• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.307-318
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• 2015

The objectives of this study were to identify multi-level stressors from blood biomarkers to community-level bioindicators and diagnose the stream ecosystem health in polluted streams. Blood chemistry such as total protein ($T_{Pro}$), blood urea nitrogen ($B_{UN}$), total cholesterol ($T_{Cho}$) and $A_{lb}$umin ($A_{lb}$) were analyzed from sentinel fish tissues; the functions of kidney, gill and liver were significantly decreased in the impacted zone ($I_z$), compared to the control zone ($C_z$). Histopathological analysis showed that fish liver tissues were normal in the $C_z$. Fish liver tissues in the $I_z$, however, showed large cell necrosis and degeneration and also had moderate lobular inflammation and inflammatory cell infiltration of lymphocytic histocytes. Species biotic index (SBI) at species level and stream health assessment (SHA) at community level indicated that chemical impacts were evident in the $I_z$ (ecological health; poor - very poor), and this was matched with the blood tissue analysis and histopathological analysis. The impairments of the streams were supported by water chemistry analysis (nitrogen, phosphorus). Tolerance guild analysis and trophic guild analysis of fish were showed significant differences (P < 0.01) between $C_z$ and $I_z$. Overall, multiple parameter analysis from biomarker level (blood tissues) to bioindicator level (community health) showed significantly greater impacts in the $I_z$ than $C_z$. This approach may be effective as a monitoring tool in identifying the multilateral and forthcoming problems related to chemical pollution and habitat degradation of stream ecosystems.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권11호
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• pp.594-599
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• 2020

Lin28a has diverse functions including regulation of cancer, reprogramming and regeneration, but whether it promotes injury or is a protective reaction to renal injury is unknown. We studied how Lin28a acts in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis following unilateral ureteral obstruction, in a mouse model. We further defined the role of Lin28a in transforming growth factor (TGF)-signaling pathways in renal fibrosis through in vitro study using human tubular epithelium-like HK-2 cells. In the mouse unilateral ureteral obstruction model, obstruction markedly decreased the expression of Lin28a, increased the expression of renal fibrotic markers such as type I collagen, α-SMA, vimentin and fibronectin. In TGF-β-stimulated HK-2 cells, the expression of Lin28a was reduced and the expression of renal fibrotic markers such as type I collagen, α-SMA, vimentin and fibronectin was increased. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Lin28a inhibited the expression of TGF-β-stimulated type I collagen, α-SMA, vimentin and fibronectin. Lin28a inhibited TGF-β-stimulated SMAD3 activity, via inhibition of SMAD3 phosphorylation, but not the MAPK pathway ERK, JNK or p38. Lin28a attenuates renal fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy, making its mechanism a possible therapeutic target for chronic kidney disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권9호
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• pp.4071-4075
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• 2015

Background: Retinoblastoma protein-interacting zinc finger gene 1(RIZ1) functions as a tumor suppressor. Hypermethylation-mediated RIZ1 silencing has been reported in several cancers, but not in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) yet. Materials and Methods: We examined the RIZ1 expression and methylation in a panel of RCC cell lines and 50 primary tumors using semiquantitative/quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), methylation specific PCR, and bisulfite sequencing genomic. We also explored the relationship between methylation status of RIZ1 and clinicopathological features in RCC patients. Results: RIZ1 expression was down-regulated or lost in OS-RC-2, 769-P, Caki-1, 786-O and A498 RCC cell lines. Restored expression of RIZ1 was detected after addition of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine with/without trichostatin A, suggesting that DNA methylation directly mediates its silencing. The RIZ1 expression was significantly reduced in RCCs compared to adjacent non-malignant renal samples (P<0.001). Aberrant methylation was detected in 15 of 50 (30%) RCCs and in 2 of 28 (7%) adjacent non-malignant renal samples (P=0.02). No statistically significant correlation between methylated and unmethylated cases with regard to age, gender, pathological stage and grade was observed. Conclusions: RIZ1 expression is down-regulated in human RCC, and this down-regulation is associated with methylation. RIZ1 methylation may play a role in renal carcinogenesis.

• 대한안전경영과학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.289-294
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• 2014

The purpose of this report is to discuss the obtained findings gathered from ultrasound screenings of the liver. After running diagnostic tests health, screens were then conducted to analyze and compare the gained results. This data was then charted and used to strengthen our theorized hypothesis. From January 2013 to June 2013 a recorded 2906 people over the age of 20 visited Health Promotion Centers in various areas throughout Daejeon. Of those 2906 participants 1789 underwent screenings for abdominal ultrasonography; these participants as well as their ultrasound results were used as the bases of our study. For the establishment of our baseline and the comparison of our results, we gathered case-controlled studies from various reputable sources. Both the control and the experimental groups were tested to measure the following liver enzymes (AST, ALT, r-GTP, ALP, and etc.). Kidney functions were measured as well enzymes such as BUN, Creatinine, and Uric Acids levels were analyzed and recorded to see if any relationships existed between the levels documented in the liver and those in the kidneys. It was shown that the two primary causes of fat build up within the liver were significantly connected to obesity BMI(OR=4.14) and waist circumference(OR=3.88).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.867-872
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• 2012

Background: $FOXP3^+$ regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit effector T cell functions and are implicated in tumour progression. However, together with microvessel density (MVD) they remain controversial prognostic predictors for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and potential associations have yet to be determined. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of Tregs and MVD and their potential relationship in RCCs. Design: Paraffin-embedded tissues from 62 RCC patients were analysed using immunohistochemistry to detect $FOXP3^+$ lymphocytes, and double immunohistochemistry to detect different microvessel types in the tumour interior, rim and normal kidney tissue, and their correlation with clinicopathological characteristics. Survival analysis was also performed. Results: The presence of $FOXP3^+$ cells in the tumour interior or the rim showed no correlation with death from RCC and other pathological characteristics. Negative correlations were noted between the immature MVD in the tumour interior or the rim and tumour size, tumour stage and overall survival; however, there was no correlation with the nuclear grade or pathological type. A positive correlation between $FOXP3^+$ Tregs and immature MVD (r=0.363, P=0.014) and mature MVD (r=0.383, P=0.009) was confirmed in the tumour interior. However, there was no correlation between $FOXP3^+$ Tregs and mature MVD (r=0.281, P=0.076) or immature MVD (r=0.064, P=0.692) in the tumour rim. Conclusions: In this study, a positive correlation between the presence of $FOXP3^+$ Tregs and immature and mature MVD in RCC was confirmed, which suggests a link between suppression of immunity, tumour angiogenesis and poor prognosis.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.55-63
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the safety of Bangpungtongsung-san in rats. Methods : The safety of this prescription on acute toxicity was evaluated by single dose toxicity study. Rats were orally administrated in a single dose of 0 and 2,000 mg/kg(limited dose) Bangpungtongsung-san. There were 7 rats in each groups. All animals were sacrificed after 14 days of treatment. After single administration, mortality, clinical signs, and body weight changes were observed for 14 days. Three parameters(autopsy finding, clinical chemistry, and hematology) were tested on the last day. Results : In this study with rats, Bangpungtongsung-san treatment did not show any acute toxicity. No mortality was noted for 14 days of treatment. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight changes, and autopsy finding at all treatment groups. The clinical chemistry parameters attesting to liver and kidney functions as well as the hematological parameters were within the normal ranges. Conclusions : It is considered that $LD_{50}$ of Bangpungtongsung-san is over 2,000 mg/kg in oral administration by rats. This finding of the safety of Bangpungtongsung-san is expected to strengthen the position of this prescription as nontoxic medicine.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.11-23
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• 1984

Epizootiolosical factors of 166 cows with abomasal displacement were studied and in 21 out of 166 cows, the functions of liver and kidney were also tested. 1. Incidence of abomasal displacement was perdominant in small sized dairy herd less than 15 cows, using area of paddock below 165㎡. 2. Out of 166 cows with abomasal displacement, 116 cows (70%) were found left sided displacement and 50 cows (30%) were right. 3. Generally, one to two weeks were taken before treatment of veterinarian following onset of sign of the diseases. Therefore many cases were found to be severe in their illness. 4, Incidence rate of abomasal displacement was predominant in summer season (June, July and Au-gust). However, occurence of the disease was continuous throughout the year. About 80 percent of abomasal displacement was distributed from first to third purturition. 5. High milk production and feeding with high concentrates and low roughage showed a tendendy to occurs the disease. 6. Approximately 75% of abomasal displacement was distributed within 1 month pre and post partum. 7. Cows with abomasal displacement consumed little concetrates and 75% of cows with abomasal displacement passed abnormal fecal material. 8. Sixty six out of 166 cows with abomsal displacement were coincident with diseases such as retained placenta, metritis, traumatic reticulo-peritonitis and mastitis. 9. In many cass of abomasal displacement, abomasum was extended with gas. 10. Activities of AST ana LDH showed the trends to reduce after surgical intervention comparing with pre-surgery. Bilirubin concentration markedly decreased after surgical treatment comparing with pre-surgery. 11. The concentration of BUN and creatinine moderatly decreased after surgery compared with pre-surgery.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.298-307
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of adjunctive herbal therapy combined with conventional therapy on antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) treatment. Methods : The medical records of 25 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center between January 1, 2009 and January 30, 2010 were reviewed. The charts were analyzed for the general characteristics, site of infection, predominant bacteria, antibiotic treatment, herbal medicine treatment, effect on liver and kidney functions, and the effect of therapy on diarrheal duration. Results : 48% of the 25 patients were male while 52% were female. The average age was 67.2 years old. The most commonly used antibiotic was fluoroquinolone (40.0%) and the most commonly used herbal medicine was Samchulkunbi-tang (24.0%). The average diarrheal duration was 8.9 days. No significant change in hepatic and renal function was discovered before and after treatment with herbal medicine. Conclusions : The results suggest that herbal therapy would be a safe and effective treatment for AAD. Further study investigating the usage of herbal medicine in AAD treatment is anticipated.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.23-27
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• 2001

Fanconi-Bickel Syndrome (FBS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of carbohydrate metabolism recently demonstrated to be caused by mutations in the GLUT 2 gene for the glucose transporter protein 2 expressed in liver, pancreas, intestine, and kidney. This disease is characterized by hepatorenal glycogen accumulation, both fasting hypoglycemia as well as postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperglactosemia, and generalized proximal renal tubular dysfunctions. We report the first Korean patient with FBS diagnosed based on clinical manifestations and identification of a novel mutation in the GLUT 2 gene. She was initially diagnosed having a neonatal diabetes mellitus due to hyperglycemia and glycosuria at 3 days after birth. In addition, newborn screening for galactosemia revealed hypergalactosemia. Thereafter, she has been managed with lactose free milk, insulin therapy. However, she failed to grow and her liver has been progressively enlarging. Her liver functions were progressively deteriorated with increased prothrombin time. Liver biopsy done at age 9 months indicated micronodular cirrhosis with marked fatty changes. She succubmed to hepatic failiure with pneumonia at 10 months of age. Laboratory tests indicated she had generalized proximal renal tubular dysfuctions; renal tubular acidosis, hypophosphatemic rickets, and generalized aminoaciduria. Given aforementioned findings, the diagnosis of FBS was appreciated at age of 2 months. The DNA sequencing analysis of the GLUT 2 gene using her genomic DNA showed a novel mutation at 5th codon; Lysine5 Stop (K5X).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.89-95
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• 2012

Poncirus trifoliata fruit (PTF) affects the digestive and cardiovascular systems, and kidney function. The authors studied the effects of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of PTF on the activities of osteoblasts and in an animal model. The main compounds of the EtOAc extract, naringin and poncirin have been confirmed by HPLC and NMR analysis. Effects of osteoblastic differentiation were measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteopontin (OPN) protein expression and osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA expression in MC3T3-E1 cells. Also, osteoclast differentiation was measured by multinucleated cells (MNCs) formation through tartrate resistance acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive staining. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured before and after treatment with EtOAc extract of PTF in prednisolone-induced osteoporotic mice. Dexamethasone (DEX) decreased OPN and OPG expression level in MC3T3-E1 cells and ALP activity was decreased by DEX dose-dependently. EtOAc extract of PTF recovered the levels of ALP activity, and the expression of OPN and OPG in MC3T3-E1 cells treated with DEX. In osteoclast differentiation, multinucleated TRAP-positive cell formation was significantly suppressed by the EtOAc extract of PTF. Total body BMD was restored by EtOAc extract of PTF in prednisolone-induced osteoporotic mice. In conclusion, EtOAc extract of PTF recovered DEX-mediated deteriorations in osteoblastic and osteoclastic functions, and increased BMD in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.