• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2014

Background: Early detection of neuropathy may prevent further progression of this complication in the diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of early neuropathic complication in patients with newly diagnosed type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Methods: Nerve conduction studies (median, ulnar, posterior tibial, peroneal, and sural nerves) were performed for 49 type 1 (27 males, mean $14.1{\pm}7.5$ years) and 40 type 2 (27 males, $42.0{\pm}14.1$ years) diabetic patients at onset of diabetes. Children with age at onset under 4 years and adults over 55 years were excluded to eliminate the aging effect and the influence of obstructive arteriosclerosis. Neuropathy was defined as abnormal nerve conduction findings in two or more nerves including the sural nerve. Results: Mean HbA1c level was $12.6{\pm}3.3%$ for type 1 and $10.5{\pm}2.9%$ for type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of neuropathy was 12.2% for type 1, and 35.0% for type 2 diabetes, respectively. There were significant trends in the prevalence of neuropathy with increasing age (p<0.05). The effect of the mean level of glycosylated hemoglobin on the prevalence of polyneuropathy at onset of diabetes was borderline (p=0.0532). Neither sex of the patients nor the type of diabetes affected the neurophysiologic abnormalities at the diagnosis. Conclusions: Even in a population with diabetes at the diagnosis, the prevalence of subclinical neuropathy was not low. Neuropathy has been significantly associated with increasing age indicating the possibility of longer duration of undetected diabetes among them, especially in type 2 diabetes.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.659-668
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• 2017

This study was conducted to identify whether there is a significant difference in the developmental stages of the evolution concept depending on the major and the country. For this study, college students (both biology major and non-biology major) in Korea and the United States answered evolution concept assessment developed by Ha (2007). The data were analyzed based on the method of developed by Ha (2016). As a result of this study, Cronbach alpha for internal consistency reliability and MNSQ indices for item response fitness of the ordered multiple choice method providing 0 to 4 point scores to creationism, teleology, intentionality, use/disuse, and natural selection respectively, satisfied the benchmark. The level of Korean college students' evolution concepts was located in use/disuse and the level of USA college students' evolution concepts was located in teleology. No interaction effect was found between the difference of conceptual progressions of evolution concept by major and country and evolution contexts (human, animal, and plant). There was a significant relationship between developmental stages of evolution concept and their religiosity. Based on the results of this study, we discuss developmental characteristics of evolutionary concepts.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.158-164
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of F. latisecta on blood glucose, lipids, and diabetes-related changes in the liver and kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 6): normal control rats, diabetic control rats, diabetic rats treated for 4 weeks with F. latisecta root (400 mg/kg/day), and diabetic rats treated with F. latisecta aerial parts (400 mg/kg/day). Results: Induction of diabetes significantly (p < 0.05) increased the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Diabetes also increased (p < 0.05) oxidative stress in the kidney and liver (decrease of thiol and increase of superoxide dismutase). The root and aerial parts of F. latisecta significantly reduced the level of LDL (p < 0.05) and restored the content of thiol (p < 0.05) and superoxide dismutase (p < 0.01) in the kidney and liver. F. latisecta had no significant effect on the levels of FBG, BUN, AST, and ALT. The root of F. latisecta also reduced the serum level of total cholesterol (p < 0.05) and prevented the progression of hyperglycemia. Conclusion: These findings suggest that F. latisecta may improve diabetic dyslipidemia by reducing serum LDL. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1297-1304
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• 2020

Elevated serum levels of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) are known to be associated with several types of cancer. In addition, some reports have indicated that changes in glycosylation of AGP are associated with cancer progression. However, changes in AGP levels of serum and changes in glycosylation of AGPs in breast cancer have not been specifically studied. In the present study, serum AGP levels in benign (BN) cancer and breast cancer stage I (BC I), BC IIA, BC IIB, and BC III in Korean women were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). AGP was purified from individual sera by hot phenol extraction and then subjected to AGP glycosylation analysis. Three types of AGP glycosylation (fucosylation, high-mannose-type and sialylation) were detected using enzyme-linked lectin assays (ELLAs). Serum AGP levels were higher in BC I, BC IIA, BC IIB, and BC III, than in the BN group, and the level in BC I and BC IIA was high enough to be distinguished from BN. Meanwhile, terminal fucosylation and high-mannose-type glycans appeared to be lowest in BC I. The glycosylation levels of BC I provide sensitivity and specificity that make BC I clearly distinguishable from BC IIA, BC IIB, and BC III as well as BN. Therefore, determination of serum AGP or AGP glycosylation level could be useful for detecting the early stages of breast cancer.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2006

Peroxidase activity was measured in brown leaf spot pathogen (Myrothecium roridum) inoculated potted mulberry (Morus alba) during pre-symptomatic to various symptom development stages and compared with corresponding healthy leaf tissues. The enzyme showed a pH optimum of 7.0 and the activity was linearly increased up to 15 min of incubation. The peroxidase had a broad substrate specificity and the rates of oxidation were in the rank of pyrogallol> guaiacol> ascorbate at pH 7.0. Catechol at 10 mM inhibited 89% of guaiacol-peroxidase and 76% pyrogallol-peroxidase activities, indicated higher non-specific peroxidation in pyrogallol dependent assay system in mulberry than guaiacol. The optimum requirement for the guaiacol dependent assay was 0.2 ml (${\approx}40-60{\mu}g$ equivalent of protein) of crude enzyme source. Excepting the 8th leaf from the apex, the peroxidase activity did not vary appreciably in different leaf positions. In pre-symptomatic phases, an initial (1 to 5 min) rise of peroxidase activity was noticed in inoculated leaves, and then maintained a plateau up to 300 min. In contrary, non-infected tissue showed a slightly increased trend of enzyme level up to 420 min. In infected tissue, a sharp transient increase (3.1 fold) of peroxidase activity appeared between 300 - 420 min post infections. Afterwards, significantly different but steady maintenance of enzyme levels were observed in two treatments. On the other hand, during symptom development, a sharp increase in peroxidase activity was noticed up to 4th grade of lesion appearance (25.1 % to 50% of leaf area infection), and then declined slightly. However, in non-infected but same age healthy leaves, such huge fluctuations of enzyme level did not apparent. A high positive correlation $(R^2=0.92)$ between peroxidase activity and leaf spot development grades was also marked. The result implies that pre-symptomatic burst (between 1 - 5 and 300 - 420 min) and subsequent increased trend of guaiacol peroxidase activity may require for the symptomatic manifestation of Myrothecium leaf spot in mulberry.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2781-2785
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• 2016

Background: Matric metalloproteinase (MMP) 13 gene expression is increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and associated with increasing tumor invasion, lymph node involvement and decreased survival rates. Levels of the circulating enzyme may be elevated and used as a marker of tumor progression. In this study, clinical application of MMP-13 serum levels was evaluated for early detection, prediction of prognosis and survival time of ESCC patients. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of MMP13 were determined by ELISA in 66 ESCC patients prior of any treatment and 54 healthy controls for comparison with clinicopathological data through statistical analysis with Man Whitney U and Log-Rank tests. In addition, clinical value of MMP13 levels for diagnosis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) test. Results: The serum level of MMP-13 in patients (>250 pg/ml) was significantly higher than in the control group (<100 pg/ml) (p value=0.004). Also the results showed a significant correlation between MMP-13 serum levels with tumor stage (p value = 0.003), depth of tumor invasion (p value=0.008), involvement of lymph nodes (p value = 0.011), tumor size (p value = 0.018) and survival time. While there were no significant correlation with grade and location of tumors. ROC analysis showed that MMP-13 level is an accurate diagnostic marker especially to differentiate pre-invasive/ invasive lesions from normal controls (sensitivity and specificity: 100%). Conclusions: These findings indicate a potential clinical significance of serum MMP13 measurement for early detection and prognostic assessment in ESCC patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5315-5320
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• 2016

Purpose: Tumor cell growth and sensitivity to chemotherapy depend on many factors, among which insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) may play important roles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in primary tumors and ascites as predictors of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ovarian cancer (OC) patients. Materials and Methods: Tumor tissue samples and ascitic fluid were obtained from 59 patients with advanced OC. The levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A were determined using ELISA kits. Taking into account the data on expression of these IGF-related proteins and outcome, logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of response to neoajuvant chemotherapy. Results: Human ovarian tumors expressed IGFs, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A and these proteins were also present in ascites fluid and associated with its volume. IGFs and IGFBPs in ascites and soluble PAPP-A might play a key role in ovarian cancer progression. However, levels of proteins of the IGF system in tumors were not significant predictors of objective clinical response (oCR). Univariate analysis showed that the level of IGF-I in ascites was the only independent predictor for oCR. Conclusion: The level of IGF-I in ascites was shown to be an independent predictor of objective clinical response to chemotherapy for OC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and debulking surgery.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.128-134
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• 2018

Purpose: Previous studies have addressed the role of the hypercoagulable state in the pathogenesis of cancer progression and metastasis. In this study, we investigated the association between coagulation factors, including tissue factor (TF) expression, platelet count, and fibrinogen level, and disease recurrence in patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: Patients who underwent curative resection for stage II or III colorectal cancer between 2000 and 2007 were included in this study. Data from a prospectively maintained database were retrospectively reviewed. TF expression was determined by immunohistochemistry using an anti-TF monoclonal antibody. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate 5-year disease-free survival. Results: TF was highly expressed in 257 of 297 patients (86.5%). TF expression was not significantly associated with the platelet counts (P=0.180) or fibrinogen level (P=0.281). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was lower in patients with high TF expression than in patients with low TF expression (72.3% vs. 83.9%, P=0.074). In Cox hazard analysis, high TF expression was an independent risk factor for tumor recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 2.446; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.054-5.674; P=0.037). Undifferentiated histologic type (HR, 2.911; 95% CI, 1.308-6.481; P=0.009), venous invasion (HR, 2.784; 95% CI, 1.431-5.417; P=0.003), and lymph node metastasis (HR, 2.497; 95% CI, 1.499-4.158; P<0.001), were also significantly associated with disease recurrence. Conclusion: TF expression is associated with a recurrence in patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer. However, further studies are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms relating TF expression with oncologic outcomes and its potential role as a therapeutic target.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1028-1036
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• 2018

Study Design: Single-center, observational, case-control study. Purpose: Comparison and analysis of the metabolic and coagulative profiles in patients with idiopathic scoliosis, patients with congenital scoliosis, and healthy controls. Overview of Literature: Serum melatonin deficiency has been a controversial topic in the etiopathogenesis of scoliosis. Low bone mineral density, low vitamin D3 levels, and high parathyroid hormone levels are common metabolic abnormalities associated with scoliosis that may be responsible for its pathogenesis. In addition to metabolic defects, several studies have shown coagulation defects that either persist from the preoperative period or occur during surgery and usually lead to more than the expected amount of blood loss in patients undergoing deformity correction for scoliosis. Methods: The study population (n=73) was classified into those having congenital scoliosis (n=31), those with idiopathic scoliosis (n=30), and healthy controls (n=12). After detailed clinicoradiological evaluation of all the subjects, 10-mL blood samples were collected, measured, and analyzed for various metabolic and coagulation parameters. Results: The mean serum melatonin levels in patients with idiopathic scoliosis were significantly lower than those in the healthy controls. Although the mean serum melatonin level in the congenital group was also low, the difference was not statistically significant. Serum alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels were higher in the scoliosis groups, whereas the vitamin D level was lower. No differences were observed in the coagulation profiles of the different groups. Conclusions: Low serum melatonin levels associated with scoliosis can be a cause or an effect of scoliosis. Moreover, low bone mineral density, high bone turn over, and negative calcium balance appear to play an important role in the progression, if not the onset, of the deformity.

• Journal of the Korean society of biological therapies in psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.230-238
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• 2018

Objectives : Among adolescents, the proportion of daily smoking tends to increase with age, and does not return to the previous level. Therefore, we examined the factors associated with smoking frequency in a nationwide sample of Korean adolescents to help prevent the progression of smoking. Methods : Among 127,804 adolescents who participated in the 2016 and 2017 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey, data from 7,781 adolescents who replied that they currently smoked were analyzed. According to the frequency of cigarette smoking, participants were classified into daily and non-daily smokers. Participants' socio-demographic characteristics, smoking behavior, and psychological problems including perceived stress, depressive mood, and suicidality were assessed. Results : There were 3,627(47.4%) daily smokers and 4,154(52.6%) non-daily smokers. Low parental educational level, and early smoking experience were positively associated with daily smoking. High academic achievement, and high socio-economic status were negatively associated with daily smoking. Daily smoking was positively associated with lower happiness, lower sleep satisfaction, and severe stress during the past 12 months. Factors affecting suicide attempts of smokers were sex, residential type, socioeconomic status, and early smoking experience. Conclusion : The results indicated that socially disadvantaged families, and smoking experience with young age influenced daily smoking among Korean adolescents. Daily smoking was associated with psychological problems including lower happiness, lower sleep satisfaction, and severe stress. Early smoking experience influenced suicidal attempts among Korean adolescent smokers. Early intervention for smoking cessation in this high-risk group may contribute to prevention of these psychiatric complications of smoking.