• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2001

Background : The eosinophil chemotactic and activating effects of eotaxin and the known association of eosinophils with asthma suggest that eotaxin expression is increased during an asthma attack. This study was aimed to determine whether the plasma eotaxin levels are higher in patients during an asthma attack and to correlate the eotaxin levels with the disease activity, severity and response to therapy. Method : A case-control study of the plasma eotaxin levels was performed in 100 patients with exacerbated asthma and 48 age- and sex-matched subjects with stable asthma. Results : The plasma eotaxin levels were significantly higher in the 100 patients with exacerbated asthma($233{\pm}175\;pg/mL$) than in the 48 subjects with stable asthma($169{\pm}74\;pg/mL$). A trend toward higher eotaxin levels was observed in asthmatic subjects who were taking oral steroids ($332{\pm}225\;pg/mL$) than in those who were not ($214{\pm}159\;pg/mL$) and higher levels were found in those admitted to the hospital ($275{\pm}212\;pg/mL$) than in those discharged after receiving only emergency treatment ($190{\pm}115\;pg/mL$). The eotaxin levels inversely correlated with the $FEV_$ (r=-0.25, p<0.01). The eotaxin levels were higher in moderate persistent ($323{\pm}256\;pg/mL$) and severe persistent asthmatics ($276{\pm}170\;pg/mL$) than in mild intermittent asthmatics ($l60{\pm}60\;pg/mL$). Conclusion : Eotaxin expression is directly associated with asthma exacerbation, impaired pulmonary function and the disease severity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.618-628
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• 1999

Background: Cell growth is a balance between cell proliferation and cell death. Insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I), which binds IGF-I receptor(IGF-IR), mediates cellular proliferation as a potent mitogen. IGF binding protein-3(IGFBP-3) as a circulating major IGFBP can inhibit or enhance the effects of IGF-I on cellular growth by binding IGFs. Methods: We investigated the expressions of mRNA of IGF-I and IGF-IR by northern blot and phosphorylation of IGF-IR with the treatment of IGF-I by western blot in 3T3 fibroblast cells. The cellular proliferations of 3T3 cells with the treatments of IGF-I were evaluated using $^3H$-thymidine incorporation and MTT assay. Also to observe the effect of IGFBP-3 on cellular proliferation, 3T3 cells were treated with anti-IGFBP-3 and ${\alpha}IR_3$(monoclonal antibody to IGF-IR) alone or in combination. Results: Our results demonstrated that 3T3 cells showed mRNA expressions of IGF-I and IGF-IR and the IGF-I increased phosphorylation of IGF-IR. The treatments of 3T3 cells with IGF-I increased cellular proliferation in 5 % and 1 % seruma-containing media, not in serum-free media. The addition of anti-IGFBP-3 to neutralize IGFBP-3 showed 2-fold increase of cellular proliferation, and also co-incubation of anti-IGFBP-3 and ${\alpha}IR_3$ together showed similar increase of cellular proliferation in 3T3 cells. Interestingly, when the cells were pretreated with ${\alpha}IR_3$ for 4 hr, prior to the simultaneous addition of ${\alpha}IR_3$ and anti-IGFBP-3, anti-IGFBP-3-mediated cellular proliferation was decreased to control level. All of these results suggest that free IGF-I released from IGF-I/IGFBP-3 complex would be involved in the cellular proliferation. Conclusion: IGF-I is a mitogen through the activation of IGF-IR in 3T3 cells, and IGFBP-3 could be a potent inhibitor for IGF-I action by binding IGF-I.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.351-359
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• 2010

To establish the optimum artificial light illumination method for baby leaf lettuce in closed plant factory system, the effects of red/blue light quality and short-term light quality conversion on growth and anthocyanin content were investigated. The growth of 'Hongha' lettuce was most favorable under red single wavelength LED light after 23 days of treatment, sequentially followed by the growth under red/blue mixed light, blue light, and fluorescent light. Total anthocyanin content in the mixed red/blue light (R57-B43) was 4.1-fold and 6.9-fold increased compared to the red LED and fluorescent light, respectively. With increasing the blue light ratio to 43%, the growth of lettuce was significantly decreased, while the relative chlorophyll content and Hunter's $a^*$ value was increased, indicating that the red/blue light ratio inversely affects on growth and anthocyanin pigment development. By changing light quality from red to red/blue mixed light source (R57-B43) for 9 days before harvest, the growth rate decreased compared to the continuous red light illumination, while the anthocyanin content dramatically increased compared to either red LED or fluorescent light. Whereas, when the light source was changed to red light, the growth rate was increased but anthocyanin content was reversely decreased. The result demonstrated that both growth and anthocyanin expression could be effectively regulated by shifting of light quality between red and red/blue mixed light source at a specific growth stage of lettuce in a plant factory.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.17-28
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• 2003

We met results like the followings through the literatures and questionnaires about the tasks and solutions about the insurance fee of packed medical herbs. 1) It's turned out that 74.8% of herb doctors agrees to the insurance fee of packed medical herbs. However, in comparison with the same survey of the herb doctor association the percentage of general approval went somewhat lower, and especially the percentage of 'positive approval' became notably lower$(43.7%{\rightarrow}26.5%)$ and the percentage of 'active objection' raised about 2 times$(6.8%{\rightarrow}12.9%)$. Inquiring into the approval reasons on the insurance fee application of packed medical herbs some heads such as 'development toward treatment medical science' and 'decrease of publics burden' were higher than the one of 'management income and expenditure.' 2) As a result of the research, 36.0% of the patients and 42.8% of the residents recognized that the pay range of Chinese herb health insurance is narrow. They recognized that less people have the experiences of Chinese medical hospital use and internal application of the packed medical herbs as they are older, men rather than women. 85.4% of the patients and 74.9% of the residents agreed on the insurance pay of packed medical herbs. It's shown that they agree on the Chinese medical hospital use more as the economic standard is lower, on the insurance pay as they have ever taken the packed medical herbs. In the aspect of increase of insurance fee, 66.7% of the patients and 44.3% of the residents agreed on the insurance pay of packed medical herbs, and 18.1% and 36.1% disagreed on the insurance pay of packed medical herbs. The main objective reason why they disagree on the insurance pay of packed medical herbs was 'because the insurance fee goes up higher,' which answered 95.2% of the patients and 78.8% of the residents. 7.22% of the patients and 1.80% of the residents answered that they can pay more insurance fee in case of the insurance pay of packed medical herbs. However, in the priority order of the insurance pay, it hold the 5th position between 2 target research groups which was less than medical examination, charges for hospital accommodation and taking MRI. 3) According to the result of analysis about the cost of packed medical herbs, current practice price is 115,000 won and the average prime cost of a packed medical herb is 73,000 to 106,000 won. It's examined that the herb doctors regard that 95,000 won will be reasonable when the packed medical herb is payed in insurance. However, it was found out that the public generally thinks that the price would be appropriate on the level of 30,000 to 40,000 won and the percentage of the answers of 20,000 won to 30,000 was fairly high. 4) the central system of a prescription should be change into the central system of demonstration and the sick and wounded. 5) To solve this problem, the government should regulate it to pass by the circulation gradation of [importer, $peasantry{\rightarrow}manufacturer{\rightarrow}wholesaler{\rightarrow}distributor$(Chinese medical hospital, pharmacy dispensary of Chinese medicine)]And it should intervene into the quality and the circulation steps of Chinese medicine through 'the office or organization which is in charge of certification of Chinese medicine' and 'the office or organization which is in charge of the circulation of Chinese medicine.' And some actions such as simple severance, lavation, drying should be included into the conception of manufacture and the boundary between food and medical supplies should be made at a manufactory. And the regulation of standardized goods at one's own house should be improved so that, the peasantry can sell the materials of Chinese medicine only to the manufacturer. 6) In company with the insurance pay of packed medical herbs, the study about the separation of dispensary from medical practice in the Chinese medicine should be accomplished.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.1 s.68
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• pp.106-111
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• 2005

To investigate the antioxidant activity of extract from the raw walnut, Juglans sinensis Dode, we prepared five fractions (methanol (MeOH), dichloromethane $(CH_2Cl_2)$, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-buthanol (n-BuOH) and dehydrogen monooxide $(H_2O)$ fractions) and examined. The effect of walnut extract on the oxidative stress was investigated in vitro. The DPPH (2,2-Di (4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity of extract from raw walnut was shown in the following order: $EtOAc\;fraction layer. The result showed that the highest activity $(0.56{\mu}g/ml,\;IC_{50}.)$ was observed in EtOAc fraction, whereas n-BuOH fraction, MeOH fraction, $CH_2O_2$ fraction and $H_2O$ layer of $IC_{50}$ were $2.34{\mu}g//ml,\;3.88{\mu}g/ml,\;8.06{\mu}g/ml,\;and\;8.19{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The radical scavenging activity assay of each fraction showed that the antioxidative activity was observed in the following order: EtOAc fraction $(74.27\pm1.56\%)>MeOH\;fraction\;(60.76\pm3.4\%)>n-BuOH\;fraction\;(59.32\pm0.88\%)>H_2O\;layer\;(41.69\pm2.06\%)$. These results revealed that all fractions, except for $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction, showed high antioxidative activity. Furthermore, the peroxynitrite $(ONOO^-)$ scavenging activity was assayed in each fraction. The result showed that the $ONOO^-$ scavenging activity of EtOAc fraction, MeOH fraction and n-BuOH fraction from raw walnut was $95.14\pm0.36\%,\; 90.02\pm1.19\%\;and\;89.41\pm0.81\%$, respectively. The tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) treatment in vitro increased lactate dehydrogenase release and lipid peroxidation in renal cortical slices. Such changes were completely prevented by addition of MeOH fraction, EtOAc fraction and n-BuOH fraction of walnut. These results indicate that the walnut extract exerts the benedicial effect against t-BHP-induced cell injury and its effect may be due to antioxidant action. In addition, it is suggested that walnut extract might be developed as the effective scavenger for the prevention of oxidative stress.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.424-429
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate whether peripheral or central administration of triptolide is involved in pain modulation in inflammatory orofacial pain. The inflammatory orofacial pain was induced by the injection of 5% formalin into right vibrissa pad of rats. The pain behavioral response was measured the number of grooming or scratching on the orofacial area for 9 successive 5 minutes intervals. Triptolide was administrated into the identified vibrissa pad (12.5, 25, $50{\mu}g/50{\mu}l$) or intracisternal space (0.01, 0.1, $1{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) 10 min before formalin injection. The nociceptive responses were reduced in the 2nd phase (11~45 minutes), particularly 20, 30 minutes after fomalin injection following administration of triptolide into vibrissa pad (25, $50{\mu}g/50{\mu}l$). Intracisternal ($1{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) administration of triptolide alleviated the formalin-induced pain behaviors in the 2nd phase, especially 25~40 minutes after formalin injection. Triptolide could be a promising analgesic agent in the treatment of inflammatory orofacial pain.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2009

The effect of application of gypsum (G), popped rice hulls (PRH), and zeolite (Z) in exchangeable cations concentrations of reclaimed tideland soil in Kyehwado was investigated for 3 years from 2004 to 2006 in a pot experiment with bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). Treatments with three soil conditioner and with three applications were established with three replications; G1 (1,550 kg $10a^{-1}$), G2 (3,100), and G3 (6,200) for gypsum, H1 (1,000), H2 (2,000), and H3 (3,000) for PRH, and HZ1 (200), HZ2 (400), and HZ3 (800) for co-application of zeolite with PRH at the 1,500 kg $10a^{-1}$. At 60, 90, 120 days after treatment (DAT), exchangeable cations ($K^+$, $Na^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Ca^{2+}$) were analyzed Gypsum application significantly decreased $k^+$, $Na^+$, $Mg^{2+}$ in the soil probably due to exchange and subsequent leaching of these cations by $Ca^{2+}$ from the gypsum applied. Overall, $K^+$ concentration was gradually decreased by continuous application of soil conditioners and was in the order of 2004>2005>2006 regardless of the kinds and application rate of soil conditioners. Comparing $K^+$ concentrations among the soil conditioners in the same year, its concentration was in the order of gypsum$Na^+$ concentration; i.e. $Na^+$ concentration was in the order of gypsum$\ll$PRH$Mg^{2+}$ also showed a similar pattern to $Na^+$. Gypsum application significantly increased $Ca^{2+}$ concentration and in the gypsum treated soil $Ca^{2+}$ concentration increased with years.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2008

Purpose: Intussusceptions are one of the most common causes of intestinal obstruction in infants and young children. Although it is easily treated by non-operative reduction using barium, water or air, this treatment is very stressful for young patients and may cause bowel perforation, peritonitis and shock. In this study, we identified the risk factors associated with the failure of non-operative reduction, to identify a group of children that would benefit from the procedure and those who would not. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients with intussusception who were treated at the Korea University Medical Center Ansan hospital from March 1998 to July 2006. Three hundred fourteen children with intussusception were identified. Among them, non-operative reductions were performed in three hundred. Clinical and radiological variables were compared according to the failure or success of the non-operative reduction. Results: Non-operative reductions were successful in 243 (81%) and failed in 57 (19%). The group that had failed procedures had a younger age (12.3${\pm}$17.2 months vs. 18.0${\pm}$15.8 months, p=0.03), longer symptom duration before reduction (33.6${\pm}$29.0 hr vs. 21.5${\pm}$20.3 hr, p<0.01), more vomiting and lethargy (p<0.01), but less abdominal pain and irritability (p<0.01), compared with the group that had a successful procedure. Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with the failure of non-operative reductions were a younger age, less than 6 months of age (odds ratio: 2.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.2~5.2, p=0.01), duration of symptoms, longer than 24 hrs before reduction (odds ratio: 2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.2~4.2, p=0.03), bloody stool (odds ratio: 4.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.9~12.2, p<0.01), lethargy (odds ratio: 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.1~10.4, p=0.04), and abdominal pain or irritability (odds ratio: 0.2, 95% confidence interval: 0.1~0.4, p<0.01). Conclusion: For children with intussusception, an age younger than 6 months, and duration of symptoms more than 24 hrs before reduction, as well as the presence of bloody stools, lethargy and abdominal pain or irritability were variables associated with failure of a non-operative reduction. Knowledge of these variables should be considered in making clinical decisions for therapeutic interventions.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.186-192
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• 2003

Purposes : Recently, acute gastroenteritis broke out among the neonates transferred from postpartum care centers located in Seoul, and Gyeounggi area. Thus, we researched the cause, progress and characters of the disease by analyzing the cases from 9 hospitals in Seoul and Gyeounggi area. Methods : We conducted retrospective study of 33 neonates transferred from postpartum care centers from October 2001 to July 2002 : we divided the neonates into 2 groups. The severe group had any of following 5 conditions : blood pH <7.20, respiratory difficulty, mechanical ventilation, shock, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. And the rest were classified into the moderate group. Results : The severe group was significantly more aged than the moderate group(P= 0.005). Weight loss was significantly severe in the severe group(P=0.0512). In blood gas analysis, bicarbonate was less in the severe group than the moderate group(P=0.032). In the virus examination, rotavirus was detected in 7 cases, and astrovirus was detected in 1 case. In the severe group, 4 neonates were dead. Conclusion : In acute gastroenteritis of neonates, early diagnosis and treatment are important. Thus, the legislation of postpartum care center is needed, and the medical specialists should be stationed in postpartum care center. We assume that the severe group had severe conditions because they were treated comparatively late. However, to find out the cause of the disease and to cope with it, the nationwide epidemiologic study on acute gastrenteritis of neonates is needed.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2014

Purpose: Streptococcus pyogenes is an important cause of invasive diseases in children. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of invasive infections due to S. pyogenes in children in Korea. Methods: A retrospective study of children under 18 years of age with invasive infections due to S. pyogenes at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between March 1992 and December 2012, and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between March 2003 and December 2012 was conducted. Demographic factors, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment, mortality and morbidity of all patients were reviewed. Results: A total of 30 among 36 cases identified as invasive disease due to S. pyogenes were available for review. There was a predominance for male subjects (male:female=2.75:1). The median age was 50 months (range 12 days to 15 years) and 53.3% were under 5 years of age. Skin and soft tissue infections (9/30, 30.0%), bacteremia without identified focus (4/30, 13.3%) and bone and joint infections (6/30, 20.0%) were the most frequent clinical presentations. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (3/30, 10.0%) pulmonary, abdomen and central nervous system infections (2/30, 6.7%) were also seen. There was a peak in number of patients in year 2012 (9/30, 30.0%). There were no cases of mortality. Erythromycin and clindamycin resistance rates were low by 3.8% and 7.5%, respectively. Conclusion: We studied the clinical presentations of invasive infections due to S. pyogenes during the past 20 years in Korean children. The findings of this study help us understand the characteristics of the disease, enhancing early recognition and prompting adequate antibiotic therapy which is important in reducing morbidity and mortality.