• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.142-153
• /
• 2016

In crime scene investigation, fingerprint identification is regarded to be one of the most important techniques for personal identification. However, objective and unbiased evaluation methods that would compare the fingerprints with diverse available and developing methods are currently lacking. To develop an objective and quantitative method to improve fingerprint evaluation, a preliminary study was performed to extract useful research information from the analysis with densitometric image analysis (CP Atlas 2.0) and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) for the developed fingerprints on porous surfaces. First, inked fingerprints obtained by varying pressure (kg.f) and pressing time (sec.) to find optimal conditions for obtaining fingerprint samples were analyzed, because they could provide fingerprints of a relatively uniform quality. The extracted number of minutiae from the analysis with AFIS was compared with the calculated areas of friction ridge peaks from the image analysis. Inked fingerprints with a pressing pressure of 1.0 kg.f for 5 seconds provided the most visually clear fingerprints, the highest number of minutiae points, and the largest average area of the peaks of the friction ridge. In addition, the images of the developed latent fingerprints on thermal paper with the iodine fuming method were analyzed. Fingerprinting condition of 1.0 kg.f/5 sec was also found to be optimal when generating highest minutiae number and the largest average area of peaks of ridges. Additionally, when the concentration of ninhydrin solution (0.5 % vs. 5 %) was used to compare the developed latent fingerprints on print paper, the best fingerprinting condition was 2.0 kg.f/5 sec and 5 % of ninhydrin concentration. It was confirmed that the larger the average area of the peaks generated by the image analysis, the higher the number of minutiae points was found. With additional tests for fingerprint evaluation using the densitometric image analysis, this method can prove to be a new quantitative and objective assessment method for fingerprint development.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.26 no.10
• /
• pp.1817-1823
• /
• 2016

Areca nut (AN) chewing is a habit in many countries in Central, Southern, and Southeast Asia. It is strongly associated with the occurrence of oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal cancer as well as systemic inflammation. However, the association between AN intake and the development of gastric lesions has not yet been identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of AN on gastric diseases using a mouse model for Helicobacter pylori infection. We studied four groups of mice: those fed a normal diet (ND), those fed a diet containing 2.5% AN (AD), those fed ND and infected with H. pylori PMSS1 strain (ND/HP), and those fed AD and infected with H. pylori PMSS1 strain (AD/HP). Food intake and body weight were monitored weekly during the experiments. At 10 weeks, the mice were sacrificed, and the stomach weight, H. pylori colonization, and gastric inflammation were evaluated. The stomach weight had increased significantly in the ND/HP and AD/HP groups along with increases in H. pylori colonization; however, there was no significant difference between these two groups with respect to stomach weight and colonization. On histological grading, mononuclear cell infiltration was severer in the AD/HP group than in the ND/HP group. These data suggest that chronic gastric inflammation was aggravated by AN treatment in the mice with H. pylori-induced gastric lesions. Furthermore, as previously suggested, this animal model is useful to determine the effect of potential carcinogens on gastric lesions induced by H. pylori infection.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.93-98
• /
• 2016

Objectives : Hwangheuk-san is a complex prescription composed of oriental traditional medicine and has been reported for antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects in the recent study. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of important causes of fatal infectious diseases such as septicemia, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). S. aureus is reported as being for a variety of human diseases and its epidemiological relevance is mainly due to their ability of becoming highly resistant to common antimicrobials such as tetracycline, penicillin, cphalosporin and aminoglycoside. The objective of this study is to determine the antimicrobial effect of Hwangheuk-san ethanol extracts (HHS) and synergistic effects with antibiotics oxacillin against MRSA.Methods : The antimicrobial activity of HHS was measured by the disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method and the checkerboard dilution test, time-kill curve assay was performed to investigate synergistic effects with antibiotics oxacillin against MRSA.Results : HHS showed antimicrobial activity against MRSA with a MIC value of 125 ㎍/㎖. In the checkerboard test, the interaction of HHS with antibiotics oxacillin produced almost synergy or partial synergy against MRSA. This study showed that HHS reduced the MICs of oxacillin tested, and a remarkable antibacterial effect of HHS, with membrane permeability enhancers.Conclusions : These results suggest that HHS has the antimicrobial effect and synergistic effects with antibiotics oxacillin against MRSA. This study thus can be a valuable source for the development of a new drug with low MRSA resistance.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.2081-2086
• /
• 2015

Gecko is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine with remarkable antineoplastic activity. However, undefined mechanisms and ambiguity regarding active ingredients limit new drug development from gecko. This study was conducted to assess anti-angiogenic properties of the aqueous extracts of fresh gecko (AG) or macromolecular components separated from AG (M-AG). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) approach was applied to detect the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion of the tumor cells treated with AG or M-AG. The effect of AG or M-AG on vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migratory ability was analyzed by tetrazolium dye colorimetric method, transwell and wound-healing assays. Chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays were used to ensure the anti-angiogenic activity of M-AG in vivo. The results showed that AG or M-AG inhibited the VEGF secretion of tumor cells, the relative inhibition rates of AG and M-AG being 27.2% and 53.2% respectively at a concentration of $20{\mu}L/mL$. AG and M-AG inhibited the vascular endothelial (VE) cell proliferation with IC50 values of $11.5{\pm}0.5{\mu}L/mL$ and $12.9{\pm}0.4{\mu}L/mL$ respectively. The VE cell migration potential was inhibited significantly (p<0.01) by the AG (${\geq}24{\mu}L/mL$) or M-AG (${\geq}12\mu}L/mL$) treatment. In vivo, neovascularization of CAM treated with M-AG was inhibited significantly (p<0.05) at a concentration of ${\geq}0.4{\mu}L/mL$. This study provided evidence that anti-angiogenesis is one of the anti-tumor mechanisms of AG and M-AG, with the latter as a promising active component.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.61 no.1
• /
• pp.33-41
• /
• 2023

The discovery of new antimalarial drugs can be developed using asynchronized Plasmodium berghei malaria parasites in vivo in mice. Studies on a particular stage are also required to assess the effectiveness and mode of action of drugs. In this report, we used endoperoxide 6-(1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro [7.11] nonadec-4-yl) hexan-1-ol (N-251) as a model antimalarial compound on P. chabaudi parasites. We examined the antimalarial effect of N-251 against ring-stage- and trophozoite-stage-rich P. chabaudi parasites and asynchronized P. berghei parasites using the 4-day suppressive test. The ED₅₀ values were 27, 22, and 22 mg/kg, respectively, and the antimalarial activity of N-251 was verified in both rodent malaria parasites. To assess the stage-specific effect of N-251 in vivo, we evaluated the change of parasitemia and distribution of parasite stages using ring-stage- and trophozoite-stage-rich P. chabaudi parasites with one-day drug administration for one life cycle. We discovered that the parasitemias decreased after 13 and 9 hours post-treatment in the ring-stage- and trophozoite-stage-rich groups, respectively. Additionally, in the ring-stage-rich N-251 treated group, the ring-stage parasites hindered trophozoite parasite development. For the trophozoite-stage-rich N-251 treated group, the distribution of the trophozoite stage was maintained without a change in parasitemia until 9 hours. Because of these findings, it can be concluded that N-251 suppressed the trophozoite stage but not the ring stage. We report for the first time that N-251 specifically suppresses the trophozoite stage using P. chabaudi in mice. The results show that P. chabaudi is a reliable model for the characterization of stage-specific antimalarial effects.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.57-78
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study is to analyze hygiene education contents of elementary schools in Korea, USA, Japan and compare this and to provide with basic material present improvement method when hygiene education contents of elementary schools in Korea are organized. For this purpose the problems as following are selected centering on the hygiene education contents of the 7th education process in Korea and Japan and the hygiene text of public school in California, USA. First, this study tries to analyze the composition classified by 12 guidance contents each grade of hygiene education contents of elementary schools in Korea, USA, and Japan. Second, this study tries to analyze the composition classified by fields(physical, mental, social) of hygiene education contents of elementary schools in Korea, USA, and japan. As a result of the analysis and comparison on the matters stated above, the conclusion as following was gotten. First, as a result of searching the hygiene education contents system of elementary schools in Korea, USA, and Japan classified by 12 guidance contents each grade, the subjects which have good contents composition classified by class step by step were safe life and disease prevention. And the subjects such as growth development and health, physical fitness, drug use and health were weak and the parts such as consumer health and the careers concerned with are not dealt in the present education process of Korea at all. Second, as a result of analyzing the composition classified by fields of hygiene education contents of elementary schools in Korea, USA, Japan, all the three countries put great on physical part. And there are 57 units about mental part in USA, 27 units in Japan, only 17 units in Korea. And this fact reveals that there was lack of understanding about the need of mental part in Korea. This study tries to suggest improvement method as following through the study results stated above. First, as it is grasped in the analysis classified by guidance part of hygiene education contents, community and environment preservation, physical aptitude and stress management are to be emphasized more strongly and about the parts like consumer health and the persons concerned with hygiene new education programs as contents satisfying the need of age are to be inserted or complemented Second, because the hygiene education contents in Korea are still lack in comparing contents of mental parts compared with those of the two countries, the contents proper to the level and the requirement of learners to each grade are to be developed and complemented. Third, hygiene education units which were reduced in the 7th curriculum in Korea are lack compared with those in the two countries. Therefore, it is necessary that teachers should recognize the need of hygiene education so that the hygiene education can be separated and be taught out regularly.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.95-99
• /
• 2017

A previous study demonstrated that four kinds of natural compounds, Corydaline, (${\pm}$)-Car-3-ene-2,5-dione, cinobufagin, and corilagin, enhanced the gene expression of ERAP1 and FOXO1 (DFA16) more than two-fold in a cell culture system. In this study, the experimental food was made finally 30 ml in which included 1% agar, 5% sucrose, and each natural compound $20{\mu}l$. A fruit fly of Drosophila melanogaster fed a natural product for 4 hr after 4 hr starvation. Both natural compounds of Cinobufagin and Corilagin induced 6-8 days more survival comparing than it controls group. The resulting fruit flies were estimated the gene expression of ERAP1 and FOXO1 by RT-PCR that also demonstrated meaningful results with the same lifespan results. Cinobufagin from BufonisVenennumis has $C_{26}H_{34}O_6$ molecular formula and 442 kDa molecular weight. Corilagin from Euphorbiapekinensisis has $C_{27}H_{22}O_{18}$ molecular formula and 634 kDa molecular weight. The two types of natural products screened in this study will be used in the early diagnosis and treatment of insect industry in the near future. In addition, the natural products will be used in longevity experiments in a mouse model. The results may give one of the clues for studying new drug development candidates of the longevity.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.147-168
• /
• 2008

HYTE (Hyeonggaeyeongyotang Extract), a polyherbal formula has been used as folk medicine, 28days repeat oral dose toxicity was tested in SD rats according to KFDA Guideline[2005-60]. Methods : In this study, mortality, clinical signs, body weight and gains, food and water consumption, ophthalmologic observation, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, gross findings, organ weight and histopathological observations were conducted during 28days of dosing periods. Results: 1. No HYTE treatment-related mortalities and clinical signs were detected in all dosing levels tested in male and female rats during the whole experimental periods. 2. No HYTE treatment-related changes on body weight, gains and food consumption were detected in all dosing levels tested in male and female rats during the whole experimental periods except for 2000mg/kg-dosing female groups in which significantly increase of body weight, gains, food and water consumption were detected compared to that of vehicle control in some points. 3. No HYTE treatment-related changes on ophthalmologic examination were detected in all dosing levels tested in male and female rats. 4. No HYTE treatment-related changes on urinalysis were detected in all dosing levels tested in male and female rats except for 2000mg/kg-dosing female groups in which, significantly increase of urine volume and related decrease on the urine specific gravity were detected as secondary effects of increase on the water consumptions not HYTE treatment-related toxicological signs. 5. No HYTE treatment-related changes on hematology were detected in all dosing levels tested in male and female rats except for increases in the total WBC count and lymphocytes of 2000mg/kg-dosing male and female groups with decrease of large unstained cells as pharmacological effects of immune enhancements not HYTE treatment-related toxicological signs. 6. No HYTE treatment-related changes on serum biochemistry were detected in all dosing levels tested in male and female rats. 7. No HYTE treatment-related changes on gross findings, organ weight and histopathology were detected in all dosing levels tested in male and female rats except for 2000mg/kg-dosing male and female groups in which, spleen and thymus organ weights, hypertrophy at gross observation and hyperpalsia of lymphoid cells and follicles at histopathological observation in spleen and thymus were detected as pharmacological effects of immune enhancements not HYTE treatment-related toxicological signs. Conclusions : Based on these results, the NOAEL and MTD of HYTE in SD rats were considered as over 2000mg/kg, respectively at 28days repeat oral dose toxicity test because most of these findings were considered as results of pharmacological effects of immune enhancements not HYTE treatment-related toxicological signs or secondary effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.72-78
• /
• 2015

According to the report of the WHO, workers have been exposed to much job strain such as job load, responsibility, role, interpersonal conflict etc. In Korea, studies on job strain started to become active from 1990s and now hundreds of studies are actively under going or publishing so that the studies are contributing to development and improvement of job strain. Representative measurement models of job strain are Job Strain Model of Karasek, Job Stress Model of NOISH, Korea Occupational Stress Scale, JSQ(Job Stress Questionnaire), K-OSI(Korea Version of Occupational Stress Inventory) etc. (Lee Kwan-Suk, 2012 ; KOSHA, 2003). Among them, Job Strain Model of Karasek had been loved by many researchers of job strain before Korea Occupational Stress Scale was developed. Job Strain Model of Karasek had been fitted to Korean style and then, used to analyze job strain of Korean people so that this Scale highly contributed to seeking relationship with cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease caused by job, smoking, drug, alcohol poisoning, and pulse(Lee Kwan-Suk, 2012). But as this Model was studied and developed based on foreign culture and life pattern, a model fit to Korea was developed to measure job strain for Korean people, which is Korea Occupational Stress Scale now most frequently used in measuring job strain. Accordingly, after this study made questionnaire survey about same population using the two methods used most frequently in measuring job strain, the study investigated what features appeared, what correlations appear between two models, and comparatively analyzed characteristics each independent and dependent variable. Based on this, the study aimed to exactly express job strain of Korean people. The subjects of the study were a population of 233, and Karasek's Questionnaire and KOSS's Questionnaire were surveyed at the same time. The results were analyzed by statistical program to obtain significant difference between two models. Four particular groups were divided with Job Strain Model of Karasek and the four particular groups were measured with Korea Occupational Stress Scale. And job strain come from combination of two models was measured, with which new comparative analysis method was suggested.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.137-144
• /
• 2020

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and is usually managed using currently available antiepileptic drugs, which result in adverse effects and are ineffective in approximately 20-25% of patients. Thus, there is growing interest in the development of new antiepileptic drugs with fewer side effects. In a previous study, we showed that a Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) water extract has protective effects against electroshock- and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures, with fewer side effects. In this study, the objective was to identify the RG components that are responsible for its anticonvulsant effects. Initially, a number of RG components (aucubin, acteoside, catalpol, and mannitol) were screened, and the anticonvulsant effects of different doses of catalpol, mannitol, and their combination on electroshock- and chemically (PTZ or strychnine)-induced seizures in mice, were further assessed. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor binding assay and electroencephalography (EEG) analysis were conducted to identify the potential underlying drug mechanism. Additionally, treated mice were tested using open-field and rotarod tests. Catalpol, mannitol, and their combination increased threshold against electroshock-induced seizures, and decreased the percentage of seizure responses induced by PTZ, a GABA antagonist. GABA receptor binding assay results revealed that catalpol and mannitol are associated with GABA receptor activity, and EEG analysis provided evidence that catalpol and mannitol have anticonvulsant effects against PTZ-induced seizures. In summary, our results indicate that catalpol and mannitol have anticonvulsant properties, and may mediate the protective effects of RG against seizures.