• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.100-108
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• 2015

Purpose: Conventional methods for the prenatal detection of fetal RhD status involve invasive procedures such as fetal blood sampling and amniocentesis. The identification of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal plasma creates the possibility of determining fetal RhD status by analyzing maternal plasma DNA. However, some technical problems still exist, especially the lack of a positive control marker for the presence of fetal DNA. Therefore, we assessed the feasibility and accuracy of fetal RHD genotyping incorporating the RASSF1A epigenetic fetal DNA marker from cffDNA in the maternal plasma of RhD-negative pregnant women in Korea. Materials and Methods: We analyzed maternal plasma from 41 pregnant women identified as RhD-negative by serological testing. Multiplex real-time PCR was performed by amplifying RHD exons 5 and 7 and the SRY gene, with RASSF1A being used as a gender-independent fetal epigenetic marker. The results were compared with those obtained by postnatal serological analysis of cord blood and gender identification. Results: Among the 41 fetuses, 37 were RhD-positive and 4 were RhD-negative according to the serological analysis of cord blood. There was 100% concordance between fetal RHD genotyping and serological cord blood results. Detection of the RASSF1A gene verified the presence of cffDNA, and the fetal SRY status was correctly detected in all 41 cases. Conclusion: Noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping with cffDNA incorporating RASSF1A is a feasible, reliable, and accurate method of determining fetal RhD status. It is an alternative to amniocentesis for the management of RhD-negative women and reduces the need for unnecessary RhIG prophylaxis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.247-251
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• 2010

Feline intestinal tritrichomoniasis by Tritrichomonas foetus was first recognized in USA in 1999 and has so far been reported from UK, Norway, Switzerland, and Australia, but not from the Far East Asian countries. In November 2008, 2 female and male littermate Siamese cats, 6-month old, raised in a household in Korea were referred from a local veterinary clinic with a history of chronic persistent diarrhea. A direct smear examination of fecal specimens revealed numerous trichomonad trophozoites which were isolated by the fecal culture in $InPouch^{TM}$ TF-Feline medium. A PCR testing of the isolate based on the amplification of a conserved portion of the T. foetus internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5.8S rRNA gene, and the molecular sequencing of the PCR amplicons confirmed infection with T. foetus. This is the first clinical case of feline intestinal trichomoniasis caused by T. foetus in Korea.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.150-156
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• 2024

This retrospective case series assessed the effectiveness of commercially available oral fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for treating chronic enteropathies in eight animals, five dogs, and three cats, between 2020 and 2023 at the Seoul National University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Chronic enteropathies, often resistant to conventional therapies, present a significant challenge in veterinary medicine. To assess oral capsule FMT's effectiveness (Doggybiome^® one capsule daily for dogs and Kittybiome^® one capsule daily for cats) as a universal adjunctive therapy for chronic enteropathies across species not responding to traditional treatments. This retrospective case series applied a uniform evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms and treatment efficacy, utilizing established scoring systems (Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index [CIBDAI] and Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index [CCECAI] for dogs, Feline Chronic Enteropathy Activity Index [FCEAI] for cats) before and one month after FMT. This approach ensured consistency in hypothesis testing across the study population. Results revealed significant improvements in clinical indices post-FMT, with notable reductions in the CIBDAI, CCECAI, and FCEAI scores (p < 0.05). Additionally, symptoms such as anorexia, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss showed marked improvement, with normalization of appetite and activity levels observed in most cases. No adverse effects were reported, indicating the safety and tolerability of this treatment. This study highlights the potential of oral capsule FMT as a viable therapeutic option for dogs and cats with chronic enteropathies unresponsive to conventional treatments, providing a new avenue for clinical management. Further research is warranted to expand these findings and explore the microbiome changes associated with FMT in veterinary patients.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.166-170
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• 2019

Objectives: Attentional and memory functions are important aspects of neural plasticity that, theoretically, should be amenable to pharmacopuncture treatments. A previous study from our laboratory suggested that quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) measurements of theta/beta ratio (TBR), an index of attentional control, may be indicative of academic performance in a first-semester medical school course. The present study expands our prior report by extracting and analyzing data on frontal theta and beta asymmetries. We test the hypothesis that the amount of frontal theta and beta asymmetries (fTA, fBA), are correlated with TBR and academic performance, thereby providing novel targets for pharmacopuncture treatments to improve cognitive performance. Methods: Ten healthy male volunteers were subjected to 5-10 min of qEEG measurements under eyes-closed conditions. The qEEG measurements were performed 3 days before each of first two block examinations in anatomy-physiology, separated by five weeks. Amplitudes of the theta and beta waveforms, expressed in ${\mu}V$, were used to compute TBR, fTA and fBA. Significance of changes in theta and beta EEG wave amplitude was assessed by ANOVA with post-hoc t-testing. Correlations between TBR, fTA, fBA and the raw examination scores were evaluated by Pearson's product-moment coefficients and linear regression analysis. Results: fTA and fBA were found to be negatively correlated with TBR (P<0.03, P<0.05, respectively) and were positively correlated with the second examination score (P<0.03, P=0.1, respectively). Conclusion: Smaller fTA and fBA were associated with lower academic performance in the second of two first-semester medical school anatomy-physiology block examination. Future studies should determine whether these qEEG metrics are useful for monitoring changes associated with the brain's cognitive adaptations to academic challenges, for predicting academic performance and for targeting phamacopuncture treatments to improve cognitive performance.

• 한국가스학회지
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.7-16
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• 2012

화재시 당면할 수 있는 위험성의 여러 인자 가운데 연소 독성 영향은 피난 및 최종 생존에 중요한 영향을 미치고 있다. 화재 독성에 지금까지 대한 대부분의 연구는 치사 측면에 국한되어 왔다. 이에 본 연구에서는 대표적인 질식성 가스인 HCN을 대상으로 가스유해성시험방법(KS F 2271)을 통하여 실험동물(흰쥐)에 직접 독성가스를 흡입시킨 후 평균행동정지시간을 측정하고, 이들 실험동물군의 내부 장기 변화, 혈액학 분석 및 단세포전기영동분석을 통해 연소 독성가스가 생체에 미치는 영향을 정량적으로 분석하고자 하였으며, 기존 가스유해성시험에서 확인할 수 없었던 접근(병리검사, 혈액검사, 혈액생화학검사, 단세포전기영동분석)을 통해 연소 독성학 분야의 생물학적 위험도를 측정하고자 하였다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.3309-3315
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• 2016

Helicobacter pylori as the second most common cause of gastric cancer in the world infects approximately half of the developed countries population and 80% of the population living in developing countries. Integrons as genetic reservoirs play major roles in dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report carriage of class 1 and 2 integrons and associated gene cassettes in H. pylori isolates from Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran among 110 patients with H. pylori infection. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for H. pylori strains were assessed by the micro broth dilution method. Class 1 and 2 integrons were detected using PCR. In order to determine gene cassettes, amplified fragments were subjected to DNA sequencing of both amplicon strands. The prevalence of resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, clarithromycin, tetracycline, amoxicillin, rifampin, and levofloxacin were 68.2% (n=75), 25.5% (n=28), 24.5% (n=27), 19.1% (n=21), 18.2% (n=20) and 16.4% (n=18), respectively. Frequency of multidrug resistance among H. pylori isolates was 12.7%. Class 2 integron was detected in 50 (45.5%) and class 1 integron in 10 (9.1%) H. pylori isolates. The most predominant gene cassette arrays in class 2 integron-bearing H. pylori were included sat-era-aadA1, dfrA1-sat2-aadA1, blaoxa2 and, aadB whereas common gene cassette arrays in class 1 integron were aadB-aadA1-cmlA6, aacA4, blaoxa2, and catB3. The high frequency of class 2 integron and multidrug resistance in the present study should be considered as a warning for clinicians that continuous surveillance is necessary to prevent the further spread of resistant isolates.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.138-143
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• 2015

Glycogen storage disease type IX (GSD IX) is caused by a defect in phosphorylase b kinase (PhK) that results from mutations in the PHKA2, PHKB, and PHKG2 genes. Patients usually manifest recurrent ketotic hypoglycemia with growth delay, but some may present simple hepatomegaly. Although GSD IX is one of the most common causes of GSDs, its biochemical and genetic diagnosis has been problematic due to its rarity, phenotypic overlap with other types of GSDs, and genetic heterogeneities. In our report, a 22-month-old boy with GSD IX is described. No other manifestations were evident except for hepatomegaly. His growth and development also have been proceeding normally. Diagnosed was made by histologic examination, an enzyme assay, and genetic testing with known c.3210_3212del (p.Arg1070del) mutation in PHKA2 gene.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.144-158
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Korean medical treatment in case of germ cell tumor patient treated by chemotherapy. Methods: The patient was treated with Korean medical treatment (herbal medicine, acupuncture) for 11 months. By taking computed tomography and laboratory testing, we could compare before and after. Results: The patient treated with combination of Korean medical treatment and Chemotherapy recovered after taking Korean medicine for 11 months. Panax ginseng, C.A. Meyer, Astragalus membranaceus, Rhus Verniciflua Stokes were main ingredient of the korean medical treatment. Conclusions: This report shows the Korean medical treatment is effective on Germ cell tumor patient. Korean medical treatment alleviates the side-effect of Chemotherapy such as nausea, vomiting, hot flush and anorexia. Also Blood test results prove long-term use of Korean medicine is safe for lung and kidney function.

• 핵의학기술
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.117-120
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• 2011

Glucagon은 췌장 Langerhans섬 ${\alpha}$-세포에서 합성 분비되며, 기능으로는 간 당원분해, 지방분해, 인슐린분비 촉진 작용 등이 있다. Glucagon의 측정은 Glucagon 과잉증에 의한 당뇨병, 특발성 Glucagon 결손증, 불안정 당뇨병에서 저혈당의 진단을 하기위해 실시된다. Glucagon 측정시 세 가지 주의를 요하는데, 첫째, Aprotinin이 첨가된 EDTA tube에 채혈해야 하고 둘째, Plasma를 분리하여 Glass tube에 냉동 보관하여야 하고, 마지막으로 검사시에도 Glass tube에서 측정을 해야 한다. 이에 우리는 EDTA tube에 Aprotinin의 유무에 따른 결과 비교, 검체 보관 용기의 차이에 따른 비교(Plastic tube/ Glass tube), 측정용기에 따른 비교(Plastic tube/Glass tube)를 하여, 세 가지가 결과에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 한다. 성별 구분 없이 건강검진에서 정상 소견을 보인 성인 40명을 대상으로 실험하여 대조군과 세가지 다른 실험군의 Glucagon 결과를 비교하였다. Aprotinin첨가한 EDTA 용기에 채혈 후, 검체를 Glass tube에 3일 냉동 보관하여 Glass tube에서 실험(대조군)한 결과와 Aprotinin첨가하지 않은 EDTA 용기에 채혈한 결과(실험군1), Plastic tube에 3일 냉동 보관한 후의 결과(실험군2), Plastic tube에서 실험(실험군3)한 결과를 비교하였다. 통계적인 분석은 SPSS를 이용한 paired t-test와 단순선형회귀분석을 실시하였고 시약은 상품화된 Siemens사의 Glucagon RIA kit를 사용하였다. Aprotinin이 첨가된 EDTA 용기에 채혈하여 실험한 결과와 Aprotinin이 첨가되지 않은 EDTA용기에 채혈하여 실험한 상관계수는 r=0.783(p=0.064)를 보였다. 검체 분리 후 Plastic tube에서 3일 냉동 보관하여 실험한 결과는 Glass tube의 결과에 비해서 유의하게 낮게 나타났다(r=0.979, p=0.005). 또 측정 시 Plastic tube를 사용한 결과도 Glass tube에서 실험한 결과보다 유의하게 낮게 나타났다(r=0.754, p<0.001). Glucagon 검사 시에는 단백 분해효소 억제제인 Aprotinin이 첨가된 EDTA tube 사용이 권장되며, Plastic tube 사용 시 환자의 결과가 유의하게 낮게 나타나므로 검체는 분리 후 Glass tube에 냉동 보관하고 Glass tube에서 실험하여야 한다.

• 한국건강관리협회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.9-25
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• 2004

Along with a development of medical technology, a variety of tests, such as laboratory tests, x-ray and endoscopies are being used in health screening tests. As the tests determine the quality of health screening, test items of major health screening program in Korea. Most, of the health screening programmes focused upon detection of risk factors and diagnosis of life-style related diseases(diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, overweight, drinking, smoking, cerebrovascular diseases, osteoporosis), cancers(stomach, cervix, lung, breast, liver, colon, prostate, ovary, pancreas, thyroid, esophagus), infections diseases(hepatitis, tuberculosis, sexually-transmitted diseases, parasites), chronic obstructive respiratory diseases, chronic renal diseases(bacteriuria, hematuria, proteinuria), anemia, glaucoma, hearing loss, Alzheimer disease, stress and earlypsychiatric diseases. The health screening tests were basic physical examination, basic laboratory tests( CBC, urinalysis, liver function tests, lipid tests, glucose, HbA1c, uric acid, electrolytes, serological tests(HBsAg, HBs-Ab, HCV-Ab, HIV-Ab, VDRL) EKG, x-ray(chest PA, CT) endoscopy(gastroscopy, colonoscopy), sonography (abdomen, thyroid, pelvis, breast), cytology(cervix), bone density, tumor markers(NMP22, alpha-FP, CEA, CA-19-9, CA125, PSA and eye tests. Advanced technologies, like CT, PET, MRI, MRI/Angio, molecular testing were widly used in hospital based health screening programmes. In summary, a variety of tests were untilized in health screening in Korea. Those tests were utilized by stages or according to sex and age in most of health screening programmes, however a few programs used tests excessvely disregarding health screening subjects.