in older age group. 3. The mean values of white blood cell(WBC) count in the age group of less than one year were 14,356(♂ 13,878, ♂ 14,551)/${\mu}l$, whereas the values of WBC count in the age group of one year and more were 13,394(♂ 12,656, ♂ 13,672)/${\mu}l$. The WBC count appeared to be higher in the female than in the male. No differences were found between age groups in the WBC count. 4. In WBC differential count the mean percentage of lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil of the age group less than one year were 33.45(♂ 31. 64, ♂ 34.18), 2.77(♂ 3.00, ♂ 2.68), 57.40(♂ 58.18, ♂ 57.08) and 6.38(♂ 7.18, ♂ 6.06)% respectively, while those of the age group one year and more were 30. 22(♂ 28.38, ♂ 30.90), 3.03(♂ 3.23, ♂ 2.95), 60.93(♂ 63.34, ♂ 60.03) and 5.82(♂ 5.04, ♂ 6.11)% respectively. Lymphocyte count appeared to be higher in the female and in the age group below one year than in the male and in the age group of one year and more, whereas the reverse was the case with neutrophil and monocyte counts. 5. Mean platelet count in the age group of less than one year was 377,391(♂ 398,778, ♂ 368,721)/${\mu}l$, whereas mean platelet count in the age group of one year and more was 354,657 (♂ 373,660, ♂ 347,512)/${\mu}l$. The platelet count appeared to be higher in the male than in the female and especially lower in the age group of three years and more($305,513/{\mu}l$) than in the other age groups.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.965-973
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of vitamin E on the prevention and treatment of Babesia gibsoni. Fifteen mongrel dogs, uninfected with Babesia spp, were assigned to three groups according to vitamin E(${\alpha}-tocopherol$) concentrations in the RBC. The concentrations in each of the three groups were, respectively : ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ in RBC less than $30{\mu}g/{\mu}l$(Group I), $30{\mu}g/{\mu}l{\sim}60{\mu}g/{\mu}l$(Group II), more than $60{\mu}g/{\mu}l$(Group III). Artificial infection was accomplished by injecting $2{\times}10^7{\sim}2{\times}10^8$ erythrocyte of Babesia gibsoni-infected dog into the cephalic vein. We investigated the clinical signs, vitamin E concentrations in RBC and serum, Vitamin A concentrations in serum, hematological values, white blood cell(WBC) viability and RBC membrane osmotic fragility after infection of Babesia gibsoni for a period of 20 days at 5 day intervals. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. After infection by Babesia gibsoni, clinical examination revealed depression, anorexia, pale mucous membranes, dark brown urine and diarrhea in proportion as time went on. After 10 days of infection, one dog each of Groups I, II and III revealed depression and anorexia. Two dogs in Group I and one dog each of Groups II and III showed dark brown urine after 15 days. Diarrhea was observed in one dog in each of the 3 groups after 20 days of infection. 2. After 5 days of infection, two dogs in each of Groups I, II and III showed Babesia gibsoni in RBC of blood smear stained with Giemsa. At the 15th day after infection with Babesia gibsoni, they were observed in all experimental animals. After both 5 days and 10 days of infection, the rate of Babesia gibsoni parasitized RBC(permillage, ‰) was 1‰, and increased as time went on. 3. After 5 days of infection by Babesia gibsoni, Group I, which had the lowest vitamin E concentration, showed significantly decreased RBC and PCV levels(p < 0.01). Group II and group III also showed significantly decreased RBC and PCV levels after 15 days of infection(p < 0.05). Particularly after 10 days of infection, Group I showed lower values in RBC and PCV levels compared to Groups II and III. WBC, RBC, fibrinogen and total protein levels between the groups did not differ during experimental periods. 4. According to the WBC differential counts, the ratios of neutrophil to lymphocyte showed a tendency to be slightly higher in Group III (more than $60{\mu}g/{\mu}l$) than in Groups I and II. 5. WBC viability did not differ between the groups. 6. RBC membrane osmotic fragility did not differ between the groups.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.79-95
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was to investigate the antiarthritic effect of Hwallak-dan(Huoluo-dan) on the complete freund's adjuvant(CFA)-induced arthritis in Lewis rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of CFA into base of tail. Experimental groups divided into normal(n=10), control(n=10) and treated(n=10) group. Animals of control group received normal saline for twenty days, treated group received extracts Hwallak-dan(Huoluo-dan) for same duration, light mineral oil only injected non-arthritic rats were served as normal group. The incidence of arthritis and arthritic index were observed after treatment. Body weight, paw edema volume and thickness of ankle joint were measured at 0, 11, 14, 17, 20 days after treatment. White blood cell(WBC) counts in blood were analysed at 20 days after treatment and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$, $interleukin-1{\beta}(IL-1{\beta}$), IL-6 contents in paw exudate were analysed by ELISA at 20 days after treatment. Histopathology on the ankle joint were performed at 20 days after treatment. Results : 1. Incidence of arthritis of treated group was 60% and control group was 100% at 20 days after treatment. 2. Arthritic index of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 3. Paw edema volume and thickness of ankle joint of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 4. Total WBC of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 5. Neutrophils of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 6. $TNF-{\alpha}$ content in paw exudate of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 7. $IL-1{\beta}$ content content in paw exudate of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 8. IL-6 content content in paw exudate of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 9. Histopathological arthritic index of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. Conclusions : These results indicate that Hwallak-dan(Huoluo-dan) has inhibitory effect on the development and progression of CFA-induced arthritis in rats.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the toxicity of DA-125 in beagle dogs, an anthracycline antitumor antibiotic. The dogs were administered DA-125 i.v. at 0.0023, 0.0375, 0.15 and 0.6 mg/kg/day, 6 days/week for 26 weeks. At 0.6 mg/kg, all male and female dogs were either sacrificed moribundly or dead during the 26-week treatment. The dogs revealed inactivity, salivation, dark bloody discharge, swelling of the subcutaneous injection site, abscess, and ulceration in the abdominal wall and legs. At 0.15 mg/kg, anorexia, salivation, and swelling of the injection site were observed. The food consumption was decreased with a statistical significance at 6 and 12 weeks treatment in males of 7.6 mg/kg. At 0.0375, 0.15 and 0.6 mg/kg, body weights were decreased significantly in a dose-related fashion after 17 weeks treatment. Total white blood cell counts for male dogs at 0.6 mg/kg were lower than those of control dogs after 13 weeks treatment, which appeared mainly due to decreased neutrophils. At 0.15 mg/kg, testicular atrophy was found in all males by gross pathology and the testicular weights were significantly decreased when compared to those of control males. Microscopically, the testis showed moderate atrophy of the seminiferous tubules and marked decrease in number of spermatozoa in the epididymal tubules. At 0.6 mg/kg, petechia or echymotic hemorrhage was observed in gastrointestinal tract, heart, lungs, and other organs at the necropsy, Marked atrophy of thymus were observed in both males and females. In addition, severe testicular atrophy was noted in all males. Microscopically, gastrointestinal tract showed hemorrhage, epithelial denudation, hypermucus secretion, and atrophy of intestinal villi. Seminiferous tubules of the atrophic testis were lined with Sertoli cells only and devoid of germ cells. Severe oligospermia or aspermia was present in the epididymal tubules. Bone marrow showed marked depletion of hemopoietic cells. In addition, marked atrophy was found in the lymphoid tissue of gastrointestinal tract, various Iymph nodes, and thymus. Injection sites showed marked inflammatory response with necrosis, necrotizing vasculitis, thrombus formation, and ulceration in the skin. According to the present results, no observed effect level appeared to be 0.0375 mg/kg. At 0.15 mg/kg, testis was a target organ, while at 0.6 mg/kg hemopoietic tissue, gastrointestinal tract, and testis were considered to be target organs. At 0.6 mg/kg the test compound seems to inflict a damage on the blood vessels causing hemorrhage in the various organs and tissues.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 1999

Purpose : For evaluation of acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae(M. pneumoniae) pneumonia in children, we have studied the Mycoplasma indirect particle agglutination test, cold hemagglutinin test, ESR, CRP, and total white blood cell counts and it's differential count retrospectively. Methods : The total numbers of patients whom compatible with diagnostic criteria of acute M. pneumoniae peumonia were 56 cases from Jan. to Dec. 1997. The diagnostic criteria were 1) onset of fever(${\geq}38.0^{\circ}C$) and coughing were within 7 days, 2) rhonchi and/or role was audible on chest, 3) pneumonic infiltration on chest X-ray, and 4) M. pneumoniae indirect particle agglutination test titer was higher than 1:640, or initial titer was less than 1:640 but increased more than 4 folds after week. We classified the enrolled patients according to initial antibody titer, such as soup A(${\leq}1:640$) and group B(${\geq}1:320$). We compared group A and B by demographic findings, clinical symptoms and signs, and laboratory findings. Results : 1) The male and female sex ratio was 1:1.4, and average onset age was $5.8{\pm}2.96$ years. 2) The average body temperature on admission was $38.5{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$ and productive coughing was noticed in 52 cases(93%). 3) The average total white cell counts were $10,470{\pm}877.0/mm^3$ in group B patients, which was significantly higher compared to $7,761{\pm}508.5/mm^3$ in group A(p<0.014). 4) The average value of ESR and CRP were within normal range in both group. 5) The most common site of pneumonic infiltration was right lower lobe of lung in both groups. 6) There were no correlation between antibody titer and cold hemagglutinine titer in patients and cold hemagglutination titer were less than 1:64 in 25 cases(45%). Conclusion : The clinical manifestations of pneumonia, findings of chest x-ray, and indirect particle agglutination test were useful on diagnosis of M. pneumoniae pnumonia onset within 7 days, but cold hemagglutinin test was a little diagnostic meaning.