• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-145
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• 2007

To evaluate the effects of GP on contact dermatitis, we examined the composition of immune cells from drain lymph node in DNCB-induced contact dermatitis murine model NC/Nga mice. And the amount of pathologic cytokines of spleen and antioxidant activity were investigated. The results were summarized as followers; 1. GP did not show cytotoxic effect on mLFC in vitro. 2. GP did not have hepatotoxicity in vivo in the level of ALT, AST. 3. GP decreased the production of DPPH and in a dose-dependent. 4. GP significantly decreased total cell number of DLN in DNCB-induced NC/Nga mice compared to the untreated control group. 5. GP significantly decreased the number of CD3+, CD19+, CD4+, CD8+, CD3+/CD69+ and CD4+/CD45+ in DLN of DNCB-induced NC/Nga mice compared to the untreated control group. 6. GP significantly reduced the level of IL-4 and IFN-$\gamma$ in splenocytes of DNCB-induced NC/Nga mice compared to the untreated control group. Taken together above results, GP have therapeutic effects on contact dermatitis by regulating T cell activation. This study warranted further investigations of molecular mechanisms of GP on contact dermatitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.335-341
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• 2024

Objectives: Patients with cancer eventually fail to respond to therapy when malignant cells develop effective ways to evade immunosurveillance. Conventional cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, aim to cure the disease or prolong the patient's life. However, the toxicity and side effects of conventional treatments limit their efficacy. Herbal medicine is a typical complementary and integrative form of medicine for cancer treatment in Asia. This protocol evaluates the effectiveness of herbal medicines in improving the immune function of patients with cancer. Methods: The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via Elsevier, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korean databases including Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). Additionally, prospective randomized controlled trials that evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicines on immune function in patients with cancer will be included in this review. All outcomes related to the immune function of patients with cancer (e.g., CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19 (B cells), dendritic cells (CD11), CD56 (NK cells), and macrophages) will be included in this review. Results: This review is expected to provide data on the effectiveness of herbal medicines on improving immune functions in patients with cancers. Conclusion: This systematic review will help patients and clinicians establish new management options for cancer treatment.

• Plant Resources
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 1998

Laboratory experiments for the removal efficiency of heavy metals in land application of sludge, the accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in x plants after transplanting, and the responses of Minari growth with different ratio of land application of sludge were conducted to determine the potential ability of bioremediation with Minari plants. The removal rate and translocation of copper. zinc. lead. and cadmium in soil and plants were compared after transplanting the Minari plants to soil treated with different ratio of sludge. The removal efficiency of heavy metals in soil incorporated with sludge was different with application ratio, but increased with growing periods of Minari plants. The removal efficiency of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd ranged from 67 to 74% from 51% to 63%, from 37% to 71%. and from 15% to 25% after 45 days of transplanting. respectively. The amount removed the copper value. 65.9 mg/kg, observed to be highest in soil incorporated 3% sludge after 45 days. The translocation of Cu. Zn. Pb. and Cd from shoots to roots ranged from 18 to 53%, from 17 to 32%, from 14 to 49%, and from 23 to 38% over growing periods. respectively. In plant responses it appeared to be inhibited the plant growth in the treatment compared with the control at early stage of growth. However, the fresh weights of Minari plant increased from 12.5 to 62.5% in the sludge application after 45 days relative to the control. Therefore the Minari might play a useful role in bioremediation of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in the land application of sludge.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of vitamin E on the cadmium contents of bone and on the calcium and phosphorous contents of the blood, urine and feces. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one normal group and three cadmium poisoned groups. The cadmium poisoned groups consisted of a vitamin E free diet (Cd-0E) group; a 40 mg vitamin E /kg diet (Cd-40E) group; and a 400 mg/kg diet (Cd-400E) group. Experimental animals were maintained on their respective diets for 20 weeks and were simultaneously administered 50 ppm $Cd^{2+}$ dissolved in the drinking water. At the end of the trial, the average hematocrit value in the Cd-0E group was 28.13% lower than in the normal group. However, the average hematocrit value in the Cd-400E group was significantly higher than in the Cd-0E and Cd-40E groups. WBC levels in the cadmium-poisoned groups were lower than in the normal group, but Cd-400E group levels were significantly higher than in the Cd-0E and Cd-40E groups. The contents of calcium of tibia has no significant difference between normal group and cadmium exposed group at $10^{th}$ week After 20 weeks, the calcium contents of the tibia in the Cd-0E and Cd-40E groups were lower than in the normal group by 25.5% and 22.1 %, respectively, although the calcium contents of the tibia in the Cd-400E group were higher than in the normal group. After 10 weeks, the calcium contents of the femur in the Cd-0E and Cd-40E groups were 19.25% and 15.45% lower than in the normal group, respectively, but the calcium contents of the femur in the Cd-400E group were at the same levels as in the normal group. The levels of calcium in the femur after 20 weeks were similar to the 10-week levels. Calcium levels of the urine in the Cd-0E and Cd-40E groups were 3.92 fold and 2.92 fold higher, respectively, than in the normal group, but levels in the Cd-400E group were significantly lower than in either the Cd-0E group or the Cd-40E group. Calcium levels of the feces in cadmium-poisoned groups were significantly higher than in the normal group, although levels in the Cd-400E group were significantly lower than in the Cd-0E and Cd-40E groups. Phosphorous levels of the blood in the Cd-0E group were 17% lower than in the normal group, although levels in the Cd-400E group were significantly higher than in the Cd-0E group. Phosphorous levels of the urine in the Cd-0E and Cd-40E groups were significantly higher than in the normal group, while Cd-400E group levels were found to be at the same level as in the normal group. Cadmium contents of the tibia in the Cd-40E and Cd-400E groups were 13% and 17% lower, respectively, than in the Cd-0E group. Regarding cadmium levels in the femur, only the Cd-400E group achieved lower levels (10% lower) than the Cd-0E group. In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation resulted in a suppression of the release of calcium from bone, and a reduction in the excretion of calcium via the urine and feces, thus having a normalizing effect on calcium metabolism in rats with chronic cadmium poisoning.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.37-45
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• 2017

Objectives Hataedock is an orally-administered herbal extract that used to treat toxic heat and help excrete meconium accumulates in the fetus from pregnancy. This study compared the effects of Hataedock using the extract of Douchi and omega-3 to control inflammation in the colonic mucosa. Methods NC/Nga mice were divided into three groups; Control group (no treatment), FGT group (given the extract of Douchi), and O3T group (given omega-3). The 3-week-old mouse from each group were given the extract of Douchi and omega-3. After 2 weeks, the colonic mucosa tissues of the mice were observed via Immunohistochemical staining for IL-4, IL-13, CD40, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, $p-I{\kappa}B$, EGF in the intestinal mucosa. Results In both FGT and O3T group, IL-4, IL-13, STAT-6 levels and CD40-positive reactions were decreased. However, EGF-positive responses were increased. FGT group showed 35% decrease in IL-4, 45% decrease in IL-13, 48% decrease in CD40, 50% decrease in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, 54% decrease in $p-I{\kappa}B$, 52% increase in EGF compared to the control group. O3T group also showed 14% decrease in IL-4, 23% decrease in IL-13, 22% decrease in CD40, 29% decrease in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, 41% decrease in $p-I{\kappa}B$, 39% increase in EGF compared to the control group. Conclusions Both early administration of Douchi extract and omega-3 were effective in regulating Th2, relieving inflammation and developing colonic mucosal tissues. Hataedock with Douchi extract may be more effective in modulating immune system in colonic mucosa than omega-3.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.248-253
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• 2014

Objective : Cortical dysplasia (CD) is one of the common causes of epilepsy surgery. However, surgical outcome still remains poor, especially with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), despite the advancement of neuroimaging techniques and expansion of surgical indications. The aim of this study was to focus on surgical strategies in terms of extent of resection to improve surgical outcome in the cases of FLE with CD. Methods : A total of 11 patients of FLE were selected among 67 patients who were proven pathologically as CD, out of a total of 726 epilepsy surgery series since 1992. This study categorized surgical groups into three according to the extent of resection : 1) focal corticectomy, 2) regional corticectomy, and 3) partial functional lobectomy, based on the preoperative evaluation, in particular, ictal scalp EEG onset and/or intracranial recordings, and the lesions in high-resolution MRI. Surgical outcome was assessed following Engel's classification system. Results : Focal corticectomy was performed in 5 patients and regional corticectomy in another set of 5 patients. Only 1 patient underwent partial functional lobectomy. Types I and II CD were detected with the same frequency (45.45% each) and postoperative outcome was fully satisfactory (91%). Conclusion : The strategy of epilepsy surgery is to focus on the different characteristics of each individual, considering the extent of real resection, which is based on the focal ictal onset consistent with neuroimaging, especially in the practical point of view of neurosurgery.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2019

Objectives: The hazardous heavy metal contents of cosmetics were investigated and the resulting values were compared by type of cosmetics: skin care preparations (SCP), hair preparations (HP), makeup preparations (MP), and eye makeup preparations (EMP). Methods: The hazardous heavy metal contents (Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni and Hg) were analyzed for 358 cosmetics products (187 SCP, 82 HP, 56 MP, and 33 EMP). Hg was measured by the amalgamation method, and other hazardous heavy metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) after decomposition using the microwave method. Results: The mean contents of Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni, and Hg in cosmetics were 0.424, 0.068, 0.024, 0.398, $0.567{\mu}/g$, and Not Detected, respectively. All of the hazardous heavy metals were detected in most products, but below the recommended maximums of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The level of Cd was the lowest at 14.8%, and Sb was the highest at 41.2%. Pb, Sb and Ni showed the highest mean value and detection rate in EMP. As, Cd, and Hg showed the highest in SCP, HP, and MP, respectively. Conclusion: Hazardous heavy metals were detected in most products. In particular, Pb, Sb, and Ni were broadly detected in EMP, meaning more stringent quality control is required.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.57-67
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• 2022

CZT detectors, which are compound semiconductors that have been widely used recently for gamma-ray detection purposes, are difficult to detect neutrons because direct interaction with them does not occur unlike gamma-rays. In this paper, a method of detecting and determining energy levels (fast neutrons and thermal neutrons) of neutrons, in addition of identifying energy and nuclide of gamma-rays, and evaluating gamma dose rates using a CZT semiconductor detector is described. Neutrons may be detected by a secondary photoelectric effect or compton scattering process with a characteristic gamma-ray of 558.6 keV generated by a capture reaction (¹¹³Cd + ¹n → ¹¹⁴Cd + 𝛾) with cadmium (Cd) in the CZT detector. However, in the case of fast neutrons, the probability of capture reaction with cadmium (Cd) is very low, so it must be moderated to thermal neutrons using a moderator and the material and thickness of moderator should be determined in consideration of the portability and detection efficiency of the equipment. Conversely, in the case of thermal neutrons, the detection efficiency decreases due to shielding effect of moderator itself, so additional CZT detector that do not contain moderator must be configured. The CZT detector that does not contain moderator can be used to evaluate energy, nuclide, and gamma dose-rate for gamma-rays. The technology proposed in this paper provides a method for detecting both neutrons and gamma-rays using a CZT detector.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.367-375
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• 2022

Gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) are a major cause of radioresistance and chemoresistance in gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, targeting GCSCs is regarded as a powerful strategy for the effective treatment of GC. Atorvastatin is a widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drug that inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway. The anticancer activity of atorvastatin, a repurposed drug, is being investigated; however, its therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of action against GCSCs remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of atorvastatin on MKN45-derived GCSCs. Atorvastatin significantly inhibited the proliferative and tumorsphere-forming abilities of MKN45 GCSCs in a mevalonate pathway-independent manner. Atorvastatin induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and promoted apoptosis by activating the caspase cascade. Furthermore, atorvastatin exerted an antiproliferative effect against MKN45 GCSCs by inhibiting the expression of cancer stemness markers, such as CD133, CD44, integrin α6, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1, Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog, through the downregulation of β-catenin, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and protein kinase B activities. Additionally, the combined treatment of atorvastatin and sorafenib, a multi-kinase targeted anticancer drug, synergistically suppressed not only the proliferation and tumorsphere formation of MKN45 GCSCs but also the in vivo tumor growth in a chick chorioallantoic membrane model implanted with MKN45 GCSCs. These findings suggest that atorvastatin can therapeutically eliminate GCSCs.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.539-543
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• 2006

We investigated Cd and Pb accumulation levels in tissues of 25 individuals of three species of loons wintering in coastal areas of Busan, Korea. Their liver, muscle, kidney and bone tissues were analyzed for Cd and Pb concentrations. Significant difference of Cd and Pb concentrations was not found among the three species (p>0.05). Individual Cd values ranged from 0.02 to $18.3{\mu}g/g$. Cd concentrations were highest in kidney and lowest in bone. Levels (3.45$\sim$6.34 ${\mu}g/g$) of all the analyzed liver Cd were similar in comparison with those (ND$\sim$7.11${\mu}g/g$) reported for the loons in different areas. All but one (Gavia arctica) of kidney Cd levels were lower than the exposed level (>30 ${\mu}g/g$). Individual Pb values ranged from 0.03 to 1.49 ${\mu}g/g$. Pb concentrations were highest in bone and lowest in muscle. Liver Pb levels in this study were similar to those of normal loons reported from different countries. Based on hepatic Pb levels, almost all of the samples were classified as background level (0.15$\sim$3.0 ${\mu}g/g$).