• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.34-37
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• 2013

Objective : The purposes of this study were to evaluate the prevalence, types, and locations of Modic changes (MCs) in the thoracic spine in a large number of subjects, and to investigate the relation between the distributions of MCs and disc herniations (DHs) in the thoracic spine. Methods : Two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists assessed the presence of MCs and DHs by consensus in the thoracic MRIs of 144 patients with non-specific back pain. Patient ages ranged from 22 to 88 years (mean=$53.3{\pm}14.66$ years), and 72 were female (50%). The prevalence, distribution, relation of MCs and DHs was recorded. Results : MC was observed in 8 of the 144 patients (5.6%) and 10 of 1728 segments (0.58%). The most common MC was type II. Of the 8 patients exhibiting MC, 6 had type II (75.0%), and 2 had mixed MCs (type I/II or type II/III). MCs were distributed mainly at the mid-thoracic level (from T5/6 to T9/10). DH was detected in 18 patients (12.5%), 36 of 1728 segments (2.1%). Of the 10 segments exhibiting MC, 5 had DHs at the same level (50.0%). Accordingly, DH was strongly associated with MC (p=0.000). Conclusion : A low prevalence of MC was observed in the thoracic spine, and type II MC predominated. The low prevalence of MC in the thoracic spine suggests that it was caused by a relative lack of mobility as compared with the cervical and lumbar spines. And DHs were found to be strongly associated with MCs even in the thoracic spine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1272-1277
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• 2000

The present study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of feeding neem kernel meal (NKM) containing diet to growing Japanese quails, which was incorporated into a standard quail diet at 0, 50, 75 or 100 g/kg in place of soyabean meal and deoiled rice bran. Each diet was offered to 30 quail chicks housed in battery cages from day one to five weeks of age. The chicks fed NKM diets gained 123.3, 122.6 and 121.6 g mean body weight, respectively, and which were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of 129.9 g gained by those of birds fed the control diets. The feed intake and feed conversion ratio of birds in different dietary groups were not significantly altered due to dietary variations. Mean values for retention of dietary energy, N and Ca were found to insignificantly differ (p>0.05) among the treatment groups but P retention was significantly (p<0.01) lower for quails fed 100 g/kg NKM than those in other groups. Blood biochemical constituents, carcass characteristics and organoleptic test for meat also were not found to vary significantly (p>0.05) due to dietary treatments. The histopathology of liver and kidney tissues from NKM fed quails revealed mild degenerative changes. It could be concluded that inclusion of NKM in quail diet reduced the growth besides inducing mild pathological changes in liver and kidney tissues.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2013

In this study, to understand the pathogenesis of new rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDVa) serotype, we carried out to administrate RHDVa to rabbits, and to examine sequential electron microscopic changes and relationship between pathogenesis and apoptosis. TUNEL-positive cells began to be observed from 24 hours after inoculation (HAI) and the number of positive cells was slightly increased with the course of time. Whereas marked increase of positive cells was seen in the liver from the rabbits died acutely. Typical viral particles with cup-like projections and a diameter of 30~40 nm were detected in homogenized liver samples and tissues at 36 and 48, and 48 HAI, respectively. Ultrastructurally, glycogen deposition was observed from the first stage of hepatocellular degeneration by RHDVa infection and then, swelling and disruption of cristae of mitochondria by viral particles, swelling of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles and vesicles were detected. Condensation, margination and fragmentation of chromatin were observed in degenerative hepatocytes at 36 and 48 HAI, indicating apoptotic bodies. These data offer that hepatocytic apoptosis by RHDV infection could be closely related with mitochondrial impairment in the hepatocytes.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.3 s.52
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• pp.227-235
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• 2005

Skin aging is not a disease nor an abnormal phenomenon but a collection of degenerative changes with age, characterized by skin dryness, wrinkle formation, and loss of skin elasticity. The skin wrinkles are caused by either genetically predisposed factors or environmental factors such as UV irradiation or physical/chemical stimulus. The histological manifestations of wrinkles are changes in both amount and integrity of elastic and collagen fibers. Here we report the isolation and characterization of 3 active compounds, prangenidin, 8-hydroxybergapten, and xanthotoxol from Angelica dahurica root. The anti-wrinkle activities of these compounds were also investigated.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 1992

The changes of protein bodies in endosperm cells of both seeds with red seed coat and indehiscent seeds of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer have been investigated in relation to the embryo development. In the early stage of seeds with red seed coat, spherical spherosomes were distributed in endosperm cells. Protein bodies were formed from vacuoles containing the storage protein. Cell organelles were hardly observed in the cytoplasm. In the late stage of the seed with red seed coat, the endosperm was filled with spherosomes and protein bodies. The protein bodies consisted of amorphous inclusions with high electron density or proteinaceous matrix with even electron density. In the seed of in dehiscence, the protein body in endosperm cells contained globoids and protein crystalloids. The globoid of protein body had a electron dense materials. Umbiliform layer was formed between embryo and endosperm. The deformation patterns of endosperm cell wall and the cellulose microfibril were observed in endosperm cells near the umbiliform layer. Umbiliform layer consisted of lipid body and autolyzed cell debris. The protein body of endosperm cell near the umbiliform layer showed various degenerative patterns, and so electron density of proteinaceous matrix was gradually decreased.reased.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 1992

This study has been carried out to investigate the ultrastructural changes in the associated with the disintegration of the storage materials in endosperm cell of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) seed during after-ripening with light and electron microscope. The protein body of endosperm cells near the umbiliform layer showed various degenerative patterns, and so electron density of proteinaceous matrix was gradualJy decreased during afterripening. These results indicate that the decomposition of endosperm was already initiated during after-ripening. As the degeneration of endosperm was more progressed after the dehiscence of seed, non-decomposed part of protein body appeared amorphously with high electron density. Decomposed protein bodies were vacuolized with the loss of their matrix and gradually expanded by fusion. Also, spherosomes were gradually dissolved with the lowered electron density during the degeneration of endosperm. The vesicles of dictyosomes near the cell wall are observed in endosperm contacting with umbiliform layer and are fused with plasma membrane. Umbiliform layer which was the complex of the decomposed remnants of lysis and materials has strong stainability for toluidine blue and basic fuchsin.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.29-40
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• 1983

The differences in the electron microscopic fine structures of the wing imaginal discs of the vestigial (vg), wing mutant and wild type of Drosophila melanogaster were investigated. The materials used in this study were collected at ten hours intervals from the late third instar larvae of the both stocks. The fine structural changes during differentiation were as follows: 1. In wild type lipid droplets were coalesced and converted to glycogen, while no changes were observed in the mutatn vestigial. 2. Degeneration of the cells by phagocytosis were observed not only from the mutatn vestigial, but from the wild type. However, degenerative feature of the wild type was poor. 3. Dented structures of tracheole showed little differences between wild type and the mutant vestigial. But the tracheole diameter of the wild type became wider in the course of differentiation, while the mutant vestigial narrow. Although mutant vestigial develops normally during early embryogenesis, the late third instar larvae shows defficiency in gluconeogenesis, converting fatty acid to glycogen. This, together with the predominant cell degeneration by phagocytosis and poorly developed tracheole, seems to effect on the expression of the vestigial phenotype.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-85
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• 2015

Objectives: Radix Ginseng has been traditionally used as an adaptogen that acts on the adrenal cortex and stimulates or relaxes the nervous system to restore emotional and physical balance and to improve well-being in cases of degenerative disease and/or old age. Radix Ginseng has been used for a long time, but the safety of ginseng pharmacopuncture needs testing. This study was done to analyze the single-dose toxicity of water- soluble ginseng pharmacopuncture (GP) intramuscular injections in rats. Methods: All experiments were performed at Biotoxtech, an institution authorized to perform non clinical studies under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Each group contained 10 Sprague-Dawley rats, 5 males and 5 females. GP was prepared in a sterile room at the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute under regulations of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). GP dosages were 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL for the experimental groups; normal saline was administered to the control group. The animals general condition was examined daily for 14 days, and the rats were weighed on the starting day and at 3, 7 and 14 days after administration of the pharmacopuncture. Hematological and biochemistry tests and autopsies were done to test the toxicological effect of GP after 14 days. This study was performed with approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of Biotextech. Results: No deaths were found in this single-dose toxicity test of intramuscular injections of GP, and no significant changes in the general conditions, body weights, hematological and biochemistry tests, and autopsies were observed. The local injection site showed no changes. Based on these results, the lethal dose was assumed to be over 1.0 mL/animal in both sexes. Conclusion: These results suggest that GP is relatively safe. Further studies, including a repeated toxicity test, are needed to provide more concrete evidence for the safety of GP.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.53-66
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• 1986

This study was carried out to determine the mortality level and it's related demographic factors in Korea since 1942. In order to clarify the changes in structure of mortality and the causes of death, the indices such as Crude Death Rate(CDR) or Life Expectancy at Birth were used. The author examined the mortality levels and major causes of death and performed the relevant demographic analysis. The followings are the summary of this study: 1. The CDR declined rapidly till 1960's. Such improvement slowed down from 1960's to mid 1970's and stabilized afterwards. It was due to the change of age composition, namely, the increase of aging population. 2. The Life Expectancy at Birth increased rapidly till mid 1960's. But elongation of the Life Expectancy slowed down after then. Especially in female, it slowed down more. 3. Changing patterns of major causes of death summarize that, till 1960's infectious diseases were major causes of death, but recently non-infectious diseases like chronic degenerative diseases became more prevalent. 4. The elongation of Life Expectancy at Birth till mid 1960's was mainly resulted by $_4{q}_1$. But the major contributing factor of the improvement in Life Expectancy at Birth in female is he reduction of $_$\infty${q}_{50}$ recently. In male, the improvement in Life Expectancy at Birth is due to the reduction of $_1{q}_0$. recently. 5. The age-sex-specific mortality rates revealed that $_n{q}_x$ declined in common throughout the period, even though there exists some variability of their ranges as age changes. Consequently, this study seems to suggest that the demographic transition in Korea occurred between late 1960's and early 1970's. In other words, the rapid change before late 1960's was eased in early 1970's. The slow change in this period caused a stabilizing pattern. Therefore, the population change is expected to be stabilized continuously.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.276-284
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• 2022

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many commercial products may interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system and are unsafe because of their cumulative effect on the human body. However, little is known about the effects of combinations of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in humans. Methoxychlor and bisphenol A are toxic to male reproductive organs. Therefore, we studied the effects of methoxychlor and bisphenol A on male reproductive function. Male mice were divided into four treatment groups: control, 400 mg methoxychlor, 1 mg bisphenol A, and 400 mg methoxychlor + 1 mg bisphenol A/kg/day. Methoxychlor and bisphenol A were dissolved in sesame oil and acetone and administered orally for 4 weeks. After administration, the weight and histological changes in the testicles and epididymis, sperm count and health were observed biochemical tests and whole blood counts were performed. The results showed that the mice in the bisphenol A and methoxychlor + bisphenol A groups gained more weight than those in the control and methoxychlor group. The weights of the testes and epididymis were higher in the experimental groups than in the control. Sperm motility and progression were significantly reduced in the bisphenol A and methoxychlor + bisphenol A groups. Histological observation showed a reduced number of sperm, smaller seminiferous tubules, and destroyed lumen in the methoxychlor + bisphenol A group compared to the other groups. In conclusion, our study showed that methoxychlor and bisphenol A destroy male reproductive tissues and decrease sperm quality.