• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.393-401
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• 2013

Objectives: Endotoxins in dust generated in occupational settings is known to contribute to the occurrence of respiratory illness among workers. The relationship between the level of endotoxins in total dust or respirable particulates collected from swine farms and immunological markers related with respiratory allergy was evaluated among swine husbandry workers. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from ten workers at ten swine farms at Gyeonggi province, Korea. Peripheral mononuclear cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin for 48 hours. The levels of various cytokines produced at culture supernatants were determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. The concentration of particulate matter($PM_{10}$) in the indoor air of the swine farms was evaluated using a PVC membrane filter and mini volume air sampler, and endotoxin levels in the dust were measured by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Kinetic QCL method. Results: Levels of endotoxins in the total dust were categorized into high(geometric mean: $109.35EU/m^3$) and low concentrations (geometric mean: $0.95EU/m^3$) for five swine farms. Interleukin-4 levels were higher in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group, while interferon-${\gamma}$ levels were lower in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. The ratio (interferon-${\gamma}$ to interleukin-4), indicating immunologic skewedness against allergic reactivities, was lower in the high endotoxin group($1.15{\pm}0.60$) than the low endotoxin group($3.09{\pm}2.38$). In addition, the level of interleukin-13, another cytokine contributing to the occurrence of allergic responses, was significantly higher in the at the high endotoxin group($1.12{\pm}0.37ng/m{\ell}$) than in the low endotoxin group($0.37{\pm}0.04ng/m{\ell}$). Hematologic assessment showed significantly lower cellularity in the number of total leukocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. Conclusions: Even though a sufficient number of swine workers and farms were not investigated, this study generlly suggests that the immunological function of swine farm workers exposed to high levels of endotoxin could be modulated toward allergic reactivities.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.87-99
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• 2001

Purpose: We studied to find out apo-E genotype polymorphism in minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS) and IgA nephropathy(IgAN) and to determine the relationship between apo-E genotype and clinical course of MCNS. Materials and Method: 43 MCNS patients and 15 IgAN patients were examined for apo-E polymorphism. 50 healthy blood donors were examined for apo-E genotype as control. Genomic DNA was prepared front peripheral blood leukocytes according to standard procedures. Results: As compared with control group, e4 allele frequency was significantly increased in MCNS (p<0.01). However, in IgAN e2 allele frequency, however, was 2.6 times higher than normal control (P<0.01). The frequency of e4 allele of frequent relapser group was 4.6 times higher than normal control and was 2 times higher than infrequent relapser group. Conclusion: We think that apo-E typing might be one of the parameters, which should be considered to predict the course of MCNS in children. MCNS with risky HLA profile and E4/4 genotype could indicate the need for a longer steroid administration. And apo-E genotype needs to be considered for the evaluation of therapeutic responses to other drugs. (J, Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2001 ; 5 : 87-99)

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1046-1062
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• 2022

This study investigated the effects of L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation on growth performance, physiological traits, heat shock proteins (HSPs), and gene expression related to muscle and adipose tissue development in Hanwoo steers under heat stress (HS) conditions. Eight Hanwoo steers (initial body weight [BW] 570.7 ± 43.6 kg, months of age 22.3 ± 0.88) were randomly separated into two groups, control and treatment, and supplied with the concentration (1.5% of BW kg/day/head) and rice straw (1.5 kg/day/head). The treatment group were fed the Gln supplementation (0.5% of concentration, as-fed basis) once a day at 08:00 h. Blood samples for the assessment of haematological and biochemical parameters and the separation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected four times, at 0, 3, 6, and 10 weeks of the experiment. Feed intake was measured daily. BW to analyze growth performance and hair follicle collection to analyze the expression of HSPs were executed four times at 0, 3, 6, and 10 weeks. To analyze gene expression, longissimus dorsi muscle samples were collected by biopsy at the end of the study. As a result, growing performance, including final BW, average daily gain, and gain-to-feed ratio, were not different between the two groups. Leukocytes including lymphocytes and granulocytes, tended to increase in the Gln supplementation group (p = 0.058). There were also no differences in biochemical parameters shown between the two groups, except total protein and albumin, both of which were lower in the Gln supplementation group (p < 0.05). Gene expressions related to muscle and adipose tissue development were not different between the two groups. As temperature-humidity index (THI) increased, HSP70 and HSP90 expression in the hair follicle showed a high correlation. HSP90 in the hair follicle was decreased in the treatment group compared with the control group at 10 weeks (p < 0.05). Collectively, dietary Gln supplementation (0.5% of concentration, as-fed basis) may not be influential enough to affect growth performance and gene expression related to muscle and adipose tissue development in steers. However, Gln supplementation increased the number of immune cells and decreased HSP90 in the hair follicle implying HS reduction in the corresponding group.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.463-472
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• 2002

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a major role in stimulating the synthesis and release of the principal osteoclast-activating cytokines, namely, interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ from immune cells. Although rnonocytes/macrophages are the main producers of these cytokines, recent evidence has indicated that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have the ability to release IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. Calcium hydroxide has been shown to be an effective medicament in root canal infections, reducing the microbial titre within the canal. It has been proposed that the therapeutic effect of Ca(OH)$_2$ may also be the result of direct inactivation of LPS. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment of Porphyromonas endodontalis LPS with calcium hydroxide alters its biological action as measured by human PMN secretion of IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$, and it was compared with Escherichia coli LPS. P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 was cultured in anaerobic condition, and LPS was extracted using the hot-phenol water extraction method and purified. Purchased E. coli LPS was also purified. 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of each LPS in pyrogen free water were incubated with 25mg/ml Ca(OH)$_2$ at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. The supernatants were subjected to ultrafiltration, and the isolates were lyophilized and weighed. PMNs were obtained from peripheral blood by centrifugation layered over Lymphoprep. The cells were resuspended (4$\times$10$^6$ cells/ml) in RPMI 1640 followed by treatment with various concentrations of LPS (0, 0.1, 1, 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ incubator. The supernatants of cells were collected and the levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL=1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were as follows ; 1. The levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$ from PMN treated with each LPS were significantly higher than those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p<0.05). 2. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with each untreated LPS (p<0.05), while they were not significantly different from those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p>0.05) 3. The levels of secretion for all three cytokines were affected in a dose-dependent manner in PMN stimulated with each LPS (p<0.05), but not in PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS (p>0.05). 4. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with p. endodontalis LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with E coli LPS (p<0.05).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.457-465
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• 1999

Objective: The presence of Y chromosome in patients with gonadal dysgenesis is related to the risk of gonadoblastoma. Since the patients with abnormal sexual differentiation may have cryptic Y mosaicism, it is important to detect the presence of Y material in these patients. But sometimes it is difficult to detect Y material only with karyotyping. This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of the SRY gene screening in blood and gonad by using PCR in detecting the presence of Y material and possible tissue mosaicism in patients with gonadal dysgenesis as Turner syndrome and 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis (PGD, Swyer syndrome). Method: In 26 patients with gonadal dysgenesis, we screened for Y material by using PCR for SRY gene in peripheral leukocytes and in gonadal tissues of some patients. They were 22 cases of Turner syndrome (7 45,XO, 2 46,Xi(Xq), 3 45,XO/46,XX, 5 45,XO/46,Xi(Xq), 1 45, XO/46,XY, 1 45,XO/46,Xi(Yq), 1 45,XO/47,XYY, 1 46,XX,del(X)(q24) and 1 46,X,+mar) and 4 cases of 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis. PCR for SRY gene in the gonadal tissue was performed in 5 Turner syndrome and 2 PGD to determine the cryptic Y mosaicism between blood and gonad. Results: By using PCR analysis for SRY, Y chromosome material was detected in the blood of 4 of 22 Turner syndrome patients (45,XO/46,Xi(Xq), 45,XO/46,Xi(Yq), 45,XO/46,XY, and 45, XO/47,XYY), 3 of 4 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis. Discrepancy between karyotyping and blood PCR for SRY was noted in 1 Turner syndrome (45,XO/46,Xi(Xq)) and 1 PGD. Laparoscopic gonadectomy was performed in Y containing or SRY positive cases. In addition, PCR analysis for SRY in the gonads of 5 Turner syndrome and 2 PGD showed discrepancy between blood and gonad or between both gonads in 3 Turner syndrome (45,XO/46,Xi(Xq), 45,XO/46,Xi(Y q), 45,XO/46,XY) and 2 PGD patients. Conclusion: In gonadal dysgenesis, PCR analysis for SRY gene is useful to detect the cryptic Y mosaicism that is sometimes undetected by karyotyping. And since there may be tissue mosaicism, it is necessary to evaluate Y mosaicism in various tissues even in the case without Y chromosome on karyotyping.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.376-381
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• 2003

Purpose : This study aimed to demonstrate the possible pathogenesis of granulopoiesis in patients of Kawasaki disease(KD) using quantitative analysis of G-CSF, GM-CSF and their CSFr. Methods : The plasma levels of G-CSF, GM-CSF, G-CSFr and GM-CSFr were studied in 14 patients in the acute phase of KD; 13 children with normal peripheral white blood cell counts were used as the normal control group. The plasma concentration of G-CSF, GM-CSF were analyzed by ELISA. The G-CSFr and GM-CSFr on the peripheral granulocytes were analyzed by a quantitative flow cytometric assay and QuantiBRITE, and the quantitative changes of receptors which did not combine with G-CSF and GM-CSF were measured. Results : The total number of leukocytes in KD was similar to normal control group, but the leukocytes increased according to the number of neutrophils. The plasma concentration of G-CSF were decreased similar to normal control group(P=0.133), but that of GM-CSF decreased more than the normal control group(P=0.227). The quantity of G-CSFr, GM-CSFr were revealed to be no less than the normal control(P=0.721, P=0.912). After incubation with excessive G-CSF, the expressed G-CSFr on the neutrophils were decreased in both groups(P=0.554). The quantities of expressions of GM-CSFr on the neutrophil after incubation with the excessive GM-CSF were always increased in both groups(P=0.255). The amount of GM-CSFr of neutrophils are in proportion to total white blood cells (r=0.788, P=0.035), but it wasn't in the case of KD(P=0.644). Conclusion : The leukocytosis in KD that mediated by increasing neutrophil was not correlated with the plasma concentrations of G-CSF and GM-CSF, and the amount of expression of G-CSFr and GM-CSFr on granulocyte. It is possible that the reduction of concentration of GM-CSF results by increasing the active GM-CSFr.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2014

Propolis is a beehive product with a very complex chemical composition, widely used in folk medicine because of its several therapeutic activities. This study was conducted to measure the efficacy of propolis on non-specific defense reactions, specific immune response, and protection levels against pathogen challenge with Streptococcus iniae. in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the phagocytic activity and NBT assay of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were evaluated in a various propolis extractsconcentrations (0, 10, 50, 100, 150, 250 and $500{\mu}g/ml$). The optimal concentration showing activation of propolis extracts was determined to $100{\mu}g/ml$. In vivo, they were divided into four groups (PBS, propoli extractss, vaccine, propolis extracts + vaccine) in vivo. Fish were received i.p. injection of either PBS or propolis extracts, and in the presence or absence of formalin inactivated S. iniae ($1{\times}10^8$ CFU/fish), respectively. The level of haematocrit is not affected among experimental groups. The phagocytic activity and the NBT reduction activities of head kidney phagocyte were markedly (p<0.05)augmented in the propolis extracts groups than in the PBS-control group, respectively. The level of serum lysozyme activity was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the propolis extracts treated groups than in the PBS-control group. The agglutinin titer was significantly (p<0.05) enhanced in the vaccine+propolis extracts group than in the vaccine group, but there was no difference between PBS-control and propolis treated group. The results of the present study suggest that propolis extracts seems to be a promising compounds of non-specific immune stimulator, also being able to use a good adjuvant.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2006

Some natural products are able to inhibit radiation effects and exert an antitumor effect with fewer adverse reactions; however, their antitumor effects are less than those of widely-used synthetic drugs. Propolis is a natural material that has been attracting attention, and we extracted this material with water and investigated the effect of continuous propolis administration on radioactivity-induced reduction of hemocytes, in addition to the antioxidant and antitumor effects of propolis. Following a 1-week adjustment period, water-soluble propolis was administered intraperitoneally to male ICR mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg every other day for 2 weeks. Following administration, 2 Gy whole-body irradiation was performed and the counts of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and granulocytes and monocytes in the peripheral blood were determined 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days after irradiation. These cells were considered since they are closely associated with immunity to radioactivity. In a second experiment, water-soluble propolis was similarly administered to the mice for 2 weeks after a 1-week adjustment period, and 2 Gy whole-body irradiation was performed. The antioxidant effects in hemocytes were then investigated using 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), a radical generator. In a third experiment, $1\;{\times}\;10^6$ Sarcoma-180 cells were inoculated into the right thigh of mice, which were divided into four groups: control, water-soluble propolis-treated, 6 Gy irradiated and water-soluble propolis-treated + 6 Gy irradiated groups, and changes in tumor size were measured for 20 days. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA for multiple groups. In the three experiments, administration of water-soluble propolis inhibited the reduction of hemocytes caused by whole-body irradiation, showed antioxidant effects against radioactivity, and inhibited tumor growth, respectively. In conclusion, our data suggest that the antioxidant effect of watersoluble propolis inhibits hemocyte reduction caused by whole-body irradiation and enhances immunological inhibition of tumor growth.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.359-366
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• 1996

Background : Eosinophilic leukocytes are prominent cellular participants in the pathogenesis of allergic disease and asthma. Chemotaxis is still a very useful method in evaluating the response of human eosinophil to novel modulators. Degranulated mast cells and activated T lymphocytes are responsible for the pathophysiology of asthma and tryptase is one of most important proteases released after activation of mast cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the actions of trypsin and chymotrypsin on eosinophils in terms of chemotaxis and activation. Method : Eosinophils were isolated by negative immunoselection from the peripheral blood of atopic donors. Chemotaxis was studied by using micro-Boyden chambers and ECP release was assayed by fluoroimmunoassay. Results : Eosinophil showed a chemotactic response to trypsin. Maximal chemotactic response was with $1000{\mu}g/ml$ trypsin ($56.52{\pm}14.50$/HPF) which was comparable to PAP. But chymotrypsin showed no significant chemotactic response to eosinophils. Trypsin at the concentration of 10, 100, $1000{\mu}g/ml$ induced secretion of ECP, which at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/ml$ represented about 2.7 times of the spontaneous rate of release. Soybean protease inhibitor reduced trypsin induced ECP release. Conclusion : Trypsin can induce chemotactic response to eosinophils and activation of eosinophils that can induce secretion of ECP. On the contrary, chymotrypsin showed no direct effect on eosinophils. We propose a role of trypsin on the chemotaxis and activation of eosinophils.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.1317-1323
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• 2005

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the recent frequency of karyotypes in different sex chromosome abnormalities and to evaluate the age and clinical manifestations at diagnosis. Methods : Peripheral blood leukocytes were obtained from subjects who were clinically suspected to have sex chromosome abnormalities and referred to the cytogenetic laboratory in the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital from February 1981 to August 2001. Results : The relative frequencies of different sex chromosome abnormalities were Klinefelter(52 percent), Turner(42 percent), XXX syndrome(3 percent) and mixed gonadal dysgenesis(3 percent). The populations of different karyotypes in Klinefelter syndrome were 47,XXY(97 percent) and 46,XY/47,XYY(3 percent). The populations of different karyotypes in Turner syndrome were 45,X(67 percent,), mosaicism(23 percent), and structural aberrations(10 percent). The populations of different karyotypes in XXX syndrome were 47,XXX(67 percent,) and 46,XX/47,XXX(33 percent). All mixed gonadal dysgenesis were 45,X/46,XY. Eighty one percent of sex chromosome abnormalities was diagnosed after puberty. Patients diagnosed with Klinefelter and Turner syndrome in infancy showed nearly normal phenotypes or had minor congenital malformations. Conclusion : Early diagnoses of sex chromosome abnormalities is required to prevent associated morbidities and to maximize growth and development. We have to pay careful attention in diagnoses of Turner syndrome because of the high proportion of mosaicism and structural aberrations.