• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.93-107
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• 2009

Objective: Membranous nephropathy (MN) is one of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults. However, there is not a satisfactory treatment for MN. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Houttuyniae Herba Extract (HHE) on MN induced by cationic bovine serum albumin (cBSA). Methods: Mice were divided into 4 groups. The first group, Normal, was injected with saline. The second group, Control, was treated with cBSA (10mg/kg i.p) only. The third group, HHE-250, was treated with cBSA (10mg/kg i.p) and HHE (250mg/kg, p.o). The fourth group, HHE-500, was treated with cBSA (10mg/kg i.p) and HHE (500mg/kg, p.o). After treatment for 4 weeks, we measured change of body weight, 24 hrs proteinuria, serum albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, BUN, creatinine, IgA, IgM, IgG, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$ levels and the mRNA expression of IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-6, and IL-10. The morphologic changes of renal glomeruli were also observed with a light microscope and an electron microscope. Results: The levels of 24 hrs proteinuria and serum triglyceride, BUN, IgG, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$ significantly decreased in both HHE groups, while the level of serum albumin significantly increased in both HHE groups. The mRNA expression of IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-6 in splenocytes considerably increased in both HHE groups. The mRNA expression of IL-10 in splenocytes considerably decreased in both HHE groups. In histological findings of kidney tissue, thickening of GBM decreased in both HHE groups. Conclusions: This study shows that HHE might be effective for treatment of acute stage MN. More clinical data and studies are to be done for efficient application.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.217-223
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• 1997

This study was performed to determine if women with day 3 serum inhibin-B concentrations <45pg/ml (conversion factor to SI unit, 1.00) demonstrate a poor response to ovulation induction and assisted reproductive technology outcome to women with inhibin-B${\ge}45pg$/ml, independant of day 3 FSH, E2 and patient age. From Jan 1996 to Dec 1996, 16 volunteers patients who underwent 25 IVF cycles with luteal phase GnRH agonist suppression and HMG stimulation were allocated to the study group. We evaluated day 3 serum inhibin-B, FSH, E2, peak E2, cancellation rate per initiated cycle (%) and clinical pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (%) according to the above two groups and independent of patient age, day 3 FSH, day 3 E2 and all of above combined. Women with day 3 serum inhibin-B${\ge}45pg$/ml demonstrated higher average day 3 inhibin-B level, clinical pregnancy rate per initiated cycle ($20.3{\pm}2.5$ pg/ml vs $80.9{\pm}5.0$ pg/ml, p<0.05; 24.8% vs 8.5%, p<0.05) and lower day 3 FSH level, cancellation rate per initiated cycle ($6.9{\pm}0.3$ mIU/ml vs $8.5{\pm}0.5$ mIU/ml, p<0.05; 1.5% vs 9.0%, p<0.05). Women with day 3 serum inhibin${\ge}45pg$/ml and age<40 year demonstrated higher pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (28.2% vs 7.4%, p<0.05) and lows. day 3 FSH level, cancellation rate per initiated cycle ($6.9{\pm}0.5$ mIU/ml vs $8.2{\pm}0.7$ mIU/ml, p<0.05; 1.0% vs 9.0%, p<0.05). Women with day 3 serum inhibin${\ge}45pg$/ml and day 3 FSH<15mIU/ml demonstrated higher pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (33.5% vs 9.5%, p<0.05) and lower day 3 FSH level, cancellation rate per initiated cycle ($7.7{\pm}0.2$ mIU/ml vs $8.5{\pm}0.5$ mIU/ml, p<0.05; 1.5% vs 10.0%, p<0.05). Women with day 3 serum inhibin${\ge}45pg$/ml and day 3 E2<50pg/ml demonstrated higher pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (30.0% vs 9.5%, p<0.05) and lower cancellation rate per initiated cycle (1.5% vs 9.5%, p<0.05). Women with day 3 serum inhibin${\ge}45pg$/ml, age<40 year, day 3 FSH<15mIU/ml and day 3 E2<50pg/ml demonstrated higher pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (30.0% vs 10.8%, p<0.05) and lower day 3 FSH level, cancellation rate per initiated cycle ($6.8{\pm}0.6$ mIU/ml vs $8.4{\pm}0.9$ mIU/ml, p<0.05; 1.5% vs 7.8%, p<0.05). Therefore women with low day 3 serum inhibin-B concentrations demonstrate a poorer response to ovulation induction and are less likely to conceive a clinical pregnancy though ART relative to women with high day 3 inhibin-B and day 3 serum inhibin-B, in addition to a day 3 FSH, E2 and patient age, appears helpful in prediction in IVF-ET outcome.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 1997

To make index on therapy or releasing from dairy holstein cows of reproductive disorder, the levels of serological sex hormones and total ALP, GOT, GPT, and serum protein were measured. The results obtained through the experiments are summarized as follows ; 1. The levels of FSH and estradiol in reproductive disorder group were significantly higher and lower than those in pregnant group and control group, respectively. (p<0.05) 2. The level of prolactin was showed mild difference in three groups and that of progesterone was reasonably higher in pregnant group with significance (p<0.05). 3. The activity of GPT was significantly higher and that of GOT was showed higher In reproductive disorder group, respectively ( p<0.05) 4. The level of total ALP was higher in reproductive disorder group, however no difference was showed between pregnant and control group. 5. The level of serum protein was followed as control, pregnant, and reproductive disorder with insignificance.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 2017

Tomatoes are rich in nutrients and have many beneficial advantages on human health. Four cherry tomato supplementation diets (CTSDs) were prepared from the juice and cake of fresh and processed (heat-treated) cherry tomatoes. Rats were fed CTSDs for 28 days and the changes in health indices in the serum were analyzed. CTSDs significantly decreased (P < 0.05) food efficiency ratio compared with the control. CTSD feeding significantly increased (P < 0.05) the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level compared with the control, which resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in coronary artery risk index and atherogenic index. Furthermore, CTSD feeding increased serum serotonin level. These results indicate that CTSD shows antihyperlipidemic effect.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 1991

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary calcium. serum estrogen level and physical activity on the bone status of 116 healthy elderly women living in urban area. Current calcium intake was assessed by convenient method(refered to as Ca intake) and calcium containing food frequency method(refered to as Ca index) Daily activity record was used for the estimation of physical activity level, and serum estrogen level was measured from fasting blood of subjects. The rate of bone resorption was evaluated by the determination of hydroxyproline(Hpr) in fasting urine with correction for creatinine excretion. The results of this study are summarized as follows : 1) Average daily Ca intake of subjects was 621.4$\pm$155.8mg, which is above the Korean recommended dietary allowances. However 44.8% of the subjects consumed Ca below RDA level. Ca index score was significantly correlated with the bone status(P<0.05), Ca intake did not show significant correlation with the bone status although a positive trend of influence was evident. 2) Average serum estrogen level of subjects was 18.7$\pm$9.8pg Contrary to our anticipation. estrogen level did not show any significant relation to age and bone status. 3) Daily physical activity was classified into four categories by activity intensity : sedentary. moderate, active and severe. The average physical activity of subjects belong to moderate level. and the bone status was significantly related to the physical activity(P<0.01) 4) Among other influential factors such as age, pocket-money. family type. drinking, smoking and BMI, there was a significant difference between bone status and BMI(P<0.05). 5) Multiple regression analysis of variables showed that physical activity has greater effect than other variables when the entire subjects were taken into account. However. eliminating the subjects whose bone status rated as excellent(Hpr/cr<0.009), Ca index showed higher correlation than physical activity. These results have demonstrated that dietary calcium intake is the primary important factor for keeping good bone health and that bone status of subjects with a sufficient calcium intake is affected by various factors such as physical activity, age, smoking. BMI and others.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2011

Background: Early recognition and treatment of sepsis would improve patients' outcome. But it is difficult to distinguish between sepsis and non-infectious conditions in the acute phase of clinical deterioration. We studied serum level of procalcitonin (PCT) as a method to diagnose and to evaluate sepsis. Methods: Between 1 March 2009 and 30 September 2009, 178 patients had their serum PCT tested during their clinical deterioration in the medical intensive care unit. These laboratories were evaluated, on a retrospective basis. We classified their clinical status as non-infection, local infection, sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. Then, we compared their clinical status with level of PCT. Results: The number of clinical status is as follows: 18 non-infection, 33 local infection, 39 sepsis, 26 severe sepsis, and 62 septic shock patients. PCT level of non-septic group (non-infection and local infection) and septic group (sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock) was $0.36{\pm}0.57$ ng/mL and $18.09{\pm}36.53$ ng/mL (p<0.001), respectively. Area under the curve for diagnosis of sepsis using cut-off value of PCT >0.5 ng/mL was 0.841 (p<0.001). Level of PCT as clinical status was statistically different between severe sepsis and septic shock ($^*severe$ sepsis; $4.53{\pm}6.15$ ng/mL, $^*septic$ shock $34.26{\pm}47.10$ ng/mL, $^*p$ <0.001). Conclusion: Level of PCT at clinical deterioration showed diagnostic power for septic condition. The level of PCT was statistically different between severe sepsis and septic shock.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.684-692
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the effect of chongkukjang intake on lipid metabolism and liver function in ethanol consumed rats. Twenty one Sprague-Dawley male rats aging 4 weeks old were used as experimental animals, which were divided into three dietary groups; casein diet(CA), soybean diet(SB) and chongkukjang diet(CJ). Alcohol was consumed with water as 25%(v/v) ethanol solution. After 4 weeks of experimental period, rats were sacrificed to get blood and liver samples for analysis of lipids, lipid peroxides, antioxidative enzymes and biochemical indices of liver function. The mean body weight, food intake and liver index were not significantly different among three groups. Serum level of total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol of chongkukjang diet group was the lowest among three groups although the difference was not significant. HDL-cholesterol level was significantly(p<0.05) higher in chongkukjang diet group than that of casein diet group. LDL-cholesterol level of chongkukjang and soybean diet group was significantly(p<0.05) lower than that of casein diet group respectively. Liver TBARS of chongkukjang and soybean diet group was significantly(p<0.05) lower than that of casein diet group respectively. The superoxide dismutase activity of chongkukjang diet group was significantly(p<0.05) higher than that of casein diet group. Catalase activity was not significantly different among three groups. As indices of liver function, glutamic oxaloacetic transminase(GOT), glutamic pyruvic transminase(GPT), $\gamma$-glutamyl transpeptidase($\gamma$-GTP) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) were not significantly different among three groups. Serum alcohol concentration and activities of alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH) were not significantly different among three groups. The chongkukjang diet seems to give a beneficial effect for improving lipid metabolism by increasing HDL-cholesterol level and SOD activity while reducing liver TBARS level. However, effect on liver function has to be investigated further.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7825-7829
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• 2015

Background: Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV infection in the world (~14.7%). Around 10-15% of HCV-infected persons will advance to cirrhosis within the first 20 years. The incidence of HCC is expected to grow in the next two decades, largely due to HCV related cirrhosis, and detection of HCC at an early stage is critical for a favorable clinical outcome. No simple reliable non-invasive marker has been available till now. B2M, a non-glycosylated polypeptide composed of 99 amino acids, is one of the components of HLA class I molecules on the surfaces of all nucleated cells. It has been reported that the level of serum B2M is elevated in patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCV-related HCC when compared to HCV-negative patients or healthy donors. Determining the clinical utility of serum B2M as a marker for disease progression in Egyptian patients with HCV related chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma was the aim of the present study. Materials and Methods: In this analytical cross sectional study 92 participants were included in 4 equal groups: Group (1) non cirrhotic chronic HCV; Group (2) HCV related liver cirrhosis; Group (3) HCC on top of HCV,; and Group (4) healthy controls. History taking, clinical examination, routine labs and abdominal ultrasound were conducted for all patients, PCR and Metavir scores for group (1) patients, and triphasic CT abdomen and AFP for Group (3) patients. B2M levels were measured in serum with a fully-automated IMX system. Results: The mean serum B2M level of Group (1) was $4.25{\pm}1.48{\mu}g/ml$., Group (2) was $7.48{\pm}3.04$, Group (3) was $6.62{\pm}2.49$ and Group (4) was $1.62{\pm}0.63$. Serum B2M levels were significantly higher in diseased than control group (p<0.01) being significantly higher in cirrhosis ($7.48{\pm}3.04$) and HCC groups ($6.62{\pm}2.49$) than the HCV group ($4.25{\pm}1.48$) (p<0.01). There was a significant correlation between B2M Level and ALK, total and direct bilirubin and INR (p<0.05), and a significant inverse correlation between B2M level and albumin, total proteins, HB andWBCS values (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between B2M level and viral load or Metavir score, largest tumour size or AFP (p>0.05). The best B2M cut-off for HCV diagnosis was 2.6 with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 97% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. The best B2M cut-off for HCC diagnosis was 4.55 which yielded sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive values of 74%, 62%, 39.5, 87.8% respectively (p-value <0.01) while best cut-off for cirrhosis was 4.9, with sensitivity 74 % and specificity 74%.The sensitivity for HCC diagnosis increased upon B2M and AFP combined estimation to 91%, specificity to 79%, NPV to 95% and accuracy to 83%. Conclusions: Serum B2M level is elevated in HCV related chronic liver diseases and may be used as a marker for HCV disease progression towards cirrhosis and carcinoma.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 1976

Serum levels of human placental lactogen have been measured by hemagglutination-inhibition reaction in 67 normal pregnant state and in 15 postpartum 24 hour state, HAIR is less sensitive and reliable method than radioimmunoassay, but simple, rapid, less expensive and fairly accurate, so it is more helpful in screening of large antenatal population with or without high risk complications. 1) Sensitivity of HPL-HAIR test kit was $0.1{\mu}g$/ml of H.P.L. serum level and had no cross reaction to HCG or male serum or non-pregenant female or newborn infant, 2) H.P.L. value was around $2{\mu}g$/ml until 24th week of pregnancy and rose to $6{\sim}8$ ${\mu}g$/ml continuously until about 36th week of pregnancy and then slightly decreased or stationary. 3) H.P.L. value in postpartum 24 hour state was undetectable. 4) There was poor correlation between maternal serum H.P.L. value at term and baby weight.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.903-911
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• 2002

The effects of dietary levan, high-molecular-weight $\beta$-2,6-linked fructose polymer, on adiposity, serum leptin and UCP expression in rats fed high fat diet were studied. The adipose tissue hormone, leptin has been proposed to be involved in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Uncoupling protein (UCP), a mitochondrial protein that uncouples the respiratory chain from oxidative phosphorylation, generates heat instead of ATP, thereby increase energy expenditure. To determine whether the dietary levan may have the anti-obesity effect, 4 wk old Sprague Dawley male rats fed high fat diet for 6 wks to induce obesity, and subsequently fed one of three diets for further 6 wks: 1) high fat (40% of calories) diet without levan 2) with 3% (w/w) levan 3) with 5% levan. For the comparison, control group fed AIN-76A diet. Visceral and peritoneal fat masses were lower in high fat diet with levan groups compared to high fat diet group. The effect of levan was dose-dependent. Adipocyte size was significantly reduced in the levan diet groups compared to the no levan diet group. Serum cholesterol level was not affected by levan containing diet, while the serum HDL cholesterol level was higher in leven diet groups. In addition, serum triglyceride level was markedly reduced by levan containing diet, thus lower than that of control group. Serum leptin was reduced by levan containing diet and lower in 5% levan group compared to 3% levan group (p < 0.001), as a result, serum leptin and insulin levels of 5% levan group were reduced to level of control group. Futhermore, the serum leptin level reflected the adiposity. The expression of UCP 1, and UCP 2 in brown adipose tissue was up-regulated by levan containing diet. In conclusions, levan containing diet reduced adiposity and serum triglyceride but increased UCP expression in the obese rats fed high fat diet. (Korean J Nutrition 35(9) : 903~911, 2002)