• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2014

Biting midges (Culicoides: Ceratopogonidae) were collected by Mosquito Magnet$^{(R)}$ traps at the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) camp and Daeseongdong village inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and near the military demarcation line (MDL) separating North and South Korea and at Warrior Base (US Army training site) and Tongilchon 3 km south of the DMZ in northern Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea (ROK), from May-October 2010-2012, to determine their seasonal distributions. A total of 18,647 Culicoides females (18,399; 98.7%) and males (248; 1.3%) comprising 16 species were collected. Overall, the most commonly collected species was Culicoides nipponensis (42.9%), followed by C. erairai (29.2%), C. punctatus (20.3%), C. arakawae (3.3%), C. pallidulus (1.8%), and C. circumscriptus (1.4%), while the remaining 10 species accounted for only 1.1% of all Culicoides spp. collected. The seasonal distribution of C. nipponensis was bimodal, with high numbers collected during May-June and again during September. C. erairai was more frequently collected during June-July, followed by sharply decreased populations from August-October. C. punctatus was collected in low numbers from May-September with high numbers collected during October. C. erairai was predominantly collected from the NNSC camp (85.1% of all C. erairai collected) located adjacent to the MDL at Panmunjeom in the northernmost part of Gyeonggi-do (Province), while other sites yielded low numbers of specimens.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.121-127
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to relate personal data, socio-cultural and environmental characteristics, and the presence of symptoms/signs with the frequencies of Giardia spp. and Blastocystis hominis among a rural population in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Of the surveyed population (350), 3.7% were infected with only Giardia spp. or 22.9% with B. hominis, and 2.3% were infected with both protozoa. The frequency of infection according to sex; 6.1% of males were infected and 1.6% of females by Giardia spp., 26.7% and 19.5% by B. hominis, and 2.4% and 2.2% by both parasites, respectively. Giardia spp. was detected in only three adults (over 14 years), but B. hominis was more frequent in adults than in children. The prevalences of these protozoa in this community are lower than those reported by other Argentinean studies, which is probably associated with the low density of the studied population ($5.95{\;}inhab/\textrm{km}^2$). Statistical analysis revealed that a male sex, flooding of the home, the use of a latrine, and an abdominal pain were correlated with the presence of these parasites, which indicate the importance of these factors in rural communities.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.100-109
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• 2021

Objectives : Source acupoint is one of the representative acupoints to treat various diseases in each meridian. We aimed to identify the patterns of selection of Source acupoints and their associations with diseases using clinical trials data. Methods : We extracted the frequency of Source acupoints across 30 diseases from clinical trials database. Acupuncture treatment regimens were retrieved from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The frequency of Source acupoint use was calculated as the number of studies using a certain acupoint divided by the total number of included studies. Using hierarchical clustering and multidimensional scaling, the characteristics of Source acupoints were analyzed based on the similarity of the relationships between the Source acupoints and the diseases. Results : A total of 421 clinical trials were included for this analysis. LR3, HT7, KI3, and LI4 acupoints were most frequently used for the treatment of 30 diseases. Cluster analysis showed that LR3 and LI4 acupoints were grouped together and HT7 and KI3 acupoints were grouped together. Multidimensional scaling revealed that LR3, LI4, HT7, and KI3 acupoints have intrinsic properties in the two-dimensional space. Conclusions : The present study identified the selection patterns of the Source acupoints using clinical trials data. Our finding will provide the understanding of the characteristics of Source acupoints.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.437-446
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• 2022

In this study, to obtain icaritin with high pharmacological activities from icariin, which has a content ratio of over 58% in the total flavonoids of Epimedium herb, a special Epimedium flavonoid-glycosidase was produced, purified and characterized from Aspergillus sp.y848 strain. The optimal enzyme production was gained in a medium containing 5% (w/v) wheat bran extract and 0.7% (w/v) Epimedium leaf powder as the enzyme inducer, and strain culture at 30℃ for 6-7 days. The molecular weight of the enzyme was approximately 73.2 kDa; the optimal pH and temperature were 5.0 and 40℃. The enzyme Km and Vmax values for icariin were 15.63 mM and 55.56 mM/h. Moreover, the enzyme hydrolyzed the 7-O-glucosides of icariin into icariside II, and finally hydrolyzed 3-Orhamnoside of icariside II into icaritin. The enzyme also hydrolyzed 7-O-glucosides of epimedin B to sagittatoside B, and then further hydrolyzed terminal 3-O-xyloside of sagittatoside B to icarisiede II, before finally hydrolyzing 3-O-rhamnoside of icarisiede II into icaritin. The enzyme only hydrolyzed 7-O-glucoside of epimedin A or epimedin C into sagittatoside A or sagittatoside C. It is possible to prepare icaritin from the high-content icariin in Epimedium herb using this enzyme. When 2.5% icariin was reacted at 40℃ for 18-20 h by the low-cost crude enzyme, 5.04 g icaritin with 98% purity was obtained from 10 g icariin. Also, the icaritin molar yield was 92.5%. Our results showed icaritin was successfully produced via cost-effective and relatively simple methods from icariin by crude enzyme. Our results should be very useful for the development of medicines from Epimedium herb.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.627-634
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• 2024

Sesquiterpene lactones, a class of natural compounds abundant in the Asteraceae family, have gained attention owing to their diverse biological activities, and particularly their anti-proliferative effects on human cancer cells. In this study, we systematically investigated the structure-activity relationship of ten sesquiterpene lactones with the aim of elucidating the structural determinants for the STAT3 inhibition governing their anti-proliferative effects. Our findings revealed a significant correlation between the STAT3 inhibitory activity and the anti-proliferative effects of sesquiterpene lactones in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Among the compounds tested, alantolactone and isoalantolactone emerged as the most potent STAT3 inhibitors, highlighting their potential as candidates for anticancer drug development. Through protein-ligand docking studies, we revealed the structural basis of STAT3 inhibition by sesquiterpene lactones, emphasizing the critical role of hydrogen-bonding interactions with key residues, including Arg609, Ser611, Glu612, and Ser613, in the SH2 domain of STAT3. Furthermore, our conformational analysis revealed the decisive role of the torsion angle within the geometry-optimized structures of sesquiterpene lactones in their STAT3 inhibitory activity (R=0.80, p<0.01). These findings not only provide preclinical evidence for sesquiterpene lactones as promising phytomedicines against diseases associated with abnormal STAT3 activation, but also highlight the importance of stereochemical aspects in their activity.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.355-361
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• 1993

Since May 1991, authors have conducted a pilot study to determine the feasibility and evaluate the effect of concurrent radiation therapy and chemotherapy with 5-FU and Cis-platinum for locally advanced cervical cancer (stage IIB-IVA). Radiation therapy consisted of external irradiation to whole pelvis (4140 cGy/23 fx) in 4.5 weeks followed by high dose rate intracavitary radiation therapy (HDR ICRT) to deliver a dose of 30 to 35 Gy to A point in 6 to 7 fractions. After the intracavitary radiation therapy, parametrial boost was delivered for B point dose of 60 Gy in Stage IIB and 65 Gy in stage IIIB. 5-FU (1000 $mg/m^2/24hr$ for 96 hour iv infusion) and Cis-platinum (20 $mg/m^2/day$ IV bolus for 3 days) were given during the second week of external RT and the second course chemotherapy administered at the first HDR ICRT with the same method as the first chemotherapy. Sixteen patients (10 stage IIB,4 stage IIIB,2 stage IVA) were registered to this protocol. Among these 16 patients, two refused treatment after 2 fractions of external irradiation, and one could not continue intracavitary irradiation because of treatment related genitourinary toxicity. So 14 patients were evaluated for toxicity and 13 patients were evaluated for response analysis. Five of 14 patients developed grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity but 4 of them recovered at the completion of treatment. One stage IIIB patient with inguinal lymph node metastasis who received higher dose of radiation in spite of initial poor performance status did not recover from gastrointestinal toxicity at the completion of treatment. And she died of distant metastasis at one month after the completion of treatment. Two of 14 evaluable patients showed weight loss, more than $10\%$ of initial weight. One patient developed grade 3 leukopenia. In this study, the average total treatment period of completely treated patients was 75 days and three of them took more than 80 days (84, 84, 89 days). Toxicities were generally acceptable and there were no treatment related death. At the last follow-up, complete response was achieved in $62\%(8/13)$ and especially of nine patients with stage IIB, eight patients showed complete response. This study suggests that concurrent radiation therapy and chemotherapy (5-FU and Cis-platinum) is tolerable and effective. Further follow-up is needed to determine whether this protocol will have a favorable impact on survival and to evaluate the late effect on normal tissues. In future, prospective randomized trials are needed to compare the standard radiation therapy alone with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy for locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.237-252
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• 1989

Effect of a $Na^+$ gradient on $Ca^{2+}$ uptake was studied in isolated sarcolemmal vesicles of cat ileal longitudinal muscle. $Ca^{2+}$ uptake was markedly stimulated in the presence of an outwardly directed $Na^+$ gradient. External $Na^+$, monensin and A23187 abolished the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Monovalent cations such as $K^+$, $Li^+$, $Rb^+$, $Cs^+$ and choline could not substitute for $Na^+$ in enhancement of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Divalent cations such as $Ba^{2+}$, $Sr^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$ and $Cd^{2+}$ but not $Mg^{2+}$ inhibited the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Increase in external pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0 stimulated the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Amiloride inhibited the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake at concentrations above 0.5 mM, whereas diltiazem or vanadate did not. The apparent Km of the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake for $Ca^{2+}$ was 18.2 ${\mu}M$ and apparent Vmax was 689.7 pmole/mg protein/5 sec. Kinetic analysis of the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake showed a noncompetitive interaction between internal $Na^+$ and external $Ca^{2+}$. The dependence of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake on internal $Na^+$ showed sigmoidal kinetics and Hill coefficient for internal $Na^+$ was 2.52. Inside positive membrane potential generated by imposing an inwardly directed $K^+$ gradient and valinomycin significantly stimulated the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. These results indicate that a $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange system exists in the sarcolemmal membranes isolated from cat ileal longitudinal muscle and it might operate as an electrogenic process.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2005

Corynebacterial clones which exert regulatory effects on the expression of the glyoxylate bypass genes were isolated using a reporter plasmid carrying the enteric lacZ fused to the aceB promoter of Corynebacterium glutamicum. Some clones carried common fragments as turned out by DNA mapping technique. Subcloning analysis followed by the measurement of $\beta-galactosidase$ activity in Escherichia coli identified the region responsible for the aceB-repressing activity. Sequence analysis of the DNA fragment identified two independent ORFs of ORF1 and ORF2. Among them, ORF2 was turned out to be responsible for the aceB-repressing activity. ORF1 encoded a 23,216 Da protein composed of 206 amino acids. Sequence similarity search indicated that the ORF may encode a ECF-type $\sigma$ factor and designated sigH. To identify the function of sigH, C. glutamicum sigH mutant was constructed by gene disruption technique and the sigH mutant showed growth retardation as compared to the wild type strain. In addition, the mutant strain showed sensitivity to oxidative-stress generating agent plumbagin. This result imply that sigH is probably involved in the stress response occurring during normal cell growth.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2014

Objectives: Because of its properties such as resistance to heat, chemicals and corrosion; tensile strength; sound absorption; and affordable price, asbestos has been widely used as a building material, fire resistant and retardant, thermal and heat insulator, soundproofing material, and electrical insulation. Since the prolonged inhalation of asbestos can cause serious illnesses such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis after an incubation period of 20 to 40 years, the mineral was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an intergovernmental agency forming part of the World Health Organization. Children and infants are more at risk than are adults if they are exposed to carcinogens, due to aweaker immunity that has not yet been fully developed. Most childcare centers are operated all day and children tend to spend a great amount of time in the centers. This is why it is important for them to be systematically isolated from environments that may expose them to asbestos. Materials: In order to understand both indoor and outdoor hazards to which children may have been exposed, the study focused on actual surveys of asbestos used in childcare centers, paying special attention to slate-roofed buildings in the vicinity of the centers. Results: A survey of a total of 211 childcare centers showed that the buildings of 18.1% of the centers contained asbestos, with 60.53% of the material being found in classroom ceilings. "Tex" was the most used material for ceilings, making up 89.47% of all ceilings. An outdoor survey showed that childcare centers in Daegu Metropolitan City had an average of 143 slate-roof buildings within a distance of 1km. Conclusions: Buildings housing mainly toddlers, children, teenagers and others more vulnerable to the toxicity of asbestos are not subject to asbestos investigation by law. A legal and practical basis for asbestos control is required for such buildings. In particular, housing materials which contain asbestos in day care centers require asbestos control. GIS should be used to identify the location of buildings with slate roofing materials in the vicinity of daycare centers in order to gauge toxicity of exposure to asbestos caused by potential asbestos friability possibility in outdoor conditions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 1980

The antimicrobial drug susceptibility of 439 isolates of animal pathogens recovered from various clinical cases during 1978-79 has been investigated by the use of disk diffusion technique. The majority of 308 strains of Eschericihia coli were highly resistant to bacitracin, erythromycin, penicillin, streptomycin and tetracyclinon while only 0.3 per cent of them were resistant to gentamicin and 3.2 per cent to colistin. The percentages of strains resistant to ampicillin, carbenicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol and neomycin were 30.5%, 24.7%, 11:4%, 28.2% and 26.2% and repectively. However, none of E. coli cultures of ovine origin were resistant to ampicillin, carbenicillin, chloramphenicol, colistin, gentamicin, kanamycin, and neomycin. A total of 39 patterns of multipe drug1 resistance of 308 strains E. coli against 9 drugs in general use such as ampicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, colistin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin and tetracycline were observed and the most common multiple resistance patterns were SM, TC pattern (20.5%) and AM, CP, KM, NM, SM, TC pattern (9.7%). None of the 43 cultures of salmonella organism from pigs and chickens were resistant to ampicillin, carbenicillin, cephalothin, colistin, gentamicin and kanamycin; and the majority of the cultures were susceptible to chloramphenicol (90.0%), neomycin (97.7%) and tetracycline (93.0%). All the cultures were found to be resistant to bacitracin and penicillin and the rate of resistant strains to erythromycin and s treptomycin being 79.1% and 41.9% respectively. It was found that the majority of 63 cultures of staphylococcal isolates were resistant to lincomycin, penicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline. The percentages of 63 staphylococcal isolates susceptible to gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, cephalothin, ampicillin, methicillin, bacitracin and chloramphenicol were 98.4%, 98.4%, 95.2%, 93.7%, 93.7%, 92.1% and 92.1% respectively. The 25 cultures of streptococcal isolates were resistant in order of prevalence to streptomycin(88.0%), kanamycin(68.0%), gentamicin (44.0%), tetracycline (44.0%) and methicillin (40.0%) wihle the majority of them were sensitive to ampicillin, bacitracin, chloramphenicol and penicillin.