• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.889-894
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• 2006

Purpose : Asthma is characterized by the presence of airway hyperresponsiveness(AHR) and inflammation. The extensive eosinophil infiltration into the lung is the hallmark of asthma and contributes to the damage of respiratory epithelium during late phase airway responses. Eotaxin is the major eosinophil chemoattractant found in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid of allergic inflammation. IL-13 has been known to induce the expression of exotaxin and eosinophilia. IL-13 also induces airway inflammation, mucus production and leads to marked fibrosis, airway remodeling and AHR. We investigated whether serum IL-13 levels can reflect the presence of airway hyperresponsiveness in children with asthma, and the relationship between serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels. Methods : Using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels were measured in 13 atopic asthmatics, 5 atopic non-asthmatics and 12 control subjects. Metacholine challenge tests were performed in all subjects. Airway hyperresponsiveness to metacholine was expressed as provocative concentration of metacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1[$PC_{20}mg/mL$]. $PC_{20}$ value of 25 mg/mL was used as a cut-off for defining a AHR. Results : Serum IL-13 levels showed positive correlation with eotaxin levels. Serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels showed no differences among atopic asthmatics, atopic non-asthmatics and control subjects. And there were no differences serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels in children with and without AHR and atopy. Serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels did not correlate with $logPC_{20}$ levels. Conclusion : IL-13 is closely related to the eotaxin release. But serum IL-13 and eotaxin per se can't predict the severity of airway hyperresponsiveness. IL-13 and eotaxin may have local effect on respiratory epithelium or there can be some factors to induce airway hyperresponsiveness other than serum IL-13 in asthmatic airways.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.301-307
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• 2015

High quality transplants are critical for success in crop production. Increasing numbers of growers purchase their transplants from specialized transplant producers instead of growing their own transplants. A drawback of purchasing transplants is the risk of deterioration to transplants during transportation from transplant producers to the growers. This study evaluates the influence of temperature on the quality of grafted tomatoes transplants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Super Doterang), in order to propose optimum temperature condition for the transportation of grafted tomato transplants. Grafted tomato transplants with visible flower trusses were exposed to different air temperature ($10^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, or $40^{\circ}C$) for 2, 4, or 6 hours. After treatment, the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) values of tomato transplants treated at 25 and $40^{\circ}C$ were lower than that at $10^{\circ}C$. The root fresh weight was lowest at $40^{\circ}C$. After transplanting, the transplants that were exposed to the air temperature of $40^{\circ}C$ exhibited chlorosis and blight on lower leaves. The degree of damage on leaves was severer as the high temperature exposure time was longer. The temperature conditions during the transportation also influenced the growth, flowering and fruit set of tomatoes after transplanting. The fruit number and weight of first truss was lowest at $40^{\circ}C$ for 6 hours. Accordingly, it is recommended that the temperature during the transportation should be controlled and kept at the range from 10 to $25^{\circ}C$ even though the period is short (within as six hours) in order to maintain the quality of transplants.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2014

This study examined the uplift bearing capacity of spiral steel pegs according to the degree of soil compaction and embedded depth in a small-scaled lab test. As a result, their uplift bearing capacity increased according to the degree of soil compaction and embedded depth. The uplift bearing capacity under the ground condition of 85% compaction rate especially recorded 48.9 kgf, 57.9 kgf, 86.2 kgf and 116.6 kgf at embedded depth of 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm and 40 cm, respectively, being considerably higher than under other ground conditions. There were huge differences in the uplift bearing capacity of spiral steel pegs according to the compaction conditions of ground. Their maximum uplift bearing capacity was 116.6 kgf under the ground condition of 85% compaction rate and at embedded depth of 40 cm, and it is very high considering the data of spiral steel pegs. It is thus estimated that wind damage can be effectively reduced by careful maintenance of ground condition surrounding spiral steel pegs. In addition, spiral steel pegs will be able to make a contribution to greenhouse structural stability if proper installation methods are provided including the number and interval according to the types of greenhouse as well as fixation of plastic film. The findings of the study indicate that the optimal effects of spiral steel pegs for greenhouse can be achieved at embedded depth of more than 35cm and compaction degree of more than 85%. The relative density of the model ground in the test was 67% at compaction rate of 85%.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2014

The present study was conducted to establish an effect and a proper concentration for treatment with gibberellic acid ($GA_3$) and thidiazuron (TDZ), resulting with increase berry size and yield in Gaeryangmeoru grapes. Berry size was increased by treatment with $GA_3$, and the fruit clusters obtained for the groups treated with $GA_3$ concentrations of 100 and $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ were bigger. The berry number was also enhanced in $GA_3$ treated groups, but the soluble solid content and acidity was not significantly different. Damage caused by $GA_3$ treatment, such as peel pollination and berry shatter, was observed in the group with $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$. The berry size was larger in group treated with a high concentration of $GA_3$ and TDZ respectively than in those treated with low concentrations in the treatment mixed $GA_3$ and TDZ; however, fruit with low soluble solid content and high acidity was harvested after $GA_3$ and TDZ treatment due to delay of berry ripening. The pericarp tissue layers were not changed, but the distance from the epidermis layer to vascular bundle tissue was increased as a result of $GA_3$ and TDZ treatment. Therefore, $GA_3$ and TDZ did not affect an cell division but not cell size, resulting in an enlarged berry size. It is necessary to treat plant growth regulators 2~3 times and immediately after berry set to enhance berry set rate, because the period of berry set is short. This study suggests that the proper concentration for enhancing berry size and set were up to $100mg{\cdot}L^1$ $GA_3$ or $50mg{\cdot}L^{-1}GA_3+1.25mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ TDZ, and it is necessary to pay attention to harvest mature fruits because of the delay of ripening caused by the usage of TDZ.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) leaf hot-water extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated HepG2 cells. Treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract increased the cell viability of CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. The levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) released by CCl₄-treated cells were 27.6 U/L and 52.4 U/L, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in untreated control cells (10.0 U/L and 15.2 U/L, respectively). Moreover, the level of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was 5.4 times higher, while that of glutathione was 44.0% lower in CCl₄-treated cells than in control cells. However, treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, and GGT, and an increase in the level of glutathione. Moreover, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells was effectively reduced after treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Additionally, overproduction of intracellular lipids induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively inhibited by D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract treatment. Furthermore, DCFDA staining showed that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively reduced by treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Our results indicate that owing to its beneficial effects, D. morbifera leaf extract has considerable potential as a functional food material for liver protection.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.263-273
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• 2009

There is an increasing number of reports describing Streptococcus parauberis as an important pathogen of cultured olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and starry flounder Platichthys stellatus in Korea. We tried to determine the effects of water temperature (14${^{\circ}C}$ and 21${^{\circ}C}$) on the pathogenicity in Streptococcal disease caused by S. parauberis. We have challenged 180 olive flounder by i.p injection to $2.0{\times}10^{7}$ live cells/fish. Mortality was monitored for 21 days post challenge. And histopathological characterizations as infection degree, tissue degeneration and/or bacterial distribution were investigated with H&E stain and in situ hybridization technique. Fifty percent and 16.7% of mortality occurred within 21 days at 21${^{\circ}C}$ and 14${^{\circ}C}$ water temperature, respectively. In most cases, the typical symptoms of olive flounder infected with S. parauberis were darkness of the skin, lethargy, mild abdominal distension cause by ascites, splenomegaly, congested liver and internal organs paleness. The pericardial sac contained large amounts of cloudy fluid. Numerous whitish nodules, which were variable in size and often confluent, were randomly scattered throughout the myocardium. Especially, pericarditis and/or myocarditis was observed in all tested fishes after death. Positive in reaction with S. parauberis were found in all tissues in situ hybridization analysis. The relative numbers of S. parauberis in heart were much more than in liver, spleen, kidney and stomach. We evaluated that S. parauberis strain causes serious damage in the pericardium, shortness of breath and the blood disorder. Therefore, pericarditis and myocarditis caused by S. parauberis were closely related to mortality of olive flounder.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.2951-2957
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• 2015

The development of worldwide harmful algal blooms(HAB) is a serious problem for public health and fisheries industries. To evaluate the algicidal impact on the HAB species, algicide thiazolidinedione derivative (TD49) and yellow clay were examined, which is focus on assess the algicidal effects and inhibition to photosynthesis of HAB species. To obtain the detailed information, we analyzed the viability of target species related to activity Chl. a, photosynthetic efficiency($F_v/F_m$), and electron transport rate(ETR). Culture experiment was conducted to evaluate the algicidal effects of three harmful species(raphidophyceae Heterosigma akashiwo, Chattonella marina, and dinophyceae Heterocapsa circularisquama) and one non-harmful species (cryptophyceae Rhodomonas salina). Our experiments revealed that three HAB species were easily destroyed of the cell walls after TD49 dosing. Also, they had significantly reducing values of active Chl. a, $F_v/F_m$, and ETR, due to the damage of photosystem II by inter-cellular disturbance. As a result, the algicidal effect(%) for the three HABs were as follows, in the order of greatest to the least: H. circularisquama> C. marina> H. akashiwo. However, the algicidal effect for yellow clay remained to be <30% (p>0.01), implying that it may not have damaged the photosystem II. On the other hand, non-HAB R. salina was promoted at both TD49 and yellow clay treatments. Our results demonstrated that the TD49 is a good agent for the control of HABs H. akashiwo, C. marina, and H. circularisquama, whereas the yellow clay would not be suitable for the field application based on our experimental results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.779-789
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• 2017

The effects of orally administered Seomaeyakssuk (Artemisia argyi H.) vinegar on lipid metabolism in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFC) diet were analyzed. The experimental animals were divided into five groups: a normal diet group (normal, N), HFC diet group (control, C), HFC diet with lovastatin at 20 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) group (positive control, PC), HFC diet with malt vinegar group (TM), and HFC diet with Seomaeyaksuk vinegar group (TS) (2 mL/kg B.W.). After 4 weeks of feeding rats the experimental diet, contents of serum total lipids and total cholesterol levels of TM and TS groups were significantly lower than those of the PC group. Triglyceride contents of the TM and TS groups were not significantly different from those of the PC group but significantly lower than those of the C group. Content of serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was significantly lower than that of the N group but higher than that of the C group. Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol content of serum was 190.68 mg/dL in the TS group, which was the lowest except for the N group. Aspartate transaminase and albumin transaminase activities as a measurement of liver damage index were not significantly different between the TM, TS, and C groups. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance content of the TS group was reduced to a similar level as the N group but was lower than that of the C group in the liver and significantly higher than that of the N group. Antioxidant activity of the TS group was 55.69% in serum, which was a similar to that of the N group, and was 52.39% in the liver, which was not significantly different than that of the C group. From these results, we conclude that Seomaeyakssuk vinegar improves serum lipid content as a result of the complex action of vinegar, an active ingredient of Seomaeyakssuk and a product of the fermentation process.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.373-384
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• 2001

Cellular proliferation is an intricately regulated process mediated by the coordinated interactions of critical growth control genes. Two of these factors in mammalian cells are the p53 and mdm-2 genes. A protein product of the mem-2 oncogene has been recently shown to associate with the protein encoded by the tumor suppressor gene p53. The p53 tumor suppressor protein is stabilized in response to DNA damage and other stress signals and causes the cell to undergo growth arrest or apoptosis, thus preventing the establishment of mutations in future cellular generations. Mutation or loss of p53 is a very common event in tumor progression. It occurs in about 50% of all tumors analysed including of colon, lung, breast and liver. The cellular mdm-2 gene, which has potential transforming activity that can be activated by overexpression, is amplified in a significant percentage of human sarcoma and in other mammalian tumors. Proteins encoded by the mdm-2 gene are able to bind to the p53 protein and, when overexpressed, can inhibit p53's transcriptional activation function, thus mdm-2 can act as a negative regulator of p53 function. Experimental study was performed to observe the relationship between p53 gene mutation and mdm-2 protein expression and apply the results to the clinical activity. 36 golden syrian hamster each weighing $60{\sim}80g$ were used and painted with 0.5% DMBA by 3 times weekly on the right buccal cheek(experimental side) for 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks. Left buccal cheek(control side) was treated with mineral oil as the same manner to the right side. The hamsters were sacrificed on the 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16 weeks. Normal and tumor tissues from paraffin block were examined for histology and immunohistochemistry observation, and were completely dissected by microdissection and DNA from both tissue were isolated by proteins K/phenol/chloroform extraction. Segments of the hamster p53 exons 5, 6, 7 and 8 were amplified by PCR using the oligonucleotide primers, and then confirmational change was observed by SSCP respectively. The results were as follows : 1. Dysplasia at 6 weeks, carcinoma in situ at 8 weeks and invasive carcinoma from 10 weeks could be observed in experimental groups. 2. p53 mutations were detected in 10 of the 36(28%) and the exons 6(6 of the 10 : 60%) was the most hot spot area among the highy conserved region(exons 5, 6, 7 & 8). 3. Immunohistochemical study confirmed 22 of the 36(61%) of p53 expression involving 10 of p53 mutations. 4. mdm-2 expression of was showed in 3 of the 36(8%) involving 1 of the 22 of p53 expression and 2 of the 14 of p53 non-expression. From the above results, mutation of p53 gene or expression of p53 protein may have the influence of the DMBA induced carcinoma of hamster buccal pouch but the expression of mdm-2 protein may not have relationship with tumorigenesis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the antioxidative effects of brown seaweed Ecklonia cava extract and its subfractions. All experiments were performed with 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction of E. cava. The free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) of ethyl acetate fraction ($FSC_{50}=6.98{\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction ($7.03{\mu}g/mL$) are similar to that of (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol ($8.98{\mu}g/mL$) which is a reference control. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity (total antioxidant capacity, $OSC_{50}$) of the aglycone fraction ($OSC_{50}=14.48{\mu}g/mL$) on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay was the strongest among all extract and fractions. However, all samples showed lower antioxidant activities than that of L-ascorbic acid ($6.88{\mu}g/mL$) known as a powerful antioxidant. The protective effect of 50% ethanol extract on the $^1O_2$-induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes was dependent on the concentration from 5 to $50{\mu}g/mL$. Both ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction showed strong cellular protective activities at $10{\mu}g/mL$, where the cellular protective effects (${\tau}_{50}$) of each fraction were recorded 442.0 min and 539.9 min, respectively. Three kinds of extract/fractions of E. cava showed much greater cellular protective activities at $10{\mu}g/mL$ than that of liposoluble antioxidant (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (40.6 min) which is a reference control. These results suggest E. cava extracts and its fractions can be applied as an antioxidant ingredient in a field of cosmetics.