• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2001

Purpose Long- term use of steroid, cyclophosphamide and cyclosporin, which are frequently used in the therapy of SDNS, might cause severe side effects. Recently, the immune-modulator levamisole has been tried as a substitute therapy and it has been reported as a method with less side effects and more effectiveness. We started this research in order to observe the effects of levamisole and compare it to other therapy results. Patients and Methods : We chose 16 steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome children, those who had shown frequent relapse during the immunocompromised therapy period. Mean age was $9.1{\pm}1.4$ years in children and the male to female ratio was 15:1. All of subjects were diagonized with MCNS and had received cyclophosphamide or cyclosporin before receiving levamisole. Levamisole at a dose of 2.5mg/kg was used every other day for 1 year and the relapse rate was observed. Results : On average of 14 days after treatment, complete remission was visible in all of the children, and the relapse percentage was $50\%$, which represents 8 children, while remaining 8 children representing $50\%$ of the cases showed no relapse during treatment. During the levamisole therapy period, tile average relapse rate was reduced significantly from $2.18{\pm}0.9/year\;to\;0.77{\pm}0.9/year$(P=0.027). Also the average relapse rate after the therapy was reduced to $1.34{\pm}1.1/year$, which was a significant level compared to the level before treatment(P=0.003). There was no significant difference in terms of duration of remission maintenance. Duration of remission maintenance showed an average of $12.2{\pm}9.1$ months before the use of levamisole, but it was also $10.1{\pm}6.9$ month after therapy. No other side effects such as leukopenia, skin disease and other clinically significant symptoms appeared at all during therapy. Conclusion : The long-term medication of levamisole for the therapy of SDNS children is thought to be able to maintain stable remission by reducing the relapse frequency without causing severe side effects. Further study with a broader range of subjects is required to eluccidate the long-term effects of this treatment. (J. Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2001;5 : 109-16)

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.745-752
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• 2005

Purpose : Adolescent obesity is known to be associated with complications such as hypertension, coronary artery disease and insulin resistance. We measured the common carotid artery by ultrasound as a predictor of atherosclerosis, and investigated the relationship between carotid artery parameters and serum cytokines in obese adolescents. Methods : Twenty-nine obese adolescents(16-17 years old, obesity index>130 percent) and twentyseven normal controls were included. Obesity index and body mass index were calculated from their height and weight. Skin fold thickness was measured at the triceps, and fat mass and fat distribution by bioelectrical impedence analysis. Blood pressure was measured at resting state and serum lipid, insulin, and homocysteine levels after a 12-hour fasting period. Intimal wall thickness, systolic and diastolic diameters of the common carotid artery were measured by ultrasound, and compliance and distensibility calculated by equation. Results : Systolic and diastolic diameters of the carotid artery significantly correlated with arm circumference, body mass index, fat distribution and fat mass. The higher systolic blood pressure was, the larger systolic and diastolic diameter. The higher diastolic blood pressure was, the larger carotid intimal thickness. Insulin levels had positive correlations with systolic, diastolic diameters and serum homocysteine level with intimal thickness. Conclusion : The carotid artery diameter significantly increased with the degree of obesity and blood pressure. The carotid intimal wall thickness significantly correlated with diastolic blood pressure. Measurement of carotid artery thickness, insulin and homocysteine levels might be useful to predict the development of coronary artery disease.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2002

Objectives : As medical science develops, survival rate of cancer patients rises. Therefore, psychologic understanding and improving quality of life in cancer patients is getting greater significance. The Object of this study is to investigate sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, psychopathology, self esteem and quality of life in cancer patients and to provide useful information for therapeutic approach to cancer patients. Methods : The subjects were 41 patents who had been treated by radiotherapy and 20 normal people. Sociodemographic information and clinical characteristics of cancer patients were investigated, and SCL-90R for psychopathology, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale for self esteem, WHOQOL-BREF for quality of life were administered to subjects. The results of both groups were compared and analysed, and correlation between variables were evaluated. Results : 1) The tendency of Somatization, obsession-compulsion, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobia, psychosis in cancer group were higher than normal group. Especially, somatization and anxiety in cancer group were significantly higher than normal group. 2) Self esteem and quality of life in cancer group were significantly lower than normal group. 3) No significance were found in comparison of psychopathology, self esteem and quality of life according to sociodemographic variables. Among clinical characteristics, higher somatization was shown in case of more weight loss, and higher somatization and lower quality of life was shown in the presence of pain. 4) Higher anxiety was significantly associated with lower self esteem, and Higher somatization and anxiety was significantly associated with lower quality of life. Conclusion : Cancer patients had various kinds of psychopathology, low self esteem and low quality of life. In particular, somatization and anxiety, self esteem and pain were found to be important factors to quality of life of cancer patients. Therefore, management of psychopathology, improving self esteem, pain control is necessary to improve quality of life in cancer patients.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.265-272
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• 2003

This experiment was conducted to investigate the changes in meat quality characteristics on refri- gerated(4$^{\circ}C$) pork loin fed with supplemental levels of Bamboo vinegar(BV). Thirty pigs were divided into 3 groups of 10 pigs. Dietary levels of Bamboo vinegar 0%(control), 2% and 4% were included in experimental diets of each of the groups. The pH value was decreased(P<0.05) in 2% and 4% BV compared to the control after 3d of storage. Lightness was increased(P<0.05) in 2% and 4% BV compared to the control at 1d and 3d. Redness was decreased(P<0.05) in 4% VB compared to the control at 1d and 3d. The 2% and 4% BV showed a significant(P<0.05) increase in yellowness throughout the whole experiment compared to control. Cooking loss was increased(P<0.05) in 2% and 4% BV compared to the control after 3d of storage. Shear force was decreased(P<0.05) in 2% and 4% BV compared to control at 1d and 3d. TBA was decreased(P<0.05) in 2% and 4% BV at 6d and 9d. Total microbial counts was decreased(P<0.05) in 2% and 4% BV compared to control. The 2% and 4% BV scored higher(P<0.05) in odor evaluation compared to the control at 1d and 3d. The 2% and 4% BV also scored higher(P<0.05) than the control in the evaluation of appearance at 1d. The taste was increased(P<0.05) in 2% and 4% BV compared to control at 1d, 3d, and 6d. These results showed that the addition of 2% or 4% BV improved the meat quality and storage characteristics of refrigerated pork.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.329-336
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• 2006

The characteristics of mash qualities of takju prepared by addition of chestnut peel powder(5%, 10%, 20% and 30% per steamed rice) were investigated during fermentation. That is, in all fermentation periods, changes of pit total acid, organic acids, solids, amino nitrogen, total sugar and reducing sugar, microorganisms, alcohol and color were determined and analyzed. There was significant differences in characteristics of mash qualities by addition of chestnut peel powder. In general, contents of total acid, organic acids, amino nitrogen, total sugar, reducing sugar and ethanol of takju added with chestnut peel powder were lower than those of steamed rice only, whereas solid contents was higher. But ethanol content of takju added with 5% of chestnut peel powder after 8 days of fermentation was 9.6% which was similar to that of takju prepared by addition of steamed lice only. Also, microbial populations such as total viable cells, yeast and lactic acid bacteria of the treatments were increased to about $10^8CFU/mL$ after 2 days of fermentation and then decreased gradually. In the beginning stage of fermentation color differences value of the treatments were $1.99{\sim}10.27$, and the differentials reduced gradually during fermentation.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2005

A study was carried out to examine the effects of dietary kaolin on the performance, feed and nutrient efficiency, meat quality and feeding environment using 200 day-old growing ducts. Four replicates of 10 birds each was assigned to diets containing 0(C), 1 (T1), 2(T2), 3(T3) and $4(T4)\%$ of kaolin. Body weight gain in T1 and T2 were higher than in $C(p<0.05)$ whereas weight gain in T3 and T4 were not significantly different from the control. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio tended to increased as the level of dietary kaolin increased, but without significant differences among treatments. Mortality of growing ducks during 6 week period was not significantly different among treatments. Dressing percentage was highest in T1 and lowest in T4 $(p<0.05)$. The utilizability of nutrients except for crude fat Increased$(p<0.05)$, as the level of dietary kaolin increased. Moisture content and $NH_3$ gas emission of excreta was not significantly influenced by dietary kaolin. $H_2S$ gas emission of excreta in T2, T3 and T4 was lower compare to that in C and $T1(p<0.05)$. Cholesterol content in breast and thigh meat was not different among treatments. Values for pH, WHC, TBARS, POV and Cooking loss of breast and thigh meat were not significantly different or did not show any trend among treatments.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 1999

Purpose : This multicenter collaboratory study was conducted to see the therapeutic efficacy and side effect of cyclosporine A (Cipol-$N^{(R)}$, Chong Kun Dang) on children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who experienced frequently relapsing (FR), steroid dependent (SD), or steroid resistant (SR) pattern. Patients and methods : Thirty-nine children with SD/FR NS and 3 children with SR NS were enrolled in the study. After induction of remission (SD/FR NS) with steroid or after 4 weeks of steroid therapy (SR NS), cyclosporine A was started in a dose of 4-5 mg/Kg/day in two divided dose and steroid (prednisolone or equivalent dose of deflazacort) was tapered slowly. During 16 weeks of study period, monthly check up of physical examination and various laboratory tests including BUN, creatinine, Ccr and cyclosporine blood level were done. Results : Out of 39 children with SD/FR NS, 35($89.7\%$) maintained sustained remission and at 4 weeks after therapy, values of serum protein, albumin, cholesterol, and 24 hours urinary protein excretion showed normal values. Two out of 3 children with SR NS showed and sustained remission with cyclosporine A therapy. Side reaction to cyclosporine A therapy showed hypertrichosis in 8 cases and hyperuricemia in 5 cases. However, other laboratory tests including CBC, liver profile, BUN, creatinine and GFR (creatinine clearance utilizing 24 hour urine) did not show any abnormalities during the 16 weeks of study period. Conclusion : Cyclosporine A (Cipoi-$N^{(R)}$ Chong Kun Dang) can be utilized quite effectively on children with SD/FR or SR NS and further trial of cyclosporine A on long-term basis (1-2 year period) is needed to determine it's efficacy and side effect (especially nephrotoxicity) of long-term administration of cyclosporine A.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.284-289
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of copper and zinc supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and meat and carcass characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 72 $(Landrace{\times}Yorkshire{\times}Duroc)$ pigs (58.47 kg initial BW) were assigned to 6 treatments in a $2{\times}3$ factorial design $(Zn\;levels{\times}Cu\;levels)$. The sources of zinc and copper were Zn-methionine chelate and Cu-methionine chelate, respectively. Zinc levels used were 80 and 120 ppm and copper levels used were 10, 30 and 60 ppm. Throughout the entire experimental period, the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were not significantly affected by Cu or Zn levels, or their relative levels. The G:F ratio was significantly affected by the relative levels of Cu and Zn (p<0.05), specifically at 30 ppm Cu and 120 ppm Zn. Dry matter digestibility was significantly affected by the levels of Cu (p<0.02), Zn (p<0.01) and the relative levels of each (p<0.04), in particular at 30 ppm Cu and 120 ppm Zn. Nitrogen digestibility was significantly affected by Zn levels (p<0.01) and the combination of 30 ppm Cu and 120 ppm Zn (p<0.03). The $L^*-value$, shear force, cooking loss and pH were not significantly affected by Cu levels, Zn levels or their combination. The $a^*- (p<0.04)\;and\;b^*- values (p<0.01)$ were significantly affected by Zn levels at 80 ppm. The Water hoding capacity was significantly affected by Cu and Zn in combination (p<0.01) at 10 ppm Cu and 120ppm Zn. The carcass weight, backfat thickness and carcass grade were not significantly affected by Cu levels, Zn levels or their relative levels. The carcass percentage was significantly affected by the combination (p<0.04) of 30ppm Cu and 120ppm Zn. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of Cu and Zn at 30 and 120 ppm, respectively, is effective for feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility and carcass percentage, while at the levels of Cu at 10 ppm and Zn at 120 ppm have effects on WHC.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.739-746
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• 2002

We investigated the effect of fig fermented product(FFP) supplementation on growth performance, serum profile, carcass performance, meat performance and meat quality in 10 bulls of Korean cattle. Concentrates diet was supplemented with substrate fermented from fig fruit and leaves at 10% of the diet. The feed intake of FFP were slightly higher than the control, but the final weight showed no sifnificant difference between the two. Daily weight gain and feed intake were increased in FFP. The serum profile had no significant difference in the treatment. In carcass performance, the meat quantity grade of the treatment had no significant difference, but in meat quality grade the marbling score of FFP was significantly(P<0.05) increased therefore it showed a positive effect on meat quality grade. Also there was no significant(P<0.05) difference of meat cut performance in the treatment. Due to the proximate characteristics of longissimuss muscles the crude fat content of the FFP was significantly(P<0.05) increased. There was no significant difference(P<0.05) in physical characteristics ; pH level, meat color and heat loss of the treatment, but the shear force value and the cholesterol content of FFP significantly(P<0.05) decreased. Crude fat was increased(P<0.05) and cooking loss, shear force and cholesterol concentration were decreased. In fatty acids composition of the FFP, the linoleic acid from the longissimus increased significantly(P<0.05). In subcutaneous fat of longissimus of the FFP, C16:0(palmitic acid) significantly(P<0.05) decreased, but C18:1 significantly (P<0.05) increased. Therefore in FFP, the concentration of saturated fatty acid significantly decreased (P<0.05), but on the other hand the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids significantly (P<0.05) increased. In sensory evaluation of the FFP, the evaluation of odor increased slightly in a positive manner, also the appearance and the taste increased significantly(P<0.05). In conclusion when annexing additional fig fermented product to Hanwoo bulls, the carcass grade improves and the livestock production increases. Also the shear force, lower cholesterol, improved appearance and taste will open the doors to high quality meat production.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.753-760
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• 2007

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the immunocastration on the growth performance, the characteristics of carcass and meat quality in boar. Total 45 piglets(Landrace×Yorkshire) were prepared from the birth and were fed the experimental diet by the time to be slaughtered at around 110 kg of body weight. The experimental groups consisted of five piglets per pen with 3 replicates in three treatment groups, non castrated(NC), surgically castrated(SC), and GnRH antagonist(GA). In SC group, all piglets aged 3-4 days after birth were castrated by the surgical method. For the immunocastration, 2ml of GnRH antagonist(Improvac, Pfizer, Australia) were subcutaneously injected into piglets twice on the 16th and 20th week after the beginning of the trial in the GA group. The immunocastration did not make any significant influences on the growth performance, as compared with the other treatments. The different castration method used in either GA or SC group pigs had similar effects on the dressing percentage and body fat content as carcass parameters. In respect of a meat quality, the meat color, pH, shearing force and cooking loss were not significantly different in all treatment groups. Testosterone concentration in serum was shown to be similar between GA and SC group at 2 weeks after the 2nd injection of GnRH antagonist. The weight of bulbourethral gland and the radius and weight of testis were significantly smaller in GA than in NC(P=0.002). All together, this study suggested that the castration by immunocastration can be an alternative method for the surgical castration without any changes in growth performance, the characteristics of carcass and meat quality shown in surgical castration group.