• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1717-1721
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• 2008

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening emerging respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV. The nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV is highly antigenic and may be a suitable candidate for diagnostic applications. We constructed truncated recombinant N proteins (N1 [1-422 aa], N2 [1-109 aa], and N3 [110-422 aa]) and determined their antigenicity by Western blotting using convalescent SARS serum. The recombinants containing N1 and N3 reacted with convalescent SARS serum in Western blotting. However, the recombinant with N2 did not. In ELISA using N1 or N3 as the antigens, positive results were observed in 10 of to (100%) SARS-CoV-positive human sera. None of 50 healthy sera gave positive results in either assay. These data indicate that the ELISA using N1 or N3 has high sensitivity and specificity. These results suggest that the middle or C-terminal region of the SARS N protein is important for eliciting antibodies against SARS-CoV during the immune response, and ELISA reactions using N1 or N3 may be a valuable tool for SARS diagnosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 1993

Effects of a voltage dependent calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine, on the responses of blood pressure, and secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and aldosterone to angiotensin II (Ang II) were compared in male Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). A low, control or high sodium diet (2, 10 or 25 mmol Na/100 g diet) was fed for 6 weeks from the age of 6 weeks. On the morning of the experiment catheters were inserted under ether anesthesia in the femoral artery for pressure recording and blood sampling, and in the femoral vein for drug infusion. Ang II was infused at a rate of 250 ng/kg/min for 20 min. Nifedipine mixed with Ang II was infused at a rate of $16{\mu}g/kg/min$ for 20 min. Arterial blood samples were collected before and after infusion of Ang II with or without nifedipine. The control plasma level of aldosterone was inversely related to the amount of salt intake, whereas the plasma ANP level was not different between the salt groups. SHR showed a higher basal plasma ANP but a lower aldosterone concentration than Wistar rats. Infusion of Ang II produced a significant increase in blood pressure and plasma levels of aldosterone and ANP: The % increase was not significantly different either between the salt groups or between SHR and Wistar rats. SHR showed a greater pressor response to Ang II but a remarkably smaller decrease in heart rate after Ang II infusion than Wistar rats, With increasing sodium intake, the effect of Ang II on aldosterone secretion was decreased, whereas that on ANP secretion or blood pressure was not changed. Nifedipine decreased the responses of blood pressure and heart rate to Ang II in all groups. Nifedipine caused almost a complete inhibition of Ang II induced ANP secretion, but only a partial inhibition of Ang II induced aldosterone secretion or vasoconstriction. These results indicate that calcium dependent processes were involved in Ang II induced vasoconstriction, and secretions of aldosterone and ANP. However, the calcium dependent process far ANP secretion was considerably different from that for aldosterone secretion or vasoconstriction evoked by ang II. The ang II induced increase in ANP secretion appeared to be caused primarily by activating voltage-dependent calcium channels, whereas Ang II induced aldosterone secretion and vasoconstriction was not.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.358-363
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• 2004

Background : Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the use of photosensitizing agents for treatment of malignant disease. PDT is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the endobronchial microinvasive nonsmall cell lung cancer and for palliation in patients with obstructing tumors. We report our experience and results of PDT in lung cancer. Method : Ten patients with lung cancer who were diagnosed in Chosun university hospital by histologic confirm through bronchoscopy were included between August 2002 and May 2003. The photosensitizer (Photogem$^{(R)}$, Lomonosov institute of Fine Chemical, Russia/dose 2.0 mg/kg body weight) was injected 48 hours prior to the PDT session. For PDT with the photosensitizer (Photogem$^{(R)}$), Diode LASER system (Biolitec Inc., Germany, wavelength; 633nm) were used. PDTs were done at 48-72 hours after photogem injection. Follow up bronchoscopy and chest X-ray or thorax computerized tomography were done for evaluate PDT response. Results : 9 of 10 patients with endobronchial obstruction showed partial remission with bronchus opening after PDT. Direct reaction of the tumor to PDT was similar in despite of its localization. It was as follows; edema, hyperemia, in-situ bleeding, fibrin film occurrence. Any other complications such as sunburns of skin, inflammation within the PDT zone were not occurred by the end of the fourth week. Conclusion : In the advanced endobronchial disease, PDT has been shown to be useful in treating endobronchial tumors that are causing clinically significant dyspnea or are likely to progress and lead to further clinical complications, such as postobstructive pneumonia.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.229-244
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• 2014

Background: Antibiotic skin test(AST) is very useful for the diagnosis of drug allergies to prevent immediate allergic reactions. Although it is a safe and widespread method, it is performed very diversely by doctors and nurses without consistency and it also differs from countries and hospitals. This study aims to evaluate the current practice of AST by nurses in Korea and to compare it to the general guidelines. Methods: During January 1, 2013 to May 20, 2013, the study was conducted as questionnaires and case-based survey. The questionnaires were given to the nurses who were randomly selected in various University Hospitals (University Hospitals N=276, and Medical center N=19). The case-based surveys were given to the nurses who were conducting AST at various wards of a University Hospital (N=130). The analysis and evaluations of the responses were carried out. Results: The response rate for the questionnaires was 97.6% and 130 cases of the actual case-based surveys were collected. There were clear differences between the survey results and the general guidelines, such as the method of skin test (skin prick test was not conducted), the method of patient selection for AST, test drugs, concentration, volume and interpretation of AST. AST conducted by nurses was highly variable and inconsistent, even among nurses who worked in the same wards and hospitals. Manufactured standard concentration antibiotic solution of AST showed consistency of concentration to a certain degree. Conclusion: Although the general guidelines have been published by several countries including Korea, these are not a great help to nurses as they lack details for conducting AST, practical consideration for nurses in the clinical setting, propagation and education. Standardized guideline for nurses should be published and it should be a safe, clear, comfortable and easily accessible protocol. Futhermore, additional antibiotic solutions to standardize skin test should be developed and manufactured. Lastly, it would be the pharmacists role to compare their hospitals antibiotic skin test methods with the standard guidelines and develop a protocol within the hospital for patients' safety, and to strive to consistently implement it.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.21-26
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• 2014

Objectives : Taraxacum coreanum (TC) have been used as a traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases and anti-oxidant effect in Korea. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of TC water extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation is not well-known. Therefore, this study was performed to identify the anti-inflammatory effect of TC on LPS induced inflammatory. Methods : RAW 264.7 cells were treated with 500 ng/mL of LPS. Water extracts of TC (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 mg/ml) was treated 1 h prior to LPS. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Levels of nitric oxide (NO) were measured with Griess reagent and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). We also examined molecular mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activation by western blot. Results : Water Extract from TC itself did not have any cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 cells. TC treatment inhibited the production of NO production, and pro-inflamamtory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ on protein and mRNA levels. In addition, TC treatment inhibited the LPS-induced activation of MAPKs such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 kinases (p38), c-Jun $NH_2$-terminal kinase (JNK) and $NF-{\kappa}B$. Conclusions : In summary, our result suggest that treatment of TC could reduce the LPS-induced inflammation. Thereby, TC could be used as a protective agent against inflammation. Also, this study could give a clinical basis that TC could be a drug or agent to prevent inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.964-969
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• 2012

Genistein, a predominant isoflavone, has been shown to inhibit the growth of various cancer cells in vitro and in vivo without toxicity to normal cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of genistein on the activity and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast adenocarcinoma cells. Our findings showed that MMP-9 and -2 activation was significantly increased in response to 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). However, the increased activities of MMP-9 and -2 in TPA-treated cells were concentration-dependently inhibited by treatment with genistein, and this was also correlated with a decrease in the expression of their mRNA and proteins. In addition, a matrigel invasion assay showed that genistein reduced TPA-induced invasion of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Although further in vivo studies are needed, these results suggest that genistein treatment may inhibit tumor cell invasion and, therefore, act as a dietary source to decrease the risk of cancer metastasis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.399-404
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• 2020

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is associated with a variety of therapeutic effects, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxative, antiallergic, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects. Accordingly, the use of ginseng has reached an all-time high among members of the general public. However, the safety and efficacy of ginseng in transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressant drugs have still not been elucidated. Transplantation is the most challenging and complex of surgical procedures and may require causation for the use of ginseng. In this regard, we have previously examined the safety, immunological benefits, and protective mechanisms of ginseng with respect to calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression, which is the most widely used regimen in organ transplantation. Using an experimental model of calcineurin inhibitor-induced organ injury, we found that ginseng does not affect drug levels in the peripheral blood and tissue, favorably regulates immune response, and protects against calcineurin inhibitor-induced nephrotoxicity and pancreatic islet injury. On the basis of our experimental studies and a review of the related literature, we propose that ginseng may provide benefits in organ transplant recipients administered calcineurin inhibitors. Through the present review, we aimed to briefly discuss our current understanding of the therapeutic benefits of ginseng related to transplant patient survival.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2016

The anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract from Chondrus nipponicus Yendo (CNYEE) was investigated by measuring production of a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response mediator. CNYEE had no cytotoxic effects on proliferation of macrophages compared to the control. CNYEE significantly inhibited (over 50%) NO production at $50{\mu}g/mL$, with inhibitory effects on expression levels of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and IL-$1{\beta}$. In particular, IL-6 inhibitory activity of CNYEE was higher than 70% at $100{\mu}g/mL$. CNYEE also reduced protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ in a dose-dependent manner. CNYEE also significantly reduced phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Therefore, these results suggest that CNYEE may have anti-inflammatory effects by modulating the NF-${\kappa}B$ and mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathways and may be used as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic material.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.118-126
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• 1987

Natural Killer cells are considerd to play an important role in antitumor immune surveilance mechanism. In this study, 21 putative anticancer drugs selected from reference were assessed by evaluating the effect on rat Natural Killer cell activity (NKCA). All 21 herb drugs were extracted in boiling water, lyophilized, autoclaved, and then used for experiment. Culture supernatant of concanavalin-A (Con-A)-stimulated rat spleen cells as a source of lymphokine was also used as a control of comparison. Rat spleen cells were used as effector and NKCA was measured in 4hr $^{51}Cr-release$ assay against Yac-1 mouse lymphoma cell line. In order to determine the optimal conditions for NKCA augmentation, effector cells were treated with 3 different concentrations of each drug for 24, or 48 hrs before testing of NKCA, In optimal conditions determined from previous results, the effect of herb drugs on NKCA were assessed in 3 to 5experiments. NKCA was significantly enhanced by treatment with 4 herb drugs(Ponciri Fructus, Houttuyniae Herba, Aurantii Pericarpium, Nepetae Herba). Culture supernatant of Con-A-stimulated spleen cells also augmented the rat NKCA more significantly. The results show that 4 of the herb medicines supposed to display anticancer effect may have activity as a biological response modifier through augmentation of NKCA.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.426-432
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• 2002

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of female death from cancer worldwide with about 500,000 deaths per year. A strong association between certain human papilloma viruses (HPV type 16 and 18) and cervical cancer has been well known. An extract of Saururus chinensis, named as PE-46, has been used to investigate whether this agent has the ability of inhibiting the oncogenes E6 and E7 of HPV type 16. PE-46 inhibited the proliferation of human cervical cancer cell lines in a dose response manner. PE-46 also inhibited the in vitro binding of E6 and E6AP which are essential for the binding and degradation of the tumor suppressor p53. In addition, PE-46 inhibited the in vitro binding of E7 and Rb which is essential tumor suppressor for the control of cell cycle. The levels of mRNA for E6 and E7 were also decreased by PE-46. SiHa cells treated with PE-46 induced G0/G1 arrest, resulting in inhibition of growth. Our study showed that the PE-46 can inhibit the cervical carcinomas via both inhibition of bindings between oncogenes and tumor suppressors, and inhibition of G1longrightarrowS transition. PE-46 inhibited the oncogenecity of E6 and E7 of HPV 16 type, thus could be used as a putative modulating agent for the treatment of cervical carcinomas caused by HPV.