• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.228-236
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• 2013

This study was aimed at investigating whether dietary therapy using medicinal enzyme powder is effective in reducing constipation caused by loperamide in rats. Nine-week-old male Sprague Dawley were subdivided into 4 groups: normal diet group (C), loperamide treatment and normal diet (CL), medicinal enzyme powder diet (E), and loperamide treatment and medicinal enzyme powder diet (EL). Constipation was induced by subcutaneous injection of loperamide (1.5 mg/kg) 3 days prior to sacrifice. The treatment with loperamide led to an increase in weight gain, a decrease in the number and wet weight of fecal pellets, and a decrease in intestinal motility. The administration of the medicinal enzyme powder significantly reduced weight gain but increased intestinal mobility compared with the loperamide-treated group. The treatment with loperamide in the normal diet group reduced the activities of both suggesting that constipation may be involved in the low level of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT). Additionally, the loperamide treatment in the medicinal enzyme powder diet group increased the level of GOT, but reduced the level of GPT. Loperamide treatment also reduced cholesterol and increased the atherogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk factors (CRFs). Interestingly, the treatment with the medicinal enzyme powder effectively attenuated both the increase in AI and the reduction in high density lipopretein (HDL)-cholesterol, caused by the treatment with loperamide. Although there were no significant differences in the blood protein level, including hemoglobin and hematocrit, between the normal diet group and the loperamide-treated group, the administration of the medicinal enzyme powder to the loperamide-treated group effectively increased the levels of both hemoglobin and hematocrit. Collectively, the results demonstrate that the medicinal enzyme powder can help to combat the negative events caused by constipation.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2011

Hibiscus cannabinus L. is a plant in the Malvaceae family, that was seeded at June 1st in 2010 and harvested at November 18th. The present study was designated to investigate the safety for host cells, antibacterial effects of Hibiscus cannabinus L. of flower (HCME-F) or leaf (HMEF-L) methanol extract for typical Gram's positive bacteria (St. aureus and Str. epidermidis) or Gram's negative bacteria (S. typhimurium and E. coli). In treatment of different concentrations of HCME-F or HMEF-L (1, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$), cytotoxic effects were not shown to RAW 264.7 cells until 24 h incubation. In determination of antibacterial activity of HCME-F or HMEF-L, the antibacterial activities for St. aureus and Str. epidermidis were markedly increased compared to that of untreated control group, but antibacterial activity of HCME-F or HMEF-L for S. typhimurium and E. coli were not changed. Taken together, we demonstrated that methanol extract of HCME-F or HMEF-L showed the safety for RAW 264.7 cells and antibacterial activities for Gram's positive pathogenic bacteria St. aureus and Str. epidermidis. These findings suggest that a methanol extract of Kenaf flower or leaf may be useful alternatives of conventional chemotherapies for dermatitis and mastitis causing Gram's positive pathogens such as Stapylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. in domestic animals and humans.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2001

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the usefulness of intestinal ultrasonography (US) and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the early diagnosis of Henoch-Sch$\"{o}$nlein purpura (HSP) with the gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms preceding the emergence of the skin lesion. Methods: The clinical, intestinal US and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic records of 85 patients (88 cases) with GI symptoms relating to HSP presenting between January 1999 and April 2001 were reviewed. Results: 1) GI symptoms were observed in 52 cases (59%) and skin, joint, renal and scrotal manifestations were observed in 88 (100%), 64 (73%), 15 (17%), 3 cases (3%) respectively. 2) Out of 52 cases with GI symptoms, abdominal pain was observed in all cases (100%). Positive stool occult blood, nausea and vomiting, abdominal tenderness, melena or tarry stool, diarrhea, hematemesis, rebound tenderness and rigidity were observed in 28 (50%), 17 (33%), 17 (33%), 12 (23%), 6 (12%), 4 (8%), 1 (2%) and 1 case (2%) respectively in order of frequency. 3) Intestinal US examination was performed in 27 cases with HSP and GI symptoms (52 cases). Out of 27 sonographic examinations 22 showed abnormal findings. Thickening of the duodeno-jejunal wall was observed in 16 cases (73%). Free peritoneal fluid, enlarged mesenteric lymph node, ileus and abnormal gall bladder were seen in 8 (36%), 8 (36%), 4 (18%) and 1 case (5%) respectively. In three cases of HSP without GI symptoms, those changes were absent. 4) In all of five cases with HSP and GI symptoms, endoscopic study showed mucosal edema and multiple hemorrhagic erosions especially at the second portion of the duodenum. Biopsy specimens from the duodenum of 2 cases out of 5 endoscopic examinations showed acute inflammatory infiltrates in the mucosa with hemorrhage. 5) Both intestinal US and endoscopic studies were performed in 4 cases with HSP and GI symptoms simultaneously. Out of 4 those cases, 3 cases showed the thickened duodeno-jejunal wall on the intestinal US, which suggested erosive hemorrhagic duodenitis by endoscopic findings. Conclusion: The typical but nonpathognomonic intestinal US findings including the thickening of the duodeno-jejunal wall and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings including hemorrhagicerosive duodenitis, in children with GI symptoms, should be considered a manifestation of HSP, even in the absence of skin lesion.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.467-475
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• 2014

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a well-known and rich source of biologically active compounds, such as flavonoids, carotenoids, steroids, vitamins, tannins, and oleic acid. The effects of sea buckthorn fruit extract (SBFE) on ultraviolet (UV)-induced cell death was investigated in SK-MEL-2 cells cotreated with UV and a low concentration (LoC), medium concentration (MeC), or high concentration (HiC) of SBFE. Cell viability gradually decreased in accordance with an increase in the UV dose. The cell viability of the UV+SBFE cotreated cells increased significantly compared to that of UV+vehicle-treated cells during the application of an appropriate UV radiation dose (400 mJ). In addition, the number of 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), propidium iodine (PI)-, and annexin V-stained apoptotic cells was higher in the UV+vehicle-treated cells than in the UV untreated cells. The decrease of apoptotic cell numbers varied in each treated group, but it was most significant in the SBFE-treated group. The number of PI-stained cells dramatically decreased in accordance with the concentration of SBFE, and the maximum decrease was detected in the UV+HiC-treated group. In addition, Bax expression increased and Bcl-2 expression decreased in the SBFE-treated group compared with the UV-only treated group. The level of caspase-3 remained constant in all the groups. These results suggest that SBFE may contribute to a recovery from UV-induced cell death through the regulation of apoptotic protein expression and that it may have potential therapeutic utility in ameliorating UV-induced skin ageing.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 1999

Background: Ineffective cell-mediated immune response in human tuberculosis is associated with a depressed Thl cytokine response and reduced production of IFN-$\gamma$. Most persons infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis are healthy tuberculin reactors with protective immunity, but a minority with ineffective immunity develop extensive pulmonary tuberculosis. The cell-mediated immune response is an important aspect of host resistance to mycobacterial infection and is believed to be tightly regulated by a balance between Th1 cytokines including IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, IL-18, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and Th2 counterparts such as IL-4, monocyte chemoattractant protein-l (MCP-l). Methods: Proliferation and mRNA expression of IFN-$\gamma$, RANTES and MCP-l by RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to in vitro stimulation with mycobacterial antigens were compared in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with cured and treatment failure and in tuberculin-positive and tuberculin-negative healthy subjects. Results: Defective proliferative responsiveness to aqueous TSP antigen was involved with treatment failure tuberculosis patients. Aqueous TSP antigen-induced IFN-$\gamma$ and RANTES mRNA expression was decreased in treatment failure tuberculosis patients compared with healthy tuberculin reactors and cured tuberculosis patients (23.1 % versus 90.0% for IFN-$\gamma$ and 46.2% versus 70.0% versus 46.2% for RANTES). The frequency of MCP-l mRNA expression to aqueous TSP antigen in treatment failure tuberculosis patients was greater than in healthy tuberculin reactors and cured tuberculosis patients (76.9% versus 40.0%). Conclusion: The increasing expression of MCP-1 mRNA in response to aqueous TSP antigen might be predicted to favor Th1 responses and restricted Th1 responses in treatment failure of pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.646-651
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• 2017

This study was carried out to examine the antimicrobial activity of 70% ethanol and hot water extracts from different parts and essential oil in Pinus densiflora on skin pathogens such as Staphylococcus epiermidis, S. aureus, Propionibacterium acnes, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, and Trichophyton rubrum. The antimicrobial activities of extracts and essential oil were tested by paper disc assay and minimum inhibitory concentration test. The ethanol extract of pine pollen showed antimicrobial activity against C. tropicalis and T. rubrum. Ethanol extract of pine needle and pine gnarl showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, C. tropicalis, and P. acnes. Essential oil from pine needle exhibited antimicrobial activity against C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and P. acnes. The minimum inhibitory concentration of ethanol extracts of pine needle and pine gnarl against P. acnes and C. tropicalis ranged from 0.002% to 0.0063%. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (0.025%) against C. albicans and C. tropicalis was obtained from essential oil. These results indicate that ethanol extracts of pine pollen, pine needle, pine gnarl, and essential oil of pine needle could be applicable to control the skin infection pathogens. Especially, ethanol extract of pine gnarl had a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and pine extracts and essential oil exhibited higher antimicrobial activity with Candida sp. and P acnes.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.399-408
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• 2019

Arbutin, which is used as a whitening ingredient, can produce hydroquinone, known as causing skin disease and carcinogen. Preservatives are essential to prevent microbial contamination during long-term storage and use of cosmetics, but safety issues such as toxicity and skin irritation are being raised. This study was conducted to determine hydroquinone and 21 preservatives levels in 40 arbutin-containing whitening functional cosmetics sold on-line and off-line. Result showed that 9 products contained hydroquinone. The concentrations in 7 products were ranged from 0.3 to 0.9 ppm, which were within the maximum allowed amount established by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. However, 2 products were 8.4 and 50.5 ppm and exceeded the allowed amount. Preservatives were detected 20 products. Detected items and ranges were phenoxy ethanol 0.1 ~ 0.7% (N = 15), Methyl paraben 0.19 ~ 0.21% (N = 2), Chlorphenesin 0.13% (N = 1), chlorhexidine 0.006% (N = 1), Propyl paraben 0.06% (N = 1), which were within maximum allowed amount established by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Also, in cases of functional cosmetics the phrase "functional cosmetics" should be expressed on the primary or secondary package of cosmetics by cosmetics act. However, 1 product did not state the phrase as functional cosmetics. This study suggest that preservatives were safely managed. However, hydroquinone in hydroquinone-detected products could be produced by the decomposition of arbutin. Thus, further studies on the decomposition of arbutin are required to improve the quality control of the cosmetics.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2004

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical features of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome(SSSS) isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus(MRSA) with those of SSSS isolated methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcal aureus(MSSA) in children. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and microbiological results of 36 cases of SSSS who were admitted to the Pediatric Department of Ulsan Dong-Kang General Hospital from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2003. Results : Among 36 cases, there were 7 generalized types, 1 abortive type in MRSA group and 5 generalized types, 6 abortive types in MSSA group. The peak incidence of age was between 2 and 5 years in both groups. SSSS were diagnosed with increasing frequency. Most of MRSA group were diagnosed in 2003(6/8). The peak seasonal incidence was fall and winter in both groups. Facial lesion was observed in all cases followed by flexural lesion in both groups. Staphylococci were isolated from the skin and throat most frequently in both groups. Upper respiratory illness and conjunctivitis were most common preceding infections in both groups. Among 8 cases of MRSA group, 4 cases were treated completely with ampicillin-sulbactam. There was no significant difference of mean duration of admission between MRSA group and MSSA group. Conclusion : There was no significant difference of clinical features between MRSA group and MSSA group although generalized types of SSSS were more common in MRSA group than in MSSA group.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2020

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that is accompanied by hyper proliferation of the epidermis, erythema of various sizes, and ulceration. However, the mechanism of the development of psoriasis dermatitis is unclear. Recently, it is known that the inflammatory cytokines and Th17 cells as well as chemokine (CC motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) are involved in the process of keratinocytes hyper-differentiation, which is common in psoriasis dermatitis. Therefore, we studied the effects of yakuchinone-A, an active ingredient of Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel known for its anti-inflammatory activity, to improve psoriasis dermatitis. First, cytotoxicity of yakuchinone-A was observed in cell counting kit-8 assay and not observed in 10 ㎍/mL concentration on the human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Yakuchinone-A in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on HaCaT cells inhibited mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α by up to 61.4±7.5, 23.6±1.5, 46.0±4.8%. CCL20, a chemokine that attracts immune cells such Th17 cells to the inflammation location, was also significantly suppressed by yakuchinone-A. In addition, IκB and STAT3 phosphorylation involved in the CCL20 expression was inhibited by yakuchinone-A in a concentration-dependent manner up to the level of 79.1±5.0, 80.8±2.3%. Furthermore, yakuchinone-A downregulated CCL20 mRNA expression level on IL-17A-activated HaCaT cells as a concentration-dependent manner. Based on these results, yakuchinone-A is expected to be developed as a new material for improving psoriasis dermatitis in the future.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.361-376
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• 1999

1. Backgrounds and Purpose : Pruritus, one of the most common dermatological symptoms, was clinically examined with a view to a better understanding of its characteristics for more accurate treatment. 2. Method : For 22 months from November in 1997 to September in 1999 we selected outpatients who had consulted for itchiness more than twice in the department of Sasang Constitution of the Pundang Oriental medical hospital, Dongkook University, and 59 of those (35 males and 24 females) were confirmed of their course of treatment. From their medical records and history, we learned the general characteristics and patterns of pruritus, and the qualities and effects of its various treatments. 3. Result and Conclusion : Pruritus was more complained by men than by women and the largest age groups were 20's and 30's. For its suffering period, the duration of 1 month to less than 1 year was the greatest, and most patients had already experienced western medical care. Itchiness affected them almost day and night. In addition, many patients had abnormal bowel habits as a general symptom. According to Sasang Constitution, the Soeumin gave sleep disturbance and indigestion; the Soyangin showed a different pattern in their tongue coatings and bowel habits; the Taeumin had different tongue coatings and sweating pattern. The commonly prescribed herbal formula for pruritus was Gakhangjungisan, Yangkyuksanhwatang, Chungsimyonjatang. As for their efficiency, 61.0 % of patients improved, whereas 39.0 percent did not. Patients aged over 30 showed a more significant improvement than those of 20 years or under, and the duration of less than 1 year was more significantly improved than that of 1 year or more. Those who had no experience in western medical care or had been continuously treated showed a more significant improvement than those with intermittent treatments, and severe pruritus was more significantly improved than mild pruritus.