• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.163-166
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• 2018

Objective: Microminipigs are a novel animal model with extensive applications in laboratory studies owing, in part, to their extremely small body sizes. In this study, the relationship between swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class II haplotype and body weight was evaluated in the Microminipig population. Methods: A total of 1,900 haplotypes, covering SLA class II haplotypes Lr-0.7, Lr-0.23, Lr-0.17, Lr-0.37, Lr-0.16, Lr-0.11, Lr-0.13, and Lr-0.18, were analyzed in 950 piglets. Birth weights and weights on postnatal day 50 were examined in piglets with eight different SLA class II haplotypes. Results: The mean birth weight of piglets with the Lr-0.23 haplotype (0.415 kg, n = 702) was significantly lower than that of piglets with Lr-0.17 (0.445 kg, n = 328) and Lr-0.37 (0.438 kg, n = 383) haplotypes. At postnatal day 50, the mean body weight of piglets with the Lr-0.23 haplotype (3.14 kg) was significantly lower than that of piglets with the Lr-0.13 haplotype (3.46 kg, p<0.01). There were no significant differences in daily gains (DGs) among the eight haplotypes. However, piglets with the Lr-0.11 and -0.18 haplotype combination or any heterozygous haplotype combinations containing Lr-0.23 had significantly lower DGs than those of piglets with the Lr-0.18, 0.37 haplotype combination. Conclusion: Piglets with the Lr-0.23 haplotype had relatively low body weights at birth and on postnatal day 50 and slightly lower DGs than those of piglets with other haplotypes. Therefore, the Lr-0.23 SLA class II haplotype may be a suitable marker for the selective breeding of Microminipigs with small body sizes.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.121-130
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• 2016

Objectives : Recently, people who have normal brachial blood pressure(BP) are being threatened by high-risk disease such as stroke. The aim of this study is to suggest that new method to assess systemic circulation. It can be performed by analyzing optimal blood pulse wave on 3 sites belonging to subjects that have normal BP. Methods : We respectively extracted main peaks(h1) of optimal blood pulse wave on left/right temporal artery(LR1=h1), radial artery(LR2=h1) and dorsalis pedis artery(LR3=h1). We obtained h1 from 30 subjects who are discreetly chosen and have normal BP. Main peak(h1) can be extracted by using 3D pulse imaging analyser(DMP-1000+, DAEYOMEDI Co., Korea) that has 5-level pressure method. We analyzed the ratio of [LR1/LR2] and [LR3/LR2]. Results : In the case of male group, the results are [LR1/LR2=0.7100.177] and [LR3/LR2=0.9290.317]. In the case of female group, the results are [LR1/LR2=0.6680.121] and [LR3/LR2=0.7050.195]. Especially, it is statistically verified that the result of ratio [LR3/LR2] is much higher in male group than in female group(p<0.05). Conclusions : We suggested the standard ratio of [LR1/LR2] and [LR3/LR2] for normal subjects, respectively. It can be adopted as a new method to evaluate the systemic circulation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2018

Background: This study investigated the effects of acupuncture at Sobu (HT8) and Haenggan (LR2) on scopolamine-induced, cognitively impaired rats. Methods: Scopolamine-treated Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups; normal, control, HT8, LR2, HT8 + LR2 and sham group. Cognitive impairment was induced by scopolamine, in control, and then in HT8, LR2, HT8 + LR2 and sham groups. Acupuncture treatment was performed at HT8, LR2, HT8 + LR2, and a random acupoint, respectively, every other day for 2 weeks. After each treatment, behavior change was observed and the rats were sacrificed. The change in brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Latency time to target in Morris Water-Maze test for the HT8 + LR2 group showed a significant decrease compared with control (p<0.05). Target crossing times and time zone ratios in Morris Water-Maze test for HT8 + LR2 group showed a significant increase compared with control (p<0.01). In the Y-Maze test the HT8 + LR2 group showed a significant increase compared with control (p<0.05). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, in the HT8 + LR2 group, showed a significantly increased level compared with control (p<0.05). Neural activity of acetylcholine esterase in HT8 + LR2 group showed a significant decrease compared with the control group (p<0.01), choline acetyltransferase activity in the HT8 + LR2 group showed a significant increase compared with control (p<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture at HT8 + LR2 restored scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment, suggesting acupuncture could be an alternative to improve cognitive function.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.321-326
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• 2016

The porcine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is called swine leukocyte antigen (SLA), which controls immune responses and transplantation reactions. The SLA is mapped on pig chromosome 7 (SSC7) near the centromere. In this study, 3 class I (SLA-1, SLA-3, and SLA-2) and 3 class II (DRB1, DQB1, and DQA) genes were used for investigation of SLA haplotypes in Yucatan miniature pigs in Korea. This pig breed is a well-known model organism for biomedical research worldwide. The current study indicated that Korean Yucatan pig population had 3 Class I haplotypes (Lr-4.0, Lr-6.0, and Lr-25.0) and 3 class II haplotypes (Lr-0.5, Lr-0.7, and Lr-0.25). The combinations of SLA class I and II haplotype together, 2 homozygous (Lr-4.5/4.5 and Lr-6.7/6.7) and 3 heterozygous (Lr-4.5/6.7, Lr-4.5/25.25, and Lr-6.7/25.25) haplotypes were identified, including previously unidentified new heterozygous haplotypes (Lr-4.5/4.7). In addition, a new SLA allele typing method using Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer was developed that permitted more rapid identification of SLA haplotypes. These results will facilitate the breeding of SLA homozygous Yucatan pigs and will expedite the possible use of these pigs for the biomedical research, especially xenotransplantation research.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2001

Soil respiration and some environmental factors which affect soil respiration were studied in an oak forest, Kongju, Korea. Soil respiration was measured at midday of the 15th and 30th day at every month in control(Con), artificial forest gap (Gap) and litter removed area (Lr) with portable CO₂ Analyzer equipped soil respiration chamber. In July, maximum soil respiration in Con, Cap and Lr was 15.6, 11.2 and 7.7 CO₂μmol·m/sup -2/·s/sup -1/, respectively. Respiration in Gap and Lr decreased by 28.6% and 50.6%, respectively, compared with that in Con. Annual amount of soil CO₂ evolution from Con, Gap and Lr was 6.86, 5.84, 3.81 kg·m/sup -2/·yr/sup -1/, respectively. Annual amount of CO₂ evolution in Gap and Lr decreased by 14.8% and 44.5%, respectively, compared with that in Con. Soil respiration rates exponentially increased with temperature. Temperature of soil surface and at 5 cm depth was strongly related to soil respiration rates in Con (r₂＝0.87, 0.93), Gap (r₂=0.81, 0.88) and Lr (r/sub 2/=0.89).

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.172-182
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• 2021

Purpose: We evaluated the diagnostic performance of LI-RADS version 2018 using gadoxetic acid enhanced MRI for recurrent but untreated HCC in patients with prior history of HCC. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 50 consecutive patients who 1) prior history of treatment of HCC, 2) underwent liver surgery for radiological/clinical diagnosis of new HCC between 2013 to 2018, 3) had gadoxetic acid enhanced MRI within one month before surgery, and 4) did not have more than five HCCs or infiltrative tumors only. Two radiologists reviewed MRI and determined the presence of LR3, LR4 and LR5 observations except previously treated tumors based on LI-RADS version 2018 in consensus. We sub-classified LR4 into LR4m (LR4 with major features only) and LR4u (LR4 upgraded from LR3 by ancillary features). LR4u were further sub-classified into LR4ua (with arterial phase hyperenhancement) and LR4un (without arterial phase hyperenhancement). Results: PPV for LR5, LR4 and LR3 observations for recurrent HCC were 100%, 61.5% and 25.0%, respectively. 100% (3/3) of LR4m were HCC. However, PPV of LR4u was 56.5%. PPV of LR4ua and LR4un were 73.3% and 25.0%, respectively. Sensitivity of LR5 and LR5+LR4 observations as a diagnostic threshold were 32.1% and 89.3%, respectively. Sensitivity for LR5+LR4m+LR4ua observations for diagnosis of HCC were 83.7% and significantly superior to that of LR5 without significant deterioration of specificity (75.0%). Conclusion: In patients with prior history of HCC, LR4 observations by major features or with APHE may be regarded as recurrent HCCs given high sensitivity and comparable specificity/PPV to LR5 observations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6923-6928
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• 2015

Background: Early detection of various kinds of cancers nowadays is needed including colorectal cancer due to the highly significant effects in improving cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential value of adiponectin, visfatin and resistin as early biomarkers for colorectal cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of adiponectin, visfatin and resistin were measured by a sandwich-enzyme-linked (ELISA) assay technique in 114 serum samples comprising 34 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), 27 with colonic polyps (CP), 24 with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 29 healthy controls. The diagnostic accuracy of each serum marker was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The mean concentration of adiponectin was significantly higher in CRC and CP groups than IBD and control groups (P-value <0.05). Also the mean concentration of serum resistin was significantly elevated in the IBD and control groups compared to CRC and CP groups (P-value = 0.014). However, no significant difference was noted in patients of the CRC and CP groups. On the other hand, the mean concentration of visfatin was significantly elevated in CRC and control groups compared to CP and IBD groups (P-value = 0.03). ROC analysis curves for the studied markers revealed that between CRC and IBD groups serum level of adiponectin had a sensitivity of 76.7% and a specificity of 76% at a cut off value of 3940, +LR being 3.2 and -LR 0.31 with AUC 0.852, while serum level of adiponectin between CP and IBD had a sensitivity of 77.8% and a specificity of 75% at a cut off value of 3300, with +LR=3.11 and -LR = 0.3 with AUC 0.852. On the other hand the serum level of visfatin between CRC and CP groups had a sensitivity of 65.5% and a specificity of 66.7 at a cut off value of 2.4, +LR being 1.67 and -LR 0.52 with AUC 0.698. Also the serum level of resistin had a sensitivity of 62.5% and a specificity of 70.3% at a cut off value of 24500, with +LR=2.1 and -LR = 0.53 with AUC 0.685 between control and other groups. On the other hand by comparing control vs CP groups resistin had a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 70.8% at a cut off value of 17700, with +LR=2.8 and -LR = 0.26 with AUC 0.763 while visfatin had a sensitivity of 68.2% and a specificity of 70.8% at a cut off value of 2.7, with +LR=2.34 and -LR = 0.0.45 with AUC 0.812. Conclusions: These findings support potential roles of adiponectin, visfatin and resistin in early detection of CRC and discrimination of different groups of CRC, CP or IBD patients from normal healthy individuals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.316-322
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• 2018

Purpose: The Glycyrrhiza uralensis species (Leguminosae) as a medicinal biocompound, and one of its root components, isoliquritigenin (ISL), which is a flavonoid, has been reported to have anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. However, its function in bone formation has not been studied yet. In this study, we tested the effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (ErLR) and baked Glycyrrhiza uralensis (EdLR) extracts on osteoblast proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and bone-related gene expression in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Methods: MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in various levels of ErLR (0, 5, 10, 15, $20{\mu}g/mL$), EdLR (0, 5, 10, 15, $20{\mu}g/mL$), or ISL (0, 5, 10, 15, $20{\mu}M$) in time sequences (1, 5, and 20 days). Also, isoliquritigenin (ISL) was tested for comparison to those two biocompound extracts. Results: MTT assay results showed that all three compounds (ErLR, EdLR, and ISL) increased osteoblastic-cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner for one day. In addition, both ErLR and EdLR compounds elevated the osteoblast proliferation for 5 or 20 days. Extracellular ALP activity was also increased as ErLR, EdLR, and ISL concentration increased at 20 days, which implies the positive effect of Glycyrrhiza species on osteoblast mineralization. The bone-related marker mRNAs were upregulated in the ErLR-treated osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells for 20 days. Bone-specific transcription factor Runx2 gene expression was also elevated in the ErLR- and EdLR-treated osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells for 20 days. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that Glycyrrhiza uralensis extracts may be useful for preventing osteoporosis by increasing cell proliferation, ALP activity, and bone-marker gene expression in osteoblastic cells.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.265-271
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• 2004

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the influence of feeding Lactobacillus reuteri culture (LR) on productive performance, intestinal microflora and availability in laying hens. Four hundred and eighty, Isa-Brown layers, 49 weeks of age, were fed diets supplemented with LR at the level of 0 (control), 0.1, 0.2, and $0.4\%$ of the diets for eight weeks. Egg production and egg weight were measured daily. Feed intake was weighed every two weeks. Egg quality was measured three times at the start, mid-term, and end of the experiment. Intestinal microflora were examined for Lactobacillus spp., E. coli and Salmonella at the end of the experiment. Overall egg production was the highest in $0.2\%$ LR (P<0.05), but that of $0.1\%$ or $0.4\%$ LR treatments did not significantly differ from that of control. Egg weight was significantly higher in LR feeding group than the control (P<0.05). Daily egg mass was significantly higher in $0.2\%$ and $0.4\%$ LR treatments compared to the control and $0.1\%$ LR (P<0.05). The number of jumbo and extra large eggs were increased in LR supplemented groups, especially in $0.1\%$ LR. Feed intake of layers fed LR supplemented diets tended to be lower than the control. However, feed conversion ratio significantly improved in LR supplemented groups (P<0.05). Availability of dry matter and crude protein improved significantly in $0.4\%$ LR treatment (P<0.05). But, those of ether extract and crude ash were not significantly different among treatments. Eggshell breaking strength and eggshell thickness were not significantly influenced by LR supplementation, and Haugh unit and yolk index were also similar to the control. Total number of Lactobacillus spp. in ileum and cecum fed LR supplemented diets were significantly higher than those of the control (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in intestinal E. coli and Salmonella in all treatments. Therefore, it is concluded that dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus reuteri culture can improve the laying performance, feed efficiency and intestinal Lactobacillus.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.226-239
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• 2004

Objective: Purpose of this study was to examine the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Xingjian(LR2) as 'Fire(火)' point of The Leg Absolute Um Liver Meridan(足厥陰肝經 : Chok-Kworum-Kan-Kyong) on the facial thermal change. Methods: Subjects of this study were 15 patients with upperpart(includes head and facial part) fever of human body and two examinations were carried out in each other day. We divided cases of two examinations into two groups. One is experimental group(N=15) that was carried out electroacupuncture stimulation at Xingjian(LR2), the other is control group(N=15) which was carried out electroacupuncture stimulation at optional point(in space between 1st and 2nd fingers) except acupuncture points of 12 meridians. We took the temperature of fixed areas on face by digital infrared thermal image(D.I.T.I.) before and after electroacupuncture stimulation. Those fixed areas on face that was taken temperature are Jingming(BL1), Sibai(ST2), Dicang(ST4), Indang, Shuigou(GV26), Chengjiang(CV24) areas. In cases of temperature of Jingming(BL1), Sibai(ST2), Dicang(ST4) areas, we applied each mean of left and right temperature to statical analysis. Results: In the group of electroacupuncture stimulation at Xingjian(LR2), temperature of every fixed areas on face fell: Jingming(BL1) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.7007{\pm}0.78642$, Sibai(ST2) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.6280{\pm}0.56439$, Dicang(ST4) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.5940{\pm}0.60179$, Indang area's ${\Delta}T=-0.7200{\pm}0.64515$, Shuigou(GV26) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.6160{\pm}0.80487$, Chengjiang(CV24) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.5627{\pm}0.72615$. In Xingjian(LR2) electroacupuncture group, each temperature of Jingming(BL1), Sibai(ST2), Indang areas showed a drop significantly in comparison with control group (p<0.05). But each temperature of Dicang(ST4), Shuigou(GV26), Chengjiang(CV24) areas did not showed a drop significantly in comparison with control group(p>0.05). Conclusions: The results mentioned above showed that electroacupuncture stimulation at Xingjian(LR2) significantly decreased the temperature on face of patients with upperpart fever of human body. In Xingjian(LR2) electroacupuncture group, especially temperature of upper part of face includes eye, cheekbone, forehead regions showed a drop significantly in comparison with control group.