• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.1 s.57
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• pp.95-102
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• 1995

The pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy is still not completely understood while renal disease is one of the most common disabling complications of diabetes. We, in the present study, investigated the possible involvement of oxidative stress in the development of diabetic nephropathy. To hasten the development of diabetic nephropathy, streptozotocin was injected to unilaterally nephrectomized rats (NEPH-STZ). Eight weeks later, NEPH-STZ rats developed severe hyperglycemia, proteinuria, and hypertension. The kidneys of these rats showed compensatory hypertrophy and mesangial expansion. In contrast, the rats with streptozotocin injection alone (STZ) did not increase urinary protein excretion. Nephrectomized non-diabetic rats (NEPH) developed increased urine protein excretion, but without prominent renal morphological changes. However, oxidation of renal cortical tissue protein significantly increased in all 3 groups of NEPH, STZ and NEPH-STZ in comparison to control rats (CONT). The result indicates the non-specificity of the oxidative tissue damage and suggests that the oxidative damage is hardly a sole mechanism leading to the development of the diabetic nephropathy. However, it would still be a contributing factor considering that the oxidative stress is a common final pathway mediating tissue damages in chronic diabetic complications and other serious illness.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5691-5696
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• 2014

Background: Many clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate sorafenib for the treatment of advanced NSCLC, but the results for efficacy have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sorafenib in patients with advanced NSCLC in more detail by meta-analysis. Methods: This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed after searching PubMed, EMBASE, ASCO Abstracts, ESMO Abstracts, and the proceedings of major conferences for relevant clinical trials. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the trials. Outcomes analysis were disease control rate (DCR), progression- free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and major toxicity. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to sorafenib monotherapy, in combination with chemotherapy or EGFR-TKI to investigate the preferred therapy strategy. Results: Results reported from 6 RCTs involving 2, 748 patients were included in the analysis. Compared to sorafenib-free group, SBT was not associated with higher DCR (RR 1.31 (0.96- 1.79), p=0.09), PFS (HR 0.82 (0.66-1.02), p=0.07) and OS (HR 1.01 (0.92-1.12), p=0.77). In terms of subgroup results, sorafenib monotherapy was associated with significant superior DCR and longer PFS, but failed to show advantage with regard to OS. Grade 3 or greater sorafenib-related adverse events included fatigue, hypertension, diarrhea, oral mucositis, rash and HFSR. Conclusions: SBT was revealed to yield no improvement in DCR, PFS and OS. However, sorafenib as monotherapy showed some activity in NSCLC. Further evaluation may be considered in subsets of patients who may benefit from this treatment. Sorafenib combined inhibition therapy should be limited unless the choice of platinum-doublet regimen, administration sequence or identification of predictive biomarkers are considered to receive better anti-tumor activity and prevention of resistance mechanisms.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2000

Objectives : To propose the referential data to evaluate the health impacts of Vietnam veterans' children whose father were exposed to herbicides in Vietnam War. Methods : Vietnam veterans who visited to Pusan Veteran Hospital for medical care were recruited from April to October, 1998. They were 71 and asked about their own combat history, symptoms and illness, and health status of their 182 children. The informations were collected by direct and phone interview. Exposure estimation was also performed as exposure score depending on year and unit of participation, and personal episodes related to exposure to herbicide in the war. It classified into three groups; lower(<18.0), moderate(18-53), high$(\geq53)$ exposure group. Results : The mean age and the period into the combat of the veterans were 52.8 years and 15.0 months. The mean exposure score was $18.1{\pm}9.9$, and mainly distributed in lower (46.5%) and moderate(52.1%) exposure group. Most(90.1%) of them were diagnosed as sequelae(21 cases) and suspected sequelae(43 cases) of the herbicides by Korean veteran's hospital diagnostic criteria. The major sequelae was peripheral neuropathy 13 cases, chloracne 5 cases, and the major suspected sequelae was hypertension 20 cases, diabetes mellitus 18 cases, liver disease 12 cases, central neuropathy 11 cases, etc. About birth, 42.2% and 16.9% experienced spontaneous abortion and stillbirth, respectively. The mean exposure score was higher in stillbirth experience group(p<0.05). About half of the children(90 cases, 49.5%) hold the abnormal health status: those were skin pigmentation 38 cases, rash 23 cases, congenital anomaly 15 cases, general weakness 12 cases, purpura 8 cases, visual disturbance 8 cases, etc. These health problems had no association with father's exposure level(p>0.05). Conclusions : These results were depend on their own answers, and expectation for compensation did not excluded, therefore, this study may have limitations: inaccuracy of informations due to recall bias and response bias. Nevertheless, through this study, we could image the fundamental aspect for health impacts of Vietnam veterans' children for preparing the national control program and policy. A large scale epidemiologic study with valid exposure assessment on the health impacts of Vietnam veterans' children is recommneded.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.264-269
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• 2017

Prunella vulgaris, well-known traditional medicinal plant, is used for the cure of abscess, scrofula, hypertension and urinary diseases. Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease. The pathological characteristics of diabetic nephropathy are glomerular and tubular basement membrane thickening. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Prunella vulgaris, on diabetic glomerular injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 45 mg/kg) and confirmed by random glucose level higher than ${\leq}300mg/dL$. The experimental rats were divided into five groups: control group (Male SD rats), STZ group (Male SD rats injected STZ), Aminoguanidine group (Male SD rats injected STZ + AG 100 mg/kg/day), Low dose group (Male SD rats injected STZ + APV 100 mg/kg/day), High dose group (Male SD rats injected STZ + APV 300 mg/kg/day). AG or APVs were administered once a day for 8 weeks. Body weight and food/water intake were measured every four weeks. At the end of study, the kidneys were collected and cut into pieces for immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Our study showed that body weight and water/food intake were no significant differences between untreated STZ-induced diabetic rat and APV treated-STZ rat. However, phosphorylation of receptor-regulated Smads (Smad3) was significantly decreased in APV treated-STZ rat as compared with the diabetic group. In addition, APV was improved nephrin level in kidney tissue. Therefore, we suggest that APV has a protective effect against STZ-induced diabetic glomerular injury.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.8
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• pp.17.1-17.13
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• 2017

Background: Omega-3 long-chain (${\geq}C_{20}$) polyunsaturated fatty acids (${\omega}3$ LC-PUFA) confer important attributes to health-conscious meat consumers due to the significant role they play in brain development, prevention of coronary heart disease, obesity and hypertension. In this study, the ${\omega}3$ LC-PUFA content of raw and cooked Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle from genetically divergent Australian prime lambs supplemented with dietary degummed crude canola oil (DCCO) was evaluated. Methods: Samples of LTL muscle were sourced from 24 first cross ewe and wether lambs sired by Dorset, White Suffolk and Merino rams joined to Merino dams that were assigned to supplemental regimes of degummed crude canola oil (DCCO): a control diet at 0 mL/kg DM of DCCO (DCCOC); 25 mL/kg DM of DCCO (DCCOM) and 50 mL/kg DCCO (DCCOH). Lambs were individually housed and offered 1 kg/day/head for 42 days before being slaughtered. Samples for cooked analysis were prepared to a core temperature of $70^{\circ}C$ using conductive dry-heat. Results: Within raw meats: DCCOH supplemented lambs had significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentrations of eicosapentaenoic (EPA, $20:5{\omega}3$) and EPA + docosahexaenoic (DHA, $22:6{\omega}3$) acids than those supplemented with DCCOM or DCCOC; Dorset sired lambs contained significantly (P < 0.05) more EPA and EPA + DHA than other sire breeds; diet and sire breed interactions were significant (P < 0.05) in affecting EPA and EPA + DHA concentrations. In cooked meat, ${\omega}3$ LC-PUFA concentrations in DCCOM (32 mg/100 g), DCCOH (38 mg/100 g), Dorset (36 mg/100 g), White Suffolk (32 mg/100 g), ewes (32 mg/100 g) and wethers (33 mg/100 g), all exceeded the minimum content of 30 mg/100 g of edible cooked portion of EPA + DHA for Australian defined 'source' level ${\omega}3$ LC-PUFA classification. Conclusion: These results present that combinations of dietary degummed crude canola oil, sheep genetics and culinary preparation method can be used as effective management tools to deliver nutritionally improved ${\omega}3$ LC-PUFA lamb to meat consumers.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.113-125
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• 2003

Background： Recently, adolescent obesity was increased and tended to become obese adults, facing increased risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease. Even before reaching adulthood, adolescent obesity already was experiencing hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to find prevalence of obesity of high school students in Jeju island and association between obesity and cardiovascular risk factors and association between childhood obesity and adolescent obesity. Method： The study subjects were 6,064 students of twenty-two high school in Jeju island and health survey data was gathered from high school health examination data and hospital health examination data from Aug. 1999 to Dec. 1999. Adolescent obesity was evaluated by ideal body weight method in 1998 and body mass index. Cardiovascular risk factors were checked total cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar. In 1,534 students, obesity at primary school is checked by primary and middle school health record. Results： Prevalence of obesity in Jeju island high school students is 12.6% in male students, 13.3% in female students by ideal body weight method and 8.7% in male students, 8.5% in female students by body mass index. Prevalence of obesity of male students in city area and district area of Jeju island were each 12.9%, 10.3% and that of male students in city area was significantly higher. Prevalence of obesity of female students in city area and district area of Jeju island were each 12.9%, 14.2% and not significantly different. Prevalence of obesity of male students in general and commercial school group were each 13.9%, 10.1% and that of general school group was significantly higher. In female students, Prevalence of obesity general and commercial school group was not significantly different. Total cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly associated with degree of obesity in male and female students(p＜0.05) and fasting blood sugar was only significantly associated with degree of obesity in male students(p＜0.05). In 1,514 students checked by health record, Odds ratio of obesity at primary and middle school that at high school were 12.96∼22.77 and was significantly associated. Conclusion： Prevalence of obesity of high school students in Jeju island is very high and adolescent obesity was significantly associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Mostly childhood obesity tended to become adolescent obesity and program of control of obesity at childhood and adolescence is required.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between bone mineral density and remaining teeth in Korean adults. Methods: Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES) 5th Year 1(2010), 1,985 adults over 50 years old having bone mineral density test were selected. Male adults were 883, and female adults were 1,102. The raw data consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, bone density data, and oral examination data. The questionnaire consisted of general health survey, laboratory examination study, and nutrition study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program for multiple regression analysis, ANOVA, t-test. The variables included general characteristics of the subjects, health behavior, diet habit, and oral health behavior. General characteristics consisted of gender, age, residence area, education level, marital status, monthly income, and vocation. Health behavior consisted of smoking, alcohol drinking, body mass index(BMI), physical activity, and mental health. Diet habit consisted of frequency of meal, milk, coffee, and calcium ingestion. Oral health behavior consisted of frequency of tooth brushing, use of oral health care devices, and oral examination. Systemic diseases were measured by the questionnaire for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. Bone density was measured in T-score of femoral bone, neck of femur, and lumbar vertebrae. Bone density was classified into normal($T-score{\geq}-1.0$), osteopenia(-2.5 < T-score < -1.0), and osteoporosis ($T-score{\leq}-2.5$). The remaining teeth were measured by the differences between normal teeth and missing teeth. Results: Smoking and age are the most influencing factors on the number of remaining teeth and bone density(p<0.01)(p<0.05). Those who had higher bone density, younger age, and nonsmoker significantly had more remaining teeth. Those who were men, diabetic, lowly educated women, and low birth weighted persons tended to have less number of teeth(p<0.01). Conclusions: The study suggested that there were significant differences between men and women according to the oral health management behavior and systemic disease control. Proper management of the oral health and good quality of bone mineral density can reserve the remaining teeth through the whole life.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.66-70
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• 2019

Purpose: The necrotizing fasciitis is a terrifying infectious disease that can rapidly spreads to surrounding tissues when fascia is infected and it can cause sepsis to death if not properly diagnosed and treated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics, causes, and treatment methods of necrotizing fasciitis in Korea through reviewing patients admitted to our burn center. Methods: 21 patients with necrotizing fasciitis were selected for this study among those inpatients with electronic medical records (EMR) admitted to Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Medical Center from Jan 1, 2008 to June 30, 2019. The medical records and wound photos of those 21 selected subjects were reviewed. Results: There were 13 male and 8 female patients and mean age was 58.76 years old. 13 of 21 subjects were survived and 8 died (38% mortality rate). The surgical treatments performed were I&D, fasciotomy, debridement, allograft, burring, STSG, flap, and amputation. The most common causes were burns in 9 subjects (6 contact burns) and cellulitis occurred on skins in 5 subjects. And other various causes were observed as fournier's gangrene, stab wound, intramuscular injection, tumor and bleu toe syndrome (toe necrosis). The infected areas were 11 feet and legs, 7 hips, 3 abdomen and trunk in 21 subjects. Of the 8 deaths, 3 were infected in feet and legs, 2 were infected in hips, and 2 were infected in abdomen and trunk. As for underlying diseases, 12 patients with hypertension or diabetes were the highest and others such as cancer and stroke were found. Conclusion: The only method to increase the survival rate is to 'suspect' the disease as much as possible and perform early extensive excision. It is advisable to treat the disease by the burn center to properly provide adequate and optimal wound management, infection control, medical care and nutritional supports.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.279-289
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• 1995

This study was designed 1) to develop a hypertensive animal model in which the blood pressures (BPs) of symmetric regions (right and left upper extremities) are significantly different and 2) to test the effect of BP per se on the contractility and endothelium-dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. Rabbits were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and ventilated with room air via animal respirator. The transverse aorta was exposed through the left second intercostal space and the lumen of the aorta was narrowed partially by ligation using 3-0 silk and a probe at a point between the origins of the brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery. Four to eight weeks postoperatively, BPs were measured in the carotid artery as the high BP area (proximal to coactation site) and in the femoral artery as the low BP area (distal to coarctation site). In the animal model, pressure-overload hypertension was developed and the BP of the right subclavian artery was higher than that of the left subclavian artery. The concentrations of circulating epinephrine, norepinephrine, angiotensin I, and angiotensin II were measured. The right and left subclavian arteries and their branches were used for isometric tension recording in organ baths and their responsiveness to phenylephrine, serotonin, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside were examined. The BPs of carotid and femoral artery in control animals were $116{\pm} 12/75{\pm}9\;mmHg (mean ${\pm}SEM$) and $130{\pm}16/68{\pm}9\;mmHg$ respectively, while those of carotid and femoral artery in the hypetensive animals were $172{\pm}6/111{\pm}10\;mmHg$ and 136{\pm} 4/100 {\pm}9\;mmHg$ respectively. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of circulating epinephrine, norepinephrine, angiotensin I, and angiotensin II between controls and the animal models. No significant differences were found in the vascular sensitivities to phenylephrine and serotonin between the high pressure-exposed vessels and the low pressure-exposed vessels. However, the endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine and nitroprusside-induced relaxation showed significant differences between the high pressure-exposed and the low pressure-exposed subclavian arteries. From the above results, we suggest that the contractility of vascular smooth muscle is unchanged by the elevated pressure per se. However, the endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine and the nitroprusside-induced relaxation are attenuated by pressure.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.54-58
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• 2009

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with several cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanisms are not completely understood. The measure of common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) has been extensively used as an early marker of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that early signs of atherosclerosis are present in patients with OSA and correlate with OSA severity Methods: Eleven male patients with OSA were studied by using full standard overnight polysomnography and high-definition echo-tracking device to measure intima-media thickness and carotid artery diameter. Eight healthy volunteers matched for age and sex were studied by portable respiratory monitoring device. All participants were free of hypertension, diabetes, and were not on any medications. Patients with OSA were naive to treatment. Results: All patients and normal controls were male. There was no significant difference of age between patients and controls ($48.4{\pm}8.85$ and $48.0{\pm}9.77$). Significant differences existed between control subjects and patients with mild to moderate and severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index, $1.51{\pm}1.15$ and $38.51{\pm}19.13$ respectively) in intima-media thickness ($0.59{\pm}0.064$ and $0.93{\pm}0.16$; P=0.0023), and carotid diameter ($5.79{\pm}0.44$ and $6.47{\pm}0.51$; P=0.0227). Multivariate analyses showed that the apnea-hypopnea index correlated independently with intima-media thickness and carotid diameter (r=0.79, P=0.0008, and r=0.47, P=0.0482). Conclusions: Middle-aged patients with OSA who are free of overt cardiovascular diseases have early signs of atherosclerosis, which further supports the hypothesis that OSA plays an independent role in atherosclerosis progression.