This research was planned and executed to evaluate how the composition of Yack-sun (oriental diet therapy) tea can effect the health conditions of people who are suffering from diet-related diseases such as being overweight, obese and hyperlipidemic, by taking Yack-sun tea in a form of nutritional supplement with daily meals. We produced Kangjieum with Lycense Mill., Polygonum multflorum Thunb, Cassia tora L., Crataegus pinnatifida Bge and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. We evaluated the effects of this tea on serum lipids, on homocysteine concentration, and on active oxygen contents, oxidative stress by clinical practices. We have determined that this tea has a significant effect on decreasing body fat content, decreasing total cholesterol, decreasing LDL-cholesterol, and decreses triglyceride and homocysteine concentrations. In addition, blood active oxygen content and oxidative stress were significantly decreased. We think that scientific and objective evaluation was performed on the components of Kangjieum prescription. We concluded that we could apply the components, not only in a form of tea, but also in other forms of various foods. The information we received from this conclusion will be basic information on how we can apply oriental medicinal resources into other food and will be a steppingstone for medicinal herbs to place a foot in the field of functional food research, which already draws sizable attention world-wide.

당뇨병 환자의 혈당치 측정을 위하여 포스파젠 진단막을 제조하였다. 활성화된 포스파젠 진단막을 이용해 혈액 속의 글루코우즈의 농도를 변화시켜가며 여러 온도와 습도에서 680 nm에서의 최종흡광도를 측정하였다. 측정 온도와 습도는 시간에 따른 흡광도 변화량(K/S)의 최종 결과치에 크게 영향을 주지 않았다. 여러 가지 온도에서 활성화된 포스파젠 진단막을 3일, 1주, 3주, 5주간 보관한 후 보관온도가 글루코우즈의 농도 측정에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 그리고 상대습도 80%에서도 포스파젠 진단막의 안정성이 확인되었다.

This research was planned and executed to evaluate how the composition of Yack-sun tea can affect the health conditions of people who are suffering from diet-related such as being overweight, are obese and have hyperlipidemia, by taking Yack-sun tea in a form of a nutritional supplement with our daily meals. We produced Kangjieum with Lycium chinense Mill., Polygonum multflorum Thunb, Cassia tora L., Crataegus pinnatifida Bge and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. Thus, we approach of oriental diet therapy area research of Kangjieum and analysis proximate composition, water soluble antioxidant content. The content(%, dry basis) of total carbohydrate was 60.23%, crude protein was 18.18%, crude ash was 11.36% and crude fat was 10.23% in Kangjieum. Total water soluble antioxidant content was 1.027 ㎍/㎖ of Kangjieum. We think that scientific and objective evaluation was done on the components of the Kangjieum prescription. This basic data could help guide the application of oriental medicinal resources into other foods and serve as a stepping-stone for use of Kangjieum in the burgeoning field of nutraceutical foods. Last, the scientific effects of oriental medicinal foods developed according to oriental medicinal theory. This theory is believed to be essential for government policy development concerning validation of medicinal effects and assessment, with the aim of fostering systematic development and providing guidance to food development in the interest of national health.

The sensitivities of PrP Sc detection methods, western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and protein mis-folding cyclic amplification (PMCA) techniques were compared from brains, spleens and blood of mice challenged with PrP Sc of murine-adapted BSE strain 301C. PrP Sc was detected in the spleen from 30 dpi by IHC and at 60 dpi by WB. At 30 dpi, disease-specific signals of PrP Sc was observed in only two follicles of a single spleen. PrP Sc was detected in spleen at 10 dpi with PMCA after 5 rounds of amplification. Clinical signs were obviously shown from 240 dpi, and coincided with first detection of PrP Sc in brains by WB, IHC and PMCA after one round amplification. In addition, PrP Sc was also detected in blood at 60, 180 and 240 dpi with PMCA after 5 rounds of amplification. The FDC-M1 epitope, which appears in immature FDCs, and PrP Sc were detected in follicles first at 30 dpi, whilst the FDC-M2 epitope of mature FDCs was detected at 60 dpi. More FDC-M2 epitope and PrP Sc were detected in follicles as disease progressed. The CD21/35 epitope is expressed on both FDCs and germinal center B cells. The pattern of CD21/35 expressing cells was similar to but less dominant than that of FDCs.

본 연구는 산란계 사료 내 돼지감자(Helianthus tuberosus L.)로부터 제조한 미세캡술화 이눌린(microcapsulated inulin, MI)의 고수준 첨가가 혈액지질, 계란콜레스테롤 및 지방산조성에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위해 실시하였다. 25주령 갈색산란계를 이용하여 4주 동안 실험사료를 급여하였으며, 실험처리구는 MI 무첨가 대조군, 800 ppm, 900 ppm 및 1,000 ppm로 구분하였다. 혈액 중성지방, 총콜레스테롤 및 계란 콜레스테롤은 MI 무첨가군과 비교할 때 첨가군에서 유의하게 감소하였다. 계란 포화지방산 조성은 MI무첨가군과 비교할 때 첨가군에서 낮았으나 불포화지방산은 그 반대로 유의하게 높았다. 본 연구결과는 미세캡슐화 이눌린을 산란계 사료 내 첨가해주면 혈액지질 감소에 의해 계란품질을 향상시킬 수 있음을 시사해준다.

본 연구는 다양한 수준의 셀레늄함유 청보리 사일리지를 육성기 거세한우에 급여 시 성장특성 및 혈액성상에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다.시험은 육성기 거세한우 20두 (개시체중 208.8± 17.9 kg)를 공시하였고, 처리구는 셀레늄수준과 형태에 따라 4처리구 (셀레늄시비 및 비시비청보리 사일리지이용 0.1 mg/kg 셀레늄 (대조구), 0.3 mg/kg 셀레늄 (T1), 0.9 mg/kg 셀레늄(T2) 및 무기셀레늄 0.9 mg/kg 셀레늄 (T3)로 나누어 처리구당 5두씩 배치하여, 90일간 사양시험을 실시하였다. 각 시험사료는 셀레늄함유및 일반 청보리를 조합하여 배합비의 30%를대체하였고, 무기셀레늄구 (T3)는 대조구사료에0.9 mg/kg의 셀레늄수준에 상응하는 양의 sodiumselenite를 첨가하였다. 사료내 조단백질 및 에너지함량은 처리구간 동일하였다. 사료 내 셀레늄의 수준 및 급여형태에 따라 사료섭취량과증체에는 영향을 미치지 않았고, 혈중 포도당농도는 대조구가 T1과 T2구 보다 유의하게 낮았다 (p<0.05). 혈중 총지질농도는 셀레늄수준이증가할수록 유의하게 낮아져, T2구와 T3구가대조구 보다 유의하게 낮았다 (p<0.05). LDL-콜레스테롤은 셀레늄급여구가 대조구보다 유의하게 낮았다 (p<0.05). 혈중 중성지방 또한 T2구가 대조구보다 유의하게 낮았다 (p<0.05). 혈중면역글로불린농도는 셀레늄의 급여로 전반적으로 상승하는 경향을 보였고, 사료 내 같은 셀레늄수준에서 T3구보다는 T2구가 높은 양상을나타내었다. 혈중 셀레늄농도는 셀레늄함유 청보리 급여수준이 높아짐에 따라 유의하게 증가였으나 (p<0.05), T3구는 대조구와 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 이상의 결과에서 육성한우에 대한 셀레늄함유 청보리급여는 육성우의당 및 지질대사에 관여하는 것으로 나타났고,특히 혈중 총지질 및 LDL-콜레스테롤의 농도를 감소시켰다. 또한 무기셀레늄보다는 청보리내 존재하는 셀레늄이 장관내에서 더 잘 흡수되는 것으로 나타났고, 이는 육성기 및 어린성장단계에 있는 거세한우의 면역력을 향상시키는데 도움이 될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of wormwood meal addition on constituent of blood, and liver fatty acid in broiler chickens. Two-day old 25 male commercial broiler chicks were distributed to 5 treatments (wormwood meal levels ; T1 (1%), T2 (3%), T3 (5%), T4 (10%), and control (C)) for 5 weeks. Free fatty acids of liver were a little different among the treatments and the palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids were occupied 92.5% of total free fatty acids. Hemoglobin and hematocrite concentration of blood were significantly decreased (p<0.05) as the levels of wormwood meal increased, and serum albumin concentration of broilers was little different between 0 week and 5 week experiments. Also serum cholesterol, phospholipid, total cholesterol, and triglyceride concentration of liver in broilers were little different during the 5 weeks experiment. Serum triglyceride concentration was significantly increased (p<0.05) as levels of wormwood meal increased. These results indicate that dietary wormwood meal addition has a little positive effect on increasing unsaturated fatty acid and decreasing saturated fatty acid.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the self‐renewing, multipotent progenitors that give rise to all types of mature blood cells. The hallmark properties of HSCs are the ability to balance self‐renewal versus differentiation cell fate decisions to provide sufficient primitive cells to sustain haematopoiesis, while generating more mature cells with specialized capacities. In the present experiment, we optimized the techniques for isolation and identification of hematopoietic stem cells from cow peripheral blood. The objective of this study was to optimize the more accurate methodology for separation of mononuclear cells (MNCs) from peripheral blood and identification of HSCs by using a specific cell surface marker i.e. CD34. A total 10 peripheral blood samples were collected from Holstein dairy cows from jugular vein. We used Ficoll 400 in different concentrations from 1 to 12% and Ficollpaque Plus (1.077 g/ml) at different centrifugation speed and time. After Giemsa staining, we found more than 98% recovery of monocytes with Ficollpaque Plus (1.077 g/ml). It was demonstrated that Ficollpaque Plus (1.077 g/ml) and centrifugation at 400xg for 30 min is the best method for separation of MNCs from bovine peripheral blood. Separated MNCs were immediately subjected for magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) by using CD34 microbead kit. HSCs (CD34+ cells) recovery was 0.307% of peripheral blood. Peripheral blood MNCs and CD34+ cells were morphologically characterized by Giemsa staining. CD34+ cells were also confirmed by immunochemistry using FITC conjugated CD34 antibodies. HSCs were also confirmed by progenitor assay including burst forming unit‐erythroid (BFU‐E), colony forming cells‐ granulocyte (CFC‐G), colony forming cells‐ macrophage (CFC‐M), colony forming cells‐ granulocyte macrophage (CFU‐GM) and colony forming cells‐ granulocyte erythroid macrophage monocyte (CFCGEMM) on Methocult 4435.

Fish contain both the neurotoxin methyl mercury (MeHg) and nutrients important for brain development. The developing brain appears to be most sensitive to MeHg toxicity and mothers who consume fish during pregnancy expose their fetus prenatally. Although brain development is most dramatic during fetal life, it continues for years postnatally and additional exposure can occur when a mother breast feeds or the child consumes fish. This raises the possibility that MeHg might influence brain. We evaluated the relationship between fish consumption and mercury exposure levels in umbilical cord blood of the pregnant women of the city of Tongyeong city, Korea. A total of 159 pregnant women residing in the city of Tongyeong, Korea were recruited for the study between October 2010 and March 2011. Fish consumption was evaluated using food frequency questionnaires including detailed questions on fish consumption. We used ANOVA to estimated the particular relevance between the frequency of fish consumption and the umbilical cord blood mercury concentration, and other various factors. The average mean concentration of mercury levels in umbilical cord blood of pregnant women who participated in our study were 2.69 ± 2.50 ppb, ranging from 0.01 to 14.80 ppb. The mean concentration of umbilical cord blood mercury exposure was lower than the level recommended by WHO (5.0 ppb), but the mercury exposure level exceeded the WHO recommended in 17 (10.7%) cases of umbilical cord blood. Mercury levels in cord blood of pregnant women were 2.04 ± 2.00 ppb, ranging from 0 to 8.00 ppb in below 29 years old and 3.18 ± 2.74 ppb, ranging from 0.01 to 14.80 ppb in more 30 years old. In this study, there was a significant difference for the frequency of eating fish between the groups (p < 0.01). The level of the groups that ate fish 3 to more times per week (4.15 ± 4.02 ppb) was significant higher as compared with the level of other groups that ate fish 1 to times per week (2.63 ± 2.22 ppb) and none per week (1.06 ± 1.44 ppb), respectively. We found that the mercury concentration of umbilical cord blood associate with fish consumption and this was statistically significant and this fact revels that fish consumption is positively related to mercury levels in the umbilical cord blood. We need systematic and periodic research on the general population to prevent mercury poisoning, which can be cause by low-level mercury exposure from dietary intake such as chronic fish consumption

본 연구는 다양한 배합수준의 셀레늄 함유청보리 사료를 육성돈에 급여 시 육성돈의 성장특성 및 혈액성상에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 시험은 육성돈 20두를 공시하였고, 처리구는 셀레늄수준에 따라 4처리구(0.1 ppm (대조구), 0.2 ppm, 0.4 ppm, 0.6 ppm)로 나누어 처리구당 5두씩 배치하여, 6주간 사양시험을 실시하였다. 각 시험사료는 셀레늄 함유 및 일반청보리를 조합하여 배합비의 5%를 첨가하였고,조단백질 및 대사에너지 함량은 각 18% 및3,500 kcal/kg을 함유하도록 배합하였다. 실험사료 내에 셀레늄의 함유 수준을 증가하였을때 사료섭취량과 증체에 영향을 미치지 않았고, 혈중 총단백질 농도는 0.2 ppm 급여구가 대조구보다 유의하게 높았다(p<0.05). 사양연구14일에 혈중 알부민농도는 셀레늄 함유 청보리급여구가 대조구보다 유의하게 높았다 (p<0.05).혈중 포도당 농도는 대조구가 셀레늄 함유 청보리 급여구보다 높은 경향이었다. 혈중 총지질 농도는 사료 내 셀레늄 함량이 증가함에 따라 유의하게 낮았다(p<0.05). SGOT 및 SGPT는 대조구와 셀레늄 함유 청보리 급여구 간에차이가 없었다. 혈중 총콜레스테롤과 중성지방은 셀레늄 청보리 급여로 낮아지는 경향이었다. 혈중 셀레늄 농도는 셀레늄 함유 청보리급여수준이 증가함에 따라 유의하게 증가하였다(p<0.05). 이상의 결과에서 청보리 내 존재하는 셀레늄은 육성돈의 혈액성상을 개선시키고,셀레늄 함유 청보리의 급여로 증가된 혈중 셀레늄 농도는 돼지 장관 내 청보리 내 셀레늄이용효율이 우수할 뿐만 아니라 조직 내 셀레늄 전이 가능성을 시사한다.

본 시험은 포도부산물의 첨가가 젖소의 산유량, 유성분 및 혈액 성상에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여 실시하였다. 비유중기 젖소 8두(평균 월령: 89.8, 평균 유기: 164.4, 평균 산차: 2.8산)를 공시하였으며, 포도부산물을 첨가하지 않은 대조구와 1일 1 kg을 첨가한 시험구로 두 처리구를 설정하여 3주간 급여하였다. 유지방, 유단백, 유당 및 총 고형물 함량은 처리간에 차이가 없었다. 그러나 산유량은 포도부산물 을 첨가한 처리구가 23.13 kg/d으로 대조구의 21.16 kg/d에 비해 높은 반면(p<0.05), 체세포 수는 대조구가 포도부산물 처리구에 비해 높았다(p<0.05). 혈중 glucose, alanine aminotransferase, total protein 및 blood urea nitrogen 함량은 처리구간 차이가 없었으나, AST와 총콜레스테롤 함량은 대조구 (123.75 IU/L, 200.82 mg/dl)가 포도부산물 처리구(95.34 IU/L, 180.63 mg/dl)에 비해 높았다(p<0.05). 이상의 결과에서, 다양한 생리활성을 가진 포도부산물은 젖소를 위한 기능성 사료로 이용 가능성이 높을 것으로 사료된다.

This study was performed to examine the relationship between the body mass index (BMI), the body fat, and the serum lipids of post-menopausal women in rural areas. The subjects were 510 women aged 50 and over. As a result of this study, we found a trend of decreasing BMI as age increased, but body fat increased. In addition, there was a significant decreasing of the lean body mass than an increasing of the body mass index according to increasing age. Therefore, this study confirmed that a main cause of rural women being classified as obese is a decrease in lean body mass, rather than an increase in of body fat. Of all subjects, 36.3% (18.5≤BMI 〈 23) of all subjects were classified as having normal BMI, whereas only 21.4% were classified as having normal body fat. Out of 190 subjects who were body fat 30% and over, 38 subjects were classified as obese (BMI≥25) and 113 subjects were classified as overweight (23≤BMI 〈 25). The percentile of those with a BMI of 25kg/m2 was 70, and they had 30.82% body fat. HDL cholesterol showed a negative correlation with anthropometric factors (height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist hip ratio, body fat), and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides showed a positive correlation. Especially, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and hip circumference showed significant correlations. Because of differences in the body fat and lean body mass by age group, it seems difficult to assess obesity via BMI only. The elderly especially should have a higher significance placed on body fat or abdominal fat than only BMI.

본 연구는 청보리사일리지 및 옥수수사일리지를 흑염소에 급여하였을 때, 사료섭취량, 일당증체량, 외관상 영양소소화율, 질소 축적율 및 혈액 성상에 미치는 영향을 조사하여 흑염소에 대한 청보리사일리지의 사료가치 평가 자료로 활용하는데 목적을 두고 실시하였다. 공시가축은 흑염소 12두(♂)를 3처리구{T1: 옥수수 사일리지 급여구, T2: 청보리사일리지 급여구, T3: 옥수수+청보리사일리지 급여구)로 나누어 처리구당 4두씩 개체별 대사케이지에 라틴방각법으로 실시하였으며 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 1일 두당 건물 및 유기물 섭취량은 옥수수사일리지 급여구, 옥수수+청보리사일리지 급여구, 청보리사일리지 급여구 순으로 낮아졌지만 유의한 차이는 인정되지 않았다. 이러한 경향은 조단백질, 조지방(ether extracts) 및 NFC 섭취량에서도 유사한 경향을 나타내었으나 ADF와 NDF 섭취량은 옥수수+청보리사일리지, 청보리사일리지, 옥수수사일리지 순으로 낮아졌다. 대사체중 당 건물섭취량과 체중에 대한 건물섭취 비율은 옥수수 사일리지 급여구(각각 57.6g과 2.8%), 옥수수+청보리사일리지 급여구(각각 53.8g과 2.7%), 청보리사일리지 급여구(각각 52.7g과 2.6%)의 순으로 낮아졌지만 유의적인 차이는 나타나지 않았으나(p>0.05), 일당 증체량은 옥수수사일리지 급여구가 64.2g으로 다른 처리구의 42.0～46.0g 보다 유의하게 높았다(p<0.05). 질소섭취, 분과 뇨를 통한 질소 배출은 옥수수사일리지 급여구, 옥수수+청보리사일리지 급여구, 청보리사일리지 급여구 순으로 낮아졌지만 유의성은 나타나지 않았다. 질소축적량과 질소축적율도 옥수수 사일리지 급여구가 각각 2.6g와 30.0%로 청보리사일리지 급여구(각각 2.0g와 26.0∼26.9) 보다 유의하게 높았다(p<0.05). 외관상 건물과 유기물소화율은 옥수수사일리지 급여구가 각각 72.6과 72.8%로 청보리사일리지 급여구(각각 67.5와 69.0%)와 옥수수+청보리사일리지 급여구(각각 66.0과 67.1%) 보다 유의하게 높게 나타났다(p<0.05). 이상의 결과를 종합해 볼 때, 옥수수사일리지 급여구가 청보리사일리지 급여구보다 흑염소의 사료섭취량, 소화율 및 질소축적율에서 우수하지만 옥수수와 청보리사일리지를 혼합하여 급여하면 옥수수사일리지에 크게 뒤지지 않는 것으로 나타났다.

당뇨병 환자의 혈당치 측정을 위하여 메톡시에톡시기와 트라이플루오르에톡시기가 함께 치환된 포스파젠 고분자를 기초로 한 새로운 형태의 진단막을 제조하였다. 플라즈마와 혈액속의 글루코우즈의 농도를 변화시켜가며 활성화 된 폴리포스파젠 진단막을 가지고 680 nm에서의 최종흡광도를 측정하였다. 시간에 따른 흡광도 변화량(K/S)의 최종 결과치가 글루코우즈의 농도가 증가함에 따라 직선적으로 증가하였다. 친수성기와 소수성기의 치환율이 글루코우즈의 농도 측정에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 친수성기의 치환율이 증가함에 따라 글루코우즈의 농도와 K/S와의 기울기 값(Dose-Response Slope : DRS)이 점차 증가하였다. 그러나 친수성기의 치환율이 30% 이상일 경우에는 DRS가 급격히 증가하여 정확한 글루코우즈의 농도 측정이 어려웠다.

Red blood cells (RBCs) have been studied as models for infectious diseases, various symptoms of anemia, hemolysis, and erythrocyte aging. Although do not directly affect RBCs, other diseases may cause RBC physiological alterations that could be advanced for diagnostic aim or to convince better understanding of a certain pathological pattern. In this study, comparative RBC proteomics between healthy and abnormal conditions involve to promote aging related‐biomarker discovery. Peroxiredoxin II (Prdx II; a typical 2‐Cys Prdx) has been originally isolated from erythrocytes, and its structure and peroxidase activity have been adequately studied. Mice absent to Prdx II proteins had heinz bodies in their peripheral blood, and morphologically aged cells were detected in the dense RBC fractions, which contained markedly higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, a labeling experiment with the thiol‐modifying reagent biotinylated iodoacetamide (BIAM) in Prdx II‒/‒ mice revealed that a variety of RBC proteins were highly oxidized. To identify oxidation‐sensitive proteins in Prdx II‒/‒ mice, we performed RBC comparative proteome analysis by nano‐UPLC‐MSE shotgun proteomics with relative protein quantitative analysis. We found oxidation‐sensitive 18 membrane and 41 cytosol proteins from 32 and 85 peptides containing cysteine oxidation, and analyzed comparative expression pattern in healthy RBCs of Prdx II+/+ mice (W1), healthy RBCs of Prdx II‒/‒ mice (K1), and abnormal RBCs of Prdx II‒/‒ mice (K2). These proteins belonged to cellular functions related with RBC lifespan maintain, such as cytoskeleton, stress‐induced proteins, amino acid/nucleic acid metabolic enzymes, signal transduction, and molecular transporters. Furthermore, protein networks among identified oxidation sensitive proteins were analyzed to associate with aging consequence. Consequently, we expected that RBC proteome may provide clues to understand redox‐imbalanced diseases.

New record of family of arhynchobdellid leeches (Hirudiniformes: Haemadipsidae) from Korea is presented. We have surveyed for land leeches in Korea from July to September in 2011 and found 1 species. This is Haemadipsa rjukjuana Oka, 1910, reported for the first time in Korean Peninsula. This species is terrestrial blood-feeding leech which attacks medium or large sized mammals primarily, including human and originally distributed in East and South East Asia, including Indochinese Peninsula, Malay Peninsula, Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan. In Japan, the number and areas of habitats of land leech have been rapidly expanded since 1970s and many leeches attack forest workers, hikers and resident during May to September. As a result of climate change, same situation can be reproduced in Korean Peninsula. We firstly report the occurrence of blood-feeding land leech, the behavior on human being and distributions in Korea. Also, we obtained the sequence of the mitochondrial gene (COI) and additional biology is discussed for this species according to collection data.

The notion that dental amalgam is a potential source of mercury exposure remains a controversial issue. However, there are few epidemiological analyses that have addressed whether this occurs in children. We aimed in our current study to identify the relationship between dental amalgam filling surfaces and the blood mercury levels in a cohort of 711 South Korean children aged between 8-9 years. Oral examinations were conducted to detect the number of amalgam filling surfaces on the teeth of these individuals. Blood samples were also taken from these children to assess the levels of mercury accumulation in the body. The amalgam filling surfaces were classified into four groups based on their number: 0 (n = 368), 1-5 (n = 219), 6-10 (n = 89), and 11+ (n = 35). The blood mercury levels in the children with more than 10 amalgam surfaces was 0.47 μg/L higher on average than those with no amalgam surfaces after adjusting for the frequency of fish or seafood consumption, age, and gender (P < 0.05). We found from our data that a higher number of dental amalgam fillings correlated with a higher blood mercury level in Korean children. Further studies are needed to investigate whether these elevated mercury levels exert neurotoxic or nephrotoxic effects.

Endothelial cells are a vital constituent of most mammalian organs and are required to maintain the integrity of these tissues. These cells also play a major role in angiogenesis, inflammatory reactions, and in the regulation of thrombosis. Angiogenesis facilitates pulp formation and produces the vessels which are essential for the maintenance of tooth homeostasis. These vessels can also be used in bone and tissue regeneration, and in surgical procedures to place implants or to remove cancerous tissue. Furthermore, endothelial cell regeneration is the most critical component of the tooth generation process. The aim of the present study was to stimulate endothelial regeneration at a site of acute cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced endothelial injury by treatment with human umbilical cord-derived endothelial/mesenchymal stem cells (hEPCs). We randomly assigned 16 to 20-week-old female NOD/SCID mice into three separate groups, a hEPC (1 × 105 cells) transplanted, 300mg/kg CP treated and saline (control) group. The mice were sacrificed on days 5 and 10 and blood was collected via the abdominal aorta for analysis. The alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alkaline phosphatase (s-ALP), and albumin (ALB) levels were then evaluated. Tissue sections from the livers and kidneys were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for microscopic analysis and were subjected to immunohistochemistry to evaluate any changes in the endothelial layer. CP treatment caused a weight reduction after one day. The kidney/body weight ratio increased in the hEPC treated animals compared with the CP only group at 10 days. Moreover, hEPC treatment resulted in reduced s-ALP, AST, ALT levels compared with the CP only group at 10 days. The CP only animals further showed endothelial injuries at five days which were recovered by hEPC treatment at 10 days. The number of CD31-positive cells was increased by hEPC treatment at both 5 and 10 days. In conclusion, the CP-induced disruption of endothelial cells is recovered by hEPC treatment, indicating that hEPC transplantation has potential benefits in the treatment of endothelial damage.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between concentration of urea nitrogen, glucose, cholesterol and number of transferable embryos for the purpose of improving reproductive performance in blood of Hanwoo donors. Fifty five, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received a CIDR. Four days later, the animals were superovulated with a total of 28AU FSH (Antorin, 2AU=1 ml) administered twice daily in constant doses over 4 days. On the 3th administration of FSH, CIDR was withdrawn and 25 mg PGF2α was administered. Cows were artificially inseminated twice after estrous detection at 12 hr intervals. The cows received 100μg GnRH at the time of 1nd insemination. Embryos were recovered 7 or 8 days after the 1st insemination. Cows with BUN ＜10, 11～18 and ≥19 mg/dl had number of transferable embryos of 4.3±1.3, 5.8±1.8 and 4.7±2.1 respectively. The mean numbers of total ova from < 10 and 10≤ of corpora lutea(CL) was 8.9 and 14.3, respectively. The number of transferable embryos differed between < 10 and 10≤ CL was 4.8 and 5.6, respectively.