• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.348-354
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• 2007

Purpose : Perinatal hepatitis B viral infection is decreasing; however, 10% of babies to HBeAg positive mothers still become chronic carriers despite perinatal prophylaxis. Although, the cause of prophylaxis failure is still unclear, an importance of maternal HBV-DNA level at the delivery time has been suggested. This study was established to certify if it would be a useful predictable factor for the outcome of perinatal prophylaxis. Methods : Twenty-nine HBeAg positive mothers whose babies had known outcomes of prophylaxis were selected. To determine the amount of maternal HBV-DNA, a quantitative PCR was performed with the WHO International Standard for HBV DNA NAT assays. Results : The mean logarithm HBV-DNA level of mothers with failed outcomes was significantly higher than that of mothers with succeessful outcomes (7.99 vs. 6.72, P=0.015). The predictable maternal HBV-DNA cut-off level to prophylaxis outcome was $2.83{\times}10^7copies/mL$ (100 pg/mL). None out of the case 16 (0%) who had below this level, and 5 out of 13 (38.5%) who had above this level of maternal HBV-DNA failed in perinatal prophylaxis. Conclusion : Mothers with higher levels of HBV-DNA at delivery time would be prone to a worse outcome of prophylaxis using the conventional approach. Perinatal prophylaxis failure rate can be reduced, if we try to introduce more potent prophylactic treatment into the cases with this risk factor.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2001

Safflower has been cultivated in Korea and thought to have excellent effects on bone in oriental medicine and folk remedy and has been taken for a long time. Safflower is thought to be helpful for the development and sustenance of bones according to the result of recent assay of its components. Otherwise, any reliable experimental data have not been suggested so far. We have carried out this study to examine the prophylactic effects of safflower-seed-powder on the prevention of osteoporosis induced by the ovariectomy 12 Weeks-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 230 g was kept in the experimental condition and used in this study. Animals were taken 0.3 g of safflower-seed-powder once a day for 1, 3, 5, and 7 weeks after ovariectomizing both ovaries and observed the fine structure of tibia. Tissues were fixed with traditional SEM preparation methods and decalcified for 10 hours with 10% nitric acid and dehydration, drying, and gold-coating were followed by the routine procedures and observed with scanning electron microscope (Hitachi, S-450). Loss of bone was started just after ovariectomy and thickness of bone from the medullary cavity to the compact bone was reduced and the extension of medullary cavity was serious in the control group of 7 weeks. Experimental groups taken safflower-seed-powder showed similar findings from 1 week to 7 weeks. These results suggest that the safflower-seed-powder is thought to be efficient for the prevention of osteoporosis owing to the deficiency of female sex hormone.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2012

To determine the prevalence of the primary glaucoma (PG) and occurrence of primary glaucoma in initially non-affected normal eye. Medical records of 7751 dogs presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) of Seoul National University (SNU) between January 2006 and December 2009 were examined. Among 7751 dogs, forty three dogs (0.55%) developed PG. The following breeds were included in the study: 18 American Cocker Spaniels, 17 Shih Tzus, 3 Mixed Breeds, 2 Malteses, 2 Pekingeses, and 1 Chow Chow. The mean onset age of PG in the first eyes was $7.1{\pm}2.3$ years in the all breeds. Compared with Mixed Breed (0.54%), American Cocker Spaniel (3.16%, p = 0.004) and Chow Chow (20%, p = 0.001) had a higher risk of developing glaucoma. Twenty six of 43 dogs (60.1%) were females with male-to-female ratio of 1:1.53. Twenty nine of 33 eyes (87.9%) developed glaucoma in the fellow eye within mean ${\pm}SD$ time of $17.5{\pm}2.7$ months. From this study, American Cocker Spaniel and Shih Tzu were the most frequent PG breed in Korea. Also, unilateral PG dogs developed glaucoma in the non-affected normal eye within approximately 17 months. The results indicate that prophylactic medical therapy with antiglaucoma agents should be considered to delay or prevent developing glaucoma in non-affected normal eye.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.224-241
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of Sargassum (Sargassum pallidum (TURN.) C. AG.; SP) on the experimental colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in mice. Methods : ICR mice were divided into 7 groups (NOR, CON, $SS50\times5$, $SP20\times3$, $SP50\times3$, $SP20\times5$, $SP50\times5$). TNBS processing was intrarectally applied to all experimental groups on the 3rd experiment day, except the normal group (NOR). For investigating the prophylactic effect, SP at doses of 20 mg/kg ($SP20\times5$) and 50 mg/kg ($SP50\times5$) were orally administered for 5 days. The SP at doses of 20 mg/kg ($SP20\times3$) and 50 mg/kg ($SP50\times3$) were orally administered for 3 days after the colitis induction in order to check the effect of treatment. As a positive control group, sulfasalazine 50 mg/kg ($SS50\times5$) was administrated. Macroscopic findings of epithelial tissue on mice were measured by colon length and macroscopic score. Histologic findings were also checked by crypt cell, epithelial cell, inflammatory cell and edema of submucosa. We measured the ability of SP to inhibit lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase activity. We also measured levels of the inflammatory markers, interleukin (IL)-$1\beta$ and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), its transcription factor activation, phospho-NF-${\kappa}B$ (pp65), in the colon by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot analysis. We measured activation of fecal bacterial enzyme, $\beta$-glucuronidase and degradation activation of fecal glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and hyaluronic acid. Results : Oral administration of SP on mice inhibited TNBS-induced colon shortening and myeloperoxidase activity in the colon of mice as well as IL-$1\beta$ and COX-2 expression. SP also inhibited TNBS-induced lipid peroxidation and pp65 activation in the colon of mice. SP inhibited $\beta$-glucuronidase activation and fecal hyaluronic acid degradation activation as well. Conclusions : SP could be a possible herbal candidate and preventive prebiotic agent for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Further experiments to differentiate effects of SP on IBD, such as other solutions and extracting times, might be promising.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.307-313
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• 1994

We have previously shown that crude water extract of Euonymus alatus (EA) had strong prophylactic effect against chemically induced-and tumor cell implanted-cancer, and that the mechanisms responsible for its antitumor effects were due to nonspecific enhancement of the NK cell activities and the cell mediated immunity. However, it was unknown that any components of crude extract did work so, since it consisted of several components. In this paper, we fractionated the crude watar EA-extract into several fraction such as hexane-, ethylether-, ethyl acetate-, n-butanol- and water soluble-fraction, and screened the immune regulating activities of each fraction by the evaluation of lymphokine production and activated lymphocyte proliferation. As a result of the component fraction of EA-extract, it was found that n-butanol fraction was a potent immunostimulator, and the remained water soluble fraction also contained some stimulator, But, other fraction did not showed any remarkable effect. It is therefore suggested that EA-glycosides in n-butanol fraction may be new one of the potent biological response modifiers. The present study was also undertaken in an efforts to investigate the effects of elm-bark(EB, Ulmus clavidiana var japonica), which has been used for curing ulcer and inflammation as a folk medicine without any kind of experimental evidence to support this, on the cellular- and humoral-immune responses, lymphocyte function and NK cell activities in mice. Regardless of time and duration of EB-treatment, Arthus reaction and antibody response to SRBC were not modified by EB, but delayed hypersensitivity to SRBC was significantly enhanced only when EB was treated prior to SRBC-sensitization. EB slightly inhibited the proliferation responses of splenocytes to PHA-stimulation, but it significantly augmented the responses of these cells to S aureus Cowan 1 and Con A-activation, and these effects were manifested only when EB was added at culture initiation. EB did not influence Ig secretion of spleen cells but it significantly augmented the Con A-induced 1L 2 and MIF production of splenocytes. NK cell activities of splenocytes were markedly riled when effector cells were pretreated with EB and this augmentation was dine to the increase of binding affinity of effector cells to target cells and the target cell lytic activities of effector cells. These results led to the conclusion that EB triggers increase of cellular immune responses, such as delayed hypersensitivitiy, lymphokine production and NK cell activities. Also these results suggested that EB contains potent immune stimulants, which may provide the rational basis for their therapeutic use as one of the new biological response modifiers.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.408-419
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• 2016

Background: In recent years, adjuvants have received increasing attention owing to the development of purified subunit and synthetic vaccines which are poor immunogens and require additional adjuvants to evoke an immune response. Therefore, immunologic adjuvants have been developed and tested. Plant polysaccharides have been recognized as effective biological response modifiers with low toxicity. Methods and Results: In this study, the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge containing immunomodulating arabino-3,6-galactan was evaluated for its hemolytic activity and adjuvant potential in the specific cellular and humoral immune responses to ovalbumin. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge was co-immunized with the purified Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi vaccine in mice. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge did not induce any hemolytic activity or side effects at doses up to $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The concanavalin A-, lipopolysaccharide-, and ovalbumin-induced splenocyte proliferation and serum ovalbumin-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2b antibody titers in immunized mice were significantly enhanced by AMA. Pharmacological data revealed that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge increased antigen-specific antibody levels in immunized mice. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge-adjuvanted purified Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi vaccine improved the proliferation of splenocytes and macrophages as well as stimulated cytokine production. Conclusions: These results suggest that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge-adjuvanted vaccines enhanced humoral and cellular immunity and that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge is a safe and efficacious adjuvant candidate suitable for use in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 1999

In this study, to evaluate newly developed Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine candidate CJ50003, we assessed its immunogenicity along with a previously commercialized inactivated JE Biken vaccine. The CR0003 viral antigens produced in Vero cells were administered suhcutaneouly to mice either with alum-adjuvanled or free form. The ELISA titers and neutralizing (NEUV antibody titers accounting for major protective immunity in JE were determined. Mice given alum-adjuvanted vaccine had a 10 times higher antigen-specific NEUT antibody response than did those which {lad received free antigens. This NEUT antibody response was maintained until day 168 with NEUT titer more than 1:160. Even with the 0.5 ng of alum-adjuvanted antigen dose, NEUT titer was induced more than 1:10 which is considered as an evidence for seroconversion and protection. Thc mice immune sera had a similar rate of cross-reactivity against three different viral antigens, Nakayama-NlH, P3 and SA14; as determined by ELISA assay. In a mice challenge model, vaccination with the GI50003 conferred more protection than with commercialized Biken vaccine against Nakayama virus. These data demonstrated that CJ50003 vaccine candidate has an excellent prophylactic efficacy and implicated it has a strong potential for further development and commercialization.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.3-26
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• 2005

In recent years, there is growing concern about the potential use of biological agents in war or acts of terrorism accompanied an increased realization that rapid preparedness and response are needed to prevent or treat the human damage that can be caused by these agents. The threat is indeed serious, and the potential for devastating numbers of casualties is high. The use of agents as weapons, even on a small scale, has the potential for huge social and economic disruption and massive diversion of regional and national resources to combat the threat, to treat primary disease, and to clean up environmental contamination. Biological weapons are one of weapons of mass destruction (or mass casualty weapons, to be precise. since they do not damage non-living entities) that are based on bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, fungi or toxins produced by these organisms. Biological weapons are known to be easy and cheap to produce and can be used to selectively target humans, animals, or plants. Theses agents can cause large numbers of casualties with minimal logistical requirements (in wide area). The spread of disease cannot be controlled until there is awareness of the signs of infection followed by identification of agents; and if the organism is easily spread from person to person, as in the case of smallpox, the number of casualties could run into the tens of thousands. Biological weapons could be used covertly, there can be a lot of different deployment scenarios. A lot of different agents could be used in biological weapons. And, there are a lot of different techniques to manufacture biological weapons. Terrorist acts that make use of Biological Agents differ in a number of ways from those involving chemicals. The distinction between terrorist and military use of Biological Weapon is increasingly problematic. The stealthy qualities of biological weapons further complicate the distinction between terrorism and war. In reality, all biological attacks are likely to require an integrated response involving both military and civilian communities. The basic considerations when public health agencies establish national defence plan against bioterrorism must be 1) arraying various laws and regulations to meet the realistic needs, 2)education for public health personnels and support of concerned academic society, 3)information collection and cooperative project with other countries, 4)Detection and surveillance(Early detection is essential for ensuring a prompt response to biological or chemical attack, including the provision of prophylactic medicines, chemical antidotes, or vaccines) and 5) Response(A comprehensive public health response to a biological or chemical terrorist event involves epidemiologic investigation, medical treatment and prophylaxis for affacted persons, and the initiation of disease prevention or environmental decontamination measures). The purpose of this paper is providing basic material of preparedness and response for biological terrorism in modern society.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2000

The changes of the microorganism composition after therapeutic radiation for oral cancer patients are not well known and the long-term follow-up data are not reported. To obtain basic data for understanding of pathogenesis and prevention and treatment of dental caries and mucositis occuring after radiation therapy, 7 of the oral cancer patients presented at the Seoul National University Oral & Maxillofacial Department between 1997 and 1998 whose treatment plan included radiation therapy were recruited to investigate the changes in bacterial composition(total aerobic count, Candida, Staphylococci, Lactobacilli, S. mutans, and S. salivarius (mitis, sanguis)) of the saliva before, during, and after radiation therapy. The basic data obtained from this study on identification and composition change of the bacteria in saliva of patients treated with radiation therapy can be used (1) as a reference for deciding on the ideal anti-microbial spectrum of the oral rinsing agent to be used in patients treated with radiation therapy for malignant tumor of the head and neck region. (2) to enhance the understanding of increase of opportunistic infection after immunochemical changes of the saliva and its relation to specific bacterial infection. (3) as a reference in prescribing prophylactic antibiotics in immunodepressed patients after radiation therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.234-250
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• 1998

Bujeonghangamtang(扶正抗癌湯) has been used for cure of tumor as a traditional medicine without any experimental evidence to support the rational basis for its clinical use. This study was carroed out to evaluate the possible therapeutic or antitumoral effects of Bujeonghangamtang extract against tumor, and to carry out some mechanisms responsible for its effect. Some kinds of tumor were induced by .the typical application of 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) or by the implantation(s.c) of malignant tumor cells such as leukemia cells(3LL cells) or sarcoma cells(Sl80 cells). Treatment of the Bujeonghangamtang water-extract (dailly 1mg/mouse, i. p.) was continued for 7 days prior to tumor induction and after that the treatment was lasted for 20 days. Against squamous cell carcinoma induced by MCA, Bujeonghangamtang decreased not only the frequency of tumor production but also the number and the weight of tumors per tumor bearing mice (TBM). Bujeongmngamtang also significantly suppressed the development of 3LL cell and S180 cell-implanted tumors in occurence-frequency and their size, and some developed tumors were regressed by the continuous treatment of Bujeonghangamtang extract into TBM. In vitro, treatment of Bujeonghangamtang extract had no effect on the growth of some kinds of cell line such as FsaII, A431 strain but significantly inhibited the proliferation of 3LL, S180 cells and augmented the DNA synthesis of mitogen-activated lymphocytes. Bujeonghangamtang also stimulated the migrative ability of leukocyte, the MIF and IL-2 production of T lymphocytes, but not IL 6 production of B cells. Bujeonghangamtang-administration to mice enhanced NK cells attivities. These results demonstrated that Bujeonghangamtang extract exhibited a significant prophylactic benefits against tumors and its antitumor activity was manifested depending on the type of tumor cells. And these results also suggested that effect of Bujeonghangamtang might be chiefly due to nonspecific enhancement of NK cell activities and cell-mediated immune responses.