• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is evaluating the effect of Hoelen Herbal-acupuncture (HO-HA) at $KI_{10}$(Umgok) on Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) induced nephritis in rats. Methods : The experimental rats were assigned to four groups; normal, LPS, saline, HO-HA groups. LPS(2 mg/kg) was administered to the rats in LPS, saline and HO-HA groups to induce acute inflammatory kidney damage. Saline injection and HO-HA were administered at $KI_{10}$ three times a week. Blood samples were taken from the rats for analysis of white blood cell(WBC), neutrophil, blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine TNF-${\alpha}$, CINC-1. Urine samples were taken from the rats for analysis of urinal volume, creatinine and total protein. The kidney samples were taken from the rats for analysis of renal myeloperoxIdase(MPO). Results : HO-HA suppressed the increases of WBC and neutrophils in blood, BUN, creatinine, TNF-${\alpha}$ and CINC-1 in serum, and MPO in kidney of LPS-stimulated rats. In addition, HO-HA inhibited the decrease of urinary volume in LPS-stimulated rats. Conclusions : HO-HA has therapeutic effects on LPS-induced inflammatory kidney damage in rats. Further studies may be needed for clinical use of HO-HA.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.270-275
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• 2012

This paper presents a portable and compact optical device which can conveniently be used to perform a functional analysis of human liver function. The proposed system employed red/green LEDs, as a light source, and CMOS image sensor, which is commonly used in cellular phones. With this system, several blood serum samples have been evaluated for liver functional analysis by measuring light absorption level through the blood serum samples depending on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin concentration. The light absorption through the blood serum samples containing AST, ALT, or total bilirubin can provide their concentrations. The green light absorption is more sensitive to the concentration of AST or ALT, and the red light absorption is more sensitive to the total bilirubuin concentration. Additional calibration steps were performed by using a MATLAB program in order to eliminate the light scattering effects from the extraneous particles existing in each blood serum sample. From the blind test, three standard light intensity curves through each enzyme have been obtained and the enzyme concentration values have been compared to those obtained from a commercially available biochemistry analyzer (Toshiba 200 FR). The average percent difference in the obtained concentrations from two systems for AST, ALT, and total bilirubin concentration came out to be 7.79%, 7.98%. and 7.56%, respectively, with the adjusted coefficient of determination (R2) higher than 0.98. This system can possibly lead to a low-cost and simple system that can be used as a point-of-care (POC) system in a condition without advanced equipments.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2021

Artemisinin resistance (ART) has been confirmed in Greater Mekong Sub-region countries. Currently, C580Y mutation on Pfkelch13 gene is known as the molecular marker for the detection of ART. Rapid and accurate detection of ART in field study is essential to guide malaria containment and elimination interventions. A simple method for collection of malaria-infected blood is to spot the blood on filter paper and is fast and easy for transportation and storage in the field study. This study aims to evaluate LAMP-SNP assay for C580Y mutation detection by introducing an extra mismatched nucleotide at the 3' end of the FIP primer. The LAMP-SNP assay was performed in a water bath held at a temperature of 56℃ for 45 min. LAMP-SNP products were interpreted by both gel-electrophoresis and HNB-visualized changes in color. The method was then tested with 120 P. falciparum DNA from dried blood spot samples. In comparing the LAMP-SNP assay results with those from DNA sequencing of the clinical samples, the 2 results fully agreed to detect C580Y. The sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP-SNP assay showed 100%. There were no cross-reactions with other Plasmodium species and other Pfkelch13 mutations. The LAMP-SNP assay performed in this study was rapid, reliable, and useful in detecting artemisinin resistance in the field study.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1339-1344
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• 2014

Aims: Alterations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been implicated in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. We here evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic potential of mtDNA as a biomarker for breast cancer. Methods: Using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction, nuclear DNA (nDNA) and mtDNA levels in serum, buffy coat, tumor, and tumor-adjacent tissue samples from 50 breast cancer patients were determined and assessed for associations with clinicopathological features. To evaluate mtDNA as a biomarker for distinguishing between the four sample types, we created receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: The mtDNA levels in buffy coat were significantly lower than in other sample types. Relative to tumor-adjacent tissue, reduced levels of mtDNA were identified in buffy coat and tumor tissue but not in serum. According to ROC curve analysis, mtDNA levels could be used to distinguish between buffy coat and tumor-adjacent tissue samples with good sensitivity (77%) and specificity (83%). Moreover, mtDNA levels in serum and tumor tissue were positively associated with cancer TMN stage. Conclusions: The mtDNA levels in blood samples may represent a promising, non-invasive biomarker in breast cancer patients. Additional, large-scale validation studies are required to establish the potential use of mtDNA levels in the early diagnosis and monitoring of breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3183-3188
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• 2015

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of skin lesions, which is a health effect of chronic arsenic (As) exposure, and determine the hair/blood arsenic concentrations of people living in Kutahya villages who are using and drinking tap water with a high concentration of arsenic. Materials and Methods: A total of 303 people were included in the present cross-sectional study. A prepared questionnaire form was used to collect the participants' information and environmental history. Skin examination was performed on all participants. Hair, blood and water samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The cumulative arsenic index (CAI) was calculated for all participants. Results: Villages were divided into two groups according to the arsenic level (<$20{\mu}g/L$, Group I; >$20{\mu}g/L$, Group II) in their water. The prevalence of skin lesions, hair and blood arsenic level, and CAI were found to be higher in the Group II participants. There was a positive association between body arsenic levels and CAI in the participants of each group. Conclusions: The number of skin lesions and arsenic concentrations in body samples were found to increase with the water arsenic level and exposure time. We hope that sharing this study's results with local administrators will help accelerate the rehabilitation of water sources in Kutahya.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.239-244
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• 2005

Hematologic investigations were made on the blood samples taken from bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-seropositive Holstein-Friesian cattle in Korea, and their absolute lymphocyte count was compared with that of BLV-seronegative cattle. The incidence of persistent lymphocytosis (PL) was also determined. The normal bovine lymphocyte count was established on the basis of studies of 656 blood samples taken three times from 297 seronegative animals aged from 0~6 months to over 5 years at 5~6-month intervals. The data were examined according to 7 age groups of samples placed into their respective age groups. A peak in average total count was reached at 6~12 months ($5.36{\times}10^3/{\mu}l$) and thereafter the count declined continuously until over 5 years ($3.17{\times}10^3/{\mu}l$). From the results, 99.74 percent limits were calculated, and the upper limit of the range was chosen as the cutoff point for lymphocytosis. A PL was defined as a lymphocyte count that exceeded the above 99.74 percent limits and persisted over an interval of at least three months. The criterion for PL was applied to classifying 515 blood samples obtained four times from 189 seropositive animals without clinical signs at 5~7-month intervals. It was found that 54 (28.5%) of seropositive animals were with PL; cattle with PL were in age groups of 2~3 years to over 5 years.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.160-170
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• 2006

Background : The aberrant promoter hypermethylation of p16INK4a, as a tumor suppressor gene, is contributory factor to non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). However, its potential diagnostic impact of lung cancer is unclear. This study measured the level of $p16^{INK4a}$ promoter hypermethylation in the sputum and blood, and compared this with the level measured in the tissue obtained from NSCLC and pulmonary inflammation. Methods : Of the patients who visited the Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Incheon, Korea for an evaluation of a lung mass and underwent blood, sputum, and tissue tests, 23patients (18 NSCLC, 5 pulmonary inflammation) were enrolled in this study. DNA was extracted from each sample and the level of p16INK4amethylation was determined using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Results : $p16^{INK4a}$ methylation of the blood was observed in 88.9% (16 of 18) and 20.0% (1 of 5) of NSCLC and from pulmonary inflammation samples, respectively (P=0.008). Methylation of the sputum was observed in 83.3% (10 of 12) 80.0% (4 of 5) of NSCLC and pulmonary inflammation samples, respectively (P=1.00). Among the 8 NSCLC tissue samples, methylation changes were detected in 75.0% of samples (6 cases). Four out of seven tissue samples (57.1%) showed concordance, being methylated in both the blood and sputum. Conclusions : There was a higher level of $p16^{INK4a}$ methylation of the blood from NSCLC patients than from pulmonary inflammation. The tissue showed a high concordance with the blood in the NSCLC samples. These findings suggest that $p16^{INK4a}$ promoter hypermethylation of the blood can used to discriminate between NSCLC and pulmonary inflammation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1031-1038
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• 2003

This study was aimed at investigating the change of blood mineral and enzyme activity during growth period of velvet antler in Korean spotted deer. Samples of blood, obtained from the jugular vein of twenty-five deer(4 to 6 year-old males), were taken in 10 days interval from just after casting to 50 days. Deer were randomly selected from the farm, and samples were analyzed for blood parameters like mineral concentration and enzyme activities. No significant differences found in calcium and phosphorus concentration in blood whereas sodium, potassium and chloride concentration were significantly changed with antler growth. There were no significant differences in alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, $\gamma$-glutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase during growth of antler, but alkaline phosphatase concentration was increased with growth of antler, and the highest concentration was obtained on the 50 days after casting. Creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities for the deer tested in this experiment were higher than those of other animals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.368-374
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• 1998

The study was conducted on six multiparous Murrah buffaloes which were earlier artificially induced into lactation. During the experimental period of 15 days, buffaloes were managed in a loose housing system. All the buffaloes were administered a single injection of bromocryptine (@ $100{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) subcutaneously in the neck region at 08:30 A.M., 50 days postpartum (early lactation). Blood samples were collected from four buffaloes for a period of 5 days before the administration of bromocryptine i.e. on days -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, on day of treatment (day 0) and thereafter daily for a period of 9 days i.e 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 to determine the hormones and blood metabolites. Homogeneous milk samples from all the buffaloes were collected at morning and evening milkings on days coinciding with the days of blood sampling for analysis of milk constituents. Administration of bromocryptine resulted in a significant inhibition of plasma prolactin within 24 hrs of treatment, but the response in all the buffaloes was not uniform. The effect of bromocryptine on plasma prolactin hormone lasted for 1-4 days but Cortisol concentration were not altered. Administration of bromocryptine neither affected blood glucose nor plasma non-esterified fatty acids concentration. Irrespective of level of milk production from different buffaloes, there was no effect of bromocryptine on milk yield which indicated that prolactin is not required for milk secretion during early lactation in buffaloes. Milk constituents like fat, protein and lactose were not affected by bromocryptine may be due to no effect of bromocryptine of milk yield.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.495-504
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• 2000

Objective : To assess the relationship and prevalence rate among hypertension, dyslipidemia and the four commenest anthropometric measurements for obesity(body mass index(BMI), waist-hip ratio(WHR), waist circumference(WC) and body fat) in Korean adults. Methods : We studied the cross-sectional association of the anthropometric indicies and hypertension, dyslipidemia in 70 Korean adults. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ${\ge}160/95$mmHg and classification of JNC IV, Dyslipidemia were defined as total cholesterol ${\ge}200$ mg/dl, HDL-cholesterol ${le}35$ mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol ${\ge}160$ mg/dl, triglyceride ${\ge}200$ mg/dl. Infromations on life-style factors were obtained from personal interview. Results : BMI and WHR, BMI and WC, BMI and Fat(%), WHR and WC, WC and Fat(%) had high partial correlation coefficients after age adjustment. BMI and Systolic Blood Pressure had r=0.385 coefficients, WHR and HDL-cholesterol had r=-0.360 coefficients. All four anthropomtric indicies and hypertenstion groups by JNC IV classsification had signifiant differences in women, but only fat(%) and hypertension had significant difference in men. In women, in the relationship of four anthropomtric indicies and serum lipids, total cholesterol ${\ge}200$ mg/dl group with fat(%) had a signifiant difference for normal cholesterol group, and also the group of HDL-cholesterol ${\le}$ mg/dl with WC had significance. But in men, there were no significant differences in all anthropomtric indicies and serum lipids groups. Conclusions : Korean women are more significant than Korean men in the relationship between anthropometric indicies and serum lipids, or blood pressure. But this study's samples are small, so the results are some different with results of other studies. We should study more specifically about anthropometric indicies and serum lipids, anthropometric indicies and blood pressure with many samples.