• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.49-52
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• 2007

Objectives: Asari Herba comes from the dried perennial herbaceous plant, Asarum sieboldii $M_{IQ}$., A. heterotropides $F_R$. SCHMIDT var. mandshuricum($M_{AXIM}$) $K_{ITAG}$. and A sieboldii $M_{IQ}$ var. seoulense $N_{AKAI}$., family Aristolochiaceae. This medicine is pungent in flavor(味辛), warm in nature(性溫), mildly toxic and affects the lung, kidney, and heart meridians. It is able to repel wind dispel cold(祛風散寒), remove the obstruction of the nose(宣通鼻竅), relieve pain(止痛) and warm the lungs to remove the retention of fluids(溫肺化飮). In a clinic it is prescribed for exterior syndrome of wine-cold type(風寒表證) manifested as headache and general pain. It is indicated for headaches, toothaches, bisyndrome of wind-cold-dampness type(風寒濕痺), etc. For many generations medical books have warned doctors that the dosage of Asari Herba should not be excessive because the pungent flavor has the effect of dispersing exopathogens from superficies of the body. The principle, 'Asari Herba should not exceed Jeon(錢, Qian, 3.0 gram)' is still considered to be relevant. Methods : Extensive research of several ancient medical texts has lead to the following conclusion. Results : The statement 'Asari Herba should not exceed Jeon' is a dosage which is used to prepare single recipe and powder. Conclusion : The definition of Jeon is not 1 Jeon(3.0 gram), but 1 Jeonbi(錢匕, Qianbi, 1.0 gram), moreover, the usage, collection. and refinement process are not in accordance with the contents of the ancient medical texts. A deeper study of Asari Herba's dosage in the future is expected to have interesting results.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.196-205
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• 2020

Background: The indication of denosumab for osteoporosis was expanded from second-line to first-line therapy in 2019. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of denosumab as both first- and second-line therapy in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and osteopenia with risk factors by using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). Methods: We conducted a medication use evaluation of denosumab in 98 patients who had been treated three or more times for osteoporosis or osteopenia at Chungnam National University Hospital from July 1^st, 2017 to January 31^st, 2020. Risk factors were identified using quantitative N-gram analyses of FRAX estimations. Patient information, including menopause status and results of bone mineral density tests (T-score), was obtained from electronic medical records. Results: Age, body mass index (BMI), prior medication use, and T-score were identified as risk factors and were included as variables in the evaluation of denosumab use. Since no significant differences were detected between groups, denosumab is likely effective regardless of age or BMI. In addition, no significant difference was detected in T-scores following denosumab treatment, between groups who took bisphosphonates and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) with denosumab as first-line therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Denosumab may, therefore, be effective as second-line therapy. Conclusion: Efficacy of denosumab was evaluated in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Denosumab may be used as first- and second-line therapy regardless of age, BMI, and prior use of bisphosphonates and SERMs.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.89-101
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention on the improvement of obesity, health behaviors and behavioral determinants among Korean adults. Methods: Obese adults aged 30 to 59 years (n=76) were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) or the comparison group (CG). The IG received a 3-month multi-component lifestyle intervention, while the CG received minimal information on obesity. The program consisted of health counseling, health education booklet and health diary. Health examination and self-administered survey were conducted before and after the intervention to determine the effectiveness of the program. Results: After the intervention. health indices of the IG were significantly improved in weight(p=.003), waist circumference(p=.011), % body fat(p=.021), and total abdominal fat area(p=.041). The reduction of waist circumstance among IG participants was better than that of those in the CG(p=.017). The IG demonstrated significant improvements in dietary behaviors(p=.013), periodic measurement of waist circumstance(p=.005), pros of weight control(p<.001) and awareness of one's current biomarkers(p=.038) better than the CG did. The proportion of normalized participants in waist circumference was 21.1% in the IG and 8.7% in the CG(p=.017). Conclusions: Lifestyle intervention program can improve the obese status and health behaviors in adults.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4833-4837
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• 2015

Biomarkers for preclinical diagnosis of cancer are valuable tools for detection of malignant tumors at early stages in groups at risk and screening healthy people, as well as monitoring disease recurrence after treatment of cancer. However the complexity of the body's response to the pathological processes makes it virtually impossible to evaluate this response to the development of the disease using a single biomarker that is present in the serum at low concentrations. An alternative approach to standard biomarker analysis is called immunosignature. Instead of going after biomarkers themselves this approach rely on the analysis of the humoral immune response to molecular changes associated with the development of pathological processes. It is known that antibodies are produced in response to proteins expressed during cancer development. Accordingly, the changes in antibody repertoire associated with tumor growth can serve as biomarkers of cancer. Immunosignature is a highly sensitive method for antibody repertoire analysis utilizing high density peptide microarrays. In the present review we discuss modern methods for antibody detection, as well as describe the principles and applications of immunosignature in research and clinical practice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1797-1808
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• 2020

Objective: This study assessed the effects of probiotics on cecal microbiota, gene expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, and immune response in the cecal tonsil of broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica. Methods: One-day-old broiler chickens (n = 240) were randomly allocated to four treatments: negative control (Cont), multi-strain probiotic-treated group (Pro), Salmonella-infected group (Sal), and multi-strain probiotic-treated and Salmonella-infected group (ProSal). All chickens except those in the Cont and Pro groups were gavaged with 1×10⁸ cfu/mL of S. enterica subsp. enterica 4 days after hatching. Results: Our results indicated that body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of birds were significantly reduced (p<0.05) by Salmonella challenge. Chickens challenged with Salmonella decreased cecal microbial diversity. Chickens in the Sal group exhibited abundant Proteobacteria than those in the Cont, Pro, and ProSal groups. Salmonella infection downregulated gene expression of Occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO1), and Mucin 2 in the jejunum and Occludin and Claudin in the ileum. Moreover, the Sal group increased gene expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha factor (LITAF) and reduced levels of transforming growth factor-β4 and IL-10 compared with the other groups (p<0.05). However, chickens receiving probiotic diets increased Lactobacillaceae abundance and reduced Enterobacteriaceae abundance in the ceca. Moreover, supplementation with probiotics increased the mRNA expression of Occludin, ZO1, and Mucin 2 in the ileum (p<0.05). In addition, probiotic supplementation downregulated the mRNA levels of IFN-γ (p<0.05) and LITAF (p = 0.075) and upregulated IL-10 (p = 0.084) expression in the cecal tonsil. Conclusion: The administration of multi-strain probiotics modulated intestinal microbiota, gene expression of tight junction proteins, and immunomodulatory activity in broiler chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1940-1947
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• 2020

Objective: Combination of two stressors on alteration of mineral footprints in animals needs due attention to meet maximum production and welfare, particularly in grazing sheep. This study tested whether ewes (Ovis aries) exposed to water deprivation and thermal-humidity stressors had altered mineral footprints in their wool, serum, urine, and feces. Methods: Nine ewes (age = 3 years; mean body weight = 41±3.5 kg) were divided among a control group with free access to water, and treatment groups with water deprivation lasting either 2 h (2hWD) or 3 h (3hWD) after feeding. Using a 3×3 Latin square design, animals were assigned to treatment groups for three sampling periods of 21 days each (n = 9). Blood was collected by jugular venipuncture. Wool was collected at the end of periods 2 and 3. Metabolic crates designed with metal grated floors were used for urine and feces collection. We measured sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn). Results: The wool mineral levels did not differ between the treatment groups, although K was marginally lower (p = 0.10) in the 2hWD group. The serum and urine mineral levels did not differ between the treatments (p>0.05). Fecal K was significantly lower in the 2hWD group than in the other groups (p≤0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, water deprivation and thermal-humidity exposure altered the excretion of K, but not of other minerals, in the wool, urine, feces, or serum of ewes. Thus, no additional mineral supplementation is needed for water deprived ewes during thermalhumidity exposure.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2271-2275
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• 2016

Background: The value of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in fluorescence detection of peritoneal metastases and the underlying mechanisms were evaluated in patients with peritoneal surface malignancies. Materials and Methods: Oral 5-ALA was administered at a concentration of 20 mg/kg body weight with 50 ml of water 2 hours prior to surgery (n=115). The diagnostic value of 5-ALA based fluorescence production was evaluated following white light inspection during prior to cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Then, peptide transporter PEPT1 (ALA influx transporter) and ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2 (porphyrin efflux transporter) gene expression was determined with quantitative real time (qRT)-PCR and pathological diagnoses confirmed for all tissue samples. Results: The 5-ALA based photodynamic detection rate was 17% for appendiceal mucinous neoplasms, 54% for colorectal cancers, 33% for gastric cancers, 67% for diffuse malign peritoneal mesotheliomas, and 89% for epithelial ovarian cancer of peritoneal metastases. 5-ALA was detected in all cases of peritoneal metastases originating from cholangiocarcinomas whereas it was not able to detect any in granulosa cell and gastrointestinal stromal tumor cases. Furthermore, PEPT1 was overexpressed whereas ABCG2 expression was downregulated in tumors detected with fluorescence. Conclusions: 5-ALA provided 100% specificity and high sensitivity to detect peritoneal metastases in subgroups of patients with peritoneal surface mailgnancies. ALA influx transporter PEPT1 and porphyrin efflux transporter ABCG2 genes are important in tumor specific 5-ALA induced fluorescence in vivo. Further studies should clarify diagnostic utility of 5-ALA in peritoneal surface malignancies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1529-1534
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• 2015

Introduction: Overexposure to sun radiation and particularly its accumulation during childhood and adolescence is a significant risk factor for skin cancer development. The sun burn is particularly important. Aim: To estimate sun burn incidence in young pupils in a coastal area of Greece. Materials and Methods: Two surveys were conducted in a school population in the same district in Greece, over different periods of time, in young people 9 to 18 years old (n=2 977). Anonymous questionnaires were completed. Levels of significance were two-tailed and statistical significance was set at p=0.05. SPSS 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: From the individual characteristics of the participants it was shown that the majority of them had dark hair and fair skin, whereas a significant percentage reported the existence of moles on face and their body (83.4% vs 68.1%). The sun burn incidence was high in adolescents and the younger pupils (41.9% vs 55.6%). The younger aged children who were living in an urban area had significantly higher rates of sun burn than those living in semi-urban areas (33.8% vs 24.8%, p=0.020). As far as the knowledge of pupils about the risks of sun radiation it was shown that the elementary school pupils had better knowledge than those at high school. Finally, those with better knowledge had the fewer sun burns (Mean 2.83 SD 0.87, p<0.001). Conclusions: The contribution of knowledge to the decrease of sun burn incidence is important as long as this is continuous. Therefore, the education should concern not only children but also teachers and parents in the context of continuous and systematic programs of health education.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different concentrate levels in diets based on cactus Opuntia Stricta (Haw.) Haw cladodes on the performance of lactating Girolando cows. Methods: The experiment involved 10 Girolando multiparous dairy cows at 512.6 kg of body weight (BW) and producing 13.2 kg milk/d, allocated into two 5×5 Latin squares. The experimental treatments consisted of control diet composed by cactus Nopalea cochenillifera. Salm-Dyck. cladodes (Nopalea), forage sorghum silage and concentrate at 20% on dry matter (DM) basis, and four concentrate levels diets (20%, 24%, 28%, and 32%) plus cactus Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. cladodes (Opuntia) and forage sorghum silage. Results: Regarding cows fed control diet, the nutrients intake were greater than for cows fed with cactus Opuntia and concentrate. Regarding concentrate levels, intakes of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients of cows increased linearly. Organic matter, CP, and NDF digestibilities were similar in between to control diet and cactus Opuntia-based diets. The digestibility of NFC increased linearly when the concentrate was inserted. The N balance was the same for control diet and cactus Opuntia-based diets, irrespective the concentrate levels. Conclusion: For cows producing 14 kg/d with 3.5% of fat, it is recommended 32% of concentrate to be included in cactus Opuntia-based diets, and the increase in concentrate level promotes a linear increase in milk yield.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.37
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• pp.46.1-46.6
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of food intake after different dosages of botulinum toxin A (BTX) injection in the animal model. Additionally, the dimensional and histological change at 14 days after BTX injection was also evaluated. Methods: The comparative study was performed using the BTX injection model in rats (n = 5 for each group). Group 1 was the saline-injected group. Group 2 was the 5-unit BTX-injection group to each masseter muscle. Group 3 was the 10-unit BTX-injection group to each masseter muscle. Food intake rates and body weight were checked daily before and after BTX injection until 10 days. All animals were sacrificed at 14 days after BTX injection, and the specimens underwent hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemical staining for myosin type II (MYH2). Results: The recovery of food intake in groups 2 and 3 decreased significantly compared with group 1 from day 2 to day 7 and day 9 after injection (p < 0.05). The BTX-treated masseter muscles were significantly smaller than those in group 1 (p = 0.015). The immunohistochemical findings demonstrated that the expression of MYH2 was significantly higher in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: BTX injection to the masseter muscle in rats demonstrated short food-intake-rate reduction with recovery until 10 days after injection. The thickness of the masseter muscle and MYH2 expression were significantly changed according to the injected dose of BTX.