• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2020

In this study, the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects and the flavonoid contents of leaf extracts from Stachys sieboldii Miq. and Lycopus lucidus Turcz. were compared. The flavonoid contents of the acetone + methylene chloride (A+M) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of L. lucidus Turcz. leaves were 55.7 and 233.2 mg/g, respectively. In a DPPH assay, A+M and MeOH extracts from L. lucidus Turcz leaves had a greater scavenging effect than those of S. sieboldii Miq. leaves (p<0.05). In an ABTS assay, MeOH extracts from S. sieboldii Miq. and L. lucidus Turcz (0.5 mg/ml concentration) leaves had scavenging effects of 85% and 91%, respectively (p<0.05), suggesting that both of the MeOH extracts had greater scavenging effects than both A+M extracts. In a 120 min ROS production assay, all tested extracts decreased the cellular ROS production induced by H₂O₂ compared to that produced by exposure to the extract-free control. The MeOH extract from L. lucidus Turcz leaves had a greater inhibitory effect on cellular ROS production (p<0.05). Treatment with A+M and MeOH extracts from both S. sieboldii Miq. and L. lucidus Turcz. leaves showed a dose-dependent increased cytotoxicity against the growth of AGS, HT-29 cancer cells, and HT-1080 (p<0.05). Both A+M extracts had a greater inhibitory effect on the growth of all cancer cells than both MeOH extracts. These results suggest that the MeOH extract of L. lucidus Turcz. leaves is effective in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting cellular oxidation, while the A+M extract inhibits proliferation of three types of cancer cell.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.582-594
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• 2001

This experiment was performed to investigate the effects of sulfur dioxide on the histological changes, properties of mucosubstances and glycoconjugates of the nasal respiratory mucosa in the rat. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing about 200~250g were divided into a control group and SO$_2$ exposed groups. Again SO$_2$ exposed groups were divided into 10 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, and 200 ppm subgroups, according to concentrations of SO$_2$ and each SO$_2$exposed groups were divided into 1, 3 and 6 hours groups. For the histological changes, hematoxylin-eosin(H-E) and periodic acid Schiff's(PAS) stainings were used, and for the properties of mucosubstances, PAS, alcian blue (AB) pH 2.5, pH 2.5-PAS, AB pH 1.0 and aldehyde fuchsin (AF) pH1.7-AB pH 2.5 were used. In all the SO$_2$ exposed groups, loss of cilia and detachment of epithelial cells, vacuolation of goblet cells were observed in the respiratory epithelium while epithelial squamous metaplasia and intraepthelial mucous cells were observed in the higher concentration of SO$_2$ and the degree of the loss cilia was higher according as concentration was higher and exposed time was longer. The intraepitheial mucous cells appeared most remarkable in the 50 ppm SO$_2$ exposed group. The numbers of goblet cells and acini of nasal septal gland were varied according to concentration of SO$_2$ and exposed time, but the numbers in the 25 ppm and 50 ppm, SO$_2$ exposed increased remarkably. However, the numbers in the 100 ppm and 200 ppm SO$_2$ exposed group had a tendency to decrease noticeably, or disappeared.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.170-177
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• 2008

Purpose : The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the incidence of relapse or nephritis might be influenced by the duration of corticosteroid therapy in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP). Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 186 children with a diagnosis of HSP in two major hospitals in Ilsan, Korea from the years 2000 to 2003. To evaluate whether renal involvement or relapse might be influenced by the duration of corticosteroid therapy in children with HSP, one pediatric nephrologist from hospital A, maintained corticosteroid therapy for at least 2 weeks(Group A, n=94). The other from hospital B used only during the symptomatic period(Group B, n=92). Results : There were no significant differences in age, sex, body weight, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, serum protein and albumin levels between the two groups. The incidence of abdominal pain or arthralgia also did not differ between two groups. However, the duration of steroid therapy was significantly longer in Group A than in Group B and the cumulative dose of prednisolone was also higher in Group A than in Group B. The development of nephritis was more frequent in Group A. Conclusion : The longer duration of steroid use was not associated with the decreased rate of nephritis. Therefore, corticosteroids should be used carefully in a selected group of HSP children, and be tapered rapidly after control of the acute symptoms.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.395-401
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• 2009

Purpose: We evaluated $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT findings in initially diagnosed adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck in association with pathological subtype, staging, uptake comparison with squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) and prognosis. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 16 patients with initially diagnosed ACC of head and neck who underwent pretreatment $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT. Histological subtype (solid pattern vs. tubular/cribriform pattern), $SUV_{max}$ of size-matched SqCC of the head and neck as control group, disease-free survival (DFS) were compared with the $SUV_{max}$ of ACC of the head and neck. Results: Of total 16 patients, 6 had solid pattern and the remaining 10 had tubular/cribriform pattern. The $SUV_{max}$ were significantly higher in solid pattern group than in tubular/cribriform pattern group ($6.7{\pm}3.2$ vs. $4.2{\pm}0.9$, p=0.03). PET/CT found unexpected distant metastasis in 18.7% of patients (3/16) and changed the therapeutic plan in those patients. The $SUV_{max}$ of ACC was significantly lower than that of size-matched SqCC ($5.1{\pm}2.4$ vs. $13.6{\pm}6.0$, p<0.001). DFS was not significantly different according to the histological subtype. In contrast, patients with high $^{18}F$-FDG uptake ($SUV_{max}$ ${\geq}$6.0) had significantly shorter DFS than those with low $^{18}F$-FDG uptake ($SUV_{max}$ <6.0). Conclusion: $^{18}F$-FDG uptake of ACC of the head and neck is significantly associated with histological subtype and DFS. $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT may be useful for detecting unexpected metastasis. Since $^{18}F$-FDG uptake of tubular/cribriform ACC compared with SqCC is relatively low, it is necessary to interpret PET images carefully in patients without alleged ACC.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of deer antler extract on the regeneration of peripheral nerves. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing about 300 gm were fed deer antler extract for 1, 2, and 3 weeks per oral (1.5 ml/100 gm B.W.), respectively, once a day and transected both sides of sciatic nerve of each leg. After keeping for 6 hours, sciatic nerves taken from proximal part of transected region were treated with conventional transmission electron microscopical method and then observed with electron microscope. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. Sciatic nerves of normal control group were not showing any sprouts and electron dense axolemmal projections were frequently observed. 2. Sciatic nerves of saline treated groups were showing axonal sprouts at the nodes of Ranvier. The length of them was usually short, and numerous vesicles, vacuoles and organelles including neurofilament were contained. The number of nodes of Ranvier containing sprouts from 100 longitudinal sectioned nerve fibers was 29 (29%) in 1 week treated group, 32 (32%) in 2 weeks treated group, and 30 (30%) in 3 weeks treated group, respectively. 3. Sciatic nerves of deer antler treated groups were showing axonal sprouts at the node of Ranvier as well. Although most of the sprouts were short, some sprouts of 2 weeks and 3 weeks treated groups were quite long. Sprouts usually contained numerous vesicles, vacuoles and cell organelles such as neurofilaments and mitochondria. The number of nodes of Ranvier containing sprouts from 100 longitudinal sectioned nerve fibers was 38 (38%) in 1 week treated group, 46 (46%) in 2 weeks treated group, and 48 (48%) in 3 weeks treated group respectively. The results described above explain pretreatment of deer antler extract improves the sprout formation of transected sciatic nerves, and then it suggests deer antler may be effective for the regeneration of peripheral nerves.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.27-40
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• 2009

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), also known as an acute inflammatory lung disease is developed by various factors that is originated from the destruction of alveolar-capillary barrier, and neutrophils plays an important role in the destruction. The study intended to confirm, the anti-inflammatory effect of germanium, whether a lung injury has been mitigated with the reduction of injury in alveolar-capillary barrier resulting from inhibition of neutrophils migration in lung tissue. Test groups were divided in saline administered CON, 5 hours of endotoxin administered LPS and 5 hours of endotoxin administered Ge+LPS following 1 hours of pre-processed germanium. $100{\mu}g$ endotoxin was melted in 0.5 mL saline and sprayed into airway and 26 mg germanium per 100 g weight was administered into abdominal cavity. The endotoxin group which induced an acute lung injury with administered endotoxin showed dramatic increase of pulmonary edema (p<0.001), protein contents in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, BALF (p<0.05) and neutrophils of infiltration in BALF (p<0.001) comparing with a control group, while a pre-treated germanium group showed significant decrease in all categories comparing to the endotoxin administerd group. In the result of a microscopic observation, the structure of alveolar-capillary barrier which is constructed with basal lamina, alveolar type I cells and endothelial cell were preserved of the pre-treated germanium group relatively well compare to the endotoxin administered group. And the construction of lamellar body, microvilli and basal lamina of alveolar type II cells were also preserved relatively well. Hence, germanium activates as an anti-Inflammatory mediator in other words, it interfered neutrophils migration into lung tissue, thereby reduced injury of alveolar-capillary barrier from toxic substances of activated neutrophils. Consequently, the study has determined that the acute lung injury induced by endotoxin has been decreased by the pre-treated germanium.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 1998

This study has been focused on both estrogenic and proliferating activity of genistein (GEN) and bisphenol A (BPA). GEN and BPA enhance the proliferation of estrogen-dependent MCF-7 human breast cancer cells at concentrations as low as 100 nM of GEN and 8 ng/ml of BP A achieving similar effect to that of estradiol at 1 nM. Expression of the estrogen responsive gene, pS2 was also induced in MCF-7 cells by treatment with genistein at dose as low as 1 nM and BPA at dose as low as 4 ng/ml. Using 21 day-old ovariectomized nude mice, we examined end-bud formation and mammary gland development after treatment with bisphenol A or genistein. Compared with untreated control, mammary gland development and end-bud formation were significantly increased in mice fed genistein or bisphenol A (p<0.05). Taken together, it is concluded that GEN and BP A can act as an estrogen agonist resulting in cell proliferation and induction of the estrogen responsive pS2 gene in MCF-7 cells in vitro and in athymic mice in vivo, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that GEN and BP A might modulate human endocrine system and these compounds might be considered as a endocrine modulator at the low levels of doses.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.487-501
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• 1986

Previous studies from our laboratory suggested that Korean LJP patients might habor A. actinomycetemcomitans of different serotype from Caucasian LJP patients in whom serotype b was predominant. In order to observe the prevalence and serotype distribution of A. actinomycetemcomitans in localized juvenile periodontitis patients and to evaluate leukotoxic activity of oral isolates, this study was performed. A. actinomycetemcomitans was isolated by using a selective medium(tryptic soy agar supplemented with 10% serum, $75{\mu}g$ of bacitracin and $5{\mu}g$ of vancomycin per ml). Using immunoabsorbed, ammonium sulfate-fractionated serotype-specific antisera, a total of 69 strains were serologically categorized by ELISA. Leukotoxicity was monitored biochemically by measuring lactate dehydrogenase indicator of cell viability in culture supernatant of PMNL plus viable A. actinomycetemcomitans mixture. The results were as follows: 1. A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 75% of 16 LJP patients, and 71% in the LJP lesions and 6% in the control sites. 2. Presence or absence of A. actinomycetemcomitans in the sampled disease sites has no in fluence on clinical measurements. 3. Three serotypes were approximately equally distributed in overall 9 patients. Three patients harbored 2 different serotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans in the same disease site or different disease sites. 4. The proportion of leukotoxic oral isolates was 22% of a total of 46 strains and the prevalence was 69% in 13 sampled sites. The same disease site could harbor both leukotoxic and nonleukotoxic strains. 5. Distribution of leukotoxic strains in 3 serotypes were not different.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.729-733
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• 2014

Laminaria japonica roots have not been used practically in Korea. In this study, in order to promote the use of these by-products, the anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanol extract of Laminaria japonica root (LJREE) was investigated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. To examine the potential anti-inflammatory effects of LJREE, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and cell proliferation were measured. We found that NO levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner, the production of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ was suppressed, and the production of IL-$1{\beta}$ was inhibited over 30% after treatment with $100{\mu}g/mL$ LJREE. In conclusion, the proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells, measured by MTT assay, confirmed that LJREE may have significant effects on inflammatory factors without any cytotoxicity, making it a potential anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.34-42
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• 2016

In order to prepare for the type approval test for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Phase-II of Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS), a phytoplankton mass culture was conducted in a mesocosm enclosure. We evaluated the response of the phytoplankton community after nutrient addition (+N, +P, and +NP) and investigated the development of the species with increasing culture time. After nutrient dosing, the phytoplankton population significantly (p < 0.05) increased from day 1 to day 3, depending on the nutrient treatments In particular, the specific growth rate of the phytoplankton community in the case of +NP treatment and + N treatment were estimated to be $2.47d^{-1}$ and $1.98d^{-1}$, respectively. The phytoplankton population density in the case of + NP treatment was approximately 50 times higher than that of the control group, suggesting that these treatments could be useful for mass culturing phytoplankton (> 75% of natural community) for the approval regulation of USCG Phase-II. In the phytoplankton community of the mesocosm, Pseudo-nitzchia spp. dominated in the logarithmic growth phase. The cell density decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing time, coinciding with the nutrient limitation. At that time, the dominance of Pseudo-nitzchia spp. shifted to that of Cylindrotheca closterium. Therefore, the optimum nutrient concentration ($N:30{\mu}M$, $P:3{\mu}M$) and reasonable harvesting time (after 3 days in summer) found in this study for the mass culturing of phytoplankton may be helpful to meet the USCG Phase-II biological criteria to be used in BWTS.