• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.199-204
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• 2009

Purpose : Seizure associated with fever may indicate the presence of underlying inherited metabolic diseases. The present study was performed to investigate the presence of underlying metabolic diseases in patients with complex febrile seizures, using analyses of urine organic acids. Method : We retrospectively analyzed and compared the results of urine organic acid analysis with routine laboratory findings in 278 patients referred for complex febrile seizure. Results : Of 278 patients, 132 had no abnormal laboratory findings, and 146 patients had at least one of the following abnormal laboratory findings: acidosis (n=58), hyperammonemia (n=55), hypoglycemia (n=21), ketosis (n=12). Twenty-six (19.7 %) of the 132 patients with no abnormal findings and 104 (71.2%) of the 146 patients with statistically significant abnormalities showed abnormalities on the organic acid analysis (P<0.05). Mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders (n=23) were the most common diseases found in the normal routine laboratory group, followed by PDH deficiency (n=2) and ketolytic defect (n=1). In the abnormal routine laboratory group, mitochondrial respiratory chain disorder (n=29) was the most common disease, followed by ketolytic defects (n=27), PDH deficiency (n=9), glutaric aciduria type II (n=9), 3-methylglutaconic aciduria type III (n=6), biotinidase deficiency (n=5), propionic acidemia (n=4), methylmalonic acidemia (n=2), 3-hydroxyisobutyric aciduria (n=2), orotic aciduria (n=2), fatty acid oxidation disorders (n=2), 2-methylbranched chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (n=2), 3-methylglutaconic aciduria type I (n=1), maple syrup urine disease (n=1), isovaleric acidemia (n=1), HMG-CoA lyase deficiency (n=1), L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (n=1), and pyruvate carboxylase deficiency (n=1). Conclusion : These findings suggest that urine organic acid analysis should be performed in all patients with complex febrile seizure and other risk factors for early detection of inherited metabolic diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.234-241
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• 2009

Purpose : We investigated the relationship between thyroid hormone and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL-6) and N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods : Serum levels of thyroid hormone, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and NT-proBNP were measured in 52 KD patients in the acute and subacute phase and 10 patients with acute febrile illness (control group). TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Echocardiography was performed to detect coronary artery lesions (CAL) in KD patients. Results : Low $T_3$ syndrome occurred in 63.5% of KD patients. $T_3$ in the acute phase of KD was lower than that in the control. In KD patients, $T_3$ was lowered in the acute phase and elevated in the subacute phase, whereas TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and NT-proBNP were elevated in the acute phase and decreased in the subacute phase. NT-proBNP, and IL-6 were higher in patients with low $T_3$ than in those with normal $T_3$. In addition, $T_3$ inversely correlated with IL-6 and NT-proBNP. Of the 4 patients with CAL, 3 had very low $T_3$. Compared with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-responsive patients, IVIG-resistant patients had lower $T_3$ and higher IL-6 and NT-proBNP. Conclusion : $T_3$ decreases in the acute phase of KD and normalizes in the subacute phase without thyroid hormone replacement. Low $T_3$ may be partially induced by IL-6 rather than TNF-${\alpha}$, and is strongly associated with high NT-proBNP. $T_3$ in KD may be used for the differential diagnosis, monitoring the activity of the disease, and predicting the severity of inflammation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.486-495
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to analyze the performance evaluation index for a salt reduction project. Questionnaires were developed in order to investigate salt reduction programs nationwide. The evaluation index and programs were analyzed through the case study of a salt reduction program in public health centers. The validity of the salt reduction program's evaluation index was determined based on study of the Delphi survey and on discussion with nutrition and health care professionals. The Delphi survey showed that daily salt intake was the most valid nutritional evaluation index. Stroke mortality and stomach cancer mortality were good health care evaluation indexes. The method for measuring salt intake that had the greatest validity was a 24-hour urine collection. However, 24-hour urine collection had the lowest score for ease of performance. The combined scores of validity and ease of performance showed that the survey method for dietary attitude and dietary behavior, dietary frequency analysis (DFQ 15), and a salty taste assessment, in that order, were proper methods. The high reliability of the salty taste assessment indicated that the percentage of the population that exhibits proper salt intake (2,000 mg sodium or less daily) and the percentage of the population that consumes low-salt diets as nutritional evaluation indexes also will be helpful to evaluate performance of salt reduction programs.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.442-452
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• 2009

Smoking has been known to exacerbate the initiation and propagation of oxidative stresses. Efforts have been made to reduce the smoking-induced oxidative stresses using commercial dietary supplements. Propolis is the resinous substance collected by bees from the leaf buds and bark of trees, especially poplar and conifer trees. In this trial, we examined whether a daily supplementation of 800 mg propolis can protect endogenous lymphocytic DNA damage and modulate antioxidative enzyme activities and the level of antioxidant vitamin in smokers using a placebo-controlled, doubleblinded cross-over trial. After two weeks of running-in period, 29 smokers (mean age 34.38 ${\pm}$ 1.73) received 6 tablets/day of either propolis or placebo pills for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks of washout period the subjects switched they pills for cross-over study. The degree of DNA damage (assessed by tail DNA, tail length and tail moment) was not significantly changed with propolis intake or placebo intake. Similarly, total antioxidant status (TAS) remained at the same level regardless of the treatment. Erythrocyte catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma vitamin C and tocopherol level did not differ before and after propolis treatment, and did not differ between treatments. Putting all these results together, we would suggest that it is still too early to claim that propolis possess antioxidative activities.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2641-2647
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• 2012

Quality and sensory characteristics such as microbial count, pH, acidity, flavor, taste, color and overall acceptance of bamboo shoot pickle cured with red pepper paste and bamboo shoot pickle cured with soy sauce paste made of Maengjong bamboo shoots were investigated during a long-term storage at different temperature (at $25^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$ and $45^{\circ}C$). Microbial contamination was not observed, and water content did not showed significant change in all samples of both pickles during the whole storage period of 30 days, regardless of storage temperature. At $25^{\circ}C$, all sensory characteristics of bamboo shoot-red pepper paste pickle did not show a significant change for 30 d. However, at $35^{\circ}C$ and $45^{\circ}C$, the flavor, taste and color of bamboo shoot-red pepper paste pickle did not change remarkably, but the overall acceptance significantly changed from the beginning of storage. Bamboo shoot-soy sauce pickle did not give a significant change in flavor, taste and overall acceptance at $25^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$ and $45^{\circ}C$. However a remarkable change in color started to be shown at 25 d in case of storage at $45^{\circ}C$. Overall acceptance and color were selected as indicating parameters for the shelf-life estimation of bamboo shoot-red pepper paste pickle and bamboo shoot-soy sauce pickle, respectively. Based on room temperature storage and delivery at $20^{\circ}C$, the shelf-life of bamboo shoot-red pepper paste pickle and bamboo shoot-soy sauce pickle were determined as 308 d (about 10 month) and 447 d (about 14 month), respectively.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.449-455
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• 2013

Human skin is constantly exposed to environmental conditions such as UV rays, polluted air, and chemical products. UV rays, in particular, affect skin in many ways causing wrinkles, fine wrinkles, rough skin, and xeroderma through a skin aging process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-wrinkling effect of Juniperus rigida Sieb., derived from a common cedar tree found the world over. Measuring the elastase to investigate wrinkling efficacy, it was shown that at a concentration level of $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ of the two extracts, the water extract exhibited a lower than 10% inhibition activity, while the ethanol extract exhibited a 68.5% inhibition activity. Collagenase inhibition activity in the water extract and ethanol extract were 44.9% in the former and 97.2% in the latter extract, which in the case of the ethanol extract, is similar to ascorbic acid (99.6%). Moreover, measuring the biosynthesis of collagen by fibroblast, a concentration level of $50{\mu}g/ml$ of ethanol extract produced 151.52% of biosynthetic promotion, proving that the ethanol extract acts as a superb anti-wrinkling agent. The result of an investigation conducted on the influence of the ethanol extract on MMP-1 caused by UVA showed that at a concentration level of $1,00{\mu}g/ml$ of the ethanol extract of J. rigida Sieb a 67.1% inhibition activity was noted. At a concentration level of $50{\mu}g/ml$ of the ethanol extract of J. rigida Sieb a 35% and 39% inhibition ratio to MMP-1 protein and mRNA were observed respectively, thereby restraining the appearance of the collagen breakdown enzyme MMP-1 and wrinkle creation by skin photo-aging.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.371-379
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• 2015

This study is purposed to seek the characteristics of both asbestos in accordance with acid and heat treatment for chrysotile and amosite used mainly as building materials. Results of acid treatment, the refractive index, the elongation sign, the extinction of acid-treated chrysotile were mostly similar to those of untreated chrysotile regardless of pH, elapsed time. But the characteristics of acid-treated chrysotile were different from those of untreated chrysotile after 8 weeks, at pH 1.2 acidic solution. When chrysotile treated with acid, weight ratio (%) of O and Mg fluctuated greatly in accordance with acid treatment unlike Si. But the change of constituents ratio (%) was small as time passed after acid treatment. The refractive index, the elongation sign and the extinction of acid-treated amosite were mostly similar to those of untreated amosite regardless of pH, elapsed time. When amosite was treated with acid, weight ratio (%) of Fe slightly increased. But in case of O, a contrary tendency was seen. Results of heat treatment, the higher the temperature, the more increased the refractive index of chrysotile. When chrysotile was heated for 10 minutes at $1,100^{\circ}C$, the elongation sign of chrysotile changed from positive(+) to negative(-). The extinction of chrysotile didn't change apparently in accordance with heat treatment. Also weight ratio (%) of O and Mg fluctuated greatly in accordance with heat treatment unlike Si. The higher the temperature, the more increased the refractive index of amosite. The elongation sign and the extinction of amosite didn't change apparently in accordance with heat treatment. Also weight ratio (%) of O and Fe fluctuated greatly in accordance with heat treatment. But weight ratio (%) of Si and Mg of heated amosite were mostly similar to those of untreated amosite regardless of temperature, heating time.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.15-31
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• 2012

In our previous studies, the antioxidant, anti-aging, and antibacterial activities of Persicaria hydropipier L. extract, and the moisturizing effect of cream containing P. hydropipier extract were investigated. In this study, the cellular protective effects of P. hydropipier extract and isoquercitrin, main component from P. hydropipier in $^1O_2$-induced photohemolysis of human erythrocytes and ultraviolet B (UVB)-exposed HaCaT cells were investigated. Liposomes such as ethosome and elastic liposome for enhanced transdermal delivery were prepared. Size, loading efficiency, stability, and cumulative permeated amounts of ethosomes and elastic liposomes were evaluated. P. hydropipier extract and isoquercitrin showed more prominent cellular protective effect than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol, known as lipid antioxidant at $5{\mu}g/mL$. P. hydropipier extract didn't show any characteristics of cytotoxicity at $50{\mu}g/mL$. When HaCaT cells were exposed to a single large dose ($400mJ/cm^2$) of UVB, the extract protected the cells against UVB radiation in a concentration dependent manner ($12.5{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$). Cell viability of HaCaT cells exposed to UVB $400mJ/cm^2$ was increased by treatment with P. hydropipier extract or isoquercitrin from 36 % (cell viability of positve control groups) to 90 % (cell viability of P. hydropipier extract or isoquercitrin- treated groups). The size of 0.04 % P. hydropiper extract loaded ethosomes was 173.0 nm and the loading efficiency was 55.58 %. 0.04 % P. hydropiper extract loaded ethosomes were stable with as monodisperse particles for 1 week. The ethosome exhibited more skin permeability than general liposome and ethanol solution. The optimal ratio of lipid to surfactant ($Tego^{(R)}$ care 450) of 0.1 % P. hydropiper extract loaded elastic liposomes was observed to be 95 : 5. Vesicle size of 0.1 % P. hydropiper extract loaded elastic liposome was 176.5 nm. The deformability index of the elastic liposome was 16.4. The loading efficiency was 68.8 %. The elastic liposome containing P. hydropiper extract showed more skin permeability than liposome without surfactant ($Tego^{(R)}$ care 450).

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.333-341
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• 2009

The antioxidant properties of green tea leaves and powder extracts were determined using several tests including estimation of reducing power, DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity, and FRAP(Ferric reducing/antioxidant power) assay. All tests indicated that extracts of green tea powder had higher antioxidant activities than extracts of green tea leaves, and the activities were concentration-dependent. However, each test yielded somewhat different results with respect to storage conditions. The reducing power of green tea leaves was highest at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, storage at $4^{\circ}C$, and an Aw(water activity) value of 0.23. However, the reducing power of green tea powder, assayed at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, was high under all storage conditions(with variations in temperature and Aw), and was about 1.5.2-fold greater than that of green tea leaves. Radical-scavenging activity, as assessed by the DPPH assay, increased in a dose-dependent manner over the range $15{\sim}125{\mu}g/mL$. At higher concentrations, activities were $80{\sim}90%$ of maximal were attained. The FRAP activity of green tea extract also increased with rising concentration. Particularly in the case of green tea leaves, antioxidant activity was most greatest with storage at $-20^{\circ}C$ and Aw values of 0.69 and 0.23 when assayed at a concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. These results indicate that the most important factor during storage of green tea is not the Aw value but rather temperature, and that use of refrigeration($4^{\circ}C$) is preferable to increase or maintain the antioxidant activities of biological components in green tea.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.349-355
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• 2008

Anticancer and immuno-modulatory activities of methanol extracts from different parts, bark, wood and leaf, of Cornus macrophylla Wall. were investigated in this study. All extracts at a concentration of 1.0mg/ml showed relativity low cytotoxicities on human normal kidney cell (HEK293) by approximately 25%. Bark extract of C. macrophylla showed the highest anticancer activity on human lung cancer cell line (A549) and human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) by 57.4% and 58.7%, respectively, at a concentration of 1.0mg/ml. All extracts enhanced the growth of human B and T cells, showing 38.7% and 65.9% increase compared to control, respectively, by 5 days incubation with bark extract. The secretions of interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) from human B and T cells were significantly increased by extracts, especially bark extract. B or T cell medium, which contains cytokines (IL 6 and TNF-$\alpha$) secreted by bark extract treatment for 5 days, time-dependently enhanced the growth of NK-92MI cells with the maximal effect at 5th day of incubation. These results suggest that C. macrophylla, especially bark, has the potential for anticancer and immuno-modulatory activities.