• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2011

This study was carried out to examine properties of water resistant plywood by using serum protein adhesive which is natural, environment-friendly and human-friendly. For the preparation of the serum protein adhesive, pig blood from slaughterhouse was centrifuged and serum was separated from corpuscles and concentrated to 30% by dry weight basis. This concentrated serum protein was modified with PF resin (50% NVC) with the ratio of 9 : 2.5. Plywood made by this modified serum protein gave 1.21 N/$mm^2$ of dry bonding strength, 0.80 N/$mm^2$ of wet boil bonding strength, 0% of cyclic delamination test value, and 0.025 ppm of HCHO emission, which met the excellent super $E_0$ grade and water resistant plywood.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.119-123
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• 2016

Thyroid cancer, the most common endocrine neoplasia, consists of four main types of carcinomas: papillary, follicular, and anaplastic, all with thyroid follicular origin, and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) related to para-follicular cells. Cronic diseases such as diverse cancers may be associated with cachexia, especially at advanced stage. Cancer-induced cachexia is associated with diminished quality of life, functional performance, reduced response to antitumor therapy, and increased morbidity and mortality. Myostatin (Mst) is one of the outstanding molecules in the skeletal muscle loss process in cancer and it may be released by both skeletal muscle and cachexia-inducing tumors. Recently changes in serum levels of Mst have been identified as an important factor of cancer-induced cachexia. The goal of this study was to assessserum Mst levels in MTC patients. In this descriptive and case-control study, 90 participants were selected, comprising 45 MTC patients (20 males, $29{\pm}13.9years$, 25 females, $29{\pm}14.5years$) and 45 control individuals (25 males, $23.1{\pm}11.6years$, 20 females, $31.5{\pm}14.4years$). Serum Mst was determined using an ELISA kit and body mass index (BMI) was calculated by weight and height measurements. The Kolmogorov Simonov test showed a normal distribution for log transformed Mst serum levels in both case and control groups. Geometric means were 5.9 and 8.2 ng/ml respectively, and a significant difference was found according to the independent t-test results (P<0.01). There was also a significant difference mean of Mst between females in control and MTC groups, but not for the males. Pearson correlation test showed no correlation between age and BMI with Mst serum levels. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that Mst serum levels may have a potential ability for early diagnosis of cachexia in MTC patients, especially in females.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.32.1-32.10
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• 2023

Background: The association between vitamin D and canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) has not been investigated in dogs. Objectives: To investigate the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations with Schirmer tear test 1 (STT-1) and tear film breakup time (TFBUT) in dogs. Methods: Sixty-one clinically healthy, client-owned dogs were enrolled. STT-1 and TFBUT were measured in 122 (61dogs) and 82 (41 dogs out of total 61 dogs) eyes, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were evaluated by quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay. The dogs were classified into 6 groups according to the evaluations (STT-1: group 1, normal [≥ 15 mm/min] in both eyes; group 2, normal in one eye and abnormal [< 15 mm/min] in the fellow eye; group 3, abnormal in both eyes; TFBUT: group 4, normal [≥ 20 sec] in both eyes; group 5, normal in one eye and abnormal [< 20 sec] in the fellow eye; group 6, abnormal in both eyes). Results: STT-1 was positively correlated with TFBUT (p < 0.001). Among the STT-1 groups, the mean serum 25(OH)D concentration in group 1 was significantly higher than in groups 2 and 3 with positive correlation (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences among the TFBUT groups 4, 5, and 6. Conclusions: In dogs, it was found that serum 25(OH)D concentrations had a greater effect on quantitative KCS than qualitative KCS. Therefore, it is considered that measurement of serum 25(OH)D concentration could be included in the diagnostic tests in canine quantitative KCS patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2015

Purpose: Predicting life expectancy of terminally ill cancer patients is very important. In many studies, ferritin is detected at higher levels in the sera of cancer patients, and higher ferritin level correlates with aggressiveness of disease and poor outcomes of patients. This study evaluated a prognostic role of serum ferritin levels in terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: This study enrolled 65 terminally ill cancer patients from March through June 2012. We assessed routine laboratory findings including serum ferritin levels as well as demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. To examine the association between serum ferritin levels and patient's characteristics, we used Spearman's correlation analysis, Wilcoxon's rank sum test or Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriately. For multivariate analysis, Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate significance of serum ferritin levels as a prognostic factor. Results: A negative correlation between serum ferritin levels and survival time was found. After adjusting for sex, age, performance status, creatinine levels and white blood cell counts, serum ferritin levels were significantly associated with survival time. Conclusion: Even at the very end of life of terminal cancer patients, serum ferritin levels were an independent prognostic factor for survival.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 1981

A direct complement fixation test supplemented with procomplementary porcine serum was studied using anticomplementary human, rabbit and bovine serum against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Procomplementary activity of porcine serum varied with porcine individual and affected by anticomplementary antiserum. The procomplementary titre of porcine serum against rabbit, human and bovine serum ranged from 1:5 to 1:40. By means of complement fixation test supplemented by porcine serum, the specific complement-fixing antibody to both tuberculopolysaccharide and/or tuberculoprotein antigen was readily differentiated from the anticomplementary antibody titre.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.200-208
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• 2021

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an increasingly recognized form of diffuse parenchymal lung disease. Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is now classified as a human MUC1 mucin protein, and regenerating type II pneumocytes are the primary cellular source of KL-6/MUC1 in the affected lungs of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Serum KL-6/MUC1 levels have been demonstrated to be useful for the evaluation of various ILD. To determine the role of circulating KL-6 in evaluating the disease activity and management of HP. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 51 patients with HP and 20 healthy controls. Serum KL-6 levels were measured in both groups. Patients were further assessed based on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function test, 6-minute walk test, echocardiography, bronchioalveolar lavage, and/or transbronchial biopsy. Patients were divided into the fibrotic and non-fibrotic groups according to the HRCT findings. Results: The median serum KL-6 levels were significantly higher in HP patients as compared to the control group. The median serum KL-6 levels were found to be higher in the non-fibrotic HP group (1,900 IU/mL) as compared to the fibrotic group (1,200 IU/mL). There was a significant inverse correlation between serum KL-6 serum level and the dose of steroids as well as the duration of steroid therapy. Conclusion: The presence of higher KL-6 levels in the non-fibrotic HP group implies its enhanced production by regenerating pneumocytes in response to alveolar injury. The significant association between serum KL-6 levels and the dose and the duration of steroid therapy emphasizes the significant role of steroids in the stabilization of the disease.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.123-133
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• 2003

Objectives: To examine the association between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT) activity level and blood pressure, serum lipids in the male residents of rural area, we analyzed cross-sectionally the data of 379 male health examinees aged 40 years and older from rural areas in Gyeongsangnam-do prefecture in Korea. Methods: Blood pressure and concentration of serum lipids were compared between high and low level of serum GGT activity by t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. Possible confounding effects of age, body mass index and coffee drinking were adjusted by analysis of covariance. Results: Adjusted values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in the group of high level of serum GGT activity in non-drinkers(P=0.055 and P=0.074 respectively) and drinkers(P=0.284 and P=0.398) of alcohol. Adjusted serum total cholesterol level was also higher in the group of high level of serum GGT activity in non-drinkers(P=0.052) but not in drinkers(P=0.981) of alcohol. In serum triglyceride, adjusted level was significantly higher in the group of high level of serum GGT activity in both non-drinkers(P=0.035) and drinkers(P=0.002) of alcohol. Conclusions: These results suggest the association of serum GGT activity and serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, or blood pressure in non-drinkres of alcohol.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 1999

This study was conducted to figure out the differences of the BMI, blood lipids, blood pressure and nutrient intakes by serum insulin concentration among adults in Korea. Ninety-three subjects(male : n=37, female : n=56) participated in this study. The subjects were grouped by serum insulin concentrations into two groups-hyperinsulinemia group(n=17) and normoinsulinemia group(n=76). Anthropometric measurements, blood lipid profiles, blood pressure, oral glucose tolerance test, and daily nutrient intakes were analyzed. And serum glucose and insulin secretion pattern as shown through and oral glucose tolerance test were performed. BMI (p<0.05) and WHR(p<0.01) were significantly higher in hyperinsulinemic group than in normoinsulinemia group. There was no differences in fasting blood glucose level between groups, but total glucose area (p<0.001) and insulin glucose resistance(p<0.001) were significantly higher in hyperinsulinemia group than in normoinsulinemia higher in hyperinsulinemia group, but HDL-cholesterol(p<0.05), and systolic blood pressure(p<0.05) were significantly higher in hyperinsulinemia group, but HDL-cholesterol(p<0.001) was significantly lower in hyperinsulinemia group. They showed significant differences in energy, carbohydrate, potassium, riboflavin, niacin and dietary fiber intakes(p<0.05), the intake of those nutrients were low in normoinsulinemia group. Further investigation is necessary to determine the effects of amounts and types of carbohydrate and dietary fiber on serum insulin concentrations.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Serum ferritin levels are significantly increased after menopause and greatly affect women's health. The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary and non-dietary factors associated with high ferritin levels in postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Among adult women in 2010-2012, qualified postmenopausal women (n = 3880) were separated into quartiles of serum ferritin. The variable differences among the quartiles of ferritin were determined using either procsurvey chi-square test (${\chi}^2$-test) among categorical variables, or GLM (Generalized Linear Model) among continuous variables. The odds ratio for high ferritin in relation to dietary factors was also determined using procsurvery logistic analysis. RESULTS: Age, obesity, drinking habit, and blood glucose levels were found to be significant indicators of high serum ferritin level after adjusting for all confounding factors. Among the food groups, grain, milk, vegetable, and seaweed intakes were significantly associated with high ferritin levels, but after adjusting for all confounding factors, only grains and vegetables remained significant factors. Among the nutrient groups, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C intake were significant factors, but after adjustment, none of the nutrient groups analyzed were associated with a high risk of ferritin. CONCLUSION: Age, obesity, drinking habit, and glucose levels, as well as inadequate intakes of grains and vegetables, were found to be significantly associated with high serum ferritin levels in postmenopausal Korean women.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.235-242
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• 2022

Purpose: To investigate associations of perceived stress level, serum cortisol level, and telomere length of community-dwelling adults in Korea. Methods: Data of a total of 135 community-dwelling adults aged over 40 years living in D metropolitan city from December 2020 to March 2021 were collected. Perceived stress level over the past month were measured using the Perceived Stress Score. Serum cortisol level was analyzed using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Telomere length was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The statistical package SPSS 23.0 was used to perform Chi-square test, independent t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. Results: There was no association between perceived stress and serum cortisol level (r = .07, p= .402). Serum cortisol level was not significantly associated with telomere length either (r = -.15, p= .081). However, the higher the perceived stress level, the shorter the telomere length (r= -.29, p= .001). Conclusion: These results suggest that perceived stress might induce physiological stress, which might partially affect gene biology. Further longitudinal research is needed to investigate the effect of perceived stress on telomere length. Intervention for relieving stress should be included in stabilizing the genetic environment of adults.