• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2009

Background: Anemia is quite common in lung cancer patients and known to decrease the quality of life. Darbepoetin alfa is an erythropoiesis-stimulating protein approved for administration to cancer patients. This study examined the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa in lung cancer patients with a hemoglobin concentration <10 g/dl during chemotherapy. Methods: Lung cancer patients (n=178) received darbepoetin alfa at doses of 1.91 ${\mu}g/kg$ per week until the hemoglobin concentration increased to >10 g/dl. The efficacy and safety were measured by comparing the hemoglobin concentration and assessing the adverse events. Results: After chemotherapy, the hemoglobin concentration decreased to 9.03${\pm}$0.64 g/dl. With the darbepoetin alfa treatment, the hemoglobin concentration increased to 10.09${\pm}$1.17 g/dl after 4 weeks reaching a peak hemoglobin concentration of 10.45${\pm}$1.18 g/dl. The changes in hemoglobin after 4 and 8 weeks with treatment were 1.08${\pm}$1.24 g/dl and 1.38${\pm}$1.59 g/dl (p<0.01). At least a 1 g/dl or more increase in hemoglobin was observed in 62.4% of patients. There were no serious adverse effects except for some mild reactions. Conclusion: Darbepoetin alfa administered to lung cancer patients appears to be an effective, well-tolerated treatment for chemotherapy induced anemia.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.323-329
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• 2011

In order to develop new protein carrier replacing poly(DL-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres, succinylated pullulan acetate (SPA) was investigated to fabricate a long term protein delivery carrier. SPA microspheres loaded with lysozyme (Lys) as a model protein drug were prepared by a water/oil/water (W/O/W) double emulsion method. An acidity test of SPA copolymers after hydrolysis was performed to estimate the change of protein stability during releasing proteins from the microspheres. There was no pH change of SPA copolymers, but pH of PLGA polymers after hydrolysis was significantly decreased to around pH 2, indicating that the long-term stability of proteins released from SPA microspheres can be guaranteed. Loading efficiency of proteins into SPA microspheres was three times higher than those into conventional PLGA microspheres, indication of inducing stronger charge interaction between proteins and succinyl groups in SPA microspheres. Although initial burst behaviors were monitored in Lys-loaded SPA microspheres due to relatively strong hydrophilic succinyl segments in SPA microspheres, initial burst issues would be circumvented if the ratio of charge density of succinyl moieties and hydrophobic acetate groups is harmonically controlled. Therefore, in this study, a new attempt of protein delivery system was made and functional SPA was successfully confirmed as a new protein carrier.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1497-1505
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• 2009

The thermophile Bacillus fordii MH602 was screened for stereospecifically hydrolyzing DL-5-substituted hydantoins to L-$\alpha$-amino acids. Since the reaction occurs at higher temperature, the advantages for enhancement of substrate solubility and for racemization of DL-5-substituted hydantoins during the conversion were achieved. The hydantoin metabolism gene cluster from thermophile is firstly reported in this paper. The genes involved in hydantoin utilization (hyu) were isolated on an 8.2-kb DNA fragment by restriction site-dependent PCR, and six ORFs were identified by DNA sequence analysis. The hyu gene cluster contained four genes with novel cluster organization characteristics: the hydantoinase gene hyuH, putative transport protein gene hyuP, hyperprotein gene hyuHP, and L-carbamoylase gene hyuC. The hyuH and hyuC genes were heterogeneously expressed in E. coli. The results indicated that hyuH and hyuC are involved in the conversion of DL-5-substituted hydantoins to an N-carbamyl intermediate that is subsequently converted to L-$\alpha$-amino acids. Hydantoinase and carbamoylase from B. fordii MH602 compared respectively with reported hydantoinase and carbamoylase showed the highest identities of 71% and 39%. The novel cluster organization characteristics and the difference of the key enzymes between thermopile B. fordii MH602 and other mesophiles were presumed to be related to the evolutionary origins of concerned metabolism.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.491-499
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• 2003

Selenium is a strong antioxidant trace mineral, scavenging free radicals. The prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases is increasing in Korean adults with increasing age. The increased cell damage from free radicals has been implicated in the etiology of these diseases, and evidence is accumulating that the low selenium status that comes with advanced aged is involved in the prevalence of age-associated diseases. However, little is known about the selenium status of Koreans, its age-related change and its relationship to dietary nutrient intake. In this study, the serum selenium levels of healthy adult females according to life cycle and its association with blood albumin levels and nutrient intake were examined. Serum selenium level was measured with the Huwo research reactor using the neutron activation analysis method (NAA). The overall proportion of women with selenium deficiency, serum selenium concentrations below 7.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, was 9.4%. The average serum selenium levels were 12.39 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, 9.45 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl and 9.16 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl in the young adult, middle-aged and elderly groups, respectively, showing a reduction of selenium status with advancing age. Selenium deficiency was seen only in the elderly group. Generally, serum selenium levels positively or negatively correlated with nutrient intake, but these association patterns differed depending on the age. The nutrients that showed positive correlations with selenium levels were proteins and phosphate in the young adult group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05), and total calcium, potassium and vegetable-origin calcium in the middle-aged group. Vitamin C and fiber were the negative correlated nutrients with serum selenium levels in the elderly group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis of the determining factors responsible for selenium status showed that age and serum albumin levels were important factors which explained up to 26.9% variances in serum selenium levels. The average selenium concentrations of Korean adult female subjects were above the deficiency levels in all three age groups. There was a tendency toward decreasing selenium levels as the age of the subjects increased. The factors with the strongest in-fluence on selenium status in healthy adult Korean females were age and serum protein status. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 491~499, 2003)

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.212-224
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrients intake, Rohrer index, serum cholesterol level, blood pressure and others for clinical and nutritional study on school children in Taejon. This survey was carried out in October, 1995. The subjects were 362 children, 6 to 11 years old. The results were summarized as follows. By Rohrer index, 4.6% of the children was lean, 69.6% was normal, 17.4% was overweight and 8.6% was obese group. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and skin fold thickness of all subjects were 111.7$\pm$15.7mmHg, 69.8$\pm$14.9mmHg and 14.5$\pm$7.3mm respectively. Systolic blood pressure and skin fold thickness were increased with Rohrer index. Total cholesterol, urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in blood were 160.8$\pm$23.9mm/dl, 11.5$\pm$3.5mm/dl and 0.71$\pm$0.12mm/dl respectively but not significantly different among groups. These levels have a slight tendency to increase in obese group but not significantly different among groups. Hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were 41.3$\pm$4.7%, 13.1$\pm$1.6g/dl. These levels of 11 years old girls were lower than same aged boys. Composition ratio of total energy intakes were 65% of CHO, 13% of protein and 22% of fat. Energy and most nutrients intakes were insufficient except for P and vitamin C. Especially the amount of vitamin A, Fe, Zn and folate intakes were lower than halves of RDA'S. Most nutrients intake were not significantly different among groups. Pearson' correlation in Rohrer index with nutrients intakes were all negative correlation significantly different of K, Na and Thiamin.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2006

The study was undertaken to investigate the validity of milk urea concentration as an index of the reproductive performances in crossbred Karan-Fries (Holstein Friesian${\times}$Tharparkar) cows under farm condition. Milk urea was analysed in noon milk samples (1200 to 1300 h) to interrelate with the interval from parturition to first service, number of insemination per conception, first service conception rate and service period. Milk progesterone (P4) was analysed in noon milk samples on the day 1, 10, 20 and 30 post insemination to study the effect of milk urea concentration on early embryonic mortality. The interval from parturition to first service was found significantly (p<0.01) higher ($77.2{\pm}5.5$ days) when milk urea concentration was ${\geq}63.4mg/dl$. The average milk urea concentrations (mg/dl) were found $42.1{\pm}2.5$, $47.9{\pm}1.5$ and $50.3{\pm}3.1$, respectively in cows that conceived at $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$ and $3^{rd}$ insemination. However, the variation was not statistically significant. The first insemination conception rate was found significantly (p<0.05) higher (68.8%) when milk urea level was ${\leq}32.4mg/dl$. The service period was found significantly (p<0.05) higher ($125.4{\pm}8.8$ days) when milk urea concentration was ${\geq}45.1mg/dl$. The milk P4 level indicated that the cows, those were detected as non-pregnant on day 60 post insemination were initially pregnant but the pregnancy was terminated sometime during the day 30 to 60 post insemination. The study indicates that the milk urea values may be used as an index of reproductive performances in dairy herd when individual animals are not being monitored for nutritional status. The altered milk urea values may be utilised by the farmers as ready reference to rectify the protein and energy nutrition in cows to achieve the better reproductive performances in herd.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.442-447
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• 2001

A 2-year-old 4.0-kg female Shih Tzu with history of hematemesis and melena was referred to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Seoul national University for further evaluation and treatment. During physical examination, the dog revealed mild depression, dry mucous membrane and abdominal pain. Hematologic values were normal and serum chemical values showed increased serum bile acid (53.47 umol/l, preprandial), fasting serum ammonia concentration (184 g/dl), alanine transferase (98 U/L), alkaline phosphatase (871 U/L) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (21 U/L), and decreased blood urea nitrogen (4 mg/dl), total protein (4.1 g/dl) and albumin (1.2 g/dl). Microhepatica was shown in abdominal radiography. During the ultrasound examination, dilated tortuous vein communicating with caudal vena cava ws observed near the stomach. Intraoperative jejunal vein portography was performed during laparotomy to confirm the location and size of shunt vessel. According to history taking, physical examination, hematologic and serum chemical examination and radiographic study, it was diagnosed as single extrahepatic portosystemic shunt. The anomalous vessel (7 mm, o.d.) that enter the caudal vena cava from the left gastric vein, near the level of the diaphragm, was identified. A Ameroid constrictor (5 mm, i.d.) was applied to the shunting vessel near the caudal vena cava. Hematologic and serum chemical values recovered gradually and were revealed normal values 4 months after surgery. Four month after surgery serum bile acids concentrations were 0.56 $\mu$mol/l (preprandial) and 18.45 umol/l (postprandial). Abdominal radiograph showed normal gastric axis and it revealed normal size of the liver. Fine texture and increased echogenecity of liver and enlargement of portal vein were shown in ultrasonography. Single extrahepatic portosystemic shunt might be treated surgically using Ameroid constrictor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.560-568
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• 2002

This study was carried out to compare the dietary behaviors and the nutrient intake of a middle school and a high school girls in Iksan. The subjects consisted of 132 middle school girls and 122 high school girls in Iksan. The proportion of subjects eating meals irregularly was higher in the high school girls (98.6%) than in the middle school girls(78.7%). The proportion of subjects skipping a meal also was higher in the high school girls(61.5%) than in the middle school girls(53.8%) and most of them (65.8%) skipped breakfast though they thought breakfast was the most important meal of a day (87.4%). The subjects tended to overeat at lunch (38.6%), and at dinner (55.9%). The main reasons of skipping a meal were 1. They had no time (49.3%), and 2. They had poor appetite (24.7%) Mean daily energy intake was 2198.5Kcal in the middle school girls and 2150.5Kcal in the high school girls and mean daily intake of protein, iron, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$ and niacin was significantly higher (p<0.05, p<0.01) in the middle school girls than in the high school girls. Mean daily calcium, iron, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin A and C intake of middle school girls were lower than those of RDA and all nutrients intake of high school girls except for phosphorus was lower than those of RDA. The index of nutritional quality (INQ) was under 1.0 for calcium, iron, vitamin A, $B_1$ and C. Mean blood level of cholesterol, triglyceride, Hb, Hct, GOT, GPT were 170.9mg/dl, 78.9mg/dl, 13.1g/dl, 39.5%, 18.8mg/d and 15.7mg/dl, respectively.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2016

Septic tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) is a potentially career-ending and life-threatening problem in horses. This study aimed to describe the outcomes of tenoscopy for the treatment of acute septic digital flexor tenosynovitis in horses. Tenoscopy was performed on 13 Thoroughbred horses with acute septic tenosynovitis of the DFTS. Surgical time was 56-148 min (mean 85.6 min, median 84.0 min). In the synovial fluid analysis, mean white blood cell count, mean neutrophil proportion, and mean total protein were $42.9{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}l$ (range, $7.2-109.5cells/{\mu}l$), 89.5% (range, 68-97%), and 4.0 g/dl (range, 2.5-5.2 g/dl), respectively. Microbial growth in the synovial fluid culture was detected in 2 of 11 horses. All horses survived and returned to their intended use without complications. The present study demonstrated that the tenoscopy is useful for treating acute septic tenosynovitis of the DFTS in horses.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.568-577
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• 1997

To assess the nutritional and health status of the elderly, anthropometric measurements and blood test for analyzing biochemical indices were carried out from August to September in 1996. Data on the incidence of a specific disease and clinical symptoms were also collected by interviews with a questionnaire. Among the total of 169 free-living elderly interviewed(91 men, 78 women), 86 elderly(57 men, 29 women) participated in the anthropometric measurements, and 73 elderly(52 men, 21 women) in blood tests. Average heights and weights were much lower than the standards established in the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances. While average triceps skinfold thickness of men and women were above the 50 percentile of the reference data, mid-arm muscle circumferences were lower than the 50 percentile. Prevalences of anemia, assessed by hemoglobin using WHO definition, were 38.5% for men and 33.3% for women. Blood levels of total protein and albumin were above the normal limit for all participants. Mean blood cholesterol levels of men and women were 163.9mg/dl and 185.8mg/dl, and triglyceride levels were 138.2mg/dl and 161.9mg/dl, respectively. Women older than 75 years generally had high levels of BMI, total cholesterol and triglyceride. Health status assessed by clinical symptoms generally showed no significant difference by age, and their smoking, and drinking habits. Males and the elderly who exercised regularly had better health status. It was suggested that exercise was a good way to improve health status. (Korean J Community Nutrition 2(4) : 568-577, 1997)