• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2001

Background: To determine the molecular structure of type II collagen-specific T-cell receptors associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: We generated CII-specific T-cell lines of 8 RA patients by prolonged in vitro culture with bovine CII (bCII) and the immunogenic peptide (256-270) of human CII. The proliferation response towards CII stimulation was measured from the uptake of 3H-thymidine. Changes in the secretion of Th 1 and Th2 cytokines in the culture supernatent were measured by ELISA. The TCR clonotypes of these T-cells were examined by RT-PCR/SSCP analyses of all 22 $V_{\beta}$ chains. Results: T-cells from patients' tissue exhibited strong proliferation index upon CII stimulation, which was maintained up to 6 months in the culture. The secretion of INF-$\gamma$from these T-cells increased along with the duration of culture time, while the amount of IL-4 production did not show significant changes. The SSCP band patterns of patients' T-cells appear as discrete bands unlike the smeary streak produced from normal samples. Some SSCP bands, each representing selected expansion of a TCR containing certain subtype of $V_{\beta}$ peptides, appeared to be identical in more than one patients. Among these, the expansion of SSCP band representing the $V_{\beta}$ 14 CDR3 region persisted after switching the antigen to the immunogenic human peptide (256-270). Conclusion: CII-reactive T-cells expressing distinct CDR3 motifs are selectively expanded in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of RA patients, and their persistent proliferation upon CII stimulation, as well as the production Th 1-type cytokines, may play pivotal roles in RA pathogenesis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.250-259
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• 2001

To determine if initial infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis changes the balance of cytokines between T cells and macrophages, we evaluated interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$), interleukin-12 (IL)-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ productions by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 15 untreated active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients and 12 healthy tuberculin reactors (HTR). Freshly isolated PBMC were stimulated with Triton X-100 solubilized protein (TSP), 30-kDa or purified protein derivatives (PPD) antigen for 6, 18 and 96 hours. IL-12 p40 production by antigen-stimulated PBMC from TB patients was significantly decreased compared with that in HTR. In addition, IFN-${\gamma}$ production was significantly depressed in TB patients than that in HTR at a 96-hr stimulation. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ production was significantly higher in antigen-stimulated PBMC from TB than that of HTR. A pronounced increase in IFN-${\gamma}$ protein followed neutralization of IL-10 in early TB patients. However, neutralization of TNF-${\alpha}$ did not significantly alter IFN-${\gamma}$ induction in PBMC from TB patients. There were no significantly differences in the cytokine productions among three proteins, TSP, 30-kDa or PPD antigen. These results indicate that development of TB may be strongly associated with dysregulated productions of IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$, during the initial immune responses to M. tuberculosis. Further understanding of operative cytokine networks during human immune cell responses to protein antigens of M. tuberculosis may improve strategies for vaccine development.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.100-105
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• 2020

While liver histopathology is heterogeneous in diabetes, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated whether glycemic variation resulting from differential diets can induce heterogeneity in diabetic liver and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We generated end-stage non-obese diabetic model rats by subtotal-pancreatectomy in male Sprague-Dawley rats and ad libitum diet for 7 weeks (n = 33). The rats were then divided into three groups, and fed a standard- or a low-protein diet (18 or 6 kcal%, respectively), for another 7 weeks: to maintain hyperglycemia, 11 rats were fed ad libitum (18AL group); to achieve euglycemia, 11 were calorie-restricted (18R group), and 11 were both calorie- and protein-restricted with the low-protein diet (6R group). Overnight-fasted liver samples were collected after the differential diets together with sham-control (18S group), and histology and molecular changes were compared. Hyperglycemic-18AL showed glycogenic hepatopathy (GH) without steatosis, with the highest GSK-3β inactivation because of Akt activation during hyperglycemia; mitochondrial function was not impaired, compared to the 18S group. Euglycemic-18R showed neither GH nor steatosis, with intermediate GSK-3β activation and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, euglycemic-6R showed both GH and steatosis despite the highest GSK-3β activity and no molecular evidence of increased lipogenesis or decreased ApoB expression, where mitochondrial dysfunction was highest among the groups. In conclusion, heterogeneous liver histopathology developed in end-stage non-obese diabetic rats as the glycemic levels varied with differential diets, in which protein content in the diets as well as glycemic levels differentially influenced GSK-3β activity and mitochondrial function in insulin-deficient state.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.558-570
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• 2009

Background : Since March 2009, when the first patient of novel influenza A (H1N1) was reported, many deaths have occurred in North and Central America. The start of the 2009 influenza pandemic was declared by WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan on 11 June 2009, and the level of influenza pandemic alert raised from phase 5 to phase 6. There was no vaccine yet developed, and many experts worried that the novel H1N1 virus could kill as many or more as did the influenza pandemic in 1918-1919. Objective : To evaluate the possibility of treatment for 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) using herbal remedies and other non-conventional therapies. Methods : We researched the clinical studies for novel H1N1 influenza virus-related herbal medicine or non-conventional medicine treatment using internet search engines including PubMed and CNKI. In addition, we reviewed many reports and clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for influenza A (H1N1). Results : Two case series were selected after reviewing 701 papers, and two CPG published by the Chinese government and Jilin province identified. They reported that the clinical symptoms were no more significant than seasonal influenza, and the condition of patients more than 45 years old was milder than those less than 45 years old. There are no patients with gastric problems, and oseltamivir has been used at the same time in all patients. Conclusion : The efficacy and effectiveness of herbal medicine and other non-conventional treatments for the novel influenza A (H1N1) is questionable, and more studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion. However, in the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) experience in 2002/2003, it was demonstrated that herbal medicine can relieve all symptoms of SARS patients, promote absorption of lung inflammation, improve the degree of blood oxygen saturation, regulate immunological functions, reduce the required dosage of glucocorticoid and other medicines, and reduce case fatality rate. In light of the current situation that there is no vaccine or conventional treatment yet available, the study of herbal medicine and other non-conventional therapies are also necessary for appropriate evaluation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.571-581
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• 2009

Background : Early in November 2002, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) began to spread throughout thirty-two countries around the world. A total of 5,327 cases were reported in China, including 1,755 cases in Hong Kong and 655 in Taiwan. The total number of cases reported from Canada and Singapore was more than 200. The total number of SARS cases world-wide reached 8,437 with incidences. Mortality from SARS is estimated at around 11%. Under the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), clinical studies on the use of integrated herbal medicine and western medicine for treating SARS were carried out in China and Hong Kong. The official report suggested that integrated treatment was more effective than western medicine alone in clinical symptoms, lung inflammation, blood oxygen saturation, immunological functions and others. Objective : To overview the treatment principle and the prescriptions according to the regimens and the stages for SARS of the reports, and further to broaden our knowledge of treatment of acute infectious diseases using natural herbal medicine. Methods : We reviewed nine of WHO SARS reports that comprehensively described the principles and methods of treatment and summarized them into eight treatment methods. We analyzed the herbal formulae on the basis of their treatment principles, evaluated them in accordance with warm disease study, listed frequently used herbs, and assessed patent prescriptions and herbal injections that were mentioned in the reports. Results and Conclusion : The reports divided the course of SARS into 3 to 6 stages such as high fever stage, fastigium stage, and convalescent stage. Frequently used herbs were Radix Scutellariae, Radix Paeoniae, Radix Astragali, Semen Armeniacae, Radix Pseudostellariae, Radix Ophiopogonis, and Fructus Schizandrae. Herbal decoctions were the primary method of treatment, while extracts or injections were secondary. Prescriptions were mainly based on the warm disease study. SARS is a viral disease caused by corona virus, and herbal medicine is proven to be effective against it. We believe that evidences and experiences from SARS cases can be a good reference to further researches on acute infectious diseases.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.60-68
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• 2003

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop a Korean version of the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale(LEAS-K) and to examine its validity and reliability. Methods: LEAS-K was developed from translating original LEAS into Korean. The subjects were 476 Korean medical students(322 males and 154 females). The internal consistency was evaluated with the Cronbach's alpha coefficients and 40 protocols were independently scored by two raters to confirm interrater reliability. Additionally, a Korean version of 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS-20K), Korean versions of the Openness to Experience Inventory(OE), the Marlowe-Crowne Scale (MCS), the Bendig short form of the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale(TMAS) and the Emotional Expressivity Scale(EES) were rated to evaluate concurrent validity. Results: The internal consistency measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.81 and interrater reliability was high{r(40)=0.99}. Correlation coefficients for concurrent validity were nonsignificant with TMAS and EES. LEAS-K correlated significantly with TAS-20K{r(476)=-0.10, p<0.05}, OE {r(476)=0.10, p<0.05} and MCS {r(476)=0.10, p<0.05}. Conclusion: LEAS-K was demonstrated to have high reliability and validity.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.235-248
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate a feasibility of a small mountain as a field work site on geological features in Earth sciences classes at all levels. Mt. Geumdang with the height of 305 meters from the sea level is located in the metropolitan city of Gwangju, southern part of Korea. The study reviews the human and natural geography, geological features, geomorphic resources, landscapes, and conveniences of the mountain for a possibility of meaningful field work. The population within the distance of 5 km from the mountain stands at about 620,000 and 170,000 of them are students and teachers. Mt. Geumdang has a warm temperature climate with low rainfall throughout the year, so it seems suitable for a field survey. Road network and public transportation system around the area are well-developed and easily accessible. Mt. Geumdang shows various rock type and geological structures. The basement rock is Gwangju granite, which is plutonic body of the Jurassic period. Also, granophyre (micrographic granite) and various volcanic rocks distributed as bedded tuff, lapilli tuff, and rhyolite of the Cretaceous period. Many andesitic and felsic dykes were intruded into the rock by joint system. In Mt. Geumdang, many geomorphic resources are found such as U shaped mountain, joint, fault, lamination, gnamma, tor, cliff, groove, block stream and block field, regolith, and saprolite. It has a beautiful mountain scenery including the view of whole shape of Mt. Mudeung, panoramic view of the town, Pungam lake, World Cup stadium and sunrise and sunset. Furthermore, the area has ecologic study facilities related to geology, emergency medical and convenience facilities for field works. In conclusion, Mt. Geumdang is highly feasible for geological field studies at all levels.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.678-681
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• 2003

In this paper, we aims to develop a microcontroll er-based portable pulse oximeter using Compact Flash Interface. First, portable pulse oxineter system is designed to record 2 channel of biosignals simultaneously, including 1 channel of SpO$_2$ and 1 channel of pulse rate. It is very small and portable. Besides, the system makes it possible to measure a patients condition without an additional medical equipment. We tried to solve the problems generated by a patient's motion. That is, we added an analog circuit to a traditional pulse oximeter in order to eliminate the change of the base line. And we used 2D sector algorithm. As present, SpO$_2$ modules are completed. But there are still many further development needed in order to enhance the function. Especially, compact flash interface remains the most to complete. Second, ECG monitoring system uses almost same as present 3-lead ECG system. But we focus on the analog part, especially in filter. The proposed filter is composed of two parts. One is a filter to remove the power-line interface. The other is a filter to remove the baseline drift. A filter to remove the power-line and the baseline drift is necessarily used in the ECG system. The implemented filter have three features; minimizing the distortion in DC component, removing the harmonic component of power-line frequency. Using compact flash interface, we can easily transfer a patient's personal information and the measured signal data to a network based server environment. That means, it is possible to implement a patient's monitoring system with low cost.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-48
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• 2011

Purpose: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is the most common glomerulopathy causing pediatric renal failure. Since specific treatment targeting the etiology and pathophysiology of primary FSGS is yet elusive, the authors explored the pathophysiology of FSGS by transcriptome analysis of the disease using an animal model. Methods: FGS/kist strain, a mouse model of primary FSGS, and RFM/kist strain, as control and the parent strain of FGS/kist, were used. Kidney tissues were harvested and isolated renal cortex was used to extract mRNA, which was run on AB 1700 mouse microarray chip after reverse transcription to get the transcriptome profile. Results: Sixty two genes were differentially expressed in FGS/kist kidney tissue compared to the control. Those genes were related to cell cycle/cell death, immune reaction, and lipid metabolism/vasculopathy, and the key molecules of their networks were TNF, IL-6/4, IFN${\gamma}$, TP53, and PPAR${\gamma}$. Conclusion: This study confirmed that renal cell death, immune system activation with subsequent fibrosis, and lipid metabolism-related early vasculopathy were involved in the pathophysiology of FSGS. In addition, the relevance of methodology used in this study, namely transcriptome profiling, and Korean animal model of FGS/kist was validated. Further study would reveal novel pathophysiology of FSGS for new therapeutic targets.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.109-124
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• 2017

Through a wide variety of disciplines, practices on data access and re-use have been increased recently. In fact, there has been an emerging phenomenon that researchers tend to use the data sets produced by other researchers and give scholarly credit as citation. With respect to this practice, in 2012, Thomson Reuters launched Data Citation Index (DCI). With the DCI, citation to research data published by researchers are collected and analyzed in a similar way for citation to journal articles. The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics and intellectual structure of sociology field based on research data, which is one of actively data-citing fields. To accomplish this purpose, two data sets were collected and analyzed. First, from DCI, a total of 8,365 data were collected in the field of sociology. Second, a total of 12,132 data were collected from Web of Science with a topic search with 'Sociology'. As a result of the co-word analysis of author provided-keywords for both data sets, the intellectual structure of research data-based sociology was composed of two areas and 15 clusters and that of article-based sociology was composed with three areas and 17 clusters. More importantly, medical science area was found to be actively studied in research data-based sociology and public health and psychology are identified to be central areas from data citation.