• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.411-422
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• 2020

With the increasing number of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), very early-onset IBD (VEO-IBD), defined as IBD that is diagnosed or that develops before 6 years of age, has become a field of innovation among pediatric gastroenterologists. Advances in genetic testing have enabled the diagnosis of IBD caused by gene mutations, also known as monogenic or Mendelian disorder-associated IBD (MD-IBD), with approximately 60 causative genes reported to date. The diagnosis of VEO-IBD requires endoscopic and histological evaluations. However, satisfactory small bowel imaging studies may not be feasible in this small population. Both genetic and immunological approaches are necessary for the diagnosis of MD-IBD, which can differ among countries according to the available resources. As a result of the use of targeted gene panels covered by the national health insurance and the nationwide research project investigating inborn errors of immunity, an efficient approach for the diagnosis of MD-IBD has been developed in Japan. Proper management of VEO-IBD by pediatric gastroenterologists constitutes a challenge. Some MD-IBDs can be curable by allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With an understanding of the affected gene functions, targeted therapies are being developed. Social and psychological support systems for both children and their families should also be provided to improve their quality of life. Multidisciplinary team care would contribute to early diagnosis, proper therapeutic interventions, and improved quality of life in patients and their families.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.554-559
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• 2012

Oligosaccharide modification by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-V (GnT-V), a glycosyltransferase encoded by the Mgat5 gene that catalyzes the formation of ${\beta}1$,6GlcNAc (N-acetylglucosamine) branches on N-glycans, is thought to be associated with cancer growth and metastasis. Overexpression of GnT-V in cancer cells enhances the signaling of growth factors such as epidermal growth factor by increasing galectin-3 binding to polylactosamine structures on receptor N-glycans. In contrast, GnT-V deficient mice are born healthy and lack ${\beta}1$,6GlcNAc branches on N-glycans, but develop immunological disorders due to T-cell dysfunction at 12-20 months of age. We have developed Mgat5 transgenic (Tg) mice (GnT-V Tg mice) using a ${\beta}$-actin promoter and found characteristic phenotypes in skin, liver, and T cells in the mice. Although the GnT-V Tg mice do not develop spontaneous cancers in any organs, there are differences in the response to external stimuli between wild-type and GnT-V Tg mice. These changes are similar to those seen in cancer progression but are unexpected in some aspects. In this review, we summarize what is known about GnT-V functions in skin and liver cells as a means to understand the physiological roles of GnT-V in mice.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 1999

Nitric oxide (NO) is now recognized as a mediator of several biological and immunological functions, but unlike classical neurotransmitters. NO simply diffuse of the postsynaptic cells and around affecting cells. Taraxacum officinale (Compositae) has been used for maintenance of vitality, and they still occupy an important place in the traditional Korean medicine. We have examined that the effect of Taraxacum officinale water extract on NO synthesis in microglial cells of murine's brain, using the Griess method. And this study was evident that Taraxacum officinale did not induce NO production without recombinant interferon gamma ($rIFN-{\gamma}$), whereas Taraxacum officinale (10-1000 g/ml) with $rIFN-{\gamma}$ effectively produced NO in microglial cells of brain. As result. NO production in microglial cells increased most significantly in dose of 100 g/ml of the Taraxacum officinale and the production of NO was dependent on the dose of Taraxacum officinale, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, competitive inhibitor of NO synthase, reduced the NO production by Taraxacum officinale stimulation with $rIFN-{\gamma}$ in microglial cells of murine. The effect of Taraxacum officinale was mainly dependent on Taraxacum officinale-induced tumor necrosis factor- secretion. Conclusively, this study suggested that Taraxacum officinale stimulate NO production at microglial cells in brain, which may be an important factor for mediating immune and neuroendocrinologic regulation in nervous system.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.511-513
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• 1990

Monoclonal antibody to progesterone was produced using the antigen $11{\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone hemisuccinate conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Hybridomas secreting antibody to progesterone were detected by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cloned in soft agar. Two stable monoclonal antibodies which were highly specific to progesterone were obtained, so it may be advantageously used to study on several physiological functions of progesterone including immunological research.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2001

We have reported that kalopanaxsaponin A (KPS-A) Isolated from Kalopanax pictus have anti-rheumatoidal activity in the rat treated with Freunds complete adjuvant (FCA) reagent. In addition, it has been also reported that KPS-A is a potent antioxidant in the rheumatoidal rat. This research was undertaken to examine whether the saponins of KPS-A and -1 could adjust the abnormal lipid metabolisms and hematological changes in immunological diseases. KPS-A significantly inhibited the increases in both triglycerides and total proteins in addition to the decrease in total cholesterol induced by FCA reagent treatment. KPS-A treatment decreased the number of leucocytes elevated by FCA reagent treatment. Excess dose of the methanol extract produced no severe toxicity on the body weight, wet organ weights and hepatic functions. Since $LD_50$ value of K. pictus methanol extract was shown to be 4,033 ${mg/kg}$, it could be estimated to be a safe agent for anti-rheumatoidal herbal medicines.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.198-201
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• 2023

Maintaining the patency of the external auditory canal (EAC) during reconstruction is important because of its physiological role in hearing and immunological protective functions. The curved shape of the EAC presents a challenge when performing a skin graft. One of the key points for a successful skin graft is to ensure compression on the wound bed, and many novel methods, including prefabricated ear molds, have been reported for this purpose. In this study, we present a case of a skin graft performed to reconstruct a skin defect following excision of actinic keratosis in the EAC, using the cover of an ear thermometer probe as a mold for the graft to match the curvature of the EAC. This is an economical and practical method for secure compression dressing of a skin graft in the EAC.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.36.1-36.16
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• 2023

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play a critical role in thymic development and thymopoiesis. As individuals age, TECs undergo various changes that impact their functions, leading to a reduction in cell numbers and impaired thymic selection. These age-related alterations have been observed in both mice and humans. However, the precise mechanisms underlying age-related TEC dysfunction remain unclear. Furthermore, there is a lack of a comprehensive study that connects mouse and human biological processes in this area. To address this gap, we conducted an extensive transcriptome analysis of young and old TECs in mice, complemented by further analysis of publicly available human TEC single-cell RNA sequencing data. Our analysis revealed alterations in both known and unknown pathways that potentially contribute to age-related TEC dysfunction. Specifically, we observed downregulation of pathways related to cell proliferation, T cell development, metabolism, and cytokine signaling in old age TECs. Conversely, TGF-β, BMP, and Wnt signaling pathways were upregulated, which have been known to be associated with age-related TEC dysfunctions or newly discovered in this study. Importantly, we found that these age-related changes in mouse TECs were consistently present in human TECs as well. This cross-species validation further strengthens the significance of our findings. In conclusion, our comprehensive analysis provides valuable insight into the biological and immunological characteristics of aged TECs in both mice and humans. These findings contribute to a better understanding of thymic involution and age-induced immune dysfunction.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.24
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• 2023

Intestinal microorganisms interact with various immune cells and are involved in gut homeostasis and immune regulation. Although many studies have discussed the roles of the microorganisms themselves, interest in the effector function of their metabolites is increasing. The metabolic processes of these molecules provide important clues to the existence and function of gut microbes. The interrelationship between metabolites and T lymphocytes in particular plays a significant role in adaptive immune functions. Our current review focuses on 3 groups of metabolites: short-chain fatty acids, bile acids metabolites, and polyamines. We collated the findings of several studies on the transformation and production of these metabolites by gut microbes and explained their immunological roles. Specifically, we summarized the reports on changes in mucosal immune homeostasis represented by the Tregs and Th17 cells balance. The relationship between specific metabolites and diseases was also analyzed through latest studies. Thus, this review highlights microbial metabolites as the hidden treasure having potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets through a comprehensive understanding of the gut-immune interaction.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2015

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of by-products of herbal medicines on performance, enteric microflora and blood biochemical profiles and immunological parameters in broiler chicks. A total of ninety-six, 3-d-old birds were assigned to a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 0.15 % (HM1), 0.3% (HM2) or 0.5% (HM3) by-products of herbal medicines. There was a significantly (p<0.05) improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) in birds fed diet supplemented with 0.15% by-products of herbal medicines (HM1) compared with the control birds during starter period (3~21 days). However, no difference in body weight, feed intake, total gain and FCR among treatment groups was observed during the entire feeding period (3~35 days). The colony forming units (CFU) of E. coli and Lactobacilli in the digesta of ileo-cecum was not also affected by dietary treatment. Serum AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and glucose decreased (p<0.05) in birds fed diets supplemented with herbal medicines compared with those fed the basal diet. In particular, the birds fed diets supplemented with herbal medicines showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in blood mean corpuscular volume (MCV) level compared with the control birds. However, the most of blood biochemical and hematological parameters and immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) were not affected by the dietary treatment. In conclusion, the low level of dietary herbal medicines showed beneficial effects on FCR during starter period and liver functions, suggesting that by-products of herbal medicines may be applicable as functional feed additives in birds.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1515-1521
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• 2016

Anethole and garlic have an immune modulatory effects on avian coccidiosis, and these effects are correlated with gene expression changes in intestinal epithelial lymphocytes (IELs). In this study, we integrated gene expression datasets from two independent experiments and investigated gene expression profile changes by anethole and garlic respectively, and identified gene expression signatures, which are common targets of these herbs as they might be used for the evaluation of the effect of plant herbs on immunity toward avian coccidiosis. We identified 4,382 and 371 genes, which were differentially expressed in IELs of chickens supplemented with garlic and anethole respectively. The gene ontology (GO) term of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from garlic treatment resulted in the biological processes (BPs) related to proteolysis, e.g., "modification-dependent protein catabolic process", "proteolysis involved in cellular protein catabolic process", "cellular protein catabolic process", "protein catabolic process", and "ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process". In GO analysis, one BP term, "Proteolysis", was obtained. Among DEGs, 300 genes were differentially regulated in response to both garlic and anethole, and 234 and 59 genes were either up- or down-regulated in supplementation with both herbs. Pathway analysis resulted in enrichment of the pathways related to digestion such as "Starch and sucrose metabolism" and "Insulin signaling pathway". Taken together, the results obtained in the present study could contribute to the effective development of evaluation system of plant herbs based on molecular signatures related with their immunological functions in chicken IELs.