• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.266-273
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• 2007

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a family of highly conserved proteins playing an important role in the functioning of unstressed and stressed cells. The HSP70 family, the most widely studied of the hsps, is constitutively expressed (hsc70) in unstressed cells and is also induced in response to stressors (hsp70), especially those affecting the protein machinery. The HSP/HSC70 proteins act as molecular chaperones and are crucial for protein functioning, including folding, intracellular localization, regulation, secretion, and protein degradation. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the putative amino acid sequence deduced from one cDNA clone identified as heat shock protein 70. The alignment showed that the putative sequence is 100% identical to the heat shock protein 70 cognate (HSC 70) of olive flounder. The 5'-flanking region sequence (approximately 1 kb) ahead of the hsc70 gene was cloned by genome walking and a putative core promoter region and transcription elements were identified. We characterized the promoter of the olive flounder hsc70 gene by examining the ability of 5'-upstream fragments to drive expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in live embryos.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.166-176
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• 2011

Bacillus thuringiensis CAB530 was isolated from dead Anomata albopilosa (Rutelidae: Coleoptera) and soil of green tea field, and confirmed its insecticidal activities. CAB530 isolate showed a high insecticidal activity against the beet armyworm among the many lepidopteran insects that are difficult to control. $LC_{50}$ value of CAB530 isolate against the second larva of Spodoptera exigua was $1.49{times}10^4$ spore concentration (cfu/$m{\ell}$). SDS-PAGE result of insecticidal toxin protein of CAB530 isolate showed a band at 130 kDa that is similar pattern with B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki that took insecticidal activity against S. exigua. Otherwise, the crystal protein of the CAB530 isolate was conformed at 65 kDa level after 30 minute of incubation in S. exigua midgut juice. Six crystal genes (cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1C, cry1D, cry1F and cry1I) were identified by PCR. It different from genes of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. Crystal shape and pattern of toxin protein was similar with B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, however, insecticidal activity and PCR result of CAB530 isolate was similar with B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.286-294
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of enhancing the functional compounds in apple and pear pomace (APP) by fermentation with mycelia from the mushroom Lentinula edodes. A 30% (w/v) APP with added rice bran and Biji was fermented with L. edodes at $24^{\circ}C$ and 80% humidity. The cellulase and pectinase activities in the fermented APP (FAPP) were higher than those in the non-fermented control. In addition, the physiological activities of the FAPP, including DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging, and SOD-like activity, as well as the total polyphenol and ${\beta}-glucan$ contents were higher than those in the control. FAPP treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) levels in Raw 264.7 cell. Therefore, FAPP treatment was considered to more effectively suppress cell injury caused by inflammatory cytokines through inhibition of LPS-induced NO production. These results suggest that the levels of functional components in APP can be increased by fermentation with this mushroom mycelium. However, further studies are needed before it can be used as a functional material.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2008

Purpose: The most concerning issue in children with urinary tract infection(UTI) is the probability of underlying genitourinary anomalies and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which is frequently associated with renal scarring and eventually end-stage renal disease. Therefore, voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) is usually recommended at the earliest convenient time for children with UTI. However, VCUG is an invasive procedure that requires catheterization and exposure to X-ray. In this study, we aimed to determine the predictability of clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters for VUR in children with UTI. Methods: Data of children with bacteriologically proven UTI who underwent VCUG were evaluated retrospectively for clinical(age, gender, fever), laboratory(leukocytosis, ESR, CRP, pyuria, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine) and imaging(renal ultrasound and DMSA renal scan) findings. First, children with UTI were divided into two groups according to the presence of VUR as non-VUR group and with VUR group, and clinical, laboratory variables were compared between these groups. Second, patients who had VUR were reclassified as low-grade VUR(grade I-II) group and high-grade(grade III-V) VUR group according to grading of VUR, and clinical, laboratory and imaging variables were compared between these groups. Results: Among 410 children with UTI, 137 had VUR and 78 high-grade VUR. Fever, leukocytosis, ESR, CRP, pyuria were associated with VUR. In addition, abnormal findings of ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan were closely related to VUR. However, these clinical and laboratory variable in patients with high grade VUR were not different significantly, compared to those with low-grade VUR group. Conclusion: Fever, leukocytosis, ESR, CRP seems to be potentially useful predictors of VUR in pediatric patients with UTI. In addition, renal ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan findings supported the presence of VUR. Further study of these findings could limit unnecessary VCUG in patients with UTI.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2014

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and explore the appropriate number of treatment for postmenopausal women diagnosed with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension. Methods : A 4-arm randomized open label pilot trial will be performed at 2 centers. Sixty participants will be divided into 2 treatment groups and 2 control groups. Treatment groups will receive acupuncture at 8 points(bilateral GB20, LI11, ST36, SP6) for 4 weeks(treatment group A, 10 total sessions) or 8 weeks(treatment group B, 20 total sessions), while maintaining usual care. Control groups will not receive acupuncture but will be under usual care for 16 weeks(control group C) or 20 weeks(control group D). Each patient's living habits will be corrected and drugs that may affect blood pressure(BP) will be prohibited. Treatment group A and control group C will be evaluated at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after randomization, while treatment group B and control group D will be evaluated at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks after randomization. The major outcome variable is the magnitude of change in diastolic BP levels at 4 weeks after randomization; auxiliary outcome variables are (1) diastolic BP change at 8, 16, and 20 weeks, (2) systolic BP change, (3) BP control rate, (4) lipid profiles, and (5) high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Patient safety will be assessed at every visit. Results and Conclusions : The study findings may help develop evidence for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for BP control.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.130-134
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• 2016

How does $CO_2$ affect on the stomatal mechanism? The mechanism of stomatal opening by $CO_2$ is not clear as it is difficult to see $CO_2$ effect on light-induced stomatal opening. Furthermore, stomata may react differently according to the concentration of $CO_2$. The significance of the possible endogenous rhythms must consider to understand on $CO_2$-related response. It is clear that $CO_2$ has an effect on the accumulation of osmotic materials which determines the degree of stomatal apertures because it is known that stomata open in the condition of the reduced $CO_2$ concentration. However, it is not fully understood how $CO_2$ leads to the stomatal opening. It has been thought that $CO_2$ can not affect on the ion fluxes which determines the increase of osmotic potential in guard cells. However, in this study, the changes of guard cell membrane permeability by $CO_2$ have been focused on. There are many reports that $CO_2$ related reactions are dominant when the leaf is exposed to certain a mount of $CO_2$. The hypothesis of the stomatal opening by light is based on the increase of osmotic materials in guard cells including $K^+$, $Cl^-$, sucrose and $malate^{2-}$. It was reported that $CO_2$ induced a big hyperpolarization indicating that $H^+$ was extruded to the cell outside. It was also found that $CO_2$ caused guard cell membrane hyperpolarization in the intact leaf up to 3 or 4 times higher than that of light induced membrane hyperpolarization. These results represent that $CO_2$ can affect on the change of physical characteristics which affects on the change of the membrane permeability.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.522-534
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• 1995

Background: In the pathogenesis of acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS), oxygen radiclls are known to be involved in one part. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) protects oxygen radical-induced tissue damage by dismutating superoxide to hydrogen peroxide. In eukaryotic cells, two forms of SOD exist intracellularly as a cytosolic, dimeric copper/zinc-containing SOD(CuZnSOD) and a mitochondrial, tetrameric manganese-containing SOD(MnSOD). But there has been little information about SOD gene expression and its regulation in pulmonary alveolar macrophages(PAMs). The objective of this study is to evaluate the SOD gene expression induced by LPS and its regulation in PAMs of rat. Method: In Sprague-Dawley rats, PAMs obtained by broncholaveolar lavage were purified by adherence to plastic plate. To study the effect of LPS on the SOD gene expression of PAMs, they were stimulated with different doses of LPS($0.01{\mu}g/ml{\sim}10{\mu}g/ml$) and for different intervals(0, 2, 4, 8, 24hrs). Also for evaluating the level of SOD gene regulation actinomycin D(AD) or cycloheximide(CHX) were added respectively. To assess whether LPS altered SOD mRNA stability, the rate of mRNA decay was determined in control group and LPS-treated group. Total cellular RNA extraction by guanidinium thiocyanate/phenolfchlorofonn method and Northern blot analysis by using a $^{32}P$-labelled rat MnSOD and CuZnSOD cDNAs were performed. Results: The expression of mRNA in MnSOD increased dose-dependently, but not in CuZnSOD. MnSOD mRNA expression peaked at 8 hours after LPS treatment. Upregulation of MnSOD mRNA expression induced by LPS was suppressed by adding AD or CHX respectively. MnSOD mRNA stability was not altered by LPS. Conclusion: These findings show that PAMs of rat could be an important source of SOD in response to LPS, and suggest that their MnSOD mRNA expression may be regulated transcriptionally and require de novo protein synthesis without affecting mRNA stability.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.135-149
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• 2003

Domestic zeolite ores are mostly composed of Ca-type clinoptilolite, accompanying a little amounts of mordenite. However, other types of zeolite ores rich in ferrierite, heulandite, or mordenite are less commonly found. Based on the quantitative XRD analysis, zeolite contents are determined to be nearly 50∼90 wt%. Impurities (mostly ＞ 10 wt%) in the zeolite ores chiefly consist of quartz, feldspar, smectite, and opal-CT. The determined CEC values ($CEC_{AA}$ ) of powdery samples (grain size: < 125 $\mu\textrm{m}$) of zeolite ores by the Ammonium Acetate method are mostly higher than 100 meq/100 g. Some zeolites from the Guryongpo area, corresponding to the clinoptilolite ore, are measured to be dominantly high in CEC values ranging 170∼190 meq/100 g. Cation exchange property of the zeolite ores varies greatly depending on the types or zeolite species present in the ores. Despite of the lower grade in zeolite content, the $CEC_{AA}$ of ferrierite ore is comparatively high. Compared to this, the $CEC_{AA }$ of heulandite ore is very low, though the zeolite ore exhibits the highest grade ranging up to about 90 wt%. In addition, the CEC values calculated theoretically from the framework composition of clinoptilolite-heulandite series are not consistent with those determined by the cation exchage experiment. The measured $CEC_{AA}$ of clinoptilolite ores are generally higher than those of heulandite ores. This may be due to the higher Ca abundance in exchangeable cation composition and the presence of probable stacking faults in heulandite. The variation of $CEC_{CEC}$ is roughly proportional, though not strictly compatible, to the zeolite contents in clinoptilolite ores. It seems to be caused by the fact that the $CEC_{AA}$ of clinoptilolite locally varies depending on crystal-chemical diversity, i. e., the variation in framework composition (Si/Al) and exchangeable cation composition (especially, the contents of Ca and K). In addition, the determined CEC values ($CEC_{MB}$ ) of zeolite ores by the Methylene Blue method are much higher than those calculated from smectite contents. It suggests a probable reaction of Methylene Blue ion ($C_{16}$ $H_{18}$ $N_3$S+) with larger-pore zeolites than clinoptlolite-heulandite series, i.e., ferrierite and mordenite as well as with smectite. This can be supported by the fact that the ferrierite ore accompanying little amount of smectite has the highest value in CE $C_{MB}$ .

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.114-119
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the result of arthroscopic treatment in septic knee arthritis and evaluate the prognostic factor over 50 years old. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients were treated by arthroscope for septic knee arthritis from January, 2002 to August, 2005. The mean follow-up period was 27.5months. We assessed Lysholm score as functional result, CRP normalized period as laboratory result, and knee range of motion as clinical result. We evaluated patient's age, underlying disease, causative organism, previous knee status (Kellgren stage), clinical status of septic arthritis (G$\ddot{a}$chter stage) and history of intra-articular injection as prognostic factor. Results: Mean Lysholm score was improved from 40.7 to 67.1. And the mean CRP normalized period was 38.7days. At last follow-up, almost patient (92%) were recovered to prior knee full range of motion and 45 patient (74%) were completely cured by one stage operation. The microorganism isolated were MSSA (n=13), MSSE (n=3), MRSA/MRSE (n=4),no microorganism (n=27) and others (n=5). In Lysholm score, young age (42.8(preop.)$\rightarrow$83.5(postop.)), Kellgren stage 0 ($45.5{\rightarrow}84.2$), G$\ddot{a}$chter stage I ($39.3{\rightarrow}73.1$) and no microorganism (442.1{\rightarrow}72.6$) were more increased than old age (439.3{\rightarrow}61.7$), Kellgren IV ($28.3{\rightarrow}43.7$), G$\ddot{a}$chter stage IV ($40.2{\rightarrow}67.1$) and MRSA/MRSE ($40{\rightarrow}58.75$). In case of old age (42.3days), G$\ddot{a}$chter stage IV (55.5), Kellgren stage IV(43.7), DM patient (42.1) and intra-articular injection history (52.1), the CRP titer normalized period was longer than mean period. MRSA/MRSE(n=3,75%) were not normalized in CRP titer at last follow-up. Conclusion: Arthroscopic treatment of septic knee would be an effective and satisfactory procedure. Age, previous knee status (Kellgren stage), underlying disease (DM), intra-articular injection history, microorganism and Ga¨chter stage effect end result outcome.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the clinical features and determinants of macrolide-unresponsive Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MUMP) and to assess the differences in the time to fever resolution between doxycycline (DXC), tosufloxacin (TFX) and corticosteroid (CST) as second-line treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients under the age of 18 who were admitted to Nowon Eulji University Hospital between July 2018 and February 2020, diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia. Macrolide resistance was confirmed by detecting point mutations in the 23S rRNA gene. MUMP was clinically defined by persistent fever (≥38.0℃) lasting for 72 hours or more after the initiation of macrolide treatment. In cases of MUMP, patients were treated with an addition of CST, or the initial macrolide was replaced either DXC or TFX. Results: Out of 157 cases of mycoplasma pneumonia, 83 cases (52.9%) did not respond to macrolides. Patients with MUMP exhibited significantly higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (3.2±3.0 vs. 2.4±2.2 mg/dL, P=0.047), more frequent lobar/segmental infiltrations or pleural effusions (56.6% vs. 27.0%, P<0.001; 6.0% vs. 0.0%, P=0.032), and a higher prevalence of 23S rRNA gene mutations (96.4% vs. 64.6%, P<0.001) when compared to those with macrolide-susceptible M. pneumoniae pneumonia. In terms of second-line treatment, 15 patients (18.1%) responded to CST, 30 (36.1%) to DXC, and 38 (45.8%) to TFX. The time to defervescence (TTD) after initiation second-line treatment was significantly shorter in the CST group compared to the DXC (10.3±12.7 vs. 19.4±17.2 hours, P=0.003) and TFX groups (10.3±12.7 vs. 25.0±20.1 hours, P=0.043), with no significant difference observed between the DXC and TFX groups (19.4±17.2 vs. 25.0±20.1 hours, P=0.262). Conclusions: High CRP levels, the presence of positive 23S rRNA gene mutation, lobar or segmental lung infiltration, and pleural effusion observed in chest X-ray findings were significant factors associated with macrolide unresponsiveness. In this study, CST demonstrated a shorter TTD compared to DXC or TFX. Further, larger-scale prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal second-line treatment for MUMP.