• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.998-1007
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) extract on the inflammation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and blood lipid improvement in hypercholesterolemic mice fed a high cholesterol diet. The lettuce extract (100% ethanol extract) inhibited the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in HUVEC treated with tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$). The lettuce extract suppressed the adhesion of THP-1 to TNF-${\alpha}$-treated HUVEC. The lettuce extract decreased the TNF-${\alpha}$-stimulated production of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein 1. In hypercholesterolemic mice, the lettuce extract reduced serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level, while the lettuce extract elevated high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level, resulting in the decrease of atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor level. These results suggested that lettuce extract can be an useful resource to show an anti-inflammatory effect and improve lipid metabolism.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2006

Vitellogenin(Vg) is a sex specific serum protein present in sexually maturing female blood of oviparous vertebrates. Estrogen($E_2$) is a main inducer of hepatic Vg synthesis. We investigated the effects of androgen and growth hormone(GH) on regulation of Vg and estrogen receptor(ER) genes in Japanese eel. Immature eels($200{\sim}250\;g$) were given a single injection of $E_2(5{\sim}5,000\;{\mu}g/kg\;bw)$ alone, or in combination with eel recombinant GH(eGH, $1{\sim}10\;{\mu}g/kg$) or methyltestosterone(MT, $1{\sim}5\;mg/kg$) and sacrificed 10 days after the hormone treatments. Expression levels of ER and Vg genes from the liver were determined by means of reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Administration of $E_2$ stimulated Vg gene expression in a dose dependent manner. Levels of Vg mRNA after the injection of $E_2(500\;{\mu}g/kg)$ with MT(5mg/kg) or eGH($10\;{\mu}g/kg$) were much higher than in that of $E_2$ alone($500\;{\mu}g/kg$). Whereas, injection of either vehicle, eGH ($10\;{\mu}g/kg$) or MT(5mg/kg) alone did not induce the expression of Vg gene in the liver. ER mRNA was detected from the fish treated with vehicle alone. $E_2$ injection($5{\sim}500\;{\mu}g/kg\;bw$) increased this ER expression but dose dependent response was not clear. Addition of MT(5mg/kg) or eGH($10\;{\mu}g/kg$) did not affect $E_2-stimulated$ ER mRNA expression. This study confirms the necessity of $E_2$ as the primary factor for Vg gene expression and requirement of additional hormones such as MT or GH for the full expression of Vg mRNA, and suggests that the additive effect of MT or GH on Vg gene expression would be mediated by some unknown factors other than ER.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.251-258
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• 1997

Tachyzoite antigens of Toxoplosnc gondii (RH) were partially purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. The cultivated ToxopLusmc in uiuo (mouse) and in nitro (Hep-2 cell) and peritoneal fluid of T. Bondii infected mice were collected for antigen analy- sis. Tachyzoite antigens collected from infected mouse showed positive bands of 76 kDa, 70 kDa,64 kDa, 53 kDa, 46 kDa, 44 kDa, 41 kDa, 35 kDa, 25 kDa, 18 kDa, and 13 kDa on immunoblot with anti-Toxoplcsmn rabbit sera, and those from infected Hep-2 cells revealed reactive bands of 70 kDa,64 kDa,53 kDa,35 kDa,28 kDa, and 13-10 kDa. After applying to an IgG-Sepharose column, two elusion peaks, E-1 and I-2 fractions, were obtained from both soluble antigen of T. gondii and the peritoneal fluid of infected mice, respectively. Immunoblots of soluble antigen with immunized rabbit sera revealed positive bands of 97 kDa, 63 kDa, 53 kDa and 35 kDa from I-1 fraction and 53 kDa and 35 kDa from I-2. In the case of the eluted peaks from mice peritoneal fluid, E-1 showed protein bands of 84 kDa,76 kDa,53 kDa and 29 kDa bands and 53 kDa and 45 kDa from I-2 on immunoblots. Serum IgG antibody titer of mice immunized with T gonnii tachyzoites was increased on 1 week after booster immunization when analysed by ELISA using crude antigen, while it was elevated on 3 weeks after booster immunization by ELISA using puri- fied antigen.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2011

Purpose: We previously reported that concurrent reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in children with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is common and EBV reactivation with HAV infection adversely affects the clinical features of hepatitis. However, the incidence of concurrent reactivation was not accurate because the detection of EBV reactivation was based on serologic methods. Therefore, we studied the effects of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-proven EBV reactivation, thus a more precise concurrence, on acute HAV infection in children. Methods: PCR were conducted in 34 patients, who had enrolled previous study and diagnosed with acute HAV infection between January 2008 and June 2010. Their medical records were reviewed. Results: Among 34 patients with acute HAV infection, 12 patients (35.3%) had EBV reactivation which was proven using serologic and molecular biologic techniques. There were significant differences in the peak levels of AST and ALT between the reactivated and non-reactivated groups (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The duration of full recovery from hepatitis was more prolonged in the reactivated group (p<0.001). Clinical parameters, such as serum protein (p<0.001) and albumin concentrations (p<0.001), atypical lymphocyte count (p=0.001), prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR, p<0.001), and splenomegaly (p<0.001), showed significant differences. The clinical features in the reactivated sub-group >10 years of age revealed more liver dysfunction compared to the non-reactivated sub-group. A comparison with a previous study was performed. Conclusion: PCR-proven reactivation of latent EBV in children with HAV infection is common and EBV reactivation with HAV infection adversely affects the clinical features of hepatitis, especially in older children.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose was to assess the result of arthroscopic management of the septic arthritis on the knee in compromised patients. Materials and Methods : Fourteen patients with septic knee were analyzed. The mean age was 55 years and the mean follow-up period was 14.6 months. Underlying diseases included 4 cases of diabetes, and history of direct acupuncture in 4 cases. Clinical stage of septic arthritis was judged by $G\ddot{a}chter's$ classification, which was determined by arthroscopic findings. After arthroscopic irrigation and debridement, we observed the results of laboratory data and improvement of clinical findings. Results : Causative organism was identified in 7 cases and no organism was detected in the remaining 7 cases. Stage I was 1, stage II 8, stage III 4, and stage IV 1, respectively. Eleven of 14 cases were improved by one stage operation. Two cases of stage III were recurred and additional arthroscopic management was done. In 1 case of stage IV, symptom was not improved and needed arthrotomy. The result was unsatisfactory in patients with stage III and IV. Serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were normalized after 29.3 and 20.8 days following the operation, respectively. Clinical symptoms disappeared average 2 days following the operation. Conclusion : Arthroscopic management of acute septic arthritis of the knee would be an effective and satisfactory treatment modality in that its postoperative pain and complications are minimal, and it can be done with ease repeatedly.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.364-369
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• 2009

Purpose : Clinical and laboratory findings predict a severe outcome for mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. This study aimed to define the clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease (KD) patients with hyponatremia and to determine the factors associated with its development. Methods : Retrospective studies were performed on 114 KD patients who received an initial high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG, single 2 g/kg/dose) within 10 days of fever onset from January 2006 to February 2008. These patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 30 (26.3%) patients with hyponatremia, and group 2 consisted of 84 (73.6%) patients without hyponatremia. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and echocardiographic findings were compared between the groups. Results : Group 1 patients were more likely to have a coronary artery lesion (53.3% versus 20.2%, P=0.005) and suffered from diarrhea (41.3% versus 14.1%, P=0.007). There was a higher incidence of cardiovascular involvement in group 1 patients, including coronary dilatation (46.6%), valvular regurgitation (13.3%), pericardial effusion (6.7%) and medium-sized aneurysm (6.7%). There were no coronary aneurysms in group 2 patients. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher in patients with hyponatremia ($12.2{\pm}7.79$ mg/dL versus $7.3{\pm}4.7$ mg/dL, P=0.003) and IVIG-resistant patients were more common in group 1 (13.3% versus 3.6%). Conclusion : These results indicate that hyponatremia in KD occurs in patients exhibiting severe inflammation and was significantly associated with the development of coronary disease. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the pathogenic mechanisms of hyponatremia in KD patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.790-795
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• 2012

In this study, the general components and minerals of fermented Curcuma longa L. (FC) by Aspergillus oryzae were examined as well as the hepatoprotective effects of FC on acute hepatotoxicity induced by a single dose of galactosamine (GalN, 650 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)). The FC was found to consist of 0.15% moisture, 4.68% crude fat, 4.35% crude protein, 6.92% crude fiber, and 6.83% crude ash. The P, Ca, and Mg levels in FC were also quantitatively analyzed. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups; nontreated control, GalN, 150 mg/kg b.w. of silymarin plus GalN, 30 mg/kg b.w. of FC plus GalN, 100 mg/kg b.w. of FC plus GalN, and 300 mg/kg b.w. of FC plus GalN. Pretreatment 300 mg/kg b.w. of FC during 14 days significantly decreased the increased in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine amino transferase, and triglyceride (TG) induced by GalN. Severe liver damage, hepatocellular necrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and councilman body necrosis on histopathological liver tissues were observed in GalN treated rats. Administration of 300 mg/kg b.w. of FC significantly decreased the degree of live damage. These results suggest that FC displays hepatoprotective activity and FC was able to lower the TG levels in serum; thus, FC may serve as a useful material for health food and clinical conditions associated with liver disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1373-1380
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• 2002

Purpose : Acute measles encephalitis(ME) is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever and obtundation, frequently accompanied by seizures and multifocal neurological signs. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical manifestation, progression and the brain SPECT patterns in patients with acute ME. Methods : This study included 11 children with acute ME admitted to Chonbuk National University Hospital. Ten patients received a first dose of measles vaccine, one patient did not receive a first dose, and no patients received a second dose. ME was diagnosed based on characteristic clinical pictures, measles antibodies by ELISA and abnormal CSF findings. Brain MRI and brain SPECT were performed in 11 patients with acute ME. Results : There were four males and seven females whose ages at onset ranged between 18 months and 14 years(mean : 10.5 years). The main clinical neurologic pictures were loss of consciousness( 10) and seizure(five). The titer of IgG and IgM antimeasles antibodies in serum were positive in 10 patients. In CSF, nine patients had IgG antibodies and one patient had IgM antibodies. The concentration of protein(mean : $124{\pm}60mg/dL$) and WBC counts(mean : $158{\pm}157/{\mu}L$) in CSF were elevated in all patients. In electroencephalographic examination, nine patients showed increased slow waves. Seven of 11 patients(63.6%) revealed high signal intensity on the brain MRI. In contrast, all patients showed hypoperfusion in brain SPECT examination. According to brain SPECT, the perfusion deficits were frequently observed in the frontal lobe(nine), temporal (nine), parietal(eight) and thalamus(eight). Conclusion : Brain SPECT is more sensitive than MRI for the evaluation of brain damage in early stages of acute ME.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.592-597
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• 2010

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a rare immunodeficiency disease which is characterized by high serum IgE levels, eczema, and recurrent infections. Herein we present the case of a patient with HIES associated with STAT3 gene ($stat3$) mutation. A 16 year-old girl was admitted to our hospital due to hemoptysis caused by pneumonia with bronchiectasis. She had a history of recurrent skin and respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia caused by MRSA (methicillin-resistant $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$) and $Pseudomonas$ $aeruginosa$. On physical examination, a broad round shaped nose, oral thrush, and chronic eczematous skin rash over her whole body were found. Laboratory data showed an elevated eosinophil count ($750/{\mu}L$) and total IgE level (5,001 U/mL). The patient's National Institutes of Health (NIH) score for HIES was 44. Direct sequencing of the STAT3 gene revealed that the patient was heterozygous for a missense mutation in the DNA binding domain of the STAT3 protein (c.1144C>T, p. Arg382Trp). HIES should be suspected in patients with recurrent infections and can be confirmed by clinical scoring and genetic analysis.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.375-382
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• 2010

Twelve pigs were used to investigate the effects of polyclonal antibody candidate against abdominal (AAb) and subcutaneous adipocyte membrane proteins (SAb) on body weight, fecaldigestibility and blood metabolites. When AAb and SAb developed by Choi et al. (2010) were injected to pigs, the numerical increase in BW (body weight) occurred at 4 weeks post-treatment, but BW for an entire period was also increased, indicating that the BW increase may not be affected by the antibodies injection. Antibodies treatment did not affect (P>0.05) fecal digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and crude fiber. Fecal digestibility of crude ash for control (no treatment) at 2 weeks decreased, and that for non-immunized serum treatmentgroup at 4 weeks post-treatment increased, respectively (P<0.05). However, fecal digestibility of crude ash for AAb and SAb groups did not significantly change. At 4 weeks after the antibodies treatment, blood urea N concentration for AAb and SAb groups was significantly increased (P<0.05). However, these increases may not be caused by the antibodies treatment because similar pattern in blood urea N concentration occurred before the antibodies treatment. Antibodies treatment did not affect concentration of plasma glucose and triglycerides (P<0.05). Compared with control, concentration of plasma total cholesterol for AAb and SAb groups at 4 weeks post-treatment was significantly (P<0.05) decreased. This may suggest that body fat reduction possibly occurs. In conclusion, the AAb and the SAb developed by Choi et al. (2010) may have safety in nutritional physiological metabolism in pigs. Further study on in vivo fat reduction of the antibodies against abdominal and subcutaneous adipocytes of pigs should be required for fat-reduced pork production.