• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1367-1375
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• 2016

Cilostazol is known to be a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase III and is generally used to treat stroke. Our previous findings showed that cilostazol enhanced capillary density through angiogenesis after focal cerebral ischemia. Angiogenesis is an important physiological process for promoting revascularization to overcome tissue ischemia. It is a multistep process consisting of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tubular structure formation. Here, we examined the modulatory effect of cilostazol at each step of the angiogenic mechanism by using human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). We found that cilostazol increased the migration of HBMECs in a dose-dependent manner. However, it did not enhance HBMEC proliferation and capillary-like tube formation. We used a cDNA microarray to analyze the mechanisms of cilostazol in cell migration. We picked five candidate genes that were potentially related to cell migration, and we confirmed the gene expression levels by real-time PCR. The genes phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\beta}$ ($C/EBP{\beta}$) were up-regulated. The genes tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2), retinoic acid receptor responder 1 (RARRES1), and RARRES3 were down-regulated. Our observations suggest that cilostazol can promote angiogenesis by promoting endothelial migration. Understanding the cilostazol-modulated regulatory mechanisms in brain endothelial cells may help stimulate blood vessel formation for the treatment of ischemic diseases.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2013

We evaluated the anti-diabetic effects of Isaria tenuipes in diabetes mellitus type 2. For the experiments, the diabetic animal model OLETF rats were divided to 4 groups: Isaria tenuipes was administered mixed with the high fat diet 45% at dose levels of 0.0%, 0.1%, 1.0%, and 5.0% for 4 weeks. All animals have free access to water and high fat diet 45%. The diabetic clinical markers, including clinical signs, body weight and food intake, organ weights, blood glucose level, insulin level and HOMA-IR index, oral glucose tolerance test, GLUT4 mRNA and protein were measured at a time. After administration for 4 weeks, the blood glucose levels, insulin levels and HOMA-IR index of test groups were decreased compared with control group in dose-dependent manner. The body weight and diet consumptions were reduced in control group at 4 weeks. The treatments of Isaria tenuipes also showed high expression of GLUT4 mRNA and protein in the muscle of OLETF rats. The results suggest that Isaria tenuipes has anti-hyperglycemic effect attenuating blood glucose in the animal model of type 2 diabetes and might be useful as a functional diet for human diabetic diseases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.245-254
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• 1988

We studied the serological reaction between various antigenic components from Cysticercus cellulosae and IgG antibodies in sera of cysticercosis, sparganosis, hydatidosis patients and normal humans by ELISA and EITB. In serological tests by ELISA, we recognized cross reaction of Cysticercus antigenic components with IgG antibodies in heterologous sera such as sparganosis and hydatidosis patients or normal humans. The crude antigenic components of Cysticercus showed lower ELISA sensitivity in homologous sera from cysticercosis patients than heterologous sera from hydatidosis patients. A total of 31 polypeptide bands with 260 KDa~22 KDa molecular weights were detected by SDS-PAGE, and 11 of them showed strong intensity. Total 22 components of them were recognized by IgG antibodies in cysticercosis patients sera. However, 12 of them were recognized also by normal human sera, 11 were by sparganosis sera, and-21 were by hydatidosis patients sera. The crude antigenic components of 104 KDa, 82 KDa, 72 KDa, 59 KDa and 34 KDa molecular weights were nonspecific ones, which cross-reacted with sera of either cysticerco, =is, sparganosis, hydatidosis patients or normal humans.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-28
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• 2012

Since its establishment in 1948, World Health Organization (WHO) has tried and facilitated international cooperation of public health under the goal of "the highest attainable health," and gained outcomes like the eradication of smallpox and polio, turning itself into the representative of international public health. However, there was discord between member nations during the cold war era, and the status of WHO experienced rise and fall after its establishment. WHO, the representative international health organization, also has not been freed from influences from international regime changes, which means that the discussion on the internal causes of WHO functionings should be expanded more. In this study, functionalism was tested as one of international relations theory that tries to explain the establishment and role of WHO. Especially, this study analyzed the problems and problem-solving process that WHO had to face by using Imber's five steps theory that arranged chronologically the theory of Mitrany. We mainly investigated the secondary source that described historic facts on the rise and fall of WHO in terms of roles and functionings during establishment of WHO, the cold war era, and international cooperation of public health. The roles of WHO were analyzed by selecting the gains of WHO in the post cold war era. The functionalism arrangement of Imber was appropriate to some extent in explaining the establishment and role of WHO. The first step was International Sanitary Conference in 1851 that made nations to recognize international cooperation of public health, and the second step was the establishment of WHO that handles public health as an international organization. Recent cases of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and International Health Regulations showed that each nation agreed with an international norm that they had to cooperate each other to tackle infectious diseases and smoking, and this implies that these were emergence of global governance. This process was the third step of Imber's theory (nations had a gain from international cooperation would agree with the expansion of authority of international organization). However, the last two steps of the theory are still not realized. The partial success of WHO was based on the functional elements that WHO deals with non-political elements, human resources centering on professionals, and democratic decision making process. This essential and non-political characteristics mean that necessity of international cooperation catalyzed by WHO would continue despite of the global governance era when global health governance get faced more challenges.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.88-94
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• 2013

The hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is well known as a hazardous ion, presumably inducing dermatic diseases and if serious cancer. The present study concerns the binding capacity of Cr(VI) ions in the cement powder and matrix for a quantitative technique of Cr(VI) ions in cement to influence human health. Both the water-soluble and acid-soluble Cr(VI) ions present in 3 types of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), pulverised fuel ash (PFA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and silica fume (SF) were measured using the spectrophotometer. As a result, it was found that the concentration of water-soluble Cr(VI) ion in cement ranged from 10.5 to 18.9mg/kg-cement, and in the additional materials a very low value of Cr(VI) ion was measured. Acid-soluble Cr(VI) ion was even higher than water-soluble Cr(VI) ion, ranging from 172.4 to 318.2mg/kg-cement. Nevertheless, the concentration of acid-soluble Cr(VI) ion is not proportional to addition of acid. It depends rather the variable pH of solvent involving cement paste. As enough cement hydration occurs, the binding capacity of Cr(VI) ion increases, inhibiting this ions from leaching out in the presence of hydration products such as ettringite or tri-calcium aluminate which bind Cr(VI) ion by ion-exchange.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.148-164
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• 2018

This study developed the sex education program based on the 'reproduction and development' unit of the middle school science, and examined its effectiveness on middle school boys' sex-related knowledge and attitude towards sex. The sex education program consisted of six topics of the structures and functions of generative organs, the importance of life, abortion, the human generation process, venereal diseases and AIDS, and responsibility of self-determination on sexual behavior. The results indicated that the experimental group demonstrated the statistically higher scores of the knowledge on sex than the control groups' scores, especially in the subcategories of 'pregnancy and delivery' and 'sex-related health'. However, both groups did not display any statistical difference on the attitude toward sex. In the subcategory of the attitude towards sex, the experimental group showed the statistically higher scores on 'self-determination and selection' and 'a health relationship'. In addition, the Pearson correlation results indicated the strongest relationship between the attitude toward sex and 'the self-determination and selection'. These results implicated that the sex education program related to the unit of reproduction and development in the middle school science helps the middle school boys develop the better knowledge and attitude towards sex.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2018

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the leading cause of death among hematologic neoplasms. Recently, microRNA has been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. This study examined whether miR-221 could be used as a diagnostic marker for multiple myeloma. The study was performed on 20 patients with multiple myeloma without any other hematological diseases. MicroRNA extraction was performed using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues obtained from the bone marrow of patients with multiple myeloma. miR-15a, miR-16, miR-21, miR-181a, and miR-221 were selected as the microRNA target genes for multiple myeloma. The significance of microRNA was based on a fold change of <1.5. To quantify the fold changes, data normalized to the human gene, SNORD43, were used as the values of the patient group. Fold change values greater than 1.5 were defined as "overexpression", whereas values less than -1.5 were defined as "underexpression". Of note, 65.0% (13/20) of samples showed significant "overexpression" in the levels of miR-221 expression and plasma cells with a group of more and less than 30% in MM patients did not show any significance of plasma cell (P<0.05). The results of other studies showing a correlation between the expression of miR-221 and MM in Caucasians were confirmed. These results suggest that miR-221 may be a useful indicator for diagnosing patients with MM. In conclusion, miR-221 is useful in the diagnosis and determining the prognosis of multiple myeloma in Koreans.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.3-6
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• 2000

Antimicrobial resistance has been a well-recognized problem ever since the introduction of penicillin into clinical use. History of antimicrobial development can be categorized based on the major antibiotics that had been developed against emerging resistant $pathogens^1$. In the first period from 1940 to 1960, penicillin was a dominating antibiotic called as a "magic bullet", although S.aureus armed with penicillinase led antimicrobial era to the second period in 1960s and 1970s. The second stage was characterized by broad-spectrum penicillins and early generation cephalosporins. During this period, nosocomial infections due to gram-negative bacilli became more prevalent, while those caused by S.aureus declined. A variety of new antimicrobial agents with distinct mechanism of action including new generation cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems, ${\beta}$-lactamase inhibitors, and quinolones characterized the third period from 1980s to 1990s. However, extensive use of wide variety of antibiotics in the community and hospitals has fueled the crisis in emerging antimicrobial resistance. Newly appeared drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase-producing Klebsiella, and VRSA have posed a serious threat in many parts of the world. Given the recent epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and its clinical impact, there is no greater challenge related to emerging infections than the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Problems of antimicrobial resistance can be amplified by the fact that resistant clones or genes can spread within or between the species as well as to geographically distant areas which leads to a global concern$^2$. Antimicrobial resistance is primarily generated and promoted by increased use of antimicrobial agents. Unfortunately, as many as 50 % of prescriptions for antibiotics are reported to be inappropriate$^3$. Injudicious use of antibiotics even for viral upper respiratory infections is a universal phenomenon in every part of the world. The use of large quantities of antibiotics in the animal health industry and farming is another major factor contributing to selection of antibiotic resistance. In addition to these background factors, the tremendous increase in the immunocompromised hosts, popular use of invasive medical interventions, and increase in travel and mixing of human populations are contributing to the resurgence and spread of antimicrobial resistance$^4$. Antimicrobial resistance has critical impact on modem medicine both in clinical and economic aspect. Patients with previously treatable infections may have fatal outcome due to therapeutic failure that is unusual event no more. The potential economic impact of antimicrobial resistance is actually uncountable. With the increase in the problems of resistant organisms in the 21st century, however, additional health care costs for this problem must be enormously increasing.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.61-80
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• 2003

Objectives : Acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used to prevent and treat the cerebrovascular accident, such as a stroke, and many studies of acupuncture and moxibustion concerning to the stroke have been undertaken in the human and various animals. Recently, the new therapeutic tool, that is herbal acupuncture, has been developed since the 1950' and applied to various diseases including the cerebrovascular accident. The main characteristics of herbal acupuncture are a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine. It was not well known the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of herbal acupuncture on transient forebrain ischemic injury, although it has been used frequently in clinics. Methods : In this study, effects of folium Artemisiae Argyi and moxa tar' herbal acupuncture on the $GV_{20}$, named Baek-Hue, on neuroprotection after the transient forebrain ischemia were investigated in Sprague-Dawely rats. Expressions of cFos, FosB and BDNF protein in the hippocampus and cortex were observed at 2 hrs and 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia by immunohis- tochemistry and ELISA technique. Results : Expression of cFos protein was increased slightly in the hippocampus and cortex at 2 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia, but FosB protein was increased highly comparing to cFos protein. However, pretreatment with folium Artemisiae Argyi or moxa tar' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}$ significantly increased expression of cFos protein and significantly decreased expression of FosB protein compared to control group, respectively. These features were observed in the motor cortex and retrosplenial granular cortex as well as the hippocampus. Also, pretreatment with folium Artemisiae Argyi and moxa tar' herbal acupuncture on$GV_{20}$ significantly increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampus and the cortex compared to control group at 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia, respectively. Conclusions : These results suggest that pretreatment with folium Artemisiae Argyi or moxa tar' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}$ has neuroprotective effect on transient forebrain ischemia and theherbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}$ may be related to antioxidative function.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.59-76
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• 2004

Objectives : The usage of acupuncture has gained popularity for certain chronic pain conditions. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in various diseases has not been fully established and the underlying mechanism is not clearly understood. In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to yangno$(SI_6)$ on the neuropathic pain was examined. Methods : A common source of persistent pain in human is a neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. When rats developed pain behaviors, EA was applied for 30 min. under enflurane anesthesia with repeated train stimuli at the intensity of 10X of muscle twitch threshold. The foot withdraw latency of the hind limb was measured for an indicator of pain level after each manipulation. Results : EA increased the mechanical threshold of the foot in the rat model of neuropathic pain significantly for the duration of 1 hr. suggesting a partial alleviation of pain. EA applied to SI6 point produced a significant improvement of mechanical sensitivity of the foot lasting for at least 1 h. However, $ST_{36}$ point did not produce any significant increase of mechanical sensitivity. The improvement of mechanical threshold was interpreted as an analgesic effect. The analgesic effort was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model could not be mimicked by EA applied to a point, $ST_{36}$. In addition, this analgesic effect of EA is mediated by a adrenergic mechanism of descending control of spinal cord from the brain. Conclusions : The data suggest that EA produces a potent analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model in the rat; and 2) that EA-induced analgesia is mediated by a adrenergic mechanism of descending control in a point specific manner.