• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1363-1370
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• 2006

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Agaricus blazei $\beta-glucan$ and egg shell calcium complex on bone metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Forty Sprague-Dewley female rats, 10 weeks of age $(248{\pm}1.7g)$, were divided into 4 groups and fed on the experimental diets for 6 weeks: sham operated control treated with normal diet containing 0.5% calcium (Sham-C), OVX-control treated with normal diet containing 0.5% calcium (OVX-C), $OVX-\beta-glucan$ group treated with $\beta-glucan$ diet containing 0.5% calcium (OVX-G), and $OVX-\beta-glucan$ egg shell calcium complex treated with $OVX-\beta-glucan$ egg shell calcium complex containing 0.5% calcium (OVX-GE). Bone weight of femur was higher in the OVX-GE group than in the other OVX groups. Bone mineral density of femur was significantly different (p<0.05) among the experimental groups and showed the highest level in the OVX-GE group. Calcium absorption rate and retention were higher in the $\beta-glucan$ supplement groups than in the other groups (p<0.05). Alkaline phosphatase activities and osteocalcin levels of serum showed lower in the $\beta-glucan$ supplement groups than in the OVX-C group. Deoxypyridinoline crosslink values of urine, indicator of bone absorption, showed the lowest in the OVX-GE group. The $\beta-glucan$ supplemented groups had a lower bone resorption ratio than in the OVX-C group. We concluded that bioavailability of calcium is higher in $\beta-glucan$ supplement groups compared to those in OVX rats. From the above results, these findings suggest the possibility of using $\beta-glucan$ egg shell calcium complex as a functional food material related to bone metabolism, even though there is no significant difference between the groups of $\beta-glucan$ and $\beta-glucan-egg$ shell calcium complex supplementation.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.193-211
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the management and support system affecting to the occupational health nursing services(OHNS) provided in group occupational health agencies(GOHA). Questionnaire was developed and distributed to 82 nurses who were working in GOHA and who agreed to participate in the survey. The results were as follow: 1. OH nurses responded were mostly in the age of twenty to thirties(89%), married(73.7%), technical college graduates(88.9%), worked in hospital(85.4%) and participated more than 1 year in group occupational health services (96.3%). 2. Fifty eight point four percent of the OH nurses worked in number of workplace more than 30 to less than 60 in the OHNS form. The figure of workplaces undertaken by nurses was ranged greatly from 9 to more than 100. Number of employees who cared by nurses were mostly under 5,000 peoples in 93.3%. The types of industry was mostly manufacturing and located in the order of factory complex area, suburban, urban and others. 3. Most OH nurses(87.8%) were fully involved in the OHNS for the SSE. Their working days to visit SSE was 5 days per week(77.8%) and one day in the GOHA at 41.3%. 4. The OH documents using by nurses were found in more than 23 different types. However, they were largely summarized in the types of 'Workplace Health Management Card', 'Personal Health Counselling Card', 'Daily Health Management Report', 'Visiting List of Workplace' and 'Sick Employee List'. 5. The items of laboratory test provided by GOHA were mostly achieved in the purpose of basic health examination. They were used to be the blood pressure check(98.8%), blood sugar test (98.8%), urine sugar and protein(91.4%), SGOT and SGPT(85.3% each), cholesterol (82.9%), hepa vaccine immunization(82.9%), r-GPT(81.7%), hemoglobin(79.3%) and triglyceride(75.5%). 6. The OH nurses(92.7%) followed the work pattern to visit the GOHA before and after small-scale enterprises(SSE) visit by car driven by nurses in 74.3%. They were payed by GOHA for transportation fees in certain amounts. However, nurse is the main person(75.0%) who covers up in case of traffic accident. If the GOHA has no transportation regulation for the formal workplace visit, data showed that nurses had been responsible to take charge(31.7%). 7. The personnel manager who takes in charge for nursing services was 'nurse' in 61.7% and 41.2% worked as the final decision maker related to nursing work. The OH nurses' opinions about factors affecting to the management were classified in the four areas such as 'Nature(Quality) of health professional'. 'Content of OHNS', 'Delivery system of the GOHS', and 'Others'. The factors were indicated highly in 'Authority as health professional', 'Level of perception of director on the OH' and 'Physical work condition for OHNS'. The things that this study suggests in the recommendation would be summarized in such as the management and supporting system working for SSE in the OHNS is necessary to reform thoroughly. The reconsidered aspects might be in the matters of number of workplaces undertaken by nurses, development of effectively practical health documents, preparation for guideline of the laboratory test in the workpleces, establishment of convenient and encouraging support system and cooperation between other health professionals with respect and skill.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.221-227
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• 1985

Thirty-four patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy whose serum hCG levels had been measured by beta-hCG EIA before surgery were evaluated retrospectively. The results were as follows: 1. Final diagnosis of thirty-four patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy comprised twenty- eight tubal pregnancy, five ruptures of hemorrhagic corpus luteum and, one tubo-ovarian abscess. One of the five patients with rupture of hemorrhagic corpus luteum was accompanied by missed abortion. 2. Range of serum hCG levels in twenty-eight patients with tubal pregnancy was 59-21,980 mIU/ml and that of four patients with rupture of hemorrhagic corpus luteum and one patient with tubo-ovarian abscess was 0.6-6.6mIU/ml. Serum hCG level of a patient with rupture of hemorrhagic corpus luteum who was accompanied by missed abostion was 200 mIU/ml. 3. Serum hCG levels in twenty-two of twenty-eight patients with tubal pregnancy were lower than 3,000 mIU/ml. Low serum hCG level below 100mIU/ml and high serum hCG level above 6,500 mIU/ml were noticed in four and six patients with tubal pregnancy, respectively. 4. Mean serum hCG levels (${\pm}SD$) of twelve patients with tubal pregnancy who had intra-abdominal free blood of less than 500ml and sixteen patients with tubal pregnancy who had intra-abdominal free blood of more than 500ml were 4,131 (${\pm}7,801$) mIU/ml and 3,208 (${\pm}5,081$) mIU/ml, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the mean level of serum hCG between both group (P>0.05). 5. Mean serum hCG levels (${\pm}SD$) of thirteen patients with unruptured tubal pregnancy and fifteen patients with ruptured tubal pregnancy were 2,628 (${\pm}5,448$) mIU/ml and 4,449 (${\pm}6,938$) mIU/ml, respectively. Mean level of serum hCG was statistically higher in ruptured tubal pregnancy (P<0.01). 6. Positive rate of urine pregnancy test in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was 64% (16/25) and mean range of serum hCG level of nine patients with false negative result were 353 mIU/ml and 59-933 mIU/ml.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.14-30
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• 1998

Manganese is an essential element in the body. It is mainly deposited in the liver and to a lesser degree in the basal ganglia of the brain and eliminated through the bile duct. Rapid turnover of managanese in the body makes it difficult to evaluate the manganese exposure in workers, esecially in those with irregular or intermittent exposure, like welders. Therefore, conventional biomarkers, including blood and urine manganese can provide only a limited information about the long-tern or cumulative exposure to manganese. Introduction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) made a progress in the assessment of manganese exposure in the medical conditions related to manganese accumulation, e. g. hepatic failure and long-term total parenteral nutrition. Manganese shortens spin-lattice(T1) relaxation time on MRI due to its paramagnetic property, resulting in high signal intensity (HSI) on T1-weighted image(T1W1) of MRI. Manganese deposition in the brain, therefore, can be visualizedas an HSI in the globus pallidus, the substantia nigra, the putamen and the pituitary. clinical and epidemiologic studies regarding the MRI findings in the cases of occupational and non-occupational manganese exposure were reviewed. relationships between HSI on T1W1 of MRI and age, gender, occupational manganese exposure, and neurological dysfunction were analysed. Relationships betwen biological exposure indices and HSI on MRE werealso reviewed. Literatures were reviewed to establish the relationships between HSI, Manganese deposition in the brain, pathologic findings, and neurological dysfunction. HSI on T1W1 of MRI reflects regional manganese deposition in the brain. This relationship enables an estimation of regional manganese deposition in the brain by analysing MR signal intensity. Manganese deposition in the brain can induce a neuronal loss in the basal ganglia but functional abnormality is supposed to be related to the cumulative exposure of manganese in the brain, use of brain MRI for the assessment of exposure in a group of workers seems to be hardly rationalized, while ti can be a useful adjunct for the evaluation of manganese exposure int he cases with suspected manganese-related health problems.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 2002

Background: There are few studies that have reported on the pharmacokinetic(PK) disposition of fluoroquinolones in patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis(MDR-Tb), even though fluoroquinolones are frequently co-prescribed to those patients. In this study, the PK disposition of ofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, was evaluated in patients with MD R -Tb. Methods: Twenty patients with MDR-Tb were given 2nd line Tb drugs including ofloxacin (300mg twice a day), prothionamide, cycloserine, para-aminosalicylic acid, kanamycin, and streptomycin. The patients were grouped according to their body mass index(BMI) as an index of emaciation (group A : 18.5$\leq$BMI <23, group B : BMI < 18.5). Blood samples were serially drawn and urine samples were collected upto 24 hours after the last dose of those drugs at steady state (over 1 month). The ofloxacin concentrations were determined using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). Results: The AUC of ofloxacin in group B was greater than that in group A ($31.4{\pm}8.9{\mu}g/ml{\cdot}h$ vs. $24.1{\pm}6.2{\mu}g/ml{\cdot}h$)(Check the symbols), (p<0.05). The total clearance(Cl/F) of ofloxacin was $0.16{\pm}0.03$ L/h/kg in group A, and $0.14{\pm}0.03$ L/h/kg in group B. The half-lives of ofloxacin in two groups were similar (group A : $5.3{\pm}0.8$ hours, group B : $5.7{\pm}0.9$ hours). In addition, the other PK parameters in two groups were also similar. Conclusions: The pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin in patients with MDR-Tb appears to be comparable with those of normal subjects, and the extent of emaciation appears to have an influence on the pharmacokinetics of ofloxaicn in chronic debilitated MDR-Tb patients.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.161-168
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• 2008

The effects tea beverages (TBs) prepared from powdered green tea (Gt), oolong tea (Ot), black tea (Bt), or pure tea (Pt) with lemon, orange, grenadine etc on cadmium toxicity in rats were investigated Sensory evaluations of the TBs are better than those of each water extracted teas. Cadmium (50 ppm) was administered to experimental rats fed a basic diet, or a diet with various TBs (15% w/v), for 5 weeks. Although body weight gains, feed intakes, and fecal weights in all Cd-treated groups were lower than those in the normal control group (NC), feed efficiency ratio, urine volumes, liver weights, and kidney weights did not differ significantly between groups. The serum ALT and AST levels in the Cd-treated control group (Cd-Co) were higher than those in the NC animals. Serum ALT and AST levels in all Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets were lower than in animals of the Cd-Co group. Tibia and femur weights in Cd-Co animals were lower than those in NC rats. Tibia and femur weights in Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets were higher than those in Cd-Co animals. There were no between-group differences in tibia lengths; animals in the NC and TB-supplemented diet groups showed femur lengths longer than those of Cd-Co rats. Although the contents of crude ash and cadmium in the femurs of Cd-Co mts was markedly higher than in the femurs of NC animals, the cadmium content in femurs of Cd-Co rats was significantly lower than that in the femurs of NC animals. The changes in mineral levels caused by Cd administration were alleviated by every TB-supplemented diet tested Whereas fecal calcium excretion by Cd-Co animals was significantly higher than that of NC rats, calcium excretion by Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets was significantly lower than that of Cd-Co animals. Fecal cadmium excretion by all Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets was significantly higher than that of Cd-Co animals. In conclusion, this study provides experimental evidence that various TBs may regulate cadmium-induced organ toxicity by reducing cadmium accumulation in tissues through the mechanism of increasing the fecal excretion of cadmium.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.245-253
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• 2003

Puorpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of $^{99m}Tc$ DMSA scintigraphy on the dignosis of a renal scar in children with urinary tract infections. Materials and Methods: Eighty three patients were included in this study, who were diagnosed as the urinary tract infection on the basis of symptom, urinalysis and urine culture. $^{99m}Tc$ DMSA scintigraphy and voiding cystoureterography were peformed within 7days before the treatment in all patients. We classified the scintigraphic findings as follow s : 1 ; a large hypoactive upper or lower pole. 2 ; a small hypoactive area. 3 ; single defect resulting in localized deformity of the outlines. 4 ; deformed outlines in a small or normal sized kidney. 5 ; multiple defects. 6 ; diffuse hypoactive kidney without regional impairment. Follow-up scintigraphy was done at least 6 months after the initial study. When the abnormality on the initial scintigraphy was not completely resolved on the follow-up scan, the lesion was defined as containing a scar. Results: One hundred and fifteen renal units of 166 units(69.3%) showed abnormal findings on the DMSA scintigraphy. 65 units(56.5%) was diagnosed as containing renal scars on follow-up scintigraphies. Incidences of renal scar among renal units showing pattern 3, 4 and 5 on the initial scan was 75%, 78% and 78%, respectively. Whereas many of renal units showing 1, 2 and 6 pattern were recovered(65%, 76%, 50%). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of pattern-based DMSA scintigraphic findings on the diagnosis of renal scar was 76.9%, 85.1% and 81.9%, respectively. VUR was significantly associated with the renal scar when the initial DMSA shows unrecoverable findings(pattern 3, 4, 5). Odds ratio of the renal scar in a kidney showing unrecoverable initial scintigraphic findings was 19.1. Odds ratio in a kidney with mild or moderate-to-severe VUR was 3.5 and 14.4 respectively. Conclusion: In the urinary tract infection, renal scar was significantly developed in a kidney showing unrecoverable findings on the initial DMSA scan and VUR on voiding cystoureterography.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.319-329
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• 1990

Effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on blood pressure, plasma lenin activity, aldosterone and renal excretion were compared in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar rats fed low, medium or high sodium diet (2, 10, 25 mmol NaCl/100g diet) for 6 weeks. ANP infusion (380 ng/kg/min for 20 min) produced reductions in blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone level, but marked increases in hematocrit, urine flow, and excretions of sodium and potassium. The low sodium group showed a significantly enhanced aldosterone lowering effect of ANP than the high sodium group. However, three salt groups showed no difference in effects of ANP on blood pressure, plasma renin activity, hematocrit and diuresis. Natriuretic response to ANP was significantly greater in the high salt-than in the low sait-SHR, but was not different between the Wistar salt groups. There were strain differences in effects of ANP: SHR showed greater responses of blood pressure and natriuresis than Wistar rats. Above results indicate that aldosterone-lowering and natriuretic effects of ANP were modifed by different dietary sodium intakes. However, blood pressure- and renin-lowering, or diuretic effects of ANP were not affected by dietary sodium intakes. The mechanisms whereby dietary sodium intakes alter the effects of ANP in the pathogenesis of hypertension are not clear.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.159-168
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• 2006

Rodents and many other mammals have two chemosensory systems that mediate responses to pheromones, the main and accessory olfactory system, MOS and AOS, respectively. The chemosensory neurons associated with the MOS are located in the main olfactory epithelium, while those associated with the AOS are located in the vomeronasal organ(VNO). Pheromonal odorants access the lumen of the VNO via canals in the roof of the mouth, and are largely thought to be nonvolatile. The main pheromone receptor proteins consist of two superfamilies, V1Rs and V2Rs, that are structurally distinct and unrelated to the olfactory receptors expressed in the main olfactory epithelium. These two type of receptors are seven transmembrane domain G-protein coupled proteins(V1R with $G_{{\alpha}i2}$, V2R with $G_{0\;{\alpha}}$). V2Rs are co-expressed with nonclassical MHC Ib genes(M10 and other 8 M1 family proteins). Other important molecular component of VNO neuron is a TrpC2, a cation channel protein of transient receptor potential(TRP) family and thought to have a crucial role in signal transduction. There are four types of pheromones in mammalian chemical communication - primers, signalers, modulators and releasers. Responses to these chemosignals can vary substantially within and between individuals. This variability can stem from the modulating effects of steroid hormones and/or non-steroid factors such as neurotransmitters on olfactory processing. Such modulation frequently augments or facilitates the effects that prevailing social and environmental conditions have on the reproductive axis. The best example is the pregnancy block effect(Bruce effect), caused by testosterone-dependent major urinary proteins(MUPs) in male mouse urine. Intriguingly, mouse GnRH neurons receive pheromone signals from both odor and pheromone relays in the brain and may also receive common odor signals. Though it is quite controversial, recent studies reveal a complex interplay between reproduction and other functions in which GnRH neurons appear to integrate information from multiple sources and modulate a variety of brain functions.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2006

It is known that maternal diabetes induces a premature delivery and a congenital malformation. Although it was suggested that hyperglycemia is a main cause, little has been known. The effects of subtotal pancreactomized animal as a diabetic model on the embryo and the offspring were investigated. 1) Although survival rate of offsprings from the 90% pancreactomized female was lower than that of control, body weight of the survived offsprings was similar to that of control until 6 weeks after birth. When the liver was investigated, abnormal tissue was observed in both female and male offsprings from the pancreactomized mother. The level of major urinary protein(MUP) that is synthesized in the liver and secrets into urine was decreased in both female and male, supporting the liver abnormality. 2) In the pancreactomized female, size of the Langhan's island was increased and the liver also was observed abnormal. However, blood glucose level of the pancreactomized mother was not different from that of control. The low body weight and survival rate of offsprings from the $inhibin-{\alpha}$ overexpressed mice was very similar to those of the offsprings from diabetic mother. Thus when the mother itself was investigated after DNA injection, blood glucose level in the $inhibin-{\alpha}$ overexpressed mice was not different from that of control although size of the Langhan's island was decreased. Taken together, subtotal pancreactomy affected the offspring and embryo and influenced deeply the mother itself. However glucose level of the mother was not changed during investigation. It suggested that the relationship between the diabetic mother and embryo through offspring is very complex.