• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 2007

Purpose: Obesity has recently emerged as a significant health problem in the pediatric population, and the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is increasing in tandem with a significant rise in childhood obesity. Therefore, this study was conducted to clarify the risk factors of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in obese children. Methods: We enrolled 84 obese children who visited the pediatric obesity clinic at Yeung-Nam university hospital. The patients were divided into two groups based on their alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level (separated at 40 IU/L), and the mean of ages, total cholesterol levels, HDL-cholesterol levels, LDL-cholesterol levels, triglyceride (TG) levels, as well as the mean obesity index, and body fat percentage of the two groups were then compared. Results: When the mean of ages ($10.5{\pm}1.6$ vs. $10.7{\pm}2.0$ years), total cholesterol levels ($183.0{\pm}29.1$ vs. $183.7{\pm}31.3$ mg/dL), HDL-cholesterol levels ($53.0{\pm}10.2$ vs. $55.7{\pm}13.0$ mg/dL), LDL-cholesterol levels ($113.4{\pm}30.2$ vs. $113.0{\pm}30.0$ mg/dL), triglyceride levels ($99.4{\pm}62.9$ vs. $114.2{\pm}47.3$ mg/dL), obesity indexes ($44.7{\pm}12.2$ vs. $47.9{\pm}15.1%$), and body fat percentages ($32.7{\pm}5.0$ vs. $34.0{\pm}4.8%$) of group 1 (ALT${\leq}$40 IU/L) were compared with those of group 2 (ALT${\geq}$41 IU/L), no significant differences were observed (p>0.05). However, hypertriglyceridemia (TG${\geq}$110 mg/dL) was more frequent in group 2 than in group 1 (p=0.023). Conclusion: TG may be an important risk factor in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and further study regarding the risk factors in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is required.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.470-478
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• 2005

The objective of present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects of onion extracts. Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were incubated with 1.5 mM tort-butyl hydroperoxide(t-BHP), potent oxidizing agent to liver, for 1 hr in the presence or absence of various concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 or 0.3 mg/ml) of onion extract. Incubation with t-BHP increased glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) acitivities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) concentration but decreased 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide(MTT) reduction. Onion extracts at the concentration of 0.05 mg/ml decreased t-BHP-induced GOT and LDH activities. Onion extract at the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml increased t-BHP-induced MTT reduction. Onion extract at the concentration of 0.01 mg/ml decreased t-BHP-induced TBARS concentration. Taken together, onion extracts prevented t-BHP-induced hepatocyte injury and lipid peroxidation. Catalase, glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase(GSH-Rd) activities of hepatocytes were significantly decreased by t-BHP. Onion extracts at the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml prevented t-BHP-induced decrease in catalase, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd activities. Onion extracts prevented hydroxyl radical-induced single-strand breakage in dose-dependent manner when plasmid DNA was incubated with various concentrations of onion extracts in the presence of Fenton reagents producing hydroxyl radical. These results demonstrate that onion extracts suppressed t-BHP-induced cytoctoxicity, decreased viability and lipid peroxidation and increased GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and catalase activities. Thus hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of onion extract seem to be due to, at least in part, the increase in antioxidant enzyme activities as well as prevention from hydroxyl radical-induced oxidation, followed by inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2002

Purpose : Corticosteroid has been used as the mainstay therapy of childhood NS. But SIO is one of the serious complications of long-term steroid therapy, especially in growing children. Recently calcium, calcitonin, PTH, vitamin D and bisphosphonate has been used to treat or prevent SIO in adult, which is rare in children with NS. We studied the effect of $1{\alpha}-(OH)D_3$ and Pamidronate on SIO using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Patients and methods : We studied thirty patients who admitted in the Dept. of Pediatrics of Kyung Hee Medical Hospital with NS. All patients was received longterm steroid therapy. There was no history of bone, liver, or endocrine disease. The samples, serum protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, and BMD were obtained before and the six months after the dose of $1{\alpha}-(OH)D_3$ and Pamidronate, respectively Results : The mean age was $6.9{\pm}3.3\;and\;6.5{\pm}2.5$ years old. The mean duration of steroid therapy was $28.8{\pm}1.8\;and\;27.6{\pm}1.0$ months. The changes of serum protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine, calcium and phosphorus level between pre-treatment and post-treatment did not show statistical significance in both $1{\alpha}-(OH)D_3$ and Pamidronate treatment group. However, BMD was increased in both from $0.472{\pm}0.12\;and\;0.457{\pm}0.10\;g/cm^2\;to\;0.533{\pm}0.12$ and $0.529{\pm}0.09\;g/cm^2$ after treatment. (P<0.05) Conclusion : Both $1{\alpha}-(OH)D_3$ and Pamidronate appears to be effective in treating and preventing SIO in children with nephrotic syndrome requiring long-term steroid therapy.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.202-212
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• 2005

Purpose: Transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) is a newly discovered virus and to date the contribution of TTV to liver disease remains unclear. Little is known about the frequency of TTV infection in children in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and genotypic distribution of TTV carried by healthy children and patients with hepatitis in Korea. Methods: Eighty eight of healthy children and three groups of patients with hepatitis-14 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 12 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 25 patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology-were tested. TTV DNA was detected by semi-nested PCR using primer sets generated from N-22 region and from 5' noncoding region (NCR) of the viral genome. PCR products derived from 8 patients with hepatitis and from 11 healthy children were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Results: TTV was found by PCR with N22 primer in 11.3% of healthy children, 28.5% of children with hepatitis B, 25% of children with hepatitis C, 24% of children with hepatitis of unknown etiology. TTV DNA was found by PCR with 5'NCR primer in 32.9% of healthy children, 71.4% of patients with chronic hepatitis B, in 50% of patients with hepatitis C and in 48% of patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology. TLMV DNA was found in 48.9% of healthy children, 21.4% of patients with hepatitis B, 16.6% of patients with hepatitis C, 40% of patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology. Among the sequenced isolates, 10(52%) belonged to genotype 1 (G1) and others belonged to genotype 2 (G2) or genotype 3 (G3). Among the G1 sequences, 7 were grouped as G1a. Conclusion: TTV infection was common in healthy children and in patients with hepatitis. But, the prevalence of TTV DNA by 5'NCR primer was relatively high in patients with hepatitis B and there may be some association between TTV and hepatitis B virus infection. G1 was the major genotype of the studied population.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.31-48
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• 2003

Objectives: This study evaluated the status of Health-related Behavior in residents from rural areas. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 1,754 people (men; 633 persons, women; 1,121 persons) in rural areas aged over 30 years and under 80 years in Buk-myeon, Uljin-gun and Gigye-myeon, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do in 2001 and 2002. Methods: The collected data was analyzed using a chi-square test after an age-adjusted and a chi-square trend test. The data was analyzed using a SPSS/win ver. 10.0. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of the individual unhealthy behavior according to sex was 56.1% in men and 6.8% in women with regard to smoking; 65.4% and 21.6% with regard to drinking; 72.6% and 76.6% with regard to non-exercise on a regular basis; 23.3% and 28.2 with regard to an obese body mass index; 61.5% and 71.1% with regard to non-scaling in the dental service. The rate of alcohol and tobacco consumption increased with increasing age in both men and women (p<0.01). The age-adjusted proportion in the non-screening examination for stomach cancer according to sex was 49.3% in men and 51.4% in women; 64.0% and 70.7% in liver cancer; 88.9% and 87.5% in colon cancer; 58.3% and 59.1% in undergoing a medical health screening. Conclusions: It is essential for health educators to promote Health-related Behavior in residents in rural areas. In addition, it is expected that the health status of residents in rural areas will improve through efforts to encourage them to take more interest in a healthier lifestyle.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1084-1091
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• 2002

Mortierella alpina, a common soil fungus, is the most efficient organism for production of production acid presently known. Since arachidonic acid are important in human brain and retina development, it was undertaken the growing effect containing diet as a food ingredient. Arachidonic acid rich oil derived from Mortierella alpina, was subjected to a program of studies to establish for use in diet supplement. This study was compared the growth and learning effect of fungal oil rich in arachidonic acid by incorporated into diets ad libitum. Sprague-Dawley rats received experimental diets 5 groups (standard AIN 93 based control with beef tallow, extract oil 8%, and 4%, and Mortierella alpina in diet 10% and 20%) over all experiment duration (pre-mating, mating, gestation, lactation, and after weaning 4 weeks). Pups born during this period consumed same diets after wean for 4 weeks. There was no statistical significance of diet effects in reproductive performance and fertility from birth to weaning. But the groups of Mortierella alpine diet were lower of weight gain and diet intake after weaning. The serum lipids were significantly different with diet groups, higher TG in LO (oil 4%) group of dams, and higher total cholesterol in LF (M. alpina 10%) of pups, although serum albumin content was not significantly different in diet group. The spent-time and memory effect within 4 weeks of T-Morris water maze pass test in dam and 7-week- age pups did not differ in diet groups. On the count of backing error in weaning period of pups was lower in HO(extracted oil 8%) group. In the group of 10% and 20% Mortierella alpina diet, DNA content was lower in brain with lower body weight, but liver DNA relative to body weight was higher than control. Further correlation analyses would be needed DNA and arachidonic acid intakes, with Mortierella alpina diet digestion rate.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2010

Purpose : To compare the relative values of various fast breath-hold imaging sequences for superparamagnetic iron-oxide (SPIO)-enhanced hepatic MRI for the assessment of solid focal lesions with a 3T MRI unit. Materials and Methods : 102 consecutive patients with one or more solid malignant hepatic lesions were evaluated by spoiled gradient echo (GRE) sequences with three different echo times (2.4 msec [GRE_2.4], 5.8 msec [GRE_5.8], and 10 msec [GRE_10]) for $T2^*$-weighted imaging in addition to T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence following intravenous SPIO injection. Image qualities of the hepatic contour, vascular landmarks and artifacts were rated by two independent readers using a four-point scale. For quantitative analysis, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was measured in 170 solid focal lesions larger than 1 cm (107 hepatocellular carcinomas, nine cholangiocarcinomas and 54 metastases). Results : GRE_5.8 showed the highest mean points for hepatic contour, vascular anatomy and imaging artifact presence among all of the subjected sequences (p<0.001) and was comparable (p=0.414) with GRE_10 with regard to lesion conspicuity. The mean CNRs were significantly higher (p<0.001) in the following order: GRE_10 ($24.4{\pm}14.5$), GRE_5.8 ($14.8{\pm}9.4$), TSE ($9.7{\pm}6.3$), and GRE_2.4 ($7.9{\pm}6.4$). The mean CNRs of CCCs and metastases were higher than those of HCCs for all imaging sequences (p<0.05). Conclusion : Regarding overall performances, GRE using a moderate echo time of 5.8 msec can provide the most reliable data among the various fast breath-hold SPIO-enhanced hepatic MRI sequences at 3T unit despite the lower CNR of GRE_5.8 compared to that of GRE_10.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.1095-1101
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Gastrodiae Rhizoma (G. Rhizoma) on blood pressure-lowering in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed high-fat diet supplemented with 10% (w/w) of lard during the experimental period of 8 weeks. Forty of male SHR weighing approximately 100 g were randomly divided into eight groups; A: negative control (lard 10%), B: positive control (lard 10% ＋ basal diet ＋ 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. A gain in weight did not differ significantly among dietary groups, but a little higher in control groups than in G. Rhizoma dietary groups. Except for spleen, weights of liver, kidney and testis are significantly different among dietary groups. Serum total cholesterol concentration was markedly higher in control groups than in G. Rhizoma groups (p<0.05), however, there was no significant difference in serum triglyceride. Except for negative control (A) and group D, serum HDL concentration was significantly higher in G. Rhizoma groups (p<0.05). On the other hand, serum LDL concentration was significantly higher in two control groups (A, B) and markedly lower in E and G groups of hot water extract of G. Rhizoma (p<0.05). Reference systolic blood pressure (BP) showed average 185.7$\pm$5.8 mmHg for 4 weeks after feeding high-fat diet, and the pressure was measured on every 7 days intervals after feeding of G. Rhizoma diet. Comparing with reference BP before feeding of G. Rhizoma diet, the groups of 50% ethanol (E, F) and water (G) extracts on BP level after 28 days were shown to be reduced at 16.8, 20.2 and 11.7 mmHg, respectively. When the pressure (187 mmHg) of group A was considered as 100%, the reduction rate of BP in group F was 11% (20.5 mmHg). These results indicated that the groups treated with ethanol extracts of G. Rhizoma showed to have lower blood pressure level compacred to the groups treated with whole powder or water extracts of G.Rhizoma in SHR fed with high-fat diet.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2008

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the dietary effects of mixture of probiotics and colistin on laying performance, intestinal microflora and egg yolk cholesterol in laying hens. One hundred sixty 50-wk-old Hy-Line Brown layers were divided into four treatments and fed a commercial diet (Control) or experimental diets containing 0.2% mixture of probiotics or probiotics and colistin mixture (T1, Bacillus subtilis + Aspergillus oryzae + Lactobacillus plantarum; T2, Bacillus subtilis + Aspergillus oryzae; T3, Bacillus subtilis + Aspergillus oryzae+colistin) for 8 wk. No significant differences were found in laying performance and liver weight among the groups. The Haugh unit of treated groups were significantly improved (P<0.05) compared to that of control, but eggshell qualities were not changed by the treatments. The cecal ammonia concentration was significantly decreased in both T1 and T3 groups. The number of coli forms in cecal content and feces were significantly reduced in all treated groups compared to that of Control (P<0.05). The egg yolk cholesterol contents in the groups fed the diet containing mixture of probiotics and colistin were reduced in comparison with that of Control. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of mixture of probiotics and colistin improved quality of egg albumen, and reduced the egg cholesterol contents. They also reduced intestinal coli forms without harmful effects on overall productive and physiological responses in laying hens.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 1990

A series of 25 patients with residual, recurrent, and unresectable gastric cancer received various combination of surgery, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT), and hyperthermia (HT). They were placed into 7 categories; 1) CT and HT-14 patients; 2) RT and HT-15 patients; 3) surgery, RT and HT-2 patients; 4) surgery, RT, HT and CT-1 patient; 5) RT, HT and CT -1 patient; 6) RT and CT-1 patient; 7) RT alone-1 patient. Three patients had curative resection. 21 patients received irradiation with tightly contoured portals to spare as much small bowel, kidney and marrow as possible. Hyperthermia was applied regionally once or twice a week for 23 patients using 8 MHz radiofrequency capacitive heating device (Thermotron RF-8). HT was given approximately 30 min after RT 7 patients were treated with CT: 4 patients received HT and concomitant Mitomycin-C; 3 patients received HT and sequential 5-FU+Adriamycin+Mitomycin-C. There was not any treatment related deaths. There was also no evidence of treatment related problems with liver, kidney, stomach, or spinal cord except only one case of transient diabetic ketoacidosis. The tumor response was evaluable in 22 patients. None achieved complete remission.11 ($50\%$) achieved partial remission. The response rate was correlated with total radiation dose and achieved maximum temperature. 9 of 14 ($64\%$) received more than 4000 cGy showed partial remission; especially, all 3 patients received more than 5500 cGy achieved partial response.8 of the 12 patients ($67\%$) who achieved maximal temperature more than $41^{\circ}C$ showed partial response in comparing with $25\%$ (2 of 8 patients, below $41^{\circ}C$). The numbers of HT, however, was not correlated with the response. 3 of the 25 patients ($12\%$) remain alive. The one who was surgically unresectable and underwent irradiation alone is in progression of the disease with distant metastases. The remaining two patients with curative resection are alive with free of disease, 24 and 35 months, respectively. The median survival by response are 11.5 months in responders and 4.6 months in non-responders.