• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.539-544
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine whether N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) may be used to differentiate acute Kawasaki disease(KD) from other clinically similar diseases. Methods : Using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, NT-proBNP concentrations were measured in the acute phase within 10 days after the onset of KD(n=58) and in the convalescent phase, 60 to 81 days after the onset(n=51), and also in patients with acute febrile disease as a control(n=34). Echocardiography was performed to detect pericardial effusion(PE) and coronary artery lesions(CAL), and to measure the left ventricular dimension at diastole(LVIDd) and ejection fraction(LVEF). The cutoff value of NT-proBNP for separating KD from other diseases was determined. Results : NT-proBNP concentration in the acute phases of KD was significantly higher than that in the control group($1,501.6{\pm}2,132.6$ vs. $139.0{\pm}88.8pg/mL$, P<0.0001). In KD patients, NT-proBNP was elevated in the acute phase and was lowered in the convalescent phase($1,466.0{\pm}2,173.2$ vs. $117.5{\pm}95.5pg/mL$, P<0.0001). The cutoff value of 260 pg/mL discriminated KD patients from other patients, with a sensitivity of 93 percent and a specificity of 88 percent. The NT-proBNP was higher in patients with PE(n=17) compared with those without PE(n=41)($1,784.2{\pm}1,903.1$ vs. $1,384.4{\pm}2,232.6pg/mL$, P=0.52). Comparison of NT-proBNP could not be done between patients with CAL and those without, owing to a small number of patients with CAL(n=3). There was no correlation between NT-proBNP and LVEF index(r=0.104, P=0.46) or LVIDd index(r=0.171, P=0.22). Conclusion : NT-proBNP increases in the acute phase of KD and decreases to within normal range in the convalescent phase. NT-proBNP >260 pg/mL may be highly suggestive of acute KD. NT-proBNP may be used as a diagnostic tool for KD.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.465-484
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• 2016

This study evaluated the antifungal activity of varying concentrations of water-soluble extracts from native plants (Vitex rotundifolia, Tetragonia tetragonoides, Artemisia capillaris, Hibiscus hamabo and Ficus carica) against Stemphylium vesicarium, Penicillium italicum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Pythium ultimum, Botrytis cinerea, Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Mycelium growth of pathogenic bacteria generally decreased in a concentration-dependent manner following treatment with the water extracts from donor plants. Closer analyses indicate varying inhibitory capacities depending on the type of donor plant and pathogenic bacteria. Specifically, mycelium growth of S. vesicarium varied depending on the concentration of the water extracts from T. tetragonoides (r = -0.857, p<0.01) and A. capillarys (r = -0.868, p<0.01). Also, P. italicum and V. rotundifolia (r = -0.833, p<0.01), S. sclerotiorum and V. rotundifolia (r = -0.862, p<0.01), A. capillaris (r = -0.902, p<0.01), B. cinerea and T. tetragonoides (r = -0.896, p<0.01) showed an inverse relationship. The rate of mycelial growth inhibition of pathogenic bacteria analysed are as follows: P. ultimum 94%, B. cinerea 50%, C. gloeosporioides 80% in 100% treatment of T. teragonoides. A. capillaris inhibited S. vesicarium by 43%, P. ultimum by 90%; H. hamabo inhibited P. italicum by 50%, S. sclerotiorum by 26%, and F. carica inhibited R. solani by 74%. Total phenol content with antifungal activities are as follows: A. capillaris 16.15 mg/g, F. carica 7.81 mg/g, V. rotundifolia 6.18 mg/g, H. hamabo 5.25 mg/g, T. tetragonoides 4.41 mg/g, and total flavonoid content is as follows: A. capillaris 27.57 mg/g, V. rotundifolia 12.49 mg/g, F. carica 11.45 mg/g, H. hamabo 5.77 mg/g, T. tetragonoides 5.08 mg/g.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.779-788
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• 2005

Purpose : Echinacea, a traditional plant medicine has been used as immune-stimulant. Recent studies have revealed that extract of Echinacea has immunostimulatory effects on human blood mononuclear cells. This study was designed for the purpose of screening the genes associated with immunologic effects of Echinacea on monocytes and dendritic cells using a cDNA microarray chip. Methods : $CD14^+$ monocyte cells were cultured for one day with Echinacea extract(final concentration : $50{\mu}g/mL$) in experiment 1, but were cultured without Echinacea in experiment 2. The gene expression of these cultured monocytes was analyzed using the cDNA microarray chip. Dendritic cells produced from $CD14^+$ monocyte were cultured for five days with GM-CSF and IL-4, and then cultured for one day with Echinacea in experiment 3, but were done without Echinacea in experiment 4. Results : In experiments 1 and 2, there were 17 significantly expressed genes with average expression ratios above 2.5, including interferon gamma-inducible protein 30(IFI 30), CDC(cell-division-cylcle)-like kinase 2(CLK 2), syndecan binding protein(syntenin), superoxide dismutase 2, etc. In experiments 3 and 4, there were 24 gene, with significantly expressed genes were 24 genes, which were insulin-like growth factor 2(somatomedin A), methyl-CpG binding domain protein 3, IFI 30, small inducible cytokine subfamily A, member 22, etc. The genes encoding CD44, IFI 30, mannose receptor C type 1(MRC 1), chemokine receptor 7(CCR 7), CLK 2, syntenin and cytochrome C oxidase subunit VIII were significantly expressed in both monocytes and dendritic cells cultured with Echinacea. Conclusion : This study employed a cDNA microarray chip to elicit the immune-associated gene profile; the expression was enhanced by Echinacea in CD14+ monocytes and dendritic cells. Thus we laid the basis for the quantitative and functional analysis of genes induced by Echinacea in monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.250-256
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• 2017

The prevalence of infections due to pathogenic bacteria such as Edwardsiella tarda, Streptococcus parauberis, and Photobacterium phosphoreum in fish farms in Jeju Island and their management by marine-derived biomaterials was studied. In this study, we isolated eight spices type of marine-derived biomaterials from four sea areas of Jeju Island. An antibiotic disc susceptibility test confirmed that the isolated marine-derived biomaterials showed weak resistance only to oxytetracycline and penicillin and sensitivity to the other antibiotics tested, and antimicrobial activity against fish pathogens with the inhibitory zone of 22 mm, 18 mm, and 19 mm for MD-02, MD-04, and MD-06 against E. tarda strains, respectively, and 19 mm, 22 mm, 30 mm, and 29 mm for MD-01, MD-02, MD-04, and MD-06 against S. parauberis strains, respectively, while all the marine-derived biomaterials showed antibacterial activity against P. phosphoreum. Among the eight biomaterials selected, Bacillus subtilis MD-02 displayed the greatest antibacterial activity against the three tested fish pathogens and also displayed susceptibility to antibiotics. The growth of Bacillus subtilis MD-02 was greatest with the carbon source, dextrine; nitrogen source, peptone; and mineral source, $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$. Hence, the present study confirmed that the isolate B. subtilis MD-02 from Jeju Island could be a potential antimicrobial agent against fish pathogens and a potential pharmacotherapeutic agent.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6521-6526
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• 2015

Background: This study aimed toanalyze the risk behavior for cervical cancer (CC) and the human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and resolution among women who received care through the private healthcare network of a municipality in southern Brazil. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and retrospective study was conducted with 25 women aged 20 to 59 years who received care through the private healthcare network and were treated at a specialty clinic in the period from January to December 2012 in a municipality in Northwest Parana, Southern Brazil. Data from medical records with cytological and HPV results were used. Following treatment, these women were followed-up and reassessed after 6 months. Data were statistically analyzed using the t-test and chi-squared test at a 5% significance level. Results: The mean age of the studied women was $27.8{\pm}7.75$ years old, and the majority were married, with paid employment and were non-smokers. The mean age at menarche was $13.0{\pm}0.50$ years old, and the mean age at first intercourse was $17.5{\pm}1.78$ years, with only 8.0% (2) initiating sexual activity at an age ${\leq}15$ years old. The majority had 1 to 2 children (60.0%), while 88.0% reported having had one sexual partner in their lifetime, and all the women were sexually active. A total of 68.0% used a hormonal contraceptive method. All the women had leukorrhea and pain and were infected by a single HPV type. Regarding the lesion grade, 80.0% showed high risk and 20.0% low risk. The most prevalent high-risk HPV strain was 16. Conclusions: These findings provide relevant information on HPV risk factors and infection, as well as the treatment and 6-month follow-up results, in economically and socially advantaged women with no traditional risk factors, corroborating previous reports that different risk factors may be described in different populations. Thus, this study reinforces the fact that even women without the traditional risk factors should undergo HPVmonitoring and assessment to determine the persistence of infection, promoting early diagnosis of the lesions presented and appropriate treatment to thus prevent the occurrence of CC.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.433-452
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• 2018

This study was conducted to select candidates from plant resources for the purpose of improving or treating Alzheimer's disease, a type of dementia. One hundred and eighty-four plant extracts at a final concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$ were screened to determine their capacity to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by in vitro assay. From this AChE assay, seven plant extracts - including methanol ext. and water ext. of Phellaodendron amurense Rupr. (bark), methanol ext. of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn (stamen/ovary), methanol ext. of Persicaria tinctoria H. GROSS (flower), methanol ext. of Coptis chinensis (rhizome), ethanol ext. of Cinnamomum cassia Blume(bark) and ethanol ext. of Carthamus tinctorius L. (fruit) - showed effective inhibition activity ranging from 18.7% to 63.1%. The selected extracts were testified their inhibition activities on AChE and BuChE (butyrylcholinesterase) at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, $200{\mu}g/ml$. In the AChE assay, five extracts including methanol ext. of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (stamen/ovary), methanol ext. of Persicaria tinctoria H. GROSS (flower), methanol ext. of Coptis chinensis (rhizome), methanol ext. and water ext. of Phellaodendron amurense Rupr. (bark) showed inhibition activity of 15.0%~73.5%, 19.5%~63.5%, 81.6%~58.5%, 69.9%~80.5%, and 54.8%~78.3%, respectively, at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, $200{\mu}g/ml$. In the BuChE assay, the extracts of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (stamen/ovary), Persicaria tinctoria H. GROSS (flower), and Coptis chinensis (rhizome) showed inhibitory capacities of 58.9~81.6%, 45.8%~72.4%, and 33.1%~55.4% at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, $200{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In conclusion, it is suggested that Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (stamen/ovary), Persicaria tinctoria H. GROSS, Coptis chinensis (rhizome) and Phellaodendron amurense Rupr. (bark) could be selected as candidate materials for improving or treating Alzheimer's disease on the basis of further study.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.200-207
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• 2003

Purpose : Malaria is known to have been eradicated for a few decades through persistent national health program in South Korea. However, malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax has started to reappear incidiously among military personnel near to DMZ since 1993. After then, the number of malarial cases have been increased abruptly year by year. We analyzed the children of indigenous malaria who were diagnosed by peripheral blood smear and malarial antibody test with regards to epidemiologic and clinical manifestations. Methods : The study 13 cases below 15 years of age, who were confirmed as vivax malaria during from January 2000 to August 2003. We retrospectively analyzed epidemiologic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and therapeutic responses. Results : All of 13 cases were indigenous and tested positive for Plasmodium vivax. Of 13 patients, 9 were male and 4 were female. Mean age of onset was $9.5{\pm}3.6$ years old. Ilsan(n=9) was the most prevalent area, the most patients(n=11) were presented in summer (from June to August). A characteristic feature of periodic 3 day fever in patients with P.vivax infection was reported in only 2 among 13 cases. Thrombocytopenia was most prominent findings, which was accompanied by 12 of 13 patients and pancytopenia was appeared in 3 patients on this study. The therapeutic responses of hydroxycholoquine were very good in all cases, and abnormal laboratory findings were recovered and no relapse during follow-up period. Conclusion : Vivax malaria is indigenous in Korea near to DMZ, but recently endemic area seemed to be extended southward. Plasmodium vivax is the cause of indigenous malaria of children. As for children with high fever accompanying thrombocytopenia in endemic area of Korea, malaria must be included in differential diagnosis whether the type of fewer is periodic 3 day fever or not. Malaria antibody test is helpful as a screening test for malaria.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2014

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that represents one of the most common and important infectious diseases of cats worldwide and it is responsible for more deaths among cats than any other infectious diseases. Prevalence data are necessary to define prophylactic, management and therapeutic measures for stray, feral and owned cats which are lacking in Bangladesh. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of FeLV infection in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh using RapiGEN$^{(R)}$ FeLV Ag Test Kit (RapiGEN$^{(R)}$ Inc., Republic of Korea), a rapid one-step immunochromatographic assay. Blood samples from total 130 cats (23 owned cats and 107 unowned cats) were collected and tested following the manufacturer's instruction. An overall prevalence of FeLV infection was 1.54% (2/130). Prevalence was found 1.79% (2/112) on Day 0-up to one year aged cats (young) but no positive case was found in above 1 year (Adult) aged group. In male and female cats, the prevalence was 1.72% (1/58) and 1.39% (1/72), respectively. In un-owned cats the prevalence was 1.87%. Positive cases to FeLV were found only in clinically sick cats. No significant relationship was found according to age, sex, ownership status and health status. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of the prevalence of FeLV infection in Bangladesh using RapiGEN$^{(R)}$ FeLV test kits which is very much effective because it is easy to apply, less expensive and quick screening of such type of infection.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2002

Sporulation in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been regarded as an important model of cellular development and differentiation. S. pombe cells proliferate by mitosis and binary fission on growth medium. Deprivation of nutrients especially nitrogen sources, causes the cessation of mitosis and initiates sexual reproduction by matting between two sexually compatible cell types. Meiosis is then followed in a diploid cell in the absence of nitrogen source. DNA fragment complemented with the mutations of sporulation gene was isolated from the S. pombe gene library constructed in the vector, pDB 248' and designated as pDB(spo5)1. We futher analyzed six recombinant plasmids, pDB(spo5)2, pDB(spo5)3, pDB(spo5)4, pDB(spo5)5, pDB (spo5)6, pDB(spo5)7 and found each of these plasmids is able to rescue the spo5-2, spo5-3, spo5-4, spo5-5, spo5-6, spo5-7 mutations, respectively. Mapping of the integrated plasmid into the homologous site of the S. pombe chromosomes demonstrated that pDB(spo5)1, and pDB(spu5)Rl contained the spo5 gene. Transcripts of spo5 gene were analyzed by Northern hybridization. Two transcripts of 3.2 kb and 2.5kb were detected with 5kb Hind Ⅲ fragment containing a part of the spo5 gene as a probe. The small mRNA(2.5kb) appeared only when a wild-type strain was cultured in the absence of nitrogen source in which condition the large mRNA (3.2kb) was produced constitutively. Appearance of a 2.5kb spo5-mRNA depends upon the function of the meil, mei2 and mei3 genes.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.31
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• pp.27-56
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• 2006

Today's financial institutions usually take environmental issues seriously into consideration as they could not evade lender liability in an increasing number of cases. On the international scene, a brand-new concept of the "Equator Principles" in the New Millenium has driven more and more international banks to adopt these Principles in project financing. Sustainable development has been a key word in understanding new trends of the governments, financial institutions, corporations and civic groups in the 21st century. The Equator Principles are a set of voluntary environmental and social guidelines for sustainable finance. These Principles commit bank officers to avoid financial support to projects that fail to meet these guidelines. The Principles were conceived in 2002 on an initiative of the International Finance Corporation(IFC), and launched in June 2003. Since then, dozens of major banks, accounting for up to 80 percent of project loan market, have adopted the Principles. Accordingly, the Principles have become the de facto standard for all banks and investors on how to deal with potential social and environmental issues of projects to be financed. Compliance with the Equator Principles facilitates for endorsing banks to participate in the syndicated loan and help them to manage the risks associated with large-scale projects. The Equator Principles call for financial institutions to provide loans to projects under the following circumstances: - The risk of the project is categorized in accordance with internal guidelines based upon the environmental and social screening criteria of the IFC. - For Category A and B projects, borrowers or sponsors are required to conduct a Social and Environmental Assessment, the preparation of which must meet certain requirements and satisfactorily address key social and environmental issues. - The Social and Environmental Assessment report should address baseline social and environmental conditions, requirements under host country laws and regulations, sustainable development, and, as appropriate, IFC's Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines, etc. - Based on the Social and Environmental Assessment, Equator banks then make agreements with borrowers on how they mitigate, monitor and manage the risks through a Social and Environmental Management System. Compliance with the plan is included in the covenant clause of loan agreements. If the borrower doesn't comply with the agreed terms, the bank will take corrective actions. The Equator Principles are not a mere declaration of cautious banks but a full commitment of lenders. A violation of the Principles in the process of project financing, which led to an unexpected damage to the affected community, would not give rise to any specific legal remedies other than ordinary lawsuits. So it is more effective for banks to ensure consistent implementation of the Principles and to have them take responsible measures to solve social and environmental issues. Public interests have recently mounted up with respect to environmental issues on the occasion of the Supreme Court's decision (2006Du330) on the fiercely debated reclamation project at Saemangeum. The majority Justices said that the expected environmental damages like probable pollution of water and soil were not believed so serious and that the Administration should continue to implement the project seeking ways to make it more environment friendly. In this case, though the Category A Saemangeum Project was carried out by a government agency, the Supreme Court behaved itself as a signal giver to approve or stop the environment-related project like an Equator bank in project financing. At present, there is no Equator bank in Korea in contrast to three big banks in Japan. Also Korean contractors, which are aggressively bidding for Category A-type projects in South East Asia and Mideast, might find themselves in a disadvantageous position because they are generally ignorant of the environmental assessment associated with project financing. In this regard, Korean banks and overseas project contractors should care for the revised Equator Principles and the latest developments in project financing more seriously. It's because its scope has expanded to the capital cost of US$10 million or more across all industry sectors regardless of developing countries or not. It should be noted that, for a Korean bank, being an Equator bank is more or less burdensome in a short-term period, but it must be conducive to minimizing risks and building up good reputation in the long run.