• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2007

In this study, we constructed and tested retrovirus vectors designed to express the human thrombopoietin gene under the control of the tetracycline-inducible promoters. To increase the hTPO gene expression at him-on state, WPRE sequence was also introduced into retrovirus vector at downstream region of either the hTPO gene or the sequence encoding reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator (rtTA). Primary culture cells (PFF, porcine fetal fibroblast; CEF, chicken embryonic fibroblast) infected with the recombinant retrovirus were cultured in the medium supplemented with or without doxycycline for 48hr, and induction efficiency was measured by comparing the hTPO gene expression level using RT-PCR, western blot and ELISA. Higher hPTO expression and tighter expression control were observed from the vector in which the WPRE sequence was placed at downstream of the hTPO (in CEF) or rtTA(in PFF) gene. This resulting tetracycline inducible vector system may be helpful in solving serious physiological disturbance problems which have been a major obstacle in successful production of transgenic animals.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.487-501
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• 1986

Previous studies from our laboratory suggested that Korean LJP patients might habor A. actinomycetemcomitans of different serotype from Caucasian LJP patients in whom serotype b was predominant. In order to observe the prevalence and serotype distribution of A. actinomycetemcomitans in localized juvenile periodontitis patients and to evaluate leukotoxic activity of oral isolates, this study was performed. A. actinomycetemcomitans was isolated by using a selective medium(tryptic soy agar supplemented with 10% serum, $75{\mu}g$ of bacitracin and $5{\mu}g$ of vancomycin per ml). Using immunoabsorbed, ammonium sulfate-fractionated serotype-specific antisera, a total of 69 strains were serologically categorized by ELISA. Leukotoxicity was monitored biochemically by measuring lactate dehydrogenase indicator of cell viability in culture supernatant of PMNL plus viable A. actinomycetemcomitans mixture. The results were as follows: 1. A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 75% of 16 LJP patients, and 71% in the LJP lesions and 6% in the control sites. 2. Presence or absence of A. actinomycetemcomitans in the sampled disease sites has no in fluence on clinical measurements. 3. Three serotypes were approximately equally distributed in overall 9 patients. Three patients harbored 2 different serotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans in the same disease site or different disease sites. 4. The proportion of leukotoxic oral isolates was 22% of a total of 46 strains and the prevalence was 69% in 13 sampled sites. The same disease site could harbor both leukotoxic and nonleukotoxic strains. 5. Distribution of leukotoxic strains in 3 serotypes were not different.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 1999

Background : Airway infiltration by inflammatory cells, particularly of eosinophils, is one of the characteristic features of asthma. Several mechanisms for the recruitment of eosinophil is focused on the CD4+ T lymphocyte for the preferential production of Th2-c1erived cytokines. Interleukin-10(IL-10) is identified cytokine with potent antiinflammatory activity. This molecule has been shown to inhibit the release of cytokine from inflammatory cells including Th2 cell, and also to inhibit eosinophil survival. We therefore attempted to determine whether decreased synthesis of IL-10 in the lung of bronchial asthma may contribute to inflammation that is characteristics of this dease. Method: Subjects were patients with bronchial asthma(n=23) and normal controls(n=11). IL-10 produced from peripheral mononuclear cell(PBMC) and in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid was measured by ELISA method. Degree of bronchial inflammation was assessed by total cell counts and eosinophil percents in BAL fluid, eosinophil infiltration on bronchial biopsy tissue and $PC_{20}$ for methacholine. Results: The IL-10 level produced by PBMC and in BAL fluid from patient with bronchial asthma were not different with normal controls(respectively, $901.6\pm220.4$ pg/ml, $810.9\pm290.8$ pg/ml for PBMC, $24.5\pm9.5$ pg/mL $30.5\pm13.5$ pg/ml for BAL fluid p>0.05). There were significant negative correlation between IL-10 in BAL fluid and eosinophil percents in BAL fluid or degree of eosinophil infiltration in bronchial biopsy (respectively r=-0.522, r=-0.4486 p<0.05). However there was no difference of IL-10 level according to $PC_{20}$ for methacholine. There were no correlation between IL-10 production by PBMC and peripheral blood eosinophil counts or serum eosinophilic cationic protein levels(respectively r=0.1146, r=0.0769 p>0.05). Conclusion: These observation suggest that IL-10 may participate but not acts the crucial role in regulation of the airway inflammation in bronchial asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.217-224
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• 2000

Background : It is well known that when macrophages are stimulated with endotoxin, they produce a wide variety of cytokine mediators, including TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-1$\beta$. However, there is an alteration in the macrophages' responsiveness when they are challenged with repeated bouts of endotoxin, termed "endotoxin tolerance" which is regarded as a self-protective phenomenon from continuous stimulation. In this study, endotoxin tolerance in the peripheral blood monocytes of sepsis patients was evaluated. Methods : Fourteen patients with organism-documented sepsis were included. The severity of illness was evaluated by APACHE II score. Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from the patients and diluted to $1{\times}10^5$ well. After stimulation with endotoxin (LPS of E. coli O114 : B4, 100 ng/ml), they were incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ incubator for 24 hours. Supernatant was collected for the measurement of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-1$\beta$ with ELISA method. Peripheral blood monocytes of seven healthy volunteers were used as control. Results : The APACHE II score (mean$\pm$SD) of the patients at the time of blood sampling was 12.2$\pm$5.7. The primary infection foci were urinary tract infection, pneumonia, subacute bacterial endocarditis, and catheter related infection, etc. The causative organisms were gram negative rods (10 cases), gram positive cocci (6 cases) with two cases of mixed infection. Serum TNF-$\alpha$ could be measured in 4 cases with 29.9$\pm$27.7 pg/ml. Serum IL-1$\beta$was measurable in only one patient. The TNF-$\alpha$ level of supernatant of cultured peripheral blood monocytes was 2,703$\pm$2,066 pg/ml in patients and 2,102$\pm$1914 pg/ml in controls. The IL-1$\beta$level of supernatant was 884$\pm$1,050 pg/ml in patients and 575$\pm$558 pg/ml in controls. There was no difference of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-1$\beta$ level between patients and controls. Conclusion : We cannot prove the phenomenon of endotoxin tolerance in this study. Future study needs to be focused on the more severe sepsis patients who were taken for sampling earlier. Addition of serum to the culture medium could be an another valuable option for the success of this study.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.375-395
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• 2006

Purpose: Lingual nerve (LN) damage may be caused by either tumor resection or injury such as wisdom tooth extraction, Although autologous nerve graft is sometimes used to repair the damaged nerve, it has the disadvantage of necessity of another operation for nerve harvesting. Moreover, the results of nerve grafting is not satisfactory. The nerve growth factor (NGF) is well-known to play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration and its local delivery to the injured nerve has been continuously tried to enhance nerve regeneration. However, its application has limitations like repeated administration due to short half life of 30 minutes and an in vivo delivery model must allow for direct and local delivery. The aim of this study was to construct a well-functioning $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus for the ultimate development of improved method to promote peripheral nerve regeneration with enhanced and extended secretion of hNGF from the injured nerve by injecting $rhNGF-{\beta}$ gene directly into crush-injured LN in rat model. Materials and Methods: $hNGF-{\beta}$ gene was prepared from fetal brain cDNA library and cloned into E1/E3 deleted adenoviral vector which contains green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene as a reporter. After large scale production and purification of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, transfection efficiency and its expression at various cells (primary cultured Schwann cells, HEK293 cells, Schwann cell lines, NIH3T3 and CRH cells) were evaluated by fluorescent microscopy, RT-PCR, ELISA, immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, the function of rhNGF-beta, which was secreted from various cells infected with $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, was evaluated using neuritogenesis of PC-12 cells. For in vivo evaluation of efficacy of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, the LNs of 8-week old rats were exposed and crush-injured with a small hemostat for 10 seconds. After the injury, $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus($2{\mu}l,\;1.5{\times}10^{11}pfu$) or saline was administered into the crushed site in the experimental (n=24) and the control group (n=24), respectively. Sham operation of another group of rats (n=9) was performed without administration of either saline or adenovirus. The taste recovery and the change of fungiform papilla were studied at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Each of the 6 animals was tested with different solutions (0.1M NaCl, 0.1M sucrose, 0.01M QHCl, or 0.01M HCl) by two-bottle test paradigm and the number of papilla was counted using SEM picture of tongue dorsum. LN was explored at the same interval as taste study and evaluated electro-physiologically (peak voltage and nerve conduction velocity) and histomorphometrically (axon count, myelin thickness). Results: The recombinant adenovirus vector carrying $rhNGF-{\beta}$ was constructed and confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA sequence analysis. GFP expression was observed in 90% of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected cells compared with uninfected cells. Total mRNA isolated from $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected cells showed strong RT-PCR band, however uninfected or LacZ recombinant adenovirus infected cells did not. NGF quantification by ELISA showed a maximal release of $18865.4{\pm}310.9pg/ml$ NGF at the 4th day and stably continued till 14 days by $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected Schwann cells. PC-12 cells exposed to media with $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected Schwann cell revealed at the same level of neurite-extension as the commercial NGF did. $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus injected experimental groups in comparison to the control group exhibited different taste preference ratio. Salty, sweet and sour taste preference ratio were significantly different after 2 weeks from the beginning of the experiment, which were similar to the sham group, but not to the control group.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal physical treatment to reduce the antigenicity of gliadin in wheat dough. Medium wheat dough was treated with an autoclave (5, 10, 30, and 50 min at $121^{\circ}C$, 1 atm), a microwave (1, 5, and 10 min) or both (10, 30, and 50 min/5, 10 min). The proteins in the dough extracts were analyzed by SDSPAGE and the binding ability of anti-gliadin IgG to gliadin was examined by ci-ELISA and immunoblotting. Results showed that the ability of anti-gliadin IgG to bind to gliadin in wheat dough treated with an autoclave alone or in combination with a microwave was decreased. Especially, it declined to ~77% after autoclaving for 30 min and 35% after both autoclaving for 50 min and microwaving for 5 min. In addition, the intensity of gliadin bands in SDS-PAGE were weakened and anti-gliadin IgG did not recognize gliadin in immunoblotting. However, microwaving alone did not affect the antigenicity of gliadin in wheat dough. These results indicate that autoclaving may affect the reduction of the antigenicity of gliadin in medium wheat dough. Moreover, autoclaving in combination with microwaving is more effective for reducing the antigenicity of wheat dough.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.305-314
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• 2023

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation causes skin diseases by inducing cellular oxidative stress, photoaging, and inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of morin against UVB-induced oxidative stress in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). Morin has been reported to be a potential therapeutic candidate for oxidative stress-mediated diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammation. Since morin has been identified as a potential antioxidant, we speculated that morin could alleviate UVB-induced apoptosis in NHDFs. Cell viability and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using the MTT assay, H2DCFDA, and the DHE staining method, respectively. Lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl formation were tested using ELISA kits. DNA fragmentation and comet assay were used to assess DNA damage. Apoptotic bodies were analyzed using Hoechst 33342 staining and TUNEL assay. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was examined using Western blot analysis. Morin showed a cyto-protective effect by scavenging UVB-induced ROS, increasing the expression of antioxidant-related proteins and inhibiting UVB-induced oxidative alterations such as lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and DNA damage. Morin protects against UVB-induced cell apoptosis by inhibiting Bcl-2-associated X protein, caspase-9, and caspase-3 expression, while increasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. These effects of morin were conferred through decreased phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2. The results demonstrated that morin may be developed as a preventive/therapeutic drug to be used to prevent UVB-induced skin damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.1510-1518
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• 2014

This study investigated the effects of calcium citrate on papain-induced osteoarthritis in C57BL/6J mice. Osteoarthritis was induced by injecting $6{\mu}L$ of papain into the knee joints of mice. Calcium citrate was made by crushing the centrifuged precipitate after reacting 0.5 M citric acid with 1 kg of oyster shell extract. The mice were divided into five groups (n=8). The normal group was untreated, whereas the papain group was induced to have osteoarthritis and treated with $200{\mu}L$ of water per day. The papain+DS group was treated with diclofenac sodium. The papain+calcium citrate groups were treated with calcium citrate at 150 and 300 mg/kg/bw for 28 days. Proteoglycan contents in articular cartilages were measured by safranin O/fast green staining and hematoxylin & eosin staining. Histopathological changes in cartilages were analyzed by the Rudolphi score approach. Contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in plasma, were measured by the ELISA method. Body weights among the treated groups were not significantly different compared with that of the normal group. Cartilage loss and joint instability in the calcium citrate group improved significantly (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner compared with the papain group. Further, proteoglycan content of the calcium citrate group was considerably (P<0.05) higher than that of the papain group. Osteoarthritis scores in the calcium citrate group were considerably (P<0.05) reduced compared with the papain group. In the group treated with calcium citrate, contents of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in plasma were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in a dose-dependent manner in comparison with the normal group. Based on these results, we suggest that calcium citrate is effective for treatment of osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.733-741
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• 2008

In the present study, we comprehensively examined the associations of plasma levels of total adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin with the features of cardiometabolic risks including body fat distribution, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in a cross-sectional study of 110 treated hypertensive patients. Blood lipid profiles, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA- IR) derived from fasting glucose and insulin concentrations were determined. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were analyzed using ELISA. The results showed that plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin were negatively associated with body mass index (BMI, r = - 0.203, p < 0.05) and waist circumference (r = -0.307, p < 0.01), which was not shown in total adiponectin. Plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin were negatively associated with triglyceride (r = -0.223, p < 0.05) and positively associated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.228, p < 0.05). Plasma levels of adiponectin were positively associated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.224, p < 0.05). Plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin were negatively associated with hsCRP (r = -0.276, p < 0.01) and IL-6 (r = -0.272, p < 0.01). In addition, there were weak associations between plasma levels of HMWadiponectin and TNF-${\alpha}$ (r = -0.163, p = 0.07) and ICAM-1 (r = -0.158, p = 0.09). However, there were no significant associations of total adiponectin with inflammatory markers except hsCRP (r = -0.203, p < 0.05). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that only plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin was an independent factor influencing serum levels of hsCRP, a marker of systemic low grade inflammation, after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, alcohol intake, smoking status, blood lipids, total adiponectin and drug use (p < 0.01). These results suggest that HMW-adiponectin, rather than total adiponectin, is likely to be closely associated with the features of cardiometabolic risks in treated hypertensive patients and might be effective biomarker for the prediction of cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.95-113
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• 2009

Objectives : Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) is a hair care product which is composed of ten plant extracts used in oriental medicine. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) on hair regrowth and cytokine changes in a shaving model of C57BL/6 mice. Materials and Methods : Five-week-old mice were acclimated for 1 week at a temperature between $21-23^{\circ}C$, 40-60% relative humidity, and 12h of a light/dark cycle before beginning of the experiment. There were three experimental groups including 50% ethanol (EtOH, control), a positive control of 3% Minoxidil, and 30% Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) in 50% ethanol in 18 female mice. The test compounds were topically treated once a day over 12 days. The hair regrowth was photographically and histologically determined during the experimental period of 12 days. Revelation of EGF, $TGF-{\beta}1$ and IL-6 in hair follicle were also determined using immunohistochemistry. In addition to that, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$ in skin tissue were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results : Hair regrowth in 3% Minoxidil and Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) groups was promoted earlier and faster than the control group. Concentrations of hairs and thick-hair ratio in 3% Minoxidil and Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) groups were promoted than the control group. EGF was moderately positive in hair follicle of 3% Minoxidil and Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) groups, but negative in the control group. $TGF-{\beta}1$ was not significantly difference between the groups. IL-6 in hair follicle of Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) group was negative, but weakly positive in 3% Minoxidil and control group. IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ in skin tissue were significantly decreased in Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) group, but there was not significantly decreased in 3% Minoxidil and control group. $TNF-{\alpha}$ in skin tissue was significantly decreased in 3% Minoxidil and Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) groups. Conclusions : These results suggest that Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) has hair growth promoting activity and it can be used for treatment of alopecia. And these effects relate to EGF revelation of hair follicle and a decrease IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$ in skin tissue.