• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.600-610
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• 2004

Background : The plasma B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) concentration increases with the degree of pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic respiratory disease. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic role of BNP in the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Method : We selected 67 patients who were admitted our hospital because of an acute exacerbation of COPD. Their BNP levels were checked on admission at the Emergency Department. Their medical records were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to their in-hospital mortality. The patients' medical history, comobidity, exacerbation type, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function, APACHE II severity score and plasma BNP level were compared. Results : Multiple logistic regression analysis identified three independent predictors of mortality: $FEV_1$, APACHE II score and plasma BNP level. The decedents group showed a lower $FEV_1$($28{\pm}7$ vs. $37{\pm}15%$, p=0.005), a higher APACHE II score($22.4{\pm}6.1$ vs. $15.8{\pm}4.7$, p=0.000) and a higher BNP level ($201{\pm}116$ vs. $77{\pm}80pg/mL$, p=0.000) than the sSurvivors group. When the BNP cut-off level was set to 88pg/mL using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity was 75% in differentiating between the survivors and decedents. On Fisher's exact test, the odds ratio for mortality was 21.2 (95% CI 2.49 to 180.4) in the patients with a BNP level > 88pg/mL. Conclusion : The plasma BNP level might be a predictor of mortality in an acute exacerbation of COPD as well as the $FEV_1$ and APACHE II score.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.812-824
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• 2013

Reserpine, an anti-hypertensive drug, is able to positively modulate several phenotypes associated with $A{\beta}$ toxicity in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated into the therapeutic effects of reserpine on mammalian neurodegenerative disorders, and found that significant alteration of the key factors influencing AD was detected in Tg2576 mice after reserpine treatment for 30 days. The aggressive behavior of Tg2576 mice was significantly improved upon reserpine treatment, whereas their social contact was consistently maintained. Furthermore, the levels of $A{\beta}$-42 peptide in the hippocampus of the brain and blood serum were lower in the reserpine-treated group than in the vehicle-treated group. Among g-secretase components, the expression levels of PS-2, Pen-2, and APH-1 were slightly lower in reserpine-treated Tg2576 mice, although a significant change in nicastrin (NCT) expression was not detected. Furthermore, the serum level of nerve growth factor (NGF) increased in reserpine-treated Tg2576 mice compared with vehicle-treated mice. Among down-stream effectors of the NGF receptor TrkA signaling pathway, reserpine treatment induced elevation of TrkA phosphorylation and reduction of ERK phosphorylation. In addition, in the NGF receptor $p75^{NTR}$ signaling pathway, the expression levels of $p75^{NTR}$ and Bcl-2 were enhanced in reserpine-treated Tg2576 mice compared with vehicle-treated mice, whereas the expression level of RhoA declined. Overall, these results suggest that reserpine can help relieve AD pathogenesis in Tg2576 mice through downregulation of $A{\beta}$-42 deposition, alteration of ${\gamma}$-secretase components, and regulation of NGF metabolism.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2018

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of age of laying hens on egg internal and external qualities. A total of 8,300 eggs were randomly collected from 15 grading & packaging (GP) centers, and 50 eggs per farm during April to May in 2015. Age of laying hens ranged from 18 to 65 weeks of age and they were classified into 5 age groups (18~25, 26~35, 36~45, 46~55, and 56~65 weeks). Egg weight increased, but the Haugh unit decreased as the age of laying hens increased. Yolk color was higher in eggs laid from 25~35 weeks of laying hens compared with that of 18~25-weeks-old chickens. The incidence of dirty eggs was highest (P<0.05) in 18~25 week group and remained constant after 26 weeks. Among eggshell defects, speckled and pimpled eggs increased as the age of laying hens increased. The incidence of calcium deposits and misshapen eggs was highest during 18~25 weeks of age and remained constant after 26 weeks. The percentage of total eggshell cracks increased as the age of laying hens increased. Among eggshell cracks, star- and hair-like cracks were frequently noted. The percentage of meat spot was higher than that of blood spot and their incidence was highest among the 56~65 week group. Age of laying hens significantly increased egg weight, incidence of pimpled or speckled eggs, star- or hair-like cracks, and meat spot. On the other hand, a significant negative interaction between age of laying hens and the Haugh unit was noted. In conclusion, our study revealed that the age of laying hens affected internal and external egg qualities.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.287-294
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• 2014

Gallstone is the most common disease of the biliary system. Korean has experienced an increase in the percentage of cholesterol gallstones. The major risk factors associated with cholesterol gallstones are age, gender as well as obesity. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of gallstones in the last three years and evaluate the associated risk factors in the population who underwent health screening. The study population consisted of 2,484 males and 2,212 females who visited the health promotion center in Dalseogu, Daegu in Korea from January 2011 to December 2013. Each participant in the study had their biliary system gallbladder examined using ultrasonography. Classified as underweight, normal weight or overweight using the population of obese according to the body mass index, and classified according to mood diagnosis of diabetes presented by the American Diabetes Association. Fasting blood glucose and number of liver function, the divided the control group by referring to the normal liver function values used herein. The geological map, I was classified as NCEP APT III. A showed of total 148 people were found to have gallstones. The prevalence of sex among 148 patients (3.15%) 84 men (1.79%) and 64 women 1.36%) which shows significantly there is little difference. 1.84% 40 years and below, 3.38% 40's showed age prevalence was 4.66% in 50's and above. In addition, Total-cholesterol was at the most in 52 people, LDL-cholesterol in 398 people, Triglyceride in 36 people, HDL-cholesterol in 19 people. The abnormal group, was created from the total-cholesterol categories from a physical examination of a subject that has been found to be gallstones in the gallbladder. A result of conducting the univariate analysis shows the prevalence of gallstones, a correlation that is meaningful. The logistic regression analysis of multiple ages was chosen to show risk factors age independent cholelithiasis. In spite of the conclusion, gallstones are not displayed in relation to the metabolic syndrome but in order to clarify this, not only the subject of a health examination is needed but, a further study of the general public when possible.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.256-264
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• 2006

Background: An acute lung injury(ALI) is characterized by the recruitment, activation, and apoptosis of inflammatory cells, numerous products released by inflammatory cells such as reactive oxygen species, inflammatory mediators, and a variety of proteolytic enzymes. It was reported that bacterial infections in diabetics showed impaired PMN functions such as reduced PMN respiratory burst and decreased microbicidal activity in inflamed tissue. However, the effect of the proteinase - inhibitor (MMP-9 vs TIMP-1) in ALI in diabetics is unclear. This study evaluated the differences in the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 after the stimulation of endotoxin in a rat model. Methods: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were classified into normal, DM, LPS and DM+LPS groups. The peripheral blood, BAL fluids, and lung tissues were obtained from individual rats. The MMP-9 activity was measured by gelatin zymography and the TIMP-1 level was measured by Western blotting. Results: The total BAL cells of the DM-LPS groups were significantly lower than the LPS groups (p < 0.01). The MMP-9 activities in the serum were higher in the DM+LPS groups than in the other groups. The MMP-9 activities in the BAL fluids were significantly higher in the DM+LPS group than in the normal and diabetic rats (p < 0.05). TIMP-1 expressions in the BAL fluids were significantly lower in the DM+LPS group than other groups (p < 0.05). The ratio between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the BAL fluids was significantly higher in the DM+LPS groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In ALI in diabetics the higher MMP-9 activity and lower TIMP-1 level are believed to prolonged and intensify the course of inflammation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.113-117
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• 2006

New nonspecific immunostimulators (Koko enterprise Co., Ltd., Korea) were evaluated for its effectiveness as a nonspecific immunostimulator in pigs. The effects of new nonspecific immunostimulators were determined by analysis of cytokines using ELISA and blood-chemistry. IFN-r which is one of the cell mediated immune cytokines significantly increased in DIR-vitamineral 0.2% group posttreatment 4 weeks and was significantly higher IMF 0.2%, DIR-vita 0.1% and DIR-vitamineral 0.2% groups than control group in 3 months. DIR-vitamineral 0.2% had a most strong effectiveness as a nonspecific immunostimulator in our treatment materials in pigs. IMF 0.2% and DIR-vita 0.1% were seen that there had effectiveness of a nonspecific immunostimulator in posttreatment 3 months. IgG IgM and Total Ig which were humoral immune globulins, were not significantly changed in posttreatment 4 weeks and 3 months. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that new nonspecific immunostimulators had an immunostimulatory effect on pigs through cell mediated immune response.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.37-54
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• 1967

The changes in histopathology of various organs and growth inhibition of the chick embryos incubated with radioactive sulfur ($^{35}S$) were experimentally studied. The various doses of $^{35}S$ were injected into the yolk sac at different intervals and the weight changes of the embryos were evaluated to determine the growth inhibition rates. The embryos sacrified on various incubation days were used for the study of histopathological changes in organs such as the bone, liver, kidney, gonad, and eye. Following were the results: 1) The weight changes of the $^{35}S$ treated groups were as follows: i. Embryos treated on the 5 th incubation day: No weight changes were noted on the 8th incubation day, however, the growth inhibition rate of 32.1% was noted in the group treated with $50{\mu}C$ and of 38.2% in the group treated with $150{\mu}C$ on the 12th incubation day. The rates were 9.1 and 12.1% on the 15th incubation day, and 6.5 and 10.6% on the 18th incubation day respectively. ii. Embryos treated on the 8th incubation day: The growth inhibition rates on the 12th, 15th and 18th incubation days in the groups treated with $50{\mu}C$ were 20.9, 25.9 and 18.8% and in those treated with $150{\mu}C$ were 20.0, 14.9 and 16.9% respectively. iii. Embryos treated on the 12th incubation day: The growth inhibition rates on the 15th and 18th in the groups treated with $50{\mu}C$ were 13.6 and 21.1% and in those treated with $150{\mu}C$ were 26.7 and 6.5% and in those treated with $250{\mu}C$ were 10.6 and 12.6% respectively. iv. Embryos treated on the 15th incubation day: The growth inhibition rates on the 18th in the groups treated with $50{\mu}C$ were 6.5% and in those treated with $150{\mu}C$ were 10.1% and in those treated with $250{\mu}C$ were 8.5% respectively. In summary, the longer the incubation days, the less the growth inhibition rates. II) The histopathological changes in the various organs were as follows: i. Bone: Hyperplasia and edematous changes of the bone cavity, irregular distribution of immature granular cells and increased number of the myeloblast, megakaryocyte and reticuloendothelial cells were noted. ii. Liver: The embryos treated with $150{\mu}C\;of\;^{35}S$ on the 8th incubation day showed necrosis and nucleolysis of the liver cell and abnormal enlargement of sinusoid on the 12th incubation day. The longer the incubation days, the more severe the changes such as the pyknotic artophy of the liver cells and heterochromatism. The embryos treated on the 5th incubation day with 50 and $150{\mu}C\;of\;^{35}S$ showed little changes, but sight enlargement and accumulation of serous fluid in the sinusoid on the 8th incubation day. iii. Kidney: No particular changes except atrophic changes of epithelium were noted in early stage, however, the infiltration of the granular cell and monocyte into the cortex and pyknotic changes of vascular glomeruli were noted in later stage. These changes were not closely related to the doses of $^{35}S$ given. iv. Gonad: The degenerative changes such as destruction of the immature germ cells, hyperplasia and vacuolization of the stroma were noted in testis and ovary. v. Eye: A slight distortion of the cornea and sclera was noted. The hypertrophy of inner layer and blood cell infiltration into the vascular layer of the choroid membrane were noted in embryo groups on the 12, 15 and 18th incubation days.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2006

Purpose : We hypothesized that mannose binding lectin gene(MBL2), a key molecule of innate immunity, may contirbute to the development and the outcome of respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) disease in early childhood. This study was performed to investigate the genetic basis of polymorphisms and haplotypes of MBL2 for RSV disease severity in Korean children. Methods : Cases with severe RSV diseases are 99 children with severe RSV lower respiratory tract infections, who were admitted to the Seoul National University Children's Hospital through 1993~2000. The control subjects consisted of 224 anonymous healthy Korean blood donors. The frequency of promoter variant(-221, X/Y) and structural variant(codon 54) were compared between the case patient group and the control subject group. Results : The mean age of patients was 11.8 months; 49% were <6 months, 39% were 6-24 months and 12% were >24 months. In the cohort of cases of severe RSV diseases, the genotypic frequencies of structural variant in codon 54 were 61% for AA, 34% for AB, and 5% for BB. Those of the promoter X/Y variant were 85% for YY and 15% for XY. There were no significant differences in overall distribution of both structural and promoter variants between the cases and the control subjects. We did not observe statistical difference in the haplotypic frequencies of MBL2. Conclusion : Common variants of MBL2 gene most likely do not contribute to the risk for severe RSV diseases in Korean children. Further genetic association studies should be conducted in a larger propsectively recruited cohort of children with RSV infection.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2004

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of chromium (VI) on the placental function and reproduction in rats. For the study, the placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) gene expression, placental trophoblast cell differentiation and reproductive data were analyzed. Methods : The pregnancies of F344 Fisher rats were checked by the presence of a copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear, which was defined as day 0 of the pregnancy. Pregnant rats were divided into the three groups. The control group was given tap water (chromium level < 0.001 ppm) and the remaining groups were given 250 or 750 ppm of chromium (VI) [as potassium dichromate], from day 7 to 19 of the pregnancy. Rats were sacrificed at days 11 and 20 of pregnancy. The mRNA levels of PRL-GH and Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The hormonal concentration was analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and the differentiation of placental trophoblast cells were observed by histochemical studies. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, pregnancy period, and litter size, were surveyed at day 20 of pregnancy and after birth. A statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1). Results : The mRNA levels of the prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family of genes were dose dependently reduced by chromium exposure. The mRNA levels of Pit-1a and b isotype genes that induce the expression of the PRL-GH family of genes were also reduced by chromium exposure. The PRL-GH hormonal concentration in the rat placenta, fetus and maternal blood were decreased by chromium exposure. In the middle stage of pregnancy (day 11), a high dose of chromium suppressed the differentiation of spongiotrophoblast cells that secret the PRLGH hormones. In the last stage of pregnancy (day 20), a high dose of chromium induced apoptosis of placental cells. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, litter size, were reduced, but the pregnancy period was extended in the group exposed to chromium compared with the controls. Conclusion : Chromium (VI) disrupts the ordered functions of the placenta, which leads to reproductive disorders in rats.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.259-265
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of different sizes of $\beta$-TCP/ HA particles on vertical bone augmentation using titanium mesh in the cranium of rabbits. Materials and methods: Six white rabbits weighing 5kg were used. Four circular grooves of 6mm diameter were made by trephine, and five small holes were drilled in the inner surface of each circular gooves. Different sizes of grafts (small 0.3 - 0.5 mm, medium 0.5 - 1.0, large 1.0 - 2.0 mm) were placed respectively in the experimental groups. Titanium mesh (height 3 mm, width 6 mm) was placed. After 8weeks healing period, the rabbits were euthanized, and the specimens were prepared for histological findings. New bone formation and remaining graft area were measured to calculate the ratio of areas occupying the inner space of titanium mesh. Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed rank-test were used for statistical analysis ($\alpha$ = .05). Results: The experimental groups with $\beta$-TCP/HA graft showed a significantly higher new bone formation (P = .003). Comparing different sizes of $\beta$-TCP/HA, there was no statistical difference in terms of new bone formation. The vertical bone formation (i.e. new bone and graft area) was significantly greater in $\beta$-TCP/HA groups (P = .001). In comparison between different sizes of $\beta$-TCP/HA, medium size group had significantly greater area than large particle size group (P = .039). Conclusion: The use of $\beta$-TCP/HA with titanium mesh showed a higher vertical bone formation, particularly the medium sized $\beta$-TCP/HA particles (0.5 - 1.0 mm) produced better results in vertical bone augmentation.