• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.59 no.2
• /
• pp.142-150
• /
• 2005

Background : Continuous growth stimulation by various factors, as well as chronic oxidative stress, may co-exist in many solid tumors, such as lung cancer. A new family of antioxidant proteins, the peroxiredoxins (Prxs), have been implicated in the regulation of many cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. However, a real pathophysiological significance of Prx proteins, especially in lung disease, has not been sufficiently defined. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the distribution and expression of various Prx isoforms in lung cancer and other pulmonary conditions. Method : Patients diagnosed with lung cancer, and who underwent surgery at the Ajou Medical Center, were enrolled. The expressions of Prxs, Thioredoxin (Trx) and Thioredoxin reductase (TR) were analyzed using proteomic techniques and the subcellular localization of Prx proteins was studied using immunohistochemistry on normal mouse lung tissue. Result : Immunohistochemical staining has shown the isoforms of Prx I, II, III and V are predominantly expressed in bronchial and alveolar lining epithelia, as well as in the alveolar macrophages of the normal mouse lung. The isoforms of Prx I and III, and thioredoxin were also found to be over-expressed in the lung cancer tissues compared to their paired normal lung controls. There was also an increased amount of the oxidized form of Prx I, as well as a putative truncated form of Prx III, in the lung cancer samples when analyzed using 2-dimensional electrophoresis. In addition, a 43 kDa intermediate molecular weight protein band, and other high molecular weight bands of over 20 kDa, recognized by the anti-Prx I antibody, were present in the tissue extracts of lung cancer patients on 1-Dimensional electrophoresis, which require further investigation. Conclusion : The over-expressions of Prx I and III, and Trx in human lung cancer tissue, as well as their possible chaperoning function, may represent an attempt by tumor cells to adjust to their microenvironment in a manner advantageous to their survival and proliferation, while maintaining their malignant potential.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.302-313
• /
• 1995

Background: Tumor necrosis factor(TNF) showed antitumor cytolytic effects on sensitive tumor cells in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies. But it could not be administered systemically to human because of severe systemic adverse effects at effective concentrations against tumor cells. Many studies showed that a high concentrations of TNF in the local milieu may evoke in vivo TNF-responsive mechanisms sufficient to suppress tumor growth. Recently developed technique of TNF gene transfer to tumor cells using retrovirus vector could be a good candidate for local TNF administration. TNF is also known to synergistically enhance in vitro cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs targeted to DNA topoisomerase II against TNF-sensitive tumor cell lines. In this study the in vitro chemosensitivity against DNA topoisomerase II targeted chemotherapeutic drugs was evaluated using some respiratory cancer cell lines to which TNF gene had been transferred. Method: NCI-H2058, a human mesothelioma cell line, A549, a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line and WEHI 164 cell line, a murine fibrosarcoma cell line were treated with etoposide and doxorubicin, which are typical topoisomerase II - targeted chemotherapeutic agents, at different concentration. The resultant cytotoxicity was measured by MIT assay. Then the cytotoxicity of the same chemotherapeutic agents was measured after TNF-$\alpha$ gene-transfer and the two results were compared. Results: The cytotoxicity was not increased significantly in WEHI164 cell line and A549 cell line but statistically significant increase was observed in H2058 cell line when TNF-$\alpha$ gene was transferred(p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that TNF-$\alpha$ gene transfer to respiratory cancer cell lines results in variable effects on chemosensitivity against topoisomerase II inhibitor among different cell lines in vitro and can be additively cytotoxic in certain selective tumor cell lines.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.5-16
• /
• 2002

Background : Though mononuclear phagocytes serve as the final effectors in killing intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacilli readily survive in the intracellular environment of resting cells. The mechanisms through which cellular activation results in the intracellular killing is unclear. In this study, we sought to explore an in vitro model of a low-level infection of human mononuclear phagocytes with MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ and determine the extent of the lymphocyte dependent cytotoxicity of human monocytes and alveolar macrophages. Materials and Methods : The peripheral monocytes were prepared using the Ficoll gradient method from PPD positive healthy people and tuberculosis patients. The alveolar macrophages were prepared from PPD positive healthy people via a bronchoalveolar lavage. The human mononuclear phagocytes were infected at a low infection rate (bacilli:phagocyte 1:10) with MAC(Mycobacterium avium) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis $H_{37}Ra$. Non-adherent cells(lymphocyte) were added at a 10:1 ratio. After 1,4, and 7 days culture in $37^{\circ}C$, 5% CO2 incubator, the cells were harvested and inoculated in a 7H10/OADC agar plate for the CFU assay. The bacilli were calculated with the CFU/$1{\times}10^6$ of the cells and the cytotoxicity was expressed as the log killing ratio. Results : The intracellular killing of MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ within the monocyte was greater in patients with tuberculosis compared to the PPD positive controls (p<0.05). Intracellular killing of MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ within the alveolar macrophage appeared to be greater than that within the monocytes of the PPD positive controls. There was significant lymphocyte dependent inhibition of intracellular growth of the mycobacteria within the monocytes in both the controls and tuberculosis patients and within the macrophages in the controls(p<0.05). There was no specific difference in the virulence between the MAC and the $H_{37}Ra$. Conclusion : This study is an in vitro model of a low-level infection with MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ of human mononuclear phagocytes. The intracellular cytotoxicity of the mycobacteria within the phagocytic cells was significantly lymphocyte dependent. During the 7 days culture after the intracellular phagocytosis, the actual confinement of the mycobacteria was observed within the monocytes of tuberculosis patients and the alveolar macrophages of the controls as in the case of adding lymphocytes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.58 no.3
• /
• pp.230-242
• /
• 2005

Background : Spirometry should be compared with the normal predictive values obtained from the same population using the same procedures, because different ethnicity and different procedures are known to influence the spirometry results. This study was performed to obtain the normal predictive values of the Forced Vital Capacity(FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second($FEV_1$), Forced Expiratory Volume in 6 Seconds($FEV_6$), and $FEV_1/FVC$ for a representative Korean population. Methods : Based on the 2000 Population Census of the National Statistical Office of Korea, stratified random sampling was carried out to obtain representative samples of the Korean population. This study was performed as a part of the National Health and Nutrition Survey of Korea in 2001. The lung function was measured using the standardized methods and protocols recommended by the American Thoracic Society. Among those 4,816 subjects who had performed spirometry performed, there was a total of 1,212 nonsmokers (206 males and 1,006 females) with no significant history of respiratory diseases and symptoms, with clear chest X-rays, and with no significant exposure to respiratory hazards subjects. Their residence and age distribution was representative of the whole nation. Mixed effect models were examined based on the Akaike's information criteria in statistical analysis, and those variables common to both genders were analyzed by regression analysis to obtain the final equations. Results : The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the FVC and $FEV_6$ for males and females were $age^2$, height, and weight. The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the $FEV_1$ for males and females were $age^2$, and height. The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the $FEV_1/FVC$ for male and female were age and height. Conclusion : The predicted values of the FVC and $FEV_1$ was higher in this study than in other Korean or foreign studies, even though the difference was < 10%. When compared with those predicted values for Caucasian populations, the study results were actually comparable or higher, which might be due to the stricter criteria of the normal population and the systemic quality controls applied to the whole study procedures together with the rapid physical growth of the younger generations in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.45-70
• /
• 2006

China has achieved great economic growth above 9% annual since it changed to more of a market economy system by its reform and open-door policy. At the same time, China has experienced severe ecological deterioration, such as air and water pollutions caused by its rapid urbanization and industrialization. China is now confronted with environmental pollution and ecological deterioration at a critical point, at which economic development in China is limited. Moreover, environmental problems in China have become a lit fuse for social fluctuation beyond pollution problems. The root and background of environmental problems in China, firstly, are its government's lack of understanding of these problems and incorrect economic policies affected by political and ideological prejudice. Secondly, the plundering of resources, 'the principle of development first' which didn't consider environmental sustainability is another source of environmental deterioration in China. In addition, a huge population and poverty in China have increased the difficulty in solving its environmental problems, and in fact have accelerated them. The Chinese government has established many environmental laws and institutions, increased environmental investments, and is enlarging the participation of NGOs and the general public in some limited scale to solve its environmental problems. However, it has not obtained effective results because of the lack of environmental investments owing to the government's limit of the development phase, a structural limit of law enforcement and local protectionism, and the limit of political independency in NGOs and the lack of public participation in China. It seems that China remains in the stage of 'economic development first, environmental protection second', contrary to its catch-phrase of 'the harmony between economic development and environmental protection'. China is now confronted with dual pressure both domestically and abroad because of deepening environmental problems. There are growing public's protests and demonstrations in China in response to the spread of damage owing to environmental pollution and ecological deterioration. On the other hand, international society, in particular neighboring countries, regard China as a principal cause of ecological disaster. In the face of this dual pressure, China is presently contemplating a 'recycling economy' that helps sustainable development through the structural reform of industries using too much energy and through more severe law enforcement than now. Therefore, it is desirable to promote regional cooperation more progressively and practically in the direction of building China's ability to solve environmental problems.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.298-305
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND: The utilization of green manures as alternatives to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers is considered a good agricultural practice. Effect of incorporation of green manure to soil on change of inorganic nitrogen (N) is well literatured. However, there have been few studies on examining entire dynamic of N including inorganic N and N gases in soil incorporated with green manure. The objective of this study was to examine the changes of inorganic N and N gases with single and mixture applications of hairy vetch and barley in the soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hairy vetch(H) and barley (B) were applied at the mixture ratio of B:H=0:0, B:H=100:0, B:H=0:100, and B:H=50:50 in soil. The soil-green manure mixtures were incubated in the dark at $25^{\circ}C$ for 17 weeks under aerobic conditions. Cumulative emission of $NH_3$ and $N_2O$ from soils amended with mixture of barley and hairy vetch(B:H=50:50) were less than those from amended with mono hairy vetch(B:H=0:100). Incorporation of single hairy vetch or mixture of barley and hair vetch application could significantly increased concentration of plant available N ($NH_4{^+}$) in early stage of plant growth and plant available N ($NO_3{^-}$) in later stage. However, high concentration of $NO_3{^-}$ in soil could cause adverse environmental impact through $NO_3{^-}$ leaching from soil. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, it might be a good soil management practice to incorporate mixture of barely and hairy vetch in the view point of increase in plant available N concentration and decrease in N losses through volatilization, denitrification, and leaching.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2002

Background: Despite the relatively high mortality rates in the chronic heart failure model induced by coronary artery ligation are relatively high, this model has been a subject of continuos research because of its clinical correlation. Chronic heart failure model of large-sized animals is very useful to analyse mechanical or biological effects on circulatory system which is difficult in small-sized animals. The purpose of this study is to establish the heart failure model by coronary artery ligation in sheep. Material and Method: Among 9 Corridale sheep, the homonymous artery and the diagonal branch were ligated simultaneously in 2 sheep and remaining 7 sheep were assigned to successive ligation of both arteries at an interval of 1 hour. Both coronary arteries were ligated from the point 40% proximal to the apex of the heart. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed before the ligation of the coronary artery, after the ligation of the homonymous artery, and after additional ligation of the diagonal branch. The experimental animals were sacrificed after 2 or 3 months of growth and histopathologic studies were performed Result: Immediate postoperative death occurred in the 2 sheep that had received simultaneous ligation of the homonymous artery and diagonal branch. On the other hand, all the 7 sheep that were lifated in succession were survived up to 3 months. Arterial pressure was sifnificantly decreased immediately after ligation of the homonymous artery(p<0.05), and the cardiac output was decreased and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was increased after further ligation of the diagonal branch(p<0.05). Central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and end-systolic dimension were markedly increased 3 months after ligation of coronary arteries. Anteroseptal akinesia or dyskinesia was developed after the ligation of coronary arteries. Histopathologic study revealed we]1-demarcated ischemic area of fibrosis. Conclusion: Using methods of successive ligation of the homonymous artery and diagonal branch, chronic heart failure model could be reliably established in sheep.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.205-215
• /
• 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of stocking density and strain on the performance and physiological adaptive responses including the plasma corticosterone content and the level of mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes in broiler chicks. A total of 300 birds of two strains (150 Ross strain vs. 150 Cobb strain) aged 3-d old were allotted into two stocking densities (standard stocking density,$0.046m^2/bird$ vs. high stocking density, $0.023m^2/bird$) in battery cages by $2{\times}2$ factorial designs with ten replicates until 35 d of age. There was no significant strain effect on body weight, feed intakes and feed to gain ratio and the relative organ weights. However body weight, feed intakes and relative organ weight were found to be significantly (P<0.05) affected by the effect of stocking density. Plasma corticosterone level was not affected by both stocking density and strain effects. Hepatic mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, IL-18 and interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) was not significantly changed by the effects of strain and stocking density. However, the mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) was affected by strain, showing that Ross strain decreased (P<0.05) the GPX expression. With respect to the effect of stocking density, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and GPX mRNA expression in the liver from high stocking density group. Splenic pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was not also affected by stocking density and strain, except that IL-18 mRNA significantly (P<0.05) decreased in Cobb strain under high stocking density. The mRNA expression of SOD and CAT was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the effects of stocking density and strain. In conclusion, growth performance was not affected by strain but stocking density. Although mRNA expression of major pro-inflammatory cytokines was not changed by stocking density and strain, antioxidant enzyme was significantly affected by stocking density, strain or even organ in birds under summer conditions. More detailed studies still needed to be explored to elucidate the effects of environmental conditions and genetic background on physiological responses in birds.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.482-491
• /
• 2004

Background: The xenogenic or allogenic valves after in Vitro repopulation with autologous cells or in vivo repo-pulation after acellularization treatment to remove the antigenicity could used as an alternative to synthetic polymer scaffold. In the present study, we evaluated the process of repopulation by recipient cell to the acellu-larized xenograft treated with NaCl-SDS solution and grafted in the right ventricular outflow tract. Material and Method: Porcine pulmonary valved conduit were treated with. NaCl-SDS solution to make the grafts acellularized and implanted in the right ventricular outflow tract of the goats under cardiopulmonary bypass. After evaluating the functions of pulmonary valves by echocardiography, goats were sacrificed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after implantation, respectively. After retrieving the implanted valved conduits, histopathologic examination with Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson' trichrome staining and immunohistochemical staining was performed. Result: Among the six goats, which had been implanted with acellularized pulmonary valved conduits, five survived the expected time period. Echocardiographic examinations for pulmonary valves revealed good function except mild regurgitation and stenosis. Microscopic analysis of the leaflets showed progressive cellular in-growth, composed of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and endothelial cells, into the acellularized leaflets over time. Severe inflammatory respon-se was detected in early phase, though it gradually decreased afterwards. The extracellular matrices were regenerated by repopulated cells on the recellularized portion of the acellularized leaflet. Conclusion: The acellularized xenogenic pulmonary valved conuits were repopulated with fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and endothelial cells of the recipient and extracellullar matrices were regenerated by repopulted cells 12 months after the implantation. The functional integrity of pulmonary valves was well preserved. This study showed that the acellularized porcine xenogenic valved conduits could be used as an ideal valve prosthesis with long term durability.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.175-183
• /
• 2009

Background: Mitral valve abnormalities in the pediatric population are rare. Mitral valve replacement or pediatric mitral lesions can cause problems such as a lack of growth potential. There re only limited experiences with mitral valve repair at any institution, so the purpose of his study is to evaluate the outcomes of mitral valve repair n pediatric patients. Material and Method: Sixty-four consecutive children (28 males and 36 females) with a mean age of $5.5{\pm}4.7$ years underwent mitral valve repair for treating their congenital mitral valve disease between January 1996 and December 2005. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (34 patients (53.1%)) had isolated disease (mitral anomaly with or without trial septal defect or patent ductus arteriosus) and group 2 (30 patients (46.9%)) had complex disease (mitral anomaly with concurrent intracardiac disease, except atrioventricular septal defect). Result: The overall in-hospital mortality was 6.3%; group 1 had 5.9% mortality and group 2 had 10.0% mortality. The postoperative morbidity was 18.8%; group 1 and 2 had 14.7% and 23.3% postoperative morbidity, respectively, and there as no significant difference among the groups. The median follow-up was 4.6 years range: $0.5{\sim}12.2$ years). The 10-year survival rate was 95.3%. The 10-year freedom from re-operation rate was 76.1% with 10 re-operations. The majority of the functional classifications were annular dilatation and leaflet prolapse. A mean of $2.1{\pm}1.1$ procedures per patient were performed. The echocardiography that was done at the immediate postoperative period showed a significant improvement in the mitral valve function. The follow-up echocardiographic results were significantly improved. However, mitral stenosis newly developed over time, and there ere significant differences according to the repair strategies. Conclusion: The patients who underwent mitral valve repair for congenital mitral anomalies showed good results. The follow-up echocardiography revealed satisfactory short-term and long-term results. Close follow-up is necessary to detect the development of postoperative mitral stenosis or regurgitation.