• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6749-6751
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• 2015

Background: Laryngeal cancer is an important malignancy in head and neck area and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type accounting for 95% of cases. Increase in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in different tumors and their correlation with tumor invasiveness has been documented. However, most studies have evaluated MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and few have evaluated serum levels. The aim of current study was to evaluate serum levels in patients with laryngeal SCC compared to normal subjects and assess any relation with tumor clinicopathological findings. Materials and Methods: In this case control study, 20 patients with oral SCC and 20 healthy subjects were included. Serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were compared between groups and correlations with findings including grade (T) and node involvement (N) were evaluated. Results: Patients with laryngeal SCC had significantly higher serum levels of MMP-2 (p=0.01) and MMP-9 (p=0.03) compared to healthy subjects. Patients with higher T stage (T3,4) had significantly higher MMP-2 (p=0.04) and MMP-9 (p=0.01). There was significant positive correlation between serum levels of MMP-2 with T stage (r=0.45, p=0.04) and lymph node involvement (r=0.563, p=0.01) and between levels of MMP-9 with T stage (r=0.527, p=0.01). Conclusions: Our results showed that compared to healthy subjects, both MMP-2 and MMP-9 are significantly increased in serum of laryngeal SCC cases. MMP-2 was correlated with lymph node involvement while MMP-9 has stronger correlation with T stage compared to MMP-2.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.23-31
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• 1978

Hyperthyroidism may be defined as those clinical conditions which result from an increase in the circulating levels of one or both thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism in broad sense could be classified with toxic diffuse goiter, toxic adenomatous goiter, and toxic multinodular goiter on the basis of the circulating thyroid hormone levels. For this study, the subject included 94 cases with hyperthyroidism were presented in 77 with toxic diffuse goiter, 8 with toxic adenomatous goiter, and 9 with toxic multinodular goiter on the levels of $^{125}IT_3$ resin uptake rate and serum thyroxine ($T_4$). The observed results were as follows: 1) In the cases of hyperthyroidism including toxic diffuse goiter, toxic adenomatous goiter, and toxic multinodular goiter, 20.21% of the patients were male and 79.79% female. The majority of the patients were in 2nd to 4th decades of their lives. 2) There were objective signs clearly manifested in hyperthyroidism including toxic diffuse goiter and toxic adenomatous goiter which were rare in the multinodular goiter. The clinical signs in toxic diffuse and toxic adenomatous goiter included wide pulse pressure, tachycardia, systolic murmur, exophthalmos, tremor and warm skin etc. (Table 3.) 3) The most freauent complaints of the patients with hyperthyroidism were palpitation, weight loss, increased appetite, perspiration, heat intolerance, nervousness, exertional dyspnea, and menstrual disturbance etc. (Table 4.) There was no clear difference in the incidence of symptoms between toxic diffuse goiter and toxic adenomatous goiter, but there was clear difference between toxic multinodular goiter. 4) Considering of results of $^{125}IT_3$ resin uptake rate and serum $T_4$ level in toxic diffuse goiter, toxic adenomatous goiter and toxic multinodular goiter, $^{125}I\;T_3$ resin uptake rate was $49.15{\pm}9.94%$ (mean) and serum $T_4\;21.29{\pm}7.04ug/dl$ (mean) in toxic diffuse goiter. In toxic multinodular goiter, $^{125}I\;T_3$ resin uptake rate was $32.47{\pm}6.74%$ (mean) and serum $T_4$ level $11.03{\pm}5.0ug/dl$, and then there was clear difference in the results of $^{125}I\;T_3$ resin uptake rate and serum $T_4$ between toxic diffuse goiter and toxic multinodular goiter. The levels of $^{125}I\;T_3$ resin uptake rate and serum $T_4$ in toxic adenomatous goiter were $40.32{\pm}13.08%$ (mean), $15.47{\pm}8.25ug/dl$ (mean) respectively, so there was no clear difference between toxic diffuse goiter and toxic adenomatous goiter. 5) There was no significant differnece in length and width performed with thyroid scanning in toxic diffuse goiter, toxic adenomatous goiter, and toxic multinodular goiter.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.3
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• pp.153-157
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• 2016

Background: Vitamin D is known to have diverse effects on various systems in the body. There is evidence to suggest that a link exists between the serum vitamin D status and tuberculosis. The present study was designed to assess the alterations in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in newly diagnosed sputum acid fast bacilli (AFB) positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients and to study the association, if any, between serum vitamin D levels and different levels of sputum smear positivity. Methods: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were estimated in 65 sputum AFB positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 65 age and gender-matched healthy controls. Results: The levels of serum 25 hydroxy-vitamin D in tuberculosis patients were not statistically different from the levels of serum 25 hydroxy-vitamin D in healthy controls. However, among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, there was a significant negative correlation between the levels of serum 25 hydroxy-vitamin D and levels of sputum positivity. Conclusion: Serum vitamin D levels negatively correlates with bacterial load in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1209-1217
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• 1992

Triiodothyronine[T3] is an important regulator of the tissue metabolism, and may have potential use as an inotropic agent. The change of serum T3 level was studied in the pediatric age patients after cardiopulmonary by pass. Thyroid function was tested pre-operatively in 33 patients and total triiodothyronine[TT3] levels were serially measured during and after cardiopulmonary bypass[CPB]. After correction of dilutional effect, effects of various factors on the TT3 levels were analyzed. Abrupt fall of TT3 level was demonstrated at 15 minutes after CPB[80.1$\pm$5.9ng/dL] from the initial level of 133.6$\pm$5.3ng/dL, with some recovery at 6 hours[115.4$\pm$6.7ng/dL]. After then, gradual decrease occured reaching to the level of 77.2$\pm$4.2ng /dL at 24 hours. These falls of the TT3 after CPB were statistically significant. [p<0.01 ANOVA] Statistically significant correlation were found between the degree of hemodilution and TT3 concentration at 15 and 30 minutes after CPB[p<0.05]. But, other factors were analyzed to have no effect on TT3 levels. As the degree of the hemodilution increases, TT3 decreased less. This observation probably supports the fact that decrease of TT3 during CPB may be a result of sequestration of T3 into peripheral tissue. Although it was not statistically significant[p=0.08], the fall of TT3 was greater in the group to which plasmanate was added, than those not added. This finding seemed to be due to the increase of albumin and other thyroid-hormone-binding-proteins in the serum. Increase of these binding proteins might potentiate the sequestration of T3 into the liver and the kidney from serum, and as a consequence, decrese the serum TT3 level further.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.389-396
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• 2003

Maternal nutritional status has been shown to influence pregnancy outcomes. And the elevated maternal plasma homocysteine concentrations have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We investigated the effects of maternal serum levels of B vitamins and homocysteine, and the C677T MTHFR (5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) polymorphism on pregnancy outcomes. In 177 pregnant women of 24-28 wks of gestation, the MTHFR gene mutation, serum B vitamins and homocysteine concentrations were measured, and their pregnancy outcomes were investigated from medical records. The birth length, and 1- and 5-min Apgar scores of neonates in the T/T mothers were 45.4 $\pm$ 9.3 cm, 7.6 $\pm$ 3.2 and 8.5 $\pm$ 3.8, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the C/T (48.6 $\pm$ 3.3 cm, 9.0 $\pm$ 0.2, 10.0 $\pm$ 0.2) or the C/C mothers (49.4 $\pm$ 1.9 cm, 9.0 $\pm$ 0.2, 10.0 $\pm$ 0.0). The birth weight, birth length and the gestational age of neonates at delivery from hyperhomocysteinemic mothers whose homocysteine levels higher than 15 $\mu$ mol were 2.5 $\pm$ 1.3 kg, 43.9 $\pm$ 9.0 cm, 35.4 $\pm$ 6.3 wk, respectively, which were significant lower than those from normohomocysteinemic mothers (3.1 $\pm$ 0.6 kg, 48.8 $\pm$ 3.6 cm, 38.5 $\pm$ 2.5 wk). The birth weight and birth length of neonates in mothers whose PLP levels were below the median were significantly lower than those from mothers with the PLP levels above the median. The 1- and 5-min Apgar scores of neonates were lower in mothers with the T/T MTHFR genotype than those with the C/T or C/C only when the serum PLP levels were below the median. The 1-, 5 min Apgar scores and birth length of neonates were lower in mothers with the T/T MTHFR genotype than those with the C/T or C/C only when the serum FMN levels were below the median. In conclusion, maternal B vitamin status, homocysteine and the C677T MTHFR genotype seem to have played an important role on pregnancy outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.1164-1172
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• 1997

In this study we investigated the effects of dietary fat sources and onion on serum lipid levels in rats. One hundred twenty female Wistar rats two weeks old were randomly divided into five groups of 24 animals assigned to one of the ive modalities : Control group was fed only basal diet containing 6.3% of corn oil, T and L group were administered 6.3% beef tallow and lard substituted for corn oil in basal diet, LOv and LOx group were given same amount of lard as L group together with 4.2ml of onion juice/kg body weight, and 8.2ml of onion juice/kg body weight respectively. Six randomly selected rats from each group were evaluated for hematologic and serum biochemical parameters weekly. Over 4 week experiments it was found that the triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in T and L group compared with the control group. Triglyceride contents were significantly increased in L group compared with T group. But there was no difference in cholesterol levels between L and T group. LOv diet did not decrease significantly the triglyceride and cholesterol levels, but LOx group significantly did compared with L diet. LOx group had nearly normal values of bilirubin, creatinine, uric acid level and hemoglobin contents cut slightly increased levels in the glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.101-106
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• 1992

Secretory patterns of serum tri-iodothyronine, thyroxin and testosterone were analysed by specific radioimmunoassay in Kaghani (n = 42), Rambouilet (n = 42) and Kaghani ${\times}$ Rambouillet (n = 42) male sheep to determine age and breed related changes. Animals were examined at 1-2 wk, 8, 10, 12, 20, 22 and 24 months of age (n = 6/age group). All animals were maintained under standard conditions of feeding and management. $T_3$ and $T_4$ concentrations were maximal (p < 0.01) in 1-2 wk old lambs of all breeds studied ($207.4{\pm}14.9-276.8{\pm}20.4ng/dl$ and $5.76{\pm}0.3-7.23{\pm}0.9{\mu}g/dl$, respectively). For all the breeds, concentrations of $T_3$ declined markedly (p < 0.01) at 8 month of age and then varied in a narrow range ($44.5{\pm}14.0-87.0{\pm}4.8ng/dl$) up to the age of 24 month. While, serum $T_4$ concentrations decreased (p < 0.01) to nadir ($0.97{\pm}0.1-1.43{\pm}0.3{\mu}g/dl$) at 10 months of age in all the 3 breeds. Afterwards, $T_4$ levels increased gradually and attained a small peak at 20 months before declining again at 22 and 24 months of age. Serum $T_3$ and $T_4$ concentrations were correlated significantly (p < 0.05) and their ratio was constant at all ages in the different breeds. Age significantly (p < 0.01) influenced the secretion of testosterone in the breeds examined but the breed differences were comparable. Mean serum concentrations of testosterone were low from 1-2 wk to 10 months of age in the Kaghani, Rambouillet and Kaghani ${\times}$ Rambouillet animals. Peak testosterone levels were noted in the 12 months old Kaghani ($1.75{\pm}0.4ng/ml$), Rambouillet ($1.30{\pm}0.2ng/ml$) and their $T_3$ cross animals ($1.16{\pm}0.08ng/ml$). Mean testosterone levels, thereafter, decreased at 20 months and then at 22 and 24 months remained variable but higher than observed at 1-2 wk -10 months of age. The findings of the present study indicate a significant influence of age but not of breed on the peripheral concentrations of thyroid hormones and testosterone. Serum concentrations of $T_3$ and $T_4$ were not related to testosterone levels. High thyroid secretory activity observed at prenatal phase of development may play an important role in preparing the lambs to extrauterine environments.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2012

Objective : Previous studies reported a correlation between the low serum cholesterol level and impulsive behaviors. In this study, we investigate an association between the serum lipid levels and psychological parameters in maladaptive soldiers in the Korean Army. Methods : A total of ninety-six maladaptive subjects and thirty-six normal controls in the Korean army were evaluated with the Korean version of Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (K-BIS), Korean version of Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale (K- BSIS), Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI) and Korean version of Beck Anxiety Inventory (K-BAI). Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) level were measured by overnight fasting blood sampling. Results : There were no significant differences between the groups in demographic characteristics. Serum total cholesterol levels (t=-2.209, p=0.032), triglyceride levels (t=-4.593, p<0.001), and LDL levels (t=-3.753, p=0.001) of maladaptive subjects were significantly lower than those of normal controls, and maladaptive subjects had higher K-BIS scores than normal controls (t=7.542, p<0.001). Negative correlation was found between LDL levels and non-planning impulsiveness in the maladaptive subjects (r=-0.253, p=0.013). LDL levels (${\beta}=-0.258$, p=0.008) and K-BDI scores (${\beta}=0.266$, p=0.043) emerged as significant predictors for non-planning impulsiveness. Conclusion : These results suggested that LDL level was associated with non-planning impulsiveness. These findings suggested that serum cholesterol levels might be available as a biological marker of impulsiveness. However, more large samples, longitudinal biological study and psychiatric evaluations should be needed to develop a preventive intervention for maladaptive male conscripts in the Korean army.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 1998

It is well known that troponin T(below TnT) is present in the myocardial cells and released during myocardial damage, so it`s very specific enzyme to myocardium. Availability of cardiac specific TnT in assessing perioperatively myocardial damage was evaluated from 34 open heart surgery patients. They consisted of 11 ischemic heart, 13 acquired valvular heart and 10 congenital heart cases. Patients were divided into two groups, group A(patients with myocardial damage) and group B(patients without myocardial damage), according to the symptom of chest pain suspecting angina and the ECG findings of ST segment and T wave changes which show myocardial ischemia and injury. Serum TnT levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay method preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, postoperative day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 7. We observed and analyzed the changes of serum TnT levels in two groups and compared the serum TnT levels with CK-MB levels measured at the same time. In group A, serum TnT levels showed 1.37$\pm$0.26$\mu$g/L, 3.16$\pm$0.66$\mu$g/L, 2.39$\pm$0.74$\mu$g/L, 2.49$\pm$0.76$\mu$g/L, and 1.23$\pm$0.60$\mu$g/L, immediate postoperatively, postoperatively day1, day2, day3, and day7, respectively. It was observed there were significant differences compared with those of group B(0.38$\pm$0.04$\mu$g/L, 0.34$\pm$0.05$\mu$g/L, 0.25$\pm$0.03$\mu$g/L, 0.24$\pm$0.04$\mu$g/L, and 0.11$\pm$0.03$\mu$g/L) during identical periods(P<0.01). Serum CK-MB level in group A significantly elevated to 145.04$\pm$35.08 IU/L on the postoperative day 1 compared to group B(31.28$\pm$5.87 IU/L, P<0.05), However, it stiffly decreased from day 2 and returned to preoperative level at day 3. When serum TnT level more than 1.0$\mu$g/L is thought to reflect myocardial damage, serum TnT had 100% of sensitivity and 87% of specificity in diagnosing the postoperative myocardial damage(p<0.01). I conclusion, serum TnT levels increased significantly at very early stage of myocardial damage and persisted much longer period than CK-MB. This suggests that serum TnT has more advantage and availability in assessing the perioperatively myocardial damage than any other tests.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3261-3265
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• 2014

Background: To evaluate serum VEGF-A levels in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) patients and relationships with response to therapy. Materials and Methods: Serum VEGF-A levels in patients (n=72) treated with radiotherapy (RT) or radio-chemotherapy (RCT) and controls (n=40) were measured by ELISA. Results: Serum VEGF-A levels of the SCCHN cases were significantly higher (p=0.001) than in healthy controls, and in patients with positive as compared to negative lymph node status (p=0.004). Similarly, patients with advanced stage (Stage III-IV) disease had more greatly elevated levels of serum VEGF-A level than their early stage (Stage I-II) counterparts (p=0.001). In contrast, there was no significant difference (p=0.57) in serum level of VEGF-A in patients with advanced T-stage (T3-4) as compared to early stage (T1-2). Similarly, patients with distant metastasis had no significant (p=0.067) elevation in serum VEGF-A level as compared to non-metastatic disease. However, the non-responder patients had significantly higher serum VEGF-A level as compared to responders (p=0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the serum VEGF-A level may be a useful biomarker for the prediction of response to therapy in SCCHN.