• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.228-236
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• 1999

Background: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is an uncommon illness characterized by intermittent flaccid paralysis of skeletal muscle, usually accompanied by hypokalemia, in patient with hyperthyroidism. However, the pathophysiology of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis remains largely unexplained and controversial. This report describes the clinical and biochemical findings in 19 patients with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis who were examined at the Yeungnam University Medical Center(YUMC) during the past decade. Methods: The medical records of 997 YUMC patients, seen between 1986 and 1996, with diagnosis of hyperthyroidism were reviewed. Nineteen patients out of 997 hyperthyroidism patients were diagnosed, and examined by history, physical examination, serum electrolyte value, and thyroid function test during paralysis. On the basis of these results, comparisons were made on age, sex, precipitating factors, timing, affected limbs, prognosis, serum potassium and serum phosphate and thyroid hormone levels. Results: The prevalence of periodic paralysis in hyperthyroidism was 1.9 percent and the male to female prevalence ratio was 30:1 and in all patients, the development of perodic paralysis was correlated with hyperfunctional state of the thyroid gland. Eleven cases of periodic paralysis were associated with hypokalemia and their thyroid hormone levels were significantly more increased than those of the patients without hypokalemia. Interestingly, our study shows the recurrence of paralysis after treatment. Conclusion: Although the precise pathophysiology of the disease is as yet undefined and controversial, it occurs primarily in Asians with an overwhelming male preponderance and prevalence of 2 percent in hyperthyroidism. The interactive roles of thyroid hormone, Na-K pump, and genetically inherited defect in the cellular membrane potential of the skeletal muscle can be speculated. Further investigation will be needed to firmly establish the mechanism of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.443-452
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• 1998

This sutdy was carried out to investigate the acute toxicity and foru-week intravenous toxicity of the intralipidos in rats and rabbits. The acute toxicity study of Intralipidos was performed in Spragur-Dawley (SD) rats. Intralipidos was administered by intravenous to maximum dose 200 ml/kg. $LD_{50}$ of intralipidos was found 139.5ml/kg and 153.8ml/kg in male female SD rats. Four-week toxicity of intralipidos using New Zealand White Rabbit and SD rats. The Rabbit and Rats were administered by intravenous seven days per week for 28 days, with dosage of 15, 6, 2 ml/kg/day and 20, 6, 2ml/kg/day, respectively. Animals treated with intralipidos did not cause any death and show any clinical signs. They did not show any significant changes of body weight, feed uptake and water consumption. They were not significantly different from the control group in urinalysis, ocular examination hematological, serum biochemical value and histopathological examination. Therefore, Intralipidos was not indicated to have any toxic effect in the Rabbits and Rats, when it was administrated by intravenous below the dosage 15ml/kg/day and 20 ml/kg/day for four weeks.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 1979

1. The effects of heat stress (38$^{\circ}C$), cold stress (4$^{\circ}C$) and extreme cold stress (-20$^{\circ}C$) before slaughter on the tenderness and postmortem glycolysis if the excised chicken breast muscle were studied Heat stress significantly (p 0.05) increased the toughness of breast muscle. Though statistically not significant, cold stress also adversely affected the tenderness. The heat-stressed birds showed higher zero hr glycogen higher zero hr pH and significantly (p 0.05) love. ultimate pH then the controls. The cold-stressed birds showed intermediate values in these parameters. Highly significant correlations. were observed between shear value and each of these three parameters. Glycolysis rate ana final moisture content were minor factors which affected the muscle tenderness to a limited extent. The slightly elevated lactate-dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase activities in serum and breast muscle of stressed birds failed to account for any variations in tenderness. 2. Chicken breast and thigh muscles were subjected to different environmental temperatures to determine if the phenomenon of cold shortening exists in chicken muscle. For both breast and thigh muscles, minimum shortening was observed in the 4-10$^{\circ}C$t range. Muscles held at 0$^{\circ}C$ showed a slightly higher extent of shortening than at 4$^{\circ}C$; where as muscles held at above 20$^{\circ}C$ showed a severe shortening effect. It was concluded that no apparent cold shortening was detected in chicken muscle except at 0$^{\circ}C$ and even at 0$^{\circ}C$ and even at 0$^{\circ}C$ the extent of shortening was of a small magnitude compared to bovine muscles. Since high temperature induces a much greater shortening, muscle temperature must be lowered to below 20$^{\circ}C$ as early as possible to prevent excessive muse]e shortening.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.528-533
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• 2004

The immune system acts to protect the host from infectious agents that exist in the environment and from other noxious insults. The immune system has two functional divisions: the innate and the acquired. Both components involve various factors such as cytokines. A number of methodologies exist to assess aspects of immune function. There are large inter-individual variations in many immune functions even among the healthy. Genetics, age, gender, smoking habits, habitual levels of exercise, alcohol consumption, diet, stage in the female menstrual cycle, stress, history of infections and vaccinations, and early life experiences are likely to be important contributors to the observed variation. While it is clear that individuals with immune responses significantly below 'normal' are more susceptible to infectious agents and exhibit increased infectious morbidity and mortality, it is not clear how the variation in immune function among healthy individuals relates to variation in susceptibility to infection. Oriental medicine is an important factor contributing to immune competence. The author investigated the immune enhancement effects of Bojungikkitanggami-bang (BITB). The forced swimming test (FST) has been used as a screening model for new immune enhancement agents. In the present study, the author investigated the effects of BITB on FST and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue, glucose (Glc); blood urea nitrogen (BUN); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); creatinine; and total protein (TP). The author found that BITB (1 g/kg) significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST compared to the control. In addition, the contents of Glc, LDH, BUN, TP in the blood serum were increased in BITB (1g/kg)-fed group. Also, the author investigated the effects of BITB on the production of cytokines in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells. BITB (1 mg/ml) significantly increased the interferon (IFN)-vproduction compared with media control (about 2.2-fold for IFN-γ) at 24 h. However, BITB has not affect the production of IL-2 and IL-4. In addition, BITB increased the protein expression level of IFN-γ in MOLT-4 cells. Thus, BITB may have therapeutic value in generating or enhancing immune function in a clinical setting.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2007

Despite the risk of high altitude disease (HAD), raising cattle at higher altitudes does have advantages such as beef quality due to minimal chance of infection and stress. The ideal situation is to determine the optimum altitude suitable for raising cattle while at the same time minimizing the risk of HAD. Therefore, in this study, we documented the health status of three groups of steers, raised at three different altitudes (200m, 400m and 800m) in Gangwon province, using routine hematological, biochemical and hormonal tests. The red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentration were highest in the 800m group, and lowest in the 200m group, possibly due to hypoxia induced myeloid and erythroid stimulation. The mean concentration of AST, BUN and serum cortisol were lowest in the 800m. These findings suggest the stress factor will contribute the general health status of animal and indicate a difference in the Hanwoo groups raised at 800m compared to 200m, where the cattle raised at the higher altitude exhibit better health status compared to the lower altitude, possibly due to less stressful environment in the higher altitude.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the changes of the serological lipid-related parameters of the rats when they were fed with the high fat diets supplemented with or without naringin for five weeks. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats($272.2{\pm}7.2$ g of body weight) were randomly divided into three groups(eight rats per each group) : control(C) group and two treatment groups. Rats in the C group were fed with the high-fat diet containing 15% lard, 1% cholesterol and 0.5% sodium cholate(w/w) which was modified from the formula of the American Institute of Nutrition-76(AIN-76) diet. Rats in treatment groups were fed with above diet supplemented with 0.1% naringin(N-0.1) or 0.2% naringin(N-0.2) on the weight to weight basis, respectively. The supplementation of naringin did not induce any significant difference on the final body weight, gain of body weight, the amount of feed intake and the feed efficiency of rats in between control and treatment groups. In addition the levels of glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin(A/G) ratio in sera of rats showed no significant differences between control and treatment groups. The levels of total cholesterol(TC) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C)in sera of rats in both N-0.1 and N-0.2 groups were significantly lower than in C group(p<0.05). The levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C) were significantly higher in both N-0.1 and N-0.2 groups than in C group(p<0.05). The values of atherogenic index(AI) were significantly lower in both N-0.1 and N-0.2 groups than in C group(p<0.05). The levels of triglyceride in sera of rats showed no significant differences between control and treatment groups. The values of AST and ALT were significantly lower in both N-0.1 and N-0.2 groups than in C group(p<0.05). Therefore the supplementation of naringin to high fat diet in rats reduced effectively the serum lipid levels such as TC and LDL-C and AI which were regarded as to cause the cardiovascular diseases, and moreover it elevated the HDL-C value effectively which was regarded to protect cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.255-264
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• 1989

The results of toxicity test using mice and rats for ethanol extract of Bracken Fern collected in Kwang Ju area were shown as follows ; Up to the dose of 10g per kg of mice administered intraperitoneally there was no lethal toxicity so that it was impossible to calculate the median lethal dose $(LD_{50})$. For the first 7 days experiment all rats administered frond extract grouping in 40mg, 400mg, and 1200mg per kg of rat as the daily oral doses did not show any characterized sign in the weight gain rate, anatomical findings, and biochemical studies. For 3 weeks following the first week the weight gain rates of all test group were reduced to $4.2{\sim}7%$ below the weight gain rate of control. In this period serum GPT, GOT, and Alkaline phosphatase value were increased significantly indicating the symptoms of Bracken Fern poisonings. The pathological findings of all test groups for 28 days showed acute and chronic intestinal lesion and liver damage with steatosis especially in 1200g/kg rat groups. In this experiment the Bracken poisonings appeared slowly in rats of 400mg/kg and 1200mg/kg for two weeks and in rats of 40mg/kg for 3 weeks, showing the symptoms of lowering of weight gain rate, subacute hepatitis, hepatic steatosis and enteritis in 28 days experiment.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.37-51
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• 2004

Objective : Recently scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture has been a good effect on pain control but it has not been known about clinical safety. The purpose of this study was to investigate acute toxicity of scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture. Method : In order to prove the clinical safety of scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, We have observed a bacteriological examination and clinical pathology test after scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment. Balb/c mice were injected intravenous with Scolopendrid aquaacupuncture treatment for $LD_{50}$ and acute toxicity test. We analyzed physical reaction(side effect)and clinical pathology test before and after Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment of mice and 20 patients suffering from pain, who admitted department of Acupunture and Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Won-Kwang University Kwangju hospital. Results : In the Blood agar plate and Nutrient agar plate, a bacteriological examination did not show a bacillus. In acute $LD_{50}$ toxicity test, there was no mortality thus unable to attain the value. Examining the toxic response in the acute toxicity test, there was no sign of toxication. In acute toxic test, running biochemical serum test couldn't yield any differences between the control and experiment groups. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, hematologic test did not show remarkable change. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, Liver function test(AST, ALT, ALP) showed a slight decrease on the contrary, and abnormal rate showed a decrease of 5.0% compared with previous study. Reanl function test(BUN, Cr) and abnormal rate showed a decrease of 5.0% compared with previous study. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, Electrolyte were normal range before and after treatment. In the Urine analysis of 20 patients, Leukocyte, Protein, Glucose, Keton, Bilirubin, U-bilinogen were not detected before and after Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment, and the rest almost made no difference.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.559-569
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• 2001

Background : Pleural effusion is one of the most common clinical manifestations associated with a variety of pulmonary diseases such as malignancy, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. However, there are no useful laboratory tests to determine the specific cause of pleural effusion. Therefore, an attempt was made to analyze the various types of pleural effusion and search for useful laboratory tests for pleural effusion in order to differentiate between the diseases, especially between a malignant pleural effusion and a non-malignant pleural effusion. Methods : 93 patients with a pleural effusion, who visited the Severance hospital from January 1998 to August 1999, were enrolled in this study. Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis was done and a confirmational diagnosis was made by a gram stain, bacterial culture, Ziehl-Neelsen stain, a mycobacterial culture, a pleural biopsy and cytology. Results : The male to female ratio was 56 : 37 and the average age was $47.1{\pm}21.8$ years. There were 16 cases with a malignant effusion, 12 cases with a para-malignant effusion, 36 cases with tuberculosis, 22 cases with a para-pneumonic effusion, and 7 cases with transudate. The LDH2 fraction was significantly higher in the para-malignant effusion group compared to the para-pneumonic effusion group [$30.6{\pm}6.4%$ and $20.2{\pm}7.5%$, respectively (p<0.05)] and both the LDH1 and LDH2 fraction was significantly in the para-malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$16.4{\pm}7.2%$ vs. $7.6{\pm}4.7%$, and $30.6{\pm}6.4%$ vs.$17.6{\pm}6.3%$, respectively (p<0.05)]. The pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio was significantly lower in the malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$1.5{\pm}0.8$ vs. $2.1{\pm}0.6$, respectively (p<0.05)]. The LDH4 fraction and the pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio was significantly lower in the para-malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$17.0{\pm}5.8%$ vs. $23.5{\pm}4.6%$ and $1.3{\pm}0.4$ vs. $2.1{\pm}0.6$, respectively (p<0.05)]. Conclusion : These results suggest that the LDH isoenzyme was the only useful biochemical test for a differential diagnosis of the various diseases. In particular, the most useful test was the pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio to distinguish between a para-malignant effusion and a tuberculous effusion.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.909-913
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• 2013

Purpose: The liver is the organ to which colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) most commonly metastasize, and surgical resection has been established as the most effective and potentially curative treatment for CRC with liver metastasis (LM). Therefore, surveillance of LM is vital for improvement of prognosis of CRC patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential value of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and marker enzymes in indicating LM with CRC. Methods: Three groups of eligible patients with metastatic cancers were retrospectively included: CRC patients with LM (CRC-LM) or without LM (CRC-NLM), and non-CRC patients with LM (NCRC-LM). All metastatic lesions were identified by CT or MRI. Data on characteristics of the patients, the primary site, the locations of metastasis, CA 19-9, CEA, and biochemical parameters were collected for analysis. Results: A total of 493 patients were retrospectively included. More alcohol consumption was found in CRC-LM than CRC-NLM. Some biochemical enzymes were found to be significantly higher in groups with LM than without (CRC-LM or NCRC-LM v.s CRC-NLM). Both CEA and CA 19-9 were much higher in CRC-LM than CRC-NLM or NCRC-LM. For CRC patients, CA 19-9, ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase, CEA and alcohol consumption were identified as independent factors associated with LM. Conclusion: Our analysis suggested the CA 19-9 might be a potential valuable indicator for LM of CRC in the clinic.