• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2005

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and unconjugated estriol (uE3) were added to AFP to make what is commonly known as the Triple test. The Triple test combines results from these three tests and has been a standard screening procedure for several years. Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of adding inhibin-A to Down's syndrome risk assessment. The Quad test adds dimeric Inhibin-A (DIA) to the three other markers and uses the same computer program to calculate risk factors. Testing was performed between 14 and 21 weeks of gestation. Sample size were 648 samples and period of study was from 1, July, 2004 to 30, September, 2004. Used analytical methods for AFP, hCG and uE3 were radioimmunoassay (RIA) and dimeric inhibin A was enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Adding dimeric inhibin-A as a fourth marker to the standard triple test increases the detection rate from 62 % to 75 % with a false-positive rate of 5%. The DIA based Quad test has been shown to be the most effective second trimester screening test for Down's syndrome suitable for routine use. Increased DIA values are observed during normal pregnancy where a bimodal pattern response is seen. Values increase during the first trimester, decline after 14 weeks, and re-ascend between 17-25 weeks. Values for DIA may be additionally elevated during a Down's syndrome pregnancy. Dimeric inhibin A is a glycoprotein hormone made by the ovary and placenta. DIA levels are twice as high in Down's syndrome pregnancies. AFP, hCG, and uE3 levels vary with gestational age, and incorrect gestational dating will influence results. DIA levels do not vary substantially with gestational age, resulting in greater screening accuracy. Although the Quad test is an improvement over the Triple test, it is important to underscore the fact that a positive test on both should be done. Most women who initially screen positive will be found to be carrying normal babies when amniocentesis and definitive diagnostic chromosome analysis are done.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1512-1518
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• 2015

This experiment was conducted to assess the welfare and productivity of gestating gilts in groups with the electronic sow feeding (ESF) system compared to conventional stalls. A total of 83 gilts ($Yorkshire{\times}Landrace$) were housed into individual stalls to be artificially inseminated. Gilts confirmed pregnant were introduced to their treatment, conventional stalls (ST) or groups with the ESF system. All gilts were taken to the farrowing crates one week prior to their expected farrowing date. In the gestation period, there were no significant differences between gilts allocated to ST and ESF on growth performance. However, backfat thickness gain (p = 0.08) and body condition score (BCS) at 110 days of gestation (p = 0.10) tended to be higher in ESF gilts than ST. Likewise, gilts housed in group showed significantly higher estimated body muscle contents at 110 days of gestation (p = 0.02) and body muscle change during gestation (p = 0.01). There was a trend for a shorter parturition time in ESF gilts (p = 0.07). In the lactation period, group housed gilts showed a tendency to increased BCS changes (p = 0.06). Reproductive performance did not differ with the exception of piglet mortality (ST = 0.2 no. of piglets vs ESF = 0.4 no. of piglets; p = 0.01). In blood profiles, ST gilts showed a higher cortisol level at 110 days of gestation (p = 0.01). Weaning to estrus interval was shorter in gilts housed in ESF than ST (p = 0.01). In locomotory behaviors, ESF gilts recorded a tendency to elevate locomotion score at 36, 70, and 110 days of gestation (p = 0.07, p = 0.06, and p = 0.06, respectively). Similarly, ESF gilts showed significantly higher incidence of scratches at 36, 70, and 110 days of gestation (p = 0.01). Moreover, farrowing rates were higher in stall treatment (97.6%) compare to group housing treatment (95.2%). In conclusion, while group housed gilts with ESF system positively affected welfare status in combination with less physiologically stressful environments and activity, it negatively effects piglet mortality, farrowing rates and injuries of gilts.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.442-448
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• 2000

Developmental anomalies arising from the branchial apparatus include cysts, external sinuses, internal sinuses, and complete fistulas. Second branchial cleft cysts are by far the most common among these anomalies. It may occur at any age, being most common in the third decade, and more frequent in the male than in the female. It usually presents a smooth, round, nontender fluctuant mass located between the level of the tragus and the clavicle along the anteromedial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It is lined by respiratory or squamous epithelium unless inflammation is present. The considerable amount of lymphoid tissue may be found beneath the epithelium. The treatment of choice of branchial cleft cyst is surgical excision. If the lesion is acutely infected, however, it is essential to relieve the infection prior to the surgery. This report deals with two cases of second branchial cleft cyst. In case 1, the cyst had rapidly increased in size over pregnant period. In case 2, the patient presented the swelling in the left neck, and had the history of incision and drainage because of misdiagnosis as submandibular space abscess. The infection was treated by antibiotic therapy in the first place, and then complete surgical excision was made. There was no evidence of any recurrence or complications for these $3{\sim}4$ years.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.521-525
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• 2006

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of flushing of ewes with concentrate pellets just before the mating season on their nutrient utilization and reproductive performance on farms. Forty-eight Malpura ewes, 1-5 years old were randomly divided into 2 groups of 24 each (G1and G2). Ewes in both the groups were grazed on natural rangeland from 07.00 to 18.00 hr followed by night shelter in animal shed. G1 ewes were maintained on sole grazing while G2 ewes, in addition to grazing, received concentrate pellets at the rate of 1.5% of their body weight. The mean biomass yield of the community rangeland was 0.46 ton DM/hectare. The intakes of DM (g/kg $W^{0.75}$), DCP (g/kg $W^{0.75}$) and ME (MJ/kg $W^{0.75}$) were higher (p<0.01) in G2 as compared to that of G1 being 86.5, 10.2 and 1.15 and 57.5, 4.7 and 0.75, respectively. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF and hemicellulose were also higher (p<0.01) in G2 as compared to that of G1 being 57.2, 76.7, 78.9, 51.9 and 81.6 and 50.8, 68.7, 68.4, 45.4 and 74.4, respectively. The conception rate was higher (79.2%) in flushed ewes as compared to that of non-flushed (66.7%). Five of the pregnant ewes died and another 5 aborted in G1 while in G2, 5 ewes aborted with no mortality. The lambing was higher (73.7%) in G2 than that in G1 (37.5%). The birth weight of lambs was higher (p<0.05) in G2 (3.47 kg) than that in G1 (2.95 kg). Further, the birth weight of male lambs was higher (3.28) than that of female lambs (3.14). It is concluded that the biomass yield of the community rangeland in semi-arid region of India is low and insufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of ewes prior to mating season. However, concentrate supplementation at the rate of 1.5% of body weight to ewes during this critical stage enhanced their plane of nutrition, reproductive performance, body condition and birth weights of lambs.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2016

Although piglets have been delivered by embryo transfer (ET) with in vitro produced (IVP) embryos and blastocysts, a success rate has still remained lower level. Unlike mouse, human, and bovine, it is difficult to a production of piglets by in vitro fertilization (IVF) because of an inappropriate in vitro culture (IVC) system in pig. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate whether minimized exposure time in IVC can improve the pregnancy and delivery rates of piglets. Immediately after IVM, the oocytes were denuded and co-incubated with freshly ejaculated boar semen for 3.5 to 4 hours at $38.5^{\circ}C$ under 5% $CO_2$ in air. To avoid long-term exposure to in vitro state, we emitted IVC step after IVF. After that the presumptive zygotes were transferred into both oviducts of the surrogate on the same day or 1 day after the onset of estrus. Pregnancy was diagnosed on day 28 after ET and then was checked regularly every month by ultrasound examination. The 3 out of 4 surrogates were determined as pregnant (75%) and a total of 5 piglets (2 females and 3 males) were delivered at $118.3{\pm}2.5$ days of pregnancy period. In conclusion, a short-term exposure time may be an important factor in the production of IVP-derived piglets. It can be apply to the in vitro production system of transgenic pig by IVF, cloning, and pronuclear microinjection methods.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.362-374
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of overestimation of their own body shape on weight control behaviors, mental condition, physical activity, dietary behavior, health-related quality of life, and nutritional status among young Korean females. Methods: A total of 1,514 women aged 20-39 years who are not pregnant and lactating among those who participated in the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010~2011), were analyzed and grouped into underestimation (n=120), normal estimation (NE, n=840), and overestimation (OE, n=554), based on their body perception compared to actual percent ideal body weights. Variables were compared between OE group and NE group. Results: The subjects in OE group were significantly younger (29.5 vs. 30.5 years, respectively p < 0.05) and had lower body mass index (20.9 vs. 22.2 respectively, p < 0.01), health-related quality of life measured by EQ-5D (EuroQol-5 Dimension)(0.97 vs. 0.98 respectively, p < 0.05), nutrition adequacy ratio (NAR) of protein (0.91 vs. 0.93 respectively, p < 0.05), phosphorous (0.93 vs. 0.96 respectively, p < 0.05), and iron (0.70 vs. 0.75 respectively, p < 0.01), and index of nutrition quality (INQ) of iron (0.84 vs. 0.89 respectively, p < 0.05) compared to those in the NE group. The results of logistic regression showed that unmarried status (OR 1.32; 1.01~1.72) and severely underweight/underweight status (OR 1.94; 1.01~3.75)/(OR 1.81; 1.34~2.45) were significantly related to the probability of overestimation by the subjects. Significantly more women in OE group practiced fasting, skipping meals, and taking prescribed pills to lose body weights and had skipped breakfast compared to those in the NE group. Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that the Korean young women's distorted perception of own body shape may be associated with undesirable weight control behavior, low quality of life, and lower nutritional status. Therefore, nutrition education for this group should include information on correct body shape perception and its importance.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.43-54
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• 1974

The cactus family Cactaceae, numbering about 1,500 species, is a fleshy-stemmed perennial plant which is principally distributed in the south and north America. On the other hand, the cactus plant is presumed to be introduced into Korea in 1912-1945, thereafter it has been cultivated merely in favor of ornamentation with the exception of being occasionally used as medication among laymen. Opuntia elata which belongs to Opuntia genus, the Cactaceae family is one of the cacti being cultivated a great deal in Korea. Cho et. al. reported in 1974 that Opuntia dilenii manifested the cardiac inhibitory effect and oxytocic effect, and its mechanism might be partially due to the direct action. Besides this, there are few reports on the pharmacological research concerning Opuntia genus to be demonstrated in Korea. However, some other cacti have the remarkable pharmacological effects; the active ingredients, mescaline, anhalamine, anhalanine, etc. from Peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii) belonging to Lophophora genus have the psychotomimetic and sympathomimetic effects, and the cardioactive glycosides from Cactus Grandifolius (Selenicereus grandiflorus) belonging to Cereus genus have the cardioactive and diuretic effects. The authors hereby inquired into this study to find out the propriety of the pharmacological properties of the ethanol extract of Opuntia elata (EX) on the heart, blood pressure, respiration, intestine and uterus in the experimental animals. The results of the experiment were as follows: 1. Administration of EX manifested the cardiac inhibitory effect caused by the negative inotropic action in the isolated heart of frog, and the pretreatment of atropine did not affect the inhibitory effect produced by EX. 2. Administration of EX manifested the transient hypotensive effect in the intact rabbit, and the pretreatment of atropine did not affect the hypotensive effect produced by EX. 3. Administration of the small dose of EX manifested no significant effect, but moderate dose or more the stimulating effect, and the large dose the asphyxia on the respiratory motility in the intact rabbit. 4. Administration of EX manifested the sustained augmentation of contractility in the excised duodenum of rabbit, and the pretreatment of atropine did not affect the stimulating effect produced by EX. 5. Administration of EX manifested the sustained augmentation of contractility in the excised pregnant uterus of rabbit, and the pretreatment of atropine and oxytocin did not affect the oxytocic effect produced by EX, but that of barium chloride more or less stimulated the oxytocic effect produced by EX.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.379-384
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• 1997

Superovulation with exogenous gonadotropins creates a spectrum of pre or periovulatory hormonal changes with subsequent detrimental effects on oocyte quality, fertilization, embryo development, implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. Our recent study determined potential roles for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in uterine environment regulation and preimplant tation in the rat. The evidence indicates that IGF-l may play an important role in the main tenance of a receptive uterine environment for embryonic development and the regulation of decidualization. Embryonic loss and failure of implantations following superovulation may be partially attributed to disturbances in uterine IGF-l action as observed in this study. We investigated the effects of superovulatory doses of gonadotropins on frequency of chromosomal a abnormalities of mouse embryos. Chromosome a analysis of mouse zygotes and 8- to 16-cell stage embryos from spontaneously ovulated, 5, 10, and l 15 lU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) superovulated mice was carried out. Aneuploidy, polyploidy and structural chrom- osomal abnormalities were detected among the four groups. However, only polyploidy was correlated with superovulation. In 10 and 15 IV PMSG treated groups, the rate of polypoidy was 2.9% and 10.5%, respectively. Furthermore, there was a dose reponse relationship between the PMSG dose and the incidence of embryonic p polyploidy (P

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 1993

This study was carried out to investigate the Preventive and treatment effects of mixed compound of vitamin E and selenium, and ursodeoxycholic acid on the pre-parturient and post-parturient fatty liver of high. yielding dairy cows. Thirty pregnant dairy cows(2 weeks preparturition) were divided into clinical(13cows) and subclinical(17 cows) groups based upon blood chemical values, blood serum protein levels and clinical symptoms. The clinical group was subdivided into treated clinical group(6 cows) and non-treated clinical group(7 cows). The cows(treated clinical group) with fatty liver diagnosed before parturition were dosed with mixed compound of vitamin I(1head) and selenium(10mg/head) intramuscularly once before and after parturition, respectively. These cows(treated clinical group) were also given ursodeoxycholic acid(50g/head) intramuscularly 3 times before parturition. The cows(treated clinical group) with fatty liver diagnosed after parturition were also given the same compounds as dosed to the above cows at same dose rate once or 3 times, respectively after parturition. Blood samples were collected from the cows on 4th, 7th and 2nd day of preparturition and on 1st, 7th, 14th and 20th day of postparturition. Blood chemical values(non-esterified fatty acid : NEFA) concentration, serum aspartate aminotransferase activity, serum ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, bilirubin concentration, glucose level) were checked and clinical symptoms of the cows were also observed. 1. The cows in non-treated clinical group showed severe depression, anorexia and diarrhea from prepartum period, and retained palcenta, endometritis, ketosis, abomasal displacement and mastitis after parturition. Cows in treated clinical group showed moderate depression, anorexia, diarrhea during preparturient period, but they were relieved within a week from parturition. Cows in subclinical group showed mild depression, anorexia and diarrhea after parturition, but these symptoms were not observed in prepartum period. 2. NEFA concentration, serum aspartate aminotransferase activity, serum ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase activity and bilirubin concentration observed In the cows of treated clinical group were significantly lower than those of the cows non-treated clinical group. The blood glucose concentration of the cows in treated clinical group were higher than those of the cows in non-treated clinical group. These results indicate that the preparturient and postparturient fatty liver of high-yielding dairy cows could be reduced by dosing the animals with appropriate amounts of mixed compound of vitamin I and selenium, and ursodeoxycholic acid at proper times of the preparturition and postparturition of the dairy cows.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2013

Background: Antihistamine and anti-allergy medications are widely used during pregnancy. Reading label information is one of the easiest ways to get safety information. But there are content gaps among countries. Objective: To compare the risk level and the recommendation level of antihistamine/anti-allergy drug's label information in pregnant women among Korea, the USA, the UK, and Japan. Method: Study drugs of antihistamine/anti-allergy medications were selected according to Korea drug classification codes. Based on the label information of selected product, risk level was classified into 5 categories as follows: 'Definite', 'Probable', 'Possible', and 'Unlikely', 'Unclassified' according to the level of evidence. Recommendation level was classified into 4 categories as follows: 'Contraindicated', 'Cautious', 'Compatible', and 'Unclassified'. Frequency and proportion were presented according to the each category. To estimate agreement of each category among 4 countries, percent agreement and kappa (k) coefficient were calculated. Results: Total 13 drug ingredients were selected for antihistamine/anti-allergy medications. In risk level, Korea (46%) and Japan (69%) were mostly classified in the category of 'Unclassified', but 'Unlikely' category was more frequent in the UK (62%) and the USA (46%). In recommendation level, the proportion of 'Contraindicated' was highest in Korea (46%) compared to other countries. In contrast, the category of 'Cautious' was 77%-85% in the USA, the UK, and Japan. The percent agreement for risk level was highest in the USA-UK (54%). The recommendation level of Korea-USA showed lowest agreement for percent agreement (46%) and kappa coefficient (k=0.02). Conclusion: We confirmed the differences among safety information provided by four different countries. 'Contraindicated' was more likely in Korea compared with other countries.