• Infection and chemotherapy
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.350-356
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• 2018

In acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is one of the most difficult IRIS types to manage. We report an unusual case of MAC-associated IRIS. At first the patient was diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after he was admitted with pneumocystis pneumonia. After starting antiretroviral therapy he presented unmasked IRIS with MAC infection. Next, he was hospitalized with continuous loose stools and new-onset fever. Investigation included computed tomography (CT), which showed homogeneous enhancement and enlargement of the lymph nodes (LN), elevation of ferritin (>1,650 ng/mL) and lactate dehydrogenase (306 IU/L) levels, and F- fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) scan, which showed increased FDG uptake. These findings were highly indicative of lymphoma. We performed laparoscopic biopsy of the mesenteric LN, and the biopsy culture grew MAC. So we made a diagnosis of MAC-associated. Therefore, IRIS must be considered as a possible diagnosis when AIDS patients develop new symptoms or exhibit exacerbations of existing symptoms. Furthermore the biopsies should be conducted.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.589-601
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• 2023

Purpose: Baicalein, a natural flavone found in herbs, exhibits diverse biological activities. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an irreversible condition often associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of baicalein on the development of NASH in mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were fed a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet to induce NASH and were simultaneously treated with baicalein (at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg) or vehicle only (sodium carboxymethylcellulose) through oral gavage for 4 weeks. The control group was fed a methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) diet without the administration of baicalein. Results: The baicalein treatment significantly reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, suggestive of reduced liver damage. Histological analysis revealed a marked decrease in nonalcoholic fatty liver activity scores induced by the MCD diet in the mice. Similarly, baicalein treatment at both doses significantly attenuated the degree of hepatic fibrosis, as examined by Sirius red staining, and hepatocellular death, as examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Baicalein treatment attenuated MCD-diet-induced lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by lower levels of hepatic malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal, demonstrating a reduction in oxidative stress resulting from lipid peroxidation. Moreover, baicalein treatment suppressed hepatic protein levels of 12-lipoxygenase (12-Lox) induced by the MCD diet. In contrast, baicalein enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, baicalein treatment significantly reduced hepatic non-heme iron concentrations and hepatic ferritin protein levels in mice fed an MCD diet. Conclusion: To summarize, baicalein treatment suppresses hepatic lipid peroxidation, 12-Lox expression, and iron accumulation, all of which are associated with the attenuation of NASH progression.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.153-163
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• 2006

Essential metals have been known to interact with non-essential toxic metals in the aspects of absorption, transport and deposition in the body. Iron deficiency has been reported to increase lead and/or cadmium absorption. The relation between iron and lead has been understood well in children but not in adults. Two hundred seventy adults (118 males and 152 females) were recruited from 3 different residental areas (rural, coastal and urban) to investigate the effects of environmental lead exposure on body iron status. The subjects were interviewed for life-style and diet of the last 24 hours, and measured for blood lead and body iron. The lead concentration in the whole blood was determined by a flameless method using an atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The body iron was evaluated with values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBCs, serum total iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity, total iron binding capacity and ferritin. The mean concentration of blood lead in adult was $3.31{\mu}g/dL$. The concentration was higher in male ($3.97{\mu}g/dL$) than in female ($2.86{\mu}g/dL$). The blood lead was influenced by residental area, life-style, smoking and drinking, occupation and diet habit of subjects, but not by age. A positive correlation was observed between the blood lead level and the serum iron or ferritin. These results suggest that environmental lead exposure in Korean adult may not be higher than other developed and developing countries. It is further indicated that blood lead in adult could be influenced by life-style, and environmental and genetic factors but no inverse relation with body iron as shown in children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.483-494
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nutritional status on the cell-mediated and humoral immunity in female college students. The nutritional status of twenty subjects was determined by six-days food records, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical assessments of serum nutrients. Cell-mediated and humoral immunity of the subjects was analyzed by in vivo and in vitro assessments. The results were summerized as follows : First, The average daily energy intake was 1437Kcal(CHO : PRO : FAT = 61:13:26), which corresponds to 71.9% of RDA. Anthropometric measurements showed that 50% of the subjects was under-weight(BMI<20), only 5% was over-weight(25

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권10호
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• pp.421-424
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• 2016

Recurrent macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is very rare. We present the case of an adolescent boy with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B27-positive ankylosing spondylitis (AS), who experienced episodes of recurrent MAS since he was a toddler. A 16-year-old boy was admitted because of remittent fever with pancytopenia and splenomegaly after surgical intervention for an intractable perianal abscess. He had been diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) 4 different times, which was well controlled with intravenous immunoglobulin and steroids since the age of 3. We were unable to identify the cause for the HLH. He remained symptom-free until the development of back pain and right ankle joint pain with swelling at 15 years of age. He was diagnosed with HLA B27-positive AS with bilateral active sacroiliitis. He showed symptom aggravation despite taking naproxen and methotrexate, and the symptoms improved with etanercept. On admission, his laboratory data showed leukopenia with high ferritin and triglyceride levels. Bone marrow biopsy examination showed histiocytic hyperplasia with hemophagocytosis. There was no evidence of infection. He received naproxen alone, and his symptoms and laboratory data improved without any other immunomodulatory medications. Genetic study revealed no primary HLH or inflammasome abnormalities. In this case, underlying autoimmune disease should have been considered as the cause of recurrent MAS in the young patient once primary HLH was excluded.

• 핵의학기술
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.34-40
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• 2021

[목 적] 의료기관의 핵의학 검사실에서 신규검사를 도입하거나 사용하던 시약을 변경하게 되는 경우 절차에 따라 검사의 특성이 분석되고 시약에 대한 평가가 이루어져야 한다. 그러나 요구되어지는 비교실험을 모두 수행하기 위해서는 몇 가지 필요한 조건이 충족되어야 하는데, 첫째 각 검사별로 수행하기에 충분한 검체량이 준비되어야하며, 둘째 비교실험에 적용 가능한 다양한 시약의 공급이 가능해야한다. 충분한 비교실험이 이루어졌다고 하더라도 변경된 시약에 의한 데이터 변동이 전체 환자데이터 변동을 의미하는 것에는 한계가 있으므로 검사실에서 시약이 변경되는 것에 대한 부담이 있다. 이러한 다양한 어려움으로 검사실에서의 시약변경은 제한적으로 이루어지고 있다. 본원에서는 원할한 경쟁 입찰을 도입하기 위하여 검사별로 radioimmunoassay(RIA)시약을 전수조사하고 비교실험을 통해 검사실에서 사용가능한 시약범위를 설정하였다. 이 과정을 공유하고자 하였다. [대상 및 방법] 본원 핵의학 검체 검사실에서 시행하고 있는 검사는 위탁검사를 제외하고 총 20종목이다. 각각의 검사별로 외부정도관리와 기관간 정도관리 결과보고서를 참고로 사용가능한 RIA시약을 전수 조사하였고, 각 시약에 대한 메뉴얼을 확보하였다. 각각의 시약마다 메뉴얼을 확인하여 검사 방법과 incubation시간, 검사 시 필요한 검체량, 시약량 등을 확인하여 본 검사실에서 사용가능한지 여부에 따라 시약 1차 선정을 하였다. 1차 선정된 시약을 100 test기준으로 2 kit씩 공급받아 데이터 상관성시험, 민감도, 회수율, 희석시험을 진행하였고, 비교실험 결과에 따라 시약을 2차 선정하였다. 1, 2차 선정을 통과한 시약을 경쟁 입찰리스트로 제출하였다. 검사 시약을 단수로 지정할 경우에는 1차, 2차 선정 과정에서 얻은 자료로 단수지정 사유서를 작성하였다. [결 과] 각각의 시약마다 매뉴얼을 확인하여 시약 1차 선정에서 제외되는 경우는 각 검사의 현재 Turn Around Time(TAT)보다 길어지는 경우와 검사 시 사용 시약량이 많아 장비사용이 불가능한 경우였다. 1차 선정에서 사용가능한 시약이 1개인 경우는 5종목 squamous cell carcinoma antigen(SCC Ag), 𝛽-human chorionic gonadotropin(𝛽-HCG), vitamin B12, folate, free testosterone 이었고, 2개인 경우는 8종목 (CA19-9, CA125, CA72-4, ferritin, thyroglobulin antibody(TG Ab), microsomal antibody(Mic Ab), thyroid stimulating hormone-receptor-antibody(TSH-R-Ab), calcitonin), 3개인 경우는 5종목(triiodothyronine(T3), Free T3, Free T4, TSH, intact parathyroid hormone(intact PTH)), 4개인 경우는 2종목(carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA), TG)이었다. 2차 최종 선정결과 사용가능한 시약이 3개인 것은 T3, Free T3, Free T4, TSH, CEA, 2개인 것은 TG Ab, Mic Ab, TSH-R-Ab, CA125, CA72-4, intact PTH, calcitonin이었다. 단수 지정된 종목은 ferritin, TG, CA19-9, SCC, 𝛽-HCG, vitamin B12, folate, free testosterone이었다. 2차 선정에서 제외된 사유에는 비교실험을 위한 시약공급이 안된 경우와 데이터 재현성에 문제가 있었던 경우, 데이터 변동에 대한 수용이 불가능하다고 판단되는 경우였다. 비교실험 시 가장 문제가 되는 부분은 검체 수집이었다. 검사건수가 많고 검사 시 필요한 검체량이 적은 경우에는 문제가 되지 않았지만, 검사건수가 적은 경우(월 100건 이하)에는 다양한 농도 검체를 수집하기가 어려웠으며, 한번 검사 시 필요한 검체량이 상대적으로 많은 경우(100 uL이상)에는 회수율시험을 진행하기가 어려웠다. 또한 민감도 측정이나 희석시험을 위한 희석액이나 표준액0 물질이 부족한 경우도 문제점 중의 하나였다. [결 론] 검사시약 변경을 위한 비교실험 시 다양하고 충분한 검체 수집을 위해 적정한 준비기간이 필요하다. 또한 1회 검사 시 필요한 검체량 및 시약량에 따라 비교실험 시 필요한 총 검체량, 시약량 범위를 설정해 놓는다면 비교실험을 진행할 때마다 검체 수집과 실험계획을 세우는 데 부담이 줄어들 것이다.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.122-130
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• 2011

Objective: Although recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has revolutionized the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving hemodialysis (HD) with no need of blood transfusion, some patients have a blunted or appear to be resistant to rhEPO. There is a controversy in the causes of rhEPO resistance in maintenance HD patients with anemia. This study is to examine current anemia treatment outcomes and the factors influencing the rhEPO responsiveness in HD patient with CKD. Methods: The clinical parameters or factors relating to erythrompoietin treatment outcomes and erythropoietin responsiveness were collected from the HD patients in two large dialysis centers for three months. The collected paramenters included serum iron, total iron biding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation rate, ferritin, albumin, intact PTH, C-reactive protein (CRP), nPCR and medications such as an angiotensin converting enzyme inhbitor, an angiotension II receptor blocker and an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (HMG-CoA RI). The data were analyzed to examine the degree of acheiveing the anemia treatment goal and factors relating to ERI. Results: Among total 111 patients, 42 (42.3%) and 47 (37.8%) patients achieved the target Hct and Hb based on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services (HIRA) reimbursement criteria. In the higher ERI group (upper quartile), the patients had higher CRP levels (0.5 mg/dl) (p=0.0096), and lower TIBC score (<$240{\mu}g/dl$) (p=0.0027), and less patients were taking HMG-CoA RI (p=0.0019). Male patients (p=0.0204), patients with high TIBC score ($R^2$=0.084, p=0.0021) and patients taking HMG-CoA RI (p=0.0052) required to administer less dose of rhEPO meaning higher erythropoietin responsiveness. Conclusion: Less than 50% of CKD patients were achieving the goals of anemia by erythropoietin administration in large hospitals in Korea even though the goals were lower than those of NKF-K/DOQI practice guideline. The factors influencing ERI were sex, TIBC and HMG-CoA RI administration status, and neither an ACEI nor an ARB did not influence ERI.

• BMB Reports
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.741-748
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• 2004

The hepatitis C virus is associated with the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas. Among the 10 polyproteins produced by the virus, no function has been clearly assigned to the non-structural 5A (NS5A) protein. This study was designed to identify the hepatocellular proteins that interact with NS5A of the HCV. Yeast two-hybrid experiments were performed with a human liver cDNA prey-library, using five different NS5A derivatives as baits, the full-length NS5A (NS5A-F, amino acid (aa) 1~447) and its four different derivatives, denoted as NS5A-A (aa 1~150), -B (aa 1~300), -C (aa 300~447) and D (aa 150~447). NS5A-F, NS5A-B and NS5A-C gave two, two and 10 candidate clones, respectively, including an AHNAK-related protein, the secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4), the N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1), the cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 (CRABP-1), ferritin heavy chain (FTH1), translokin, tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TACSTD2), phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI4K) and $centaurin{\delta}$ 2 ($CENT{\delta}2$). However, NS5A-A produced no candidates and NS5A-D was not suitable as bait due to transcriptional activity. Based on an in vitro binding assay, CRABP-1, PI4K, $CENT{\delta}2$ and two unknown fusion proteins with maltose binding protein (MBP), were confirmed to interact with the glutathione S-transferase (GST)/NS5A fusion protein. Furthermore, the interactions of CRABP-1, PI4K and $CENT{\delta}2$ were not related to the PXXP motif (class II), as judged by a domain analysis. While their biological relevance is under investigation, the results contribute to a better understanding of the possible role of NS5A in hepatocellular signaling pathways.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.5-15
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• 2011

본 연구는 임신기 동안 어미쥐의 철 섭취 수준이 모체의 철 대사지표와 산화적 스트레스 및 임신의 결과에 미치는 영향을 검토하기 위해 비임신쥐를 대조군으로 하여 수행하였다. 10주령 200 g 이상 된 암컷과 수컷 흰쥐를 1 : 1로 교배시켜 임신을 확인한 후, 비임신쥐 (대조군)와 임신쥐 (실험군)에게 식이 중 철 수준이 정상수준 (AIN-93G diet 수준, 35 mg Fe/kg diet), 고수준 (정상의 10배, 350 mg Fe/kg diet) 및 과잉수준 (정상의 30배, 1,050 mg Fe/kg diet)의 3가지 실험식이를 급여하였다. 임신 19일째 되는 날, 비임신쥐와 임신 쥐를 희생시켜 분석한 결과는 다음과 같다. 체중의 증가나 식이섭취량은 철 섭취 수준의 영향을 받지 않았고, 임신의 결과로서 태아의 수, 태아체중 및 태반무게도 철 섭취 수준의 영향은 받지 않았다. 헤모글로빈, 헤마토크릿, 혈청 철 농도 등의 혈액지표들은 철 섭취 수준의 영향은 받지 않았으나 임신에 의한 감소 경향을 보였다. 임신쥐의 철 섭취 수준의 증가에 따라 간과 지라 조직의 철 함량이 유의적으로 증가하였다. 또한 임신쥐의 간에서 페리틴 단백질 수준이 철 섭취의 증가에 따라 현저히 증가하였다. 산화적 손상지표인 지질과산화물 (MDA)은 철 섭취수준의 영향을 받지 않았고, 단백질 산화물 (protein carbonyls)은 비임신쥐와 임신쥐에서 모두 철 과잉 섭취군의 경우 유의적으로 증가하였다. 항산화효소 중에서는 철 과잉섭취군에서 간의 GPx 활성이 유의적으로 감소하였다. 결론적으로, 임신기 동안 어미쥐의 철 섭취수준의 증가는 어미쥐의 혈액지표와 임신의 결과에는 유의적인 영향을 미치지 않았지만, 간 조직 내 철 함량과 페리틴 단백질 수준을 유의적으로 증가시켰으며, 간 조직에서 단백질 산화물인 protein carbonyl 농도를 증가시키고, 항산화효소 중 특히 GPx의 활성 감소를 초래하였다. 또한 간 조직에서 세포사멸을 억제하는 중요한 인자인 Bcl-2 단백질 수준이 임신쥐에서 철 섭취의 증가에 따라 유의적으로 감소하였다. 이러한 영향이 철을 정상 수준의 10배 섭취한 군에서는 약하게 나타났으나, 30배 과잉으로 철을 섭취한 군에서는 유의적으로 차이를 보였다. 이 결과는 임신시 철 과잉 섭취의 해로운 영향이 지금까지 철 대사의 측정도구로 삼아왔던 혈액지표의 변화 보다는 체내에서 일어나는 조직의 산화적 스트레스의 증가나 조직 내 철의 축적 등에 보다 더 민감하게 반영됨을 알 수 있었다. 따라서, 철 과잉 섭취가 모체 뿐만 아니라 태생 조직의 산화적 스트레스에도 영향을 줄 수 있음을 시사하였다.