• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2009

In this study, in vitro maturation system using fetal bovine serum (FBS) or porcine follicular fluid (pFF) was investigated to produce comparable oocytes to those derived from in vivo. Control group of oocytes was cultured in TCM 199 supplemented with 0.1% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Other three groups of oocytes were cultured in TCM 199 supplemented with 10% FBS, 10% pFF or 5% FBS + 5% pFF, respectively. After 44 h maturation, oocytes with the first polar body were activated with two electric pulses (DC) of 1.2 kv/cm for 30 ${\mu}sec$. Also, matured oocytes of four groups were reconstructed and fused. Reconstructed embryos were cultured in PZM-3 under 5% $CO_2$ in air at $38.5^{\circ}C$ for 6 days. The oocytes matured in the medium supplemented with FBS or/and pFF showed significantly higher maturation rates (64.0 vs. 73.9 to 85.2%). In PA embryos, cleavage rates (89.7 vs. 77.1 to 86.6%) and blastocysts rates (30.0 vs. 16.2 to 26.2%) were significantly higher in pFF group (p<0.05). In NT embryos, there was no difference among treatments in cleavage rate, but the blastocyst rates (28.5 vs. 15.5 to 24.6%) were significantly higher in pFF group (p<0.05). The apoptosis rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the control than other groups (10.8 vs. 4.9 to 8.2% for PA, 3.1 vs. 0.5 to 1.3% for NT). In order to select the comparable oocyte to in vivo oocytes, each group of oocytes was stained with Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) after 42h maturation. The matured oocytes were separated according to color of cytoplasm; stained group (BCB+) and unstained group (BCB-). The oocytes matured in the presence of FBS or/and pFF showed significantly higher staining rates (70.3 to 72.7 vs. 35.1%) (p<0.05). To verify the fact that the supplementation of FBS or/and pFF can increase the maturation rates, cdc2 kinase activity, the catalytic subunit of MPF, was determined. The cdc2 kinase activity of the oocytes matured in the medium supplemented with FBS or/and pFF was significantly higher than control group (6.7 to 9.3 vs. 3.8). In conclusion, the supplementation of FBS or/and pFF can support in vitro maturation rate of porcine oocytes through the increment of cdc2 kinase activity level in the cytoplasm.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2016

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the immunomodulatory (IM) activity of IM-133N, a herbal combination in various immunotherapeutic experimental models. Methods: The IM activity of IM-133N was evaluated against three experimental models namely, effect of IM-133N against Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced abdominal sepsis in mice, and carbon clearance test was performed in Wistar albino rats to evaluated the phagocytic potential of IM-133N, in addition IM-133N was evaluated for its immunoglobulin enhancing potential in rats, where the immunoglobulin levels were measured by zinc sulphate turbity (ZST) test. Further, IM-133N was subjected for detailed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS analysis to identify the probable active constituents present in it. Results: The findings of the present study has demonstrated very promising IM property of IM-133N in all the experimental models. Briefly, pretreatment with IM-133N at 125, 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg, p.o. doses had protected the mice against E. coli-induced abdominal sepsis and mortality, further the effect of IM-133N was found to be significant and dose-dependent. In support of this, in another study administration of IM-133N showed a significant and dose-dependent increase in serum immunoglobulin levels, estimated by ZST test. In line with the above findings, in the carbon clearance test the low doses (125 and 250 mg/kg, p.o.) of IM-133N increased the rate of carbon clearance, whereas the higher doses (500 and 1,000 mg/kg, p.o.) did not sustain the response, and saturation effect was considered as one of the possible reason for futility of higher doses for IM-133N. In addition, A detailed LC-MS/MS analysis of IM-133N showed 17 bioactive phytochemical constituents: namely, apigenin, chaulmoogric acid, mesquitol, quercetin, symphoxanthone, salireposide, ${\beta}$-sitosterol, nonaeicosanol, ${\beta}$-amyrin, betulic acid, oleanolic acid, symplososide, symponoside, symploveroside, symplocomoside, symconoside A and locoracemoside B. Conclusion: These findings suggest that IM-133N possesses significant IM activity and, hence, could be useful for eradicating opportunistic disease-triggering pathogens via immunotherapeutic mechanisms. The findings also suggest IM-133N may also useful in other immunity disorders.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.382-390
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• 2017

This study was conducted to identify the factors affecting the quality of life of cancer patients based on demographic characteristics, health status, and mental health using the results of the 6th National Health and Nutrition Survey. The research tool used the demographic characteristics, health status, mental health, and quality of life of the KNHANES VI-2. Data analysis was conducted using SAS 9.3 version. There were significant differences in the quality of life in the study results by age, gender, economic activity, individual income quartile, subjective health status, mental health status, activity limitation, stress perception, and experience of depression symptoms. Factors influencing the quality of life of cancer patients included age, sex, income quintiles(individual), subjective health status, activity limitation, and experience of depression symptoms, which together explained 39.1% of the quality of life. To improve the quality of life of cancer patients, comprehensive management is required from diagnosis to treatment to return to society. It is also necessary to develop and apply long-term programs including multidimensional approaches and improvement of quality of life, early screening of cancer and cancer prevention education, management of depression symptoms, and social support.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 2009

As the amount of information is rapidly growing, and the ubiquitous urban environments are emerging, the question which information type to provide and which communication media to support is a major challenge for commercial and public travel-information service providers. The current research reports the first findings of analyses of recent data, collected in metropolitan Seoul, about the acquisition of travel information and the communication media used. The study is based on the assumption that information acquisition and choice of communication medium is strongly context-driven. The study applies CHAID analysis to find homogeneous segments in information acquisition and use of communication media. Findings indicate that transport mode and activity are important determinant of information acquisition and choice of media. The type of travel information acquired co-varies strongly with transport mode and activity. In addition, we found evidence of time of day effects. Similarly, the choice of communication medium depends on the type of travel information searched for, transport mode and activity. The results suggest important implications of managerial and policy measures, in particular the dynamic, contextual market segmentation.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.221-230
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• 2005

Catalytic wet oxidation of trichloroethylene (TCE) in water has been conducted using $TiO_2-supported$ cobalt oxides at $36^{\circ}C$ with a weight hourly space velocity of $7,500\;h^{-1}.\;5\%\;CoO_x/TiO_2$, prepared by using an incipient wetness technique, might be the most promising catalyst for the wet oxidation although it exhibited a transient behavior in time on-stream activity. Not only could the bare support be inactive for the wet decomposition reaction, but no TCE removal also occurred by the process of adsorption on $TiO_2$ surface. The catalytic activity was independent of all particle sizes used, thereby representing no mass transfer limitation in intraparticle diffusion. XPS spectra of both fresh and used Co surfaces gave different surface spectral features for each $CoO_x,\;Co\;2P_{3/2}$ binding energy for Co species in the fresh catalyst appeared at 781.3 eV, which is very similar to the chemical states of $CoTiO_x$ such as $CO_2TiO_4\;and\;CoTiO_3$. The used catalyst exhibited a 780.3-eV main peak with a satellite structure at 795.8 eV. Based on XPS spectra of reference Co compound, the TCE-exposed Co surfaces could be assigned to be in the form of mainly $Co_3O_4$. XRD patterns for $5\%\;CoO_x/TiO_2$ catalyst indicated that the phase structure of Co species in the catalyst even before reaction is quite comparable to the diffraction lines of external $Co_3O_4$ standard. A model structure of $CoO_x$ present predominantly on titania surfaces would be $Co_3O_4$, encapsulated in thin-film $CoTiO_x$ species consisting of $Co_2TiO_4$ and $CoTiO_3$, which may be active for the decomposition of TCE in a flow of water.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.13-21
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• 2015

Objective : The objective of this study was to investigate the experimental efficacy of anti-tumor activity of the complexed herbal formula, Onbaekwon (OBW), which was derived from the literature of Traditional Korean Medicine, Dongeuibogam. Methods : Nine Cancer cell lines, LoVo, MCF-7, HepG2, AGS, A549, NCI-H69, HL-60, Sarcoma 180, LL/2, were prepared and the cytotoxicity was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-dephenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Four of them, NCI-H69, HL-60, Sarcoma 180, and LL/2, showed strong cytotoxic activities and they were additionally undergone flow cytometry to find out their effects on apoptosis. ICR male mice were implanted with Sarcoma 180 intraperitoneally and divided into 8 species for each group. Control group was treated with normal saline, positive control group was treated with cyclophosphamide 8mg/kg, and experimental group was treated with OBW 1 g/kg. Results : Among 9 cancer cell lines, NCI-H69, HL-60, Sarcoma 180, and LL/2, expressed less than 0.10 mg/ml of $IC_{50}$ under 0.1~1mg/ml of OBW. NCI-H69, HL-60, Sarcoma 180, and LL/2, showed dose-dependent efficacy of apoptosis. When Sarcoma 180 cancer cell was implanted in ICR male mice and treated with the OBW, they prolonged the median overall survival for 0.8 days, from 17.5 to 18.3. Conclusion : OBW showed strong cytotoxicity to some cancer cells, which are NCI-H69, HL-60, Sarcoma 180, and LL/2, and its apoptotic activity was dose-dependent. OBW prolonged the median survival of mice implanted with Sarcoma 180. Further researches would be expected to support the efficacy of OBW.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1019-1024
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• 2013

The aims of this study were to determine antioxidation effect and neuroblastoma cell protection effect of donkey's bone and skin extracts (DBSE). DBSE was extracted by a pressure-cooker for 48 h and lyophilized. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was significantly increased with increased doses of DBSE and 40 mg/ml of DBSE showed 95.43% of the DPPH scavenging effect, which was equivalent to 1 mg/ml of vitamin C. The 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity was also increased in a dose-dependent manner, and 20 mg/ml of DBSE showed 88.73% of the ABTS scavenging effect. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (${\mu}M$ Trolox equivalent) of DBSE was significantly increased at a concentration of 10 mg/ml, which showed $132.53{\mu}M$ TE. The viability of oxidatively stressed brain cells induced by $500{\mu}M\;H_2O_2$ was protected by DBSE at concentrations greater than $50{\mu}M$. Cell viability after DBSE treatment at 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ was 53.78 and $54.34{\mu}M$ TE, respectively. There was no significant difference between both doses; however, 200 and $500{\mu}g/ml$ of DBSE showed 59.74 and 66.08% of cell viability, respectively indicating that DBSE protected SK-N-SH from oxidation stress. These results suggest that DBSE may have potential to be used as natural antioxidants in food industry, while in vivo evidence is necessary to support DBSE's in vitro-based antioxidative efficiency.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.211-219
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• 2004

The effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and ATP analogs, P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor agonists, on growth of normal mouse mammary epithelial cells (NMuMG) were examined. Cells were plated onto 24 well plates in DMEM supplemented with 10 % fetal calf serum. After serum starvation for 24 hours, ATP, P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor agonists (AdoPP[NH]P, ATP-α-S, ATP-γ-S, β, γ-me-ATP and 2me-S-ATP), P/sub 2u/ purinoceptor agonist (UTP) and P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor antagonists (Reactive Blue 2, more selective to P/sub 2y/ receptor than PPADS; PPADS) were added. DNA synthesis was estimated as incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA (1 hour pulse with 1 μ Ci/ml, 18～19 hours after treatment). ATP, Adopp[NH]P, ATP-α-S or ATP-γ-S, significantly increased DNA synthesis at 1, 10 and 100 μM concentrations with dose-dependency (P<0.05), and the maximum responses of ATP and ATP analogs were shown at 100 μM concentration (P<0.05). The potency order of DNA synthesis was ATP≥ATP- γ -S>Adopp [NH]P>ATP-α-S. β, γ -me-ATP, 2me-S-ATP and UTP did not increase DNA synthesis. In autoradiographic analysis of percentage of S-phase cells, similar results were observed to those of DNA synthesis. Addition of 1, 10 or 100 μM Reactive Blue 2 or PPADS significantly decreased ATP (100 μM)-induced DNA synthesis, however, PPADS was less effective than Reactive Blue 2. In Elvax 40P implant experiment, ATP directly stimulated mammary endbud growth in situ suggesting the physiological regulator of ATP in mammary growth. ATP 100 μM rapidly increased MAPK activity, reaching a maximum at 5 min and then gradually decreasing to the base level in 30 min. ATP analogs, Adopp[NH]P and ATP-γ-S also increased MAPK activity, however, β, γ-me-ATP and 2me-S-ATP did not. The inhibitor of the upstream MAPK kinase (MEK), PD 98059 (25 μM), effectively reduced ATP (100 μM) or EGF(10 ng/ml, as positive control)-induced MAPK activity and DNA synthesis (P<0.05). These results indicate that ATP-induced DNA synthesis was prevented from the direct inhibition of MAPK kinase pathway. Overall results support the hypothesis that the stimulatory effects of normal mouse mammary epithelial growth by addition of ATP or ATP analogs are mediated through mammary tissue specific P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor subtype, and MAPK activation is necessary for the ATP-induced cell growth.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.757-761
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the content of phenolic compounds and their contribution to antioxidant activity in the seed coats, dehulled and whole black and yellow soybeans. The total phenolic and total anthocyanin contents were analyzed. FRAP, DPPH and ABTS assays were carried out to determine the antioxidant activities. The 100-seed weight and color values were also analyzed. Black seed coats had significantly greater total phenolic and total anthocyanin contents as compared to whole beans, dehulled beans, and yellow seed coats. Moreover, black seed coats exhibited the highest antioxidant activity among the samples, regardless of the utilized method. The antioxidant activities determined in all assays positively correlated with the total phenolic ($0.980{\leq}r{\leq}0.991$) and anthocyanin contents ($0.990{\leq}r{\leq}0.997$) as well as among themselves ($0.992{\leq}r{\leq}0.996$). It is anticipated that the information generated from this study will help support the development of soybean products for improving health.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 1999

Subsurface environments, including the intermediate vadose zone and aquifers, may be contributing to increased atmospheric concentrations of $N_2$O. Denitrification appears to be the major source of $N_2$O in the subsurface environment. In the intermediate vadose zone, the level of denitrifying activity is dependent on the soil morphology, particularly stratified layers within the soil profile, which impede water and solute movement and create conditions favorable for denitrification. Movement of organic C from the soil surface appears to support denitrifying activity by providing an energy source and increasing the consumption of $O_2$. Denitrirication and $N_2$O production have been observed in aquifers but appear to be of greatest significance in shallow unconfined aquifers. The lack of organic C, N $O_2$, or anaerobiosis is often a limiting factor for activity but seems to be site specific. The presence of denitrifying bacteria does not appear to be a major limitation, based on published results, but the ubiquity of denitrifiers in subsurface environments needs to be confirmed. The fate of the $N_2$O produced in subsurface environments is unknown. Transport of $N_2$O by up ward diffusion, by outgassing at contacts with surface waters, and by ground water use need to be quantified to determine the contribution to atmospheric $N_2$O. Contamination of subsurface environment with N $O_3$$^{ }$ and organics has the potential for increasing the contribution to atmospheric $N_2$O by enhancing denitrification .