• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.85-98
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• 2000

Objective : There are four possible explanations for the sexual dysfunction of schizophrenics. The first is the possibility of a real structural aspect. The second possibility is that sexual function changes secondary to the illness. The third possibility is that there are medical and sociocultural barriers to sexual expression for chronic schizophrenics. The fourth possibility is that sexual dysfunction due to antipsychotic medication. However, we didn't know the precise cause of sexual dysfunction in schizophrenics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of illness itself and antipsychotics on sexual dysfunction in male schizophrenics. Methods : The serum prolactin(PRL), testosterone(TST), and the plasma serotonin(5-HT) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography method for 100 healthy male schizophrenics according to the DSM-IV. Concomitantly, the severity of psychotic symptoms using Clinical Global Impression(CGI), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale(BPRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS), and the severity of side effects for antipsychotics using Extrapyramidal Side Effects Scale(EPSE), Anticholinergic Side Effects Scale(ACSE), the cognitive function using PANSS-Cognitive Function(PANSS-CF), Mini Mental State Exam-Korean(MMSE-K), and the sexual dysfunction using Sexual Functioning Questionnaire(SFQ), Questionnaire for Sexual Dysfunction in Men were assessed. The PRL, TST, and 5-HT levels of 50 healthy male controls who had no medical, neurological, and psychiatric illnesses were evaluated. The sexual function using SFQ(items FGa, FNa) were also assessed. Furthermore, the correlation with age, education, religion, economic status, age at onset, duration of illnesses, duration of admission, levels of PRL, TST, 5-HT, antipsychotic dosages, potency, benztropine, total duration of medication, EPSE, ACSE, CGI, BPRS, PANSS, PANSS-CF, MMSE-K and sexual dysfunctions were identified in male schizophrenics. Results : 1) The frequencies of sexual dysfunctions for schizophrenics(80%) were significantly(p<0.001) higher than those for controls(42%). The sexual dysfunctions according to sexual response cycle were 'low sexual desire' 76%, 'impairment of achieving erection' 75%, 'impairment of maintaining erection' 75%, 'impairment of obtaining orgasm' 32%, 'impairment in the quality of orgasm' 61%, 'impairment in quantity of ejaculate' 44%, 'premature ejaculation' 15%, and 'delayed ejaculation' 50%. 2) The PRL, 5-HT levels of schizophrenics($28.5{\pm}20.6ng/ml$, $298.5{\pm}89.1ng/ml$) were significantly(p<0.001) higher than those of controls($10{\pm}5.6ng/ml$, $169.2{\pm}37.8ng/ml$), while the TST levels of schizophrenics($4.3{\pm}1.5ng/ml$) and controls($4.5{\pm}1.2ng/ml$) were not significantly different. The sexual dysfunctions of schizophrenics who had abnormal 5-HT levels($4.7{\pm}1.3$ scores) were significantly(p<0.05) higher than those of who had normal 5-HT levels($3.8{\pm}1.6$ scores) on item D7. 3) The sexual dysfunctions of unmarried schizophrenics were significantly(p<0.01 : p<0.05) higher than those of married schizophrenics($6.1{\pm}2.8$ scores, $4.7{\pm}1.3$ scores on item FGa : ${\beta}$=-0.211 on item FNa). The sexual dysfunctions were positively correlated with the rise of 5-HT levels(r=0.209, p<0.05 on item D4 and r=0.241, p<0.05 on item D7), the higher age at onset(r=0.275, p<0.01 on item FNa : r=-0.202, p<0.05 on item FDa), the longer duration of illnesses(r=0.237, p<0.05 on item D6), the longer duration of admission(r=0.234, p<0.05 on item D4 : r=0.328, p<0.05 on item D6), the longer total duration of medication(r=0.237, p<0.05 on item D6). However, age, education, religion, economic status, PRL, TST levels, antipsychotics dosage, potency, benztropine, ACSE, CGI, BPRS, PANSS, PANSS-CF, MMSE-K scores were not correlated with increased sexual dysfunctions. Conclusions : Male schizophrenics have significantly more sexual dysfunction to compare with controls. The higher frequencies of sexual dysfunctions were low sexual desire and erectile disorder. The unmarried, higher age at onset, and longer duration of diseases were positively correlated with increased sexual dysfunctions. Also high 5-HT levels were positively correlated with increased sexual dysfunctions. This means that studies of plasma 5-HT levels, albeit questionable indicators of central 5-HT function, offer some additional support for the association of sexual dysfunction with excess 5-HT activity as primary pathology of schizophrenia. Our findings suggest that excess 5-HT activity seems to affect the patient's sexual function.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.720-725
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• 2003

Effects of Gastrodiae Rhizoma on serum lipids and body fat in rats fed high-fat diet supplemented with 10% (w/w) lard during 11-week experimental period were investigated. Ninety-six male rats were randomly divided into eight groups: A, negative control (lard 10%); B, positive control (lard 10%+rat chow+5 brix water extract); C, lard 10%+1% G. Rhizoma powder; D, lard 10%+5% G. Rhizoma powder; E, lard 10%+2 brix 50% ethanol extract; F, lard 10%+10 brix 50% ethanol extract; G, lard 10%+2 brix water extract; H, lard 10%+10 brix water extract. Body weight gain, although slightly higher in groups A, B, and G, did not differ significantly among dietary groups. Weights of liver, spleen, kidney, and testis were significantly higher among dietary groups. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were markedly higher in both control groups than group H (p<0.05). Serum HDL concentration was significantly higher in group E, and lower in group A (p<0.05). Serum LDL+VLDL concentration was significantly lower in groups E, G, and H (p<0.05). Serum testosterone level was slightly higher in groups E, D, and H. Blood glucose level was significantly higher in groups B and G, whereas lower in group H (p<0.05). Epididymal fat pad (EFP) was markedly higher in control groups than G. Rhizoma diet-fed groups (p<0.05). The results indicated that decrease in serum lipids (TC, TG, LDL+VLDL) and body fat, and increase in serum HDL and testosterone levels were higher in groups E and H extracts than groups fed G. Rhizoma powder.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.318-322
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• 2014

5-Alpha reductase II, which converts testosterone (T) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is a crucial enzyme II in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Inhibitory effects of Curcuma longa L. (CL) extracts on 5-alpha reductase II activity were investigated in rat prostate tissue homogenates as well as LNCaP cells expressing human 5-alpha reductase II. Hot water extract (CL-HW) of Curcuma longa L. significantly inhibited 5-alpha reductase activity by over 80% at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$, whereas 20% ethanol extracts (CL-E20) of Curcuma longa L. exhibited significant inhibitory activity from $50{\mu}g/mL$. These results indicated that Curcuma longa L is a potent 5-alpha reductase II inhibitor for benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.353-362
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• 1999

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticize. known as one of endocrine disruptors. The present study was carried out to investigate the ultrastructural changes of prepubertal rat testis after oral administration of DEHP in dosages of 1 g/kg, 3 g/kg or 5g/kg in 0.5 ml of corn oil daily for a week. This study revealed the DEHP inhibited the development of seminiferous tubules and induced structural changes on various cell types of the rat testis. Leydig cells, Sertoli cells and the developing germ cells seemed to be impaired their differentiations in terms of the structural changes of cell organelles. The increase of heterochromatin in amount were common features in all 3 cell types. In addition, the Leydig cells were characterized by the increases in number and size of lysosomes and the scantiness of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The Sertoli cells became irregular in nuclear envelope and the cytoplasm decreased, but the number of lysosomes and vacuoles seemed to be increased. There were some indications of necrosis of the germ cells, such as vacuolized nucleus and segregated nucleolus. These detrimental effects of DEHP on the rat testis were dose dependent and suppressed spermatogenesis decreasing developing germ cells in number and appearances. The effect of DEHP on ultrastructure of rat testis, as its known physiological functions, seems come from the decreased level of testosterone by Leydig cells, followed by the abnomalities of Sertoli cells and the germ cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2006

Female phenotype of a 46,XY male may originates from male pseudohermaphroditism due to $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase deficiency. Lack of cortisol increases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and mineralocorticoid production, leading to low renin hypertention and hypokalemia. A 41-year-old phenotypic female presented primary amenorrhea and hypertension. In the hormonal profile, the levels of serum estradiol, testosterone, rennin, and cortisol were decreased and ACTH and deoxycorticosterone were increased. Laparoscopic bilateral gonadectomy was performed, and corticosteroid, antihypertensive drugs, and estrogen were administered. We report this case with a brief review of the literatures.

• Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.276-279
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• 2018

Klinefelter syndrome a genetic disorder with various clinical manifestations. Neurological symptoms, such as seizures, are rarely reported with Klinefelter syndrome, and it response well to anti-epileptic drugs. A 5-month-old boy visited the Inha university hospital due to jerking movements and hiccups. The patient had been diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome at birth and had a medical history of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit due to opisthotonus and ocular deviation at 26 days of age. The patient's serum testosterone level was decreased and his anti-$M{\ddot{u}}llerian$ hormone level was increased. The brain image examination was normal and the electoencephalography and other blood test results showed no specific findings. However, after admission, the patient recurred generalized tonic-clonic-seizures recurred intermittently even after the administration of antiepileptic drugs. This paper reports a case of non-febrile seizures in a child with Klinefelter syndrome who presented with a refractory course.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.214-219
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• 2005

As part of Korean retinal prosthesis project, we have provided preliminary experimental results regarding voltage parameters for the stimulation of chemically degenerated rabbit retina. Since our APB-treated chemically degenerated retina is only ON-pathway blocked, now we switch our experiments to more appropriate retinal degeneration model, genetically degenerated retina model (RD mouse: rd/rd (C3H/HeJ)). Before studying with RD mouse, we started control experiments with normal SD rat to understand characteristics of retinal ganglion ceil activity with postnatal maturation in rodents. Ganglion cell activities were recorded with 8${\times}$8 multi-electrode array. Moving spontaneous bursts appeared until postnatal day of 15. During pre-eye opening period, no light evoked response appeared. After postnatal day of 2 weeks (post-eye opening period), ON-, OFF- and ON/OFF response appeared. The fractional distributions of ON, OFF, and ON/OFF ganglion cell is about $40\%,\;50\%$, and $5\%$. The percentage ($\%$) of light evoked response in each dorso-temporal, ventral, and dorso-nasal area of eye is about $50\%,\;37.5\%$ and $12.5\%$, respectively. We concluded that the optimal period for experiment in rodent is about postnatal day of 2${\~}$3 weeks.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1533-1543
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• 2016

The anti-stress effects of Punica granatum L. (family Lythraceae, PG) on $H_2O_2$/corticosterone (CORT)-induced stress in cells and sleep-deprived rats were investigated. The PG extract showed neuroprotective effects in SH-SY5Y cells against $H_2O_2$/CORT-induced stress. Sleep deprivation led to behavioral, hormonal, and biochemical alterations in the animal model. The effects of P. granatum on physiological, behavioral, and biochemical parameters aggravated by sleep deprivation were investigated. Sleep deprivation impaired physiological (survival, body weight, and drowsiness scores) and behavioral (rotarod, passive avoidance, hot hyperalgesia, and Y maze) parameters as well as biochemical factors (cortisol, serotonin, dopamine, testosterone, and growth factor I contents in serum). These parameters were significantly recovered by PG extract in a concentration-dependent manner. The PG extract also enhanced catalase, superoxide dismutase, and non-enzymatic antioxidative activities such as glutathione compared to sleep-deprived rats. On the basis of these results, our findings suggest that Punica granatum prevents impairment of body functions induced by sleep deprivation and related oxidative damage.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 1996

Effects of $17{\alpha}$-methyltestosterone ($17{\alpha}-MT$) in rearing water on sex reversal of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated and optimum conditions as initial treatment time, concentrations and treatment durations of hormone were evaluated in this study. For the study of the optimum initial treatment time, 0 to 20-day-old fry were treated by immersion in a 500 ppb solution of $17{\alpha}-MT$. Desirable results were obtained at 12-day-old fish as $86.4\%$ of male induction rates and this frequency was obviously higher than the other age groups. Twelve-day-old fry were immersed in $17{\alpha}-MT$ solutions at concentrations of $0\~2,000$ ppb for 24 hours for the study of dose dependent relationship between sex ratios and concentrations of $17{\alpha}-MT$, Male induction rates of all treated groups were higher than $80\%$, $X^2$ values against the sex ratio of control group indicate that sex reversal has taken place effectively in all experimental groups (P<0.001). Futhermore, 500 ppb treated groups showed highest male incidence of $86.4\%$. Effects of 5 different durations (0, 12, 18, 24 and 30 hours) treated with 1,000 ppb of $17{\alpha}-MT$ were also evaluated. Male induction rate from 0 to 24 hours treated group was increased with treatment durations. However, male incidence of 30-hour treated group ($84.0\%$) was sligthly decreased compare to the 24-hour treated group ($85.2\%$). It is concluded that immersion treatment using $17{\alpha}-MT$ on O. niloticus is possible on sex reversal at low concentration of 500 ppb and short treatment durations within 24 hours with 12-old-day fry.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.662-671
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• 1996

Since the world's economic and political structures have changed, the term 'globlization' has shown up as a dominant power and as a necessity for regional and national development. Each nation is responding to the globalization process economically and politically in various ways. In general, however, the economic response to the globalization is economic restructuring from the Fordist industries to 'flexible specialization'. And the political response to the globalization is 'global localization' as a new type of local politics(i.e., local policy activism or growth-enhancing local development policies). The crisis of Fordism shifted the role of local governments towards more involovement with local economic development. Local governments are mobilizing for loca economic development, they are taken into a process of institutional change that tends to redefine their responsibilities inside the state. Local governments thus tend to act as an entrepreneur in order to restructure theiir local economies and to compete with other national and international regions. State restructuring towards enerepreneurialism and efficient regional policy pursuing a pro-growth coalition trategy is chosen as a new mode of regulation for the post-Fordism at the local level. The flexible specialization as the post-Fordist economy and the local government as an entrepreneur are the global choice for globalization and a post-Fordist society. The paper focuses on the regulation theory which comprises the political economic perspective on resturcturing. Economic restructuring and state restructuring will be discussed in detail. And the paper tries to combine the economic globalization and the global localization as economic and political responses to globalization.