• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.165-174
• /
• 2009

Background: With the advances of cardiac surgery, the demand for an artificial prosthesis has increased, and this has led to the development and utilization of diverse alternative materials. We conducted this research to improve an artificial prosthesis by examining the changes of the physical qualities, the pressure related tensile strength, the change in elasticity and the thermostability of a xenograft valve (porcine) and pericardium (bovine, porcine) based on the type of fixation liquid we used. Material and Method: The xenograft valves and pericardium were assigned into three groups: the untreated group, the fixed with glutaraldehyde (GA) group and the glutaraldehyde with GA+solvent such as ethanol etc. group. The surgeons carried out each group's physical activities. Each group's uniaxial tension and elasticity was measured and compared. Thermostability testing was conducted and compared between the bovine and porcine pericardium fixed with GA group and the GA+solvent group. Result: On the physical activity test in the surgeon's hand, no significant difference between the groups was sensed on palpation. For suture and tension, the GA+solvent group was slightly firmer than the low GA concentration group. In general, the circumferential uniaxial tension and elasticity of the porcine aortic and pulmonary valves were better in the fixed groups than that in the untreated group. There was no significant difference between the GA and GA+solvent groups (p>0.05). Bovine and porcine pericardium also showed no significant difference between the GA group and the GA+solvent group (p>0.05). When comparing between the groups for each experiment, the elasticity tended to be stronger in most of the higher GA concentration group (porcine pulmonary valve, porcine pericardium). On the thermostability testing of the bovine and porcine pericardium, the GA group and the G+solvent group both had a sudden shrinking point at $80^{\circ}C$ that showed no difference (bovine pericardium: p=0.057, porcine pericardium: p=0.227). Conclusion: When fixing xenograft prosthetic devices with GA, adding a solvent did not cause a loss in pressure-tension, tension-elasticity and thermostability. In addition, more functional solvents or cleansers should be developed for developing better xenografts.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.425-430
• /
• 2005

[${\beta}-sitosterol$] is a plant sterol that reduces cholesterol levels and inhibits the growth of human prostate and colon cancer cells. Optimal conditions for ${\beta}-sitosterol$ production were examined from cell suspension cultures of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. The callus induction was optimal in MS medium containing 1 mg/l NAA and 1 mg/l BAP. Cell suspension culture was also established from the callus. Optimal ${\beta}-sitosterol$ production was obtained when the cells were cultured at an initial density of 2 mg DCW/l in MS medium containing 1 X sucrose (30 mg/l), 1 X nitrogen (1900 mg/l $KNO_3$, 1650 mg/l $NH_4NO_3$), and 1 X phosphate source (170 mg/l). In cell suspension cultures of C. coronarium L. using shake flasks, the peak content of ${\beta}-sitosterol$ was $150{\mu}g/g$ DCW. In cell suspension cultures of C. coronarium L. using an air-lift bioreactor, the maximum ${\beta}-sitosterol$ content of $143.8{\mu}g/g$ DCW was obtained at an air-flow rate of 100 cc/min.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.8
• /
• pp.857-864
• /
• 2005

Purpose : The objectives of this study was to evaluate the correlations between the indices of insulin sensitivity using fasting glucose and insulin level, and the body fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis(BIA) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA), and to determine the clinical usefulness of insulin sensitivity indices when obese children were followed up. Methods : In this study, 28 simple obese children and adolescents were included. Anthropometric data including body weight, height, obesity degree(OD), body mass index(BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio were collected and then body fat mass was measured by using BIA and DEXA. For metabolic data, 12 hour fasting serum glucose, insulin and lipid profiles were measured and indices for insulin sensitivity(G/I ratio, $log_{insulin}$, HOMA-IR, $log_{HOMA-IR}$, QUICKI) were calculated. Results : BMI had a higher correlation with insulin sensitivity indices than OD(G/I ratio, -0.463 vs -0.209; $log_{insulin}$, 0.417 vs 0.196; HOMA-IR, 0.301 vs 0.238; $log_{HOMA-IR}$, 0.403 vs 0.198; QUICKI, -0.451 vs -0.224). But OD had a higher correlation with body fat mass measured by BIA and DEXA than BMI(BIA, 0.612 vs 0.316; DEXA, 0.667 vs 0.512). The G/I ratio was correlated with body fat mass in BIA(r=-0.420, P<0.05) and DEXA(r=-0.512, P<0.01), percentage of body fat(percentage of fat) in BIA(r=-0.366, P<0.05) and DEXA(r=-0.449, P<0.01). HOMA-IR was only correlated with body fat mass in DEXA(r=0.341, P<0.05). Conclusion : This study revealed that G/I ratios had a statistically significant correlation with anthropometric obesity indices(OD and BMI) and also had a correlation with both body fat mass and percentage of fat. These results suggest that G/I ratios could be used as useful index when obese children and adolescence are followed up.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.75-89
• /
• 1979

One strain of Penicillium sp. (175-66-B), isolated from soil, was able to produce a substance that has a strong inibition activity against the Agkistrodon and Trimeresurus venoms. In this experiment, the chemical and biological properties of the sample were investigated. As an inhibitory substance, it was effective to the proteinase, hemorrhagic and lethal factors of Agkistrodon and Trimeresurus venoms, and also effective to several fractions of the proteinases and hemorrhagic factors of Agkistrodon halys blomhoffi venom. Moreover, in the addition of prednisotone, it was more effective for the cure of the mouse envenomated with the venom amount of two fold of MLD$_{100}$. This substance was very stable to the acid, alkali and heat. Its melting point was high enough to sublime at 222$^{\circ}C$ without any decomposition. This sample was easily dissolved only in hot water, but not in several organic solvents except for a little dissolution in elate. It did not have the chelating activity. It had very strong specificity to the snake venoms. but its activity was depressed by the addition of zinc or cupric salts. This sample had no acute toxicity to the mouse. Its chemical formula was $C_{16}$ $H_{12}$$N_2$ $O_{10}$ with the molecular weight of about 392. It has two epoxy groups and four carboxyl radicals, but amino, nitrite and nitrate radicals, unsaturated bonds and aromatic ring were not detected. Theuchemical configuration of this sample was suggested to be;

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.128-134
• /
• 2012

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most notorious and contagious viral diseases afflicting cloven-hoofed animals. In this study, the physicochemical properties of leachate from a FMD landfill site at 773-1, Waryong, Andong, Korea and the ground water from 777, Waryong, Andong, Korea, were analyzed for 1 year from December $10^{th}$ 2010 to November $17^{th}$ 2011. The leachate was collected from the FMD landfill site during March, May, July, September and November, 2011 and changes in pH, brix, water content, insoluble solids, crude proteins, crude lipids, total and reducing sugars and ash content were determined. Considering the annual profiles of temperature and rainfall at the FMD landfill site, the dramatic changes in the physicochemical properties of the leachate from March to July, and especially from May to July, such as increases in pH, and a rapid reduction of brix and organic matter, may be closely linked to the growth of microorganisms in the leachate. The sharp decreases in the concentration of biominerals, such as Mg, Ca, and Fe from 1073, 4311 and 56.2 ppm in March to 151, 78, and 0.1 ppm in November, further suggest that decreases in organic matter in the leachate result from degradation by microorganisms originating from the intestines of the livestock. Analysis of the profiles of the organic materials in the leachate revealed that the properties of the leachate were similar to those of excremental matter-derived water. These results could be applied to a number of fields for the analysis of organic matter behavior, the development of the degradation process, and risk analysis in the environment for hygiene and food industries, of leachate from FMD landfill sites.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.180-186
• /
• 2009

Whole plants of Vitex rotundifolia were extracted for 2 days with methylene chloride ($CH_2Cl_2$) followed by extraction of the residue for an additional 2 days. The same procedure was also applied using methanol (MeOH). The two crude extracts were combined and partitioned between $CH_2Cl_2$ and $H_2O$. The organic layer was further partitioned between n-hexane and 85% aq. MeOH, and the aqueous layer was also further fractionated with n-BuOH and $H_2O$, successively. From the 85% aq. MeOH fraction, one compound was isolated through the repeated HPLC. According to the results of physicochemical data including NMR and MS, the chemical structure of the compound was determined as artemetin (1). The antiproliferative effects of the crude extracts, fractions, and compound against HT1080, AGS, MCF-7 and HT-29 human cancer cells were compared with the control by using MTT assay. In the comparative analysis, the 85% aq. MeOH fraction exhibited the strongest antiproliferative effects on human cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). In addition, exposure of compound 1 isolated from 85% aq. MeOH fraction led to strong antiproliferative effect in HT1080 cancer cell lines. These results suggest that the extracts and compound isolated from V. rotundifolia may be used as potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.76-83
• /
• 2006

In order to investigate the impacts of non-selective herbicide, glufosinate-ammonium (ammonium 4-[hydroxy(methyl)phosphinoyl] -DL-homoalaninate, GLA) to the non-target organisms, earthworm was exposed to GLA in the field soil for a month, and microbial populations in the soil were investigated after application of GLA. Simultaneously, the residues of GLA and its metabolite, 3-MPP were analyzed in the same soil. Meanwhile, to elucidate the influence of GLA to the growth of non-target crops incase of inter-furrow application, the amounts of carotenoid, chlorophyll, amino acid, proteins and sugars in the leaves of potato and chinese cabbage grown in the same field were investigated. In result, the dead earthworm was not observed during the test period, and the increasing rates of bodyweight were $9.410{\sim}11.603%$ in GLA-treated plots and 5.645% in GLA-untreated plots. The populations of fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes in the GLA-treated soils were $6.2{\times}10^4$, $1.5{\times}10^6$ and $5.7{\times}10^4$, respectively. They maintained relatively similar levels to the control which were $3.7{\times}10^4$, $3.7{\times}10^5$ and $3.7{\times}10^4$, respectively. In residue analysis, the limit of detection of GLA was 0.02 mg $kg^{-1}$, that of 3-MPP was the same level, and the half-life of GLA was 15 days in sandy clay loam soil. This result indicates that GLA was degraded very quickly in field soil. On the other hand, the amounts of physiological, biochemical components such as carotenoid, amino acid, chlorophyll, protein and sugar were ranged from 90.0 to 104.3% in potato and from 99.0 to 112.7% in chinese cabbage. Comparing with hand-weeded plots, it is indicated that GLA had not affected to the growth of non-target crops when applied at inter-furrow in crops-growing field.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.153-165
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Recent neuroimaging studies focus on dysfunctions in connectivity between cognitive circuits and emotional circuits: anterior cingulate cortex that connects dorsolateral orbitofrontal cortex and prefrontal cortex to limbic system. Previous studies on pediatric depression using DTI have reported decreased neural connectivity in several brain regions, including the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, superior longitudinal fasciculus. We compared the neural connectivity of psychotropic drug naïve adolescent patients with a first onset of major depressive episode with healthy controls using DTI. Methods : Adolescent psychotropic drug naïve patients(n=26, 10 men, 16 women; age range, 13-18 years) who visited the Korea University Guro Hospital and were diagnosed with first onset major depressive disorder were registered. Healthy controls(n=27, 5 males, 22 females; age range, 12-17 years) were recruited. Psychiatric interviews, complete psychometrics including IQ and HAM-D, MRI including diffusion weighted image acquisition were conducted prior to antidepressant administration to the patients. Fractional anisotropy(FA), radial, mean, and axial diffusivity were estimated using DTI. FMRIB Software Library-Tract Based Spatial Statistics was used for statistical analysis. Results : We did not observe any significant difference in whole brain analysis. However, ROI analysis on right superior longitudinal fasciculus resulted in 3 clusters with significant decrease of FA in patients group. Conclusions : The patients with adolescent major depressive disorder showed statistically significant FA decrease in the DTI-based structure compared with healthy control. Therefore we suppose DTI can be used as a bio-marker in psychotropic drug-naïve adolescent patients with first onset major depressive disorder.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.10
• /
• pp.1109-1118
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Metabolic syndrome (MS), characterized by obesity and insulin resistance, elicits risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance with additive effects on atherosclerosis, leading to cardiovascular diseases. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of MS among overweight and obese adolescents and to investigate the impact of obesity on the cardiovascular system. Methods : In all, 684 adolescents were included in the study. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in the patients with a BMI of >85 percentile. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV) and ankle brachial index were measured using Vascular Profiler (VP)-1000. Results : MS was confirmed in 19.5% of the overweight and obese adolescents and 50.8% of the obese adolescents. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, height, weight, fat mass, %fat, BMI, obesity index, and waist circumference were higher in the overweight and obese adolescents with MS. Moreover, the triglyceride, AST, ALT, and hs-CRP levels were higher, whereas HDL-cholesterol level was significantly lower in this group. The overweight and obese adolescents with MS showed shorter diastolic and systolic times, higher heart rate and BaPWV, and longer E-wave deceleration time by echocardiography. Conclusion : Overweight and obese adolescents showed characteristic MS features such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Thus, obese adolescents predisposed to MS should be provided early treatment for obesity.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.155-166
• /
• 1991

In order to evaluate a potential role of mitochondria in the mediation of toxicity of paraquat (PQ), submitochondrial particle and microsome of mouse liver were compared by oxygen radical generation and lipid peroxidation. With NADH in submitochondrial particle and NADPH in microsome as electron donors, PQ stimulated production of superoxide anion and $H_2O_2$ in both fractions. Under the same conditions, PQ enhanced the generation of ethylene from methional suggestiong stimulation of OH production by PQ. But these effects by PQ were somewhat lower in submitochondrial particle than in microsome. In addition, lipid peroxidation(measured as MDA production) was stimulated by PQ in both fractions. The stimulation of lipid peroxidation in both fractions seemed to occur by the same mechanism probably through perferryl ion. This was supported by the following findings: i) The lipid peroxidation in both fractions was partially inhibited by SOD and completely inhibited by DETAPAC(an iron chelator) but not by catalase or OH scavenger. ii) Addition of $ADP-Fe^{3+}$ further increased PQ-induced lipid peroxidation but decreased ethylene production from methional suggesting no correlation between OH production and lipid peroxidation. The redox-cycling of PQ in mitochondria appeared to be linked to NADH dehydrogenase, not to CoQ since all of the observed stimulations by PQ in submitochondrial particle were inhibited by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate(a NADH dehydrogenase inhibitor) but not affected by other respiratory chain blockers. The above results demonstrate that redox-cycling properties of PQ leading to oxygen radical generation and lipid peroxidation can also occur in mitochondria in the same manner as in microsome. Therefore, the observed actions of PQ in mitochondria suggest that mitochondria may also contribute to toxicity of this drug in vivo.