• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.92-106
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• 2006

Purpose : To address the ability of Olibanum to induce cell death, we investigated the effect of olibanum on cell apoptosis. Twenty-four hours later, apoptosis occurred following olibanum exposure in a dose-dependent manner. Methods : We culture HeLa cell which is human metrocarcinoma cell in D-MEM included 10% fetal bovine serum(Hyclone Laboratories) below $37^{\circ}C$, 5% CO2. Then we observed apoptosis of log phage cell which is changed cultivation liquid 24 Hours periodically. Results : The treatment of BAPTA-AM regulated olibanum-induced apoptosis in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. The 24 hr-earlier -thapsigargin-pretreated cell showed the resistance against olibanum-induced apoptosis and the Ru360-mitochondrial uniporter-inhibited olibanum-induced apoptosis, too. It means that olibanum leads to the accumulation of calcium and the resultant apoptosis in HeLa cells. Immunoblotting data also shows that the expression of GRP78, ER stress marker protein, was induced by the olibanum. Bcl-2, anti-apototic protein, was decreased and that the expression of Bax, pro-apoptotic protein, was increased by the addition of olibanum. Interestingly, the olibanum increased the activity of caspase-8 as well as calpain cysteine pretense in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells. Calpain inhibitor-calpastatin as well as caspase-8C/A expression abrogated olibanum-induced apoptosis in the carcinoma cells. The inhibition of caspase-8 regulated olibanum-induced calpain activation but the inhibition of calpain did not have any effect on the caspase-8 activation in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. Conclusion : We conclude that olibanum induces the accumulation of calcium and the resultant apoptosis in which caspase-8 and calpain are involved.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2017

Osteoblasts, originating from mesenchymal cells, make the receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in order to control differentiation of activated osteoclasts, originating from hematopoietic stem cells. When the RANKL binds to the RANK of the pre-osteoclasts or mature osteoclasts, bone resorption increases. On the contrary, when OPG binds to the RANK, bone resorption decreases. Denosumab (AMG 162), like OPG (a decoy receptor), binds to the RANKL, and reduces binding between the RANK and the RANKL resulting in inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and reduction of bone resorption. Bisphosphonates (BPs), which bind to the bone mineral and occupy the site of resorption performed by activated osteoclasts, are still the drugs of choice to prevent and treat osteoporosis. The merits of denosumab are reversibility targeting the RANKL, lack of adverse gastrointestinal events, improved adherence due to convenient biannual subcutaneous administration, and potential use with impaired renal function. The known adverse reactions are musculoskeletal pain, increased infections with adverse dermatologic reactions, osteonecrosis of the jaw, hypersensitivity reaction, and hypocalcemia. Treatment with 60 mg of denosumab reduces the bone resorption marker, serum type 1 C-telopeptide, by 3 days, with maximum reduction occurring by 1 month. The mean time to maximum denosumab concentration is 10 days with a mean half-life of 25.4 days. In conclusion, the convenient biannual subcutaneous administration of 60 mg of denosumab can be considered as a first-line treatment for osteoporosis in cases of low compliance with BPs due to gastrointestinal trouble and impaired renal function.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to evaluate children who underwent hepatic resection for primary malignant hepatic tumor in the period from January 1994 to December 2001. A total of 8 patients, seven with hepatoblastoma (HB) and one with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), were studied. One HCC was resectable at the initial diagnosis, but five cases of unresectable HB received two cycles of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) before operation. One patient with an unresectable HB with bone marrow metastasis was operated after one cycle of TACE and one cycle of systemic chemotherapy based on CCG-823F protocol. Another unresectable HB patient received systemic chemotherapy instead of TACE before operation. Postoperative chemotherapy was administered to all of the patients after complete surgical resection on CCG-823F protocol. All 6 patients who underwent TACE and neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed marked reduction in tumor volume and a clear outline of the lesion. Major complication was not noticed. Mean alpha-fetoprotein (${\alpha}$-FP) level at diagnosis, after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and after postoperative chemotherapy was 9,818 (42-35,350), 664, and 10.1 ng/mL, respectively. Half life of the ${\alpha}$-FP after complete resection was 5.1 days (3.0-8.7 days). Median follow up period was 57.1 months (10-97 months) and all the patients are alive with NED. In conclusion, preoperative chemotherapy, especially TACE, is effective, safe, and useful to treat initially unresectable hepatoblastoma, and serial level of the serum ${\alpha}$-FP is a useful tumor marker for diagnosis and monitoring therapeutic responses.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.615-623
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• 2001

Background : Pneumoconiosis is a parenchymal lung disease that results from the accumulation of coal dust in the lungs and the consequent tissue reaction. To evaluate the role of various personal factors in pneumoconiosis and the significance of some serologic markers for assessing the disease activity related to pneumoconiosis, the Rheumatoid Factor(RF), ${\alpha}_1$-AT, C-Reactive Protein(CRP), ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen levels were measured. Method : All the patients were males, 45-76 years old, and the mean duration of coal dust exposure was 23.2 years. 51 patients were classified as having Simple Pneumoconiosis (SP), 59 had Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF). Fifty eight men with ages ranging from 26-70 years were used as normal controls. The serum RF and CRP were titrated using an Autochemistry analyzer (HITACHI 7150 : Japan) and the ${\alpha}_1$-AT and ceruloplasmin levels were measured using a Nephelometer (Behring Nephelometer : Germany) and the fibrinogen levels were estimated by using an Autoanalyzer for hematologic coagulation. Result : There was a higher RF level in the SP, and PMF groups than in the control groups but there was no statistical difference. The CRP, ${\alpha}_1$-AT, and ceruloplasmin levels were also higher in the SP, and PMF groups. However, the fibrinogen concentration was within the normal ranges in both the SP and PMF groups. Conclusion : The CWP (Ed note : Define CWP) patients had significantly higher CRP, ${\alpha}_1$-AT, and ceruloplasmin levels compared to the control group. It is believed that these serologic changes could be used as a marker of the disease activity.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.683-691
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• 2020

A biomarker is needed to monitor and manage the health of pigs from heat stress (HS). Therefore, we investigated the effects of HS on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profiles in finishing pigs. A total of 12 finishing pigs (n = 12) were raised in thermal neutral (TN; 25℃) conditions for a 3-d adaptation period. After the adaption, 6 pigs were exposed to HS at 33℃ (HS33) for 5 d. The pigs were fed the same diet based on corn and soybean meal. Chromic oxide was added to all the diets at a level of 2 g·kg^-1 as an indigestible marker for the determination of the apparent total track digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and amino acids. Blood samples were collected after the adaptation and heat treatment to verify the blood profiles. The HS33 pigs had a lower (p < 0.01) average daily feed intake (ADFI) and higher (p < 0.05) rectal temperature compared to the TN pigs. However, there was no difference in the ATTD of nutrients and amino acids. The HS33 pigs had reduced (p < 0.05) levels of serum glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total protein, albumin, and calcium compared to the TN pigs. However, the level of total bilirubin was increased (p < 0.05) in the HS pigs. In conclusion, HS reduced the feed intake and had an adverse effect on health. Altered blood profiles as a result of a negative energy balance are expected to be biomarkers of HS in finishing pigs.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.507-516
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• 2012

Kidney stones occur in approximately 1% of the population during their lifetime. Although the development of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) has revolutionized the theraphy of urolithiasis, the rate of recurrence of urothiasis, the rate of recurrenece of stones after SWL is about 50% within 10 years, which still represents serious problems for patienes. So to clarify the mechanism of Urocalum, and QS (Quercus salicina Blume) extract in the treatment of urolithiasis. Rat calcium oxalate urolithiasis was induced by oral administration of ethylene glycol and the vitamin D3 analog alfacalcidol for 14 days and QS extract was given to rats. After the last administration, we measured in urine, serum and renal oxidative stress marker. Ethylene glycol and alfacalcidol treatment increased BUN, creatinine, uric acid and XO. This increase was significantly suppressed by the administration of QS extract. These finding suggest that the QS extract plays a role in the prevention of stone formation and recureence in urolithiasis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.967-972
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• 2007

Osteoporosis is the most prevalent metabolic bone disease and is characterized by diminished bone strength predisposing to an increased risk of fracture. We investigated the effects of the extract from Acyranthes Radix on the progress of bone loss in ovariectomized rats for 6 weeks. Female Sprague-Dawley 40 rats of 3-4 weeks, weight 200 ${\pm}$ 10g were divided into two groups including the sham operation group(8 rats) and ovariectomy group(32 rats). The dose-dependent effect of Acyranthes Radix extract on bone mineral density and biochemical testing was assessed in ovariectomized rat. Body weights were increased in all groups was higher in experimental group than sham operation group. The level of bone mineral density, GPT, and serum P concentration, ALP were increased experimental group, but a little increase in sham operation group at same period. This longitudinal study result made conclusion that Acyranthes Radix extract treatment appeared to improve the osteoporosis delaying the progression to the osteoporotic process in rats.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.470-478
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• 2019

Purpose: The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children is gradually increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of serum adiponectin and soluble adiponectin receptor 2 (soluble Adipo R2) levels for the diagnosis of fatty liver disease in obese and overweight children. Methods: The study included 51 obese and overweight children between the ages of 6 and 18 years diagnosed with NAFLD using ultrasonography and 20 children without fatty liver disease. Patients whose alanine transaminase level was two times higher than normal (${\geq}80U/L$) were included in the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) group. Results: NASH was observed in 11 (21.6%) of the patients with NAFLD. The incidence of obesity was higher in patients with NASH (80% and 45%, p=0.021). While the adiponectin levels were similar in patients with NAFLD and those without, they were below the normal level in the whole study group. Adiponectin and soluble Adipo R2 levels of patients with NASH were lower than those in patients without NASH; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.064 and p=0.463). Soluble Adipo R2 levels in obese patients with NAFLD were higher than those in obese children without NAFLD (p<0.001). Conclusion: Soluble adiponectin receptor 2 level is a noninvasive marker that can be used for the diagnosis of NAFLD in obese children.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.455-467
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• 2021

Macrofungi are valuable resources as novel drug candidates, new biomaterials, and edible materials. Recently, genetic approaches pertaining to macrofungi have been continuously growing for their identification, molecular breeding, and genetic engineering. However, purification and amplification of fungal DNA is challenging because of the rigid cell wall and presence of PCR inhibitory metabolites. Here, we established a direct PCR method to provide a rapid and efficient method for PCR-grade macrofungal DNA preparation applicable to both conventional PCR and real-time PCR. We first optimized the procedure of lysis and PCR using the mycelia of Lentinula edodes, one of the most widely consumed macrofungal species. Lysates prepared by neutralizing with (NH₄)₂SO₄ after heating the mycelia in a mixture of TE buffer and KOH at 65℃ for 10 min showed successful amplification in both conventional and real-time PCR. Moreover, the addition of bovine serum albumin to the PCR mixture enhanced the amplification in conventional PCR. Using this method, we successfully amplified not only internal transcribed spacer fragments but also low-copy genes ranging in length from 500 to 3,000 bp. Next, we applied this method to 62 different species (54 genera) of macrofungi, including edible mushrooms, such as Pleurotus ostreatus, and medicinal mushrooms such as Cordyceps militaris. It was found that our method is widely applicable to both ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. We expect that our method will contribute to accelerating PCR-based approaches, such as molecular identification, DNA marker typing, gene cloning, and transformant screening, in macrofungal studies.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2023

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate chromosomal abnormalities and their correlations with clinical and radiological findings in females with primary amenorrhea (PA). Methods: Detailed forms were recorded for 470 females, including the construction of three-generation pedigrees. Peripheral venous blood was drawn, with informed consent, for cytogenetic analysis. Results: An abnormal karyotype was found in 16.38% of participants. The incidence of structural abnormalities (6.8%) exceeded that of numerical abnormalities (6.15%). Turner syndrome represented 45% of all numerical abnormalities. Furthermore, the Y chromosome was detected in 5% of females with PA. Among the structural chromosomal abnormalities detected (n=32) were mosaicism (25%), deletions (12.5%), isochromosomes (18.75%), fragile sites (3.12%), derivatives (3.12%), marker chromosomes (3.12%), and normal variants (29.125%). An examination of secondary sexual characteristics revealed that 29.6% of females had a complete absence of breast development, 29.78% lacked pubic hair, and 36.88% exhibited no axillary hair development. Radiological findings revealed that 51.22% of females had a hypoplastic uterus and 26.66% had a completely absent uterus. Abnormal ovarian development, such as the complete absence of both ovaries, absence of one ovary, one absent and other streak, or both streak ovaries, was observed in 69.47% of females with PA. Additionally 43.1%, 36.1%, 67.4%, and 8% of females had elevated levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prolactin, respectively. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of karyotyping as a fundamental diagnostic tool for assessing PA. The cytogenetic correlation with these profiles will aid in genetic counseling and further management of the condition.