• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.398-406
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the effect of oral administration of GSRE against the asthma. Asthma was induced to Balb/c mouse by i.p. injection and aerosol immunization with ovalbumin. It was observed the change of the eosinophil number in the BALF. Concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 in BALF and splenocyte were assessed by ELISA, IgG and IgE from serum were calculated by same method. Concentration of IL-4 in splenocyte was significantly decreased in GSRE group compared with control group. Concentrations of IL-5 from BALF and splenocyte were significantly decreased in GSRE group compared with control group, respectively. Level of IgE in serum was significantly decreased in GSRE group compared with control group, but not IgG. We found that the effect of GSRE extract in asthma was implicated in reductions of IL-4, IL-5 released from Th2 cell, and decreses of IgE, from plasma cell. These findings suggest that GSRE extract can produce anti-asthmatic effect, which may play a role in allergen-induced asthma therapy.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2005

Pollen has been used for prevention or treatment of certain diseases such as diabetes arthritis or cancer in traditional medicine. Among various pollens, pine tree pollen is known to relieve hypertension, suppress fatty liver progression, and facilitate the digestion, but its immunological activities are less known. To evaluate immunological reactivities and immunotoxicities of pine tree pollen, BALB/c mice were administered to the poller through oral route. Pine tree pollen suspended in distilled water or extracted with methanol has been administered at the concentration of 0, 10, or 100 mg/kg five days per week for four weeks. Polyclonal activation of splenic T cells with phytohemagglutinins did not induce a significant difference in IL-4 and $IFN_{\gamma}$ production between the pollen-administered mice groups and the control mice. Furthermore, polyclonal activation of splenic B cells with lipopolysaccharides did not result a significant difference in IgG1 and IgG2a production among the groups. These findings imply that the intake of pine tree pollen does not bring any humoral and cellular immune-dysrequlation. Whereas, viability of Listeria monocytogenes was suppressed in the mice administered with 100 mg/kg bw methanol extract, indicating the potential ability of pine tree pollen to enhance cell-mediated immunity mediated by type-1 helper T cells. In addition, aberrant upregulation of plasma IgG1 level was observed in the pollen-administered mice, which suggests a possibility of allergic response induction through the pine tree pollen uptake. Overall, pine tree pollen-mediated modulation of humoral or cellular immunity is worthy of further systematic investigation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.821-830
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• 2020

Altered dendritic morphology is frequently observed in various neurological disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but the cellular and molecular basis underlying these pathogenic dendritic abnormalities remains largely unclear. In this study, we investigated dendritic morphological defects caused by dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) toxicity associated with G4C2 expansion mutation of C9orf72 (the leading genetic cause of ALS and FTD) in Drosophila neurons and characterized the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Among the five DPRs produced by repeat-associated non-ATG translation of G4C2 repeats, we found that arginine-rich DPRs (PR and GR) led to the most significant reduction in dendritic branches and plasma membrane (PM) supply in Class IV dendritic arborization (C4 da) neurons. Furthermore, expression of PR and GR reduced the number of Golgi outposts (GOPs) in dendrites. In Drosophila brains, expression of PR, but not GR, led to a significant reduction in the mRNA level of CrebA, a transcription factor regulating the formation of GOPs. Overexpressing CrebA in PR-expressing C4 da neurons mitigated PM supply defects and restored the number of GOPs, but the number of dendritic branches remained unchanged, suggesting that other molecules besides CrebA may be involved in dendritic branching. Taken together, our results provide valuable insight into the understanding of dendritic pathology associated with C9-ALS/FTD.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of noninvasive prenatal screening for trisomy 18 by assessing the levels of unmethylated-maspin (U-maspin) and fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness during the first trimester of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted using maternal plasma samples collected from 65 pregnant women carrying 11 fetuses with trisomy 18 and 54 normal fetuses. We compared the U-maspin levels, NT thicknesses, or a combination of both in the first trimester between the case and control groups. Results: U-maspin levels and NT thickness were significantly elevated in the first trimester in pregnant women carrying fetuses with trisomy 18 when compared to those carrying normal fetuses (27.2 vs. 6.6 copies/mL, P<0.001 for U-maspin; 5.9 vs. 2.0 mm, P<0.001 for NT). The sensitivities of the U-maspin levels and NT thickness in prenatal screening for fetal trisomy 18 were 90.9% and 90.9%, respectively, with a specificity of 98.1%. The combined U-maspin levels and NT thickness had a sensitivity of 100% in prenatal screening for fetal trisomy 18, with a specificity of 98.1%. Conclusion: A combination of U-maspin levels and NT thickness is highly efficacious for noninvasive prenatal screening of fetal trisomy 18 in the first trimester of pregnancy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.121-132
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• 2006

Minerals are extremely important in human metabolism, growth, and tissue repair. The risks of disturbances in mineral nutrition and metabolism are high following menopause. The aim of the study was to investigate the mineal nutrition status in middle-aged women (Pre & Postmenopausal) and the relation to climacteric symptoms. In the present study, we conducted the anthropometric measurement, climacteric symptoms survey and the dietary intakes including macronutrients, vitamins and minerals to assess the nutrient intakes. Also plasma mineral levels (Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn) was measured. The participants were 105 middle-aged women (pre=51, Postmenopausal=54). The anthropometric measurement showed that 74% of subjects was overweight and obesity. The energy intakes were 83% of Korean EER. The macromineral intake (Ca, P, Mg, Na, K), Ca, P and Mg were 65%, > 116% and > 107% of Korean RI. Na and K intakes were > 243% and 53% of Korean AI. For the trace mineral intake (Fe, Cu, Zn), Fe, Cu and Zn intakes were 82%, > 146%, and 94% of Korean RI. The serum mineral concentration measurement, in case of Ca, Fe and Zn, > 10% of subjects showed lower level than normal clinical range. The most frequently appeared climacteric symptoms were dry eye, forgetfulness, difficult concentration, shoulder pain, fatique, depression & lonesomeness, backache, snore, dry skin, ankle & knee pain. In relation to mineral nutrition with climacteric symptoms, significant correlations have been founded between Ca intake and difficult concentration, Mg intake and snore, Fe & Zn intake and forgetfulness & dry skin, serum Ca concentration and forgetfulness, serum Na concentration and dry eyes & snore, serum K concentration and shoulder pain. From these results, it has been indicated that some mineral nutrition status may effect the prevention and reduction of climacteric symptoms in pre and postmenopause women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.980-986
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• 1998

The effects of mungbean sprout juice on cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity in rats were investigated. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 90g were divided into 4 groups and raised for 6 weeks. ; control group(CON), mungbean sprouts juice-administered group(MSJ), cadmium-administered group(CAD) fed water containing 40 ppm cadmium chloride and mung bean sprouts juice and cadmium-administered group(MCD). The diet was supplied every day for the measurement of feed efficiency ratio(FER) and net weight gain was measured every 3 days. The activities of serum glutamic oxaloactic transaminase(GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT), superoxide dimutase(SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) in the liver and the hepatic contents of glutathione were examined. The contents of Cd in liver and kidney of the rats were determined by using ICP(Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrophotometer). Growth rate and FER were decreased in CAD group, compared with CON group but the changes were not significant in MCD group. The activities of serum GOT and GPT, SOD, catalase and GSH-Px in the liver were increased by Cd administration, but the alterations were decreased by supplementation with mungbean sprouts juice. The level of glutathione decreased in CAD group(26.8$\pm$9.0mg/g liver), whereas it increased in MCD group(36.4$\pm$15.8mg gliver). The content of Cd in the liver and kidney in MCD group(9.57 ppm, 4.88 ppm) was decreased, compared with CAD group(12.81 ppm, 5.46 ppm). This result suggested that mungbean sprout juice has a lowering effect on the accumulation of Cd in the liver and kidney and it is believed that the juice has some protective effects to Cd-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, but the mechanism of these effects was obscure.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin {TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX} deficiency on the utilization and recuperation of stored fuel in exercising rats. Thirty six rats were fed either a vitamin {TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX} deficient diet(-{TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX}) or a control diet(+{TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX}) for 5 weeks, then subdivided into 3 group: non-exercise group(NE), exercise group(EX), exercise and recuperation group(EX). EX group were exercised in treadmill({TEX}$10^{o}${/TEX}, 0.5~0.8km/h)for 2 hours and ER group were recuperated three days with the respective diet after exercise. Glucose(GLU), glycogen(GLY), protein(PRO), trigyceride(TG) and free fatty acid(FFA) were compared in plasma(P), liver(L) and skeletal muscle(M) of rats. Compared to +{TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX} rats, in NE group, the level of L-GLY of -{TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX} rats was higher, M-TG, L-PRO of -{TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX} rats were lower and there were no differences in P-PRO, P-FFA, P-TG, M-GLY, M-PRO and L-TG. In EX group, the levels of P-FFA, L-PRO of -{TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX} rats were higher. P-TG, L-TG of -{TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX} rats were lower and there was no difference in L-GLY. In EG group, the levels of P-GLU, P-PRO, P-RG, L-PRO of -{TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX} rats were lower and there were no differences in L-GLY, L-TG, M-TG and M-GLY. these results suggest that a lowered intake of vitamin {TEX}$B_{6}${/TEX} may impair the recuperation of aminals after exercise related to exercise fuel stores although there is a compensation among stored fuel utilization during exercise.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.689-695
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of concentrated growth factors (CGFs) on human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. Blood was collected from three male volunteers (average age 27 years). CGFs were prepared using standard protocols. The CGF exudates were collected at the following culture time points: 1, 7, 14, and 21 days. The levels of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$) in CGFs were quantified. The CGF exudates were then used to culture human gingival fibroblasts. The biologic characteristics of these fibroblasts were analyzed in vitro for 21 days. Platelet-rich plasma released the highest amounts of TGF-${\beta}1$ and PDGF-BB on the first day. The level of TGF-${\beta}1$ had decreased slightly by day 7, although the difference compared to levels at day 1 was not statistically significant. However, by days 14 and 21, levels of TGF-${\beta}1$ had dropped significantly compared to day 1 levels. The levels of PDGF-BB at days 7, 14, and 21 did not differ significantly from that measured on day 1. CGFs maintained the release of autologous growth factors for a reasonable period of time (7 days for TGF-${\beta}1$ and 21 days for PDGF-BB). Gingival fibroblasts treated with CGF exudates collected at day 14 reached peak viability and synthesized type I collagen. Furthermore, the CGF exudates exerted positive effects on the proliferation and differentiation of these cells at days 1, 7, 14, and 21. The findings of this study suggest that treatment with CGFs represents a promising method of enhancing mucosal healing following surgical procedures.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.411-417
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• 2021

By-products produced from medicinal plants (MP) were evaluated as feed additives on growth performance, blood chemistry, and immune responses of the juvenile red lip mullet Liza haematocheila. A commercial diet was used as the control. Four experimental diets were prepared by combining 0.5% of MPs such as Panax ginseng (PG), Schisandra chinensis (SC), Angelica gigas (AG), and Rehmannia glutinosa (RG), via water absorption, to the control diet. Triplicate groups of fish averaging 61.8 g were fed one of experimental diets to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. Dietary supplementation of MPs did not affect the growth performance, biological indices and whole body composition of fish compared to the control. The fish fed with AG diet had an increased weight gain, and specific growth rate compared to fish in SC group. Decreased level of plasma glucose was observed in fish fed diet containing MPs. Lysozyme activity was significantly increased in the fish fed AG diet compared to that of fish in PG group. These results indicate that dietary supplementation of Angelica gigas may enhance growth performance and immune responses in juvenile red lip mullet.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.31-37
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• 2021

In this paper proposed a feature fusion and spatial attention-based modified YOLOv4S for small and occluded detection. Conventional YOLOv4S is a lightweight network and lacks feature extraction capability compared to the method of the deep network. The proposed method first combines feature maps of different scales with feature fusion to enhance semantic and low-level information. In addition expanding the receptive field with dilated convolution, the detection accuracy for small and occluded objects was improved. Second by improving the conventional spatial information with spatial attention, the detection accuracy of objects classified and occluded between objects was improved. PASCAL VOC and COCO datasets were used for quantitative evaluation of the proposed method. The proposed method improved mAP by 2.7% in the PASCAL VOC dataset and 1.8% in the COCO dataset compared to the Conventional YOLOv4S.