• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2002

Background : Coal-worker's pneumoconiosis(CWP) is characterized by a chronic inflammatory lung reaction associated with macrophage accumulation in the alveolar spaces. CWP is usually divided into two stage : simple pneumoconiosis(SP) where there are a limited number of fibrotic lesions remain limited, with radiological opacities smaller than 1cm and progressive massive fibrosis(PMF), which is characterized by the development of a perifocal extensive fibrotic response of the lung and severe alterations in pulmonary function. In this study, the lymphocyte compartment and cytokine were evaluated by measuring the serum levels in the control, SP and PMF groups. Materials and Methods : The coal workers selected for this study were employees(patients?) of the Tae-Baek and Dong-Hae hospital. All were men, 45-76 years old and the mean duration of their exposure to coal dust was 23.2 years in the lymphocyte compartment and 24.3 years in the cytokine checked group. According to X-ray examination results, the patients were classified into either one of the SP, PMF categories. The normal controls examined were 26-70 years old men. The serum cytokine levels were estimated by using an end point enzyme immunoassay technique. Results : T lymphocyte, helper and suppressor T cells were highly related to pneumoconiosis in this study. A statistically significant decrease in the number of suppressor T lymphocytes was observed in the simple pneumoconiosis patients and at the same time, there was an increase in the lymphocyte index. Howevere, there was no statistically difference in the serum cytokines levels among the SP, PMF and control groups. Conclusion : T lymphocyte, helper T, and suppressor T cells may be highly related to the development of CWP compared to the control group particularly in the early stage of pneumoconiosis. The changes observed in the immunological system in patients with pneumoconiosis may lie at the bottom of the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Further study is needed to evaluate the lymphocyte compartment as a marker for pneumoconiosis development in the early stage.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate distribution of particle size in phytate kit and compare filtered method with non-filtered method using 200 nm filter for sentinel lymphoscintigraphy (SLS). Materials and Methods: Five phytate kit of having the same available period was measured by particle size analyzer. For in-vivo experiment, $^{99m}Tc$-phytate was injected intradermally at both foot to perform lymphoscintigraphy. Imaging was acquired at 1hour after injection. Region of interest (ROI) was drawn in inguinal and background area for analysis. RAW 264.7 cells (Murine macrophage cell) were prepared for measurement of celluar uptake as a representative of macrophages. Paired t-test was performed using SPSS (SPSS Inc, USA) for statistical analysis. Results: The size of most particle in Techne phytate kit was distributed in 130~650 nm(90.5 %). In-vivo study, the ROI analysis showed similar result between filtered and non-filtered sample, and the numerical value of count/pixel were $58.3{\pm}5.97$ and $60.2{\pm}4.88$. In-vitro study, cellular uptake study also showed no difference between filtered and non-filtered sample by gamma counting. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that there was no meaning of 200 nm filtered method for SLS using $^{99m}Tc$-phytate.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2009

Background: CXCL10 and CXCL11, which are family of CXCR3 ligands, are expressed by lymphocytes and even by bronchial epithelial cells if the cellular immunity is activated. This study evaluated the potential utility of CXCL10 and CXCL11 in the serum for active pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison with lung cancer, which activates the cellular immunity, and benign lung diseases. Methods: Patients who newly visited Pusan National University Hospital from January 2007 to December 2007 and were suspected of having lung cancer or tuberculosis were enrolled prospectively. The patients were classified pathologically and clinically into three groups, 47 with lung cancer, 18 with active pulmonary tuberculosis and 38 control patients with benign pulmonary disease. ELISA was used to determine the levels of CXCL10 and CXCL11 were determined in the serum. Results: The level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 were significantly higher in the active pulmonary tuberculosis group than in the lung cancer and benign lung disease groups (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis). The level of CXCL11 was significantly higher in the lung cancer group than in the benign pulmonary disease group, but there was no significant difference in level of CXCL10 between the three groups (p<0.001, p=0.655, respectively, Mann-Whitney U). The level of CXCL10 in patients with stage III+IV lung cancer was significantly higher than those with stage I+II, but there was no significant difference in the level of CXCL11 between the groups (p<0.001, p=0.07, respectively, Mann-Whitney U). There was no significant difference in the level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 between those with the presence and absence of lung cancer metastasis. There was a significant correlation between the level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 (r=0.223, p<0.001). Conclusion: CXCL10 and CXCL11 may be a potential useful markers for active pulmonary tuberculosis if used alongside other diagnostic methods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.1143-1148
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• 2010

This research analyzed useful nutritional component data in stems and leaves of the Albizzia julibrissin for proximate composition, contents of soluble protein, reducing sugar, free sugar, total polyphenol compound, mineral, free amino acid, and amino acid derivative. The carbohydrate contents of A. julibrissin stems and leaves were 71.08% and 64.85%, and crude protein contents were 8.05% and 11.38%, respectively. In addition, the crude fat contents were 2.95% and 3.03%, and the crude ash contents were 8.98% and 9.07%, respectively. Reducing sugar and free sugar in stems were 711.80 mg% and 15.66 mg%, and 1,422.83 mg% and 40.3 mg% in leaves, respectively. The contents of soluble protein were 229.57 mg% in stems and 1,073.59 mg% in leaves. The polyphenol and flavonoid compounds were 446.67 mg% and 16.36 mg% in stems, and 2,583.33 mg% and 2,234.75 mg% in leaves. In the results of mineral analysis, the content of Ca was the highest in stems as 933.07 mg% followed by K (605.07 mg%). The content of K was also the highest (1,489.53 mg%) in leaves, and Ca was 287.73 mg%. The free amino acid content of A. julibrissin stems was 2,977.28 mg%, and 8,840.66 mg% in leaves. Total contents of amino acid derivative were 263.53 mg% in stems and 696.47 mg% in leaves.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.893-900
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate physicochemical changes in Salvia plebeia R. Br. (SPA) upon hot-air drying and blanching. After hot-air drying and blanching, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were reduced from 96.64 mg and 48.40 mg gallic acid equivalent/g to 29.70 mg and 22.10 mg quercetin equivalent/g, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activities at $25{\mu}g/mL$ of SPA were 94.5% for ascorbic acid, 84.3% for hot-air dried SPA, and 59.7% for blanched SPA and there was no significant difference between those of hot-air dried SPA and ascorbic acid as a positive control. Total sugar contents were 7.187% and 6.104% for hot-air dried SPA and blanched SPA, respectively. During the blanching process, sucrose and maltose contents decreased, whereas glucose and fructose contents increased. Glucose and fructose were converted into citric acid in blanched SPA, whereas sucrose and maltose were converted into tartaric acid, malic acid, and succinic acid. Fourteen kinds of amino acids were found, but methionine, lysine, glycine, histidine, and cysteine were absent. The proportion of essential amino acids was 61.76% upon hot-air drying, which was a relatively high amount. In addition, hot-air drying resulted in 1.40 mg/100 g of norvaline as well as 39.00 mg/100 g of GABA, which are non-amino acids. Therefore, Salvia plebeia R. Br. can be used not only as vegetables but also as highly useful and various health functional foods with antioxidant effects and excellent nutrition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.1081-1090
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop a functional porridge prepared with mulberry leaf and mulberry fruit powder, which can ameliorate hypertension. The experiment was designed according to the central composite design. For optimization of the mixture ratio of mulberry leaf powder (MLP) and mulberry fruit powder (MFP), the independent variables were defined as MLP (X1) and MFP (X2) and the dependent variables were defined as K (Y1), Na (Y2), ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (Y3), cyanidin-3-glycoside (C3G) (Y4), rutin (Y5), and flavonoid (Y6). The optimal MLP to MFP mixture ratio according to the response surface method were 5.41 g of MLP and 2.65 g of MFP. The amounts of K, Na, GABA, C3G, rutin, and flavonoid in the optimal MLP and MFP mixture were 1,844.22 mg/100 g, 52.74 mg/100 g, 139.98 mg/100 g, 1,134.89 mg/100 g, 101.56 mg/100 g, and 201.28 mg/100 g, respectively. The amounts of Ca, K, Mg, and Na in the functional porridge at this optimal point were 27.66 mg/100 g, 131.32 mg/100 g, 19.57 mg/100 g, and 3.59 mg/100 g, respectively. Overall, this functional porridge can help reduce hypertension.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.1422-1430
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• 2015

This study was conducted to determine the effect of fermented water extracts from Ligularia fischeri (LAF) on reduction of hepatotoxicity induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in rats. In this experiment, male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as experimental animals, which were divided into eight groups: normal group, D-GalN-treated group (control), D-GalN and non-fermented water extracts from Ligularia fischeri (LA)-treated groups [100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW (body weight)], and D-GalN and LAF-treated groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW). ${\gamma}$-Glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities in serum of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups increased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The atherogenic index values of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05), and their high density lipoprotein cholesterol by total cholesterol ratio increased significantly in these groups (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity of liver tissues were enhanced significantly (P<0.05) in the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), whereas their malondialdehyde content decreased significantly in these groups (P<0.05). The histopathological observations revealed apoptotic cells and mild portal inflammation in liver tissues of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups. Taken together, these results demonstrate that LAF may improve plasma lipid profile and alleviate hepatic damage.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.529-541
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• 2003

Yukmijihwang-tang has been widely used as an and-aging herbal medicine for hundred years in Asian countries. Numerous studies show that Yukmijihwangtang has anti-oxidative effect both in vivo and in vitro. It has been reported that Moutan Cortex Radicis extract (MCR) was the most effective herb in Yukmijihwang-tang on undifferentiated PC12 cells upon oxidative-stressed with hydrogen peroxide. The purpose of this study is to; 1) evaluate the recovery of neuronal damage by assessing the anti-oxidant effect of MCR on PC12 cells differentiated with nerve growth factor (NGF), 2) identify candidate genes responsible for anti-oxidative effect on differentiated PC12 cells by oligonucleotide chip microarray. PC12 cells, which were differentiated by treating with NGF, were treated without or with hydrogen peroxide in the presence or absence of various concentration of MCR. Cell survival was determined by using MTS assay. Measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was determined using the H2DCFDA assay The viability of cells treated with MCR was significantly recovered from stressed PC12 cell. In addition, wide rage of concentrations of MCR shows dose-dependent inhibitory effect on ROS production in oxidative-stressed cells. Total RNAs of cells without treatment(Control group), only treated with H₂O₂ (stressed group) and treated with both H₂O₂ and of MCR (MCR group) were isolated, and cDNAs was synthesized using oligoT7(dT) primer. The fragmented cRNAs, synthesized from cDNAs, were applied to Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Neurobiology U34 Array. mRNA of Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta subunit(CaMKII), neuron glucose transporter (GLUT3) and myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein(MOG) were downregulated in Stressed group comparing to Control group. P2X2-5 receptor (P2X2R-5), P2X2-4 receptor (P2X2R-4), c-fos, 25 kDa synaptosomal attachment protein(SNAP-25a) and GLUT3 were downregulated, whereas A2 adenosine receptor (A2AR), cathechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), EST223333, heme oxygenase (HO), VGF, UI-R-CO-ja-a-07-0-Ul.s1 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) were upregulated in MCA group comparing to Control group. Expression of Putative potassium channel subunit protein (ACK4), P2X2A-5, P2X2A-4, Interferon-gamma inducing factor isoform alpha precursor (IL-18α), EST199031, P2XR, P2X2 purinoceptor isoform e (P2X2R-e), Precursor interleukin 18 (IL-18) were downregulated, whereas MOO, EST223333, GLUT-1, MIF, Neuronatin alpha, UI-R-C0-ja-a-07-0-Ul.s1, A2. adenosine receptor, COMT, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), HO, VGF, A rat novel protein which is expressed with nerve injury (E12625) were upregulated in MCR group comparing to Stressed group. The results suggest that decreased viability and AOS production of PC12 cell by H₂O₂ may be, at lease, mediated by impaired glucose transporter expression. It is implicated that the MCR treatment protect PC12 cell from oxidative stress via following mechanisms; improving glucose transport into the cell, enhancing expression of anti-oxidative genes and protecting from dopamine cytotoxicity by increment of COMT and MIF expression. The list of differentially expressed genes may implicate further insight on the action and mechanism behind the anti-oxidative effects of herbal extract Moutan Cortex Radicis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.96-105
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• 2005

For screening of autoregulator receptor gene from Streptomyces longwoodensis, PCR was performed with primers of receptor gene designed on the basis of amino acid sequences of autoregulator receptor proteins with known function. PCR products were subcloned into the BamHIsite of pUC19 and transformed into the E. coli $DH5{\alpha}$. The isolated plasmid from transformant contained the fragment of 100 bp, which was detected on $2\%$ gel after BamHI treatment. The insert, 100 bp PCR product, was confirmed as the expected internal segment of gene encoding autoregulator receptor protein by sequencing. Southern and colony hybridizations with the 100 bp fragment as a probe allowed to select a genomic clone of S. longwoodensis, pSLT harboring a 4.4 kb SphI fragment. Nucleotide sequencing analyses revealed a 651 bp open reading frame(ORF) were isolated protein showing moderate homology ($35{\sim}46\%$) with the ${\Gamma}$-butyrolactone autoregulator receptors from Streptomyces sp., and this ORF was named sltR The sltR/pET-17b plasmid was constructed to overexpress the recombinant SltR protein (rSltR) in E. coli BL21 (DE3)/pLysS, and the rSltR protein was purified to homogeneity by DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography, and DEAE-5PW chromatography (HPLC). The molecular mass of the purified rSltR protein was 55 kDa by HPLC gel-filtration chromatography and 28 kDa by SDS-PAGE, indicating that the rSltR protein is present as a dimer. A binding assay with tritium-labeled autoregulators revealed that the rSltR has clear binding activity with a A-factor type autoregulator as the most effective ligand.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.199-205
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• 2014

In the field of neutron detections, $^3He$ gas, the so-called "the gold standard," is the most widely used material for neutron detections because of its high efficiency in neutron capturing. However, from variable causes since early 2009, $^3He$ is being depleted, which has maintained an upward pressure on its cost. For this reason, the demands for $^3He$ replacements are rising sharply. Research into neutron converting materials, which has not been used well due to a neutron detection efficiency lower than the efficiency of $^3He$, although it can be chosen for use in a neutron detector, has been highlighted again. $^{10}B$, which is one of the $^3He$ replacements, such as $BF_3$, $^6Li$, $^{10}B$, $Gd_2O_2S$, is being researched by various detector development groups owing to a number of advantages such as easy gamma-ray discrimination, non-toxicity, low cost, etc. One of the possible techniques for the detection is an indirect neutron detection method measuring secondary radiation generated by interactions between neutrons and $^{10}B$. Because of the mean free path of alpha particle from interactions that are very short in a solid material, the thickness of $^{10}B$ should be thin. Therefore, to increase the neutron detection efficiency, it is important to make a $^{10}B$ thin film. In this study, we fabricated a $^{10}B$ thin film that is about 60 um in thickness for neutron detection using well-known technology for the manufacturing of a thin electrode for use in lithium ion batteries. In addition, by performing simple physical tests on the conductivity, dispersion, adhesion, and flexibility, we confirmed that the physical characteristics of the fabricated $^{10}B$ thin film are good. Using the fabricated $^{10}B$ thin film, we made a proportional counter for neutron monitoring and measured the neutron pulse height spectrum at a neutron facility at KAERI. Furthermore, we calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation the change of neutron detection efficiency according to the number of thin film layers. In conclusion, we suggest a fabrication method of a $^{10}B$ thin film using the technology used in making a thin electrode of lithium ion batteries and made the $^{10}B$ thin film for neutron detection using suggested method.