• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.537-541
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• 2008

White adipose tissue is now recognized as an important endocrine organ which secretes various signal factors and proteins termed 'adipokine'. Haptoglobin (Hp), which has been known as an acute phase protein, belongs to the adipokine. However, the function of Hp in adipose tissue remains unclear. To verify the role of Hp in preadipocytes, in this study, 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells were stably transfected with human Hp gene and Hp-overexpressing cells were made. The Hp had no effect on cell growth of preadipocytes. By RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, the Hp inhibited gene expression of IL-6 and COX-2 and enhanced HO-1 synthesis in preadipocytes. Moreover, invasion assay showed the Hp suppressed migration of monocytes to preadipocytes. These findings suggest that the Hp may inhibit an inflammatory reaction in adipose tissue by regulating the expressions of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators, and by repressing monocytes/macrophages infiltration.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.684-687
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• 2002

Water and methanol extracts of cricket were examined for their liver protective effects against $CCl_4-intoxication$ in ICR-mice. Serum transaminases (S-GOT and S-GPT), lactate dehydrogense (LDH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and TBARS (Thiobarbiturate-reactive substances) content were measured for evaluation of liver protective effects. The activities of GOT, GPT, LDH and hepatic content of lipid peroxide after $CCl_4-treatment$ were higher than normal control but those levels decreased th 74, 50, 101 and 40%, respectively, by the treatment of cricket methanol extract. The anti-fatigue effects of water and methanol extracts investigated by an acute weight-loaded forced swimming test showed significantly prolonged swimming time in the mice administered cricket extracts. These results suggest us that water/alcohol extract of G. bimaculatus may be used as a liver protective food.

• Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.246-250
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• 2018

Purpose: Meningitis is an acute childhood infection caused by viral or bacterial infection. The purpose of the present study is to analyze the differences between enteroviral meningitis and non-enteroviral aseptic meningitis. Methods: From January 2013 to December 2016, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a total of 303 aseptic meningitis patients who visited Wonju Severance Christian Hospital. We examined demographics of all patients and analyzed serologic and cerebrospinal fluid tests, clinical symptoms, and outcomes. Results: Of a total of 303 patients, 197(65.0%) were male, and the most cases occurred from June to November (91.8%). The most common pathogen of meningitis was found to be enterovirus (65.0%). According to the etiology, the enteroviral meningitis group had significantly more headache and enteric symptoms (P=0.0003 and P=0.0013, respectively). Furthermore, the non-enteroviral meningitis group showed pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid and a significantly higher rate of seizure at 1 to 4 years (P=0.0360 and P=0.0002, respectively). Conclusion: In this study, enteroviral meningitis was the most common and the prognosis was good. When compared between two groups, neurological symptoms were frequent in patients with non-enteroviral meningitis in groups 1 to 4 years.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.363-368
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• 2010

Adequate acidic environment in wound healing prevents the inflammation of virus, increases the cell activity, promotes cell proliferation and regular rearrangement of fibroblast, and results in matured epithelialization. In this study, we prepared dressing materials consisting of pectin and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) with varied ratios. These dressing materials showed different pH values according to the composition ratio. The effect of acidity of pectin/CMC dressing materials on wound healing rates, degree of epithelialization, collagen deposition, and so on, in 3 types of wound models (fresh surgical wounds, $3^{rd}$ degree burn wounds, and infection wounds) were investigated by animal tests. From the results of wound contraction, wound healing, and epithelialization, it can be deduced that dressing material having pectin/CMC ratio of 16/19 (pH 4.67) is most effective among the 3 types of wound models.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.303-310
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• 2021

This study was conducted to identify the effects of pressure taping between tibia and fibula of High Ankle Sprain athletes on pain, Range of Motion(ROM), and strength and to provide basic data for rehabilitation programs. The subjects of the study were conducted with a total of 10 athletes except for four who gave up who were diagnosed with high ankle sprain, or who were diagnosed with ankle sprain but their physical examinations proved positive. The results showed no significant differences in pain(Visual Analog Scale, VAS). The ROM was significantly increased in inversion(IV) and eversion(EV) in both groups. The Isometric strength was significantly improved in IV(0°, 7°, 14°) and EV(0°) in Taping Group(TG). When taping was applied to athletes with injury to the High Ankle Sprain, ROM and muscle strength improved at the same pain level.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2019

Purpose: Campylobacter species are common causes of bacterial enteritis. There is limited knowledge on its prevalence and clinical features because of its fastidious culture conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical features of Campylobacter enteritis in children. Methods: We obtained stool specimens from patients diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis in the Department of Pediatrics, Nowon Eulji Medical Center (NEMC) and identified the pathogens by performing cultures or polymerase chain reactions (PCR). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with Campylobacter enteritis at NEMC between January 2012 and December 2017. Results: Overall, 123 patients were diagnosed with Campylobacter enteritis (60 by culture and PCR in EnterNet and 110 by multiplex PCR). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of patients was 12 years (IQR, 8 to 16 years). The disease occurred all year round, but 69.9% from June to September. Symptoms included diarrhea (97.6%), fever (96.7%), abdominal pain (94.3%), vomiting (37.4%), and headache (34.1%). Compared with other treatments, treatment with azithromycin was associated with a shorter hospitalization period (P<0.05). Conclusions: Campylobacter enteritis is common during summer and mostly infects adolescent patients. It causes severe abdominal pain and fever preceding the onset of diarrhea. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate use of antibiotics reduces the duration of the disease.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2021

In this study, the toxic effects of PFOA and PFOS potassium salt on Mesocentrotus nudus using 10 min-fertilization rate and 48 h-normal embryogenesis were confirmed through the calculation of toxicity values such as Non-observed effective concentration, Low-observed effective concentration, and 50% of effective concentration. The case of 10 min-fertilization rate and 48 h-normal embryogenesis showed the concentration-dependent reduction pattern when exposed to PFOA and PFOS potassium salt, in tested concentration, respectively. The EC50 values of 10 min-fertilization rates for PFOA and PFOS potassium salt were 1346.43 mg/l and 536.18 mg/l, respectively, and the EC50 values of 48 h-normal embryogenesis were 42.67 mg/l and 17.81 mg/l, respectively. Both toxicity test methods showed high toxicity sensitivity to PFOS potassium salt. Recent studies have shown that the concentration of PFOA and PFOS in the marine environment has continuously decreased, and it is not enough to show acute toxicity to sea urchin. However, PFOA and PFOS have a very long half-life and can accumulate throughout the life of marine life, so it is still observed at a high concentration in shellfish. Therefore, a study on chronic toxicity through the whole-life cycle of marine organisms in coastal environments should be needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.418-425
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• 2024

Solid tumors are heterogeneous populations of multiple cell types. While the majority of the cells that comprise cancer are unable to divide, cancer stem cells have self-renewal and differentiation properties. Normal stem cell pathways that control self-renewal are overactivated in cancer stem cells, making cancer stem cells important for cancer cell expansion and progression. Dick first proposed the definition of cancer stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia, according to which cancer stem cells can be classified based on the expression of cell surface markers. Cancer stem cells maintain their potential in the tumor microenvironment. Multiple cell types in the tumor microenvironment maintain quiescent cancer stem cells and serve as regulators of cancer growth. Since current cancer treatments target proliferative cells, quiescent state cancer stem cells that are resistant to treatment increase the risk of recurrence or metastasis. Various signals of the tumor microenvironment induce changes to become a tumor-supportive environment by remodeling the vasculature and extracellular matrix. To effectively treat cancer, cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment must be targeted. Therefore, it is important to understand how the tumor microenvironment induces reprogramming of the immune response to promote cancer growth, immune resistance, and metastasis. In this review, we discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms that can enhance immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.977-982
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• 2006

Purpose : There has been an increasing amount of literature concerning the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and asthma pathogenesis. Interleukin(IL)-6 stimulates the differentiation of monocytes, and can promote Th2 differentiation and simultaneously inhibit Th1 polarization. IL-8 is a potent chemoattractant and, it has been suggested, has a role in asthma pathogenesis. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by airway epithelium may be important in the regulation of airway inflammation and reactivity. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) has been reported to be a mediator of airway remodeling in asthma. We investigated the effects of M. pneumoniae on IL-6, IL-8, NO and VEGF production in human respiratory epithelial cells. Methods : A549 cells were cultured and inoculated with M. pneumoniae at a dose of 20 cfu/cell. After infection, the presence of M. pneumoniae in epithelial cell cultures was monitored by immunofluorescence and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) detection. IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. NO was measured using the standard Griess reaction. Results : In A549 cells, M. pneumoniaeinduced IL-6, IL-8, NO and VEGF release in time-dependent manners. It also induced mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF in similar manners. Conclusion : These observations suggest that M. pneumoniae might have a role in the pathogenesis of the allergic inflammation of bronchial asthma.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2009

Purpose: To update the epidemiologic information of hepatobiliary diseases in pediatric inpatients using cross-sectional survey data throughout the Republic of Korea. Methods: Nationwide cross-sectional survey was obtained from the 85 residency training hospitals in Korea to gather the final diagnosis on discharge. The surveyed periods were from 2004 to 2006. All the reports regarding the diagnosis were based on ICD-10 system. In this study, we focused on hepatobiliary diseases. Results: A total of 826,896 cases with discharge data were collected, of which 4,151 (5.0%) hepatobiliary cases were identified; 2,385 cases (57.4%) of hepatobiliary disease were hepatitis, which was the most common hepatobiliary disease. Other diseases included congenital hepatobiliary diseases (524 cases [12.6%]) and biliary diseases (315 cases [7.6%]). The prevalence of hepatobiliary disease according to age differed. Biliary atresia was the most common hepatobiliary disease in the neonatal period, whereas the prevalence of hepatitis increased in adolescents. The total number of hepatobiliary operations was 416 cases. With the comparison of annual data, there was no definite difference in the total number of hepatobiliary cases. The average duration of hospital stay appeared to decrease gradually. Conclusion: In this study, we have summarized the recent epidemiology of hepatobiliary disorders in Korean children based on discharge data. Hepatobiliary disorders in pediatric inpatient units consisted of diverse disorders with a low prevalence, so multi-center approaches should be considered to enhance the clinical and public health outcomes. To improve this nationwide survey, a new data collecting system should be developed.