• 대한수의학회지
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.347-355
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• 2008

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a member of the perfluoroalkyl acids that have wide commercial applications, is persistent organic pollutants widely spread throughout the environment and human population. But little is known about the adverse biological effects of the PFOA. In the present study, the toxicological effects of PFOA were investigated in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 10 in each group) were orally administered with PFOA in drinking water for 4 weeks (0, 100, 200, or 400 ppm in male, and 0, 200, 400, or 800 ppm in female). Three female rats given 800 ppm died during the study. PFOA treatment decreased the body weight gain and increased the liver weights in both genders. Serum biochemical investigations revealed significant increases in the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, and total bilirubin in male but in female. Serum estradiol (E2) levels were increased in all treated rats. Histopathologically, hepatocellular hypertrophy around central vein was noted in the liver of treated rats. No significant histopathological changes were noted in other organs. In conclusion, PFOA induced toxicological changes in the liver and increased serum E2 level which was not related to histopathological changes of endocrine and reproductive system.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.178-182
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• 2002

The authors identified 68 Vibrio strains from Gwangan beach seawater from June to October in 2001. We identified them as 19 strains of Vibrio alginolyticus, 15 strains of V. vulnificus, 15 strains of V. parahaemolyticus, 11 strains of V. cholerae non O1, 7 strains of V. fluvialis and just one strain of V. hollisae. They showed their typical biochemical characteristics by API 20E kit (bioMerieux), respectively. It was examined whether their cultural supernatants had enzymatic activities such as hemolysin, protease or urease. The 46 strains showed hemolytic activities and/or protease activities. But we could not find any strain which had urease activity. All isolates of V. cholerae non O1 showed $\beta$ hemolysis. The others showed $\alpha$ hemolysis or did not show clear zones on sheep blood agar plates. These results of Kanagawa phenomenon were not always correspondant with hemolytic activities of cultural supernatants at late log phase. Some strains had higher hemolytic activities despite of showing protease activities on skim milk agar plates and in litmus milk media. On the other hand, some strains showed protease activities but did not show hemolytic activities. Therefore we could guess that there were the relationships between hemolysins and proteases produced by pathogenic vibrios.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.110-117
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this pilot study was to assess the safety and dosing of scolopendrid pharmacopuncture (SPP). Methods: A total of 40 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats (males and 20 females 20) were selected following a 7-day inspection and acclimation period. SPP was administered via intramuscular injection, over a 2-week period using 3 doses including a high-dose [0.84 mg of scolopendrid per kg of body weight (BW)], a med-dose (0.42 mg/kg BW), and a low-dose (0.21 mg/kg BW). The control group was injected with sterile water into the muscles. Unusual changes caused by administration of the test substance were observed. Weight, feed intake, organ weight, and hematological examinations were compared among the groups. Using the SPSS statistical program, Levene's test was performed to evaluate the homogeneity of variances, and a one-way ANOVA test was subsequently performed to assess the significance between each test group. Results: During the experiment no animals died. Weight change, food consumption, organ weight, hematological test, and blood biochemical tests showed no significant differences in the treatment groups compared to controls. Conclusion: No toxicological changes related to the administration of test substances were observed. Therefore, the LD₅₀ (lethal-dose that kills 50%) of scolopendrid pharmacoupuncture in rats was greater than 0.84 mg/kg.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.107-118
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• 1994

Health effects of pesticide among vinylhouse workers in Sangjoo County, Kyungpook Province were assessed by measuring cholinesterase, glutathion reductase, and methemoglobin. Activities of cholinesterases among vinylhouse workers and general farmers were 3.89U and 3.98U in serum and 5.29U and 5.50U in red blood cells, respectively. While levels of methemoglobin between vinylhouse workers(0.16%) and general farmers(0.17%) were very similar, glutathione reductase among vinylhouse workers were 8% lower than that of general farmers. Inhibition of RBC cholinesterase among vinylhouse workers was two times greater than general farmers, suggesting a greater exposure of vinylhouse workers to the organophosphate pesticides. Methemoglobin level among vinylhouse workers with more than or equal to 10 vinylhouse units was 13% higher than that of the workers with less than 10 units. Vinylhouse workers using protective gears during pesticide spray showed higher level of reduced glutathione and lower level of methemoglobin, as compared to the non-users. This indicates that protective gears play an important role against pesticide exposure. Vinylhouse workers practicing good personal hygiene showed a higher level of reduced glutathione, as compared to those with poor personal hygiene, indicating that personal hygiene is also an important factor in reducing pesticide exposure. The present study represents a first attempt to analyze cholinesterase, methemoglobin and glutathione reductase activities among the vinylhouse workers. While neither vinylhouse workers nor general farmers showed abnormal findings among biochemical parameters used in the present study, increased level of methemoglobin and decrease of glutathione reductase activity among vinylhouse workers suggest that these workers have been subject to a higher exposure of pesticide than general farmers.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.61-69
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on pro- and anti-inflammatory markers in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ACS patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and took medicine during phase II of rehabilitation were recruited for study. Subjects were divided into two groups; exercise group (EX, n=21) and a non-exercise group (non-EX, n=13). Supervised exercise program in hospital consisted of treadmill and bicycle exercise was performed three times per week for 6 weeks. Patients of EX received individual counseling, including knowledge of heart disease, risk factor modification, and physical training. Cardiopulmonary fitness, body composition, and biochemical blood factors were analyzed before and after experiment. There was no significant difference in serum levels of hs-CRP and TGF-${\beta}1$ between groups, and between time intervals. But there was a significant decrease in serum levels of IL-18 (P<.001). And there was a significant increase in ratio of IL-18 to IL-10 (P<.01) and serum levels of IL-10 (P<.001). After cardiac rehabilitation, there was significant increase in exercise duration (P<.001), maximal oxygen uptake ($VO_{2peak}$; P<.001) and decrease in submaximal rate-pressure product (sRPP; P<.05) in EX. In conclusion, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation during phase II in patients with ACS after PCI decreased serum IL-18 (pro-inflammatory) content and ratio of IL-18 to IL-10 in serum (highly related with disease recurrence), and increased serum IL-10 (anti-inflammatory) content. In addition, it led to improved cardiopulmonary fitness.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.185-193
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• 2017

Malnutrition is common and the major risk factor of mortality of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The aim of this study is to assess nutritional status of malnutrition patients on dialysis by various methods and compare nutritional parameters of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with hemodialysis patients. 137 patients on dialysis from April 2009 to July 2013 were enrolled. Nutritional parameters of 66 CAPD and 71 hemodialysis patients were investigated by anthropometry, biochemical study, diet analysis and questionnaires. Malnutrition patients were selected by body mass index (BMI), serum albumin and pre-albumin based on International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM) diagnostic criteria for protein-energy wasting and compared with non-malnutrition patients. In comparison of CAPD and hemodialysis patients, most anthropometric values showed no significant difference except total body water (TBW). TBW was lower in CAPD patients (P=0.024). Although serum albumin was slightly higher in hemodialysis patients (P=0.047), pre-albumin were significantly higher in CAPD patients (P=0.000). Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was higher in hemodialysis patients (P=0.000). In diet analysis, Total calorie (P=0.000) and total cholesterol (P=0.012) intakes were higher in CAPD patients. Mean subjective global assessment (SGA) grade was higher in CAPD patients (P=0.003). Several nutritional parameters of CAPD patients were better than hemodialysis patients implying more intensive therapeutic approach may be needed for hemodialysis patients. We have to understand multiple factors contributing malnutrition of ESRD patients and individualized therapeutic approach is needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제53권10호
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• pp.886-891
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• 2010

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics of children diagnosed with the novel influenza A (H1N1) in the winter of 2009 at a single medical institution. Methods: Out of 545 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) in children, using the real time RT-PCR method at Kosin University Gospel Hospital from September to December of 2009, 149 patients and their medical records were reviewed in terms of symptoms, laboratory findings, complications and transmission within a family. Results: Median age of subjects was 7 years (range: 2 months-18 years). New cases increased rapidly from September to reach a peak in November, then declined rapidly. Most frequently observed symptoms were fever (96.7%), cough (73.2%), rhinorrhea (36.9%) and sore throat (31.5%). Average body temperatures on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd hospital day were $38.75{\pm}0.65^{\circ}C$, $38.08{\pm}0.87^{\circ}C$ and $37.51{\pm}0.76^{\circ}C$, respectively. Complete blood counts and biochemical tests performed on the first admission day showed within the reference values in most cases. Of the 82 patients with simple chest radiography, 18 (22%) had pneumonic lesions; multi-focal bronchopneumonia in eleven, single or multi-segmental lobar pneumonia in five, and diffuse interstitial pneumonia in two patients. All of the 149 patients improved from their symptoms and discharged within 9 days of admission without any late complication. Conclusion: Children with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) at our single institution displayed nonspecific symptoms and laboratory findings, resembling those of common viral respiratory illnesses, and did not appear to develop more severe disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제60권8호
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• pp.261-265
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• 2017

Purpose: Studies on cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in immunocompetent children are lacking, and minimal information is available in the medical literature on hepatic manifestations and complications of CMV. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and prognosis of children with CMV hepatitis, and to investigate its prevalence at a single medical center in Korea over a 10-year period. Methods: One hundred thirty-two children diagnosed with CMV infection based on specific markers (anti-CMV IgM, CMV polymerase chain reaction in blood and urine, or CMV culture of urine) were included in the study. Clinical and biochemical characteristics, immunological markers, and outcomes of hepatic CMV infection were determined. Results: The median age of patients (n=132) was 8.5 months (range, 14 days-11.3 years). Peak total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase levels in serum ranged from 0.11-21.97 mg/dL, and 5-1,517 IU/L, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase remained elevated from 2-48 weeks. Jaundice was the most common clinical feature of hepatic CMV infection during infancy. The hematologic findings revealed anemia, leukocytosis, and monocytosis in CMV-infected patients. All participants recovered without administration of ganciclovir. Conclusion: In children with CMV hepatitis, fever was the most common symptom at presentation, and jaundice was the most common clinical feature of hepatic CMV infection in infants younger than 3 months of age. Hepatic CMV infection in immunocompetent children is often a self-limited illness that does not require antiviral therapy, as most patients in this study had favorable outcomes.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.648-655
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• 2003

In this study, the effects of Gamgung-tang gamibang on the hyperthyroidism induced by the intraperitoneal injection of 3,5,3-triiodothyronine was examined by the measurement of physical changes, body weight, the volume of food intake and rectal temperature, and heart weight, heart beat, blood pressure with contrast to propranolol, one of beta-blocking agents. the obtained results were as follows. The Gamgung-tang gamibang extract showed to inhibit the decrease of body weight and rectal temperature, and decrease the food intake, so the inhibitory effects of Gamgung-tang gamibang extract on the experimental hyperthyroidism were exhibited. The Gamgung-tang gamibang extract showed the inhibitory effects on the circulatory functions changed and enhanced by the experimental induced hyperthyroidism, the action of Gamgung-tang gamibang extract was less effective than the propranolol of D-CONT group. The Gamgung-tang gamibang extract showed significant effects to inhibit the concentration of serum thyroid houmone, more effective than the propranolol, beta-blocking agents. The Gamgung-tang gamibang extract showed the effective inhibitory reaction on the biochemical changes in serum, cholesterol, ketone bodies, free fatty acid, glucose in hyperthyroid rats induced by 3,5,3-triiodothyronine.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.57-65
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• 2012

In this study, the 4-week oral toxicity and anti-cancer activity of the hexane layer of Melia azedarach L. var. japonica Makino's bark extract were investigated. We carried out a hollow fiber (HF) assay and 28-day repeated toxicity study to confirm the anti-cancer effect and safety of the hexane layer. The HF assay was carried out using an A549 human adenocarcinoma cell via intraperitoneal (IP) site with or without cisplatin. In the result, the 200 mg/kg b.w of hexane layer with 4 mg/kg b.w of cisplatin treated group, showed the highest cytotoxicity aginst A549 carcinoma cells. For the 28-day repeated toxicity study, 6 groups of 10 male and female mice were given by gavage 200, 100, or 50 mg/kg b.w hexane layer with or without 4 mg/kg b.w of cisplatin against body weight, and were then sacrificed for blood and tissue sampling. The subacute oral toxicity study in mice with doses of 200, 100, and 50 mg/kg b.w hexane layer showed no significant changes in body weight gain and general behavior. The cisplatin-treated group significantly decreased in body weight compared to the control group but regained weight with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of hexane layer. The biochemical analysis showed significant increase in several parameters (ALT, total billirubin, AST, creatinine, and BUN) in cisplatin-treated groups. However, in the group given a co-treatment of hexane layer (200 mg/kg b.w), levels of these parameters decreased. In hematological analysis, cisplatin induced the reduction of WBCs and neutrophils but co-treatment with hexane layer (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w) improved these toxicities caused by cisplatin. The histological profile of the livers showed eosinophilic cell foci in central vein and portal triad in cisplatin treated mice. These results show that hexane layer might have an anti-cancer activity and could improve the toxicity of cisplatin.