• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.26-42
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Manbunbang extract (MBB). Methods: In order to understand the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of MBB, expression of cytokines and its levels in RAW 264.7 cell lines, as well as changes of cytokine gene expressions in serum, spleen, and liver tissues in acute inflammation induced mouse model were investigated. Results: 1. MBB significantly suppressed the expression levels of IL-1${\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNAs at 100 and 50 ${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$ concentrations, and IL-6 and NOS-II genes at 100, 50 and 10 ${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$ concentrations in RAW 264.7 cell lines, compared to those of the control. 2. MBB significantly reduced the production level of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ at 100 and 50 ${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$ concentrations in RAW 264.7 cell lines compared the those of the control. 3. MBB significantly reduced the production of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in sera of acute inflammation induced mice. 4. MBB significanlty suppressed the expression level of IL-1${\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA in spleen tissues as well as IL-6 mRNA in liver tissues in acute inflammation induced mice. Conclusion: From the results above, anti-inflammatory effect of MBB through its immune regulation could be experimentally explained. Wide treatment of inflammatory diseases such as pelvic inflammation using MBB are recommended.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.427-432
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• 2006

Purpose: Noninflammatory synovial fibrosis has been noted for main causal factor of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Recently, there are some reports that heparin have not only anti-coagulative effect but also anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic potential and have an effect on interstitial pulmonary fiborosis. Authors examined whether heparin affects pathogenesis of CTS. Methods: First, heparin was administered to fibroblast that was cultured from patient's transverse carpal ligament. Secondly, we evaluated the expression from genes of type I, III collagen, TGF ${\beta}$ isoforms and MMP. Fibroblasts were isolated and cultured from transverse carpal ligaments of 5 patients with CTS. Heparin (0, 1, 10,$100{\mu}g/ml$) was administered to cultured fibroblast and reverse transcription PCR for mRNA expression of type I, III collagen, TGF-${\beta}$ isoforms and MMP was done. Results: Heparin suppressed gene expression of type I, III collagen and TGF-${\beta}1$, ${\beta}3$ but promoted gene expression of TGF-${\beta}2$ and MMP-2. Conclusion: Heparin directly suppress gene expression of type I, III collagen. But, It is undetermined that heparin can present it's effect mediated by TGF ${\beta}$ isoforms or MMP.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.134-141
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• 2011

Two-hundred Bacillus cereus isolated from perilla leaf cultivation areas in Miryang, Korea were investigated for toxin genes and antibiotic susceptibility. Toxigenic patterns of isolates were identified to be 11 groups through toxin gene profiles. 21% of strains isolated from the perilla leaves had both enterotoxin and emetic toxin. Toxin genes entFM (100%), nheA (100%) and hblA, C, D (65.5%) were frequently found in the perilla leaves, whereas EM (21.0%) was less common. Most isolates were susceptible to 10 antibiotics, but they were highly resistant to penicillin (100%), ampicillin (100%), oxacillin (94.9%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (95.6%), cefazolin (78.2%), and rifampicin (58.0%). These results indicate that food-borne outbreak caused by B. cereus might lead to diarrhea and emetic syndromes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2010

Objective: The purpose of this study is to explain the effect and reciprocal action among tumor necrosis factor (TNF) like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), and transforming growth factor-$\beta1$ (TGF-$\beta1$) on degeneration of human intervertebral disc (IVD). Methods: Human intervertebral disc tissues and cells were cultured with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium/Nutrient F-12 Ham (DMEM/F-12) media in $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ incubator. When IVD tissues were cultured with TWEAK, Fn14 that is an antagonistic receptor for TWEAK and TGF-$\beta1$, the level of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) was estimated by dimethyl methyleneblue (DMMB) assay and sex determining region Y (SRY)-box 9 (Sox9) and versican messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels were estimated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: When human IVD tissue was cultured for nine days, the sGAG content was elevated in proportion to culture duration. The sGAG was decreased significantly by TWEAK 100 ng/mL, however, Fn14 500 ng/mL did not change the sGAG production of IVD tissue. The Fn14 increased versican and Sox9 mRNA levels decreased with TWEAK in IVD tissue TGF-$\beta1$ 20 ng/mL elevated the sGAG concentration 40% more than control. The sGAG amount decreased with TWEAK was increased with Fn14 or TGF-$\beta1$ but the result was insignificant statistically. TGF-$\beta1$ increased the Sox9 mRNA expression to 180% compared to control group in IVD tissue. Sox9 and versican mRNA levels decreased by TWEAK were increased with TGF-$\beta1$ in primary cultured IVD cells, however, Fn14 did not show increasing effect on Sox9 and versican. Conclusion: This study suggests that TWEAK would act a role in intervertebral disc degeneration through decreasing sGAG and the mRNA level of versican and Sox9.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.421-428
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• 2014

In general, Reucedani Radix (Peucedanum japonicum Thunbergis: PJ) is the Korean traditional herbal medicine used to remove dampness, to relieve pain, and spasm. So, PJ folium is believed to have the same effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the alleviation of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced ulcerative colitis in mice by PJ folium. 25 mice were divided into 5 groups: normal, DSS, DSS + 100 mg/kg PJ folium (PJ100), DSS + 500 mg/kg PJ folium (PJ500), and DSS + 150 mg/kg 5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA) groups. Body weights, colon lengths, histological changes in colon tissue, and spleen weights were observed. Inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ level in plasma were measured by ELISA. IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-a mRNA expression in colon tissue were detected by RT-PCR. In the results, body weight lose was inhibited in PJ100, PJ500, and 5-ASA groups, but it was not different compared with DSS group, significantly. PJ500 group showed the preventive effects of colon length shorten and histological changes in colon tissues as good as 5-ASA group. The weight of spleen was increased in DSS group but it reduced in PJ100, PJ500, and 5-ASA groups. Moreover, IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ cytokine levels in plasma were reduced in PJ500 and 5-ASA groups. IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-a mRNA expression in colon tissue were inhibited in PJ100, PJ500, and 5-ASA groups and it was significantly different compared with DSS group. In conclusion, PJ folium showed the alleviative effect on DSS induced ulcerative colitis in mice.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 1989

An Alkalophilic Bacillus circulans that can produce significant amount of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) was newly isolated from soil. The culture filtrate was successively purified by ($NH_4$)$_2$$SO_4$precipitation, DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography, and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The enzymatic properties, including molecular weight, optimal pH and temperature, stability, and kinetic parameters, were determined. The cyclodextrin synthesis reaction catalized by the purified CGTase was also studied. The sweet potato and corn starch were found to be the most suitable substrates with 60% conversion to cyclodextrin. The highest conversion was achieved at the CGTase concentration of 900-1,100 units/g of soluble starch. The purified CGTase could also catalize the transglycosylation on stevioside.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2014

Aromatic hydrocarbons are toxic environmental pollutants that are detrimental to the ecosystem and human health. Among them, chlorotoluene and nitrotoluene are toxic to hydrobios and irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory organs of humans. We herein report the development of recombinant microbial biosensors for cheap and rapid monitoring of chlorotoluene and nitrotoluene compounds. Plasmids were constructed by inserting the xylR regulatory gene for BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) degradation into upstream of Po' (the DmpR activator promoter Po with the deletion of its own upstream activating sequences) or Pu (the cognate promoter of XylR)::lacZ (the ${\beta}$-galactosidase gene) and transformed into Escherichia coli $DH5{\alpha}$. In the presence of inducers, the biosensor cells immobilized in agarose developed a red color in 1-2 h due to the hydrolysis of chlorophenol red ${\beta}$-D-galactopyranoside (CPRG), a substrate of ${\beta}$-galactosidase that was expressed by the inducers. Among BTEX, high responses were specifically observed with o-, m-, p-chlorotoluene ($0.1{\mu}M-100 mM$) and o-, m-, p-nitrotoluene (0.1 mM-100 mM). Po' demonstrated higher responses than those with Pu. The biosensors immobilized in agarose showed good stability after 21 days' storage at $4^{\circ}C$, and responses in untreated wastewater spiked with chlorotoluene and nitrotoluene, suggesting they can be used to detect compounds in wastewater.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease that can be described by the occurrence of dementia due to a decline in cognitive function. The disease is characterized by the formation of extracellular and intracellular amyloid plaques. Amyloid beta (Aβ) is a hallmark of AD, and microglia can be activated in the presence of Aβ. Activated microglia secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, S100A9 is an important innate immunity pro-inflammatory contributor in inflammation and a potential contributor to AD. This study examined the effects of metformin and α-LA on the inflammatory response and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in Aβ- and S100A9-induced BV-2 microglial cells. Metformin and α-LA attenuated inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, metformin and α-LA inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, and p38. They activated the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway and the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Moreover, metformin and α-LA reduced the marker levels of the M1 phenotype, ICAM1, whereas the M2 phenotype, ARG1, was increased. These findings suggest that metformin and α-LA are therapeutic agents against the Aβ- and S100A9-induced neuroinflammatory responses.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 1996

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of transforming growth factor-$\beta$ (TGF-$\beta$) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in bovine oocyte maturation in the presence or absence of serum on subsequent fertilization and embryo development. In addition, various concent rations of these growth factors were evaluated for the ability to promote development of eight-cell stage embryos to the blastocyst stage. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were recovered from 2 to 6 mm follicles obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries and cultured at 38.5$^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours in TCM-199 (HEPES Modification) with or with out 20 % fetal bovine serum (FBS) to which the following growth factors were added TGF$\beta$ IGF-l or TGF $\beta$ + IGF-I, all at 10 ng/ml each. The matured oocytes were fertilized in IVF-TL medium with frozen-thawed semen at a concentration of 1 ${\times}$ 10$^6$ cells/ml of fertilization medium following Percoll separation. After 24 hours of sperm-egg incubation, the embryos were transferred to CZB medium without glucose for 48 hours and then cultured in TCM-199 with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 96 hours. The addition of growth factors to IVM medium in the presence of serum had no effect on cleavage and subsequent embryo devlopment to blastocyst. In the absence of serum, TGF- improved cleavage and development to blastocyst compared to control's(p<0.05) and no synergistic effeet of IGF-I + TGF-$\beta$ was observed. In the second experiment, eight-cell embryos obtained by in vitro maturation (IVM) in TCM-199 + 20% FBS without growth facrors and in vitro fertil-ization (IVF) were cultured in the in vitro cuiture (IVC) medium supplemented with 5, 10 ng/ml TGF-$\beta$ or 5, 10, 50, 100 ng/ml IGF-I. Cleavage rate and development to the blastocyst stage was observed during seven days of incubation. The supplementation of 10 ng/ml TGF-$\beta$ to lVC medium for eight-cell embryos improved development to blastocyst (p<0.05) compared to control. In conclusion, these data indicate that the supplementation of growth factors to IVM medium in the presence of serum does not influence cleavage and subsequent embryo development. However, significantly more oocytes matured in serum-free TCM-199 and eight-cell embryos cultured in lVC medium developed to blastocyst with supplementation of 10ng/ml TGF-$\beta$.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.253-265
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• 1994

The hydraulic-geometrica1 relations between the riverbed slope and water discharge and other hydraulic variables in some selected alluvial rivels in Korea have been investigated. The rivers from which the data relevant to this study were collected are mainly the first tributaries, considered to be mostly in the equilibrium state, of the 10 major rivers in Korea. The investigating methods adopted in this study are similar to the one suggested by Leopold and Maddock and the one suggested by Garde. All of 18 rivers their drainage areas of which range between 100-2,000 $\textrm{km}^2$ were considered and the changes in riverbed slope, drainage area, bed material size along the downstream river distance were measured. It is found in this study that the change in the riverbed slope, S, along the downstream can be expressed in terms of the coefficient, $\beta$, expressing the change in the drainage area along the downstream and the drainage area, A, by an empirical relation as 0.0063 0.0063 S = $S_{ 0}$ $A_{0}$$^{-------- +0.51}$A-$^{-------- -0.51}$. $\beta$ $\beta$ According to this relation, the riverbed slope of the river reaches investigated in this study appear to be proportional to the -0.6th power of the drainage area. This result is consistent with the previous ones obtained by Hack.k.