• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.84-101
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• 2010

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Seonpyejeongcheon-tang (SJT) on elastase-induced lung injury. Materials and Methods : The extract of SJT was treated to A549 cells and an elastase-induced lung injury mouse model. Then, various parameters such as cell-based cytoprotective activity and histopathological findings were analyzed. Results : SJT showed a protective effect on elastase-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells. This effect was correlated with analysis for caspase 3 levels, collagen and elastin contents, protein level of cyclin B 1, Cdk1, and Erk1/2, and gene expression of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in A549 cells. SJT treatment also revealed a protective effect on elastase-induced lung injury in mouse model. This effect was evidenced via histopathological findings, including immunofluoresence stains against elastin, collagen, and caspase 3, and protein levels of cyclin B1, Cdc2, and Erk1/2 in lung tissue. Conclusion : These data suggest that SJT has pharmaceutical properties on lung injury. This study thus provides scientific evidence for the efficacy of SJT for clinical application to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.142-152
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• 2005

Background : Priming and boosting vaccination strategy has been widely explored for new vaccine development against tuberculosis. As an effort to identify other vaccine candidates, this study was initiated to evaluate protective efficacy of adenylate kinase (AK), nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NdK), and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Method : M. tuberculosis genes encoding AK, NdK, and Hsp70 proteins were amplified by PCR and cloned into E. coli expression vector, pQE30. Recombinant AK, NdK, and Hsp70 was purified through Ni-NTA resin. To evaluate immune responses, we performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgG isotype and $IFN-{\gamma}$ after mice were immunized subcutaneously with recombinant proteins delivered in dimethyl dioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA). Immunized- and control groups were challenged by aerosol with M. tuberculosis. The spleens and lungs of mice were removed aseptically and cultured for CFU of M. tuberculosis. Result : Vaccination with recombinant proteins AK, NdK, and Hsp70 delivered in DDA elicited significant level of antibody and $IFN-{\gamma}$ responses to corresponding antigens but no protective immunity comparable to that achieved with Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Conclusion : Recombinant proteins AK, NdK, and Hsp70 do not effectively control growth of M. tuberculosis in mice when immunized with DDA as an adjuvant.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2006

We have previously reported the minimum criteria that can be applied to evaluate efficacy and safety of a DNA vaccine with use of Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA vaccine (SPDNA). The SPDNA was formulated by inserting the DNA sequences that are codons specific for the carbohydrate epitope in the capsule of S. penumoniae by phage display peptide library. Administration of the SPDNA into mice induced both humoral and cell-mediated immunities. The induction was protective even in the absence of CD4+ T lymphocyte in mice. Profiles of cytokine and isotyping of antibody displayed tendency of the Th1. In continuation of these studies, we examined if the efficacy of the SPNDA was provoked by the peptide recognized by codons specific for the capsule. Results showed that the peptide vaccine formulae (SPP) induced protective antibody in mice as did the SPDNA. Involvement of the cell-mediated immunity was also determined. Possible side effects of autoimmune diseases such as myositis and C3a production and tumor-formation were undetectable in mice given 7 times of SPDNA vaccination during entire of 92 days. Even after the frequent immunization, immunogenicity of the SPDNA was observed as determined for antibody production, suggesting that there was no immunotolerance provoked. All together, these examining factors would be applied to measurement of a DNA vaccine safety regarding the immunopathological aspect.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.429-435
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• 2018

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite responsible for causing toxoplasmosis. Preventive measures for toxoplasmosis are currently lacking and as such, development of novel vaccines are of urgent need. In this study, we generated 2 virus-like particles (VLPs) vaccines expressing T. gondii rhoptry protein 4 (ROP4) or rhoptry protein 18 (ROP18) using influenza matrix protein (M1) as a core protein. Mice were intranasally immunized with VLPs vaccines and after the last immunization, mice were challenged with ME49 cysts. Protective efficacy was assessed and compared by determining serum antibody responses, body weight changes and the reduction of cyst counts in the brain. ROP18 VLPs-immunized mice induced greater levels of IgG and IgA antibody responses than those immunized with ROP4 VLPs. ROP18 VLPs immunization significantly reduced body weight loss and the number of brain cysts in mice compared to ROP4 VLPs post-challenge. These results indicate that T. gondii ROP18 VLPs elicited better protective efficacy than ROP4 VLPs, providing important insight into vaccine design strategy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.982-986
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• 2009

For the production of ghost bacteria vaccine to prevent the streptococcal disease in aquaculture fish species, a double cassettes vector was constructed and cloned in Escherichia coli DH5${\alpha}$. Ghost bacteria vaccine production from Escherichia coli DH5${\alpha}$/pHCE-InaN-GAPDH-Ghost 37 SDM (SIG) was maximized at a glucose concentration of 1 g/l, agitation of 300 rpm, and aeration of 1 vvm. The maximal efficiency of ghost bacteria formation was obtained at the mid-exponential phase ($OD_{600}=2.0$) with the concentration of 0.77 g/l for SIG. The molecular mass of GAPDH was detected at 67 kDa with the insoluble fraction, by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The protective efficacy of ghost bacteria vaccine was evaluated by challenge test using olive flounder. The cumulative mortalities of the positive control, formalin-killed cell (FKC) vaccine, and SIG vaccine immunized groups were 91%, 74%, and 57%, respectively. These results suggest that SIG vaccine showed efficacy as a vaccine and had a higher potential to induce protective antibodies than did FKC vaccine.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2012

This study examined risk and protective variables related with the continuity of developmental risks among 136 infants, aged 4-10 months. Using the Denver Developmental Screening Test, 136 infants among 2978 infants in the first wave of the Korea Child Panel were classified into the developmental risk group. Among the 136 risk group infants, 45 infants stayed in the risk group (continuing risk group) and the other 91 infants moved into the normal group (recovering risk group) after 1 year. Group differences were tested in the levels of infant, mother and father variables to examine which variables were associated with the continuity of developmental risks for a year. Variables indicating parents' marital relationships such as the mothers' marital satisfaction and conflict of the first wave and the fathers' marital satisfaction of the second wave significantly distinguished the continuing from the recovering risk group. In addition, there were significant group differences in the levels of mothers' self-efficacy in the first wave. The findings suggest that the exposure to marital conflict during infancy is associated with the continuity of developmental risks.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2024

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) bear a significant financial burden and face numerous complications and higher mortality rates. The progression of CKD is associated with glomerular injury caused by glomerular hyperfiltration and oxidative stress. Factors such as uncontrolled hypertension, elevated urine protein levels, anemia, and underlying glomerular disease, contribute to CKD progression. In addition to conservative treatment, several medications are available to combat the progression of CKD to end-stage kidney disease. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers could slow the progression of CKD by reducing glomerular hyperfiltration, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing inflammation. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists inhibit the mineralocorticoid receptor signaling pathway, thereby attenuating inflammation and fibrosis. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors exhibit protective effects on the kidneys and against cardiovascular events. Tolvaptan, a selective vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist, decelerates the rate of increase in total kidney volume and deterioration of kidney function in patients with rapidly progressive autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. The protective effects of AST-120 remain controversial. Due to a lack of evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of these medications in children, it is imperative to weigh the benefits and adverse effects carefully. Further research is essential to establish the efficacy and safety profiles in pediatric populations.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.58 no.12
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• pp.2441-2445
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• 2009

The effects of Si -doped MgO have been investigated in order to improve the material properties of the MgO protective layer in plasma display panels. A small amount of Si is added to the MgO pellet while the MgO layer is being deposited by using an electron-beam evaporation method. Both the surface characteristics of the protecting layer and the electro-optical properties of 4 in. test panels are investigated, such as XRD patterns, SEM images, firing and sustain voltages, secondary electron emission coefficient($\gamma$), luminance, luminous efficacy and lifetime. The firing and sustain voltage are minimized when Si concentration is 0.038%, where the luminance and luminous efficacy increase up to 17% and 26% compared with that of the pure MgO film, separately, and lifetime also shows good characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.278-288
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• 2020

This study examined the effects of response-facilitating factors(Food-related Knowledge, Response-Efficacy, and Self-Efficacy) and response-inhibiting factors(Severity, Vulnerability, and Consumer Stress) on the consumer' behavior intention based on protection motivation theory, which explains the behavioral change to protect oneself. This study was conducted to reduce the customers' concerns regarding food safety accidents and introduce ways to make them more interested in food safety. A sample of 225 adults over 19 years of age was collected in February 2018 through a self-administered questionnaire. The results of the cognitive mediation process of protective motivation theory showed that the consumers' knowledge and self-efficacy which are response-facilitating factors, positively influence the behavioral intention. Severity and consumer stress were response-inhibiting factors. On the other hand, response-efficacy, which is a response-facilitating factor, and vulnerability, which is a response-inhibiting factor, did not influence the behavioral intention. Therefore, severity and consumer stress are response-inhibiting factors. The results were analyzed as a result of a behavioral change to protect oneself from food safety accidents. The applicability of the theory of protection motivation on the topic of food safety was also confirmed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.303-314
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• 2023

Protective efficacy of trivalent Salmonella inactivated vaccine containing Chlorhexidine-inactivated S. Enterltidis (SE), S. Typhimurium (ST), and S. Gallinarum (SG) strains, was evaluated in this study. A total of 70 brown nick layers were divided into 7 groups, A to G, containing 10 hens per group. All hens in groups B to D were intramuscularly immunized with approximately 7×10⁸ cells (3×10⁸ cells of SE+1×10⁸ SE+1×10⁸ cells of ST+3×10⁸ cells of SG) of the trivalent vaccine in 0.5 mL of PBS. All chickens in groups E to G were injected with sterile PBS. All hens of groups B and E, groups C and F, and groups D and G were orally challenged with approximately 2 ×10⁹ CFU of wild-type SE, ST, and SG, respectively. Serum IgG titers and CD3⁺CD4⁺ T-cells, and CD3⁺CD8⁺ T-cells levels of groups B to D significantly higher than those of group A. In addition, all animals in groups A to C, E and F showed no clinical symptoms and survived after the virulent challenges, whereas one chicken in group D died and all chickens in group G died following the challenge. The protection against wild-type SE and ST in liver, spleen, cecum, and cloaca of groups B and C chickens was significant effective as compared with those in groups E and F. These indicate that the trivalent inactivated vaccine can be an effective tool for prevention of Salmonella infections by inducing robustly protective immune responses and cellular immune response in chickens.