• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2009

Fish oil and shortening have been suggested to have opposite effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study investigated the effect of shortening and fish oil on CVD risk factors and aorta histopathology, and the association between risk factors and aorta histopathology. Male Wister rats (n=30) were fed an AIN-93G diet containing 20% fat in the form of fish oil, shortening, or soybean oil for 4 weeks. Total cholesterol (TC), triacylglyceride (TG), and C-reactive protein levels were significantly (P<0.001) lower in the fish oil than in soybean oil and shortening groups. HDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly different (P<0.001) between groups. In addition, LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly (P<0.001) lower in the fish oil and shortening groups than in the soybean oil group. Insulin and glucose concentrations did not differ among groups. Effect of dietary fat on tissue fatty acid composition significantly differed in abdominal fat and brain compared with RBC, heart, kidney and liver. The aortic wall was significantly (P=0.02) thinner in the fish oil group than in the soybean oil and shortening groups. The aortic wall thickness was positively correlated with TG and TC, but negatively with EPA + DHA levels of all tissues. These results suggested that fish oil had protective effects on aorta histopathology by hypolipidemic action in this rat model.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2009

The authors present a case of subdural empyema in a macrocephalic patient. A 23-year-old male was admitted due to headache and fever. One month ago, he had mild head injury by his coworkers. Physical examination showed a macrocephaly and laboratory findings suggested purulent meningitis. Neuroimaging studies revealed a huge size of epidural space-occupying lesion. Under the impression of epidural abscess, operation was performed. Eventually, the lesion was located at subdural space and was proven to be subdural empyema. Later, histological examination of the specimen obtained by surgery demonstrated finings consistent with the capsule of the chronic subdural hematoma. Two weeks after operation, Propionibacterium acnes was isolated. The intravenous antibiotics were used for total of eight weeks under monitoring of the serum level of the C-reactive protein. Follow-up brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed the presence of significant amount of remaining subdural lesion. However, he has complained of minimal discomfort. It is suggested that the subdural empyema occurred with preexisting chronic subdural hematoma after head injury about one month prior to admission and it took a long time to treat Propionibacterium acnes subdural empyema with systemic antibiotics, at least over eight weeks.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2017

Objective: Growing evidence suggests that increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is associated with female infertility caused by conditions such as polycystic ovarian disease, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, and endometriosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether any relationship exists between CVD and unexplained infertility. Methods: Sixty-five women with unexplained infertility and 65 fertile controls were enrolled in the study. CVD risk markers such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), insulin resistance (defined by the homeostasis model assessment ratio), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed. Results: TG, TC, LDL, and hs-CRP levels were higher and HDL levels were lower in patients with unexplained infertility than in fertile controls (p<0.05 for all). Positive associations were found between unexplained infertility and TG, TC, LDL, and hs-CRP levels, and a negative correlation was found for HDL (p<0.05 for all). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TG, HDL, and hs-CRP were independent variables associated with unexplained infertility. Conclusion: Our study showed that women with unexplained infertility had an atherogenic lipid profile and elevated hs-CRP levels, suggesting a higher risk of developing CVD in the future. Further studies with larger groups are needed to investigate the nature of this link.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.226-236
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and to identify factors affecting malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. Methods: Data were collected from a convenience sample of 125 hemodialysis patients who agreed to participate in the study, between August 1 and October 4, 2014. Five structured questionnaires were used: Patient-generated Subjective Global Assessment, Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, Self-rating Depression Scale, Fatigue Scale, and Family Support Scale. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, ${\chi}^2$-test, and stepwise multiple regression analysis by using SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. Results: Of 125 patients, 30.4% were found to be malnourished. Malnutrition was related to age, family household income, depression, fatigue, social support, appetite, and levels of C-reactive protein and serum albumin. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that appetite, C-reactive protein level, fatigue, and albumin level were significant factors affecting malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. Conclusion: Regular and consistent nutritional assessment is essential in hemodialysis patients. Nurses who care for hemodialysis patients need to consider the factors identified from these findings when assessing their patients' nutritional status and needs.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2013

In this paper, a biosensor based on a gated lateral bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is proposed. The gated lateral BJT can function as both a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and a BJT. By using the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) method, the C-reactive protein antibodies were immobilized on the floating gate of the device as the sensing membrane. Through the experiments, the characteristics of the biosensor were analyzed in this study. According to the results, it is indicated that the gated lateral BJT device can be successfully applied as a biosensor. Additionally, we found that the sensitivity of the gated lateral BJT can be varied by adjusting the emitter (source) bias.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.39-45
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between serum uric acid, abdominal obesity, and waist circumference (WC) in Korean. A total of 208 healthy examinees were examined at Gimcheon Medical Center from July 2011 to December 2011. WC and body mass index (BMI) of subjects were measured as well as blood pressure, fasting blood sugar level, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP), triglycerides, and serum uric acid (SUA). In both men (p<0.05) and women (p<0.01), BMI and SUA were significantly correlated with WC. In men, triglycerides (r=0.501, p<0.01) had a positive correlation with WC, and CRP (r=0.442, p<0.01) had a positive correlation with BMI. In women, triglycerides (r=0.470, p<0.01) and CRP (r=0.366, p<0.01) had a positive correlation with WC. Therefore, WC and SUA may be the most effective anthropometric indices of obesity for screening Korean population.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2024

A 5-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog, previously receiving 7 months of immunosuppressive therapy for pemphigus foliaceus, presented to our referral hospital with a history of dog bites on the right forelimb, chest, and flank 4 days prior to presentation. Physical examination revealed a rectal temperature of 38.6℃; heart rate of 130 beats per minute; panting; systolic blood pressure of 60 mmHg; and swelling, purulent discharge, warmth, pain, and lameness in the right forelimb. The laboratory investigation revealed neutropenia and elevated C-reactive protein levels. Suppurative neutrophilic infiltration with bacterial infection was detected by impression cytology of the pus on the right forelimb. Based on the results of the clinical examinations and laboratory tests, the dog was diagnosed with dog bite-induced sepsis with pemphigus. Meropenem and metronidazole were prescribed. Clinical signs, neutropenia, and C-reactive protein levels markedly improved after 5 days. Subsequently, pemphigus foliaceus relapsed in the dog, and it is currently undergoing re-administration of immunosuppressive medications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of successful management of dog bite-induced sepsis in a dog undergoing long-term immunosuppressive therapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.166-170
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• 2024

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine was developed to provide immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was first reported in 2019. The vaccine has proven to be effective in reducing severity and mortality and preventing infection. Henoch-Schönlein purpura is an autoimmune vasculitis (immunoglobulin A vasculitis). Historically, vaccines have been administered primarily to children, and Henoch-Schönlein purpura has often been reported in children following vaccination. However, since the start of COVID-19 vaccination, an increasing number of cases have been reported in adults. Here, we report a case of a patient who developed hematuria and proteinuria after receiving the messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine. A 22-year-old man presented to the hospital with a lower extremity rash, bilateral ankle pain, and abdominal pain 18 days after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The man had no significant medical history and was not taking any medications. Laboratory tests showed normal platelet counts but elevated white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels. He was treated with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pheniramine and prednisolone. At 40 days after starting treatment, C-reactive protein levels were within normal limits, and no hematuria was observed. Treatment was terminated when the purpura disappeared. This report is intended to highlight the need for further research to be proactive and carefully monitor for conditions associated with the COVID-19 vaccine.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.127-132
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• 2010

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which include hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), the superoxide anion (${O_2}^-{\cdot}$), and the hydroxyl radical ($OH{\cdot}$), are generated as by-products of oxidative metabolism in cells. The cerebral cortex has been found to be particularly vulnerable to production of ROS associated with conditions such as ischemia-reperfusion, Parkinson's disease, and aging. To investigate the effect of ROS on inhibitory GABAergic synaptic transmission, we examined the electrophysiological mechanisms of the modulatory effect of $H_2O_2$ on GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current (mIPSCs) in mechanically isolated rat cerebral cortical neurons retaining intact synaptic boutons. The membrane potential was voltage-clamped at -60 mV and mIPSCs were recorded and analyzed. Superfusion of 1-mM $H_2O_2$ gradually potentiated mIPSCs. This potentiating effect of $H_2O_2$ was blocked by the pretreatment with either 10,000-unit/mL catalase or $300-{\mu}M$ N-acetyl-cysteine. The potentiating effect of $H_2O_2$ was occluded by an adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, and was blocked by a protein kinase A inhibitor, N -(2-[p-bromocinnamylamino] ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide hydrochloride. This study indicates that oxidative stress may potentiate presynaptic GABA release through the mechanism of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent pathways, which may result in the inhibition of the cerebral cortex neuronal activity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2009

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) by anticancer agents in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was examined. PMN treated for short term (< or = 4 h) with cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, tamoxifen and doxifluridine, respectively, exhibited an enhanced respiratory burst upon formylmethionylleucy1-phenylalanine (FMLP) stimulation. In the long term (> 4h), the production of ROS was suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner. The production of superoxide anion (${O_2}^-$) from the FMLP-stimulated PMN was enhanced by the treatment (for 1 hr) of cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, tamoxifen and doxifluridine, respectively. While 1 hr-treatment with cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, tamoxifen, and doxifluridine, respectively, suppressed the production of NO from the FMLP-stimulated PMN, while 8 hr-treatment enhanced the production of NO. Neomycin suppressed chemiluminescence in cisplatin-, tamoxifen- and doxifluridine-pretreated PMN, however near suppression of chemiluminescence by ethanol and genistein was observed in PMN pretreated with these agents. Staurosporine and bisindolylmaleimide suppressed chemiluminescence in cisplatin- and doxifluridine- pretreated PMN. Wortmannin has shown a slight suppression in cyclophosphamide-, cisplatin- and tamoxifen-pretreated PMN, but a strong suppression in doxifluridine-pretreated PMN. Methionine strongly suppressed in cyclophosphamide and cisplatin-pretreated PMN. In conclusion, these results indicate that long term treatment of PMN with cisplatin and doxifluridine inhibit respiratory burst through protein kinase C (PKC) translocation, phospholipase C (PLC), D (PLD) and tyrosine phosphorylation kinase (TPK) activation. Tamoxifen inhibits respiratory burst through PLC, PLD, TPK. Cyclophosphamide inhibits respiratory burst through myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity.