• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.292-304
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• 2018

Microbes is becoming increasingly forensic possibility as a consequence of advances in massive parallel sequencing (MPS) and bioinformatics. Human DNA typing is the best identifier, but it is not always possible to extract a full DNA profile namely its degradation and low copy number, and it may have limitations for identical twins. To overcome these unsatisfactory limitations, forensic potential for bacteria found in evidence could be used to differentiate individuals. Prokaryotic cells have a cell wall that better protects the bacterial nucleoid compared to the cell membrane of eukaryotic cells. Humans have an extremely diverse microbiome that may prove useful in determining human identity and may even be possible to link the microbes to the person responsible for them. Microbial composition within the human microbiome varies across individuals. Therefore, MPS of human microbiome could be used to identify biological samples from the different individuals, specifically for twins and other cases where standard DNA typing doses not provide satisfactory results due to degradation of human DNA. Microbial forensics is a new discipline combining forensic science and microbiology, which can not to replace current STR analysis methods used for human identification but to be complementary. Among the fields of microbial forensics, this paper will briefly describe information on the current status of microbiome research such as metagenomic code, salivary microbiome, pubic hair microbiome, microbes as indicators of body fluids, soils microbes as forensic indicator, and review microbial forensics as the feasibility of microbiome-based human identification.

• 한국진공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국진공학회 2012년도 제43회 하계 정기 학술대회 초록집
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• pp.224-224
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• 2012

For decades, carbon fiber has expanded their application fields from reinforced composites to energy storage and transfer technologies such as electrodes for super-capacitors and lithium ion batteries and gas diffusion layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Especially in fuel cell, water repellency of gas diffusion layer has become very important property for preventing flooding which is induced by condensed water could damage the fuel cell performance. In this work, we fabricated superhydrophobic network of carbon fiber with high aspect ratio hair-like nanostructure by preferential oxygen plasma etching. Superhydrophobic carbon fiber surfaces were achieved by hydrophobic material coating with a siloxane-based hydrocarbon film, which increased the water contact angle from $147^{\circ}$ to $163^{\circ}$ and decreased the contact angle hysteresis from $71^{\circ}$ to below $5^{\circ}$, sufficient to cause droplet roll-off from the surface in millimeter scale water droplet deposition test. Also, we have explored that the condensation behavior (nucleation and growth) of water droplet on the superhydrophobic carbon fiber were significantly retarded due to the high-aspect-ratio nanostructures under super-saturated vapor conditions. It is implied that superhydrophobic carbon fiber can provide a passage for vapor or gas flow in wet environments such as a gas diffusion layer requiring the effective water removal in the operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Moreover, such nanostructuring of carbon-based materials can be extended to carbon fiber, carbon black or carbon films for applications as a cathode in lithium batteries or carbon fiber composites.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.332-336
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• 2020

Homozygous mutations in NUDT15 R139C are known as the major factor associated with thiopurine-induced early leukopenia, particularly in Asian patients. Therefore, NUDT15 genotyping is currently recommended before thiopurine treatment to identify patients who are NUDT15 poor metabolizers and consider the use of an alternative immunomodulatory therapy. We report a case of a 12-year-old Korean girl with Crohn's disease (CD), in whom thiopurine-induced leukopenia was prevented by initiation of azathioprine (AZA) therapy at a low dose (0.5 mg/kg/day) and early detection of significant hair loss and white blood cell (WBC) count decrease at 17 days from the start of AZA treatment. The WBC count dropped from 8,970/μL to 3,370/μL in 2 weeks, and AZA treatment was stopped because of concerns of potential leukopenia in the near future. Her WBC count recovered to 5,120/μL after 3 weeks. Gene analysis later revealed that she had a homozygous mutation in NUDT15 R139C, resulting in a poor metabolizing activity of NUDT15. In situations when NUDT15 genotyping is unavailable, initiation of AZA therapy at 0.5 mg/kg/day with close observation of hair loss and WBC counts within 2 weeks may be an alternative way to prevent thiopurine-induced early leukopenia in Asian children with CD.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.471-482
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• 1996

These experiments were undertaken in order to find out the useful clinicopathological diagnostic methods of cadmium poisoning in dogs. Twenty-one dogs were divided into a control group and 6 experimental groups. The experimental groups were adminstered orally 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 and 120mg of cadmium per kg of body weight for 56 days. All dogs were examined for clinical signs, and weekly changes in hematological and blood chemical values. All dogs were necropsied on 57th days of experiment. Tissue samples including hair, skin, muscle, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, testis, ovary, uterus, and bone were collected and analyzed for cadmium, zinc, iron and copper contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. From these experiments following results were obtained : 1. All experimental dogs showed vomitting, salivation, anorexia, decreased water-intake, dehydration, and marked weight loss. The dogs received 30mg/kg or more of cadmium died during the period from 2nd to 7th week after administration. 2. Hematologically, all experimental dogs showed decrease in erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume. The anemia was identified as normocytic and regenerative morphologically. 3. No significant differences in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and cholosterol value were obseved between the control and experimental dogs. 4. The cadmium contents in various tissues of experimental dogs were estimated as $37.8{\sim}201.8{\mu}g/g$ in bone, $14.1{\sim}49.5{\mu}g/g$ in liver, $13.2{\sim}53.1{\mu}g/g$ in kidney, $0.4{\sim}35.2{\mu}g/g$ in pancreas, $0.8{\sim}35.4{\mu}g/g$ in spleen, $0.9{\sim}30.1{\mu}g/g$ in hair, $0{\sim}7.1{\mu}g/g$ in lung, $0{\sim}5.1{\mu}g/g$ in skin, and $0{\sim}3.6{\mu}g/g$ in muscle, respectively. However, the serum, testis, ovary and uterus showed no cadmium accumulation. Two contol dogs showed cadmium accumulation only in bone. 5. Significant differances in zinc, iron, and copper contents in tissue samples were observed between the control and experimental groups.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.31-37
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated the efficacy of Celtis choseniana Nakai (C. choseniana) as complementary herbal medicine to ameliorate androgenic alopecia (AGA). The effects of C. choseniana on AGA were evaluated using testosterone propionate-induced AGA mouse model and dihydrotestosterone-treated human hair follicle dermal papilla cells. In vivo, C. choseniana treatment deactivated androgen signaling by reducing the concentration of serum dihydrotestosterone level and expressions of 5α-reductase 2 and androgen receptor. Next, C. choseniana treatment increased the hair regrowth rate. Histological studies demonstrated that C. choseniana induced the anagen phase in testosterone propionate-induced AGA mouse model. Cellular proliferation was promoted by C. choseniana treatment via increasing the expression of proliferation factors, such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1. Furthermore, C. choseniana treatment increased the expression of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, dickkopf-1, a Wnt inhibitor, was downregulated with C. choseniana treatment. Likewise, C. choseniana treatment promoted cellular proliferation in vitro. This study demonstrated the inhibitory effect of C. choseniana on androgen-induced AGA. Moreover, C. choseniana induced activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, resulting in prolonged anagen and cellular proliferation. Therefore, we suggest that C. choseniana can be used as a therapeutic agent to alleviate AGA.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.69-75
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: The antioxidant ebselen will be able to limit or prevent the ototoxicity arising from 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease is a disorder of lysosomal storage manifested in sphingolipidosis. Recently, it was noted that experimental use of HPβCD could partially resolve the symptoms in both animals and human patients. Despite its desirable effect, HPβCD can induce hearing loss, which is the only major side effect noted to date. Understanding of the pathophysiology of hearing impairment after administration of HPβCD and further development of preventive methods are essential to reduce the ototoxic side effect. The mechanisms of HPβCD-induced ototoxicity remain unknown, but the resulting pathology bears some resemblance to other ototoxic agents, which involves oxidative stress pathways. To indirectly determine the involvement of oxidative stress in HPβCD-induced ototoxicity, we tested the efficacy of an antioxidant reagent, ebselen, on the extent of inner ear side effects caused by HPβCD. Materials and Methods: Ebselen was applied prior to administration of HPβCD in mice. Auditory brainstem response thresholds and otopathology were assessed one week later. Bilateral effects of the drug treatments also were examined. Results: HPβCD-alone resulted in bilateral, severe, and selective loss of outer hair cells from base to apex with an abrupt transition between lesions and intact areas. Ebselen co-treatment did not ameliorate HPβCD-induced hearing loss or alter the resulting histopathology. Conclusions: The results indirectly suggest that cochlear damage by HPβCD is unrelated to reactive oxygen species formation. However, further research into the mechanism(s) of HPβCD otopathology is necessary.

• 대한청각학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.69-75
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: The antioxidant ebselen will be able to limit or prevent the ototoxicity arising from 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease is a disorder of lysosomal storage manifested in sphingolipidosis. Recently, it was noted that experimental use of HPβCD could partially resolve the symptoms in both animals and human patients. Despite its desirable effect, HPβCD can induce hearing loss, which is the only major side effect noted to date. Understanding of the pathophysiology of hearing impairment after administration of HPβCD and further development of preventive methods are essential to reduce the ototoxic side effect. The mechanisms of HPβCD-induced ototoxicity remain unknown, but the resulting pathology bears some resemblance to other ototoxic agents, which involves oxidative stress pathways. To indirectly determine the involvement of oxidative stress in HPβCD-induced ototoxicity, we tested the efficacy of an antioxidant reagent, ebselen, on the extent of inner ear side effects caused by HPβCD. Materials and Methods: Ebselen was applied prior to administration of HPβCD in mice. Auditory brainstem response thresholds and otopathology were assessed one week later. Bilateral effects of the drug treatments also were examined. Results: HPβCD-alone resulted in bilateral, severe, and selective loss of outer hair cells from base to apex with an abrupt transition between lesions and intact areas. Ebselen co-treatment did not ameliorate HPβCD-induced hearing loss or alter the resulting histopathology. Conclusions: The results indirectly suggest that cochlear damage by HPβCD is unrelated to reactive oxygen species formation. However, further research into the mechanism(s) of HPβCD otopathology is necessary.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.23-29
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• 2024

Objectives : Polyporus umbellatus is a medicinal mushroom that has been used for over thousands years in Chinese medicine as a powerful diuretic to relieve fluid retention and edema. Dermal papilla is located at the bottom of the hair follicle and connected to the blood vessels where it gets the nutrients and oxygen to nurture hair follicle. This study examined the mechanism through which the ethanol extract of Polyporus umbellatus (EPU) promoted the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (HHDPCs). Methods : To estimate the proliferative effects of EPU on HHDPCs, cell viability was estimated by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Western blotting was used to investgate the activation of ERK, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, β-catenin, GSK-3β and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Cells were treated with inhibitors of ERK and Akt prior to EPU treatment. Results : EPU promoted the proliferation of HHDPCs and the phosphorylation of ERK and Akt in dose dependent manner. However, the proliferative effect of EPU on HHDPCs was inhibited by pre-treatment of ERK inhibitor (PD98059) and Akt inhibitor (LY294002). Furthermore, EPU respectively stimulated the protein expression of β-catenin and phosphorylated GSK-3β. EPU significantly increased the protein expression levels of proliferation and cytoprotection related genes such as Bcl-2, SIRT-1, and HO-1 in cells. Conclusion : This results suggest that EPU promoted the proliferation of HHDPCs via activating PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HHDPCs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.43-51
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• 2011

Natural products in Chonnam, Korea were screened via anti-angiogenesis experiments, and 1 candidate product was identified, Corni fructus, which exerted dose-dependent inhibitory effects against angiogenesis, adipogenesis, and cell adhesion. C. fructus extract (CFE) exhibits an angiogenesis inhibitory effect superior to that of the EGCG from green tea leaves. The expression level of angiogenesis and adipogenesis-related signal molecules in the western blotting was reduced by increasing the amount of added CFE. Moreover, a diet supplemented with CFE was deemed more effective in inducing weight loss in LB mice than a representative synthetic diet drug, orlistat, which incidently caused the side effect of denuding the mice of their hair. These results indicate that C. fructus may prove to be a useful anti-adipogenic compound, and these in vitro results may be reflected later under in vivo conditions.

• 한국환경생태학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국환경생태학회 2005년도 정기총회 및 학술대회
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• pp.3-14
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• 2005

To investigate phytotoxic substances in some donor plants and their biological activities, seed germination and seedling growth of receptor plants were examined at different concentrations of aqueous extracts and essential oils of the donor plants. Germination of some receptor species was inhibited by the extracts, while seedling growth was decreased to a lesser degree than in the germination test. Germination, seedling growth and dry weight growth of Achyranthes japonica grown in pot were proportionally inhibited by the extracts. Volatile substances emitted some donor plants caused inhibitory effects in the germination and seedling growth of the receptor species. Essential oil of the plants extracted by Karlsruker's apparatus Inhibited growth of microorganisms, callus growth and root hair development of receptor plants. The cortical cells at the root tips of Latuca sativa treated with essential oils showed contraction of the cytoplasm, resulting in plasma membranes becoming detached from the cell walls and the cells metamorphosing irregularity. Accumulation of lipid granules Inside contracted cytoplasm and degeneration of mitochondrial cristae were also observed. The GC/MS method was employed for analysis and identification of allelochemicals from donor plants. Sixty-one chemical substances such as camphene, cineole etc. were identified from essential oils of Artemisia argyi.