• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.373-380
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• 2000

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of goat milk and fermented goat milk on reproductive function and stamina of male rodent. Methods: Experiment I: Male ICR mouse was divided into four groups. Group 1 none-treated control; Group 2 received saline; Group 3 received cow milk 10 ml/kg per day for 15 days; Group 4 received goat milk 10 ml/kg per day for 15 days. The cauda epididymal sperm motility and testicular sperm production were investigated. Experiment II: Male SD rat was divided into three groups. Group 1 received saline; Group 2 received goat milk 10 ml/kg per day for 28 days; Group 3 received fermented goat milk 10 ml/kg per day for 28 days. The cauda epididymal sperm motility and testicular sperm production were also investigated. The concentration of testosterone in serum at 1 and 3 weeks after treatment was determined using Immulite 2000 kit. Testes, epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicle were weighed. Experiment III: Male ICR mouse was divided into four groups. Group 1 none-treated control; Group 2 received saline; Group 3 received goat milk 10 ml/kg per day for 4 weeks; Group 4 received fermented goat milk 10 ml/kg per day for 4 weeks. After treatment, the mouse was forced to swim to test for stamina. Results: In Experiment I, the cauda epididymal sperm motility after in vitro culture for 1 or 3 h was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cow milk and goat milk than in the control and saline. There was no significant difference in the cauda epidymal sperm motility between cow and goat milk. The testicular spermatid number was significantly (p<0.01) higher in goat milk (222.8${\times}10^6$) than in the control (108.6), saline (98.2), and cow milk (118.2). In Experiment II, the cauda epididymal sperm motility after in vitro culture for 1 h was significantly (p<0.05) higher in fermented goat milk than in saline and goat milk. There was no significant difference in the cauda epidymal sperm motility between saline and goat milk but goat milk showed slightly higher sperm motility than saline. After in vitro culture for 3 h, the cauda epididymal sperm motility was significantly (p<0.01) higher in fermented goat milk and goat milk than in saline. The testicular spermatid number was significantly (p<0.05) higher in goat milk than in saline, and significantly (p<0.01) higher in fermented goat milk than in saline. And the serum testosterone levels of rats administered with goat milk or fermented goat milk were increased but were no significant difference among three groups. Also the prostate weight was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the goat and fermented goat milk. In Experiment III, the swimming time in the goat milk and fermented goat milk groups was significantly (p<0.01) longer than in the control and saline. There was no significant difference in the swimming time between goat and fermented goat milk but the fermented goat milk showed slightly longer swimming time than the goat milk. Conclusion: The cauda epididymal sperm motility, the testicular spermatid number and stamina were improved when the mice and rats were drunk with goat milk or fermented goat milk.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.5-16
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• 2002

Background : Though mononuclear phagocytes serve as the final effectors in killing intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacilli readily survive in the intracellular environment of resting cells. The mechanisms through which cellular activation results in the intracellular killing is unclear. In this study, we sought to explore an in vitro model of a low-level infection of human mononuclear phagocytes with MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ and determine the extent of the lymphocyte dependent cytotoxicity of human monocytes and alveolar macrophages. Materials and Methods : The peripheral monocytes were prepared using the Ficoll gradient method from PPD positive healthy people and tuberculosis patients. The alveolar macrophages were prepared from PPD positive healthy people via a bronchoalveolar lavage. The human mononuclear phagocytes were infected at a low infection rate (bacilli:phagocyte 1:10) with MAC(Mycobacterium avium) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis $H_{37}Ra$. Non-adherent cells(lymphocyte) were added at a 10:1 ratio. After 1,4, and 7 days culture in $37^{\circ}C$, 5% CO2 incubator, the cells were harvested and inoculated in a 7H10/OADC agar plate for the CFU assay. The bacilli were calculated with the CFU/$1{\times}10^6$ of the cells and the cytotoxicity was expressed as the log killing ratio. Results : The intracellular killing of MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ within the monocyte was greater in patients with tuberculosis compared to the PPD positive controls (p<0.05). Intracellular killing of MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ within the alveolar macrophage appeared to be greater than that within the monocytes of the PPD positive controls. There was significant lymphocyte dependent inhibition of intracellular growth of the mycobacteria within the monocytes in both the controls and tuberculosis patients and within the macrophages in the controls(p<0.05). There was no specific difference in the virulence between the MAC and the $H_{37}Ra$. Conclusion : This study is an in vitro model of a low-level infection with MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ of human mononuclear phagocytes. The intracellular cytotoxicity of the mycobacteria within the phagocytic cells was significantly lymphocyte dependent. During the 7 days culture after the intracellular phagocytosis, the actual confinement of the mycobacteria was observed within the monocytes of tuberculosis patients and the alveolar macrophages of the controls as in the case of adding lymphocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.648-655
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• 2018

Enhancement mechanistic actions of testosterone (TS) productions in mouse Leydig TM3 cells by the eritadenine (EA) and/or the Agaricus blazei mycelial liquid culture extract (ABMLCE). Productions of TS in TM3 cells were investigated in normal and oxidative-stressed culture conditions. In the normal culture condition, TM3 cells grown in a Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) were treated with EA (0~100 ppm) and ABMLCE (10 ppm) + EA (0~50 ppm) for 24 hr, and in the oxidative-stressed culture condition, the cells grown in DMEM containing $50{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ to induce oxidative stress for 4 h were treated with the same as those in the normal culture condition. TS content, $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (HSD3B2) enzyme activity, $5{\alpha}$-reductase 2 ($5{\alpha}-R2$) enzyme activity, and free-radical nitric oxide (NO) content in the culture media were measured using their corresponding assay kits. EA, ABMLCE, and ABMLCE + EA significantly, p<0.05, enhanced TS productions in both cultural conditions, relative to control treatment. The activity of the HSD3B2 enzyme, which is involved in the production of precursors for TS production, was elevated by EA, ABMLCE, and ABMLCE + EA treatments in both culture conditions. The activity of the $5{\alpha}-R2$ enzyme, which converts TS to dihydroxytestosterone (DHT), was not significantly affected in either culture condition by EA, ABMLCE, or ABMLCE + EA treatments. The treatments included reduced NO content. These results indicate that EA, ABMLCE, and EA + ABMLCE treatments elevated TS in TM3 cells via the enhancements of HSD3B2 activity and the reduction of NO production, and also imply that EA and ABMLCE or EA + ABMLCE could be useful materials for the production of TS in humans.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2000

Purpose: Renal involvement is the most important prognostic factor of HSP. Therefore, the pathogenesis and prognostic factors in renal involvement have been studied by many researchers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical risk factors and the role of TNF-$\alpha$ in renal involvement of HS purpura. Methods: The subjects of this study were 12 patients of HS purpura, 7 patients of HS nephritis, and 5 age-matched controls. We have analysed the rist factors for renal involvement in clinical symptoms and collected the sera and urines of all subjects in acute and convalescent stage. The concentration of TNF-$\alpha$ in the collected sera and urines were measured by sandwich ELISA and compared with that of age-matched controls. Results: Statistical analysis showed that persistent purpura increased the risk of developing renal involvement (P=0.0018). and serum TNF-$\alpha$ levels in the acute stage of patients with renal involvement($11.45{\pm}7.01$ pg/ml) were significantly higher than those of without renal involvement($6.32{\pm}1.31$pg/m1) and of age-matched controls($5.99{\pm}1.34$pg/m1)(P=0.012, 0.027, respectively). However, urine TNF-$\alpha$ levels have no correlation with renal involvement. On investigation of serum TNF-$\alpha$ levels in acute stage of HS purpura, persistent purpura had a significantly higher increase(P=0.038). Conclusion: Serum concentration of TNF-$\alpha$ is a risk factor and has a predictable value along with clinical risk factors, such as, persistent purpura for renal involvement in HS purpura. Also, the effectiveness of the specific treatment fur antagonizing TNF-$\alpha$ in HS nephritis may need further study.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 1999

Background : Pleural effusion is a common clinical problem and many clinical and laboratory evaluations, such as tumor marks, have been studied to discriminate malignant pleural fluid from benign pleural fluid. However their usefulness in the diagnosis of pleural effusion is still not established fully. We studied the diagnostic value of cyfra 21-1 in diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion. Methods: Pleural fluid was obtained from 45 patients with malignant diseases(32 lung cancer patients, 13 metastatic malignant diseases) and 47 patients with benign diseases. The level of cyfra 21-1 in the pleural fluid and serum were determined using a CYFRA 21-1 enzyme immunoassay kit(Cis-Bio International Co.). The t-test was used for comparison between two diseases groups and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves were constructed by calculating the sensitivities and specificities of the cyfra 21-1 at several points to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the cyfra 21-1. Results: In patients with primary lung cancer, the level of cyfra 21-1 in the pleural fluid was significantly higher than those of patients with benign diseases and had positive correlations between the level of cyfra 21-1 in the pleural fluid and serum levels. In the ROC curve analysis of the pleural fluid, the curve for primary lung cancer group was located closer to the left upper comer and the cut off value, sensitivity and specificity of the cyfra 21-1 of the primary lung cancer group was determined as 22.25ng/ml, 81.8% and 78.7% respectively. Conclusions: Our data indicates that the measurement of cyfra 21-1 level in pleural effusion has useful diagnostic value to discriminate malignant pleural effusion in primary lung cancer from benign pleural effusion.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.199-210
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• 2002

In this paper, we carried out the study on speech recognition using the KM-Net topology design algorithm based on decision tree state-clustering to improve the performance of acoustic models in speech recognition. The Korean has many allophonic and grammatical rules compared to other languages, so we investigate the allophonic variations, which defined the Korean phonetics, and construct the phoneme question set for phonetic decision tree. The basic idea of the HM-Net topology design algorithm is that it has the basic structure of SSS (Successive State Splitting) algorithm and split again the states of the context-dependent acoustic models pre-constructed. That is, it have generated. the phonetic decision tree using the phoneme question sets each the state of models, and have iteratively trained the state sequence of the context-dependent acoustic models using the PDT-SSS (Phonetic Decision Tree-based SSS) algorithm. To verify the effectiveness of the above algorithm we carried out the speech recognition experiments for 452 words of center for Korean language Engineering (KLE452) and 200 sentences of air flight reservation task (YNU200). Experimental results show that the recognition accuracy has progressively improved according to the number of states variations after perform the splitting of states in the phoneme, word and continuous speech recognition experiments respectively. Through the experiments, we have got the average 71.5%, 99.2% of the phoneme, word recognition accuracy when the state number is 2,000, respectively and the average 91.6% of the continuous speech recognition accuracy when the state number is 800. Also we haute carried out the word recognition experiments using the HTK (HMM Too1kit) which is performed the state tying, compared to share the parameters of the HM-Net topology design algorithm. In word recognition experiments, the HM-Net topology design algorithm has an average of 4.0% higher recognition accuracy than the context-dependent acoustic models generated by the HTK implying the effectiveness of it.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.359-366
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• 2016

Tradescantia is a perennial plant in the family of Commelinaceae. It is known to be sensitive to radiation. In this study, Tradescantia BNL 4430 was irradiated with gamma radiation at doses of 50 to 1,000 mGy in a phytotron equipped with a $^{60}Co$ radiation source at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea. At 13 days after irradiation, we extracted RNA from irradiated floral tissues for RNA-seq. Transcriptome assembly produced a total of 77, 326 unique transcripts. In plantlets exposed to 50, 250, 500, and 1000 mGy, the numbers of up-regulated genes with more than 2-fold of expression compared that in the control were 116, 222, 246, and 308, respectively. Most of the up-regulated genes induced by 50 mGy were heat shock proteins (HSPs) such as HSP 70, indicating that protein misfolding, aggregation, and translocation might have occurred during radiation stress. Similarly, highly up-regulated transcripts of the IQ-domain 6 were induced by 250 mGy, KAR-UP oxidoreductase 1 was induced by 500 mGy, and zinc transporter 1 precursor was induced by 1000 mGy. Reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) further validated the increased mRNA expression levels of selected genes, consistent with DEG analysis results. However, 2.3 to 97- fold higher expression activities were induced by different doses of radiation based on qRT-PCR results. Results on the transcriptome of Tradescantia in response to radiation might provide unique identifiers to develop in situ monitoring kit for measuring radiation exposure around radiation facilities.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2009

The consumption of "ready-to-eat" agricultural products is recently increasing and the safety of these agricultural products is forefront of public concerns. The 120 samples of paprikas, strawberries and tomatoes, which are the representative exported agricultural products, were purchased at the department stores and discount stores in Daejeon. And we determined the microbiological and parasitological contamination level of these agricultural products using culture media, multiplex PCR, commercial bacterial detection kit and microscopy, and also evaluated the decontamination method. Mean counts of total aerobic bacteria from these agricultural products ranged from $1.3{\times}10^4$ CFU/g to $1.8{\times}10^5$ CFU/g, and mean counts of coliforms ranged from $1.4{\times}10^3$ CFU/g to $9.6{\times}10^3$ CFU/g. There was no significant difference in the level of bacterial contamination between the agricultural products from department stores and the ones from discount stores. Strawberry showed the highest contamination level for the bacteria and we also found the unidentified parasite eggs. Enterobacter cloacae was the most frequently isolated bacteria strain, but no food poisoning pathogenic bacteria except Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the products by multiplex PCR. Compared to unwashed products, tab water-washed ones showed 80% decrease of the counts of total aerobic bacteria on the agricultural products, and the rates decreased more by incorporating detergent or ultrasonic wave treatment. We concluded that the biological contamination levels among paprikas, strawberries and tomatoes were the highest in strawberries, but there were not significant difference according to distribution systems.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1014-1028
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• 2006

This study attempted to investigate the developmental alterations of the cerebral cortex. The effects of EGEE on the developmental cerebral cortex in the prenatal, postnatal and adults were examined by lectin histochemical methods. To investigate the change of sugar residues of glycoconjugates, biotinylated lectins(DBA, SBA, PNA, BSL-1, RCA-1, sWGA, UEA-1, Con A and LCA) were detected with by IHC using ABC kit. In the case of injection of EGEE, the reactions to Con A and LCA were shown in binding phase in the cerebral cortex commonly, and the reactions to PNA, RCA-1 and LCA were shown partially, the number of lectins to be shown reaction were decreased, and there were no reactions to DBA, SBA, BSL-1, RCA-1 and UEA-1. The reaction to Con A was similar to control group during developmental phases. The reaction to LCA was increased in the fetal, suckling, and weanning phases compared with control group. But there were no reactions to SBA and sWGA, the reaction to PNA was decreased in the frontal and occipital cortex and no reaction to sWGA in the fetal phase. There were no reactions to sWGA and PNA in the suckling phase and, no reaction to PNA and sWGA. The reaction to Con A was decreased in the frontal, parietal and occipital cortexes and, the reaction to LCA was decreased in the frontal and occipital cortexes in adult phase. As the results, the effects of EGEE, environmental hormone on the each part of cerebral cortex have shown differences. But, It had deep effect on the differentiation and growth in the cerebral cortex pathologically. In particular, the effect was severe in suckling phase. $Galactosyl-({\beta}-1,3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine$,${\beta}-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine$ and ${\beta}-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine$ were decreased while ${\alpha}-D-mannose$ and ${\alpha}-D-glucose$ were increased. It affected the sugar metabloism, and it was severe in fetal and suckling phases.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.837-846
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• 2002

그람 음성균의 감염에 의한 만성 염증질환인 치주염이 동맥경화를 동반한 허혈성 심장질환 (협심증이나 심근 경색)을 일으킬 수 있는 위험인자로 작용할 수 있다는 보고가 있었다. 그러나, 그 기전에 관해서는 명확하게 알려져 있지 않다. 작용기전의 하나로서, 치주염에 의해 치주조직에서 국소적으로 생긴 염증성 싸이토카인(IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$)이 혈행을 따라 이동하여 심혈관에서 동맥경화를 일으킬 수 있다는 가설이 제시되고 있는데, 이 가설을 검증해 보고자 한다. 서울대학교 병원 순환기 내과에 불안정 협심증이나 심근경색으로 입원한 환자 및 과거 이 질환의 병력을 갖고 있거나 검진 목적으로 내원하여 관상동맥 조형술을 받은 환자들 중 동맥경화로 진단받은 사람을 실험군(24명)으로 하고, 동맥경화로 진단받지 않은 사람을 대조군(12명)으로 하였다. 치주질환의 활성도를 나타내는 치은 지수, 치태 지수, 치주낭 깊이, 부착 상실을 측정하였다. Paper strip을 실험대상 치아(Ramfjord's teeth)들 중에서 가장 깊은 치주낭을 가진 두 개의 치아를 택하여 각 치아의 가장 깊은 치주낭에 30초간 삽입한 후 밀폐된 plastic tube에 넣고 ELISA kit를 이용하여 IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, $PGE_2$의 농도를 측정하였다. 환자의 plasma에서도 동일한 싸이토카인의 농도를 측정하였다. 설문조사를 통해 동맥경화의 위험 인자로 간주되어온 고혈압, 당뇨, 가족력, 심근경색이나 협심증의 기왕력, 흡연의 유무를 기록하였다. 혈액검사를 하여 total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, WBC, CRP (C-reactive protein)의 농도를 측정하였다. 치주조직에 대한 임상 검사 결과 치은의 염증상태를 나타나는 지표인 치은 지수에서만 실험군이 대조군에 비해 유의할 정도 (p=0.0174)로 높게 나타났고, 만성적인 염증의 결과로 인한 치조골의 사실 정도를 나타내는 치주낭 깊이나 부착 상실에서는 유의할 만한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 치주낭에서 측정한 염증성 싸이토카인 중 IL-1${\beta}$, $PGE_2$가 실험군에서 유의할 만한 차이 (p=0.005, 0.022)를 보이며, 더 높은 농도로 나타났고, TNF-${\alpha}$는 대조군에서 유의성 있게 (p=0.009) 높게 나타났다. 그러나, plasma의 싸이토카인이나, serum lipid/lipoprotein, C-reactive Protein, WBC는 유의할 만한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 또한 치은열구액내의 싸이토카인과 이에 상흥하는 싸이토카인 간에 상관관계는 관찰되지 않았다. 다변량 로지스틱 회귀분석 결과, 치은열구액내의 IL-1${\beta}$와 TNF-${\alpha}$ 만이 동맥경화와 유의성 있는 관련성을 보였고, 특히 IL-1${\beta}$와 교차비는 273으로 상당한 관련성을 보여주었다. 결론적으로, 치주조직에서 국소적으로 생긴 염증성 싸이토카인이 그대로 혈행으로 이동하여 혈장내의 싸이토카인 농도를 높이는 것은 아니다. 그러나, 치주염으로 인해 치은열구내액내에 국소적으로 증가된 염증성 싸이토카인은 동맥경화와 상당한 관련성을 가진다.