• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1477-1482
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• 2007

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus strain PA15 exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration value of 11 mM in an LGI medium amended with $ZnCl_2$. When an LGI medium was amended with Zn metal, solubilization halos were observed in a plate assay, and further solubilization was confirmed in a broth assay. The maximum solubilization was recorded after 120 h with a 0.1% Zn metal amendment. During solubilization, the culture growth and pH of the broth were indirectly correlated. Using a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis, one of the agents solubilizing the Zn metal was identified as gluconic acid. When the Zn-amended broth was observed under a bright field microscope, long involution cells were observed, and further analysis with Atomic Force Microscopy revealed highly deformed, pleomorphic, aggregate-like cells.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2021

Ironically, marine bioresource production in Chungnam Province is the second-largest in the country. The province's marine bioresource production puts its lack of a marine bioindustry in the spotlight despite the region's favorable conditions to produce representative value-added and (ultra) high value-added products such as neutraceutical and/or pharmaceutical function. This juxtaposition is to be expected, as there are no institutions for training professionals in the field of marine biology or in the fisheries industry in the West Sea area. The unique features of the region require individuals with specialized training who have been educated in accordance with regional development and the specificity of the region. Recently, however, a plan has been initiated at the national level to foster the growth of the marine biology industry in the Chungnam Province on Korea's west coast. This plan includes increasing funds to the marine biology market to 1.2 trillion by 2030. If the Chungnam region wants to successfully revitalize the marine biology industry and put the increased funds to efficient use, it must first establish various research and (business) development (R&(B)D) plans regarding local marine biology infrastructures and marine biology programs at local universities. It must also focus on training specialists to protect, maintain, and develop the region's marine bio-resources to increase the growth of the region's bioindustry.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2006

A bioequivalence of Daewoong $Alendronate^{TM}$ (Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Korea) and $Fosamax^{TM}$ tablets (MSD Korea) was evaluated according to the guideline of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). A single 70 mg dose of sodium alendronate of each medicine was administered orally to 56 healthy male volunteers. This study was performed in a $2\;{\time}\;2$ crossover design. Concentrations of alendronate in the urine were monitored by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). $A_{et}$ (cumulative urinary excreted amount from time 0 to last sampling interval) was calculated by the accumulation of the urinary excreted alendronate. $U_{max}$ (maximum urinary excretion rate) and $T_{max}$ (time to reach $U_{max}$) were compiled from the urinary excretion rate - time data. Analysis of variance was performed using logarithmically transformed $A_{et}$ and $U_{max}$. No significant sequence effect was found for all of the bioavailability parameters. The 90% confidence intervals of the $A_{et}$ and $U_{max}$ for Daewoong $Alendronate^{TM}/Fosamax^{TM}$ were 0.89-1.12 and 0.82-1.02, respectively. This study demonstrated the bioequivalence of Daewoong $Alendronate^{TM}$ and $Fosamax^{TM}$ with respect to the rate and extent of absorption.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Reports
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Background: Cachexia is a multi-factorial syndrome presenting with chronic illness, decreases in body weight, and loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, mostly in patients with advanced cancer and chronic wasting disease. Even after years of intensive researches, there remains no convincing therapy to prevent cancer cachexia. Methods: In this in vivo study, we have established C26 adenocarcinoma-induced cancer cachexia model in mice to explore the underlying core changes in cytokine, signal transduction, and muscle wasting. The ultimate aim of establishing animal model is to find optimal therapeutics to mitigate cancer cachexia. Results: We have administered C26 adenocarcinoma cells onto BALB/c mice and observed 4 weeks to assess the progression of cancer cachexia. Significant loss of weight accompanied with loss of appetite was noted. As C26 adenocarcinoma xenograft progressed, mortality was started from 3 weeks, accompanied with significant sarcopenia and decreased mice movement. Surges in TNF-α and IL-6 were noted with the commencement of cancer cachexia. Conclusion: Using C26 adenocarcinoma cancer cachexia model, we can screen the optimal therapeutics to mitigate cancer cachexia, in which agents to modulate IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB were essential.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Background: Cachexia is a multi-factorial syndrome presenting with chronic illness, decreases in body weight, and loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, mostly in patients with advanced cancer and chronic wasting disease. Even after years of intensive researches, there remains no convincing therapy to prevent cancer cachexia. Methods: In this in vivo study, we have established C26 adenocarcinoma-induced cancer cachexia model in mice to explore the underlying core changes in cytokine, signal transduction, and muscle wasting. The ultimate aim of establishing animal model is to find optimal therapeutics to mitigate cancer cachexia. Results: We have administered C26 adenocarcinoma cells onto BALB/c mice and observed 4 weeks to assess the progression of cancer cachexia. Significant loss of weight accompanied with loss of appetite was noted. As C26 adenocarcinoma xenograft progressed, mortality was started from 3 weeks, accompanied with significant sarcopenia and decreased mice movement. Surges in TNF-α and IL-6 were noted with the commencement of cancer cachexia. Conclusion: Using C26 adenocarcinoma cancer cachexia model, we can screen the optimal therapeutics to mitigate cancer cachexia, in which agents to modulate IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB were essential.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2009

Objectives : It is considered not easy to diagnose the condition of acupoints or meridians. Oriental Medical instruments have rarely complied with Oriental Medical diagnostic/therapeutic theories. The aim of this study was to develop a system which measures meridian electric potential(MEP) in proportion to bio-electric charge for the purpose of Oriental Medical diagnosis. Method : To evaluate a meridian energy measurement system(MEMS), we carried out a performance test. For significance test, we conducted a clinical trial which measured the MEP of ST36(Chok-samni) on Stomach Meridian(ST). Results & Conclusions : We could evaluate the balance or the imbalance of the MEPs on the left/right ST36. Also, through the comparison of MEPs before and after meals, we could identify the correlation between the MEP and the condition of internal organs. Namely, MEP reflects the condition of acupoints/meridians and internal organs, therefore, we propose this new method for measuring and analyzing the condition of meridians and acupoints for Oriental Medical diagnosis.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2017

We have developed an analytic software that can easily analyze the spot position and width of proton beam therapy nozzles in a periodic quality assurance. The developed software consists of an image processing method that conducts an analysis using center-of-spot geometry and a Gaussian fitting method that conducts an analysis through Gaussian fitting. By using the software, an analysis of 210 proton spots with energies 150, 190, and 230 MeV showed a deviation of approximately 3% from the mean. The software we developed to analyze proton spot positions and widths provides an accurate analysis and reduces the time for analysis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.116-122
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• 2013

This study was conducted to determine whether CD4 T cell responses to citrullinated fibrinogen occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially in HLA-DR4-positive subjects. Whole peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of RA patients and control subjects were stimulated with citrullinated fibrinogen peptides, and T-cell production of proliferation and proinflammatory cytokines, such as interferon-${\gamma}$(IFN-${\gamma}$) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A), were measured. In addition, CD4 T cells from RA patients were stimulated with the citrullinated fibrinogen peptide, $Fib-{\alpha}$ R84Cit, identified as a DRB1*0401-restricted T cell epitope in HLA-DR4 transgenic mice, and the degree of T cell activation was examined similarly. No proliferative responses to the citrullinated fibrinogen peptides were observed in whole PBMCs or CD4 T cells from RA patients. Furthermore, no increased production of IFN-${\gamma}$ or IL-17A was found in whole PBMCs or CD4 T cells stimulated with the citrullinated fibrinogen peptides, although these cells responded to recall antigen, a mixture of tetanus toxoid, purified protein derivative (PPD) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Candida albicans. The results of this study indicate that anti-citrulline immunity in RA patients may be mediated by fibrinogen because there is no evidence of CD4 T cell-mediated immune responses to citrullinated fibrinogen peptides.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.442-448
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• 2013

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a representative group of probiotics and used in many fermented foods and beverages. Several recent studies have shown that LAB are present in makgeolli which is a traditional Korean alcoholic beverage. However, most LAB are intolerant of more than 6% (v/v) alcohol concentrations. For this reason, alcohol-tolerant LAB are isolated from kimchi, makgeolli and nuruk using alcohol containing selective media. After being cultured in MRS broth containing 13% (v/v) alcohol, the two strains which showed the highest increasing O.D values, were finally selected. As results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and biochemical characterization using an API kit, the two species were identified as Pediococcus acidilactici K3 and S1. In addition, the identified two strains produced bacteriocins against Staphylococcus aureus. When compared with the P. acidilactici type strain, the two selected strains possessed two to three time higher growth on 12-13% (v/v) alcohol containing MRS broth. The viability of P. acidilactici K3 and S1 when inoculated in makgeolli and stored at $10^{\circ}C$ did not decrease through a period of one month indicating that the selected strains can be used for LAB containing makgeolli.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.393-401
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• 2013

Objectives: Endotoxins in dust generated in occupational settings is known to contribute to the occurrence of respiratory illness among workers. The relationship between the level of endotoxins in total dust or respirable particulates collected from swine farms and immunological markers related with respiratory allergy was evaluated among swine husbandry workers. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from ten workers at ten swine farms at Gyeonggi province, Korea. Peripheral mononuclear cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin for 48 hours. The levels of various cytokines produced at culture supernatants were determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. The concentration of particulate matter($PM_{10}$) in the indoor air of the swine farms was evaluated using a PVC membrane filter and mini volume air sampler, and endotoxin levels in the dust were measured by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Kinetic QCL method. Results: Levels of endotoxins in the total dust were categorized into high(geometric mean: $109.35EU/m^3$) and low concentrations (geometric mean: $0.95EU/m^3$) for five swine farms. Interleukin-4 levels were higher in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group, while interferon-${\gamma}$ levels were lower in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. The ratio (interferon-${\gamma}$ to interleukin-4), indicating immunologic skewedness against allergic reactivities, was lower in the high endotoxin group($1.15{\pm}0.60$) than the low endotoxin group($3.09{\pm}2.38$). In addition, the level of interleukin-13, another cytokine contributing to the occurrence of allergic responses, was significantly higher in the at the high endotoxin group($1.12{\pm}0.37ng/m{\ell}$) than in the low endotoxin group($0.37{\pm}0.04ng/m{\ell}$). Hematologic assessment showed significantly lower cellularity in the number of total leukocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. Conclusions: Even though a sufficient number of swine workers and farms were not investigated, this study generlly suggests that the immunological function of swine farm workers exposed to high levels of endotoxin could be modulated toward allergic reactivities.