• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.416-424
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• 1995

Mechanism of the cyclodextrin (CD) production reaction by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) using swollen extrusion starch as substrate was investigated emphasizing the structural features of starch granule. The degree of gelatinization was identified to be the most representative structural characteristic of swollen starch. The most suitable degree of gelatinization of swollen starch for CD production was around 63.52%. The structural transformation of starch granule during enzyme reaction was also followed by measuring the changes of the degree of gelatinization, microcrystallinity, and accessible and inaccessible portion to CGTase action of residual swollen starch. The adsorption phenomenon of CGTase to swollen starch was also examined under various conditions. The inhibition mechanism of CGTase by various CDs was identified to be competitive, most severely by a-CD. The mechanism elucidated will be used for development of a kinetic model describes CD production reaction in heterogeneous enzyme reaction system utilizing swollen extrusion starch.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.825-830
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• 2009

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Calendula officinalis extract (CE) on the activation of murine lymphocytes and macrophages. CE was administered p.o. once a day for 7 days at the concentration of 500 mg/kg. The administration of CE increased the viability of thymocytes, but decreased the viability of splenocytes. Also, CE increased the viability of thymocytes and splenocytes at the concentration of $5{\mu}g$/ml in vitro. The administration of CE did not affect the population of thymic $CD4^+$/$CD8^+$ cells and splenic $CD4^+$/$CD8^+$ cells. Furthermore, the administration of CE enhanced the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, but decreased the phagocytic activity in vitro. CE decreased the production of nitric oxide from peritoneal macrophages in vivo and in vitro system. These results suggest that CE enhance of cell viability by a direct influence on thymocytes and phagocytic activity by an indirect influence on peritoneal macrophages.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2008

Bone marrow (BM) cell harvesting is a crucial element in the isolation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). A simple method for harvesting cat BM cells is described. The results show that a large number of BM cells can rapidly be harvested from the cat by this simple procedure. MSCs prepared by density-gradient method were spindle-shaped morphology with bipolar or polygonal cell bodies and strongly positive for CD9 and CD44 and negative for CD18 and CD45-like. They were capable of differentiation to adipocytic and osteocytic phenotypes when exposed to appropriate induction media. The advantages of this method are its rapidity, simplicity, low invasiveness, and low donor attrition and good outcome.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-29
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• 2014

Objectives Dictamni Radicis Cortex extracts (DRC) has been known to suppress allergic reaction, however the cellular target of DRC and its mode of action remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Dictamni Radicis Cortex extracts on DNCB induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions of NC/Nga mouse. Methods This study was designed to investigate the effects of DRC extract in the DNP-IgE-induced activation of MC/9 murine mast cell lines in vitro and in the DNCB-induced activation of NC/Nga mouse in vivo. For this investigation, We examined IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ and GM-CSF mRNA expression by Real-time PCR, IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production by ELISA analysis and manifestations of NFAT1, NFAT2, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 transcription factors by western blotting in vitro. Then, we examined WBC, eosinophil and neutrophil in NC/Nga mouse, IL-5, IL-13 in serum, IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4 in the spleenocyte culture supernatant, the absolute cell numbers of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $^+Gr-1^+CD11b$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the ALN, PBMCs and dorsal skin, IL-5, IL-13 in the dorsal skin by Real-time PCR and the distribution of mast cells by H&E and toluidine blue. Results In vitro the mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$, GM-CSF and IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production by ELISA analysis were completely abolished by DRC and the western blot analysis decreased the expression of mast cell-specific transcription factors including NFAT-1, NF-${\kappa}B$ p65. In vivo DRC oral adminstration also decreased the counts of WBC, eosinophils and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-13 and IgE in the serum. DRC oral adminstration elevated IL-4 level in the spleenocyte culture supernatant. DRC oral adminstration decreased total ALN cells, total skin cells, cell numbers of $CD4^+$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the ALN, $^+Gr-1^+CD11b$ in the PBMCs and $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$ in the dorsal skin. The mRNA expression of IL-5, IL-13, thickness of epidermis, inflammation immune cells and mast cells were abolished by DRC in the dorsal skin. Conclusions Histological examination showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in the skin of AD-induced NC/Nga mouse were much improved by DRC oral adminstration. These results, therefore, suggest that DRC can regulate molecular mediators and immune cells that are functionally associated with atopic dermatitis induced in NC/Nga mouse, and may play an important role in recovering AD symptoms.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 1997

The concentrations in women's hair of essential and toxic elements such as Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Pb and Cd in residential and factory areas in Pusan were determined, and all the elements were detected from all the samples. It was apparent that employees working in factory areas in Pusan were exposed directly to the essential and toxic heavy matals. This is based on the fact that average concentrations of Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Cd in hair samples from women aged 10 to 29 in factory area, who were considered to be main members among women employees, were much higher than those of residential areas. That is, the highest concentrations found in the hair samples taken from women 10 to 29 years old living in factory areas were 110 times higher in Cr (in the women in their 20's), 92 times higher in Pb (in the women in their teens) and 23 times higher in Cd (in the women in their 20's) than those living in residential areas. Furthermore, it was suggested that the heavy metals may be accumulated gradually in human bodies as humans get older, based on the fact that the concentrations of Cr, Pb, and Cd in women living in residential areas were higher in older age groups, although the average contents of these elements in residents from residential areas were similar with those of several foreign countries.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1532-1540
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• 2013

T-box transcription factor 2 (Tbr2) is a member of the T-box family of transcription factors and it plays an important role in brain development, progenitor cell proliferation, and the modulation of differentiation and function in immune cells, such as CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells. This study aims to elucidate the involvement of Tbr2 in the pathophysiological events following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in mice. Status epilepticus resulted in prominent neuronal cell death in discrete brain regions, such as CA3, the hilus, and the piriform cortex. Interestingly, when the immunoreactivity of Tbr2 was examined two days after status epilepticus, it was transiently increased in CA3 and in the piriform cortex. Tbr2-positive cells in CA3 and the piriform cortex were double-labeled with CD11b, a marker of microglia and a subset of white blood cells, such as monocytes, CD8+ T cells, and natural killer cells. Moreover, the double-labeled cells with Tbr2 and CD11b showed amoeboid morphology, and this data indicates that Tbr2-expressing cells may be reactive microglia or infiltrating white blood cells. Furthermore, clustered Tbr2-positive cells were observed in the platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1)-positive blood vessels near the CA3 area, which suggests that Tbr2-positive cells may be infiltrating the white blood cells. Based on this data, this study is the first to indicate the involvement of Tbr2 in neuropathophysiology in status epilepticus.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.336-347
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• 1985

Soils and rice plants subject to smoke from the Jang-hang Smelter were samples at two depths to assess the nature and extend of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contamination, particularly with respect to distance from pollution source. Soils at east site within 1km of the center of the smelter were highly contaminated with Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Metal levels in the smoke-polluted area were higher in surface soil than in subsurface soil, and decreased rapidly with distance reaching nearly background levels at 5km from pollution source. A position correlation was found between contents of total and 0.1 N HCl-extractable, or 1.0N $CH_3COONH_4$- extractable heavy metals in surface soils of pollution. Contents of heavy metals in soils were positively correlated with soil organic matter and cation exchange capacity. The contents of heavy metals in brown rice collected from the paddy field around the Jang-hang Smelter were in the range of 0.23-1.33 ppm for Cd, 2.39-6.25 for Cu, 0.95-8.32 ppm for Pb and 14.60-27.31 for Zn. The contents of Cd, Cu, and Zn in rice straw were positively correlated with those in the brown rice. Negative correlation was found between the contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in brown rice and the distance from the source.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2008

Objectives : The present study was to investigate the effect of extract of Chelidonii herba (ECH) on the proliferation and activation of eosinophils which were prepared from lung cells of asthma-induced mouse by ovalbumin (OVA) treatment. Methods : C57BL/6 mouse was exposed to OVA three times a week for 6 weeks. The mouse lung tissues were dissected out, chopped and dossiciated with collagenase (1 ${\mu}g$/ml). Eosinophils were activated by rIL-3/rmIL-5 co-treatments. The lung cells were treated with ECH, incubated for 48 hr at $37^{\circ}C$, and analyzed by flow cytometery, ELISA, RT-PCR, and immuno-histochemical analysis. Results : In FACS analysis, number of granulocyte/lymphocyte, $CD3e^-$/$CCR3^+$, $CD3e^+$/$CD69^+$, $CD4^+$ and $CD23^+$/$B220^+$ in asthma-induced lung cells were significantly decreased by ECH treatment compared to the control group. And mRNA expression for IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, CCR3 and eotaxin in asthma-induced lung cells, which was induced by rIL-3 plus rmIL-5 treatments, was significantly decreased by ECH treatment. In ELISA analysis, production levels of IL-3, IL-5, IL-13 and histamine in asthma-induced lung cells, which were induced by rIL-3 plus rmIL-5 co-treatment, were significantly decreased by ECH treatment. ECH treatments significantly inhibited the proliferation of eosinohils prepared from asthma-induced mouse lung tissues compared to the non-ECH treated control cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ECH treatment significantly decreased the levels of eosipnphil activation compared to non-treated cells. Conclusions : The present data suggested that Chelidonium majus L. may have an effect on the inhibition of parameters associated with asthma responses in eosinpophils, and thus implicate the possibility for the clinical application of Chelidonium majus L.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.190-201
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• 2010

Fine particulate matter < $1.8{\mu}m$ was collected as a slurry using the Semicontinuous Elements in Aerosol Sampler with time resolution of 30-min between May 23 and 27, 2002 at the Sydney Supersite, Florida, USA. Concentrations of 11 elements, i.e., Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn, in the collected slurry samples were determined off-line by simultaneous multi-element graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Temporal profiles of $SO_2$ and elemental concentrations combined with meteorological parameters such as wind direction and wind speed indicate that some transient events in their concentrations are highly correlated with the periods when the plume from an animal feed supplement processing facility influenced the Sydney sampling site. The peaking concentrations of the elemental species during the transient events varied clearly as the plume intensity varied, but the relative concentrations for As, Cr, Pb, and Zn with respect to Cd showed almost consistent values. During the transient events, metal concentrations increased by factors of >10~100 due to the influence of consistent plumes from an individual stationary source. Also the multi-variate air dispersion receptor model, which was previously developed by Park et al. (2005), was applied to ambient $SO_2$ and 8 elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn) measurements between 20:00 May 23 and 09:30 May 24 when winds blew from between 70 and $85^{\circ}$, in which animal feed processing plant is situated, to determine emission and ambient source contributions rates of $SO_2$ and elements from one animal feed processing plant. Agreement between observed and predicted $SO_2$ concentrations was excellent (R of 0.99; and their ratio, $1.09{\pm}0.35$) when one emission source was used in the model. Average ratios of observed and predicted concentrations for As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn varied from $0.83{\pm}0.26$ for Pb to $1.12{\pm}0.53$ for Cd.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.443-451
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• 2009

Soyangin-Hyeongbangpaedok-san(SHBPDS) is used for treating upper respiratory infections, In an effort to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of SHBPDS, we measured production of several cytokines and immunoglobulin in various immune cells. SHBPDS decreased the secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$, but not that of IL-6 in PMA/A23187 stimulated HMC-1 cells. As for mouse B cells, it induced proliferation and caused differential effects in expressions of surface IgE as determined by flow cytometry and secretions of IgE, IgG1, ILA and INF-${\gamma}$as measured by ELISA but showed little change in CD23 or CD69 expression. SHBPDS increased proliferation in anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulated CD4 Th cells. Under the Th1/Th2 polarization conditions, SHBPDS at 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ suppressed the secretion of INF-${\gamma}$ and IL-4. Based on the above results, we conclude that SHBPDS has antiinflammatory activities in mast cells and different immunomodulatroy effects in B cells and Th cells.