• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.552-556
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• 2005

Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase (GST) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) activities were analyzed in serum, livers and kidneys of pigs treated with graded doses of fluoride (as NaF). Ninety-six Duroc-Landrace-Yorkshire crossbred growing pigs (48 barrows and 48 gilts, respectively), with similar initial weight 24.14${\pm}$1.12kg, were randomly assigned to four different treatments. These treatments containing the following added F: basal control; 50 mg/kg F; 100 mg/kg F and 150 mg/kg F were randomly assigned to four pens (three barrows and three gilts) each in a completely randomized design. The results showed pigs treated with 150 mg/kg F significantly decreased average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and increased feed/gain ratio (F/G) (p<0.05) compared to the controls. In the groups treated with fluoride, the contents of MDA increased, T-AOC levels and the activities of SOD, GSH-PX, CAT, GST and XOD decreased, and most of which altered significantly (p<0.05). The study therefore indicated the mechanism of excess fluoride on the impairment of soft tissues involved in lipid peroxidation and decreased the activities of some enzymes associated with free radical metabolism.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 2007

Purpose: Wound healing is a result of complex processes whose components, such as cells, extracellular matrix, proteolytic enzymes, and their inhibitors receive effects from immune compartments, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Impairment of normal physiologic response to wounding makes nonhealing chronic wounds. Wound infection and exacerbated proteolytic process may induce uncontrolled tissue degradation or exudates formation, which may result in the development of a nonhealing chronic wound. Thus proper management of wound infection and exudates is critical to prevent and treat nonhealing wound. The aim of this study is to evaluate effects of Aquacel AG, silver-containing carboxymethylcellulose dressing on treatment for exudative infected wound. Methods: The study included 31 patients with nonhealing wound. Wound was dressed with Aquacel AG. The effect of dressing was investigated by serial bacterial culture and wound exudates assessment. Each infection and exudates control time was determined and statistically analyzed. Results: Wound infection and exudates were effectively managed using Aquacel AG dressing. Mean infection and exudates control time were $3.4{\pm}1.2$ and $5.7{\pm}1.4$ weeks, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that infection control time correlated positively to age and exudates control time (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is as yet no ideal dressing for the topical treatment of chronic nonhealing wound. But silver-containing carboxymethylcellulose dressing can be used effectively for exudative, infected nonhealing wound.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 1998

The effects of continuous GH(hGH) secretion on the female reproduction was studies in adults female transgenic rats expressing the hGH gene with a mouse whey acid protein (mWAP) promotor. Two line of transgenic female rats carrying the mWAP/hGH gene were established and used in the study. One was characterized by relatively high levels of serum hGH (high line), and the other had relatively low levels (low line). 1. High line female rats had recurring, Pseudopregancy-like estrous cycles accompanied by increased serum progesterone level for 2 weeks after ovulation, and they were fertile. 2. In the rats, luteinization occurred spontaneously without cervical stimulation, probably due to high levels of serum hGH, which has prolactin (PRL)-like activity in the rat. 3. Low line female rats had recurring, regular 4-days estrous PRL surge following cervical stimulation were not, detected and PRL secretion was not induced by a dopamine antagonist. 4. The ovarian tissue in this line had a much higher number of corpora lutea and grew much heavier than in normal littermates, suggesting impairment of PRL induced structural luteolized. Su, pp.ession of PRL secretion in the low line rats was, at least in part, due to a marked decrease in the number of lactotrophs in the pituitary. The present study shows that the serum hGH level plays a crucial role in regulating luteal function in female transgenic rats expressing the hGH gene.

• ALGAE
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2013

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is widely used to disinfect seawater in power plant cooling systems in order to reduce biofouling, and in ballast water treatment systems to prevent transport of exotic marine species. While the toxicity of NaOCl is expected to increase by ongoing ocean acidification, and many experimental studies have shown how algal calcification, photosynthesis and growth respond to ocean acidification, no studies have investigated the relationship between NaOCl toxicity and increased $CO_2$. Therefore, we investigated whether the impacts of NaOCl on survival, chlorophyll a (Chl-a), and effective quantum yield in three marine phytoplankton belonging to different taxonomic classes are increased under high $CO_2$ levels. Our results show that all biological parameters of the three species decreased under increasing NaOCl concentration, but increasing $CO_2$ concentration alone (from 450 to 715 ${\mu}atm$) had no effect on any of these parameters in the organisms. However, due to the synergistic effects between NaOCl and $CO_2$, the survival and Chl-a content in two of the species, Thalassiosira eccentrica and Heterosigma akashiwo, were significantly reduced under high $CO_2$ when NaOCl was also elevated. The results show that combined exposure to high $CO_2$ and NaOCl results in increasing toxicity of NaOCl in some marine phytoplankton. Consequently, greater caution with use of NaOCl will be required, as its use is widespread in coastal waters.

• Korean Journal of Family Social Work
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• no.55
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• pp.157-188
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of self-care activities on physical and mental health of primary caregivers of functionally impaired elderly. Data were collected from 185 primary caregivers who were caring for their spouses or parents with functional impairment at home in Daejon. SPSS 21.0 software was used for descriptive analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. The results showed that (1) primary caregivers reported their physical health status as poor (2) the domains of health responsibility, physical activity in their self-care activities were significant predictors of their physical health level (3) primary caregivers reported very high level of depression (4) their mental health was significantly influenced by spiritual growth among self-care activities. Based on these findings, social work intervention and policy suggestions were discussed.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.683-692
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• 2004

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a major naturally-occurring polyphenol of Curcuma species, which is commonly used as a yellow coloring and flavoring agent in foods. Curcumin has shown anti-carcinogenic activity in animal models. Curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory activity and is a potent inhibitor of reactive oxygen-generating enzymes such as lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase, xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase; and an effective inducer of heme oxygenase-1. Curcumin is also a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C(PKC), EGF(Epidermal growth factor)-receptor tyrosine kinase and LĸB kinase. Subsequently, curcumin inhibits the activation of NF(nucleor factor)KB and the expressions of oncogenes including c-jun, c-fos, c-myc, NIK, MAPKs, ERK, ELK, PI3K, Akt, CDKs and iNOS. It is proposed that curcumin may suppress tumor promotion through blocking signal transduction path-ways in the target cells. The oxidant tumor promoter TPA activates PKC by reacting with zinc thiolates present within the regulatory domain, while the oxidized form of cancer chemopreventive agent such as curcumin can inactivate PKC by oxidizing the vicinal thiols present within the catalytic domain. Recent studies indicated that proteasome-mediated degradation of cell proteins playa pivotal role in the regulation of several basic cellular processes including differentiation, proliferation, cell cycling, and apoptosis. It has been demonstrated that curcumin-induced apoptosis is mediated through the impairment of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Curcumin was first biotransformed to dihydrocurcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin and that these compounds subsequently were converted to monoglucuronide conjugates. These results suggest that curcumin-glucuronide, dihydrocurcumin-glucuronide, tetrahydrocurcumin-glucuronide and tetrahydrocurcumin are the major metabolites of curcumin in mice, rats and humans.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 2018

The growth of the older population is expected to further increase social problems associated with population aging, such as isolation, poverty, and depression. The emerging issues associated with the older population are also expected to provide further momentum on studies about the dwelling environment as factors that ensure the health of older people as well as improve their quality of life. Therefore, approaches for explaining the issues of the older age group should be diversified using a variety of factors and appropriate analytic tools. Studies on measuring depression have principally focused on assessing an objective self-report questionnaire, usually in a highly structured, textual form which may not reflect the cognitive impairment of older adults. The aim of this study was to define and measure dwelling depression among older adults in Korea. There are two specific hypotheses in this study as follows: (a) there will be statistically significant relationships with dwelling dissatisfaction and depression, and (b) dwelling depression tools containing text and images will be, respectively, assessment tools that have a good construct with content validity and reliability. In the first experiment, to define and measure dwelling depression, 301 people over 65 years old living in single and two-person households were surveyed using a text-based dwelling depression questionnaires from September 1-30, 2017. In the second experiment, to examine whether the projective image questionnaire could serve as a suitable replacement for the text-based questionnaires, the same participants were surveyed from January 22 to February 2, 2018. The results show that depression has a close correlation with dwelling dissatisfaction. In addition, the geriatric dwelling depression index (GDDI) based on the projective image was refined. Additionally, the projective image questionnaire has a close correlation with the text-based questionnaire. Finally, through ROC curve analysis, it was found that the projective image questionnaire can accurately predict a depression group. To this end, this preliminary study examined the validity of the projective image questionnaire in older adults to make this instrument feasible for older populations and to contribute to a profound understanding of geriatric depression due to the living environment. We hope they will provide a basis for further research on psychological diagnoses using projective images.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2022

Background: Post-tuberculosis (TB) sequelae is a commonly encountered clinical entity, especially in high TB burden countries. This may represent chronic anatomic sequelae of previously treated TB, with frequent symptomatic presentation. This pilot study was aimed to investigate the pulmonary functions and systemic inflammatory markers in patients with post-TB sequelae (PTBS) and to compare them with post-TB without sequelae (PTBWS) participants and healthy controls. Methods: A total of 30 participants were enrolled, PTBS (n=10), PTBWS (n=10), and healthy controls (n=10). Pulmonary function tests included spirometry and measurement of airway impedance by impulse oscillometry. Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, transforming growth factor-β, and interferon-γ were estimated. Results: Slow vital capacity (SVC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), FEV₁/FVC, and peak expiratory flow were significantly lower in PTBS as compared to controls. SVC and FEV₁ were significantly less in PTBS as compared to PTBWS. Total airway impedance (Z₅), total airway resistance (R₅), central airway resistance (R₂₀), area of reactance (Ax), and resonant frequency (Fres) were significantly higher and respiratory reactance at 5 and 20 Hz (X₅, X₂₀) were significantly lower in PTBS as compared to PTBWS. Spirometry parameters correlated with impulse oscillometry parameters in PTBS. Serum MMP-1 level was significantly higher in PTBS as compared to other groups. Conclusion: Significant pulmonary function impairment was observed in PTBS, and raised serum MMP-1 levels compared with PTBWS and healthy controls. Follow-up pulmonary function testing is recommended after treatment of TB for early diagnosis and treatment of PTBS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.809-818
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• 2022

Background: The non-saponin fraction (NSF) of Korean Red Ginseng is a powder in which saponin is eliminated from red ginseng concentrate by fractionation. In this study, we examined the effect of NSF on age-associated sarcopenia in old mice. Methods: NSF (50 or 200 mg/kg/day) was administered orally daily to young (3-6-month-old) and old (20-24-month-old) C57BL/6 J mice for 6 weeks. Body weight and grip strength were assessed once a week during the oral administration period. The gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscle were excised, and the muscle fiber size was compared through hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, the effect of NSF on sarcopenia and inflammation/oxidative stress-related factors in hindlimb muscles was investigated by western blotting. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of NSF on immune homeostasis. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture, and the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and glutathione were evaluated. Results: NSF significantly alleviated muscle strength, mass, and also fiber size in old mice. Age-associated impairment of immune homeostasis was recovered by NSF through retaining CD11b⁺F4/80⁺ macrophages and regulating inflammatory biomarkers. NSF also decreased the age-induced expression of oxidative stress factors. Taken together, NSF showed the effect of improving sarcopenia by inhibiting low-grade chronic inflammatory/oxidative stress factors. Conclusion: NSF exhibited anti-sarcopenia effects by regulating chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in old mice. Thus, we suggest that NSF is a promising restorative agent that can be used to improve sarcopenia in the elderly as well as maintain immune homeostasis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2023

Myelophycus caespitosus, a brown alga belonging to genus Myelophycus, has been traditionally used as a food and medicinal resource in Northeastern Asia. However, few studies have been conducted on its pharmacological activity. In this study, we evaluated whether methanol extract of M. caespitosus (MEMC) could protect against oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in C2C12 murine myoblasts. Our results revealed that MEMC could suppress H₂O₂-induced growth inhibition and DNA damage while blocking the production of reactive oxygen species. In H₂O₂-treated cells, cell cycle progression was halted at the G2/M phase, accompanied by changes in expression of key cell cycle regulators. However, these effects were attenuated by MEMC. In addition, we found that MEMC protected cells from induction of apoptosis associated with mitochondrial impairment caused by H₂O₂ treatment. Furthermore, MEMC enhanced the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and expression and activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in H₂O₂-treaetd C2C12 myoblasts. However, such anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective effects of MEMC were greatly abolished by HO-1 inhibitor, suggesting that MEMC could increase Nrf2-mediated activity of HO-1 to protect C2C12 myoblasts from oxidative stress.