• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.333-339
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• 2005

B/K protein is a novel protein containing double C2-like domains. We examined the specific signaling pathway that regulates the transcription of B/K in PC12 cells. When the cells were treated with forskolin ($50{\mu}M$), B/K mRNA and protein levels were time-dependently decreased, reaching the lowest level at 3 or 4 hr, and thereafter returning to the control level. Chemicals such as dibutyryl-cAMP, cellpermeable cyclic AMP (cAMP) analogue and CGS21680, adenosine receptor $A_{2A}$ agonist, also repressed the B/K transcription. However, 1,9-dideoxyforskolin did not show inhibitory effect on B/K transcription, suggesting direct involvement of cAMP in the forskolin-induced inhibition of B/K transcription. Effect of forskolin, dibutyryl cAMP and CGS21680 was significantly reduced in PKA-deficient PC12 cell line (PC12-123.7). One cAMP-response element (CRE)-like sequence (B/K CLS) was found in the promoter region of B/K DNA, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated its binding to CREM and CREB. Forskolin significantly suppressed the promoter activity in CHO-K1 cells transfected with the constructs containing B/K CLS, but not with the construct in which B/K CLS was mutated (AC：TG). Taken together, we suggest that the transcription of B/K gene in PC12 cells may be regulated by PKA-dependent mechanism.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3 s.67
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• pp.107-131
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• 2006

Background and Aims: Dansamtongmek-tang (DSTMT) and Dansamsengmek-san (DSSMS) have been used for many years as therapeutic agents for the acute stage of cerebrovascular disease, hypertension and hyperlipidemia in Oriental medicine, but the effects of DSTMT and DSSMS on hyperlipidemia and safety for cell damage are not yet well-known. This study was done to investigate the effects of DSTMT and DSSMS on hyperlipidemia. Methods: In vivo test: after administering DSTMT and DSSMS to SHR and ICR occurred hyperlipidemia for 3 weeks, we analyzed body weight, cholesterol levels. TG, HDL-chol, LDL-chol, LDH in plasma, brain, liver and kidney tissue, and DNA by RT-PCR. In vitro test: after administering DSTMT and DSSMS to human hepatocellular carcinoma in hypoxia, we observed cell cohesion by light microscope, analyzed the inflow of Ca2+ by confocal laser scanning microscope and DNA by RT-PCR. Results: DSTMT significantly decreased the levels of triglyceride and increased the levels of HDL-cholesterol in SHR, and significantly decreased the levels of LDL-cholesterol and body weight and increased the levels of HDL-cholesterol in ICR. DSSMS significantly decreased body weight, total cholesterol levels, LDL-cholesterol, LDH and cardiac risk factor (CRE) in SHR and significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, LDH and CRF in ICR. DSTMT had an effect on protecting cells from damage by inhibiting production of p53 mRNA, and in DSSMS, by inhibiting production of p53 mRNA and p21 mRNA after hypoxia. DSTMT effectively blocked off Ca2+ at low density, but DSSMS effectively blocked off Ca2+ at high density. Both DSTMT and DSSMS had an effect on inhibiting lipid metabolism by blocking off production of apo B mRNA. Conclusions: These results suggest that DSTMT and DSSMS might be usefully applied for treatment of hyperlipidemia and suppression of brain damage.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2005

Purpose: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and technical problems of the endoscopic balloon dilatation of esophageal anomalies in children. Methods: The medical records of 8 children treated by endoscopic balloon dilatation for esophageal anomalies over a 10-year period at Pusan National University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The balloon catheter (Maxforce TTS or CRE, Boston Scientific Co., USA) was positioned across the area of narrowing by direct visualization. The balloon was slowly inflated with normal saline to specified pressures for each balloon and maintained for 60 seconds and then deflated. After 60 seconds pause, the procedure was repeated with a larger sized balloon (increments of 1 mm for each subsequent dilation) till effective dilatation was confirmed by direct visualization without complications. Results: Three male and five female were included and their mean age was 4.2 years. A total of 27 (average of 3.2 per patient) dilatation were performed. Underlying diseases of patients are postoperative stricture of esophageal atresia in 3 cases, esophageal ring in 2 cases, achalasia, corrosive esophagitis and hypertensive LES in one case respectively. The size of initial dilating balloon was chosen on the basis of the diameter of the narrowing determined by endoscopy. The first dilation in patients with severe esophageal stricture was made with a 6 mm sized balloon. Complications observed were esophageal perforation and respiratory holding during the procedure in one case respectively. Successful outcome was seen in 6 patients (75%). Conclusion: Endoscopic balloon dilatation can provide a safe and effective mean of treating esophageal anomalies in children and should be considered the treatment of choice in the initial management of those cases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.188-199
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• 2002

A gene coding for xylanase from thermo-tolerant Bacillus pumilus TX703 was cloned into Escherichia coli DH5 $\alpha$ using pUC19. Among 7,400 transformants, four transformants showed clear zones on the detection agar plates containing oat-spells xylan. One of them which showed highest xylanase activity was selected and its recombinant plasmid, named pXES106, was found to carry 2.24 kb insert DNA fragment. When the nucleotide sequence of the cloned xylanase gene (xynK) was determined, xynK gene was found to consist of 1,227 base-pair open reading frame coding for a polypeptide of 409 amino acids with a deduced molecular weight of 48 kDa. The coding sequence was preceded by a putative ribosome binding site, the transcription initiation signals, and cia-acting catabolite responsive element. The deduced amino acids sequence of xylanase is similar to those of the xylanases from Hordeum vulgare (barley) and Clostridium thermocellum, with 39 and 31% identical residues, respectively. The amino acids sequence of this xylanase was quite different from those of the xylanases from other Bacillus species.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.377-385
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• 1993

Five hundred and fifty patients treated for carcinoma of the uterine cervix at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital from 1979 to 1986, were analyzed retrospectively for late bladder complications. Of them,468 patients received primary radiotherapy for the cervix cancer in intact uterus, and the other 82 patients were treated postoperatively. The cumulative incidence of radiation induced bladder complication of grade 2 or 3 was $2.5\%$ at five years. The mean bladder dose for the group of patients with complication was higher than that of the group without complication, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). But relationship between mean bladder dose and severity of complication was not found. The frequency of complication (grade I, II, III) increased as a function of radiation dose to bladder from $5.0\%$ for patients with bladder dose less than 6,500 cGy to $27.7\%$ for patients with bladder dose higher than 8,000 cGy. Among various factors, the age of patient and the distance between ovoids turned out to have significant effect on the complication.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.272-277
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• 2010

This experimental study was performed to investigate the antitumor effect of Egg white combined-Chalcanthite (InSan 4, IS4) in xenografted nude mice with NCI-H460 human lung cancer cell. We cultured NCI-H460 cell lines and xenografted them on nude mice. These mice were divided into 3 groups; group with dose of 45 mg/kg IS4 orally, group with dose of 90 mg/kg IS4 orally, and the control group. They had been raised and treated for 28 days. We checked their body weight, tumor weight and volume twice a week, and their absolute organ weight, microhistological observation and biochemical blood analysis at the final day by sacrificing them. We also calculated their tumor inhibition rate (IR), mean survival time and percent increase in life span (% ILS). In this study, we observed that all of the IS4 treated mice have tumor regression, dosage-dependently, compared to the control group. Tumor weight and volume of high dose treated mice were smallest. IR increased in IS4 in a dose-dependent manner. Mean survival time and percent increase in life span (% ILS) in high-dose IS4 treatment group were the highest of the three groups. There was no significant difference in biochemical blood analysis, alanine phopsphatase (ALP), Calcium, creatinine (CRE), alanine transferase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels. The urea nitrogen (UN) level results significantly decreased by IS4 45 and 90 mg/kg (IS4 45 mg/kg, IS4 90 mg/kg, p<0.01). IS4 may have potential anti-tumor effect in a solid tumor induced by NCI-H460 without remarkable side effects.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.33-46
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• 2020

As the fastest growing office transaction volume in Korea, there's been a need for development of indicators to accurately diagnose the office capital market. The purpose of this paper is experimentally calculate to the office price index for effective benchmark indices in Seoul. The quantitative methodology used a Case-Shiller Repeat Sales Model (1991), based on actual multiple office transaction dataset with over minimum 1,653 ㎡ from Q3 1999 to 4Q 2019 in the case of 1,536 buildings within Seoul Metropolitan. In addition, the collected historical data and spatial statistical analysis tools were treated with the SAS 9.4 and ArcGIS 10.7 programs. The main empirical results of research are briefly summarized as follows; First, Seoul office price index was estimated to be 344.3 point (2001.1Q=100.0P) at the end of 2019, and has more than tripled over the past two decades. it means that the sales price of office per 3.3 ㎡ has consistently risen more than 12% every year since 2000, which is far above the indices for apartment housing index, announced by the MOLIT (2009). Second, between quarterly and annual office price index for the two-step estimation of the MIT Real Estate Research Center (MIT/CRE), T, L, AL variables have statistically significant coefficient (Beta) all of the mode l (p<0.01). Third, it was possible to produce a more stable office price index against the basic index by using the Moore-Penrose's pseoudo inverse technique at low transaction frequency. Fourth, as an lagging indicators, the office price index is closely related to key macroeconomic indicators, such as GDP(+), KOSPI(+), interest rates (5-year KTB, -). This facts indicate that long-term office investment tends to outperform other financial assets owing to high return and low risk pattern. In conclusion, these findings are practically meaningful to presenting an new office price index that increases accuracy and then attempting to preliminary applications for the case of Seoul. Moreover, it can provide sincerely useful benchmark about investing an office and predicting changes of the sales price among market participants (e.g. policy maker, investor, landlord, tenant, user) in the future.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.321-328
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• 2008

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) on blood components and electrolytes, as well as elected tissues on mice. The mice were supplied either tap water (control group) and ERW (experimental group) for two months. There were no significant different between two groups anatomically and physiologically. In the blood electrolyte study, the experimental group had less Na and BUN compared to the control group. In the blood component study, the experimental group had less neutrophiles and the control group had more lymphocytes. In histological study, no tissue changes were noticed in various organs, including the stomach, small intestine, heart, and liver tissues. In conclusion, ERW has no noticable side affects on blood and organ tissues, and might be safe to a living body.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.39-47
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• 2011

Objective: The roots, leaves, flowers, stems and seeds of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense are often used in treatment of human diseases such as hemorrhage, blood congestion and inflammation. Focusing our attention on natural and bioavailable sources of antioxidants and anti-inflammation, we undertook to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense used as a folk medicine in Korea. Methods: The extracts of the leaves, stems, flowers, seeds and roots from C. japonicum var. ussuriense were prepared by extracting with water or 80% ethanol. Total flavonoids and polyphenols were measured by a colorimetric assay. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was analyzed by the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and Griess reagent assay. An oxidative product of nitric oxide (NO), was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The level of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured by Western blot analysis. Results: Total flavonoid and polyphenol amounts of the leaves (CLE) and flowers (CFE) showed higher than those of the seed extract (CSE), stem extract (CSTE) and roots (CRE). CLE and CFE also showed the high antioxidant activities such as DPPH, NO-like and ABTS radical scavenging activity. An antioxidant activities of these water extracts showed higher than those of 80% ethanol extracts. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of CLE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. CLE significantly suppressed the levels of the inflammatory mediators such as NO and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in dose dependant. Furthermore, the levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions were markedly suppressed by the treatment with CLE extract in a dose dependent manner. Conclusions: These results suggest that CLE water extract has a higher anoxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, these properties may contribute to the oxidative and inflammatory related disease care.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.398-407
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• 2017

BTG 1 (B-cell translocation gene 1) gene was first identified as a translocation gene in a case of B-cell chronic lympocytic leukemia. BTG1 is a member of the BTG/TOB family with sharing a conserved N-terminal region, which shows anti-proliferation properties and is able to stimulate cell differentiation. In this study, we identified and characterized the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas BTG1 (cg-BTG1) gene from the gill cDNA library by an Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) analysis and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The cg-BTG1 gene encodes a predicted protein of 182 amino acids with 57% 56% identities to its zebrafish and human counterparts, and is an intron-less gene, which was confirmed by PCR analysis of genomic DNA. Maximal homologies were shown in conserved Box A and B. The deduced amino acid sequence shares high identity with other BTG1 genes of human, rat, mouse and zebrafish. The phylogenic analysis and sequence comparison of cg-BTG1 with other BTG1 were found to be closely related to the BTG1 gene structure. In addition, the predicted promoter region and the different transcription-factor binding site like an activator protein-1 (AP-1) response element involved in negative regulation and serum response element (SRE) were able to be identified by the genomic DNA walking experiment. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the mRNA of cg-BTG1 gene was expressed in gill, heart, digestive gland, intestine, stomach and mantle. The cg-BTG1 gene was expressed mainly in heart and mantle.