• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.481-486
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• 2018

Cosmetics are primarily applied to the skin; therefore, the association of cosmetic dyes with skin diseases or inflammation is a topic of great interest. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an interleukin 7-like cytokine that activates dendritic cells to promote Th2 inflammatory immune responses. TSLP is highly expressed in keratinocytes under inflammatory conditions, which suggests that it may play a critical role in the development of skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. Therefore, we investigated whether cosmetic dyes influenced the production of TSLP by keratinocytes. Phloxine O, also known as D&C Red No.27, is one of the most common red synthetic pigments and is widely used in colored cosmetics. Our results showed that Phloxine O downregulated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced production of TSLP in a murine keratinocyte cell line (PAM212). Phloxine O also suppressed TSLP expression in KCMH-1 cells, which are mouse keratinocytes that constitutively produce high levels of TSLP. To investigate the in vivo effects of Phloxine O, we induced TSLP expression in mouse ear skin by topically applying MC903, a vitamin D3 analogue that is a well-known inducer of atopic dermatitis-like symptoms. Topical application of Phloxine O prevented MC903-induced TSLP production in mouse ear skin, attenuated the acute dermatitis-like symptoms and decreased serum IgE and histamine levels in mice. Suppression of TSLP expression by Phloxine O correlated with reduced expression of OX40 ligand and Th2 cytokines in mouse ear skin. Our results showed that Phloxine O may be beneficial to prevent dermatitis by suppressing the expression of TSLP and Th2 cytokines in skin.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.341-351
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• 2015

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Cypress oil(CS) on anti-asthmatic activities in a mouse model of allergic asthma. Using an Ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma mouse model, 0.3% of CS was administered to experimental group using a nebulizer for 3 weeks on a basis of 3 times per week and 30min each time. The degree of airway hypersensitivity, the number of eosinophil in white blood cells, the number of immune cells and the change of cytokine in lung tissue were evaluated. The degree of airway hypersensitivity, the number of eosinophil, IL-5 and IL-13 levels in lung tissue, IgE in serum, the number of CCR3, CD3, CD4 cells were significantly decreased in experimental group treated with CS. These results suggested that CS may have a positive effects on Th2 cytokine and eosinophils which are major factors of asthma responses. Therefore CS might be of therapeutic value in treating asthma.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2019

This study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) extract for atopic dermatitis through maintaining skin barrier and regulating Th2 cell differentiation. We divided NC/Nga mice into 3 groups as follows; atopy-like dermatitis induced group with CR treatment (CT, n=10), no treatment group(Ctrl), atopy-like dermatitis elicited group(AE). Atopy-like dermatitis was induced to NC/Nga mice by sensitizing with dermatophagoides farinae(DfE) on 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13th week. After inducing atopic dermatitis, CR extract was administered 20 mg/kg daily for the experimental duration to the CT group. We measured the integrity of lipid layers in the epidermis and Th2 differentiation through immunohistochemical staining against filaggrin, loricrin, IL-4, and IL-13. We also measured the distribution of subcutaneous collagen fibers by the Masson's trichrome staining. Administration of CR significantly inhibited the reduction of lipid layers in the skin that caused atopy. The expression of IL-4, IL-13, each of which is a cytokine secreted by T helper type 2 (Th2) cells, was markedly suppressed in the CT group as compared with AE group (p<0.05). CR treatment also decreased the expression of iNOS, $p-I{\kappa}B$. Atopic dermatitis induced dermatological damage to skin, such as hyperplasia of epithelium, and capillary proliferation was significantly reduced by CR administration. CR effectively inhibited the thinning of the skin barrier and inflammatory responses in atopic dermatitis-induced mice. In particular, it showed anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of IL-4 and IL-13, Th2 cell cytokines, which play a crucial role in development of atopic dermatitis. Therefore, CR can be a good candidate to ameliorate and treat atopic dermatitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.214-223
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• 2017

Objective: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of infertility. The present study aimed to compare the differences between infertile women with successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes regarding the expression of T helper (Th) cell transcription factors and a group of related cytokines before and after exposure to their husbands' seminal plasma. Methods: This study was performed on 19 couples with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF treatment. Among the studied group, nine and 10 couples had successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes, respectively. This study was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Before seminal plasma exposure, the expression levels of T-bet (p< 0.007), $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.013), and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.017) were higher in the infertile women with IVF failure than in those with successful IVF outcomes, while those of GATA3 (p< 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.001), and interleukin (IL)-35 (p< 0.003) were lower. After seminal exposure, the expression of T-bet (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.02), and $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.001) increased in the unsuccessful IVF group, while the expression of Foxp3 (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), IL-23 (p= 0.04), IL-17 (p= 0.02), IL-6 (p< 0.001), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ (p= 0.01), and IL-35 (p< 0.001) increased in the successful IVF group. Conclusion: In summary, IVF failure was associated with imbalanced Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg responses. Moreover, our results show that seminal plasma might have a positive effect on IVF outcomes via changes in peripheral blood T cell subsets.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.296-301
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• 1999

The concerns on the crop damage by ultraviolet (UV) radiations is increasing owing to the decrease of their absorbing stratospheric ozone in the tropospheric. Cultivar differences on early growth of UV radiation among five Korean rice cultivars, four japonica types and one Tongil type (indica-japonica cross hybrid), were studied. Pot-seeded rice plants were grown under four different radiation conditions, i.e., visible radiation only, visible radiation with supplemented with high or low dose of UV-B (280~320 nm in wavelength) and UV-C (less than 280 nm in wavelength). The inhibitory degree on plant height, shoot and root weight and length of leaf blade and leaf sheath were determined at 40 days after seeding. UV-C showed the most severe inhibitory effect on the degree of biomass gain and leaf growth in most cultivars examined, followed by high UV-B and low UV-B. Among the cultivars used, the Kuemobyeo was the most sensitive cultivar and had not repair or showed resistance ability to continued irradiation of UV radiation. However, Janganbyeo and Jaekeon showed different responses that the elongation of leaf blades was promoted on 2nd and 3rd leaves and inhibited on 4th and 5th leaves but this inhibitory degree was reduced on 6 th and 7th leaves. Such tendency on leaf growth means that both cultivars had low sensitivity and most resistant ability to continued irradiation of UV radiation. While Tongil showed different response to enhanced UV radiation, ie., low UV-B promoted leaf growth but the inhibitory was severely increased by continued irradiation of high UV-B and UV-C, which means that Tongil had high threshold of UV radiation for response as an inhibitory light of plant growth. The results of this study indicate that the differences on sensitivity or resistant to the effects of UV radiation were existed among Korean rice cultivars.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.21-33
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to develop an Instrument for the Measurement of Cognitive Conflict Levels of students who confronted with an anomalous situation in science teaming. Anomalous situation is generated when students' prediction is disconsistent with the observed fact. In this study, the researchers identified 4 components of cognitive conflict and developed three items for each component. The items were developed and revised by four pilot tests. In the first pilot test, 55 elementary school students participated in the test In the second pilot test, 88 students of the 5th and 6th grader participated in the test. The instrument of measuring cognitive conflict levels was given to the subjects right after demonstrating anomalous situation. For the demonstration, two different problem situations were developed: one was a pulley problem and the other was electric bulbs in parallel. Answered reasons for each items were analyzed to assess students' understanding on each items. In third pilot test, 125 elementary school students participated in the test. A factor analysis of the responses was carried out and reliability of the test was assessed by calculating internal consistency values. The items were finalized by three pilot tests. After 1 month after the third pilot test, researchers conducted the finalized test items to 323 students of the 5th and 6th grader. The final instrument showed moderate reliability (Cronbach-α 0.82∼0.87) and good content validity(0.93). A factor analysis of the response was carried out. 4 main factors completely coincided with 4 components that we supposed to be the conducts of cognitive conflict. The instrument can provide a means for both teachers and researchers to assess the cognitive conflict of a large number of students within a single class period. The results can be used by teachers to better understand the process of conceptual change of their students and to match instruction and materials accordingly.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.9-23
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• 2009

Objectives : Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways by many cells such as mast cells, Th2 lymphocytes and eosinophile. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Salviae miltiorrhizae (SM) on T cell cytokine production, mast cells. and eosinophils, Methods : We screened 13 herbs to find compounds with potential to control Th cytokine production. using concanavalin A (con A)-activated splenocyte cultures. Con A-activated $IFN-\gamma$ and IL-4 levels in supernatants of splenocyte cultures. Bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMC) were incubated with SM and then the expressions of membrane proteins of BMMC were analyzed by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). BALB/c mice sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) were challenged with aerosolized OVA for 6 weeks. During the last weeks some mice were treated with SM. Then eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) were counted and pathologic changes of lung tissue were observed with hematoxylin-eosin stain. Results : SM increased $IFN-\gamma$ level on splenocyte culture significantly. but had no significant effects on expressions of ICAM-1, CD62L, integrin $a_4$. c-kit, IL-3 receptors. CD11a, or IgE receptors of BMMC. SM treatment significantly inhibited eosinophil infiltrates in BALf and peribronchial lung inflammation. Conculusions : The present data suggested that SM may have an effect on Th cytokine secretion and eosinophils associated with asthma responses. Therefore SM might be of therapeutic value in treating asthma.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.36-50
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• 1990

This experiment was performed to study the morphological responses of the enterochromaffin cells in the duodenal mucosa of rabbit following bile duct ligation. Adult male rabbits were divided into normal, sham operation and experimental groups. Bile duct ligation was performed under ether anesthesia and animals were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 14th day after operation. Mucosal specimens from the duodenum were prefixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde(0.1M Millonig's phosphate buffer, pH 7.3), followed by postfixation with 1% osmium tetroxide(0.1M Millonig's phosphate buffer, pH 7.3), and embedded within araldite mixture. The sections were cut on a LKB-V ultratome, and observed under a JEM 100CX II electron miroscope. The results were as follow; 1. Irregularities of the nuclei of the enterochromaffin cells were noticed from the 1st day after bile duct ligation, and concentration of the chromatin in the nucleus was more frequently observed on the 7th and the 14th day. 2. The granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex of the enterochromaffin cell were more developed than those of the normal on the 1st day after bile duct ligation, but they showed poor organization from the 3rd day. 3. Amount of the microfilaments in the enterochromaffin cell was significantly increased from the 5th day after bile duct ligation and they were more frequently observed in the vicinity of the nucleus. 4. Vacuoles with various electron densities in the enterochromaffin cell were increased in number from the 3rd day after bile duct ligation. 5. Glycogen-like particles in the enterochromaffin cell were frequently observed on the 3rd and the 5th day after bile duct ligation. 6. In the early stage of the ligation of bile duct, in the enterochromaffin cells, well developed intracellular organelles, such as granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus were pronounced. But, in the later stage, the cells contained poor organelles, with the some structural sign of necrotic change.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.251-257
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• 2024

Background Plastic surgery has developed to benefit in a variety of challenging areas formerly handled by other disciplines. Medical students do not have a clear picture of plastic surgery as a career due to lacking scope, clinical practice, and understanding of plastic surgery as a clinical area of expertise, including general practitioners, nursing staff, medical trainees, and the general public, and misconceptions about the extent of reconstructive and plastic surgery. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on Kuwait University Medical students (2nd-7th Years) over a period of 1 month. A questionnaire and a consent form were provided to eligible students. The inclusion criteria were Kuwait University Medical students from 2nd to 7th Years with signed consent form. The response was collected via email sent in coordination with the Vice Dean of Student Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine. Using statistical package for the social sciences, responses were statistically analyzed. Pearson's chi-square test was used to calculate p-values, where p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 244 eligible medical students, 121 males and 123 females, were included in the study, with a mean age of 21 (±2) years. Similarly, 126 (51.6%) were preclinical students (2nd-4th-year students), while 118 (48.4%) were clinical students (5th-7th-year students). About 79.8% of medical students believed that plastic surgery plays an essential role in trauma management, whereas 9.2% did not consider plastic surgery significant for trauma management. This study found that only 15.5% of medical students were interested in enrolling in plastic surgery residency after graduation, while 47.1% of students did not consider plastic surgery residency after graduation. However, 37.4% were uncertain. The two most driving factors in deciding on plastic surgery residency were expected income (61.8%) and lifestyle (14.3%). Conclusion Improving medical students' education quality can enhance their perception and awareness of plastic surgery. Students should be taught the broader scope of plastic surgery. The inclusion of formal training during undergraduation is the essence of time and should be added to or improved during plastic surgery rotations with more emphasis on reconstructive and hand/peripheral nerve surgery. Student-led interest groups can be a useful tool for educating students about their specialty.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2017

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology has been suggested as an ultimate strategy for mitigating climate change. However, potential leakage of $CO_2$ from the CCS facilities could lead to serious damage to environment. Plants can be a bio-indicator for $CO_2$ leakage as a cost-effective way, although plants' responses vary with plant species. In this study, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the relation between the $CO_2$ tolerance of corn species and the initial physiological responses to the elevated soil $CO_2$ concentration. Treatment groups included CI (99.99% $CO_2$ gas injection) and BI (no gas injection). Mean soil $CO_2$ concentration for the CI treatment was 19.5~39.4%, and mean $O_2$ concentration was 6.6~18.4%. The soil gas concentrations in the BI treatment were at the ambient levels. In the CI treatment, chlorophyll content was not decreased until the $13^{th}$ day of the $CO_2$ injection. On the $15^{th}$ day, leaf starch content and stomatal conductance were increased by 89% and 25% in the CI treatment compared to the BI treatment, respectively. This might be due to the compensatory reaction of corn to avoid high soil $CO_2$ stress. However, the prolonged $CO_2$ injection decreased chlorophyll content after 13 days. After $CO_2$ injection, plant biomass was reduced by 25% in the CI treatment compared to the BI treatment. Due to the inhibited root growth, leaf phosphorous and potassium contents were decreased by 54% on average in the CI treatment. This study indicates that corn has a high tolerance to soil $CO_2$ concentration of 30% for 2 weeks by its compensatory reactions such as an maintenance of chlorophyll content and an increase in stomatal conductance.