• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2001

These experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the administration of exogenous PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ on hormone concentrations and follicular development in early postpartum(pp) Korean native goats. 1. Plasma PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ concentrations in PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ treated goals showed a gradual increase from a low on day 2 (GR-1 : 10 day-treatment group: 6.35$\pm$0.5 and GR-2; 4 day-treatment group: 0.22$\pm$0.2 pg/$m\ell$, respectively) to reach a peak of 21.18$\pm$1.6 or 4.21 $\pm$0.4 pg/$m\ell$ on day 4 after treatment of PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$. 2. Plasma PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ concentrations in GR-1 goats averaged 9.08 $\pm$1.2 pg/$m\ell$ compared with 5.44$\pm$ 1.8 pg/$m\ell$ in GR-2 goats the day before treatment of PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$. Mean PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ concentrations thereafter remained low during the treatment period but PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ concentrations did not differ between the two group. 3. Plasma concentrations of estradiol-17 $\beta$ (E,) in PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ - treated group were decreased gradually until 2 days after PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment but mean $E_2$ concentrations began to increase on 3 days and were Inaximal on the 4 days after treatment. 4. Plasma lulenizing hormone (LH) concentrations in PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ - treated goats were slightly higher than in controls but mean LH concentrations did not differ between the two treatment groups. 5. Plasma prolactin (PRL) concentrations were suppressed in both GR-1(10 day-treatment group) and GR-2(4 day-treatment group) goats compared to saline controls but mean PRL concentrations remained lower in PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ treated animals during post-treatment period. 6. The mean number of small and medium follicles present when PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ was administrated was similar in all does but the increase in number of large follicles($\geq$4mm) tended to be higher in PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ treated group than controls. These results suggest that concentrations of PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ and estradiol-17$\beta$ were positively correlared with follicular diameter. We conclude that PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment stimulates follicular development similarly in both GR-1 and GR-2 group.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 1998

Ochratoxin A (OA) is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus ochraceus as well as other molds. It is a natural contaminant of mouldy food and feed. OA has a number of toxic effects, the most prominant being nephrotoxicity. Futhermore, OA is immunosuppressive, genotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic. OA inhibits protein synthesis by competition with phenylalanine in the phenylalanine-tRNA aminoacylation reaction. Recently, lipid peroxidation induced by OA has been reported, indicating that the lesion induced by this mycotoxin could be also related to oxidative pathway. Since it seems impossible to avoid contamination of foodstuffs by toxigenic fungi, detoxification and detoxication of OA are needed. In this study we investigated the protective effects of aspartame (Asp), phenylalanine (Phe), polyphenol 70S (PP) and aloe extract (AE) on the nephrotoxicity induced by subacute exposure to the OA. Asp and Phe are structural analogues of OA. PP, an ingredient of Green Tea and AE have been known as antioxidant and radical scavenger. Phe (40 mg/kg, i.p.) and Asp (25 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered to Sprague-Dawley rats simultaneously with OA (2.0 mg/kg, p.o.) for 2 weeks. PP (200 mg/kg, p.o.) and AE (50 mg/kg, i.v.) were pretreated before administration of OA, for 2 weeks and 3 days, respectively. Using enzymuria, BUN level, creatinemia and histophathologic examination as indices of renal damage, we observed that all of four compounds prevented the nephrotoxic effects induced by OA. It seems that structural analogues of OA such as Asp and Phe have better protective effect on the nephrotoxicity of OA than antioxidants. These results indicate that 1) formation of free radical and lipid peroxidation are likely to be involved in the nephrotoxicity of OA in vivo, 2) Asp, PP and AE might be used for prevention of renal lesions in cases of ochratoxicosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.654-658
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• 2002

Purpose : Endocrine and immune systems are connected and interdependent. Adrenal glands play an important role in this network and control the balance between serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEAS) and cortisol. These steroids have an antagonistic effect on the T cell progression into Th1 and Th2 cells and on the induction of correlated interleukins. Therefore we evaluated the role of adrenal androgen and cortisol as immune modulators in Kawasaki disease( KD) with changes of T cell immunity. Methods : From April to August in 2001, we examined serum DHEAS and 24 hour urine free cortisol(F) before administration of immunoglobulin and steroids by radioimmunoassay in 14 KD patients. It's clinical severity was determined by Harada score and coronary lesion. Results : The age of the patient group ranged from 4 months to 4 years; its average age was 2.3 years. Three patients(21.4%) were below 1 year, 2(14.3%) between 1 and 2 years, 5(35.7%) between 2 and 3 years, 4(28.6%) between 3 and 4 years of age. Male to female ratio was 1:1.3. DHEAS was significantly decreased in patients($11.1{\pm}6.0{\mu}g/dL$) more than controls($81.6{\pm}13.3{\mu}g/dL$)(P<0.05). Twenty-four hour urine free cortisol was significantly increased in patients($36.9{\pm}21.9{\mu}g/dL$) more than controls($13.6{\pm}5.5{\mu}g/dL$)(P<0.05). Ratio of DHEAS/F was decreased remarkably in patients($0.33{\pm}0.20$) more than controls($6.65{\pm}2.56$)(P=0.016). There was no difference between ratio of DHEAS/F and Harada score, but its ratio was very low in patients with coronary aneurysm. Conclusion : These data demonstrate that there are changes of DHEAS and cortisol in acute stage of KD and the dis-equilibrium between two steroids may be relevant in the T cell immune response induction of Kawasaki disease. These changes support the use of DHEAS/F ratio as one of the predictive factors of coronary arteries complication.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2006

Neuronal apoptotic events, consequently resulting in neuronal cell death, are occurred in hypoxic/ischemic condition. This cell death has been shown to be accompanied with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can attack cellular components such as nucleic acids, proteins and phospholipid. However, the underlying mechanisms of apoptosis induced in hypoxic/ischemic condition and its treatment methods are unsettled. Cobalt chloride $(CoCl_2)$ has been known to mimic hypoxic condition including the production of ROS. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, has diverse pharmacologial activities in cell growth and death. This study was aimed to investigate the apoptotic mechanism by $CoCL_2$ and effects of EGCG on $CoCl_2-induced$ apoptosis in PC12 cells. Administration of $CoCl_2$ decreased cell survival in dose- and time-dependent manners and induced genomic DNA fragmentation. Treatment with $100{\mu}M$ EGCG for 30 min before PC12 cells were exposed to $150{\mu}M$ $CoCl_2$, being resulted in the cell viability and DNA fragmentation being rescued. $CoCl_2$ caused morphologic changes such as cell swelling and condensed nuclei whereas EGCG attenuated morphologic changes by $CoCl_2$. EGCG suppressed the apoptotic peak and a loss of ${\Delta}{\psi}_m$ induced by $CoCl_2$. $CoCl_2$ decreased Bcl-2 expression but Bax expression was not changed in $CoCl_2$- treated cells. EGCG attenuated the Bcl-2 underexpression by $CoCl_2$. $CoCl_2$ augumented the cytochrome c release from mitochondria into cytoplasm and increased caspase-8, -9 and caspase-3 activity a marker of the apoptotic executing stage. EGCG ameliorated the incruement in caspase-8, -9 and -3 activity, and cytochrome c release by $CoCl_2$ NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine), a scavenger of ROS, attenuated $CoCl_2-induced$ apoptosis in consistent with those of EGCG. These results suggest that $CoCl_2$ induces apoptotic cell death through both mitochondria- and death receptor-dependent pathway and EGCG has neuroprotective effects against $CoCl_2-induced$ apoptosis in PC12 cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.154-164
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• 2007

Background: Irinotecan hydrochloride, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, is effective against small-cell lung cancer. Irinotecan also can act as a potential radiation sensitizer along with cisplatin. To evaluate efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan plus cisplatin (IP) with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy, we conducted a phase II study of IP followed by concurrent IP plus hyperfractionated thoracic radiotherapy in patients with previously untreated limited-stage small-cell lung cancer. Methods: Twenty-four patients with previously untreated small-cell lung cancer were enrolled onto the study since November 2004. Irinotecan $60mg/m^2$ was administered intravenously on days 1 and 8 in combination with cisplatin $60mg/m^2$ on day1 every 21 days. From the first day of third cycle, twice-daily thoracic irradiation (total 45 Gy) was given. Prophylactic cranial irradiation was given to the patients who showed complete remission after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Restaging was done after second and sixth cycle with chest CT and/or bronchosocpy. Results: Up to November 2004, 19 patients were assessable. The median follow-up time was 12.5 months. A total of 99 cycles (median 5.2 cycles per patient) were administered. The actual dose intensity values were cisplatin $19.6mg/m^2$/week and irinotecan $38.2mg/m^2$/week. Among the 19 patients, the objective response rate was 95% (19 patients), with 9 patients (47%) having a complete response (CR). The major grade 3/4 hematological toxicities were neutropenia (35% of cycles), anemia (7% of cycles), thrombocytopenia (7% of cycles). Febrile neutropenia was 4% of cycles. The predominant grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicities was diarrhea (5% of cycles). Toxicities was not significantly different with concurrent administration of irinotecan and cisplatin with radiotherapy, except grade 3/4 radiation esophagitis (10% of patients). No treatment-related deaths were observed. The 1-year and 2-year survival rate of eligible patients was 89% (16/18) and 47% (9/18), respectively. Conclusion: Three-week schedule of irinotecan plus cisplatin followed by concurrent IP plus hyperfractionated thoracic radiotherapy is an effective treatment for limited disease small-cell lung cancer, with acceptable toxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1349-1355
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of methanol extract of Allomyrina dichotoma larva (MEAL) on carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)-induced$ hepatotoxicity in mice. ICR mice were divided into 5 groups [Vehicle control, $CCl_4\;(10{\mu}g/g)$ alone, $CCl_4$ plus a low dose $(50{\mu}g/g)$ of MEAL, $CCl_4$ plus a high dose $(100{\mu}g/g)$ of MEAL]. Silymarin $(2{\mu}g/g)$ was used as the reference in the experiment. Administration of MEAL tended to decrease the serum alanine transaminase (ALT) activity induced by $CCl_4$ treatment in mice. Hepatic concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in a high-dose group of diet decreased to the level of silymarin-treated group. Hepatic activity of glutathione S-transferase in MEAL-treated group was lower than that of $CCl_4-treated$ group. Serum concentration of bilirubin was significantly increased by $CCl_4$ treatment, but MEAL or silymarin recovered the level. These results suggest that MEAL may exert the protective effect against $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity in mice. However, more intensive studies would be needed to elucidate the protective mechanism of the beetle on hepatotoxicity of mice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.949-955
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• 2009

Mucosal epithelia sense external stress signals and transmit them to the intracellular cascade responses. Ribotoxic stress-producing chemicals such as deoxynivalenol (DON) or other trichothecene mycotoxins have been linked with gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases by Fusarium-contamination. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that DON evokes the epithelial sentinel signals of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) and early growth response gene 1 (EGR-1), which together contribute to the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) in human intestinal epithelial cells. PKR suppression by the dominant negative PKR expression attenuated DON-stimulated interleukin-8 production. Moreover, 1L-8 transcriptional activation by DON was also reduced by PKR inhibition in the human intestinal epithelial cells. Treatment with the PKR inhibitor also suppressed EGR-1 promoter activity, mRNA and protein induction, although mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases such as extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2, p38, c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (INK) were little affected or even enhanced in presence of a PKR inhibitor. These patterns were also compared in the EGR-1-suppressed cells, which showed much more suppressed production of 1L-8. All things taken into consideration, DON-activated sentinel signals of EGR-1 via PKR mediated interleukin-8 production in human intestinal epithelial cells, which provide insight into the possible general mechanism associated with mucosal inflammation as an intestinal toxic insult by ribotoxic trichothecene mycotoxins.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2013

IEC publications have applied in many countries all over the world such as Europe or Japan and these also have been published as in dustrial standards (KS) and notifications of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) in Korea. As the general standard of IEC 60601 series for medical electric (ME) equipment was revised as $3^{rd}$ edition in 2005, additional and particular standards have been revised or established newly. Under these circumstances, it is importance for manufacturing and assembling companies or authorized testing companies to understand the trend for revisions of IEC publications. Therefore in this study, the latest version of 3 IEC standards related to medical X-ray equipment : IEC 60601-2-44 for X-ray equipment for computed tomography (CT), IEC 60601-2-45 for mammographic X-ray equipment and IEC 60601-2-54 for X-ray equipment for radiography or radioscopy were covered and analyzed for trends and features accompanied by revision based on IEC 60601-1 $3^{rd}$ Ed. As KFDA notifications in force have referred to the particular standards based on 2nd edition of IEC 60601-1, those revised version of 3 particular standards were compared to KFDA notifications in force. The features of the latest standards applying IEC 60601-1 $3^{rd}$ Ed were shown as following: 1) Requirements for mechanical hazards, especially (motorized) moving parts were emphasized. 2) Indication and recording of patient dose were required. 3) Risk management process was introduced and enabled to monitor potential risks systematically. 4) DR system (digital radiography system) as well as analogue system (film-screen system) was included in the scope. Presently, KFDA will revise the notifications applying the particular standards based on IEC 60601-1 $3^{rd}$ Ed in a few years. Therefore the features of particular standards applying IEC 60601-1 $3^{rd}$ Ed was expected to help manufacturers, assemblers or testing companies of medical electric equipment understand IEC publications or KFDA notifications slated to be published.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.71-78
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• 2002

With the incidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria there is increasing interest in natural products such as herb extract and probiotics to control antibiotic resistant bacteria. This study was focused on the determination of antimicrobial activity of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten against Salmonella enetrica serovar Enteritidis (S. enterifidis), S. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) DT 104 and Escherichia coli 0157:H7. Though bactericidal effect of 0. ficus-indica var. saboten was not observed, it had significant inhibitory activity against Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 on the Moulter Hinton agar containing its solution dissolved in deionized water. To investigate the antimicrobial activity in vivo, mice were challenged with 5. Typhimurium DT104 (3.7$\times$108 cfu/mouse) after pre-feeding 0. ficus-indica var. saboten solution. The fecal shedding of S. Typhimurium DT104 was more dramatically decreased and not detectable in feces and intestines 3 days after challenge in mice fed with 0. ficus-indica var. saboten. Antibody responses of the intestinal IgA were also significantly increased in mice fed with 0. ficus-indica var. saboten. These findings suggest that Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten decreased the shedding of S. Typhimurium DT104 in vitro and also in the gastrointestinal tract in mice. In addition, administration of the product might enhance the mucosal immune response against S. Typhimurium DT 104. In conclusion, Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten might be useful to control antibiotic resistant bacteria in vivo and in vitro.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.357-367
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• 2010

The pharmacokinetic properties of amoxicillin trihydrate (Amox) were studied after single oral administration and single intravenous injection to cultured eel, Anguilla japonica, respectively (average $220{\pm}10\;g$, $28{\pm}1^{\circ}C$). Plasma samples were taken at 3, 5, 10, 15, 24, 30, 48, 96 and 144 h post-dose. The kinetic profile of absorption, distribution and elimination of Amox in plasma were analyzed fitting to a two-compartment model by WinNonlin program. In oral dosage of 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight, the peak plasma concentrations of Amox, which attained at 3~12 h post-dose, were 3.4 and $3.3\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In intravenous injection with 1 mg/kg, the peak plasma concentrations of Amox, which attained at 9 h post-dose, was $7.2\;{\mu}g/ml$. The following parmeters were calculated for a single oral dosage of 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight, respectively: AUC (the area under the concentration-time curve)= 464 and $667\;{\mu}g{\cdot}h/ml$; $T_{max}$ (time for maximum concentration)= 2.1 and 3.6 h; $C_{max}$ (maximum concentration)= 3.04 and $3.4\;{\mu}g/ml$. Following intravenous injection at 1 mg/kg, this parameters were AUC= $748\;{\mu}g{\cdot}h/ml$; $C_{max}=4.2\;{\mu}g/ml$. The apparent oral bioavailability at 40 and 80 mg/kg were 1.6 and 1.1%, respectively. Despite using the trihydrate form of amoxicillin, the oral bioavailability was low in eel.