• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.229-240
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• 2010

During the last decade, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have gained more attention due to their toxicity and global distribution. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution and bioaccumulation of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in aquatic wildlife effected from a sewage treatment plant. The concentrations of 12 PFCs were determined in water, sediment and fish samples. PFOS were predominantly detected in both ambient environment and fish. In fish, the concentration of PFCs in blood was the highest (i.e., 112.47 ng/mL wet-wt. PFOS) in comparison to other tissues. However, PFOA and PFHpS were highly detected in gonad as 3.87 and 4.58 ng/g wet-wt., respectively. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of PFCs was greatest in the blood > liver${\cong}$gonad > kidney > gill, and lowest in the muscle tissue. The BCFs of PFUnDA (39,000), PFDA (2,700) and PFOS (1,100) were rated as high values based on wet weight concentration. BCFs increased with increasing the length of the perfluoralkyl chain.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.515-520
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the component and immunoregulatory effects of Sparassis crispa stipe. Herein, S. crispa was divided into the pileus and stipe to compare their ingredients (${\beta}-glucan$), antioxidant activity (in vitro), and the immunoregulatory function (cytokines, leukocytes, and spleen weight). The ${\beta}-glucan$ content in each part showed about 1.8 times higher content in the stipe than that in the pileus. The stipe also showed a higher total phenol content and antioxidant activity than the pileus. The cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-2, and IL-10 have adjusted in the S. crispa extract-injected groups. In addition, the number of leukocytes was also significantly elevated in the rats administered with the S. crispa stipe extract. These results suggest that the stipe of S. crispa has great potential as an ingredient in functional foods.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.492-497
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• 2021

Levels of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), an intercellular signaling molecule, reportedly increase in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of patients with asthma. Although the type 4 S1P receptor, S1P₄ has been detected in mast cells, its functions have been poorly investigated in an allergic asthma model in vivo. S1P₄ functions were evaluated following treatment of CYM50358, a selective antagonist of S1P₄, in an ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma model, and antigen-induced degranulation of mast cells. CYM50358 inhibited antigen-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 mast cells. Eosinophil accumulation and an increase of Th2 cytokine levels were measured in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and via the inflammation of the lungs in ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma mice. CYM50358 administration before ovalbumin sensitization and before the antigen challenge strongly inhibited the increase of eosinophils and lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. CYM50358 administration inhibited the increase of IL-4 cytokines and serum IgE levels. Histological studies revealed that CYM50358 reduced inflammatory scores and PAS (periodic acid-Schiff)-stained cells in the lungs. The pro-allergic functions of S1P₄ were elucidated using in vitro mast cells and in vivo ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma model experiments. These results suggest that S1P₄ antagonist CYM50358 may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of allergic asthma.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.636-645
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• 2012

This study introduces an information granular-based fuzzy radial basis function neural networks (FRBFNN) based on multiobjective optimization and weighted least square (WLS). An improved multiobjective space search algorithm (IMSSA) is proposed to optimize the FRBFNN. In the design of FRBFNN, the premise part of the rules is constructed with the aid of Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering while the consequent part of the fuzzy rules is developed by using four types of polynomials, namely constant, linear, quadratic, and modified quadratic. Information granulation realized with C-Means clustering helps determine the initial values of the apex parameters of the membership function of the fuzzy neural network. To enhance the flexibility of neural network, we use the WLS learning to estimate the coefficients of the polynomials. In comparison with ordinary least square commonly used in the design of fuzzy radial basis function neural networks, WLS could come with a different type of the local model in each rule when dealing with the FRBFNN. Since the performance of the FRBFNN model is directly affected by some parameters such as e.g., the fuzzification coefficient used in the FCM, the number of rules and the orders of the polynomials present in the consequent parts of the rules, we carry out both structural as well as parametric optimization of the network. The proposed IMSSA that aims at the simultaneous minimization of complexity and the maximization of accuracy is exploited here to optimize the parameters of the model. Experimental results illustrate that the proposed neural network leads to better performance in comparison with some existing neurofuzzy models encountered in the literature.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.332-337
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• 2014

The Salvia plebeia R. which is the biennial plant belonging to the labiatae department, grows widely in Korea. This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant activities and anti-allergic effects of Salvia plebeia R. leaves (SPLE) or roots (SPRE). Using ethanol extracts, both leaves and roots induced significant radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of SPLE was significantly higher than that of SPRE at all concentrations. Treatment of the RBL-2H3 cells with SPLE and SPRE in vitro decreased ${\beta}$-Hexosaminidase release and significantly inhibited IgE-antigen complex-mediated IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression in RBL-2H3 cells. These findings suggest that Salvia plebeia R. can protect or reduce allergic asthma through high antioxidant and anti-allergic reactions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.693-700
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• 2002

SCRT (Sochungyong-tang) has been used for immune disease in human. The purpose of this study was effect of Helper T cell, major regulator of immune system. Spleen cell from 8 week BALB/c mice were cultured in SCRT containing medium without activation for 48 h. The MTS assay and flow cytometry revealed that SCRT treated Iympocyte were non-effect in percentage of CD4+ T cell. Subsequently CD4+ T cell were isolated and cultured in SCRT containing medium. SCRT were non-effective on CD4+ T cell without any involvement of APC. In order to evaluate the direct effect of SCRT on Helper T cell, CD4+ T cell isolated after 48 h of culture in SCRT containing medium and activated with and without anti-CD3/anti-CD28 activation for 48 h. A lower level of CD69 was observed in SCRT treated cells in flow cytometry analysis. Subsequently Using RT-PCR analysis the expression of mRNA for IL-2, INF-γ are upregulated and, IL-4 is downregulated in CD4 T cell. The result suggests that SCRT makes Th1 significantly increased and Th2 relatively inhibited. The results suggest that SCRT potentiate Th1 cell and decrease Th2 development at the same time, which is believed to be bemeficial for IgE-mediated responses.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1282-1291
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• 2009

A combined prescription of GGB and CHS (G&C prescription group) was used to investigate its effects on immune related factors and histological changes in atopic dermatitis(AD) induced mice. Significant decrease of atopic dermatitis clinical index in G&C prescription group. In DLN, G&C prescription group significantly modulated the immune cells. G&C prescription group also showed significant effect on the immune cells of the dorsal skin as well as DLN. The group indicated significant decrease of the biosynthesis of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, cytokines in serum. On the other hand, the biosynthesis of TNF-$\alpha$ was decreased. G&C prescription group significantly decreased the immunoglobulin IgE levels in serum. The results suggest that G&C prescription significantly improves atopic dermatitis through regulation of immune cells and cytokines. Comparative studies with Protopic ointment also showed that G&C prescription showed significant effect in AD patients, and active application of the prescription in clinicals is anticipated. However, the reason for the results that oppose to those of previous studies should be investigated. Also, therapeutic effects of both internal and external applications should be studied individually as well as for any synergistic effects. Safety, toxicity, as well as stability studies should follow to develop G&C prescription into long-term external clinical product.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.311-317
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• 2019

Mast cells are the most prominent effector cells of Type 1 hypersensitivity immune responses. CYC116 [4-(2-amino-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)-N-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl] pyrimidin-2-amine] is under development to be used as an anti-cancer drug, but the inhibitory effects of CYC116 on the activation of mast cells and related allergy diseases have not reported as of yet. In this study, we demonstrated, for the first time, that CYC116 inhibited the degranulation of mast cells by antigen stimulation ($IC_{50}$, ${\sim}1.42{\mu}M$). CYC116 also inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-${\alpha}$ ($IC_{50}$, ${\sim}1.10{\mu}M$), and IL-6 ($IC_{50}$, ${\sim}1.24{\mu}M$). CYC116 inhibited the mast cell-mediated allergic responses, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (ED50, ~22.5 mg/kg), and passive systemic anaphylaxis in a dose-dependent manner in laboratory experiments performed on mice. Specifically, CYC116 inhibited the activity of Fyn in mast cells and inhibited the activation of Syk and Syk-dependent signaling proteins including LAT, $PLC{\gamma}$, Akt, and MAP kinases. Our results suggest that CYC116 could be used as an alternative therapeutic medication for mast cell-mediated allergic disorders, such as atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 1998

Background: Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia(CEP) presents with profound systemic symptoms, including fever, malaise, night sweats, weight loss, and anorexia together with localized pulmonary manifestations such as cough, wheeze, and sputum. It is an illness occurring predominantly in women. The chest radiogragh shows fluffy opacities that often have a characteristic peripheral configuration. The hallmark of CEP is the peripheral blood eosinophilia and a prompt response to oral corticosteroid therapy. We investigated characteristics of eleven patients of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, reported in Korea. Method: There were eleven reports of CEP from 1980 to 1996, including three cases experienced in our hospital. The journals were analysed in respects of clinical history, laboratory, and radiographic findings. Results: 1) Male vs. female ratio is 3 : 8. The peak incidence occurred in forty and fifty decades. The atopic diseases were present in 6 cases. Asthma was the commonest manifestation 2) The presenting symptoms were as follows: cough, dyspnea, sputum, weight loss, fever, general weakness, night sweats, urticaria with the descending incidence. 3) Peripheral blood eosinophilia was present in all patients(mean ; 38.4%) and serum IgE level was elevated in nine patients(mean ; 880IU/ml). Conclusion: The diagnosis of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is based on classic symptoms, including fever, night sweats, weight loss with a typical roentgenogram of peripheral pulmonary infiltrates and peripheral blood eosinophilia, and that is confimed by lung biopsy and/or bronchoalveolar lavage. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is responsive to corticosteroid promptly and recommended at least 6 months of therapy to prevent relapse.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.994-1002
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• 2017

This study was performed to evaluate the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, and whitening effects of Zizania latifolia ethanol extracts prepared from 5 different ethanol concentrations (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90%). As the ethanol concentration in the extraction solvent was increased, the radical scavenging activities also increased. The inhibitory activity of Z. latifolia ethanol extracts on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells tended to increase as the content of ethanol increased. The highest inhibitory activity was obtained with 70% ethanol extract. The antiallergy effects of Z. latifolia ethanol extracts were tested by measuring the release of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. The suppressive effect of Z. latifolia ethanol extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner as the proportion of ethanol increased, except for the 10% ethanol extract. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of Z. latifolia ethanol extracts against melanin production in ${\alpha}-melanocyte$ stimulated hormone (MSH)-stimulated B16F0 cells increased as the ethanol ratio increased, and 70 and 90% ethanol extracts showed similar inhibitory activities to arbutin, a positive control, at $250{\mu}m$. The present study confirmed the efficacy of Z. latifolia ethanol extracts in various areas, demonstrating antioxidative, anti-inflammation, antiallergy, skin protective, and skin whitening effects, with no cytotoxicity. It could be used as a raw material in functional foods, as well as in cosmetics.