• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.345-354
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• 2000

Purpose : Conventional radiation therapy Portal images gives low contrast images. The purpose of this study was to enhance image contrast of a linacgram by developing a low-cost image processing method. Materials and Methods : Chest linacgram was obtained by irradiating humanoid Phantom and scanned using Diagnostic-Pro scanner for image processing. Several types of scan method were used in scanning. These include optical density scan, histogram equalized scan, linear histogram based scan, linear histogram independent scan, linear optical density scan, logarithmic scan, and power square root scan. The histogram distribution of the scanned images were plotted and the ranges of the gray scale were compared among various scan types. The scanned images were then transformed to the gray window by pallette fitting method and the contrast of the reprocessed portal images were evaluated for image improvement. Portal images of patients were also taken at various anatomic sites and the images were processed by Gray Scale Expansion (GSE) method. The patient images were analyzed to examine the feasibility of using the GSE technique in clinic. Results :The histogram distribution showed that minimum and maximum gray scale ranges of 3192 and 21940 were obtained when the image was scanned using logarithmic method and square root method, respectively. Out of 256 gray scale, only 7 to 30$\%$ of the steps were used. After expanding the gray scale to full range, contrast of the portal images were improved. Experiment peformed with patient image showed that improved identification of organs were achieved by GSE in portal images of knee joint, head and neck, lung, and pelvis. Conclusion :Phantom study demonstrated that the GSE technique improved image contrast of a linacgram. This indicates that the decrease in image quality resulting from the dual exposure, could be improved by expanding the gray scale. As a result, the improved technique will make it possible to compare the digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRR) and simulation image for evaluating the patient positioning error.

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

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

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.196-202
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• 2007

Mutations in the cystathionine ${\beta}$-synthase (CBS) gene cause homocystinuria, the most frequent inherited disorder in sulfur metabolism. CBS is the unique enzyme using both heme and pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP) for activity. Among the reported 140 mutations, one of the most common disease-causing alterations in human CBS is G307S mutation. To investigate the pathogenic mechanism of G307S by spectroscopic methods, we engineered the full length and the truncated G247S mutation of yeast CBS that is corresponding mutation to human G307S. Yeast CBS does not contain heme and thus gives a merit to study the spectroscopic properties. The UV-visible spectra of the purified full length and the truncated G247S yeast CBSs showed the total absence of PLP in the protein. The absence of PLP in G247S mutation was also confirmed by the PLP-cyanide adduct formation experiment, which was conducted by the incubation of the purified enzyme with KCN. The adducts were detected using a circular dichroism (CD) and a spectrofluorimeter. Radio isotope activity assay of full length and truncated G247S proteins also gave no activity. Our yeast G247S mutation data suggested that G307S might make the distortion of the active site so that cofactor PLP and substrate can not fit inside the active site. Our yeast CBS study addressed the reason why the G307S mutation in human CBS makes the enzyme inactive that consequently leads to severe clinical phenotype.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.408-416
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• 2002

A 3D hydrodynamic-ecological coupled model was applied to estimate carrying capacity in Geoje-Hansan Bay where is one of the most important oyster culturing grounds in Korea. We considered the carrying capacity as the difference between food supply to the oysters and food demand, considering monthly difference of the actual growth. The food supply to the system was determined from the results of the model simulation (tidal exchange and chlorophyll $\alpha$) over the culturing period from September to May of the following year. The food demand was estimated from the food concentration (chlorophyll $\alpha$) multiple the filtration rate of oysters that is considered monthly different growth rate of oysters and food concentration. The values of carrying capacity for the system varied from 6.1 ton/ha (minimum carrying capacity) in february to 14.91 ton/ha (maximum carrying capacity) in April of marketable size oysters (>4 g wet-tissue weight) depending on temporal variations in the food supply. The oyster production calculated from present facilities was 9 ton/ha in wet-tissue weight in Geoje-Hansan Bay. This value corresponded to $60\%$ of maximum carrying capacity of the system. The optimal carrying capacity without negatively affecting on oyster production was 5.5 ton/ha when calculated from annual statistic data and 6.1 ton/ha when determined by this study. These results suggest that it must be reduced $32\%$~$39\%$ of oyster facilities in the system.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.547-557
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• 1986

The characteristics of the three alkaline proteinases, Enz. A, B and C, from the pyloric caeca of mackerel have been investigated. The optimum condition for the activity of the Enz. A, B and C was pH 9.4, 9.8 and 9.8 at $45^{\circ}C$ for $2\%$ casein solution, and was pH 9.2 10.2 and 9.8 at $45^{\circ}C$ for $5\%$ hemoglobin denatured by urea, respectively. Enz. A, B and C by heat treatment at $50^{\circ}C$ for 5 min were inactivated 90, 33 and $37\%$, respectively, over the original activity. The reaction rate of the three alkaline proteinases was constant to the reaction time to 40 min in the reaction condition of $2{\mu}g/ml$ of enzyme concentration and $2\%$ casein solution. The reaction rate equation and Km value against casein substrate determined by the method of Lineweaver and Burk were: Enz. A, Y=3.6X and $Km=5.0{\times}10^{-3}\%$; Enz. B, Y=6.0X and $Km=1.0{\times}10^{-3}\%$; Enz. C, Y=4.2X and $Km=3.6{\times}10^{-3}\%$. The three alkaline proteinases were inactivated by $Ag^+$ and $Hg^{2+}$, but activated by $Mn^{2+},\;Sn^{2+}\;and\;Pb^{2+}$, Enz. B and C were remarkably inhibited by the soybean trypsin inhibitor. Molecular weight of Enz. A, B and C determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration was in the range of $27,500{\pm}2,500,\;20,500{\pm}1,500\;and\;15,250{\pm}250$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1182-1187
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• 2005

This study was designed to investigate the supplementary effects of Lentinus edodes which were harvested at different time period and part on acetylcholine content and its related enzyme activities in the brain of diabetic mouse model (KK mouse). We fed mice with standard diet (Control diet; CON) or 4 different kinds of experimental diets (DGC: on time harvested, cap of Dong Go; DGS: on time harvested, stipe of Dong Go; HSC: late harvested, cap of Hyang Sin: HSS: late harvested, stipe of Hyang Sin) to KK mouse for 8 weeks. Neurotransmitter such as acetylcholine contents, acetylcholinesterase activities, monoamine oxidase-B ac-tivities and lipid peroxide contents in the brain were measured. The results showed that acetylcholine content was significantly higher in DGC and HSC groups than CON group. The activities of acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase-B enzyme were significantly inhibited in the brain of DGC and HSC groups compared with CON group. Lipid peroxide content was lower in DGC group than CON group. These results suggested that the cap of Lentinus edodes which were harvested on time and late time contain increased acetylcholine content and decreased acetylcholinesterase activities, monoamine oxidase-B activities and lipid peroxide contents. Thus the cap of Lentinus edodes which were harvested at different time periods may play an effective role in enhancing cognitive function.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2013

In this study, the antioxidative effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit and leaf extracts were investigated. The free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) of the ethylacetate and aglycone fractions of fruit extracts were 16.29 ${\mu}g/mL$, and 12.29 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The free radical scavenging activity of fruit extract was higher than that of leaf extracts. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of the ethylacetate and aglycone fractions of fruit extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay showed 2.86 ${\mu}g/mL$, and 1.80 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. ROS scavenging activity of the aglycone fraction of fruit extracts was similar to that of L-ascorbic acid (1.50 ${\mu}g/mL$). The ROS scavenging activity of fruit extracts was higher than that of leaf extracts. The cellular protective effects of aglycone fraction of fruit extracts (${\tau}_{50}$ = 72.3 min) on the $^1O_2$-induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes especially were increased in a concentration dependent manner (5 ~ 50 ${\mu}g/mL$). ${\tau}_{50}$ (72.3 min) of the aglycone fraction showed 1.9 times higher than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (38 min), known as lipophilic antioxidant at 10 ${\mu}g/mL$. These results incidicate that A. melanocarpa fruit extracts have higher antioxidant effects than leaf extracts and could be applicable to functional cosmetics materials for antioxidants by protecting skin exposed to solar UV radiation against ROS including $^1O_2$.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.37-51
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• 2005

Mast cell is a cell that functions mainly in our body with a respect to inflammation and allergic response. Bee venom has been progressed in a study as a model related to mechanism in alleviation of pain until now, but it is being progressed in a study relevant to immunocyte in anti-inflammation or anti-allergic response. The present study is aimed to present the basis related to a future study of gene, by researching the influence of melittin and MCD Peptide, which are major ingredients in Bee venom, upon the expression of gene in the mast cell strain. In this study, it dealt with melittin and MCD Peptide respectively, in the effective concentration after passing though the experiment of cytotoxicity by using human mast cell strain. Also, with the respect in the aspect of expression in gene that changes at this time, information was obtained through the technique of analyzing microarray. Through experimental statistics, when regarding a case that global M is significant in more than 1 or -1, in melittin, all 7 genes were accelerated, and 8 inhibited. In MCDP, 7 genes were accelerated and 17 genes inhibited. The function in the body to which these genes are related, was associated with the protein binding within a cell, the activation in the function of lymphocyte, the acceptor related to macrophage antigen. In cell nucleus, substance related to GABA A receptor, protein associated with cAMP reactive element, substance related to complement system No.8 and to B-cell, protein substance related to polycystic kidney disease, substance related to inflammation, and the protein substance of influencing coagulation of blood. Through these results of analysis, it could obtain more useful materials in clarifying the mechanism of action in melittin and MCD peptide, which are in charge of mainly medical action in the abdomen. Also, it is thought that an in-depth study on the influence of main ingredients in Bee venom, the wholly honey bee venom aqua upon anti-allergic response or anti-inflammation are further required.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1214-1222
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• 1998

Background : The intrapleural hypofibrinolysis is caused by mainly excessive concentration of pleural plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen(PAI-1 Ag), which binds tissue type plasminogen activator. In pleural inflammation induced by sclerosing agents for pleurodesis, levels of pleural PAI-1 antigen increase in relation to decreasing D-dimer levels. It has been known that the pleural mesothelial cells have the capability of secreting PAI-1 Ag in response to inflammation in vivo. Therefore, we estimated whether pleural inflammation changes the balance between fibrinolytic and coagulative properties in exudative pleural effusions. Method : The thirty cases was included in our study. We determined the pleural levels of glucose, lactic dehydrogenase(LDH), pH and the counts of white blood cell(WBC), polymorpho leukocyte(PMN), lymphocyte as the parameters of pleural inflammation and cellular components of pleural fluid. The plasma level of fibrinogen in fluid and the neutrophil count in blood were determined. The levels of D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag and thrombinantithrombin III complex(TAT) were determined by ELISA(Behring, Marburg, Germany). Result : The causes of pleural effusion were as following : tuberculous in 14 cases, malignant in 10 cases and parapneumonic in 6 cases. The levels of pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag and TAT was significantly higher than that of plasma(p<0..001). The severity of pleural inflammation did not correlated with pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag, TAT and their plasma levels. But the level of pleural TAT correlated with pleural WBC and lymphocyte count. Conclusion : We found that the severity of pleural inflammations did not correlated with pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag, TAT and the possibility of local production of PAI-1 antigen is present.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.265-275
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• 2020

In this study, we analyzed the nutritional ingredients of drone pupae (16^th to 20^th instar old) to evaluate the value of bee products and provide basic data for product diversification, and the extracts prepared using these pupae were tested for physiological activity. According to the analysis of the general ingredients of the freeze-dried powder of these bee pupae, the moisture, crude protein, crude fat, and crude ash was 1.69 ± 0.07%, 48.52 ± 0.20%, 23.41 ± 0.14%, and 4.05 ± 0.02%, respectively. Vitamin C and vitamin E were 14.92 ± 0.52 mg/100 g and 6.06 ± 0.11 mg α-TE/100 g, respectively. Regarding minerals, the highest content of K (1349.13 ± 34.57 mg/100 g) and P (1323.55 ± 43.85 mg/100 g) was observed and Ca and Fe were 55.43 ± 1.51 mg/100 g and 5.49 ± 0.19 mg/100 g, respectively. The fatty acids of the water extracted freeze-dried pupae powder accounted for approximately 59.62 of saturated fatty acids and 40.38 of unsaturated fatty acids, and high-quality fatty acids such as palmitic acid (C16:0) was 35.49 ± 0.08 and oleic acid (C18:1, n-9) was 35.91 ± 0.22 (g/100 g total fatty acids). The total amino acid content was 38.99 ± 2.63 g/100 g and the free amino acid was a total of 5129.04 mg/100 g, of which 1257.68 mg/100 g was proline and 759.12 mg/100 g glutamic acid. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity of the drone pupae extract showed values of 0.8 for distilled water extract, 3.2 for 50% EtOH extract, 6.4 for 70% EtOH extract, and approximately 90% for 32 ㎍/mL for 100% EtOH extract. These results suggest that the main compound contributing to the antioxidant activity is a polar compound, and it is highly likely to be a low-molecular protein or a free amino acid. In conclusion, the honey bee drone pupa is excellent as a food resource and can be utilized as a new functional material for food and functional food.