• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.263-273
• /
• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of the Korean Safflower (Carthamus inctorius L) seed powder on serum level of hormones and trabecula area during the recovery from osteoporosis induced ovariectomized rats. Four month-old rats were ovariectomized (OVX), remained untreated for 8 weeks, and were subsequently administered safflower seed (0.03 g/kg) every other day 30 for days. We examined the effects of treated safflower seed every 10 days on ovariectomy-related changes in Insulin-like Growth Factors, Insulin-like Growth Factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), Estrogen, Bone-specific alkaline phosphotase, Calcium, and Phospotase in the serum, and also histomorphology of the proximal fibula metaphysis and femur/body weight rate. Ten and 20 days after safflower seed treatment in OVX rats, serum levels of IGF-I, -II and IGFBP-3 were not different from the Sham and OVX groups. In 30 days, serum levels of IGF-I,-II and IGFBP-3 were higher after safflower seed treatment in OVX rats as compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). Bone alkaline phosphatase levels were increased through safflower seed treatment in OVX rats compared to the other two groups in 30 days. There were no differences between OVX and safflower seed treated OVX rats in serum levels of estrogen and femur/body weight rate, but estrogen levels for the sham group were higher than for the other two groups. The safflower seed is increased to serum levels of IGFs, IGFBP-3 and BALP of osteoporosis induced by ovariectomized rats. Thus, we conclude that the safflower seed is a possible role for improvement of osteoporosis induced-ovariectomized rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.115-122
• /
• 1998

The maintenance of a viable pregnancy has long been viewed as an immunological paradox. The deveolping embryo and trophoblast are immunologically foreign to the maternal immune system due to their maternally inherited genes products and tissue-specific differentiation antigens (Hill & Anderson, 1988). Therefore, speculation has arisen that spontaneous abortion may be caused by impaired maternal immune tolerance to the semiallogenic conceptus (Hill, 1990). Loss of recall antigen has been reported in immunosuppressed transplant recipients and is associated with graft survival (Muluk et al., 1991; Schulik et al., 1994). Progesterone $(10^{-5}M)$ has immunosuppressive capabilities (Szekeres-Bartho et al., 1985). Previous study showed that fertile women, but not women with unexplained recurrent abortion (URA), lose their immune response to recall antigens when pregnant (Bermas & Hill, 1997). Therefore, we hypothesized that immunosuppressive doses of progesterone may affect proliferative response of lymphocytes to trophoblast antigen and alloantigen. Proliferative responses using $^3H$-thymidine ($^3H$-TdR) incorporation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to the irradiated allogeneic periperal blood mononuclear cells as alloantigen, trophoblast extract and Flu as recall antigen, and PHA as mitogen were serially checked in 9 women who had experienced unexplained recurrent miscarriage. Progesterone vaginal suppositories (100mg b.i.d; Utrogestan, Organon) beginning 3 days after ovulation were given to 9 women with unexplained RSA who had prior evidence of Th1 immunity to trophoblast. We checked proliferation responses to conception cycle before and after progesterone supplementation once a week through the first 7 weeks of pregnancy. All patients of alloantigen and PHA had a positive proliferation response that occmed in the baseline phase. But 4 out of 9 patients (44.4%) of trophoblast antigen and Flu antigen had a positive proliferative response. The suppression of proliferation response to each antigen were started after proliferative phase and during pregnancy cycles. Our data demonstrated that since in vivo progesterone treated PBMCs suppressed more T-lymphocyte activation and $^3H$-TdR incorporation compare to PBMCs, which are not influenced by progesterone. This data suggested that it might be influenced by immunosuppressive effect of progesterone. In conclusion, progesterone may play an important immunological role in regulating local immune response in the fetal-placental unit. Furthermore, in the 9 women given progesterone during a conception cycle, Only two (22%) repeat pregnancy losses occured in these 9 women despite loss of antigen responsiveness (one chemical pregnancy loss and one loss at 8 weeks of growth which was karyotyped as a Trisomy 4). These finding suggested that pregnancy loss due to fetal aneuploidy is not associated with immunological phenomena.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
• /
• 1979.05a
• /
• pp.7.2-8
• /
• 1979

The tests related to air usage are valuable for evaluating phonatory function of clinical cases having glottic incompetence. Measurement of mean air flow rate, maximum phonation time and phonation quotient are important test for voice disorder. Stroboscopy is very useful for clinical evaluation of abnormality in the mode of vocal cord vibration. Author obtained following clinical result from 56 cases of laryngeal disorders in Kurume medical school in Japan. 1) Unilateral laryngeal lesions, are 35 cases (62.5%) and bilateral laryngeal lesions are 21 cases (37.5%). 2) Sex ratio is 39 cases (69.8%) of male and 17 cases (30.2%) of female. 3) In maximum phonation time below 10 seconds are 26 cases (46.4%) and above 10 seconds are 30 cases (53.6%). 4) In phonation quotient below 300 ml/sec are 33cases (58.9%). and above 300ml/sec are 23 cases (41.0%). 5) In mean air flow rate below 300ml/sec are 37 cases (66.1%) and above 300ml/sec are 19 cases (33.9%). 6) Symmetry of vibratory movement of the vocal cord, regularity of vibration, amplitude of vibration, wave on the mucosa and glottic closures are observed by stroboscopic examination. 7) Postoperative voice test and stroboscopic examination revealed good result in compare pre-operation with post-operation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.281-288
• /
• 2010

In this study, we investigated anti-oxidative effects of Duchesnea indica extracts by using Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC). The extracts were prepared with 0 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 % and 100 % aqueous ethanol respectively. The 30 % EtOH D. indica extract showed higher ORAC activity than the other extracts. Therefore, we performed in vitro studies on cytotoxicity of NIH-3T3 cells and MMP-8 collagenase inhibition using by the 30 % EtOH extract. The 30 % EtOH extract showed no cytotoxicity and significant inhibition on MMP-8 collagenase. And we performed clinical studies for the anti-wrinkle effect of the Di-Wrinkle Free Cream. The cream formula was prepared with 2 % arbutin and 1 % D. indica extract. Twenty one healthy women volunteers, ages of 35 and 50, applied the cream on their faces twice a day for 8 weeks. The skin was evaluated with PRIMOS (phaseshift rapid in vivo measuring of human skin) system and analyzed by the student's paired t-test. The wrinkles on the eye region were reduced by 13 % based on the PRIMOS system after 8 weeks. In the safety study of the Di-Wrinkle Free Cream, no symptoms were observed such as erythema, edema, scaling, itching, stinging, burning, tightness and prickling by visual observation and medical examination of volunteers for 8 weeks. Moreover, there was no noticeable skin disorder during experience period. These results suggested that D. indica extracts could be applied as cosmeceuticals effective for anti-wrinkle.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.98-104
• /
• 2011

We investigated inhibitory effects of ginseng extracts against compound 48/80-induced responses in rat peritoneal mast cells. Initially, we optimized extraction condition with various temperature and time for recovery of high saponin contents in extracts. Using a primary rat peritoneal mast cells, we examined whether ginseng extracts inhibit compound 48/80-induced histamine release form rat mast cells. High red ginseng-spercific saponin containing extracts were recovered at $85^{\circ}C$ for 48 hr, and had no cytotoxicity with relatively high dose of extracts on rat peritoneal mast cells(<0.5 mg/ml). For examine of ameliorate effects of mast cells responses by ginseng extract, we pre-treated the extracts or saline to mast cells and treated compound 48/80. In results, compound 48/80 treatment was increased histamine release (approximately 30%) from mast cells than normal group, whereas ginseng treatment was completely inhibited histamine release. These results suggested that ginseng extracts inhibits the compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation, and ginseng extracts is a candidate for effective therapeutic tools of allergic diseases.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.655-663
• /
• 2002

Liver fibrosis is a prepathological state wherein damaged liver tissues in chronic liver diseases, such as hepatitis, are not repaired to normal tissues, but converted to fibrous tissue. 5-(2-Pyrazinyl)-4-methyl-1,2-dithiol-3-thione (oltipraz), a cancer chemopreventive agent, is effective against a wide variety of chemical carcinogens. Recently, we reported that oltipraz inhibits liver fibrogenesis (Kang et al., 2002). In the present study, the effects of oltipraz in combination with dimethyl-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylene dioxybiphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate (DDb) on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrogenesis were assessed in rats. Oltipraz (30 mg/kg body weight, po, 3 times per week for 4 weeks) was found to inhibit the increases in plasma ALT, AST and bilirubin by DMN, whereas DDB (30 mg/kg body weight, po, 3 times per week for 4 weeks) attenuated the increases in the plasma ALT and bilirubin. The lowered plasma protein and albumin contents in DMN-treated rats were completely restored by oltipraz, but not by DDB. DDB decreases liver cell injury and inflammation through inhibition of nuclear factor-kB. DMN increased the accumulation of liver collagen, as indicated by the increase in the 4-hydroxyproline content in liver homogenates, which was reduced by treatment with oltipraz, but not by DDB. Given the differential effect between oltipraz and DDB, the potential enhancement of antifibrotic efficacy by the drugs was assessed in the animal model. Despite the minimal effect of DDB on DMN-induced fibrogenesis, DDB (5-25 mg/kg), administered together with oltipraz (25-5 mg/kg), showed an additive protective effect against hepatotoxicity and fibrosis induced by DMN, which was shown by the blood chemistry parameters and histopathological analysis. The adequate composition ratio of oltipraz to DDB was 5:1. These results provide information on the pharmaceutical composition, comprising of oltipraz and DDB as the active components, for the treatment and/or prevention of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.579-586
• /
• 2009

Prior to the start of the general oral examination, this study was performed using the theory of planned behavior to provide data that would help not only increase intention of industrial workers' dental care utilization after their dental examination, but develop the follow-up oral health programs. As the first research group, 608 workers were selected from the 1016 workers while excluding both 53 workers who were currently undergoing dental treatment and 355 workers who had an opportunity to visit the dental clinic over the previous six months. Among the general characteristics that would influence the 608 workers' intention to utilize the dental clinic within one (1) month, their financial state showed that the higher their financial abundance level, the stronger their intention to visit the dental clinic(p<0.01). It was shown that the attitude toward the dental care utilization related behavior and subjective norm except the perceived behavioral control among the TPB variables had a significant effect on their intention(p<0.01). Among TPB variables, attitude toward the dental care utilization and subjective norm except the perceived behavioral control, were significant correlation with behavioral intention(p<0.01). The structure model's R-square of the attitude toward the behavior, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control having and effect on the intention accounted for 21%. In order to encourage the workers to have positive thoughts about the attitude toward their dental care utilization and subjective norm, therefore, it is required to perform the continued oral health programs, in addi1ion to oral health experts' regular education.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.112-118
• /
• 2007

Purpose: There have been relatively few reports of chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning. The purpose of this study is to analyze the general characteristics and clinical aspects of the chlorophenoxy herbicide intoxicated patients in Korea. Methods: We prospectively evaluated the chlorophenoxy herbicide intoxicated patients visiting to the 38 emergency medical centers in Korea from the 1 August 2005 to the 31 July 2006. Results: 24 patients were enrolled during the study periods. Their mean age was 55.7 years old. The median amount of the chlorophenoxy herbicide intoxicated is 150 mL. The most frequent location where the patients obtained and took the chlorophenoxy herbicide was their home. Frequent compounds involving chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning were dicamba(66.7%), MCPP(16.7%), and 2,4-D(12.5%). The most common symptom of the patients was confusion and vomiting. 16 patients(66.7%) intended to suicide. 3 patients out of 24 patients(13.0%) were died. Conclusion: There were 24 patients intoxicated by the chlorophenoxy herbicide during the study periods. The mortality rate was 13.0%. The suicidal attempts and the numbers of death involving chlorophenoxy herbicide were high in Korea.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Pyrethroid is an insecticide that produces moderate intoxication in mammals, with neither exposure to skin nor inhalation resulting in severe systemic manifestations. In 2005 we made a nationwide survey of agrichemical human intoxication. The object of this study is to analyze pyrethroid intoxications based on the 2005 survey. Methods: We prospectively collected data from 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2006 by a standard investigation protocol. We analyzed demographic data, exposure data (cause, amount, ingredients), clinical features, and courses. Results: A total of 125 cases of pyrethroid intoxication were surveyed. The mean patient age was $56.78{\pm}16.158$ years old, and the mean amount ingested was $121.85{\pm}110.732ml$. Patients were classified into four severity groups according to symptoms and mental status: the asymptomatic group (27 patients, 21.6%), the mild symptom group (48, 38.4%), the moderate symptom group (21, 16.8%), and the severe symptom group (7, 5.6%). There were statistically significant differences in mental status, severity, and mean ICU days between two groups. Admission days by severity grade for the asymptomatic, mild, moderate, and severe symptom groups were $5.49{\pm}16.051,\;3.65{\pm}4.143,\;4.59{\pm}3.335,\;and\;8.14{\pm}7.199days$, respectively (p=0.047). Conclusion: Nationwide surveillance was extremely telling in uncovering a high frequency of agrichemical intoxication in Korea. In pyrethroid intoxication, severity grading can be a useful prognostic tool.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.339-348
• /
• 2016

We investigated the gender-specific association between average volume of alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and periodontitis using representative nationwide data. In total, we included 3,549 men and 4,810 women, aged 19 years and older, who participated in the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey performed in 2013~2014. According to the average volume of alcohol consumption, study participants were grouped as follows: mild drinkers (0.1~2.0 drinks/day in men and 0.1~1.0 drink/day in women), moderate drinkers (2.1~4.0 drinks/day in men and 1.1~2.0 drinks/day in women), and heavy drinkers (>4.0 drinks/day in men and >2.0 drinks/day in women). Additionally, binge drinking was categorized as never (no binge drinking), rarely (<1 time/month), occasionally (1 time/month), frequently (1 time/week), and always (almost every day/week). Periodontitis was defined as a community periodontal index equal to code 3 or greater. In men, after controlling for covariates, the association between average volume of alcohol consumption and periodontitis showed a J-shaped curve; the risk of periodontitis was significantly higher in moderate drinkers (odds ratio [OR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01~1.56) and heavy drinkers (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.04~1.87) than in mild drinkers. In contrast, no significant association between average volume of alcohol consumption and periodontitis was observed in women. In a fully adjusted analysis, which used 'never binge drinking' as a reference, a significant dose-response relationship between binge drinking and periodontitis was observed only in men: rarely (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.16~2.34), occasionally (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.05~2.16), frequently (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.07~2.33), and always (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.56~4.22) (p for trend=0.005). In conclusion, unhealthy drinking patterns such as moderate or heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking were significantly associated with periodontitis in men but not in women.