• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.1047-1057
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• 1998

Background : Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder of unknown origin and characterized by accumulation of T cells and macrophages. Various cytokines may play crucial roles in the activation of T cells and macrophages, and thereby in the formation of granulomas. However, little is known about the balance between proinflammatory cytokines and antiinflammatory cytokines in the development of sarcoid granulomas and disease activities. In the present study, we measured IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis to find out whether there is an imbalance between proinflammatory cytokines and antiinflammatory cytokines in the lung. Methods: Fourteen subjects with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and six healthy volunteers were included. BALF was concentrated ten-fold by pressure ultrafiltration and each cytokine levels were measured by EUSA method. Active sarcoidosis was defined by major organ involvement or clinically progressive diseases. Results: The mean IL-6 levels in the BALF of the active sarcoidosis group were significantly increased than in controls or inactive sarcoidosis group(p<0.05). Meanwhile, the IL-8 levels were increased and IL-10 levels were decreased in the active sarcoidosis group than in controls or inactive sarcoidosis group without significance(p>0.05). In active pulmonary sarcoidosis patients, the IL-6 levels in BALF correlated with the BALF CD4/CD8 ratio(r=0.768, p<0.05) and IL-8 levels(r=0.564, p<0.05). Conclusions : The data presented showed that pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 is important in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and decreased tendency of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 might also be involved in the development of granulomatous inflammation in sarcoidosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.844-852
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• 2006

This study was to evaluate the effect of Yeongyupaedog-san (YGPDS) on mouse Thl and Th2 cells' differentiation and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic inflammation. The proliferation of mouse CD4 T cells and the secretion of Th1/Th2 cytokines under the influence of YGPDS extract were measured as well as the amount of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ in RBL-2H3 cells and the levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and 1L-6 secretion in Raw264.7 cells. BALB/c mice were orally administered with YGPDS extract and simultaneously inoculated with OVA to induce allergic reaction and measure the level of total IgE, OVA-specific IgE and the production of IFN- g, IL-4, IL-5 by the spleen cells. When mouse CD4 T cell were stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 for 48 hours in various concentrations of YGPDS extract, it increased proliferation of CD4 cells by 11% in $100\;{\mu}g/^{ml}$ concentration but it showed an inhibition by 37% at $200\;{\mu}g/^{ml}$ CD4 T cells under Th1/Th2 polarizing conditions for 3 days with YGPDS resulted in mild decrease of IFN- g in Thl cells and significant decrease of IL-4 in Th2 cells at $500\;{\mu}g/^{ml}\;and\;100\;{\mu}g/^{ml}$ by 18% and 21%, respectively. YGPDS extract had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on antigen-induced release of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ in RBL-2H3 cells. Treatment of YGPDS extract on LPS stimulated Raw 264.7 cells showed dose-dependent decrease in TNF-n production. Oral administration of YGPDS extract on OVA-induced allergic mice showed an inhibitory effect on the levels of total serum IgE and OVA-specific IgE by 25% and 34% , respectively. Culture of spleen cells with OVA resulted in significant increase of IFN- g by 44% and significant decrease of IL-4 and IL-5 by 56%, and 24%, respectively. The results show that YGPDS does not strongly induce mouse T cells to transform into Thl or Th2 but it has an anti-allergic effect in vitro, and that it also corrects the unbalance between the reactions of Th cells in allergic diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.632-640
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• 2006

In this study, the biodegradative activities of monocyclic aromatic compounds were determined from the multi-drug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii, which were studied in the form of clinical isolates from a hospital in Korea. These bacteria were capable of biodegrading monocyclic aromatic compounds, such as benzoate and p-hydroxybenzoate. In order to determine which pathways are available for biodegradation in these stains, we conducted proteome analyses of benzoate, and p-hydroxybenzoate-cultured A. baumannii DU202, using 2-DE/MS analysis. As genome DB of A. baumannii was not yet available, MS/MS analysis or de novo sequencing methods were employed in the identification of induced proteins. Benzoate branch enzymes [catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (CatA) and benzoate dioxygenase $\alpha$ subunit (BenA)] of the $\beta$-ketoadipate pathway were identified under benzoate culture condition and p-hydroxybenzoate branch enzymes [protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenas $\alpha$ subunit (PcaG) and 3-carboxy-cis,cis-muconate cycloisomerase (PcaR)] of the $\beta$-ketoadipate pathway were identified under p-hydroxybenzoate culture condition, respectively, thereby suggesting that strain DU202 utilized the $\beta$-ketoadipate pathway for the biodegradation of monocyclic aromatic compounds. The sequence analysis of two purified dioxygenases (CatA and PcaGH) indicated that CatA is closely associated with the CatA of Acinetobacter radiresistance, but PcaGH is only moderately associated with the PcaGH of Acinetobacter sp. ADPI. Interestingly, the fused form of PcaD and PcaC, carboxymuconolactone decarboxylase (PcaCD), was detected on benzoate-cultured A. baumannii DU202. These results indicate that A. baumannii DU202 exploits a different $\beta$-ketoadipate pathway from other Acinetobacter species.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.323-328
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• 1997

The recombinant Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)pLysE : pTCGT1 was grown to overproduce Bacillus macerans cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) able to synthesize ${\alpha}$-cyclodextrin (CD) with a selectivity of 67%. A number of batch fermentations were performed to test the possibility of using lactose as an inducer of the E. coli T7 promoter system. A mixture of isopropyl ${\beta}$-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) and lactose (1 : 1) gave a maximum CGTase activity of 2.4 U/ml, which was higher than the value obtained with induction by IPTG alone. Fed-batch fermentations involving a glucose-controlled growth period followed by a gene-expression phase with mixtures of IPTG and lactose were employed to achieve high cell density and thereby increase total CGTase activity. Optimized fed-batch fermentation using the modified inducer (IPTG : lactose=1 : 3) and 100 g/l yeast extract solution in the gene-expression phase resulted in a maximum CGTase activity of 62.9 U/ml and a final cell mass of 53.5 g/l, corresponding to a 31-fold increase in CGTase activity and a 29-fold increase in cell mass compared with the control batch fermentation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3909-3919
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• 2013

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of A ferruginea extract on Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) induced tumours in BALB/c mice. Experimental animals received A ferruginea extract (10 mg/kg.b.wt) intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days after DLA tumor challenge. Treatment with extract significantly increased the life span, total white blood cell (WBC) count and haemoglobin (Hb) content and decreased the level of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (${\gamma}$-GT) and nitric oxide (NO) in DLA bearing ascites tumor models. In addition, administration of extract significantly decreased the tumour volume and body weight in a DLA bearing solid tumor model. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), as well as pro-angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were elevated in solid tumour controls, but significantly reduced by A ferruginea administration. On the other hand, the extract stimulated the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) in animals with DLA induced solid tumours. Increase in $CD4^+$ T-cell population suggested strong immunostimulant activity for this extract. GC/MS and LC/MS analysis showed quinone, quinoline, imidazolidine, pyrrolidine, cyclopentenone, thiazole, pyrazole, catechin and coumarin derivatives as major compounds present in the A ferruginea methanolic extract. Thus, the outcome of the present study suggests that A ferruginea extract has immunomodulatory and tumor inhibitory activities and has the potential to be developed as a natural anticancer agent.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.36-51
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• 2014

Objectives: cDNA microarray is an effective method to snapshot gene expression. Functional clustering of gene expressions can identify herbal medicine mechanisms. Much microarray data is available for various herbal medicines. This study compares regulated genes with herbal medicines to evaluate the nature of the drugs. Methods: Published microarray data were collected. Total RNAs were prepared from dissociated hippocampal dissociate cultures which were given hypoxic shock in the presence of each herbal medicine. Up- or downregulated genes higher than Global M value 0.5 were selected, clustered in functional groups, and compared with various herbal treatments. Results: 1. Akt2 was upregulated by Acorus gramineus SOLAND, Arisaema amurense var. serratum $N_{AKAI}$ and Coptis chinensis $F_{RANCH}$, and they belong to Araceae herb. 2. Nf-${\kappa}b1$, Cd5, $Gn{\gamma}7$ and Sgne1 were upregulated by Arisaema amurense var. serratum $N_{AKAI}$, Coptis chinensis $F_{RANCH}$ and Rheum coreanum $N_{AKAI}$. 3. Woohwangcheongsim-won, Sohaphyang-won and Scutellaria baicalensis $G_{EORGI}$ downregulated Scp2 and upregulated Tsc2. Woohwangcheongsim-won and Sohaphyang-won upregulated Hba1 and downregulated Myf6. 4. Sohaphyang-won and Scutellaria baicalensis $G_{EORGI}$ downregulated Slc12a1. 5. Woohwangcheongsim-won and Arisaema amurense var. serratum $N_{AKAI}$ upregulated $Rar{\alpha}$, Woohwangcheongsim-won and Coptis chinensis $F_{RANCH}$ downregulated Rab5a and $Pdgfr{\alpha}$, and Woohwangcheongsim-won and Rheum coreanum $N_{AKAI}$ upregulated $Plc{\gamma}1$ and downregulated Pla2g1b and Slc10a1. Conclusions: By clustering microarray, genes are commonly identified to be either up- or downregulated. These results will provide new information to understand the efficacy of herbal medicines and to classify them at the molecular level.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 1998

The biodegradabilities of surfactants were measured for shampoos and powder detergents for clothing(six kinds of each) in domestic market at present. Also the phosphates that cause of eutrophication and heavy metals to have a direct effect on human body were measured. Analysis results show that though they all come up to KS(Korean Industrial Standards), samples containing plenty of sodium ${\alpha}$-olefin sulfonate(AOS), linear alkyl benzene sulfonate(LAS) and synthetic sodium lauryl etoxylate sulfonate (SLES) have the lower biodegradability than the others. It was found that these samples were petroleum surfactants, and the lower biodegradability than surfactants extracted naturally. The contents of phosphates and heavy metals in the samples were under the regulation limits for the cosmetic standards.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 1998

To analyze the role of the C and D domains in the cyclization activity of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase), two plasmids, pKB1ΔC300 and pKB1ΔD96, were constructed in which DNA regions encoding 100 and 32 amino acids, respectively, from the C and D domains of B. stearothermophilus NO2 CGTase were deleted. The mutated CGTase from the pKBlΔC300 produced much lower amounts of ${\alpha}$-, ${\beta}$-, and $\gamma$-cyclodextrin (CD) than the parental CGTase. However, the mutated CGTase from the pKBlΔD96 showed a similar production pattern of CDs to wild-type CGTase. The production ratios of the ${\alpha}$-, ${\beta}$- and $\gamma$-CDs were not affected by the deletions, when compared to those of parental CGTase. The optimum temperature of the mutated CGTase from the pKBlΔC300 was decreased from $60^{\circ}C$ to $55^{\circ}C$. The optimum pH of the mutated CGTase from the pKB1D96 was shifted from 6.0 to 7.0. The thermostability of the two mutant CGTases were not changed. From these results, it is suggested that the C and D domains are not related to cyclization activity directly because mutant-enzymes deleted C or D domains still possessed their activity. However, they are important for other enzymatic properties such as productivity and pH optimum as a partition of CGTase tertiary structure.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.809-822
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• 1998

Retarding effects of the dietary fibers from persimmon peels (PTDF ; total dietary fibers, PIDF ; insoluble dietary fibers, PSDF ; soluble dietary fibers) and dried jujubes (JTDF ; total dietary fibers, JIDF ; insoluble dietary fibers, JSDF ; soluble dietary fibers) on glucose, bile acid and cadmium transport were evaluated by in vitro dialysis sack method. These effects were compared with those of commerical citrus pectin, CM-cellulose (CMC) and $\alpha$-cellulose. Yields of PTDF, PIDF and PSDF on wet weight basis were 14.04% , 11.61%, 1.76%, respectively, and those from dried jujubes were 14.80%, 9.98% and 2.80%, respectively. The amount of soluble fibers in JTDF was higher than PTDF. Soluble fibers had the retarding effects on glucose transport but insoluble fibers did not have. CM-cellulose showed the greatest retarding effect, which was followed by citrus pectin and JSDF. Among the soluble fibers, PSDF had the lowest retardig effect. Retarding effect of TDF was dependent upon the amount of SDF in TDF. Regarding bile acid dialysis , insoluble dietary fibers as well as soluble dietary fibers showed the retarding effects, among which JSDF had the greatest retarding effects, among which JSDF had the greatest retarding effect, followed by citrus pectin. Among the extracted fibers, dietary fibers from dried jujubes were more effective than these from persimmon peels, and SDF seemed to show higher retarding effects than IDF and TDF. On cadmium transport retardation , all dietary fibers except $\alpha$-cellulose had the retarding effects and PSDF showed the greatest effect which was followed by PIDF and CMC, The extracted fibers showed higher retarding effect on Cd transport than glucose and bile acid transport, and dietary fibers from persimmon peels showed higher retarding effects than those from dried jujubes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2012

Objective: Tributyltin (TBT), an endocrine disrupting chemical, has been reported to decrease ovarian function by causing apoptosis in the ovary, but the mechanism is not fully understood. Therefore, we examined whether TBT increases the expression of adipogenesis-related genes in the ovary and the increased expression of these genes is associated with apoptosis induction. Methods: Three-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered TBT (1 or 10 mg/kg body weight) or sesame oil as a control for 7 days. The ovaries were obtained and weighed on day 8, and then they were fixed for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) or frozen for RNA extraction. Using the total RNA of the ovaries, adipogenesis- and apoptosis-related genes were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The ovarian weight was significantly decreased in rats administered 10 mg/kg TBT compared to that in control rats. As determined by the TUNEL assay, the number of apoptotic follicles in ovary was significantly increased in rats administered 10 mg/kg TBT. The real-time PCR results showed that the expression of adipogenesis-related genes such as $PPAR{\gamma}$, ${\alpha}P2$, CD36, and PEPCK was increased after TBT administration. In addition, apoptosis-related genes such as $TNF{\alpha}$ and TNFR1 were expressed more in the TBT-administered rats compared with the control rats. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that TBT induces the expression of adipogenesis- and apoptosis-related genes in the ovary leading to apoptosis in the ovarian follicles. These results suggest that the increased expression of adipogenesis-related genes in the ovary by TBT exposure might induce apoptosis resulting in a loss of ovarian function.