• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1452-1462
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Agaricus blazei polysaccharide (ABP) at varying concentrations on the performance, egg quality, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, and microflora of quail. Methods: The study involved a total of 2,700 Korean quails, which were randomly divided into three groups. The measured variables encompassed productive performance, egg parameters, carcass parameters, serum metabolites, immune response parameters, antioxidative properties, and gut microbiome. Results: The addition of ABP did not have a significant effect on average daily feed intake. However, it was found to increase the average daily egg weight and egg production rate, reduce the feed-egg ratio. There were no significant impacts on egg quality measures such as egg shape index, egg yolk index and color, egg yolk and protein content. However, ABP supplementation significantly increased the Hough unit (p<0.01) and decreased the rate of unqualified eggs (p<0.01). Regarding serum parameters, the inclusion led to an increase in total protein concentration (p<0.05) and a reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.05). There were no significant effects observed on immune indicators such as immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgM. ABP supplementation increased the levels of serum antioxidant indicators, including glutathione peroxidase, total superoxide dismutase (p<0.05), and total antioxidant capacity colorimeter (p<0.05). Furthermore, ABP supplementation significantly elevated the intramuscular fatty acid content in quail meat. Additionally, ABP supplementation demonstrated a significant improvement in the diversity of gut microbiota and induced alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that dietary supplementation of ABP enhanced production performance and antioxidant capacity while increasing the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in quail muscle.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.183-192
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to determine which intertrochanteric (IT) hip fracture and patient characteristics predict the necessity for adjunct reduction aides prior to prep and drape aiming for a more efficient surgery. Materials and Methods: Institutional fracture registries from two academic medical centers from 2017-2022 were analyzed. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, fracture patterns identified on radiographs including displacement of the lesser trochanter (LT), thin lateral wall (LW), reverse obliquity (RO), subtrochanteric extension (STE), and number of fracture parts were collected, and the need for additional aides following traction on fracture table were collected. Fractures were classified using the AO/OTA classification. Regression analyses identified significant risk factors for needing extra reduction aides. Results: Of the 166 patients included, the average age was 80.84±12.7 years and BMI was 24.37±5.3 kg/m². Univariate regression revealed increased irreducibility risk associated with RO (odds ratio [OR] 27.917, P≤0.001), LW (OR 24.882, P<0.001), and STE (OR 5.255, P=0.005). Multivariate analysis significantly correlated RO (OR 120.74, P<0.001) and thin LW (OR 131.14, P<0.001) with increased risk. However, STE (P=0.36) and LT displacement (P=0.77) weren't significant. Fracture types 2.2, 3.2, and 3.3 displayed elevated risk (P<0.001), while no other factors increased risk. Conclusion: Elderly patients with IT fractures with RO and/or thin LW are at higher risk of irreducibility, necessitating adjunct reduction aides. Other parameters showed no significant association, suggesting most fracture patterns can be achieved with traction manipulation alone.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.199-217
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• 2023

People with higher genetic predisposition to obesity are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and healthy plant-based foods may be associated with reduced risks of obesity and other metabolic markers. We investigated whether healthy plant-foods-rich dietary patterns might have inverse associations with cardiometabolic risk factors in participants at genetically elevated risk of obesity. For this cross-sectional study, 377 obese and overweight women were chosen from health centers in Tehran, Iran. We calculated a healthy plant-based diet index (h-PDI) in which healthy plant foods received positive scores, and unhealthy plant and animal foods received reversed scores. A genetic risk score (GRS) was developed based on 3 polymorphisms. The interaction between GRS and h-PDI on cardiometabolic traits was analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM). We found significant interactions between GRS and h-PDI on body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.02), body fat mass (p = 0.04), and waist circumference (p = 0.056). There were significant gene-diet interactions for healthful plant-derived diets and BMI-GRS on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.03), aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.04), alanine transaminase (p = 0.05), insulin (p = 0.04), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (p = 0.002). Adherence to h-PDI was more strongly related to decreased levels of the aforementioned markers among participants in the second or top tertile of GRS than those with low GRS. These results highlight that following a plant-based dietary pattern considering genetics appears to be a protective factor against the risks of cardiometabolic abnormalities.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1265-1272
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• 2020

Objective: We investigated the prevalence of pneumonia in novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients using chest radiographs to identify the characteristics of those with initially negative chest radiographs, who were positive for pneumonia on follow-up. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort data of 236 COVID-19 patients were reviewed. Chest radiography was performed on admission, with serial radiographs obtained until discharge. The 'positive conversion group' was defined as patients whose initial chest radiographs were negative but were positive for pneumonia during follow-up. Patients with initially positive chest radiographs were defined as the 'initial pneumonia group.' Patients with negative initial and follow-up chest radiographs were defined as the 'non-pneumonia group.' Clinical and laboratory findings were compared between groups, and predictors of positive conversion were investigated. Results: Among 236 patients, 108 (45.8%) were in the non-pneumonia group, 69 (29.2%) were in the initial pneumonia group, and 59 (25%) were in the positive conversion group. The patients in the 'initial pneumonia group' and 'positive conversion group' were older, had higher C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and lower absolute lymphocyte counts than those in the 'non-pneumonia group' (all p < 0.001). Among patients with negative initial chest radiographs, age ≥ 45 years (odds ratio [OR]: 3.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.76-8.75, p = 0.001), absolute lymphocyte count < 1500 cells/μL (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.03-4.89, p = 0.041), and CRP > 0.5 mg/dL (OR: 3.91, 95% CI: 1.54-9.91, p = 0.004) were independent predictors for future development of pneumonia. Conclusion: More than a half of COVID-19 patients initially had normal chest radiographs; however, elderly patients (≥ 45 years of age) with abnormal laboratory findings (elevated CRP and low absolute lymphocyte counts) developed pneumonia on follow-up radiographs.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.459-471
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• 2024

In modern society, where tension and stress are ubiquitous, individuals often experience psychological imbalances. These stressors not only affect mental well-being but also manifest physically, through the skin. Consequently, a new term psychodermatology combining psychiatry and dermatology, has emerged, garnerning attention and research focus. In this study, we aimed to develop materials improving chronic skin conditions caused by stress by utilizing a compound of Cucurbita moschata, Paeonia japonica, and Prunus cerasus known to alleviate skin disorders. We sought to develop and validate the efficacy of materials alleviating chronic skin conditions induced by stress in keratinocytes..Therefore, in this study we analyzed the effects of a complex extract using Cucurbita moschata, Paeonia japonica, and Prunus cerasus on HaCaT keratinocyte cells to understand how it influences them. The complex extract on HaCaT keratinocyte cells showed a concentration-dependent decrease in the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDC, and TARC at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 ㎍/mL. Particularly noteworthy was the efficacy observed in inhibiting IL-1β, with a reduction of over 40% at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL. Additionally, the production levels of AQP-3, HA, and filaggrin exhibited a significant concentration-dependent increase. The protein expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38, which were elevated by TNF-α/IFN-γ, was significantly decreased with the treatment of the complex extract. These findings suggest that the compound extract may be utilized as a material for treating and preventing skin conditions, potentially mitigating the adverse effects of the mutual relationship between skin disorders and stress.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.736-745
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• 2020

Objective: To identify the initial chest computed tomography (CT) findings and clinical characteristics associated with the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Materials and Methods: Baseline CT scans and clinical and laboratory data of 72 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia (39 men, 46.2 ± 15.9 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline CT findings including lobar distribution, presence of ground glass opacities, consolidation, linear opacities, and lung severity score were evaluated. The outcome event was recovery with hospital discharge. The time from symptom onset to discharge or the end of follow-up (for those remained hospitalized) was recorded. Data were censored in events such as death or discharge without recovery. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore the association between initial CT, clinical or laboratory findings, and discharge with recovery, whereby hazard ratio (HR) values < 1 indicated a lower rate of discharge at four weeks and longer time until discharge. Results: Thirty-two patients recovered and were discharged during the study period with a median length of admission of 16 days (range, 9 to 25 days), while the rest remained hospitalized at the end of this study (median, 17.5 days; range, 4 to 27 days). None died during the study period. After controlling for age, onset time, lesion characteristics, number of lung lobes affected, and bilateral involvement, the lung severity score on baseline CT (> 4 vs. ≤ 4 [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.41 [95% confidence interval, CI = 0.18-0.92], p = 0.031) and initial lymphocyte count (reduced vs. normal or elevated [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.14 [95% CI = 0.03-0.60], p = 0.008) were two significant independent factors that influenced recovery and discharge. Conclusion: Lung severity score > 4 and reduced lymphocyte count at initial evaluation were independently associated with a significantly lower rate of recovery and discharge and extended hospitalization in patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2024

Objectives : This study induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by treating them with AA+iron and investigated the effects of forsythia suspensa extract on this stress, as well as elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying its hepatoprotective effects. Methods : To confirm the antioxidative effects of FSE, HepG2 cells were induced with AA+iron to induce oxidative stress, followed by MTT assay. Additionally, the effect of FSE in reducing the increased ROS levels and mitochondrial damage induced by AA+iron in HepG2 cells was confirmed using FACS. Furthermore, western blot analysis were conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective effects of FSE. Results : FSE increased the decreased cell viability induced by AA+iron. Additionally, FSE normalized the expression of apoptosis-related proteins induced by AA+iron. The elevated ROS levels in HepG2 cells induced by AA+iron were reduced by FSE, and the increase in Rh123-negative cells induced by AA+iron was attenuated by FSE. Moreover, FSE activated the protein expression of AMPK and its related phosphorylating enzymes, LKB1 and ACC. Furthermore, FSE activated YAP and its upstream phosphorylating enzyme, LATS1. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that FSE has an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress induced by AA+iron and may have potential hepatoprotective effects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.16-26
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• 2024

Purpose: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition marked by persistent elevated blood sugar levels resulting from insulin resistance. The effective management of diabetes mellitus involves strict regulation of the blood glucose levels. This study examined the effects of Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) berry (AOB) on insulin resistance and hyperglycemia using a type 2 diabetes mellitus animal model. Methods: Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups. The control group received a basal diet, while the high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) group was fed a HFHS diet containing 27% sucrose and 33% lard for 12 weeks. The low AOB (LAOB) and high AOB (HAOB) groups were offered a HFHS diet with a 0.5% and 1.0% AOB extract, respectively. Results: The HAOB group showed significantly lower epididymal fat pad weight than the HFHS group. The LAOB and HAOB groups showed lower serum glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance values than the HFHS group, and the HAOB group has lower serum insulin levels than the HFHS group. Supplementation with HAOB decreased serum cholesterol levels significantly compared with the HFHS group. The consumption of LAOB and HAOB reduced the serum triglyceride and hepatic total lipids and triglyceride levels compared to the HFHS group. In addition, LAOB and HAOB consumption in mice fed a HFHS diet increased adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase protein expression. Insulin receptor substrate-2 protein expression in the HAOB group was significantly higher than the HFHS group. Conclusion: AOB can alleviate hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus partly by mitigating insulin resistance.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2024

A pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) enhances the efficacy of several anticancer drugs. Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anticancer agent used to treat various malignancies, including breast cancer. This study examined whether a PEMF increases the anticancer effect of DOX on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and elucidated the underlying mechanisms affected by PEMF stimulation in DOX-treated MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. A cotreatment with DOX and a PEMF potentiated the reduction in MCF-7 cell viability compared to the treatment with DOX alone. The PEMF elevated DOX-induced G1 arrest by affecting cyclin-dependent kinase 2 phosphorylation and the expression of G1 arrest-related molecules, including p53, p21, cyclin E2, and polo like kinase 1. In addition, PEMF increased the DOX-induced upregulation of proapoptotic proteins, such as Fas and Bcl-2-associated X, and the downregulation of antiapoptotic proteins, including myeloid leukemia 1 and survivin. PEMF promoted the DOX-induced activation of caspases-8, -9, and -7 and poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase cleavage in MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, PEMF enhances the anticancer activity in DOX-treated MCF-7 breast cancer cells by increasing G1 cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis. These findings highlight the potential use of a PEMF as an adjuvant treatment for DOX-based chemotherapy against breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.261-269
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• 2023

In light of recent social concerns related to issues such as water supply pipe deterioration leading to problems like leaks and degraded water quality, the significance of maintenance efforts to enhance water source quality and ensure a stable water supply has grown substantially. In this study, scan statistic was applied to analyze water quality complaints and water leakage accidents from 2015 to 2021 to present a reasonable method to identify areas requiring improvement in water management. SaTScan, a spatio-temporal statistical analysis program, and ArcGIS were used for spatial information analysis, and clusters with high relative risk (RR) were determined using the maximum log-likelihood ratio, relative risk, and Monte Carlo hypothesis test for I city, the target area. Specifically, in the case of water quality complaints, the analysis results were compared by distinguishing cases occurring before and after the onset of "red water." The period between 2015 and 2019 revealed that preceding the occurrence of red water, the leak cluster at location L2 posed a significantly higher risk (RR: 2.45) than other regions. As for water quality complaints, cluster C2 exhibited a notably elevated RR (RR: 2.21) and appeared concentrated in areas D and S, respectively. On the other hand, post-red water incidents of water quality complaints were predominantly concentrated in area S. The analysis found that the locations of complaint clusters were similar to those of red water incidents. Of these, cluster C7 exhibited a substantial RR of 4.58, signifying more than a twofold increase compared to pre-incident levels. A kernel density map analysis was performed using GIS to identify priority areas for waterworks management based on the central location of clusters and complaint cluster RR data.