• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.478-487
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• 2003

Background : There have been several studies showing that the angiotensin II and angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) contributes to the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and the activation of fibroblasts during the process of pulmonary fibrosis. These results suggest that the pulmonary fibrosis can be inhibited by the angiotensin II receptor antagonist(AGIIRA). This study was performed to identify the therapeutic effect of AGIIRA in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF). Method : Thirteen patients with IPF, who were diagnosed with an open lung biopsy(6 patients) and furfilling the ATS criteria(7 patients) between March 1999 and October 2001 at the Gachon medical center, were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, eight patients were treated with a regimen including AGIIRA(AT group), and five were treated without AGIIRA(NT group). The pulmonary function tests and dyspnea(ATS scale) were measured at diagnosis and 1 year after treatment. All the data was collected to analyze the therapeutic effect of AGIIRA on the patients with IPF. Results : The AT group contained 8 patients(M:F=4:4) and the NT group contained 5 patients(M:F=3:2). There was no significant difference in the serum angiotensin II level between the two groups($202.5{\pm}58.5$ vs $163.7{\pm}47.3pg/ml$, p>0.05). The AT group showed an upward trend in TLC(+3%), FVC(+4%), FEV1(+3%) and DLco(+2%) compared to the NT group(TLC(-14%), FVC(-3%), FEV1(-4%) except for DLco(+5%)). The dyspnea score in the AT group improved significantly but not in the NT group. Conclusion : These results suggest that the angiotensin II receptor antagonist may have an effect on stabilizing IPF.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.714-720
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• 2011

Sweet Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) is rich in minerals, vitamins, and dietary fibers and has less fat. It is thus effective for dieting and for preventing constipation. Sweet Pumpkin contains vitamin A, particularly beta-carotene, which is turned into retinol in the body and helps protect the vision. It is currently on the spotlight as a vision care, anticancer, and diet food, among others, but because it is hard to find yogurt made of Sweet Pumpkin, in this study, Sweet Pumpkin powder was added to yogurt for promotion as a new health food. Yogurt was made with 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3% Sweet Pumpkin powder, and the color properties (brightness, redness, and yellowness), viscosity, pH, and acidity were measured through a sensory test (color, flavor, taste, overall acceptability). The storage stability at five-day intervals for one day, five days, ten days, 15 days, etc. was also experimented on. For the color properties, the greater the amount of Sweet Pumpkin powder added, the greater the decrease in the lightness (L) value, but the redness (a) and yellowness (b) values increased (p<0.001). For the viscosity, it was decreased for five days and then increased by 47-68% for ten days. This showed a significant difference in storage stability period: one day (p<0.001), five days (p<0.01), and ten days (p<0.01) (except 15 days). Further, there was a significant difference in pH and acidity [pH: for one day (p<0.001), five days (p<0.01), and ten days (p<0.01); acidity: one day (p<0.001), ten days (p<0.05), 15 days (p<0.001)]. No significant difference in pH was shown, however, for 15 days, and in acidity for five days. The results of the sensory test are highly estimated in the order of 1%>2%.3%>0%>0.5%. The study results indicate that the addition of 1% Sweet Pumpkin powder is most suitable for manufacturing Sweet Pumpkin yogurt.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.778-787
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• 2016

Fermented vinegars using pear was compared according to the appled side materials. Quality characteristics of three kinds of the fermented vinegars (pear vinegar, PV; pear black rice vinegar, PBV; pear mint vinegar, PMV) were investigated, which includes pH, total acidity, colors, the contents of sugar, amino acids, total polyphenol, and total flavonoid, ${\alpha}^{\prime}{\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-pycrylhydrazyl$ (DPPH) radical scavenging ability, and sensory evaluation. Brown rice vinegar (BRV) was used as a control. The pH and total acidity of the fermented pear vinegars were significantly different showing the range of 3.17~3.43 and 4.01~5.05%, respectively (p<0.05). The sugar contents of PV and PMV were significantly higher than other vinegars (p<0.05). L, a, and b values were the highest in PV, PBV, and PMV, respectively. Among the four vinegars, the essential amino acids were the highest in PV with the order of lysine, isoleucine, valine, and threonine. Besides, the fermented pear vinegars have many non-essential amino acids such as glutamic acid and aspartic acid. The aspartic acid content was the highest in PV while glutamic acid content was the highest in BRV. The total polyphenol content was the highest in PV while total flavonoid content was the highest in PBV. The DPPH radical scavenging ability (%) was the highest in PV. In sensory evaluation, PBV showed the highest color, taste and overall preference scores. These results show that pear would be desirable to prepare high-quality vinegars and functional foods.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.838-844
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to perform a functional components analysis and investigate the physical properties of powders made from the stems or fruit of freeze-dried Cheonnyuncho cactus (Opuntia humifusa). The functional components analysis showed that the stem and fruit powders han vitamin C levels of 42.14 mg and 105.21 mg, respectively. The stems powder contained more lutein than the fruit powder. The fruit powder contained more vitamin C than the stem powder. The SDF (soluble dietary fiber) and IDF (insoluble dietary fiber) in the stem powder were 45.24% and 22.15%, respectively, which were higher then the values for the fruit powder. The stem and fruit powders contained 19.30 mg/g and 25.10 mg/g of crude saponin, respectively. The pH of the stem and fruit powders was 5.34 and 5.07, respectively, both indicating low acidity. The L, a and b values of the stem powder color were 78.28, -3.71, and 19.19, respectively. The L, a and b values of the fruit powder color were 55.56, 24.84, and -3.18, respectively. The stems powder had a higher bulk density, water holding capacity, and swelling power than those of the fruit powder, but water-retaining capacity of the stem powder was lower than that of the fruit powder. In addition, the stems powder had a higher viscous material content and water uptake compared to the fruit powder. Based on the above results, we determined that Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) powder had potentially useful functional components and physical properties.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2014.10a
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• pp.9-9
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• 2014

Null mutants generated by targeted gene replacement are frequently used to reveal function of the genes in fungi. However, targeted gene deletions may be difficult to obtain or it may not be applicable, such as in the case of redundant or lethal genes. Constitutive expression system could be an alternative to avoid these difficulties and to provide new platform in fungal functional genomics research. Here we developed a novel platform for functional analysis genes in Magnaporthe oryzae by constitutive expression under a strong promoter. Employing a binary vector (pGOF1), carrying $EF1{\beta}$ promoter, we generated a total of 4,432 transformants by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. We have analyzed a subset of 54 transformants that have the vector inserted in the promoter region of individual genes, at distances ranging from 44 to 1,479 bp. These transformants showed increased transcript levels of the genes that are found immediately adjacent to the vector, compared to those of wild type. Ten transformants showed higher levels of expression relative to the wild type not only in mycelial stage but also during infection-related development. Two transformants that T-DNA was inserted in the promotor regions of putative lethal genes, MoRPT4 and MoDBP5, showed decreased conidiation and pathogenicity, respectively. We also characterized two transformants that T-DNA was inserted in functionally redundant genes encoding alpha-glucosidase and alpha-mannosidase. These transformants also showed decreased mycelial growth and pathogenicity, implying successful application of this platform in functional analysis of the genes. Our data also demonstrated that comparative phenotypic analysis under over-expression and suppression of gene expression could prove a highly efficient system for functional analysis of the genes. Our over-expressed transformants library would be a valuable resource for functional characterization of the redundant or lethal genes in M. oryzae and this system may be applicable in other fungi.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.498-504
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• 2006

A suspension polymerization of styrene In aqueous phase was employed to study if polystyrene particles ranging from 1 to $20{\mu}m$ can be produced. Hydrophobic silica was selected as a stabilizer and azo-bisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. Polymerization reaction was carried out at a selected temperature in the range of $65{\sim}95^{\circ}C$. Stabilizer concentration was varied from 0.17 to 3.33 wt% compared to the water while the concentration of the initiator was raised from 0.13 to 6.0 wt% compared to the monomer. Dispersion of hydrophobic silica into the water phase was achieved by precise control of pH. Optimum dispersion of silica was obtained at pH 10. Average particle diameter decreased with increasing amounts of stabilizer concentration initially, exhibiting the minimum average diameter at 1.67 wt% of stabilizer concentration, after which it started to Increase. It is speculated that an excessive presence of stabilizer encouraged a secondary reaction in the reaction medium, which led to particle agglomeration, and as a result an increase in average particle diameter. Molecular weight was found to be independent of stabilizer concentration between 0.13 and 1.00 wt% whereas, it increased when stabilizer concentration exceeded 1.67 wt%. Variation of molecular weight was probably caused by the reduced activity and efficiency of initiator due to the high concentration of silica, and the secondary reaction in the reaction medium, as well. An increase in the Initiator concentration and/or reaction temperature resulted in an increase in both reaction rate and particle diameter. Consequently, we have confirmed that spherical polystyrene particles with $1{\sim}20{\mu}m$ in diameter can be prepared by careful selection of the concentration of stabilizer, initiator, pH and reaction temperature.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.308-318
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• 1997

The present experiment was performed in order to know the treatment effect of aquapuncture with hepatonics on recovery in artificially induced hepatic damaged dogs by carbon tetrachloride. The animals were divided into a control and two experimental groups (aquapuncture with taurine into Gan-su acupoint: Aa-I group and aquapuncture with taurine into blank acupoint in the thigh: Aa-II group). The changes of serum enzyme activities (ALT, AST and ALP), serum total protein contents, protein fractions and pathohistological findings of the liver were examined after application of aquapunctiuf treauent The results obtained through this experiment were summarized as follows : The serum ALT activities tendeded to decrease in experimental group compared with those of control group. Significances were detected at 5th (p<0.05) and 7th (p<0.05) day in Aa-I group and 7th day (p<0.05) in Aa-II group, respectively. Low value was fecund in Aa-I group compared with Aa-II groups but significance was not observed between two experimental groups. The serum AST activities in experimental group showed decreasing tendency compared with those of control group. Significances were observed at 2nd (p<0.05) and 5th (p<0.05) day in Aa-I group and 2nd (p<0.05) day in Aa-II groups respectively. Aa-I group showed lower values than those of Aa-II groups however, no significance was detected between experimental groups. The serum ALP activities of experimental group showed a slight decrease compared with those of control group, however, significance was not detected among all groups. The serum total protein content in experimental group showed tendency of increase compared with control group. Significance was found at 2nd day (p<0.05) in Aa-I group, but there was no significance in Aa-II group. Further significant increase of total protein content was seen at 1st day (p<0.05) in Aa-I group compared with Aa-II group. The change of serum albumin content in experimental group showed tendency of increase compared with control. Significant increases were detected at 1st (p<0.01) and 2nd (p<0.01) day in Aa-I group, respectively. Aa-II group showed increase compared with control groups but significance was not observed. Further significant increase was at 1st day (p <0.05) in Aa-I group compared with Aa-II group. The change of ${\beta} $-globulin in Aa-I group was slightly decreased compared with control group. Aa-II group was similar to controls but significance was not observed among all groups. The change of P-globulin content in Aa-I group showed tendency of increase compared with control and Aa-II group showed the tendency of decrease compared with control. The change of ${\gamma}$-globulin content experimental group showed tendency of increase compared with control, however, significance was not detected among groups. The change of A/G ratio in Aa-I group showed tendency of increase compared with control group and Aa-II group was similar to controls but no significance was found among groups. As for pathohistological observations the grade of hepatocellular vacuolized degeneration and necrosis in Aa-I group was milder than those of control and Aa-II groups and the change of Aa-II group was similar to that of control. Considering above finding collectively, it was thought that aquapuncture of Gan-su acupoint with hepatonics was more effective than aquapuncture of blank acupoint for the recovery of hepatic damage.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the effects of chitosan-trimer (CT) on the prevention of postoperative adhesion formation in the rate model. All animals divided into PBS (control), 1% CT, 3% CT, and chitin treated group. The mean adhesion score in 1% CT group (1.03$\pm$0.63), 3% CT group (0.64$\pm$0.53) and chitin group (1.67$\pm$0.71) was found to be lower than that in control group (2.07$\pm$0.81). More favorable adhesion prevention was achieved in 3% CT group (0.64$\pm$0.53) in comparison with the control group, 1% CT group, and chitin group without any hemorrhagic complications. A statistically significant difference was observed in adhesion formation between control group and 3% CT group (p<0.001). In control group, 44 of 45 sites (97.7%) formed adhesions between the intestine defects. In contrast, 3% CT was effective in reducing the incidence of adhesion formation to 17 to 45 sites (62.2%) (p<0.05). The locations of adhesions were observed in serosa-serosa (60%), serosa-mesentery (13.3%), serosa-connective tissue of testis (10%), omentum-liver (10%), serosa-omentum (3.3%), serosa-cecum (3.3%), and serosa-incision (0%). On the results of histological analysis, grade of inflammation and fibrosis at the sites of postoperative peritoneal adhesion formation were not significantly different in all groups. But, 3% CT showed the lowest score of inflammation and fibrosis. In 3% CT group, the rate of increase of plasma fibrinogen was significantly lower compared with that in control group from pre-operation to 10 days later (p<0.05). There were no appreciable difference in the CBC, leukocyte differential counts and total protein concentrations among four groups. In conclusion, our data suggested that CT should be effective on reducing adhesion formation in experimental rat models. The results also showed that 3% CT does not adversely affect normal wound healing and healthy recovery after operation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1581-1590
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• 2009

Hizikia fusiforme is a kind of brown edible seaweed that mainly grows in the temperate seaside areas of the northwest pacific, including Korea, Japan and China, and has been widely used as a health food for hundreds of years. Recently, H. fusiforme has been known to exert pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticoagulant activities. However, the molecular mechanisms of H. fusiforme in malignant cells have not been clearly elucidated yet. In this study, the effects of ethyl alcohol extract of H. fusiforme (EAHF) on the anti-proliferative effects of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were investigated. EAHF treatment resulted in a concentration-dependent growth inhibition by including apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells and G1 phase arrest in MCF-7 cells, which could be proved by MTT assay, DAPI staining, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry analysis. In MDA-MB-231 cells, the increase in apoptosis induced by EAHF treatment correlated with up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax expression. EAHF treatment induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and a concomitant inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, $\beta$-catenin, phospholipase-${\gamma}1$ protein and DNA fragmentation factor 45/inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of H. fusiforme.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.710-720
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• 2013

Radiotherapy is commonly used in treating many kinds of cancers which cannot be cured by other therapeutic strategies. However, radiotherapy also induces the damages on the normal tissues. Radiation-induced fibrosis is frequently observed in the patients undergoing radiotherapy, and becomes a major obstacle in the treatment of intrahepatic cancer. Hedgehog (Hh) that is an essential in the liver formation during embryogenesis is not detected in the healthy liver, but activated and modulates the repair process in damaged livers in adult. The expression of Hh increases with the degree of liver damage, regulating the proliferation of hepatic progenitors and hepatic stellate cells (HSC). In addition, Hh induces epithelial-to-mesencymal transition (EMT) and activation of myofibroblasts. In the irradiated livers, up-regulated expression of Hh signaling was associated with proliferation of progenitors, EMT induction, and increased fibrosis. Female-specific expression of Hh leaded to the expansion of progenitors and the accumulation of collagen in the irradiated livers of female mice, indicating that gender disparity in Hh expression may be related with radiation-susceptibility in female. Hence, Hh signaling becomes a novel object of studies for fibrogenesis induced by radiation. However, the absence of the established experimental animal models showing the similar physiopathology with human liver diseases and fibrosis-favorable microenvironment hamper the studies for the radiation-induced fibrosis, providing a few descriptive results. Therefore, further research on the association of Hh with radiation-induced fibrosis can identify the cell and tissue-specific effects of Hh and provides the basic knowledge for underlying mechanisms, contributing to developing therapies for preventing the radiation-induced fibrosis.