• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.119-124
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• 2007

Adenoviral vectors are among the most promising vectors available for human gene therapy. However, the use of recombinant adenoviral vectors, including replicationcompetent adenovirus (RCA), raises a variety of safety concerns in relation to the development of new therapies based on gene therapy. To examine how organic compounds change in rat plasma following the injection of adenovirus, $\beta$-galactosidase expressing recombinant adenovirus (designated rAdLacZ) or RCA, we investigated the content of fatty acids (FAs), which are important biochemical indicators in pathological conditions. Pattern recognition analysis on the level of FAs in rat plasma is described for the visual discrimination of adenovirus infection groups from normal controls. Plasma FAs from four control rats (normal group), and from four rats with rAdLacZ infection and six rats with RCA infection (the two abnormal groups), were examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring modes as their tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives. In total, 20 FAs were positively detected and quantified. The results of the Student's t-test on the normal mean of two abnormal groups, the levels of three FAs (p<0.05) from rAdLacZ group and eleven FAs (p<0.05) from RCA group were significantly different. When star symbol plotting was applied to the group mean values of 20 FAs after normalization to the corresponding normal mean values, the resulting eicosagonal star patterns of the two infected groups were distorted into similar shapes, but were distinguishable from each other. Thus, these approaches will be useful for screening and monitoring of diagnostic markers for the effects of infection following the use of adenoviral vectors in gene therapy.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.253-258
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• 2020

Depression is a disease with an increasing prevalence worldwide, and is highly associated with mortality as well as several diseases such as hypertension. The aim of this study is to discover clinical risk indicators associated with depression in the occupational group of simple labor workers. This study used the Seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018) conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In association between depression and demographic information, age, sex, degree of stress perception, and stress perception ratio indices had a very high statistical association with depression, and education level and marital status were also associated with depression. Obesity indices such as abdominal circumference and body mass index were not associated with depression. Among the blood information, hemoglobin and hematocrit were highly associated with depression, and statistical significance was maintained even in the analysis adjusted for sex and age. The results of this study can be used as information for the prevention and treatment of depression in the occupational group of simple labor workers in the future.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 1993

We examined various enzyme activity changes by intraperitoneal injection uranium in the carp liver. These enzyme activity changes can be used as biochemical indicators of internal exposure to uranium. The results were followings ; 1) Total protein concentration decreased by intraperitoneal injection in the carp liver. 2) Lysosomal acid pretense and ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ activities increased in the liver until sixth intraperitoneal injection of uranium, but Lysosomal acid phosphatase activities decreased in the liver until the sixth injection of uranium. 3) Alkaline phosphatase activities sharply increased and Glutamate oxaloacetate Transaminase activities steadily decreased in the liver until the sixth injection of uranium. 4) Creatine %kinase activities steadily decreased and malate dehydrogenase activities sharply decreased in the liver after the primary injection of uranium. Any malate dehydrogenase activities was not detected after sixth injection of uranium.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.355-365
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• 2014

The present study has been performed on one year old tree saplings of Azadirachta indica (L.), Cassia siamea (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.), Eucalyptus rostrata (L.), Mangifera indica (L.) and Schyzygium cumini (L.) in order to assess the effect of exposure of $SO_2-NO_2$, alone and combination of two gases. Tree saplings have been exposed to an average of $495{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$ $SO_2$ and $105{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$ $NO_2$ for 40 d at the rate of $4hd^{-1}$ during 10:00 am to 01:00 pm in OTC. Total chlorophyll, specific leaf area (SLA), nitrate reductase (NR) activity, foliar protein, free proline content and free amino acids (AAs) of foliage have been the plant parameters, taken into consideration to evaluate the effect of gaseous exposure. Exposure of two gases has caused reduction in total chlorophyll content (P < 0.05, 0.01). Physiological and biochemical process has been seemed to be altered noticeable due to the combined effect of $SO_2+NO_2$ followed by $SO_2$ alone (P < 0.05, 0.01). $NO_2$ mediated stress has produced, stimulatory and inhibitory responses in tree saplings. Results reveal that tree saplings have been attempted to absorb the $NO_2$ through N assimilation pathway. E. rostrata, C. siamea have been emerged as moderate tolerant to $SO_2$ mediated stress followed by A. indica. Response pattern of S. cumini, M. indica and D. sissoo set them as good indicators of $SO_2-NO_2$ exposure. Effects of two gases on tree saplings have been found to be synergistic.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.176-186
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• 2014

Objectives: Epidemiological studies have suggested that a higher consumption of whole grain foods can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The objective of the current study was to examine associations among the consumption of whole grains and nutrient intakes and biochemical indicators associated with chronic diseases among generally healthy middle-aged Korean women. Methods: Using 24-hour recall data from the 2008-2009 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, whole grain intake (g/day) was calculated for a total of generally healthy 1,953 subjects. The subjects were divided into three groups by the level of whole grain consumption (0 g/day, > 0 and < 20 g/day or ${\geq}20g/day$). Mean values or proportions of various nutrient intakes and metabolic risk factors were compared according to the level of whole grain consumption. All statistical analysis was conducted using SAS software version 9.2. Results: We observed that the overall consumption of whole grains was quite low. Specifically, 58.2% of subjects reported no whole grain consumption on the day of the survey, and the mean whole grain intake was only 15.3 g/day. The whole grain consumption was positively associated with intakes of various macro and micronutrients, namely, plant proteins and fats, dietary fiber, calcium, plant iron, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, ${\beta}$-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin $B_6$ and folic acid. In addition, we found significantly decreasing trends in abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia as whole grain intake levels increase. Conclusions: The study findings suggested the importance of promoting whole grain consumption as an efficient tool for improving various dietary aspects and preventing chronic diseases.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.627-641
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• 2020

Intensive farming methods that do not guarantee animal welfare can induce stress in pigs. Stress, in turn, can reduce their disease resistance and influence their hormones and metabolites in such a manner that productivity is negatively affected. This study was conducted to compare the stress related factors and blood characteristics of pigs raised on conventional farms and those raised on animal welfare farms. We measured the levels of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine, biochemical parameters in blood and glycogen, L-lactate and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in muscle, as physiological markers of indicating the stress in conventional farm pigs (Control, n=10) and animal welfare farm pigs (Welfare, n=10). We found that there was a significant difference in the albumin-globulin ratio (A/G ratio), as well as the albumin (ALB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels between the two farms. Epinephrine was significantly higher in conventional farm, while level of norepinephrine was higher in animal welfare farm. There was no significant difference in cortisol, which is known as a stress hormone, across the two groups of farms. Muscular glycogen content was significantly high in animal welfare farm pigs. While L-lactate tended to be low in the animal welfare farm pigs, the difference between them and the conventional farm cohorts was not significant. HSP70 showed high levels of expression in conventional farm. Thus, we suggested that blood parameter results showed a stress response in the livers of conventional farm, and that catecholamine hormones, glycogen, L-lactate and HSP70 can be used as physiological factors of assessing animal welfare.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.153-160
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the tolerability and effect of early high-dose amino acid administration in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included ELBWI (birth weight <1,000 g, n=142). Biochemical, nutritional, and neurodevelopmental data were compared between infants who received conventional low amino acid (LAA; 1.5 g/kg/day) and those who received high amino acid (HAA; 3 g/kg/day) within the first 48 hours after birth. Neurodevelopmental data included weight, height, and head circumference at discharge, 12 to 14 and 18 to 24 months of corrected age and the Korean Bayley Scale of Infant Development II (K-BSID-II) score at 18 to 24 months of corrected age. Results: The HAA group demonstrated higher peak plasma albumin ($3.0{\pm}0.4$ vs. $3.2{\pm}0.5$, P<0.05) and lower serum creatinine ($1.7{\pm}0.9$ vs. $1.4{\pm}0.8$, P<0.05) during the first 14 days than the LAA group. Full enteral feeding was achieved significantly earlier in infants in the HAA group than in infants in the LAA group ($46.2{\pm}23.0days$ vs. $34.3{\pm}21days$, P<0.01). There was no difference between the two groups in the z score changes in all growth indicators from birth to discharge and at 12 to 14 and 18 to 24 months of corrected age, as well as in the K-BSID-II score at 18 to 24 months of corrected age. Conclusion: Aggressive administration of amino acids during the first 2 days of life in ELBWI was well tolerated and correlated with earlier full enteral feeding, but did not improve growth and neurodevelopment.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.285-294
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the supplementary effect of a phytogenic blend (SPA: a mixture containing fermented Schisandra chinensis pomace, fermented Pinus densiflora needle extract, and Allium tuberosum powder in the ratio of 2:2:1) on egg production, egg quality, blood constituents, and visceral organs in laying hens. Methods: A total of 135 Hy-line brown laying hens (48-wk-old) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments with 5 replicates of 9 hens. The control group (CON) was fed a basal diet (no exogenous SPA addition) and the experimental groups were fed the basal diet containing SPA at the level of 0.1% and 0.3% for 6 weeks. Results: The feed intake was significantly improved in SPA supplemented groups as compared with the control (p<0.05). However, egg production, daily egg mass, and feed conversion ratio were not different among the dietary treatments (p>0.05). For egg quality traits, only Haugh unit (HU) was significantly improved in SPA (0.3%) (p<0.05) as compared with other groups. However, HU was not affected during 4-wk of storage at 18℃ among the dietary treatments (p>0.05). Furthermore, SPA supplementation did not affect the blood biochemical constituents except for the phosphate content, which was significantly higher in SPA groups than the CON group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in visceral organ characteristics and immune indicators (immunoglobulin A [IgA], IgG, and IgM) in SPA or CON groups. Conclusion: This study suggested that the supplementation of SPA may have beneficial effects on feed intake and egg quality in laying hens.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.619-628
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• 2023

In the modern era, chronic kidney failure due to diabetes has spread across the globe. Prunetin (PRU), a component of herbal medicines, has a broad variety of pharmacological activities; these may help to slow the onset of diabetic kidney disease. The anti-nephropathic effects of PRU have not yet been reported. The present study explored the potential nephroprotective actions of PRU in diabetic rats. For 28 days, nephropathic rats were given oral doses of PRU (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg). Body weight, blood urea, creatinine, total protein, lipid profile, liver marker enzymes, carbohydrate metabolic enzymes, C-reactive protein, antioxidants, lipid peroxidative indicators, and the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) mRNA genes were all examined. Histological examinations of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas were also performed. The oral treatment of PRU drastically lowered the blood glucose, HbA1c, blood urea, creatinine, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile, and hexokinase. Meanwhile, the levels of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase were all elevated, but glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase dropped significantly. Inflammatory marker antioxidants and lipid peroxidative markers were also less persistent due to this administration. PRU upregulated the IRS-1 and GLUT-2 gene expression in the nephropathic group. The possible renoprotective properties of PRU were validated by histopathology of the liver, kidney, and pancreatic tissues. It is therefore proposed that PRU (80 mg/kg) has considerable renoprotective benefits in diabetic nephropathy in rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the relationships among serum ferritin, vitamin D, folate, iron, and vitamin B₁₂ as indicators of obesity. The results provide the basic data for the prevention and treatment of obese and severely obese people. Methods: This study selected 44 people from 18 years of age or older to 59 years. This study used the indicators of the body mass index (BMI) to analyze obesity as the obesity group (BMI of 25.0-29.9 kg/㎡) and as the severe obesity group (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/㎡). Of the 44 subjects, 23 and 21 subjects were in the obesity and severe obesity groups, respectively. Their height, weight, body fat, skeletal muscle mass measured using bioimpedance analysis, and measured serum nutrients and biochemical parameters. Results: The obesity group showed a significantly lower age, body weight, BMI and body composition, body fat mass, and body fat percentage, and the height was significantly lower in the severe obesity group. The results of the biochemical parameters of the subjects showed that the levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were within the normal range, and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. The levels of folate, vitamin B₁₂, 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃, iron, and ferritin were almost normal, and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Conclusion: This study revealed an association with the serum nutrients and obesity, but there was no difference between the obesity group and severe obesity group. Observations of the nutrient levels in not only the blood in obesity and severe obesity but also in red blood cells and tissues will be necessary.