• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.478-487
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• 2003

Background : There have been several studies showing that the angiotensin II and angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) contributes to the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and the activation of fibroblasts during the process of pulmonary fibrosis. These results suggest that the pulmonary fibrosis can be inhibited by the angiotensin II receptor antagonist(AGIIRA). This study was performed to identify the therapeutic effect of AGIIRA in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF). Method : Thirteen patients with IPF, who were diagnosed with an open lung biopsy(6 patients) and furfilling the ATS criteria(7 patients) between March 1999 and October 2001 at the Gachon medical center, were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, eight patients were treated with a regimen including AGIIRA(AT group), and five were treated without AGIIRA(NT group). The pulmonary function tests and dyspnea(ATS scale) were measured at diagnosis and 1 year after treatment. All the data was collected to analyze the therapeutic effect of AGIIRA on the patients with IPF. Results : The AT group contained 8 patients(M:F=4:4) and the NT group contained 5 patients(M:F=3:2). There was no significant difference in the serum angiotensin II level between the two groups($202.5{\pm}58.5$ vs $163.7{\pm}47.3pg/ml$, p>0.05). The AT group showed an upward trend in TLC(+3%), FVC(+4%), FEV1(+3%) and DLco(+2%) compared to the NT group(TLC(-14%), FVC(-3%), FEV1(-4%) except for DLco(+5%)). The dyspnea score in the AT group improved significantly but not in the NT group. Conclusion : These results suggest that the angiotensin II receptor antagonist may have an effect on stabilizing IPF.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.506-515
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• 2003

Background : A decreased level of serum arginine vasopressin(AVP) and an increased sensitivity to an exogenous AVP is expected in patients with septic shock who often require a high infusion rate of catecholamines. The goal of the study was to determine whether an exogenous AVP infusion to the patients with septic shock would achieve a significant decrement in infusion rate of catecholamine vasopressors while maintaining hemodynamic stability and adequate urine output. Method : Eight patients with septic shock who require a high infusion rate of norepinephrine had received a trial of 4-hour AVP infusion with simultaneous titration of norepinephrine. Hemodynamic parameters and urine output were monitored during the AVP infusion and the monitoring continued up to 4 hours after the AVP infusion had stopped. Results : Mean arterial pressure showed no significant changes during the study period(p=0.197). Norepinephrine infusion rate significantly decreased with concurrent AVP administration(p=0.001). However, beneficial effects had disappeared after the AVP infusion was stopped. In addition, hourly urine output showed no significant changes throughout the trials(p=0.093). Conclusion : Concurrent AVP infusion achieved the catecholamine vasopressor sparing effect in the septic shock patients, but there was no evidence of the improvement of renal function. Further study may be indicated to determine whether AVP infusion would provide an organ-protective effect to the septic shock patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.386-394
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• 2003

Background : ATS(American Thoracic Society) defined new guidelines for COPD(chronic obstructive lung disease) in April 2001, following the results of the global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease. The most important concept of COPD is an airflow limitation which is not fully reversible compared to bronchial asthma(BA). The criteria for COPD are postbronchodilator $FEV_1$ less than 80% of the predicted value and an $FEV_1$ per FVC ratio less than 70%. The global initiative for asthma(GINA) study defined asthma, which included immune-mediated chronic airway inflammatory airway disease, and found that airflow limitation was wide spread, variable and often completely reversible. Taken together COPD and BA may be combined in airflow limitation. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of BA in patients with COPD of moderate to severe airflow limitation. Methods : COPD was diagnosed by symptoms and spirometry according to ATS guidelines. Enrolled subjects were examined for peak flow meters(PFM), sputum eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein(ECP) levels, serum total IgE with allergy skin prick test, and methacholine bronchial provocation test(MBPT). Results : About 27% of COPD patients with moderate to severe airflow limitation were combined with BA. There was significantly decreased response to PFM in severe COPD. However, there was no significant relationship between BA and COPD according to the degree of severity. The BA combined with COPD group showed significantly high eosinophil counts and ECP level in induced sputum. However, neutrophil counts in induced sputum showed significant elevation in the pure COPD group. Conclusion : Twenty-seven percent of COPD patients with moderate to severe ventilation disorder were combined with BA, but there were no significant differences according to the degree of severity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.166-171
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical relevance and effectiveness of ovariectomy (OVE) and ovariohysterectomy (OVH) in terms of postoperative pain behavior and surgical stress. Thirteen healthy intact mongrel purpose-bred female dogs were used in this study. OVE was performed in six dogs whereas OVH was performed in seven dogs. Prior to, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery, pain assessment was performed by using the Short form of Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF) and blood analysis for the determination of glucose, creatine kinase (CK), and cortisol were done. Also, surgical time, duration of anesthesia, and incision length were compared between two groups. As a result, OVH group as opposed to OVE group showed significantly longer in surgical time, duration of anesthesia, and incision length. Also, based on the two-way ANOVA test, the CMPS-SF had significant differences (p < 0.05) between two groups, with the OVE dogs having lower values at 1, 2, 4, and 6 h postoperatively. In addition, in terms of CK, the value at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 h were significantly (p < 0.05) increased from the baseline value for the OVH group. However, as for CK in OVE group, the values at 4, 6, and 12 h were significantly increased from the baseline value. As for blood glucose, a significant (p < 0.05) increase from the baseline was shown at 1 h postoperatively in OVH group and no significant increase was shown in OVE group. In terms of serum cortisol level, the values at the 1 and 2 h were significantly (p < 0.05) increased from the baseline value for both groups. In conclusion, our study has shown that OVE can be considered as a superior choice in terms of sterilization technique in female dogs, considering shorter incision length, surgical time, duration of anesthesia along with lower pain and surgical stress response than OVH.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.307-316
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• 2015

Beetle larvae have been used as a traditional medicine to treat various human liver diseases. To prove the liver protective function of Allomyrina dichotoma larvae (ADL), we induced liver damage by the intraperitoneal injection of a hepatotoxic reagent, diethylnitrosamine (DEN), to C3H/HeN male mice and orally administered freeze-dried ADL powder. ADL powder lessened DEN-induced hepatotoxicity considering the reduced signs of acute and chronic hepatotoxicities, such as the ALP level in the blood serum, TUNEL-positive hepatocytes, ductural reactions, steatotic hepatocytes, and collagen deposition of the Masson’s trichrome staining. In addition to hepatoprotection, the anti-cancer activity of ADL has been examined. The ADL powder was extracted with ethanol and then fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate, and water by a solvent partition technique. The ethyl acetate fraction showed cytotoxicity to various cancer cells through induction of apoptosis and necrosis, as well as the perturbed metabolism of the cancer cell to trigger autophagy. Collectively, ADL contains bioactive substances that can protect hepatocytes from toxic chemicals and trigger cell death in cancer cells. Thus, further purification and analyses of ADL fractions could lead to the identification of novel bioactive compounds.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.382-391
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• 2016

The purpose of this experiment was designed to investigate the effects of medicinal herbs (MH) extracts on dementia induced by trimethyltin chloride (TMT) in rats. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups; normal group (group 1), control group (group 2), MH extracts group (250, 500 mg/kg) (group 3, group 4) and positive control group (tacrine group, group 5). In the control group to induce dementia, a 2.5 mg/kg of TMT intraperitoneal injection was used for 14 days (1 per day) in the rats. In the MH extracts group 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of MH extracts were medicated in an oral inoculation for 20 days (1 per day). After 30 minutes, a 2.5 mg/kg of TMT intraperitoneal injection, which causes dementia, was used for 14 days (1 per day). In the positive control group (Tacrine group) 10 mg/kg of Tacrine, the dementia treatment, was medicated in an oral inoculation. After 30 mintues, 1 mg/kg of TMT intraperitoneal injection, which causes dementia, was used for 14 days (1 per day). The present author observed the passive avoidance performance test, and memory ability test (Y maze test), the values of MDA, acetlycholinesterase (AchE) activity in the brain and antioxidant enzyme in serum. MH extracts significantly improved memory of AD model rats in the Y-maze test, and also significantly improved memory of AD model rats in the passive avoidance test. MH extracts significantly reduced AChE activity, and significantly increased the SOD level, but not catalase and MDA. From the results above, MH extracts is thought to be effective in the improvement of antioxidant enzymes and memory ability.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.349-357
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• 2010

Purpose : Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is usually benign and improves within 72 hours. However, it can also progress to prolonged tachypnea over 72 hours, profound hypoxemia, respiratory failure, and even death. The aim of this study is to find predictable risk factors and describe the clinical courses and outcomes of prolonged TTN (PTTN). Methods : The medical records of 107 newborns, >$35^{+0}$ weeks of gestational age with TTN, who were admitted to the NICU at Seoul Asan Medical Center from January 2001 to September 2007 were reviewed. They were divided into 2 groups based on duration of tachypnea. PTTN was defined as tachypnea ${\geq}72$ hours of age, and simple TTN (STTN) as tachypnea <72 hours of age. We randomly selected 126 healthy-term newborns as controls. We evaluated neonatal and maternal demographic findings, and various clinical factors. Results : Fifty-five infants (51%) with total TTN were PTTN. PTTN infants had grunting, tachypnea >90/min, $FiO_2$ >0.4, and required ventilator care more frequently than STTN infants. PTTN had lower level of serum total protein and albumin than STTN. The independent predictable risk factors for PTTN were grunting, maximal respiration rate >90/min, and $FiO_2$ >0.4 within 6 hours of life. Conclusion : When a newborn has grunting, respiration rate >90/min, and oxygen requirement >0.4 of $FiO_2$ within 6 hours of life, the infant is at high risk of having persistent tachypnea ${\geq}72$ hours. We need further study to find the way to reduce PTTN.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.414-419
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is any difference in the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with autoantibody-positive and patients with autoantibody-negative type 1 diabetes at initial presentation. Methods : We analyzed 96 patients under 18 years of age with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. One or both of the pancreatic autoantibodies-glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA) and insulin autoantibody (IAA)-were measured in all patients, and we reviewed clinical and laboratory characteristics according to the presence of these autoantibodies. Results : GADA was examined in 48 of 87 patients, and 55.2% of patients were positive. IAA was checked in 88 patients, and 39.8% were positive. Both GADA and IAA were measured in 83 patients, and 22.8% had both antibodies. The patients who had one or both autoantibodies (autoantibody-positive group) were younger than those not having any autoantibody (autoantibody-negative group). The autoantibody-positive group had lower BMI, corrected sodium level, and serum effective osmolarity, compared to the autoantibody-negative group (P <0.05). Similar differences were found between the GADA-positive and GADA-negative groups. However, there were no significant differences between the IAA-positive and IAA-negative groups. Conclusion : The prevalence of pancreatic autoantibodies was significantly higher in the under-6 years age group than in the other age groups. These findings suggest that measurement of autoantibodies at the initial diagnosis of diabetes is very useful for detecting immune-mediated type 1 diabetes and providing intensive insulin therapy, especially in younger children.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.490-500
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• 2017

This study was performed to evaluate repeated dose oral toxicity upon administration of the test substance 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one for 90 days and to determine NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) and target organs in Sprague-Dawley rats. Single, 2-week repeated, and 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity studies were conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. The dose levels of groups were 1,250, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg/d. All dose groups were compared with the vehicle control group. The animals were observed for clinical signs and weekly body weight. Urinalysis, hematology, and serum biochemistry analyses were conducted. Subsequently, animals were sacrificed and subjected to histopathological examination. For the result, NOAEL of ethanol extract from unripe fruit of bitter melon had an optimal dose of 5,000 mg/kg/d and acceptable daily intake up to 3,000 mg/man. There was no target organ detected. Therefore, bitter melon, which contains a variety of bioactive substances, could be widely used as a health functional food ingredient.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 1998

Background: Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia(CEP) presents with profound systemic symptoms, including fever, malaise, night sweats, weight loss, and anorexia together with localized pulmonary manifestations such as cough, wheeze, and sputum. It is an illness occurring predominantly in women. The chest radiogragh shows fluffy opacities that often have a characteristic peripheral configuration. The hallmark of CEP is the peripheral blood eosinophilia and a prompt response to oral corticosteroid therapy. We investigated characteristics of eleven patients of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, reported in Korea. Method: There were eleven reports of CEP from 1980 to 1996, including three cases experienced in our hospital. The journals were analysed in respects of clinical history, laboratory, and radiographic findings. Results: 1) Male vs. female ratio is 3 : 8. The peak incidence occurred in forty and fifty decades. The atopic diseases were present in 6 cases. Asthma was the commonest manifestation 2) The presenting symptoms were as follows: cough, dyspnea, sputum, weight loss, fever, general weakness, night sweats, urticaria with the descending incidence. 3) Peripheral blood eosinophilia was present in all patients(mean ; 38.4%) and serum IgE level was elevated in nine patients(mean ; 880IU/ml). Conclusion: The diagnosis of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is based on classic symptoms, including fever, night sweats, weight loss with a typical roentgenogram of peripheral pulmonary infiltrates and peripheral blood eosinophilia, and that is confimed by lung biopsy and/or bronchoalveolar lavage. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is responsive to corticosteroid promptly and recommended at least 6 months of therapy to prevent relapse.