• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.651-659
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• 2008

This study aimed to develop polyclonal antibodies to regional inedible adipocytes of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) and investigate cross-reactivity of the antibodies. Patterns in plasma membrane proteins (PMPs) from abdominal and subcutaneous adipocytes of Hanwoo isolated by collagenase digestion were investigated using SDS-PAGE. As antigens, abdominal and subcutaneous adipocyte PMPs of Hanwoo were injected to sheep 3 times at 3 wk intervals for passive immunization, and non-immunized serum and antisera were collected before and after the injections. Titers of the antisera obtained from sheep and their cross-reactivities with heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, and spleen of Hanwoo were determined by ELISA. Isolation and culture of abdominal and subcutaneous adipocytes of Hanwoo were performed for analysing LDH concentration. Based on the SDS-PAGE analysis, specific proteins of PMPs in abdominal and subcutaneous adipocytes appeared despite rather similar patterns between both adipocytes. At the level of 1:1,000 dilution, little antibody reactivity appeared in non-immunized serum whereas the antisera had relatively strong reactivity up to the level of 1:128,000 and 1:64,000 dilution. These findings may indicate that strong antibodies against adipocyte PMPs can be developed using an immunological approach. Extremely low reactivities of abdominal and subcutaneous adipocyte antisera were detected with PMPs of the organs. Both antisera strongly reacted with each adipocyte PMPs and showed statistically (p<0.01) higher cross-reactivities compared with non-immunized serum. In conclusion, these results may indicate that the present polyclonal antibodies against regional inedible adipocyte PMPs are well developed and have safety in cross-reactivities with body organs. Further studies on in vivo cross-reactivity and fat reduction of the antibodies against abdominal and subcutaneous adipocytes PMPs of Hanwoo should be required for inedible fat-reduced high quality beef production.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1060-1065
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• 2006

Non-invasive evaluation of liver function in animal models remains a challenge. Hepatoscintigraphy provides information about changes in liver size and shape, and enables to understand general liver function. Futhermore it is readily used to diagnosis complications of liver transplantation like hepatitis, rejections and biliary complications. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of evaluating the liver function in miniature pigs with $^{99m}Tc-Tin$ colloid and $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ which are the most commonly used radiopharmaceuticals in human medicine. In result, $^{99m}Tc-Tin$ colloid was uptaked in lung, liver, gastric wall and kidney in miniature pigs. And $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ showed continuous uptake images of heart, lung, liver, gallbladder and duodenum, and it was similar to human's. Therefore we could conclude $^{99m}Tc-Tin$ colloid would not be suitable for evaluating hepatic function because of it's nonspecific affinity, however $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ scintigraphy would be an effective method for detecting hepatobiliary function in miniature pigs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 2010

Menopause increases the onset of hypertension and heart disease. Whereas it increases the blood LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and total-cholesterol levels, the HDL-cholesterol concentration is reduced. Accordingly, we examined the effect of internal organs of Todarodes pacificus (IOT) on improvement in blood flow ability and changes in serum lipid content by using ovariectomized rats. For this study, the following four groups of 9-week-old Sprague-Dawley strain female rats were evaluated over 6 weeks: normal rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (CON) and ovariectomized rats that were treated with IOT extracts. Ovary removal promoted platelet aggregability. However, IOT administration in the CON group after ovary excision resulted in a hinderance of coherence. The blood vessel passing time of ovariectomized rats was slower than the SHAM group. But the blood flow ability, which was slowed down for ovary removal, was improved by IOT administration. Serum triglyceride levels were significantly reduced by IOT administration. Moreover, blood HDL-cholesterol levels were reduced by ovary removal. However, IOT administration after ovary excision significantly increase HDL-cholesterol levels. The biological activity of IOT could be confirmed from these results. Moreover, IOT can be used in the development of functional foods which are meant to improve blood circulation and anti-platelet aggregation function. According to these results, we could know that IOT improved blood flow and anti-platelet aggregation. Therefore, it is expected that IOT can be used for the development of functional foods.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.980-987
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• 2003

In this report, we investigated the detoxication effects of Saururus chinenis, Geranium nepalense, Lonicera japonica, Cassia obtusifolia, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, or their mixtures by employing acute toxicity tests for nicotine and dioxin. When fatal doses $(LD_{100}\;=\;42\;mg/kg)$ of nicotine were injected into the abdominal cavities of ICR mice, those treated with OHEM showed delayed paralysis, half the duration of hyperactivity, and a 73 % survival rate. The results revealed the strong detoxicating effects of the mixtures. We also measured the amount of the degradation product of nicotine and cotinine in humans. Consumption of OHEM promoted (he more specific) the metabolic pathways of nicotine, increasing continine excretion by 1.5 times. As a result the amount of cotinine in urine was reduced to less than 5% after treatment with OHEM. In order to test the toxicity of dioxin, we used TcnN(SD)BR rats exposed to TCDD. While TCDD treatment reduced the blood levels of hemoglobin and platelet, OHEM consumption relieved these effects and, furthermore, helped to recover the number of platelet to the normal level (p<0.05). Moreover, neutrophils (%) and monocytes (%), which were reduced by the injection of TCDD, recovered to normal levels upon treatment with OHEM. The amount albumin reduced by TCDD (p<0.05) normalized, while the activities of GOT and GTP increased by TCDD were reduced. Increases in total cholesterol and neutral fatty acids induced by TCDD were also reduced by OHEM injection (p<0.05). In the kidney, TCDD-induced rises in creatinine were suppressed by OHEM treatment, while decreases in iron levels from TCDD were raised to normal. The treatment of TCDD had more toxic effects in the blood and pancreas than on the liver, kidney and heart. On the other hand, the detoxication of OHEM had significant effects on the liver and pancreas. The normalization by OHEM of various clinical abnormalities induced by TCDD demonstrates the detoxicating effect of OHEM that ameliorates systemic metabolism not properly functioning.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.310-317
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• 1992

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme is a glycoprotein peptidyldipeptide hydrolase which cleaves the c-terminal dipeptides of several oligopeptides. It is a menbrane-bound protein mainly synthesized by the endothelial cells. Since the lung has the largest capillary bed of any organ in the body, it is here that ACE acts on circulating substrates like angiotensin I and bradykinin. It is well known that ACE correlates with disease activity in sarcoidosis and also there are reports that changes in serum ACE activity are found in many acute and chronic lung diseases. So we planned this study to see if serum ACE activity can act as a prognostic factor in lung cancer. Methods: Forty-one newly diagnosed lung cancer patients were included in the study group. There were 19 patients with squamous cell lung cancer, 13 with adenocarcinoma, and 9 with small cell carcinoma. Patients were excluded from the study if they had high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, renal disease, or other lung disease. Serum ACE activity was analyzed according to cell type, staging, mode of treatment, and clinical response to treatment. Results: 1) There was no difference in serum ACE activity between lung cancer patients and the control group. Also no difference in serum ACE activity was found according to cancer cell type or staging. 2) In patients who underwent curative resection of lung cancer, serum ACE activity was decreased significantly after the operation. 3) In patients who were diagnosed as non-small cell lung cancer and were treated with 4 cycles of anti-cancer chemotherapy without clinical improvement, changes in serum ACE activity were not seen after the treatment. 4) In patients diagnosed as small cell lung cancer treated with 4 cycles of anti-cancer chemotherapy with clinical improvement, changes in serum ACE activity were also not observed. Conclusion: Serum ACE activity was decreased after lung resection but had no relation to cell type, staging, or clinical response to treatment in lung cancer patients. Therefore, serum ACE activity is not suitable in predicting clinical outcome of lung cancer patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.564-573
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• 1999

Background: With variable symptoms and nonspecific radiographic appearances, pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent and often undiagnosed cause of mortality and morbidity. The Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) study suggested that the majority of patients undergoing ventilation-perfusion (V-Q) scan would require additional studies to establish or to exclude the diagnosis of PE. Pulmonary angiography has been regarded as gold standard for diagnosis of PE. However, it is an invasive procedure that may be associated with significant notable morbidity and mortality. Thus, availability of an accurate, noninvasive screening examination is highly desirable. Method: From October 1994 to February 1997, twenty patients (male 13, female 7, range 23-91 years, median 58 years) who were suspected as pulmonary embolism on the basis of clinical evidence and underwent the spiral volumetric computed tomography (spiral CT), were studied retrospectively to evaluate the effectiveness of spiral CT as a diagnostic tool in PE. Results: PE could be excluded with spiral CT in 4 patients ; diagnoses of these patients were lung cancer, pneumonia with lung abscess, bilateral pleural effusion due to congestive heart failure, nonspecific pulmonary abnormality retrospectively. One patient who disclosed high probability in V/Q scan, could be diagnosed as pneumonia with lung abscess and underlying emphysema with spiral CT. Among 4 patients who showed intermediate and low probability in V/Q scan, 3 patients could be confirmed as PE with spiral CT. Spiral CT was helpful in 3 patients, in whom V/Q scan could not be performed due to other reasons (e.g. night time, mechanical ventilation) to confirm the diagnosis of PE. Spiral CT could demonstrate embolus above lobar artery level in 11 patients, and up to segmental artery level in 5 patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that spiral CT could allow accurate demonstration of thrombotic clots in centrally localized embolism. Spiral CT could be effective, specific, noninvasive and useful diagnostic screening modality for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.409-414
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• 2001

Background : Legionella pneumophila has been recognized as an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) requiring hospitalization. However, epidemiological data on the occurrence of legionella-related pneumonia is unavailable in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the etiological importance of legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in patients hospitalized with CAP. Method : The CAP patients over 16 year-old were recruited from July 1999 to June 2000 at the Chunchon Sacred Heart Hospital. Fifty four patients (male 29, female 25, average age $63.8{\pm}15.3$) were included in this study. A diagnosis of a legionella pneumophila infection was based on a urinary antigen test using the Binax Company enzyme immunoassay. The severity of pneumonia was assessed using the Fine's PORT scoring system. Result : The average Fine's PORT score was 99.7(${\pm}44.9$). According to the risk classification proposed by the Infectious Disease Society of America, the number of patients in each class(from class I to class V) were 6(11.1%), 13(24.1%), 9(16.7%), 14(25.8%), and 12(22.2%), respectively. Thirty two patients(59.3%) were initially admitted to the intensive care unit. The mortality rate was 16.7%(9 in 54). In all patients, urinary antigens to Legionella pnewnophila serogroup 1 were not detected. Conclusion : Legionella pnewnophila may play little role in causing adult CAP in Korea. Therefore, the routine use of macrolide in the empirical treatment of the CAP patients based upon the ATS guidelines(1993) in Korea should be reevaluated.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.500-512
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• 2000

Background : To evaluate the efficacy of two methods of obtaining lung recruitment to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury(VILI). Methods : Fifteen New-Zealand white rabbits were ventilated in the pressure-controlled mode while maintaining constant tidal volume(10 ml/kg) and fixed respiration rate. Lung injury was induced by repeated saline lavage (PaO2<100 mmHg), and the pressure-volume curve was drawn to obtain Pflex. The animals were then randomly assigned to three groups and ventilated for 4 hours. In the control group(n=5), positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP) less than that of Pflex by 3 mmHg was applied throughout the study. In the recruitment maneuver(RM) group(n=5), RM(CPAP of 22.5 mmHg, for 45 seconds) was performed every 15 minutes in addition to PEEP level less than Pflex by 3 mmHg This phrase is unclear. In the Pflex group, PEEP of Pflex was given without RM. Gas exchange, lung mechanics, and hemodynamics parameters as well as pathology were examined. Results : 1) Both the control and RM groups showed decreasing tendency in PaO2 with time. There was significantly decreased PaO2 at 4 hr compared to Ihr(p<0.05). But in the Pflex group, PaO2 did not decrease with time(p<0.05 vs other groups at 3, 4 hr). PaCO2 did not show significant difference among the three groups. 2) There was no significant difference in static compliance and plateau pressure. Mean blood pressure and heart rate also did not show any significant difference among the three groups. 3) The pathologic exam showed significantly less neutrophil infiltration in the Pflex group than in the control group(p<0.05). There was borderline significant difference in hyaline membrane score among the groups (p= 0.0532). Conclusion : Although recruitment maneuver of the injured lung may be important in decreasing VILI, it alone may not be sufficient to minimize VILI.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.378-385
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• 2003

Background : Wheezing is an important clue in the diagnosis of asthma. Previously, a Korean National asthma survey used a written questionnaire, containing the question, "Have you ever experienced a breathing sound-like 'sack-sack' or a flute sound (the Korean description for wheezing) during the last 12 months?" The response to this question showed a large discrepancy between the prevalence of wheezing and physician diagnosed asthma. This might have resulted partly from a misunderstanding of the question, due to an inadequate description for wheezing. This study was aimed at finding how well the layman understands the term "wheezing" when described as a breathing sound-like 'sack-sack', a whistle or a flute. Subjects and method : Sixty subjects, without experience of wheezing(group I), and 45 subjects, with chronic cough alleging wheezing(group II), were recruited from the Hallym University's Sacred Heart Hospital, in Anyang, Korea. Four different breathing sounds; vesicular, wheezing, tracheobronchial and crackle, were played for the subjects, without any experience with wheezing, and they were asked "which sound is most like that you would imagine when asked about a breathing sound-like 'sack-sack', a whistle or a flute?" This was followed by replaying the true wheezing sound, and then a global assessment was requested for the concordance between the real wheezing sound and the imagined wheezing sound. The wheezing sound was played for those subjects alleging wheezing, and they were asked, "have you really experienced that sound". Results : Only 46.7% of group I answered correctly, with 13.3% choosing the vesicular sound, 16.7% the tracheobronchial sound, 5.0% the crackle and 18.3% failed to answer. The concordance between their imagined wheezing and the real sound was $69.3{\pm}22.4%(mean{\pm}S.D.)$. 77.8% of group II recognized the correct sound as the one they had experienced. Conclusions : Language is not sufficient to the layman for describing natural sounds, such as wheezing.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.20-30
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• 2000

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the frequencies and the relation of stressful life events and health problems and evaluate the influence of stressful life events on the physical symptoms and anxiety in adolescents. Method : Newcomb's 39-item life-event questionnaire and Newcomb's 19-item health problems questionnaire were administered to 475 adolescents. The frequencies of stressful life events and health problems which had actually occurred to them during the previous 12 months were investigated. Items of stressful life events were classified in 8 dimensional scaling factors(Family/parents, Accident/Illness, Sexuality, Autonomy, Deviance, Relocation, Distress, Items not in scales) and items of health problems were classified in 5 health problems(General, Heart and Lung, Nervous system, Anxiety, Psychosomatic symptoms) and the correlation between them was analyzed. Result : 1) The average number of events occurring during the past year for the 475 adolescents is 3(7.7%). The most frequent item of stressful life events was 'Thought about suicide' and dimensional factors of "Distress" and "Autonomy" were the most frequent life events in multidimensional sacling analysis. There were more factors of "Family/Illness" and " Autonomy" in male, while there was more factor of "Distress" in female. There were more factors of "School violence" and "Deviance" in younger students, while there were more factors of "Sexuality" and "Autonomy" in older students. 2) The most frequent item of health problem was 'excessive fatigue' and "anxiety" was most frequent health problem in multidimensional scaling analysis. There were more health problems in female than those in male. The higher grades the students became, the more health problems they have reported. 3) There was significant relationship between 7 factors of stressful life events except one factor of "Relocation" and 5 health problems. Conclusions : These findings suggest that as adolescents grow older, they are engaging in more controllable behaviors related to autonomy and sexuality and at the same time are experiencing increased difficulty with distressful or discomforting events, and their stressful life events are significantly related to decreased health and psychological functiong.