• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.170-181
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• 2011

Purpose: There is considerable variability in rates of hospitalization for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in part because of physicians' uncertainty in assessing the severity of illness at presentation. The purpose of the study was to examine the current treatment patterns and factors influencing the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and clinical outcomes in the patient with CAP. Method: The retrospective data collection of the patients with CAP was conducted and the data were reviewed. The collected data included demographic, clinical, laboratory and microbiological medical information. All patients were stratified into three risk groups according to PSI: low risk (PSI score I-II), moderate risk (III) and high risk (IV-V) groups. The examined treatment patterns were the appropriateness of admissions, category of antibiotics used. The prognostic factors associated with PSI and clinical outcomes were examined. Results: One hundred and six patients' medical data were reviewed. The overall appropriateness of admissions was low presenting many of patients were admitted or intensely treated in the hospital despite of lower risk of prognosis and treated with intravenous antibiotics instead of oral fluoroquinolones. Primary pneumonia pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (27%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (21.6%). Mean LOS was 8.5 days and was significantly longer (10.0days) (p<0.001) in high risk group. The patients with age >65 (p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (p<0.001), mental alteration (p<0.001), and/or $PaO_2$ <60 mmHg (p<0.001) had a tendency to have higher PSI. The prognostic factors associated with longer LOS were age >65 years (p=0.008), mental status alteration (p<0.001), dyspnea (p=0.002) and PSI score (p=0.001). The prognostic factors associated with mortality were congestive heart failure (p=0.038), systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg (p=0.002) and arterial pH <7.35 (p=0.013). Conclusion: Most of patients were found to over-utilize medical service according to appropriateness of admissions. The elderly, mentally altered patients with low $PaO_2$ had higher PSI score with increased risk of LOS. The mortality could be increased in the patient with disease state of congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and/or acidosis.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.263-269
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• 2017

A piezoelectric cantilever energy harvester (PCEH) driven in longitudinal (3-3) vibration mode was fabricated, and its electrical properties were evaluated by varying the resistive load. A commercial PZT piezoelectric ceramic with a high piezoelectric charge constant ($d_{33}$) of 520 pC/N and the interdigitated (IDT) electrode pattern was used to fabricate the PCEH driven in longitudinal vibration. The IDT Ag electrode embedded piezoelectric laminates were co-fired at $850^{\circ}C$ for 2 h. The 3-3 mode PCEH was successfully fabricated by attaching the piezoelectric laminates to a SUS304 elastic substrate. The PCEH exhibited a high output power of 3.8 mW across the resistive load of $100k{\Omega}$ at 100 Hz and 1.5 G. This corresponds to a power density of $10.3mW/cm^3$ and a normalized global power factor of $4.56mW/g^2{\cdot}cm^3$. Given the other PCEH driven in transverse (3-1) vibration mode, the 3-3 mode PCEH could be better for vibration energy harvesting applications.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.47-57
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• 2010

Objective: The present study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Cynanchum wilfordii (ECW) on vascular relaxation and vascular inflammation in rat artery isolated from rats and anti-inflammatory activity in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Methods: Vascular tone and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) production were examined in rat artery isolated from Sprague Dawley rats, in the presence of ECW. HASMC were incubated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) or Angiotensin II for 24 h. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and anti-oxidant activity of ECW was investigated by pretreatment with ECW in HASMC. Results: Cumulative treatment of ECW relaxed aortic smooth muscles of rats in a dose-dependent manner. ECW-induced vasorelaxation was significantly decreased by pretreatment of L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or oxadiazolo-quinoxalinone (ODQ). Furthermore, ECW treatment of thoracic aorta significantly increased cGMP production. Incubation of ECW with ODQ or L-NAME markedly decreased ECW-induced cGMP production. ECW treatment dose-dependently suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$- or Angiotensin II-induced increase in matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in HASMC. Also, ECW exhibited 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity in vitro and reduced TNF-${\alpha}$-induced increase in reactive oxygen species production in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Taken together, the results suggest that ECW exerts vascular relaxation via NO/cGMP signaling pathway and decreases MMP-2 expression via anti-oxidant activity.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2001

Taxol, a natural product extracted from the Taxus brevifolia, is known to have significant anti-tumor activities against many common cancers, including ovarian and breast cancers. Despite the pronounced anti-tumor activity of this compound, its poor solubility in aqueous solutions hampers its clinical applications. We studied the anticancer mechanisms of the water-soluble taxol diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) used for radiolabeling, and compared it to that of taxol. In vitro cytotoxicities of taxol and taxol-DTPA conjugate were tested in HT29 human colorectal cancer cells by the MTT method. As the result, the $IC_{50}$ value of the taxol-DTPA conjugate was about three fold higher than that of taxol. When analyzed by an agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA ladders became evident after the incubation of cells with the taxol-DTPA conjugate for 24 h. We also found morphological changes of the cells undergoing apoptosis with electron microscopy Next, we examined the signal pathway of taxol-DTPA conjugate-induced apoptosis in HT29 cells. The activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) occurred at 10, 30, 60 and 120 min after 200 nM taxol-DTPA conjugate treatment. The pretreatment of the MEK inhibitor (PD98059) completely blocked the taxol-DTPA conjugate-induced ERK1/2 activation. The activated ERK1/2 translocated into the nucleus at the same time and phosphorylated its transcriptional factor, c-Jun. These results suggest that the taxol-DTPA conjugate has an apoptotic activity in HT29 cells, and that its proapoptic activity might be related with the signal transduction via ERK1/2 and c-Jun similar to that of taxol.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.326-329
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• 2015

Fusaric acid is a mycotoxin produced by species of the fungus Fusarium and can act synergistically with other Fusarium toxins. In order to develop a specific detection method for fusaric acid-producing fungus, PCR primers were designed to amplify FUB10, a transcription factor gene in fusaric acid biosynthetic gene cluster. When PCR with Fub10-f and Fub10-r was performed, a single band (~550 bp) was amplified from F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, F. verticillioides, F. anthophilum, F. bulbicola, F. circinatum, F. fujikuroi, F. redolens, F. sacchari, F. subglutinans, and F. thapsinum, all of which were known for fusaric acid production. Whereas the FUB10 specific band was not amplified from Fusarium species known to be trichothecene producer. Because production of fusaric acid can co-occur in species that also produce fumonisin mycotoxins, we developed a multiplex PCR assay using the FUB10 primers as well as primers for the fumonisin biosynthetic gene FUM1. The assay yielded amplicons from fumonisin producers such as F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides, allowing for the simultaneous detection of species with the genetic potential to produce both types of mycotoxins.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.528-533
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• 2004

The immune system acts to protect the host from infectious agents that exist in the environment and from other noxious insults. The immune system has two functional divisions: the innate and the acquired. Both components involve various factors such as cytokines. A number of methodologies exist to assess aspects of immune function. There are large inter-individual variations in many immune functions even among the healthy. Genetics, age, gender, smoking habits, habitual levels of exercise, alcohol consumption, diet, stage in the female menstrual cycle, stress, history of infections and vaccinations, and early life experiences are likely to be important contributors to the observed variation. While it is clear that individuals with immune responses significantly below 'normal' are more susceptible to infectious agents and exhibit increased infectious morbidity and mortality, it is not clear how the variation in immune function among healthy individuals relates to variation in susceptibility to infection. Oriental medicine is an important factor contributing to immune competence. The author investigated the immune enhancement effects of Bojungikkitanggami-bang (BITB). The forced swimming test (FST) has been used as a screening model for new immune enhancement agents. In the present study, the author investigated the effects of BITB on FST and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue, glucose (Glc); blood urea nitrogen (BUN); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); creatinine; and total protein (TP). The author found that BITB (1 g/kg) significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST compared to the control. In addition, the contents of Glc, LDH, BUN, TP in the blood serum were increased in BITB (1g/kg)-fed group. Also, the author investigated the effects of BITB on the production of cytokines in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells. BITB (1 mg/ml) significantly increased the interferon (IFN)-vproduction compared with media control (about 2.2-fold for IFN-γ) at 24 h. However, BITB has not affect the production of IL-2 and IL-4. In addition, BITB increased the protein expression level of IFN-γ in MOLT-4 cells. Thus, BITB may have therapeutic value in generating or enhancing immune function in a clinical setting.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.288-298
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• 1992

Since the major important factors limiting plant growth and crop productivity are environmental stresses, of which low temperature is the most serious. It has been well known that many physiological processes are alterant in response to the environmental stress. With regard to the relationship between plant hormones and the regulation of chilling tolerance in rice seedlings, the major physiological roles of plant hormones: abscisic acid, ethylene and polyamines are evaluated and discussed in this paper. Rice seedlings were grown in culture solution to examine the effect of such plant hormones on physiological characters related to chilling tolerance and also to compare the different responses among tested cultivars. Intact seedlings about 14 day-old were chilled at conditions of 5$^{\circ}C$ and 80% relative humidity for various period. Cis-(＋)-ABA content was measured by the indirect ELISA technique. Polyamine content and ethylene production in leaves were determined by means of HPLC and GC respectively. Chilling damage of seedlings was evaluated by electrolyte leakage, TTC viability assay or servival test. Our experiment results described here demonstrated the physiological functions of ABA, ethylene, and polyamines related to the regulation of chilling tolerance in rice seedlings. Levels of cis-(＋)-ABA in leaves or xylem sap of rice seedlings increased rapidly in response to 5$^{\circ}C$ treatment. The tolerant cultivars had significant higher level of endogenous ABA than the sensitive ones. The ($\pm$)-ABA pretreatment for 48 h increased the chilling tolerance of the sensitive indica cultivar. One possible function of abscisic acid is the adjustment of plants to avoid chilling-induced water stress. Accumulation of proline and other compatible solutes is assumed to be another factor in the prevention of chilling injuies by abscisic acid. In addition, the expression of ABA-responsive gene is reported in some plants and may be involving in the acclimation to low temperature. Ethylene and its immediate precusor, 1-amincyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid(ACC) increased significantly after 5$^{\circ}C$ treatment. The activity of ACC synthase which converts S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to ACC enhanced earlier than the increase of ethylene and ACC. Low temperature increased ACC synthase activity, whereas prolonged chilling treatment damaged the conversion of ACC to ethylene. It was shown that application of Ethphon was beneficial to recovering from chilling injury in rice seedlings. However, the physiological functions of chilling-induced ethylene are still unclear. Polyamines are thought to be a potential plant hormone and may be involving in the regulation of chilling response. Results indicated that chilling treatment induced a remarkable increase of polyamines, especially putrescine content in rice seedlings. The relative higher putrescine content was found in chilling-tolerant cultivar and the maximal level of enhanced putrescine in shoot of chilling cultivar(TNG. 67) was about 8 folds of controls at two days after chilling. The accumulation of polyamines may protect membrane structure or buffer ionic imbalance from chilling damage. Stress physiology is a rapidly expanding field. Plant growth regulators that improve tolerance to low temperature may affect stress protein production. The molecular or gene approaches will help us to elucidate the functions of plant hormones related to the regulation of chilling tolerance in plants in the near future.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.171-177
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• 1998

The strain A49, which produces a new type of extracellular polysaccharide was isolated from soil samples. From morphological, physiological and biochemical tests, the strain A49 was identified as a Bacillus polymyxa and named Bacillus polymyxa A49. Bacillus polymyxa A49 was found to produce a highly viscous extracellular polysaccharide when grown aerobically in a medium containing glucose as the sole source of carbon. The polysaccharide (A49 POL) showed a homogeneous pattern on gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and its molecular weight was estimated to be about 1.6 mega dalton (mDa). The FT-IR spectrum of A49-POL revealed typical characteristics of polysaccharides. As a result of investigations with HPLC and carbozole assay, A49-POL was found to consist of L-fucose, D-galactose, D-glucose, D-mannose, and D-glucuronic acid, with the molar ratio of these sugars being approximately 1:2:7:50:12. Rheological analysis of A49 POL revealed that it is pseudoplastic and has a higher apparent viscosity at dilute concentrations than does xanthan gum. The consistancy factor of A49 POL was found to be higher, and the flow index of A49 POL lower, than xanthan gum. Its apparent viscosity was comparatively unstable at various temperatures. the A49 POL showed the highest apparent viscosity at pH 3. When salts were added to A49 POL solution, the solution was compatible with up to 10% KCl, 35% NaCl, 55% $CaCl_2$, 55% $MgCl_2$, 55% $K_2HPO_4$, and 110% $Ca({NO_3})_2$, respectively.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2018

We analyzed the antioxidant and anti-wrinkle activities of berberine, isolated from dried rhizome of Coptis japonica Makino, to determine its cosmetic potential. We performed the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol]-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay to evaluate the toxicity of the berberine. We also measured the ROS and hyaluronic acid production, and expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-wrinkle activities of berberine, respectively. The cytotoxicity of ultraviolet light, in presence of berberine, was measured by the MTT assay using CCD-986sk fibroblasts, and no cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations less than $25{\mu}g/mL$. We also found that berberine decreased ROS production in a concentration-dependent manner and promoted the synthesis of hyaluronic acid. Further, berberine reduced the protein levels and mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are associated with wrinkle formation, and increased the expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. In addition, the inhibitory effect of berberine on $TNF-{\alpha}$, known as pro-inflammatory cytokine, was inhibited by $TNF-{\alpha}$ gene in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that berberine holds cosmetic value owing to its antioxidant activity, by inhibiting ROS production and anti-wrinkle activity by reducing MMP-2 and MMP-9 and increasing TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.767-776
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• 2006

Corresponding author:Deukhwan Lee, Department of Animal Life Resources, Hankyong National Univ. Seokjeong-dong Anseong-si Gyeonggi-do, Rep. of Korea 456-749Tel: 031-670-5091, Fax: 031-676-5091, E-mail : dhlee@hknu.ac.krGeneral performance with including environmental and management effects on linear type traits in Holstein cows were investigated. 115,646 valid records measured from cows over 1 yrs of age by Korean Animal Improvement Association from 2000 to 2004 were used for this study. Farm, appraisal year-month, appraisal person should affect linear type and scoring traits. Most of type traits and scoring traits would be significantly affected by parity and lactation stage after absorbing farm-appraisal year-month-person effects. Otherwise, some traits such as traits related to udder would be affected by registration criteria. However, interval of appraisal time and milking time would not affect these traits. The scores related to udder, teat placement and foot angle would be positively related to parity. Final score would be optimized at cows of 2nd and 3rd parities. Dairy form, front teat placement, rear udder height, rear udder width and final score would show similar to pattern of lactation curve at lactation stage. Dairy capacity composite index would also show similar to lactation curve. This result would be indicated that more concise standardizing system for linear type scoring rules would be needed. Furthermore, correcting system for parity and lactation stage would be needed because this factor should affect physiological status, specially, udder status.