• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.127-135
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• 2002

Anterior subcapsular cataract was developed by opacification with transdifferentiation and abnormal proliferation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) and pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). After-cataract also be caused by a similar transdifferentiation of LECs remaining after surgery and the accompanying increase of ECM deposits. It is blown that prostaglandin E2 and cytokine, such as TGF-$\beta$, bFGF, and IL-1, were associated with abnormal proliferation and transdifferentiation of LECs. The aim of this study was to detect the expression of transforming growth factor-$\alpha$ (TGF-$\alpha$), transforming growth factor-$\beta_1$(TGF-$\beta_1$) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in LECs of senile and diabetic cataract. The expressions of these growth factors in lens epithelial cells were determined. The sample for growth factor determination were collected in senile cataract patients without metabolic disorder, especially diabetes mellitus and diabetic cataract patients. The mRNA expression of growth factors was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by Southern blot analysis. Statistics were analysed using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR/southern analysis of RNA obtained from thirty surgical specimens demonstrated that the level of mRNA expression of TGF-$\alpha$, -$\beta_1$ and bFGF was increased in diabetic cataract lens tissues compared with senile cataract specimens but non-significant, bFGF and TGF-$\beta_1$ mRNA expression were detected in most patients, expression level of TGF-$\beta_1$ was most high on the basis of normal ocular concentration. Detection rate of TGF-$\alpha$ in diabetic cataract was 1.5 fold higher than in senile cataract (P=0.098). TGF-$\alpha$, TGF-$\beta_1$, and bFGF mRNA expression of LECs were detected in senile and diabetic cataract. In both patient groups, expression level of TGF-$\beta_1$, mRNA was high, so We suggest TGF-$\beta_1$ strong influence in development of senile cataract and of diabetic cataract also. TGF-$\alpha$ expression level was similar but more frequently detected in diabetic cataract than in senile cataract. In conclusion, TGF-$\alpha$ may be associated with early development of diabetic cataract.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2015

Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C3R) were isolated by high-performance countercurrent chromatography (HPCCC) using a two-phase solvent system composed of tert-butyl methyl ether/n-butanol/acetonitrile/water/trifluoroacetic acid (1 : 3 : 1 : 5 : 0.01, v/v) to give pure C3G (34.1 mg) and C3R (14.3 mg) from 1.5 g crude mulberry fruit extract. Using the pure C3G and C3R, a reliable high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated to determine the C3G and C3R contents in mulberry fruit. C3G and C3R were separated simultaneously using an Eclipse XDB-C18 column ($4.6{\times}250mm$ I.D., $5{\mu}m$) coupled with a photodiode array detector (PDA). The gradient elution of the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile (0.5% formic acid) and water (0.5% formic acid) was applied (1.0 mL/min), and the detection wavelength was 520 nm. The calibration curves of C3G and C3R showed good linearity (both with $r^2=0.9996$) in the concentration range $15.625-500{\mu}g/mL$, and the relative standard deviations (RSD%) of intra- and inter-day variability were in the ranges 2.1 - 8.2% and 4.1 - 17.1%, respectively. The accuracies were ranged 96.5 - 102.6% for C3G and C3R, respectively. The developed HPLC method was used to determine the contents of C3G and C3R in newly harvested mulberry from eight different provinces of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.501-506
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• 2004

Microflora and contamination process of Saengshik products were investigated to ensure microbial safety of Saengshik. Food-borne pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium perfringens detected mainly from grains were not removed by washing with tap water and freeze-drying. Contaminations of food-borne pathogenic bacteria occurred through raw material powder processed at other factories and during actual product manufacturing process, because detection rates of final products were higher than those of raw materials. Concentration of food-borne pathogenic bacteria increased with advancing of process after first pulverization. Dusts of powder and powder attached to machine were good media for air-borne microorganisms and caused to increase of food-borne pathogenic bacteria during process. Improvement of manufacturing process and sanitary control of machines arc necessary to ensure microbial safety of Saengshik.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.301-306
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• 2013

This research was conducted to investigate whether sequential anoxic/aerobic biofilm reactors and microfilteration (MF) membrane system can be used as a direct treatment for the removal of perchlorate and nitrate in groundwater. The biofilm process consisted of an anoxic first stage to remove perchlorate and nitrate and aerobic second stage to remove remaining acetate used as a carbon source for dissimilatory reduction of perchlorate and nitrate. In final stage, hollow fiber MF membrane was used to remove turbidity. In this research, perchlorate was reduced from the influent concentration of 102 ${\mu}/L$ to below the IC detection level (5 ${\mu}/L$) and nitrate was reduced from 61.8 mg/L (14 mg/L $NO_3$-N) to 4.4 mg/L (1 mg/L $NO_3$-N). Acetate used as a carbon source was consumed from 179 mg/L $CH_3COO-$ to 117 and 11 mg/L $CH_3COO^-$ in effluents from anoxic and aerobic biofilm reactors, respectively. Turbidity was reduced from 3.0 NTU to 1.5, 0.3, and 0.2 NTU in effluents from anoxic/aerobic biofilm reactors and MF membrane, respectively. It is expected that the sequential anoxic/aerobic biofilm reactors and MF membrane system can efficiently remove perchlorate and nitrate in surface water or groundwater.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.335-342
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• 2008

The bioequivalence of two carbamazepine preparations was conducted. The in vivo bioequivalence study in 20 healthy male Korean volunteers was designed by using a single dose, randomized, 2-period crossover with a 3-weeks washout period between the doses. Prior to the in vivo study, an in vitro comparative dissolution test was performed by the paddle and basket method as described in the bioequivalence guidance of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Based on the similar dissolution pattern between two preparations in the dissolution test, the two formulations are demonstrated to be pharmaceutically equivalent. In addition, in vivo bioequivalence test was used to reconfirm the in vitro dissolution results. In the in vivo bioequivalence study, the plasma concentrations of carbamazepine up to 144 h after the administration were determined using a validated HPLC method with UV detection and the bioequivalence between the two drug products was assessed by statistical analysis of the log transformed mean ratios of $C_{max}$, $AUC_{0-t}$ and $AUC_{0-\infty}$. The mean maximum concentration ($C_{max}$) of the test and reference were found to be $1467.0{\pm}335.8\;ng/mL$ and $1465.9{\pm}310.3\;ng/mL$, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals (C.I.) of $C_{max}$ were in the range from 0.95 to 1.05. As for the $AUC_{0-t}$ and $AUC_{0-\infty}$, test values were $110027.1{\pm}27786.4\;ng/mL{\cdpt}h$, $128807.0{\pm}34563.2\;ng/mL{\cdot}h$ and $105473.6{\pm}26496.2\;ng/mL{\cdot}h$, $125448.5{\pm}35975.5\;ng/mL{\cdot}h$, respectively. The 90% C.I. of $AUC_{0-t}$ were 0.97 to 1.10 and of $AUC_{0-\infty}$, 0.99 to 1.09 and thus were within the log 0.8-log 1.25 interval proposed by the KFDA. A two-way ANOVA showed no significant difference between the two formulations. Based on these statistical analysis, it was concluded that the test formulation is bioequivalent to the reference.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2003

Microwave digestion and solid-state extraction were studied for determination of trace aluminum{Al(III)} in human urine samples. A mixed acid of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide was added to urine samples, organic materials were destructed in a home microwave oven and dried in a drying oven. The dried residues were dissolved in a sulfuric acid solution. The solution was eluted through a XAD-4 resin column adsorbed with 8-hydroxyquinoline(Oxine, HQ). Al(III)-8-hydroxyquinolinate complex was formed in the column and eluted with 0.5 M nitric acid solution. The Al(III) eluted was determined by graphite atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Various experimental conditions of followings were investigated for the optimization : the type of acid to dissolve the residues, the amount of HQ adsorbed on the resin, the pH of sample solutions, the type and concentration of acid to elute the complex from column and so on. The contents of Al(III) in real samples were determinated by a calibration curve method. The recovery in standard spiked samples was 94~101% and the detection limit of this procedure was 0.05 ng/mL.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2013

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to monitor residual pesticides in domestic agricultural products and to assess their risk to human health. METHODS AND RESULTS: 123 samples containing both general and environment-friendly certified agricultural products were purchased from traditional domestic markets and supermarkets in six provinces of Korea. Multiresidue analyses of one hundred twenty-two pesticides except for herbicides were performed with gas chromatography-electron capture detector, gas chromatography-nitrogen/phosphorus detector, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Sixteen pesticides were detected in 45 agricultural product samples, which were 38 general, 6 low pesticide and 1 of GAP agricultural product samples and the detection rate was 33.6%. Pesticides detected in agricultural product samples were cypermethrin, lufenuron, fenvalerate, bifenthrin, chlorfenapyr and iprodione. Residual concentration of 18 samples were exceeded the recommended maximum residue limit set by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and two kinds of unregistered pesticides in korea were also detected in two samples. CONCLUSION(S): In order to do risk assessment by agricultural products consumption, estimated daily intake of residual pesticides were determined and compared to acceptable daily intake, referring to %ADI values. The range of %ADI values was from 0.038% to 2.748%. Taken together, it demonstrates the pesticides found in agricultural products samples were below the safety margin, indicating no effect on human health.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1992

Catecholamines, serotonin and their metabolites were measured in the posterior hypothalamus of urethane-anesthetized normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) using brain microdialysis which is a recently developed experimental method to measure the release of neurotransmitters and their metabolites at the localized brain area in vivo. Microdialysis probe was implanted stereotaxically to the rat posterior hypothalamus and perfused by Ringer's solution. Monoamines and their metabolites were quantified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. In vitro recovery test of microdialysis showed that there exist inverse relationship between the perfusion flow rate and the relative recovery of neurochemical compounds. The estimated extracellular concentration of dopamine was about 32 nM, of norepinephrine 50 nM, of epinephrine 50 nM, of serotonin 73 nM, of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) 281 nM, of homovanillic acid (HVA) 181 nM, and of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) 3767 nM in the hypothalamic perfusate of the normotensive rat. There was no difference in the basal level of monoamines between the SHR and the WKY. In contrast, the level of DOPAC, HVA and 5HIAA in SHR was higher than that in the WKY, This study demonstrated that the microdialysis technique should be an applicable tool for in vivo measurement of central neurochemical substances.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.346-352
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• 2007

Contamination of aflatoxins(AFs) was monitored in 447 compound feeds and 138 feed ingredients samples distributed in South KOREA in 2006 and 2007. The degree of $AFB_1\;and\;AFB_2$ contamination in compound feed was 20% and 3%, respectively. The levels of detection were ranged from 0.48 to 10.46 ppb for $AFB_1$ and from 0.25 to 0,42 ppb for $AFB_2$. Thirty eight percent of compound feeds were contaminated with $AFB_1$ at concentration between 0.43 and 5.52 ppb and $AFB_2$ was detected in 2% of compound feeds at levels ranging 0.26-0.40 ppb. The highest degree of $AFB_1$ contamination was observed in compound feeds for beef cattle (75%) followed by for dairy cattle (72%) and in bran among feed ingredients (30%). Bran exhibited the highest level of $AFB_1$contamination (3.1 ppb). Vegetable proteins and compound feeds for dog showed relative lower degree of contamination at 2.9 and 1.9 ppb, respectively. $AFG_1\;and\;AFG_2$ were not detected in any compound feeds and feed ingredients samples.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 2006

The distribution of iridoviruses in five freshwater ornamental fishes, pearl gourami (Trichogaster leeri), dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia), silver gourami (Trichogaster microlepis), blue gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus sumatranus) and freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), imported from Singapore was examined in 2004 and 2005. The presence of iridoviruses in 56 sample groups was determined using PCR technique and showed PCR positive in 11 sample groups. The proportion of fish infected by iridovirus was differed depending upon species; 31.8% (7/22) for pearl gourami, 18.2% (2/11) for dwarf gourami, 16.7% (1/6) for blue gourami, 9.1% (1/11) for silver gourami and 0% (0/6) for angelfish. In quantitative comparison of viral DNAs isolated from infected tissues, the DNA concentration of iridovirus in pearl gourami was higher than that in dwarf gourami. Although pearl gourami infected naturally by iridovirus showed 100% mortality in keeping experiment for 3 weeks, only 57% of those was positive in PCR. In the comparison of nucleotide sequences of the PstⅠ fragment known as the most variable genomic region, both iridoviruses isolated from pearl gourami and dwarf gourami showed identity more than 99% with infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) isolated from mandarinfish (Siniperca chuatsi).