• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.543-553
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• 2003

Due to considerably high degree of sequence homology between bacterial and human heat shock proteins(hsp), it has been widely thought that this protein might be involved in autoimmune disease mechanisms in humans. To elucidate how stress proteins contribute in the immunopathogenesis of periodontitis, the present study was performed to evaluate the T cell immune responses specific to Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) heat shock protein (hsp)60 and T-cell epitope specificities for P. gingivalis hsp60 in periodontitis. Anti-P. gingivalis IgG antibody titers were elevated in all patients. We could establish P. gingivalis hsp-specific T cell ines from the peripheral blood of peridontitis, a mixture of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ cells. Of 108 overlapping synthetic peptides spanning whole P. gingivalis hsp60 moleculc, ten peptides with cpitopes specifities for T-cell were showed. Interestingly, ten epitopes were also identified as T-cell epitopes in the present study as well as B-cell epitopes in peridontitis. Therefore, all the ten representative epitopes were designated as common T-and B-cell epitopes for peridontitis. It is critical in developing a peptide vaccine strategy for potential prevention of periodontitis. It was concluded that P. gingivalis hsp60 might be involved in the immunoregulatory process of periodontitis with heat shock protein specificities.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 1995

To investigate the ultrastructural changes of kidney and clarify to a cause of its changes in lead intoxicated rats, the 0.5% lead acetate administed orally to the rats and those were sacrifled at 2 day, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 week after the treatment of lead acetate. Each extirpated kidney was histopathologically examined under the electron microscopy and histochemical examination was also carried out. Concomitantly, the activity of free radical metabolizing enzyme was determined. The blood levels of lead concentration showed a gradual increase from the first group reaching the plateau at the one or two week group with the slightly decreasing value throughout the whole course of the experiment. And the urinary ALA concentration showed a gradual increase from the first group to the 8 week group. In the kidney tissue of rat sacrified at 6 week, the proximal tubular cells showed dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial swelling, increased numbers of secondary lysosomes and myelin figure-like residual bodies on electron microscope and oxygen free radicals are identified by histochemistry on light microscope whereas there were no differences in the activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase between the lead acetate treated group and control group. But the activity of xanthine oxidase was more increased in lead acetate treated rats than control group. Furthermore, the superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased in the experimental group than the control group. In conclusion, it is assumed the kidney damage in lead intoxicated rat may be induced by free radicals.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2001

After examining and analysing the medicinal herbs of fifty-three experimental papers, we studied their effects on immediate tumors in specific cancers. We did not study the influence on the life span of general cancerous cells. We looked to see if the combined usage of medicinal herbs and anticancer agents inhibited the tumor cell's growth. The serum test and blood cell count test showed if the medicinal herbs inhibited the side effects of the anticancer agent. The test showed that more than 80 percent of used medicinal herbs, brought anticancer activities. However, anticancer experimental studies using medicinal herbs have draw-backs. First, it is difficult to choose a prescription using the standards of Oriental Medicine because we are testing a mouse not a man. Second, because we only observed the indirect effect on the whole physiological regulation caused by the synergic effects of the complex prescription, we are not able to understand the detailed mechanism of the herbs. Therefore; if the anticancer effect of the herbs is proved by the experiment, we need to research the concrete medical action of medicinal herbs and the immunological analysis of herbal medicines on the body.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2012

Serine proteases are major insect enzymes involved in the digestion of dietary proteins and in the process of blood meal digestion. In this study, cDNA was constructed using the whole body of Laccotrephes japonensis. The flanking sequences of the 5- and 3- end of this gene were characterized by RACE-PCR. Sequence analysis showed that this gene contained a 963-bp ORF encoding 320 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence showed 62% identity with the Creontiades dilutus serine protease, 58% with the Lygus lineolaris trypsin precursor, and 54% with the Triatoma infestans salivary trypsin. To assess the expression of the L. japonensis serine protease (JGsp), the JGsp gene was cloned into a baculovirus transfer vector, pBac-1, and expressed in Sf9 cells (Spodoptera frugiperda). SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis have shown that the JGsp recombinant protein was a monomer with a molecular weight of about 32 kDa. Recombinant JGsp has shown activity in the protease enzyme assay using gelatin as a substrate.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.444-447
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• 2007

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a powerful technique in molecular biology and is widely used in various fields. By amplifying DNA fragments, PCR has facilitated gene cloning procedures, as well as molecular genotyping. However, the extraction of DNA from samples often acts as a limiting step of these reactions. In particular, the extraction of PCR-compatible genomic DNA from higher plants requires complicated processes and tedious work because plant cells have rigid cell walls and contain various endogenous PCR inhibitors, including polyphenolic compounds. We recently developed a novel solution, referred to as AnyDirect, which can amplify target DNA fragments directly from whole blood without the need for DNA extraction. Here, we developed a simple lysis system that could produce an appropriate template for direct PCR with AnyDirect PCR buffer, making possible the direct amplification of DNA fragments from plant leaves. Thus, our experimental procedure provides a simple, convenient, non-hazardous, inexpensive, and rapid process for the amplification of DNA from plant tissue.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2009

The immunomodulatory activities of the ethanol extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, termed hereafter as GPE, were examined in immunosuppressed mice as well as in normal mice in the present study. Oral administration of GPE into mice prevented dexamethasone (DEX)-induced immunosuppression as determined by the mitogen-induced proliferation of the splenocytes and the the cytokine production (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$) in the whole blood culture. In addition, oral administration of GPE increased antitumor host defense in mice implanted with sarcoma-180 tumor cells. The immunoaugmenting activity of orally administered GPE was also confirmed in mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice that were orally administered with GPE generated much more potent OVA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses upon intravenous OVA injection compared to the untreated controls. These results demonstrate that oral administration of the ethanol extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum could be useful to increase host defense in immunocompromised situations such as stress- or tumor-induced immunosuppression.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to fabricate a novel hydrophobic stent for reducing restenosis by employing electron beam equipment. The stent was fabricated from a CoCr alloy tube by using a femtosecond laser and was treated with argon plasma. Subsequently, the stent's surface specification changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. Application of the electron beam offers several advantages such as a short processing time, whole surface reforming, and enhancement of material properties. As the surface of the stent was rendered hydrophobic, it can provide equivalent or enhanced mechanical properties and greater functionality with a higher radial force at the extended stent in a blood vessel. The obtained results corresponding to the mechanical properties indicate that the contact angle increased to approximately 130°, and the radial force increased to approximately 3 N. Furthermore, cell culture experiments were conducted for verifying whether cells were cultured on the surface-modified CoCr surface. Based on the obtained results, it is believed that an effective reduction in the restenosis of inserted vascular stents is possible.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.305-312
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• 2015

Paeonol is a major component found in the Paeoniaceae family such as Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews. Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews has traditionally been used to enhance blood flow and relieve joint pain in east Asian countries including China, Korea and Japan. Current research has shown that paeonol blocked the voltage-gated sodium channel and L-type calcium channel. However, there is a lack of research to reveal the relation between cardiac function and blockade of ion channels by paeonol. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate whether paeonol has anti-arrhythmic effects via modulating cardiac ion channels. It is collected that the effects of paeonol on multiple ion channels such as the fast sodium channel and L-type calcium channel from published papers. To incorporate the information on multi-channel block, we computed the effects using the mathematical cardiac model of the guinea-pig and rat ventricular cells (Noble 1998 and 1991 model) and induced early after-depolarizations (EADs) to generate an arrhythmia in the whole heart. Paeonol slightly shortened the action potential duration in the normal cardiac ventricular action potential by the inhibition of sodium channel and L-type calcium channel. Paeonol presented the protective effect from EADs by the inactivation of sodium channel but not L-type calcium channel. Paeonol did not show any changes when it treated on normal ventricular cells through the inhibition of sodium channel, but the protective effect of paeonol through sodium channel on EADs was dose-dependent. These findings suggest that paeonol and its original plant may possess anti-arrhythmic activity, which implies their cardioprotective effects.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.120-124
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• 2009

The concept of biostimulation of wounds by low-level laser therapy(LLLT) is attracting considerable attention. Although its effect on whole tissues has been studied quite extensively, the biological and cellular mechanisms underlying LLLT have not been clarified. In an experimental radius fracture in rabbits, Tang and Chai reported that LLLT enhanced the activity of red blood cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and osteoclasts within the fracture area. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of LLLT with a GaAlAs diode laser device on bone healing in rabbit mandibular fractures. We use 12 rabbits for this study. All rabbits were fractured mandible angle area using saw in anesthetic condition. In control group(n=6), none treatment was performed at fracture site. In experimental group(n=6), LLLT with a GaAlAs diode laser was radiated at fracture site daily for 7 days. All rabbits were sacrificed at 6 weeks later from performed fracture day. We studied the immunohistochemical staining of CD34 and Vimentin and the histochemical analysis for calcium and phosphorus content. The results were as follows. 1. In the histological and immunohistological staining, after 6week, fibroblasts, osteogenic cells and collgen fibers were observed more in experimental group than in control group. 2. In the histochemical analysis, the amount of calcium and phosphorus contents of the experimental group were more than the control group. From the results obtained, we suggest that the bone healing is stimulated by low-level laser irradiation in bone fractures.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.317-323
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• 2016

The aim of the convergence study is to evaluate anti-asthma effects of white ginseng complex extract(WGCE) on OVA-induced allergic asthma in mice. WGCE was administered at 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg to mice, where asthma was induced by OVA. Th2 cytokine including IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were measured by Luminex. Also, OVA-IgE and eosinophil were measured by haemocytometer and BALF total cells were measured microscope. Production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and OVA-IgE in serum was decreased, respectively, in comparison with control. The eosinophil in whole blood decreased significantly. In addition, WGCE groups showed a decrease in the BALF total cells. These results demonstrated that WGCE decreases the Th2 cytokine and asthma factors. Therefore, we strongly suggest that WGCE could be effectively used as a therapeutic drug based on its anti asthma factors.