• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.82-85
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• 2006

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial was performed to assess effects of fermented milk intake on antioxidant activities and blood alcohol levels of 26 healthy volunteers. All subjects received fermented milk ($Kupffer's^{(R)}$, n=13) or placebo (n=13) twice daily for 2 weeks. After 3 weeks resting period, subjects under same test but in reverse role. In both tests, fermented milk intake significantly increased total antioxidant status (p<0.05) and decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (p<0.05) levels compared to before fermented milk intake. Blood alcohol levels of fermented milk intake group were significantly lower than those of placebo group (p<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.195-204
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to develop cardiovascular health related percent body-fat standards that may be applied to epidemiologic investigations of the prevalence and incidence of obesity in adolescents, pediatric health screenings, and youth fitness tests. The subjects included 102 males and 80 females aged 19～22years. All subject were Honam University Students Total body fat was derived from body density which was estimated from age and the triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness measured with Lang calipers to the nearst l.0mm. Serum total cholesterol and lipoprotein cholesterol fraction(HDL-CLDL-C) were measured from blood obtained from fore arm vein after blood pressure measurement. In analyses to determine critical fat levels associated with elevated CDD(Chronic Degenerative Disease) risk factors;male and female were grouped by level of percent fat as follows: male, 〈 10%, 10-14.9%, 15-19.9%, 20-24.9%, and $\geq$ 25%;female, 〈 20%, 20-24.9%, 25-29.9%, 30-34.9%, and $\geq$ 35%. As the results of the data, the conclusions were as follows: 1. A dose respones effect was observed between blood pressure and percent body fat in males and females; in contrast, total cholesterol and lipoprotein ratios were relatively independant of percent fat among the lower four fatness group in males and the lower three fatness groups in females. 2. The percentage of subjects in the uppermost quintile for S-Bp, D-Bp, TC, LDL/H was significantly(P〈.05) greater than expected by change alone(20%) in males with $\geq$ 25% fat and in females with $\geq$ 30% fat females with $\geq$35% had even greater representation in the uppermost quintile of all CDD risk factors compared to females with 30-34.9% fat.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.14-21
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• 2013

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine how an integrated approach to type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment could improve glycemic control and immune-potentiating activities adherent to oral hypoglycemic agents along with a botanical compound, among primary care patients. Methods: In this study, we used the self-control and the group-control methods. Candidates meeting the trial conditions were selected from among volunteers who had taken the test substance for 45 days. During the trial, all groups were on a controlled diet; neither were the original medications nor their dosages changed. Results: The results showed that the botanical compound (Glyco-Persica$^{(R)}$) significantly reduced the main clinical symptoms in diabetes type 2. In the treatment group, 36 of 52 patients (69.23%) and in the control group 10 of 52 patients (19.23%) showed reduced symptoms, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The fasting blood sugar in the treatment group after treatment compared with that before treatment and with that in the control group after treatment was statistically different (P < 0.05). The post-prandial glucose in the treatment group after treatment was significantly different from that before treatment and from that in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05); the post-prandial blood sugar in the treatment group was reduced by 8.98%. Conclusions: The results revealed that the botanical compound (Glyco-Persica$^{(R)}$) has significant hypoglycemic properties which affect main clinical symptoms in diabetes type 2. Body weight, blood pressure, heart rate, routine blood, stool and urine tests showed no meaningful negative changes after the course of treatment. There was no significant adverse reaction during the trial.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.102-112
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to obtain reference data of traditional Korean medicine diagnostic methods for the practical usage in women infertility. Methods: The study involved 38 female patients of age 20-38 years that had diagnosed of infertility. All the subjects answered to pattern identification questionnaire and Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification (QSCC II). Pattern identification scores and constitution types have been analyzed with variables of infertility factors and age. Statistical analysis was performed by adopting descriptive and inferential tests. Results: In pattern identification questionnaire analysis, the patterns were observed in order of frequency: liver stasis; blood deficiency; kidney-yang deficiency; kidney-yin deficiency; damp-heat; blood stasis; and phlegm. The group, less than 35 years old, had the higher average score of liver stasis (p<0.05). Also, the group with tubal and peritoneal factors, had the higher average score of blood deficiency (p<0.05). In QSCC II analysis, So-yang type had the higher average score of liver stasis, kidney-yang deficiency, and kidney-yin deficiency. So-eum type had the higher average score of liver stasis, kidney-yang deficiency, kidney-yin deficiency, and blood deficiency. While, Tae-um type had the higher average score of liver stasis and phlegm. Conclusions: We would accumulate the clinical data for the practical usage of traditional Korean medicine diagnostic methods in women infertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2021

Objective: Approximately 30% of preeclamptic pregnancies exhibit abnormal liver function tests. We assessed liver injury-associated enzyme levels and circulating transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) levels in an arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced pregnant Sprague-Dawley rat model. Methods: Pregnant and non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) received AVP (150 ng/hr) subcutaneously via mini-osmotic pumps for 18 days. Blood pressure was measured, urine samples were collected, and all animals were euthanized via isoflurane. Blood was collected to measure circulating levels of TGF-β1-3 isomers and liver injury enzymes in pregnant AVP (PAVP), pregnant saline (PS), non-pregnant AVP (NAVP), and non-pregnant saline (NS) rats. Results: The PAVP group showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than both saline-treated groups. The weight per pup was significantly lower in the AVP-treated group than in the saline group (p<0.05). Circulating TGF-β1-3 isomer levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats than in the NS rats. However, similar TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 levels were noted in the PS and PAVP rats, while TGF-β2 levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats. Circulating liver-type arginase-1 and 5'-nucleotidase levels were higher in the PAVP rats than in the saline group. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate higher levels of TGF-β2, arginase, and 5'-nucleotidase activity in PAVP than in PS rats. AVP may cause vasoconstriction and increase peripheral resistance and blood pressure, thereby elevating TGF-β and inducing the preeclampsia-associated inflammatory response. Future studies should explore the mechanisms through which AVP dysregulates liver injury enzymes and TGF-β in pregnant rats.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2021

Culture tests are very important in choosing the appropriate antibiotics for bacterial infections. In some cases, bacteria that could not be identified in standard culture bottles could be detected using blood culture bottles. A previously healthy 13-year-old boy visited our emergency room. He experienced pain, redness, and hardness of periumbilical skin and a fever for five days. There was no history of abdominal surgery and penetrating trauma. Computed tomography showed abscess with cellulitis at the periumbilical soft tissue with no congenital anomaly. Ultrasonography-guided aspiration was performed, and about 8.5 mL of the purulent abscess was aspirated. The abscess was cultured using blood culture bottle. The pus grew Actinomyces radingae and Clostridium ramosum. When performing the pus culture, using blood culture bottles can be more effective and rapid than the standard culture method for the detection of bacterial pathogens.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.9
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aims to correlate caries-causing microorganism load, lactic acid estimation, and blood groups to high caries risk in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals and low caries risk in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: This study includes 30 participants divided into 3 groups: Group A, High-risk caries diabetic individuals; Group B, High-risk caries non-diabetic individuals; and Group C, Low-risk caries individuals. The medical condition, oral hygiene, and caries risk assessment (American Dental Association classification and International Caries Detection and Assessment System scoring) were documented. Each individual's 3 mL of saliva was analyzed for microbial load and lactic acid as follows: Part I: 2 mL for microbial quantity estimation using nutrient agar and blood agar medium, biochemical investigation, and carbohydrate fermentation tests; Part II: 0.5 mL for lactic acid estimation using spectrophotometric analysis. Among the selected individuals, blood group correlation was assessed. The χ² test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and post hoc analysis were done using Dunn's test (p < 0.05). Results: Group A had the highest microbial load and lactic acid concentration, followed by Groups B and C. The predominant bacteria were Lactobacilli (63.00 ± 15.49) and Streptococcus mutans (76.00 ± 13.90) in saliva. Blood Group B is prevalent in diabetic and non-diabetic high-risk caries patients but statistically insignificant. Conclusions: Diabetic individuals are more susceptible to dental caries due to high microbial loads and increased lactic acid production. These factors also lower the executing tendency of neutrophils, which accelerates microbial accumulation and increases the risk of caries in diabetic individuals.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.756-768
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• 2017

The subjects for the study were twenty four obese women(50's) composed of the exercise group(n=12) and to a "no exercise" control group(n=12). The variables of health-related fitness, blood pressure, and blood vessel elasticity where measured in all the subjects before the start of the training program and after at the end of the 8 weeks circuit training. The test data were analyzed by t-test, paired t-test, and alpha level of p<.05 was set for all tests of significance. Health-related fitness was exercise group, the BMI had significantly decreased, and the 20m shuttle run, sit-ups and sit-and-reach had significantly increased. Blood pressure was exercise group, the systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure had significantly decreased. Also, after the circuit training program, the exercise group had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure than did the control group. blood vessel elasticity was exercise group, the blood vessel elasticity had significantly decreased. And exercise group had significantly higher diastolic blood vessel elasticity than did the control group. In conclusion, BMI, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure had significantly decreased, but 20 m shuttle run, sit-ups and sit-and-reach had significantly increased in the combined exercise group after the 8 weeks circuit training. Therefore, regular and continuous circuit training were effective in improving the body composition, blood pressure, blood vessel elasticity and health-related fitness.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.8-14
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• 2004

Objective : Achyranthes japonica Nakai (AJ) has been classified as a herb that activates blood flow and clears the stagnated blood. In this study, we evaluated its anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity in animals to clarify the effect of AJ on pain or inflammation. Methods : ICR mice and Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with an ethanolic extract of AJ with two dosages of 200 mg/kg (p.o.) and 400 mg/kg (p.o.). Nociceptive responses of acute pain were determined by hotplate and tail-flick tests. The effects of AJ on inflammation were evaluated by flexion/extention test and mechanical hyperalgesia test in models induced by both carrageenan and Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). Results : AJ showed significant analgesic effects in both hotplate and tail-flick tests at the dose of 400 mg/kg. It also produced a significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema and CFA induced arthritis in rats at the dose of 400 mg/kg. Conclusion : We have demonstrated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of an 80% ethanolic extract of AJ in animals. This suggests the application of AJ in relief of pain or inflammatory disease.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.391-398
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• 2017

Hookworm infections are widely prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in low income regions. In the body, hookworms parasitize the proximal small intestine, leading to chronic intestinal hemorrhage and iron deficiency anemia. Occasionally, hookworms can cause overt gastrointestinal bleeding, but this is often ignored in heavily burdened individuals from endemic infectious areas. A total of 424 patients with overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding were diagnosed by numerous blood tests or stool examinations as well as esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy or double-balloon enteroscopy. All of the patients lived in hookworm endemic areas and were not screened for hookworm infection using sensitive tests before the final diagnosis. The patients recovered after albendazole treatment, blood transfusion, and iron replacement, and none of the patients experienced recurrent bleeding in the follow-up. All the 31 patients were diagnosed with hookworm infections without other concomitant bleeding lesions, a rate of 7.3% (31/424). Seventeen out of 227 patients were diagnosed with hookworm infections in the capsule endoscopy (CE), and 14 out of 197 patients were diagnosed with hookworm infections in the double balloon enteroscopy (DBE). Hookworm infections can cause overt gastrointestinal bleeding and should be screened in patients with overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) in endemic infectious areas with sensitive methods. Specifically, the examination of stool specimens is clinically warranted for most patients, and the proper examination for stool eggs relies on staff's communication.