• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.197-208
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• 1996

Endosomes lower their internal pH by an ATP-driven proton pump, which is critical to dissociation of many receptor-ligand complexes, the first step in the intracellular sorting of internalized receptors and ligands. Endosomes are known to exhibit n great range of pH values that can vary between 5.0 and 7.0 within a single cell although the factors that regulate endosomal pH remain uncertain. To evaluate the morphological and topological differences of endosomes in the different stages, confocal microscopy was used. The early endosomes labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran for 10 min at $37^{\circ}C$ were identifiable at the peripheral and tubule-vesicular endosome compartment. In contrast, the late endosomes formed by 10 min pulse and 20 min trace were located deeper in the cytoplasm and showed more vesicular features than early endosomes. For the purpose of determining whether ATP-dependent acidification was heterogeneous and whether the differences in acidification were attributed to differences in the activity of $Na^{+}-K^{+}$-ATPase and/or $Cl^{-}$ channel, endocytic compartments were fractionated into subpopulation using percoll gradient and measured ATP-dependent acidification. While all fractions exhibited ATP-dependent acidification activity, both the initial rate of acidification and extent of proton translocation were lower in early endosomes and gradually increased in late endosomes. Phosphorylation by PKA and ATP enhanced ATP-dependent acidification in both early and late endosomes, hut there was no difference in the degree of enhancement by phosphorylation between two subpopulations. When ATP-dependent acidification was determined in the presence or absence of vanadate ($Na_{3}VO_{4}$) or ouabain, only early endosomes exhibited the vanadate or ouabain dependent stimulation of acidification activity, suggesting the inhibition of $Na^{+}-K^{+}$-ATPase. Therefore, it seems probable that the inhibition of early endosome acidification by $Na^{+}-K^{+}$-ATPase observed in vitro at least in part plays a physiological role in controlling the acidification of early endosomes in vivo.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1631-1635
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• 2007

Japanese Brown cattle, one of the four domestic beef breeds in Japan, are suffering from numerical reduction due to economic pressure from profitable breeds. In this study, all the reproductive cows in the Kouchi sub-breed of the Japanese Brown cattle that were alive in July 2005 were investigated by pedigree analysis to clarify genetic structure and composition of genetic variability. In addition, genetically important individuals for the maintenance of genetic variability of the sub-breed were also identified through the core set method. The number of cows analyzed was 1,349. Their pedigrees were traced back to ancestors born around 1940, and pedigree records of 13,157 animals were used for the analysis. Principal component analysis was performed on the relationship matrix of the cows, and their factor loadings were plotted on a three-dimensional diagram. According to their spatial positions in the diagram, all the cows were subdivided into five genetically distinctive subpopulations of 131 to 437 animals. Genetic diversity of the whole sub-breed, which is estimated to be 0.901, was decomposed into 0.856 and 0.045 of within-subpopulation and between-subpopulation components. Recalculation of genetic diversity after removal of one or several subpopulations from the five subpopulations suggested that three of them were genetically important for the maintenance of genetic variability of the sub-breed. Applying the core set method to all the cows, maximum attainable genetic diversity was estimated to be 0.949, and optimal genetic contributions assigned to each cow supported the previous results indicating relative importance of the three subpopulations as useful genetic materials.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.23-29
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• 2010

Objectives : To investigate the immunological activities, we evaluated the combination ratio of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix (AG) on murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and ovalbumin/aluminium (OVA/Alum)-immunized mice. Methods : The cellular proliferation and the production of nitric oxide were examined in a macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, in the presence of the combination ratio of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix. C57BL/6 mice were immunized intraperitonially with ovalbumin/aluminium ($100{\mu}g/200{\mu}g$) on day 1, 8, and 15. The combination ratio of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix (1 g/kg/day) was orally administrated for 3 weeks. On day 22, splenocyte and plasma were collected for mitogen-induced proliferation, lymphocyte subpopulation by flow cytometry and measurement of AST (Aspirate aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine aminotransferase), and antibodies (OVA-specific antibodies of the IgG, IgG1, and total IgM classes). Results : Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata treatment had no influence on immune responses. The proliferation and NO production of macrophage and proliferation of splenocyte were increased as the higher ratio of Glycrrhizae Radix. The proliferation of splenocyte, lymphocyte subpopulation and production of antibody (total IgM, OVA-specific IgG and OVA-specific IgG1) were increased as the higher ratio of Glycrrhizae Radix on OVA-immunzed mice. Conclusions : These results suggest that the higher ratio of Glycyrrhizae Radix can increase immunological activities such as NO production in RAW264.7 cells, splenocyte proliferation and immunoglobulin production in OVA-immunized mice.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.390-394
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• 2014

Objective : In most patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), pain and/or paresthesia disappeared or decreased in a month after endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR). However, subpopulation of patients showed delayed improvement following ECTR. We analyzed the delayed improvement hands to investigate the characteristics of those patients and to determine the predictable factors of delayed improvement. Methods : Single-portal ECTRs were performed in 1194 hands of 793 CTS patients from 2002 to 2011. Five-hundred seventy hands with minimal 1-year postoperative follow-up were included. We divided the 545 satisfied hands into early (group A) and delayed (group B) groups according to improvement period of 1 month. Demographic data, clinical severity and electrodiagnostic abnormality were compared between groups. Results : Group A included 510 hands and group B included 35 hands. In group B, 11 hands improved in 2 months, 15 hands in 3 months and 9 hands in 6 months, respectively. In group A/B, according to clinical severity, 60/1 hands were graded to I, 345/24 hands to II, 105/10 hands to III. In group A/B, based on electrodiagnostic abnormality, 57/3 hands were classified to mild, 221/11 hands to moderate and 222/21 hands to severe group. Statistical analysis between groups did not reach significance but electrodiagnostic or clinical severity had a tendency to affect the delayed response. Conclusion : It is difficult to predict the factors contributing to postoperatively-delayed response in subpopulation of CTS patients. However, we recommend that postoperative observation for at least 6 months is necessary in patients without symptomatic improvement.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.343-350
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• 2009

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-asthmatic effects of Samjajihwang-tang (SJT) using OVA-induced asthmatic mice model. Asthmatic mice model was conducted by repeated challenge of OVA using C57BL/6 mice. Each group was treated with distilled water, SJT (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) extract or cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg) for the later 8 weeks, Penh (plethysmography and enhanced pause), immune cells subpopulation, eotaxin, IL-5, TNF-${\alpha}$, Anti-OVA-lgE in BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage), and lung tissue was analyzed, No cytotoxicity of SJT was shown on hFCs (human fibroblast cells). Administration of SJT significantly decreased Penh levels comparing to control group. SJT treatment significantly ameliorated the increase of total cells number and eosinophil including of immune cell subpopulation of $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $CCR3^+$, $B220^+/CD22^+$, $B220^+/CD45^+$, and $B220^+/lgE^+$ cells in BALF comparing to control group. Eotaxin, IL-5, TNF-${\alpha}$, and Anti-OVA-lgE level in BALF were significantly decreased by SJT treatment too. Histopathological finding verified the improvement of infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen tissue in the SJT groups comparing to control group. These results strongly suggest that SJT would be a effective candidate for herbal-originated anti-asthmatic drug. However, this drug should be further studied for characterization of the accurate action and underlying mechanisms using variant disease model in the future.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.457-463
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• 2009

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-asthmatic effects of Seonpye-tang (SPT) using OVA-induced asthmatic mice model. Scavenging activity of SPT on DPPH free radical and SOD-like activity of SPT were measured at final concentration 62.5, 125, 250, 500 (${\mu}g/m{\ell}$), RBL-2H3 cells were treated with DNP IgE for 24hr, and treated with SPT (1, 10, 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$) for 1hr, followed by treatment with DNP-HSA for 1hr at $37^{\circ}C$. The level of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured by ELISA. Asthmatic mice model was conducted by repeated challenge of OVA using C57BL/6 mice. Each group was treated with distilled water, SPT (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) extract or cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg) for the later 8 weeks. Immune cells subpopulation, eotaxin, IL-5 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in BALF were analyzed. SPT dose-dependently increased Scavenging activity on DPPH free radical and SOD-like activity. SPT significantly ameliorated the increase of total cells number and eosinophil including of immune cell subpopulation of $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $CCR3^+$, $B220^+/CD22^+$, $B220^+/CD45^+$ and $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in BALF comparing to control group. Eotaxin and IL-5 level in BALF were significantly decreased by SPT. These results strongly suggest that SPT would be a effective candidate for herbal-originated anti-asthmatic drug. However, this drug should be further studied for characterization of the accurate action and underlying mechanisms using variant disease model in the future.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.25 no.2 s.38
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• pp.157-161
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• 1992

To assess the immunological function of toluene exposed group, the proportions of T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte, CD4 cell, CD8 cell, the ratio of CD4 to CD8(CD4/CD8) in peripheral blood were measured on twenty-one toluene exposed workers and twelve healthy workers who did not have previous history of toluene exposure. In addition, to evaluate the present status of toluene exposure, urinary hippuric acid concenturations were measured in exposed group. The mean concenturation of urinary hippuric acid was 2.84 g/creatinine g in exposed group. The proportions of T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte, CD8 cell and CD4/CD8 of exposed group were slightly lower than non-exposed group except the proportion of CD4 cell which was similar in both groups. But these differences were not statistically different in both groups. The proportions of T lymphocyte and CD4 cell were significantly correlated with the length of duration in exposed group(P<0.05).

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined the characteristics differences associated with 1-year continuous smoking abstinence in Korean young adult and middle-aged male workers. Methods: 'Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES)' is an ongoing surveillance system that assesses the health and nutritional status of Koreans. For a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from KNHANES VI-1, this study selected 683 Korean male workers as a subpopulation, who were young adult or middle-aged. The subpopulation was composed of success or failure group of 1-year continuous smoking abstinence. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Success group was more likely to be older, live in urban areas, rate their health status as excellent or good, and have ever been diagnosed with hypertension than failure group. Additionally, Success group was less likely to have used electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), drink more than once a month, and have been exposed to secondhand smoking in workplace within a week. Conclusion: Developing smoking cessation programs requires consideration of resources in rural areas, promoting self-efficacy, restricting e-cigarettes and drinking, and promoting a smoke-free workplace.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the changes in hematologic indices after plateletpheresis and to identify the preapheresis platelet count and clinical factors (age, gender, height, and weight) that showed some influence on the percentage of platelet decrement, yield and efficiency. Plateletpheresis was performed on 101 healthy donors in Bundang CHA general hospital. The data was analyzed using the SAS program with t-test, ANOVA test and Multiple regression. The mean percentage decrease after plateletpheresis was 2.0% in hemoglobin, 1.8% in hematocrit, and 29.7% in the platelet count, while a WBC count showed an increase of 2.6%. The mean percentage decrease of hemoglobin and hematocrit were 1.7% and 1.4%, in males and 3.6% and 3.7% in females, respectively. Particularly the percentage decrease of platelet count was significantly higher in females (40.0%) than in males (27.2%). The platelet decrementage and yield were significantly higher in females, but the efficiency did not differ significantly between males and females. The yield showed the lowest levels in subjects who were 40 years old or over but the platelet decrement and efficiency did not change according to age. The platelet decrement increased as height and weight increased. Also, the platelet decrement and yield increased as the initial platelet counts increased, but the efficiency did not. From multiple regression analysis, the platelet decrement was associated with gender, weight, and initial platelet count. The yield was related to the initial platelet count, but the efficiency was not related to gender, age, weight, height or initial platelet counts. This study has a limitation of the generality of the study results since this study was conducted only in a single university hospital. Further study would be necessary to find out a subpopulation that is sensitive to the hematologic change after plateletpheresis, and to determine the standard criteria for blood donation based on the subpopulation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.384-388
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• 2001

The effects of MeOH extracts of Schizandra chinensis fructus (SZX) on the immunoregulatory effect (lymphocyte proliferation, subpopulation, nitric oxide production, phagocytic activity) and apoptosis $(sub-G_1\;peak)$ of L1210 cells were examined. The proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes were enhanced by the addition of $10\;{\mu}g/mL$ of SZX. SZX were administered p.o. once a day for 7 days in adult male BALB/c mice. SZX resulted in altering subpopulation of splenic B and/or T and thymic T lymphocytes, especially the number of $T_H$ cells were markedly increased by the treatment of SZX in vivo and in vitro. SZX treatment induced the apoptotic cell death in L1210 mouse leukemia cells. In addition, SZX accelerated the production of nitric oxide and phagocytic activity in peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that SZX have an immunoregulatory property and anti-cancer action.