• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2010

Comprehensive quarterly serosurveillance on scrub typhus in small mammals collected from military training sites located near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), northern Gyeonggi-do (Province), ROK was conducted to determine the potential rodent-borne and associated ectoparasite disease risks to military personnel. A total of 1,196 rodents and insectivores representing 8 species, Apodemus agrarius (87.3%, n = 1,044), Mus musculus (5.4%, n = 65), Crocidura lasiura (3.3%, n = 40), Microtus fortis (2.6%, n = 31), Micromys minutus (0.3%, n = 4), Tscherskia triton (0.3%, n = 4), Rattus norvegicus (0.3%, n = 4), and Myodes regulus (0.3%, n = 4) were assayed for the presence of antibodies to Orientia tsutsugamushi. O. tsutsugamushi antibodies were detected in 6 of 8 species and seroprevalence determined; A. agrarius (45.6%), M. musculus (23.1%), M. fortis (48.4%), M. minutus (50.0%), T. triton (50.0%), and R. norvegicus (25.0%). A total of 31,184 chigger mites collected from 508 rodents and insectivores were slide-mounted and 10 species belonging to 4 genera were identified. Leptotrombidium pallidum (53.4%) was the most frequently collected, followed by L. pal pale (15.7%), Neotrombicula tam/yai (14.3%), L. orientate (10.7%), L. zetum (3.1%), Walchia fragilis (2.1%), and L. gemiticutum (0.8%), while the remaining 3 species, L subintennedium, N. gardellai, and Euschoengastia koreaensis were rarely observed (prevalence < 10%). In contrast to previous surveys, higher chigger indices of the primary scrub typhus vectors, L. pallidum (165.4), L. orientale (45.0), and L. palpate (21.4), were observed during the spring season.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 2014

In this study, we prepared cordycepin-enriched (CE)-WIB801C, a n-butanol extract of Cordyceps militaris-hypha, and investigated the effect of CE-WIB801C on collagen-induced human platelet aggregation. CE-WIB801C dose-dependently inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and its $IC_{50}$ value was $175{\mu}g/ml$. CE-WIB801C increased cAMP level more than cGMP level, but inhibited collagen-elevated $[CA^{2+}]_i$ mobilization and thromboxane $A_2$ ($TXA_2$) production. cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cAMPS increased the CE-WIB801C-downregulated $[CA^{2+}]_i$ level in a dose dependent manner, and strongly inhibited CE-WIB801C-induced inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor ($IP_3R$) phosphorylation. These results suggest that the inhibition of $[CA^{2+}]_i$ mobilization by CE-WIB801C is resulted from the cAMP/A-kinase-dependent phosphorylation of $IP_3R$. CE-WIB801C suppressed $TXA_2$ production, but did not inhibit the activities of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and $TXA_2$ synthase (TXAS). These results suggest that the inhibition of $TXA_2$ production by WIB801C is not resulted from the direct inhibition of COX-1 and TXAS. In this study, we demonstrate that CE-WIB801C with cAMP-dependent $CA^{2+}$-antagonistic antiplatelet effects may have preventive or therapeutic potential for platelet aggregation-mediated diseases, such as thrombosis, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors contributing to internet addiction in 4th, 5th, and 6th graders from low income families. Methods: Participants for this study were 201 4th, 5th, and 6th graders from low income families living in Taegu. Data were collected from March, 2 to May, 29, 2013 using self-report structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS/Win 20.0 programme. Results: Among the students, 78.6% were regular users, 14.4% were potential users, and 7.0% were high-risk users. The factors influencing internet addiction, in order of importance, were; conversation with family, followed by depression. Conclusion: These results suggest that efforts should make to monitor use of internet by elementary school children from low income families, and preventive strategies should be developed taking into consideration factors that influence internet addiction.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2008

Background: We conducted a case-control study to evaluate the potential association between SERPINA1 genotypes ($M1_{Val}$, $M1_{Ala}$, S, and Z) and the risk COPD. Methods: The study population consisted of 93 patients with COPD and 112 healthy controls. The polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism for detecting the SERPINA1 variants. Results: The M2 allele of the SERPINA1 gene was significantly associated with the risk of COPD in Koreans. The effect of the M2 allele on the risk of COPD was more pronounced in the subgroup<64 years. Conclusion: These results suggest that SERPINA1 polymorphisms may contribute to a genetic predisposition for COPD. However, additional studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm our findings.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1074-1081
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• 2016

Mistletoes are hemi-parasitic plant growing on different host tree and shrubs. They are traditionally used in folkloric medicine for the treatment of diarrhea, cough, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and skin infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the contents of phenolics and antioxidant activity of 70% ethanol, 100% methanol and hot water extracts of Jeju camellia mistletoe (Korthalsella japonica Engl.). Ethanol was most effective in extracting total phenols (7,427 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g) and flavonoid (1,777 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/100 g). The free radical scavenging activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) (EC₅₀ = 7.8 mg/ml) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) (EC₅₀ = 1.4 mg/ml), and the capacity for chelating metal ions (EC₅₀ = 8.0 mg/ml) and reducing power (EC₅₀ = 14.9 mg/ml) of the samples also higher in ethanolic extracts. The strong correlation (r² = −0.996～−0.881) between antioxidant capacities and the phenolic contents implied that phenolic compounds are a major contributor to the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extracts of Jeju camellia mistletoe. As conclusions, Jeju camellia mistletoe contains bioactive substances with a potential for reducing the physiological as well as oxidative stress and this could explain the suggested cancer preventive effect of these plants as well as their protective role on other major diseases.

• 한국유가공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.21-39
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• 2004

Fermented milks have been recognized as healthy foods since ancient times, but those using intestinal bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are even more valuable from the standpoint of view of maintaining health. They have also now come to be recognized as important in the field of preventive medicine. Although advances in the medical sciences in the last 50 years have significantly increased the human lift span, an unfortunate fact is that many of us are now living long enough to experience chronic disorders such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, diabetes and cancer. In recent years there has been renewed interest in health promotion and disease prevention by incorporating probiotic bacteria into foods to counteract harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract. Therefore, there are now a wide variety of commercial products containing prospective probiotics that claim health-promoting effects, such reductions in large botvel carcinogens and mutagens, antitumor properties, cholesterol-lowering effects, increased lactose digestion, relief from con-stipation, stimulation of immunocomponent cells and enhancement of phagocytosis. Two well-known representative probiotic is LAB and Bifidobaclerium. Traditional probiotic dairy strains of LAB which have been designated as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) bacteria have a long history of safe use and most strains are considered comestible microorganisms with no pathogenic potential. Accordingly, there is considerable interest in extending the range of foods containing probiotic organisms from dairy foods to infant formulas, baby foods, and pharmaceuticals. In addition, the ingestion of probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotic as wll as combinations of pro- and prebiotics has recently aroused renewed interest as enhancing the beneficial relationship between the host and intestinal microflora in both healthy and diseased indivisuals. Non-communicable chronic diseases such as cancer, cerebral hemorrhage, is chemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus has recently been recognized as adult diseases in Japan as well as other countries. and are considered to be inevitably associated with aging. These diseases occur as a result of individual life styles. The Japanes Government. Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has proposed substituting the term 'adult diseases' with 'lifestyle-related diseases'. It has emphasized the importance of prevention rather than treatment. since the well-known increase in the elderly population in Japan is predicted to result in a variety of socioeconomic problems. n this lecture on the Present status of fermented milk products in Japan, I will report a strategy for the development of fermented milk products in Japan from the standpoint of view of research in Japan on LAB and Bifidobacteria. They could play an important role in preserving human health by controlling intestinal microflora capable of producing toxic effects on the host.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.266-273
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• 2011

Although turmeric has numerous pharmacological effects, the poor water-solubility of curcuminoids, active components of turmeric, restricts their systemic availability in orally administered formulations and limits their therapeutic potential. In this study we attempted turmeric fermentation using several probiotic bacteria to improve its solubility, and also investigated the effects of turmeric and fermented turmeric on anti-inflammatory activity. Fermented turmeric, by L. johnsonii IDCC 9203, more strongly inhibited LPS-induced expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines than non-fermented turmeric and fermented turmeric by other probiotic strains. We used an NC/Nga mouse model for mite antigen-induced atopic dermatitis to examine the efficacy of the fermented turmeric. Fermented turmeric-fed mice exhibited a significantly reduced serum IgE level and mitigated acute inflammation. When the fermented turmeric was pre-treated by oral administration, it had more preventive activity against acute anaphylactic reaction than the non-fermented group. In addition, we observed that fermentation of turmeric leads to increased water-solubility of curcumin and a change in the active components ratios for bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycrucumin and curcumin. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that fermented turmeric by L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 could be used as a functional food ingredient for improving treatments for atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.819-824
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• 2007

The present study describes the cytotoxic effect of Artemisia fukudo extracts. The extract from A. fukudo by 80% ethanol was fractionated with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, and butanol in serial. The cytotoxicity of A. fukudo extracts was examined for its effect on the growth of HL-60 cells by the colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In addition, we used the HL-60 cells to see what effects the A. fukudo extracts will have on apoptosis of cancer cells. We checked the cell activity, cell morphologic changes, DNA fragmentation, and DNA content after 24 hr incubation with administering 25 ${\mu}g/mL$ of the A. fukudo extracts. In the treatment of the low concentration of n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions, the survival rate of HL-60 cells is lower than that of the control. The laddering-pattern DNA fragmentation was observed in the treatment with n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions. The DNA content of the cells apoptosis measured as the density of sub-$G_{1}$ hypodiploid cells by flow cytometric analysis. The number of sub-$G_{1}$ hypodiploid cells increased in the treatment with n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions. These fractions obstructed the cell cohesion and caused the blebbing of the cell membrane and fragmentation of the nucleus, both of which are symptoms of apoptosis. These results suggest that A. fukudo has a great potential value as food additives, medicinal supplements for patients with chronic diseases, and preventive measures against cancer.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.630-637
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the secular changes in indoor airborne dust or endotoxin levels in the dust from swine confinement buildings. Indoor levels were compared with the level at the exhaust outlet in order to examine the contribution potential of indoor dust to nearby ambient air dust. Methods: Comparisons were made on inhalable and respirable dust levels reported in 2002, 2012, and 2017 from 14, 10, and 36 swine fattening confinement buildings in Korea, respectively. This data was produced by the same research group. Levels of endotoxin adsorbed into inhalable or respirable dust were also compared. Samples of inhalable or respirable dust were collected indoors and at exhaust outlets from 17 swine fattening confinement buildings in 2019, and dust levels were compared between the indoor and the outlet. Results: The outlet inhalable dust level (0.111 mg/㎥) was approximately 19% of that from indoors, and the respirable dust level (0.033 mg/㎥) was approximately 74% of that from indoors. The outlet respirable dust levels were lower than the airborne fine dust levels in the towns where those farms are located. No significant difference was observed in the inhalable dust levels among the years examined, but the respirable dust level in 2017 (0.143 mg/㎥) was significantly lower than in 2002 (0.328 mg/㎥). The level of endotoxin in inhalable dust was significantly higher in 2017 (722 EU/㎥) than in both 2002 (75 EU/㎥) and 2012 (171 EU/㎥). Conclusion: Even though no apparent contribution from swine farm indoor dust to nearby ambient air dust was observed in terms of amount, a certain control strategy to reduce the production of airborne dust and endotoxin from swine farms is merited.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.325-330
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of 70% ethanol extracts of various germinated-rough rice cultivars: ('Ilpum', 'Goami2', 'Keunnun', 'Sulgaeng', 'Baegjinju', and 'Heugkwang') on proliferation of human cancer cell lines (MKN-45, HCT116 and NCI-H460). Antiproliferation effects of rough rice on different cancer cell lines were higher in after germination than before germination. The viability of HCT-116 colon cancer cells was lowest at 18.89% in after germination of 'Heugkwang' at 1.0 mg/mL. The cell viability of MKN-45 lung cancer cells and MKN-45 stomach cancer cells were in the range of 5~10% in after germination of 'Ilpum', 'Goami2', 'Baegjinju', and 'Sulgaeng', and 'Heugkwang' at 1.0 mg/mL. These results suggest that germinated rough rice might have a potential preventive effect on human cancer cells.