• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to assess the toxicity of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai (ASN) pharmacopuncture. Methods: To investigate the toxicity of ASN pharmacopuncture, single and 4-week repeated dose toxicity experiments were conducted on BALB/c mice. In the single-dose toxicity experiment, mice were assigned 1 of 4 groups (5 males, 5 females per group). Then, 31.25, 62.5, and 125 mg/kg of ASN pharmacopuncture were administered to the mice in the experimental groups at acupoint ST36, while 0.2 mL of normal saline was administered to the control group at ST36. After a 4-week repeated dose regimen, the mice were assigned into 4 groups (5 males, 5 females per group). Then, 15.625, 31.25, and 62.5 mg/kg of ASN pharmacopuncture at ST36 were administered to the mice in the experimental groups, while 0.2 mL of normal saline was administered to the control group at ST36. Mortality, morbidity, general body and organ weight changes (after 4 weeks repeated dose), serum hematological and biochemical values, and histopathological changes in the liver and kidney were observed. Results: In both single and 4-week repeated dose toxicity experiments, no deaths or symptoms occurred in any of the groups. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of body and organ weights, serum hematological and biochemical values, and specific organ histopathological changes. Conclusion: ASN pharmacopuncture injection did not demonstrate significant toxicity in BALB/c mice compared with the control group, with a no-observed-adverse-effect level for a single dose of >125 mg/kg, and for 4 weeks repeated dose it was more than 62.5 mg/kg/day.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.172-178
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• 2022

The graft cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii) continues to be exported to more than 20 countries worldwide. In April 2021, typical bacterial symptoms of soft rot were observed in the graft cactus (cv. Yeonbit) in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Korea, resulting in economic losses in cactus production. The stems turned dark brown and the flowers were covered with black rot. The bacterial strain designated as KNUB-01-21 was isolated from infected stems and flowers. The results of the morphological and biochemical tests of the isolate were similar to those of Pectobacterium brasiliense. For molecular analysis, the 16S rRNA region and three housekeeping genes (dnaX, leuS, and recA) of the strain KNUB-01-21 were amplified. Based on the results of the molecular analysis and morphological and biochemical tests, KNUB-01-21 was identified as P. brasiliense. The pathogenicity of KNUB-01-21 on graft cactus was confirmed by an inoculation test. Artificial inoculation using P. brasiliense KNUB-01-21 produced soft rot symptoms on the grafted cactus, and the same bacterium was re-isolated and re-identified. This is the first report of P. brasiliense causing soft rot in graft cactus in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.7.1-7.13
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• 2020

Aging triggers cellular and molecular alterations, including genomic instability and organ dysfunction, which increases the risk of disease in mammals. Recently, due to the markedly growing number of aging dogs in the world, as much as 49% in total number of pet dogs, it is necessary to improve and maintain their quality of life by understanding of the biological effects of aging. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine specific biomarkers in aging dogs as a means of defining a set of hematological/biochemical biomarkers that influence the aging process. Blood samples were collected from younger (1-3 years) and older (7-10 years) dogs of middle/large size. The hematological/biochemistry analysis was performed to evaluate parameters significantly associated with age. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to target growth hormone (GH)/insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), one of the main regulators of the aging process. Declining levels of total protein and increased levels of glucose in young dogs was observed regardless of their body size. Notably, a significantly high concentration of GH and IGF-1 in the younger dogs compared to the older dogs was found in middle/large-sized dogs. GH and IGF-1 were also found at significantly high levels in large-sized dogs compared to middle-sized dogs, suggesting a similar trend to that of elderly humans. Consequently, glucose, total protein, GH, and IGF-1 were identified as potential biomarkers for regulating the aging process in large/middle-sized dogs. These findings provide an invaluable insight into the mechanism of aging for the field of aging research.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2003

The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of 37 bp insertion/deletion (I/O) poly-morphism of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-associated protein 1 (LRPAP1) gene on anthropometrical or biochemical parameters in korean general population. To determine the frequency of the genotype, we analyzed 244 samples of Korean origin. The frequency of the I allele was 0.55 in men and 0.56 in women, which were significantly higher than the frequency (0.26) that was reported in Czech population of Caucasian origin. In addition, the I allele of this polymorphism was significantly associated with higher value of body mass index (BMI) in our subjects by ANOVA test (P<0.05), and this association was maintained after controlling for age and gender by ANCOVA test (P<0.05). Thus, our results suggest that the I/O polymorphism of the LRPAP1 gene may be useful as a genetic marker for obesity in Korean general population.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2005

Biochemical characteristics, enterotoxin production and antimicrobial susceptibility were determined for 30 strains of Bacillus cereus isolated from stool specimens of diarrhea patients at an university hospital in Chulabuk-do province. Positive rate for VP reaction and citrate utilization were lower, (33 % and 40 % respectively) while the rates of acid production from mannitol, arabinose, and xylose were higher (17 %, 13 % and 3 % respectively) than those obtained by other investigators. The enterotoxin gene was detected in 18 of 30 isolates (60 %) by PCR, and the toxin was detected from all of the toxin gene-positive isolates by RPLA test. The agar dilution test showed that all isolates were resistant to penicillin G and 73 % were to cephalothin, but all were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, erythromycin, fusidic acid, gentamicin, rifampin, teracycline and vancomycin. We conclude that B. cereus isolates producing acid from mannitol, arabinose and xylose exist, that PCR can be used to detect enterotoxin genes rapidly and accurately, and that this organism is susceptible to various antimicrobial agents though not penicillin G and cephalothin.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.28 no.2 s.50
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• pp.398-405
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• 1995

We experienced a case of occupational lead poisoning employed in a secondary lead smelting plant for 12 years. The patient was 39-year-old male and had been felt dizziness, recent memory impairment and intermittent severe abdominal pain for 2 years. On admission, blood lead level was $92.9{\mu}g/dl$, urinary lead level was $19.9{\mu}g/l$ and zinc protoporphyrin level was $226.0{\mu}g/dl$. On the blood test, hemoglobin was 10.6g/dl and showed normocytic normochromic anemia. There were no abnormal findings in the biochemical and hormonal tests. Decrease of I.Q. and use of words in speaking were found in the psychiatric and psychologic examinations. We observed the finding of motor polyneuropathy in the nerve conduction velocity test. Computed tomographic finding showed calcification lesions in the basal ganglia, dentate nuclei, caudate nuclei, and especially characteristic multiple calcifications were located in the subcortical white matter.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.10 no.3_4
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• pp.29-40
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• 1995

To investigate and evaluate the scavenging and antioxidative effects of various ftavonoids on paraquat induced pulmonary toxicity, in vivo and vitro tests of eight flavonoids(catechin, epicatechin, flayone, chrysin, apigenin, quercetin, morin and biochanin A) were carried out. In vitro test, inhibitory and antioxidative effects of lipoxygenase dependent lipidperoxidation, NADPH dependent cytochrome p-450 reductase to liver and lung microsome and superoxide anion production in rat peritoneal exudated macrophage were studied. In vivo test, biochemical parameters and cell population in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) in mouse and rats after administration of paraquat and flavonoids were tested. The results are summerized as follows; 1. All flavonoids tested inhibited on NADPH dependent cytochrome p-450 reductase in liver and lung microsome. 2. All flavonoids tested showed the inhibitory effects on the superoxide anion production in rat peritoneal exudated macropharge. 3. Lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and total protein in BALF of mouse which increased by the administration of paraquat, decreased significantly by catechin, chrysin, morin and biochanin A. 4. Numbers of alveolar macropharge and PMN in BALF of rats which increased by the administration of paraquat decreased by all the tested flavonoids. Therefore, all flavonoids tested showed the useful compounds for scavenger and antioxidant on paraquat induced pulmonary toxicity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.11
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• pp.1140-1151
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• 2006

Inherited metabolic disorders are individually rare but as a whole, they are nor rare. Since Archibald Garrod introduced a concept of "inborn error of metabolism" or "chemical individuality", more than 500 diseases are currently known, affecting approximately one in 500 newborns cumulatively. They frequently manifest with acute, life-threatening crisis that require immediate specific intervention or they present with insidious diverse symptoms and signs involving multiple visceral organs or tissues as well as central nervous system, hampering a correct diagnosis. In addition, many pediatricians are not familiar with all diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for diverse inherited metabolic disorders. However, the prognosis of affected children are heavily dependent on rapid and effective treatment. In this lecture, practical guidelines for the specific diagnosis based on diverse clinical features of inherited metabolic disorders will be described. Many sophisticated laboratory tests are available for confirmatory diagnosis of each disease, which challenge to general pediatricians with respect to knowledge about biochemical metabolite assay test, enzymatic test and DNA diagnostic tests. Sample collections, indications, methods and interpretation of results in varying laboratory tests will be listed as well.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.281-288
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• 1999

Helicobacter species have been identified in or isolated from domestic carnivores, but their prevalence in different population of animals and their clinical significance are still unknown. This study was peformed to evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter in clinically healthy dogs by urease test, culture, morphological examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Tissue samples from 70 dogs in Kangwon and Kyunggi areas from August 1998 to April, 1999, were examined. The detection rates of Helicobacter by urease activity of tissue-samples were 84.6%, 61.3% and 4.8 % in the fundus, the antrum and the duodenum, respectively. One strain of Helicobacter was isolated from the duodenum. It was identified as H canis by biochemical and morphorogical examination. The detection rates of Helicobacter by histological examination were 92.3%, 79.0% and 4.8% in the fundus, antrum and the duodenum, respectively. Helicobacter organisms were colonized more in the gastric pits than in the surface of epithelium, the gastric gland or the parietal cell. Although most of dogs were colonized with Helicobacter in tissue, gross lesions and specific histopathological lesions caused by Helicobacter in these tissues were not observed. The detection rate of Helicobacter by PCR was 78.6%. The histological examination was more sensitive than urease test, culture or PCR technique for the detection of Helicobacter.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 2006

It's a case of the goat farm reared about 60 heads in Imsil county was outbreak Moniezia expensa infection. And 18 heads of less than 6 month olds goat were died. During the 2005 summer, morbidity and accumulative mortality were more than 60% and 30%, respectively less than 6 month young goat. Most young goat were suffer from diarrhea, severe weight losses, emaciations, and died. In necropsy, there were about 0.7-2.5m of 2-8 adult M expensa in the small intestinal lumen, swollen mesenteric lymph nodes. Slight hemorrhages were seen in lung and moderate hemorrhages were seen in mucous membrane of small intestine. Also various species (Trichostrongylus spp, Haemonchus spp, Eimeria spp) of parasite eggs were seen in fecal test. Pasteurella hemolytica was identified in lung by the API kit (Biomerieux Co. Ltd) for biochemical test. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) results, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin, tyrosine, gentamycin, enrofloxacin, and norflocxacin were selected sensitive antibiotics.