• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.218-226
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• 2019

In old age, measures to cope with the natural phenomenon of aging and various diseases of the elderly due to the deterioration of physical function are also a challenge for this society. While interest in systematic health is increasing, it is true that awareness and interest in oral-related diseases is relatively lacking. This study aims to present basic data necessary to improve the quality of life for senior citizens aged 65 or older by improving the oral dryness caused by systemic health. By research method, improve oral dryness caused by whole-body health with the elderly over 65 and promote their oral health, inducing the increase of the salivary flow rate through oral health care education, oral exercise, and salivary gland massage. First, on the DMSQ according to the general characteristics of the elderly, the recognition of the whole body and oral health status, independent sample t-test and One-way ANOVA were conducted. Second, on changes in the salivary flow rate and saliva pH according to the general characteristics of the elderly, recognition of oral and whole-body health status, and whole-body health, paired samples t-test was conducted. Studies have shown that salivary gland flow increased significantly after oral exercise and salivary gland massage, the salivary flow rate significantly increased. In all variables of the recognition of the oral health status, the salivary flow rate increased after oral exercise and salivary gland massage, and in the whole-body health, regardless of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and osteoporosis, the salivary flow rate increased after oral exercise and salivary gland massage, and the salivary flow rate increased after oral exercise and salivary gland massage if the subjects responded that they did not have thyroid abnormality, anemia, abnormalities of breathing, hypotension, gastrointestinal disturbance, or kidney diseases. As a comprehensive analysis of this study, many felt oral dryness when they had a problem with the whole-body health, and many felt oral dryness when they had a problem with oral health cognition. After applying oral exercise and salivary gland massage as intervention methods in the oral health care for the elderly, the salivary flow rate significantly increased, and it is judged that the methods were very effective for controlling oral dryness. Furthermore, it is judged that the factors affecting oral health, whole-body health, and oral dryness would be identified, which would be helpful for the promotion of whole-body health and oral health. It is judged that continuous research would be needed so that measures for the application of the oral care program and system for the elderly would be prepared in the future.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1942-1949
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• 2019

Objective: Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) is associated with several physiological processes including inflammation, tumorigenesis, and natural killer T cell generation. Chicken LECT2 (chLECT2) gene was originally identified as one of the differentially expressed genes in chicken kidney tissue, where the chickens were fed with different calcium doses. In this study, the molecular characteristics and gene expression of chLECT2 were analyzed under the stimulation of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) ligand to understand the involvement of chLECT2 expression in chicken metabolic disorders. Methods: Amino acid sequence of LECT2 proteins from various species including fowl, fish, and mammal were retrieved from the Ensembl database and subjected to Insilco analyses. In addition, the time- and dose-dependent expression of chLECT2 was examined in DF-1 cells which were stimulated with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly [I:C]), a TLR3 ligand. Further, to explore the transcription factors required for the transcription of chLECT2, DF-1 cells were treated with poly (I:C) in the presence or absence of the nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF{\kappa}B$) and activated protein 1 (AP-1) inhibitors. Results: The amino acid sequence prediction of chLECT2 protein revealed that along with duck LECT2 (duLECT2), it has unique signal peptide different from other vertebrate orthologs, and only chLECT2 and duLECT2 have an additional 157 and 161 amino acids on their carboxyl terminus, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that chLECT2 is evolved from a common ancestor along with the actinopterygii hence, more closely related than to the mammals. Our quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that, the expression of chLECT2 was up-regulated significantly in DF-1 cells under the stimulation of poly (I:C) (p<0.05). However, in the presence of $NF{\kappa}B$ or AP-1 inhibitors, the expression of chLECT2 is suppressed suggesting that both $NF{\kappa}B$ and AP-1 transcription factors are required for the induction of chLECT2 expression. Conclusion: The present results suggest that chLECT2 gene might be a target gene of TLR3 signaling. For the future, the expression pattern or molecular mechanism of chLECT2 under stimulation of other innate immune receptors shall be studied. The protein function of chLECT2 will be more clearly understood if further investigation about the mechanism of LECT2 in TLR pathways is conducted.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2021

This study examined the association between hypertension (HTN), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) in Korean adults. Data for 8,922 adults (3,941 men and 4,981 women) aged ≥20 years from the Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (2013~2014) were analyzed. In men, after adjusting for the related variables, the odds ratios (ORs) of HTN [systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg, or use of HTN medications] were significantly higher in the decreased eGFR group [eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 ㎡, 1.98 (95% CI, 1.21~3.24)], elevated ACR group [ACR ≥30 mg/g, 2.03 (95% CI, 1.54~2.69)], and decreased eGFR plus elevated ACR group [eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 ㎡ and ACR ≥30 mg/g, 6.03 (95% CI, 2.82~12.92)] than in the normal group (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 ㎡ and ACR <30 mg/g). In women, after adjusting for the related variables, the ORs of HTN were significantly higher in the decreased eGFR group (2.29, 95% CI, 1.27~4.13), elevated ACR group (2.22, 95% CI, 1.68~2.94), and decreased eGFR plus elevated ACR group (10.77, 95% CI, 3.89~29.82) than the normal group. In conclusion, HTN was associated with a decreased eGFR and elevated ACR in Korean men and women. In addition, the prevalence of HTN increased greatly when a decreased eGFR and elevated ACR occurred simultaneously.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.442-451
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• 2021

Microplastics are fragments of any type of plastic with a size less than 5 mm. Ocean pollution by microplastics is now a worldwide concern in relation to marine ecosystems and human health. The widespread contamination by microplastics means that they can be ingested by and accumulated in diverse species of wildlife, such as fish, mussels, oysters, clams, and scallops. Once ingested, the microplastics can be observed in the intestines, liver, and kidney, and even in the brain. Seafood is one of the major sources of protein intake in humans; therefore, seafood consumption could be pathway for human microplastics exposure. Accumulating evidence indicates that repeated oral exposure to microplastics induces pathologic and functional changes in the reproductive, cardiac, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and even nervous systems of rodents. Maternal exposure to microplastics during gestation and lactation alters metabolic homeostasis in the offspring. Given that seafood provides more than 20% of the total protein intake by over 310 million people worldwide, a reasonable assumption is that microplastics could be substantially accumulated in the human body and impair physiological function. In this review, we have summarized the current status of microplastics contamination in the ocean, their accumulation and toxicities in marine animals and rodents, their exposure to humans, and their potential impacts on human health.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2009

Objectives : The current treatment regimens for patients with nephrotic syndrome due to membranous nephropathy(MN) are based on steroids or immunosuppressive therapy with the aim of reducing proteinuria and improving outcome. Although these treatments attenuate the deterioration of renal function in MN patients, it has been suggested that all are burdened by significant toxicity. Therefore, more specific and less toxic therapies are needed. This study was to evaluate the effects of Coptidis Rhizoma Extract(CRE) on the MN induced by cBSA in mice. Methods : Mice were divided into 4 groups. One group named for 'Normal' was injected with a saline solution not to be immunized. The rest groups were treated as follows; After mice were immunized with 0.2 mg of cBSA and Freund's complete adjuvant one time every two weeks for 6 weeks, they received intra-peritoneal injection of 10 mg/kg of cBSA daily for 4 weeks. Also, they were divided into 3 groups. The first named for 'Control' was not given CRE. The second for 'CRE-250' was given oral administration of 250 mg/kg of CRE daily for 4 weeks. The third for 'CRE-500' was given 500 mg/kg of CRE. All of mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after the first immunization. We measured a body weight and 24hrs proteinuria as well as serological analysis. The morphologic changes of renal glomeruli were also observed with a light microscope and an electron microscope. Results : The levels of 24 hrs proteinuria, triglyceride, IgG, IL-6 were significantly decreased in both CRE groups. And the level of IgM was significantly decreased in CRE-250 group. In histological findings of kidney tissue, thickening of GBM and deposition of electron-density were consideraly decreased in both CRE groups. Conclusions : The present study suggests that CRE is highly effective when treating mice with MN induced by cBSA. More clinical data and studies are to be done for efficient application.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.521-531
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• 2023

Transmembrane protein TMEM16A, which encodes calcium-activated chloride channel has been implicated in tumorigenesis. Overexpression of TMEM16A is associated with poor prognosis and low overall survival in multiple cancers including lung adenocarcinoma, making it a promising biomarker and therapeutic target. In this study, three structure-related sesquiterpene lactones (mecheliolide, costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone) were extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Aucklandiae Radix and identified as novel TMEM16A inhibitors with comparable inhibitory effects. Their effects on the proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells were examined. Whole-cell patch clamp experiments showed that these sesquiterpene lactones potently inhibited recombinant TMEM16A currents in a concentration-dependent manner. The half-maximal concentration (IC50) values for three tested sesquiterpene lactones were 29.9 ± 1.1 µM, 19.7 ± 0.4 µM, and 24.5 ± 2.1 µM, while the maximal effect (E_max) values were 100.0% ± 2.8%, 85.8% ± 0.9%, and 88.3% ± 4.6%, respectively. These sesquiterpene lactones also significantly inhibited the endogenous TMEM16A currents and proliferation, and migration of LA795 lung cancer cells. These results demonstrate that mecheliolide, costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone are novel TMEM16A inhibitors and potential candidates for lung adenocarcinoma therapy.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.896-907
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• 2024

Objective: The potential of aqueous extract of Christ's thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) leaves (SLAE) to reduce the negative impacts of heat stress on production performance and physiological traits was investigated in dual-purpose layers under subtropical farming. Methods: A total of 200, 25-week-old laying hens (Inshas strain) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments including SLAE at 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mL/kg, respectively. The average temperature-humidity index value was 26.69 during the experimental period. The SLAE contained saponin (0.045%), total flavonoid content of 17.9 mg of quercetin equivalent/100 g and overall antioxidant capacity concentration of 17.9 mg of ascorbic acid equivalent/100 g. Results: The maximum final body weight (BW), BW gain, egg weight, number, and mass occurred at the level of SLAE7.5 inclusion. The egg quality was significantly higher in SLAE groups than in control, and overall, SLAE7.5 had the most favorable influence at 28 and 32 weeks. Liver and kidney function, as well as lipids profile, improved significantly by SLAE inclusion; the lowest concentrations of these parameters were in SLAE7.5 hens. Treatment with SLAE7.5 increased total antioxidant capacity and endogenous antioxidant enzymes compared to control, whereas no effect on superoxide dismutase was noticed. Conclusion: The addition of SLAE at 7.5 mL/kg diet improved egg laying performance and quality, metabolic profiles, and antioxidant status during hyperthermia conditions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1151-1156
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• 2014

Traditional medicinal plants are widely used to treat many diseases, such as inflammation, infections, and even cancer. Ulmus macrocarpa Hance, a Chinese elm species, is distributed in Korea, China, and Japan. The stem bark is widely employed in Korean traditional medicine to treat dermatitis, mastitis, and edema. The aim of this study was to investigate whether water extract of U. macrocarpa Hance bark (Ulmus cortex) has a immune-modulating function in a mouse model. Three different concentrations (30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) of Ulmus cortex water extract (UCWE) were orally administered to mice for 14 days, and their immune responses were analyzed. Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, and IFN-${\gamma}$, increased in the blood of UCWE-fed groups when compared with a control group. In contrast, the IL-4 level did not change in any of the UCWE-fed groups Cell-mediated cytotoxicity was also assayed using lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK). LAK showed greater cytotoxicity in the UCWE-fed groups than LAK in the control group. Internal organ indices, such as liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus, were similar in all the groups, including the control group, indicating that UCWE may have been nontoxic in the experimental animals. These data suggest that UCWE has an immune-modulating function in a mouse model.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.88-94
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• 1999

Purpose : Malformation of urinary tract is among the most common of all congenital anomalies and can progress to irreversible renal damage before diagnosis due to difficulty of early diagnosis. Present study was undertaken to determine the clinical characteristics of urinary tract anomaly and to find out the most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures for children with these anomalies. Methods : During the past 10 years from 1987 to 1998, review of medical records revealed 65 children with congenital anomaly of urinary tract and the following results were obtained. Results : The most common anomalies were ureteropelvic junction obstruction occuring in 26 cases ($36\%$), followed by ureteral duplication in 11 cases, renal agenesis in 10 cases and ureterovesical function obstruction in 7 cases. Complex anomaly of urinary tract was found in 8 cases and anomaly of other systems such as congenital heart disease was detected in 11 cases. The most frequent age group at the time of diagnosis was below 1 year of age constituting 39 cases ($60\%$) and male preponderance was noted as male to female ratio being 2.25:1. Presenting symptoms were urinary tract infection in 25 cases, followed by hematuria, abdominal mass, abdominal pain and voiding difficulty, etc, and in 11 cases, the anomaly was picked up by routine prenatal ultrasonography. Azotemia was noted in 9 cases and the underlying anomaly was obstructive uropathy in 4 out of these 9 cases. Surgical correction was undertaken in 38 cases (most frequently in cases of obstructive uropathy) and in 2 out off cases with obstructive uropathy in whom surgical correction was done, azotemia disappeared during follow up period of 1-5years. No new cases of deteriorating renal function appeared during follow-up period. Conclusion : In spite of high incidence of congenital malformation of urinary tract, early diagnosis is still hampered by nonspecific symptoms and signs. Therefore, in patients with symptoms such as urinary tract infection, abdominal pain and voiding problems, etc, it Is advisable to take various diagnostic tests promptly to pick up any urinary tract anomaly and to apply proper therapy in order to avoid progression to irreversible renal damage. In this regard, prenatal ultrasonography should be utilized more widely as a routine procedure to detect any urinary tract anomalies before birth.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1455-1468
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the objectives and contents of basic medical sciences at department of nursing in college of nursing, and junior college of nursing, thus ultimately providing the basic data to standardize the curriculum of the basic medical sciences in nursing education. Seventy eight professors who were in charge of teaching basic medical sciences to at 22 colleges of nursing/ department of nursing, and 20 junior colleges of nursing responded to the questionnaires that consisted of the questions regarding objectives and contents, of basic medical sciences. Based on the description of objectives, the description related to nursing, nurse, nursing science was cathegorized as on objective applicable to nursing science, the description related to medicine or clinical medicine as medical model, the description without description related to medicine was cathegorized as knowledge acquisition. The number of schools corresponding to each category were summerized in descending order. The objectives of basic medical sciences were categorized by concepts and number of schools corresponding to the categorized concept. The findings of the study are as follows ; 1. The subjects of basic medical science identified were physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, and pharmacology in most colleges of nursing and junior colleges. Two colleges of nursing/department of nursing (9.1%) and 19 junior colleges of nursing(95%) did not offer biochemistry, 1 college of nursing /department of nursing(5%) did not offer pathology & pharmacology. 2 junior colleges of nursing (10%) did not offer pharmacology, 1 junior college of nursing(5%) did not offer pathology. The other 1 junior college of nursing did not offer microbiology. 2. Objectives of physiology were to acquire knowledge and understanding on human function in both 6 (50%) colleges and 5 junior colleges. Objectives of anatomy were to acquire knowledge on human structure in both 4 (57%) colleges and 2 (50%) junior colleges; knowledge applicable to nursing sciences in both 3 (42.8%) colleges and 2 (50%) junior colleges. Objectives of biochemistry was to obtain knowledge and understanding on biochemistry, and understanding of basic concepts about biochemistry. Objectives of pathology were to obtain knowledge and understanding on pathology in both 4 (57.1%) colleges and 5(62.5%) junior colleges. Objectives of microbiology were to acquire knowledge and understanding on microbiology in both 5(83.8%) colleges and 6(85.7%) junior colleges. Objectives of pharmacology were to acquire knowledge on pharmacology in both 7(100%) colleges and 8(100%) junior colleges. 3. Contents of physiology in 19 (100%) schools were membrane transport, digestion, circulation, nervous system and respiration. In 16(84.2%) were kidney and muscle, that in 13(68.4%) were endocrine physiology. In 11(57.9%) were introduction and that in 9(47.4%) were structure and function of cells. Contents of anatomy in 11(100%) schools were skeletal system, muscle system, digestive system, circulatory system, concepts regarding human structure. In 10(90.9%) schools were endocrine system and nervous system, and in 5(45.5%) schools were blood, urinary system and cell. Contents of biochemistry in 6(100%) schools were history of biochemistry, body regulating factor, bioenergy, health and nutrition, nutrition of cell, energy production system. In 5(83.3%) schools were metabolism of protein and carbohydrate and enzyme, and in 3(50%) schools were metabolism of energy and fat. Contents of microbiology in 13(100%) schools were environment and influenc of bacteria, virus, G(-) rods, purulent cocci, G(+) rods. In 10 (76.9%) were immunity, diphtheria, enterobacteria, and in 9(69.2%) were spirochete, rickettsia and clamydia, and that in 6(46.2%) were sterilization and disinfection. Contents of pathology in 14(100%) schools were cell injury and adaptation, inflammation, respiratory diseases, circulatory diseases. In 10(71.4%) were neurological disorders, in 8(57.1%) were immunity and disease, and in 7 (50%) were tumor and progressive changes. Contents of pharmacology in 15(100%) were cardivascular drugs, introduction to pharmacology, hypnotics, analgesics, local anesthetics, an ticonvulsants. In 12(80%) were drugs activity on sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and in 11(73%) were sulfa drugs, antibiotics, drug abuse and addiction.