• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.467-473
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• 2024

In this study, we investigated the potential protective effects of (+)-afzelechin (AZC), a natural compound that is derived from Bergenia ligulata, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses. AZC is known to have antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and cardiovascular protective properties. However, knowledge regarding the therapeutic potential of AZC against LPS-induced inflammatory responses is limited. Thus, we investigated the protective attributes of AZC against inflammatory damage caused by LPS exposure. We examined the effects of AZC on heme oxygenase (HO)-1, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in LPS-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In addition, the effects of AZC on the expression of iNOS, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β were analyzed in the lung tissues of LPS-injected mice. Data revealed that AZC promoted the production of HO-1, inhibited the interaction between luciferase and nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and reduced the levels of COX-2/PGE2 and iNOS/NO, thereby leading to a decrease in the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1 phosphorylation. Moreover, AZC facilitated the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, increased the binding activity between Nrf2 and the antioxidant response elements (AREs), and lowered the expression of IL-1β in the LPS-treated HUVECs. In the animal model, AZC significantly reduced the expression of iNOS in the lung tissue structure and the TNF-α level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These findings demonstrate that AZC possesses anti-inflammatory properties that regulate iNOS through the inhibition of both NF-κB expression and p-STAT-1. Consequently, AZC has potential as a future candidate for the development of new clinical substances for the treatment of pathological inflammation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.28-32
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• 2007

목 적 : ACE 유전자에 인트론 16의 287 bp 삽입(I) 혹은 결손(D)에 의한 다형성이 존재하고, 그 중 DD 유전형은 ACE 활성도가 높은 것으로 보고 되었으며 ID 다형성은 고혈압 또는 관상동맥 질환, 당뇨병성 신증, IgA 신장염 등 만성 신질환, 만성 B형 간염, 간경변증, 급성간염에서 위험인자로 알려졌다. 신생아 황달은 동아시아인이 서양인보다 2배 이상 높은 것으로 보여 유전적 연관성이 있을 것으로 사료되어 본 연구에서는 ACE 다형성과 한국인 신생아 황달과의 관계를 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법 : 혈중 빌리루빈 수치가 12 mg/dL 이상의 건강하고, 위험인자가 없는 만삭아 중 신생아 황달 환자 110명과 대조군 164명을 대상으로 하였다. 혈액을 0.5 cc를 채취하여 DNA를 분리하였고 ACE 유전자 다형성은 중합효소 연쇄반응을 이용하여 결정하였다. 1.5% agarose gel에서 전기 영동시켜 ethidium bromide로 염색한 후 유전자형을 확인하였다. 결 과 : ACE 유전자 다형성은 신생아 고빌리루빈혈증군 110명중 59명(53.6%)에서 DI 유전형을 보였고, 29명(26.4%)에서 II 유전형, 22명(20%)에서, DD 유전형을 나타냈다. 대조군 164명에서는 85명(51.8%)이 DI 유전형을 보였고, 40명(24.4%)에서 II 유전형을 보였으며, DD 유전형은 39명(23.4%)에서 나타났다. 대립유전자 빈도는 신생아 고빌리루빈혈증군에서 I 0.532, D 0.468의 분포를 보였고, 정상 대조군에서는 I 0.503, D 0.497로 비슷하였다. 결 론 : 한국 신생아에서 ACE 유전자 다형성은 DI 유전형이 많았으나, 대립유전자의 빈도는 차이가 없어 한국인 신생아 황달의 발생과 연관이 없었다.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.41-49
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to identify the knowledge contents of basic nursing sciences needed by nurses in the practices of the intensive care unit(ICU). To attain the goal of this study, the nurses working at 10 hospitals in the areas of Seoul and Kangwon Province were randomly selected. They were primarily interviewed, and the open question was secondarily put to them through the questionnaire. In the process of the 1st interview, the interviewees were asked of the question, "What is the knowledge of basic sciences such as anatomy, pathology, physiology. microbiology, pharmacology and the like thought to be lacking when you communicate with doctors in the ICU and when you carry out your nursing practices in it?" The contents of the interview were tape-recorded. The period of data collection ranged from May 1, 2001 to Sept 30. The interviews were conducted with total of 20 nurses. The open-end questionnaire was secondarily mailed to nurses. 113 questionnaires were returned. 100 questionnaires except 13 ones thought to be poorly completed in content were used for data analysis. Three coders classified data obtained from the interview and the questionnaire research into 5 detailed items relating to such as anatomical physiology, pathology, pharmacology. microbiology and basics of nursing. The three coders had experiences in nursing education of 18 years, 8 years and 6 years, respectively, and of them one coder was professor in basic nursing sciences. Data were statistically treated using frequency analysis and percentage by the SAS program. As a result, the following findings were obtained : It was found that the contents that ICU nurses responded were most needed in the field of Human structure and function were water and electrolytic balance(38%), blood and circulatory system(20%), changer in the patient's skin(12%), the arrangement of the human body(10%) and the endocrine system(10%), nervous system(6%), and assessment of the state of the patient's consciousness(4%). It was found that the contents that ICU nurses responded were most needed in the field of pathology were found to be the process of the progress of the disease(32%), symptoms of the disease(27%), prognosis of the disease(22%), followed by the injury-healing process, clinical pathological examination, and examination by radiation. It was found that the contents that nurses responded were most needed in the field of pharmacology were the effect of drug(25%), the side effect of drug(22%), the relationship between diseases and drug(20%), the relationship between disease-causing bacteria and drug(20%) and chemotherapy(2%). It was found that the contents that ICU nurses responded were most needed in the field of microbiology were the relationship between diseases and disease-causing bacteria(45%), Kinds and characteristics of disease-causing bacteria(18%), infection control(16%), application of the aseptic technique(12%), isolation(9%) and the like. It was found that the basic knowledge that ICU nurses responded were needed were the identification of the patient's current state(36%), understanding of the therapeutic process(22%), the operating principle of medical equipment and instrument(20%), medical terminology(9%), equipment and instrument management(7%), calculation of the dose of injection(2%) and the like.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.34-39
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• 2006

목 적 : 신생아 황달은 중국, 일본, 한국인 등 동양인에서 서양인에 비해 많이 발생하여 유전적인 요인이 있을 것으로 생각되며 빌리루빈 대사의 주된 효소인 Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 유전자의 다형성이 관여한다고 보고되고 있다. 저자들은 빌리루빈 대사의 핵심 효소인 UGT1A1 유전자의 다형성이 한국인 신생아 황달과 어떤 연관성이 있는지 알아 보고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방 법 : 혈중 빌리루빈 수치가 12 mg/dL 이상의 건강하고, 위험인자가 없는 만삭아 중 신생아 황달 환아 80명과, 대조군 164명으로부터 혈액을 0.5 cc를 채취하여 DNA을 분리하였다. UGT1A1 유전자를 PCR로 증폭하여, 염기서열 분석 방법을 통해 UGT1A1 유전자 untranslated region의 1828G>A(rs 10929303) 단일염기다형성을 확인하였다. 결 과 : UGT1A1 유전자 3' untranslated region의 guanine에서 adenine으로의 1828G>A 단일염기다형성이 신생아 고빌리루빈군 중 총 혈청 빌리루빈이 12 mg/dL 이상인 80명 중 67명(83.8%)이 GG 유전형을 보였고 10명(12.5%)이 GA 이종접합, 3명(3.7%)이 AA 유전형을 나타냈다. 대조군 164명에서는 135명(82.3%)이 GG 유전형을 보였고, GA 이종접합은 16명(9.8%), AA 유전형은 13명(7.9%)으로 나타났다. 변이형 대립유전자 빈도는 고빌리루빈혈증군에서 10.0%로 대조군 12.8%와 비슷하였다(P=0.3687). 결 론 : 한국인 신생아 황달에서 UGT1A1 유전자의 1828G>A 다형성을 확인하였으나, 이는 고빌리루빈혈증군에서 대조군에서와 비슷한 빈도로 관찰되어 한국인 신생아 황달의 발생과 연관이 없을 것으로 생각된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.605-614
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• 2018

벌 화분은 영양보조제와 전통의약품으로 오랫동안 사용되어 왔다. 그러나 벌 화분은 두터운 외피를 갖고 있어 산이나 알칼리는 물론 위장관의 소화효소와 기계적 압력에 의해서도 잘 파괴되지 않는 단점이 있다. 이로 인해, 벌 화분을 경구로 섭취할 때 생체이용률은 10-15%에 불과한 실정이다. 이러한 문제점을 극복하기 위해 본 연구진은 이전의 연구에서 습식나노분쇄 기술을 소개하였고 이를 통해 활성성분의 추출률이 약 11배 증가함을 보고하였다. 본 연구에서는 습식나노분쇄를 통해 제조한 나노화 벌 화분의 안전성을 증명하고자 하였다. 먼저, 흰쥐와 비글견에서 단회 투여 독성 시험을 진행하였다. 나노화 벌 화분의 투여 용량은 흰쥐는 5, 10 또는 20 g/kg, 비글견은 1.5, 3 또는 6 g/kg으로 설정하였다. 흰쥐에서는, 10 g/kg 또는 그 이상의 용량을 투여한 동물에서 색변이 관찰되었다. 비글견에서는 6 g/kg 투여군에서 나노화 벌 화분 투여 4시간 후에 설사가 관찰되었다. 그러나, 흰쥐와 비글견 모두에서 뚜렷한 임상증상이 관찰되지 않았으며 안락사 후 부검을 진행한 결과에서도 장기의 이상이 관찰되지 않았다. 다음으로 나노화 벌화분의 유전독성을 복귀돌연변이시험, 염색체이상시험 및 소핵시험을 이용하여 확인하였다. 소핵시험에서는 시험에 사용한 최대용량인 2,000 mg/kg에서도 독성이 발견되지 않았다. 마찬가지로 복귀돌연변이시험과 염색체이상시험에서는 실험에 사용된 최고 농도에서도 독성을 나타내지 않았다. 종합하면 나노화 벌 화분은 본 실험에서 설정한 최고 용량인 20 g/kg/day의 용량까지는 매우 안전한 것으로 판단되며 이러한 결과는 나노화 벌 화분을 기능성 식품 또는 천연물 의약품으로 개발하는 데 중요하게 이용될 것으로 기대된다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.75-85
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• 2005

목 적 : 혈액종양 환아의 항암요법 후 발생한 호중구감소증 상태에서, 진균 감염은 높은 치명률을 가지는 것으로 알려져 있다. 진균 감염에 대한 경험적 항진균제로 주로 사용되는 ABV는 염증성 사이토카인인 IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$의 증가에 의해 발생하는 것으로 알려져 있는 발열, 오한, 발진, 신독성과 같은 부작용이 있다. Azole 계열의 ITZA도 광범위한 항진균 효과를 나타내고 있어 경험적 항진균제로의 사용이 고려되고 있는데 본 연구는 ABV와 ITZA의 정맥 주입에 따른 부작용의 발생 및 효능과 염증성 사이토카인 및 항염증성 사이토카인의 변화를 관찰하고자 한다. 방 법: 2004년 3월부터 2005년 2월까지 호중구감소증 상태에서 발열이 있어 치료한 급성 백혈병 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 대상으로 선정된 환자는 30명으로 ABV, ITZA 각각의 치료군은 15명이었다. 항진균제는 총 14일간 투여하였으며, 투여 후 혈청에 포함된 염증성 사이토카인(IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$)과 항염증성 사이토카인(IL-1Ra, IL-4)을 ELIZA를 통하여 측정하고, 치료 종료 시 치료 효과를 평가하였다. 결 과 : 두 치료군의 성별, 나이, 진단명, 항암치료의 단계, 마지막 항암요법의 시기 특성은 유의한 차이가 없었다. ABV 치료군에 비해 ITZA 치료군에서 정맥 주입 시 발생하는 이상 반응의 빈도가 적었다. 또한, ABV 치료군에서 ITZA 치료군에 비해 염증성 사이토카인인 IL-$1{\beta}$가 정맥주입 시 증가함을 보였고, IL-1Ra/IL-$1{\beta}$는 ABV 치료군에서는 감소하는 반면 ITZA 치료군에서는 증가함을 보였다. 결 론: 급성백혈병 소아에서 발열을 동반한 호중구감소증시 경험적 항진균제로 ABV와 ITZA를 사용하여 최종 치료 효과의 유의한 차이는 없었으나 정맥 투여와 연관된 이상 반응은 ABV 군에서 많았으며 호중구의 회복은 ITZA 군에서 빠른 것을 알 수 있었다. 이는 ABV나 ITZA 투여 시 시간에 따른 IL-Ra/IL-$1{\beta}$의 변화와 연관이 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.91-102
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• 2007

The long term success of periodontal treatment is dependent upon the effectiveness of the main-tenance care program after active treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether nutraceutical containing PRF-K2 as natural product from plant and seaweed has beneficial effects on clinical parameters, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume and GCF cytokine levels during main- tenance phase after periodontal treatment. Among the generally healthy and non-smoking. moderate to severe chronic periodontitis patients during maintenance phase in Department of Periodontics, Chonnam National University Hospital, twenty eight patients took nutraceutical containing PRF-K2 (Oscotec Inc. Cheonan, Korea) for 3 months as experimental group and sixteen patients received only maintenance care as control group. Clinical examination and GCF collection were performed at baseline, 1, 2 and 3 months of experiment. Total amounts and concentrations of GCF IL-1{\beta}, IL-1ra and $PGE_2$ were evaluated using ELISA kit. In probing pocket depth, experimental group showed the tendency of more reduction than control group after 3 months of experiment. Sulcus bleeding index (SBI) and GCF volume were significantly decreased in experimental group(p<0.05), whereas they were increased in control group. GCF IL-1{\beta} level tended to decrease in both experimental and control group and IL-1ra concentration tended to increase in experimental group and to decrease in control group. IL-1ra/IL-1{\beta} ratio tended to increase in experimental group and to decrease in control group during experimental period. GCF $PGE_2$ amount did not show any change in experimental group and tended to increase in control group. These results suggest that nutraceutical supplement which contain PRF-K2 could improve perio-dontal condition during maintenance phase after periodontal therapy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.298-305
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• 2018

Rhomboid family member 2 gene (Rhbdf2) is an inactive homologue lacking essential catalytic residues of rhomboid intramembrane serine proteases. The protein is necessary for maturation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) converting enzyme, which is the molecule responsible for the release of $TNF-{\alpha}$. In this study, Rhbdf2 knockout (KO) mice were produced by CRISPR/CAS9. To see the effects of the failure of $TNF-{\alpha}$ release induced by Rhbdf2 gene KO, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), which is the representative $TNF-{\alpha}$ related disease, was induced in the Rhbdf2 mutant mouse using chicken collagen type II. The severity of the CIA was measured by traditional clinical scores and histopathological analysis of hind limb joints. A rota-rod test and grip strength test were employed to evaluate the severity of CIA based on losses of physical functions. The results indicated that Rhbdf2 mutant mice showed clear alleviation of the clinical severity of CIA as demonstrated by the significantly lower severity indexes. Moreover, a grip strength test was shown to be useful for the evaluation of physical functional losses by CIA. Overall, the results showed that the Rhbdf2 gene has a significant effect on the induction of CIA, which is related to $TNF-{\alpha}$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6285-6288
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is commonly diagnosed at late stages in countries with limited resources. In Morocco, breast cancer is ranked the first female cancer (36.1%) and screening methods could reduce the proportion presenting with a late diagnosis. Morocco is currently adopting a breast cancer screening program based on clinical examination at primary health facilities, diagnosis at secondary level and treatment at tertiary level. So far, there is no systematic information on the performance of the screening program for breast cancer in Morocco. The aim of this study was to analyze early performance indicators. Materials and Methods: A retrospective evaluative study conducted in Temara city. The target population was the entire female population aged between 45-70 years. The study was based on process and performance indicators collected at the individual level from the various health structures in Tamara between 2009 and 2011. Results: A total of 2,350 women participated in the screening program; the participation rate was 35.7%. Of these, 76.8% (1,806) were married and 5.2% (106) of this group had a family history of breast cancer. Of the women who attended screening, 9.3% (190) were found to have an abnormal physical examination findings. A total of 260 (12.7%) were referred for a specialist consultation. The positive predictive value of clinical breast examination versus mammography was 23.0%. Forty four (35.5%) of the lesions found on the mammograms were classified as BI-RADs 3; 4 or 5 category. Cancer was found in 4 (1.95%) of the total number of screened women and benign cases represented 0.58%. Conclusions: These first results of the programme are very encouraging, but there is a need to closely monitor performance and to improve programme procedures with the aim of increasing both the participation rate and the proportion of women eligible to attend screening.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.8-27
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• 2000

Components of extracellular matrix and the matrix-degrading enzymes are some of the key regulators of tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a matrix glycosaminoglycan, is known to promote tumor adhesion and migration, and its small fragments are angiogenic. Until now, we have compared levels of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that degrade HA, in normal adult prostate, benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer tissues and in conditioned media from epithelial explant cultures, using a substrate (HA)-gel assay and ELISA-like assay (Kim et al., unpublished results). The present review described an overall characterization of hyaluronidases and its application to human diseases. The hyaluronidases are a family of enzymes that have, until recently, deed thorough explication. The substrate for these enzymes, hyaluronan, is becoming increasingly important, recognized now as a major participant in basic processes such as cell motility, wound healing, embryogenesis, and implicated in cancer progression. And in those lower life forms that torment human beings, hyaluronidase is associated with mechanisms of entry and spread, e.g. as a virulence factor for bacteria, for tissue dissection in gas gangrene, as a means of treponema spread in syphilis, and for penetration of skin and gut by nematode parasites. Hyaluronidase also comprises a component of the venom of a wide variety of organisms, including bees, wasps, hornets, spiders, scorpions, sh, snakes and lizards. Of particular interest is the homology between some of these venom hyaluronidases and the enzyme found in the plasma membrane of mammalian spermatozoa, attesting to the ancient nature of the conserved sequence, a 36% identity in a 300 amino acid stretch of the enzyme protein. Clearly, hyaluronidase is of biological interest, being involved in the pathophysiology of so many important' human disorders. Greater effort should be made in studying this family of enzymes that have, until recently, been overlooked. Also, oriental medical application of the hyaluronidase will be discussed with respect to inhibition and suppression of inflammation and malignacy.