• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2008

Purpose : Leptin and adiponectin are two representative adipocytokines. Leptin increases, but adiponectin decreases, with obesity and insulin resistance. We aimed to study the relationship between the leptin/adiponectin ratio and insulin resistance in healthy children. Methods : Seventy-seven healthy children (36 boys and 41 girls) were enrolled in this study. Anthropometric measurements were performed, and the percentage of weight for height (%WFH) was calculated in each subject. Fasting plasma levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, testosterone, estradiol, and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. The free androgen index (FAI) was used as a representative of testosterone bioactivity. The homeostasis model assessment was used to estimate the degree of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results : In the boys, HOMA-IR was significantly correlated with age, pubertal stage, free androgen index (FAI), leptin, and the leptin/adiponectin ratio. HOMA-IR was also significantly related to age, percentage of weight for height (%WFH), pubertal stage, estradiol, leptin, and the leptin/adiponectin ratio in girls. The leptin/adiponectin ratio was independently related to HOMA-IR after adjusting for age, %WFH, and FAI in the boys (P<0.05). The leptin/adiponectin ratio was not independently related to HOMA-IR after adjusting for age, %WFH, and estradiol in girls. Conclusion : In non-obese healthy children, the leptin/adiponectin ratio was significantly correlated with insulin resistance. The leptin/adiponectin ratio was independently related to insulin resistance even after adjusting for age, degree of obesity, and androgen levels in healthy boys.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.46-61
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• 1998

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of vitamin D nutritional status on bone mineral density of adults (21-49 years). To attain the aim, we measured bone mineral density (BMD) of the subjects at distal radius by single-photon absorptiometry (SPA). Serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25-(OH)D) , known to be the best indicator of indicator of vitamin D status in humans was analyzed . The factors affecting this vitamin D level were also investigated in autumn in 122 young adults. Serum level of 25-(OH)D was measured by high pressure liquid chromatography(HPLC) and biochemical variables, general health status, time spent outdoors, and dietary intakes of the subjects. BMD of the male subjects was significantly greater than that of female subjects. Weight, activity and total energy expediture (TEE) showed a positive correlation with distal BMD. The mean level of serum 25-(OH)D was 24.4$\pm$11.0 ng./ml and by sex, 26.0$\pm$6.8ng/ml for males and 23.3$\pm$12.3ng/ml for females , the level was significantly higher in male (p<0.01). there was significant correlation between BMD at distal-radius and s-25(OH)D levels (p<0.001). The serum level fo parathyroid hormone (PTH) showed a negative correlation with BMD(p<0.05), with the more obvious correlation in females. Vitamin D intake was estimated to be 3.75$\pm$2.19ug/day in average. Among the nutrients studied, protein ,fat, calcium , and vitamin D intake were positively correlated with distal BMD. When food frequencies were concerned , milk and dairy products showed a significant positive correlation with the BMD level, and driedfoods, eggs , fats and oils, and cereals also showed a positive correlation. Time spent outdoors was estimated to be about 70 minutes in average and positively correlated with the distal BMD level(p<0.01). During the day, the specific time between 12 :00pm and 2:00pm showed the most significant correlation with BMD (p<0.001). Multiple regression analysis with the variables showed that distal BMD could be fit 31.9% by the time spent outdoors a day, intake of Ca and vitamin D, and TEE. The standardized estimates were 0.344 for vitamin D intake, 0.284 for Ca intake 0.179 for the time spent outdoors a day and 0.273 for TEE. For males, s-25*OH)D level, TEE and time spent outdoors during a day showed a significant correlation. For females, intake of Ca and vitamin D could fit about 27.1% of the distal BMD.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1145-1154
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• 2012

Recent research has been mostly focused on the differences of prenatal sex hormone could affect the ratio of the lengths of the second to fourth digits (2D:4D) as well as the rate of several physiological characteristics. It has been suggested that digit ratios are thought to be associated with either higher prenatal testosterone levels or greater sensitivity to androgens, or both. However, a study of person with disabilities are rare in Korea. The purpose of this study was to compare patterns of the ratio (2D:4D) of the lengths of the second and fourth digits in persons with disabilities and students without disabilities. Also, we empirically analyze the characteristics of persons with disabilities. We found that finger length ratio (2D:4D) of men with disabilities and student without disabilities were lower than women with disabilities and student without disabilities. Therefore, it could be confirmed that finger length ratio (2D:4D) is sexually dimorphic trait. There were no correlations between finger length ratio (2D:4D) and age group in persons with disabilities. Therefore, as with person without disabilities, the 2D:4D ratio was negatively associated with a growth process of persons with disabilities. Finally, There was no difference correlations between finger length ratio (2D:4D) and level of disability in persons with intellectual disabilities. From this, one possible explanation for this is that if finger length ratio (2D:4D) is related to person with disability then current classification of the level of disability deserves further investigation.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.253-261
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• 2012

We investigated the reproductive capacity of starry flounder Platichthys stellatus from the Uljin (UJ) marine ranching area and compared it to that of P. stellatus from the coastal waters of Pohang (PH). In UJ, female gonadosomatic index (GSI) peaked in October ($3.14{\pm}0.87$) and male GSI was high in October and December. In PH, female GSI peaked in January ($18.64{\pm}2.15$) while male GSI began to increase in October and remained high until March. Most ovaries of UJ females were immature with perinucleus oocytes, although the testes of UJ males were ripe in January. Both the ovaries and testes of PH starry flounders were ripe from January to March. The plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) levels of UJ females were highest in October ($4.09{\pm}1.90$ ng/mL) although the testosterone (T) levels of UJ males were highest in December ($3.81{\pm}0.78$ ng/mL) and decreased gradually until April. The $17{\alpha}$,$20{\beta}$-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one ($17{\alpha}20{\beta}P$) levels of UJ females were not detected. The E2 levels of PH females were highest in December ($36.25{\pm}33.07$ ng/mL) and $17{\alpha}20{\beta}P$ levels were highest in March ($5.51{\pm}0.95$5 ng/mL). The T levels of PH males were highest in December ($4.03{\pm}1.34$ ng/mL) and decreased gradually until October. Taken together, these results suggest that most females from UJ did not reach maturation with a spawning period that was considered to be between December and January.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.293-298
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• 2009

Several studies have reported that nonylphenol (NP) and 2,2', 4,6,6'-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB104) exhibit estrogenic activity. To investigate the estrogenic potency of NP and PCB104 during oocyte maturation, fully vitellogenic oocytes (0.76 mm diameter in average) of yellow fin goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus, were exposed in vitro to these chemicals at different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 ng/mL) with the exogenous precursor $17\alpha$-hydroxyprogesterone ($17{\alpha}OHP$) 50 ng/mL in the presence or absence of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). The production of testosterone (T), estradiol-$17\beta$ (E2), and $17\alpha,20\beta$-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one ($17\alpha20{\beta}OHP$) in response to NP or PCB104 were measured by radioimmunoassay. Steroid levels were also expressed as E2/T and E2/$17\alpha20{\beta}OHP$ ratios. In the absence of HCG, no significant differences in either NP or PCB104 treatment groups were observed. In the presence of HCG, NP treatment did not show significant differences in the production of T, E2, and $17\alpha20{\beta}OHP$ at any concentrations tested, but E2/T ratios were decreased at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 1,000 ng/mL compared with the control group. PCB104 decreased E2 production at concentrations of 0.1, 10, and 1000 ng/mL, but did not show significant differences in the production of T and $17\alpha20{\beta}OHP$ at any concentration tested. While E2/T ratios were decreased at PCB104 concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 1,000 ng/mL, E2/$17\alpha20{\beta}OHP$ ratios were also decreased at 0.1, 10, and 1,000 ng/mL compared with the control. Results indicate that both NP and PCB104 appeared to have antiestrogenic effects during this phase.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2011

Purpose : Men are generally more prone to chronic renal disease and progression to end stage renal disease than women. The purpose of this study is to prove the effect of gender and sex hormone on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and to elucidate the specific underlying mechanisms. Methods :We compared the expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) in female and male mice with complete UUO (day 7). After this, we estimated the changes of renal fibrosis in the female mice with oophorectomy and in the female mice with oophorectomy and replacement of $17{\beta}$-estradiol, respectively. Results : The level of ${\alpha}$-SMA in the female kidney with UUO was significantly lower than that in the male kidney with UUO. oophorectomy and replacement of $17{\beta}$-estradiol did not change the expression of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor in the female kidney with UUO, whereas the expression of angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor was significantly more elevated in the intact female (IF) and the oophorectomized female with estrogen (OF+E) than that in the oophorectomized female (OF). The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the IF and OF+E mice were significantly more elevated than that in the OF mice, which was similar to the expression of AT2 receptor. Conclusion : The female gender is associated with resistance to renal fibrosis in obstructive uropathy and this gender difference may originate from the existence of $17{\beta}$-estradiol, which has an anti-fibrotic effect via upregulation of the AT2 receptor and iNOS.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2011

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene is expressed at the anterior pituitary gland and plays a key role in gonad development. This study aimed to investigate molecular genetic characteristics of the GnRHR gene and elucidate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GnRHR gene on sex steroid level in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of the GnRHR gene in 75 individuals. We identified three SNPs in the GnRHR gene: P1 locus (C759A and C830T) in the coding region of exon2 which were both linked together and P2 locus (G984T) in the coding region of exon3, which added a new transcript factor (ADR1) and a new methylation site (CG). Only C830T of P1 leads to amino acid changes Thr266Ile. Statistical analysis showed that P1 was significantly associated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level (p<0.01) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype BB of P1 had significantly higher serum $E_2$ levels (p<0.01) and GSI (p<0.05) than those of genotype AA or AB. Another SNP, P2, synonymous mutation, was significantly associated with GSI (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype AB of P2 had significantly higher GSI (p<0.05) than that of genotype AA. In addition, there was a significant association between one diplotype based on three SNPs and reproductive traits. The genetic effects for both serum $E_2$ level and GSI of diplotype D4 were super diplotypes (p<0.05). These results suggest that the SNPs in Japanese Flounder GnRHR are associated with $E_2$ level and GSI.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.151-158
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• 2013

Objectives To investigate the pattern of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in patients with bipolar disorders managed by lithium or valproic acid. Methods The study participants were 106 patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorders receiving planned maintenance treatment at the Mood Disorders Clinic of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (aged between 17 and 64, mean duration of follow-up = 875.65 days). Using the bipolar disorder registry, thyroid function data were analyzed to assess the frequency of and the risk factors for SCH in patients managed by lithium (n = 64) or valproic acid (n = 42) for more than 5 months. Results Overall frequencies of SCH were 20.3% (13/64) in the lithium group, 14.3% (6/42) in the valproic acid group, and between the two groups there is no difference (p = 0.43). No differences were observed in the potential risk factors for SCH between the two groups including age, sex, subtype of bipolar disorder, baseline TSH, and concomitant antipsychotic use. In cases with SCH, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) showed a tendency to increase at 3 month after the initiation of lithium or valproic acid. A gradual increase in the number of patients showing SCH was found within the first 3 years of medication. Conclusions With regular monitoring and careful assessment, there was no difference in the risk of SCH between lithium and valproic acid maintenance. The risk of mood stabilizer-associated SCH may gradually increase within 3 years following the commencement of medication, thereby mandating close monitoring for the first 3 years of treatment. Further studies with large sample size would be needed to confirm these findings.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2001

Safflower has been cultivated in Korea and thought to have excellent effects on bone in oriental medicine and folk remedy and has been taken for a long time. Safflower is thought to be helpful for the development and sustenance of bones according to the result of recent assay of its components. Otherwise, any reliable experimental data have not been suggested so far. We have carried out this study to examine the prophylactic effects of safflower-seed-powder on the prevention of osteoporosis induced by the ovariectomy 12 Weeks-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 230 g was kept in the experimental condition and used in this study. Animals were taken 0.3 g of safflower-seed-powder once a day for 1, 3, 5, and 7 weeks after ovariectomizing both ovaries and observed the fine structure of tibia. Tissues were fixed with traditional SEM preparation methods and decalcified for 10 hours with 10% nitric acid and dehydration, drying, and gold-coating were followed by the routine procedures and observed with scanning electron microscope (Hitachi, S-450). Loss of bone was started just after ovariectomy and thickness of bone from the medullary cavity to the compact bone was reduced and the extension of medullary cavity was serious in the control group of 7 weeks. Experimental groups taken safflower-seed-powder showed similar findings from 1 week to 7 weeks. These results suggest that the safflower-seed-powder is thought to be efficient for the prevention of osteoporosis owing to the deficiency of female sex hormone.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.187-199
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• 1997

Thyroid carcinoma ranks low in incidence and as a cause of death when compared to carcinomas arising in the other site. With adequate surgical treatment, the prognosis of operable thyroid carcinoma is good. However, the extent of surgical resection in treatment of thyroid cancer remains still controversy. The aim of this study was to assess the results of thyroid cancer patients treated surgically and to analyze the prognostic factors affecting survival and to improve the survival rate. We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of a total of 278 thyroid cancer patients treated surgically at Inje University Paik Hospital from 1980 to 1995 and followed for 1 to 16 years. There were man in 47 and woman in 231 patients with age range of 14 to 79 years(mean 42 years). Histopathologic findings were papillary carcinoma in 233, follicular carcinoma in 33, mixed carcinoma in 7, medullary carcinoma in 2, and undifferentiated carcinoma in 3 patients, respectively. Operative procedures were unilateral lobectomy in 111, subtotal thyroidectomy in 100, and total thyroidectomy in 67 patients. Central node dissection was performed in 92, modified neck disseciton in 62, radical neck dissection in 28, and no node dissection in 96 patients. Thyroid hormone was administered for the period of 3 to 5 years to suppress endogenous TSH production. Overall 5-year survival rate according to Kaplan-Meier method was 91.1%. Independently, significant factors affecting the prognosis were age at diagnosis, tumor size, pathologic type, tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, angioinvasion, extrathyroidal extension, and 'risk' group category. but, the prognosis were not influenced by sex and capsular invasion. Patients at low risk or with small size carcinomas had long survival over 5 years with only lobectomy. Lymph node dissection was carried out with a limited type in no jugular metastasis, radical neck dissection was performed only therapeutically in proved jugular node metastasis. Fifteen patients were dead of tumor recurrence after surviving for three months to two and half years, and the cause of death was local recurrence in nine, bone metastasis in four and lung metastasis in two patients. In conclusion, more extensive surgery including total thyroidecotmy and systematic compartment-oriented dissection of the lymph node metastases in patient at high-risk group will results in better survival and lower recurrence rate.