• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.640-646
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• 2010

Neosporosis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by Neospora caninum, an intracellular protozoan parasite. It causes economic losses due to reproductive failure. The potential relationship between pregnancy outcomes and levels of IFN${\gamma}$, hormones, and antibodies in naturally N. caninum-infected cows was examined in the blood samples collected every 2 or 4 weeks in 26 pregnant cows from 4 different farms. The mean S/P value of seropositive nonaborting animals (n = 14) reached peak levels 15 weeks prior to parturition, and declined thereafter to parturition. The S/P value 13 weeks prior to abortion in seropositive aborting cows (n=3) remained at high levels, and abortions occurred at 20 (142 days), 26 (185 days), and 28 weeks (199 days) after artificial insemination. IFN${\gamma}$ levels in the seropositive non-aborting group varied by individuals and gestational periods; IFN${\gamma}$ levels stayed at elevated levels or increased abruptly close to abortion in seropositive aborting cows. IFN${\gamma}$ level patterns in the seronegative group (n = 9) were similar to the seropositive non-aborting group, although IFN${\gamma}$ amounts were lower than the seropositive group. The mean progesterone levels in the seropositive non-aborting and seronegative groups decreased markedly 7 weeks prior to parturition. The mean progesterone levels 5 and 7 weeks prior to abortion were lower than the other groups 5 and 7 weeks prior to parturition. The mean 17${\beta}$-estradiol levels in the seropositive aborting cows increased close to abortion; the produced amounts were lower than those of seropositive non-aborting and seronegative groups close to parturition. These results suggested that lower levels of progesterone and ${\beta}$-estradiol in Neospora-infected cows may lead to increases in IFN${\gamma}$ production and in turn may result in abortion.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.736-744
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• 2007

Leptin, as an adipocyte-derived hormone, is an important regulator of food intake and energy expenditure. In the cross-sectional study, leptin was shown to be positively related to body adiposity and metabolic disorders in adults. However, there were very few studies which reported the leptin as a predictor of weight gain over time. We examined whether serum leptin can be used as an indicator of the present and 1-year past weight status in very young children. First grade students from elementary schools in Gwacheon City were enrolled in the study since 2005. The study subjects(total 375 students; 195 boys and 180 girls) participated in the investigation of both 2005 and 2006. Physical examinations including height, weight, waist circumference were done. To examine the prevalence of obesity, obesity index was used. Serum leptin was measured, and their nutritional status was also evaluated based on 3-Day dietary records. Serum leptin levels were strongly positively related with the value of the present BMI and with the value of the BMI one year before. We found no association with leptin levels and amount of energy intake and macronutrient intake in this children population. Children were divided into three groups according to leptin tertiles. The highest leptin tertile group showed highest prevalence of obesity in year 2006 as well as in year 2005. Serum leptin levels can reflect the weight status now and as well as 1-year before. Possibly serum leptin levels can predict the weight gain of year later. Without an action against the obesity on children with high leptin level, those children would maintain the excess adiposity growth and progress into the obesity-related metabolic disorders. Further studies are needed to predict the obesity as early as possible and preventive system then after.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.552-557
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• 2007

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone that is primarily synthesized by the ventricular cardiac myocytes. Increased plasma BNP levels have been observed in patients suffering with congestive heart failure, ventricular hypertrophy and myocaridits and also during heart transplantation rejection. We investigated the serum BNP level as a predictive marker for rejection after heart transplantation. Material and Method: To test the usefulness of measuring the BNP level in cardiac transplant patients, consecutive blood samplings for BNP, right ventricular endomyocardial biopsies, hemodynamic measurements and transthoracic echocardiogram were all done in 10 such patients between January 2004 and August 2005 at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Asan Medical Center. Two groups were identified with using the median value: the low BNP group (n=28, BNP: ${\le}290$ pg/mL) and the high BNP group (n=29, BNP: >290 pg/mL). We retrospectively analyzed rejection, the ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy, the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the right atrial pressure between the 2 groups. Result: There were no differences in age, gender, rejection, the ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy and the right atrial pressure between the 2 groups (p>0.05). However, a higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and a higher mean pulmonary atrial pressure were observed in the high BNP group (p<0.05). Further, BNP has linear correlation with the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r=0.590, p<0.001). Using the cut-off value of 620 pg/mL, the BNP predicted a high PCWP (>12 mmHg) with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 91.1% (AUC: $0.900{\pm}0.045$, p<0.001). Conclusion: The BNP level after heart transplantation does not show any significant correlation with rejection, yet it might be a predictive marker of ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 1978

The diurnal pattern of leaf water potential in cuttings by Dye Method was as follows: 1. Diurnal pattern of leaf water potential (${\psi}_l$) in Viburnum Awabuki K. Koch and Daphne odora Thunb. was shown the pattern of the curves without mutual relation with soil classes when soil water potential (${\psi}_s$) was 0 bar. When ${\psi}_s$ was above -0.01 bar, the cuttings in the loamy sand (L.S.) was shown by the maximum values than that in sandy clay (S.C.) by about -1 bar gap (Fig. 1). 2. The diurnal changes of ${\psi}_l$ was shown the most high from two to eight O'clock in the morning, the maximum value was -3 bars when ${\psi}_s$ was above -0.01 to -0.02 bar, and was -4 bars below -0.03 bar. The diurnal the lowest values of ${\psi}_l$ showed -20 to -22 bars from one to two O'clock in the afternoon. In the fifteenth day after cutting V.A., the staying time in the diurnal maximum values of ${\psi}_l$ is about half in comparison with it in the fifth day. The curves of recovery of water stress (Fig. 1), the former reached to the diurnal maximum values -1 to -2 bars lately every hours comparing with it of the latter. The general diurnal pattern of ${\psi}_l$ was most clearly related to change with air temperature and the relative humitidy. 3. Comparing the treatment block by IAA 50 ppm with controlled block in fifteenth day after V.A. cuttings, in case of treatment reached to maximum values -2 to -3 bars lately as shown Fig. 2., and also staying times was only half in comparison with controlled block. 4. The cuttings 4 leafs was much rootings than 2 leafs in V.A. (Table. 1), and the former reached maximum value -2 to -3 bars lately every hours comparing with the latter. 5. In case of Buxus microphylla var. Koreana as shown Fig. 3., comparing the pattern curves of in the cuttings 8 leafs with 4 leafs, the former reached to maximum values -2 to -3 bars lately in comparison with the latter, but reffering to the amount of rooting (Table. 2), the former is less than the latter.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.464-468
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• 2008

Purpose: Effective half life of I-131 ($T_{eff}$) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer treated by I-131 is must-know value for dose calculation and determination of release time from isolation room. There has been no report about $T_{eff}$ in Koreans. Thus, author tried to measure dose rate without radiation exposure to faculty members and calculated $T_{eff}$. Methods: Probe of radiation survey meter was fixed at the wall of isolation room, and body of survey meter was placed outside the room. With this simple arrangement, author could measure radiation frequently without radiation exposure to faculty members in 68 patient (F=55, M=13, age=$47{\pm}13.7$) treated by I-131 ($3.7{\sim}7.4\;GBq$) for differentiated thyroid cancer from Jan 2006 to Dec 2006. From this data, $T_{eff}$, 48 hr retention rate, and the time necessary to whole body retention of I-131 become less than 1.1 GBq were calculated. Serum creatinine levels were measured before and after thyroid hormone withdrawal. Results: $T_{eff}$ was $15.4{\pm}4.3\;hr$ ($9.4{\sim}32.5\;hr$). There was a loose correlation between $T_{eff}$ and serum creatinine concentration (r=0.45). 48hr retention was $4.9{\pm}4.2%$ ($1{\sim}23%$). Time necessary to whole body retention of I-131 become less than 1.1 GBq was calculated as $47.1{\pm}13.2\;hr$ for 9.25 GBq, $42.1{\pm}11.9\;hr$ for 7.4 GBq, $35.7{\pm}10.0\;hr$ for 5.55 GBq, and $26.7{\pm}7.5\;hr$ for 3.7 GBq dose of I-131. Conclusion: Author successfully measured radiation dose rates in isolated patients treated by high dose of I-131 without radiation exposure to the faculty members with simple arrangement of survey meter probe. Using those data, $T_{eff}$ and some other indices were calculated.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 1999

Objectives: The aims of this study are 1) to determine if GAST is a better indicator in predicting ovarian response to COH compared with patient's age or basal FSH level and 2) to evaluate its role in detecting abnormal ovarian response. Design: Prospective study in 118 patients undergoing IVF-ET using GnRH-a short protocol during May-September 1995. Materials and Methods: After blood sampling for basal FSH and estradiol $(E_2)$ on cycle day two, 0.5ml (0.525mg) GnRH agonist ($Suprefact^{(r)}$, Hoechst) was injected subcutaneously. Serum $E_2$ was measured 24 hours later. Initial $E_2$ difference $({\Delta}E_2)$ was defined as the change in $E_2$ on day 3 over the baseline day 2 value. Sixteen patients with ovarian cyst or single ovary or incorrect blood collection time were excluded from the analysis. The patients were divided into three groups by ${\Delta}E_2$; group A (n=30):${\Delta}E_2$<40 pg/ml, group B (n=52): 40 pg/ml${\leq}{\Delta}E_2$<100 pg/ml, group C (n=20): ${\Delta}E_2{\leq}100$ pg/ml. COH was done by GnRH agonist/HMG/hCG and IVF-ET was followed. Ratio of $E_2$ on day of hCG injection over the number of ampules of gonadotropins used ($E_2hCGday$/Amp) was regarded as ovarian responsiveness. Poor ovarian response and overstimulation were defined as $E_2$ hCGday less than 600 pg/ml and greater than 5000 pg/ml, respectively. Results: Mean age $({\pm}SEM)$ in group A, B and C were $33.7{\pm}0.8^*,\;31.5{\pm}0.6\;and\;30.6{\pm}0.5^*$, respectively ($^*$: p<0.05). Mean basal FSH level of group $A(11.1{\pm}1.1mlU/ml)$ was significantly higher than those of $B(7.4{\pm}0.2mIU/ml)$ and C $(6.8{\pm}0.4mIU/ml)$ (p<0.001). Mean $E_2hCGday$ of group A was significantly lower than those of group B or C, i.e., $1402.1{\pm}187.7pg/ml,\;3153.2{\pm}240.0pg/ml,\;4078.8{\pm}306.4pg/ml$ respectively (p<0.0001). The number of ampules of gonadotropins used in group A was significantly greater than those in group B or C: $38.6{\pm}2.3,\;24.2{\pm}1.1\;and\;18.5{\pm}1.0$ (p<0.0001). The number of oocytes retrieved in group A was significantly smaller than those in group B or C: $6.4{\pm}1.1,\;15.5{\pm}1.1\;and\;18.6{\pm}1.6$, respectively (p<0.0001). By stepwise multiple regression, only ${\Delta}E_2$ showed a significant correlation (r=0.68, p<0.0001) with $E_2HCGday$/Amp, while age or basal FSH level were not significant. Likewise, only ${\Delta}E_2$ correlated significantly with the number of oocytes retrieved (r=0.57, p<0.001). All four patients whose COH was canceled due to poor ovarian response belonged to group A only (Fisher's exact test, p<0.01). Whereas none of 30 patients in group A (0%) had overstimulation, 14 patients among 72 patients (19.4%) in group B and C had overstimulation (Fisher's exact test, p<0.01). Conclusions: These data suggest that initial $E_2$ difference after GAST may be a better prognostic indicator of ovarian response to COH than age or basal FSH level. Since initial $E_2$ difference demonstrates significant association with abnormal ovarian response such as poor ovarian response necessitating cycle cancellation or overstimulation, GAST may be helpful in monitoring and consultation of patients during COH in IVF-ET cycle.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2005

A study was conducted on three pollination methods on oriental melon(sageageol-ggul) grafting with pumpkin(seongjutozoa) for the labor-saving and to improve fruit set. Fruit weight, flesh thickness and fruit setting rate of oriental melon were greater in growth regulators treatment than those of pollinated by bees. Sugar content and hardness of fruits pollinated by bees were higher than those of by growth regulators. From the last ten days of the February to the first ten days of the March, fruit setting rate was $95\%$ in fruit setting growth regulators, whereas it was $46\%$ and $45\%$ in pollinated by honey and bumble bee, respectively. After the middle of March, the percentage of fruit setting was >$98\%$ in all the pollination methods. The cultivation under plastic houses of oriental melon, suitable fruiting time far the pollination by bees was decided after middle days of the March. Chromaticity and especially the value of 'a' of fruit of oriental melon pollinated by bees were higher than those of growth regulators. The percentage of fermented fruits of bee pollinated and growth regulators treated was $6.7\~9.1\%\;and\;28.1\%$, respectively. The weight of 100 seeds of bees pollinated were higher than that of growth regulators. The more increased the weight of 100 seeds the less appeared the rate of fermented fruits. The percentage of marketable fruits of the honey and bumble bee pollinated and that of growth regulators treated was $82\%,\;80.3\%\;and\;62.5\%$, respectively. The decreasing rate of fruit weight during storage of bees pollinated was less than those of growth regulators. In these results, the introduction of honey bee and bumble bee for the pollination of oriental melon was able to labor-saving of fruit set and increase of fruit quality.