• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.112-118
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• 2001

The effects of Malloti Cortex Water Extract (MCWE), bergenin (isolated as an active component from MCWE), and acetylbergenin (synthesized from acetylation of bergenin) on the liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. We studied hydroxypro1ine (HYP) as a marker of collagen accumulation in the liver, alanine aminotransferase (s-ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (s-AST), and alkaline phosphatase (s-ALP) as serum markers of liver cell damage induced by BDL, MCWE, bergenin, and acetylbergenin decreased towards normal the accumulated levels of HYP in the liver and the elevated serum levels of s-ALT, s-AST and 5-ALP. The results indicate that MCWE, bergenin, and acetylbergenin ameliorated the liver damage induced by BDL in rats.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6507-6512
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• 2015

Background: Vaspin and Retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4) are new adipokines mainly produced by adipose tissue. Considering that medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a malignant neuroendocrine tumor, and to date the relationship between serum levels of vaspin and RBP4 with MTC has not been studied, in this matched case-control study we evaluated their possible significance to this tumor type. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 patients with MTC (21 males and 24 females) and 45 healthy persons as a control group (24 males and 21 females) were selected. The two groups were matched for age, sex and body mass index. Serum Vaspin and RBP4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods in both groups. Also, weight and height were measured and body mass index was calculated too. Results: In total, patients with MTC had significantly higher serum vaspin levels compared to the controls (0.52ng/ml vs. 0.45ng/ml, P=0.0241). However, no significant difference was found in serum RBP4 concentrations between the patients with MTC and the controls ($15.2{\pm}2.55{\mu}g/ml$ versus $15.1{\pm}3.34{\mu}g/ml$, p>0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that serum RBP4 levels in MTC patients are not significantly different from those found in healthy individuals and did not correlate with MTC. On the other hand, higher levels of serum vaspin are associated with an increased risk of MTC. Thus Vaspin may be a novel and promising biomarker for diagnosis or confirmation of MTC in conjunction other specific tumor markers.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제69권6호
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• pp.450-455
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• 2010

Background: High cortisol levels are frequently observed in patients with severe infections are of prognostic value in sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum cortisol in assessment for the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: This study analyzed the results of 52 CAP subjects admitted in Changwon Fatima Hospital between July 2008 to May 2010. Total serum cortisol, infection markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and CURB (Confusion, Uremia, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure)-65 were examined retrospectively. Results: In clinically unstable subjects on admission day 4, baseline serum cortisol, CURB-65, and CRP were elevated significantly compared to those of stable subjects. Area under curve (AUC) of cortisol, CRP, and CURB-65 from ROC curves were 0.847, 0.783, and 0.724 respectively. In the subjects with serum cortisol ${\geq}22.82{\mu}g/dL$, CRP, PCT, CURB-65 score, and mortality were significantly elevated. Conclusion: These findings suggest that measurement of serum cortisol in early stage may provide helpful information in the assessment of CAP severity.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.77.1-77.10
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• 2021

Background: Serum-based parameters are considered non-invasive biomarkers for cancer detection. In human studies, insulin-like growth factor-I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are useful as diagnostic or prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets. Objectives: This study examined the diagnostic utility of circulating IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 levels in healthy dogs and dogs with tumors. Methods: The serum concentrations of these biomarkers in 86 dogs with tumors were compared with those in 30 healthy dogs using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The ELISA results showed no difference between healthy dogs and dogs with tumors in the serum IGF-II concentrations. On the other hand, there was a significant difference in the circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels between healthy dogs and dogs with tumors. The concentrations of serum IGF-I (median [interquartile range], 103.4 [59.5-175] ng/mL) in dogs with epithelial tumors were higher than those (58.4 ng/mL [43.5-79.9]) in healthy dogs. Thus, the concentrations of serum IGFBP-3 (43.4 ng/mL [33.2-57.2]) in dogs with malignant mesenchymal tumors were lower than those (60.8 ng/mL [47.6-70.5]) in healthy dogs. Conclusions: The serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels can be used as diagnostic biomarkers in dogs with tumors.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권9호
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• pp.1469-1474
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• 2019

Objective: Physical activity restriction in sows may lead to behavioral abnormalities and affective disorders. However, the psychophysiological state of these sows is still unclear. As miRNAs can be used as effective markers of psychopathy, the present study aimed to assess the difference in microRNA expression between the long-term activity restricted sows and activity free sows, thus contributing to the understanding of abnormal sow behavior. Methods: Four dry sows (sixth parity, Large${\times}$White genetic line) were selected from activity restricted crates (RC) or activity free pens (FP) separately. microRNAs in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) and serum were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the correlation between the miRNAs expressed in the vMPFC and serum was evaluated. Results: miR-134 (1.11 vs 0.84) and miR-1202 (1.09 vs 0.85) levels were higher in the vMPFC of the RC sows than in the FP sows (p<0.01). Furthermore, miR-132 (1.27 vs 1.08) and miR-335 (1.03 vs 0.84) levels were also higher in the RC sows than in FP sows (p<0.05); however, miR-135a, miR-135b, miR-16, and miR-124 levels were not different (p>0.05). The relative expression of serum miR-1202 was higher in the RC sows than in the FP sows (1.04 vs 0.54) (p<0.05), and there was a strong correlation (R = 0.757, p<0.05) between vMPFC and Serum levels of miR-1202. However, no significant difference was observed in miR-16 levels in the serum of the RC sows and FP sows (p>0.05). Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates that long-term activity restriction in sows likely results in autism or other complex psychopathies with depression-like behaviors. These observations may provide new insights for future studies on abnormal behavior in sows and contribute to research on human psychopathy.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.293-303
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• 2023

Patients with chronic renal failure, many of which treated with hemodialysis, present a high prevalence of impaired muscle strength which suggest that muscle mass parameters may be used as markers for changes in muscle in these patients. Measurement of handgrip strength (HGS) is a common, simple, and quick measure of muscle function an indicator of overall muscle strength which has been associated with physical activity and several anthropometric traits. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are biochemical markers associated with inflammatory processes which are a common consequence of dialysis. Additionally, hemodialysis patients frequently present signs of malnutrition and depression. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate if muscle and biochemical markers could be used to predict the risk of depression in hemodialysis patients. Several anthropometric parameters, nutrient intake, depression state and the serum levels of ICAM-1 and IGF-1 were determined and Pearson's correlation coefficient and/or Spearman's correlation coefficient were used to test the correlation between them. Our results do not show a correlation between HGF, IGF-1 and ICAM-1 with the depression status of the patients, but mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) was statistically and positively correlated with depression. Additionally, ICAM-1 levels were negatively correlated with HGS, MAMC, and IGF-1. Overall, the results of the present study suggest that HGS may be used as an indicator of cardiovascular diseases and MAMC may be a good predictor of the level of depression in hemodialysis patients, although further studies are required.

• 환경생물
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.519-523
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• 2004

This study sought to investigate the ameliorating effects of a Korean medicinal herb (KMH) complex on the impacts of alcohol consumption in rat hepatocytes and in reducing the total cholesterol levels and the total lipid levels in the serum. We compared the body weight gain and ratio of the liver, the kidney to body weight, and also the serum biochemistry of the rats administered with both the alcohol and the KMH complex to the control rats treated with alcohol alone. The clinically important enzyme markers (Aspartate Aminotransferase, AST, and Alanine Aminotransferase, ALT) of rats, administered with both the alcohol and the KMH complex treatments, were compared with those in the control group. The treatment regimen (KMH complex) significantly reduced the serum AST and ALT levels, indicating the hepato-protective effects of the KMH complex. Furthermore, total cholesterol and total lipid levels were significantly reduced. These results indicate that the KMH complex may positively mediate the effects of alcohol on hepatocytes and the general liver functions.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.203-207
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• 2010

This study investigated the effects of Oligonol intake on cortisol, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 concentrations in the serum at rest and after physical exercise loading. Nineteen healthy sedentary male volunteers participated in this study. The physical characteristics of the subjects were: a mean height of $174.2{\pm}2.7$ cm, a mean weight of $74.8{\pm}3.6$ kg and a mean age of $22.8{\pm}1.3$ years. Each subject received 0.5 L water with Oligonol (100 mg/day) (n = 10) or a placebo (n = 9) daily for four weeks. The body composition, the white blood cell (WBC) and differential counts as well as the serum cortisol, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 concentrations were measured before and after Oligonol intake. The cortisol concentration and serum levels of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 after Oligonol intake were significantly decreased compared to before treatment (P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the rate of increase of these factors after exercise was decreased compared to the placebo group. There was no change in the WBC and differential cell counts. These results suggest that oral Oligonol intake for four weeks had a significant effect on inhibition of inflammatory markers in healthy young men.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제45권10호
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• pp.1227-1233
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• 2002

목 적: Mycoplasma pneumoniae 감염과 천식은 급성기에 호산구 지표의 증가가 관찰되며 두 질병간에 공통적인 병리기전이 작용하는 것으로 생각되고 있다. 호산구 지표는 천식의 질병경과를 반영하는 것으로 알려지고 있다. 이에 저자들은 Mycoplasma pneumoniae 폐렴의 임상경과에 따른 호산구 지표의 변화를 분석하는 연구를 시행하였다. 방 법 : 2000년 10월부터 2001년 8월까지 외래에서 진단된 Mycoplasma pneumoniae 폐렴 환자군 33명을 대상으로 급성기 및 회복기 말초혈액 TEC, 혈청 ECP를 측정하여 비교하였으며 이들을 다시 천명음양성군과 음성군으로 나누어 비교하였다. 또한, 급성기 Mycoplasma 항체가와 말초혈액 TEC, 급성기 Mycoplasma 항체가와 혈청 ECP 간의 상관관계를 분석하였다. 결 과 : 전체 33명의 환자군에서는 급성기 말초혈액 TEC, 혈청 ECP가 회복기 때보다 유의하게 높았으며(P=0.018, P=0.005) 천명음 양성군과 음성군간의 유의한 차이는 없었다. 천명음 양성군 내에서는 급성기 말초혈액 TEC, 혈청 ECP가 회복기에도 유의한 감소를 보이지 않았으나 천명음 음성군 내에서는 유의한 차이가 있었다(P=0.006, P=0.018). 급성기에 Mycoplasma 항체가와 말초혈액 TEC, Mycoplasma 항체가와 혈청 ECP 사이에는 각각 유의한 상관관계가 없었다. 결 론: Mycoplasma pneumoniae 폐렴에서 호산구 지표인 말초혈액 TEC와 혈청 ECP는 급성기에 증가하고 회복기에 감소하여 Mycoplasma pneumoniae 폐렴의 임상경과를 반영하며, 급성기에 천명음이 청진된 환아는 청진되지 않은 환아에 비해 회복기에 도 호산구성 염증이 지속되는 것으로 추정된다.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.522-535
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• 2024

Objective: Transition period is considered from 3 weeks prepartum to 3 weeks postpartum, characterized with dramatic events (endocrine, metabolic, and physiological) leading to occurrence of production diseases (negative energy balance/ketosis, milk fever etc). The objectives of our study were to analyze the periodic concentration of serum beta-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA), glucose and oxidative markers along with identification, and validation of the putative markers of negative energy balance in buffaloes using in-silico and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Methods: Out of 20 potential markers of ketosis identified by in-silico analysis, two were selected and analyzed by qRT-PCR technique (upregulated; acetyl serotonin o-methyl transferase like and down regulated; guanylate cyclase activator 1B). Additional two sets of genes (carnitine palmotyl transferase A; upregulated and Insulin growth factor; downregulated) that have a role of hepatic fatty acid oxidation to maintain energy demands via gluconeogenesis were also validated. Extracted cDNA (complementary deoxyribonucleic acid) from the blood of the buffaloes were used for validation of selected genes via qRTPCR. Concentrations of BHBA, glucose and oxidative stress markers were identified with their respective optimized protocols. Results: The analysis of qRT-PCR gave similar trends as shown by in-silico analysis throughout the transition period. Significant changes (p<0.05) in the levels of BHBA, glucose and oxidative stress markers throughout this period were observed. This study provides validation from in-silico and qRT-PCR assays for potential markers to be used for earliest diagnosis of negative energy balance in buffaloes. Conclusion: Apart from conventional diagnostic methods, this study improves the understanding of putative biomarkers at the molecular level which helps to unfold their role in normal immune function, fat synthesis/metabolism and oxidative stress pathways. Therefore, provides an opportunity to discover more accurate and sensitive diagnostic aids.