• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.1047-1057
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• 1998

Background : Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder of unknown origin and characterized by accumulation of T cells and macrophages. Various cytokines may play crucial roles in the activation of T cells and macrophages, and thereby in the formation of granulomas. However, little is known about the balance between proinflammatory cytokines and antiinflammatory cytokines in the development of sarcoid granulomas and disease activities. In the present study, we measured IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis to find out whether there is an imbalance between proinflammatory cytokines and antiinflammatory cytokines in the lung. Methods: Fourteen subjects with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and six healthy volunteers were included. BALF was concentrated ten-fold by pressure ultrafiltration and each cytokine levels were measured by EUSA method. Active sarcoidosis was defined by major organ involvement or clinically progressive diseases. Results: The mean IL-6 levels in the BALF of the active sarcoidosis group were significantly increased than in controls or inactive sarcoidosis group(p<0.05). Meanwhile, the IL-8 levels were increased and IL-10 levels were decreased in the active sarcoidosis group than in controls or inactive sarcoidosis group without significance(p>0.05). In active pulmonary sarcoidosis patients, the IL-6 levels in BALF correlated with the BALF CD4/CD8 ratio(r=0.768, p<0.05) and IL-8 levels(r=0.564, p<0.05). Conclusions : The data presented showed that pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 is important in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and decreased tendency of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 might also be involved in the development of granulomatous inflammation in sarcoidosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.17-32
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• 1984

There are numerous reports on the relative risk of pelvic inflammatory disease among the users versus the nonusers of intrauterine device. Reported relative risk varied from no difference between the two groups to 3-9 fold increase in the users. In an attempt to define this relative risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and related microorganisms ,pelvic organ observation and bacteriological study were done through laparoscopy. Specimens for microbiologic culture were obtained simultaneously from the fallopian tubes via laparoscopy and from the endocervix via regular pelvic examination method. The study population was consisted of 30 I.U.D.users and 35 J.U.D.nonusers who visited the Yonsei University Severance Hospital and the Sung-Ga Hospital for laparoscopic sterilization. The results obtained were as follows: 1. There was no difference in age distribution, economic status and numbers of parity and abortion between I.U.D. users and I.U.D. nonusers. 2. The pelvic inflammatory findings were noted on laparoscopy in 2 cases of I.U.D. users, with an incidence of 6.6%. And no pelvic inflammatory finding was noted in any of the nonusers,but this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.005). 3. All the bacteriologic culture of the specimens from the fallopian tubes of both groups yielded negative results. 4. The bacteriologic culture of the spec imens f rom the endocervix revealed more frequent isolation of possible pathogen such as Hem ophilus ,alpha-Streptococcus ,Corynebacteria, Bacteroides in the I.U.D.users than in the nonusers.But,this difference was also not statistically significant (p>0.005).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2010

Objective: This study was performed to clarify the role of HomeoboxA (HOXA) and its related signaling molecules in the decidualization of primary cultured endometrial cells. Methods: Human endometrial tissues were obtained by curettage of hysterectomy specimens from patients with conditions other than endometrial diseases. Tissues were minced and digested with Trypsin-EDTA for 20 min, $37^{\circ}C$. Cells were cultured with DMEM/F12 medium in $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ incubator for 24 hrs. Cells were treated with HOXA10 siRNA and added transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ (10 ng/mL) for 48 hrs to induces decidualization in vitro. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was accomplished to observe the expression of HOXA10, prolactin, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor (PPAR)-$\gamma$, and wingless-type MMTV integration site family (Wnt). Results: HOXA10 expression was increased (1.8 fold vs. non-treated control) in TGF-${\beta}1$ treated cells. Decidualization marker, prolactin, was significantly increased in TGF-${\beta}1$ treated cells compared with HOXA10 siRNA treated cells. Endometrial cell differentiation marker, COX-2 was down-regulated by HOXA10 siRNA even if cells were treated with TGF-${\beta}1$. Wnt4 was down-regulated by treated with HOXA10 siRNA, this expression patters was not changed by TGF-${\beta}1$. Expression of PPAR-$\gamma$ was down regulated by TGF-${\beta}1$ in regardless of HOXA10 siRNA treatment. Conclusion: TGF-${\beta}1$ which is induced by progesterone in endometrial epithelial cells may induces stromal cell decidualization via HOXA10 and Wnt signaling cascade.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.179-195
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• 2013

The study area, which is located in the southeastern part of the Jirisan province, Yeongnam massif, Korea, is mainly composed of the Precambrian Hadong southern anorthosite complex (HSAC), the Jirisan metamorphic rock complex (JMRC) and Cretaceous sedimentary rock which unconformably covers them. Lithofacies distribution of the Precambrian constituent rocks mainly shows NS and partly NE trends. This paper researched deformational phased structural characteristics of HSAC and JMRC based on the geometric and kinematic features and the forming sequence of multi-deformed rock structures, and suggests that the geological structures of this area was formed through at least three phases of ductile deformation. The first phase ($D_1$) of deformation happened due to the large-scale top-to-the SE shearing, and formed the sheath or "A"-type fold and the regional tectonic frame of NE trend in the HSAC and JMRC. The second phase ($D_2$) of deformation, like the $D_1$ deformation, regionally occurred under the EW-directed tectonic compression, and most of the NE-trending $D_1$ tectonic frame was reoriented into NS trend by the active and passive folding, and the persistent and extensive ductile shear zone (Hadong shear zone) with no less than 2.3~1.4 km width was formed along the eastern boundary of HSAC and JMRC through the mylonitization process. The third phase ($D_3$) of deformation occurred under the NS-directed tectonic compression, and partially reoriented the pre-$D_3$ structural elements into ENE or WNW direction. It means that the distribution of Precambrian lithofacies showing NE trend locally and NS trend widely in this area is closely associated with the $D_1$ and $D_2$ deformations, respectively, and the NS-trending Hadong shear zone in the eastern part of Hadong northern anorthosite complex, which is located in the north of Deokcheon River, also extends into the HSAC with continuity.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.280-290
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• 2002

Three-dimensional (3-D) electromagnetic (EM) modeling algorithm has been developed using finite element method (FEM) to acquire more efficient interpretation techniques of EM data. When FEM based on nodal elements is applied to EM problem, spurious solutions, so called 'vector parasite', are occurred due to the discontinuity of normal electric fields and may lead the completely erroneous results. Among the methods curing the spurious problem, this study adopts vector element of which basis function has the amplitude and direction. To reduce computational cost and required core memory, complex bi-conjugate gradient (CBCG) method is applied to solving complex symmetric matrix of FEM and point Jacobi method is used to accelerate convergence rate. To verify the developed 3-D EM modeling algorithm, its electric and magnetic field for a layered-earth model are compared with those of layered-earth solution. As we expected, the vector based FEM developed in this study does not cause ny vector parasite problem, while conventional nodal based FEM causes lots of errors due to the discontinuity of field variables. For testing the applicability to high frequencies 100 MHz is used as an operating frequency for the layer structure. Modeled fields calculated from developed code are also well matched with the layered-earth ones for a model with dielectric anomaly as well as conductive anomaly. In a vertical electric dipole source case, however, the discontinuity of field variables causes the conventional nodal based FEM to include a lot of errors due to the vector parasite. Even for the case, the vector based FEM gave almost the same results as the layered-earth solution. The magnetic fields induced by a dielectric anomaly at high frequencies show unique behaviors different from those by a conductive anomaly. Since our 3-D EM modeling code can reflect the effect from a dielectric anomaly as well as a conductive anomaly, it may be a groundwork not only to apply high frequency EM method to the field survey but also to analyze the fold data obtained by high frequency EM method.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2013

In this study, wheat doenjang was manufactured using Korean wheat meju and soybean meju, and its quality were investigated according to mixing ratio of meju. The general characteristics such as moisture contents, pH and salinity of wheat doenjang, which is fermented and aged at $25^{\circ}C$ for 70 days, were slightly decreased time dependently as similar pattern. The pH of wheat doenjang ranged from 4.95 to 5.11% and generally decreased with aging. The moisture contents was 54.5~57.5%, and there was no significant differences in the aging period. Also, there was no significant changes in the salt contents. The amino-type nitrogen contents were 376.27~600.91 mg% at day 70 of the aging period, and showed 3 fold change compared to the initial contents. The reducing sugar contents showed significant difference between the samples, and repeated fluctuation in the aging period. Wheat meju sample A, which contains 50% of soybean meju, showed the highest antioxidation ability. In addition, wheat meju sample A showed the highest score in the sensory evaluation of the colour, taste, flavor, and overall acceptability. Therefore, wheat doenjang manufacturing at a 1:1 of mixing ratio will lead to desirable quality of wheat doenjang.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to provide the quality index of salted Korean cabbage in a short-term distribution system. Salted Korean cabbages were packaged with or without 2% salt water, and then distributed in a conventional system (CVS) and a cold-chain system (CCS) for 6 h. The material temperature of samples with and without salt water gradually increased to $19.57^{\circ}C$ and $19.43^{\circ}C$ in a CVS, respectively and to $10.73^{\circ}C$ and $12.90^{\circ}C$ in a CCS, respectively. Salinity of the materials in a CCS did not change, whereas salinities of the materials in a CVS were 1.2 and 1.7 fold higher, respectively. Also, a slight increase in acidity was observed in both packaging materials in a CCS. In the case of a CVS, total aerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria increased to 7.62 log CFU/g and 6.77 log CFU/g in the materials with salt water, respectively, whereas the number of total aerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria ranged between 5.62-5.85 log CFU/g and 4.33-4.83 log CFU/g in the materials without salt water, respectively. However, significant microbial changes were not observed in a CCS as distribution time increased. CCS with salt water packaging was effective in achieving microbial control and maintaining physicochemical quality. Salinity, aerobic bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria can be useful as quality indices for a CVS, and acidity can be useful as quality index for a CCS.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.324-332
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to examine if transient transfection of CAR can transactivate CYP2B1 PBRU reporter gene in COS cells in which the endogenous CYP2B1 gene is not induced by PB. In non-transfeced cells of both Hep G2 and COS, the endogeneous expression of CAR was not detected by antibody against CAR. When cultured cells were transfected with CAR expression plasmid, mCAR1-GFP, both cell types expressed high levels of CAR protein and could allow to examine the effect of CAR in PBRU transactivation. Both cell types expressed endogenous RXR and transfection of RXR expression plasmid dramatically increased its protein expression. Whereas CAR transactivated PBRU2C1Luciferase about 12 fold as compared to 2C1Luciferase in Hep G2 cells, it did not stimulate the luciferase activity of the PBRU reporter gene in COS cells. These results indicate that Hep G2 cells can respond to CAR differently from COS cells, and suggest that factors other than CAR and RXR may be required in inducing PBRU activation and the expression of these factors may be different between liver and kidney.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1274-1280
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• 2011

The concentration of cordycepin produced by crossbred Cordyceps militaris JLM 0636 (CM${\alpha}$) was 7.42 mg/g dry weight, which was 7-fold higher than that of C. militaris (CM). However, cordycepin was not detected in Paecilomyces japonica (PJ). The improvement effects of CM${\alpha}$, CM and PJ on orotic acid (OA)-induced fatty liver in male Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated. Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) based on five dietary categories: normal (N), OA control (C), OA plus 3% (w/w) PJ (PJ), OA plus 3% CM (CM), and OA plus 3% CM${\alpha}$ (CM${\alpha}$). OA treatment induced the retardation of body weight gain and enlargement of the liver. The concentration of hepatic triglyceride was markedly increased by OA-feeding, whereas this rise was significantly reduced by simultaneous feeding of OA, PJ, CM, and CM${\alpha}$, and this phenomenon was more pronounced by cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$. The contents of total lipid, triglyceride, and free fatty acid in the serum were significantly or slightly lower in the OA control group than those of the N group, but there were no significant differences among the OA treatment groups. The hepatocytes in the OA-induced fatty liver contained numerous large lipid droplets, but PJ, CM, and CM${\alpha}$ feeding prevented the OA-induced lipid droplet accumulation in the hepatocytes. This effect was more pronounced in cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$ than in PJ or CM in OA treatment rats. Accordingly, cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$ could be an ideal candidate material as a dietary supplement in healthy functional foods to improve the effects of fatty liver.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1012-1018
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to determine whether Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein (APP) is dysregulated in adipose tissues of C57BL/6 male mice by high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity, aging, or streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. APP mRNA expression was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) in subcutaneous (SAT) and epididymal adipose tissues (EAT) from mice in 8 different condition groups. By combining conditions of age (16 weeks/26 weeks of age), diet (normal diet (ND)/high-fat diet), and induction of diabetes (non-diabetic/diabetic), 88 mice were divided into 8 different groups. QPCR demonstrated that APP expression in SAT was significantly increased by about two-fold in HFD-induced obese mice compared to both 16 week-old and 26 week-old mice in the ND group (16 weeks p=0.001; 26 weeks p<0.0001), but no changes in EAT was found. Particular effects of aging on APP gene expression were not observed in either adipose tissue depots. Significantly decreased APP expression was found in SAT in STZ-induced diabetic mice fed on ND or HFD at 16 weeks of age (ND p<0.05; HFD p<0.01). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that APP expression levels correlated with body weight in both the non-diabetic group (R=0.657, p<0.0001, n=39) and the diabetic group (R=0.508, p=<0.0001, n=49), but did not correlate with plasma glucose levels, which suggests that decreased APP expression in STZ-induced diabetic mice is most likely due to weight loss rather than hyperglycemia. These data confirm APP dysregulation by weight changes in humans and suggest a possible role linking midlife obesity with the later development of amyloidogenesis in the brain of older patients with Alzheimer's disease.