• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of immune cell activation and the antitumor effect for the combination of treatment with X-irradiation and E/eutherococcus senticosus Maxim Root (ESMR) on mouse tumor cells. Materials and Methods: ESMR (250g) was extracted with 80% methanol, concentrated under decompression and lyophilized. To determine whether ESMR is able to activate the immune cells or not, the proliferation of splenocytes in vitro and the number of B cells and T cells in splenic lymphocytes in ESMR-pretreated mice were evaluated. X-irradiation was given to the mouse fibrosarcoma tumor cells (FSa II) by 250 kv X-irradiation machine. The cytotoxicity of ESMR was evaluated from its ability to reduce the clonogenecity of FSa II cells. In X-irradiation alone group, each 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy was given to FSa II cells. In X-irradiation with ESMR group, 0.2 mg/ml of ESMR was exposed to FSa II cells for 1 hour before X-irradiation. Results: The proliferation of cultured mouse splenocytes and thymocytes were enhanced by the addition of ESMR in vitro. The number of B cells and T cells in mouse splenic lymphocytes was significantly increased in ESMR pretreated mice in vivo. In FSa II cells that received a combination of 0.2 mg/ml of ESMR with X-irradiation exposure, the survival fraction with a dose of 2, 4 and 6 Gy was $0.39{\pm}0.005$, $0.22{\pm}0.005$ and $0.06{\pm}0.007$, respectively. For FSa II cells treated with X-irradiation alone, the survival fraction with a dose of 2, 4 and 6 Gy was $0.76{\pm}0.02$, $0.47{\pm}0.008$ and $0.37{\pm}0.01$. The difference in the survival fraction of the mouse FSa II cells treated with and without ESMR was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with ESMR increased cell viability of mouse splenocytes in vitro and especially the subpopulation of B cells and T cells in splenocytes in ESMR-pretreated mice. However, treatment with ESMR did not increase the level of Th and Tc subpopulations in the thymocytes. Treatment with the combination of ESMR and X-irradiation was more cytotoxic to mouse tumor cells than treatment with X-irradiation alone; this finding was statistically significant.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.389-398
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• 2013

Platycodin D is a major constituent of triterpene saponins, which is found in the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, Platycodi Radix, which is widely used in traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Several pharmacological effects of this compound have been reported recently, such as anti-inflammation, immunogenicity, anti-adipogenesis, lowered cholesterol, and anti-cancer activity. However, the mechanism by which this action occurs is poorly understood. In this study, we found that platycodin D greatly increased the potential of the anti-proliferative effect in various cancer cell lines. Our data revealed that platycodin D treatment resulted in a time- and concentration-response growth inhibition of U937 cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and the accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Apoptosis induction of U937 cells by platycodin D correlated with an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caused the down-regulation of IAP family members. In addition, platycodin D treatment resulted in proteolytic activation of caspase-3, the concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, and the collapse of the mitochondria membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$). However, the cytotoxic effects induced by platycodin D treatment were significantly inhibited by z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, which demonstrated the important role that caspase-3 played in the observed cytotoxic effect. These findings suggest that platycodin D may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for use in the control of human leukemia U937 cells. These findings also provided important new insights into possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of platycodin D.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.365-372
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• 2012

Purpose: To investigate ocular higher order aberrations (HOA) and spherical aberration changes caused by an aspheric soft contact lens designed to reduce spherical aberration (SA) of the eye. Methods: Fifty subjects who have successfully experienced soft contact lenses were refitted with aspheric design (Soflens Daily Disposable: SDD, Bausch+Lomb) soft contact lens. Ocular higher order aberrations (HOA) and stand alone SA were measured and analyzed for a 4-mm pupil size using Wave-Scan Wavefront$^{TM}$ aberrometer (VISX, Santa Clara, CA, USA). High and low contrast log MAR visual acuity and contrast sensitivity function (CSF) were also measured under photopic and mesopic conditions (OPTEC 6500 Vision Tester$^{(R)}$). All measurements were conducted monocularly with an undilated pupil. Results: The RMS mean values for total HOA with SDD contact lenses were significantly lower than those at with unaided eyes (p<0.001) and a reduction for SA in the SDD was close to the baseline SA (zero ${\mu}m$) (p<0.001). For the SDD lens, there was a statistically significant correlation between the changes in the total HOA and the contact lens power (r=0.237, p=0.018) as well as between the changes in SA and the lens power (r=0.324, p=0.001). High contrast visual acuity (HCVA) and low contrast visual acuity (LCVA) with SDD lenses were $-0.063{\pm}0.062$ and $0.119{\pm}0.060$, respectively under photopic and $-0.003{\pm}0.063$ and $0.198{\pm}0.067$, respectively under mesopic condition. Contrast Sensitivity Function (CSF) with SDD lenses under both photopic and mesopic conditions was $3.095{\pm}0.068$ and $3.087{\pm}0.074$, respectively. Conclusions: The SDD contact lens designed to control SA reduced the total ocular HOA and SA of the eye, resulting in compensating for positive SA of the eyes. Thus, the optical benefits of the lens with SA control would be adopted for improving the quality of vision.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.482-494
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• 1994

Most of carotenoprotein complexes have been extracted by using buffered solutions. However, in this study carotenoprotein from the muscle of Blue mussel(Mytilus edulis) was extracted by a detergent such as Triton X-100. It was purified and characterized by $20\%$ (w/v) $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, DEAE-cellulose ion exchange and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. The carotenoprotein(${\lambda}_{max}=462nm$) had an approximate M. W. of 372KDa(gel filtration). SDS-PAGE analysis of the carotenoprotein indicated the presence of four polypeptides of 60KDa($23.70\%$), 46.9KDa($9.14\%$), 26KDa($49.14\%$) and 13KDa($18.02\%$). Carotenoprotein denaturated by treatment with SDS to a final concentration of $0.2\%$ (w/v) caused a hypsochromic shift of ${\lambda}_{max}$ from 462nm to 456nm. The carotenoprotein contained lipids as structure units. The amino acid composition of the carotenoprotein contained large essential amino acid amounts of $62.8\%$, and the content of threonine($35.9\%$) was higher than other amino acids, but histidine, methionine and proline were not present. In the carotenoprotein, the major fatty acids were $C_{16:4},\;C_{16:0},\;C_{20:5}\;and\;C_{22:6}$. The percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids($62.4\%$) were higher compared to other fatty acids(saturated fatty acids $19.6\%$, monounsaturated fatty acids $18.0\%$). Carotenoid was extracted from the carotenoprotein by acetone and it was separated into five different components by preparative TLC(benzene:petroleum ether:acetone=69:17:14). The major components of carotenoid were mytiloxanthin($74.79\%$) and 3,4,3'- trihydroxy-7',8'-didehydro-${\beta}$-carotene($18.26\%$), and they were at least presented as prosthetic groups of carotenoprotein.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.445-452
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• 2016

Exorista japonica is one of the major natural enemies of noctuid larvae, Mythimna separata and Spodoptera litura. The examined parasitoid was obtained from host species M. separata, collected at Gimje city and identified by DNA sequences (partial cytochrome oxidase I, 16S, 18S, and 28S). For purposed of this study, laboratory reared S. litura served as the host species for the development of the E. japonica. The developmental period of E. japonica immature stages were investigated at seven constant temperatures (16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, $34{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, RH 20~30%). Temperature-dependent developmental rates and development completion models were developed. E. japonica was successfully developed from egg to adult in $16{\sim}31^{\circ}C$ temperature regimes. Developmental duration was the shortest at $34^{\circ}C$ (8.3 days) and the longest at $16^{\circ}C$ (23.4 days) from egg to pupa development. Pupal development duration was the shortest at $28^{\circ}C$ (7.3 days). Total immature-stage development duration decreased with increasing temperature, and was the shortest at $31^{\circ}C$ (16.3 days) and the longest at $16^{\circ}C$ (45.4 days). The lower developmental threshold was $7.8^{\circ}C$ and thermal constant required to complete total immature-stage development was 370.4 degree days. Among four non-linear temperature-dependent developmental rate models, Briere 1 model had the highest adjusted R-squared (0.96). The distribution model of development completion for total immature stage development of E. japonica was well described by all model ($r^2_{adj}=0.90$) based on the standardized development duration. These results of study would be necessary not only to develop population dynamics model but also to understand fundamental biology of E. japonica.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.103-112
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• 2006

Along with recent improvement of recycling technique, the quality of the recycled concrete aggregate have become very competitive to the natural concrete aggregate. Therefore, a practical use of the recycled concrete aggregate may be possible for structural members. Majority studies about the recycled concrete aggregate was emphasized a limitation of fundamental study concerned with a strength characteristics and durability of the recycled aggregate concrete, there is use for the structural members. Therefore, for the extension of application of recycled concrete aggregate, this investigation verifies the strength characteristics recycled concrete aggregate of the spun-concrete products with various coarse and fine recycled aggregate replacement ratio(coarse recycled aggregate: 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 100%; fine recycled aggregate: 0%, 30%, 60%, 100%) and with addition of cellulose fibers(0%, 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.05%, 0.08%). From the test results, The strength of spun concrete used with recycled aggregate [NR specimen], was measured as 72MPa, was found to be very approximately to the strength of spun concrete used with the natural aggregate(NN specimen), was measured as 74MPa, when only fine aggregate was replaced with the recycled. Therefore, the fine recycled concrete aggregate can be successfully used in the spun high strength concrete product. The compressive strength of all specimens used the specialty cellulose fiber were measured as about 70M Pa, however, the increasement of the specialty cellulose fiber content is showed to decrease compressive strength of spun concrete. Therefore, it is anticipated that the specialty cellulose fiber can be applied to the various spun concrete products.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.853-869
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• 2000

Background : Following several decades of decline, the incidence of tuberculosis has recent1y begun to increase in many countries of this the control of this disease has been impeded by the emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The development of rapid diagnostic methods and effective new drugs are needed to control MDR-TB. One of the new drugs for MDR-TB is rifabutin (RBU) which has been known to be effective in some patients with MDR-TB. A few reports showed that some types of mutations of the rpoB gene, which were known to be present in 96-98% of rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis, were associated with the rifampicin-resistant but RBU-susceptible phenotype. This study was performed to investigate the correlation between RBU susceptibility and the patterns of rpoB gene mutations in Korean MDR-TB. Methods : Sixty-five clinical isolates of multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, gathered from patients who visited the Asan Medical Center from July 1997 to June 1999, were investigated. Clinical responses to rifabutin-containing regimen were evaluated. An RBU susceptibility test and sequencing analysis of rpoB gene were performed, and the results were analyzed to confirm which mutations correlated with RBU-susceptible MDR-TB. Results : Fifty-three of 56 (95%) clinical isolates of MDR-TB had 60 mutations of the rpoB gene. The most frequent mutations were found at codon 531 (43%), and two mutations were combined in seven clinical isolates. Five of 53 (10%) clinical isolates showed the RBU-susceptible phenotype, and in them the characteristic patterns of point mutations were found at codon 509, 516, and 526. Conclusion : The frequency and pattern of mutations of the rpoB gene of Korean MDR-TB isolates were similar to those in western countries, where the prevalence of tuberculosis is low, but some show RBU-susceptible phenotypes. RBU-susceptible MDR-TB isolates showed the characteristic pattern of mutations of the rpoB gene which could be used to rapidly diagnose RBU susceptibility.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.125-146
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• 2013

Nowadays, the performance of the mobile game sales is influencing the ranking of game companies listed on KOSDAQ. In the meantime, venture capital companies had focused on online game. Recently, however, they have great interest in mobile games and mobile game companies. In addition, angel investors and accelerators are increasing investment for the mobile game companies. The most important issues for mobile game investor is how to evaluate the mobile game companies and their contents. Therefore, this study derived the evaluation factors for the mobile game company. And research method converged of the opinions of both supply side and demand side of the game industry. Ten professionals who are responsible for the supply of the game industry and CEO group & development experts of game development company were selected for survey in this study. Also ten professionals who are responsible for the demand of the game industry and the investment company were selected for survey in this study. And Delphi technique was performed according to the survey. Management skills, development capabilities, game play, feasibility, operational capabilities has emerged as five evaluation factors to evaluate the mobile game company. And the 20 sub-factors including CEO's reliability were derived. AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process) theory is applied to analyze the importance of the qualitative elements which were derived by Delphi technique. As a result, the analysis hierarchy of evaluation factors for the mobile game company was created. Pair-wise comparison for each element was performed to analyze the importance. As a result, 'Core fun of the game' (12,2%), 'Involvement of the game' (10.3%), 'Security Reliability' (8.9%), 'Core developers' ability' (7.6%) appeared in order of importance. The significance of this study is offering more objective methodology for realistic assessment and importance of elements to evaluate mobile game company.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.126-134
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• 2015

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer is one of the most commonly used herbs. Recently, the stem and leave of the plant have been interested in physiological activities because the aerial parts have been thrown away. Finding out cultivation method of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer to improve chemical ingredients and biological activities has been tried these days. In this study, different wavelengths of light emitting diode (LED) were used for a cultivation of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer. Antioxidant activities and inhibitory effect on mutagenecity of samples were evaluated. The stem and leave cultivated under blue light (BL-0) showed the strongest antioxidant activities of $3.02{\pm}0.13{\mu}g/ml$ ($EC_{50}$) and $2.18{\pm}0.18{\mu}g/ml$ ($EC_{50}$) in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging test, respectively. Total phenolic content of BL-0 was $2.93{\pm}0.11g/100g$, the highest value between cultivation conditions. However, antioxidant activities of the stem and leave cultivated under red light were the weakest between samples. All of the stem and leave used in this study showed inhibitory effect on mutagenecity of 1-nitropyrene. BL-0 showed stronger inhibitory effects on mutagenicity of Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2, and AFB1 than samples cultivated under other conditions. Only on mutagenecity of 2-aminoanthracene, the stem and leave cultivated at 1 m apart from red light (RL-1) showed the strongest inhibitory effect. These results indicate that blue LED might be the most effective condition for improvement of physiological activities for the aerial parts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer in cultivation. The components were identified with GC/MS. Cytidine was detected only in RL-1 at 25 min of retention time and 2-bromotrimethylene glycol was detected only in BL-0 at 37 min.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.319-324
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate influences of titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) concentrations and irradiation times on growth of Streptococcus mutans when irradiated by visible light (405 nm wavelength) and by ultraviolet light (254 nm wavelength). To find the optimal antibacterial concentration of $TiO_2$, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 mg/ml $TiO_2$ suspension was prepared with sterilized distilled water. S. mutans cultured media was added to $TiO_2$ solution to set the final cell count to $10^4CFU/ml$. The photocatalytic reaction was induced by irradiating 254 nm and 405 nm lights for 10 minutes. To compare the bactericidal activities according to irradiation times, all photocatalytic reaction was carried out with 0.1 mg/ml $TiO_2$ for 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes with both lights. After the photocatalytic reaction, $100{\mu}m$ of the reaction mixture was immediately plated on brain heart infusion agar. These plates were placed at 5% $CO_2$, $37^{\circ}C$, for 24 hours and the bacterial colonies were counted. All experiments were performed in quintuplicate. One-way ANOVA was used to determine whether there were any significant differences between the $TiO_2$ concentrations or the irradiation times. The most effective concentration of $TiO_2$ for its photocatalytic bactericidal effect on S. mutans was 0.1 mg/ml when irradiated with 254 nm and 405 nm lights. The longer the irradiation time, the bigger the bactericidal effect for both wavelengths. Over 99% of bacteria in the inoculum were killed after irradiation with 254 nm for 20 minutes and with 405 nm for 40 minutes. In conclusion, a photocatalytic reaction of $TiO_2$ induced by visible light of 405 nm constitutes the bactericidal effect on S. mutans.