• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2010

Background: The commercially used vascular xenografts have some problems such as calcification, fibrosis and tissue degeneration that are associated with inflammatory and immunologic reactions. We compared two methods of xenograft preservation (fresh cryopreservation versus acellularized cryopreservation) of goat aorta. Material and Method: Aortic valved xenografts were harvested from adult pigs, and these were preserved using fresh cryopreservation (FC group, n=4) or acellularized crypreservation (AC group, n=4). These xenografts were implanted into adult goats. There were 2 short-term survivors (less than 100 days) and 2 long-term survivors in each group. These xenografts were explanted and they underwent microscopic examination. Result: The goats survived 31, 40, 107 and 411 days in the FC group and the other goats survived 5, 40, 363 and 636 days in the AC group. All the short-term survivors in each group expired because of rupture at the proximal anastomosis site. Marked neutrophil infiltration was observed in the FC group FC and lymphocytes were observed in the AC group. There were no differences in the occurrence of calcification, fibrosis and thrombosis among the groups. Conclusion: Some goats survived more than 100 days after the xenograft implantation irrespective of the methods of preservation. Because severe tissue degeneration developed in both groups, we think these methods are not appropriate for xenograft preservation of aorta. It was worth a preliminary trial for improving the preservation method or to modify the processing of xenografts.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.707-711
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• 2008

The principal objective of the current study was to isolate a purpurogallin derivative as an oxidation product from gallic acid, in an effort to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of this compound. Purpurogallin derivative is known to be the one of the oxidation products of gallic acid. This compound has been identified as a minor chemical component in fermented tea products. It has been previously demonstrated that theaflavins, the oxidation products of catechins found in fermented tea products, exert profound antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the biological activities of a minor chemical component in fermented teas have yet to be evaluated. Purpurogallin carboxylic acid (PCA) was identified as a major oxidation product of gallic acid from a peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide oxidation model system. The identity of the PCA was verified by $^{1}H$ NMR, $^{13}C$ NMR and MS techniques. PCA treatment significantly suppressed the generation of pro-inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophages. According to the nitrite assay, PCA 100, 75, and $50{\mu}g/mL$ treatment dose-dependently inhibited NO production by 57.6, 41.5, and 21.8%, respectively, in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. Moreover, IL-6 production was inhibited to a significant degree with PCA treatment of 100 and $75{\mu}g/mL$ at 43.1 and 23.9%, respectively. PCA treatment also significantly suppressed $PGE_2$ production at levels of 100 and $75{\mu}g/mL$. These results showed that PCA exerts inhibitory effects on the production of inflammatory mediators.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.796-803
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• 2008

Mutations in the APP gene lead to enhanced cleavage by ${\beta}-$ and ${\gamma}-secretase$, and increased $A{\beta}$ formation, which are closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like neuropathological changes. Recent studies have shown that exercise training can ameliorate pathogenic phenotypes ($A{\beta}-42$, BDNF, GLUT-1 and HSP70) in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease. Here, we have used NSE/APPsw transgenic mice to investigate directly whether exercise training ameliorates pathogenic phenotypes within Alzheimer's brains. Sixteen weeks of exercise training resulted in a reduction of $A{\beta}-42$ peptides and also facilitated improvement of cognitive function. Furthermore, GLUT -1 and BDNF proteins produced by exercise training may protect brain neurons by inducing the concomitant expression of genes that encode proteins (HSP-70) which suppress stress induced neuron cell damages from APPsw transgenic mice. Thus, the improved cognitive function by exercise training may be mechanistically linked to a reduction of $A{\beta}-42$ peptides, possibly via activation of BDNF, GLUT-1, and HSP-70 proteins. On the basis of the evidences presented in this study, exercise training may represent a practical therapeutic management strategy for human subjects suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.335-345
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to model the kinetics of S. aureus survival on high risk foods in school foodservice operations. After inoculating S. aureus ATCC25923 onto the various high risk foods, the effects of competitive microorganism, storage temperatures($25^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$), and initial contamination levels ($1.0{\times}10^2\;CFU/g$, $1.0{\times}10^5\;CFU/g$) on the growth of S. aureus were investigated. Lag time decreased and specific growth rate increased with a storage temperature ($25^{\circ}C$<$35^{\circ}C$) and with a higher initial inoculation level ($1.0{\times}10^2\;CFU/g$<$1.0{\times}10^5\;CFU/g$). Previously it was shown that S. aureus is a weaker competitor than other organisms, but it proliferates aggressively in a noncompetitive environment. However, in our study, when S. aureus was used to inoculate japchae (glass noodles with sauteed vegetables) and meat ball, the growth of S. aureus was similar and more active with competitive organisms than that without competitive organisms. Regardless of other factors, the initial level of S. aureus was a more significant factor of the growth. High inoculation levels of S. aureus were reached at 6 log CFU/g within 3 hours. An incubation temperature of $35^{\circ}C$ and the animal protein component of menu items also were identified as significant factors influencing the growth of S. aureus. Therefore, the duration of time meals are stored before serving should be considered a critical control point. Food service providers must control time and temperature to insure the safety of cooked foods.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2017

Although alternative test methods based on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are being developed to replace animal testing in reproductive and developmental toxicology, they are still in an early stage. Consequently, we aimed to develop alternative test methods in male animals using mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs). Here, we modified the OECD TG 489 and optimized the in vitro comet assay in our previous study. This study aimed to verify the validity of in vitro tests involving mSSCs by comparing their results with those of in vivo tests using C57BL/6 mice by gavage. We selected hydroxyurea (HU), which is known to chemically induce male reproductive toxicity. The 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) value of HU was 0.9 mM, as determined by the MTT assay. In the in vitro comet assay, % tail DNA and Olive tail moment (OTM) after HU administration increased significantly, compared to the control. Annexin V, PI staining and TUNEL assays showed that HU caused apoptosis in mSSCs. In order to compare in vitro tests with in vivo tests, the same substances were administered to male C57BL/6 mice. Reproductive toxicity was observed at 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day as measured by clinical measures of reduction in sperm motility and testicular weight. The comet assay, DCFH-DA assay, H&E staining, and TUNEL assay were also performed. The results of the test with C57BL/6 mice were similar to those with mSSCs for HU treatment. Finally, linear regression analysis showed a strong positive correlation between results of in vitro tests and those of in vivo. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate the effect of HU-induced DNA damage, ROS formation, and apoptosis in mSSCs. Further, the results of the current study suggest that mSSCs could be a useful model to predict male reproductive toxicity.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 1997

The present study reports the density, growth and production of a razor clam, Sinollovacula constricta, which is known to be one of the important fishreies catches from the Korean tidal flat. The annual yield reached to about 6,000 metric tons per year till 1994. The study was conducted on the Hwaseong tidal flat located on the central west coast, 40 kilometers south-west from Seoul. The annual yield of the razor clam in this area reached to about 50% of the total catch from the whole Korean coast. Samples were colleted monthly at 14 occasions from May 1992 to August 1993. Density of S. constricta ranged from 92~165 individuals per square meter during the study period. General trend of decreasing density was observed when the animal became older, but an exception was the year class of 1991 whose density was lower than that of 1990. The size of the shell was clearly separated into two classes during fall and winter (from September to February), however, the maximum frequency of the length of small size classes moved to right after February. It indicates a fast growth of young clams from spring to summer. Fast growth of the shell could also be examined by the growth curve. The shell growth of the whole life span was described by the von Bertalanffy equation of $L_t=89.3{\times}[1{\exp}\{-0.58{\times}(t+0.73\}]$. The growth in flesh dry weight was well fitted to the Gompertz growth model with the equation, $W_t=5.00{\times}{\exp}\{-4.31{\times}{\exp}(-0.043{\times}t)\}$. The clam lost about 30% of the body weight during spawning in August. The annual production calculated based on the data from September 1992 to August 1993 amounted to 150 g $DW{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ which was 2~50 fold higher than those of other bivalves occurred in Korea. This estimate was patitioned by each year classes; 87.5 by 1992, 53.4 by 1991, 59.0 by 1990 and -30.0 g $DW{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ by 1989 year class.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 1998

A model of pond system is developed for treatment and recycling of excreta from twenty-five adult dairy cattle. It is composed of wastewater treatment ponds and small fish ponds. Those are three facultative ponds in series; primary-secondary-tertiary pond and these are designed to rear carps without feeding. A pit is constructed at the bottom of primary pond for efficient sludge sedimentation and effective methane fermentation. It is contrived to block into it the penetration of oxygen dissolved in the upper layer of pond water. The excreta from the cattle housed in stalls are diluted by water used for clearing them. The washed excreta flow into the pit. The average yearly $BOD_5$ concentration of influent is 398.7mg/l. That of the effluent from primary, secondary and tertiary pond of the system is 49.18, 27.9, and 19.8.mg/l respectively. Approximate 88, 93, and 95 % of BOD5 are removed in each pond. The mean yearly SS concentration of influent is 360.5 mg/l That of the effluent from each pond is 53.4, 45.7, and32.7mg/l respectively. Approximate 86, 88, and 91% of SS are removed in each pond. The $BOD_5$ concentration of secondary and tertiary pond can satisfy 30mg/l secondary treatment standard. The SS concentration of effluent from tertiary pond, however, is slightly greater than the standard, which results from activities of carps growing in the pond. The average yearly total nitrogen concentration of influent is 206.8mg/l and that of the effluent from each pond is 48.6, 30.8, and 21.0mg/l respectively. Approximate 74, 88, and 90% of total nitrogen are removed in each pond. The mean yearly total phosphorous concentration of influent is 20.7mg/l and that of the effluent from each pond is 5.3, 3.2, and 2.1mg/l respectively. Approximate 97, 98, and 99% of total phosphorous are removed in each pond. The high removal of nitrogen and phosphorous results from active growth of algae in the upper layer of pond water. Important pond design parameters for southern part of Korea -- areal loading of BOD5, liquid depth, hydraulic detention time, free board, and pond arrangement -- are taken up.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.82-87
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• 2008

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by chronic relapsing inflammation and is associated with hyper-production of immunoglobulin E (IgE). Recent studies have suggested that one of the treatments to alleviate symptoms of AD could be a supplementation of probiotics, Lactobacillus, Rhamnosus, Bifidus, etc. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotics on immune parameters in NC/Nga mice treated with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitro-benzene (DNCB). To induce atopic dermatitis, DNCB was treated to the back of mice for 2 weeks. Then, NC/Nga mice were divided into the four experimental groups randomly. Probiotics fragment, probiotics with other complex (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12LbL, L. plantarum K8, L. plantarum K8 fragment, ${\gamma}$-linolenic acid), antihistamine, and distilled water were administrated orally to the NC/Nga mouse for 4 weeks of experimental period. The groups were probiotics fragment group (DPF), probiotics with other complex group (DPOC), antihistamine group (DAH) and distilled water group (DDW) as a control group. The levels of serum IgE, interlukin-4 (IL-4), interlukin-5 (IL-5), interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) and spleenocyte IgE were measured. The levels of serum IgE were significantly different among the four experimental groups. Before the treatment, there was no differences among the groups. However, from the first through the third week of the treatments, the levels of serum IgE in the probiotics (DPF, DPOC) and antihistamine (DAH) groups were lower than those of control group (p < 0.05). The levels of serum IL-4 of DPOC group was significantly lower than that of control group (p < 0.05) and serum IL-5 levels of DPF, DPOC, and DAH groups were significantly lower than that of control group. The levels of serum IFN-${\gamma}$ were not different among the four experimental groups. The levels of serum IgE in supernatant of spleen lymphocytes were not significantly different among the groups. These results suggest that probiotics supplementation showed partial effectiveness in the DNCB treated NC/Nga mice via modulation of IgE level and IL-4, IL-5 production. Based on these findings, probiotics exhibited the inhibitory effect via IL-4 production thereby inhibited the production of IgE in atopic animal model NC/Nga mice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.904-910
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• 2006

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the only antigen presenting cells (APCs) capable of initiating immune responses, which is crucial for priming the specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and tumor immunity. Upon activation by DCs, CD4+ helper T cells can cross-prime CD8+ CTLs via IL-12. However, recently activated DCs were described to prime in vitro strong T helper cell type 1 $(Th_1)$ responses, whereas at later time points, they preferentially prime $Th_2$ cells. Therfore, we examined in this study the optimum kinetic state of DCs activation impacted on in vivo priming of tumor-specific CTLs by using ovalbumin (OVA) tumor antigen model. Bone-marrow-derived DCs showed an appropriate expression of surface MHC and costimulatory molecules after 6 or 7-day differentiation. The 6-day differentiated DCs pulsed with OVA antigen for 8 h (8-h DC) and followed by restimulation with LPS for 24 h maintained high interleukin (IL)-12 production potential, accompanying the decreased level in their secretion by delayed re-exposure time to LPS. Furthermore, immunization with 8-h DC induced higher intracellular $interferon(IFN)-{\gamma}+/CD8+T$ cells and elicited more powerful cytotoxicity of splenocytes to EG7 cells, a clone of EL4 cells transfected with an OVA cDNA, than immunization with 24-h DC. In the animal study for the evaluation of therapeutic or protective antitumor immunity, immunization with 8-h DC induced an effective antitumor immunity against tumor of EG7 cells and completely protected mice from tumor formation and prolonged survival, respectively. The most commonly used and clinically applied DC-based vaccine is based on in vitro antigen loading for 24 h. However, our data indicated that antigen stimulation over 8 h decreased antitumor immunity with functional exhaustion of DCs, and that the 8-h DC would be an optimum activation state impacted on in vivo priming of tumor-specific CTLs and subsequently lead to induction of strong antitumor immunity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2016

This study was investigated the improvement effects of Ledebouriella seseloides (LS) ethanol extracts on lipid parameters in an ovariectomized animal model. Sixty, nine-week old female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups as follows: sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON) and ovariectomized rats that were treated with LS ethanol extracts (50 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively). The diets were fed to the rats for six weeks after their operation. The total-cholesterol and triglyceride contents on serum increased in the OVX-CON group compared to the SHAM group, but supplementation with the LS extract caused these factors to decrease. Notably, the serum LDL-cholesterol concentration in the supplemented 200 mg/kg/day LS ethanol extract group was significantly more reduced than the OVX-CON group. In addition, the platelet aggregation ability was lower in groups treated with LS than in the OVX-CON group. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was lower in the LS extract group compared to the OVX-CON group. Collagen content, in bone and cartilage, were reduced by ovariectomy, but the supplemented LS extract groups exhibited higher concentrations in their bones. According to these results, the improvement effects of LS extract on serum lipid parameters and osteogenesis in ovariectomized rats were illuminated.