• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.101-112
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine arterial stiffness levels as measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and to identify the association between arterial stiffness and inflammatory markers, in healthy adults over 50 years old. Methods: The study population consisted of 4617 persons over the age of 50 years who participated in the baseline survey of the Dong-gu Study, which was conducted in 2007 and 2008. Arterial stiffness was measured using baPWV. A multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between conventional cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers, including white blood cell (WBC) counts, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT). Results: After adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors including sex, age, smoking status, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, hypertension or diabetic medication, total cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, and alanine aminotransferase, baPWV was significantly associated with WBC counts (${\beta}$=0.158, p<0.0001), hs-CRP (${\beta}$=0.244, p=0.026), and GGT (${\beta}$=0.003, p<0.0001). Conclusion: This study shows that arterial stiffness correlates with inflammatory markers. Arterial stiffness may be used as a composite risk factor to identify persons with higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Additionally, arterial stiffness may be a marker for future cardiovascular disease and a target for prevention.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.838-845
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• 1995

The determination of ADA(adenosine deaminase) activity in pleural fluid is useful in differental diagnosis of pleural effusion. The conventional method of determining ADA activity used by Giusti was influenced by contamination of ammonia. Additionally, because Giusti's method was mannual method a determining the ADA activities in sample, was not easily automated. In 1993, Oosthuizen HM with collegues developed simple kinetic method for determining ADA activity. It was reliable and suiable method for automation. In this study, we have measured ADA activity in 162 patients with various pleural effusion by Hitachi 747 autoanalyser using the Oosthuizen kinetic method for the purpuse of determination of new diagnostic cut-off value for the tuberculous effusion and evaluation of the correlation between the conventional method and new automated method. This new method of an enzymatic reaction involves 2, 6-dichlorophenolindophenol dye(DICP), adenosine, xanthine oxidase(XO), and nucleoside phosphorylase(NP). The results were as follows: 1) The mean pleural ADA activity of the tuberculous effusion was $52.53{\pm}16.43\;U/L$ and significantly higher than that of other groups(p<0.001). If the diagnostic cut-off value of pleural ADA activity for tuberculous effusion is above 30 U/L, the sensitivity is 96% and the specificity is 90%. 2) The mean pleural to serum ADA activity ratio of the tuberculous effusion was $2.29{\pm}0.96$ and it was also significantly higher than that of other pleural groups(p<0.001). If the diagnostic cut-off value of pleural to serum ADA activity ratio is 1.5, the sensitivity is 80% and the specificity is 88% in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion. 3) The new kinetic method is correlates well to Giuisti's conventional method(r=0.971). In conclusion, the new kinetic method described is easily automated and seems to be suitable for the routine determination of ADA activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1447-1451
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• 2007

Through the screening of marine natural compounds that inhibit cancer cell proliferation, we previously reported that pectenotoxin-2 (PTX-2) isolated from marine sponges exhibits selective cytotoxicity against several cell lines in p53-deficient tumor cells compared to those with functional p53. However, the molecular mechanisms of its anti-proliferative action on malignant cell growth are not completely known. To further explore the mechanisms of its anti-cancer activity and to test whether the status of p53 in liver cancer cells correlates with their chemo-sensitivities to PTX-2, we used two well-known hepatocarcinoma cell lines, p53-deficient Hep3B and p53-wild type HepG2. We have demonstrated that PTX-2 markedly inhibits Hep3B cell growth and induces apoptosis whereas HepG2 cells are much more resistant to PTX-2 suggesting that PTX-2 seems to act by p53-independent cytotoxic mechanism. The apoptosis induced by PTX-2 in Hep3B cells was associated with the modulation of DNA fragmentation factor (DFF) family proteins, up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members such as Bax and Bcl-xS and activation of caspases (caspase-3, -8 and -9). Blockade of the caspase-3 activity by caspase-3 inhibitor, z-DEVD-fmk, prevented the PTX-2-induced growth inhibition in Hep3B cells. Moreover, treatment with PTX-2 also induced phosphorylation of AKT and extracellular-signal regulating kinase (ERK), but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MARK). Specific inhibitors of PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) and ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) significantly blocks PTX-2-induced-anti-proliferative effects, whereas a JNK inhibitor (SP600125) and a p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) have no significant effects demonstrating that the pro-apoptotic effect of PTX-2 mediated through activation of AKT and ERK signal pathway in Hep3B cells.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.129-138
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• 1976

The causes and problems underlying deaths in perinatal period are often similar and might be expected to yield to same type of preventive measures. This is one of the reasons for attempting to develop a reporting of perinatal mortality and its related matters. This study aims at figuring out the biologic risk factors onto the perinatal death. Considering stillbirth and early neonatal mortality separately, considerable associations between stillbirth and reproductive history of women, are observed, ana it is found that prematurity is the the far most important factor in the early neonatal mortality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.1412-1418
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• 2013

The nutritional components of 14 new cultivars of pak choi (Brassica rapa L. ssp. chinensis) from China were analyzed and compared with 4 cultivars of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) popular in Korea. Leaves were separated into green parts (GP) and white parts (WP) for the analyses. The moisture and ash content in the 14 new cultivars of pak choi were not significantly different from the currently popular cultivars of Chinese cabbage. In addition, the levels of vitamin C and E were very similar between the two kinds of Brassica rapa. In contrast, the overall mineral content was higher in the new pak choi cultivars. Specifically, minerals important for human health, calcium and magnesium, were significantly greater in pak choi cultivars (calcium GP 2.57, WP 2.04; magnesium GP 0.422, WP 0.301 mg/g fresh weight) compared to currently popular cultivars (calcium GP 0.805, WP 0.477; magnesium GP 0.244, WP 0.101 mg/g fresh weight). Although the content of reducing sugars was similar, cellulose content (which correlates with the hardness of plant tissue) was four times higher in the new pak choi cultivars compared to currently popular cultivars. These results demonstrate that the new pak choi cultivars have superb nutritional benefits for human health and could be a good food source as a daily staple vegetable.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.254-259
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• 2003

$^{99m}Tc-galactosyl$ human serum albumin (Tc-GSA) is a radiopharmaceutical that binds to asialoglycoprotein receptors, which are specifically present in the hepatocyte membrane. Because these receptors are decreased in hepatic parenchymal damage, the degree of Tc-GSA accumulation in the liver correlates with findings of liver function test. Hepatic images were performed with Tc-GSA in patients with acute hepatic dysfunction by Amantia Subjunquillea poisoning, and compared with these of liver ultrasonography (USG). Tc-GSA (185 MBq, 3 mg of GSA) was injected intravenously, and dynamic images were recorded for 30 minutes. Time-activity curves for the heart and liver were generated from regions of interest for the whole liver and precordium. Degree of hepatic uptake and clearance rate of Tc-GSA were generated by visual interpretation and semiquantitative analysis parameters (receptor index : LHL15 and index of blood clearance : HH15). Visual assessment of GSA scintigraphy revealed mildly decreased liver uptake in all of subjects. The mean LHL15 and HH15 were 0.886 and 0.621, graded as mild dysfunction in 2, and mild to moderate dysfunction in 1 subject. In contrast, liver USG showed no remarkable changes of hepatic parenchyme. Tc-GSA scintigraphy was considered as a useful imaging modality in the assessment of the hepatic dysfunction.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.64-68
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• 2005

Purpose : Renal abscess is very rare in children and its diagnosis is difficult because symptoms are often nonspecific. In previous studies, on]y 15% to 25% of patients were reported to be diagnosed at the time of admission. Early diagnosis and treatment are important be cause mortality rate correlates positively with the time of diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical features of children with renal abscess and to investigate the possible indicators of this disease for early diagnosis and Proper treatment. Methods : Twelve children diagnosed with renal abscess from Jan. 1996 to Jul. 2004 were included. The age of patients ranged from S months to 15 years. We retrospectively analyzed the demographics of patients, their symptoms, predisposing factors, diagnostic methods and causative organisms and the treatment modalities. Results : Fever was the most common manifestation, Five children(42%) had vesicoureteral reflux. Renal ultrasonography and computerized tornography were the most frequently used imaging tools to detect renal abscess. Gram negative bacteria were isolated in 7 patients and Staphylococcus aureus grew in 2 patients. All patients received intravenous antibiotics and 4 patients underwent aspiration or drainage of renal abscess. The average admission duration was 30 days. Conclusion : Renal abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of prolonged fever in children, especially when flank pain is combined. For early diagnosis and a better prognosis, patients should be promptly investigated with ultrasonography or computerized tomography.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.3 s.83
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• pp.386-395
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• 2007

A total of 27 strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (18 strains isolated from Korea and 9 strains from Japan) were serotyped and examined for biochemical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, cytotoxicity assay, thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) production and molecular epidemiology. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and DNA probe hybridization method, the strains were tested for toxR, tdh, trh and ORF 8 genes. The V. parahaemolyticus isolated from patients were belonged to 8 different serotypes : O3:K6, O1:K38, O3:K57, O4:K9, O4:Kl2, O4:K68, O5:Kl5 and O6:K46. Urease-positive strain possessed the trh gene, and conversely, urease-negative strains lacked the gene, indicating that urease production by V. parahemolyticus strains strongly correlates with the possession of the trh gene. Most strains showed multiple resistant to more than three antibiotics and the antibiogram could be classified into 6 group (I to VI). All of the O3:K6 strains isolated in South Korea and Japan producted TDH at high levels. The TDH titers ranged between 256 and 2.048, and the average titer was 1009. To distinguish the new and increasingly common V. parahaemolyticus strains from clinical isolates, ORF 8 is a useful genetic marker. After Southern hybridization, the HindIII restriction fragment patterns of the tdh gene were grouped one type, respectively. One type showed two bands one of which was 4.3kb and the other was 11.5kb in size. Variation between the O3:K6 serotype are minor when compared to the differences seen with the non O3:K6 strains. The migration patterns of Not I -digested of the total DNA of the O3:K6 strains were similar, and only slight variations were observed between the serotypes. By contrast, the O3:K6 strains and non O3:K6 had markedly different profiles. In conclusion, Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profile using appropriate primers was an effective epidemiological marker.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.180-187
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• 2010

Purpose: Rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis are less common than those involving the superior and posterior rotator cuff. The purpose of the present study was to report the clinical results of repair of isolated traumatic tears of the subscapularis tendon. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients (13 males, 2 females; mean age 46.2 years; range 35 to 52) with unilateral ruptures of the subscapularis tendon after trauma who underwent arthroscopic repair between February 2003 and October 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. All the cases were isolated tears of the subscapularis without the involvement of any other rotator cuff tendon and were followed for at least two years (mean 28 months). The entire subscapularis was involved in 9 cases and the tear was localized to the upper two thirds in 6 cases. The preoperative and postoperative status of patients with isolated subscapularis tears were analyzed using the Constant Score, American Shoulder and Elbow Society Index (ASES Index) and postoperative integrity was determined through magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The average clinical outcome scores and strength were all improved significantly at the time of the final follow-up. The constant shoulder score improved from 41.5 to 81.3 points (P<0.05) compared to before surgery and ASES index improved from 46.4 to 89.6 points (P<0.05) postoperatively. Thirteen patients (87%) were satisfied with the result of the treatment. The total tears were significantly more improved by surgery than the partial tears. In 12 of 15 patients (80%) were judged to reveal healed tendon on magnetic resonance imaging at a mean of 13 months postoperatively. The postoperative score was significantly lower for the patients with a failed repair than it was for those with an intact repair (P<0.05). Conclusion: Repair of traumatic isolated subscapularis tears through arthroscopic techniques effectively restores patient function with regard to pain, mobility, strength and postoperative tendon integrity. The postoperative integrity of the repair correlates with the functional results and the total tears were more improved by surgery than the partial tears, but future studies may be needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Child Welfare
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• no.36
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• pp.165-196
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• 2011

With the increasing concerns of victimization of school violence, this paper is intended to present a pioneering study on the victims' conscientization which may result from their own experience of school violence by peers. The predominant concern of the study consists in: (1) the direct effects of individuals' perception toward violence in general, non-assertiveness, school violence experience by peers, and prosocial behavioral tendency on the individual conscientization of school violence problems; (2) the indirect effects of both individual prosocial behavioral tendency and perceptions toward violence through non-assertiveness on individual conscientization of school violence problems;(3) the sexual differences of the five latent variables(perceptions toward violence in general, non-assertiveness, prosocial behavioral tendency, school violence experience by peers, and conscientization of school violence problems; (4) the sexual differences of both direct and indirect correlates on conscientization of school violence problems. Research is based on a survey conducted with 526 adolescents (268 males and 258 females) from 16 middle schools located in different districts of the city of Pohang. In order to address the research questions, structural equation models on adolescents' conscientization of school violence are explored. A variety of tests are conducted (configural invariance, metric invariance and structural invariance, intercept invariance, critical ratio for difference test, multi-group analysis, latent mean analysis including Cohen's effect test). The major findings of the study support the significance of both direct effects and indirect effects of the four latent factors(perceptions of violence in general, non-assertiveness, prosocial behavioral tendency, school violence experience by peers). The individual prosocial behavioral tendency has a positive mediating effect on the enhancement of individual conscientization toward school violence problems. However, we fail to find the direct positive effect of individual violence experience on the conscientization of school violence problems. In conclusion, a range of practical implications for social workers and other related professionals who are engaged in helping out the adolescents with school violence by peers are suggested based on the study findings.