• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.729-741
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• 1997

Background : We have recently reported that airway epithelial cells can produce RANTES and IL-8 in response to the stimulation of tubercle bacilli suggesting a certain role of airway epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis. The pathogenesis of tuberculosis is determined by several factors including phagocytosis, immunological response of host, and virulence of tubercle bacilli. Interestingly, there have been reports suggesting that difference in immunological response of host according to the virulence of tubercle bacilli may be related with the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. We, therefore, studied the expressions and productions of RANTES and IL-8 in airway epithelial cells in response to tubercle bacilli(H37Rv, virulent strain and H37Ra, avirulent strain), in order to elucidate the possible pathophysiology of pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods : Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from normal volunteers. Peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) were stimulated with LPS($10{\mu}g/ml$), H37Rv, or H37Ra($5{\times}10^5$ bacilli/well) along with normal control for 24 hours. A549 cells were stimulated with supernatants of cultured PBM for 24 hours. ELISA kit was used for the measurement of $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production in supernatants of cultured PBM and for the measurement of RANTES and IL-8 in supernatants of cultured A549 cells. Northern blot analysis was used for the measurement of RANTES and IL-8 mRNA expression in cultured A549 cells. Results : $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ productions were increased in cultured PBM stimulated with LPS or tubercle bacilli(H37Rv or H37Ra) compared with the control. There was, however, no difference in $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production between cultured PBM stimulated with H37Rv and H37Ra. RANTES and IL-8 expressions and productions were also increased in cultured A549 cells stimulated with LPS or tubercle bacilli compared with the control. RANTES and IL-8 mRNA expressions were significantly increased in cultured A549 cells stimulated with H37Ra-conditioned media(CM) compared with A549 cells stimulated with H37Rv-CM (p<0.05). However, there was no difference in RANTES and IL-8 productions between A549 cells stimulated with H37Rv-CM and H37Ra-CM. Conclusion : Airway epithelial cells can produce the potent chemokines such as RANTES and IL-8, in response to the stimulation of tubercle bacilli. These results suggest that airway epithelial cells may play a certain role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis. However, the role of airway epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis according to the virulence of tubercle bacilli was not clear in this study.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.5-16
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• 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
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.526-535
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• 1992

Background: The oxygen radicals released by alveolar macrophages contribute to killing of microorganisms including M. tuberculosis. Macrophages are "primrd" for enhanced oxygen radical release by macrophage activator like IFN-$\gamma$ and LPS, which do not themselves cause release of oxygen radicals. Actural production of oxygen radicals is "triggered" by phagocytosis or by exposure to chemical stimuli like PMA or FMLP. There has been debates about the priming effect of alveolar macro phages because they are exposed to usual environmental particles unlike blood monocytes. Therefore we examined priming effect of IFN-$\gamma$ in human alveolar macrophages comparing with that in blood monocytes and rat alveolar macrophages. And we observed the alterations of superoxide production in both human and rat alveolar macrophages after exposure to M. tuberculosis H37Ra bacilli itself and its lysate. Methods: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was processed to isolate alveolar macrophages by adherence and the adherent cells were removed by cold shock method. After exposure to M. tuberculosis H37Ra strain, alveolar macrophages were incubated for 24 hours with IFN-$\gamma$. The amount of superoxide production stimulated with PMA was measured by ferricytochrome C reduction method. Results: 1) The priming effect in human alveolar macrophages was not observed even with high concentration of IFN-$\gamma$ while it was observed in blood monocytes and rat alveolar macrophages. 2) Both human and rat alveolar macrophages exposed to avirulent H37Ra strain showed triggering of superoxide release and similar results were shown with the exposure to H37Ra lysate. Conclusion: The priming effect in human alveolar macrophages is not observed because of its usual exposure to environmental particles and avirulent H37Ra strain does not inhibit the activation of alveolar macrophages.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.246-254
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• 2022

Current studies have revealed the capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in term of immunomodulatory properties, and this distinct potential is downgraded according to the disease duration of patients-derived MSCs. In order to enhance the immunomodulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties of the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joints-derived MSCs, we aggregate synovial fluid-derived MSCs from RA joints (RA-hMSCs) into 3D-spheroids by the use of hanging drop culture method. Cells were isolated from synovial fluids of RA joints with longstanding active status over 13 years. For aggregation of RA-hMSCs into 3D-spheroids, cells were plated in hanging drops in 30 μL of advanced DMEM (ADMEM) containing 25,000-30,000 cells/drop and cultured for 48 h. To analyze the comparative immunomodulatory effects of 3D-spheroid and 2D monolayer cultured RA-hMSCs and then cells were cultured in ADMEM supplemented with 20% of synovial fluids of RA patients for 48 h and were evaluated by qRT-PCR for their expression of mRNA levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers. Cellular aggregation of RA-hMSCs was observed and cells were aggregate into a single sphere. Following treatment of RA patient's synovial fluids into the RA-hMSCs, spheroids formed RA-hMSCs showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher expression of TNFα stimulated gene/protein 6 (TSG-6) than the monolayer cultured RA-hMSCs. Therefore, the 3D-spheroid culture methods of RA-hMSCs were more effective than 2D monolayer cultures in suppressing inflammatory response treated with 20% of RA-synovial fluids by expression of TNFα (TSG-6) according to the immune response and enhanced secretion of inflammatory factors.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.222-229
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• 1994

In order to develop a method of economical production and to reduce energy-consumption in fuel alcohol production, we investigated the fermentation characters of two newly selected thermotolerant yeasts. The RA-74-2 showed stable and superior fermentability between 30 and $40^{\circ}C$ in 20% glucose media in comparison to the industrial strains. The optimum concentration of glucose for economical fermentation at $40^{\circ}C$ was 15-18%, and organic nitrogen was necessary for a satisfactory fermentation. The optimum pH was 4.0 and aeration was adversed for high temperature fermentation. Agitation was an important factor at $40^{\circ}C$ and the addition of magnesium ion 0.2% was required in this experiment. When the inoculum was increased, ethanol productivity as well as the speed of fermentation increased. On the other hand RA-912, which can grow at $48^{\circ}C$, showed similar fermentability between 30-$45^{\circ}C$ in 20% glucose media As the concentration of substrate decreased, fermentation ratio increased at $45^{\circ}C$ (45%, 65%, 95% fermentation ratio in 20%, 15%, 10% glucose media, respectively). Also, requirement of organic nitrogen and magnesium ion in RA-912 was similar in RA-74-2. The optimum pH for fermentation was 5.0, and the effects of agitation were enhanced at $37^{\circ}C$ than at $45^{\circ}C$. As the inoculum was increased, fermentation speed became more enhanced but the ethanol productivity was less affected. RA-912 showed fermentability with various substrates. Among the substrates used, inulin was the most promising substrate for the high-temperature fermentation. When 14.5% inulin was used as the substrate, 93% and 55% fermentation ratios were shown at $37^{\circ}C$ and $45^{\circ}C$, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2016

Background: The use of acid suppressive agents became a standard therapy in an intensive care unit (ICU) to prevent stress related gastrointestinal mucosal damage. However, the risk of infectious diseases has been concerned. Objective: The study was to determine the differences between histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in incidence of nosocomial pneumonia and pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) by Clostridium difficile with patients in ICU. Methods: This is a retrospective comparative study including patients admitted to the ICU who were at least 18 years of age and stayed for more than 48hrs from August 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015. The propensity score analysis and propensity matched multivariable logistic regression were used in analyzing data to control for confounders. Results: A total of 155 patients were assessed. H2RA were prescribed in 110 (53.9%) and PPI were in 45 (22.1%). Nosocomial pneumonia developed in 37 (23.9%); 25 (22.7%) were on H2RA and 12 (26.7%) were on PPI. The unadjusted incidence of nosocomial pneumonia was slightly higher in the patients with PPI (odds ratio (OR) 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54-2.71) compared to them with H2A. After adjusting with propensity score, the adjusted OR with PPI was 1.35 (95% CI: 0.44-4.11). The propensity score matched analyses showed similar results. Conclusion: The uses of PPI and H2RA as a stress ulcer prophylaxis agent showed similarity in the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia and PMC.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.497-509
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• 2002

Background : The mechanisms through which cellular activation results in intracellular mycobacterial killing is only partially understood. However, in vitro studies of human immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been largely modeled on the work reported by Crowle, which is complicated by several factors. The whole blood culture is simple and allows the simultaneous analysis of the relationship between bacterial killing and the effect of effector cells and humoral factors. In this study, we attempted to determine the extent to which M. tuberculosis is killed in a human whole blood culture and to explore the role of the host and microbial factor in this process. Methods : The PPD positive subject were compared to the umbilical cord blood and patients with tuberculosis, diabetes and lung cancer. The culture is performed using heparinized whole blood diluted with a culture medium and infected with a low number of M. avium or M. tuberculosis $H_{37}Ra$ for 4 days by rotating the culture in a $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ incubator. In some experiments, methlprednisolone- or pentoxifyline were used to inhibit the immune response. To assess the role of the T-cell subsets, CD4+, CD8+ T-cells or both were removed from the blood using magnetic beads. The ${\Delta}$ log killing ratio was defined using a CFU assay as the difference in the log number of viable organisms in the completed culture compared to the inoculum. Results : 1. A trend was noted toward the improved killing of mycobacteria in PPD+ subjects comparing to the umbilical cord blood but there was no specific difference in the patients with tuberculosis, diabetes and lung cancer. 2. Methylprednisolone and pentoxifyline adversely affected the killing in the PPD+ subjects umbilical cord blood and patients with tuberculosis. 3. The deletion of CD4+ or CD8+ T-lymphocytes adversely affected the killing of M. avium and M. tuberculosis $H_{37}Ra$ by PPD+ subjects. Deletion of both cell types had an additive effect, particularly in M. tuberculosis $H_{37}Ra$. 4. A significantly improved mycobacterial killing was noted after chemotherapy in patients with tuberculosis and the ${\Delta}$ logKR continuously decreased in a 3 and 4 days of whole blood culture. Conclusion : The in vitro bactericidal assay by human whole blood culture model was settled using a CFU assay. However, the host immunity to M. tuberculosis was not apparent in the human whole blood culture bactericidal assay, and patients with tuberculosis showed markedly improved bacterial killing after anti-tuberculous chemotherapy compared to before. The simplicity of a whole blood culture facilitates its inclusion in a clinical trial and it may have a potential role as a surrogate marker in a TB vaccine trial.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.517-525
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• 1992

Background: Since its development by Saiki et al, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been very useful in various fields of molecular biology. PCR can be used for the detection of a very small amount of microbial agent, and is especially useful in those patients who are difficult to diagnose microbiologically or serologically. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a very slowly growing organism and AFB staining frequently shows false negative results, and therefore PCR would be a very rapid, easy, and sensitive diagnostic method for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Method: To compare PCR with conventional methods in diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum, we used sputa of patients who visited or were admitted to Seoul National University Hospital. The amplification targets were 383 base pair DNA, a part of 2520 base pair DNA encoding 65 kD Mycobacterium tuberculosis specific protein (the primers are TB-1, -2), and 123 base pair DNA, a part of IS6110 fragment, which multiple copies are known to exsist PCR one genome (the primers are Sal I-1, -2). We also requested AFB staing and culture to the lab of Seoul National University Hospital with the same sample and compared the results. Results: 1) Using TB-1, -2 primers, PCR was positive in 73.1% (19/26) of culture positive sputa, in 12.5% (1/8) of culture negative. but clinically diagnosed tuberculous sputa, and was negative in all sputa of patients who were clinically diagnosed as non-tuberculous etiology. 2) Using Sal I-I, -2 primers, PCR was positive in 94.1% (32/34) of culture positive sputa, in 23.1% (6/26) of culture negative, but clinically diagnosed tuberculous sputa, and was negative in 87.5% (14/16) of sputa from patients who were clinically diagnosed as non-tuberculous etiology. Conclusion: PCR could be a very rapid, sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputa, and further studies should be followed for the development of easier method.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.120-123
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• 2007

The typical double-barrier magnetic tunnel junction (DMTJ) structure examined in this paper consists of a Ta 45/Ru 9.5/IrMn 10/CoFe7/$AlO_x$/free layer/AlO/CoFe 7/IrMn 10/Ru 60 (nm). The free layer consists of an $Ni_{16}Fe_{62}Si_8B_{14}$ 7 nm, $Co_{90}Fe_{10}$ (fcc) 7 nm, or CoFe $t_1$/NiFeSiB $t_2$/CoFe $t_1$ layer in which the thicknesses $t_1$ and $t_2$ are varied. The DMTJ with an NiFeSiB-free layer had a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) of 28%, an area-resistance product (RA) of $86\;k{\Omega}{\mu}m^2$, a coercivity ($H_c$) of 11 Oe, and an interlayer coupling field ($H_i$) of 20 Oe. To improve the TMR ratio and RA, a DMTJ comprising an amorphous NiFeSiB layer that could partially substitute for the CoFe free layer was investigated. This hybrid DMTJ had a TMR of 30%, an RA of $68\;k{\Omega}{\mu}m^2$, and a of 11 Oe, but an increased of 37 Oe. We confirmed by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy that increased as the thickness of NiFeSiB decreased. When the amorphous NiFeSiB layer was thick, it was effective in retarding the columnar growth which usually induces a wavy interface. However, if the NiFeSiB layer was thin, the roughness was increased and became large because of the magnetostatic $N{\acute{e}}el$ coupling.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.703-710
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to confirm the influence of commercially available carbonated water on denture resin by confirming the changes in the denture surface and adhesion of bacteria. Methods: Carbonated water available in the domestic market was used on specimens made of prosthetic resins. The top four products with respect to sales performance was deposited for 30 min, 24 h, and 48 h over the study groups and over one control group. The surface roughness was measured. Candida albicans was inoculated and cultured over these dentures at 37℃ on the study groups of 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h, and the number of colonies formed was measured. Results: As a result of comparing the surface roughness between groups by immersion time, the difference between groups was confirmed at 48 hours. The Trevi group showed a larger Rz than the Samdasoo group. As a result of comparing the surface roughness by time in each group, statistical significance was shown in the Ra value of the Seagram and the Rz value of the Chojung sparkling water (p<0.05). The Ra value of the Seagram was higher for 48 h than for 30 min, and the Rz value of the Chojung sparkling water was higher at 48 h than at 30 min (p<0.05). Candida albicans concentration increased over the course of immersion. Conclusions: It was confirmed that longer the specimen of the denture resin was immersed in carbonated water, more the surface roughness was affected and higher the number of attached bacteria.