• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권1호
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• pp.7-14
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• 2020

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects approximately one third of the human population worldwide. Considering the toxicity and side effects of anti-toxoplasma medications, it is important to develop effective drug alternatives with fewer and less severe off-target effects. In this study, we found that 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBA) induced autophagy and the expression of NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) in primary murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Interestingly, treatment of BMDMs with 4-HBA significantly reduced the number of macrophages infected with T. gondii and the proliferation of T. gondii in infected cells. This effect was impaired by pretreating the macrophages with 3-methyladenine or wortmannin (selective autophagy inhibitors) or with sirtinol or EX527 (SIRT1 inhibitors). Moreover, we found that pharmacological inhibition of SIRT1 prevented 4-HBA-mediated expression of LC3-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate (LC3-II) and the colocalization of T. gondii parasitophorous vacuoles with autophagosomes in BMDMs. These data suggest that 4-HBA promotes antiparasitic host responses by activating SIRT1-mediated autophagy, and 4-HBA might be a promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.180-186
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• 1998

A 10-week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the phosphorus requirement of juvenile Korean rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli). Three replicate groups of fish initially averaging 4.2g were fed the semipurified experimental diets containing graded levels of $NaH_2PO_4\;\cdot\;2H_2O$ to provide from $0.1\%$ to $1.32\%$ total phosphorus level in a flow-through seawater system. Korean rockfish muscle and casein were used as the protein sources of the basal diet. Weight gain, feed efficiency and protein retention of fish fed the $0.35\%$ phosphorus were higher than those of fish fed the $0.1\%$ phosphorus, although no significant improvements $(P>0.01)$ were observed above the level. Determined phosphorus requirement using the broken line model was found to be $0.3\%$ for weight gain. Moisture, protein and lipid contents of whole body and muscle were not affected by dietary phosphorus levels $(P>0.01)$. Lipid contents of liver in fish fed the $0.1\%$ phosphorus were lower than those in fish fed the $0.35\%$ and $1.32\%$ phosphorus $(P<0.01)$. Dietary phosphorus increased ash and phosphorus contents of the whole body, while those of bone were not affected $(P>0.01)$. The data obtained in this study indicate that a $0.3\%$ dietaryphosphorus level could be recommended for the optimum growth and efficient nutrient utilization of juvenile Korean rockfish.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제55권12호
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• pp.481-486
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• 2012

Purpose: Precocious puberty is defined as breast development before the age of 8 years in girls. The present study aimed to reveal the diagnosis of Korean girls referred for precocious puberty and to compare the constitutional and endocrinological features among diagnosis groups. Methods: The present study used a retrospective chart review of 988 Korean girls who had visited a pediatric endocrinology clinic from 2006 to 2010 for the evaluation of precocious puberty. Study groups comprised fast puberty, true precocious puberty (PP), pseudo PP, premature thelarche, and control. We determined the height standard deviation score (HSDS), weight standard deviation score (WSDS), and body mass index standard deviation score (BMISDS) of each group using the published 2007 Korean growth charts. Hormone tests were performed at our outpatient clinic. Results: The PP groups comprised fast puberty (67%), premature thelarche (17%), true PP (15%), and pseudo PP (1%). Advanced bone age and levels of estradiol, basal luteinizing hormone (LH), and peak LH after gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation testing were significantly high in the fast puberty and true PP groups compared with the control group. HSDS, WSDS, and BMISDS were significantly higher in the true PP group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The frequent causes of PP were found to be fast puberty, true PP, and premature thelarche. Furthermore, BMISDS were significantly elevated in the true PP group. Therefore, we emphasize the need for regular follow-up of girls who are heavier or taller than others in the same age group.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.860-873
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• 2018

Although ginseng marc is a by-product obtained during manufacturing of various commercial ginseng products and has been routinely discarded as a waste, it still contains considerable amounts of potential bioactive compounds, including saponins and polysaccharides. Previously, we reported that ginseng oligosaccharides derived from ginseng marc polysaccharides by enzymatic hydrolysis exert immunostimulatory activities in macrophages and these activated macrophages are in turn able to inhibit the growth of skin melanoma cells by inducing apoptosis. In the present study, a more detailed investigation of the immunostimulatory activity and underlying action mechanisms of an enzymatic hydrolysate (GEH) containing these oligosaccharides derived from ginseng marc polysaccharides was performed. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured in GEH-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages using RT-PCR analysis and ELISA. The expression levels of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4, Dectin-1, and MerTK were measured by RT-PCR analysis or western blot analysis, and the phagocytic activities of GEH-challenged bone marrow-derived macrophages toward apoptotic Jurkat cells were assayed using fluorescence microscopy. GEH induced the production of both proinflammatory cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6, and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of the TLR2 and MerTK mRNAs was increased upon GEH treatment. Phagocytosis of apoptotic Jurkat cells was enhanced in GEH-treated macrophages. Based on the results, this enzymatic hydrolysate (GEH) containing oligosaccharides exerts immunostimulatory effects by maintaining the balance between M1 and M2 cytokines, facilitating macrophage activation and contributing to the efficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Therefore, the GEH could be developed as value-added, health-beneficial food materials with immunostimulatory effects.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.128-137
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• 1997

The effects of cylindan, a polysaccharide isolated from the basidiocarps of Agrocybe cylindracea, on murine sarcoma 180 tumor and murine immune cells were examined after intraperitoneal administration. Cylindan exhibited a marked life extension effect in mice against ascite forms of sarcoma 180 and Lewis lung carcinoma at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day, although it did not show any direct cytotoxicity against sarcoma 180, X5563, and MM46 murine tumor cells. Cylindan increased numbers of bone marrow stem cells as well as peritoneal exudate cells in flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies. The tumor bearing mice group apparently showed the increase of macrophages and cytotoxic T lymphocytes in mouse spleen cells during the early stage of tumor growth. But during the later stage, the control group decreased immune cells and cylindan restored the decreased immune cells in the tumor bearing mice to the normal level. In non-specific immune response, cylindan stimulated the bacterial phagocytosis and acid phosphatase production in macrophages. It also activated components of the alternative complement pathway and natural killer activity against YAC-1 lymphoma. In number of plasma cells as token of stimulation of the differentiation of B lymphocytes. In cellular immunity, cylindan restored the depressed response of delayed type hypersensitivity in the tumor bearing mice to 60% of the normal level and increased the interleukin-2 (IL-2) responsiveness in the IL-2 dependent CTLL-2 cells. These results suggest that cylindan did not show direct cytotoxic effects on tumor cells but restored the decreased immune response of the tumor bearing mice.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.103-111
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• 2006

Objectives : Deer antler Water Extract(DAE), prepared from the pilose antler of Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe (Nokyong), a traditional immuno-suppressive and immuno-activating Korean herbal-acupuncture, is thought to play an important role in human bone remodeling. Methods : To determine whether DAE can induce the differentiation of resting zone chondrocytes(RC) or not, confluent cell cultures were pretreated for 24, 36, 48, 72, and 120hrs with DAE. At the end of pretreatment, the media were replaced with new media containing $10^{-10}{\sim}10^{-8}M\;1,25-(OH)_2D_3$ and the cells incubated for an additional 24hrs. Results : This second treatment was chosen because prior studies had shown that only the more mature growth zone chondrocytes(GC) respond to this vitamin $D_3$ metabolite. The effect of DAE pretreatment on cell maturation was confirmed by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALPase)-specific activity. Changes in matrix protein synthesis were examined by measuring collagen synthesis, as well as $^{35}SO_4$ incorporation into proteoglycans. When RC cells were pretreated for 120h with DAE, treatment with $1,25-(OH)_2D_3$ caused a dose-dependent increase in ALPase-specific activity and collagen synthesis, however, the proteoglycan production was not affected. RC cells pretreated with $1,25-(OH)_2D_3$ responded like RC cells that had not received any pretreatment. Conclusion : These results indicate that DAE directly regulates the maturation of RC chondrocytes into GC chondrocytes. Therefore it was indicated that DAE may play a significant role in regulating chondrocyte maturation during endochondral ossification.

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.135-141
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• 2007

결절성 근막염은 섬유모세포와 근모세포의 증식에 의하여 발생하는 양성 질환으로 그 크기도 보통 3 cm 이내로 작다. 이 질환은 빠른 성장, 풍부한 세포충실성 및 유사 분열과 같은 특징들을 보일 수 있어 연부조직 육종으로 오인될 수 있다. 저자들은 기존의 보고와는 달리 그 크기가 5 cm 이상으로 큰 연부조직 육종으로 오인한 2예의 대퇴부에 발생한 결절성 근막염을 치험하였다. 그 중 1예는 임상적으로 뿐 아니라 조직학적으로까지 연부조직 육종으로 오인하였으나 외부의 숙련된 병리학자들의 도움으로 결절성 근막염으로 최종 진단되었으며, 2예 모두 2년 추시관찰에서 재발의 증거가 없었다. 저자들의 예들처럼 그 크기가 일반적인 것과는 달리 5 cm 이상으로 큰 종괴성 병변인 경우에는 연부조직 육종의 감별 진단으로서 매우 중요하기에, 대퇴부에 발생한 2예의 결절성 근막염을 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.407-413
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• 1999

구강악안면부위의 선천성 기형은 복잡한 발생학적 과정과 연관이 있으며 비정상적인 기형을 적절한 시기에 치료하지 못할 경우 이로 인한 이차적인 기형을 유발하여 치료를 더욱 어렵게 할 수 있다. 저자 등은 우측 상악돌기 후외하방에 중복 발생된 상악돌기와 과잉치로 인하여 저작장애를 보이며, 안와, 관골 및 상하악골의 심한 안모 비대칭 소견을 보이는 악안면기형환자를 골절제와 발치, 교정치료, 관골과 안와재건술, 악교정수술 및 반흔교정술 등의 4회에 걸친 수술을 통해 심미적, 기능적으로 만족스러운 결과를 얻었다. 악안면영역의 선천성 기형의 치료는 매우 난이하며 수차례의 수술을 요하고 수술 결과가 만족스럽지 못한 경우가 많으므로 사전 철저한 분석이 요구되며, 환자의 심리적 부담을 덜어주기 위한 특별한 배려가 요구된다.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.111-119
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• 2013

Objective. To investigate the effects of the hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) activation-mimicking agent cobalt chloride ($CoCl_2$) on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Study design. The dose and exposure periods for $CoCl_2$ in hMSCs were optimized by cell viability assays. After confirmation of $CoCl_2$-induced HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in these cells by RT-PCR, the effects of temporary preconditioning with $CoCl_2$ on hMSC osteogenic differentiation were evaluated by RT-PCR analysis of osteogenic gene expression, an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and by alizarin red S staining. Results. Variable $CoCl_2$ dosages (up to $500{\mu}M$) and exposure times (up to 7 days) on hMSC had little effect on hMSC survival. After $CoCl_2$ treatment of hMSCs at $100{\mu}M$ for 24 or 48 hours, followed by culture in osteogenic differentiating media, several osteogenic markers such as Runx-2, osteocalcin and osteopontin, bone sialoprotein mRNA expression level were found to be up-regulated. Moreover, ALP activity was increased in these treated cells in which an accelerated osteogenic capacity was also verified by alizarin red S staining. Conclusions. The osteogenic differentiation potential of hMSCs could be preserved and even enhanced by $CoCl_2$ treatment.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.63-68
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• 2017

Objectives : HT042 is a combination of three herbal extracts from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus, the stems of Eleutherococcus senticosus and the roots of Phlomis umbrosa, which has been demonstrated to increase longitudinal bone growth rate. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of HT042 after repeated oral administration. Methods : A 14-day repeated oral dose toxicity study was conducted using male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. HT042 was administered orally at repeated doses of 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Clinical signs and mortality were observed daily, whereas body weight and food consumption were recorded weekly throughout the experiment. At the end of the study, blood was taken from the posterior vena cava for hematology and serum biochemistry. All organs of the body surface, subcutis, head, thoracic cavity, and abdominal cavity were observed grossly. Then, the internal organs were removed and weighed. Results : No death occurred and no significant changes in clinical sign, body weight, food consumption and serum biochemistry parameters were observed in male and female rats over the study period. Although there were some alterations in hematologic and necropsy findings, and organ weights, these changes were not considered toxicologically significant. Conclusions : These results suggest that the 14-day repeated administration of HT042 does not produce any significant oral toxicity at doses of up to 2,000 mg/kg/day in male and female rats under the present experimental conditions.