• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2015

Background Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) induces angiogenesis and collagen synthesis to promote tissue healing. Although acetic acid soaks normalize alkali wound conditions to raise tissue oxygen saturation and deconstruct the biofilms of chronic wounds, frequent dressing changes are required. Methods Combined use of NPWT and acetic acid irrigation was assessed in the treatment of chronic wounds, instilling acetic acid solution (1%) beneath polyurethane membranes twice daily for three weeks under continuous pressure (125 mm Hg). Clinical photographs, pH levels, cultures, and debrided fragments of wounds were obtained pre- and posttreatment. Tissue immunostaining (CD31, Ki-67, and CD45) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR]; procollagen; hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha [HIF-1-alpha]; matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-1,-3,-9; and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase [TIMP]) were also performed. Results Wound sizes tended to diminish with the combined therapy, accompanied by drops in wound pH (weakly acidic or neutral) and less evidence of infection. CD31 and Ki-67 immunostaining increased (P<0.05) post-treatment, as did the levels of VEGFR, procollagen, and MMP-1 (P<0.05), whereas the VEGF, HIF-1-alpha, and MMP-9/TIMP levels declined (P<0.05). Conclusions By combining acetic acid irrigation with negative-pressure dressings, both the pH and the size of chronic wounds can be reduced and infections be controlled. This approach may enhance angiogenesis and collagen synthesis in wounds, restoring the extracellular matrix.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.205-213
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• 2018

Background: Since the revised Ginseng Industrial Act was passed, ginseng sprouts have become a new medicinal vegetable for which there is high consumer demand. However, the existing amount of research and data on ginseng production has not kept pace with this changed reality. Methods and Results: In this study we analyzed the changes in the amounts of ginsenosides in different parts of growing ginseng sprouts during the period from when organic seedlings were planted in nursery soil until 8 weeks of cultivation had elapsed, which was when the leaves hardened. In the leaves, ginsenoside content increased 1.62 times with the panaxadiol (PD) system and 1.31 - 1.56 times with the panaxatriol (PT) system from 7 to 56 days after transplantation. During the same period, the total ginsenoside content of the stems decreased by 0.66 - 0.91 times, and those of the roots increased until the $21^{st}$ day, and then underwent steep declines. The effect of fermented press cake extract (FPCE) and tap water (TP) on the total amount of ginsenoside per plant were similar, and could be represented with the equations $y=1.4330+0.2262x-0.0008x^2$ and $y=0.9555+0.2997x-0.0031x^2$ in which y = ginsenoside content x = amount of and on the total amounts of FPCE or TP, respectively after 26.4 days, however, the difference between ginsenoside content with FPCE and TP widened. Conclusions: These results suggested that the amounts of ginsenosides in different parts of ginseng varied with the cultivation period and nutrient supply. These findings also provide fundamental data on the distribution of ginsenosides among plant parts for 2-year-old ginseng plants in the early-growth stage.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.106-112
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• 2017

BACKGROUND: Kale (Brassica oleracea) biosynthesizes various phytochemicals including glucosinolates, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Phytochemicals of plants are influenced by light, temperature, carbon dioxide, and growing conditions. Specifically, carotenoids are affected by temperature, light, and oxygen. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cold stress (day/night: $25^{\circ}C/20^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C/15^{\circ}C$, $15^{\circ}C/10^{\circ}C$) on carotenoids in kale leaves. METHODS AND RESULTS: Kale was grown in pots for up to 50 days after sowing (DAS) in a greenhouse. For cold acclimation experiments, kale grown in growth chambers for 3 days and was subjected to low temperature for 4 days. The conditions maintained in the growth chambers were as follows: photoperiod, 12/12 h (day/night); light, fluorescent; and relative humidity, 60%. Carotenoid (lutein, ${\alpha}-carotene$, zeaxanthin, ${\beta}-carotene$) contents were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The total carotenoid content gradually increased during cold acclimation for 3 days. When kale was subjected to cold stress, the total carotenoid content was high at $25^{\circ}C/20^{\circ}C$ treatment, but low at $15^{\circ}C/10^{\circ}C$ treatment. The total carotenoid content of kale leaves continuously grown in greenhouse decreased from 50 to 57 DAS (1,418 and 1,160 mgkg-1 dry wt., respectively). The lutein, ${\alpha}-carotene$, and ${\beta}-carotene$ contents were very low and the zeaxanthin contents were very high at $15^{\circ}C/10^{\circ}C$ treatment. When kale was subjected to cold stress, the ratio of individual to the total carotenoid contents of kale leaves was 4553% for -carotene and 210% for zeaxanthin. CONCLUSION: The ${\beta}-carotene$ and zeaxanthin contents in kale leaves indicate their sensitiveness toward cold stress.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 1998

Background and Objectives: Numerous studies were conducted to develop radiosensitizers to increase antitumor effect and decrease systemic toxicity of ionizing radiation. In current study, the authors tested the synergistic effect of mutant $TNF-{\alpha}(M_3S)$ with radiation therapy on heterotransplanted hypoparyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Method: SNU-1041 cell line was heterotransplanted to nude mice. When the tumors grew up to $70mm^3$ or more, the animals were randomly placed into 4 groups(n=10/group). Group I : 0.1ml of normal saline injected intraperitoneally once a day for 5 days. Group II : 10ug of $TNF-{\alpha}$ injected intraperitoneally once a day for 5 days. Group III : a single radiation dose of 10 Gy per animal delivered. Group IV : single radiation dose of 10 Gy was delivered 1 hour after intraperitoneal injection of $TNF-{\alpha}$ 10 ug. Results: Four weeks after treatment, group IV showed the least tumor growth during the 4 weeks follow up and the relative tumor growth rate(RTG) of each groups after 4 weeks were 31, 5.8, 10, and 3.2 respectively(p<0.05). Conclusion: These study suggests that pretreatment with $TNF-{\alpha}$ can significantly enhance the effects of radiation therapy and further studies may be needed for clinical trials of combination treatment of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and radiation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: Some microorganisms extant in nature have ability to suppress various plant pathogens, and also can promote plant growth. Thus microorganisms are such great source of antimicrobial agents to develop antagonistic microorganism production and eco-friendly crop management. We isolated the microorganisms in various eco-friendly formulations. The suppressive abilities against plant pathogens have been characterized in vitro level. METHODS AND RESULTS: The indigenous microorganisms have been isolated from Cooked rice, Black sugar, Rice Bran, and Red clay using dilution plating method. Population of bacteria and fungi were above 107 in the all formulations. We isolated and pure cultured the microorganisms based on morphological characteristics. Three major plant pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthora capsici) have been used to select antagonistic microorganisms. Total 20 bacteria and 9 fungi showed the pathogen growth suppression ability in vitro condition. The selected microorganisms were identified by ITS sequence similarity. CONCLUSION: All tested eco-friendly formulations contained high-density of the microorganisms. Among the isolated microorganisms, Bacillus spp. and Streptomyces spp. showed the most effective antifungal activity against the plant pathogens such as F. oxysporum, R. solani, and P. capsici. Among the selected fungi Trichoderma sp. demonstrated antifungal activity. Our results suggest that the currently adapted eco-friendly formulations might useful for sustain agricultural system.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Reuse of waste nutrient solution for the cultivation of crops could lead to considerable conservation of water resources, plant nutrients, and water quality. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the potential for reducing the use of chemical fertilizer in Chinese cabbage cultivation via the reuse of waste nutrient solution as an alternative irrigation resource. METHODS AND RESULTS: The nutrients supplied in the waste nutrient solution consisted of 1474.5, 1285.1, 991.6, and 872.6 mg/L for $K+$, ${NO_3}^-$, $Ca^{2+}$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$, respectively. At 56 days after transplanting (DAT), the leaf length of Chinese cabbage plants irrigated with the waste nutrient solution treatment was significantly higher than that of plants irrigated using a conventional groundwater treatment. Additionally, the leaf width, fresh weight and dry weight of the plants irrigated with the waste nutrient solution were similar or greater than that of plants irrigated with a conventional treatment. Furthermore, the growth of plants treated with the waste nutrient solution +25% fertilizer was the highest among all tested treatments. CONCLUSION(s): These results indicate that the waste nutrient solution can be used as an alternate water resource for crop cultivation. In addition, it can contribute to reduce the fertilizer and to obtain the higher crop yield of Chinese cabbage.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.2
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• pp.84-92
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• 2012

Background: Asian dust storms can be transported across eastern Asia. In vitro, Asian dust particle-induced inflammation and enhancement of the allergic reaction have been observed. However, the fibrotic effects of Asian dust particles are not clear. Production of transforming growth factor ${\beta}_1$ (TGF-${\beta}_1$) and fibronectin were investigated in the bronchial epithelial cells after exposure to Asian dust particulate matter (AD-PM10). Methods: During Asian dust storm periods, air samples were collected. The bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to AD-PM10 with and without the antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). Then TGF-${\beta}_1$ and fibronectin were detected by Western blotting. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by the measurement of dicholorodihydrofluorescin (DCF), using a FACScan, and visualized by a confocal microscopy. Results: The expression of TGF-${\beta}_1$, fibronectin and ROS was high after being exposed to AD-PM10, compared to the control. NAC attenuated both TGF-${\beta}_1$ and fibronectin expression in the AD-PM10-exposed the bronchial epithelial cells. Conclusion: AD-PM10 may have fibrotic potential in the bronchial epithelial cells and the possible mechanism is AD-PM10-induced intracellular ROS.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2018

Background: Although targeted therapy and immuno-oncology have shifted the treatment paradigm for lung cancer, platinum-based combination is still the standard of care for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pemetrexed continuation maintenance therapy has been approved and increasingly used for patients with nonsquamous NSCLC. However, the efficacy of this strategy has not been proven in patients without driving mutations. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical benefit of pemetrexed continuation maintenance to conventional platinum-based doublet in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-negative lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: A total of 114 patients with EGFR-negative lung adenocarcinoma who were treated with platinum doublet were retrospectively enrolled. We compared the survival rates between patients received pemetrexed maintenance after four-cycled pemetrexed/cisplatin and those received at least four-cycled platinum doublet without maintenance chemotherapy as a first-line treatment. Results: Forty-one patients received pemetrexed maintenance and 73 received conventional platinum doublet. Median progression-free survival (PFS), which was defined as the time from the day of response evaluation after four cycles of chemotherapy to disease progression or death, was significantly higher in the pemetrexed maintenance group compared to conventional group (5.8 months vs. 2.2 months, p<0.001). Median overall survival showed an increasing trend in the pemetrexed maintenance group (22.3 months vs. 16.1 months, p=0.098). Multivariate analyses showed that pemetrexed maintenance chemotherapy was associated with better PFS (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.87). Conclusion: Compared to conventional platinum-based chemotherapy, premetrexed continuation maintenance treatment is associated with better clinical outcome for the patients with EGFR wild-type lung adenocarcinoma.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.334-343
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• 2016

Background: Progressed tissue culture techniques have allowed us to easily obtain mass products of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng over 100 yr old (TCMG-100). We investigated the effects of TCMG-100 extract on erectile function using in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods: To examine the relaxation effects and mechanisms of action of TCMG-100 on rabbit cavernosal strips evaluated in an organ bath. To investigate the long-term treatment effect of TCMG-100, 8-wk administration was performed. After administration of TCMG-100, intracavernosal pressure, cyclic guanosine monophosphate and nitric oxide (NO) levels of cavernosal tissue, serum testosterone level, histological observation of collagen fiber, endothelium, smooth muscle cell, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ were investigated. Results: TCMG-100 extract displayed dose-dependent relaxation effects on precontracted rabbit corporal smooth muscle. The TCMG-100-induced relaxation was significantly reduced by removing the endothelium, and treatment with an NO synthase inhibitor or NO scavenger. Eight weeks of TCMG-100 administration increased intracavernosal pressure in a rat model. The levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and NO in the corpus callosum and serum testosterone level were also increased by TCMG-100 treatment. Furthermore, histological evaluation of collagen, smooth muscle, and endothelium showed increases in endothelium and smooth muscle, and a decrease in transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ expression. Conclusion: These relaxation effects on corporal smooth muscle and increased erectile function suggest that TCMG-100 might be used as an alternative herbal medicine to improve erectile function.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.444-450
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• 2016

Background: The roots of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi contain atractylone, which is used to suppress appetite and indigestion caused by gastrointestinal disturbance. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of several organic compost on the growth and root yield of A. macrocephala with organic fertilizer. Methods and Results: When organic fertilizer was applied basally, the average yield of 10 a was 184.6 kg in the HA (Hwanggeumjidae, organic material mix), 171.3 kg in the GG (Gyunbaeyangchegreen, bacterial cuture filtrate) and 175.0 kg in the CF (Customary fertilization, control) each other in practice of CF had no statistical significance. Atractylenolide I was significantly greater in the HA (0.036%) than the GG (0.034%) or CF (0.023%). With regard to the amount of organic fertilzer, 10 a yield was the most common of 203.0 kg at 2.0 times of the organic 1 (HA), conventional fertilization of 134.0 kg and 173.0 kg of no application was a statistically significant. Organic fertilizer 1 was 1.5 to 2.0 times, organic fertilizer was 2 to 1.5 times that were most suitable. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated that HA and GG are the most suitable for the organic cultivation of A. macrocephala. The content of atractylone I was highest under the HA treatment and lowest under the CU (Chamjoa, oil cake), TG (Totogreen, plant oil cake) and HG (Heuksalgreen, Castor oil cake) treatment.