• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2009

Purpose: Preeclampsia is a multifactorial disorder with genetic and environmental components. Recently, the STOX1 gene, identified as a candidate gene for preeclampsia in Dutch women, has been shown to be placentally expressed and subject to imprinting with preferential transmission of the maternal allele. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between the STOX1 Y153H variation and preeclampsia in Korean pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This study involved 202 preeclamptic and 204 healthy pregnant women who were genotyped for the Y153H variant of the STOX1 gene using a commercially available SNapShot assay kit and an ABI Prism 3730 DNA Analyzer. Results: There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies of the Y153H variant of the STOX1 gene between preeclamptic patients and normal controls (P>0.05). The H allele frequency of the STOX1 Y153H variation was similar in patients with preeclampsia (87.1%) and in normal controls (86.5%). In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the YH, HH, and YH/HH genotypes were not associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia when compared to the YY genotype. Conclusion: This is the first study to characterize the Y153H variant of the STOX1 gene in Korean patients with preeclampsia. We found no differences in the genotype and allele frequencies between preeclamptic and normal pregnancies. Although limited by a relatively small sample size, our study suggests that the STOX1 Y153H variation is not associated with the development of preeclampsia in Korean pregnant women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.1097-1105
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• 2017

This study examined how much chicken meat was in sausage made with pork. Both real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and internal standard addition were used. Fifty ng of chicken DNA was added to the sausages as an internal standard. The addition of standard DNA increased the amplification efficiency of PCR and confirmed the possibility of quantitative analysis. A QIAamp DNA Micro Kit was used to improve the DNA recovery and amplification efficiency. The density of template DNA and primer were suitable for $3.0{\sim}5.0{\mu}L$ and $0.5{\mu}L$, respectively. Each DNA of pig and chicken was diluted in 10-fold from steps 50 ng to 0.05 ng. The detection limit of both pig and chicken meat was more than 0.05 ng and the correlation coefficient of the standard curve was at least 0.98. The result of the quantitative analysis after heat treatment of 3 samples of pigs and chickens mixed at 70:30 showed a 5.7% difference (64.3:35.7) between the expected value and measured value. The quantitative value was changed by affecting the DNA according to the heat treatment ($70^{\circ}C$, 10 min). An analysis of the pork and chicken content in sausages showed that it was difficult to detect chicken meat and the quantitative value of DNA according to the Ct value was very low. On the other hand, when adding standard material (50 ng of chicken DNA) to the sausages, the Ct value decreased gradually with increasing chicken mixing ratio. Thus, the mixing ratio of chicken in sausages could be estimated.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.221-228
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• 2014

Purpose: Citron seed oil (CSO) has been reported to have high antioxidant activity. However, the composition and other biologically activities of CSO have not been reported. In this study, we confirmed the fatty acid composition of CSO, which may be beneficial to vascular disease and obesity. Methods: We investigated the oil composition of CSO using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, and cytotoxicity was confirmed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was measured using Griess reagent, and lipid accumulation and leptin secretion in 3T3-L1 cells were measured by Oil-Red O staining and commercial ELISA kit, respectively. Results: GC-MS analysis indicated that CSO contains several components, including linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid, and arachidic acid. In physiological activity analysis, CSO did not induce cytotoxic effects in HUVECs and 3T3-L1 cells. Further, CSO significantly induced nitric oxide and leptin secretion as well as inhibited lipid accumulation. Conclusion: CSO increased NO release, inhibited lipid accumulation, and induced leptin secretion, suggesting it may be useful for the management of vessels and weight gain. Although further studies are required to investigate the safety and mechanism of action of CSO, our results show that the composition and physiological activity of CSO are sufficient for its use as functional edible oil.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.836-845
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• 1999

Background : Obesity is present in the majority of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) and is considered to be a major risk factor for its development. A reduction in body weight has been associated with substantial improvement in the severity of apnea. However, a variety of treatment strategies for obesity have yielded limited sucess. This study was done to determine resting energy expenditure(REE) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and the correlation between the severity of sleep apnea and REE, and to investigate whether leptin influences REE and correlated with the severity of sleep apnea in 39 patients with OSA and 45 controls matched for obesity. Method : Overnight polysomnography was performed on all subjects using standard techniques. Measurements of REE were made using a Sensormedic Vmax 229 and a canopy system. Serum leptin concentration was measured by human leptin RIA kit of LINCO Research INC. Results : REE was greater in patients with OSA compared with controls, but there was no difference between the two groups on REE%. And also there was no significant correlation between anthropometric data, polysomnographic data and REE%. Serum leptin was linearly related to body mass index(BMI), apnea index, apnea hypopnea index and lowest arterial oxygen saturation($SaO_2$) but not related to REE%. Conclusion : This study suggests the followings. Firstly patients patients with sleep apnea have a pattern of obesity characterized by energy homeostasis at an elevated body weight set-point. In order to achieve a lower body weight in these patients, it may be necessary to increase energy expenditure by increasing physical activity. Secondly leptin level was not correlated with REE, suggesting that leptin may predominantly regulate body fat by altering eating behavior rather than calorigenesis. Lastly leptin level was significantly correlated with the severity of sleep apnea. These elevated level of leptin in patients of sleep apnea may be related to the obesity, however it needs further studies to determine the relationship between the severity of sleep apnea and serum leptin.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.213-221
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• 2001

Background : There is a well recognized interlaboratory variation in the results using the polymerase chain reaction(PCR) to detect the IS6110 sequence. The clinical utility of a commercially developed PCR test(Amplicor) in bronchial washings for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis in smear negative patients was evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity of Amplicor was compared with that of an in-house PCR test used for detecting the IS6110 sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tbc) in the bronchial washing fluid. Methods : 66 patients whose sputum smear for M. tbc were negative or who could not produce any sputum were recruited from January 1999 to July 1999. They all had a bronchoscopy performed to determine if there were signs of hemoptysis, patients who could not cough up sputum, lung lesion that exclude pulmonary tuberculosis. Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed on the basis of a positive culture or a response to anti-tuberculosis therapy. Results : 19 patients with tuberculosis were identified and samples from 16 patients were later confirmed by culture. Bronchial washing for Amplicor PCR revealed a sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 94.7%, 97.9%, 94.7%, 97.9%, respectively. Using IS6110 based PCR, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were of 73.7%, 87.2%, 70%, 89.1% respectively. Conclusion : Bronchial washing for Amplicor PCR proved to be more useful than IS6110 based PCR in rapidly diagnosing smear negative pulmonary pulmoary tuberculosis in patients where tuberculosis was likely to be differential and rapid diagnosis was essential for optimal treatment.

• Journal of the Korea Computer Graphics Society
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2000

Traditionally, three dimension model s have been used for building virtual worlds, and a data structure called the "scene graph" is often employed to organize these 3D objects in the virtual space. On the other hand, image-based rendering has recently been suggested as a probable alternative VR platform for its photo-realism, however, due to limited interactivity. it has only been used for simple navigation systems. To combine the merits of these two approaches to object/scene representations, this paper proposes for a scene graph structure in which both 3D models and various image-based scenes/objects can be defined. traversed, and rendered together. In fact, as suggested by Shade et al. [1]. these different representations can be used as different LOD's for a given object. For in stance, an object might be rendered using a 3D model at close range, a billboard at an intermediate range. and as part of an environment map at far range. The ultimate objective of this mixed platform is to breath more interactivity into the image based rendered VE's by employing 3D models as well. There are several technical challenges in devising such a platform : designing scene graph nodes for various types of image based techniques, establishing criteria for LOD/representation selection. handling their transition s. implementing appropriate interaction schemes. and correctly rendering the overall scene. Currently, we have extended the scene graph structure of the Sense8's WorldToolKit. to accommodate new node types for environment maps. billboards, moving textures and sprites, "Tour-into-the-Picture" structure, and view interpolated objects. As for choosing the right LOD level, the usual viewing distance and image space criteria are used, however, the switching between the image and 3D model occurs at a distance from the user where the user starts to perceive the object's internal depth. Also. during interaction, regardless of the viewing distance. a 3D representation would be used, if it exists. Finally. we carried out experiments to verify the theoretical derivation of the switching rule and obtained positive results.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2019

Purpose: Early detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is important for appropriate antimicrobial therapy in children with pneumonia. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of a rapid antigen test kit in detecting M. pneumoniae from respiratory specimens in children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Methods: A total of 215 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) were selected from a pool of NPAs that had been obtained from children admitted for LRTI from August 2010 to August 2018. The specimens had been tested for M. pneumoniae by culture and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ until use. Tests with Ribotest $Mycoplasma^{(R)}$ were performed and interpreted independently by two investigators who were blinded to the culture results. Results: Among the 215 NPAs, 119 were culture positive for M. pneumoniae and 96 were culture negative. Of the culture-positive specimens, 74 (62.2%) were positive for M. pneumoniae by Ribotest $Mycoplasma^{(R)}$, and 92 of the 96 (95.8%) culture-negative specimens were negative for M. pneumoniae by Ribotest $Mycoplasma^{(R)}$. When culture was used as the standard test, the sensitivity and specificity of Ribotest $Mycoplasma^{(R)}$ were 62.2% and 95.8%, respectively. Additionally, the positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall agreement rates with Ribotest $Mycoplasma^{(R)}$ were 94.9%, 67.2%, and 77.2%, respectively. Conclusions: A positive test result of Ribotest $Mycoplasma^{(R)}$ suggests a high likelihood of culture-positive M. pneumoniae infection. However, a negative test result should be interpreted with caution because nearly one-third of negative test results reveal culture-positive M. pneumoniae infections.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.75-94
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects of GCP treatment on the monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by injection of Monosodium lodoacetate(0.5mg) into knee joints of rats. Arthritic rats were divided into control(n=8) and treated(n=8) group. Control group was taken distilled water for 20 days. Treated group was taken extracts of GCP by oraly for same duration. Normal group(n=8) was injected with normal saline and was taken distilled water for 20 days. Body weight was measured at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 days after injection. Macroscopic examination and histopathological study on articular cartilage of knee joint were operated at 20 days after injection. Proteoglycan(PG) content of articular cartilages of knee joint was represented by safranine O staining, was measured at 20 days injection. Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, $Interleukin-1{\beta}$, Interleukin-6 in synovial fluid were measured with ELISA kit at 20 days after injection. Immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, iNOS in knee joints were observed at 20 days after injection. Results : 1. Body weight of the treated group increased compare with control group at 20 days after injection. 2. Macroscopically, degree of osteoarthritis in the treated group were evaluated compared with the control group. 3. PG content in articular cartilage of the treated group was significantly increased compared with the control group. 4. Histopathologically, osteoarthritic scores of the treated group was significantly decreased compared with the control group. 5. $TNF-{\alpha}$ content in synovial fluid of the treated group was decreased compared with the control group. 6. $IL-1{\beta}$ content in synovial fluid of the treated group was significantly decreased compared with the control group. 7. Positive reaction of COX-2 in chondrocytes and synovial membrane of the treated group was faint compared with the control group. Conclusions : On the basis of these results, we concluded that GCP has inhibiting effects on the $IL-1{\beta}$ and COX-2 secretion of chondrocytes and synovial membrane in Monosodium lodoacetate-Induced osteoarthritis model of rats.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3443-3447
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• 2013

Aim: Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer and sixth leading cause of cancer associated death worldwide. The 5 year survival rate for esophageal cancer patients is very poor and accounts for only 12.3%. Besides environmental risk factors, genetic factors might play an important role in the esophageal cancer carcinogenesis. Methods: We conducted a hospital based case-control study to evaluate the genetic effects of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): interleukin 9 (IL9) rs31563 C>T, IL9 rs31564 G>T, IL10 rs1800872 T>G, IL12A rs2243115 T>G, IL12B rs3212227 T>G and IL13 rs1800925 C>T on the development of esophageal cancer. A total of 380 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cases and 380 controls were recruited for this study. The genotypes were determined using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNPscan$^{TM}$ Kit. Results: The IL10 rs1800872 T>G polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of ESCC. However, there were no significant links with the other five SNPs. Stratified analyses indicated no significant risk of ESCC associated with the IL10 rs1800872 T>G polymorphism evident among any subgroups. Conclusion: These findings indicated that functional polymorphism IL10 rs1800872 T>G might contribute to ESCC susceptibility. However, our results were obtained with a limited sample size, so that the power of our analysis was low. Future larger studies with more rigorous study designs of other ethnic populations are required to confirm the current findings.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2003

Background: The role of macrophages in tumor angiogenesis is known to be the production of angiogenic cytokines and growth factors including TNF-${\alpha}$. Recently, macrophage also can produce the INF-${\gamma}$ that is being studied to be involved in angiogenic inhibition. Thus, the importance of macrophages in tumor angiogenesis is might being an angiogenic switch. Thus, the hypothesis tested here is that TNF-${\alpha}$ can modulate the INF-${\gamma}$ production in the macrophages from tumor environment as a part of tumor angiogenic switch. Methods: Macrophages in tumor environment were obtained from the peritoneal cavity of C57BL/6 mice injected with B16F10 melanoma cell line for 6 or 11 days. $Mac1^+$-macrophages were purified using magnetic bead ($MACs^{TM}$; Milteny Biotech, Germany) and cultured with various concentrations of TNF-${\alpha}$ for various time points at $37^{\circ}C$. The supernatants were analyzed for IFN-${\gamma}$ or VEGF by ELISA kit (Endogen, Woburn, MA). Results: Residential macrophages from the peritoneal cavity did not respond to LPS or TNF-${\alpha}$ to produce INF-${\gamma}$. However, the cells from tumor environment produced IFN-${\gamma}$ as well as VEGF and upregulated by the addition of LPS or TNF-${\alpha}$. RT-PCR analysis revealed the external TNF-${\alpha}$-induced IFN-${\gamma}$ gene expression in the macrophages from tumor environment. Conclusion: The overall data suggest that the macrophages in tumor environment might have an important role not only in angiogenic signal but also in anti-angiogenic signal by producing related cytokines. And TNF-${\alpha}$ might be a key cytokine in tumor angiogenic switch.