• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.202-207
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• 2002

Background: Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile illness with systemic vasculitis which primarily affects children, We examined the production of leptin in plasma and gene expressions of CXC chemokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Kawasaki disease. Methods: Consecutive 39 samples from 13 patients according to the different clinical stages (acute, subacute, convalescent) of Kawasaki disease were collected. The plasma leptin levels according to clinical stages of Kawasaki disease were examined by ELISA and the expression of IP-10, Mig and IL-8 mRNAs in 39 samples (13 samples of each stage) from 13 cases were examined by RT-PCR. Results: There were not significant changes of plasma leptin levels according to the clinical stages of Kawasaki disease. The mean values of plasma leptin concentrations during each of the stages (n=13, p>0.05, pg/ml) were $335.8{\pm}549.0$ in acute, $358{\pm}347.6$ in subacute, and $443.6{\pm}645.9$ in convalescent stage. The mRNAs of IP-10, Mig, and IL-8 were expressed in 13/13 (100%), 2/13 (15%), 9/13 (69%) during acute stage, 13/13 (100%), 6/13 (46%), 13/13 (100%) during subacute stage, and 13/13 (100%), 4/13 (31%), 10/13 (77%) during the convalescent stage, respectively. In three patients, the production of leptin and expression of IP-10 mRNA were dramatically decreased according to the process of the clinical stages. In five patients with prominent cervical lymphadenopathy, the expression of IL-8 mRNA during the subacute stage was more elevated than the acute and convalescent stages. Conclusion: This data suggests that the production of leptin and the gene expressions of IP-10, Mig and IL-8 seem to have no significant correlation to the clinical stages of Kawasaki disease. However, expression patterns of IP-10, Mig and IL-8 mRNA may be related to the specific clinical manifestations, and the expression of IP-10 may also be correlated to leptin levels with pericardial involvement.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.7
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• pp.208-215
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• 2017

Purpose: Activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) present on circulating monocytes in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) can lead to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and interleukin-10 (IL-10). We aimed to determine the association of the frequency of circulating TLR2+/ CD14+ monocytes (FTLR2%) with the outcomes of KD, as well as to compare FTLR2% to the usefulness of sIL-10. Methods: The FTLR2% in patients with KD was measured by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-10 (sIL-10) were determined in 31 patients with KD before the initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and in 21 febrile controls by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were classified as having coronary artery lesions (CALs) based on the maximal internal diameters of the proximal right coronary artery and proximal left anterior descending coronary artery one month after the initial diagnosis. Results: We found that FTLR2% greater than 92.62% predicted CALs with 80% sensitivity and 68.4% specificity, whereas FTLR2% more than 94.61% predicted IVIG resistance with 66.7% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity. Moreover, sIL-10 more than 15.52 pg/mL predicted CALs and IVIG resistance with 40% and 66.7% sensitivity, respectively, and 73.7% and 76.2% specificity, respectively. Conclusion: We showed that measuring FTLR2% before the initial treatment could be useful in predicting CAL development with better sensitivity than sIL-10 and with results comparable to sIL-10 results for the prediction of IVIG resistance in patients with KD. However, further studies are necessary to validate FTLR2% as a marker of prognosis and severity of KD.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.1902-1906
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• 2010

A microchip electrophoresis (ME) method was developed using a programmed field strength gradients (PFSG) for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based fast identification of cattle breeds. Four different Korean cattle (Hanwoo) and Holstein SNP markers amplified by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction were separated in a glass microchip filled with 0.5% poly(ethyleneoxide) ($M_r$ = 8 000 000) by PFSG as follows: 750 V/cm for 0 - 14 s, 166.7 V/cm for 14 - 31 s, 83.3 V/cm for 31 - 46 s, and 750 V/cm for 46 - 100 s. The cattle breeds were clearly distinguished within 45 s. The ME-PFSG method was 7 times and 5 times faster than the constant electric field ME method and the capillary electrophoresis- PFSG method, respectively, with a high resolving power ($R_s$ = 5.05 - 9.98). The proposed methodology could be a powerful tool for the fast and simultaneous determination of SNP markers for various cattle breeds with high accuracy.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2023

This study investigated the effect of May 31, 2022 Miryang wildfire on fine particle concentrations in Busan and Gimhae, which are neighboring urban areas. In addition, fine particle characteristics and air pollution concentrations were investigated in Miryang, where haze occurred. The Miryang city wildfire that occurred on May 31, 2022, at 0925 LST, was driven by strong north winds and increased fine particle concentrations in Dongsangdong and Jangyoodong, Gimhae City, which are approximately 35 km to the southeast and south, respectively, of the wildfire occurrence site. Furthermore, the fine particle concentration in Myeongjidong, which is approximately 50 km south-southeast of the wildfire site, exhibited a temporary increase at 1400 LST owing to the effects of wildfire smoke. On the morning of June 1, the day after the fire, the Miryang area had very bad visibility because of the smoke from the fire. Therefore the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations in Naeildong, 3 km south of the wildfire site, were 276 ㎍/㎥ and 222 ㎍/㎥, respectively, at 1200 LST. In addition, the gases O₃, CO, and SO₂ showed high concentrations at the time of haze generation. This study provides insights into policy making in response to the rapid increase in fine dust when wildfire occurs near cities.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.31-46
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• 2014

Objectives Forsythiae Fructus treatment has been used for inflammatory and allergic diseases in Korean Medicine. Nevertheless, the mechanism of action and the cellular targets are not understood well. The pathogenesis of allergic diseases are associated with Th2 cytokines such as IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$, IL-13, IL-5, GM-CSF, IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, which are secreted by the mast cells. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Forsythiae Fructus extracts (FF) on Th2 cytokines expression and signal transduction in MC/9 mast cells. Methods In the study, MC/9 mast cells were stimulated with DNP-IgE for 24 hours and then treated separately with CsA $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and varying doses of FF for one hour. MC/9 mast cells stimulated with DNP-IgE was the control group, a treatment with CsA was the positive control group and a treatment with varying doses FF was the experimental groups. The mRNA levels of IL-13, IL-5, GM-CSF, IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 were analyzed with Real-time PCR. The levels of IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA). NFAT, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results 1. FF were observed to suppress the mRNA expression of IL-13, IL-5, GM-CSF, IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 in comparison to DNP-IgE control group. 2. FF also has inhibited the IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production significantly in comparison to DNP-IgE control group. 3. Western blot analysis of transduction factors involving Th2 cytokines expression has revealed a prominent decrease of the mast cell specific transduction factors including NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Jun, and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 but c-Fos. Conclusions In conclusion, the anti-allergenic activities of FF may be strongly related to the regulation of transcription factors NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Jun, and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 causing inhibition of Th2 cytokines in mast cells.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.674-691
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils extracted from the wood of Chamaecyparis obtusa, Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, and Larix kaempferi. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation, and their chemical components were determined by GC/MS. Major chemical components of these essential oils were ${\alpha}$-cadinol (19.25%), ${\tau}$-muurolol (14.20%), and ${\alpha}$-pinene (13.74%) in C. obtusa; ${\alpha}$-pinene (47.16%), longifolene (14.31%), ${\beta}$-phellandrene (11.78%), and ${\beta}$-pinene (11.02%) in P. densiflora; ${\alpha}$-pinene (13.49%) and longifolene (10.79%) in P. koraiensis, and geranyl linalool (23.58%) and ${\alpha}$-pinene (18.57%) in L. kaempferi. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RBL-2H3 mast cells were treated with these essential oils; then, the changes in the mRNA expression level of the cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 were examined. Further, degranulation was evaluated by measuring ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release. After LPS-induced RBL-2H3 mast cells were exposed to $10^{-7}%$ of all types of essential oils, the gene expression levels of IL-4 and IL-13 within the cells remarkably decreased. The relative mRNA expression level of IL-4 was 69.6% in P. densiflora, 63.2% in P. koraiensis, 55.1% in C. obtusa, and 45.8% in L. kaempferi compared with that in the group treated with LPS. The mRNA expression level of L-13 should a similar trend. The inhibitory rate of IL-13 mRNA expression of P. densiflora, P. koraiensis, C. obtusa, and L. kaempferi was 57.8%, 57.1%, 51.1%, and 34.5%, respectively. ${\beta}$-Hexosaminidase release significantly decreased following the treatment with the four types of essential oils. The rate of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release were 38.1% C. obtusa; 33.0% P. densiflora; 27.4% P. koraiensis; and 9.1% L. kaempferi. Among all types of essential oils, that extracted from P. densiflora wood showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. These results show that the tested essential oils exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of degranulation and expression of cytokines.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 1998

SB-31 which contains Pursatilla, Licoris and Ginseng extracts was recently proved as an anticancer agent. In a preclinical effort to be applied this drug to human, pharmacokinetics of SB-31 was carried out in rats and rabbits. Glycyrrhizin(GZ), a saponin of Licoris was used as a standard ingradient for the pharmacokinetics of SB-31. The rat's blood, bile and urine samples were serially collected in femoral vein, common bile duct and bladder, respectively, after bolus i.v. injection at a dose of 1 or 1/5 ampul/rat and rabbit's blood samples from the marginal ear vein at a dose of 1 or 3 amp./rabbit. GZ and glycyrrhetic acid(GA), a major metabolite of GZ in the physiological samples were analysed by HPLC with UV detection. The decline of GZ in plasma concentration was generally biexponential at each dose. GZ was almost completely recovered in bile within 18 hour. GA wasn't detected in the samples with UV detector. In the rat, Vss and Kel at a dose of 1 and 1/5 ampul of SB-31 were $98.06\pm6.07\;ml,\;0.33\pm0.05\;hr^{-1}\;and\;65.46\pm11.19\;ml,\;0.68\pm0.25\;hr^{-1}$, respectively. Those in rabbits at a dose of 3 and 1 ampul of SB-31 were $235.24\pm30.72\;ml,\;0.13\pm0.36\;hr^{-1}\;and\;341.32\pm28.58\;ml,\;0.27\pm0.04\;hr^{-1}$, respectively. 'WinNonlin' was utilized for the compartmental analysis. A two-compartment model was chosen as the most appropriate pbarmaco-kinetic model. The data were best described by using a weighting factor of $1/y^2$. To evaluate the effect of SB-31 on cardiovascular system, serially diluted SB-31 was directly injected into coronary artery in the isolated perfused rat heart and the effect of PSF, PSH, saponins of Pursatilla, and SB-31 on PT, APTT of healthy human plasma was examined. Except the positive inotropic effect of ten times diluted solution of SB-31, there was no significant effect on LVDP, (- dp/dt)/(+dp/dt), heart rate and coronary flow in comparision with that of vehicle. SB-31 had no effect on PT but slightly delayed APTT about $6.9{\sim}11.5\%$. There was no significant effect of PSF and PSH on PT & APTT. Conclusively, SB-31 did not show any notable toxic effects on cardiovascular system.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.275-285
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• 2001

The pulmonary alveolar macrophage is thought to play an important role in the mediation of acute inflammatory lung injury by secretory products including degraded enzymes, cytokines, and reactive oxygen metabolites . This study was conceived to understand the role of alveolar macrophage in oxidative stress induced acute lung injury. To examine the alveolar macrophages and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), time-dependent changes of numbers of alveolar macrophages, monocytes and neutrophils in alveolar cavity were counted in association with ultrastructural and cytochemical observations of lung tissue and alveolar cells. The number of monocytes was increased (p<0.001) at 1h after IL-1 treatment compared with that of sham. At 2h after instillation of IL-1, the number of alveolar macrophages was the highest, XO activity in BALF was elevated at 2h after IL-1 instillation and the activity was markedly elevated(p<0.05) at 3h after IL-1 treatment. On the basis of these experimental results, it is suggested that, during early phase of acute lung injury induced by IL-1, alveolar macrophage-derived XO contributes to lung injury earlier than the neutrophilic respiratory burst.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2015

Objectives : Allergic disease has been well known as an IgE-dependent immunologic response. Recently, interest about the late inflammatory reaction has grown up as well as early allergic reaction characterized by IgE and mast cell. The purpose of this study was to find the anti-inflammatory effect of Gamiyunjo-tang(GMYJT) in allergic reaction. Methods : The experiment was performed using Raw 264.7 cells pretreated with GMYJT extracts. In this study, we observed the toxicity of cells by MTT analysis and measured the production of LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ at a concentration of 50, 100, 200 and $400{\mu}g/ml$. Results : No toxicity of GMYJT (50, 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/ml$) on RAW 264.7 cells was found after 24 hours incubation. LPS-induced NO production was reduced after treatment with GMYJT (100, 200, $400{\mu}g/ml$)(P<0.05). $PGE_2$ was reduced after treatment with GMYJT (100, 200, $400{\mu}g/ml$)(P<0.05). IL-$1{\beta}$ did not decrease at any dose. IL-6 decreased at 200, $400{\mu}g/ml$(P<0.05). TNF-${\alpha}$ production decreased only at $400{\mu}g/ml$(P<0.05). Conclusions : These data suggest that GMYJT has anti-inflammatory effects in late allergic reaction.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.31-43
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• 2005

목적 : 방풍은 임상적으로 관절염을 포함한 다양한 염증성 질환 치료제로 사용되어 왔다. 본 연구에서는 인간 비만세포를 이용하여 세포 독성에 영향을 주지 않는 농도에서 방풍의 항염 효과 및 그 기전을 검토했다. 방법 : 인간의 HMC-1세포를 IMDM에서 페니실린, 스트렙토마이신, 모노티오글리세린을 첨가하여 배양하고 방품추출액을 투여하였다. 그 다음 MTT, CLISA, RT-PCR, 세포내 칼슘측정, 핵단백분석을 이용하여 TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8 각각의 형성과 mRNA발현, 세포내 칼슘 수준, NF-${\kappa}B$ 발현에 대한 방풍추출액의 반응을 측정하고 통계처리 하였다. 결과 : 방풍은 PMA와 calcium ionophore A23187로 활성화된 비민세포에서 세포내 칼슘 수준과 NF-${\kappa}B$, TNF-${\alpha}$와 IL-6의 발현을 억제시켰고 RT-PCR을 이용한 mRNA 발현에서 TNF-${\alpha}$와 IL-6의 발현을 억제하였다. 결론 : 방풍은 비만세포내 칼슘 수준 및 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성을 억제하고 염증성 세포 활성 물질인 TNF-${\alpha}$와 IL-6의 분비도 억제하여 항염효과를 나타냄을 암시하고 있다.