• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.304-312
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• 2018

Regulatory T cells (Treg), known as immune-suppressors, may help modulate the immune response. In this study, we investigated the effect of Treg-derived $TGF-{\beta}1$ on pancreatic islet cell function in vitro and in vivo. One hundred eighty IEQ (islet equivalents) of pancreatic islets, the marginal amount to regulate blood glucose level after syngeneic islet transplantation in mouse type 1 diabetes (T1D) model, were co-cultured with $4{\times}10^6$ Treg cells for 48 hours. The changes in $TGF-{\beta}1$, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and insulin secretion levels were measured and analyzed among the Treg-only group, the islet-only group, and the Treg/islet co-cultured group. In the Treg/islet co-cultured group, IL-6 and insulin secretion levels were increased (P<0.0005, P<0.005) and islet viability was improved (P<0.005) compared with the islet-only group. Furthermore, after transplantation, the co-cultured islets regulated blood glucose levels efficiently in the T1D mouse model. These data suggest that Treg could improve islet functions and viability via the $TGF-{\beta}1$ secretion pathway (P<0.05~0.005), thus the use of Treg in islet transplantation should be explored further.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.789-792
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• 2005

We report a case of cat scratch disease (CSD) caused by Bartonella henselae in a 14-year-old boy who developed lymphadenopathy in the right cervical area, after a raising canine pet for 10 months. The cervical lymphadenopathy persisted for 14 days. Immunofluorescent antibody testing for B. henselae with the patient's serum was 1:64 positive. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis using the patient's lymph node aspirates for B. henselae DNA was also positive. This is the first case of cat scratch disease confirmed by PCR for B. henselae DNA in children.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.427-442
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• 2002

Conjugated linoleic acid(CLA) is a collective term for a group of positional (c8, c10; c9, c11; c10, c12, and c11, c13) and geometric(cis,cis; cis,trans; trans,cis; and trans,trans) isomers of octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid) with conjugated double bond system. CLA has been shown to have a variety of biological effects. Major effects of CLA on health, such as anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, anti-atherosclerosis and improving immuno-responses, might be derived or partially derived from the alternated lipid metabolism after CLA feeding. Most of studies on the effect of CLA on fat metabolism are concentrated on rats, mice, pigs and other mammals. The CLA inhibited carcinogen-induced neoplasia in several animal models and inhibited the proliferation of human malignant melanoma, colorectal and breast cancer cells and CLA reduced the atherosclerosis. Several studies have determined the antioxidant property of CLA; however, the property still remains controversial. Some of the studies have shown that CLA acted as an antioxidant, whereas some other studies have demonstrated that CLA might be a prooxidant. Several studies suggested that CLA could reduce fat accumulation in mammals. CLA was suggested to promote muscle growth and reduce fat deposition in mouse, and improve feed efficiency in rats. CLA has been shown to inhibit the activity of stearoyl-CoA reductase. CLA also reduced the content of arachidonic acid. Since arachidonic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexenoic acid (DHA) are synthesized by different pathways, reducing the synthesis of arachidonic acid may not mean reducing that of EPA and DHA. Many sutdies have been shown biological effects of CLA. Therefore, further research is needed to answer the following questions: 1) how to synthesize the new CLA by new methods, 2) why CLA has shown biological effects, 3) how to increase CLA effects in animal products.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.393-401
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• 2013

Objectives: Endotoxins in dust generated in occupational settings is known to contribute to the occurrence of respiratory illness among workers. The relationship between the level of endotoxins in total dust or respirable particulates collected from swine farms and immunological markers related with respiratory allergy was evaluated among swine husbandry workers. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from ten workers at ten swine farms at Gyeonggi province, Korea. Peripheral mononuclear cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin for 48 hours. The levels of various cytokines produced at culture supernatants were determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. The concentration of particulate matter($PM_{10}$) in the indoor air of the swine farms was evaluated using a PVC membrane filter and mini volume air sampler, and endotoxin levels in the dust were measured by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Kinetic QCL method. Results: Levels of endotoxins in the total dust were categorized into high(geometric mean: $109.35EU/m^3$) and low concentrations (geometric mean: $0.95EU/m^3$) for five swine farms. Interleukin-4 levels were higher in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group, while interferon-${\gamma}$ levels were lower in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. The ratio (interferon-${\gamma}$ to interleukin-4), indicating immunologic skewedness against allergic reactivities, was lower in the high endotoxin group($1.15{\pm}0.60$) than the low endotoxin group($3.09{\pm}2.38$). In addition, the level of interleukin-13, another cytokine contributing to the occurrence of allergic responses, was significantly higher in the at the high endotoxin group($1.12{\pm}0.37ng/m{\ell}$) than in the low endotoxin group($0.37{\pm}0.04ng/m{\ell}$). Hematologic assessment showed significantly lower cellularity in the number of total leukocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. Conclusions: Even though a sufficient number of swine workers and farms were not investigated, this study generlly suggests that the immunological function of swine farm workers exposed to high levels of endotoxin could be modulated toward allergic reactivities.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.471-476
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• 2009

Human placenta contains various kinds of nutritional elements essential for embryonic development. Currently, human placenta extracts are widely overused in Korea to improve certain health conditions (postmenopausal syndrome, liver function, and cosmetic purposes) without scientific evidence that they actually work. The use of placenta extracts should be restricted, due to a lack of systematic research on the therapeutic effectiveness and adverse results from these treatments. While the common adverse effects that have been reported are fever, rash, itching, nausea, vomiting, breast pain, and rare cases of anaphylactic shock, there have been no reports of pulmonary complications such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Recently, we experienced a patient with hypersensitivity pneumonitis following a placenta extract injection. To our knowledge, this is the first case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with placenta extract use.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.8 s.88
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• pp.1141-1146
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• 2007

This study investigated the effects on the biological activities of germinated brown rice soaked in mycelial culture broth of Phellinus linteus. The level of free amino acid was higher in the GBRP extract than those of BR and GBR. The major free amino acids were alanine, valine, isoleucine and methionine in both extracts. The level of ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was also increased significantly in the GBR and GBRP. Antioxidant activities of methanol extract of BR, GBR and GBRP were measured by using DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activity. Antioxidant activities showed the highest level of 83% and 76% when 100 mg/ml GBR and GBRP, respectively. Stimulation of the macrophages RAW264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in increased production of nitric oxide (NO) in the medium. However, the methanol extract of GBR and GBRP showed marked inhibition of NO synthesis in a does-dependant manner. These results showed that GBR and GBRP were significant role for activation of immune system in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.85-108
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• 2013

This paper introduces a new qualitative measurement indicator, Relatively Rank-normalized Impact Factor ($R^2nIF$) that can overcome drawbacks of the existing research performance measures. With the help of this innovative indicator, this study analyzes and compares the quality of research papers across countries and National Science Indicators (NSI) standard academic fields. The development of an improved bibliometric indicator for evaluating the quality of research papers and disentangling the "international" dimension of research performance will be of interest to academics and practitioners alike.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

The chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (abbreviated CFIDS or CFS) is a disorder characterized by debilitating fatigue(over 6 months.), along with cognitive, musculoskeletal, and sleep abnormalities. The etiology of this illness is unlikely to be a single agent. Findings to date suggest that physiological and psychological factors work together to predispose and perpetuate the illness. Diagnosis is made difficult by the nonspecific clinical findings and no available diagnostic testing. With no known cause or cure for the chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, treatment is based on relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life of affected patients. There is emerging evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome may be familial. In the future, studies will examine the extent to which genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. Most patients with CFS have psychiatric problems such as a generalized anxiety disorder, or major or minor depression, therefore, these mental health disorders may be correlated with the pathophysiology of the CFS. The treatment for CFS must be individualized, due to the heterogeneity of the CFS population. Also the treatment of CFS is built on a foundation of patient-physician relationship, respect and advocacy.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2006

Tissue engineering techniques require the use of a porous biodegradable/bioresorbable scaffold, which server as a three-dimensional template for initial cell attachment and subsequent tissue formation in both in vitro and in vivo. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) has been investigated as a source of collagenous tissue with the potential to be used as biomaterials because of its inherent strength and biocompatibility. SIS-loaded poly(L-lactide-co-glicolide)(PLGA) scaffolds were prepared by solvent casting/particle leaching. Characterizations of SIS/PLGA scaffold were carried out by SEM, mercury porosimeter, and so on. Muscle-derived stem cells can be differentiated in culture into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and even myoblasts by the controlling the culture environment. Cellular viability and proliferation were assayed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide(MTT) test. Osteogenic differential cells were analyzed by alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity. SIS/PLGA scaffolds were implanted into the back of athymic nude mouse to observe the effect of SIS on the osteoinduction compared with controlled PLGA scaffolds. Thin sections were cut from paraffin embedded tissues and histological sections were conducted hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Trichrome, and von Kossa. We observed that bone formatioin of SIS/PLGA hybrid scaffold as natural/synthetic scaffold was better thean that of only PLGA scaffold. It canb be explained that SIS contains various kinds of bioactive molecules for osteoinduction.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.269-282
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• 2020

This paper presents the scientific basis for the significance and physiological activity of gongyang as tributes, focusing on the four summer fruits, i.e., grapes, watermelons, oriental melons, and dragon fruits, which were used as one of the yukbeopgongyang in Yeongsanjae's thorough literature review (yeongsanjae and 2010.3~2020.2 published fruit research). As a result of the study, the fruit is not obtained from fruit trees, but from enlightenment. Chemically, the fruit had a high content of antioxidants, such as polyphenol and flavonoid. The fruit had excellent DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activities and reducing power. The skin of the fruits, the non-edible part, had higher physiological activity than the flesh, the edible part. Therefore, further studies on the physiological activity in each part of dragon fruit and regarding how to ingest and utilize the peel of the four fruits need to be conducted.