• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.4819-4825
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• 2010

In all of dental ceramics, these materials contained the radio-isotopes with natural abundance ratio. After dental treatment, remained dental ceramics in the oral cavity is caused for human internal dose. In this study, the gross beta activity levels were measured in dental materials including 22 dental ceramics, 1 resin, and 2 cements for estimation of human internal dose. In dental ceramic samples, the obtained results showed that the gross beta activity level varied between 1.317 ~ 2.935 Bq/g and the gross beta activity level was 2.379 Bq/g. And the same level for dentine, opacious dentine, translucent and enamel were 2.479 Bq/g, 2.491 Bq/g, 2.470 Bq/g and 2.069 Bq/g, respectively. The gross beta activity level of temporary resin and cements were negligible, compare to the same level of dental ceramics. The high gross beta activity level observed in opacious dentine code OD-A4 is 2.935 Bq/g thus mainly ascribable to 40K. The reduction of the radiation level of natural radio-isotopes and the improvement of the dental ceramic materials should be required for internal dose reduction.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1095-1099
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• 2006

Leptin and IGFBP-3 are two proteins that play an important role in growth and metabolism of the animals. They are also involved in the immune function of animals and, thus, are candidate genes for the study of association with immune functions. Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of these two genes was done to screen 64 crossbred (Holstein Friesian${\times}$Hariana) female calves of one year of age. From each RFLPs (fragments) three genotypes were observed. In all the RFLPs the mutant homozygotes were very less in numbers and, hence, were excluded from the least squares analysis. The serum IgG level was estimated using SRID assay. The mean level of serum IgG was $28.83{\pm}2.73mg/ml$. The effect of these identified genotypes on serum IgG level of calves at one year of age was analysed using least squares analysis. The HaeIII RFLP-AB genotype had significantly (p<0.05) higher serum IgG level ($31.86{\pm}3.05$) than the HaeIII RFLP-AA ($25.62{\pm}2.96$) genotype. There was no significant effect of leptin genotypes on the IgG level. The present results indicated a role of the IGFBP-3 gene on serum IgG level of cattle calves.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.83-94
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• 2003

This study aimed to investigate the effects of each constituent-herb of Sagoonja- Tang on the plasma corticosterone level in mice exposed to cold stress. Sagoonja-Tang is composed of Ginseng Radix, Atractylodis Radix, Poria, and Glycyrrhizae Radix. Each constisuent-herb(0.5g/kg, 1.0g/kg) was administered intragastrically to mice 1hr prior to expose to forced cold water swimming($4{\circ}C$, 3min) before measuring the change of plasma corticosterone level of mice. The results were as follows: 1. At 30 minutes after the cold stress for 3 minutes the most significant increase of corticosterone level was shown. 2. Ginseng group(PGR group) didn't show any significant changes. 3. Atractylodis group(AR group) showed significant decrease at 0.5g/kg dose (P<0.01). But it didn't show significant changes at 1.0g／kg dose. 4. Poria group(P group) didn't show significant changes. But it showed slightly increase at 1.0g/kg dose. 5. Glycyrrhizae group(GR group) didn't show significant changes. These data revealed that Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma might have the anti-stress effect through the control of plasma corticosterone level and the dose of herbs had a different effect on the plasma corticosterone level in mice exposed to cold stress.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.1-6
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of light intensities on the growth and net photosynthesis of Piper kauzura under different shading levels : 0％, 50％, 70％ and 90％ of sunlight. Mortality rate was lowest under a 70％ shading level but 0％ and 90％ shading levels were about 46％ and 53％ each respectively. Plant height was shorter and leaf size was smaller and yellowish under a 0％ shading level but increased when light intensity was decreased. However, under a 90％ shading level, growth of Piper kauzura was inferior to other treatments. Top fresh weight was about 11.24g under a 50％ shading level and about two times higher than that observed in about 6.6g under a 90％ shading level. Root fresh weight was about 7.7g under a 0％ shading level and was about two times higher than that showed in about 3.84g and 3.64g under 90％ and 70％ respectively. Total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a/b rate were increased when light intensity was decreased. Net Photosynthesis achieved the highest under a 70％ shading level and maximum photosynthetic photon flux density was 150 molㆍm/sup -2/ㆍs/sup -1/. Therefore, growth of Piper kauzura was good under 50∼70％ shading, Meaning that it is an indoor plant that could be highly utilized.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.106-111
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency among infants with neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia (NIH); compare G6PD-deficient and G6PD-normal patients regarding hyperbilirubinemia and need for exchange transfusions (ET); and assess risk factors for ET and kernicterus. Methods: This is a case-control retrospective study. Medical records of NIH patients admitted to the Pediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, between January 2007 and June 2010 were reviewed. Data on sex, age at presentation, hospitalization duration, need for ET, hemoglobin (Hb) level, reticulocyte count, direct Coombs test, serum total and indirect bilirubin levels, thyroid function, blood and urine cultures, G6PD status, and blood groups were collected and compared between the G6PD-deficent and G6PD-normal patients. Results: Of 1,159 NIH patients admitted, 1,129 were included, of whom 646 (57%) were male. Among 1,046 patients tested, 442 (42%) were G6PD deficient, 49 (4%) needed ET, and 11 (1%) had suspected Kernicterus. The G6PD-deficient patients were mainly male (P<0.0001), and had lower Hb levels (P<0.0001) and higher maximum bilirubin levels (P=0.001). More G6PD-deficient patients needed ET (P<0.0001). G6PD deficiency (P=0.006), lower Hb level (P=0.002), lower hematocrit count (P=0.02), higher bilirubin level (P<0.0001), higher maximal bilirubin level (P<0.0001), and positive blood culture result (P<0.0001) were significant risk factors for ET. Maximal bilirubin level was a significant risk factor for kernicterus (P=0.021) and independently related to ET (P=0.03). Conclusion: G6PD deficiency is an important risk factor for severe NIH. In G6PD-deficent neonates, management of NIH should be hastened to avoid irreversible neurological complications.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.4 s.59
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• pp.741-751
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• 1997

Measurement of blood lead (PbB) and blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) are most common biological indices to identify the individual at risk for excess or the health sequences by lead exposure. Because PbB is known most important and reliable index of lead exposure, PbB is often regarded as a gold standard to detect lead exposure. But in Korea PbB is a secondary test item of detailed health check-up with positive finding of screening test in most occasion. Our lead standard requires all lead workers to take annual heath-check twice a year for investigation of their health effect due to lead exposure. Blood ZPP is one of most important index to detect high lead absorption in lead workers as a screening test. Measurement of blood ZPP is known ,well to correlate with PbB in steady state of exposure in most lead workers and is often used as a primary screening test to detect high lead absorption of lead workers with the advantage of simplicity, easiness, portability and low cost. The current cut-off criteria of blood ZPP for further detailed health check-up is $100{\mu}g/d\ell$ which is supposed to match the level of $40{\mu}g/d\ell$ of PbB according to our standard. Authors tried to investigate the validity of current criteria of cut-off level $(100{\mu}g/d\ell)$ of blood ZPP and possible another better cut-off level of it to detect the lead workers whose PbB level over $40{\mu}g/d\ell$. The subjects in our study were 212 male workers in three small scale storage battery industries. Blood ZPP, PbB and hemoglobin (Hb) were selected as the indices of lead exposure. The results were as follows. 1. The mean of blood ZPP, PbB and Hb in lead workers were $79.5{\pm}46.7{\mu}g/d\ell,\;38.7{\pm}15.1{\mu}g/d\ell,\;and\;14.8{\pm}1.2g/d\ell$, respectively. There were significant differences in blood ZPP, PbB and Hb by industry (P<0.01). 2. The percents of lead workers whose blood ZPP were above $100{\mu}g/d\ell$ in the group of work duration below 1, 1-4, 5-9 and above 10 years were 8.6%, 17.2%, 47.6%, and 50.0%, respectively. The percents of lead workers whose PbB were above $40{\mu}g/d\ell$ in those were 31.4%, 40.4%, 71.4%, and 86.4%, respectively. 3. The percents of lead workers whose PbB were below $40{\mu}g/d\ell$, $40-59{\mu}g/d\ell$ and above $60{\mu}g/d\ell$ were 54.7%, 34.9% and 10.4%, respectively. Those of lead workers whose blood ZPP were below $100{\mu}g/d\ell$, $100-149{\mu}g/d\ell$ and above $150{\mu}g/d\ell$ were 79.2%, 13.7% and 7.1%, respectively. 4. Simple linear regression of PbB on blood ZPP was statistically significant (P<0.01) and as PbB was $40{\mu}g/d\ell$, blood ZPP was $82.1{\mu}g/d\ell$. 5. While the highest sensitivity and specificity of blood ZPP test to detect lead workers with PbB eve. $40{\mu}g/d\ell$ were observed in the cut-off level of $50{\mu}g/d\ell$ and $100{\mu}g/d\ell$ of blood ZPP, respectively, the highest validity (sensitivity+specificity) of blood ZPP to detect lead workers with PbB over $40{\mu}g/d\ell$ was observed in the cut-off level of around $70{\mu}g/d\ell$ of blood ZPP. But even with optimal cut-off level of around $70{\mu}g/d\ell$ of blood ZPP, still 25.0% of false negative and 20.7% false positive lead workers were found. As the result of this study, it was suggested that reconsideration of current blood ZPP cut-off of our lead standard from $100{\mu}g/d\ell$ to somewhat lower level such as around $70{\mu}g/d\ell$ and the inclusion of PbB measurement as a primary screening test for lead workers was highly recommended for the effective prevention of lead workers.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.209-223
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• 2004

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Coptidis Rhizoma on the plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ level in mice by intracerebroventricular(I.C.V.) injection of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Method: 6 mice were assigned to each of the Normal group, the Control group, and the individual Experimental groups. In the Normal group only saline was administered intragastrically, and in the Control group LPS was injected intracerebroventricularly 1 hr after intragastric administration of saline. In the Experimental groups Coptidis Rhizoma(0.5g/kg, 1.0g/kg, 3.0g/kg) was administered intragastrically to mice 1 hr prior to LPS (100ng/mouse) I.C.V. Injection. To measure the plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ level of mice, their blood samples were collected from retro-orbital venous plexus, immediately centrifuged at $4^{\circ}C$, and plasma was removed and stored frozen at $-83^{\circ}C$ for later determination of plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Result: 1. LPS I.C.V. Injection increased plasma IL-6 level significantly in a dose-dependent manner compared with Normal group. (P<0.01) The plasma IL-6 concentration reached a significant maximal level about 1 hr after LPS(100ng/mouse) I.C.V. Injection.(P<0.001) 2. Both the 0.5g/kg(Sample A) and 1.0g/kg(Sample B) groups to which Coptidis Rhizoma was administered intragastrically 1 hr prior to LPS(100ng/mouse) I.C.V. Injection showed insignificant lower plama IL-6 level in 1 hr than Control group(P>0.05), and 3.0g/kg group(Sample C) conversely showed higher plama IL-6 level than Control group. 3. LPS I.C.V. Injection increased plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ level significantly in a dose-dependent manner compared with Normal group.(P<0.05) The plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ concentration reached a significant maximal level about 1 hr after LPS(100ng/mouse) I.C.V. Injection.(P<0.001) 4. All Sample groups(0.5g/kg, 1.0g/kg, and 3.0g/kg) to which Coptidis Rhizoma was administered intragastrically with each constituent-dose 1 hr prior to LPS(100ng/mouse) I.C.V. Injection showed significant lower $TNF-{\alpha}$ plama level in 1 hr than Control group.(P<0.001) These data revealed that Coptidis Rhizoma might have anti inflammatory effect by reducing the plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ level in a dose dependent manner in mice LPS I.C.V. Injection.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 1976

The extract of commercial mistletoe caused transient contraction of mouse ileum in vitro at the level of $7{\times}10^{-4}g/ml$ and augmented significantly its peristalsis. When the ileum was pre-treated With $10^{-6}g/ml$ of adrenaline the administration of the extract at a level of $10^{-4}g/ml$ blocked the contraction. The increase inperistalsis and intention was also observed in rabbit ileum in vitro with the administration of the extract at a level of $10^{-1}g/ml$ but these phenomenon were inhibited by the adrenaline treatment at a level of $10^{-6}g/ml.$ When the extract was applied to spirally cut strips of thoracic aorta at the level of $10^{-3}g/ml$ the contractile action of adrenaline was significantly inhibited. When the extract was infused to auricular blood vessel of rabbit at the rate of $10^{-4}g/ml,\;10^{-3}g/ml,\;10^{-2}g/ml$ and $10^{-1}g/ml$ increases in number of drops by 70%, 77%, 93% and 100% were observed if the maximum number of drops caused by $10^{-1}g/ml$ is considered to be 100%. The duration of prolongation was proportionate to the increase in concentration of the extract. Hypotensive action of the extract and its duration were proportionately increased as the quantity of the extract increased. The increase in number and depth of respiration observed during the hypotensive status was brought to the normal when the tension became normal. In view of these observations it is concluded that the extract of commercial mistletoe has a contractile action of acetylcholine effect in the ileum of mouse and rabbit, loosens both aorta and smooth muscle and promotes peripheral circulation. As for the hypotensive action it is concluded that the action is brought about by the decrease in peripheral circulatory resistance due to the antagonism between acetylcholine and adrenaline.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5199-5203
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• 2015

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric adenocarcinomas and mucosa associated tissue lymphomas. Cytotoxin associated gene A (CagA) is one of the virulence factors of H.pylori. It is hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play roles in H.pylori associated disease especially in development of gastric adenocarcinoma. Individuals infected with H.pylori bearing CagA produce more ROS than others. 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG) is an in vitro marker of DNA damage and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between 8OHdG level, H.pylori infection and CagA and alterations of serum 8OHdG level after H.pylori eradication. Materials and Methods: Patients admitted with dyspeptic complaints and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were assessed. H.pylori was determined from histopathology of specimens. Serum 8OHdG levels of three groups (H.pylori negative, H. pylori positive CagA negative and H.pylori positive CagA positive) were compared. Patients with H.pylori infection received eradication therapy. Serum 8OHdG levels pretreatment and posttreatment were also compared. Results: In total, 129 patients (M/F, 57/72) were enrolled in the study. Serum 8OHdG level of H.pylori negative, H. pylori positive CagA negative and H.pylori positive CagA positive groups were significantly different ($5.77{\pm}1.35ng/ml$, $5.43{\pm}1.14ng/ml$ and $7.57{\pm}1.25ng/ml$ respectively, p=0.05). Furthermore, eradication therapy reduced serum 8OHdG level ($6.10{\pm}1.54ng/ml$ vs $5.55{\pm}1.23ng/ml$, p=0.05). Conclusions: Individuals infected with H.pylori bearing CagA strains have the highest serum 8OHdG level and eradication therapy decreases the serum 8OHdG level. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study that evaluated the effect of CagA virulence factor on serum 8OHdG level and the effect of eradication therapy on serum 8OHdG levels together. Eradication of CagA bearing H.pylori may prevent gastric adenocarcinoma by decreasing ROS. 8OHdG level may thus be a good marker for prevention from gastric adenocarcinoma.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.511-520
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• 2013

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Genetic polymorphism in the regulatory regions of MCP-1 could affect MCP-1 expression. The purpose of the study was to explore the possible association of MCP-1 -2518 A/G genetic polymorphism and CVD risk factors in the elderly Korean population. Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical factors were assessed in 168 subjects. The frequency of A/A, G/A, and G/G genotypes was 14.2%, 45.8%, and 40.0%, respectively. The blood level of MCP-1 was significantly higher in subjects with A/A genotype. The MCP-1 level was significantly higher in A/A genotype with hypercholesterolemia than in other genotypes. Meat intake and percent energy from lipids were significantly positively correlated with the MCP-1 level, especially, stronger in A/A genotype. In the stepwise discriminant analysis, TNF-${\alpha}$ level, meat intake, HDL-C were associated with MCP-1 in all subjects (model $R^2=24%$). TNF-${\alpha}$ level, sugar intake, cholesterol intake, and meat intake affected MCP-1 in A/A genotype (model $R^2=82%$), but not in G/A or G/G. In conclusion, subjects possessing A/A genotype exhibited higher levels of MCP-1 than other genotypes in Korean elders. Further, meat, sugar, and cholesterol intakes affected the MCP-1 level. Therefore, the decrement of meat, sugar, and cholesterol intakes helps to normalize the MCP-1 level and can decrease CVD risk in A/A genotype.