• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2002

Objectives : To evaluate the accuracy of the registered cause of death in a county and its related factors. Methods : The data used in this study was based on 504 cases, in a county of Chonnam province, registered between January and December 1998. Study subjects consisted of 388 of the 504 cases, and their causes of death were established by an interview survey of the next of kin or neighbor and medical record surveys. We compared the registered cause of death with the confirmed cause of death, determined by surveys and medical records, and evaluated the factors associated with the accuracy of the registered cause of death. Results : 62.6% of the deaths were concordant with 19 Chapters classification of cause of death. external causes of mortality, endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, neoplasms and diseases of the circulatory system showed the good agreement between the registered cause of death and the confirmed cause of death. The factors relating to the accuracy of the registered cause of death were the doctors' diagnosis for the cause of death (adjusted Odds Ratio: 2.67, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.21-5.89) and the grade of the public officials in charge of the death registry (adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.30, 95% CI=0.12-0.78). Conclusions : The accuracy of the registered cause of death was not high. It could be improved by using the doctors' diagnosis for death and improving the job specification for public officials who deal with death registration.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2003

Purpose : $Henoch-Sch\"{o}nlein$ purpura(HSP) is a systemic vasculitis that involves multiple organs, especially the kidney, which is the most important organ in determining the prognosis of the disease. The morbidity of HSP nephritis in adults is low and there have been little research done on its clinical course so far. Therefore, we have compared the clinical course of HSP nephritis in children and adults in Korea. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 81 cases of HSP nephritis in children younger than 15 years of age, and 25 cases of adults older than 15 years of age who were admitted to Yonsei University Medical College Severance Hospital from Jan. 1986 to May 2003. Results : The male to female ratio was 1.5 : 1 in children and 1.3 : 1 in adults. The incidence of HSP nephritis for both age groups was found to be increased during the autumn and winter. Infection was the predisposing factor in 39 cases(48.1%) of children, 16 cases(64.0%) of adults, and drugs were the predisposing factor in 8 cases(9.9%) of children and 4 cases (16.0%) of adults. All patients initially presented with microscopic hematuria. Thirteen cases (16.0%) of children and 7 cases(28.0%) of adults initially showed proteinuria of nephrotic range. Thirty four cases(42.0%) of children and 4 cases(16.0%) of adults showed normal urinalysis after treatment. Asymptomatic urinary abnormalities were found in 41 cases(50.6%) of children and 18 cases(72.0%) of adults. Complications such as nephrotic syndrome and hypertension were found in 3 cases(3.7%) of children and 2 cases(8.0%) of adults. Three children(3.7%) and 1(4.0%) adult required dialysis or renal transplantation. Follow-up renal biopsies were performed on 21 children, of whom 10 cases(47.6%) did not show any histologic change, 9 cases(42.9%) showed low grade changes, and 2 cases(9.5%) showed high grade changes. Prognosis was gloomy when proteinuria of nephrotic range and high grade of abnormal histology were present at diagnosis, and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05) Conclusion : This study showed that there was no difference in terms of the clinical features and courses between the children and adults with HSP nephritis. Proteinuria of nephrotic range and the severity of abnormal histologic changes at diagnosis were found to be associated with a bad prognosis, therefore we recommend that patients with these features require long term follow-up and management.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.17-22
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• 2002

지구상에는 수천종의 버섯류가 자생하고 있어 유전자원으로서의 중요성이 지대할 뿐만 아니라 기능성 식품소재 및 각종 약리 활성을 나타내는 신약개발 소재로도 크게 주목을 받고 있다. 이들 버섯은 균사체의 영양대사로 얻어지는 대사산물이 축적된 자실체의 형태로 나타나는데, 최근에 와서 자실체 및 균사체의 추출물이나 균사체 배양물이 체질개선이나 각종 병의 예방과 치료에 효과가 있는 것으로 밝혀져 건강식품이나 의약품으로서의 용도가 크게 증가하고 있는 실정이다. 특히, 담자균이 생산하는 특정 구조를 갖는 다당류는 오래전부터 종래의 화학요법제와는 달리 숙주내의 면역 기능을 부활하여 소위 면역요법제로서의 항암효과를 나타냄이 알려져왔었다. 현재까지 제약 및 의학적인 방법이 질병의 주된 치료방법으로 이용되어 왔지만 최근에 특정식품의 섭취가 만성질환의 발생을 억제 또는 지연시킨다는 연구 보고가 나오면서부터 만성질환의 치료방법으로서 식이요법을 중요하게 생각하게 되었다. 따라서 새로운 식품소재 및 가공식품의 개발을 통한 성인병 등의 각종 질병예방이 국민보건문제 해결에 필수적이다. 현재 일본 등에서는 표고버섯, 구름버섯 및 치마버섯 유래의 다당체 또는 단백다당체인 lentinan, krestin 또는 PS-K, schizophyllan 및 PSP 등이 실용화되어 높은 가격에 판매되고 있다. 국내에서도 야생 구름버섯 자실체로부터 추출한 단백 다당체인 Copolang(광동제약)이 개발되어 PS-K와 유사하게 암의 치료에 병행 사용되고 있고, 또 강력한 항암활성이 보고된 상황버섯의 균사체 추출물인 단백 다당체가 Mesima-Ex FK(한국신약)라는 상품명으로 암의 치료에 병행 사용되고 있는 것으로 알려지고 있다. 담자균류와 아울러 미생물 유래 다당체는 그 구조와 특성에 있어서 매우 다양함을 지니고 있다. 이러한 미생물 유래 다당류의 공업적 생산과 이용에 대한 연구로서는 Leuconostoc mesenteroides가 생산하는 dextran이 혈장증량제로 개발된 이래 Xanthomonas campestris가 생산하는 pullulan, Zoogloea rgmigera가 생산하는zooglan둥이 대표적인 예로 보고되고 있다. 한편, 미생물 유래 다당류는 구성당, 분자량, 화학적 구조 등과 같은 특성의 차이에 의해 많은 종류가 존재하고 있으며, 다양한 물성 및 유화제, 응고제, gel 형성제, 필름 형성제, 흡착제, 안정제, 접착제 등과 같은 용도로 광범위하게 이용되고 있다. 또한 근래에 들어서는 미생물 유래 다당체가 지니는 항암활성이 확인되어 새로운 의약품으로서의 개발 가능성이 기대된다. 그 밖에도 기존에 알려져 있는 식물 및 해조류 유래의 다당체와는 달리, 발효조를 이용한 연속배양에 의해 공업적 대량 생산이 가능하며, 더욱이 생산된 다당체의 분리 및 회수가 용이하다는 이점을 지니고 있다. 최근에 들어서는 유전공학적 기법을이용한 고생산성 변이균주 및 새로운 기능을 지닌 다당체의 개발에 관한 연구가 보고되고 있는 등 고부가가치를 지닌 새로운 바이오 소재로서의 기능 및 용도 개발에 관한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 이러한 항암 활성을 나타내는 여러 가지 담자균류중 Agaricus blazei로부터 생산되는 다당체는 고형암 이외에 S형 결장암, 난소암, 유방암, 폐암, 간암 등에 효과가 입증되었고, 천연물질에 의한 암 면역요법으로 각광을 받고 있으며, 항암 및 항virus의 완치율과 저지율에서 현재 여러가지 약효가 있는 버섯중에서도 탁원한 효과가 있는 것으로 증명되고 있다. 이들 다당체는 사이토카인을 생산시켜서 T임파구와 B임파구의 항원 특이적인 면역반응을 활성화시키고, 세포장해성 T세포와 활성화 대식세포의 세포장해 기능을 충진시켜서 암세포를 파괴시킨다. 또한 콜로니 자극인자인 사이토카인을 생산시켜서 면역담당세포의 신생을 촉진시키기도 하며, 암의 화학요법과 방사선 요법으로 저하된 백혈구를 회복시키는 역할을 한다. 따라서 최근의 연구동향은 생산된 다당체의 항암활성을 향상시키고자 하여 배양기간중에 interleukin을 의도적으로 첨가하는 경향이 있다. 이러한 항암 활성을 나타내는 담자균체 유래 다당체는 버섯의 기원에 따라 그 형태에 약간의 차이를 나타내기는 하나 그 기본 형태는 ${\beta}-(1,6)-glucosyl$ 분지를 가진 ${\beta}-(1,3)-glucan$이며, 평균 분자량은 50 ${\sim}$ 200만 정도이다. Agaricus blazei의 원산지인 브라질의 피에다데(Piedade) 지방의 환경조건(산지의 습도는 80%, 낮 기온 $35^{\circ)C$, 밤 기온 $20{\sim}25^{\circ}C$로 대단히 높으며, 정기적으로 열대지방 특유의 소나기가 내리는 지역)에서 볼 수 있듯이 Agaricus blazei의 성장 환경은 매우 까다로운 편이며, 날것으로는 보관이 잘 안되기 때문에 그 재배에 큰 어려움이 있다. 또한, 고체배양에 의해 생산된 버섯 자실체로부터 유기용매 및 열수추출 방법으로 다당체를 생산하는 방법은 균일한 형태의 버섯 자실체를 공급받기가 어렵기 때문에 다당체의 생산 수율이 낮고, 많은 노동력이 요구되는 어려움이 있다. 그러나 액체배양에 의한 다당체 생산의 경우는 고체배양에 의한 다당체 생산에 비해 일정한 조건하에서 배양이 가능하다는 장점이 있으며, 항상 균일한 균사체 및 배양액을 얻을 수 있다. 따라서 원하는 유용물질을 쉽게 획득할 수 있는 장점이 있다.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2016

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common and malignant bone tumors. Although many types of resection surgery and experimental agents were developed, median survival and clinical prognosis are poorly investigated. Recently, several researches have reported that Eucheuma cottonii has potent as protective effects of coal dust-induced lung damage via inhibition of malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidative stress in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF). However, anti-cancer effects and specific molecular mechanism of extract from Eucheuma cottonii (EE) has not been clearly studied yet. This study evaluated that anti-cancer potential of EE in human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells. EE indicated cytotoxicity on Saos-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Morphological degradation and nucleic condensation were also observed under the EE treatment. However, it did not significantly affect on non-cancerous kidney HEK-293 cells under the same concentration which is shown cytotoxicity on Saos-2 cells. The phosphorylation of Fas-Associated Death Domain (FADD) and expression of cleaved caspase-8, -7 and -3 were upregulated in a dose-dependent manner. In immunofluorescence staining, expression level of Fas and cleaved PARP were upregulated by EE treatment. Furthermore, treatment of EE induces upregulation of sub G1 phase by flow cytometry analysis. The results demonstrated that EE has a therapeutic potential against osteosarcoma via FADD mediated caspase cascade apoptosis signal pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.226-233
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• 2016

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis has been identified in various vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty, and has been known to precipitate atherosclerotic plaque instability and rupture. Oxysterols are known as inducers of apoptosis in VSMC, and 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) is the major nonenzymically formed oxysterol in atherosclerotic lesions. The precise mechanism underlying VSMC apoptosis is still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether 7KC causes apoptosis, and characterized its apoptotic mechanisms in primary cultured rat aortic VSMC. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and trypan blue assay. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and Western blot analyses. 7KC markedly decreased the VSMC viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, and increased the production of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a major end-product of lipid peroxidation, which also decreased the VSMC viability. Pretreatment with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, a well-known reagent of lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes, significantly restored the 7KC-decreased viability of VSMC. Furthermore, HNE, as well as 7KC, reduced the level of total Akt, a major mediator of cell survival. The 7KC-decreased level of total Akt was significantly restored by pretreatments with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and N-acetylcysteine. Lactacystin, a proteasome inhibitor, protected VSMC against apoptosis and Akt degradation, but did not inhibit HNE production. In the immunoprecipitation assay, 7KC increased HNE-modified Akt. From the results, it seems that, in atherosclerotic lesions, 7KC induces HNE production in VSMC, and this HNE binds to Akt, proceeding to proteasomal degradation of Akt, through which mechanism the atherosclerotic plaque instability may be facilitated.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2007

Purpose : Menkes disease is an X-linked recessively inherited disorder caused by the mutation of the ATP7A gene encoding copper-transporting P-type AT Pase. The phenotypic features are progressive neurological degeneration, mental retardation, loose skin, and vascular complications. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for the prognosis of Menkes disease. Here, we describe nov el mutations of the ATP7A gene and prenatal diagnosis by mutation analysis. Methods : Five unrelated Korean Menkes patients were included in this study. They presented with depigmented wool-like hair, progressive neurologic deterioration, and hypotonia in infancy. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels w ere decreased. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed tortuous intracranial vessels. Mutation analysis has been carried out using cDNA from cultured skin fibroblasts or genomic DNA from peripheral leukocytes. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in two cases using chorionic villi samples or amniocytes. Results : Four novel mutations have been identified from four different families; c.3511+1G>A (p.E1099_N1171delinsMfsX 18), c.4005+5 G>A (p.V1268_R1335del), c.1870_2172del (p.S624_Q724del), and c.3352 G>A (p.G1118S). T he remaining one was previously reported (c.1933 C>T (p.V 1268_R1335del)). On prenatal DNA analysis, one w as diagnosed as normal, while the other turned out to be a female heterozygote with p.S624_Q724del mutation of the ATP7A gene. Conclusion : We identified 4 novel mutations of the ATP7A gene. Prenatal diagnosis in families at risk is critical in order to choose preventiv e options including an early treatment with copper-histidine therapy or therapeutic termination. Most mutations of the ATP7A gene were frame-shift mutations and prenatal diagnosis has been successfully carried out.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.2 s.103
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• pp.181-190
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• 2003

An investigation was conducted on the aquatic environment of the Okchon Stream watershed six times from May to September 2002. The results of investigation revealed that variation of environmental factors were quite significant for each stream and reach, showing a significant difference between running water and stagnant water. Aquatic nutrients were relatively low in the upstream, gradually increasing as the influx of treated wastewater into the stream increased. This suggests that the point source definitely affected the nutrient content of the stream. In particular, the variations of SRP and $NH_4$ were very distinct in the watershed compared to other nutrients. Thus, it can be considered as a major factor in evaluating the effect of treated wastewater. Immediately after the influx of treated waste-water, the average content of SRP rose to 919.3 ${\mu}g$ P/l. This was a very effective level in the watershed, suggesting that the percentage of the nutrients in the water was controlled by the content of P. The constant supply of treated wastewater was found to be a critical factor in triggering the increase in chl-a in the embayment of the stream. With the proliferation of the blue-green algae, the content of chl- a ranged 234.5${\sim}$1,692.2 ${\mu}g/l$. The maximum standing crops exceeded $1.0{\times}10^6$ cells/ml in August, which was more than 200 times the level for red tide in the freshwater. This result was well reflected in other environmental factors, with 100% of AFDM/TSS reflecting the severity of water pollution by algae. Therefore, the reduction of P and N con-tents in the treated wastewater is critical in improving the aquatic environment of the stream as well as water quality management for the reservoir.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2015

Single - and combined effects of a domestic freshwater bivalve Unio douglasiae (7.6~8.6 cm in shell length) and zooplankton Daphnia magna (1~2 mm in body size) were examined to understand whether they inhibit the growth of harmful cyanobacterial bloom (i.e. Microcystis aeruginosa) in a eutrophic lake. The experiments were triplicated with twelve glass aquaria (40 L in volume); three aquaria without mussel and zooplankton, served as a control, three zooplankton aquaria (Z, density=40 indiv. $L^{-1}$), three mussel aquaria (M, density=0.5 indiv. $L^{-1}$), and three mussel plus zooplankton aquarium (ZM, density=40 indiv.Z $L^{-1}$ plus 0.5 indiv.M/L), respectively. Algal growth inhibition (%) calculated as a difference in the concentration of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) before and after treatment. Chl-a in all aquaria decreased with the time, while a greatest algal inhibition was seen in the ZM aquaria. After 24 hrs of incubation, Chl-a concentration at the mid-depth (ca. 15 cm) in ZM aquaria reduced by 90.8% of the control, while 63.2% and 79.8% in Z and M aquaria, respectively. Interestingly, during the same period, the surface Chl-a was diminished by 51.9% and 65.4% relative to the control in Z and ZM aquaria, while 27.4% of initial concentration decreased in M aquarium, respectively. These results suggest that 1) this domestic freshwater filter-feeding bivalve plays a significant role in the control of cyanobacterial bloom (M. aeruginosa), and 2) the combination with zooplankton and mussel has a synergistic effect to diminish them, compared to the single treatment of zooplankton and mussel.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.207-214
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• 2008

In Asia Saussurea lappa (SL) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat abdominal pain and tenesmus. Recently, in vitro cell culture studies have shown that SL has anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. To explore its potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects in colon cancer, we examined whether the hexane extract of SL (HESL) could inhibit the growth of HT-29 human colon cancer cells, and investigated the mechanisms for this effect. The cells were cultured with various concentrations (0-5 ${\mu}g/mL$) of HESL. The results indicated that HESL markedly decreased the numbers of viable HT-29 cells; whereas at the concentration of 5 ${\mu}g/mL$, HESL slightly decreased the viable cell numbers of CCD 1108Sk human skin normal fibroblasts at 72 hr. HESL substantially increased the numbers of cells in the sub G1 phase, and dose-dependently increased apoptotic cell numbers. Western blot analysis of the total cell lysates revealed that HESL increased Bax protein levels, but did not affect Bcl-2 levels. HESL induced the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspases 8, 9, 7, and 3. This study demonstrated that HESL inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in HT-29 cells, which may be mediated by its ability to increase Bax levels and activate the caspase pathway. These findings may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for colon cancer treatment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.5-15
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• 2011

Although iron is an essential mineral, excess iron intake during pregnancy may increase oxidative stress in tissues. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of iron overload during pregnancy on iron status and oxidative stress in maternal rats. Ten week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were mated with male rats. Non-pregnant (control) and pregnant rats were fed diets containing normal Fe (35 mg/kg diet), high Fe (350 mg/kg diet), or excess Fe (1,050 mg/kg diet) during pregnancy. Rats were sacrificed on pregnancy day 19. No significant difference in weight gain, diet intake, or litter size was observed according to iron intake levels. Furthermore, serum iron, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were not different among the rats administered the three levels of Fe both in the control and pregnant groups. However, the iron levels were lower in pregnant rats than those in the control. The liver and spleen iron contents increased significantly in the excess Fe group. An increase in liver ferritin levels with increasing iron intake was observed. Protein carbonyl content, as a marker of oxidative stress, increased significantly in liver with increasing iron intake but not malondialdehyde. Glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver of pregnant rats fed excess iron decreased significantly. Bcl-2 protein expression in the liver declined remarkably with increasing maternal iron intake in pregnant rats. Taken together, iron overload during pregnancy had little effect on hematology. However, the deposits of iron in the liver and the decline in antioxidant enzyme activity implied increased oxidative stress in tissues of the excess Fe group. These results suggest that excess iron intake during pregnancy increases oxidative stress in maternal tissues and may also affect fetal tissues.