• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 1997

Purpose : Interleukin-6(IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine, has been found to have growth and differentiation activities on a wide variety of tissues and cells, including mesangial cells. It has been known that IL-6 is an autocrine growth factor for the proliferation of mesangial cells. Several studies have been performed for revealing the clinical significance of IL-6 in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. Methods : The author measured serum and urinary IL-6 in 30 patients with $Henoch-Sch\"{o}nlein$ purpura (HSP), 18 patients with HSP nephritis, and 10 normal children as a control group. Results : The serum level of IL-6 was increased significantly in the patients with HSP and HSP nephritis compared to normal control. The level of urinary IL-6 was increased significantly in the patients with HSP nephritis compared to both HSP and normal control groups. The level of urinary IL-6 was not correlated with the level of serum. Conclusion : IL-6 was correlated with the amount of proteinuria. These data suggest that IL-6 may be involved in the pathological proliferation of mesangial cell in HSP nephritis.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2002

For the detection of Tobacco masaic virus (TMV), Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), tomato seeds of 11 table tomato and 7 cherry tomato cultivars were assayed by DAS-ELISA. Among the cultivars, TMV and ToMV were detected from 9 cultivars at the rates lower than 20% and 16%, respectively. In the assay on seed transmission rates, ToMV and CMV were detected as high as 24% and 8% , respectively, but TMV was not detected. In field survey on these viruses from tomato plants of 10 different places in Chungbuk province, ToMV and CMV were detected from most fields. TMV was detected from only 3 fields. The highest detection rates of these viruses were recorded in Cheongwon for TMV Chungju for ToMV, and the other locality of Chungju far CMV. It was difficult to find any relationship between the growth stage of tomato and infection rates. TMV usually caused mosaic on leaves while ToMV caused various symptoms including yellows, necrosis, and mottling. CMV-infected tomato plants showed symptoms of shoestring, fern leaf, and yellows.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.123-131
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• 2015

In this study, viral disease samples were obtained between 2006 and 2010 from pepper fields in 11 major pepper-growing districts in Gangwon-do, and in 83 areas from other provinces, with the exception of Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeju island in Korea. In order to assess the type of infection, field surveys were conducted with regard to viral disease severity and virus type, based on typical symptoms on leaves. The means of single and mixed-virus infections were 46.6% and 48.0%, respectively, during those periods, suggesting that viruses are the agents that most severely decrease pepper production in field cultivation in Korea. In terms of single infection, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was the most prevalent virus based on its disease severity ratings (34.8%). Next, Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) and Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV) were shown to cause severe viral diseases in pepper, with disease severities of around 5-10%. On the other hand, Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) occurs in a limited area in Chungcheongnam-do and Jeollanam-do. Thus, the viral disease caused by CMV, PMMoV, and PepMoV in pepper can be severe, and these virus types should remain considered critical reasons for decreased pepper production in field cultivation in Korea. In addition to single infection, mixed infections are frequently observed in collected pepper samples from all areas. The ratios of mixed infection were therefore studied to evaluate the disease severity of mixed infections and to define individual virus types. These data showed that different types of viruses were present, and CMV was the most abundant virus for mixed infection, as in the case of single infection. Among mixed infections, the highest disease severity was seen with CMV+Broad beam wilt virus 2 (BBWV2), followed by other types of mixed infection such as CMV+PepMoV and CMV+PMMoV. However, further work is needed to reduce the severe damage caused by viruses and to assess mixed infection types involving three or more viruses.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1092-1098
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• 2012

This study was carried out to discover the skin wrinkle reducing components in the seeds of Arctium lappa. The isolation of a methylene chloride-soluble fraction of 70% ethanol extract from the seeds of Arctium lappa using a procollagen type-1 synthesis and MMP-1 activity resulted in the isolation and identification of four lignin compounds: arctiin, arctigenin, matairesinol, and diarctigenin. All structures were confirmed via NMR and MS spectroscopic data. To determine cell viability and procollagen type-1 synthesis, human dermal fibroblasts were treated with 10-100 ${\mu}M$. As a result, none of the four compounds showed cytotoxicity up to 50 ${\mu}M$. We also investigated their procollagen type-1 synthesis and MMP-1 inhibition activity and found that arctiin had the highest activity in terms of both procollagen synthesis and MMP-1 inhibition among all four compounds. Putting all the data together, we suggest that arctiin be used in cosmetics as an anti-wrinkle material.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2016

As a degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) constitutes a major cause of disability that seriously affects the quality of life of a large population of people worldwide. However, effective treatment that can successfully reverse OA progression is lacking until now. The present study aimed to determine whether two small non-coding RNAs miR-29a and miR-140, which are significantly down-regulated in OA, can be applied together as potential therapeutic targets for OA treatment. MiRNA synergy score was used to screen the miRNA pairs that potentially synergistically regulate OA. An in vitro model of OA was established by treating murine chondrocytes with IL-$1{\beta}$. Transfection of miR-29a and miR-140 via plasmids was investigated on chondrocyte proliferation and expression of nine genes such as ADAMTS4, ADAMTS5, ACAN, COL2A1, COL10A1, MMP1, MMP3, MMP13 and TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1). Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression level of MMP13 and TIMP1, and ELISA was used to detect the content of type II collagen. Combined use of miR-29a and miR-140 successfully reversed the destructive effect of IL-$1{\beta}$ on chondrocyte proliferation, and notably affected the MMP13 and TIMP1 gene expression that regulates extracellular matrix. Although co-transfection of miR-29a and miR-140 did not show a synergistic effect on MMP13 protein expression and type II collagen release, but both of them can significantly suppress the protein abundance of MMP13 and restore the type II collagen release in IL-$1{\beta}$ treated chondrocytes. Compared with single miRNA transfection, cotransfection of both miRNAs exceedingly abrogated the suppressed the protein production of TIMP1 caused by IL-$1{\beta}$, thereby suggesting potent synergistic action. These results provided1novel insights into the important function of miRNAs' collaboration in OA pathological development. The reduced MMP13, and enhanced TIMP1 protein production and type II collagen release also implies that miR-29a and miR-140 combination treatment may be a possible treatment for OA.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 1994

To identify the immunogens of a PRT strain of Infectious Hematopoietci Necrosis Virus (IHNV) isolated from cultrued fish in Korea (Park et al, 1993). a panel of 4 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against IHNV-PRT strain and two polyclonal antisera from rainbow trout survived IHN disease were prepared. Proteins of purified IHNV-PRT strain were analysed on 10% SDS-PAGE and transferred onto NC paper and were incubated with the antibody solutions. With the polyclonal antibodies, four bands ($M_1$, $M_2$, G and 90Kd) were detected and the band density was in the order of $M_2$ > 90Kd > $M_1$ > G. However, with the MAbs, only two bands(G and 90Kd) were detected. The origin of 90Kd protein was not clear but maybe cell. All the results represented that among the five proteins of IHNV-PRT strain (Park et al., 1993), $M_2$, $M_1$ and G proteins were immunogens and $M_2$ protein was the strongest one.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.222-229
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• 2002

Human infection with the lung fluke Paragonimus westermani has become rare in Korea. Human paragonimiasis is caused by eating raw fresh-water crayfishes or crabs infected with larval metacercariae. Recently, we experienced three cases of pulmonary paragonimiasis in a family. They ate raw fresh-water crayfishes that lived in a stream in Wolchulmountain. All the parients had hypereosinophilia and pulmonary infiltrates with pleural effusion or hydropneumothorax, which did not improve on antibiotics. Ingestion of raw crayfishes was a clue for paragonimiasis. Positive results were shown both on intradermal skin test and ELISA for Paragonimus westermani specific IgG. After treatment with praziquantel, the patients showed an improvement. This is the first familial human paragonimiasis, reported from Wolchulmountain in Chonnam Province where there had been no previous cases of paragonimiasis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2003

Purpose : Minimal Change Disease(MCD) is the most common primary nephrotic syndrome in children. Some suggested that tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) are involved in the pathogenesis of MCD. This study was done to see the changes of plasma and urinary $TNF-{\alpha}$, and their effects on the permeability of glomerular basement membrane. Methods : Study patients consisted of 19 biopsy-proven MCD children aged 2-15 years old. Both plasma and urinary $TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured. Employing the Millicell system, $TNF-{\alpha}$ were screened for the permeability factors. Results : Urinary $TNF-{\alpha}$ during relapse was significantly increased(P<0.01). No significant change was seen in the plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ during relapse when compared to those in remission and the healthy controls. Furthermore, in the in vitro Millicell system, $TNF-{\alpha}$ did not produce a significant change in albumin permeability. Conclusion : Therefore, it seems that $TNF-{\alpha}$ may not play a disease-specific role in the pathogenesis of MCD.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.215-217
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• 2015

There was no study on the prevalence of doping control of racehorses in Korea. The purpose of this study was to determine prohibited substances in horse races of a drugs testing program. Blood samples were taken from those 298,543 starters prior to racing and the that finished top 3 runners of each race and horses designated by the stewards shall be taken for collection of 91,482 urine samples for the purpose of post-race doping test in Seoul, Busan and Jeju Race Park between 2002 and 2013. Detection and measurement of prohibited substances were carried out by ELISA, GC/MS and LC/MS using standard methods at the Doping Control Center, Korea Racing Authority. Total 0.0030% of pre-races and total 0.0186% of post-races tested positive for prohibited substances. In pre- and post-race, caffeine and ketoprofen were the most detected prohibited substance respectively. We thought that characteristics of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs resulted in different between plasma and urine. These substances have also been detected with other prohibited drugs suggesting that unintentional feeding or bedding may be the reason and groomers' confusion of candidate horses based by the stewards' research.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 1997

A large number of viruses belonging to Genus Hantavirus in Family Bunyaviridae are etiologic agents for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Hantaan (HTN), Seoul (SED), Belgrade (BEL), Puumala (PUU) serotype viruses are well known causative agents for HFRS in Eurasian continent. Among those viruses Hantaan and Seoul serotypes are well known to cause HFRS in Korea, but there are some sporadic incidence by other than Hantaan or Seoul viruses. Recently we have developed the combined Hantaan-Puumala virus vaccine to prevent world-wide occuring HFRS. This combined vaccine is formalin inactivated, suckling mouse and suckling hamster brain extracts for Hantaan and Puumala viruses, respectively. Protein contents of this purified candidate vaccine is $27\;{\mu}g/ml$, which contains 1,024 ELISA antigen units to each virus, but content of myelin basic protein which is causing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis is less than 0.1 ng/ml. Thirty hamsters were given twice at one month interval intra-muscularly and bled on 30 days after each vaccination from retro-orbital sinus vein. Antibody titers were tested against 5 major serotype viruses, Hantaan, Seoul, Belgrade, Puumala and Sin Nombre viruses by IFA and PRNT. The mean IF antibody titers on 30 days after primary shot were 78.4, 68.8, 68.8, 37.9, and 15.6; mean neutralizing antibody titers were 65.4, 12, 6.1, 65.6 and 0.5 against Hantaan, Seoul, Belgrade, Puumala and Sin Nombre viruses, respectively. The mean IF antibody titers on 30 days after booster shot were 686.9, 567.5, 550.4, 516.3, and 430.9; and neutralizing antibody titers were 710.8, 41.9, 24.3, 409.9, and 1.6 against Hantaan, Seoul, Belgrade, Puumala and Sin Nombre viruses, respectively.