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Analysis of Changes in Ion Concentration with Time and Drainage Ratio under EC-based Nutrient Control in Closed-loop Soilless Culture for Sweet Pepper Plants (Capsicum annum L. 'Boogie') (EC 기준 순환식 파프리카 수경재배에서 시간 경과 및 배액율에 따른 이온농도 변화 분석)

  • Ahn, Tae-In;Shin, Jong-Wha;Son, Jung-Eek
    • Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.298-304
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    • 2010
  • Nutrient uptake by plants and drainage ratio in culture beds can affect ion balance and concentrations of nutrient solutions in electrical conductivity (EC)-based closed-loop soilless culture. This study was conducted to analyze ion concentration changes with time and drainage ratio under EC-based nutrient control in closed-loop soilless culture for sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annum L. 'Boogie'). At first experiment, ion concentrations of the nutrient solution were periodically analysed while collected drainage was being reused by mixing with fresh nutrient solution at a dilution rate of EC $2.2\;dSm^{-1}$. Changes in ion concentrations of $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $NO_3^-$, $SO_4^{2-}$, and $PO_4^{3-}$ were 1.13, 5.35, 0.92, 0.9, 1.10, $0.19\;meq{\cdot}L^{-1}$, respectively. Ion balance such as $K^+$ : $Ca^{2+}$ and $SO_4^{2-}$ : $NO_3^-$ were mainly affected during the recirculation of nutrient solution. At second experiment, ion concentrations and EC of drainage were compared before and after replenishment under different four drainage ratios of 7%, 16%, 39%, and 51%. Ion ratios of the recirculated nutrient solutions such as $K^+$ : $Ca^{2+}$ for cation and $SO_4^{2-}$ : $NO_3^-$ for anion were investigated. ECs of drainage decreased with increase of drainage ratio and each ion concentration showed the same trends as EC did. Ion balances in drainage with drainage ratio were a little different from each other, but each ratio could be corrected by replenishment process. The ion balance at 7% drainage ratio was closest to initial ratio and followed by 16%, 51%, and 39% in the order. Ion balance such as $K^+$ : $Ca^{2+}$ and $NO_3^-$ : $PO_4^{3-}$ were mainly affected the correction process.

Influence of $NH_4^+$ and $NO_3^-$ Ratios in Fertigation Solution on Growth of Snapdragon Plug Seedlings and Changes in Medium Chemical Properties ($NH_4^+:NO_3^-$ 시비 비율이 금어초 플러그 묘 생장과 상토 화학성 변화에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Poong-Ok;Lee, Jong-Suk;Choi, Jong-Myung
    • Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.251-256
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    • 2010
  • Objective of this research was to investigate the influence of $NH_4^+$ and $NO_3^-$ ratios in liquid feeding on the growth of snapdragon 'Potomac Red' and changes in medium chemical properties. The seeds were sown into 200 plug trays and fertigated once a week with nutrient solution containing various ratios of $NH_4^+$ and $NO_3^-$ such as 0 : 100, 27 : 73, 50 : 50, 73 : 27, and 100 : 0. The total N concentrations were adjusted to 50, 100 and $150\;mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ in plug stages of 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Determination of seedling growth and analysis of plant tissue and root medum were conducted at 56 days after sowing. The treatment of 27 : 73 ($NH_4^+:NO_3^-$) had the greatest plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight. The N and P contents in 27 : 73 ($NH_4^+:NO_3^-$) treatment based on the above ground plant tissues were 2.39 and 0.39%, respectively, which were the greatest among treatments. The elevation of $NH_4^+$ ratio in fertigation solution decreased tissue Ca and Mg contents, but that did not influence tissue K content. The variations in $NH_4^+:NO_3^-$ ratios impacted the soil solution pH and the difference among treatments had been severe since three weeks after sowing. Elevation of $NH_4^+$ ratios in fertigation solution increased electrical conductivity and concentrations of K, Ca, and Mg in soil solution of root medum. The $NH_4^+$ and $NO_3^-$ concentrations in the soil solution were high in weeks 2, 3, and 4, then decreased gradually as the biomass of seedlings increased. Medium P concentration decreased gradually as seedlings grew, but statistical differences were not observed among treatments.

Eine kritische Betrachtung $\ddot{u}$ber das Kompensations-Zusicherungsgesch$\ddot{a}$ft und die Typenanalyse f$\ddot{u}$r die medizinische Geburtsbehandlungsfehler (분만 의료사고에 대한 보상사업 -의료사고 피해구제 및 분쟁조정 등에 관한 법률 제46조에 관하여-)

  • Baek, Kyoung-Hee;Ahn, Bup-Young
    • The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.11-61
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    • 2011
  • In dieser Arbeit ist zum ersten allgemeiner $\ddot{U}$berblick auf die Verschuldensprinzip, das grunds$\ddot{a}$tzlich f$\ddot{u}$r die Unfalls-Haftung im Bereich der medizinischen Behandlungsfehler noch immerhin gelten, in aller K$\ddot{u}$rze angef$\ddot{u}$hrt und zugleich in rechtsvergleichender Weise auf die sozialrechtliche Typenentwicklung in Bezug auf die haftungsrechtlich motivierte Entsch$\ddot{a}$digung. Gem$\ddot{a}{\ss}$ dem ${\S}$ 46 Gesetzes zur Abhilfe f$\ddot{u}$r medizinische Besch$\ddot{a}$digungenund auf die Mediation-Schlichtung f$\ddot{u}$r medizinische Streitigkeiten ist die rechtssystematische Bedeutung des Kompensations-Zusicherungsgeschafts als eine Art institutioneller Fremdversorgung zu erfassen. Demzufolge geht es h$\ddot{a}$uptsachlich um die Problematik von tatbest$\ddot{a}$ndlichen Merkmalen der Kompensation im ${\S}$ 46 obigen Gesetzes (unten 1) und im Bezug auf die im voraus von GF-Ministerium bekanntgegebene AO (provisorische Fassung) von 8. 11. 2011. um die Analyse einer Reihe von KHG-Entscheidungen $\ddot{u}$ber $\ddot{a}$rztliche Geburtsbehandlungsfehler (unten 2). Dabei ist noch die Geltungsbereich mit entsprechendem Kompensationssystem in Japan zu vergleichen (unten 3). 1. Der terminologische Sinn von "h$\ddot{o}$here Gewalt" ist sowohl semantisch wie auch juristisch-rechtstechnisch eine negative Vorausaussetzung f$\ddot{u}$r haftbar machende Gef$\ddot{a}$hrdungstatbestand. Nicht nur im Inhalt und Umfang vertr$\ddot{a}$gt dieser Rechtsbegriff sich nicht mit dem anderen tatbest$\ddot{a}$ndlich parallell zu erf$\ddot{u}$llenden Merkmal, also "die Besch$\ddot{a}$digung aus unverschuldeter $\ddot{a}$rztlicher Geburtsvorsorge", weil die jene enger als die diese auf dem Begriffsfeld ist, sondern auch im dogmengeschichtlichen, auch doch rechtstechnichen Sinne ist die Terminologie von "h$\ddot{o}$here Gewalt" ungeeignet, f$\ddot{u}$r den kompensatorischen Tatbetand als ein positives Merkmal, zu sein, statt derer, m. E. sollte der Begriff von "unkontrollierbarer Zuf$\ddot{a}$lligkeit" als L$\ddot{o}$sungsansatz verwendet werden. Dazu ist auch die ratio legis zur institutionellen Einf$\ddot{u}$hrung des obigen Kompensations-Zusicherungsgesch$\ddot{a}$fts, das sich auf die Entsch$\ddot{a}$digung des f$\ddot{u}$r Patienten unertr$\ddot{a}$glichen Verlustes gerichtet, d. h. gerade die Augabe des nachteilsausgleichenden Einstehens f$\ddot{u}$r Ungl$\ddot{u}$ck, nicht f$\ddot{u}$r Unrecht, zu ber$\ddot{u}$cksichtigen. 2. Die Typen der KHG-Entscheidungsf$\ddot{a}$llen im Bereich von Gyn$\ddot{u}$kologie k$\ddot{o}$nnten diagnostisch bzw. therapeutisch im folgenden differenziert sein werden; je nach der Kriterien von der Weise und dem Zeitpunkt zur Geburtshilfe, technischen Behandlungsfehlern beim Geburtsvorgang, und Besorgungsfehlern nach dem Geburt u. dgl. 3. Die japanische verschuldensunabh$\ddot{a}$ngige Kompensation ist eigentlich eine Art institutionelle Vorsorge, die anders als koreanische Versorgungssystem auf Grund privatsicherungsfinaler Vorleistung gew$\ddot{a}$rleistet wird. Der kompensatorische Bereich beschr$\ddot{a}$nkt sich auf die schwere infantile Zerebralparese (Cerebralparese) beim medizinischen Geburtsbehandlung. Schlie${\ss}$lich w$\ddot{u}$rde diese Arbeit erw$\ddot{u}$nscht sein, zur Konkretisierung des Voraussetzungen f$\ddot{u}$r die Kompensation nach ${\S}$ 46 Abs. 1 u. 4 des obigen Gesetzes beitragen zu k$\ddot{o}$nnen, welcher spatestens am 8. 4. 2013. zur Geltung gebracht sein sollte.

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Review of Anti-Leukemia Effects from Medicinal Plants (항 백혈병작용에 관련된 천연물의 자료조사)

  • Pae Hyun Ock;Lim Chang Kyung;Jang Seon Il;Han Dong Min;An Won Gun;Yoon Yoo Sik;Chon Byung Hun;Kim Won Sin;Yun Young Gab
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.605-610
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    • 2003
  • According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, leukemia is a malignant disease (cancer) that originates in a cell in the marrow. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of developing marrow cells. There are two major classifications of leukemia: myelogenous or lymphocytic, which can each be acute or chronic. The terms myelogenous or lymphocytic denote the cell type involved. Thus, four major types of leukemia are: acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are considered to be related cancers because they involve the uncontrolled growth of cells with similar functions and origins. The diseases result from an acquired (not inherited) genetic injury to the DNA of a single cell, which becomes abnormal (malignant) and multiplies continuously. In the United States, about 2,000 children and 27,000 adults are diagnosed each year with leukemia. Treatment for cancer may include one or more of the following: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, surgery and bone marrow transplantation. The most effective treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy, which may involve one or a combination of anticancer drugs that destroy cancer cells. Specific types of leukemia are sometimes treated with radiation therapy or biological therapy. Common side effects of most chemotherapy drugs include hair loss, nausea and vomiting, decreased blood counts and infections. Each type of leukemia is sensitive to different combinations of chemotherapy. Medications and length of treatment vary from person to person. Treatment time is usually from one to two years. During this time, your care is managed on an outpatient basis at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center or through your local doctor. Once your protocol is determined, you will receive more specific information about the drug(s) that Will be used to treat your leukemia. There are many factors that will determine the course of treatment, including age, general health, the specific type of leukemia, and also whether there has been previous treatment. there is considerable interest among basic and clinical researchers in novel drugs with activity against leukemia. the vast history of experience of traditional oriental medicine with medicinal plants may facilitate the identification of novel anti leukemic compounds. In the present investigation, we studied 31 kinds of anti leukemic medicinal plants, which its pharmacological action was already reported through many experimental articles and oriental medical book: 『pharmacological action and application of anticancer traditional chinese medicine』 In summary: Used leukemia cellline are HL60, HL-60, Jurkat, Molt-4 of human, and P388, L-1210, L615, L-210, EL-4 of mouse. 31 kinds of anti leukemic medicinal plants are Panax ginseng C.A Mey; Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc; Daphne genkwa Sieb. et Zucc; Aloe ferox Mill; Phorboc diester; Tripterygium wilfordii Hook .f.; Lycoris radiata (L Her)Herb; Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz; Lilium brownii F.E. Brown Var; Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.; Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels; Asparagus cochinensis (Lour. )Merr; Isatis tinctoria L.; Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet; Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.; Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim; Dioscorea opposita Thumb; Schisandra chinensis (Rurcz. )Baill.; Auium Sativum L; Isatis tinctoria, L; Ligustisum Chvanxiong Hort; Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch; Euphorbia Kansui Liou; Polygala tenuifolia Willd; Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth; Chelidonium majus L; Rumax madaeo Mak; Sophora Subprostmousea Chunet T.ehen; Strychnos mux-vomical; Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr.et Maxim.)Harms; Rubia cordifolia L. Anti leukemic compounds, which were isolated from medicinal plants are ginsenoside Ro, ginsenoside Rh2, Emodin, Yuanhuacine, Aleemodin, phorbocdiester, Triptolide, Homolycorine, Atractylol, Colchicnamile, Paeonol, Aspargus polysaccharide A.B.C.D, Indirubin, Leonunrine, Acinosohic acid, Trichosanthin, Ge 132, Schizandrin, allicin, Indirubin, cmdiumlactone chuanxiongol, 18A glycyrrhetic acid, Kansuiphorin A 13 oxyingenol Kansuiphorin B. These investigation suggest that it may be very useful for developing more effective anti leukemic new dregs from medicinal plants.

Metabolic comparison between standard medicinal parts and their adventitious roots of Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsl. using FT-IR spectroscopy after IBA and elicitor treatment (IBA 및 elicitor 처리에 따른 백수오 기내 생산 부정근 및 표준품의 FT-IR 스펙트럼 기반 대사체 비교 분석)

  • Ahn, Myung Suk;So, Eun Jin;Jie, Eun Yee;Choi, So Yeon;Park, Sang Un;Moon, Byeong Cheol;Kang, Young Min;Min, Sung Ran;Kim, Suk Weon
    • Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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    • v.45 no.3
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    • pp.250-256
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    • 2018
  • To determine whether metabolite fingerprinting for whole cell extracts based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) can be used to discriminate and compare metabolic equivalence, standard medicinal parts of Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsl. and their adventitious roots were subjected to FT-IR. The principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) from FT-IR spectral data showed that whole metabolic pattern from the adventitious root of Cynanchum wilfordii was highly similar to its standard medicinal parts. These results clearly showed that mass proliferation of adventitious roots could be applied for the novel supply of standard medicinal parts of medicinal plants. Furthermore, FT-IR spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis established in this study could be applied as an alternative tool for discriminating of whole metabolic equivalence from standard medicinal parts. Thus, it is proposed that these metabolic discrimination systems from the adventitious root of Cynanchum wilfordii could be applied for metabolic standardization of in vitro grown Cynanchum wilfordii.

The Role of Adipokines in the Pathogenesis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children; the Relationship between Body Fat Distribution and Insulin Resistance (비만아의 비알코올성 지방간 발병에 있어 Adipokine과 체지방분포 및 인슐린 저항성과의 연관성에 대한 연구)

  • Yang, Hye-Ran;Ko, Jae-Sung;Seo, Jeong-Kee
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.185-192
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    • 2007
  • Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the role of adiponectin, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children, and to elucidatethe relationship between these adipokines and insulin resistance. Methods: A total of 61 obese children (M : F=42 : 19, mean age 11.2${\pm}$1.3 years) admitted to our facility between March 2004 and June 2005 were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups based on their NAFLD status obese children without fatty liver (N=23); obese children with simple steatosis (N=20); and obese children with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (N=18). The serum levels of adiponectin, leptin, and TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured, and insulin resistance determined by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was calculated to estimate insulin resistance. In addition, the VSR (visceralsubcutaneous fat ratio) was estimated using abdominal computed tomography. Results: There was no difference in serum TNF-${\alpha}$ and leptin levels observed between the 3 groups (22.13${\pm}$6.37 vs. 21.35${\pm}$6.95 vs. 25.17${\pm}$9.30; p=0.342 & 20.29${\pm}$8.57 vs. 16.42${\pm}$6.85 vs. 20.10${\pm}$7.86; p=0.330). However, the serum adiponectin level was significantly lower in children with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) than in the other two groups (6.08${\pm}$1.38 in children without steatosis vs. 5.69${\pm}$0.79 in simple steatosis vs. 4.93${\pm}$1.75 in NASH; p=0.026). In addition, the VSR was significantly increased in the NASH group (0.31${\pm}$0.08 vs. 0.32${\pm}$0.11 vs. 0.47${\pm}$0.14; p=0.001), and HOMA-IR revealed a significant difference among the three groups (4.77${\pm}$3.67 vs. 6.89${\pm}$7.05 vs. 10.42${\pm}$6.73; p=0.000). However, there was no significant correlation observed between the adiponectin levels and the HOMA-IR or the VSR (r=-0.117; p=0.450 & r=-0.106; p=0.499). Conclusion: Insulin resistance may affect the development of hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis in children, and the results of this study suggest that, of several adipokines evaluated, adiponectin is important in the progression of steatosis to steatohepatitis in obese children.

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Enhancement of Anticarcinogenic Potentials of Submerged-Liquid Culture of Agaricus blazei Murill on Mouse Ascites Cancer by Rice Hull (왕겨에 의한 신령버섯균사체 액체배양액의 생쥐 항복수암성 증가)

  • Kim, Young-S.;Jang, Wook-J.;Rakib, A.;Kwon, Jung-M.;Ahn, Chae-R.;Kim, So-Y.;Cho, Yong-U.;Ha, Young-K.;Kim, Jeong-O.;Ha, Yeong-L.
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.20 no.9
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    • pp.1402-1408
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    • 2010
  • The effects of rice hull (RH) powder on the anticarcinogenic activity of submerged-liquid cultures of Agaricus blazei Murill (AB) were assessed for mouse ascites cancers induced by mouse Sarcoma S-180 (S-180) cancer cells. Optimal growth of AB mycelia in the basal liquid culture medium, containing soybean meal, was achieved by culturing at $25^{\circ}C$ for 5 days, when evaluated by $\beta$-glucan content, Brix, and mycelial weight, relative to other culture conditions. Hot-water extract (HWE) of the submergedliquid culture of AB mycelia grown at $25^{\circ}C$ for 5 days exhibited a stronger anticarcinogenic activity, relative to HWE from other culture conditions. No such effects were obtained from AB mycelial cultures by alternative temperature-controlling cultures. Both cytotoxicity for S-180 cells and anticarcinogenic potentials for mouse ascites cancer of the HWE from AB mycelia grown in the basal medium containing 1% RH powder for 5 days at $25^{\circ}C$ were significantly (p<0.05) enhanced, relative to HWE from the AB mycelia culture of the basal medium without RH powder. These results indicate that HWE of submerged-liquid culture of AB mycelia, incubated in media containing 1% RH powder at $25^{\circ}C$ for 5 days, enhanced anticarcinogenic activity against S-180 cell-induced mouse ascites cancer, and suggest that RH powder is an excellent ingredient for the improvement of the anticarcinogenic potentials of the submerged-liquid culture of mushroom mycelia.

Anti-Inflammmatiry Effects of Nerium indicum Ethanol Extracts through Suppression of NF-kappaB Activation (NF-κB 활성 저해를 통한 협죽도 에탄올 추출물의 항염증 효능)

  • Kim, Tae-Hwan;Ko, Seog-Soon;Park, Cheol;Park, Sang-Eun;Hong, Sang-Hoon;Kim, Byung-Woo;Choi, Yung-Hyun
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.20 no.8
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    • pp.1221-1229
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    • 2010
  • Nerium indicum, an India-Pakistan-originated shrub belonging to the oleander family, is reported to possess many pharmacological activities including cardiac muscle stimulation, and anti-diabetes, anti-angiogenesis, anti-cancer and neuro-protective activities. However, the anti-inflammatory properties of N. indicum were unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of the N. indicum leaf and stem (ENIL and ENIS) on the expression of anti-inflammatory mediators in U937 human pre-monocytic cell models. In U937 cells stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), pre-treatment with ENIS significantly inhibited the expression of both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein, which are associated with inhibition of the release of prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$, whereas the inhibitory effects appeared weakly in ENIL. Moreover, ENIS significantly attenuated PMA-induced IkappaB ($I{\kappa}B$) degradation and suppressed elevated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) nuclear translocation. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights that N. indicum exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes through the NF-kB signaling pathway.

UV-induced Photodamage - attenuating Properties of Water Extract from Lentinuls edodes (피부각질형성세포에서 표고버섯 물 추출물의 피부노화 억제 효과)

  • Lee, Jung Im;Oh, Jung Hwan;Park, So Young;Kim, Hye Ran;Jung, Kyung Im;Jeon, Byung-Jin;Kim, Dongmin;Kong, Chang-Suk
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.30 no.10
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    • pp.877-885
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    • 2020
  • Lentinuls edodes has been used for traditional food and medicine around Asia, and a variety of biological effects have been reported. In this study, L. edodes water extract (LWE) was investigated for its anti-photodamage effect in HaCaT keratinocytes. To perform the necessary assays, L. edodes was extracted with distilled water for 8 hr at 40℃ in an extract tank. Anti-photodamage activity was assessed using a scratch wound healing assay, cell proliferation, and a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging test and by measuring the mRNA and protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and type I procollagen. MMPs and collagen expression are major markers of UV-induced photodamage in skin. Prior to photodamage analysis, the total polyphenol and β-glucan contents of the LWE were evaluated and found to be 4.64 mg GAE/g DW and 165.96 mg/g, respectively. Treatment with LWE induced cell migration and cell proliferation in UV-irradiated HaCaT cells, and LWE effectively scavenged the ROS induced by H2O2 and UVB irradiation in HaCaT cells. UVB irradiation induced ROS generation and led to increased production of MMP-1 and MMP-9 and to decreased collagen production in human keratinocytes. Treatment with LWE upregulated the expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-9, and type I procollagen in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. This study suggests that LWE could be used to develop cosmetic materials with anti-photodamage effects.

Clinical Features of Adolescent Tuberculosis: A Single Institute Study (단일기관에서 진단받은 청소년 결핵의 임상적 특징)

  • Hong, Sung Wan;Hong, Chan Eui;Lee, Dong Jean;Roh, Byung Hak
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.15 no.2
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    • pp.174-179
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    • 2008
  • Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features of adolescent TB. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the adolescents aged 12 to 18 years and who are hospitalized with the diagnosis of TB at Dong Kang General Hospital between January 2003 and December 2007. Results : Of the 29 patients who were identified, 65.5% were male. The median age at diagnosis was 16.9 years (range: 12.1-18.9 years). A tuberculin skin test (TST) was performed for 6 patients (20.7%). Among them, 5 (5 of 8[62.5%]) in the 12-15 years age group (Group A) and 1 (1 of 21[4.8%]) in the 16-18 years of age group (Group B) were TST positive, which showed that the TST performing rate decreased with age (P<0.01). Twenty-five patients (86.2%) were detected by evaluating the clinical symptoms that suggested TB and 4 patients (13.8%) were detected by screening, but no cases were detected by contact tracing. Twenty patients (69.0%) had isolated pulmonary disease. Seven patients (24.1%) had pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease and 2 patients (6.9%) had exclusively extrapulmonary disease. Most patients presented with multiple symptoms, and the most common were cough (79.3%), fever (75.9%), sputum (65.8%) and chest pain (34.5%). M. tuberculosis was isolated from the sputum of 20 patients (69.0%). The culture-positive rate increased with age (range: 62.5% in Group A to 71.4% in Group B), but the difference between the groups was not significant. Cavitary lesions were found 13 patients (44.8%). The cavitary lesion rate increased with age (range: 25.0% in Group A to 52.4% in Group B), but the difference between the groups was not significant. Four patients (13.8%) were lost during follow-up. One patient (6.9%) relapsed. Conclusion : Clinicians need to be aware of the unique features of adolescent TB, and they also need awareness of the importance of TST and contact investigation for an adult suspected of having TB for making the diagnosis of TB.

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