• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.888-894
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• 2012

Salvia plebeia R. Br. (Labiatae), distributed in many countries such as Korea, China, India, Iran, and Australia, is used as a folk remedy for a variety of inflammatory diseases including hepatitis, cough, diarrhea, gonorrhea, menorrhagia, tumors, and hemorrhoids. This study focused on determining the involvement of anti-inflammatory heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the inhibitory activity of an extract of Salvia plebeia R. Br. leaves (SPL) on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. SPL extract at the highest concentration (500 ${\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited NO production by approximately 85% and suppressed iNOS protein expression by approximately 90% compared to LPS-stimulated cells. The SPL extract induced the expression of HO-1 in a dose-dependent manner, and blocking HO-1 activity abolished the inhibitory effects of the SPL extract on NO production. These results suggest that an SPL extract has potent anti-inflammatory activity through HO-1 induction in RAW264.7 macrophages.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.17-27
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• 2010

Objectives: Cocaine has been well known as a representative drug of abuse for its strong reinforcing effect linked to the mesolimbic reward system including dopamine, and such reinforcement leads to the addiction. Acupuncture has been used widely in eastern Asia for the treatment of various diseases including mental disorders and psychiatric problems, and is gathering more interest as one of the complementary and alternative medicines in western countries. In a previous study, we demonstrated that acupuncture at HT7 could affect dopamine release in the mesolimbic system of rats sensitized to alcohol and morphine. This study was designed to investigate whether acupuncture at HT7 could attenuate cocaine intake or not. Material & Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 270-300 g at the start of experiment were trained to self-administer food pellets under a fixed ratio 1 schedule. After the success of acquisition of 100 pellets within 3 h for 3 consecutive days, animals were subjected to surgery whereby Silastic tubing was implanted into right jugular vein and secured with mesh under the anesthetization using pentobarbital injection (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Following recovery, rats were trained to self-administer cocaine (0.25 mg/kg) in daily 2 h sessions under fixed ratio 1 schedule over 10 days. Each treatment was performed on the next day of each establishment of baseline. Results: Results show that acupuncture at HT7, but not at control points, reduced cocaine intake significantly. Acupuncture at HT7 decreased selectively active lever response from $63.15{\pm}3.35$ to $51.46{\pm}3.99$ corresponding $82.12{\pm}5.31%$ compared to basal level. Also, it was demonstrated that the effect of acupuncture was mainly occurred at the half period. Nevertheless, acupuncture at HT7 did not influence the food taking behavior. Conclusions: From the results of this study, it may be suggested that acupuncture at HT7, at least in part, could contribute to the treatment of cocaine abuse.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2001

Surface sediments (0- 5 cm), mussels (Mytilus coruscus and M. edulis) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were sampled at 20 stations in Korean coast during a period of February to July 2000. Samples were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer detector (GC/MSD). The sediment $\sum PAH$ concentration varied from 7 to 1,214 ng/g dry weight and the level of carcinogenic PAHs of six species ranged from 1 to 563 ng/g dry weight in surface sediments. In organisms, the levels of $\sum PAH$ were in the range of 63-876 ng/g dry weight and the concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs of six species were in the range of 4-582 ng/g dry weight. The highest PAH concentrations in sediments and organisms were in samples from Station 5 in Pohang coast and Station 8 in Jinhae coast, respectively. $\sum PAH$ concentrations in sediments and organisms collected from Korean coast were slightly low or comparable to those in other countries. The contribution of ring aromatic groups to sum of 16 PAHs in sediments and organisms showed a similar pattern for most stations. In sediments, the predominant contributions were four and five ring aromatics like fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene. In the organisms, four ring aromatics like fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene and chrysene were predominant PAH species. Several molecular indices such as phenanthrene/anthracene, fluoranthene/pyrene and LMW/HMW ratio were used to identify the origin of PAH contamination in sediments. The results indicate that PAHs of Korean coast were mainly of pyro1ytic contaminants with slight petrogenic input. A high correlation within individual PAH compound in marine sediments was observed, while correlation in organisms showed a highly significant relationship for heavier molecular weight PAHs.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.95-109
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• 2011

The aim of this study is to analyze the container terminal operation by considering the key factors that fluctuates the container traffic volume using the System Dynamics (SD) method. The target area of this study is the 'A' container terminal which is located in the Port of Incheon and the simulation period is from 2004 to 2020. As evaluation indexes for container terminal operation, three factors such as 'total sales', 'operating ratio of C/Y' and 'operating ratio of G/C' are selected, and as for the key factors of fluctuating container traffic volume, 'variation ratio of world trade', 'variation ratio of trade among three countries in North-East Asia' and 'variation ratio of won-dollar rate are used. As of 2020, the result of this study is that import-export container traffic volume increases almost 880,000TEU and total sales and operating ratio of G/C each reach 7.1 bilion won and 65 percent. No changes however in loadage and operating ratio of C/Y in 'A' container terminal are indicated. The reason is that capability of C/Y is exceeded. Therefore this study suggest that decision-makers of 'A' container terminal realize the importance of additional space of C/Y.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.405-415
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• 2006

Sixteen soil samples around six areas (residental area, traffic area, power plant area, incineration area and factory area) where the stationary and mobile sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are estimated to be emitted in Jeju City, were collected during Feburuary to March, 2004, and analyzed for 16 PAHs recommended by US EPA as primary pollutants to investigate their distribution characteristics. The concentrations of total PAHs (t-PAHs) and total carcinogenic PAHs $(t-PAH_{CARC})$ in soils of Jeju City were in the range of $21.7\sim264.2ng/g$ on a dry weight basis with a mean value of 87.2 ng/g and $6.3\sim118.0ng/g$ with a mean value of 33.4 ng/g, respectively. The concentrations of t-PAHs were low in comparison with those in soils of other domestic and foreign countries. The mean concentrations of t-PAHs and $(t-PAH_{CARC})$ with area decreased in the following sequences: traffic area> incineration area > factory area > power generation area > harbor area enli residental area. The correlation between t-PAHs and $(t-PAH_{CARC})$ were very high $(\gamma^2=0.9701)$, indicating that $(t-PAH_{CARC})$ concentration increases in proportion with t-PAHs. Comparing the distribution ratio of ring PAHs with area among 16 PAHs, it decreased in the order of 4-ring > 5-ring > 6-ring > 3-ring > 2-ring in all the areas except for harbor area. whitens for harbor area it was similar among 3-, 4- and 5-ring with high value. Low and no correlations between t-PAHs and soil compositions (organic matter content and particle size distribution) were observed, which is considered to be caused by the complex factors, such as the loading and characteristics of PAHs and diverse soil environment change, etc. From the examination of the three PAH origin indices, such as LMW/HMW (low molecular weight $2\sim3$ ring PAHs over high molecular weight $4\sim6$ ring PAHs), phenanthrene/anthracene ratio and fluoranthene/pyrene ratio, it can be concluded that the soil PAH contaminations were ascribed to strong pyrogenic origin in ail areas except for harbor area and to both pyrogenic and petrogenic origins.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.753-760
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to develop value-added seasoning products with Korean advanced chile peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) and investigate their physicochemical characteristics based on sensory evaluation. Ninety-seven chile pepper-related products were collected from American local favorites and analyzed based on their compositions. Yeongyang's chile pepper powders were prepared to develop Korean chile pepper seasoning products and measured for total microbial content (3.36 log CFU/g), moisture content (12.43%), total carotenoids (223.46 mg/100 g), vitamin C (290.33 mg/100 g), ASTA color value (149.37), and capsaicinoids (4.06 mg/100 g). Korean chile pepper seasoning samples for beef showed higher overall acceptability compared to American local favorite seasonings. Completed Korean chile pepper seasoning products contained red pepper (20%), various herbs (26.1%), salt (11.4%), dried mushroom (8.5%), garlic (8.5%), black pepper, curry, paprika, sweet pumpkin (5.7%), and citron (2.8%). This result might show the possibility of replacing mixed seasoning products from foreign countries (USA and Europe).

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2012

The levels of indicator PCBs were determined in 132 human milk samples (Colostrum, 30th days after delivery, 60th days after delivery) collected in 2006 according to World Health Organization's (WHO) protocol. In addition, concentrations of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured by the isotope dilution method with high resolution gas chromatograph/high resolution mass detector (HRGC/HRMS), which gave accurate and precise data for estimations of international trend and comparisons. Average daily intakes (ADIs) of all analytes were calculated. The median level of total indicator PCBs was 14 ng/g lipid, which is significantly lower than the level found in individuals from other countries. PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 accounted for about 65% of the sum of the indicator congeners analyzed. The concentration of the most abundant PCB 153 is positively correlated with the concentration of the sum indicator PCBs (p<0.001). In this study, concentrations of total indicator PCBs significantly decreased with increasing number of children for a mother, indicating that parity and breast-feeding period an important role in the accumulation and elimination of these compounds in lactating women. The ADI for the median of total indicator PCBs for an infant was evaluated at $0.077{\mu}g/kg{\cdot}bw/day$ from birth to 6 months of age. The present study shows that concentrations of PCB 118 primipara breast milk have decreased 25~35 since 1998, and that this trend is continuing.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.127-135
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• 2009

Objectives : Gagam-Gongjin-dan (GGD) composited with Cervi parvum Cornu, Corni Fructus, Angelica gigantis Radix, Lycii Fructus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Citri Pericarpium, Gastrodiae Rihzoma, Agastachis Herba, Cassiae cortkex, Scutellariae Radix, Schisandrae Fructus has been traditionally used for chronic diseases or weakness after illness in oriental countries. However, little is known about the effects of methanol extract of GGD on immune responses to ovalbumin (OVA) plus alum. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of GGD on immune responses to ovalbumin plus alum in Balb/c mice. Methods : In this study, the extract of GGD was prepared by extracting with methanol for 7 days. The extract was freeze-dried following filtration through vacuum distillation system. Mice were orally administrated with or without GGD extract of different doses (50-200 mg/kg/day) for 30 days. We examined the effects of GGD extract on the serum levels of total IgE, OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, and CTACK/CCL27 production and CCR10 expression in lymph node cells and body weight change and foot pad swelling responses in ovalbumin treated Balb/c. Results : The oral administration of GGD dose-dependently reduced the serum levels of total IgE, OVA-specific immunoglobulin (IgE, IgG1 and IgG2b) and CTACK/CCL27 production in ovalbumin treated BALB/c mice. The levels of CCR10 expression from lymph node cells of OVA treated mice were markedly suppressed by treatment with GGD in a concentration dependent manner. Furthermore, foot pad swelling responses were also markedly suppressed by GGD. However, body weight were significantly increased dose dependently by GGD treatment. Conclusions : These results suggest that GGD treatment suppresses immune responses to ovalbumin, and these properties may contribute to allergic disease care.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.125-133
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• 2017

Purpose: After the introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine in 1995 in Korea, it was included in the national immunization program in 2013. In the post-Hib vaccine era, some studies in other countries reported that invasive Hib disease affects adults, especially the elderly and immunocompromised persons, more often than it affects children. To evaluate disease susceptibility, quantitative and qualitative analysis of anti-polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) antibodies were carried out in Korean adults aged 20 to 85 years. Methods: Sera were collected from 39 healthy adults (20 to 50 years of age) and from 30 elderly adults (75 to 85 years of age) who did not have immune-compromising conditions. The concentration of anti-PRP immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum bactericidal indices (SBIs) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and serum bactericidal assay. Results: Geometric mean concentrations of anti-PRP IgG and geometric mean SBIs were $0.88{\mu}g/mL$ (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17 to 3.85) and 354 (95% CI, 50 to 2,499) in young adults and $1.67{\mu}g/mL$ (95% CI, 0.53 to 5.24) and 449 (95% CI, 146 to 1,376) in elderly adults, respectively. When the threshold of seropositivity for anti-PRP IgG was applied as 0.15 or $1.0{\mu}g/mL$, which is the protective antibody level in children, seropositive rates were 87.2% or 53.8% in young adults and 100% or 60% in elderly adults. The seropositivity rates of the SBI ($SBI{\geq}4$) were 82.1% and 100% in the groups, respectively. Conclusions: Most subjects in the adult and elderly adult groups display immunity to Hib based on quantitative and qualitative antibody levels, but not all. Because high immunization and low Hib circulation rates may reduce the natural Hib immunity in the population, monitoring Hib immunity as well as disease are needed continuously.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.219-233
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• 1999

Purpose : Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) is the major cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children. This study was performed to analyze antigenic and genetic variation of G protein of subgroup A RSV. Methods : One hundred seventy-nine strains isolated at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital over 8 years-period from 1990 through 1998 were analysed for antigenic and genetic variability. Analysis was made by reactivity with monoclonal antibodies raised against RSV, and by restriction mapping and, for selected strains, nucleotide sequencing following amplification of full sequence of G gene by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results : Restriction fragment analysis of the amplified G protein gene revealed 23 restriction patterns, 12 of which included more than 2 isolate, and the most frequent genetic type comprised 30% of the strains. Indirect immunofluorescent staining with monoclonal antibodies revealed 6 antigenic types with one predominant pattern accounting for 91% of the total strains. The most frequent antigenic type had 21 restriction patterns, and some viruses with same restiction pattern had different monoclonal antibody reaction pattern. Nucleotide sequence homology of subgroup A was 91~93% between reference(A2, Long) and Korean isolates, 93~99% among Korean isolates. Maximum-parsimony analysis demonstrated that Korean isolates were distinct from reference strains and subgroup A strains were clustered in 4 groups. Conclusion : The restriction analysis pattern of G protein gene identified greater diversity within subgroup A than was seen with the monoclonal analysis and a variety of antigenic and genetic types of RSV are circulating in Korea which are different from reference strains or strains isolated from other countries.