• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 1993

The histological change of the billary mucosa in clonorchiasis is characterized as adenomatous hyperplasia, and cross-sectioned mucosa looks like intestinal mucosa. In addition to the glandular hyperplasla, the metaplasia of mucin secreting cells is also known. The present study investigated the presence of intestinal secretion from the biliary mucosal cells of rabbits and rats with Clonorchis sinensis infection. The rabbit was infected with 300 and the rat was infected with 100 metacercariae of C. sinensif. A part of the animals were followed up after praziquantel treatment. The rabbit livers were prepared for histochemistry to observe any endocrine secretion and the bile duct mucosa of the mice was processed far the activity of brush border membrane (BBM)-bound enzymes of the small intestine. Immunohistochemistry with the polyclonal antibodies and biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase staining kit showed no positive cells for gastrin and secretin, but a few cells were positive for serotonin. The proliferated billiw mucosa of the mice revealed no activity of dissaccharidases and aminopeptidase. Only alkaline phosphatase activity was found both in the control and the infected. The hyperplastic billary mucosal cells showed no gastrointestinal secretory functions. The serotonin secreting cells may be one of the inflammatory cells.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate observed changes in the prevalence of biopsy-proven Helicobacter pylori infection in Korean children with functional recurrent abdominal pain during the past 18 years. Methods: Between July 1991 and December 2008, 1,194 children with functional recurrent abdominal pain (499 males and 695 females) 9.2${\pm}$3.1 years of age were included. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopies were performed in all patients. H. pylori infection was assessed by the CLO test. Changes in the prevalence of the endoscopic diagnosis of H. pylori infection during 18 years were analyzed. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection between 1991 and 1993, 1994 and 1996, 1997 and 1999, 2000 and 2002, 2003 and 2005, and 2006 and 2008 were 25.1% (56/223), 23.1% (45/195), 19.3% (28/145), 16.1% (39/242), 11.3% (24/213), and 10.8% (19/176), respectively; these serial decreases in the prevalence over 18 years were statistically significant (p<0.001). Regardless of gender and age, the prevalence of H. pylori infection decreased. This decrease was inversely related to socioeconomic improvement as represented by the per capita gross national income growth of Korea. Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori infection has decreased significantly for the past 18 years in Korean children. This decrease might be caused by an improvement in socioeconomic status.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.4 s.59
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• pp.791-804
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• 1997

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is one of the common health problem that has been considered as stress-induced. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between life style and the level of stress and IBS by structured questionnaire which included questions on life style, the self-esteemed gastrointestinal symptoms, and Psychosocial Well-being Index(PWI). Subjects were 1,498 male white collars who get the regular health check and participated in survey at Inje University Health Promotion Center from January to ,December, 1996. The overall prevalence of IBS was 37.5%(561 cases), and the level of stress by PWI score was higher in IBS group$(41.8{\pm}14.2)$ than symptom-free group$(34.6{\pm}12.6)$. As the result of comparison between the two groups, heavier smoking (adjusted O.R=2.48, 95% C.I 1.81-3.41), longer daily working time (adjusted O.R=5.19, 95% C.I 3.59-7.56), stimulatory food materials-mainly hot or salty (adjusted O.R=1.87, 95% C.I 1.44-2.45), higher body mass index (adjusted O.R=1.80, 95% C.I 1.27-2.57), and higher level of stress (adjusted O.R=2.81, 95% C.I 1.80-4.43) were estimated as risk factors of IBS. On the contrary, 6-8 hours sleeping per day (adjusted O.R=0.38 95% C.I 0.21-0.70), 3-4 times exercise per week (adjusted O.R=0.57 95% C.I 0.39-0.83), and tenure more than 20 years (adjusted O.R=0.25 95% C.I 0.16-0.35) were considered as protective factors to IBS. In summary, the assessment of the stress level might be placed in the first priority to control IBS, at least by some degree, which suggested that IBS could be controlled by avoiding such risk factors and by encouraging such protective factors.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.373-379
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• 2008

Objectives ; The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia according to gender, age and Helicobacter pylori infection in a rural population in Korea. Methods: Between April 2003 and January 2007, 713 subjects (298 men and 415 women, age range: 18-85) among the 2,161 adults who participated in a population-based survey received gastrointestinal endoscopy. All the subjects provided informed consent. Multiple biopsy specimens were evaluated for the presence of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. The presence of Helicobacter Pylori was determined using CLO and histology testing. Results ; The age-adjusted prevalence of atrophic gastritis was 42.7% for men and 38.1% for women and the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia was 42.5% for men and 32.7% for women. The prevalence of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia increased significantly with age for both men and women (p for trend<0.001). The age-adjusted prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was similar for men (59.0%) and women (56.7%). The subjects with Helicobacter pylori infection showed a significantly higher prevalence of intestinal metaplasia (44.3%) compared with that (26.8%) of the noninfected subjects (p<0.001). However, the prevalence of atrophic gastritis was not statistically different between the Helicobacter pylori-infected subjects and the noninfected individuals. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that the prevalence of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia is higher for a Korean rural population than that for a Western population; this may be related to the high incidence of gastric cancer in Koreans. Especially, the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia was high for the subjects with Helicobacter pylori infection. The multistep process of gastric carcinogenesis and the various factors contributing to each step of this process need to be determined by conducting future follow-up studies.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.373-381
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• 1990

Endocrine cells in the cardiac and fundic regions of the Korean hedgehog were studied ultrastructurally. Five types of endocrine cells classified as EC, ECL, $D_1$. G and A-like cells were identified in these regions. EC cells contained pleomorphic granules, 170~500nm in diameter, with high electron density and highly dense bodies in a dense matrix. ECL cells were characterized by the presence of round or oval granules, 220~450nm in diameter, with high electron density. Some granules of ECL cells showed a small amounts of contents or empty. $D_1$ cells contained round and relatively small granules, 140~400nm in diameter, with low to moderate electron density. G cells were characterized by the presence of round or oval granules, 200~400nm in diameter, with moderate electron density. Some granules of these cells showed a narrow halo between the limiting membrane and the granular matrix. A-like cells contained round granules, 170~260nm in diameter, With high electron density. The granules of these cells showed homogeneous matrix surrounded by the tight membrane.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.437-446
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• 2014

Problems appear when triptans are taken orally. For example, the bioavailability of triptan is reduced by the digestive system, and the drug level in the blood reduces rapidly over time; there is also a possibility of gastrointestinal disorder. To improve side effects, a transdermal patch has been prepared in hydrogel form. The polymer matrix that makes up the hydrogel uses PVA; PEG is used as an additive to induce inter/intra hydrogen bonding of the PVA and almotriptan drug is added. In addition, to accelerate micro-phase separation between PVA chains, liquid nitrogen is used. In FT-IR analysis, the absorption bands of PVA, PEG, and almotriptan were found. The degree of crystallinity, the water uptake ability and tensile strength were increased with increasing PEG content. In drug release tests, the amount of drug released increased depending on the PEG content. In this study, hydrogels with 10 wt% PEG showed better performance in drug release. Approximately 60% of the total drug amount was released in 2 hr, and the drug continued to release for 1 day. Thus, the prepared hydrogel patch is suitable as a transdermal formulation for the second dose administration of triptans to patients who require recurrent migraine treatment within 24 hr after the first administration.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.220-225
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• 2004

We undertook this study to investigate the effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture on colonic transit time in old age constipation persons. Twenty three volunteers were old age constipation persons(mean age 69.72±2.43 years, mean defecation rate 1.83±0.41/week). Before acupuncture was only to check the radio-opaque markers transit time all the way through gastrointestinal tract. Simple acupuncture was to apply acupuncture therapy for three days. The fourth acupoints(both ST.25, TE.6) were selected and the needle was kept for 15 minutes. Electroacupuncture was same as the simple acupuncture except for applying 2Hz electrical stimulation. After Then we compare with three method Each transit time in the whole colon, right colon, left colon and rectosigmoid colon were checked in the order of before acupuncture, simple acupuncture, and electroacupuncture stimulation. In the before acupuncture stimulation, the transit time in each part of colon was as follows 19.48±1.76 32.74±2.69 25.61±2.13 76.62±7.95 hours. Simple acupuncture stimulation, the transit time was 17.47±1.10 33.10±1.87 24.12±1.65 74.87±3.91 hours. Compared with before acupuncture stimulation, the transit time was significantly shortened(P<0.05), especially in right colon transit time of simple acupuncture stimulation was significantly shortened(P<0.05). Electroacupuncture stimulation, was 16.32±1.97 32.91±2.48 21.53±1.94 71.59±2.82. Compared with the previous two trial, transit time in right colon and rectosigmoid colon were significantly shortened(P<0.05). Acupuncture and electroacupuncture stimulation change on the right colonic transit time in old age constipation persons and rectosigmoid colonic transit time was changed as electroacupuncture stimulation. In other words, old age constipation persons who suffer chronic constipation, acupuncture and electroacupuncture stimulation reduces the total colonic transit time.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.387-391
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• 2007

Recently, much attention has been paid to developing various kinds of fermented herbal extracts, a new type of traditional herbal medicine, in the field of Korean traditional medicine. The fermentation of medicinal herbs is intended to exert a favorable influence on digestability, bioavailavility and pharmacological activity of herbal extract in the gastrointestinal tract. It also produces a number of fermentation products that intensify the nutritional and pharmacological aspects of the medicinal herbs. In order to develop a functional beverage of alleviating the aftereffects of the previous drinks, the extracts (HP-1) of fermented herbal mixture, including Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Lonicera japonica Thunberg, and Hovenia dulcis Thunb., were prepared and the medicinal effect as a hangover cure was evaluated in ethanol-loaded rats. The enzyme activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) were analyzed by measuring the concentration of blood ethanol and acetaldehyde. The mRNA expression of ADH and ALDH2 was also investigated through RT-PCR analysis. In the HP-1-treated group, the concentration of blood ethanol was significantly reduced at one hour after loading of ethanol, as compared to that in the saline-treated group. The reduced ethanol was converted to acetaldehyde, which resulted in rapid increase in acetaldehyde concentration in an hour. Acetaldehyde was started to decrease at 5 hours after ethanol loading. It implies that HP-1 is highly effective to stimulate the activities of ADH and ALDH2. The HP-1 treatment also activated the mRNA expression of ADH and ALDH. This study suggests that fermented herbal extract, HP-1 can be used as a functional beverage of alleviating the alcohol-induced hangover symptoms by stimulating the activities and gene expression of hepatic alcohol metabolizing enzymes.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.161-176
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• 1975

In order to evaluate the epizootiological influence of high-land on cattle feeding, routine hematological observation, with additional examinations of feces and general clinical condition, was conducted comparing the high-land cows resident at altitude of 800 to 1,200 meters in Daegwanryeong to the low-land cows resident at altitudes of less than 100 meters in Samcheok and Gangneung. The high-land cows were divided into 3 groups such as group A, B and C, consisting of 15, 16 and 20 adult cows respectively, and among the 3 groups only group C was exposed to abrupt high-land cold before observation. The low-land cows, that is group D, were consisted of 25 adult cows. The results obtained in the survey were summarized as follows: 1. Number of erythrocytes, concentration of hemoglobin and packed cell volume were remarkably higher (p<0.01) in all of 3 groups (group A, B and C) of high-land cows than trios of low-land cows (group D). These higher values in high-land cows were ascribable to the better feeding and hygienic management, and lesser infestation of small-type Piroplasma (Theileria) and internal parasites in contrast with the low-land cows. 2. Remarkably higher value of mean corpuscular volume (p<0.01) and a tendency to lower value of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were noted in group D in contrast with group A, B and C. The reason was attributed to the higher infestation (p<0.01) of smalltype piroplasma in low-land cows in contrast with high-land cows. 3. It was noticiable that even though lesser infestation of small type Piroplama in the highland cows was shown, a natural case of clinical small-type-piroplasmosis was found in high-land group B as well as a case in the low-land group D. The blood Pattern showed characteristic macrocytic-hypochromic-anemia with increased reticulocytes in both two cases (Table 7). 4. In the observation of leukocytic series, marked increase of eosinophils in group D was seen in accordance with heavy infestation of gastrointestinal nematodes, and increased neutrophils with higher appearance of nonlobulated form and eosinopenia in group C only was observed suggesting the leukocytic response to the cold exposure in high-land. 5. Mean values of thrombocytes in group A,B,C and D were 48.4, 40.7, 42.7 and $32.3{\times}10^4/mm^3$ respcetively, and no statistically significant differences were observed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 2005

The irradiation of radioactive ${\gamma}-ray$ induces apoptosis of radiosensitive organs for homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the repair mechanisms for homeostasis in the small intestine after cell damage by $^{60}Co\;{\gamma}-ray$ irradiation. The apoptosis was most frequently observed in the crypt cells of the small intestine after four and six hours by radioactive ${\gamma}-ray$ irradiation, and the frequency of apoptosis was proportional to the amount of irradiation. Also, the number of apoptotic cells was coincident with expression pattern of p53. Interestingly, PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) which is engaged in DNA replication and repair was expressed in apoptotic cells of small intestinal crypts. Also, it was observed that cell-cycle regulator p21 which is known to induce cell-cycle arrest is co-expressed in the same apoptotic cells of irradiated small intestinal crypt cells. These findings suggest that the co-expression of PCNA and p21 proteins, which may lead to resistance to DNA damage through cell-cycle arrest is closely associated with repair of damaged gastrointestinal cells after ${\gamma}-ray$ irradiation.