• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.874-885
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• 2012

In the present study, the possibility of whether the pharmacological effects of Scutellariae Radix Aqueous Extracts(SR) were favorably changed by report that lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced rat acute lung injury was treated with Red-Koji(Monascus purpureus 12002) fermentation. Three different dosages of Red-Koji fermented SR extract(fSR), 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg were orally administered once a day for 28 days before LPS(Escherichia coli 0111:B4) treatments, and then 5 hours after LPS treatment(500 ${\mu}g$/head, intra trachea instillation), all rats were sacrificed. Changes in the body weights, lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit, arterial gas parameters(pH, $PaO_2$ and $PaCO_2$) bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) protein, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$(IL-$1{\beta}$) contents, total cell numbers, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, lung malondialdehyde(MDA), myeloperoxidase(MPO), proinflammatory cytokine TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents were observed with histopathology of the lung, changes on luminal surface of alveolus(LSA), thickness of alveolar septum, number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs). As results of LPS-injection, dramatical increases in lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit increases in $PaCO_2$, decreases in pH of arterial blood and $PaO_2$, increases of BALF protein, LDH, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents, total cells, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, lung MDA, MPO, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents increases were detected with decreases in LSA and increases of alveolar septum and PMNs numbers, respectively as compared with intact control. Especially fSR 125 mg/kg showed quite similar favorable effects on the LPS-induced acute lung injuries as compared with 60 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid and 250 mg/kg of SR. The results suggest that over 125 mg/kg of fSR extracts showed favorable effects on the LPS-induced acute lung injury mediated by their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, increases of the pharmacological effects of SR on LPS-induced acute lung injury were observed by Red-Koji fermentation in this study, at least 2-fold higher.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2006

Changes in hematology and serum biochemistry after treatment of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO, HM10760) were screened in 4 male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Four monkeys, composed of a treatment group of HM10760 and a positive control group of $Aranesp^(R}$, were subcutaneously administered at same dose of $100{\mu}g/kg$. Both groups did not show any change in body weights and food consumption for 4 weeks compared with those of pretreatment. Both groups did not show any change in total leukocyte count (WBC) and platelet count, while both groups showed increased platelet distribution width (PDW) percentage in HM10760 group during a period from day 5 to day 59 and in $Aranesp^(R}$ group during a period from day 9 to day 26. Both groups showed increases in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and hematocrit (HCT) approximately 10 days after treatment compared with those of pretreatment (day 0). The increased levels of RBC, HGB, and HCT were much higher in HM10760 than in $Aranesp^(R}$ by the increases of $3.2%{\sim}12.5%$ for RBC, $3.8%{\sim}17.1%$ for HCT, and $1.85%{\sim}11%$ for HGB. Both groups showed increases in red cells distribution width (RDW) and reticulocyte (RET) compared with those of pretreatment, showing the highest peak from day 9. The increased level of RET lasted up to day 14 in $Aranesp^(R}$ group, while it lasted up to day 23 in HM10760 group. The increased level of RDW lasted up to day 59, it was much higher in HM10760 by the increase of $10.1%{\sim}17.6%$ than in $Aranesp^(R}$ group. In serum biochemistry, both groups showed a decrease in chloride level compared with those of pretreatment. These findings indicated that HM10760 increased RBC, HGB, HCT, RDW, and RET compared with those of pretreatment, and the increased levels were much higher in HM10760 than in $Aranesp^(R}$.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2015

The increasing uses of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) in industrial and personal care products raise possible danger of using nZnO in human. To determine whether ZnO induces size-dependent anomalies during embryonic organogenesis, mouse embryos on embryonic day 8.5 were cultured for 2 days under 50, 100, and $150{\mu}g$ of nZnO (< 100 nm) or micro-sized ZnO (mZnO; $80{\pm}25{\mu}m$), after which the morphological changes, cumulative quantity of Zn particles, and expressions of antioxidant and apoptotic genes were investigated. Although embryos exposed to $50{\mu}g$ of ZnO exhibited no defects on organogenesis, embryos exposed to over $100{\mu}g$ of ZnO showed increasing anomalies. Embryos treated with $150{\mu}g$ of nZnO revealed significant changes in Zn absorption level and morphological parameters including yolk sac diameter, head length, flexion, hindbrain, forebrain, branchial bars, maxillary process, mandibular process, forelimb, and total score compared to the same dose of mZnO-treated embryos. Furthermore, CuZn-superoxide dismutase, cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and phospholipid hydroperoxidase GPx mRNA levels were significantly decreased, but caspase-3 mRNA level was greatly increased in nZnO-treated embryos as compared to normal control embryos. These findings indicate that nZnO has severer teratogenic effects than mZnO in developing embryos.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.86-92
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• 2002

The feasibility of counting number of small vessels and position in Korean waters using the panchromatic imageries derived from the IRS-1C was tested. The parameters for interpretation of satellite's imageries of small vessels were location(position), size, shape, shadow, tone, texture and pattern, height and depth, situation and association with other vessels. The position of small vessels in the sea without GCP(ground control point) was considered to be inclusive in the satellite imagery with 35 km semi-diameter, denoting rough geographical position of the vessel. The size of vessel was measured by length from stem to stern of the vessel, distinguished by following wave on the surface water. Offshore fishing vessels were separated from merchant ships by their length smaller than 100 m. The shape of vessels on panchromatic imagery of IRS-1C appeared just streamline. In case of clouds which were similar to the shape of small vessels, we were able to distinguish between vessel and cloud by shadow of cloud in the water surface. The tone of sea surface was dark black while small vessel appeared bright white. Small vessel was distinguished from the rough texture of the sea surface and the regular pattern of the waves with white capes when weather was not so good. The situation of the fishing activity was estimated by information of fishing method related to the fishing boat such as the pair trawl in the Yellow Sea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.600-607
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• 2013

This study was performed to investigate the repeated-dose toxicity of Leuconostoc citreum GR1 (Leuc. citreum GR1), a lactic acid bacterium isolated from kimchi, in male and female rats. Sprague-Dawley male and female rats were divided into four group (ten animals in each group) and Leuc. citreum GR1 was administered daily by gavage to rats at dosage levels of 0, 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg/day for four weeks. There were no bacterial-related deaths or abnormal clinical signs in either gender of rats during the observation period. Furthermore, no differences were found between the control and treatment groups in terms of body weight, food intake, and water consumption. Hematological parameters, serum biochemical analysis, and histopathological examination also showed insignificant dose-dependent alterations. There were also no alterations in organ weights upon administration of Leuc. citreum GR1 alone. These results suggest the oral application of Leuc. citreum GR1, up to a dosage level of 2,000 mg/kg, causes no adverse effects in both male and female rats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.559-568
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• 2012

White (Lohmann LSL) and Brown (ATAK-S) laying hens, were reared under organic and conventional cage rearing systems, and the effects of the rearing system on performance parameters, egg production, egg characteristics, and immune response were investigated. For this purpose, a total of 832 laying hens of two commercial hybrids, i.e., 416 white (Lohmann LSL) and 416 Brown (ATAK-S) layers, were used. The experiment lasted between 23 and 70 wk of age. In this study, the white layers yielded more eggs as compared to the brown layers in both organic and conventional production systems. Egg weight exhibited a similar pattern to that of laying performance. However, the total hen-housed egg number for the white birds in the organic system was fewer than that of white birds in the conventional cage facility; conversely, a contradictory tendency was observed for the brown birds. Livability of the white layers in the organic system was remarkably lower (14%) than that of the brown line, whereas the white line survived better (3.42%) than their brown counterparts in conventional cages. The feed conversion ratio of the white hens was markedly inferior in the organic system as compared to that of the white hens in the conventional system, whereas relatively lower deterioration was reported in brown layers when reared in an organic system. The organic production system increased egg albumen height and the Haugh unit in eggs of the brown layers. The yolk color score of organic eggs was lower than that of conventional eggs for both brown and white hens. The egg yolk ratio of eggs from white layers was found to be higher in organic eggs as compared to those obtained in the conventional system. All organic eggs had heavier shells than those produced in the conventional system. Eggs from brown layers had more protein content than eggs from white layers. Neither housing systems nor genotype influenced egg yolk cholesterol concentration. When compared to conventional eggs, n-3 fatty acid content was lower in organic eggs, and the n-6:n-3 ratio was higher in organic eggs. In conclusion, two hen genotypes showed different responses in terms of performance and egg quality to two different rearing systems. A commercial white strain produced more eggs with higher egg quality as compared to a native brown strain. The brown strain was found to have adapted well to organic production conditions when survival and total egg number was taken into consideration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1426-1435
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• 2014

Saponins have been considered as promising natural substances for mitigating methane emissions from ruminants. However, studies reported that addition of saponin-rich sources often arrived at contrasting results, i.e. either it decreased methane or it did not. The aim of the present study was to assess ruminal methane emissions through a meta-analytical approach of integrating related studies from published papers which described various levels of different saponin-rich sources being added to ruminant feed. A database was constructed from published literature reporting the addition of saponin-rich sources at various levels and then monitoring ruminal methane emissions in vitro. Accordingly, levels of saponin-rich source additions as well as different saponin sources were specified in the database. Apart from methane, other related rumen fermentation parameters were also included in the database, i.e. organic matter digestibility, gas production, pH, ammonia concentration, short-chain fatty acid profiles and protozoal count. A total of 23 studies comprised of 89 data points met the inclusion criteria. The data obtained were subsequently subjected to a statistical meta-analysis based on mixed model methodology. Accordingly, different studies were treated as random effects whereas levels of saponin-rich source additions or different saponin sources were considered as fixed effects. Model statistics used were p-value and root mean square error. Results showed that an addition of increasing levels of a saponin-rich source decreased methane emission per unit of substrate incubated as well as per unit of total gas produced (p<0.05). There was a decrease in acetate proportion (linear pattern; p<0.001) and an increase in propionate proportion (linear pattern; p<0.001) with increasing levels of saponin. Log protozoal count decreased (p<0.05) at higher saponin levels. Comparing between different saponin-rich sources, all saponin sources, i.e. quillaja, tea and yucca saponins produced less methane per unit of total gas than that of control (p<0.05). Although numerically the order of effectiveness of saponin-rich sources in mitigating methane was yucca>tea>quillaja, statistically they did not differ each other. It can be concluded that methane mitigating properties of saponins in the rumen are level- and source-dependent.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1513-1520
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• 2014

The present aim was to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions (TCM) on body temperature, blood physiological parameters, nutrient apparent digestibility and growth performance of beef cattle under heat stress conditions. Twenty-seven beef cattle were randomly divided into three groups as following; i) high temperature control (HTC), ii) traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions I+high temperature (TCM I) and iii) traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions II+high temperature (TCM II) (n = 9 per group). The results showed that the mean body temperature declined in TCM II treatment (p<0.05). Serum $T_3$ and $T_4$ levels with TCM I and TCM II treatments elevated (p<0.05), and serum cortisol levels of TCM I treatments decreased (p<0.05), compared with the HTC group. Total protein, albumin, globulin in TCM II treatments elevated and blood urea nitrogen levels of both TCM treatments increased, but glucose levels of both TCM treatments decreased, compared with the HTC group (p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of organic matter and crude protein with TCM I treatment increased, and the apparent digestibility of acid detergent fiber elevated in both TCM treatments (p<0.05). Average daily feed intake was not different among three groups, however average daily gain increased and the feed:gain ratio decreased with both TCM treatments, compared with the HTC group (p<0.05). The present results suggest that dietary supplementation with TCM I or TCM II improves growth performance of heat stressed beef cattle by relieving heat stress responses and increasing nutrient apparent digestibility.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bioinformatics Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.21-22
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• 2000

Expressed sequence tags (EFTs) are the partial segments of cDNA produced from 5 or 3 single-pass sequencing of cDNA clones, error-prone and generated in highly redundant sets. Advancement and expansion of Genomics made biologists to generate huge amount of ESTs from variety of organisms-human, microorganisms as well as plants, and the cumulated number of ESTs is over 5.3 million, As the EST data being accumulate more rapidly, it becomes bigger that the needs of the EST analysis tools for extraction of biological meaning from EST data. Among the several needs of EST analyses, the extraction of protein sequence or functional motifs from ESTs are important for the identification of their function in vivo. To accomplish that purpose the precise and accurate identification of the region where the coding sequences (CDSs) is a crucial problem to solve primarily, and it will be helpful to extract and detect of genuine CD5s and protein motifs from EST collections. Although several public tools are available for EST analysis, there is not any one to accomplish the object. Furthermore, they are not targeted to the plant ESTs but human or microorganism. Thus, to correspond the urgent needs of collaborators deals with plant ESTs and to establish the analysis system to be used as general-purpose public software we constructed the pipelined-EST analysis system by integration of public software components. The software we used are as follows - Phred/Cross-match for the quality control and vector screening, NCBI Blast for the similarity searching, ICATools for the EST clustering, Phrap for EST contig assembly, and BLOCKS/Prosite for protein motif searching. The sample data set used for the construction and verification of this system was 1,386 ESTs from human intrathymic T-cells that verified using UniGene and Nr database of NCBI. The approach for the extraction of CDSs from sample data set was carried out by comparison between sample data and protein sequences/motif database, determining matched protein sequences/motifs that agree with our defined parameters, and extracting the regions that shows similarities. In recent future, in addition to these components, it is supposed to be also integrated into our system and served that the software for the peptide mass spectrometry fingerprint analysis, one of the proteomics fields. This pipelined-EST analysis system will extend our knowledge on the plant ESTs and proteins by identification of unknown-genes.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2005

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the expectable current cure operation methods. Tumor tissue is treated by abundant oxygen in a body and generated singlet or free radical from exterior laser diode and photosensitizer. Current problem of PDT is the low penetration power of the light beam in a deep seated large tumor and solid tumor thus results in low treatment outcome. In the study, we tried to develop interstitial photodynamics therapy treatment to solve this problem. As the accurate determination of light dosimetry in biological tissue is one of the most important factors affecting the effectiveness of PDT, parameters used in this study are the optical property of biological tissue. Since biological tissues have large scattering coefficient to visible light the penetration depth of a biological tissue in visible light region is only $15\~20$ mm. We showed that it is possible to measure fluence rate and penetration depth within the biological tissues by Monte Carlo simulation very well. Based on the MC simulation study, the effectiveness of interstitial photodynamic therapy on tumor control in solid tumor was proved through in vivo animal experiment.