• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.236-251
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• 2023

Alcohol consumption alongside combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has attracted research interest, especially because of increasing male infertility. This study investigated the combined effects of alcohol and cART on testicular morphology, biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Rats, weighing 330-370 g, were divided into four groups of six animals each; control, alcohol treated (A), cART, and alcohol plus cART treated (A+cART). Following 90 days treatment period, animals were euthanized, testis extracted, and routinely processed for histology and immunohistochemical analysis. Significantly decreased epithelial area fraction, increased luminal and connective tissue area fractions, and reduction of epithelial height and spermatocyte number, were recorded in the treated groups compared to control. Extensive seminiferous epithelial lesions including widened intercellular space, karyolysis, and sloughing of germinal epithelium were recorded in all the treated groups. Furthermore, upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, interleukin-6, and caspase 3 recorded in treated animals, was more significant in A+cART group. Also, the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were more elevated in A and cART treated groups than in A+cART, while MDA was significantly elevated in cART and A+cART treated groups compared to control group. Altogether, the results indicate testicular toxicity of the treatments. It is concluded that consuming alcohol or cART induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in testis of rats, which lead to testicular structural and functional derangements, which are exacerbated when alcohol and cART are consumed concurrently. The result will invaluably assist clinicians in management of reproductive dysfunctions in male HIV/AIDS-alcoholic patients on cART.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 2006

To examine the effects of alcohol consumption on body fluid restoration and fat mobilization following exercise induced dehydration, nine healthy collegiate men ($24{\pm}2yrs,\;177{\pm}5cm,\;72{\pm}8kg,\;10.5{\pm}2.3%$ body fat) underwent three experiments. In each experiment, subjects ran on a treadmill to reduce individual body mass to $2.2{\pm}0.1%$ and consumed one of three beverages containing 0, 4, or 8% alcohol over 60 min followed by 4 hr of resting recovery. They consumed approximately 150% of weight loss $(2053{\pm}204,\;2091{\pm}149,\;and\;1943{\pm}295mL)$ and content of alcohol was $9.9{\pm}1.0(0%),\;71.9{\pm}5.1(4%)$, and $132.2{\pm}20.1g$ (8% trial). Body weight, urine volume and samples, blood samples, and thirst sensation were measured five times; at baseline, immediately after exercise, and 0, 1st, and 4th hr of recovery. Blood alcohol concentration after ingestion was $0.0{\pm}0.0(0%),\;0.1{\pm}0.02(4%)$, and $0.2{\pm}0.03%$ (8% trial). No differences in blood sodium and potassium concentrations, and urine specific gravity were noticed over time periods and trials. Thirst sensation tended to be elevated in all trials immediately after exercises and urine output was elevated during the recovery. The magnitude of changes in these variables was proportional to the alcohol concentrations, but not statistically significant. While serum osmolality was not different among trials and time periods in 0 and 4% trials, it was higher during recovery than the baseline in the 8% trial (P<0.01). Triglycerides did not change throughout the time period and among trials. Free fatty acids were elevated after exercise in all trials and 4th hr of recovery in 0% (P<0.05). Subjects' net body fluid balance at 4th hr of recovery was negatively maintained and proportional to alcohol concentrations. Only 8% trials showed a significant reduction at 1st and 4th hr of recovery compared to 0 hr. The results suggested that diuretic effect of alcohol after moderate level of dehydration appeared dose dependent, but beverage containing alcohol up to 4% did not induce impaired rehydration than alcohol free drinks. Alcohol effects on fat mobilization during recovery appeared to be minimal and the mechanism is unclear.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Objectives Ethanol is a potent inhibitor of muscle protein synthesis. Muscle mass is regulated by the balance between rates of protein synthesis and protein breakdown. Both acute and chronic alcohol consumption inhibits synthesis to a greater extent than degradation. Protein synthesis is more intensely decreased in type II fibers than in type I fibers. Apoptosis has been shown to occur frequently in a variety of tissues in response to chronic alcohol feeding. Increased muscle fiber apoptosis has been shown in alcoholics with myopathy. Pueraria radix has been used for many disorders such as fevers, gastrointestinal disorders, muscle aches, allergies, respiratory problems, skin problems, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, lowering cholesterol and treating chronic alcoholism. We therefore tested the hypothesis that oral treatment with Pueraria radix could reduce the ethanol-induced muscle atrophy. Methods Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally given 25% ethanol (5 ml/kg, body weight) daily with Ethanol for 4 weeks. Normal group was similarly administrated with saline. The Rats of Pueraria radix treated group (EtOH+PR) were orally administrated Pueraria radix water extract, and rats of EtOH group were given with the vehicle only. After 4 week, the morphology of gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The immunoreactivities of pre-apoptotic BAX and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins were also measured. Results The muscles from rats of EtOH group represented a significant reduction in average cross section area compared to Normal group. EtOH+PR group had increased fiber compared to the EtOH group. Moreover, to investigate the ethanol-induced muscular apoptosis, the immunohistochemical analysis of Bax and Bcl-2 was carried out. The treatment with Pueraria radix (EtOH+PR) significantly decreased BAX expression and increased Bcl-2 expression 4 weeks after ethanol administration when compared with Normal group. Conclusions These results suggest that Pueraria radix water extract has protective effects on chronic alcohol induced myopathy.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.155-164
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• 2013

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the most important causes of premature mortality and disability-adjusted life years in Korea. NCDs are also the main contributor to socioeconomic inequalities in mortality and life expectancy. Reduction of NCDs and NCD inequalities would result in significant improvement in healthy life expectancy and health equity in Korea. Major NCD risk factors such as dietary risks (including salt intake), alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and high blood pressure were found to be the leading modifiable risk factors of disability-adjusted life years in Korea, based on the 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study. Several Korean studies have shown that these risk factors play an important role in creating socioeconomic inequalities in NCD mortality and total mortality. Current international discussions on NCD policies in the United Nations and the World Health Organization would provide better opportunities for developing aggressive population-wide policy measures in Korea. Considering the paucity of population-wide policies to control major NCD risk factors in Korea, rigorous population approaches such as taxation and regulation of unhealthy commodities as well as public education and mass campaigns should be further developed in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 2002

Objectives : To investigate the fetal cholesterol levels and related factors in a rural adult population. Methods : 3,207 adults(1,272 men and 1,935 women) were examined in 1997 Their heights, weights, and fasting serum total cholesterol levels were measured, and their body mass indices were calculated. A questionnaire interviewing method was used to collect risk factor data. Results : The mean value of total cholesterol were 190.5 mg/dl, and 198.8 mg/dl, and the age-adjusted prevalence rates for hypercholesterolemia (above 240 mg/dl) were 13.7% and 10.2%, in men and women, respectively. From simple analyses, age, educational level, coffee intake, amount of meat and food intake, waist circumference, waist-hip circumference ratio(WHR), and body mass index(BMI) were significant risk factors in men (p<0.05) relating to serum total cholesterol levels. In women, age, educational level, hypertension history, diabetes history, herbal drug history, amount of feed intake, alcohol consumption, waist circumference, WHR, BMI, and menopausal status were significant risk factors (p<0.05). In multiple linear regression analyses, waist circumference (p<0.01), BMI (p<0.01), and coffee intake (p<0.05) proved to be significant risk factors in men. Whereas, menopausal status (p<0.01), BMI (p<0.01), herbal drug history (p<0.01), amount of food intake (p<0.05), waist circumference (p<0.05), and alcohol consumption (p<0.05) were significant risk factors in women. Conclusions : The significant risk factors, for both men and women, relating to the serum total cholesterol were waist circumference and BMI. Thus, for the reduction of serum total cholesterol level, it is recommended that health education for the control of obesity should be implemented.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4409-4419
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• 2015

The Bhopal gas tragedy involving methyl isocyanate (MIC) is one of the most horrific industrial accidents in recent decades. We investigated the genotoxic effects of MIC in long-term survivors and their offspring born after the 1984 occurrence. There are a few cytogenetic reports showing genetic damage in the MIC-exposed survivors, but there is no information about the associated cancer risk. The same is true about offspring. For the first time, we here assessed the micronucleus (MN) frequency using cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay to predict cancer risk in the MIC-affected population of Bhopal. A total of 92 healthy volunteers (46 MIC-affected and 46 controls) from Bhopal and various regions of India were studied taking gender and age into consideration. Binucleated lymphocytes with micronuclei (BNMN), total number of micronuclei in lymphocytes (MNL), and nuclear division index (NDI) frequencies and their relationship to age, gender and several lifestyle variabilities (smoking, alcohol consumption and tobacco-chewing) were investigated. Our observations showed relatively higher BNMN and MNL (P<0.05) in the MIC-affected than in the controls. Exposed females (EF) exhibited significantly higher BNMN and MNL (P<0.01) than their unexposed counterparts. Similarly, female offspring of the exposed (FOE) also suffered higher BNMN and MNL (P<0.05) than in controls. A significant reduction in NDI (P<0.05) was found only in EF. The affected group of non-smokers and non-alcoholics featured a higher frequency of BNMN and MNL than the control group of non-smokers and non-alcoholics (P<0.01). Similarly, the affected group of tobacco chewers showed significantly higher BNMN and MNL (P<0.001) than the non-chewers. Amongst the affected, smoking and alcohol consumption were not associated with statistically significant differences in BNMN, MNL and NDI. Nevertheless, tobacco-chewing had a preponderant effect with respect to MNL. A reasonable correlation between MNL and lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol consumption and tobacco-chewing) was observed only in the controls. Our results suggest that EF and FOE are more susceptible to cancer development, as compared to EM and MOE. The genotoxic outcome detected in FOE reflects their parental exposure to MIC. Briefly, the observed cytogenetic damage to the MIC-affected could contribute to cancer risk, especially in the EF and FOE.

• Korean Journal of Forensic Psychology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.323-341
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• 2021

This study examined public perceptions of the reasons underlying sentence reduction for defendants convicted of sex crimes against persons with intellectual disability. An online survey was conducted among 522 adults in South Korea. Respondent endorsement of 20 reasons underlying sentence reduction, which were embedded within the respective rulings, and the perceived appropriateness of statutory sentence for the crimes committed were assessed. The results showed that most respondents endorsed the sentence; moreover, those who disagreed underscored the need for more severe punishment. Almost all the respondents perceived the following reasons and explanations unfavorably: impulsiveness caused by sexual arousal or alcohol consumption; an accidental occurrence; and personal characteristics such as defendant age, health condition, socioeconomic status, developmental history, and family background. However, there was a relative agreement in that the damage caused by the incident was relatively minor, or the defendant's reflection and attitude to recover the damage were used as reasons for the reduction. Differences in respondent perceptions of the reasons underlying sentence reduction as a function of gender and educational background were relatively small. However, younger respondents held harsher attitudes toward sentence reduction. The present findings underscore the need to be mindful of victims' statements and the characteristics of persons with intellectual disability while sentencing.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.260-266
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• 2020

Alcohol impacts many central nervous systems, such as dopamine, serotonin, opioids, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), leading to addiction. Many studies have investigated the relationship between GABA and alcoholism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of GABA high and low rice intake on the alcohol intake behavior of mice. Black sticky rice with giant embryo (BSRGE), black sticky rice (BSR), giant embryo rice (GER), and rice (Rice) were germinated for 48 hr in brown rice. The embryos were then collected and used in the study. The diets were fed to respective C57BL/6 mouse groups ad libitum for 16 days and investigated for 2 hr alcohol intake, 22 hr water intake, 24 hr feed intake, and body weight. As a result of the repeated measure of ANOVA for the daily change of alcohol intake for 2 hr daily between the BSRGE and BSR groups, there was a significant difference in the number of days of intake (DF = 7, F = 4.812, p = 0.026). A significant daily decrease in alcohol intake was observed in the BSRGE group compared to the BSR group. This reduction was consistent from Day 10 to Day 16. Alcohol consumption also significantly decreased in the GER group compared to the Rice group. This decrease was observed from Day 12 to Day 16. In conclusion, BSRGE and GER resulted in decreased alcohol intake in C57BL/6 mice compared to BSR and rice. This suggests that BSRGE may prevent relapse in patients with alcohol use disorder.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.540-546
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• 2004

We deviced a new graphite-Mn(II) electrode and found that the modified electrode with Mn(II) can catalyze NADH oxidation and $NAD^+$ reduction coupled to electricity production and consumption as oxidizing agent and reducing power, respectively. In fuel cell with graphite-Mn(II) anode and graphite-Fe(III) cathode, the electricity of 1.5 coulomb (A x s) was produced from NADH which was electrochemically reduced by the graphite-Mn(II) electrode. When the initial concentrations of pyruvate and acetaldehyde were adjusted to 40 mM and 200 mM, respectively, about 25 mM lactate and 35 mM ethanol were produced from 40 mM pyruvate and 200 mM acetaldehyde, respectively, by catalysis of ADH and LDH in the electrochemical reactor with $NAD^+$ as cofactor and electricity as reducing power. By using this new electrode with catalytic function, the bioelectrocatalysts are engineered; namely, oxidoreductase (e.g., lactate dehydrogenase) and $NAD^+$ can function for biotransformation without electron mediator and second oxidoreductase for $NAD^+$/NADH recycling.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3373-3378
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• 2012

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the 8th most common cancer worldwide. Although older age, male gender, smoking and alcohol consumption are known risk factors, an increasing number of HNSCC patients are without typical risk factors. Our aim was to define demographics of HNSCC in Iran and the potential risk factors related to Iranian ethnicity and lifestyle. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study on 262 patients with primary SCC of the larynx, hypopharynx or tongue referred to our pathology department during 1995-2010. Patients' demographics, tumor characteristics and risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and anemia were analyzed and compared in two groups of patients: over 40 years (older group) and 40 years or less (young group); Chi-square and Mann-Whitney analytical tests were employed. Results: 5.7% of patients were young adults. The male to female ratio was 1.5 in the younger group and 5.6 in the older group. In young adults, 40% of tumors were located in larynx and 40% in the tongue. Age >40 was significantly associated with laryngeal location (P<0.001). History of smoking and drinking was significantly associated with age >40 and SCC of larynx in both age groups. Cervical lymph node involvement was significantly correlated with SCC of tongue (P<0.001), however, considering young adults only, SCC of hypopharynx was most frequently accompanied by lymph node involvement (60%). The most prevalent tumor among men was SCC of larynx whereas SCC of hypopharynx was the most prevalent tumor among women (61%), of whom 18.2% were ${\leq}40$. Conclusions: The incidence of HNSCC among young adults seems to be higher in Iran compared to other countries. Reduction in exposure to known risk factors, especially tobacco smoking in forms of cigarettes and bubble pipes, and search for other causative agents of HNSCC in young population is recommended.