• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.637-644
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• 1998

[ $\beta$ ]-Galactosidase was extracted from the internal organ of sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus The enzyme was purified 384.6-fold over the crude extract by the sequential chromatographic methods including DEAE-Sephadex A-25, CM-Cellulose, and Con A-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography with a recovery $1.26\%$. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated approximately 94 kDa as monomeric term by SDS-PAGE and Sephadex G-150 gel chromatography. The maximum enzymatic activity was observed at pH 3.0 and $50^{\circ}C$ but the one was stable over the ph range or 3.0$\~$5.0 and below $37^{\circ}C$. The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values against PNPG (P-nitrophenyl $\beta$-D-galactopyranoside) were 15.0 mM and 214 $\mu$mole/min per mg protein, respectively. The enzymatic activity was activated by $Ba^{2+}$, but significantly inhibited by $DEP,\;Hg^{2+},\;Sn^{2+}$ and galactose.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.366-373
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• 2006

Background: Paraquat is extremely toxic chemical material, which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing multiple organ failure. In particular, paraquat leads to irreversible progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Exaggerated cell deaths exceeding the normal repair of type II pneumocytes leads to mesenchymal cells proliferation and fibrosis. This study examined the followings; i) whether or not paraquat induces cell death in lung epithelial cells; ii) whether or not paraquat-induced cell deaths are apoptosis or necrosis; and iii) the effects of N-acetylcysteine, dexamethasone, and bcl-2 on paraquat-induced cell deaths. Methods: A549 and BEAS-2B lung epithelial cell lines were used. The cell viability and apoptosis were evalluated using a MTT assay, Annexin V staining was monitored by fluorescence microscopy, The level of bcl-2 inhibition was examined by establishing stable A549 pcDNA3-bcl-2 cell lines throung the transfection of pcDNA3-bcl-2 with the mock. Results: Paraquat decreased the cell viability in A549 and BEAS-2B cells in a dose and time dependent manner. The Annexin V assay showed that apoptosis was the type of paraquat-induced cell death. Paraquat-induced cell deaths was significantly inhibited by N-acetylcysteine, dexamethasone, and bcl-2 overexpression. The cell viability of A549 cells treated with N-acetylcysteine, and dexamethasone on the paraquat-induced cell deaths were increased significantly by 10 ~ 20%, particularly at high doses. In addition, the cell viability of A549 pcDNA3-bcl-2 cells overexpressing bcl-2 was significantly higher than the untransfected A549 cells. Conclusion: Paraquat induces apoptotic cell deaths in lung epithelial cells in a dose and time dependent manner. The paraquat-induced apoptosis of lung epithelial cells might occur through the mitochondrial pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.130-138
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• 1996

Bone scan is known to be an effective tool for observing the state of soft tissues and bones of electric burn patients. It is also used for observing the progress of patients after debridement or skin graft as well as deforming to amputate specific body parts. To evaluate bone scan's role in electric burn, we analyzed bone scan 37 patients with electric burn. Among the 37 patients, 8 of 37 were injured in low voltage and 29 of them in high voltage. 27 patients received the electrical input through the hand, 6 through the scalp, 2 through the shoulder, 1 through the left chest wall and 1 through the left inguinal area. Among 29 patients received high voltage, 22 patients had the electrical output through the foot, 3 through the hand, 2 through the shoulder, 1 through the buttock and 1 through the left chest wall. Bone scans revealed cellulitis in 37 patients with 47 sites, osteomyelitis in 15 patients with 15 sites & bone defects in 4 patients with 4 sites. In 4 patients with skin graft or skin flap, follow up bone scan showed improvements of bony uptake in preoperatively bony defect area and all of them were healed without complication. There were 2 cases in which uptake increased in the myocardium, 1 in the liver and 6 in the kidney, however, serum calcium level, EKG, cardiac enzyme, liver and renal function tests were normal. In conclusion, bone scans are helpful in the assessment of injury sites after electrical insult and in differential diagnosis of cellulitis and osteomyelitis. It is also useful tool of assessment after skin graft or skin flap, however, it should be further evaluated about internal organ damage.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.570-578
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• 2003

Background : Ambient particles during Asian dust events are usually sized less than $10{\mu}m$, known to be associated with the adverse effects on the general populations. But, there has been no considerable evidence linking these particles to the adverse effects on airways. The objectives of this study was to investigate the possible adverse effects of Asian dust events on respiratory function and symptoms in subjects with bronchial asthma. Patients and Methods : From march to June 2002, Asthmatic patients who were diagnosed with bronchial challenge test or bronchodilator response were enrolled. We divided them into three groups; mild, moderate, and severe, according to the severity. Subjects with other organ insufficiency such as heart, kidney, liver, and malignancy were excluded. All patients completed twice daily diaries and recorded peak flow rate, respiratory symptom, and daily activity. Daily and hourly mean pollutant levels of particulate matter < $10{\mu}m$ in diameter($PM_{10}$), nitrogen dioxide($NO_2$), sulphur dioxide($SO_2$), ozone($O_3$) and carbon monoxide(CO) were measured at the 10 different monitoring sites. Results : Dust events occured 14 times during the study period. Daily averages of 4 air pollutant were measured with an increased level of $PM_{10}$, decreased level of $NO_2$ and $SO_2$, and no change in CO during dust days compared to those during control days. An increase in $PM_{10}$ concentration was associated with an increase of subjects with PEF variability of >20% (p<0.05), night time symptom(p<0.05), and a decrease in mean PEF (p<0.05), which were calculated by the longitudinal data analysis. Otherwise, there was no association between $PM_{10}$ level and bronchodialtor inhaler, and daytime respiratory symptoms. Conclusion : This study shows evidence that ambient air pollution, especially $PM_{10}$, during Asian dust events, could be one of the many aggravating factors at least in patients with airway diseases. This data can be used as a primary source to set up a new policy on air environmental control and to evaluate the safety of air pollution index. We also expect that this research will help identify precise components of dust, which are more linked to the adverse effects.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.1047-1057
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• 1998

Background : Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder of unknown origin and characterized by accumulation of T cells and macrophages. Various cytokines may play crucial roles in the activation of T cells and macrophages, and thereby in the formation of granulomas. However, little is known about the balance between proinflammatory cytokines and antiinflammatory cytokines in the development of sarcoid granulomas and disease activities. In the present study, we measured IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis to find out whether there is an imbalance between proinflammatory cytokines and antiinflammatory cytokines in the lung. Methods: Fourteen subjects with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and six healthy volunteers were included. BALF was concentrated ten-fold by pressure ultrafiltration and each cytokine levels were measured by EUSA method. Active sarcoidosis was defined by major organ involvement or clinically progressive diseases. Results: The mean IL-6 levels in the BALF of the active sarcoidosis group were significantly increased than in controls or inactive sarcoidosis group(p<0.05). Meanwhile, the IL-8 levels were increased and IL-10 levels were decreased in the active sarcoidosis group than in controls or inactive sarcoidosis group without significance(p>0.05). In active pulmonary sarcoidosis patients, the IL-6 levels in BALF correlated with the BALF CD4/CD8 ratio(r=0.768, p<0.05) and IL-8 levels(r=0.564, p<0.05). Conclusions : The data presented showed that pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 is important in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and decreased tendency of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 might also be involved in the development of granulomatous inflammation in sarcoidosis.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2014

Background: People with disabilities have higher prevalence rates and earlier onset of chronic disease than the non-disabled; therefore, their participation in health screening is important. This study evaluates the participation rate and trends in health screening of people with disabilities, and examines the association between their participation rate and disability characteristics, and socioeconomic status. Methods: Data on disability-related characteristics were collected from the National Disability Registry, and participants' corresponding health examination data were taken from the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation between 2002 and 2011. A total of 873,819 participants aged ${\geq}20$ years were analyzed in this study. Results: The rate of participation of people with disabilities in health screening has increased each year, but their participation rate is lower than that of the total population. The participation rate was lower in females than in males; the elderly group than in the younger group; those who live in city areas than rural areas; self-employed for health insurance than employees; those with an internal organ disability than those with an external physical disability; those with a severe disability than those with a mild disability; and those with a short-term disability than for those with a long-term disability. Conclusion: The factors associated with participation rate are age, sex, socioeconomic status, and disability characteristics. These findings indicate that health check-ups of people with disabilities should be promoted using an approach that takes into account the large individual differences in socioeconomic status and disability characteristics in this population.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.386-389
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• 2008

Lung parenchyma is a common organ for metastases of extrathoracic tumors, but endobronchial metastasis is very rare. In this report, we present a case of endobronchial metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and this was managed by performing operative resection. A 63-year-old man presented with frequent dry cough; he had previously undergone left nephrectomy and postoperative chemotherapy for grade 2 RCC eight years ago. Computed tomography and bronchoscopy showed an endobronchial tumor from the left lower lobe bronchus to the second carina, and this mass was diagnosed as a necrotic tissue with chronic inflammation at biopsy. During the operation, the mass was revealed to be a metastatic renal cell carcinoma on the frozen section diagnosis and there was no mucosal invasion on the resection margin of the left lower lobe bronchus. We performed lobectomy of the left lower lobe with systemic dissection of the mediastinal lymph nodes. The final histopathologic diagnosis of the endobrochial mass was metastatic RCC and any mediastinal lymph node metastasis was not found. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 10 without any postoperative complications.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.469-475
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• 2013

In mammals, puberty is a process of acquiring reproductive competence, triggering by activation of hypothalamic kisspeptin (KiSS)-gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal circuit. During peripubertal period, not only the external genitalia but the internal reproductive organs have to be matured in response to the hormonal signals from hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (H-P-G) axis. In the present study, we evaluated the maturation of male rat accessory sex organs during the peripubertal period using tissue weight measurement, histological analysis and RT-PCR assay. Male rats were sacrificed at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 70 postnatal days (PND). The rat accessory sex organs exhibited differential growth patterns compared to those of non-reproductive organs. The growth rate of the accessory sex organs were much higher than the those of non-reproductive organs. Also, the growth spurts occurred differentially even among the accessory sex organs; the order of prepubertal organ growth spurts is testis = epididymis > seminal vesicle = prostate. Histological study revealed that the presence of sperms in seminiferous tubules and epididymal ducts at day 50, indicating the puberty onset. The number of duct and the volume of duct in epididymis and prostate were inversely correlated during the experimental period. Our RT-PCR revealed that the levels of hypothalamic GnRH transcript were increased significantly on PND 40, suggesting the activation of hypothalamic GnRH pulse-generator before puberty onset. Studies on the peripubertal male accessory sex organs will provide useful references on the growth regulation mechanism which is differentially regulated during the period in androgen-sensitive organs. The detailed references will render easier development of endocrine disruption assay.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.145-166
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• 2017

Objectives : The paper aims to study the philosophical background of Huangdineijing by taking into account the fact that its ideas are identical to that of the period between the Warring States and Han. Methods : Through considering the period and the historical backdrop in which Huangdineijing was published, and through considering the book with other texts such as Huangdisijing, the paper draws the common spirit of the time and analyzed the cause and flow of philosophies and ideas that influenced Huangdineijing. Conclusions : 1. Books that upheld Huangdi contained within Hanshu・Yiwenzhi have a common point with the mythical symbol of Huangdi in that they are related to the rule of a nation and the creation of a civilization. Huangdi, who in Huangdineijing bears a need to be understand at this common point of view. 2. The spirit of the period between Warring States and Han can be deduced as "a movement towards unification" and "the development of a civilization infused with spirit of unification." Such spirit of time are reflected in Huangdineijing as Nine Acupuncture(Official Acupuncture) and the establishment of the measuring standards for meridian, bone, and internal organ, and the establishment of the concept of 'Pyungin.' Especially the construction of waterways that connected Huanghe and Yangzijiang river with their tributaries that formed a direct composition of unification was applied to human body in Huangdineijing, thereby establishing the concept of 'Mai'. 3. Unlike Lao Zhuang School of Taoism was not interested in the act of ruling at all, Huangdineijing and its contemporary publication Huangdisijing, present their readers with Number, Law, Rule, Regulation and Governance. Here, the philosophy and the idea which seek "Law" as the methods of ruling the nation by actively participating in the governance of the nation based on the model of natural law and rule appear. Such philosophy and idea is an evidence of the influence of Fajia in accordance with the social and realistic changes witnessed during the time.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.61-65
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• 2014

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the oral toxicity of Gami-Jakyak Gamcho buja Decoction (Mecasin) to develop safe treatments. Methods: All experiments were conducted at the Medvill, an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. In order to investigate the oral toxicity of Mecasin, we administered Mecasin orally to rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of five male and five female animals per group: group 1 being the control group and groups 2, 3, and 4 being the experimental groups. Doses of Mecasin, 500 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg, were administered to the experimental groups, and a dose of normal saline solution, 10 mL/kg, was administered to the control group. We examined the survival rate, weight, clinical signs, and gross findings. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Results: No deaths or abnormalities occurred in any of the four groups. Although slight decreases in the weights of some female rats were noted on the third day, no significant changes in weights or gross findings between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. To check for abnormalities in organs, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ; the results showed no significant differences in any of the organs. Conclusion: The results showed that administration of 500 - 2,000 mg/kg of Mecasin did not cause any changes in weight or in the results of necropsy examinations. It also did not result in any mortalities. The above findings suggest that treatment with Mecasin is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject are needed to yield more concrete evidence.