• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.273-277
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• 2004

Methotrexate is commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis as an anti-inflammatory agent, but treatment with methotrexate can lead to severe side effects, especially pulmonary complication. Interstitial pneumonitis is one of the most important pulmonary adverse effects of methotrexate and most patient present with a subacute febrile illness and peripheral eosinophilia is seen in about a half of patients. Almost all patients have abnormal chest roentgenograms and bibasilar interstitial infiltration with alveolar pulmonary consolidations is the most characteristic finding. Interstitial inflammation with mononuclear cell infiltration is a characteristic pathologic feature and findings that suggest acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis, such as bronchiolitis, granuloma formation with giant cells, and infiltration with eosinophils are often present. Methotrexate-induced pneumonitis is a potentially life threatening and unpredictable complication but it is difficult to make a definite diagnosis in the absence of high index of clinical suspicion. Early recognition and appropriate management may avoid the serious outcome. Herein we report a case of methotrexate-induced pneumonitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.79.2-79.2
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• 2017

To dynamically and chemically understand how filaments, dense cores, and stars form under different environments, we are conducting a systematic mapping survey of nearby molecular clouds using the TRAO 14 m telescope with high ($N_2H^+$ 1-0, $HCO^+$ 1-0, SO 32-21, and $NH_2D$ v=1-0) and low ($^{13}CO$ 1-0, $C^{18}O$ 1-0) density tracers. The goals of this survey are to obtain the velocity distribution of low dense filaments and their dense cores for the study of their origin of the formation, to understand whether the dense cores form from any radial accretion or inward motions toward dense cores from their surrounding filaments, and to study the chemical differentiation of the filaments and the dense cores. Until the 2017A season, the real OTF observation time is ~760 hours. We have almost completed mapping observation with four molecular lines ($^{13}CO$ 1-0, $C^{18}O$ 1-0, $N_2H^+$ 1-0, and $HCO^+$ 1-0) on the six regions of molecular clouds (L1251 of Cepheus, Perseus West, Polaris South, BISTRO region of Serpens, California, and Orion B). The cube data for $^3CO$ and $C^{18}O$ lines were obtained for a total of 6 targets, 57 tiles, 676 maps, and $7.1deg^2$. And $N_2H^+$ and $HCO^+$ data were added for $2.2deg^2$ of dense regions. All OTF data were regridded to a cell size of 44 by 44 arcseconds. The $^{13}CO$ and $C^{18}O$ data show the RMS noise level of about (0.1-0.2) K and $N_2H^+$ and $HCO^+$ data show about (0.07-0.2) K at the velocity resolution of 0.06 km/s. Additional observations will be made on some regions that have not reached the noise level for analysis. To identify filaments, we are using and testing programs (DisPerSE, Dendrogram, FIVE) and visual inspection for 3D image of cube data. A basic analysis of the physical and chemical properties of each filament is underway.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.397-404
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• 2009

For standardization of LMK02 quality, Ginsenoside Rg3 of Red Ginseng and Decursin of Angelica gigas Nakai in the constituents of LMK02 were estimated as indicative components. From LMK02 water extract, has been used in vitro test for its beneficial effects on neuronal survival and neuroprotective functions, particularly in connection with APP-related dementias and Alzheimer's disease (AD). $A{\beta}$ oligomer derived from proteolytic processing of the ${\beta}$-amyloid precursor protein (APP), including the amyloid-${\beta}$ peptide ($A{\beta}$), play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's dementia. We determined that oligomer amyloid-${\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$) have a profound attenuation in the increase in rat hippocampus H19-7 cells from. Experimental evidence indicates that LMK02 protects against neuronal damage from cells, but its cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Using a hippocampus cell line on $A{\beta}$ oligomer-induced neuronal cytotoxicity, we demonstrated that LMK02 inhibits formation of $A{\beta}$ oligomer, which are the behavior, and possibly causative, feature of AD. In the Red Ginseng, the average amounts of Ginsenoside Rg3 were $47.04{\mu}g/g$ and $42.3{\mu}g/g$, 90 % of its weight were set as a standard value. And, in the Angelica gigas Nakai, the average amounts of Decursin were 2.71 mg/g and 2.44mg/g, 90 % of its weight were also set as a standard value. The attenuated $A{\beta}$ oligomer in the presence of LMK02 was observed in the conditioned medium of this $A{\beta}$ oligomer-induced cells under in vitro. In the cells, LMK02 significantly activated antiapoptosis and decreased the production of ROS. These results suggest that neuronal damage in AD might be due to two factors: a direct $A{\beta}$ oligomer toxicity and multiple cellular and molecular neuroprotective mechanisms, including attenuation of apoptosis and direct inhibition of $A{\beta}$ oligomer, underlie the neuroprotective effects of LMK02 treatment.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.33 no.4 s.131
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• pp.399-403
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• 2002

Three melanogenesis inhibitors were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum L. and were identified as (3S,20S,25S)-22,26-iminocholesta-5,22(N)-dien-3-ol (verazine), (3S,2OR,25S)-22,26-iminocholesta-5,22(N)-dien-3-ol (epi-verazine) and (3R,23R)-14,15,16,17- tetradehydroveratraman-3,23-diol (veratramine) on the basis of their spectroscopic data. It was turned out that these compounds did not directly inhibit tyrosinase activity, the key enzyme responsible for the formation of melanin pigment while these compounds showed strong inhibition on the melanogenesis in B16 F1 mouse melanoma $(IC_{50}<1\;{\mu}g/ml)$. Due to the strong inhibitory activity and safety compared to current whitening agents such as arbutin, kojic acid and AHA, the compound can be a good candidate for new skin whitening agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.1 s.68
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• pp.118-123
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• 2005

For the expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bacillus stearothermophilus cyclodextrin glucano­transferase gene (cgtS) in pCGTS (4.8 kb) was subcloned into the surface expression vector, pYD1 (GALl promoter). The constructed plasmid, pYDCGT (7.2 kb) was introduced into S. cerevisiae EBY100 cells, and then yeast transformants were selected on the synthetic defined media lacking tryptophan. The formation of cyclodextrin (CD) was confirmed with active staining of culture broth of transformant grown on starch medium. Enzymatic reaction products with respect to the culture time and the reaction time were examined by TLC analysis. The results indicated that the enzyme activity was exhibited after 12 h cultivation and CD was produced after 10min of enzymatic reaction. When the surface-engineered yeast cells were cultured on galactose medium, maximum activities of CGTase were about 21.3 unit/l and 16.5 unit/l at $25^{\circ}C\;and\;30^{\circ}C$, respectively. The plasmids stability showed about $80\%\;even\;at\;25^{\circ}C\;and\;30^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1223-1229
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• 2015

Oryzalin is a dinitroaniline herbicide, which disrupts the arrangement of microtubules. Microtubules and microfilaments are cytoskeletal components that are thought to play a role in the sedimentation of statoliths and the formation of cell walls. Statoliths regulate the perception of gravity by columella cells in the root tip. To determine the effect of oryzalin on the gravitropic response, ethylene production in primary roots of maize was investigated. Treatment with 10^-4 M oryzalin to the root tip inhibited the growth and gravitropic response of the roots. However, the treatment had no effect on the elongation zone of the roots. An application of 10^-4 M oryzalin for 15 hr to the root tip caused root tip swelling. The application of 1-aminocycopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), a precursor of ethylene, to the root tip also inhibited the gravitropic response. To understand the role of oryzalin in the regulation of the growth and gravitropic response of roots, ethylene production in the primary roots of maize was measured following treatment with oryzalin. Oryzalin stimulated ethylene production via the activation of ACC oxidase (ACO) and ACC synthase (ACS), and it increased the expression of ACO and ACS genes. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) played a key role in the asymmetric elongation rates observed during gravitropism. The results suggest that oryzalin alters the gravitropic response of maize roots through modification of the arrangement of microtubules. This might reduce the distribution of IAA in the upper and lower sides of the elongation zone and increase ethylene production, thereby inhibiting growth and gravitropic responses.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1230-1234
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• 2015

GATA binding protein 6 (GATA6) is a transcription factor that is expressed in the early blastocyst stage and controls the expression of important genes in the differentiation and development of the heart, pancreas, and intestine. This study confirmed the role of GATA6 in cell differentiation and organ development using mouse embryonic stem cells and zebrafish, respectively. First, the mouse embryonic stem cells were differentiated into pacemaker cardiomyocytes. An RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of the GATA6 gene was greatly increased from day 4 of differentiation. The expression of GATA6 was upregulated prior to increased expression of NK2 homeobox 5 (Nkx2.5) and myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), which are critical transcription factors involved in regulating heart formation. To examine the role of GATA6 in development, GATA6 morpholino was microinjected into zebrafish embryos. Knockdown of GATA6 expression significantly decreased the heart size and heart rate in the zebrafish compared to a control. In addition, the brains were degenerated in the GATA6 morpholino-injected zebrafish. Acridine orange staining showed that knockdown of GATA6 expression increased apoptotic cells in the brain. Interestingly, knockdown of GATA6 expression decreased apoptotic cells in the early bud stage. This study points to the importance of the GATA6 gene in heart and brain development.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.419-426
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• 2006

A thermophilic microorganism, strain JE 375, which produces a thermostable protease, was isolated from soil and compost in Korea. This gram-positive, rod-shaped, catalase positive, motility positive, and hemolysis ${\beta}$ containing organism was implicated in glucose fermentation, mannitol fermentation, xylose oxidation, aerobic activity and spore formation. The color of the colony was yellowish white. The temperature range for growth at pH 6.5 was between 55 and $70^{\circ}C$, with an optimum growth temperature of $65^{\circ}C$. This result confirmed the strain JE 375 as a thermophilic microorganism. The enzyme was produced aerobically at $65^{\circ}C$ during 20 hr in a medium (pH 6.5) containing 1% trypton. 1% maltose, 0.5% yeast extract and 1% NaCl. The 16S rDNA of strain JE 375 had 97.6% sequence similarity with the 16S rDNA of Bacillus caldoxyloyticus. On the basis of biochemical and physiological properties and phylogenetic analysis, we named the isolated strain as Bacillus sp. JE 375. The thermostable protease from Bacillus sp. JE 375 had been partially purified and characterized. The molecular weight of the enzyme was deduced from SDS-PAGE and gel chromatography as 55 kDa and its optimal temperature was $60^{\circ}C$. The enzyme showed its highest activity at pH 7.5 and was stable from pH 7.0 to 8.0.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.309-318
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• 1994

The stable defect structure and the single phase region of La$_2O_3$-modified BaTi$O_3$ have been studied by X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope. The stable defect structure of La$_2O_3$-modified BaTi$O_3$ has been identified as [($Ba^x_{Ba})_{1-2x}(La{\cdot}_{Ba})_{2x}][Ti^x_{Ti})_{1-x/2}(V""_{Ti})_{x/2}]O_3$ which consists of La$^{3+}$ ion substitution for Ba$^{3+}$ ion in the lattice structure and the formation of Ti vacancies for the charge compensation. When 3 mol% of La$_2O_3{\cdot}3/2TiO_3$ was added to BaTi$O_3$, the unit cell structure was transformed from tetragonal to cubic and the solubility limit was about 14 mol%. When La$_2O_3{\cdot}3/2TiO_2$ was added above this solubility limit, the second phase, La$_4Ba_2Ti_5O_{18}$, was formed. In the La$_2O_3$-modified BaTi$O_3$, it was found by the liquid phase sintering process that the sinterability was decreased by excess BaO but increased by excess Ti$O_2$.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 2014

Cystatins (CSTs) are reversible and competitive inhibitors of C1A cysteine proteases, corresponding to papain-like cathepsins in plants and animals. A viral CST (CpBV-CST1) was identified from a polydnavirus, Cotesia plutellae bracovirus (CpBV). Our previous study indicated that a transient expression of CpBV-CST1 interfered with immune response and development of Plutella xylostella larvae. To directly demonstrate the protein function, this study produced a recombinant CpBV-CST1 protein (rCpBV-CST1) using bacterial expression system to determine its inhibitory activity against cysteine protease and to assess its physiological alteration in insect immune and development. The open reading frame of CpBV-CST1 encodes a polypeptide of 138 amino acids (${\approx}15kDa$). rCpBV-cystatin protein in BL21 STAR (DE3) competent cells containing a recombinant pGEX4T-3:CpBV-CST1 was over-expressed by 0.5 mM IPTG for 4 h. In biological activity assay, the purified rCpBV-CST1 showed a significant inhibition against papain activity. It inhibited a cellular immune response of hemocyte nodule formation in the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. Moreover, its oral administration retarded larval development of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that CpBV-CST1 may be applied to control insect pest populations.