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Effect of Adding Milk on Compatibility with 3D Printing in the Preparation of a Surimi Mixture (수리미 혼합물 제조 시 우유 첨가에 따른 3D 프린팅 적합성에 미치는 영향)

  • Yoo-Seok Kang;Hye-ji Hwang;Ye-Lin Park;Hyeon-Su Han;Jeong-Cheol Park;Hun-Seo Seo;Ye-Hui Choi;Su-Hyeong Kim;Ka-Eun Woo;So-Mi Jeong;Ga-Hye lee;Dong-Hyun Ahn
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.33 no.5
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    • pp.391-396
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    • 2023
  • Milk is an emulsion, improving texture of surimi mixture and able to suppress off flavors and abnormal tastes. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the effective properties of milk in the preparation of a surimi mixture for 3D printing. The sensory and physical properties of surimi mixtures containing 0%, 20 wt%, and 40 wt% milk were evaluated, where the unheated surimi mixture with added milk demonstrated increased firmness and adhesiveness compared to the negative control group. In addition, the hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness of the mixture containing 40% milk were highest, but springiness, cohesiveness, and resilience were lowest. In the sensory evaluation, as the amount of milk increased, a fishy smell, abnormal taste and texture improved, hardness and preference increased as well. From these results, it was confirmed that a surimi mixture can be prepared with milk to improve its physical and sensory properties for 3D printing when compared to the negative control mixture. In particular, it was revealed that the physical properties and preference of the surimi mixture are best when prepared with 40% milk.

Effect of temperature on oviposition of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and ovipositional characteristics in corn fields (온도가 열대거세미나방 산란에 미치는 영향 및 옥수수 포장에서의 산란 특성)

  • Hyung Cheol Moon;Min Kyung Choi;Su Ji Jang;Jang Ho Lee;Ju Hee Kim;Hyong Gwon Chon
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.40 no.3
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    • pp.281-289
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    • 2022
  • The effect of five different constant temperatures (18, 21, 24, 27, and 30±1℃) and a photoperiod of 14 : 10 (L :D) h on the reproduction parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda was studied. The longevity of adult female S. frugiperda decreased with increasing temperature (22.4 days at 21℃ and 13.9 days at 30℃) but not at 18℃. The pre-oviposition period and oviposition period was the shortest at 30℃ compared to the other temperatures. The total fecundity egg count was 887.4, 1,246.4, 1,348.9, 1,154.9, and 1,034.2 at 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30℃, respectively, during its life span. The survival rate of female S. frugiperda decreased rapidly after 13 days at 18℃, after 14 days at 21℃, after 15 days at 27℃, and after 9 days at 24℃, and 30℃. On the third day after the start of oviposition, 50% of the total fecundity was accomplished. In corn fields at less than the 10-leaf stage, the distribution of S. frugiperda egg masses was observed in the middle and lower plant regions, corresponding to 46.8% and 41.4% of the total egg masses, respectively. Egg masses were mostly found on the underside of the leaf blade (abaxial) of corn(66.7%). After releasing S. frugiperda adults on May 12, May 17, May 25, and May 30, the number of eggs per egg mass was 89.9, 88.5, 126.6, and 127.9, respectively. Egg masses of the subsequent generations of S. frugiperda were observed from late June, and the number of eggs per egg mass was 155.8 in late June, 270.7 in early July, and 303.5 in mid-July.

Feeding Habits of the Largehead Hairtail, Trichiurus japonicus in the Yellow Sea of Korea (우리나라 서해에서 출현하는 갈치(Trichiurus japonicus)의 식성)

  • Seong, Gi Chang;Kim, Do-Gyun;Kang, Da Yeon;Jin, Suyeon;Kim, Hoseung;Soh, Ho Young;Baeck, Gun Wook
    • Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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    • v.34 no.3
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    • pp.179-185
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    • 2022
  • The feeding habits of Largehead hairtail Trichiurus japonicus was studied using 377 specimens collected in the Yellow Sea of Korea. The specimens ranged from 4.5 to 33.7 cm in Anal length (AL). T. japonicus consumed mainly a piscivore, such as Engraulis japonicus [percent index of relative importance (%IRI) =74.1%]. We calculated the trophic level as 3.84 for T. japonicus. Fishes were the main prey items for all seasons. The main fish prey during autumn and winter was E. japonicus, whereas those during spring and summer was Larimichthys polyactis. Fishes were the main prey items for all size groups (<15 cm, 15~20 cm, 20~25 cm, ≥25 cm). T. japonicus also showed size-related dietary shift from Spratelloides gracilis and E. japonicus to L. polyactis and T. japonicus. As the anal length of T. japonicus increased, the mean number of preys per stomach (mN/ST) and the mean weight of preys per stomach (mW/ST) tended to increased (One-way ANOVA, P<0.05). Seasonal and size-related shifts in dietary composition were investigated by PERMANOVA analysis, which showed significant variations among size classes and seasons.

Selection of Forage Corn Varieties Adapted to High Latitude (The South of Mt. Suyang) (고위도 기후대 재배 적합 국산 사료용 옥수수 품종 선발)

  • Jae-Han Son;Hwan-Hee Bae;Young Sam Go;Jun-Young Ha;Bonil Ku;Man-Kee Baek;Jeong-Ju Kim;Beom-Young Son;Tae-Wook Jung
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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    • v.43 no.4
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    • pp.216-224
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    • 2023
  • Since maize (Zea mays L.) originated in central and south America, it requires warm climate conditions throughout its growing season. Growth halts when night-time temperatures drop below 10℃, and the plant may die if temperature reach -1.7℃. Thus, temperature should be maintained between 10 and 30℃ from seeding to maturity. The germination temperature for maize should be at least 8-11℃, whit an optimal range 32-34℃. Since temperature significantly affects the germination rate and period, it plays a crucial role in maize growth. In this study, we evaluated the quantity and feed value of 11 major varieties to determine those best suited for maize cultivation as feed in higher latitude, specifically in Democratic People's of Republic of Korea, below 38 degrees north. A cultivation test was also conducted in Suwon in Republic of Korea, to assess adaptability in areas south of Mt. Suyang. Among the varieties tested, Shinhwangok2 reached silking the fastest, in 65 days, while Gwangpyeongok took the longest at 75 days. The stem length of all varieties exceeded 230 cm. Gwangpyeongok had the tallest stems, while Daanok and Shinhwangok2ho displayed the highest ear ratios. Dacheongok presented the highest values in both dry matter and TDN quantity, with 31,420 kg/ha and 21,66 kg/ha respectively. Pyeonggangok had the highest crude protein content at 8.0%. TDN (%) ranged from 57-68%, with Hwangdaok reaching up to 68%. Based on these findings, Dacheongok and Pyeonggangok appear to be the most suitable varieties for cultivation in terms of both quantity and feed value.

Effects of polygalacin D extracted from Platycodon grandiflorum on myoblast differentiation and muscle atrophy (길경에서 추출한 polygalacin D가 근원세포 분화 및 근위축에 미치는 영향)

  • Eun-Ju Song;Ji-Won Heo;Jee Hee Jang;Eonmi Kim;Yun Hee Jeong;Min Jung Kim;Sung-Eun Kim
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.56 no.6
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    • pp.602-614
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    • 2023
  • Purpose: The balance between synthesis and degradation of proteins plays a critical role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been closely associated with skeletal muscle atrophy caused by aging, cancer, and chemotherapy. Polygalacin D is a saponin derivative isolated from Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC. This study aimed to investigate the effects of polygalacin D on myoblast differentiation and muscle atrophy in association with mitochondrial function in in vitro and in zebrafish models in vivo. Methods: C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in differentiation media containing different concentrations of polygalacin D, followed by the immunostaining of the myotubes with myosin heavy chain (MHC). The mRNA expression of markers related to myogenesis, muscle atrophy, and mitochondrial function was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Wild type AB* zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were treated with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) with or without polygalacin D, and immunostained to detect slow and fast types of muscle fibers. The Tg(Xla.Eef1a1:mitoEGFP) zebrafish expressing mitochondria-targeted green fluorescent protein was used to monitor mitochondrial morphology. Results: The exposure of C2C12 myotubes to 0.1 ng/mL of polygalacin D increased the formation of MHC-positive multinucleated myotubes (≥ 8 nuclei) compared with the control. Polygalacin D significantly increased the expression of MHC isoforms (Myh1, Myh2, Myh4, and Myh7) involved in myoblast differentiation while it decreased the expression of atrophic markers including muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)2, and Smad3. In addition, polygalacin D promoted peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (Pgc1α) expression and reduced the level of mitochondrial fission regulators such as dynamin-1-like protein (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission 1 (Fis1). In a zebrafish model of FOLFIRI-induced muscle atrophy, polygalacin D improved not only mitochondrial dysfunction but also slow and fast muscle fiber atrophy. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that polygalacin D promotes myogenesis and alleviates chemotherapy-induced muscle atrophy by improving mitochondrial function. Thus, polygalacin D could be useful as nutrition support to prevent and ameliorate muscle wasting and weakness.

Effects of oxypeucedanin hydrate isolated from Angelica dahurica on myoblast differentiation in association with mitochondrial function (백지에서 추출한 oxypeucedanin hydrate의 미토콘드리아 기능 관련 근생성 효과)

  • Eun-Ju Song;Ji-Won Heo;Jee Hee Jang;Yoon-Ju Kwon;Yun Hee Jeong;Min Jung Kim;Sung-Eun Kim
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.57 no.1
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    • pp.53-64
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    • 2024
  • Purpose: Mitochondria play a crucial role in preserving skeletal muscle mass, and damage to mitochondria leads to muscle mass loss. This study investigated the effects of oxypeucedanin hydrate, a furanocoumarin isolated from Angelica dahurica radix, on myogenesis and mitochondrial function in vitro and in zebrafish models. Methods: C2C12 myotubes cultured in media containing 0.1, 1, 10, or 100 ng/mL oxypeucedanin hydrate were immunostained with myosin heavy chain (MHC), and then multinucleated MHC-positive cells were counted. The expressions of markers related to muscle differentiation, muscle protein degradation, and mitochondrial function were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the effects of oxypeucedanin hydrate on mitochondrial dysfunction, Tg(Xla.Eef1a1:mito-EGFP) zebrafish embryos were treated with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) with or without oxypeucedanin hydrate and analyzed for mito-EGFP intensity and mitochondrial length. Results: Oxypeucedanin hydrate significantly increased MHC-positive multinucleated myotubes (≥ 3 nuclei) and increased the expression of the myogenic marker myosin heavy chain 4. However, it decreased the expressions of muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 and muscle atrophy f-box (markers of muscle protein degradation). Furthermore, oxypeucedanin hydrate enhanced the expressions of markers of mitochondrial biogenesis (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha, transcription factor a mitochondrial, succinate dehydrogenase complex flavoprotein subunit A, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) and mitochondrial fusion (optic atrophy 1). However, it reduced the expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (a mitochondrial fission regulator). Consistently, oxypeucedanin hydrate reduced FOLFIRI-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in the skeletal muscles of zebrafish embryos. Conclusion: The study indicates that oxypeucedanin hydrate promotes myogenesis by improving mitochondrial function, and thus, suggests oxypeucedanin hydrate has potential use as a nutritional supplement that improves muscle mass and function.

Optimal Salt Concentration and Temperature for Perilla Seed Germination and Soil Bulk Density, Sowing Depth, and Salinity on Emergence Rate in Reclaimed Soil (들깨 NaCl 농도, 온도에 따른 발아와 간척지 토양에서 용적밀도, 파종깊이, 염농도에 따른 출현 특성)

  • Yang-Yeol Oh;Kwang Seung-Lee;Hee-Kyoung Ock;Hak-Seong Lee;Seo-Young Jung;Bo-Seong Seo;Young-Tae Shin;Kang-Ho Jung;Bang-Hun Kang;Hyun-Suk Jo;Su-Hwan Lee;Jin Jung;Seung-Yeon Kim;Jung-In Kim
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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    • v.68 no.4
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    • pp.413-421
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    • 2023
  • Data on salt tolerance, optimal sowing depth, soil bulk density (pb) and cardinal temperatures required for the germination and emergence of perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt) are scarce for reclaimed land soil. An experiment was conducted across six temperature treatments (10, 15, 20 , 25, 30, and 35℃) to determine the cardinal temperature for perilla seed germination and four salinity levels (0, 20, 40, and 60 mM) to determine the salt tolerance. Another experiment was performed for quantifying the emergence response of perilla to pb (1.1, 1.3, and 1.5 g cm-3), sowing depth (1, 2, 3, and 4 cm) and soil salinity. The results revealed that increased sodium chloride levels caused a significant reduction in the seed germination at Deulhyang and Sodam. The optimum upper limit temperature was less than 35℃. The optimal sowing depth and soil bulk density were 1 cm and 1.1 g cm-3 respectively. Perilla seedling growth was inhibited at 1.9 dS m-1 although varying responses were observed. These results aid our understanding of the germination and emergence rate of these crops and provide data for field cultivation to optimize crop sowing in reclaimed land.

Studies on Inheritance and Ecological Variation of the Culm Length and Its Related Characters in Short-Statured Rice Varieties (수도단간품종의 간장 및 관련형질의 유전과 생태적 변이에 관한 연구)

  • Sung-Ho Bea
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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    • v.13
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    • pp.1-40
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    • 1973
  • These studies were aimed at clarification of genetic and ecological variation in culm length, panicle length and plant height of the $\textrm{F}_2$ plants in some selected crosses made between semi-dwarf rice varieties and tall Japonica ones. One Indica semi-dwarf, Taichung Native 1, one Indica $\times$ Japonica hybrid, IE51 and one Japonica semi-dwarf, Tankanbaekmang were used as short-gene donors while two of medium maturity varieties, Jinheung and Kwanok and one late veriety, Palkweng were used as the corresponding counterpart of respective dwarf varieties in a series of crosses. Five different crosses, Kwanok $\times$ Tankanbaekmang, Palkweng $\times$ Tankanbaekmang, Jinheung $\times$ T(N)1, Kwanok $\times$ T(N)1 and Kwanok $\times$ IE51, were made among the above six varieties. The $\textrm{F}_2$ plants of these crosses together with the concerned parental varieties were grown under several different conditions including three levels of each nitrogen and planting space, three planting seasons and three locations in 1968, to investigate variation in length of culm and panicle, and plant height. On the other hand, the F$_3$ progenies which were derived from the shortest 10 percent of the plants of three $\textrm{F}_2$ populations, Kwanok $\times$ T(N)1, Jinheung $\times$ T(N) 1 and Kwanok $\times$ IE51 grown in the previous year, were compared each other on the basis of selection efficiency in culm length. The experimental results could be summarized as follows; 1. Genetic behavior A. It was revealed that Tankanbaekmang, one of Japonica dwarf has a simple recessive gene responsible for short culm expression, showing a typical segregation ratio of three tall to one short culm plants in $\textrm{F}_2$ generation of the crosses either with Kwanok or Palkweng. B. In the both combinations, segregation pattern of the panicle length was exactly same as that of culm length. It seems that the same gene controls both culm length and panicle length. C. No difference between segregation of culm length and plant height in the above crosses was observed. D. T(N)1, one of Indica semi-dwarf did not show such a simple genetic behavior as detected from the crosses with Tankanbaekmang in segregation of culm length but formed a continuous and normal distribution curve. Therefore, some nonallelic genic actions might be involved in expression of culm length of the counterpart varieties of T(N)1. In particular, a transgressive segregation appeared toward the direction of longer culm length in case of Jinheung $\times$ T(N)1. The genetic behavior of panicle length and plant height generally coincided with that of culm length in all the cases. E. IE51 demonstrated exactly the same genetic behavior as that of T(N)1 when this variety was crossed with Kwanok. It was clearly clarified that the simple recessive gene controlling dwarfism from T(N)1 was well incorporated into this variety. 2. Ecological variation A. In general, there was a decreasing tendency in culm length and plant height of rice plant as seeding delayed while it was not so noticeable in panicle length. The decreasing magnitude varied from variety to variety and from cross to cross. Genetic behavior of the culm length and related characters of these materials was not disturbed by the variation of seeding season, nitrogen level, planting space and experimental location. E. The elongation mode of the upper three internodes was very similar to the segregation mode of culm length, panicle length and plant height in $\textrm{F}_2$ populations of . all the crosses investigated in this study. Accordingly, this result confirmed that the roles of the upper three internodes are very important in manifesting plant stature in rice. C. The effect of nitrogen on culm length and the related other two characters seemed to be meager. However, it was true to show an increasing tendency of those characters as nitrogen level got increased from 4 kg to 12kg per l0a, with different magnitude depending upon variety or cross. D. Also, the effect of planting space on culm length, panicle length and plant height was relatively small in all the cases. Those characters varied again depending upon variety or cross. However, a general increasing tendency was detected in manifestation of those traits under denser planting space condition. E. All the parental varieties produced shorter culm, panicle and plant height when they were grown at the lower latitude locations. It might be attributed to the fact that their reproductive growth accelerated with increased temperature prevailing at the lower latitude locations such as Iri and Mi1yang. On the countrary, $\textrm{F}_2$ population reacted differently to the different locations from the parental varieties. All the $\textrm{F}_2$ plants produced the longest culm, panicle and plant at Milyang. 3. Selection efficiency A. The heritability of culm length in Kwanok $\times$ T(N)1, Kwanok $\times$ IE51 and Jinheung$\times$T(N)1 was 92 percent, 74 percent and 55 percent, respectively. B. The actual genetic advance for culm length obtained from the progeny lines of the selected plants(10 precent) from the $\textrm{F}_2$ generation, was comparable to the expected advance calculated from the original $\textrm{F}_2$ populations. As compared with the $\textrm{F}_2$ population, the $\textrm{F}_3$ plants of Kwanok $\times$ T(N)l shortened on the average by 20.8cm, those of Kwanok $\times$ IE51 did 8.7cm and those of Jinheung$\times$T(N)1 20.0cm, respectively. C. Panicle length of the populations was differently affected from one cross to another by the selection based upon culm length in $\textrm{F}_2$ Kwanok $\times$ T(N)1 did not show any noticeable shortening of its culm length due to the selection pressure. On the other hand, both Kwanok $\times$ IE51 and Jinheung $\times$ T(N)1 showed a considerable shortening of their panicles in case of selection for culm length. Based upon the above results, it could be concluded that the ecological variation in culm length, panicle length and plant height was relatively small and fallen within the range of genetic variation. Considering from the fact that the simple recessive gene governing short height of Tankanbaekmang always accompanied with some undesirable characters such as short panicle and extremely small grain, the short gene of T(N)1 seemed to be more useful as dwarf gene source since it did not carry short gene together with such undesirable traits.

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The Difference in Chemokine Expression in Airway Epithelial Cells According to the Virulence of Tubercle Bacilli (결핵균 독성 여부에 따른 기도 상피세포의 Chemokine 발현에 관한 연구)

  • Kwon, O-Jung;Kim, Ho-Joong;Kim, Jung-Hee;Kim, Ho-Cheol;Suh, Gee-Young;Park, Jeong-Woong;Park, Sang-Joon;Chung, Man-Pyo;Choi, Dong-Chull;Rhee, Chong-H.
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.44 no.4
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    • pp.729-741
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    • 1997
  • Background : We have recently reported that airway epithelial cells can produce RANTES and IL-8 in response to the stimulation of tubercle bacilli suggesting a certain role of airway epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis. The pathogenesis of tuberculosis is determined by several factors including phagocytosis, immunological response of host, and virulence of tubercle bacilli. Interestingly, there have been reports suggesting that difference in immunological response of host according to the virulence of tubercle bacilli may be related with the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. We, therefore, studied the expressions and productions of RANTES and IL-8 in airway epithelial cells in response to tubercle bacilli(H37Rv, virulent strain and H37Ra, avirulent strain), in order to elucidate the possible pathophysiology of pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods : Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from normal volunteers. Peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) were stimulated with LPS($10{\mu}g/ml$), H37Rv, or H37Ra($5{\times}10^5$ bacilli/well) along with normal control for 24 hours. A549 cells were stimulated with supernatants of cultured PBM for 24 hours. ELISA kit was used for the measurement of $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production in supernatants of cultured PBM and for the measurement of RANTES and IL-8 in supernatants of cultured A549 cells. Northern blot analysis was used for the measurement of RANTES and IL-8 mRNA expression in cultured A549 cells. Results : $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ productions were increased in cultured PBM stimulated with LPS or tubercle bacilli(H37Rv or H37Ra) compared with the control. There was, however, no difference in $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production between cultured PBM stimulated with H37Rv and H37Ra. RANTES and IL-8 expressions and productions were also increased in cultured A549 cells stimulated with LPS or tubercle bacilli compared with the control. RANTES and IL-8 mRNA expressions were significantly increased in cultured A549 cells stimulated with H37Ra-conditioned media(CM) compared with A549 cells stimulated with H37Rv-CM (p<0.05). However, there was no difference in RANTES and IL-8 productions between A549 cells stimulated with H37Rv-CM and H37Ra-CM. Conclusion : Airway epithelial cells can produce the potent chemokines such as RANTES and IL-8, in response to the stimulation of tubercle bacilli. These results suggest that airway epithelial cells may play a certain role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis. However, the role of airway epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis according to the virulence of tubercle bacilli was not clear in this study.

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Chronic HBV Infection in Children: The histopathologic classification and its correlation with clinical findings (소아의 만성 B형 간염: 새로운 병리조직학적 분류와 임상 소견의 상관 분석)

  • Lee, Seon-Young;Ko, Jae-Sung;Kim, Chong-Jai;Jang, Ja-June;Seo, Jeong-Kee
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.56-78
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    • 1998
  • Objective: Chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) occurs in 6% to 10% of population in Korea. In ethinic communities where prevalence of chronic infection is high such as Korea, transmission of hepatitis B infection is either vertical (ie, by perinatal infection) or by close family contact (usually from mothers or siblings) during the first 5 years of life. The development of chronic hepatitis B infection is increasingly more common the earlier a person is exposed to the virus, particularly in fetal and neonatal life. And it progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in severe liver damage and perinatal infection. Histopathology of CHB is important when evaluating the final outcomes. A numerical scoring system which is a semiquantitatively assessed objective reproducible classification of chronic viral hepatitis, is a valuable tool for statistical analysis when predicting the outcome and evaluating antiviral and other therapies. In this study, a numerical scoring system (Ludwig system) was applied and compared with the conventional histological classification of De Groute. And the comparative analysis of cinical findings, family history, serology, and liver function test by histopathological findings in chronic hepatitis B of children was done. Methods: Ninety nine patients [mean age=9 years (range=17 months to 16 years)] with clinical, biochemical, serological and histological patterns of chronic HBV infection included in this study. Five of these children had hepatocelluar carcinoma. They were 83 male and 16 female children. They all underwent liver biopsies and histologic evaluation was performed by one pathologist. The biopsy specimens were classified, according to the standard criteria of De Groute as follows: normal, chronic lobular hepatitis (CLH), chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH), mild to severe chronic active hepatitis (CAH), or active cirrhosis, inactive cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). And the biopsy specimens were also assessed and scored semiquantitatively by the numerical scoring Ludwig system. Serum HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc (IgG, IgM), and HDV were measured by radioimunoassays. Results: Male predominated in a proportion of 5.2:1 for all patients. Of 99 patients, 2 cases had normal, 2 cases had CLH, 22 cases had CPH, 40 cases had mild CAH, 19 cases had moderate CAH, 1 case had severe CAH, 7 cases had active cirrhosis, 1 case had inactive cirrhosis, and 5 cases had HCC. The mean age, sex distribution, symptoms, signs, and family history did not differ statistically among the different histologic groups. The numerical scoring system was correlated well with the conventional histological classification. The histological activity evaluated by both the conventional classification and the scoring system was more severe as the levels of serum aminotransferases were higher. In contrast, the levels of serum aminotransferases were not useful for predicting the degree of histologic activity because of its wide range overlapping. When the histological activity was more severe and especially the cirrhosis more progressing, the prothrombin time was more prolonged. The histological severity was inversely related with the duration of seroconversion of HBeAg. Conclusions: The histological activity could not be accurately predicted by clinical and biochemical findings, but by the proper histological classification of the numerical scoring system for the biopsy specimen. The numerical scoring system was correlated well with the conventional histological classification, and it seems to be a valuable tool for the statistical analysis when predicting the outcome and evaluating effects of antiviral and other therapies in chronic hepatitis B in children.

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