• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.326-336
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• 1997

In order to investigate the effect of aqua-acupuncture solution with Panax Ginseng into $Qihai(CV_6)$ and $Shenshu(BL_{23})$ on immune response induced by glucocorticoid in mouse, Panax Ginseng aqua-acupuncture solution was injected into $Qihai(CV_6)$ and $Shenshu(BL_{23})$ for seven days after injection with glucocorticoid. And then MA-HRP (methamphetamine-horseradish peroxidase) induced antibody production, numbers and lysozyme activity in macrophage were measured. The results were as follows: 1. The antibody production in mouse immunized with MA-HRP was decreased in control group as compared with normal group. Although $Qihai(CV_6)$ group showed slight increasement, $Shenshu(BL_{23})$ group indicated great increasement compared with normal group. However in Aa-BL group, antibody production was almost increased to normal group. 2. In control group, the numbers of macrophage were decreased about 14% as compared with normal group. And in the pretreated groups of $Qihai(CV_6)$ and $Shenshu(BL_{23})$ were respectively increased 3.0 times and 2.9 times as compared with normal group. 3. Effect of Panax Ginseng-aqua acupuncture solution on the lysozyme activity in macrophage was increased gradually in the pretreated groups of $Qihai(CV_6)$ and $Shenshu(BL_{23})$ as compared with control group. These results suggest that Panax Ginseng aqua-acupuncture at $Qihai(CV_6)$ and $Shenshu(BL_{23})$ may increase antibody production and lysozyme activity in macrophage that is suppressed by glucocorticoid, and Panax Ginseng aqua-acupuncture will have immuno adjuvant effects on the cells which concerned with immunomechanisms.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.538-545
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate growth response and toxigenicity under various temperature and nutritional conditions, in order to understand the physioecological characteristics of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, which is a bloom-forming cyanobacterium in the Nakdong River. The strain was inoculated into media under combinations of four temperatures (4, 12, 21, $30^{\circ}C$) and three nutrients (modified CB medium, P-depleted CB medium, N-depleted CB medium) for 28 days. The algae-inhibition tests were performed to assess the potential allelopathic effects of the strains' filtrates on the growth of four algae strains (Microcystis aeruginosa, Aulacoseria ambigua f. spiralis, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Scenedesmus obliquus). Toxin production of a strain was measured by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSolbent Assay (ELISA). The optimal growth temperature (Topt) of strains was $19.9^{\circ}C$ ($18.3-21.2^{\circ}C$), and the temperature range for growth was from $-0.3^{\circ}C$ to $34.3^{\circ}C$. Specific growth rate (${\mu}$) in modified CB medium varied from 0.10 to $0.16day^{-1}$, and the maximum growth rate (${\mu}_{max}$) was $0.17day^{-1}$. Although growth curves under N-existed and N-depleted conditions were almost the same, growth under N-depleted condition was relatively slowed (${\mu}=0.09$ to $0.14day^{-1}$), with a decreased maximum cell density. However, growth under the P-depleted condition was restricted for all temperatures, Two stains of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae were confirmed as not producing toxins, because saxitoxin and cylindrospermopsin were not detected by ELISA. The exudates or filtrates from the Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (DGUC003) resulted in significant inhibition of algal growth on the Aulacoseira ambigua f. spiralis (DGUD001) and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (DGUC001) (p < 0.01).

• Journal of Gynecologic Oncology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.93.1-93.11
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• 2018

The introduction of checkpoint inhibitors revolutionized immuno-oncology. The efficacy of traditional immunotherapeutics, like vaccines and immunostimulants was very limited due to persistent immune-escape strategies of cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors target these escape mechanisms and re-direct the immune system to anti-tumor toxicity. Phenomenal results have been reported in entities like melanoma, where no other therapy was able to demonstrate survival benefit, before the introduction of immunotherapeutics. The first experience in ovarian cancer (OC) was reported for nivolumab, a fully human anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) antibody, in 2015. While the data are extraordinary for a mono-immunotherapeutic agent and very promising, they do not match up to the revolutionary results in entities like melanoma. The key to exceptional treatment response in OC, could be the identification of the most immunogenic patients. We hypothyse that BRCA mutation could be a predictor of improved response in OC. The underlying DNA-repair-deficiancy should result in increased immunogenicity because of higher mutational load and more neoantigen presentation. This hypothesis was not tested to date and should be subject to future trials. The present article gives an overview of the immunologic background of checkpoint inhibition (CI). It presents current data on nivolumab and other checkpoint-inhibitors in solid tumors and OC specifically and depicts important topics in the management of this novel substance group, such as side effect control, diagnostic PD-1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression assessment and management of pseudoprogression.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.181-188
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• 2009

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the effect of methyl gallate of Paeonia suffruticosa(Moutan Cortex Radicis) on inflammatory response in activated macrophages. Methods : RAW264.7 cells were incubated with different concentrations of methyl gallate of Paeonia suffruticosa for 30 min and then stimulated with or without LPS at indicated times. Cell toxicity was determined by MTT assay. The concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6) were measured in culture medium by Griess assay, enzyme-immuno assay, and ELISA, respectively. The expressions of iNOS, COX-2 and cytokine mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$ degradation in cytosol and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 translocation into nuclear of the cells were determined by Western blot. Results : Methyl gallate was significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of NO and PGE2 in RAW264.7 cells. Methyl gallate was also suppressed LPS-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and protein in the cells. Methyl gallate was inhibited LPS-induced production of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 via suppression of their mRNA expressions. Methyl gallate blocked the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Conclusions : This study suggests that methyl gallate of Paeonia suffruticosa may have an antiinflammatory property through suppressing inflammatory mediator production in activated macrophages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.707-714
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• 2008

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan on growth performance, immunity and endocrine responses of weanling piglets. One hundred and eighty weanling piglets (Landrace$\times$Large White, $7.20{\pm}0.25kg$ BW and $28{\pm}2$ d of age) were randomly fed 1 of 5 treatment diets containing dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplemented at 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 4 wks. Each treatment was replicated in 6 pens containing 6 pigs per pen. On d 14 and 28, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency were recorded as measures of growth performance. Peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured to study the effect of dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation on immune function. Plasma prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), growth hormone (GH) and ghrelin were measured to investigate endocrine response to ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation. Our results suggest that average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency had a quadratic increase trend with dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation from d 14 to 28, whereas it had no significant effect on average daily feed intake (ADFI). The treatment group fed with 50 mg/kg dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation showed a numerical increase in ghrelin, a similar change trend with ADG and no significant effect on GH. Lymphocyte proliferation indices, serum IgG and plasma PGE2 concentrations varied linearly with dietary supplementation levels of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan on d 14. Higher levels of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan may have a transient immuno-enhancing effect on the cellular and humoral immune function of weanling piglets via decreased PGE2. Taking into account both immune response and growth performance, the most suitable dietary supplementation level of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan is 50 mg/kg for weanling piglets.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2018

Background: Polysaccharides are the most important functional constituent in Astragalus membranaceus. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of polysaccharides isolated from the aboveground parts of A. membranaceus (AMA) and polysaccharides isolated from the roots of A. membranaceus (AMR) immune function by modulated cytotoxic T cell and Th1- and Th2-related cytokines kinetics. Methods and Results: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into exhaustive exercise case groups and non-exercise case, AMA and AMR samples were administered orally for 30 days (500 mg/kg/day and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively) and were compared to those rats in the groups fed commercial sports drink (SPD) and vehicle. Both exhaustive exercise groups and non-exercise groups had a lower ratio of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ cells in the spleens of the rat fed AMA and AMR compared to those in the rats fed SPD and vehicle group. These results suggested that AMA and AMR promote an increase in the proportion of cytotoxic T cells. The IL-4-producing T lymphocytes decreased significantly in the AMR (10 mg/kg/day) group compared to SPD and vehicle, whereas the AMA group increased the IL-4 concentration more than the SPD and vehicle in exhaustive exercise group. However, the populations of IFN-${\gamma}$-producing T lymphocytes of AMR and AMA increased. AMA decreased the concentration of IFN-${\gamma}$ to inhibit the Th1 response and thereby increased the concentration of IL-4 to induce a Th2 response that was related to humoral immunity in the non-exercise group. Conclusions: These results showed that, in addition to Th1/Th2 regulation, AMR and AMA played an important immuno-modulatory role after exhaustive exercise-induced Th1/Th2 lymphocyte imbalance, which might be correlated with cytokine producing immunoregulatory cells.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2020

Background: Nivolumab and pembrolizumab are antagonists of the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) receptor that function as immuno-oncological agents. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nivolumab and pembrolizumab in elderly patients in outpatient settings. Methods: The safety and efficacy of nivolumab and pembrolizumab were compared retrospectively among patients at the Veterans Health Service (VHS) Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea, from September 1, 2017 to August 25, 2018. Results: Eighty-seven patients were selected for the study. The median progression-free survival was 63 days for nivolumab (95% confidence interval (CI), [14 to 282]) vs. 243 days for pembrolizumab (95% CI, [22 to 348]) (p =0.04). The objective response rate (ORR) was 0% in the nivolumab group vs 5.6% in the pembrolizumab group (p =0.310). All the patients exhibited treatment-related adverse effects. More than 89% of the patients exhibited diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Pneumonia, of grades three or higher, was the most common adverse effect, followed by weakness and anorexia. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference between the nivolumab group and the pembrolizumab group with respect to the ORR. The incidence and severity of the adverse effects in this study were higher than those of previous studies; however, these adverse effects are generally manageable in a real-world clinical setting. Further randomized controlled studies will be necessary to confirm these results in elderly patients.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 1999

In order to investigate the effects of Bupleuri Radix aqua-acupuncture solution (BRAS) on immuno suppression induced by glucocorticoid, ICR mice were administrated with glucocorticoid (80 mg/kg) for 7 days, and immunized with hapten, methamphetamine-horseradish peroxidase $(10\;{\mu}g/mouse)$. And then, BRAS (0.2ml/mouse) injected into $CV_4\;and\;BL_{23}$, which are the classical acupuncture points in traditional medicine, for 7 days. And then B and T cells proliferation and cytolytic activity of natural killer (NK) cells were measured. Intraperitoneal injection of glucocorticoid decreased lysozyme activity in macrophage and cytolytic activity of NK cell. B and T cell proliferation were significantly increased in aqua-acupuncture group compared to normal group. On the other hand, BRAS significantly increased the lysozyme activity in macrophage, and the cytolytic activity of purified NK cell on K562. These results suggest that BRAS at $CV_4\;and\;BL_{23}$ may proliferate B and T cells that are suppressed by glucocorticoid and activate NK cell activity.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2004

Body antioxidant status is an important factor for the prevention of many chronic diseases in the elderly. This study was done to investigate antioxidant status and its relationship to immune response by measuring plasma cytokine (IL-2 and IL-6) levels in elderly women. Subjects were 76 elderly women aged over 60 years, visiting Jangwhi Social Welfare Center of Seongbook-Gu in Seoul. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to age (< 65, 65 - 74, > 75). Dietary intakes were assessed by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (SFFQ). Plasma vitamin C level was measured by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method and plasma levels of vitamin E, A and ${\beta}$-carotene were measured by HPLC. Plasma levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were determined with a solid phase sandwich enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) using commercial kits. The average intakes of antioxidant vitamins were 96.3mg (137.5% of RDA) for vitamin C and 523.3 ${\mu}$gRE (74.8% of RDA) for vitamin A in elderly women. All of the average plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins were within normal range. However the percentage of the elderly women with deficiency plus marginal values were 7.9% in vitamin C, 9.2% in vitamin A and 7.9% in vitamin E. Plasma levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were 27.1${\pm}$7.1pg/ml and 5.9${\pm}$5.3pg/ml in elderly women. Correlation data showed that plasma IL-2 level was negatively correlated with plasma vitamin C level. In addition, IL-6 level was also negatively correlated with plasma vitamin C, A and E levels, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance(TB-ARS) level and plasma IL-2 or IL-6 levels. In addition, erythrocyte TBARS level showed a significant positive correlation with plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) level and a significant negative correlation with plasma vitamin C level. Overall results might imply that the decreased levels of antioxidant vitamins result in an increase in oxidative stress and thereby increase cytokine production such as IL-2 and IL-6. However further research is required to elucidate these relationships.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2003

Cytokines represent an essential part of the innate immune response in mammals. Recently, several studies have reported the presence of cytokine-like activities and molecules in the invertebrates such as echinoderms, tunicates, mollusks and insects. In our serial study, we investigated presence of cytokines in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, infected with several immune inducers. Western blotting analysis using rabbit anti-human cytokines showed the presence of IL-6-like molecule in the hemolymph collected at 8 and 24 hrs after infection with peptidoglycan and oligodeoxynucleotide, and the molecular weight of the proteins was ∼45 kDa. We attempted to isolate the molecule by gel permeation HPLC, anion exchange chromatography, ultra centrifugation, and immuno-dot-blot assay, but until now the effort was not much successful yet. It, however, does not appear that the IL-6-like molecule in the silkworm larvae is a mere experimental artifact happened by Western blotting analysis. Instead, further experiment on this subject probably will provide us more fruitful result as detected in other invertebrates including insects.