• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2008

The clonal variation in female flowering was studied in Larix leptolepis clone bank, consisting of 116 clones, for three years. The between-year variation was large; i.e. the percentage of flowering grafts and average number of flowering per graft were $28.4{\sim}67.2$ and $9{\sim}176$, respectively. Differences in flowering abundance among clones were large and statistically significant in all the years studied. The variance of flowering abundance among clones was increased when flowering was poor. The average of broad-sense heritability of flowering abundance was 0.52. The genetic gain(%G) was estimated at 57.4% when the upper 30% clones were selected. The clonal stability of flowering abundance was compared using average number of flowering and coefficient of variance value of each clone. The clones such as Gyeonggi 9(29), Kangwon 37(137), Chungnam 6(46), Chungnam 14(414), R11, R8 showed abundant flowering and high stability.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2003

In this study, muscle activity was measured using surface EMG (sEMG) during a voluntary maneuver (ankle dorsiflexion) in the supine position was compared pre and post gait training. Nine patients with incomplete spinal cord injury participated in a supported treadmill ambulation training (STAT), twenty minutes a day, five days a week for three months. Two tests, a gait speed test and a voluntary maneuver test, were made the same day, or at least the same week, pre and post gait training. Ten healthy subjects' data recorded using the same voluntary maneuvers were used for the reference. sEMG measured from ten lower limb muscles was used to observe the two features of amplitude and motor control distribution pattern, named response vector. The result showed that the average gait speed of patients increased significantly (p〈0.1) from 0.47$\pm$0.35 m/s to 0.68$\pm$0.52 m/s. In sEMG analysis, six out of nine patients showed a tendency to increase the right tibialis anterior activity during right ankle dorsiflexion from 109.7$\pm$148.5 $mutextrm{V}$ to 145.9$\pm$180.7 $mutextrm{V}$ but it was not significant (p〈0.055). In addition, only two patients showed increase of correlation coefficient and total muscle activity in the left fide during left dorsiflexion. Patients' muscle activity changes after gait training varied individually and generally depended on their muscle control abilities of the pre-STAT status. Response vector being introduced for quantitative analysis showed good Possibility to anticipate. evaluate, and/or guide patients with SCI, before and after gait training.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.695-701
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• 2003

Purpose : It had been suggested that pain arising from deep somatic body regions influences neural activity within periaqueductal gray(PAG) of midbrain via distinct spinal pathways. Aspirin is one of the popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used in the management of pain. Fos expression was used as a marker for neuronal activity throughout central neurons following painful peripheral stimulation. This study was prepared to investigate changes of c-Fos immunoreactivity in midbrain by deep pain and effects of aspirin. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with 0.1 mL of 5% formalin in the plantar muscle of the right hindpaw. For experimental group II, aspirin was injected intravenously before injection of formalin. An aspirin-untreated group was utilized as group I. Rats were sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 2, 6 and 24 hours after formalin injection. Rat's brains were removed and sliced in rat brain matrix. Brain slices were coronally sectioned at interaural 1.00-1.36 mm. Serial sections were immunohistochemically reacted with polyclonal c-Fos antibody. The numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons in ventrolateral periaqueductal gray(VLPAG) and dorsomedial periaqueductal gray(DMPAG) were counted and analyzed statistically with Mann-Whitney U tests. Results : Higher numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons were found in VLPAG. In both VLPAG and DMPAG of formalin-treated group, the numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons were significantly higher at all time points than the formalin-untreated group, which peaked at two hours. The numbers of c-Fos immunoreactive neuron of the aspirin-treated group were less compared to the aspirin-untreated group at each time point. Conclusion : These results provide some basic knowledge in understanding the mechanism of formalin-induced deep somatic pain and the effects of aspirin.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.135-146
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• 2001

Background : One of the important mechanisms responsible for a tumor escaping the immune response is an absence of the tumor associated antigen (TAA) on the cancer cell surface. To overcome this, combination gene therapy using a herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HSTK) gene, prototype of drug sensitizing gene, was conducted to enhance T AA release by cell destruction, as well as the cytokine genes for immune cell attraction. Methods : We investigated whether or not transduction with the adenovirus-HSTK (Ad-HSTK) enhanced the sensitivity of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) to ganciclovir (GCV) and induced a bystander effect. A Tumor vaccine trial was performed using LLC with ad-HSTK$\pm$ad-GM-CSF$\pm$ad-IL-2 to determine if they exhibit some antitumor effect on established lung cancer xenografts. Results : LLC with ad-HSTK revealed a much higher sensitivity to ganciclovir (GCV). LLC transduced with ad-HSTK and/or ad-IL-2, ad-GM-CSF showed a lower in vivo tumorigenicity. In the treatment experiment, vaccination with LLC transduced with ad-HSTK, ad-IL-2, or ad-GM-CSF alone modestly suppressed the growth of an established tumor. Combined transduction with HSTK and GM-CSF induced stronger growth suppression of a established lung cancer, while HSTK and IL-2 combination transduction did not have any antitumor effect on individual transduction. Vaccination with LLC-HSTK-GM-CSF increased the infiltration of dendritic cells in the spleen. Conclusion : It was concluded that a tumor vaccine transduced with HSTK and GM-CSF induces strong antitumor immunity by activating the dendritic cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.176-183
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• 1998

Background: The total and differential cell count of bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid are useful assessing activity, prognosis and response to therapy in diffuse interstitial lung disease. But controversy exist as to the appropriate method in processing BAL fluid. Therefore we investigated the effect of gauze filtration, centrifugation and different storage time of BAL fluid on the total and differential cell count. Methods: We obtained BAL fluid from 6 persons with no active lung lesion and divided pooled BAL fluid into several siliconized glass tubes and filtered through 0, 1, 2, 4 folds of cotton guaze(pore size: 1mm), and compared total cell count using hemocytometer after trypan blue staining and differential cell count after Wright-Giemsa staining of cytocentrifuged preparations. And we also counted total and differential cell count after centrifugation(400g for 30 min) and various storage time(2hr, 24hr, and 48hr). Results: There was no difference in total and differential cell count according to folds of gauze filtraion. But without gauze filtration, mucus threads that hampered total and differential cell count were found in 2 cases (33%). Centrifugation resulted in loss of total cell count($24{\pm}18%$) without change in differential cell count. There was no change in total cell count after 2hr storage but significant cell loss was found after 24hr storage time(24hr : $28{\pm}21%$, 48hr : $41{\pm}24%$). However there was no change in differential cell count with 48hr storage time. Conclusion: Total and differential cell count of BAL fluid may be best performed after cotton gauze filtration without centrifugation and within 2 hours.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.50-54
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• 2010

Purpose: The uptake of $^{18}F$-FDG is often observed in normal cell of colon to patients who have non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and had taken anti-diabetic drugs including Metformin in PET/CT scan. In this study, the region of colon was compared between the patients who took anti-diabetic drugs including Metfomin and other patients who took the other anti-diabetic drugs through SUV measurements. Materials and Methods: A hundred eighty patients were studied. 120 patients who have non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Including Metformin: 60, Excluding Metformin: 60) and 60 patients as a control group were composed. The patient fasted at least 6 hours before receiving an intravenous injection of 370-592 MBq (10-16 mCi) of $^{18}F$-FDG. Scanning from the base of the skull though the mid thigh was performed using the Discovery STe PET/CT Equipment (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). The highest uptake region was measured SUV among ascending, transverse and descending colon. Results: The values of patients who took the anti-diabetic drugs including Metformin were $6.16{\pm}3.64$ g/mL, $4.41{\pm}2.94$ g/mL, and $5.46{\pm}2.44$ g/mL. The patients who took the anti-diabetic drugs which does not have Metformin were $3.05{\pm}1.39$ g/mL, $2.08{\pm}0.97$ g/mL and $3.15{\pm}1.85$ g/mL. The control group were $2.02{\pm}0.88$ g/mL, $1.68{\pm}0.87$ g/mL and $2.19{\pm}1.88$ g/mL. Conclusion: The effect of the intake of Metformin was observed from the SUV on region of large bowel in this study. Thus, it could be helpful for the results by identifying the ingredient of anti-diabetic drug before the examination and the possibility of interpretation of false positive will be reduced.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.945-953
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• 1996

Background : Many acute and chronic lung diseases including pneumoconiosis are characterized by the presence of increased numbers of activated macrophages. These macrophages generate several inflammatory cell chemoattractants, by which neutrophil migrate from vascular compartment to the alveolar space. Recruited neutrophils secrete toxic oxygen radicals or proteolytic enzymes and induce inflammatory response. Continuing inflammatory response results in alteration of the pulmonary structure and irreversible fibrosis. Recently, a polypeptide with specific neutrophil chemotactic activity, interleukin-8(IL-8), has been cloned and isolated from a number of cells including : monocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts. IL-1 and/or TNF-${\alpha}$ preceded for the synthesis of IL-8, and we already observed high level of IL-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in the pneumoconioses. So we hypothesized that IL-8 may be a central role in the pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis. In order to evaluate the clinical utility of IL-8 as a biomarker in the early diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, we investigated the increase of IL-8 in the pneumoconiotic patient and the correlation between IL-8 level and progression of pneumoconiosis. Method : We measured IL-8 in the serum of 48 patients with pneumoconiosis and 16 persons without dust exposure history as a control group. Pneumoconiotic cases were divided into 3 groups according to ILO Classification : suspicious group(n=16), small opacity group(n=16) and large opacity group(n=16). IL-8 was measured by a sandwich enzytne immunoassay technique. All data were expressed as the $mean{\pm}standard$ deviation. Results: 1) The mean value of age was higher in the small opacity and large opacity group than comparison group, but smoking history was even. Duration of dust exposure was not different among 3 pneumoconiosis groups. 2) IL-8 level was $70.50{\pm}53.63pg/m{\ell}$ in the suspicious group, $107.50{\pm}45.88pg/m{\ell}$ in the small opacity group, $132.50{\pm}73.47pg/m{\ell}$ in the large opacity group and $17.85{\pm}33.85pg/m{\ell}$ in the comparison group. IL-8 concentration in all pneumoconiosis group was significant higher than that in the comparison group(p<0.001). 3) IL-8 level tended to increase with the progression of pneumoconiosis. Multiple comparison test using Anova/Scheffe analysis showed a significant difference between suspicious group and large opacity group(p<0.05). 4) The level of IL-8 was correlated with the progression of pneumoconiosis(r=0.4199, p<0.05). Conclusion : IL-8 is thought to be a good biomarker for the early diagnosis of pneumoconiosis.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2014

Gonadal development and maturation mechanism were studied on the freshwater marsh clam Corbicula papyracea (Heude), which is the endangered species in Korea. The specimens were collected in the rearing ponds and waterway of NFRDI in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do from January to December 2004, and then investigated by condition factor, relative growth, gonadal development phases and gonad histological characters based on 30-50 individuals every month. Comparing with the freshwater marsh clam, C. papyracea is small, light olive brown shell and violet interior. The hermaphrodite individuals of C. papyracea take an internal fertilization and fertilized eggs are stored in the foster-sack in the gills, then the hatched juveniles are released outside after an ovoviviparous process. The average water temperature of inhabit area was in range of $1.8-27.0^{\circ}C$ and usually took great effects on the gonad maturation of C. papyracea. The condition factor ranged from 0.14 to 0.21 throughout the year, which was the lowest during winter season (December-February), and gradually increased to the highest value of 0.21 in May. The ratio of meat weight to total weight was 25.9-38.7%, indicating the similar trend with condition factor. The highest values of condition factor and the ratio of meat weight appeared 1-2 months later than gonadosomatic index reached the peak value, it was probably because that the ovoviviparous eggs would spend a long period before hatching from the foster-sack in the gills. To synthesize the characters of meat weight, condition factor and gonad development by histological study, reproductive cycle of C. papyracea could be divided into five successive stages: multiplicative stage (December to February), growing stage (February to May), mature stage (June to August), spawning stage (August to November), recovery stage (November to December). The smallest shell length of matured C. papyracea was 12.6 mm, and individuals, larger than 16 mm, was formed the nursery in the gills.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.362-366
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• 2007

This study was conducted to examine the effects of Asterias amurensis prethanol extract on growth performance, serum traits, and superoxide production of phagocytes in Sebastes schlegeli. The effects of Asterias amurensis extract on growth performance, specific growth rate (SGR), feed concentration ratio (FCR), coefficient of fatness (CF), and survival rate (SR) of fish fed diets containing various concentrations of Asterias amurensis extract were measured. There were no significant differences in SGR, FCR, CF, and SR among the experimental groups. This result was produced because experimental diets were coated to prevent repellent action of fish. To investigate the effects of Asterias amurensis extract on the metabolism, the contents of glucose, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and total cholesterol in serum were measured. The contents of glucose and total cholesterol in serum increased dose-dependently and serum GOT content showed no significant difference among the experimental groups, suggesting that Asterias amurensis extract was non-toxic material. To confirm the effects of Asterias amurensis extract on the immune system of fish, superoxide production of phagocytes was measured. Asterias amurensis extract caused a dose-dependent increase of superoxide production of phagocytes. When considering these results, Asterias amurensis extract could be utilized as an additive to augment immune function in diets.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

Optimal conditions for extraction of bakkenolide B from Petasites japonicus leaves were determined by using response surface methodology. A second-order Box-Behnken design representing three extraction temperatures (80, 100, $120^{\circ}C$), three extraction times (30, 45, 60 min), and three solvent pH's (5, 7, 9) was executed. The efficiency of the extraction conditions was defined using the ${\beta}$-hexosamidase assay by comparing both the bakkenolide B content and its anti-allergic activity expressed as extract inhibition on degranulation. The response surface plot described for the bakkenolide B content showed that the maximum content was predicted as 121.6 ${\mu}g/g$ with extraction conditions of $127.1^{\circ}C$, 46.6 min, and pH 7.7. Extraction temperature and time were important factors in determining bakkenolide B content. Using regression analysis, correlation between the inhibition effect of mast cell degranulation and bakkenolide B content was found to be low.