• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.923-935
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• 2023

Rubus crataegifolius (RC), Ulmus macrocarpa (UM), and Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) are well-known folk medicines in Asia used to treat various gastrointestinal disturbances. The present study evaluated the gastroprotective effect of LS-RUG-com, a mixture of commercially prepared powders of RC, UM, and GJ with a ratio of 3:1:2(w/w/w) against HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis, indomethacin-induced ulcers, and esophageal reflux-induced esophageal mucosal damage and Helicobacter pylori infections. In addition, TNF-α and IL-1β expressions were also determined and measured in esophageal tissue. As to HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis, the LS-RUG-com treatment at a dose of 150 mg/kg showed a remarkable anti-gastritis effect. Regarding indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers, the LS-RUG-com treatment had a significant anti-gastric ulcer effect. Furthermore, in the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) model experiment, the LS-RUG-com treatment resulted in the histological recovery of stomach damage and mucosal injuries. Furthermore, the LS-RUG-com treatment led to an increase in gastric content pH, an increase in mucus protection, and a decrease in gastric pepsin output with a significant decrease in TNF-α and IL-1β. As to the Helicobacter pylori infected animal model, LS-RUG-com had a notable inhibitory effect on Helicobacter growth. The use of RC, UM, or GJ in isolation or the LS-RUG-com treatment as whole had good effects in terms of anti-oxidation, anti-neutralization, gastric acid secretion inhibition, and anti-lipid peroxidation, which supported the use of natural products as systemic gastric protective agents. Our results suggest that the LS-RUG-com might be a significant systemic gastroprotective agent that could be utilized for the treatment and/or protection from gastric disturbances and related damage.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2011

Valproic acid (VPA) is a well-known anticonvulsive agent and has been used in the treatment of epilepsy for almost 30 years. VPA emerged in 1997 as an antineoplastic agent. And it is known that antitmor activity of VPA is associated with its targeted at histone deacetylases. 17AAG, Inhibition of HSP90 leads to the proteasome degradation of the HSP90 client proteins, such as Akt, Raf/Ras, Erk, VEGF, cyclin D and p53, and causes potent antitumor activity. It is reported that 17AAG-induced HSP90 inhibition results in prevention of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in several types of cancer. This study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic apoptotic effect of co-treatment with the histone deacetylases inhibitor, VPA and the HSP90 inhibitor, 17AAG on human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells. Cell viability was evaluated by trypan-blue exclusion. Induction and augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by Hoechst staining, flow cytometry (DNA hypoploidy and MMP change), Westen blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining. In this study, HOS cells co-treated with VPA and 17AAG showed several lines of apoptotic manifestation such as nuclear condensations, the reduction of MMP, the decrease of DNA content, the release of cytochrome c into cytosol, the translocation of AIF onto nuclei, and activation of caspase-3, caspase-7 and PARP whereas each single treated HOS cells did not. Although the single treatment of 1 mM VPA or 0.5 ${\mu}M$ 17AAG for 48 h did not induce apoptosis, the co-treatment with them induced prominently apoptosis. Therefore our data in this study provide the possibility that combination therapy with VPA and 17AAG could be considered as a novel therapeutic strategy for human osteosarcoma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.69-87
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• 2003

Background : LB20304(gemifloxacin) is a new fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent with excellent activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms. In vitro studies using clinical isolates have shown gemifloxacin to be highly active against penicillin-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae and in contrast to other reference quinolones, gemifloxacin retained good activity against clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae that were resistant to other members of the quinolone class. Therefore, gemifloxacin is thought to be effective in treating acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis(AECB). The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral gemifloxacin at doses of 160mg or 320mg once daily for 7 days for the treatment of AECB in Korean adult population. Methods : This was a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, parallel group Phase II study to assess the clinical and antibacterial efficacy and safety of oral gemifloxacin for the treatment of AECB. Treatment Group A (67 patients) took oral gemifloxacin 160mg once daily for seven days and treatment Group B (70 patients) took oral gemifloxacin 320mg once daily for seven days. Results : The demographic profiles of the two treatment groups were similar. The clinical response at follow-up was 84.2% in the gemifloxacin 160-mg group, and 88.7% in the gemifloxacin-320 mg group, showing no statistically significant difference between two treatment groups(p=0.49). The clinical response at the end of therapy was 96.5% in the 160-mg group, and 96.4% in the 320-mg group. The bacteriological response at the end of therapy and follow-up were 81.8% and 78.9%, respectively, in the 160-mg group, and 86.4% and 84.2%, respectively, in the 320-mg group, showing no statistically significant difference between two treatment groups(p=0.68 and 0.68, respectively). S. pneumoniae(12 isolates) and H. influenzae(10 isolates) were the most prevalent pathogens. The MICs were lower for gemifloxacin than other quinolones against these key pathogens, and for S. pneumoniae, the MICs for gemifloxacin were considerably lower(${\leq}0.03$ ug/mL) than those for other quinolones, beta-lactams and macrolides. In the period on-therapy plus 30 days post-therapy, a total of 18 patients(26.9%) in the gemifloxacin 160mg group and 22 patients(31.4%) in the 320mg group reported at least one adverse event(AE). The most frequently reported AE was abdominal pain(3/67 patients, 4.5%) in the gemifloxacin 160mg group and increased level of hepatic enzyme(5/70 patients, 7.1%) in the 320mg group. The overall AE profiles for the two treatment groups were similar. Two out of 67 patients(3.0%) in the gemifloxacin 160mg group and 1/70 patients(1.4%) in the 320mg group reported at least one serious AE, however, none of which was considered by the investigator to be of suspected or probable relationship to study medication. Conclusion : The results of this study showed that gemifloxacin at doses of 160mg or 320mg once daily for 7 days in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis(AECB) in adult Koreans was a very effective and safe treatment both clinically and bacteriologically.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.164-176
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• 2012

In the present study, rapeseed flour (RSF), which is a by-product from the production of edible oil and biodiesel extracted from rapeseed, was used to develop alternative adhesives for the production of plywood panels. To examine the effects of the enzyme on the adhesive properties and formaldehyde emission of the RSF-based adhesive resins, three enzymes, such as cellulase (CEL), pectinase (PEC) and protease (ALC), were used either separately or together. As a crosslinking agent, PF prepolymers, which were prepared with 1.5, 1.8 and 2.1 mole formaldehyde and 1 mol phenol (1.8-, 2.1- and 2.4-PF), were added into the RSF hydrolyzates. The adhesive resins formulated with CEL- or CEL-PEC-RSF hydrolyzates and 1.8-F/P PF prepolymers exhibited excellent adhesive strengths and formaldehyde emission. The tensile shear strength and formaldehyde emission of the plywood panels bonded with the formulate resins were satisfied with the minimum requirement of the KS standard for ordinary plywood panels (0.6 N/$mm^2$). In addition, formaldehyde emissions of the plywood panels approached to that of E0 specified in the KS standard (0.5 mg/${\ell}$), and even had much better than those of commercial UF glue mixes. Overall, the use of RSF-based adhesive resins for the production of plywood panels might provide durable adhesive properties and an environmentally friendly substitute for petroleum-based adhesive resins. However, further researches - the increase of solid content of RSF-based adhesives for reducing press time and the microscopic observation of plywood specimen for identifying the relationship between tensile shear strength and the penetration of adhesives into wood structure - are required to commercialize the RSF-based adhesives.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.271-276
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• 2002

To develop a wrapping film, which suppresses the microbial decay through the storage and prolongs the selflife of fruits and vegetables, the antimicrobial packaging films were prepared and applied to the preservation of strtwberries and cucumbers. Low density polyethylene(LDPE) film of 50㎛ thickness was faricated with 1% of Scutellariae baicalensis extract. The LDPE film impregnated with Scutellariae baicalensis extract showed antimicrobial activity on the disk test against Bacillus cereus, Escherchia coli and Fusarium sp.. The antimicrobial film changed the color and light transmittance, but did not affect heat shrinkage, mechanical tensile strength and wattability. Strawberries and cucumbers were separately wrapped with packaging films in the state of closely-adhered packaging as well as modified atmosphere packaging(MAP). The wrapped strawberries and cucumbers were stored for 21 days at 5$\^{C}$ and for 40 days at l0$\^{C}$, respectively. For the packaged strawberries and cucumbers at 5$\^{C}$ and 10$\^{C}$, the LDPE film impregnated with Scutellariae baicalensis extract showed the reduced growth of total aerobic bacteria, molds and yeasts and did not give any negative effect on other quality attributes during storage in comparison with conttrol film without any additive.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.387-394
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• 2017

Temperature-dependent oviposition model and life table parameters of Paromius exiguus (Distant), the causal agent of 'pecky' rice grain were examined at eight constant temperatures (17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, and $35{\pm}^{\circ}C$) and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. Unit functions of the oviposition model were developed and life table parameters were estimated. The longevity of P. exiguus adults decreased with increasing temperature (123.8 days at $17.5^{\circ}C$ and 23.6 days at $32.5^{\circ}C$). Total fecundity was highest at $30^{\circ}C$ (585.2 eggs/female) and lowest at $17.5^{\circ}C$ (21.5 eggs/female). In order to develop a temperature-dependent oviposition model, adult aging-rate, temperature-dependent fecundity, age-specific survival rate, and age-specific cumulative oviposition rate equations were estimated. All unit equations ($r^2=0.92{\sim}0.98$) except for the temperature-dependent fecundity equation ($r^2=0.83{\sim}0.85$), described oviposition characteristics of P. exiguus adequately. Life table parameters of P. exiguus were estimated at various constant temperatures. Net reproduction rate ($R_0$) was highest at $30^{\circ}C$ (118.21). Mean generation time (T) was shortest at $32.5^{\circ}C$ (32.99 days) and doubling time (Dt) was shortest at $30^{\circ}C$ (5.69 days). The highest values of intrinsic rate of increase ($r_m$) and finite rate of increase (${\lambda}$) were 0.122 and 1.129 at $30^{\circ}C$, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 1996

In an open labeled study, two fixed doses of nimodipine(45mg and 90mg daily) were added to the usual antipsychotic drug treatment (Haloperidol : mean dose=25mg/day) in 20 male chronic schizophrenics for 5 weeks. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the therapeutic effects and the effect an the changes of plasma homovanillic acid(HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(5-HIAA) levels. The results were as follows : 1) Total BPRS score and thought cluster, paranoid cluster subscores showed linear decreasing trend over the course of the study(P<0.05). Especially the thought cluster and paranoid cluster subscores were significant difference between 45mg and 90mg dose of nimodipine(P<0.05). The improvement rates were 45,45% of 90mg and 11.11% of 45mg, but there was no significant difference between the 45mg and 90mg dose of nimodipine. 2) The scores of extrapyramidal symptoms and adverse events-somatic symptoms showed a linear decreasing trends over the course of study. 3) The changes in the mean plasma HVA and 5-H1AA concentrations by the dosages and durations of combining of nimodipine were not statistically significant. 4) There was no statistical significance in plasma HVA and 5-HIAA of the improved, non-improved goroup. Nimodipine has a possibility os on adjunctive agent for treatment resistant schizophrenics, elderly patients and liable patients for the Side effects to usual antipsychotic drugs. So we suggest that the dosage of nimodipine must be above 90mg/day in the treatment of schizophrenia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2007

Background: Paraquat is known to induce oxidant injury that results in multiorgan failure and lung fibrosis. Iron has been considered to play a key role in paraquat-induced oxidant lung injury. This study examined the effect of deferoxamine, an iron-chelating agent, in the treatment of paraquat poisoning. Methods: From September, 2001 to April, 2005, 28 patients with paraquat poisoning who were admitted at a medical intensive care unit of a University-affiliated hospital, were enrolled in this study. Sixteen patients were treated according to the paraquat poisoning treatment guidelines and 12 received an intravenous infusion of deferoxamine in addition to the treatment guidelines. Results: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, severity of paraquat poisoning, and the time elapsed from ingestion to presentation at hospital. There was no difference in overall mortality between the two groups but the incidence of respiratory failure in the deferoxamine group was higher than in the conventional group(4/7 versus 0/9, p=0.019). Conclusion: Deferoxamine seems to have no clinical benefit compared with the conventional treatment.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2009

The crushed fruiting body of Alaskan Porodaedalea pini (Brot.) Murrill (syn. Phellinus pini) was extracted in boiling water for 4 h with the yield of 20.5% in dry mass. This hot-water extract showed significant antiviral activity by inhibiting the plaque formation in HeLa cells by coxackievirus B3 (CVB3) and also showed highest inhibitory effect against neuraminidase activity among water extracts of various mushrooms. From the water extract, the ethanol precipitate (EP) and supernatant fraction (ES) were obtained through 75% ethanol precipitation with the yield of 43.3% and 28.3% in dry mass, respectively. Whereas ES did not show any detectable level of antiviral activity, EP showed significant dose-dependent inhibition of plaque formation by CVB3 in HeLa cells with an $EC_{50}$ (50% effective concentration) of 0.45 mg/mL. The cytotoxicity on HeLa cells by EP was relatively low with the $CC_{50}$ (50% cytotoxic concentration) of 2.25 mg/mL. EP also effectively inhibited neuraminidase activity in a dose-dependent manner showing up to 75% inhibition at 1.7 mg/mL. These results suggest that the hot-water extract and its EP of P. pini fruiting body can be a candidate for the development of a potent broad-range antiviral agent against influenza virus(Flu) as well as CVB3. The major active component of EP was shown to be a heteropolysaccharide-protein complex containing glucose as the main sugar residue with mole percentage of 79.8% and other sugars like galactose (19.2%), xylose (17%), mannose (5.8%), and fucose (4.6%) and a small portion (12.7%, in mass) of protein.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.168-175
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• 2013

In this study we investigated the possibility of preparing brewed brown rice makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, under diverse conditions. For this purpose the physicochemical characteristics of makgeolli brewed at different temperatures, utilizing a variety of nuruks, the traditional Korean fermentation agent, were studied. The alcohol content was seen to be highest when brewing occurred at $30^{\circ}C$, with the nuruk TN producing 16.2%. At $20^{\circ}C$TN produced 14.1% alcohol content. The alcohol content was therefore higher, by about 2%, for $30^{\circ}C$ fermentations than $20^{\circ}C$ fermentations. Similarly, saccharifying activity was influenced by temperature and sugar content, with a higher activity seen at $30^{\circ}C$ than at $20^{\circ}C$. As the fermentations progressed acidification petered out, with titratable acidity being 0.50-0.67% in all end samples. On the Hunter L, a, b scale; the a value decreased slightly, while the b value increased steadily during the fermentation process. Measurements of total organic acids were highest at $30^{\circ}C$, with the nuruk AK, at about 550 mg%. The content of citric acid was the highest at $30^{\circ}C$, being 230-310 mg% in all samples. However, more lactic acid was detected at $20^{\circ}C$ than at $30^{\circ}C$. Total free amino acid was highest at $30^{\circ}C$, with TN at $8,605{\mu}g/ml$, AK at $6,083{\mu}g/ml$, and RJ at $2,381{\mu}g/ml$. Total free amino acid and essential amino acid was shown to be higher at $30^{\circ}C$ than at $20^{\circ}C$. The bioactive substance ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid was also higher at $30^{\circ}C$, with TN at $223{\mu}g/ml$. From all of these results, we surmise that brown rice makgeolli manufacturing conditions are optimal at $30^{\circ}C$ fermentation temperatures and using the nuruk TN for brewing vinegar. In addition, the nuruk used clearly affects the quality of brown rice makgeolli and an appropriate method to determine the best nuruk for various purposes should be pursued.