• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.308-322
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• 2015

Objectives: Whether there exists a distinct pathogenesis in subgroups of functional dyspepsia (FD), the classification of epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), and postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the number of fungiform papillae (FP) in the subgroups of FD and its correlation with the severity of dyspepsia symptoms and spleen qi deficiency. Methods: Patients with FD were enrolled from August to November 2014. All patients were evaluated using a questionnaire and divided into 2 groups according to the Rome III criteria for FD. The severity of dyspepsia symptoms and spleen qi deficiency were separately assessed by Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean (NDI-K) version and Spleen qi deficiency questionnaire (SQDQ). The number of FP was measured on the anterior part of tongue, within an area of 9 mm ², using a digital cam Results: The NDI-K score, SQDQ score, and number of FP in the EPS group were significantly greater than those in the PDS group. Also, the EPS group had more patients diagnosed with spleen qi deficiency. The number of FP showed a significant positive correlation with epigastric pain and burning. Furthermore, the number of FP was significantly associated with the score of some items in NDI-K and SQDQ, even though not with the total score. Conclusions: Thus, measurement of the number of FP could be a new evaluation indicator for allocation into FD subtypes and to investigate the severity of dyspepsia symptoms and spleen Qi deficiency reflecting visceral hypersensitivity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2002

Background: Aerobic training can be defined as any physical exercise that increases the heart rate and enhances the body's intake of oxygen long enough to benefit the condition of body. Running, cycling, and swimming are examples of aerobic activities. This type of exercise optimises immune functions. Recently several experimental findings suggested that the regular swimming training increase immune response, but there have been very few reports which compare warm water exercise with cold water exercise in spleen lymphocytes. Methods: This study was designed to examine the effects of regular swimming training on Index, the number of lymphocytes, proliferative activity and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by splenocytes in BALB/c mice. Thirty six mice (6 week old) were performed 10 weeks of regular swimming training and they were divided into 6 groups according to the regular swimming training (CRG: control resting group, CEG: control exercise group, WRG: warm water trained resting group, WEG: warm water trained exercise group, CORG: cold water trained resting group, COEG: cold water exercise group). Analytical items were weight change, spleen index, the number of lymphocytes, proliferative activity and production of ROS. All data were expressed as mean and standard deviation by using SPSS package program (ver. 10.0). Results: The swimming training significantly decreased body weight, and increased spleen index, the number of lymphocytes and proliferative activity in the presence or absence of Con A and LPS added conditions. For the WRG and CORG, the quantity of ROS from splenocytes was higher than CRG, whereas, ROS by spleen lymphocytes was lower following 90 min acute exercise stress. Conclusion: These results suggested that the swimming training not only increases the number of lymphocytes but also increases proliferative activity by splenocytes in vitro.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.58 no.11
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• pp.39.1-39.12
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• 2016

Background: The current study investigates the anti-stress effects of clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) extracts (0, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) on serum antioxidant biomarkers, immune response, immunological organ growth index, and expression levels of acute phase proteins (APPs); ovotransferrin (OVT), ceruloplasmin (CP), ceruloplasmin (AGP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum amyloid-A (SAA) mRNA in the immunological organs of 63-d-old male black-meated Silkie fowls subjected to 21 d chronic heat stress at $35{\pm}2^{\circ}C$. Results: The results demonstrated that clove extract supplementation in the diet of Silkie fowls subjected to elevated temperature (ET) improve growth performance, immune responses, and suppressed the activities of glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD); reduced serum malonaldehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations when compared with fowls raised under thermoneutral condition (TC). Upon chronic heat stress and supplementation of clove extracts, the Silkie fowls showed a linear increase in GSH-Px, SOD, CAT, and TXNRD activities (P = 0.01) compared with fowls fed diets without clove extract. ET decreased (P < 0.05) the growth index of the liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus. However, the growth index of the liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus increased significantly (P < 0.05) which corresponded to an increase in clove supplemented levels. The expression of OVT, CP, AGP, CRP, and SAA mRNA in the liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus were elevated (P < 0.01) by ET compared with those maintained at TC. Nevertheless, clove mitigates heat stress-induced overexpression of OVT, CP, AGP, CRP and SAA mRNA in the immune organs of fowls fed 400 mg clove/kg compared to other groups. Conclusions: The results showed that clove extracts supplementation decreased oxidative stress in the heat-stressed black-meated fowls by alleviating negative effects of heat stress via improvement in growth performance, antioxidant defense mechanisms, immunity, and regulate the expression of acute phase genes in the liver and immunological organs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.356-362
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• 2023

The 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) is the richest components in a human milk oligosaccharide. Several studies have reported that 2'-FL has beneficial effects in infants. However, there are few studies on its immune-enhancing effects. This research aimed to examine the immune-enhancing effect of 2'-FL on immunosuppression by cyclophosphamide (CCP) in ICR mice. Mice were orally administered distilled water or 0.5 mg/kg B.W. 2'-FL for 14 days. An immunocompromised mouse model was induced using CCP 80 mg/kg B.W. at 12-14 days. Using the CCP had effects on reducing their body weight, organ weight, spleen index, natural killer (NK) cell activity, and cytokines concentration and expression. This study also used concanavalin A-mediated T-cell proliferation to verify the immune-enhancing effects in the sample. Body weight, spleen index, organ weight, and cytokine levels were measured to estimate the immune-enhancing effects. The body weight at 14 days tended to increase, and the spleen weight and index significantly increased in the 2'-FL group compared to the CCP group. The NK cell activity increased in the 2'-FL group compared to the CCP group, but there was no significant difference. The concentration of interleukin (IL)-2 tended to recover in the 2'-FL group compared to the CCP group. The 2'-FL group showed a significant increase of IL-10 and IFN-gamma concentration compared to the CCP group. In addition, there was a trend of increased IL-10 mRNA expression compared to the CCP group. These results revealed that 2'-FL improved CCP-induced immunosuppression, suggesting that 2'-FL may have the potential to enhance the immune system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2017

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is one of major herbs used to treat patients with skin diseases diagnosed by wind-heat syndrome. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Extract (SBE) on skin lesion of Contact dermatitis (CD) in mice. We investigated the effects of SBE on skin thickness, skin lesions, erythema index and melanin index in vivo. The effects on body weights and spleen/body weight ratio were also investigated in mice with CD induced by topical application of 1-Fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). In our results, topical application of SBE lowered skin thickness significantly. In addition, SBE ameliorated skin lesions such as erythema, exudate and petechia in mice with CD. SBE also inhibited erythema index elevated by DNFB significantly. finally, SBE did not affect body weight and spleen/body weight ratio. In conclusion, these data imply that SBE can ameliorate skin lesion of CD such as erythema, exudate and petechia, and be used to treat CD patients with relative safety.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.167-175
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to find correlations between Edema Index and Pulse Energy in early postpartum period. Methods: Fiftynine postpartum women were participated in this study which was conducted with Inbody 720 (Biospace Co. Ltd) and 3D Blood Pressure Pulse Analyzer (3D-MAC). Edema Index (Extra Cellular Water/Total Body Water) calculated after body composition analysis and 3D-MAC result (Pulse Energy) were analysed within a week after delivery. Results: The results were as follows 1. Edema Indexes of the upper, lower limbs, trunk and whole body were associated with each other respectively. 2. Edema Indexes and Right Kwan pulse energy had significant positive correlation. 3. Right Kwan pulse energy showed positive correlations with Left Kwan, Right Chon, Right Cheok. Conclusions: Viscera associated with Postpartum Edema are Spleen, Lung, Liver and Vital Gate. The most important thing is thought to be Spleen.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.273-278
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• 2006

Effects of dietary fat and tomato on immune functions were investigated using BALB/c mice. Sixty male BALB/c mice weighing 16-17g were divided into two dietary groups. Control group was fed experimental chow (AIN-76 purified diet) supplemented with saturated fat (beef tallow) and unsaturated fat (safflower oil) at 5% level (weight basis), while treatment group was fed chow added with 0.5% (dry matter basis) of tomato (moisture content 95%) for 10 weeks. Organ weights, delayed-type hypersensitivity test, plaque-forming cell test, agglutination test, differential white cell count, and histological examination were performed at 4th, 7th, and 10th week after dietary treatment. Weight of spleen and spleen index of tomato group increased with increasing experimental period. Thymus index of tomato group was significantly higher than that of control group at 7 and 10 weeks (p<0.05). In delayed hypersensitivity test at 4th, 7th, and 10th week after dietary treatment, tomato group showed more significant increase in footpad swelling reaction 24 hr after challenge than control group (p<0.05). In plaque-forming cell test, tomato group fed 7 weeks increased more significantly than control group, while no significant difference was found between two groups at 10 weeks. Agglutination test decreased with increasing experimental period; tomato group at 10 weeks was higher than control group in antibody response to SRBC. In tomato group, Iympocyte percentage was slightly higher than that of control group, and spleen tissue showed active immune reaction caused by severe proliferation of white pulp.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2021

Background: The diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV) is based on the findings of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), biopsy, and serum markers. Thus, noninvasive cost-effective tests through which high-risk EV children can be diagnosed are needed. Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the noninvasive markers for EV in children with liver cirrhosis. Methods: A total of 98 children with liver cirrhosis were evaluated in this study. The spleen size, platelet count, serum albumin, liver function test results, and risk scores were evaluated prior to endoscopy. The endoscopic investigations aimed to identify the presence of EV and red signs, and determine varices sizes. Results: Endoscopy revealed varices in 43 subjects (43.9%). The spleen size, platelet count, international normalized ratio, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), platelet count to spleen size ratio, and risk score differed significantly between patients with and without EV on univariate analysis; however, the logistic regression analysis showed no differences, indicating that none of these parameters were independently associated with the presence of EV. Conclusion: Platelet count, risk score, platelet count to spleen size, and APRI can be useful tools for the identification of high-risk patients with EV and might reduce the need for invasive methods like EGD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.527-546
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• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between gastric emptying measured by ultrasonography and Korean medical instruments of diagnosis and assessment in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients. Among the subgroups of FD, postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) is related to gastric motility disorder.Methods Ten patients with FD and particularly with PDS as well as 10 healthy controls were enrolled in the study from September to November 2015. The gastric emptying shown as the half-life of gastric volume (T_1/2) was measured by ultrasonography. The severities of spleen qi deficiency and dyspepsia symptoms were assessed by a spleen qi deficiency questionnaire (SQDQ) and the Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean version (NDI-K), respectively. In addition, a food retention questionnaire (FRQ), a damum questionnaire (DQ), a cold and heat questionnaire (CHQ), a deficiency and excess questionnaire (DEQ), and a visual analogue scale (VAS) of distention and fullness were completed by every participant.Results In comparison with the control group, the FD group showed significantly higher scores for the SQDQ, NDI-K, FRQ, DQ, DEQ, and VAS of distention and fullness. T_1/2 was also significantly higher in the FD group than in the control group. There were significant correlations between T_1/2 and the SQDQ score. However, there were no significant correlations between T1/2 and other questionnaire scores except for one item of the NDI-K.Conclusions According to these findings, it was determined that measuring gastric emptying using ultrasonography could be a quantitative indicator to diagnose spleen qi deficiency in FD patients.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.88-98
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• 2014

Total spleen lymphocytes, lymphocyte proliferation, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in spleen lymphocyte culture were studied in malnourished Wistar rats fed with goat milk yoghurt. Malnourished rats were created by using standard feed restriction as much as 50% of normal rats for 21 d. Goat milk yoghurt containing three types of microorganism e.g., Lactobacillus acidophilus, Sterptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium longum derived from Lacto-B culture in powder form. After 21 d, the rats continued to receive restricted feeding and supplemented with goat milk yoghurt for 7 d. Total splenocytes were counted by hemocytometer. Splenocytes proliferation was expressed as stimulation index, whereas the TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-10 of spleen lymphocyte culture were measured by ELISA technique. The total number of splenocytes and stimulation index of splenocytes in moderate malnourished and normal rats supplemented with goat milk yoghurt was not significantly different. The level of TNF-${\alpha}$ in the rat supplemented with goat milk yoghurt was lower (p<0.05) than the control group, whereas the level of IL-10 in the rat supplemented with goat milk yoghurt was higher (p<0.05) than the control group. In conclusion, goat milk yoghurt supplementation in malnourished rats could decrease TNF-${\alpha}$ as a representation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, while it increases IL-10 as a representation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine.