• Toxicological Research
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.225-232
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• 2019

Thymus vulgaris L. is widely used as an ingredient in cooking and in herbal medicine. However, there is little information about its toxicity. The present study was performed to evaluate the acute and repeated 28-day oral dose toxicity of thyme essential oil in rats. For the acute toxicity test, two groups of three rats were used. The rats received a single dose of essential oil: 300 or 2,000 mg/kg of body weight (bw). The rats were observed individually during the first four hours, and then daily until day 14. For the toxicity test with repeated doses, four groups of 10 rats were used. Doses of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day were tested for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected and the animals were sacrificed. Histopathological examination showed that in the lungs of rats given the 2,000 mg/kg bw dose, polymorph nuclear infiltrates, hemosiderin macrophages, and interstitial space thickening were present. In the repeated dose study, all rats survived the 28-day treatment period and apparently showed no signs of toxicity. The hematological and biochemical parameters were not altered. The histopathological study of the organs showed severe changes in the lung, with the dose of 500 mg/kg/day; in the other organs, no alterations were observed or the changes were slight. The body weight was only altered in male rats given the 500 mg/kg dose. The relative weight of the organs did not show any significant changes. Our studies revealed that the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris has moderate oral toxicity according to the results of the acute test, whereas the results of the 28-day oral toxicity test suggest that the no-observed-adverse effect level (NOAEL) is greater than 250 mg/kg/day.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권10호
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• pp.1558-1564
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• 2019

Objective: This study investigated the effects of 1,3-1,6 beta-glucan added to the diet of Haidong chicks reared under hypoxic conditions, to ascertain the growth performances, immunity and intestinal morphology changes. Methods: A total of 750 chicks were divided into five groups and fed diets containing 0.5 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg, and 2.0 g/kg 1,3-1,6 beta-glucan from yeast (G1, G2, G3, respectively), 0.2 g/kg Taylor rhizomorph and a control feed. Results: The body weight and body weight gain were higher in chicks fed 1,3-1,6 beta-glucan and Taylor rhizomorph than in control group. Feed conversion ratio significantly differed for G2 and G3 groups in comparison to control group. The relative weight of bursa was higher in G1, G2, and G3 groups. The white blood cells and lymphocytes were significantly increased in groups fed 1,3-1,6 beta-glucan. The immunoglobulin G of serum peak appeared in the G3 group. The villous height of the duodenum was higher in 1,3-1,6 beta-glucan feed groups. In the jejunum, the villous height was higher in G2 and G3 groups and crypt depth for all the groups fed ${\beta}$-glucan. At ileum level the villous height and crypt depth was higher for groups G1, G2, and G3. Conclusion: The growth performance of Haidong chicks is improved when 10 and 20 g/kg 1,3-1,6 beta-glucan is included in the diet; hence, it is suggested that 1,3-1,6 beta-glucan be included in poultry diet to reduce and replace the use of antibiotics.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.165-170
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether tidal volume (TV) of 8 mL/kg without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and TV of 6 mL/kg with or without PEEP in pressure-controlled ventilation-volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) mode can maintain arterial oxygenation and decrease inspiratory airway pressure effectively during one-lung ventilation (OLV). Methods: The study enrolled 27 patients undergoing thoracic surgery. All patients were ventilated with PCV-VG mode. During OLV, patients were initially ventilated with TV 8 mL/kg (group TV8) without PEEP. Ventilation was subsequently changed to TV 6 mL/kg with PEEP ($5cmH_2O$; group TV6+PEEP) or without (group TV6) in random sequence. Peak inspiratory pressure ($P_{peak}$), mean airway pressure ($P_{mean}$), and arterial blood gas analysis were measured 30 min after changing ventilator settings. Ventilation was then changed once more to add or eliminate PEEP ($5cmH_2O$), while maintaining TV 6 mL/kg. Thirty min after changing ventilator settings, the same parameters were measured once more. Results: The $P_{peak}$ was significantly lower in group TV6 ($19.3{\pm}3.3cmH_2O$) than in group TV8 ($21.8{\pm}3.1cmH_2O$) and group TV6+PEEP ($20.1{\pm}3.4cmH_2O$). $PaO_2$ was significantly higher in group TV8 ($242.5{\pm}111.4mmHg$) than in group TV6 ($202.1{\pm}101.3mmHg$) (p=0.044). There was no significant difference in $PaO_2$ between group TV8 and group TV6+PEEP ($226.8{\pm}121.1mmHg$). However, three patients in group TV6 were dropped from the study because $PaO_2$ was lower than 80 mmHg after ventilation. Conclusion: It is postulated that TV 8 mL/kg without PEEP or TV 6 mL/kg with $5cmH_2O$ PEEP in PCV-VG mode during OLV can safely maintain adequate oxygenation.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.208-216
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• 2021

코로나바이러스 감염증 19는 중증급성호흡기증후군 코로나바이러스 2의 명칭에서 명명되었다. 이 연구는 코로나바이러스 감염증 19 환자의 신기능 상태를 조사하는 것을 목적으로 하였다. 본 연구는 경기도 남부 한 병원에서 코로나바이러스 감염증 19로 입원한 649명 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 이번 연구에서 검토한 코로나바이러스 감염증 19 환자의 혈액요소질소와 크레아티닌은 증가된 패턴을 보였다. 본 연구의 대상자 중 남성의 혈액요소질소는 정상 범위보다 높았다. 특히 60대, 80대 이상에서 높게 나타났고, 크레아티닌 수치도 비슷하게 나타났다. 이 연구에서 환자의 전해질 검사는 정상 범위에서 벗어나는 결과는 관찰되지 않았다. 이 연구의 대상에서 80세 이상의 남성은 60 mL/min/1.73 m² 이하의 만성신장질환 역학협력 사구체여과율을 나타냈다. 최근 연구에 따르면 COVID-19의 일부 심각한 사례는 코로나바이러스에 감염되기 전에 기저 신기능의 문제가 없었던 사람들에게도 콩팥 손상의 징후를 보이고 있다. 따라서 여러 지표 평가의 신기능 검사는 검사결과의 검토는 코로나19 환자의 비정상 신기능 발견에 도움이 될 수 있다.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권3_spc호
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• pp.417-426
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• 2021

Objective: Effects of inulin supplementation in diet of Haidong chicks under hypoxic conditions on production performance, intestinal morphologic change, microflora contents and the incidence of ascites were studied. Methods: Commercial male chicks (360) were randomly divided into 6 groups and were fed diets supplemented with 0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, and 0.15 g/kg of inulin, respectively. Results: The body weight gain and feed intake were improved in chicks fed the diets supplemented with 0.1 and 0.125 g/kg of inulin, from d 1 to d 42 (p<0.05); moreover, blood parameters were positively affected when inulin was included in the diets and the thickness of the intestinal wall and muscle tissue in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum tended to increase (p<0.05), and the villi height and crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (p<0.05). Regarding the number of goblet cells in duodenum, jejunum and ileum tended to increase when chicks were fed the diets supplemented with 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, and 0.15 g/kg (p<0.05) of inulin. When chicks were fed diets supplemented with 0.75 or 0.1 g/kg of inulin, a significant reduction of Escherichia coli counts in the cecum was observed; for a contrary, a significant increment of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus was observed in cecum and ileum. Finally, supplementing the feed with inulin determined an overall reduction of ascites incidences in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Thus, the results observed in the present study clearly suggest that the diet supplementation with a quantity of inulin ranging between 0.1 and 0.125 g/kg, can improve growth performances, intestinal morphology, internal microbial balance and ascites incidence, in broiler chicks raised at high altitude area. Even though these findings may be of interest for the poultry industry, they may particularly be relevant in those areas characterized by high altitude such as Northwest China regions.

• Translational and Clinical Pharmacology
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.153-156
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• 2017

UI14SDF100CW is a chewable tablet of sildenafil citrate, which was developed to improve compliance through convenience of administration. The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of sildenafil citrate chewable tablets (UI14SDF100CW) and conventional sildenafil citrate film-coated tablets ($Viagra^{(R)}$, Pfizer). A randomized, open-label, single dose, two-treatment, two-period, two-way crossover study was conducted in 60 healthy male volunteers. In each period, the subjects received a single oral dose of UI14SDF100CW or $Viagra^{(R)}$ (both tablets contain 140.45 mg of sildenafil citrate, which is equivalent to 100 mg of sildenafil). Serial blood samples were collected up to 24 h post-dose for PK analysis. The plasma concentration of sildenafil was determined using a validated HPLC-MS/MS assay. PK parameters of sildenafil were calculated using non-compartmental methods. The plasma concentration-time profiles of sildenafil in both formulations were similar. For UI14SDF100CW, the $C_{max}$ and $AUC_{last}$ of sildenafil were $1068.69{\pm}458.25$ (mean${\pm}$standard deviation) mg/L and $3580.59{\pm}1680.29h{\cdot}mg/L$, and the corresponding values for $Viagra^{(R)}$ were $1146.84{\pm}501.70mg/L$ and $3406.35{\pm}1452.31h{\cdot}mg/L$, respectively. The geometric mean ratios (90% confidence intervals) of UI14SDF100CW to $Viagra^{(R)}$ for $C_{max}$ and $AUC_{last}$ were 0.933 (0.853-1.021) and 1.034 (0.969-1.108), respectively, which met the bioequivalence criteria of Korean regulatory agency. In conclusion, UI14SDF100CW and $Viagra^{(R)}$ showed similar PK properties. Therefore, UI14SDF100CW can be an alternative to sildenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, providing better compliance.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.377-383
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• 2021

Purpose: We investigated the association of effector memory (EM) CD8⁺ T cell and CD4⁺ T cell immunity with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: Surface and intracellular staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed. Anti-interleukin-7 receptor-alpha (IL-7Rα) and CX3CR1 antibodies were used to stain the subsets of EM CD8⁺ T cells, while anti-interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) antibodies were used for CD4⁺ T cell subsets. Results: Of the 47 obese children, 11 were female. Children with MS had significantly higher levels of serum insulin (34.8±13.8 vs. 16.4±6.3 µU/mL, p<0.001) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (8.9±4.1 vs. 3.9±1.5, p<0.001) than children without MS. Children with MS revealed significantly higher frequencies of IL-7Rα^low CD8⁺ T cells (60.1±19.1% vs. 48.4±11.5%, p=0.047) and IL-7Rα^lowCX3CR1⁺ CD8⁺ T cells (53.8±20.1% vs. 41.5±11.9%, p=0.036) than children without MS. As the serum triglyceride levels increased, the frequency of IL-7Rα^lowCX3CR1⁺ and IL-7Rα^highCX3CR1^- CD8⁺ T cells increased and decreased, respectively (r=0.335, p=0.014 and r=-0.350, p=0.010, respectively), in 47 children. However, no CD4⁺ T cell subset parameters were significantly different between children with and without MS. Conclusion: In obese children with MS, the changes in immunity due to changes in EM CD8⁺ T cells might be related to the morbidity of obesity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.348-358
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• 2022

본 연구는 한국에서 최초로 시행되는 연구로서, 성인 제2형 당뇨환자에서 혈청 AGEs의 농도에 따라 두 군으로 나눈 뒤 신체계측 및 체조성, 영양소 섭취량, 생화학적 지표를 비교 분석한 연구이다. Low AGEs group과 High AGEs group의 평균 AGEs는 각각 0.4 ± 0.2, 3.4 ± 1.7 ng/mL로 나타났다. 항산화 효소인 HO-1은 High AGEs group이 Low AGEs group에 비해 유의적으로 높게 나타났다. 또한, 전체 연구참여자를 대상으로 연령과 성별을 보정한 후 상관관계를 분석한 결과, 혈청 HO-1 농도와 혈청 AGEs 농도 및 소변 8-OHdG 농도는 양의 상관관계를 가지는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구를 통해 혈청 HO-1은 당뇨환자 특이적 지표인 AGEs와 더불어 DNA 손상 지표에도 예민하게 반응하는 것을 확인하였으며, 추후 한국 당뇨환자의 산화적 스트레스와 합병증 연구의 근거자료로 널리 사용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.248-254
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• 2022

Background: Occupational hazards in crop farms vary diversely based on different field operations as soil management, harvesting processes, pesticide, or fertilizer application. We aimed at evaluating the immunological status of crop farmers, as limited systematic investigations on immune alteration involved with crop farming have been reported yet. Methods: Immunological parameters including plasma immunoglobulin level, major peripheral immune cells distribution, and level of cytokine production from activated T cell were conducted. Nineteen grape orchard, 48 onion open-field, and 21 rose greenhouse farmers were participated. Results: Significantly low proportion of natural killer (NK) cell, a core cell for innate immunity, was revealed in the grape farmers (19.8±3.3%) in comparison to the onion farmers (26.4±3.1%) and the rose farmers (26.9±2.5%), whereas cytotoxic T lymphocyte proportion was lower in the grape and the onion farmers than the rose farmers. The proportion of NKT cell, an immune cell implicated with allergic response, was significantly higher in the grape (2.3±0.3%) and the onion (1.6±0.8%) farmers compared with the rose farmers (1.0±0.4%). A significantly decreased interferon-gamma:interleukin-13 ratio was observed from ex vivo stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of grape farmers compared with the other two groups. The grape farmers revealed the lowest levels of plasma IgG1 and IgG4, and their plasma IgE level was not significantly different from that of the onion or the rose farmers. Conclusion: Our finding suggests the high vulnerability of workplace-mediated allergic immunity in grape orchard farmers followed by open-field onion farmers and then the rose greenhouse farmers.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.368-378
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• 2020

Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency may cause bone loss and increased inflammation, which are well-known symptoms of periodontal disease. This study investigated whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are associated with periodontal disease status and tooth loss. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 5,405 individuals aged ≥50 years (2,253 males and 3,152 females) were obtained from the 2008-2010 Dong-gu study, a prospective cohort study of risk factors for chronic diseases. Periodontal examinations were conducted to evaluate the number of remaining teeth, the periodontal probing depth (PPD), the clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing. The percentages of sites with PPD ≥4 mm and CAL ≥4 mm were recorded for each participant. The severity of periodontitis was classified using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology case definitions. Serum 25(OH)D levels were classified as reflecting severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency, or sufficiency. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the associations of serum 25(OH)D levels with periodontal parameters and the number of remaining teeth after adjusting for confounders including age, smoking status, alcohol consumption status, month of blood collection, and physical activity. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and severe periodontitis. An overall statistical analysis and a stratified analysis by sex were performed. Results: Overall, the rates of severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were 6.5%, 67.9%, 22.4%, and 3.2%, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, vitamin D levels were directly associated with the number of remaining teeth, an association that was significant in males, but not in females. Sufficient serum 25(OH)D was associated with a low frequency of severe periodontitis. Conclusions: This population-based cross-sectional study indicates that low serum 25(OH) D is significantly associated with tooth loss and severe periodontitis in Koreans aged 50 years and older.