• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.309-318
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• 2002

Background : Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is a fatal progressive fibrotic disorder of the lung with unknown etiology and characterized by a poor response to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. The histologic hallmark of UIP is parchy distribution of subpleural fibrosis and fibroblastic foci(FBF) with interposed normal appearing lung. Because FBF is a collection of actively proliferating myofibroblasts, it can be a marker of activity and prognosis of UIP. However, there were contradictory reports about the correlation between the degree of FBF and survival. Therefore we performed this study to investigate the value of FBF as prognostic marker of UIP. Methods : This was a retrospective study on the 46 patients(M:F=33:13, mean age:$59{\pm}12$ years) with UIP diagnosed by the surgical lung biopsy at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea between 1990 and 2000 and had follow-up of more than a year. All the biopsy specimens were reevaluated and diagnosed as UIP according to the ATS/ERS classification. Semiquantitative grading of FBF(absent, 0; mild 1; moderate 2; marked 3) by the experienced pathologists who did not know the clinical findings were compared to the clinical data and the follow up course. Results : Thirteen patients(28.2%) died of UIP progression during the study period. The median survival time of all the subjects was 26 months after the biopsy. At the univariate analysis, FVC, $D_Lco$, smoking history and the grade of FBF were significantly related to the survial. The survival was longer in subjects with lesser degrees of FBF, higher DLco, higher FVC and history of smoking. However the multivariate analysis with Cox regression test showed the extent of FBF was the only independent prognostic marker of UIP. Conclusion : These data suggested that the extent of FBF on the surgical lung biopsy can be used as a prognostic marker of UIP.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.406-412
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• 2005

Background : Recently, two commercialized whole-blood assays, $QuantiFERON^{(R)}-TB$ Gold (QFT) and T $SPOT-TB^{(R)}$ (SPOT), which measure the $IFN-{\gamma}$ released in the whole blood after being incubation with mycobacterial antigens, were approved for the diagnosis of a latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). However, there is data on whether or not the previously used PPD skin tests (TST) have any influence on the diagnostic ability of these ex-vivo $IFN-{\gamma}$ assays. Methods : Forty-six 15 year-old students who did not appear to be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis were enrolled in this study. The peripheral blood was collected and used for two $IFN-{\gamma}$ assays. The $IFN-{\gamma}$ assays and TST were performed at the baseline ($1^{st}$). The TST was repeated two months later ($2^{nd}$), and the $IFN-{\gamma}$ assays were repeated two ($2^{nd}$) and four months ($3^{rd}$) later only in those subjects who had negative results at the baseline in both the $IFN-{\gamma}$ assays and TST. An induration size > 10 mm was considered to be positive in the TST. Results : The mean TST value was $3.1{\pm}5.4mm$ (range: 0-20). Of the 46 subjects examined, 13 subjects (28.3%) showed positive results in the two-step TST. Nine (19.6%) were SPOT-positive and only one (2.2%) was QFT-positive. The $2^{nd}$ and $3^{rd}$ QFT were carried out in 23 and 25 all-negative subjects, respectively, and all showed negative results. The $2^{nd}$ SPOT was performed in 23 subjects and only one (4.3%) showed a weak-positive result. Conclusion : Even though there were some discrepancies in the results of the two ex-vivo $IFN-{\gamma}$ assays, it appears that their results were not influenced by a previous TST carried out in two or four months earlier.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2000

Objects : Aimed to test the hypothesis that neonatal testosterone exposure in female mice influences the development of testosterone-related pain inhibitory system and that testosterone administered in adulthood decreases the pain sensitivity. Methods : Thirty androgenized(testosterone propionate $100{\mu}g$ ip within 24 hrs after birth) adult female and twenty five control(normal saline $100{\mu}g$ ip within 24 hrs after birth) adult female mice were injected with testosterone propionate 1mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days from 84th experimental days. Nociceptive sensitivity was measured before and after treatment of testosterone by tail flick latency on 84th and 86th experimental days. Results : 1) On the 84th experimental day, basal nociceptive sensitivity was significantly higher in the androgenized group($2.7{\pm}0.4$ sec) as compared to the control group($3.3{\pm}1.1$ sec). 2) Testosterone treatment on the 84th experimental day significantly lowered nociceptive sensitivity in both androgenized($5.2{\pm}0.9$ sec) and control groups($4.6{\pm}1.8$ sec). However the effect was significantly greater in the androgenized group. 3) Nociceptive sensitivity on 86th experimental day before administration of testosterone was significantly lower in the androgenized group($4.8{\pm}1.9$ sec) as compared to the control group($3.9{\pm}1.2$ sec). 4) Testosterone treatment on the 86th experimental day significantly lowered the nociceptive sensitivity in both groups, but the androgenized group($5.9{\pm}0.9$ sec) showed significantly lower post-treatment nociceptive sensitivity as compared to the control group($4.9{\pm}1.5$ sec). 5) Nociceptive sensitivity was decreased significantly after injection of testosterone once a day for two consecutive days in the androgenized group(${\Delta}2.1{\pm}1.0$ sec), but not in the control group(${\Delta}0.5{\pm}1.3$ sec). Conclusions : There may be a testosterone-related pain inhibitory system, the development of which is enhanced by exposure to testosterone in the neonatal period, and the activity of which is also mediated by testosterone in the later life.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.235-242
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• 2006

The precise estimation of total and organic carbon contents in sediments is fundamental to understand the benthic environment. To test the precision and accuracy of CHN analyzer and the procedure to quantify total and organic carbon contents(using in-situ acidification with sulfurous acid($H_2SO_3$)) in the sediment, the reference material s such as Acetanilide($C_8H_9NO$), Sulfanilammide($C_6H_8N_2O_2S$), and BCSS-1(standard estuary sediment) were used. The results indicate that CHN analyzer to quantify carbon and nitrogen content has high precision(percent error=3.29%) and accuracy(relative standard deviation=1.26%). Additionally, we conducted the instrumental comparison of carbon values analyzed using CHN analyzer and Coulometeric Carbon Analyzer. Total carbon contents measured from two different instruments were highly correlated($R^2=0.9993$, n=84, p<0.0001) with a linear relationship and show no significant differences(paired t-test, p=0.0003). The organic carbon contents from two instruments also showed the similar results with a significant linear relationship($R^2=0.8867$, n=84, p<0.0001) and no significant differences(paired t-test, p<0.0001). Although it is possible to overestimate organic carbon contents for some sediment types having high inorganic carbon contents(such as calcareous ooze) due to procedural and analytical errors, analysis of organic carbon contents in sediments using CHN Analyzer and current procedures seems to provide the best estimates. Therefore, we recommend that this method can be applied to measure the carbon content in normal any sediment samples and are considered to be one of the best procedure far routine analysis of total and organic carbon.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.16-38
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• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this in vivo study is to observe the anti-osteoporotic activities of Gojineumja aqueous extracts (GJEJ) on the ovariectomized (OVX) mice as compared to those of risedronate sodium (RES). Methods: Thirty five days after bilateral OVX, GJEJ was orally administered, for 35 days once a day and then the changes on the body weight and gain during experimental periods, femur weights, bone mineral density (BMD), bone strength (failure load), mineral contents - calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphorus (IP), histological profiles and histomorphometrical analyses at sacrifice were conducted with serum biochemistry - osteocalcin contents and bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) activities. And the results of GJEJ were compared with RES orally administered OVX mice. Results: As a result of OVX, noticeable increase of body weight and gains and serum osteocalcin levels, decrease of serum BALP activities, femur weights, femur Ca and IP contents, BMD and strength were observed as compared to those of sham control mice, respectively. Also, the decrease of all histomorphometrical indices indicating the bone mass and structure, and the increase of indices about resorption were also detected in the femur of OVX control. However, these estrogen-deficient osteoporotic signs were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by 35 days of continuous oral treatment of GJEJ, at dose levels of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg, respectively. Especially, GJEJ 500 mg/kg showed favorable inhibitory activities against estrogen-deficient osteoporosis symptoms induced by OVX as comparable to those of RES 2.5 mg/kg. Conclusions: The results in this study suggest that oral administrations of GJEJ have clear dose-dependent favorable anti-osteoporotic activities in OVX mice.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the antioxidative effects of brown seaweed Ecklonia cava extract and its subfractions. All experiments were performed with 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction of E. cava. The free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) of ethyl acetate fraction ($FSC_{50}=6.98{\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction ($7.03{\mu}g/mL$) are similar to that of (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol ($8.98{\mu}g/mL$) which is a reference control. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity (total antioxidant capacity, $OSC_{50}$) of the aglycone fraction ($OSC_{50}=14.48{\mu}g/mL$) on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay was the strongest among all extract and fractions. However, all samples showed lower antioxidant activities than that of L-ascorbic acid ($6.88{\mu}g/mL$) known as a powerful antioxidant. The protective effect of 50% ethanol extract on the $^1O_2$-induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes was dependent on the concentration from 5 to $50{\mu}g/mL$. Both ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction showed strong cellular protective activities at $10{\mu}g/mL$, where the cellular protective effects (${\tau}_{50}$) of each fraction were recorded 442.0 min and 539.9 min, respectively. Three kinds of extract/fractions of E. cava showed much greater cellular protective activities at $10{\mu}g/mL$ than that of liposoluble antioxidant (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (40.6 min) which is a reference control. These results suggest E. cava extracts and its fractions can be applied as an antioxidant ingredient in a field of cosmetics.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2017

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a perennial plant of the genus Stevia, originated in South America. It stores many forms of glycosides, mainly stevioside and rebaudioside A, in which steviol is the basic structure. Steviol glycosides, widely used as sweeteners, are superior to sugar in sweetness. Recently, it has been reported that steviol glycosides are involved not only in the skin whitening and anti-inflammatory effect but also in enhancing skin barrier function through tight junction regulation. Thus, we examined anti-inflammatory effect of rebaudioside A and tried to identify its potential for improving atopic dermatitis as cosmetic ingredients. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect, cell viability and mRNA expression level of inflammation-related cytokines were measured using mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was carried out to measure cell viability and the maximum concentration without cytotoxicity was set to $250{\mu}M$. A quantitative real-time RT-PCR method was used for the study of the inflammatory suppression of rebaudioside A. Rebaudioside A inhibited expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) up to 47% and COX-2 up to 41% compared to LPS treated condition. NO synthesis was decreased by rebaudioside A. Also, mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-$1{\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells was decreased to 40%, 45% and 59%, respectively, as a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, rebaudioside A inhibited the inflammatory response by regulation of cytokine gene expression. From these results, we expect that steviol glycoside, such as rebaudioside A, can be used as a material for improving atopic dermatitis in the future.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.175-187
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• 2017

In this study, the antioxidant effect and component analysis for extract and fractions of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf were investigated. All experiments were performed with 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction obtained from dried C. halicacabum leaf. The yields of extract and fractions were 16.4, 0.9 and 0.3% per dried powder, respectively. DPPH (1,1-phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of ethyl acetate fraction ($92.5{\mu}g/mL$) was the greatest radical scavenging activity, but lower than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol ($8.9{\mu}g/mL$). In reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity (total antioxidant capacity, $OSC_{50}$) on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system, aglycone fraction ($4.2{\mu}g/mL$) was the highest total antioxidant capacity and similar to L-ascorbic acid ($1.5{\mu}g/mL$). The cellular protective effects of C. halicacabum leaf extract and fractions on the $^1O_2$-induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes were exhibited at all concentration-dependent ($5.0-25.0{\mu}g/mL$). Especially, aglycone fraction (${\tau}_{50}$, 76.4 min) in $25.0{\mu}g/mL$ showed the most protective effect among extracts. Components of the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from C. halicacabum extracts were analyzed by TLC, HPLC chromatogram and LC/ESI-MS. Results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction contained some flavonoids, such as apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, apigenin-7-glucosdie and quercitrin hydrate. These results suggest that the extracts and fractions of C. halicacabum leaf may be applied as antioxidant functional cosmetic raw materials.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.437-442
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• 2015

In a continuing screening of selected medicinal plants native to South Korea, the antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of an aqueous methanolic extract from the heartwood of Aquilaria agallocha were investigated. Eighty percent of the methanolic extract of A. agallocha was further divided into $CH_2Cl_2$, EtOAc and n-BuOH in order to yield four solvent-soluble portions, namely $CH_2Cl_2$-soluble, EtOAc-soluble, n-BuOH-soluble and $H_2O$ residue. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by employing radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) ($ABTS^+$) radicals, while the anti-obesity efficacy of A. agallocha extracts and solvent-soluble portions were tested by porcine pancreatic lipase assay. All tested samples showed dose-dependent radical scavenging and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Among the tested extracts and solvent-soluble portions, the $CH_2Cl_2$-soluble portion showed much higher radical scavenging activity and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties when compared with other solvent-soluble portions. This result suggested that there was a significant relationship between the total phenolic content and biological efficacies, and A. agallocha extract might be considered as a new potential source of natural antioxidants and as a pancreatic lipase inhibitory source. A more systematic investigation of this biomass will be performed for further investigation of activity against antioxidative and anti-obesity effects.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2014

This study was performed in order to investigate the antioxidant properties of hot water extract from the root and aerial part of the Syneilesis palmata in respect to its potential use as food, cosmetics material, or medicinal resource. The results showed that the S. palmata root hot water extract (RHW) possessed a higher content of total flavonoid compounds (4.58 mg/g) and total polyphenol compounds (59.11 mg/g). The SOD-like activities of the RHW and APHW were 23.74% and 21.61%, respectively, at a concentration $2,000{\mu}g/mL$. In the nitrite scavenging ability of a $2,000{\mu}g/mL$ concentration, the RHW showed 63.06% (pH 1.2) and 47.16% (pH 3.0). The $IC_{50}$ values of the nitrite scavenging abilities were $99.93{\mu}g/mL$ (ascorbic acid), $1,150.85{\mu}g/mL$ (RHW), and $1,610.25{\mu}g/mL$ (APHW). The $IC_{50}$ values of DPPH free radical scavenging abilities were $99.87{\mu}g/mL$ (RHW) and $118.29{\mu}g/mL$ (APHW). The inhibition values ($IC_{50}$) of xanthine oxidase were $139.62{\mu}g/mL$ (RHW) and $111.11{\mu}g/mL$ (APHW). In all of the experiments, the S. palmata root hot water extracts have higher activities than the aerial hot water extract, except for the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. These results suggest that the S. palmata is a potentially useful antioxidant source for the development of functional nutraceuticals, cosmetics and medicine.