• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2007

Background: Previous research has suggested that single doses of a standardised Panax ginseng extract can decrease fasted blood-glucose levels and modulate cognitive performance in healthy young volunteers. The latter has generally been seen in terms of improved secondary memory performance. However, both the cognitive effects of chronic administration of ginseng and the potential modulation of working memory have received comparatively little research attention. Aims: The current double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over study investigated the effects of 8-weeks administration of Korean ginseng extract (200 mg) on cognitive performance, gluco-regulatory parameters and ratings of subjective mood and 'quality of life'. Methods: 'Eighteen healthy young participants were assessed pre-dose and 3 hours post-dose on the mornings of Day 1, Day 29 and Day 57 of 8 week treatment regimens of both placebo and ginseng. A four-week placebo wash-out separated the treatment phases. Each assessment included the Cognitive Drug Research battery, computerised working memory tasks, and Bond-Lader mood scales. The WHO Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) was completed once per visit. Gluco-regulatory parameters were assessed with assays of blood glucose, insulin and HbA1c. Results: Data from the 16 participants that completed the study showed that there were no significant, acute treatment related differences on Day 1 of treatment, or in gluco-regulatory parameters throughout the study. However, time related performance improvements were evident following chronic administration of ginseng on the '3-Back' and 'Corsi-block' computerised working memory tasks. Ginseng was also associated with an improved score on the 'social relations' subscale of the WHOQOL-100, and a significant shift on the 'calm' factor of the Bond-Lader mood scales (from calm/relaxed towards excited/tense). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that Korean ginseng extract can modulate working memory performance and subjective ratings of 'quality of life' and mood. Replication with a larger sample size may further elucidate the actions of this product.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.258-263
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• 2000

2-Hydroxy-6-oxo-6phenylhexa-2,4-dienoate (HOPDA) hydrolase catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of HOPDA to bemzpate and 2-hydroxypenta-2, 4-dienoate (HPD) during microbial catabolism of biphenyl and polychlorinated biphenyls. A HOPDA hydrolase gene (pcbD) was isolated from the genomic library of Pseudomonas sp. P20 and designated as pCNUO1201; a 7.5-kb XbaI DNA fragment from Pseudomonas sp. P20 was inserted into the pBluescript SK(+) XbaI site. E. coli HB101 harboring pCNU1201 exhibited HOPDA hydrolase activity. The open reading frame (ORF) corresponding to the pcbD gene consisted of 855 base pairs with an ATG initiation codon and a TGA termination codon. The ORF was preceded by a rebosome-binding sequence of 5'-TGGAGC-3' and its G+C content was 55 mol%. The pcbD gene of Pseudomonas sp. P20 was located immedeately downstream of the pcbC gene encoding 2,3- dihydroxybiphenyl 1,2-dioxygenase, and approximately 4-kb upstream of the pcbE gene encoding HPD hydratase. The pcbK gene was able to encode a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 31,732 containing 284 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of the HOPDA hydrolase of Pseudomonas sp. P20 exhibited high identity (62%) with those of the HOPDA hydrolases of P. putida KF715, P. pseudoalcaligenes KF707, and Burkholderia cepacia LB400, and also significant homology with those of other hydrolytic enzymes including esterase, transferase, and peptidase.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2004

A single chain variable fragment (scFv) specific towards B. pseudomallei exotoxin had previously been generated from an existing hybridoma cell line (6E6AF83B) and cloned into the phage display vector pComb3H. In this study, the scFv was subcloned into the pComb3X vector to facilitate the detection and purification of expressed antibodies. Detection was facilitated by the presence of a hemagglutinin (HA) tag, and purification was facilitated by the presence of a histidine tag. The culture was grown at 30$^{\circ}C$ until log phase was achieved and then induced with 1 mM IPTG in the absence of any additional carbon source. Induction was continued at 30$^{\circ}C$ for five h. The scFv was discerned by dual processes-direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and Western blotting. When compared to E. coli strains ER2537 and HB2151, scFv expression was observed to be highest in the E. coli strain Topl0F'. The expressed scFv protein was purified via nickel-mediated affinity chromatography and results indicated that two proteins a 52 kDa protein, and a 30 kDa protein were co-purified. These antibodies, when blotted against immobilized exotoxin, exhibited significant specificity towards the exotoxin, com-pared to other B. pseudomallei antigens. Thus, these antibodies should serve as suitable reagents for future affinity purification of the exotoxin.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2014

Background: Early detection of neuropathy may prevent further progression of this complication in the diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of early neuropathic complication in patients with newly diagnosed type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Methods: Nerve conduction studies (median, ulnar, posterior tibial, peroneal, and sural nerves) were performed for 49 type 1 (27 males, mean $14.1{\pm}7.5$ years) and 40 type 2 (27 males, $42.0{\pm}14.1$ years) diabetic patients at onset of diabetes. Children with age at onset under 4 years and adults over 55 years were excluded to eliminate the aging effect and the influence of obstructive arteriosclerosis. Neuropathy was defined as abnormal nerve conduction findings in two or more nerves including the sural nerve. Results: Mean HbA1c level was $12.6{\pm}3.3%$ for type 1 and $10.5{\pm}2.9%$ for type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of neuropathy was 12.2% for type 1, and 35.0% for type 2 diabetes, respectively. There were significant trends in the prevalence of neuropathy with increasing age (p<0.05). The effect of the mean level of glycosylated hemoglobin on the prevalence of polyneuropathy at onset of diabetes was borderline (p=0.0532). Neither sex of the patients nor the type of diabetes affected the neurophysiologic abnormalities at the diagnosis. Conclusions: Even in a population with diabetes at the diagnosis, the prevalence of subclinical neuropathy was not low. Neuropathy has been significantly associated with increasing age indicating the possibility of longer duration of undetected diabetes among them, especially in type 2 diabetes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.51-69
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of using Boyanghwano-tang(BYHWT) for diabetic retinopathy. Methods : We searched randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that used BYHWT for diabetic retinopathy in 10 databases(RISS, KISS, ScienceON, KCI, OASIS, DBpia, CNKI, Wanfang Database, PubMed, Cochrane Library) on August 12, 2023. Outcome measurements included total effective rate(TER) and visual acuity as the primary outcome measurements, and the secondary outcome measurements included fasting blood glucose(FBG), 2hPG, HbA1c, ET-1, NO, etc. The indicator of stability included adverse reactions. A meta-analysis was conducted according to TER, visual acuity, FBG. Results : A total of 8 randomized control trials were selected. The treatment group which used BYHWT showed significant improvement effects in TER and visual acuity compared to the control group which used western medicine or chinese patent medicine alone. TER: (RR: 1.22, CI 1.14 to 1.31, P=<0.00001), visual acuity: (RR: 2.06, CI 1.40 to 3.03, P=0.0002). Secondary outcome measurements including FBG also showed improvement in the treatment group compared to the control group. FBG: (MD: -0.15, CI -0.43 to 0.31, P=0.28). Adverse reactions were only mentioned in one study, which showed that no adverse reactions occurred in both the treatment and control groups. Conclusions : This study suggests that BYHWT is effective for diabetic retinopathy. However these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the insufficient number of studies and unknown or high risk of bias in the included trials.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2335-2338
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• 2012

Objective: To evaluate several metabolic changes in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC ) which enhance cardiovascular risk in the western region of Nepal. Materials and Methods: This hospital based case control study was carried out using data retrieved from the register maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of the Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal between $1^{st}$ January, 2009 and $31^{st}$ December, 2011. The variables collected were age, gender, BMI, glucose, insulin, HbA1C, CRP, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, f-T3, f-T4, TSH. One way ANOVA was used to examine statistical significance of differences between groups, along with the Post Hoc test LSD for comparison of means. Results: fT3 values were markedly raised in DTC cases ($5.7{\pm}SD1.4$) when compared to controls ($2.2{\pm}SD0.9$). Similarly, fT4 values were also moderately raised in cases of DTC ($4.9{\pm}SD1.3$ and $1.7{\pm}SD0.9$). In contrast, TSH values were lowered in DTC cases ($0.39{\pm}SD0.4$) when compared to controls ($4.2{\pm}SD1.4$). Mean blood glucose levels were decreased while insulin was increased and HDL reduced ($39.5{\pm}SD4.7$ as compared to the control $43.1{\pm}SD2.2$). Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk may be aggravated by insulin resistance, a hypercoagulable state, and an atherogenic lipid profile in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2020

Purpose: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of death with a prevalence rate of 12.4% in South Korea. Self-management is crucial for patients with DM, because many studies have reported that self-management intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) is effective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current state of HBM based intervention studies and the components and effects of the theories used in the study for diabetes patients. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the Pubmed, Cochrane Library and Embase databases from January 2009 to May 2019. We reviewed characteristics of intervention based on the HBM in randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental study intervention. Results: Eight studies published in English between 2009 and 2019 were included in this review. The key components of the health behavior promotion program applied to the DM patients were perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self-efficacy. The intervention based on these components has reported to significantly increase the health behavior change, likelihood of taking health action and improve physiological indicators (HbA1c, and fasting blood sugar etc.). Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of intervention programs based on the HBM for DM patients.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.257-262
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• 2012

The gene encoding Thermus thermophilus HJ6 laccase (Tt-laccase) was cloned, sequenced, and comprised of 1,389 nucleotides encoding a protein (462 amino acids) with a predicted molecular mass of 51,049 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of Tt-laccase showed 99.7% and 44.3% identities to the Thermus thermophilus HB27 laccase and Synechococcus sp. RS9917 laccase, respectively. Tt-laccase gene was expressed as a fusion protein with six histidine residues in E. coli Rosetta-gami (DE3) cells, and the recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity. UV-Vis spectrum analysis revealed that the enzyme has copper atoms, a type I Cu(II) and a type III binuclear Cu(II). The optimum pH for the oxidation of guaiacol was 5.0 and the optimum temperature was $90^{\circ}C$ The half-life of heat inactivation was about 120 min at $90^{\circ}C$ The enzyme reaction was inhibited by sodium azide, L-cystein, EDTA, dithiothreitol, tropolone, and kojic acid. The enzyme oxidized various known laccase substrates, its lowest $K_m$ value being for 4-hydroxyindole, highest $k_{cat}$ value for syringaldazine, and highest $k_{cat}/K_m$ for guaiacol.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.143-151
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• 2001

A marine bacterium producing carotenoid was isolated from the Yosu coastal area of South Korea, which was recorded as MCK-1. It was identified as Erythrobacter sp. Optimium conditions of marine carotenoid fermentation from Erythrobacter sp. were pH 6.0, a temperature of $25^{\circ}C$, 16 mM mannitol as a carbon source, 0.5% tryptone as a nitrogen source, 0.1 mM $Fe^{+2}$ ion as a mineral source and 1$\mu$M of cyanocobalamine as a growth factor in a jar-fermentor. Erythrobacter sp. was produced 351.27 mg/100mL of the marine carotenoid in these optimum conditions. This marine carotenoid was composed of 4 different conpounds, like as notoxanthin (61.4%), can thaxanthin (24.6%), fucoxanthin (8.2%), and zeaxanthin (5.8%). Physiological properties including antibacterial activity, cytotoxic effect, antioxidative effect and free radical scavenging activity were characterized with crude carotenoid. Carotenoid exhibited no antibacterial activity against E. coli and lactobacillus bulgaricus, but showed cytotoxic effect against cancer cells such as HepG2 (Hepatocellular carcinoma, human, ATCC HB-8065) and HeLa (Cervical carcinoma, human, ATCC CCL-2) cells. The impediment ratios for HepG2 and HeLa cell were 37.14% and 33.78%, respectively. This carotenoid expressed a strong antioxidative effect (77%) against CCL-13 5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL and 50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL crude carotenoid, respectively.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.705-713
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• 1998

Background: An association between diabetes and tuberculosis has long been implied. The severity of diabetes appears to correlate with the degree of tuberculous activity. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 82 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis in diabetics (DMTB) and 83 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis in nondiabetics (Non-DMTB) admitted to the Kyung Hee Medical Center between January 1995 and December 1996 was underiaken. Results: The sex ratio of DMTB was 58 : 24, and that of Non-DMTB was 62 : 21. Male patients predominated in both groups. The highest incidence of DMTB was 6th and 7th decades and that of Non-DMTB was 3rd and 4th decades. In case which the tuberculosis developed after diagnosis of diabetes, the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was the highest in diabetes for 5-10 years. On chest X-ray findings, the moderate advanced tuberculosis cases were the most common (60.9% in DMTTB and 50.6% in Non-DMTB). There was no relation between the degree of tuberculosis activity on chest x-ray(minimal, moderate, and far advanced tuberculosis) and presence of diabetes. The incidence of lower lung field tuberculosis in DMTB was significantly higher than Non-DMTB(p<0.05). The multiple lobe involvement was the predominant chest roentgenographic finding in both groups. There was no significant difference of treatment response between DMTB and Non-DMTB. There was no relationship between initial HbA1c and the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis on chest X-ray. During treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in excellently and well controlled diabetes, the cure rate of pulmonary tuberculosis was significantly higher than the poorly controlled diabetes and the rate of treatment failure was significantly lower than poorly controlled diabetes. (p<0.05). Conclusion: Poor control of blood glucose is related with increased rate of treatment failure in pulmonary tuberculosis with diabetes mellitus. Further investigation will be needed to study the mechanisms of treatment failure in poorly controlled diabetics with pulmonary tuberculosis.