• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.64 no.6
• /
• pp.1046-1062
• /
• 2022

This study investigated the effects of L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation on growth performance, physiological traits, heat shock proteins (HSPs), and gene expression related to muscle and adipose tissue development in Hanwoo steers under heat stress (HS) conditions. Eight Hanwoo steers (initial body weight [BW] 570.7 ± 43.6 kg, months of age 22.3 ± 0.88) were randomly separated into two groups, control and treatment, and supplied with the concentration (1.5% of BW kg/day/head) and rice straw (1.5 kg/day/head). The treatment group were fed the Gln supplementation (0.5% of concentration, as-fed basis) once a day at 08:00 h. Blood samples for the assessment of haematological and biochemical parameters and the separation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected four times, at 0, 3, 6, and 10 weeks of the experiment. Feed intake was measured daily. BW to analyze growth performance and hair follicle collection to analyze the expression of HSPs were executed four times at 0, 3, 6, and 10 weeks. To analyze gene expression, longissimus dorsi muscle samples were collected by biopsy at the end of the study. As a result, growing performance, including final BW, average daily gain, and gain-to-feed ratio, were not different between the two groups. Leukocytes including lymphocytes and granulocytes, tended to increase in the Gln supplementation group (p = 0.058). There were also no differences in biochemical parameters shown between the two groups, except total protein and albumin, both of which were lower in the Gln supplementation group (p < 0.05). Gene expressions related to muscle and adipose tissue development were not different between the two groups. As temperature-humidity index (THI) increased, HSP70 and HSP90 expression in the hair follicle showed a high correlation. HSP90 in the hair follicle was decreased in the treatment group compared with the control group at 10 weeks (p < 0.05). Collectively, dietary Gln supplementation (0.5% of concentration, as-fed basis) may not be influential enough to affect growth performance and gene expression related to muscle and adipose tissue development in steers. However, Gln supplementation increased the number of immune cells and decreased HSP90 in the hair follicle implying HS reduction in the corresponding group.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.247-253
• /
• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and a probiotic mixture on egg quality, blood parameters, and corticosterone content in broiler breeder stock in summer in Korea. A total of 72 broiler breeders (Arbor Acres) at 49 weeks old were randomly divided into the following three groups of 24 heads each: control, GABA, and probiotics (1 × 10⁸/g Bacillus licheniformis, 1 × 10⁷/g Lactiplantibacillus plantaru, and 1 × 10⁷/g Clostridium butyricum). The hens were fed a diet containing 50 mg of GABA/kg of feed and 0.1% probiotics for 6 weeks. Egg quality, blood parameters, and stress levels (corticosterone concentration) of the broiler breeders were evaluated. No significant differences were observed in the egg weight, albumen height, Haugh units, yolk color, shell thickness, or shell strength between the groups. There were no significant between-group differences in the blood biochemical profile, including total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, and inorganic phosphorus concentrations. The corticosterone concentration was significantly lower in the GABA and probiotics groups than the control group (P < 0.05) at 6 weeks of age. In conclusion, these results suggest that dietary probiotics and GABA significantly improve the stress levels of broiler breeders in summer in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.994-1004
• /
• 2021

Objective: To extract pulmonary and cardiovascular metrics from chest CTs of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using a fully automated deep learning-based approach and assess their potential to predict patient management. Materials and Methods: All initial chest CTs of patients who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 at our emergency department between March 25 and April 25, 2020, were identified (n = 120). Three patient management groups were defined: group 1 (outpatient), group 2 (general ward), and group 3 (intensive care unit [ICU]). Multiple pulmonary and cardiovascular metrics were extracted from the chest CT images using deep learning. Additionally, six laboratory findings indicating inflammation and cellular damage were considered. Differences in CT metrics, laboratory findings, and demographics between the patient management groups were assessed. The potential of these parameters to predict patients' needs for intensive care (yes/no) was analyzed using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves. Internal and external validity were assessed using 109 independent chest CT scans. Results: While demographic parameters alone (sex and age) were not sufficient to predict ICU management status, both CT metrics alone (including both pulmonary and cardiovascular metrics; area under the curve [AUC] = 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79-0.97) and laboratory findings alone (C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, white blood cell count, and albumin; AUC = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.77-0.94) were good classifiers. Excellent performance was achieved by a combination of demographic parameters, CT metrics, and laboratory findings (AUC = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.85-0.98). Application of a model that combined both pulmonary CT metrics and demographic parameters on a dataset from another hospital indicated its external validity (AUC = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.66-0.88). Conclusion: Chest CT of patients with COVID-19 contains valuable information that can be accessed using automated image analysis. These metrics are useful for the prediction of patient management.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.213-224
• /
• 2021

Objective: Clinical outcomes of patients who undergo transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for single small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not consistent, and may differ based on certain imaging findings. This retrospective study was aimed at determining the efficacy of pre-TACE CT or MR imaging findings in predicting survival outcomes in patients with small HCC upon being treated with TACE. Besides, the study proposed to build a risk prediction model for these patients. Materials and Methods: Altogether, 750 patients with functionally good hepatic reserve who received TACE as the first-line treatment for single small HCC between 2004 and 2014 were included in the study. These patients were randomly assigned into training (n = 525) and validation (n = 225) sets. Results: According to the results of a multivariable Cox analysis, three pre-TACE imaging findings (tumor margin, tumor location, enhancement pattern) and two clinical factors (age, serum albumin level) were selected and scored to create predictive models for overall, local tumor progression (LTP)-free, and progression-free survival in the training set. The median overall survival time in the validation set were 137.5 months, 76.1 months, and 44.0 months for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves of the predictive models for overall, LTP-free, and progression-free survival applied to the validation cohort showed acceptable areas under the curve values (0.734, 0.802, and 0.775 for overall survival; 0.738, 0.789, and 0.791 for LTP-free survival; and 0.671, 0.733, and 0.694 for progression-free survival at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively). Conclusion: Pre-TACE CT or MR imaging findings could predict survival outcomes in patients with small HCC upon treatment with TACE. Our predictive models including three imaging predictors could be helpful in prognostication, identification, and selection of suitable candidates for TACE in patients with single small HCC.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.57 no.2
• /
• pp.160-168
• /
• 2024

Background: Data on perioperative outcomes of emergent versus elective resection in esophageal cancer patients requiring esophagectomy are lacking. We investigated whether emergent resection was associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data on patients with esophageal malignancy who underwent esophagectomy from 2005 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Thirty-day complication and mortality rates were compared between emergent esophagectomy (EE) and non-emergent esophagectomy. Logistic regression assessed factors associated with complications and mortality. Results: Of 10,067 patients with malignancy who underwent esophagectomy, 181 (1.8%) had EE, 64% had preoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, or septic shock, and 44% had bleeding requiring transfusion. The EE group had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class and functional dependency. More transhiatal esophagectomies and diversions were performed in the EE group. After EE, the rates of 30-day mortality (6.1% vs. 2.8%), overall complications (65.2% vs. 44.2%), bleeding, pneumonia, prolonged intubation, and positive margin (17.7% vs. 7.4%) were higher, while that of anastomotic leak was similar. On adjusted logistic regression, older age, lower albumin, higher ASA class, and fragility were associated with increased complications and mortality. McKeown esophagectomy and esophageal diversion were associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications. EE was associated with 30-day postoperative complications (odds ratio, 2.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.66-3.43; p<0.0001). Conclusion: EE was associated with a more than 2-fold increase in complications compared to elective procedures, but no independent increase in short-term mortality. These findings may help guide data-driven critical decision-making for surgery in select cases of complicated esophageal malignancy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.59-67
• /
• 1992

From March 1979 through December 1986, 124 patients with early stage carcinoma of the uterine cervix received curative radiation therapy. According to FIGO classification, 35 patients were stage IB and 89 were stge II A. In stage IB, five year locoregional control, five year disease free survival, and five year overall survival was $79.0\%$, $76.4\%$ and $81.8\%$, respectively. In stage II A, five year locoregional control, five year disease free survival, and five year overall survival were $78.0\%$, $66.8\%$, and $72.1\%$, respectively. To identify prognostic factors, pretreatment parameters including age, ECOG performance status, number of pregnancies, history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, histology, size and shape of primary tumor, CT findings and blood parameters were retrospectively analyzed in terms of locoregional control, disease free survival and overall survival using univariate analysis and multivariate analysis. In univariate analysis, tumor size on physicai examination and rectal invasion on CT significantly affected locoregional control, disease free survival and overall survival. Parametrial involvement on CT was a significant prognostic factor on locoregional control and disease free survival. Hemoglobin level affected disease free survival and overall survival. Histology and age were significant prognostic factors on locoregional control. In multivariate analysis excluding CT finding, tumor size on physical examination was a significant factor in terms of locoregioal control and overall survival. Hemoglobin level was significant in terms of disease free survival. In multivariate analysis including CT, histology was a prognostic factor on locoregional control and disease free survival. Hemoglobin level and rectal invasion on CT were significant factors on locoregional control.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.1072-1082
• /
• 1997

Background : To characterize the clinical features and determine the prognostic factors of severe community-acquired pneumonia. This study is the first of its kind in Korea. Methods : Recruited were 40 patients diagnosed as severe community-acquired pneumonia in Hallym University Hospital from January 1, 1989 through July 31, 1996. Patients were analysed retrospectively for age, sex, underlying disease, respiration rate, hypoxemia, requirement of mechanical ventilation, involvement on chest radiograph, shock, and the serum concentration of BUN and albumin. All parameters were compared between survived and dead group. Results : Male to female ratio was 2.07 : 1. The mean age was $63.1{\pm}17.5$years(range 25~90years) with 65% of patients aged equal to or more than 60. The major underlying diseases were old pulmonary tuberculosis(12.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(7.5%), bronchial asthma(5%), bronchiectasis(2.5%), and diabetes mellitus(22.5%). Microbiologic diagnosis was made in 26 out of 40 patients(65%). The most common causative organism was S. pneumoniae(17.5%, 7/40) followed by S. aureus(15.0%, 6/40), K. Pneumoniae(12.5%, 5/40), M. tuberculosis(7.5%, 3/40), H. influenzae(2.5%, 1/40), coagulase negative staphylococcus(2.5%, 1/40), P. aeruginosa(2.5%. 1/40), E. cloaceae(2.5%, 1/40), and E. coli(2.5%, 1/40). M. pneumoniae was detected in no patient. The most frequent drugs administered in single or combination therapy were aminoglycosides(75%, 30/40), second- and third-generation cephalosporin(40%, 16/40 and 27.5%, 11/40), macrolides(27.5%, 11/40), and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid(22.5%, 9/40). Of the 40 patients, 14 died of severe community-acquired pneumonia(37.5%). Among them, seven patients (50%) expired within 72h of hospital arrival. According to multivariate analysis, mortality was significantly associated with requirement of mechanical ventilation, bilateral pulmonary involvement, and serum albumins$\leq$3.0g/dl. Conclusion : An understanding of the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in severe community-acquired pneumonia identified in this study will optimize therapeutic approach in this disease and help decreasing its notorious mortality rate.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.87-98
• /
• 1998

This study was conducted to investigate Osteoporosis on the effect of dietary factors and past young age period's dairy products consumption on BMD in 170 postmenopausal Korean women without diagnosed disease. Bone mineral density(BMD) of lumbar spine was investigated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Dietary assesment of the subjects were measured by Cognitive Food Frequency Recall method. The measurements of group average were 57.9kg of body weight, 36.73 of BMI(Body Mass Index), 2103.3㎉ of energy, 638.7mg of dietary calcium, 70.3g of protein, and 10.58mg of iron. Nutrient intake levels were similar to or more than the level of Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances. Bone Mineral Density(BMD) of Lumbar spine(L2-L4) of group average was 0.912g/$\textrm{cm}^2$, and under 50 yr's 1,02g/$\textrm{cm}^2$, 50~54 yr's 0.92g/$\textrm{cm}^2$, 55~59 yr's 0.85g/$\textrm{cm}^2$, over 60 yr's 0.85g/$\textrm{cm}^2$, had been getting low degree on aging. BMD of the Lumbar spine was positively correlated with calorie, body weight, dietary calcium, protein, phosphorus and serum albumin. Past dairy products consumption experiment was highly significant on BMD in teenage period(R square = 26, p-value 0.0031). Particularly in over 60 yr group, the correlations between BMD and past dairy products consumption in teenage period had shown highly significance(r=0.48, p<0.02). 55~59 yr age group had also positive correlation(R squae = 0.29, p<0.05). This results confirm that the most effective way of preventing osteoporosis and the fractures is to maximize peak bone mass in early life and to minimize bone loss through the balanced intake of Ca and other nutrients and regular physical activity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.211-220
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate whether nutritional supply influences biochemical markers and clinical outcomes in patients who received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) by evaluating adequacy of nutritional supply for patients. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2013, 239 adult patients who received CRRT in the intensive care unit for more than 3 days were included. General information from electronic medical records and nutritional status related biochemical data and clinical outcomes on the first day of CRRT and 2 weeks after CRRT were collected. Results: The rate of delivered energy and protein was 68.06% and 43.13% which was much lower than energy and protein supply based on their requirement. When the patients were divided into two groups according to 70% of energy received rate and 50% of protein received rate, the group with more than 70% of energy received rate showed significant decrease of length of hospital stay (p = 0.007), length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) (p = 0.008), duration of CRRT (p < 0.001), and APACHE II score (p < 0.001) compared to less than 70% of energy received rate after adjusting for age. In addition, the group with more than 50% of protein received rate showed decreased mortality (p = 0.031), length of hospital stay (p = 0.008), length of ICU stay (p = 0.035), duration of CRRT (p < 0.001), and APACHE II score (p < 0.001) after adjusting for age. We found that the level of hematocrit (p = 0.006) was significantly improved in the group with more than 70% of energy received rate, and the level of TLC (p = 0.049), hematocrit (p = 0.041) was significantly improved in the group with more than 50% of protein received rate. We also found that energy delivery was negatively correlated with length of stay in ICU (p = 0.049) and positively correlated with level of calcium (p = 0.037). In addition, protein delivery was correlated with the levels of serum total protein (p = 0.021), serum albumin (p = 0.048), hematocrit (p = 0.009), and total cholesterol (p = 0.021) when dead patients were included, but was correlated with the levels of hematocrit (p = 0.034) and calcium (p = 0.024) when dead patients were excluded. Conclusion: Proper nutritional delivery may help patients' clinical outcomes for patients receiving CRRT. However, their actual intakes of energy and protein were not adequate for their requirements. Identification of patients with malnutrition is necessary and a multidisciplinary approach for systemic management is also required.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.279-286
• /
• 2019

Currently, feather-sexing, which is based on differences in feather development at hatching, is a widely used chick sexing method in the poultry industry. For effective chicken feather-sexing, paternal early-feathering (EF) chickens and maternal late-feathering (LF) chickens must be bred. Therefore, it is critical to identify the effect of EF and LF patterns on production traits in chickens. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the production performances between 522 EF and 232 LF chickens in order to establish the Korean native chicken feather-sexing lines. The results showed that the survival rate of the LF group was significantly higher than that of the EF group from hatching to 52 weeks of age (P<0.05). Body weight, however, was not significantly different between the two groups at all ages. LF and EF groups did not significantly differ in age at first egg laying. However, the hen-day and hen-housed egg production of the LF group were significantly higher than those of EF group (P<0.01). No significant differences were found between the EF and LF groups in all egg quality indicators such as egg weight, eggshell color, albumin height and Haugh unit. Because the breeding target of Korean native commercial chicken is meat-type chicken, feather-sexing strains of Korean native chicken should be established using weighing-based paternal EF lines and laying-based maternal LF lines. Therefore, these results are critical for establishing desirable and effective feather-sexing strains.