• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.11-21
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influences of digestion temperature on the extraction of heavy metals from soil using the standard method established by Korean Ministry of Environment (KMES). A total of 7 heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in soil samples were extracted at varying digestion temperatures [(66 ± 2.0)℃, (73 ± 1.9)℃, (80 ± 1.3)℃, (85 ± 1.7)℃, (92 ± 2.0)℃, (98 ± 1.7)℃]. As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations remained relatively constant over the temperature range, but Ni and Cr concentrations greatly varied with the digestion temperature. The extent of variation in extraction efficiencies as compared to the concentration obtained at 66℃ was in following order; Ni (7.09% ~ 35.42%) > Cr (4.79% ~ 25.40%) > Zn (3.99% ~ 17.52%) > Cu (2.22% ~ 19.34%) > As (3.54% ~ 8.26%) > Cd (-5.08% ~ 1.08%) > Pb (-4.71% ~ -1.70%). The accuracy for certified reference materials at the digestion temperature of 80 and 85℃ was 98.7% ~ 105.8%. Therefore, digestion temperature of 80℃ ~ 85℃ is suggested to obtain reliable and reproducible data when the standard method by Korean Ministry of Environment is employed to analyze multiple heavy metal components in soil samples.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.218-227
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• 2022

Purpose: To analyze the characteristics of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) over the past three decades in Argentina and determine if there are differences between the first two decades and the past decade. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter analytical study in children with IBD between 0 and 18 years of age diagnosed between 1987 and 2017 in three tertiary health centers in Argentina. The evaluation included clinical characterization, endoscopy, histology, and imaging data together with therapeutic strategies. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, diagnosed between 1987 and 2007, and Group 2, diagnosed between 2008 and 2017. Results: Of the 756 patients included, 409 (54%) had ulcerative colitis (UC), 250 (33%) had Crohn's disease (CD), and 97 (13%) had IBD-unclassified (IBD-U). The positive family history was 3.8%, which was more frequent among children under two years of age (6.7%). There were no significant differences in clinical presentation and extraintestinal manifestations between periods, with hepatic manifestations being the most frequent. In the last decade, we found an upward trend in CD, a downward trend in UC/IBD-U, even after adjustment for socioeconomic status, and a decrease of 50% in surgical treatments coinciding with the advent of biological therapy. Conclusion: This is the first multicenter cohort study in a Latin American country to describe clinical, endoscopic, and therapeutic data across the past 30-year period. Although CD was responsible for the overall increase in incidence, UC was still prevalent in this region.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.299-305
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• 1988

The phenotypes of hemoglobin, albumin and transferrin of 3U2 Jindo dogs in Jindo area were studied by starch gel electrophoresis for hemoglobin and albumin, and by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis for transferrin. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In the hemoglobin phenotypes, three phenotypes, HbAA, HbAB and HbBB, which were controlled by two allelic genes, $Hb^A$ and $Hb^B$, were observed and their frequencies of appearance were 1.65%, 10.60% and 87.75% respectively. The distribution of gene frequency was calculated as 0.0695 in $Hb^A$ and 0.9305 in $Hb^B$. 2. In the albumin phenotypes, three phenotypes, Alb FF, Alb FS and Alb SS, which were controlled by two allelic genes, $AIb^F$ and $AIb^S$ were observed and their frequencies of appearance were 12.59%, 25.56% and 61.85% respectively. The distribution of gene frequency was calculated as 0.2537 in $AIb^F$ and 0.7463 in $AIb^S$. 3. Analysis of transferrin phenotypes showed 6 different types which were controlled by three allelic genes, $Tf^B$, $Tf^C$ and $Tf^D$ and their frequencies of appearance were 54.04% in TfBB, 17.54% in TfBC, 9.82% in TfBD, 8.07% in TfCC, 7.37% in TfCD and 3.16% in TfDD. The distribution of gene frequency was calculated as 0.6772 in $Tf^B$, 0.2053 in $Tf^C$ and 0.1175 in $Tf^D$.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.10
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• pp.534-539
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• 2021

IL-10⁺ regulatory B (Breg) cells play a vital role in regulating the immune responses in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, colitis, and contact hypersensitivity (CHS). Several stimulants such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), CD40 ligand, and IL-21 spur the activation and maturation of IL-10⁺ Breg cells, while the epigenetic mechanism for the IL-10 expression remains largely unknown. It is well accepted that the histone acetylation/deacetylation is an important mechanism that regulates the expression of IL-10. We found that entinostat, an HDAC inhibitor, stimulated the induction of IL-10⁺ Breg cells by LPS in vitro and the formation of IL-10⁺ Breg cells to suppress CHS in vivo. We further demonstrated that entinostat inhibited HDAC1 from binding to the proximal region of the IL-10 expression promoter in splenic B cells, followed by an increase in the binding of NF-κB p65, eventually enhancing the expression of IL-10 in Breg cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2021

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing unmethylated CpG phosphorothioate (PS CpG-ODN) are known to decrease IgE synthesis in Th2 allergy responses. Nonetheless, the therapeutic role of PS CpG-ODN is limited due to cytotoxicity. Therefore, we developed a phosphodiester (PO) form of CpG-ODN (46O) with reduced toxicity but effective against allergies. In this study, we first compared the toxicity of 46O with CpG-ODNs containing a PS backbone (1826S). We also investigated the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of 46O injected intravenously in a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD). To elucidate the mechanism of 46O underlying the inhibition of IgE production, IgE- and TGF-β-associated molecules were evaluated in CD40/IL-4- or LPS/IL-4-stimulated B cells. Our data showed that the treatment with 46O was associated with a lower hematological toxicity compared with 1826S. In addition, injection with 46O reduced erythema, epidermal thickness, and suppressed IgE and IL-4 synthesis in mice with OVA-induced AD. Additionally, 46O induced TGF-β production in LPS/IL-4-stimulated B cells via inhibition of Smad7, which suppressed IgE synthesis via interaction between Id2 and E2A. These findings suggest that enhanced TGF-β signaling is an effective treatment for IgE-mediated allergic conditions, and 46O may be safe and effective for treating allergic diseases such as AD and asthma.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.278-283
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• 2021

Our understanding of the differential effects between specific omega-3 fatty acids is incomplete. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on T-helper type 1 (Th1) cell responses and identify the pathways associated with these responses. Naïve CD4⁺ T cells were co-cultured with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in the presence or absence of palmitate (PA), DHA, or EPA. DHA or EPA treatment lowered the number of differentiated IFN-γ-positive cells and inhibited the secretion of IFN-γ, whereas only DHA increased IL-2 and reduced TNF-α secretion. There was reduced expression of MHC II on DCs after DHA or EPA treatment. In the DC-independent model, DHA and EPA reduced Th1 cell differentiation and lowered the cell number. DHA and EPA markedly inhibited IFN-γ secretion, while only EPA reduced TNF-α secretion. Microarray analysis identified pathways involved in inflammation, immunity, metabolism, and cell proliferation. Moreover, DHA and EPA inhibited Th1 cells through the regulation of diverse pathways and genes, including Igf1 and Cpt1a. Our results showed that DHA and EPA had largely comparable inhibitory effects on Th1 cell differentiation. However, each of the fatty acids also had distinct effects on specific cytokine secretion, particularly according to the presence of DCs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 1997

Background : The changes of the composition in the T-lymphocyte are important as an immunological abnormality in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Previously, the second type of TCR dimer(${\gamma}{\delta}$ T lymphocyte) that did not express CD4 or CD8 molecules was found. In other reports the presence of this type of lymphocytes was increased in the initial stage of tuberculous infections. Method : To determine whether there are some differences in the T-lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood or pleural effusion between pleural tuberculosis and other pleurisy. Thirty patients with pleural effusion among the forty-nine patients were examined T-lymphocyte subset analysis(CD4+T-cell,CD8+ T-cell,${\gamma}{\delta}$ T-lymphocytes) with anti- Leu4, anti-Leu3a, anti-Lea2a, anti HLA-DR and anti-TCR-${\gamma}{\delta}$-1(Becton & Dickinson Co.). Results : The average age of the patients was 50 years old(17-81year). There were 33 males and 16 female patients. Patiensts with tuberculosis are 30cases(tuberculous pleurisy 15), lung cancer 12cases(malignant effusion 9) and pneumonia 7cases(parapneumonic effusion 6cases) In T lymphocyte subsets of pleural effusion, helper T lymphocyte(54.6 + 13.8 %) of tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that(36.2 + 25.3 %) of non-tuberculous pleurisy(p=0.04). The peripheral blood ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T-lymphocytes in tuberculousis was insignificantly higher than non-tuberculous patients(p= 0.24). The peripheral blood ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T-lymphocytes and pleural ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T-Iymphocytes in tuberculous pleurisy was insignificantly higher than in non-tuberculous pleurisy(p= 0.16, p= 0.12). Conclusion : The percentage of -${\gamma}{\delta}$ T lymphocytes among the total T-lymphocytes is not significantly increased in the peripheral blood or pleural effusion of the pleural tuberculosis. ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T lymphocytes is less useful as a diagnostic method of pleural tuberculosis.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2002

Present contamination levels of soils along the major roadsides of Seoul, Korea were investigated, and base-line data were accumulated for future use. Topsoil $(1{\sim}5$ cm) and subsoil $(20{\sim}50$ cm) from five districts (Gangdong-, Gwangjin-, Nowon-, Seodaemun- and Seongdong-gu) were sampled. The collected samples were airdried, passed through 2-mm sieves, and analyzed to determine the physicochemical properties including pH, EC, CEC, exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K, and Na), and heavy metal contents (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn). Soil textures of topsoils and subsoils were mainly loamy sand and sandy loam, respectively. The range of pH was $4.5{\sim}10$.0 with an average of 7.5 for both topsoil and subsoil, which is much higher than that of the forest soils in Seoul. The ranges of 0.1 N HCI extractable Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents for both topsoils and subsoils were $0.0l{\sim}l.19$, N.D. (not $detected){\sim}228$.99, $N.D.{\sim}352$.54, and $2.97{\sim}332$.96 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively. Most of the average heavy metal contents were lower than the concern level of the Soil Environment Conservation Act of Korea, but were much higher than those of the , forest soils in Seoul. Some sites were higher in heavy metal contents than the concern levels; in particular, the average Cu content in Seongdong-gu was much higher than the concern level, 50 mg $kg^{-1}$. Careful management of the soil to prevent the aggravation of the present contamination level and the dissemination of contamination is highly recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.223-233
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• 2015

In order to evaluate the pollution of heavy metals in offshore surface sediments around shipyards in Korea, surface sediment samples were collected at eleven stations around four major shipyards located in the southeastern coast of Korea in summer 2010 and nine kinds of heavy metals such as copper(Cu), zinc(Zn), cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb), chrome(Cr), arsenic(As), mercury(Hg), iron(Fe) and aluminum(Al) in sediments were analyzed. The concentrations of Cu at all sampling stations were in the range of 47.10~414.96 mg/kg and exceeded TEL(Threshold Effects Level) 20.6 mg-Cu/kg of Korean marine environmental standards for offshore sediments and ERL(Effect Range-Low) 34.0 mg-Cu/kg. The concentrations of Cu at seven stations around four shipyards were 65.18~414.96 mg/kg and exceeded PEL(Probable Effects Level) 64.4 mg-Cu/kg of Korean marine environmental standards for offshore sediments. The concentration of Cu at one station around B-shipyard was 414.96 mg/kg and exceeded ERM(Effect Range-Median) 270.0 mg-Cu/kg. The concentrations of Zn at all stations were in the range of 135.09~388.79 mg/kg which exceeded ERL 150.0 mg-Zn/kg. The concentrations of Zn at seven stations around four shipyards were 157.57~388.79 mg/kg and exceeded PEL 157.0 mg-Zn/kg. The concentration of Zn at one station around B-shipyard was 388.79 mg/kg and was approaching ERM 410.0 mg-Zn/kg. The concentrations of Cd at all stations were in the range of 0.11~0.54 mg/kg and were below TEL 0.75 mg-Cd/kg and ERL 1.2 mg-Cd/kg. The concentrations of Pb at all stations were in the range of 18.04~105.62 mg/kg. The concentrations of Pb at two stations around B-shipyard were 73.87~105.62 mg/kg which exceeded TEL 44.0 mg-Pb/kg and ERL 46.7 mg-Pb/kg, and were below PEL 119.0 mg-Pb/kg and ERM 218.0 mg-Pb/kg. The concentrations of Cr at all stations were in the range of 51.26~85.39 mg/kg. The concentration of Cr at one station around B-shipyard was 85.39 mg/kg and exceeded ERL 81.0 mg-Cr/kg. The concentrations of As at all stations were in the range of 8.70~22.15 mg/kg which exceeded ERL 8.2 mg-As/kg and were below ERM 70.0 mg-As/kg. The concentrations of As at eight stations around A-shipyard, B-shipyard and D-shipyard were 14.93~22.15 mg/kg which exceeded TEL 14.5 mg-As/kg and were below PEL 75.5 mg-As/kg. The concentrations of Hg at all stations were in the range of 0.02~0.35 mg/kg. The concentrations of Hg at three stations around A-shipyard were 0.11~0.13 mg/kg which were almost equal to TEL 0.11 mg-Hg/kg. Those at two stations around B-shipyard were 0.27~0.35 mg/kg which exceeded TEL 0.11 mg-Hg/kg and ERL 0.15 mg-Hg/kg, and were below PEL 0.62 mg-Hg/kg and ERM 0.71 mg-Hg/kg. The concentrations of Fe and Al at all stations were in the range of 2.90 3.66 % and 3.12 6.80 %, respectively. These results imply that heavy metals such as copper, zinc, lead, arsenic and mercury were likely to be transferred to marine environment from shipyards, especially from B-shipyard.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1995.07c
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• pp.1133-1136
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• 1995

RF-magnetron sputtering 방법으로 형성한 $BaTa_2O_6$의 공정변수에 따른 전기, 광학적 특성변화를 관찰하여 $BaTa_2O_6$ 박막의 TFELD(thin film electroluminescent display) 절연막으로서 응용 가능성을 연구하였다. $BaTa_2O_6$ 박막의 유전특성은 증착시의 $O_2$ 함량과 sputtering 압력의 변화에는 큰 영향을 받지 않으나 기판온도에는 영향을 받는 것으로 확인되었다. 이들 공정변수를 가변하여 실험한 결과, $BaTa_2O_6$ 박막 형성의 최적조건으로 플라즈마 압력을 6 mtorr, sputtering gas 내의 $O_2$ 혼합비율은 40%, 기판온도는 $100^{\circ}C$로 결정하였다. 이상의 조건에서 제조된 $BaTa_2O_6$ 박막은 10.2 ${\mu}C/cm^2$의 매우 우수한 성능지수를 보였다. 이상의 $BaTa_2O_6$ 박막을 하부절연층으로, 절연파괴강도가 높은 $SiO_xN_y$를 상부 절연층으로 사용하여 제조된 EL 소자는 1 kHz, 삼각파 구동시 발광 임계전압은 약 32 volts, 최대휘도는 54 $cd/m^2$으로 측정되었다.