• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.665-670
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• 2018

This study was designed to evaluate the physicochemical properties and biological activities (antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activities) of three and seven-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum extracts. Three and seven-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum contained crude saponins, free amino acids and minerals. Water extracts of the three and seven-year-old plants were prepared using reflux extraction methods. The total polyphenol contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and antimicrobial effects of the extracts were determined. The seven-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum extract had higher TPC ($5.08{\pm}0.07TAEmg/g$) and TFC ($3.80{\pm}0.07QUEmg/g$). DPPH radical scavenging activity ($IC_{50}$ value: $288{\pm}3.88{\mu}g/mL$) and ABTS radical scavenging activity ($IC_{50}$ value: $568{\pm}2.09{\mu}g/mL$). The three and seven-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum extracts exhibited a strong antimicrobial effect against three kinds of bronchus disease-inducing bacteria; the seven-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum extracts showed a stronger antimicrobial effect than the three-year-old Platycodon grandiflorum extracts.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 1992

Typhula incarnata grew over a temperature range of -5 to $20^{\circ}C$ with maximum growth at 10 to $15^{\circ}C$. Sclerotial production for T. incarnata was greatest at the higher temperature. Maximum mycelial growth of this pathogen occurred from pH 5.4 to 6.2. When carbon sources were added to a basal salt medium (Czapek's dox agar) at 5 g carbon sources/l, inulin, soluble starch, galactose, glucose, mannose, manitol, sucrose, maltose, cellobirose, trehalose, raffinose, and dextrin supported growth better than other carbon sources did. Of the twenty-three nitrogen sources tested, glycine, serine, ammonium sulfate, asparagine, asparatic acid, and ${\beta}-alanine$ were the most favorable for mycelial growth of T. incarnata. Cystine and cysteine were poor nitrogen sources. Ammonium salt of nitrogen sources supported growth better than nitrate salt of nitrogen sources. Potato dextrose agar, oat meal agar, and V-8 juice agar were the most favorable for mycelial growth and sclerotial formation. Appropriate addition of pepton to PDA decreased mycelial dry weight, but sucrose supported good growth of T. incarnata. Percent viable sclerotia of T. incarnate buried in bentgrass soil decreased from 2 months after treatment remarkably. Trichoderma riride and bacteria were isolated from non-germinated sclerotia. Live orchard grass leaf pieces within the soil were colonized by T. incarnata better than sterile and unsterile dead leaf pieces at $0^{\circ}C$. Saprophytic ability of T. incarnate on sterile leaf sheath occurred better at $0^{\circ}C$ than at $10^{\circ}C$. Saprophytic microflora consisting of Cladosporium sp., Fusarium sp., Mucor sp., Pythium sp., and unidentified fungi were the competitors for the sterilized and unsterilized substrate, but their colonization was not find on live leaf sheath buried in the soil at $0^{\circ}C$. In the effect of fungicides to Typhula snow mold disease of creeping bentgrass, mixture of polyoxin and thiram was the most effective, followed by iprodione, mixture of iprodione and oxine copper, thiophanate-methyl, myclobutanil, and tolclofos-methyl.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.247-254
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• 1996

Differentiation of invasive strains of Entamoebn histolytica according to their pathogenicity has been a topic of long debate, but now the pathogenic species only is regarded as E. histolytica while the non-pathogenic species is E. dispar. The present study applied immunoblot to differentiale infections of the two species among microscopically- detected cyst-passers in Korea. The crude extract of 5. histolyticn separated in 5-20% gradient gels, revealed many fractions of 94. 81. 71, 50. 44, 38.5. 37.5, 29, 19. and 18 kDa when the cysteine proteinase inhibitor. E64, was supplemented. The serum IgG antibody of 3 proven E. histolytirc cases reacted loth the antigenic fractions of 117. 110. 99.68,66,60.54.52, 46. and 45 kDa. Sera of PCR confirmed 3 cases of E. disper reacted only to the 117 kDa fraction or the E. histolytica crude extract which was regarded as non specific. To the antitigen of monoxenic E. dispar. sera or E. dispar and E. histolytica cases showed the same immunoblot reactions. The serum IgG antibody reacted with several antigenic fractions of both E. histolytica and E. dispar. but IgM and IgE antibodies showed no reaction to either antigen. Sera of 24 symptomless amebic cyst-passers were screened with the E. histolytica alltigen; two were found to be infected by E. histolytica and 22 were by E. dispar. The present findings suggest that in Korea most of asymptomatic cyst passers of E. histolytica are carriers of E. dispar. Immunoblot using E. histolytica antigen is a good technique for the differentiation of E. histolytica and E. dispar infections.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2009

urpose : The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been demonstrated to play a major role in regulating blood pressure. Therefore, components of the RAS are likely candidate genes that may predispose an individual to essential hypertension and cardiovascular complications. Among them, the M235T polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene has been speculated to be associated with elevated circulating angiotensinogen concentrations and essential hypertension. This study aimed to analyze the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism in hypertensive adolescents and investigate its relationship with cardiovascular risks. Methods : Forty Korean hypertensive adolescents (aged 16-17, systolic $BP{\geq}140 mmHg$ and/or diastolic $BP{\geq}90 mmHg$) and fifty seven normal adolescents were included. Obesity index (OI), body mass index (BMI) were calculated. BP was measured by oscillometric methods in resting state. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was performed on DNA from the hypertensives subjects to analyze the M235T polymorphism. Serum homocysteine, insulin, renin, aldosterone and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) were tested according to each genotype. The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid artery diameter, Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were measured according to each genotype. Results : Genotype frequencies of T/T, M/T and M/M were 62.5%, 35.0%, 2.5%, respectively in hypertensive adolescents. The results were not significantly different compared to control group. Serum insulin, renin levels, BMI and OI were significantly higher in thoses with the M/M genotype as compared to those with the T/T of M/T genotype. Conclusion : This study showed that the M235T polymorphism was not associated with essential hypertension or any cardiovascular risks. Further clinical research is required to ascertain the relationship between this polymorphism and cardiovascular complications in Korean hypertensive adolescents.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.1012-1017
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aimed to assess the mechanical properties of the abdominal aorta in school-aged patients treated for Kawasaki disease and in normal, healthy children. Methods : This study examined 28 children with Kawasaki disease who had been followed up on and 30 healthy subjects of the same age and gender. We recorded systolic (Ps) and diastolic (Pd) blood pressure values and the aortic diameter at both minimum diastolic (Dd) and maximum systolic (Ds) expansion using two-dimensional echocardiography. These measurements were used to determine 1) aortic strain: S=(Ds-Dd)/Dd; 2) pressure strain elastic modulus: Ep=(Ps-Pd)/S; and 3) normalized Ep: $Ep^*=Ep/Pd$. Results : Ep (P=0.008) and $Ep^*$ (P=0.043) of the Kawasaki disease group were relatively high compared to those of the control group. Ep (P=0.002) and $Ep^*$ (P=0.015) of patients with coronary aneurysm were also relatively high compared with those of patients without coronary aneurysm, but lipid profiles did not differ, except for homocysteine (P=0.008). Therefore, in patients with coronary aneurysm, aortic stiffness was higher, compared to not only the control group but also patients without coronary aneurysm. However, in patients without coronary aneurysm, aortic stiffness was not significant, different compared to the control group. Conclusion : Measuring aortic distensibility may be helpful in assessing the risk of early atheroscletic change in the long-term management of Kawasaki disease.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.60-71
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of medical nutrition therapy(MNT) on plasma lipid levels of hyperlipidemic patients with apo E3 genotype according to Sasang Constitutions. From March to July, 2001, the 33 hyperlipidemic patients admitted to K University Medical Center were studied. The study subjects were classified according to their Sasang constitutions by QSCC II questionnaire which have been used at K University Oriental Medical Center. The anthropometric assessments, blood analysis, and apo E genetic typing were carried out. Nutrient intake was determined by food record method of food taken during two weekdays and one weekend. The MNT including the instruction for hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic diet (step l diet) was performed for 12 weeks. The results are as follow; (1) The mean age of hyperlipidemic patients was $49.91{\pm}8.48$ years. (2) The distributions of Sasang Constitution were 60.6% of Tae-eum, 21.2% of So-yang, and 18.2% of So-eum. The distributions of apo E genotype were 6.5% of apo E2/3, 78.8% of apo E 3/3, and 15.2% of apo E 3/4. (3) The nutrient consumption of the apo E3 subjects before the MNT showed lower calorie, iron, calcium, and vitamin B2 intakes than the RDAs for each nutrients with no significant differences among the constitutions. After 12-week of MNT, only the fat consumption was decreased in the Tae-eum group. The MNT did not change the pattern of food intake. (4) The plasma level of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL-C were not changed after MNT in the three constitutional groups. The level of HDL-C was significantly increased significantly in Tae-eum and So-yang group and the level of homocystein was lowered in Tae-eum group after MNT. It could be concluded that the 12-weeks MNT with hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic diet did not change the level of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-C effectively regardless of Sasang constitutions even though the subjects' dietary intake was improved by MNT.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2004

Objectives: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation are commonly associated with hyperhomocysteinemia, and through their defects in homocysteine metabolism, they have been implicated as a risk factor for recurrent spontaneous abortion. Recent report describe that 28-bp tandem repeat polymorphism in thymidylate synthase enhancer region (TSER) that influence enzyme activity would affect plasma homocysteine level. We have investigated the relationship between TSER genotype and plasma homocysteine level in 54 patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion. Methods: Plasma homocysteine level was measured by fluorescent polarizing immunoassay. MTHFR mutation (C677T and A1298C) was identified by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and TSER mutation was analyzed by PCR method. The data were analyzed using the program SAS 8.2 for Windows. Results: Total homocysteine level was significantly higher in MTHFR 677TT genotype ($9.80{\pm}3.87{\mu}mol/L$) than MTHFR 677CC genotype ($8.14{\pm}1.74{\mu}mol/L$) in Korean patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (p=0.0143). However, the plasma homocysteine level was not significantly different in the MTHFR 1298AA ($8.42{\pm}2.65{\mu}mol/L$) and 1298CC ($6.09{\pm}0.32{\mu}mol/L$; p=0.2058) and, TSER 2R2R ($8.61{\pm}1.68{\mu}mol/L$) and 3R3R ($8.05{\pm}2.81{\mu}mol/L$; p=0.9319) mutant genotypes, respectively. In this study, we found the combination effects of TSER and MTHFR C677T genotypes. Plasma homocysteine levels were the highest ($11.47{\pm}4.66{\mu}mol/L$) in individuals with TSER 3R3R ($8.05{\pm}2.81{\mu}mol/L$) and MTHFR 677TT ($9.80{\pm}3.87{\mu}mol/L$) genotypes. Individuals with a combination of both TSER 2R2R/2R3R and MTHFR 677CC/CT genotypes ($7.69{\pm}1.77{\mu}mol/L$) had lower plasma homocysteine levels than TSER 2R2R ($8.61{\pm}1.68{\mu}mol/L$) and MTHR 677CC ($8.14{\pm}1.74{\mu}mol/L$) genotypes, respectively. The effect of MTHFR polymorphism in the homocysteine metabolism appears to be stronger than that of TSER polymorphism. Conclusion: Although statistically not significant, we found the elevated level of plasma homocysteine in combined genotypes with TSER and MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) in Korean patients with unexplained habitual abortion. In this study, we reported the possibility that TSER polymorphism is a genetic determinant of plasma homocysteine levels in the Korean patients as well as MTHFR C677T polymorphism. A large prospective study is needed to verify our findings.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.42-56
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• 2005

Hyperlipidemia is one of the risk factors for coronary artery disease. Despite of epidemiological evidence that tea consumption is associated with the reduced risk of coronary heart disease, experimental studies designed to show that drinking tea affects blood lipid concentration or oxidative stress have been unsuccessful. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether functional tea (three servings/day) supplement with medical nutrition therapy (MNT) lead to a beneficial outcomes in mildly hyperlipidemic adults. From February to October, 2003, the 43 hyperlipidemic (23 men, 20 women) subjects (total cholesterol$\geq$200 mg/dL or triglyceride$\geq$150 mg/dL) admitted to K Medical Center were studied. Subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups; placebo tea (PT), half dose of functional tea (HFT), full dose of functional tea (FFT). During 12 weeks of study period, the subjects were given placebo or functional tea daily with MNT. Anthropometric measurements, blood chemical analysis including lipid levels, total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels, and dietary assessment were carried out at the beginning and end of experiment. The effects of functional tea were compared with the placebo in randomized clinical trial study. The placebo was prepared to match with the functional tea in color and taste. After the 12 weeks of MNT, the subjects had regular and balanced meal pattern. Consumption of foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat, salty foods, fried foods, and instant foods decreased significantly in all three groups (p<0.05). Intake of energy and cholesterol also decreased (p<0.05). Drinking three servings per day (390 mL/day) of functional tea significantly reduced the levels of blood triglyceride (HFT, 42.5%; FFT, 29.4%), total cholesterol (HFT, 8.5%; FFT, 13.7%), and atherogenic index (HFT, 14.6%; FFT, 21.7%). Whereas no changes were found in the LDL-, HDL-cholesterollevels, and LDL/HDL ratio. Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration decreased significantly (p<0.05) in functional tea groups (HFT, 14.9%; FFT, 14.1%). SOD increased significantly (p<0.05) in HFT (8.3%). GSH-Px increased significantly (p<0.05) in FFT (12.8%). In conclusion, the MNT improved the dietary habits, in addition, functional tea supplement decreased blood lipid levels and Hcy, and increased SOD and GSH-Px levels. These results indicate that functional tea consumption may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease via improving blood lipid levels and antioxidant status.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2005

Purpose: Recently the role of vitamins, folate in particular, has been emphasized in the maintenance of health. Folate deficiency is known to give rise to developmental delay, immature vascular disease, neural tube defect, acute leukemia, atherosclerotic vascular disease, delivery defects, breast cancer, and particularly gastrointestinal neoplasia. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an essential enzyme in folate metaboism, and influences DNA synthesis and DNA methylation. Generally, folate deficiency is associated with gastrointestinal neoplasms. The amino-acid- changing and enzyme-activity-reducing nucleotide polymorphism (766C$\rightarrow$T/ Ala222Val) has been described in the MTHFR polymorphism and leads to low enzyme activity that may reduce the capacity of DNA methylation and possibly uracil mis-incorporation into DNA. These processes may be critical in the oncogenic transformation of human cells, especially in colorectal carcinomas. We investigated the relationship between the MTHFR polymorphism in gastric cancer and the tumor site, the smoking history, and the alcoholic history. Materials and Methods: Ninety-six (96) individuals with gastric cancer and 287 healthy persons were analyzed. Blood sampling was performed, PCR-RFLP was analyzed, and MTHFR polymorphism genotypes of C/C, C/T, and T/T were obtained and analyzed statistically for their correlation. Results: In the gastric cancer group there were 69 ($72\%$) males and 27 ($28\%$) females. There were also 58 cases ($60\%$) involving the gastric lower body, 20 cases ($21\%$) the gastric mid-body, and 18 cases ($19\%$) the gastric upper body. In the control group there were 169 ($59\%$) males and 118 ($41\%$) females. Among the gastric cancer, 56 ($61\%$) smoking patients, 40 ($39\%$) non-smoking patients, 45($47\%$) alcoholic patients, 51 ($53\%$) non-alcoholic patients. In the gastric cancer group, MTHER polymorphisms were C/C in 18 ($19\%$) cases, C/T in 59 ($61\%$) cases, T/T in 19 ($20\%$) cases. In the control group polymorphisms were C/C 116 ($40\%$) cases, C/T 103 ($36\%$) cases, and T/T 68 ($24\%$) cases (P=0.045). In cases of lower gastric body cancer, polymorphisms were C/C in 16 ($24\%$) C/C in 16 ($24\%$) cases and C/T or T/T in 42 ($72\%$) cases. In cases of upper and mid-body cancer, polymorphisms were C/C in 2 ($5\%$) cases and C/T or T/T 36 ($95\%$) cases (P=0.006). In the non-smoking patient group, polymorphisms were C/C in 5 (12%) cases and C/T or T/T in 35 ($88\%$) cases. In the smoking patient group, C/C in 13 ($23\%$) cases and C/T or T/T in 43 ($77\%$) cases (P=0.189). In the non-alcoholic patient group, polymorphisms were C/C in 6 ($12\%$) cases and C/T or T/T in 45 ($88\%$) cases. In the alcoholic patient group, polymorphisms were C/C in 12 ($26\%$) cases and C/T or T/T in 33 ($74\%$) cases (P=0.063) Conclusion: MTHFR polymorphisms are associated with gastric cancer and tumor site, but not with smoking and alcohol drinking.