• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.303-310
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• 2002

Objective s: To estimate the frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions in the Korean population of infertile men and to evaluate the relationship between microdeletion on the Y chromosome and clinical phenotypes of infertile men with idiopathic azoospermia and oligozoospermia. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from 330 infertile men attending the Infertility Clinic at Samsung Cheil Hospital, Korea. Six sequence tagged sites (STSs) spanning the azoospermia factor (AZF) regions of the Y chromosome were amplified by polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Results: Microdeletions on Y chromosome were detected in 35 (10.6%) of the 330 infertile men. Most of the microdeletions (91.4%) involved AZFb or AZFc. The high incidence of microdeletions were found in AZFc region (57.1%), but the low in AZFa (8.6%) and AZFb (5.7%). Larger microdeletions involving two or three AZF regions were detected in 28.6% of cases. All patients (6 patients) with deletion of AZFa region showed no germ cell phenotypes, Sertoli cell only syndrome or Leydig cell hyperplasia in histopathologic examinations. Conclusion: Microdeletions on the Y chromosome, especially, at AZFc/DAZ regions may be the major cause of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. We suggest that idiopathic infertile men have genetic counselling and microdeletion analysis on the Y chromosome before IVF-ET and ART program.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2014

Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric inflammation includes induction of inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-8 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which are mediated by oxidant-sensitive transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$. High levels of lipid peroxide (LPO) and increased activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), a biomarker of neutrophil infiltration, are observed in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa. Panax ginseng Meyer, a Korean herb medicine, is widely used in Asian countries for its biological activities including anti-inflammatory efficacy. The present study aims to investigate whether Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) inhibits H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation in Mongolian gerbils. One wk after intragastric inoculation with H. pylori, Mongolian gerbils were fed with either the control diet or the diet containing RGE (200 mg RGE/gerbil) for 6 wk. The following were determined in gastric mucosa: the number of viable H. pylori in stomach; MPO activity; LPO level; mRNA and protein levels of keratinocyte chemoattractant factor (KC, a rodent IL-8 homolog), IL-$1{\beta}$, and iNOS; protein level of phospho-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$(which reflects the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$); and histology. As a result, RGE suppressed H. pylori-induced mRNA and protein levels of KC, IL-$1{\beta}$, and iNOS in gastric mucosa. RGE also inhibited H. pylori-induced phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and increases in LPO level and MPO activity of gastric mucosa. RGE did not affect viable H. pylori colonization in the stomach, but improved the histological grade of infiltration of poly-morphonuclear neutrophils, intestinal metaplasia, and hyperplasia. In conclusion, RGE inhibits H. pyloriinduced gastric inflammation by suppressing induction of inflammatory mediators (KC, IL-$1{\beta}$, iNOS), MPO activity, and LPO level in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.231-234
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• 2002

Moyamoya disease is an unusual cerebrovascular disorder characterized by occlusive intimal dysplasia of the distal internal carotid and proximal cerebral arteries as well as other collateral arteries. However, moyamoya diseases are recently being reported as a systemic process. We experienced one case of coronary artery occlusive disease affected by moyamoya disease. The patient was a 35-year-old female, experiencing intermittent NYHA class ll dyspnea and exertional chest pain for 6 months and right paresthesia for 1 month before admission. Cerebral artery angiogram showed abnormal cerebrovascular systems and confirmed moyamoya disease with cerebral infarction of the left frontal lobe. In coronary artery angiogram, left coronary artery was not visualized due to total occlusion of the left main ostium and left coronary blood flow was supplied from normal right coronary artery. CABG was performed with OPCAB. Both internal mammary arteries were used for LAD and LCx. Intraoperative coronary artery findings showed intimal hyperplasia and no definite thrombi, and nondiseased coronary arteries were good and patent. We concluded that this patient's coronary artery disease was affected by moyamoya disease, and moyamoya disease should be evaluated in the extracerebral cardiovascular system.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 2011

This study was conducted to gather the basic data on the alpine leek (Allium victorialis) for the expand of consumption and the production of its manufactured goods. Amino acid content in alpine leek leaves and various physiological activities were examined. Seventeen component amino acids and 38 free amino acids from alpine leek leaves were analyzed, and the total contents were 2,693.28 mg/100g for component amino acids and 535.39 mg/100g for free amino acids. Total phenolic compounds in the leaves of alpine leek showed the highest level from the methanol extract (37.7 mg/l), and followed by ethanol extract (31.9 mg/l) and hot water extract (25.4 mg/l). Total flavonoid contents in 1,000 mg/l extract was the highest in the methanol extract (22.2 mg/l). DPPH radical scavenging activity at 1,000 mg/l extract was high in the order of ethanol extract (51.6%), methanol extract (47.3%) and hot water extract (37.2%). nitrite radical scavenging activity Methanol extract from Allium victorialis leaves was the highest nitrite radical scavenging activity (79.5%). Hyperplasia suppression of lung cancer cells (Calu-6) and gastric cancer cells (SNU-601) by the methanol extract from the bulb of alpine leek were 99.9% in the extracting concentration of over 200 mg/l. No significant difference in antimicrobial activity among the 3 different solvents and extract concentrations was observed, and the inhibition zones against the gram-positive and negative microorganisms were ranged from 8.23 to 10.15 mm. It was concluded that physiological activities in a human body could be improved by the intake of alpine leek as a pharmaceutical material, and that it would be useful for the prevention of health risk such as lung and gastric cancers.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.119-133
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigated the effects of an immunosuppression and a mitigation of inflammation of Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI on Allergic contact dermatitis. In order to study, after oral administration of Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI extract, contact hypersensitivity assay, general morphologic change of skin, sulfated acid mucosubstance, mast cell, IL-2R, ICAM-1 and CD11b were observed in BALB/C mouse induced allergic contact dermatitis by the contact sensitizing DNCB. Ear swelling in contact hypersensitivity assay was decreased in the Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI extracts administered(HEGT) group, compared with DNCB painted group. In the general morphologic change of skin, hyperplasia of keratinocytes, increase of lymphocytes and inflammatory cell, increase of vasculogenesis and epidermal lymphocytes infiltration, increase of cell damage in epidermal basal layer and prickle layer were decreased in the HEGT group, compared with DNCB painted group. Increase of sulfated acid mucosubstance, mast cell, IL-2R positive cell, ICAM-1 positive cell, CD11b positive cell were decreased in the HEGT group, compared with DNCB painted group.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 1991

In order to know the influence of mast cells on the mammary tumor development, the growth of the mammary carcinoma, the numerical changes and the morphological findings of mast cells appeared in the tumor were microscopically observed in the rat treated with DMBA and each chemical of histamine, heparin, pyrilamine or cimetidine. The results observed were summarized as follows: The tumor induction time that represented the number of days elapsing between the 3rd DMBA administration until a first tumor became $10{\times}10mm$ in diameter was $42.5{\pm}4.7$ days, and the mean number of tumor mass per rat was $3.4{\pm}1.2$ in the DMBA-treated group. No significant difference was apparent in the tumor induction time of the histamine-treated group, heparin-treated group or pyrilamine-treated group compared with the control group, but in the cimetidine-treated group the tumor induction time was $61.8{\pm}10.6$ days (p<0.005). The mean number of tumors per rat was $2.1{\pm}0.9$ in the cimetidine-treated group in contrast to $3.4{\pm}1.3$ in the control group (p<0.005). Numerical changes of mast cells were observed according to the development of DMBA induced mammary tumors that were separated into three major classes of tumors. The numbers of mast cells in all the experimental group were inclined to increase significantly according to the mammary tumor development (p<0.005), and the histamine-treated group, heparin-treated group, or pyrilamine-treated group were nearly similar to the control group. But the mast cells in the each stage of tumor development were more numerous in the cimetidine-treated group than in the control group (p<0.005). There were not significant in the numerical changes of mast cells among the experimental groups on each stage of carcinomas separated by early stage, middle stage and late stage. In the morphological characteristics of mast cells, the degranulation was not detectable from the hyperplasia stages to the early stage of carcinoma, but its degranulation was observed at the middle stage of carcinoma. Most mast cells were nearly degranulated at the late stage of carcinoma. The histamine treated group, pyrilamine-treated group and cimetidine treated group did not differ from the control group in morphological changes of mast cells, but the degranulation was shown mild in the heparin-treated group. And the degranulation gave rise to the depletion of intercellular matrix via exocytosis all the experimental group. From above results, it is supposed that mast cells inhibit the tumor development and that the inhibition is not caused by a single-factor, but by a complex activities of mast cell mediators.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2011

This feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of various additives on growth performance, hematological parameters, fatty acid composition, gene expression and histopathological changes in juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Eleven isonitrogenous (49% crude protein) and isolipidic (10% crude lipid) experimental diets were formulated: no additives (Con); 5% kelp meal (Ke); 10% krill meal (Kr); 1% garlic powder (Ga); 1% citrus meal (Ci); 3% onion powder (On); 1% ginger powder (Gi); 1% mugwort powder (Mu); 1% licorice powder (Li); 1% wasabi powder (Wa); and a mixture (Mix) of these additives. Three replicate groups of juvenile flounder (average weight of 8.5 g) were fed one of the experimental diets to visual satiety twice a day for 15 weeks. The dietary inclusion of additives did not affect survival, weight gain, specific growth rate feed efficiency, daily feed intake, daily protein intake, protein efficiency ratio, hepatosomatic index and visceralsomatic index of the fish. Plasma triglyceride levels were significantly lower in fish fed the Ke, Ga, On, Gi, Mu, Li, and Mix diets than in fish fed the control diet. Plasma glucose, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and total cholesterol did not differ among dietary treatments. No significant difference was observed in fatty acid composition and lipid content of the dorsal muscle in fish fed the experimental diets. Myosin gene expression did not differ significantly among treatments after 5 weeks but was significantly lower in fish fed the Kr, Ci, Li, and Mix diets than in control group after 15 weeks. Histopathological analysis showed mild gill hyperplasia and mild necrosis of liver parenchymal cells in several individuals of each experimental group. These conditions were also observed in the control group and were not thought to be related to the inclusion of feed additives. The present findings indicate that the dietary inclusion of additives did not affect growth performance, fatty acid composition, gene expression, and histopathological changes in juvenile flounder. However, plasma triglyceride content may be reduced by supplementation with 5% kelp meal, 3% onion powder, 1% garlic powder, 1% ginger powder, 1% mugwort powder, and the additive mixture.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.341-352
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• 2011

Colibacillosis in pigs remain a major swine industry bruden worldwide. Although some progress has been made in treating collibacillosis in pigs by using biosecurity and antimicrobials, it still remain a considerable problem. The use of host-specific bateriophages as a biocontrol is one possible alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bacteriophage against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 infection in piglets. Twenty-eight piglets were randomly divided into four groups and each group was allocated with 7 pigs. Group B, C and D were inoculated with 5 ml of ETEC K88 ($1{\times}10^8$ CFU/ml) per head of piglet via oral. Group C and D were fed with bacteriophages (Group C, $1.0{\times}10^6$ PFU/g; Group D, $1.0{\times}10^8$ PFU/g; CJ CheilJedang Corp., Korea) orally as treatment. In piglets administrated bacteriophages and challenged with ETEC K88 (Group C and D), Clinical signs and the growth performance were improved and antibody titers were maintained low level compared with piglets challenged with ETEC K88 (Group B, P<0.05). Group B were shown high pH in the alimentary tracts compared with other piglets (P<0.05). In quantitative analysis by real-time PCR, the results of Group C and D were lower than those Group B in faecal and intestinal samples (P<0.05). Severe villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia were observed in Group B consequently V/C ratio increased, compared with other piglets. These results indicate that feeding with bacteriophage has effect to prevent ETEC K88 infection in piglets and suggest that use of bacteriophage can be considered a valid antibiotic alternative.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.36-42
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• 2002

Diesel exhaust (DE) has been recognized as a noxious mutagen and/or carcinogen, because its components can form DNA adducts. Mechanisms governing the susceptibility to DE and the efficiency of such DNA adduct formation require clarification. The transcription factor Nrf2 is essential for inducible and/or constitutive expression of a group of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes, and we hypothesized that the nrf2 gene knockout mouse might serve as an excellent model system for analyzing DE toxicity. To address this hypothesis, lungs from nrf2(-/-) and nrf2(+/-) mice were examined for the production of xenobiotic-DNA adducts after exposure to DE (3 $mg/m^{3}$ suspended particulate matter) for 4 weeks. Whereas the relative adduct levels (RAL) were significantly increased in the lungs of both nrf2(+/-) and nrf2(-/-) mice upon exposure to DE, the increase of RAL in the lungs from nrf2(-/-) mice exposed to DE were approximately 2.3-fold higher than that of nrf2(+/-) mite exposed to DE. In contrail, cytochrome P4501Al mRNA levels in the nrf2(-/-)mouse lungs were similar to those in the nrf2(+/-) mouse lungs even after exposure to DE, suggesting that suppressed activity of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes is important in giving ise to the increased level of DNA adducts in the Nrf2-null mutant mouse subjected to DE. Importantly, severe hyperplasia and accumulation of the oxidative DNA adduct 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were observed in the bronchial epidermis of nrf(-/-) mite following DE exposure. These results demonstrate the increased susceptibility of the nrf2 germ line mutant mouse to DE exposure and indicate the nrf2 gene knockout mouse nay represent a valuable model for the assessment of respiratory DE toxicity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2007

Background: The pathogenesis of lung cancer includes the accumulation of multiple genetic abnormalities. The CREB-binding protein(CBP) is one of several transcriptional co-activators among various sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors. CBP is involved in a wide range of cellular activities, such as DNA repair, cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis that are suspected of contributing to tumorigenesis. The goal of this study was to evaluate CBP expression in a series of human lung tissues containing normal epithelium, premalignant lesions(hyperplasia and dysplasia) and squamous cell carcinomas. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections by use of a monoclonal anti-CBP antibody. CBP expression was compared in samples from 120 patients with premalignant and malignant histological types including 20 metaplastic specimens, 40 dysplastic specimens, and 60 squamous cell carcinomas in the lung. Results: CBP expression was seen in 35% (7/20) of the metaplastic specimens. 65% (26/40) of the dysplastic specimens, and 70% (42/60) of the squamous cell carcinomas (p<0.05). According to celluar atypism, CBP expression was 50% (10/20) of the low-grade dysplastic specimens and 80% (16/20) of the high-grade dysplastic specimens(p <0.01). By cellular differentiation, CBP expression was seen in 95% (19/20) of the well differentiated squamous cell carcinomas, 85% (17/20) of the moderately differentiated carcinomas and 30% (6/20) of the poorly differentiated lesions (p <0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that CBP may have an important role in malignant transformation of precancerous lung lesions and may be a marker for malignancy.