• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.155-157
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• 2001

Bifidobacterium spp. is nonpathogenic, gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria, which inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. In breast-fed infants, bifidobacteria comprise morethan 90％ of the gut bacterial population. Bifidobacteria spp. are used in commericial fermented dairy products and have been suggested to exert health promoting effects on the host by maintaining intestinal microflora balances, improving lactose tolerance, reducing serum cholesterol levels, increasing synthesis of vitamins, and aiding the immune enchancement and anticarcinogenic activity for the host. These beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium are strain-related. Therefore continued efforts to improve strain characteristics are warranted. in these respect, development of vector system for Bifidobacterium is very important not only for the strain improvement but also because Bifidobacterium is most promising in serving as a delivery system for the useful gene products, such as vaccine or anticarcinogenic polypeptides, into human intestinal tract. For developing vector system, we have characterized several bifidobacterial plasmids at genetic level and developed several shuttle vectors between E. coli and Bifidobacterium using them. Also, we have cloned and sequenced several metabolic genes and food grade selection marker. Also we have obtained bifidobacterial surface protein, which will be used as the mediator for surface display of foreign genes. Recently we have succeeded in expressing amylase and GFP in Bifidobacterium using our own expression vector system. Now we are in a very exciting stage for the molecular breeding and safe delivery system using probiotic Bifidobacterium strains.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.226-229
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• 2009

Gastrointestinal involvement in Henoch-Sch$\"{o}$nlein purpura (HSP) is common. However, both acute pancreatitis and acute renal failure appear to be very rare complications of HSP. We describe a case of HSP with acute pancreatitis and hypovolemic acute renal failure in a 7-year-old girl who presented with a vasculitic purpuric rash involving the lower extremities, abdominal pain, hematochezia, vomiting, and oliguria. Laboratory findings showed increased serum levels of amylase, lipase, and creatinine. An abdominal CT scan revealed diffuse enlargement of the head and body of the pancreas. The patient was successfully managed with conservative treatment, including corticosteroids, and then her pancreatic enzymes and renal function returned to normal. Acute pancreatitis should be differentiated from other causes of acute abdomen in HSP to avoid unnecessary surgery.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.7-15
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• 2014

Objectives: The present study investigated the toxic properties of petroleum ether extract of Wattakaka (W.) volubilis in Wistar female rats. Methods: An in vitro brine shrimp lethality bioassay was studied in A. Salina nauplii, and the lethality concentrations were assessed for petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis. A water soluble portion of the test extract was used in different concentrations from $100-1000{\mu}g/mL$ of 1 mg/mL stock solution. A 24-hours incubation with a 1-mL aliquot in 50 mL of aerated sea water was considered to calculate the percentage rate of dead nauplii with test extract administration against a potassium-dichromate positive control. The acute and the sub-acute toxicities of petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis were evaluated orally by using gavage in female Wistar rats. Food and water intake, body weight, general behavioral changes and mortality of animals were noted. Toxicity or death was evaluated following the administration of petroleum ether extract for 28 consecutive days in the female rats. Serum biochemical parameters, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and ${\alpha}$-amylase levels, were measured in the toxicity evaluations. Pathological changes in isolated organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, were also examined using hematoxylin and eosin dye fixation after the end of the test extract's administration. Results: The results of the brine-shrimp assay indicate that the evaluated concentrations of petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis were found to be non-toxic. In the acute and the sub-acute toxicity evaluations, no significant differences were observed between the control animals and the animals treated with extract of W. volubilis. No abnormal histological changes were observed in any of the animal groups treated with petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis. Conclusion: These results suggest that petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis has a non-toxic effect in Wistar female rats.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.299-307
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• 2015

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is normally related to multiorgan dysfunction and local complications. Studies have found that local pancreatic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was significantly upregulated in drug-induced SAP. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of angiotensin II receptors inhibitor valsartan on dual role of RAS in SAP in a rat model and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. 3.8% sodium taurocholate (1 ml/kg) was injected to the pancreatic capsule in order for pancreatitis induction. Rats in the sham group were injected with normal saline in identical locations. We also investigated the regulation of experimentally induced SAP on local RAS expression in the pancreas through determination of the activities of serum amylase, lipase and myeloperoxidase, histological and biochemical analysis, radioimmunoassay, fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. The results indicated that valsartan could effectively suppress the local RAS to protect against experimental acute pancreatitis through inhibition of microcirculation disturbances and inflammation. The results suggest that pancreatic RAS plays a critical role in the regulation of pancreatic functions and demonstrates application potential as AT1 receptor antagonists. Moreover, other RAS inhibitors could be a new therapeutic target in acute pancreatitis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.252-258
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• 2017

Purpose: Blunt trauma of pancreas in children is uncommon and its management varies from observational to early operative intervention. We analysed the feasibility and outcome of non-operative management in all grades of paediatric pancreatic injuries. Methods: A total of 15 patients of pancreatic trauma seen in a Paediatric Surgery Unit were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Age of the patients ranged from 3-11 years (mean, 7.7 years). The mode of injury was local trauma in 9 children. Only 3 patients had associated injuries and all were haemodynamically stable. Serum amylase levels were raised in 12 patients at admission which ranged from 400-1,000 IU. Computed tomography scan made a correct diagnosis in 14 patients. Grades of the injury varied from grade I-V (1, 3, 6, 4, 1 patients respectively). Fourteen patients were managed conservatively. One patient underwent laparotomy for suspected superior mesenteric hematoma. The average duration of enteral feeds was 3.7 days and of hospital stay was 9.4 days. Six patients formed pancreatic pseudocysts; two were managed conservatively while the other four underwent cystogastrostomy. The patients were followed up for a period of 1-12 years. All remained asymptomatic and none had exocrine or endocrine deficiencies. Conclusion: Non-operative treatment for isolated blunt trauma of pancreas in children may be safely followed for all the grades of injury; if associated injuries requiring surgical intervention are ruled out with a good quality imaging and the patients are hemodynamically stable. It did not increase the hospital stay and morbidity and avoided operative intervention on acutely injured pancreas.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.56-69
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the current research trend on the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for pancreatitis. Methods : Through nine search engines, articles were collected, which had involved the use of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for pancreatitis. Data were extracted from the selected articles regarding the year, country, type of pancreatitis, study design, evaluation variable, intervention, point for acupuncture and moxibustion, and effectiveness of treatment. Results : Total 56 articles were reviewed. The number of studies increased gradually every ten years. Fifty-one studies(91%) were conducted in China. Most of clinical studies and animal experimentations reported on acute pancreatitis. Thirty-nine studies were randomized controlled trials(RCTs), but most of them were assessed as uncertain in the risk of bias evaluation. The degree of overall improvement(79%) was used mainly as evaluation variable of clinical studies. In animal experimentations, the examination of pancreatitis tissue(77%) and blood test(77%) were used the most. Most of studies were conducted with the acupuncture, one with moxibustion. Among them, electroacupuncture was the most common intervention of treatment group. ST36 was the most frequently used acupuncture point in the included studies. Effective rate increased and serum amylase, clinical symptoms, recovery time of gastrointestinal function decreased statistically significantly in the treatment group of clinical studies. Conclusions : The result of this study could be used for the future practice and research about the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for pancreatitis.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.547-556
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• 1998

This study was performed to obtain the basic data on the serum constituents of several marine fish spesies commonly cultured in Korea. Blood samples taken from six species of fish were analyzed for various components of serum, total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), triglyceride (TRIG), cholesterol (CHOL), glucose (GLC), lipase (LIPA), amylase (AMYL), aspartate transaminoferase (AST), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (CI) and phosphorus (PHOS). The fish used were coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), rock fish (Sebastes schlegeli), sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus), olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), rock fish (Sebastes schlegeli), sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus), olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), parrot fish (Oplegnathus fasciatus) and jack mackerel (Trachurus jaonicus) reared at the Chungmu Experimental Fish Culture Station of KORDI when the water tempetature was ca. 16.5$^{\circ}C$. There were significant differences in TRIG, CHOL, LIPA and AMYZ among the species analyzed. TRIG concentratin were ranged 178~180mg/dl in jack mackeerel and rock fish, 126~159 mg/dl in olive flounder and sea bass, and 102~114 mg/dl in coho salmon and parrot fish, respectively. Jack mackerel showed the highest levels in CHOL (255mg/dl) and GLC(138mg/dl) among species. LIPA levels were recorded 256 U/dl in coho salmon, 41~42 U/dl in parrot fish and rock fisk, and 5~11 U/dl jack mackerel and sea bass, respectively. AMYL activity of coho salmon was measured as 2, 665 U/dl, and that of jack mackerel was 1,210 U/dl while sea bass showed 60 U/dl and parrot fish, olive flounder and rock fish had at most 5 U/dl. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the concentration of Na and CI. Na and K were proved that they were negatively correlated in all the species. Generally, among blood components, PHOS and CHOL levels were different depending on environmental temperature of each fish species, especially in olive flounder. Rock fish and parrot fish showed high blood concentration of those components during low temperature period while olive flounder and jack mackerel reached high level during their optimal environmental temperature period. The electrolyte concentration and LIPA activity were high during low water temperature period, in general, but TP and ALB concentrations were high during optimal temperature period. The concentrations of TRIG, CHOL and GLC, those which were used as energy sourses, were different among species by season.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.456-462
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• 2006

Background: Differential diagnosis is very important in patients with pleural effusions. A few studies on the etiologies of massive pleural effusions have been reported, but these were conducted in different decades and locations. In the present study, the etiologic spectrum of massive pleural effusions in Korea, were evaluated through an investigation at one university hospital. Methods: Retrospective chart reviews were performed in patients having undergone thoracentesis between July 2002 and July 2005. Pleural effusions were deemed to be massive if they occurred in two thirds or more of one hemithorax. The etiologies of massive pleural effusions, pleural fluid findings, serum laboratory findings, and sputum and pleural fluid cytologies were compared. Results: Of 298 pleural effusions cases, 41 (13.8%) had massive pleural effusions. The most frequent causes of massive pleural effusions were malignancy (19; 46.3%) followed by tuberculosis (15; 36.6%), parapneumonic effusion (4; 9.8%) and transudate (3; 7.3%). Compared with massive benign effusions, patients with massive malignant pleural effusions were more likely to have lower adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity, a higher amylase level and higher RBC count in their pleural fluids. Also, compared with non-tuberculosis effusions, patients with massive tuberculous pleural effusions were more likely to have lower RBC and neutrophil counts, but a higher lymphocyte count, adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and protein level. Conclusion: The most common etiologies of massive pleural effusions in Korea are malignancy and tuberculosis. A high ADA content favors a tuberculous condition, while bloody effusions with a relatively lower ADA content. favors malignancy. The proportion of tuberculosis in massive pleural effusions was higher than in previous reports.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1311-1318
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• 2014

This study was designed to investigate the effects of basal diets supplemented with a clay product consisting of zeolite and attapulgite (ZA) at 1:1 ratio on growth performance, digestibility of feed nutrients, activities of digestive enzymes in small intestine and intestinal health in broiler chickens. In experiment 1, 112 one-day-old male chickens were randomly divided into 2 groups with 8 replicates of 7 chickens each. In experiment 2, 84 one-day-old male chickens were randomly allocated into 2 groups consisting 6 replicates of 7 chickens each. The experimental diets both consisted of a maize-soybean basal control diet supplemented with 0% or 2% ZA. The diets were fed from 1 to 42 days of age. The results showed that ZA supplementation could increase body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI), but had no significant effect on feed conversion ratio. The apparent digestibility values of crude protein and gross energy were significantly increased (p<0.05) by ZA from 14 to 16 d and 35 to 37 d. Dietary ZA treatment significantly increased (p<0.05) the activities of amylase, lipase and trypsin in jejunal digesta and the activities of maltase and sucrase in jejunal mucosa on days 21 and 42. The ZA supplementation also significantly increased (p<0.05) the catalase activity, reduced (p<0.05) the malondialdehyde concentration in the jejunal mucosa. In addition, a decrease of serum diamine oxidase activity and an increase (p<0.05) in concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A in jejunal mucosa were observed in birds treated with ZA on 21 and 42 days. It is concluded that ZA supplementation (2%) could partially improve the growth performance by increasing BWG and FI. This improvement was achieved through increasing the secretion of digestive enzymes, enhancing the digestibilites of nutrients, promoting intestinal health of broiler chickens.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2012

This study investigated the lipid profiles for the possible improving activity of insoluble dietary fiber extracted from cabbage waste discarded during kimchi manufacture and market distribution. Enzyme-treated Insoluble Dietary Fiber (EIDF) is the remnants of crude dietary fiber (CDF) treated by ${\alpha}$-amylase, protease, and amyloglucosidase after removal of soluble materials from cabbage waste. The insoluble dietary fiber of CDF and EIDF in cabbage waste was $65.33{\pm}0.33%$ and $73.57{\pm}0.09%$, respectively. To examine the effects of EIDF on plasma cholesterol concentration, two group of rats were fed either a high fat diet (HFD) or a HFD containing 0.1~1.0% EIDF for 4 weeks. The body weight of all groups was not significantly different (p<0.05) but the body weight of EIDF+HFD groups was less than that of the HFD group (p<0.1). Compared with the HFD group, EIDF also lowered serum levels of total triglycerides to 11.2~23.3% and cholesterol to 26.8~28.5%. In EIDF+HFD groups, the HDL-cholesterol level increased by 7.2~26.1%, while LDL-cholesterol especially decreased by 51.0~61.4% and VLDL-cholesterol by 16.9~26.4%. The atherogenic index of EIDF+HFD groups was also reduced twice that of the HFD group. From these results, EIDF from cabbage waste could be a potential effective food ingredient for improving lipid profiles.