• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.363-368
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• 2009

The Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) is an endemic species and one of the common species in Korea. The species ranges throughout the Korean peninsula and plays an important role as herbivores in natural ecosystem. Therefore, the species could be used as a good bio-indicator to monitor the quality of habitats. This study was to estimate the concentrations of five heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) from three different organs (kidney, liver and spleen) in the Korean water deer. According to the analyses of heavy metal accumulations, the concentration of Fe is higher than Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb from all the organs. Among the organs, spleen (286.50) showed higher heavy metal concentrations than kidney (39.40) and liver ($23.21\;{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$). In general, the concentrations of the heavy metals were about two times higher in Cheorwon, Gangwon province than in the Eastern part of Jeonnam province. In particular, Cd and Pb showed a significant difference (P<0.05). Except for Fe in spleen, all of the heavy metal concentrations were below background levels.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2008

Objectives : The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Hyperici Japonici Herba on the proliferation and activation of eosinophils which were prepared from lung cells of asthma-induced mice by ovalbumin(OVA) treatment. Methods : C57BL/6 mouse was exposed to OVA three times a week for 6 weeks. The mouse lung tissues were dissected out, chopped and dessiciated with collagenase(1${\mu}g$/ml). Eosinophils were activated by rIL-3/rmIL-5 co-treatments. The lung cells were treated with extract of Hyperici Japonici Herba(EHH), incubated for 48 hr at $37^{\circ}C$, and analyzed by flow cytometer. ELBA, RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry stain. Results : The cell number ratio of granulocyte, $CD3e^-$/$CCR3^+$, $CD3e^+$/$CD69^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD23^+$/$B220^+$ cells was increased in rmIL-5/rIL-3 treated control group compared to the normal group. Cells numbers in the experimental animal group treated with EHH was all decreased. In ELISA analysis, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 protein levels and histamine release level were greatly increased in the control group compared to the normal animal group, then significantly decreased in the experimental group with 100 ${\mu}g$/ml of EHH treatment. In RT-PCR analysis, the HT value of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, CCR3, Eotaxin were increased in the control group compared to the normal animal group, then decreased in the experimental group with 100 ${\mu}g$/ml of EHH treatment. And eosinophil proliferation levels were 18847${\pm}$1527(cpm) in the control group, 4676${\pm}$972(cpm) in the positive control group, and 8675${\pm}$159(cpm), 11352${\pm}$1005(cpm), 14325${\pm}$677(cpm) in the experimental group with 100 ${\mu}g$/ml, 10 ${\mu}g$/ml, 1 ${\mu}g$/ml of EHH treatment. Conclusions : The present data suggested that Hyperici Japonici Herba may have an effects on the inhibition of parameters associated with asthma responses in eosinpophils, and thus implicate the possibility for the clinical application of EHH.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 2006

Experimental leaching of tailings was performed as a function of times (1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days) in the laboratory using reaction solutions equilibrated to three different pH set-points (pHs 1,3 and 5). The initial pHs of 5 and 3 stabilized at either 4.6-6.1 or 2.8-3.5 in 2 days and decrease gradually with time afterwards. The results of the leaching tests indicate that the significant increase in the sulfate concentrations and in acidity after 7 days of leaching results from the oxidation of sulfide minerals. There were no significant variations in the extractable Pb found in the leach solutions of pH 5 and 3 within the reaction time (1-30 days), while Zn, Cd and Cu concentrations tend to significantly increase with time. In tailings leaching at an initial pH=1, two trends were observed: i) The 'Zn-type' (Zn, Cd and Cu), with increasing concentrations between days 1 and 30, corresponding to the expected trend when continuous dissolution is the dominant process, ii) the 'Pb-type' (Pb), with decreasing concentrations over time, suggesting rapid dissolution of a Pb source followed by the precipitation of 'anglesite' in relation to the large increase in dissolved sulfates. The high sulfate concentrations were coupled with high concentrations of released Fe, Zn and Cd. Release of Zn and Cd and acidity from these leaching experiments can potentially pose adverse impact to surface and groundwater qualities in the surrounding environment. The kinetic problems could be the important factor which leads to increasing concentrations of trace metals in the runoff water.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.551-562
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Trichosanthis Semen Herbal-acupuncture(TS-HA) at Joksamni(ST36) on ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin(OVA) once a week for twelve weeks. The experimental group was treated with 1% concentrations of TS-HA at Joksamni(ST36) three times a week for the last eight weeks. Results : 1. The weight and total lung cells of the mice in the group treated with TS-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 2. Total leukocytes and eosinophils in Bronchoalveoler-lavage fluid(BALF) of the mice in the group treated with TS-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 3. Eosinophils in BALF of the mice in the group treated with TS-HA in photomicrographs decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 4. According to histological analysis of lung sections, adhension of collagen in TS-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 5. The concentration of IgE, IL-4, IL-5 in BALF and IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in serum of the mice in the group treated with TS-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 6. The number of $Gr-^+/CD11b^+,\;CD11b^+,\;CD3e^-/CCR3^+,\;CD4^+,\;CD8^+\;CD3e^+/CD69^+,\;CD23^+/B220^+\;cells$ in the lungs of the mice in the group treated with TS-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that Trichosanthis Semen-herbal acupuncture at Joksamni(ST36) done on C57BL/6 mice is effective in part in relieving OVA-induced asthma in C57BL/6 mice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3955-3960
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the effects of $CD4^+$, IL17 and Foxp3 expression on prognosis of operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with different pTNM stages. Methods: Expression of $CD4^+$, IL17 and Foxp3 in 102 cases of NSCLC tissues and adjacent cancer tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and associations with prognosis with different pTNM stages were analyzed. The Chi-square test was used to compare count data. Survival differences were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier single factor analysis and the COX regression model was used to analyze the relationship between influential factors and the disease prognosis. The significance level was ${\alpha}$=0.05. Results: Expression of CD4, IL-17 and Foxp3 significantly varied in different pTNM stages of NSCLC tissues (P < 0.05). The same was true for CD4 expression (P < 0.05). The median survival time (MST) in the positive CD4 expression group was evidently higher than that in the negative group (25.8/23.9 months). Compared with stage III, the MST difference of stages I and II in the positive CD4 expression group were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The MST in positive IL-17 and Foxp3 expression groups was obviously lower than that in the corresponding negative group (P < 0.05) (25.6/35.1 months and 24/35.3 months, respectively). There was a significant difference of MST between any two of three stages of positive IL-17 expression group (P < 0.05), and it was the same with positive Foxp3 expression group. TNM stage, negative CD4 expression, and positive IL-17 and Foxp3 expression were the main risk factors for the prognosis of NSCLC. Conclusion: Surgical prognosis of NSCLC can be better assessed by the combination of clinical staging and expression of IL17 and Foxp3.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2012

Background: Deep neck infections (DNI) can originate from infection in the potential spaces and fascial planes of the neck. DNI can be managed without surgery, but there are cases that need surgical treatment, especially in the case of mediastinal involvement. The aim of this study is to identify clinical features of DNI and analyze the predisposing factors for mediastinal extension. Materials and Methods: We reviewed medical records of 56 patients suffering from DNI who underwent cervical drainage only (CD group) and those who underwent cervical drainage combined with mediastinal drainage for descending necrotizing mediastinitis (MD group) from August 2003 to May 2009 and compared the clinical features of each group and the predisposing factors for mediastinal extension. Results: Forty-four out of the 56 patients underwent cervical drainage only (79%) and 12 patients needed both cervical and mediastinal drainage (21%). There were no differences between the two groups in gender (p=0.28), but the MD group was older than the CD group (CD group, $44.2{\pm}23.2$ years; MD group, $55.6{\pm}12.1$ years; p=0.03). The MD group had a higher rate of co-morbidity than the CD group (p=0.04). The CD group involved more than two spaces in 14 cases (32%) and retropharyngeal involvement in 12 cases (27%). The MD group involved more than two spaces in 11 cases (92%) and retropharyngeal involvement in 12 cases (100%). Organism identification took place in 28 cases (64%) of the CD group and 3 cases of (25%) the MD group (p=0.02). The mean hospital stay of the CD group was $21.5{\pm}15.9$ days and that of the MD group was $41.4{\pm}29.4$ days (p=0.04). Conclusion: The predisposing factors of mediastinal extension in DNI were older age, involvement of two or more spaces, especially including the retropharyngeal space, and more comorbidities. The MD group had a longer hospital stay, higher mortality, and more failure to identify causative organisms of causative organisms than the CD group.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2016

BACKGROUND: To determine effect of phosphate (P) application on Cadmium (Cd) extractability and its uptake by rice plant in Cd contaminated paddy soil, dipotassium ($K_2HPO_4$) which was the most effective of P materials to decrease Cd extractability in previous study was selected as P fertilizer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Dipotassium phosphate was applied at the rates of 0, 78, 234, and 390 kg $P_2O_5/ha$, and then rice was cultivated in submerged paddy soil from Jun. to Oct. in 2015. Cadmium concentrations in grain, straw, and root of rice plant decreased significantly with increasing application rate of $K_2HPO_4$. The trend of 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration in soil was similar to that of Cd uptake by rice plant. One M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration was negatively related to soil pH and negative charge. Alleviation of Cd phytoavailability of rice in paddy soil might be attributed to increase in pH and negative charge of soil. Using a quadratic response model, amount of grain yield were related to $K_2HPO_4$ application rates as Grain yield = $5.38+2.39{\times}10^{-3}K_2HPO_4-6.65{\times}10^{-6}K_2HPO{_4}^2$ (model $R^2=0.968$). Using this equations, the greatest grain yield (5.6 Mg/ha) was at the rate of 180 kg $P_2O_5/ha$. At this application rate of P, the Cd concentration in grain was 0.53 mg/kg, implying ca. 23% lower than the control. CONCLUSION: From the view point of heavy metal safety and crop productivity, it might be good P management to apply P fertilizer with 4 times higher rate than recommendation (45 kg/ha).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1999

This study was performed to investigate the contents of the heavy metals such as cadmium(Cd), copper(Cu), iron(Fe), lead(Pb) and zinc(Zn) in meat and meat products. For this experiment, each 20 samples of beef and pork were collected at slaughterhouse in Seoul areas and 45 samples of meat products(ham, sausage, processed meat and seasoned meat) were purchased from commercial food markets. The contents of the heavy metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry from Jan. to Nov. In 1998. The results obtained were summarized as follows ; 1. In Korean native beef, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : 0.14$\pm$0.10, Cd : 0.07$\pm$0.02, Cu : 1.73$\pm$0.95, Zn : 42.82$\pm$8.17 and Fe : 67.43$\pm$24.18, respectively. 2. In imported beef, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : 0.03$\pm$0.08, Cd : 0.06$\pm$0.02, Cu : 1.41$\pm$0.62, Zn : 42.93$\pm$4.95 and Fe : 40.06$\pm$12.77, respectively. 3. In pork, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : not detected, Cd : 0.09$\pm$0.02, Cu : 1.08$\pm$0.23, Zn : 19.49$\pm$6.02 and Fe : 30.21$\pm$10.51, respectively. 4. In ham, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : trace, Cd : trace, Cu . 1.19$\pm$0.46, Zn : 13.58$\pm$4.99 and Fe : 31.43$\pm$11.74, respectively. 5. In sausage, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : 0.15$\pm$0.34, Cd : 0.08$\pm$0.05, Cu : 1.15$\pm$0.46, Zn : 13.70$\pm$7.13 and Fe . 27.28$\pm$15.05, respectively. 6. In processed meat, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : 0.08$\pm$0.13, Cd : 0.09$\pm$0.04, Cu : 1.28$\pm$0.60, Zn : 14.72$\pm$7.09 and Fe : 24.04$\pm$10.33, respectively. 7 In seasoned meat, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : 1.05$\pm$2.21, Cd : 0.13$\pm$0.03, Cu : 1.06$\pm$0.16, Zn : 17.53$\pm$8.72 and Fe : 26.76$\pm$9.02, respectively.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 1998

Extract of Centella asiatica(ECA), which is poorly water-soluble extract from the Centella asiatica is known to express excellent wound healing properties. $ECA-{\beta}-cyclodextrin$ $(asiaticoside-{\beta}-cyclodextrin\;and\;genin-{\beta}-cyc1odextrin)$ solid dispersion system, which was prepared by freezedrying method, was formulated as gels containing poloxamer 407 and propylene glycol, and evaluated with respect to their viscosity, stability, skin permeation and drug amount in the skin of hairless mouse. The average molar ratio $asiaticoside-{\beta}-CD$ and $genin-{\beta}-CD$ was 1:1.7 and 1:22, respectively. When the molar ratio of genin and ${\beta}-CD$ was 1:5, madecassic acid made 100% solid dispersion system and asiatic acid about 65%. In dissolution study, >99% of asiaticoside from $asiaticoside-{\beta}-CD$ was dissolved in 5 minutes, and >99% madecassic acid and >64% asiatic acid from $genin-{\beta}-CD$. The apparent viscosity of poloxamer 407 gels with $ECA-{\beta}-CD$ solid dispersion system increased in proportion to poloxamer 407 and propylene glycol concentration. In the accelerated stability test, all $ECA-{\beta}-CD$ poloxamer 407 gels showed that asiaticoside was most stable and madecassic acid stable and asiatic acid similar to stability of gel with free ECA. The permeation amount of asiaticoside in poloxamer gels through hairless mouse skin decreased as the concentration of poloxamer 407 increased. When propylene glycol was added at the level of 10%, the permeation amount of asiaticoside at poloxamer gels through hairless mouse skin increased but from 15% it decreased. The permeation of asiaticoside into the skin of hairless mouse was estimated to be about $0.10\;{\mu}g/cm^2$.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.345-353
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• 2022

This study aimed to fundamentally understand changes of cell parameters of cation-exchanged mordenites using high resolution X-ray powder diffraction for studies that immobilization of various heavy metal cation using synthesis mordenite (Na_6.6Al_6.6Si_41.4O₉₆·20.4H₂O, Na-MOR). As a results of measurement by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), it was confirmed that 19.4, 20.4 water molecules per unit cell were present in monovalent-cation substituted MOR (Cs-MOR, Na-MOR), and 21, 23.1, 23.2 water molecules per unit cell were present in divalent-cation substituted MOR (Pb-MOR, Sr-MOR, Cd-MOR). The space group of all the samples were identified as Cmcm belonging to the orthorhombic crystal system. Compared to Na-MOR, starting material, relative peak intensity of (110) and (200) is significantly changed after cation substitution whereas peak position is almost similar. Also, (220) peak that was not found in Na-MOR was clearly observed in Pb-, Cd- and Sr-exchanged MOR. Thus, it was estimated that changes of atomic distribution usually occurred on ab-plane while changes of cell parameters were little. Detailed changes in the cell parameters of cation-exchanged mordenites were derived from whole profile fitting method using the GSAS suite program. Changes in the axial lengths and unit cell volume of cation substitution showed different relationship depending on ionic radius and charge number. In case of monovalent-cation substituted MOR, the length of a-axis increases whereas the length of b- and c-axis decrease by absorbed cation radius. In the case of divalent-cation exchanged MOR, the length of a-axis usually decreases while the length of b- and c-axis increases by cation radius. It was confirmed that unit cell volume of monovalent and divalent cation substituted MORs had an independent tendency by cation radius.