• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.62 no.1
• /
• pp.5-10
• /
• 2007

Background: Korean national guidelines for examining contacts with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) are a tuberculin skin test (TST) and chest radiographs. The treatment of a latent TB infection as performed only in those younger than six years of age who test positive for TST. Although there is a high incidence of active TB in young Korean soldiers, the current national guidelines for controlling contacts with active TB in soldiers are insufficient. This study highlights the problems with the Korean guidelines for controlling a TB outbreak in a small military unit. Material and Methods: In December of 2005, there was a tuberculosis outbreak in a military unit with a total of 464 soldiers in Kyung Gi province. The chest radiographs were taken of all the soldiers, and TST were carried out on 408 candidates. Results: In the first screening of the chest radiographs, two active TB patients were detected. By August of 2006, four additional cases were detected, making a total of six cases after the outbreak. All the patients showed active pulmonary TB or TB pleuritis. When the results of TST in the close contacts and non-close contacts were compared, there was a significant difference in the absolute size of the induration($9.70{\pm}7.50mm$ vs. $6.26{\pm}7.02mm$, p<0.001) as well as the ratio of patients showing an induration > 10mm (50.0% vs. 32.0%, p<0.001) and 15mm (33.2% vs. 20.9%, p= 0.005). Conclusion: Although the national guidelines for managing a TB outbreak in a military unit were followed, there were continuous instances of new active TB cases. This highlights the need for new guidelines to prevent the spread of TB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.62 no.1
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 2007

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have often been reported to suffer from depression and anxiety possibly due to the exacerbation, hospitalization and mortality of COPD. However,scarce data are available in Korea. This study assessed degree of depression and anxiety, and evaluated the factors associated with depressive symptoms in COPD. Methods: The cross-sectional data on the lung function measurements, smoking behavior, body mass index (BMI), age, gender, depressive symptoms using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were evaluated in 72 outpatients with COPD and 50 controls without underling lung diseases from September, 2005 to October, 2006 in the Ewha medical center. Results: 1) The age, body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin levels were similar in the patients and controls. The BDI scores (16(0-37) vs. 12(1-30), p=0.001) and the prevalence of depression (36% vs. 6%, p<0.0001) were higher in the COPD patients than in the controls. In the COPD group, the prevalence of depression increased with increasing GOLD stage (p=0.008). The prevalence was 18%(4/22), in mild cases, 30%(6/20) in moderate cases, 52%(13/25) in severe cases and 60%(3/5) in very severe cases. 2) The SAI and TAI scores were higher in the COPD patients (44(20-67) and 47(20-66)) than in the healthy controls (39(26-65) and 44(33-90)). There were a significant correlation between the depression and anxiety scores (p<0.001). 3) A lower BMI, lower postbronchodilator $FEV_1$, current smoking behavior and severity of COPD were univariately associated with the depressive group in COPD, 4) while multivariate logistic analysis revealed only the severe-to-very severe group (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 12.9) to be independently associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: COPD is strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Therfore, screening for psychological problems in COPD patients is essential, particularly in patients with severe-to-very severe COPD.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2015.11a
• /
• pp.16-16
• /
• 2015

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) mushrooms play a major role in plant growth promotion through symbiotic association with roots of forest trees. They also provide an economically important food resource to us and therefore they have been studied for their artificial cultivation for decades in Korea. We have secured bio-resources of ECM mushrooms from Korean forests and performed their physiological studies. To investigate the cultural characteristics, the fungi were cultured under different conditions (medium, temperature, pH of the medium, inorganic nitrogen source). More than 90% of total 160 strains grew on three solid media (potato dextrose agar, PDA; sabouraud dextrose agar, SDA; modified Melin-Norkrans medium, MMN). The rate of mycelial growth on malt extract agar (MEA) was lower than those of three media (PDA, SDA, MMN). None of the Tricholomataceae strains grew on MEA. Many strains of ECM mushrooms were able to grow at the temperature range of $15{\sim}25^{\circ}C$ on PDA, while they showed poor growth at $10^{\circ}C$ or $30^{\circ}C$. In particular, the growth rates of both Gomphaceae and Tricholomataceae were significantly lower at $10^{\circ}C$ than at $30^{\circ}C$. The optimal pH of many strains was pH 5.0 when they cultured in potato dextrose broth (PDB). Fifty-seven percent of tested strains grew well on medium containing ammonium source than nitrate source. Many strains of Tricholomataceae showed a notable growth on ammonium medium than nitrate medium. Twenty-three percent of strains preferred nitrate source than ammonium source for their mycelial growth. The production and activity of two enzymes (cellulase and laccase) by ECM fungi were also assayed on the enzyme screening media containing CMC or ABTS. Each strains exhibited different levels of enzymatic activities as well as enzyme production. The number of laccase-producing strains was less than that of cellulase-producing strains. We found that 77% of tested strains produced both cellulase and laccase, whereas 2% of strains did not produce any enzymes. The morphological characteristics of mycelial colony were also examined on four different solid media. Yellow was a dominant color in mycelial colony and followed by white and brown on all culture media. ECM mushrooms formed mycelial colonies with a single or multiple colors within a culture medium depending on the strains and culture media. The most common shape of mycelial colony was a circular form on all media tested. Other families except for Amanitaceae formed an irregular colony on MMN than PDA. All strains of Tricholomataceae did not form a filamentous colony on all media. The pigmentation of culture media by mycelial colonies was observed in more than 50% of strains tested on both PDA and SDA. The degree of pigmentation on PDA or SDA was higher than MMN and brown color was dominant than yellow color. The production of exudates from mycelial colony was higher on PDA than MMN. Brown exudates were mainly produced by many strains on PDA or SDA, whereas transparent exudates were mainly produced by strains on MMN. We observed the mycelial colonies with a single or multiple textures in just one culture plate. Wrinkled or uneven colony surfaces were remarkably observed in many strains on PDA or SDA, while an even colony surface was observed in many strains on MMN. Sixty percent of Tricholomaceae strains formed wrinkled surface on PDA. However, they did not form any wrinkle on MMN plate. Cottony texture was observed in mycelia colonies of many strains. Velvety texture was often observed in the mycelial colonies on SDA than PDA and accounted for 60% of Suillaceae strains on SDA.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.32 no.2 s.57
• /
• pp.105-110
• /
• 2006

This study was to describe the differences in efficacy and effect of herbal extracts by the part and solvent extraction from the medical plants used as materials of oriental herbs cosmetics. And, this study was to apply to the test method of efficacy and effect related to the antioxidation as herbal extracts, complex of actual ingredient, not existing analytical methods of single ingredient. After screening the medical plants with the antioxidative activity primarily and selecting 11 sorts of medical plants to be used by the part in the literature, this study was to confirm the differences through the well-known test methods like DPPH radical scavenging activity test and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity test. For examples, in case of Trachelospermum asiaticum, compared with the aerial part and fruit, the value of DPPH radical scavenging activity test had $25.2 {\pm} 0.2$ and $62.4 {\pm}1.6$ each. It has shown that the value of fruit had 2.4 times higher effect than the one of aerial part. In case of hydroxyl scavenging activity test, it was effective in the fruit, but it has shown that there was no effect on the aerial part. It showed the same phenomena in some other plants. From the result above, this researcher could understand that it needed to consider extracting the medical plants or plants with the active principle by the part. Also, this study was to confirm the differences in effect according to the solvent as it changed the solvent extraction after selecting a plant (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) widely used for medicine and dye. As a result of measuring the actual value of superoxide scavenging activity test, this study was to consider that there were differences by the part or solvent extraction in extracting and using the medical plants as it has shown that the effect differences produced $10{\sim}80%$ according to the solvent. When it was applied to the products, this study has shown that it needed to decrease the possible errors.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.437-442
• /
• 2015

In a continuing screening of selected medicinal plants native to South Korea, the antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of an aqueous methanolic extract from the heartwood of Aquilaria agallocha were investigated. Eighty percent of the methanolic extract of A. agallocha was further divided into $CH_2Cl_2$, EtOAc and n-BuOH in order to yield four solvent-soluble portions, namely $CH_2Cl_2$-soluble, EtOAc-soluble, n-BuOH-soluble and $H_2O$ residue. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by employing radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) ($ABTS^+$) radicals, while the anti-obesity efficacy of A. agallocha extracts and solvent-soluble portions were tested by porcine pancreatic lipase assay. All tested samples showed dose-dependent radical scavenging and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Among the tested extracts and solvent-soluble portions, the $CH_2Cl_2$-soluble portion showed much higher radical scavenging activity and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties when compared with other solvent-soluble portions. This result suggested that there was a significant relationship between the total phenolic content and biological efficacies, and A. agallocha extract might be considered as a new potential source of natural antioxidants and as a pancreatic lipase inhibitory source. A more systematic investigation of this biomass will be performed for further investigation of activity against antioxidative and anti-obesity effects.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.602-607
• /
• 2013

Correct packaging enables processors to pack fresh produce and extend its shelf life. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different packaging materials on the weight loss, pH, $O_2$, $CO_2$ and sensory characteristics of soybean sprouts during their storage at $5^{\circ}C$ for seven days. Soybean sprouts ($320{\pm}20g$) were packaged with oriented polypropylene (OPP) and cast polypropylene (CPP) films, respectively. The $O_2$ transmission rate of the packaging materials was set to have a control of $10,000cc/m^2$.day.atm, and an OP15 and CP15 with $15,000cc/m^2$.day.atm through a pre-screening test. The average weight loss of the soybean sprouts during their storage was less than 10%, and that of the soybean sprouts with a CPP film was higher than that of the OPP film. The pH of the soybean sprouts increased during their storage regardless of their packaging materials; but compared to the pH of the soybean sprouts packaged with OPP, those packaged with CPP were higher. The $CO_2$ content of the packaging increased with a decrease in the $O_2$ content. The ratio of $CO_2$ to $O_2$ in the soybean sprouts with the OPP film was 3.5 times higher than in the soybean sprouts with the CPP film. The results of the overall sensory test showed that the marketability of the soybean sprouts packaged with OPP film and stored at $5^{\circ}C$ seemed to have been maintained effectively for six days (at a $15,000cc/m^2$.day.atm $O_2$ transmission rate). When the correlation coefficients of the control, OP15 and CP15 were analyzed, the highest correlation was shown between a control and OP15 (0.986; p<0.01).

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.441-449
• /
• 2013

This study was conducted to select some useful plants as functional material candidates. A total of 38 plants were preliminarily screened for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The preliminarily selected 8 plants were further investigated to verify the in vitro inhibitory effect on inflammation and oxidative stress. Boehmeria platanifolia (root), Carpinus coreana (branch), and Eupatorium japonicum (leaf) inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Eupatorium japonicum (leaf) suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), whereas Boehmeria platanifolia (root) and Prunus yedoensis (branch) inhibited the transcription of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$). Treatment with the extracts ($2.5{\sim}20{\mu}g/ml$) of Abutilon theophrasti (leaf, flower/seed) and Hemistepta lyrata (stem) did not show toxicity on RAW 264.7 cell proliferation, but treatment with $2.5{\mu}g/ml$ of Boehmeria platanifolia (root) exhibited cell toxicity. Carpinus coreana (branch) and Prunus yedoensis (branch) showed potent scavenging activities on peroxynitrite. Akebia quinata (flower), Carpinus coreana (branch), and Prunus yedoensis (branch) effectively inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS). Abutilon theophrasti (leaf), Boehmeria platanifolia (root), Carpinus coreana (branch), and Eupatorium japonicum (leaf) exhibited strong inhibitory capacity with regard to nitric oxide (NO) production. The results suggested that Abutilon theophrasti (leaf) has in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and that is a useful functional material candidate.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.217-226
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study is to investigate initial nutritional status of stomach cancer patients. The study subjects were 88 patients with stomach cancer admitted at Kosin University Gospel Hospital in Busan. We assessed the initial nutritional status by anthropometric, biochemical and dietary intake data along with subjective global assessment(SGA). The results are as follows. 1. The mean age, weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, mid arm circumference, and mid arm muscle circumference of the subjects were 55.9$\pm$11.0years, 60.0$\pm$9.8kg, 162.4$\pm$8.5cm, 10.9$\pm$5.7mm, 26.8$\pm$3.8cm, and 23.4$\pm$3.5cm respectively. The mean body mass index was within the normal range, with 22.7$\pm$2.8kg/m2, while 15.4% of the patients was underweight. The result shows that body fat mass and body protein mass of the patients with stomach cancer were decreased. 2. The mean biochemical data of the subjects were 4.0$\pm$0.5g/dl for albumin, 174.7$\pm$41.9mg/dl for cholesterol, 107.6$\pm$57.2mg/dl for triglyceride, 92.1μg/dl for Zn, 　297.0$\pm$103.1mg/dl for transferrin, 1980.0$\pm$0.8$mm^3$ for total lymphocyte count. 3. Daily energy intake was 1997.8$\pm$579.3kcal. And the ratio of carbohydrate, protein, and lipid to energy intake was 72:14:14. 4. The patients were divided into three groups according to SGA performed by an observer. Group A(well nourished) was 55.7% with 49 patients, Group B(moderately malnourished) was 22.7 % with 20 patients, and Group C(severely malnourished) was 21.6 % with 19 patients. The three groups showed a significant difference in body weight(p<0.01), 1 month weight loss %(p<0.001), 6 months weight loss %(p<0.001), body mass index(p<0.01), and mid arm circumference(p<0.05), albumin(p<0.01), energy intake(p<0.05) as well as carbohydrate intake(p<0.05). From these results, it may be concluded that SGA can be used as a nutrition screening tool, and comprehensive nutrition assessment is desirable for those malnourished.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.203-210
• /
• 2001

Here, we compared the effectiveness of 50 MeV($p{\to}RBe^+$) cyclotron fast neutrons versus $^{60}Co$ ${\gamma}$-rays by the apoptotic fragment frequency in both rat peripheral lymphocytes and crypt cells to check a radiobiological endpoint. The incidence of apoptotic cell death was increased in all irradiated groups, and radiation at all doses trigger rapid changes in both crypt cells and peripheral lymphocytes. These data suggest that apoptosis may play an important role in homeostasis of damaged radiosensitive target organ by removing damaged cells. The curve of dose-effect relationship for these data of apoptotic fragments frequencies was $y=0.3+(6.512{\pm}0.279)D(r^2=0.975)$ after neutrons, while $y=0.3+(4.435{\pm}0.473)D+(-1.300{\pm}0.551)D^2(r^2=0.988)$ after ${\gamma}$-rays. In addition, $y=3.5+(118.410{\pm}10.325)D+(-33.548{\pm}12.023)D^2(r^2=0.992)$ after ${\gamma}$-rays in rat lymphocytes. A significant dose-response relationship was found between the frequency of apoptotic cell and dose. These data show a trend towards increase of the numbers of apoptotic cells with increasing dose. Dose-response curves for high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation modalities in these studies were different. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) value for crypt cells was 1.919. In addition, there were significant peaks on apoptosis induction at 4 and 6h after irradiation, and the morphological findings of the irradiated groups were typical apoptotic fragments in crypt cells that were hardly observed in the control group. Thus, apoptosis induction in both crypt cells and peripheral lymphocytes could be a useful endpoint of rat model for studying screening test and microdosimetic indicator to evaluate the biological effects of radiation-induced cell damage.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.51-57
• /
• 2002

The biological activities of immune modulating activities of the extracts from Echinacea purpurea, Chrysanthmum indicum L. and Circium japonicum var. ussuriense KITAMURA were compared. About 70% of the growth of human hepatocarcinoma and 80% of human gastric cancer cell was inhibited in adding 0.5mg/ml of the ethanol extracts of Echinacea purpurea, Chrysanthmum indicum L. and Circium japonicum var. ussuriense KITAMURA, respectively. The growth of human breast cancer cells was also inhibited in adding 0.5mg/ml of the extracts as well as 60% of the human cancer cells. It was proved that the growth of human normal lung cell, scored as 15% for the extracts. Overall selectivity of the extracts on several human cancer cell line was over 3, which is higher than those from the conventional herbs. The growth of both human immune B and T cells was enhanced up to 1.4 to 2.0 times by adding the extracts, compared to the controls. The secretion of tumor necrosis $factor-alpha(TNF-{\alpha})$ from T cell was also increased up to 94 pg/ml in adding the Echinacea purpurea ethanol extract (0.5mg/ml). Circium japonicum var. ethanol extract also increased up to about 96 pg/ml of interleukin-6(IL-6) from B cell.