• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2009

Purpose: To assess the value of first-trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), nuchal translucency (NT) and second-trimester alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE3), and inhibin-A in predicting pregnancy complications other than fetal aneuploidy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study in 3,121 singleton pregnancies with integrated testing was performed at Kangnam CHA hospital between January 2005 and December 2006. Baseline characteristics, pregnancy outcomes, and serum marker levels were obtained by review of the medical records. We analyzed the data to identify associations between the integrated screening markers and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS program. Results: In preterm labor and preeclampsia, high AFP, hCG, and inhibin-A levels and low PAPP-A and NT levels were found to be significantly correlated (P<0.05). Elevated second-trimester inhibin-A levels were associated with preeclampsia (odds ratio 2.843), low birth weight (odds ratio 1.446), and preterm labor (odds ratio 1.287), and while decreased first-trimester PAPP-A levels were associated with preeclampsia (odds ratio 0.51) and preterm labor (odds ratio 0.75). Conclusion: First- and second-trimester maternal serum markers screening can be used for predicting high-risk pregnancies.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2010

In this study, the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and elastase of Rhododendron brachycarpum D. Don extracts were investigated. And the moisturizing effect of cream containing R. brachycarpum D. Don extract were investigated by clinical trial. The ethyl acetate fraction of R. brachycarpum D. Don extract (1.83 ${\mu}g/mL$) showed the most prominent the free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of R. brachycarpum D. Don extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The 50 % extract fraction (0.064 ${\mu}g/mL$) showed the most prominent ROS scavenging activity. The protective effects of extract/fractions of R. brachycarpum D. Don on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The R. brachycarpum D. Don extracts suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner (1 ~ 10 ${\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effects ($IC_{50}$) of R. brachycarpum D. Don extracts on tyrosinase were determined with ethyl acetate fraction of R. brachycarpum D. Don extract (70.5 ${\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction of extract (122.40 ${\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effects ($IC_{50}$) on elastase were determined with ethyl acetate of R. brachycarpum D. Don extract (43.50 ${\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction of extract (20.73 ${\mu}g/mL$). The cream containing the ethyl acetate fraction of R. brachycarpum D. Don extracts was formulated for skin hydration effect and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The cream containing R. brachycarpum D. Don extract was applied to the right lower arm. After 180 min, the water contents in skin were increased by 1 ~ 4 % than the placebo cream. And TEWL of parts was decreased as 7.7 $g/m^2h$ (experimental cream) and 8.9 $g/m^2h$ (placebo cream) respectively. These results indicate that extract/fractions of R. brachycarpum D. Don can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. And inhibitory activity on tyrosinase of the aglycone fraction could be applicable to new functional cosmetics for whitening and anti-wrinkle products. Also the increase of skin hydration of the cream containing extract could be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antiaging.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2011

To investigate the toxicological effects of ${\beta}$-glucan, we performed basic studying on ${\beta}$-glucan in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Standard endpoints in this study included mortality, clinical observations, changes of body weights, analysis on food consumption, ophthalmoscopic examination, hematologic examination, serum biochemistry, analysis of organ weights, gross anatomic pathology and histopathology. No clinical signs and mortality were observed in animals treated with beta-glucan throughout the experimental period. The average body weight of each treatment groups showed similar levels at end of experiment. There were no treatment-related changes in mortality, body weights changes, food consumption, ophthalmoscopic examination. Although there were statistically significant differences between the control and treated groups in some relative and absolute organ weights, and hematological and biochemical analysis, the data were in biologically normal ranges and did not show a dose-dependent manner. In the morphological change, hepatic tissue were not showed ballooning degeneration and irregular arrangement of hepatic cell in ${\beta}$-glucan treatment groups with control group. Also, organs weights (liver, heart, kidney and stomach) and hematological indices (WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct and Platelet) did not show statistically significant differences among the experimental groups. In summary of these results, there were no changes in mortality, mean body weight, clinical signs, food consumption. There were no changes in ophthalmological examination, hematology, blood chemistry, necropsy and histopathology. In conclusion, although further investigation of glucan should be performed in the functions registered in many ancient literatures, ${\beta}$-glucan is physiologically safe and may have potential as candidate food for human health.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2007

Purpose : Edema is one of the cardinal features of nephrotic syndrome. Although the pathogenesis of edema is not entirely understood, it is caused by hypovolemia or hypervolemia by different mechanisms. Accordingly it is important to evaluate the volume status of patients in order to treat the edema, but it is difficult to evaluate the patient's volume status only by clinical parameters. The quotient of urine sodium and potassium excretion $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ is introduced as a more useful way to evaluate volume status. In this study we will propose the usefulness of $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ in evaluating the volume status of children with nephrotic syndrome. Methods : Primary nephrotic syndrome patients at Yeungnam University Hospital since January 1995 to June 2005, were included in the study. We analyzed clinical parameters such as tachycardia, cardiomegaly, pleural effusion, blood chemistry and urinalysis prospectively. We defined hypovolemia when $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ exceeded 60%. Intravenous albumin and diuretics were administered to hypovolemic edematous patients. On the other hand, hypervolemic edematous patients were treated only with diuretics. Results : There were 50 cases of primary nephrotic syndrome patients(hypervolemia: 29 vs hypovolemia: 21). There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms and laboratory findings except for FeNa While $F_eNa$ and $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ had a significant negative correlation, BUN and $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ had a significant positive correlation. Urine output after edema treatment was effective and there were no treatment-related side effects in both groups. Conclusion : FeNa, BUN and $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ are a useful parameters for evaluating volume status of edematous nephrotic syndrome patients. We could suggest a therapeutic option for using albumin and/or diuretics according to volemic status by means of measured $U_K/(U_{Na}+UK)$.

• Near Infrared Analysis
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2001

Nowadays, medical diagnostics is efficiently supported by clinical chemistry and near infrared spectroscopy is becoming a new dimension, which has shown high potential to provide valuable information for diagnosis. The investigation was carried out to study the influence of mammary gland inflammation, called mastitis, on cow´s milk spectra and milk composition measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Milk somatic cell counts (SCC) in milk were used as a measure of mammary gland inflammation. Naturally occurred variations with milk composition within lactation and in the process of milking were included in the experimental design of this study. Time series of unhomogenized, raw milk spectral data were collected from 3 cow along morning and evening milking, for 5 consecutive months, within their second lactation. In the time of the trial, the investigated cows had periods with mammary gland inflammation. Transmittance spectra of 258 milk samples were obtained by NIRSystem 6500 spectrophotometer in 1100-2400 nm region. Calibration equations for the examined milk components were developed by PLS regression using 3 different sets of samples: samples with low somatic cell count (SCC), samples with high SCC and combined data set. The NIR calibration and prediction of individual cow´s milk fat, protein, and lactose were highly influenced by the presence of mil samples from animals with mammary gland inflammation in the data set. The best accuracy of prediction (i.e. the lower SEP and the higher correlation coefficient) for fat, protein and lactose was obtained for equations, developed when using only “healthy” samples, with low SCC. The standard error of prediction increased and correlation coefficient decreased significantly when equations for low SCC milk were used to predict examined components in “mastitis” samples with high SCC, and vice versa. Combined data set that included samples from healthy and mastitis animals could be used to build up regression models for screening. Further use of separate model for healthy samples improved milk composition measurement. Regression vectors for NIR mild protein measurement obtained for “healthy” and “mastitic” group were compared and revealed differences in 1390-1450 nm, 1500-1740 nm and 1900-2200 nm regions and thus illustrated post-secretory breakdown of milk proteins by hydrolytic enzymes that occurred with mastitis. For the first time it has been found that monitoring the spectral differences in water bands at 1440 nm and 1912 nm could provide valuable information for inflammation diagnosis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1640-1647
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• 2009

Two field studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of difructose anhydride III (DFA III) as a supplement in colostrum replacer (CR) for improving the general health status (judged on the basis of incidence of enteritis, bronchitis, and pneumonia) of group-housed suckling Japanese Black calves. In a preliminary study, CR supplemented with DFA III (6 g) was orally administered within 24 h of calving to eight individually reared calves fed colostrum (DFA III group) (Exp. 1). Subsequently, CR supplemented with DFA III (6 g) was orally administered twice within 2 and 12 h of calving to four calves (DFA III group) that were not fed colostrum (Exp. 2). In both experiments, the health status of the calves was assessed during the preweaning period. In Exp. 2, hematological and blood-chemistry parameters were analyzed 24 h after the second administration of CR and at 1 wk and 1 month after calving. The results were compared between the DFA III and control groups (without DFA III supplementation; Exp. 1: n = 10, Exp. 2: n = 4). In Exp. 1, the number of calves requiring medications for the treatment of enteritis, bronchitis, and pneumonia during the preweaning period was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the DFA III group than in the control group. In Exp. 2, supplementation of DFA III did not influence the gain in body weight of calves during the pre-weaning period. Calves in the DFA III group tended to require medications for a shorter duration than those in the control group (DFA III: 10.3 d/calf, control: 21.3 d/calf; p = 0.07). Significant differences (p<0.05) in the level of mean corpuscular hemoglobin, total protein, total cholesterol, and immunoglobulin (Ig)G were observed between the DFA III and control groups. These differences probably reflect the health and nutritional status of the calves. Additionally, the serum iron and lactoferrin concentrations at 24 h and 1 wk after calving, respectively, differed significantly between the 2 groups. These concentrations might reflect the incidence of infections after calving. The present study revealed that the administration of DFA III as a CR supplement may prevent diseases in group-housed calves during the pre-weaning period.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 1983

${\beta}$-Glucuronidase from bull seminal plasma was partially purified by $(NH_4)_2SO_4$fractionation, two successive DEAE-cellulose columns, isoelectric focusing (pH 4 to 6) and Gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. Only one form of ${\beta}$-glucuronidase was obtained by isoelectric focusing at pH 5.13. Highly purified ${\beta}$-glucuronidase had specific activity of 34 units/mg protein and showed one major and some minor contaminants by disc gelk electrophoresis. The enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 5.2 and at $48^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was completely inhibited by 1,4 saccharo-${\alpha}$-lactone (5 mM). Albumin and 0.15 M NaCl increased the ${\beta}$-glucuronidase activity. Km of ${\beta}$-glucuronidase using phenolphthalein mono-${\beta}$-glucuronic acid as substrate was 2.9 mM and Vmax was $0.8{\mu}$mole/min. The enzyme appeared to be a glycoprotein by its binding to concanvalin·A. Rabbit and human sperm-acrosomal extracts and seminal plasma showed high ${\beta}$-glucuronidase activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.112-117
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• 2001

International index of erectile function (IIEF) has a high sensitivity and specificity for the evaluating treatment of erectile dysfunction. IIEF was used to evaluate on an international level the effectiveness of red ginseng on patients with erectile dysfunction and determine its possible development as a natural drug. 50 patients with erectile failure who were 20 years or older and without organic cause were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1(25 patients) received red ginseng 600mg three times a day and group 2 (25 patients) received placebo in the same fashion for 8 weeks. Each group was evaluated with IIEF at the start and end of therapy. Of the 50 patients 47 (group 1 24, group 2 23) who completed the 8 week therapy were evaluated. The mean age and symptom duration of the patients was 45.7$\pm$8.7 (27-68) and 6.2$\pm$5.6(1-29) years, respectively. Patient age, symptom duration. marriage status, marriage duration, partner age were not statistic significance between the two groups (p>0.05). Blood chemistry, urinalysis, and hormonal assay did not reveal difference between the two groups. primary efficacy (erectile rigidity and its maintenance) and all domains in secondary efficacy were significantly better after therapy in group 1 compared to those of group 2 (p<0.05) except for frequency of sexual desire, degree of sexual desire, and frequency of intercourse trial (p>0.05). Group 1 patients were significantly more satisfied after treatment compared to group 2 patients with 58.3% (14/24)and 26.1%(6/23) satisfaction rates, respectively. There were no adverse reactions or complications with ginseng adiminstration. Further study into the effects of saponin and ginsenoside that are the main substances in ginseng for erectile dysfunction is needed. In addition, its possible additive effect with ginseng and sildenafil should be elucidated in the future.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2005

Dimethylamine (DMA) is a widely used commodity chemical with few toxicity data. Groups of 10 male and female F-344 rats were exposed by inhalation to 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ppm of DMA for 6 hrs/day, 5 days/week for 90 days. The changes of body weight, organ weight, hematology, clinical chemistry, and histopathological changes were evaluated after the exposure. As the results, the body weight was significantly decreased at 80 ppm in male and female rats (p<0.05). The absolute lung weight showed no statistically significant changes in any group. In contrast, the relative lung weight significantly increased at 80 ppm in male and female rats (p<0.05). Erythrocytes, mean cell hemoglobin, leukocytes, neutrophil, and platelet numbers were significantly increased in male and female at 40 or 80 ppm of DMA (p<0.05, p<0.01). In addition, the serum values of total protein, urea nitrogen were increased in male and creatine kinase, total protein were increased in female rats at 40 or 80 ppm (p<0.05, p<0.01). Histopathological examinations of the male and female lung samples showed slight hyperplasia and congestion at 80 ppm. Taken together, our study revealed that maximum tolerated dose of DMA would be over 40 ppm.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.867-881
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• 1998

The studies were carried out to investigate the phygiological changes in deep hypothermia in rabbits. Sixty rabbits were continuously cooled with femoral arterio-venous bypass circulation to rectal temperatures of $34.0{\pm}0.3^{\circ}C$(mild hypothermia), $30.0{\pm}0.3^{\circ}C$(moderate hypothermia), and $25.0{\pm}0.3^{\circ}C$(deep hypothermia). The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows : In mild, moderate, and deep hypothermia, MAP, HR, RR, pH, $pCO_2$, $pO_2$, $Na^+$, $K^+$, HCT, PLT, glucose, L-lactate, BUN, and creatinine were analyzed. During hypothermia, a statistically significant decrease of MAP occurred between $30^{\circ}C$ and early $25^{\circ}C$(Start) of rectal temperature while significant increases occurred between baseline($38.7^{\circ}C$) and $30^{\circ}C$. Significant decreases of HR and RR were observed in the rabbits, particularly those changes appeared to similar patterns in proportion to hypothermia. Significant decreases of pH occurred between $34^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$, and significant increases of $pO_2$ and $pCO_2$ were observed continuously in the hypothermic rabbits. The hypothermia had no significant effect on blood $Na^+$ and serum creatinine. Blood $K^+$ significantly decreased from $3.1{\pm}0.5$(baseline) to $2.6{\pm}0.6mmol/l$($34^{\circ}C$) with the hypothermia for about 30 minutes, and significantly increased from $2.4{\pm}0.6$($25^{\circ}C$(S)) to $2.7{\pm}0.5mmol/l$($25^{\circ}C$(E)) with the hypothermia for 2 hrs. HCT significantly increased to $34^{\circ}C$, thereafter, continuously increased to $25^{\circ}C$(Start, End). PLT increased to $34^{\circ}C$, thereafter, continuously decreased to $25^{\circ}C$(Start, End). Also PLT decreased significantly from 414.3($30^{\circ}C$) to $308.8{\times}103/mm^3$($25^{\circ}C$, Start). Significant increases of blood glucose and L-lactate occurred between $30^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$ (Start, End). Slight increase of serum BUN continuously appeared with the hypothermia. These results, such as characteristic changes of the significant decrease of pH and PLT at $34^{\circ}C$, the significant decrease of MAP at $30^{\circ}C$, and the significant increase of glucose and l-lactate at $30^{\circ}C$, suggest that homeostasis of rabbits to hypothermia rapidly decreases at $34{\sim}30^{\circ}C$ of rectal temperature. Therefore, we suggest that, during the period with the rapidly decreased homeostasis, the very carefully control and treatment need to recover hypothermic animals under the circumstances of the various hypothermic experiments and emergency medicine.