• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 1976

The etiologic role of renin-angiotensin system and sodium-volume status in the pathophysiology of various forms of hypertension was investigated. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured by radioimmunoassay, while sodium-volume status was evaluated by the determination of total exchangeable sodium(NaE) using isotope dilution method. The subjects consisted of 25 controls, 24 patients with essential hypertension, with chronic renal failure (13 with hypertension, 9 without hypertension) and with malignant hypertension. The results were as follows: 1. An inverse correlation between NaE and PRA was noted in control subjects (r=-0.598, p<0.001) and normal renin essential hypertension(r=-0.551, p<0.05) and the chronic renal failure with hypertension. (r=-0.790, p<0.001) 2. NaE increased markedly the in chronic renal failure with hypertension ($66.9{\pm}8.69mEq/kg$ of LBM, p<0.001) and the chronic renal failure without hypertension ($54.9{\pm}9.28mEq/kg$ of LBM, p<0.05), while mild increase was noted in malignant hypertension ($51.7{\pm}6.24mEq/kg$ of LBM, 0.05$50.1{\pm}7.24mEq$) as well as in its renin subgroups.(p>0.1) 3. Absolute value of PRA was not deviated significantly from control group ($2.53{\pm}1.416ng/ml/hr$) except in malignant hypertension ($6.09{\pm}2.042$, p<0.001). But PRA was inappropriately high in relation to prevailing NaE in the chronic renal failure with hypertension (eleven of thirteen patients) and malignant hypertension (ten of fourteen patients), while PRA variatiation was within physiologic range in the chronic renal failure without hypertension. 4. The NaE-PRA product was markedly increased in the chronic renal failure with hypertension ($514.4{\pm}42.10$, p<0.001) and in malignant hypertension ($442.7{\pm}55.03$, p<0.001), while moderately increased NaE-PRA product was noted in the chronic renal failure without hypertension ($402.6{\pm}59.67$, p<0.001). No significant difference in NaE-PRA product was noted in essential hypertension ($354.4{\pm}62.38$, p>0.1). It is suggested that renin-angiotensin system plays a predominant role in the pathogenesis of malignant hypertension and in hypertension of chronic renal failure, though sodium retention is also contributing factor. PRA variation in essential hypertension does not appear to be associated with any consistent change in Na-volume status, suggesting the existence of another mechanism in the genesis of hypertension and PRA variation.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2003

Purpose: Helicobacter pylori infection is thought to be correlated with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) at puberty. The H. pylori feoB gene, a high-affinity ferrous iron transporter, plays a central role in iron acquisition. This study aims to analyze the H. pylori feoB status according to the presence of antral gastritis with or without IDA. Methods: Fourteen H. pylori-positive patients aged from 10~18 years were categorized into subgroups based on the presence or absence of IDA. Eight patients had IDA, and the other six showed normal hematological findings. Genomic DNA was isolated from cultured H. pylori. Five sets of primers were used for PCR amplification of the feoB gene. The feoB region, 1.93 kb, was generated by linking of the PCR products and sequenced. The feoB gene sequences of H. pylori J99 and 26695 were used to compare with the clinical strains. Sequence comparisons of the feoB regions between the IDA (+) and (-) groups were performed. Results: Sequence analysis of the complete coding region of the feoB revealed 16 sites of polymorphism. Among these, 3 polymorphisms-Glu/Thr254Ala, Ile263Val, and Lys511Gln - were indigenous to Korean strains. Although statistically significant differences appear in 4 sites between IDA (+) and (-), the number of specimens are too low to assess the real differences. Conclusion: The 4 polymorphisms in the feoB gene seem to be related with IDA, but it is unclear yet because of small number of study strains. Further studies are required to prove the correlation of IDA and H. pylori infection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6025-6030
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• 2013

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is an enzyme with proteolytic activity against matrix proteins, particularly basement membrane constituents. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -1306, which disrupts a Sp1-type promoter site (CCACC box), results in strikingly lower promoter activity with the T allele. In the present study, we investigated whether this MMP-2 genetic polymorphism might be associated with susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Saudi population. We also analyzed MMP-2 gene expression level sin CRC patients and 4 different cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: TaqMan allele discrimination assays and DNA sequencing techniques were used to investigate the $C^{-1306}T$ SNP in the MMP-2 gene of Saudi colorectal cancer patients and controls. The MMP-2 gene expression level was also determined in 12 colon cancer tissue samples collected from unrelated patients and histologically normal tissues distant from tumor margins. Results and Conclusions: The MMP-2 $C^{-1306}T$ SNP in the promoter region was associated with CRC in our Saudi population and the MMP-2 gene expression level was found to be 10 times higher in CRC patients. The MMP-2 $C^{-1306}T$ SNP is significantly associated with CRC in the Saudi population and this finding suggested that MMP-2 variants might help predict CRC progression risk among Saudis. We propose that analysis of this gene polymorphism could assist in identification of patient subgroups at risk of a poor disease outcome.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.187-195
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• 2008

Purpose: This epidemiologic research was carried out to investigate the degree and aspects of symptoms of patients suffered from TMD using RDC/TMD. Subjects and Methods: Subjects were the patients who had visited to SNUBH dental clinic from Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2005, and total 117 patients were included (M: 22, F:95). The signs and symptoms of physical, psychological and behavioral factors were retrospectively evaluated by questionnaires in the RDC/TMD. The patients were examined through clinical and radiological method, and diagnosed by same investigator. They were divided into 3 groups such as osteoarthritis group (group 1), internal deragnement (group 2), myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome group (MPDS, group 3). In addition, in patient with complex diagnosis they were divided into subgroups in detail (ex. group 1+group 2). In the questionnaire, several items were selected to calculate the graded pain score (grade $0{\sim}IV$), depression and vegetative symptoms, nonspecific physical symptoms(pain items included) and nonspecific physical symptoms(pain items excluded) in each group. Results: As a result of classification by diagnostic criteria of this study, the patients were distributed to 45% of group 1, 47% of group 2, 8% of group 3 in this study. In younger patients (under 25-year old, n=40), group 2 was occupied 57% (n=23) and group 1 was 35%, group 3 was 8%, while group 1 was occupied 75% in elderly-patients (over 40-year old, n=28) in present study (group 2: 21%, group 3: 4%). In the analysis of depression and vegetative symptoms, majority of patients in Group 2 were included in 'normal', and in Group 3 it appeared to have larger proportion of 'moderate' & 'severe' than others. According to nonspecific physical symptoms, there have been tendencies of higher ratio of 'severe' in patients with MPDS. In graded pain score, more than half (58%) of subjects were included in grade 0 and low disability (Grade I and II), and 27% were revealed high disability (grade III, IV).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1367-1374
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• 2005

Amino acid transporters play an important role in supplying nutrition to normal and cancer cells for cell proliferation. Amino acid transport system L is a major nutrient transport system responsible for the $Na^+$-independent transport of neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. The system L is divided into two major subgroups, the L-tyre amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and the L-type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2). In the present study, we have examined the expression and functional characterization of system L amino acid transporters in FOB human osteoblast cells. RT-PCR and western blot analysis have revealed that the FOB cells expressed LAT1, LAT2 together with their associating protein 4F2hc. The uptakes of $[^{14}C]_L$-leucine by FOB cells are $Na^+$-independent and almost completely inhibited by system L amino acid transporter selective inhibitor, 2-aminobicyclo-(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH). These results suggest that the transport of neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids for cellular nutrition into the FOB human osteoblast cells is mediated by system L amino acid transporters.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.798-810
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate heart rate variability(HRV) in patients with abnormality on EKG by power spectrum analysis of HRV. Methods : The patient group consisted of 147 patients diagnosed as abnormal on EKG at the Oriental Medical Hospital of Dong-eui University from November 2003 to September 2005. We divided the patient group into 9 subgroups (bradycardia, arrhythmia, PVC, AF, AV block, RBBB, LVH, cardiac ischemia, LAD ). The control group consisted of 117 patients who were diagnosed as normal on EKG at the same hospital during the same period. We checked HRV of the two groups over 5 minutes and compared the HRV index between groups. Results and Conclusions : In the time domain analysis, SDNN was significantly higher in the PVC and AF groups than control group and RMSSD was significantly higher in the all patient group and the bradycardia, PVC and AF groups than in the control group. In the frequency domain analysis, Ln(LF) was significantly higher in the all patient group and the PVC and AF groups than the control group but lower in the LAD group. Ln(HF) was significantly higher in The all patient group and bradycardia, PVE and AF groups than control group. LF/HF ratio was significantly lower in the all patient group and bradycardia, arrhythmia, AF, AV block and LAD groups than control group. The autonomic nerve system and parasympathetic nerve system were higher in the patient group with abnormal EKG compared with the control group.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.4 s.59
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• pp.708-718
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• 1997

The author surveyed overall obesity indicies and factors concerned with obesity such as dietary intake, physical activity, stress and life style with the subject of doctors. The number of subjects was total 508 with 396 men and 112 women. They were subgrouped into surgical part, medical part and service and basic part by speciality. And also subgrouped into intern and resident, pay doctor, and practitioner by working type. The results were as follows. 1) Obesity indices: BMI of total doctor was $23.1{\pm}2.8$, and WHR was $0.87{\pm}0.08$ and overweight prevalence(BMI>25.0) was 23.6%. It was within normal limit but slightly over the Korean standard. The degree of obesity indices of subgroups by speciality was 'surgical part > medical part > service and basic part', and by working type was 'practitioner > pay doctor > intern and resident'. 2) Dietary intake and Physical activity: Average dietary intake was $2148{\pm}451kcal/day$. The degree of dietary intake by speciality was 'surgical part > medical part > service and basic part'. By working type it was 'practitioner > pay doctor > intern and resident'. Average physical activity was $29{\pm}5$ METs/day. The degree of physical activity also showed similiar pattern. But there was no significant difference among each groups. 3) Comparision between over-weight and non-over-weight group: The items that showed significant difference between two groups were dietary intake, skip breakfast, regular exercise, smoking, heavy drinking, chronic disease etc.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.276-289
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• 1998

Purpose: To evaluate dysphagia objectively and quantitatively, and to clarify the effect of neck position and viscosity changes in patients with aspiration and laryngeal penetration. Materials and Methods: We studied 35 patients with dysphagia and 21 normal controls using videofluoroscopy and scintigraphy. Videofluoroscopy was performed with barium with three different viscosity, and scintigraphy was done with water, yogurt, and steamed egg mixed with Tc-99m tin colloid. If aspiration was found during videofluoroscopic examination, patient's neck position was changed and study repeated. Videofluoroscopy was analyzed qualitatively. We calculated 7 quantitative parameters from scintigraphy. According to the videofluoroscopic findings, we divided patients into 3 subgroups; aspiration, laryngeal penetration, and no-aspiration group. Results: The result of videofluoroscopy revealed that the most common finding was the delay in triggering pharyngeal swallow. Pharyngeal transit time (PTT) and pharyngeal swallowing efficiency(PSE) in patients with aspiration were signifi-cantly different from other groups. After neck position change, aspiration could be reduced in all of 7 patients, and laryngeal penetration reduced by about 82%. PTT and PSE were also improved after position change. Aspiration and laryngeal penetration occurred more frequently in thin liquid swallowing than in thick liquid and solid swallowing. Conclusion: PTT and PSE were useful for the evaluation of dysphagia. Aspiration and laryngeal penetration could be reduced when appropriate position assumed. We could decrease the chance of aspiration by changing the patient diet consistency. Scintigraphy might be useful tool to quantitate and follow up these changes.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2000

This experiment was conducted to investigate how restricted-lactation and regulation of weaning-time influence the levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in primiparous rats during the suckling period. All the rats were raised in the individual cage from a few days before parturition through the whole suckling period. The restrictedlactation (RL) and weaned (W) groups were subdivided into 5 subgroups as RL0, RL5, RL10, RL15 and RL20 as well as W0, W5, Wl0, W15, and W20 according to the day of onset of suckling only 4 pups in restriction lactation and of suckling no pups in weaned group, respectively, in contrast to suckling 8 pups per litter in normal lactation (NL) group. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The serum IGF- I concentration of NL rats was 750.59$\pm$3.52ng/$m\ell$ on Day 0, which was not changed until Day 15, and then it was increased through the subsequent suckling period to 1690.20$\pm$4.42ng/$m\ell$ on Day 25. 2. The IGF-I concentrations of early restricted lactation (RL0, RL5) were 1395.90$\pm$3.45ng/$m\ell$ and 1351$\pm$3.23ng/$m\ell$ on Day 10, respeotively. It was significantly higher (P＜0.05) than NL group (745.96$\pm$2.24ng/$m\ell$), and then was not different between group from day 15 of lactation. 3. The IGF- I concentration of W-group in the early lactation was higher (P＜0.05) than NL group during the first week of lactation. But it was decreased to the similar concentration as NL group on Day 10. These data show that lactation stimulus may regulate the IGF-I concentration.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.783-796
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• 2006

The periodontium is a topographically complex organ consisting of epithelial tissue, soft and mineralized tissues. Structures comprising the periodontium include the gingiva, periodontal ligament (PDL) , cementum and the alveolar bone. The molecular mechanism of differentiation in PDL fibroblast cells remain unclear. Amino acid transporters play an important role in supplying nutrition to normal and cancer cells and for cell proliferation. Amino acid transport system L is a major nutrient transport system responsible for the Na+-independent transport of neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. The system L is divided into two major subgroups, the L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and the L-type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2). In this study, the expression pattern of amino acid transport system L was, therefore, investigated in the differentiation of PDL fibroblast cells. To determine the expression level of amino acid transport system L participating in intracellular transport of amino acids in the differentiation of PDL fibroblast cells, it was examined by RT-PCR, observation of cell morphology, Alizaline red-S staining and uptake analysis after inducing experimental differentiation in PDL fibroblast cells isolated from mouse molar teeth. The results are as follows. 1. The LAT1 mRNA was expressed in the early stage of PDL fibroblast cell differentiation. This expression level was gradually reduced by differentiation- inducing time and it was not observed after the late stage. 2. The expression level of LAT2 mRNA was increased in time-dependent manner during differentiation induction of PDL fibroblast cells. 3. There was no changes in. the expression level of 4F2hc mRNA, the cofactor of LAT1 and LAT2, during differentiation of PDL fibroblast cells. 4. The expression level of ALP mRNA was gradually increased and the expression level of Col I mRNA was decreased during differentiation of PDL fibroblast cells. 5. The L-leucine transport was reduced by time from the early stage to the late stage in PDL fibroblast cell differentiation. As the results, it is considered that among neutral ammo acid transport system L in differentiation of PDL fibroblast cells, the LATl has a key role in cell proliferation in the early stage of cell differentiation and the LAT2 has an important role in the late stage of cell differentiation for providing cells with neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids.