• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.133-137
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• 2010

Purpose: The main function of vitamin D is the mineralization of the brain by increase of calcium and phosphorus, in case it is insufficient in children, lime deposition on cartilage cannot occur so it leads to rachitis, and in adults, it leads to osteomalacia or osteoporosis. It is also strongly believed in the academic world that vitamin D can restrict the growth of cancer cells and prevent heart diseases, which is also somewhat proven in epidemiological researches. While the right density of vitamin D is still being studied, 20-32 ng/mL is believed to be the most ideal density. Therefore, I wanted analyze how much density of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 that Koreans possess. Materials and Methods: From February 20th, 2008 to April 21st, 2009, the collection of 2800 serums, from medical examination treated subjects by Neodin Medical Institute, have been tested. The targets were tested by 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (125I Kit: Diasorin, USA), and were analyzed by dividing into many different categories (gender, age, season, region). Results: The average density of male were 20 ng/mL, female 17.08 ng/mL. Per age groups, the density of males were as follows: 10~20-18 ng/mL, 21~30-17 ng/mL, 31~40-19 ng/mL, 41~50-21 ng/mL, 51~60-22 ng/mL, 61~70-22 ng/mL, 71~80-22 ng/mL and 81~90-19.9 ng/mL. Average density of females per age groups, were as follows: 10~20-16 ng/mL, 20~30-15.26 ng/mL, 30~40-16 ng/mL, 40~50-17 ng/mL, 50~60-19 ng/mL, 60~70-19 ng/mL, 70~80-19 ng/mL, and 80~90-17 ng/mL. Per seasons, From December to May, the subjects showed the density of 15.97 ng/mL, while from June to November, it showed 21.60 ng/mL. On density of males from January to April regionally, Seoul+Gyeonggi-Do-15.52 ng/mL, Gangwon-Do-15.33 ng/mL, Choongchung-Do-18.03 ng/mL, Jeonla-Do-18.68 ng/mL, Gyungsang-Do-18.76 ng/mL and Cheju Do-21.23 ng/mL. Conclusions: The vitamin D of Koreans is has been insufficient compared to the suggested amount. Ultraviolet rays, which is the main source of vitamin D is critical, therefore it is suggested that more outdoor activities can definitely help.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.84-92
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• 2009

This experiment was investigated the effects of fresh and ginger processed Pinelliae Rhizoma extracts on hair growth activity, and its fractions(chloroform, ethyl acetate and water fractions) obtained from fresh Pinelliae Rhizoma on hair growth activity of the normal and spontaneous alopecia areata model of C57BL/6N mice for 16 days. The results were as follows: In fresh Pinelliae Rhizoma extracts treated group, hair growth effect was observed in whole skin area(100%) all the normal mice in whose hair had been clipped on 16th days. In ginger processed Pinelliae Rhizoma extracts treated group, hair growth effect was observed in whole skin area in 25% of normal mice in whose hair had been clipped on 16th days. But in control group, hair growth effect was observed in a part of whole skin area in 25% of normal mice. In fresh Pinelliae Rhizoma extracts treated group, hair follicles of middle stage of anagen phase was observed and it were grown down to subcutaneous tissue of skin in all the mice on 10th day. But in ginger processed Pinelliae Rhizoma extracts treated group and control group, Most of hair follicles of telogen phase was observed in skin. The treatment of extracts of fresh Pinelliae Rhizoma increased the expression of TGF-$\beta$(146%), IGF(107%), and prolactin(115%) in the skin of normal C57BL/6N mice compared to control group(100%). But expression of placenta lactogen(93%) was decreased in the skin of normal C57BL/6N mice compared to control group(100%). In spontaneous alopecia model, The hair growth activity of fresh Pinelliae Rhizoma extracts treated group(100%) was observed to be strong compared with the control group(20%) on 15th day. Hair growth activity on chloroform fractions of fresh Pinelliae Rhizoma extracts was observed in whole skin area in 75% of normal mice on the 9th day. In water and ethyl acetate fractions, hair growth activity was observed in a part of whole skin in 75% and 25% of normal mice, respectively. but hair growth activity of control group was not observed. After application of fractions of fresh Pinelliae Rhizoma extracts for 10 days, hair follicles of chloroform fraction treated group was observed middle stage of anagen phase and hair follicle were grown down to subcutaneous tissue of skin in all the mice. But hair follicles of initial stage of anagen phase were observed in water and ethyl acetate fractions. Most of hair follicles of telogen phase was observed in skin of control group. These experiments suggest that extracts of fresh Pinelliae Rhizoma may stimulate the topical hair growth activity and its chloroform fractions can be useful for treatment of alopecia areata.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2008

Ixeris sonchifolia Hance (Godulbaegi), Oenanthe javanica (Dolminari), Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (Buckwheat>, Hizikia fusiforme (Seaweed Fusiforme) and Zingiber ojficinale Roscoe (Ginger) have been used respectively as one of folk remedies as well as food materials. However, reportedly few studies on their immunomodulating effects have been made, although it has been known from other preceding studies that the ex vivo supplementation of each Ish, OJ, Fem, Hf, Zor water extracts tends to enhance the proliferation of splenocyte in comparison to the control group. This study on the combined immunomodulative effect of water extract mixture of these five food materials (Ish + Oj + Fem +Hf+Zor) lasted covering seven or eight weeks. The old mice (balb/c) was fed ad libitum on chow diet, and the water extract of plant mixture was orally administrated every other day for four weeks at two different concentrations (50 and 500 mg/kg B.W) . After preparing the single cell suspension, the proliferation of splenocyte was determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y]-2,5-diphenyl terazolium bromide) assay. The production of cytokine ($IL-{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$) which was secreted by macrophages stimulated with LPS or not was detected by ELISA assay using the cytokine kit. After the 48 hours of incubation with the mitogen (ConA or LPS) stimulation, the proliferation of the mice splenocyt in the experimental group statisticaly increased at both of two different concentrations in comparison to the control group. The cytokines production was more significantly enhanced at the lower supplementation (50 mg/kg B.W.) group than at the higher concentration (500 mg/kg B.W.). The result of this study may suggest that the supplementation of water extract of plant mixture can regulate and enhance the immune function by increasing the splenocyte proliferation and regulating the cytokine production capacity by the activated macrophages in mice.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.747-756
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• 1999

Background: Acid-fast stain and cultures for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis are primary and essential method, but have their limitation : low sensitivity and time consuming. The objective of this study is comparison of amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis direct test(MTD) by the conventional AFB smears and cultures in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory specimens. Methods: During the period between November, 1997 and May, 1998 a total of 267 respiratory specimens (sputum 173, bronchial washing 94) from 187 patients suspected pulmonary tuberculosis were subjected to AFB smears, cultures and MID test. MID is based on nucleic acid amplification. We compared the MID with 3% Ogawa culture method. In positive AFB smear and negative MID specimen, positive culture identification between nontuberculous mycobacterium and M.tuberculosis was assesed by using Accuprobe M.tuberculosis complex probe. In negative AFB smear and negative AFB culture, MTD results are assessed by clinical follow-up. Results : 1) Compared with culture in sputum and bronchial fluid specimens, sensitivity and specificity of MTD in positive AFB smear is 79.7% and 20.0%, sensitivity and specificity of MTD in negative AFB smear specimens is 75.0% and 79.7%. 2) Discrepant analysis is assessed by clinical follow-up and other specimen results beyond study. Culture negative but MTD positive specimens were proved to be true positive and gave MTD sensitivity 79.2%, specificity of 84.4%, positive predictive value 80.5% and negative predictive value 83.2%. 3) 14 out of 31 specimens in negative AFB smear, negative AFB culture and positive MTD showed pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed on clinical follow-up and sensitivity is 45.2%. 4) 2 out of 13 specimens in positive AFB smear, positive AFB culture and negative MID diagnosed as non tuberculous mycobacterium by Accuprobe culture. Conclusion: This study suggested that MID in respiratory specimens is simple and rapid diagnostic method, but considered adjuvant method rather than replace the conventional AFB smear and culture.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.179-192
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• 2008

Objectives : Draconis Resina (DR) has been used as a traditional Korean herbal medicine since ancient times, and today it is used as a medication for wounds, tumors, diarrhea, rheumatism, in the itching of insect bites and with other conditions in the folk medicine. The aim of this study was to determine whether fractionated extracts of DR inhibit free radical generation, intracellular oxidation, production of nitrite, an index of NO, PGE2, iNOS, COX-2 and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, Methods : DR extract prepared with methanol, and then fractionated with hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, n-butanol and water. Inhibitory effect of DR onto free radical generation was determined by measuring DPPH, superoxide anions and nitric oxide scavenging activities in vitro. Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. Intracelluar oxidation was analysed by DCF-DA assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. The levels of iNOS and COX-2 expression were confirmed by western blot. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. Results : Our results indicated that fractionated extracts, especially dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts, significantly inhibited free radical generation, the LPS-induced H202, NO, PGE2 production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 formation in macrophages. Conclusions : Our results indicate that dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of DR have potential as an agent of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2325-2331
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• 2013

Objective: To detect effects of plumbagin on proliferation and apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines A549, H292 and H460 were treated with various concentrations of plumbagin. Cell proliferation rates was determined using both cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and clonogenic assays. Apoptosis was detected by annexin V/propidium iodide double-labeled flow cytometry and TUNEL assay. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. Activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ was examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and luciferase reporter assay. Western blotting was used to assess the expression of both NF-${\kappa}B$ regulated apoptotic-related gene and activation of p65 and $I{\kappa}B{\kappa}$. Results: Plumbagin dose-dependently inhibited proliferation of the lung cancer cells. The IC50 values of plumbagin in A549, H292, and H460 cells were 10.3 ${\mu}mol/L$, 7.3 ${\mu}mol/L$, and 6.1 ${\mu}mol/L$ for 12 hours, respectively. The compound concentration-dependently induced apoptosis of the three cell lines. Treatment with plumbagin increased the intracellular level of ROS, and inhibited the activation of NK-${\kappa}B$. In addition to inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$/p65 nuclear translocation, the compound also suppressed the degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\kappa}$. ROS scavenger NAC highly reversed the effect of plumbagin on apoptosis and inactivation of NK-${\kappa}B$ in H460 cell line. Treatment with plumbagin also increased the activity of caspase-9 and caspase-3, downregulated the expression of Bcl-2, upregulated the expression of Bax, Bak, and CytC. Conclusions: Plumbagin inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in human lung cancer cells through an NF-${\kappa}B$-regulated mitochondrial-mediated pathway, involving activation of ROS.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2012

In this experiment, we investigated 82 patients who suffered adverse reactions due to contrast medium. We selected the subjects out of 21,178 people who had an intravenous injection of contrast medium to undergo MDCT examination at one university hospital in Busan in 2007. As a result, the largest groups of the patients were as follows. 52.4% of the patients were male when classify by gender; 28.0% of the patients were 50's by age; 45% of the patients got when it was spring(April and March); 75.6% of the patients had a side effects when the speed of injection is 2.5mL/sec; 58.5% of the patients were suffered when the volume of injected contrast medium is over 130mL. Urticaria was the main symptom of side effect as 26.8%. And the main treatment for the effect was alleviating the symptoms before making patients to return home. Thus, practical preventive measures are needed as follows : use the OCS system to observe warning signs at risky patients, secure warming spaces for patients to cope with season changing, prepare enough emergency kits for the patients in danger, and establish CPR call systems, explain the risk of contrast medium and get agree about using contrast medium.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.73-77
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• 2012

Purpose: Fragile X carrier detection before or at early pregnancy through a wide screening program may not only confer a risk of having offspring with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), but may also confer a risk for Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency and Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. However, prior to the implementation of such a program, the carrier prevalence in a population and the availability of effective screening test should be evaluated. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of premutation carriers and to evaluate the feasibility of screening test. Materials and Methods: The blood samples were obtained from 8,641 pregnant women with no family history of mental retardation. We performed a three-primer CGG repeat primed (RP) PCR using the AmplideX$^{TM}$ FMR1 PCR kit (Asuragen, Inc. Austin, TX, USA). Samples showing full mutation alleles were reflexed to Southern blot analysis for methylation status and sizing. Results: Among the 8,641 women, we found 8 premutation carriers (1:1,090, 0.09%) and 46 women with an intermediate allele (1:190, 0.53%). No woman was found to carry the fully mutated allele. All the detected alleles were within the CGG repeat range of 8-117. Among the 8,641 samples, 29 and 30 CGG repeats represent 66.6% of all cases. The CGG RP PCR method provides robust detection of expanded alleles and resolves allele zygosity, thus minimizing the number of samples that require Southern blot analysis. Conclusion: This is the first study that has focused on the prevalence of FXS premutation carriers and FMR1 allele distribution in normal pregnant women. These data have important implications for population-based fragile X carrier screening in Korea.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.915-929
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• 2000

As a result of research, the character of the general dress-costumes from the late 17th century to the early 18th century in Genre Paintings of DuSeo Yun and YoungSeok Cho is as follows. Firstly young women wore braided hair at the back of head and married women wore hair in the style of Unjeun-mori with Gache. The length of Jeogori (Korean traditional jacket) covered waistor shortened to waist length. The width of Jeongori was suitable, because side-seam line was straight or oblique as it comes into inner line. The width of Git was enough and Mokpan-git (shape of board) and Kal-kit (shape of knife) appeared, and sometimes used other color fabric. Sleeve was narrow and ostly folded up. Chima (Korean traditional skirt) used darker color fabric than Jeogori and the width of Chima was narrow and its length was short. Sokbaji (Korean traditional underpants) shown below were narrow and its end narrower. They were barefoot or they wore Hye (Korean traditional shoes) after putting on Beoseon (Korean traditional socks). Secondly general man's hair tie a topknot (sangtu) and put on headdres, 'Bang-lip', 'Mang-geon', hairband, 'Tang-geon' on head. The length of Jeogori became shorter from the line which covered hip to the line which covered waist. The width of Jeogori was suitable and sometimes it had a slit of side-seam line. The width of Git (neckand) was wide and the length of Git was long. 'Kal-git'appeared and it used other color fabric. The shape of sleeve was straight and narrow. They folded up their sleeves. They folded up their sleeves. They folded up their slack that look like 'Jam-bang-i'and the width of slacks was not suitable, and it was narrow. Baji (Korean traditional pants) were with or without knot, worn 'Hangjeon'(ankle band). They were barefoot and wore 'Hye'or 'Jipsin'(Korean traditional straw shoes). Thirdly a person of high birth or a low-ranked official put 'Yu-geon', 'Mang-geon', 'Gat', 'Tang-geon', 'Bok-du', 'Bok-geon', 'Whi-hang'on their head on a topknot. They wore 'Po (Shim-ui, Jick-ryeong'Jung-chi-mak, Do-po, etc)'on Baji and Jeogori. 'Po'was long and wide, it knot with 'Se-jo-dae'(string belt) or 'Po-baek-dae'(band belt). It had a slit of sideline and 'Mu'which had or had not or which were hard to confirm. The shape of sleeve was straight or very wide and its length was long. The width of Baji was wide and knotted with 'Hangjeon'and wore'Beoseon'and 'Hye'. Fourthly child's hair was short or knotted to the back of the head. The length of Jeogori reached waist line and its width was wide. It had a 'Jeogori'which had s slit of sideline. The shape of sleeve was 'Tong-su'(straight), and the length of sleeve was diverse. They put 'Baeja'on 'Jeogori'. The width of Baji was not wide. They wore them straight without or with knot, 'Hangjeon'. They were barefoot or put on 'Jipsin'.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.86-94
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• 2008

Lake Shiwha, an artificial lake located near metropolitan Seoul, offers a unique water environment and has been suspected to have high levels of chemical and microbiological contaminations. Lake Shiwha was originally connected to the sea but currently has four major surface water inputs from agricultural, municipal, industrial areas and in addition an occasional inflow from the sea. The objectives of this study are to investigate the relative contribution of microbial contaminants from each of the inflowing surface waters and to identify appropriate microbial indicator organisms in this unique water environment. We measured the levels of microbial contaminations in the four inflowing surface waters. A number of microbial indicator organisms including total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), E. coli, Enterococci, somatic and male-specific coliphages were analyzed. Bacterial indicator microorganisms were detected and quantified by the $Colilert^{(R)},\;Enterolert^{(R)}$ kit. Surface water (50 l) was sampled by $ViroCap^{TM}\;5"$ cartridge filters and analyzed by the single agar layer method for detecting coliphages. The concentrations of TC, FC, E. coli, and Enterococci were 1543 CFU/100 ml${\sim}1.99{\times}10^6$ CFU/100 ml, 0 CFU/100 ml${\sim}202$ CFU/100ml, 0 CFU/100 ml${\sim}1.80{\sim}10^5$ CFU/100ml, 74 CFU/100 ml${\sim}3408$ CFU/100 ml, respectively. The male-specific and somatic coliphages were detected in three different inflowing surface waters. Isolated E. coli and Enterococci strains were further analyzed by 16s rDNA amplification and subsequent phylogenetic analysis from Jungwang-chun, Ansan-chun, Banwol-chun and penstock of inflowing surface water. Our results indicated that the concentrations of different fecal indicator microorganisms might not be highly correlated with each other. Multiple microbial indicator organisms should be used for monitoring microbial contamination and microbial source tracking methods.