• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.340-352
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Colonic volvulus (CV), a common cause of bowel obstruction, often requires intervention. We aimed to identify hospitalization trends and CV outcomes in the United States. Methods: We used the National Inpatient Sample to identify all adult CV hospitalizations in the United States from 2007 to 2017. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and inpatient outcomes were highlighted. Outcomes of endoscopic and surgical management were compared. Results: From 2007 to 2017, there were 220,666 CV hospitalizations. CV-related hospitalizations increased from 17,888 in 2007 to 21,715 in 2017 (p<0.001). However, inpatient mortality decreased from 7.6% in 2007 to 6.2% in 2017 (p<0.001). Of all CV-related hospitalizations, 13,745 underwent endoscopic intervention, and 77,157 underwent surgery. Although the endoscopic cohort had patients with a higher Charlson comorbidity index, we noted lower inpatient mortality (6.1% vs. 7.0%, p<0.001), mean length of stay (8.3 vs. 11.8 days, p<0.001), and mean total healthcare charge ($68,126 vs. $106,703, p<0.001) compared to the surgical cohort. Male sex, increased Charlson comorbidity index scores, acute kidney injury, and malnutrition were associated with higher odds of inpatient mortality in patients with CV who underwent endoscopic management. Conclusions: Endoscopic intervention has lower inpatient mortality and is an excellent alternative to surgery for appropriately selected CV hospitalizations.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2006

Telomeres are essential for chromosome stability and are related with cell senescence, apoptosis and cancer. Even though telomere length and telomerase activity have been studied extensively, very little is known to analyze the telomere dynamics in chicken cells. This study was carried out to analyze the telomere distribution and telomerase activity of Korean Native Chicken cells along with aging. The cells were collected from brain, heart, liver, kidney and germinal tissues during physiological stages. Telomere distribution was analyzed by Quantitative-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (Q-FISH) techniques using the chicken telomeric DNA probe. Telomerase activity was performed by Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) assay. In results, the telomeres of chicken were found at the ends of all chromosomes with the interstitial telomeres on chromosomes 1, 2 and 3. The amount of telomeres on chicken cells was decreased along with aging in most tissues. Furthermore, the telomere quantity was significantly different among tissues. The relative amount of telomeres in proliferous cells such as testis cells had much more than those of liver, brain, heart, blood and kidney cells. The telomerase activity was down-regulated in cells of brain, heart and liver tissues. Whereas gonadal cells showed a constitutive activity of telomerase during all stage of life. In conclusions, the telomere quantity and telomerase activity in chicken are closely relate to cell proliferation and tissue specificity during developmental stages and aging. There is also closely correlated between the amounts of telomeric DNA and telomerase activity in chicken tissues.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2015

Objective: To find out clinical features and long-term outcomes of idiopathic childhood nephrotic syndrome(NS) patients with late steroid resistance(LSR)/late steroid sensitiveness(LSS). Patients and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 480 patients diagnosed with idiopathic childhood NS at Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital from 1990 to 2013. Twenty-four patients whose responsiveness to steroids changed over a minimum 2 year follow-up period (2-17.5 years) were investigated. All patients had undergone a renal biopsy. Results: Among 480 nephrotic children, 428 (89%) were sensitive to the first steroid course. Of those who initially responded, 11 (2.5%) developed resistance to steroid therapy after relapses. LSR mostly developed between 1 month and 1 year after the initial episode. Six patients showed a minimal change and five showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Nine (82%) responded to cyclosporine or methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Of these, two had no further relapse, whereas the other seven experienced several relapses that ranged in length from 1.1 to 13.9 years. Three of the nine who initially responded to immunosuppression went on to experience several changes in steroid responsiveness. Two (18%) with resistance to immunosuppressants, including steroids, eventually progressed to end stage renal disease. Among the 52 patients (11%) who were initially steroid resistant, 13 (23%) were converted to steroid sensitive at relapses. Among these, 9 showed minimal change and 4 showed FSGS. Two had no further relapse and the other 11 responded to steroids on subsequent relapses ranging in length from 1.3 to 9.4 years. All these patients have had no further changes in steroid responsiveness with normal renal function. Conclusions: In this study, 2.5% of initial steroid responders and 25% of initial steroid non-responders changed their responsiveness to steroids at subsequent relapses. Eighteen percent of LSR patients developed end stage renal disease. All of the LSS patients showed preserved normal renal function. Responsiveness to immunosuppressants seemed to be the most important factor determining longterm outcomes in LSR/LSS patients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.313-318
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• 2009

TIAF1 is a TGF-${\beta}$1-induced anti-apoptotic factor that plays a critical role in blocking TNF (tumor necrosis factor) cytotoxicity in mouse fibroblasts and participates in TGF-${\beta}$-mediated growth regulation. In this study, we obtained the full-length cDNA sequence of the porcine TIAF1 gene. Real-time PCR further revealed that the TIAF1 gene was expressed at the highest level in liver and kidney with prominent expressions detected in uterus, and lower levels detected in heart, spleen, lung, stomach, small intestine, skeletal muscle and fat of Large White pigs. Sequence analysis indicated that a 6 base-pair deletion mutation existed in the exon of the TIAF1 gene between Meishan and Large White pigs. This mutation induced deletion of Gln and Val amino acids. PCR-RFLP was used to detect the polymorphism in 394 pigs of a "Large White${\times}$Meishan" $F_{2}$ resource population and four purebred pig populations. The frequencies of the A allele (with a 6 bp deletion) were dominant in Chinese Meishan and Bamei pigs, and the frequencies of the B allele (no 6 bp deletion) were dominant in Large White and Landrace pigs. Association analyses revealed that the deletion mutation had highly significant associations (p<0.01) with meat marbling score of the thorax-waist longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle (MM1) and intramuscular fat percentage (IMF), and significant associations (p<0.05) with carcass length (CL). The results presented here supply evidence that the 6 bp deletion mutation in the TIAF1 gene affects porcine meat quality and provides useful information for further porcine breeding.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2008

Serial ultrasonographic examinations were daily performed from 15 days after ovulation until parturition to determine the time of first detection and ultrasonographic appearance of the fetal and extra-fetal structures in pregnant 10 Maltese, 10 Yorkshire Terrier, 15 Shih-tzu, and 10 Miniature Schnauzer bitches, respectively. Gestational age was timed from the day of ovulation (day 0), which was estimated to occur when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0ng/ml. The gestational length was $63.4{\sim}63.6$ (range: $61{\sim}65$) days and the geatational length was no statistically significant difference among bitches (p>0.05). The initial detection of the extra-fetal structures were; gestational sac at days $18.9{\sim}19.5\;(17{\sim}22)$, zonary placenta at days $24.6{\sim}25.5\;(23{\sim}28)$, yolk sac membrane at days $24.6{\sim}25.5\;(23{\sim}27)$, yolk sac tubular shape at days $26.1{\sim}26.3\;(24{\sim}28)$, and amniotic membrane at days $26.1{\sim}28.2\;(24{\sim}31)$, respectively. The time of the first detection of the extra-fetal structures were no statistically significant difference among bitches (p>0.05). The initial detection of the fetal structures were; embryo initial detection at days $22.5{\sim}22.9\;(21{\sim}24)$, heartbeat at days $23.2{\sim}23.8\;(21{\sim}25)$, embryo bipolar shape $27.6{\sim}28.9\;(26{\sim}30)$, fetal movement at days $31.9{\sim}32.8\;(27{\sim}34)$, limb buds at days $29.1{\sim}30.7\;(27{\sim}33)$, stomach at days $31.1{\sim}33.1\;(29{\sim}34)$, urinary bladder at days $32.4{\sim}33.2\;(29{\sim}35)$, skeleton at days $34.7{\sim}35.9\;(34{\sim}39)$, and kidney at days $42.1{\sim}44.7\;(41{\sim}48)$, respectively. The the time of the first detection of the fetal structures were no statistically significant difference among bitches (p>0.05). These results indicate the evaluation of the time of first detection and ultrasonographic characteristics of the gestational structures might be useful for pregnancy diagnosis, estimating fetal age, embryonic resorption, fetal monster, abnormal fetal growth and fetal viability, respectively.

• Clean Technology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.273-279
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• 2011

The physicochemical properties of manufactured nanomaterials can vary depending upon the methods of manufacture, although the utilized raw materials are same. Hence, the toxicity can also vary based on the methods of nanomaterials manufacture. In this study, we compared the toxicity effect of two types of CNTs (MWCNT, multi-walled carbon nanotube; SWCNT, single-walled carbon nanotube) that differ in length and wall number. In case of MWCNTs, inflammatory responses were more strongly induced in longer groups, whereas body weights more clearly decreased in shorter groups. SWCNT significantly decreased the relative weights of brain and kidney, and the inflow of immune cells and the hematological changes were observed significantly on day 1 and day 7 after exposure, respectively. Our results showed that the length and wall number of CNTs can serve as critical factors in the exhibited inflammation and toxicity.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2002

Purpose: Hypertension accelerates the progression of chronic renal disease, whether it results from, or causes, the renal disease. Therefore, the control of hypertension is one of the important factors that retard the rate of renal deterioration. We compared the effects of different antihypertensive agents on renal function and glomerular morphology In subtotal nephrectomized rats. Materials and methods: After induction of chronic renal failure with 5/6 nephrectomy, the rats were divided into three groups; control group (Group C), enalapril group (Group E), and nicardipine group (Group N). Systolic blood pressure was measured by tail cuff method every 4 weeks until 12 weeks after nephrectomy. At 12 weeks after nephrectomy, all rats were placed in metabolic cages for 24 hour urine collections to measure urinary protein and creatinine excretion. After urine collection and blood sampling for serum creatinine, all rats were sacrificed. The renal tissue was processed for morphometric study with light microscope and electron microscope. Results: 1. The blood pressure of Group C increased progressively, but both enalapril and nicardipine prevented the development of hypertension, and the two drugs were equally effective in maintaining normal blood pressure throughout the study. 2. Twenty-four hour urinary protein excretion was lower in Group E compared to Group C and Group N 3. Mesangial expansion score in both treated groups were significantly lower than the control group. Mean glomerular volume in Group E was significantly reduced compared to Group C and Group N. There was no significant difference in mean glomerular volume between Group C and Group N. 4. There was no significant difference in podocyte structural changes, estimated by filtration slit length density, among control, enalapril and nicardipine treated groups. Conclusion: Control of hypertension with enalapril or nicardipine afforded considerable protection from mesangial expansion in the rat remnant kidney model. But protein excretion and glomerular growth were significantly reduced in Group E compared to Group N. There was no significant difference in podocyte structural changes among the 3 groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.958-964
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• 2004

This study examined the effects of maternal calcium intake levels on mineral metabolism during pregnancy and lactation. Five week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed normal Ca (NCa, 0.5%) and low Ca (LCa, 0.15%) diets for 5 weeks during preconception. The low Ca intake group was divided into three groups and fed low Ca (0.15%), normal Ca (0.5%) and high Ca (1.5%) diets for 6 weeks during pregnancy and lactation. All of the rats were mated with normal male rats. The control group was consistently fed a normal Ca diet for 11 weeks. Pups were adjusted to 10 per dam. After weaning, dams and their weaned rats were sacrificed. We measured total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and mineral content in serum and weight, length, breaking force, ash and mineral content in bone and kidney. There was no significant difference in weight gain and food intake among the groups. Serum total protein and albumin were in the normal range but slightly decreased with a low Ca diet during preconception. Calcium supplementation above normal level increased bone weight, Ca content and breaking force in femur of maternal and their weaned rats. However, high maternal Ca intake significantly decreased Mg and Fe contents in maternal serum and bone and Mg and Zn contents in serum of weaned rats. Also, it induced Ca, P and Mg deposit in maternal kidney. Our experimental results suggest that Ca deficiency during preconception may deteriorate bone status of mother and their offsprings. Moreover, high Ca supplementation during pregnancy and lactation may lead to disturb mineral metabolism in bone and other tissues.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.426-432
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• 2013

Background: Heart transplantation has become a widely accepted surgical option for end-stage heart failure in Korea since its first success in 1992. We reviewed early postoperative complications and mortality in 239 patients who underwent heart transplantation using bicaval technique in Asan Medical Center. Methods: Between January 1999 and December 2011, a total of 247 patients aged over 17 received heart transplantation using bicaval technique in Asan Medical Center. After excluding four patients with concomitant kidney transplantation and four with heart-lung transplantation, 239 patients were enrolled in this study. We evaluated their early postoperative complications and mortality. Postoperative complications included primary graft failure, cerebrovascular accident, mediastinal bleeding, renal failure, low cardiac output syndrome requiring intra-aortic balloon pump or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation insertion, pericardial effusion, and inguinal lymphocele. Follow-up was 100% complete with a mean follow-up duration of $58.4{\pm}43.6$ months. Results: Early death occurred in three patients (1.3%). The most common complications were pericardial effusion (61.5%) followed by arrhythmia (41.8%) and mediastinal bleeding (8.4%). Among the patients complicated with pericardial effusion, only 13 (5.4%) required window operation. The incidence of other significant complications was less than 5%: stroke (1.3%), low cardiac output syndrome (2.5%), renal failure requiring renal replacement (3.8%), sternal wound infection (2.0%), and inguinal lymphocele (4.6%). Most of complications did not result in the extended length of hospital stay except mediastinal bleeding (p=0.034). Conclusion: Heart transplantation is a widely accepted option of surgical treatment for end-stage heart failure with good early outcomes and relatively low catastrophic complications.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1134-1142
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• 2008

Cationic amino acid transporter $b^{0,+}AT$ (HGMW-approved gene symbol SLC7A9, solute carrier family 7, member 9) plays a crucial role in amino acid nutrition. In the present study, we describe the cloning and sequencing of porcine $b^{0,+}AT$. Based on the sequence of porcine $b^{0,+}AT$ deposited in the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnological Information), we identified a putative porcine homologue. Using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), the full-length cDNA encoding porcine $b^{0,+}AT$ was isolated. The porcine $b^{0,+}AT$ cDNA was 1,680 bp long, encoding a 487 amino acid trans-membrane protein. The predicted amino acid sequence was found to have 88.9% and 87.1% identity with human and mouse $b^{0,+}AT$, respectively. Real-time RT-PCR indicated porcine $b^{0,+}AT$ transcripts expressed in heart, kidney, muscle and small intestine. The small intestine had the highest $b^{0,+}AT$ mRNA abundance while the muscle had the lowest (p<0.05). Along the longitudinal axis, the ileum had the highest $b^{0,+}AT$ mRNA abundance while the colon had the lowest (p<0.05). The $b^{0,+}AT$ mRNA level was highest on day 7 and 90 in the duodenum (p<0.05). It increased from day 1 to day 26 in the jejunum (p>0.05) and had the highest abundance on day 60 (p<0.05). There was, however, no difference between day 1, 7, 26, 30, 90 and 150 (p>0.05). The strongest $b^{0,+}AT$ expression appeared on day 7 in the ileum before weaning, and then decreased till day 30 but rose gradually again from day 60 to 150 (p<0.05).