• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2013

Purpose: We retrospectively investigated individuals who hadbeen identified by neonatal screening as potential galactosemia patients to determine the etiology of galactosemia. Methods: One hundred fifty-three patients referred to Korea Genetics Research Center due to high galactose level detected by neonatal screening test between February 2005 and May 2013 were examined. Galactose and galactose-1-phosphate levels were measured by using a fluoro metric microplate reader. Lactose free diet was initiated immediately after confirmed by urine Clinitest. If reducing sugar was negative, we employed abdominal sonogram and echocardiogram to check for possible porto-systemic shunt. Results: Fifteen patients were diagnosed with galactosemia. One patient had galactokinase (GALK) deficiency; four had UDP galactose-4-epimerase (GALE) deficiency; two had citrin deficiency; and four had porto-systemic shunt. Two had unknown causes of galactosemia. Conclusion: In addition to genetic defects of GALT, GALK and GALE, citrin deficiency or porto-systemic shunt could also cause galactosemia. It is crucial to carry out differential diagnosis to determine the cause of galactosemia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.121-126
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• 2009

Objectives : To evaluate the radical scavenging and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of the ethylacetate (EtOAc)-soluble portion of a methanolic extract of Aster yomena, three different assay systems were performed. Methods : The antioxidant activity of A. yomena extract was tested as its capacity to scavenging free radicals of DPPH and $ABTS^+$, which has been widely used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of natural products from plant sources. AChE inhibitory activity was tested against mouse brain AChE by spectrophotometric method of Ellman using ELISA microplate reader. Results : The methanolic extract of A. yomena was fractionated and the EtOAc-soluble portion showed significant AChE inhibitory and free radical scavenging effects. Also the EtOAc-soluble portion revealed the highest phenolic contents as compared to the other extracts. Conclusions : These results indicate that phenolic compounds may be important constituents that give rise to the anti-AChE and antioxidative activities of A. yomena extract. Further phytochemical studies on this plant, for nutraceutical or pharmaceutical application, are warranted.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.47-66
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• 1999

We have tried to measure the anti-dandruff effect of the several kinds of formulations by determining the MIC values of the P. ovale which was determined by resazurin(alarmar Blue$^{TM}$). To get high reproducibility, it was suggested that about 2.6$\times$10$^{5}$ cfu/$m\ell$ of P ovate should be incubated with alarmar Blue$^{TM}$, optimum dilution ratio between alarmar Blue$^{TM}$ and PBS buffer should be 1:1 -1:4, and optimum incubation time should be 16 ~ 24 hours. Even though 1:1 diluted alarmar Blue$^{TM}$ was incubated with P ovale, the metabolic activity of if ovule was not inhibited by alarmar BlueTM. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration(MIC) values of several kinds of anti-dandruff formulation which were the mixture system between Zinc pyrithione and Climbazole make it possible to determine the optimal anti-dandruff formulation, which show similar results with that of microscopic MIC determination and that of SDDM(Skin-Disk Diffusion Method). It is expected that the anti-dandruff test method which uses alarmar Blue$^{TM}$ could be used as an effective in vitro test method because it was not so much affected by the turbidity of the broth and samples, and it can afford the MIC values of many samples within relatively short time by using microplate reader.te reader.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1833-1837
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• 2015

An aristolactam-type alkaloid, isolated from Orophea enterocarpa, is enterocarpam-III (10-amino-2,3,4,6-tetramethoxyphenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid lactam). It is cytotoxic to various human and murine cancer cell lines; however, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate cytotoxic effects on and mechanism (s) of human cancer cell death in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and human invasive breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells compared to normal murine fibroblast NIH3T3 cells. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay to determine $IC_{10}$, $IC_{20}$ and $IC_{50}$ levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production with 2',7'-dichlorohydrofluorescein diacetate and the caspase-3, -8 and -9 activities using specific chromogenic (p-nitroaniline) tetrapeptide substrates, viz., DEVD-NA, IETD-NA and LEHD-NA and employing a microplate reader. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) was measured by staining with 3, 3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide ($DiOC_6$) and using flow cytometry. The compound was cytotoxic to HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cells with the $IC_{50}$ levels of $26.0{\pm}4.45$ and $51.3{\pm}2.05{\mu}M$, respectively. For murine normal fibroblast NIH3T3 cells, the $IC_{50}$ concentration was $81.3{\pm}10.1{\mu}M$. ROS production was reduced in a dose-response manner in HepG2 cells. The caspase-9 and -3 activities increased in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas caspase-8 activity did not alter, indicating the intrinsic pathway activation. Enterocarpam-III decreased the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) dose-dependently in HepG2 cells, suggesting that the compound induced HepG2 cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. In conclusion, enterocarpam-III inhibited HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation and induced human HepG2 cells to undergo apoptosis via the intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway and induction of caspase-9 activity.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.361-367
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• 2005

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are valuable DNA markers due to their abundance and potential for use in automated high-throughput genotyping. Numerous SNP genotyping assays have been developed. In this report, one of effective and high throughput SNP genotyping assays, which was named the template-directed dye-terminator incorporation with fluorescence polarization detection (FP-TDI) was described. Although the most of this assay succeed, the objective of this work was to deter­mine the reasons for the failures, find ways to improve the assay and reduce the running cost. Ninety $F_2$-derived soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., RILs from a cross between 'Pureunkong' and 'Jinpumkong 2' were genotyped at four SNPs. FP measurement was done on $Victot^3$ microplate reader (perkinelmer Inc., Boston, MA, USA). Increasing the number of thermal cycles in the single-base extension step increased the separation of the FP values between the products corresponding to different genotypes. But in some assays, excess of heterozygous genotypes was observed with increase of PCR cycles. We discovered that the excess heterozygous was due to misincorporation of one of the dye­terminators during the primer extension reaction. After pyrophosphatase incubation and thermal cycle control, misincoporation can be effectively prevented. Using long amplicons instead of short amplicons for SNP genotyping and decreasing the amount of dye terminator and Acyclopol Taq polymerase to 1/2 or 1/3 decreased the cost of the assay. With these minor adjustments, the FP-TDI assay can be used more accurately and cost-effectively.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.379-389
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• 2005

Objectives: It is well known that aging and aging-related diseases are linked to the increased level of oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species(ROS) and reactive nitrogen species(RNS). Nonprotein-SH decreases during aging, while substances such as ROS, nitric oxide(NO), peroxynitrite($ONOO^-$), myeloperoxidase(MPO), and dityrosine show a significant increase. This study investigated the effect of Ichungwhan on the aging process by examining its effect on the generation of the above-mentioned substances. Methods: Four comparison groups of SD rats were used. They were 6 month-old rats, 24 month-old rats, and 24 month-old rats fed with food containing 0.1% and 0.3% of Ichungwhan extract. The amount of NO, $ONOO^-$, and ROS in the rats' kidneys were examined using a fluorescence microplate reader. The reagents used for this purpose include: dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123), 2',7' -dichlorodihydrofluorescein, diacetate(DCFDA), and 4,5-diaminofluorescein(DAF-2). A spectrophotometer was used to investigate the reactivity of nonprotein-SH and myeioperoxidase(MPO), using reagents such as trichloroacetic acid(TCA) and tetramethylbenzidine(TMB). The amounts of MPO protein and dityrosine were measued by western blot. Results: The observed effects of Ichungwhan on rats were as follows: increase of nonprotein-SH; effective decrease of RNS level by suppression of the generation system of $ONOO^-$ and NO; decrease of ROS level; decrease of the MPO reactivity and the subsequent reduction of amount of MPO protein; retardation of dityrosine formation. It can be hypothesized, therefore, that Ichungwhan affects both the earlier and later phases of the molecular inflammatory process, and retards the aging process. Conclusions: Empirical evidence in this study supports a role for Ichungwhan in generation mechanisms of aging process-linked substances ROS, NO, $ONOO^-$, nonprotein-SH, MPO and dityrosine. Affects contrary to the aging process observed in rats beg further empiricism to investigate potential application of Ichungwhan as a medication for age-related diseases in humans.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.78-78
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• 2003

Embryonic stem (ES) cells, derived from preimplantation embryo, are able to differentiate into various types of cells consisting the whole body, or pluripotency. In contrast, terminally differentiated cells do not usually alter their nature but frequently die or transform if they are exposed to inappropriate external stimulations. In addition to the plasticity, ES cells are expected to be different from terminally differentiated cells in very many ways, such as patterns of gene expressions, ability and response of the cells in confronting environmental stimulations, metabolism, and growth rate. As a model system to differentiate these two types of cells, human ES cells (MB03) and terminally differentiated cells (HeLa), we examined the ability of these two types of cells in confronting a severe oxidative insult, that is $H_2O$$_2$. Approximately 1$\times$10$^4$ cells were plated in 96 well plate and serum starved for overnight. The conditioned cells were exposed to a various concentration of $H_2O$$_2$ fur 24 hrs and loaded with neutral red (50$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) for 4 hrs, washed with PBS for 2 min three times, and entrapped dye was dissolved out using acetic ethanol. Cytotoxicity was determined by reading the amount of dye in the medium using microplate reader. equipped with 575 nm filter. Relative amount of the dye entrapped within MB03 or HeLa were not significantly different when cells were exposed up to 0.4 mM $H_2O$$_2$. However, this sharply decreased down to 0.12% in HeLa cells when the cells were exposed to 0.8 mM $H_2O$$_2$, while it was approximately 54% in MB03 suggesting that this concentration of $H_2O$$_2$ is the defensive threshold for HeLa cells. The resistance to oxidative stimulation reversed, however, when cells were co-treated with BSO (L-buthionine- 〔S, R〕-sulfoximine) which chelates intracellular GSH. This result suggests that cellular GSH is the major defensive mechanism of human ES cells. Induction of enzymes involved in GSH metabolism and type of cell death is currently being studied.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.124-133
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• 2016

Objectives : Recently, the demands for the effective and safe depigmentating and anti-aging agents of the skin have increased due to the medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic reasons. The aim of this study is to search new materials from the traditional herbal medicines which inhibit the aging process of skin in vitro.Methods : Human dermis cell (HS68) was used to test the effect of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS). 80% ethanol or water extracts were screened for their inhibitory activities against elastase. Elastase inhibition effect was tested by microplate reader instrument. And MMP-1 suppression effect of RVS was tested by western blot. These cells were investigated the viability by MTS assay. And also the inhibition effect of tyrosinase by RVS was tested.Results : RVS (final concentrstion 1 ㎎/㎖ appeared over 30% of inhibition of elastase activity. So we are investigated anti wrinkle effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes look through MMP-1 inhibition activity, also Extracts of RVS showed higher anti-tyrosinase activity than arbutin as final concentration 1 mg/ml. These results suggest that herbal medicines could be strong potential sources of inhibition of anti-aging and whitening effects for the skin.Colclusions : RVS was the best suppressor candidate of elastase activity among other control oriental drugs. It was found that RVS did not have toxicity to cells. We found proper concentration of RVS to treat in HS68 culture and investigated not only wrinkle care effect but also whitening effect of RVS.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.567-575
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• 1989

This study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of application of a microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(micro-ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of specific toxoplasma antibodies in swine sera and this test was performed as a microplate system by coating the polystyrene plates with toxoplasma soluble antigen, incubated serially diluted sera, then added horse radish peroxidase labelled goat anti-swine IgG(r) conjugate followed by o-phenylenediamine as substrate. The color development by enzyme-substrate reaction was determined by the photometric reading [ELISA reader at 490nm (OD)] and visual reading. The soluble antigen was prepared from the tachyzoites in mouse peritoneal cavity. A total of 1,200 swine sera from pig slaughter-house and a total of 116 swine sera from pig breeding station (S-C farm) were tested for the detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The optimal reactions of indirect ELISA for the test sera were determined by the dilution of antigen 1:256 and 1:3,200 of horse radish peroxidase conjugate [anti-swine IgG(r)]. 2. The specific togoplasma antibody(IgG) in pigs infected with Tp artificially were detected as the serum titers of 1:64 or 1:128 at one week postinfection. 3. Of a total of 1,200 swine sera from pig slaughter-house 505 samples of sera were detected as positive (42.1%) and of a total of 116 swine sera from S-C pig breeding station 68 samples of sera as positive (58.6%). 4. The specific antibody(IgG) detection rates against a total of 1,200 test sera from pig slaughter-house were not significant between male (43.1%) and female (40.7%). 5. The indirect ELISA was proved to be a sensitive and specific procedure for the serodiagnosis of swine toxoplasmosis and also evaluated as an effective screening test for the large scale of test samples in laboratory.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.309-314
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• 2009

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was validated for quantitation of cacitriol in human plasma. Calcitriol was immunoextracted with immunocapsules, which contain monoclonal antibodies to calcitriol linked to solid phase particles in suspension with a vitamin D binding protein inhibitor. Calcitrol was eluated and the eluates were evaporated under a gentle stream of nitrogen gas. The absorbance of analytes was determined using a microplate reader (reference wavelength 650 nm; measurement wavelength 450 nm). The method was specific and sensitive enough to detect as low as 6.5 pmol/L of calcitriol. Linear calibration range was 6.5-491 pmol/L with correlation coefficient greater than 0.99. The overall accuracy was in the range of 83.8 to 111.2% and precision C.V. (%) 0.99 to 8.47%. The recovery was approximately 100% and stability was confirmed during storage and sample preparation. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by baseline subtraction because calcitriol is an endogenous material. Following oral dose of calcitriol, the mean AUC$_{24h}$ was 1038${\pm}$539 pmol/Lhr and C$_{max}$ of 128${\pm}$63.1 pmol/L was reached at 3.50${\pm}$1.07 hr. The mean t$_{1/2}$ of calcitriol was 5.13${\pm}$2.10 hr. The present EIA method was successfully applied to study bioavailability after oral administration of 2 ${\mu}$g of calcitriol in healthy Korean subjects.