• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.197-202
• /
• 1997

Diagnosis of early paragonimiasis is difficult because parasitological evidence is not easily obtained. Antibody tests have been proposed as a good substitute for classical diagnostic techniques. Using the crude extracts of Parnsonimus westermnni eggs, metacercariae. 4- and 7-week Juveniles, and 16-week adults as antigens, we observed the early antibody responses. Sera were obtained from 4 experimental cats, fed 50 metacercariae each, at intervals until 13 weeks post-infection. Antibody (IgG) responses were identified by ELISA using extracts of 4-week juveniles, followed by those of 7- and 16-week worms. Antibody responses were minimal against the metacercarial extracts. Antibodies to p. westemoni egg extracts were elevated after 10 weeks post-infection. In immunoblot analysis, more than nine protein bands in 4-week juveniles reacted with the early infection sera. Antigenic proteins in adult worms were different from those of juveniles. After four weeks of infection, 32 and 35 kDa bands in the adult extracts were increasingly reactive. Egg specific proteins at 28, 46 and 94 kDa were reactive only after 10 weeks. Antigenic components reactin료 to the early infection sera changed during the maturation stages of P. westermani; almost all juvenile antigens were replaced by adult antigen components.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.233-239
• /
• 2015

Both Q-fever and Toxoplasmosis are zoonosis. Q-fever occurs due to intracellular bacteria, while Toxoplasmosis is created by protozoan. Both of them have a wide range of host including livestock and wild animals and occur sporadically all over in the world. In this study, seroprevalence of Q-fever and Toxoplasmosis was investigated on cows bred in the area of Seoul where there was a fairly high possibility to occur, while vaccine was not used in Korea. As for experiment materials, cattle blood collected from 190 cows from February to September in 2014 was used ELISA. According to the result, there was a positive reaction on Q-fever from 18 cows out of total 190 cows (9.5%) and on Toxoplasmosis from 32 cows (16.8%). Seroprevalence of both diseases per age was turned out to be negative for those aged less than 2. In addition, it was shown to be positive on 4 cows out of 87 (4.6%) cows aged from 3 to 5, on 7 cows out of 30 cows (23.3%) aged from 6 to 7. Finally, it was shown to be positive on 7 cows out of 17 cows (41.2%) aged 8 or above. Toxoplasmosis was turned out to be positive on 1 cow out of 56 cows (1.8%) aged less than 2, on 6 cows out of 87 cows (6.9%) aged from 3 to 5, on 17 cows out of 30 cows (56.7%) aged from 6 to 7. In addition, it was turned out to be 8 cows out of 17 cows (47.1%) aged 8 or above. Seroprevalence of both diseases was turned out to be higher as age increased. Therefore, it seems that a wide range of investigation on the entire disease spreaders as well as livestock is required since infection of Q-fever and Toxoplasmosis, types of zoonosis, has continuously occurred, and the number of insects, wild animals, and stray animals serving as a role of spreading diseases by changes in seasons and environments has been gradually increasing in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.159-167
• /
• 1995

The relationship between palpable ovarian structure and milk progesterone levels were determined in 144 dairy cows. Depending on the ovarian structure and diseases were divided into two groups, Group I (absence of functional luteal tissue in ovary and <2ng/ml in milk progesterone levels) and Group II(presence of functional luteal tissue in ovary and ${\geq}2ng/ml$ in milk progesterone levels) 1. Among 69 cows of group I, dysfunction of ovary, atropy of ovary, follicle is ovary, follicular cyst and corpus luteum albicans were 17(11.8%), 19(13.2%), 14(9.7%), 3(2.1%) and 16 cows(11.1%), and among 75 cows of group II, corpus luteum A, B and C were 16(11.1%), 17(11.8%) and 42 cows(29.2%), respectively. 2. In Group I, milk progesterone concentrations were <1ng/ml in 55 cows(79.9%). Conversely in Ggroup II, milk progesterone concentrations were ${\geq}4ng/ml$ in 55 cows(73.3%). 3. The mean(${\pm}SE$) concentrations of milk progestsrone in the Group I and II were $1.62{\pm}0.45$ and $7.64{\pm}0.68ng/ml$, respectively, and CR test showed the difference in milk progesterone concentrations between the two groups to be statistically significant(p<0.01). 4. The mean(${\pm}SE$) concentration of milk progesterone in cows with corpus luteum A, B and C were $8.11{\pm}1.83$, $8.48{\pm}1.30$ and $7.12{\pm}0.82ng/ml$, respectively, there was no significant relationship between palpable corpora luteum structure and milk progesterone concentration. 5. The accuracy of ovarian diagnosis was 82.6 and 20.2% in the Group I and II, respectively, and Chi-square test showed the difference in accuracy between the two groups to be statistically significant (p<0.001). 6. The agreement between the rectal palpation and milk progesterone concentrations in ovarian disease was 50%.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.33 no.8
• /
• pp.648-654
• /
• 2000

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass during open heart surgery causes systemic inflammatory respose. IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that inhibits inflammatory process and protects organ function by down regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine release and maintenance of blood level balance with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Mateial and Method: Plasma IL-10 levels were measured and analyzed in 22 patients who underwent open heart surgery (11 cases of coronary artery bypass graft, 11 cases of valve replacement) under cardiopulmonary bypass since 1988 January to July at Department of Thoracic and Czardiovascular surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital. 1g of methylprednisolone was administrated to thirteen patients randomly. Blood samp.es were taken and collected at the time of induction of anesthesia, 10 min before cardiopulmonary bypass, 10 min after starting of CPB, 10 min aftr aortic cross clamping, 10 min after ACC release, and 10 min, 2 hours, and `5 hours after CPB respectively. The plasma levels of IL-10 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA). Wilcoxon-Raule Sum test was used for statistical analysis. Result: In all 22 patients, cardiopulmonary bypass time was used for statistical analysis. Result: In all 22 patients, cardiopulmonary bypass time was 171$\pm$41.4 min and aortic cross clamp time was 118$\pm$36.5 min. Peak IL-10 level was achieved at 10 min after ACC(361.0$\pm$52.81pg/ml) and was decreased sharply at 2 hours after CPB. Peak IL-10 level was correlated positively with aortic cross clamp time(p=0.011); however, it did not correlated with bypass time(p=0.181). In valve replacement group, mean IL-10 level at peak point was 567.89$\pm$107.69 pg/ml and was significantly higher than that of coronary artery bypass group(205.67$\pm$192.70 pg/ml)(p<0.001). ACC time in valve replacement group was significantly longer than that of coronary artery bypass group(p<0.01), however, bypass time was not(p=0.212). Thirteen patients with steroid pretreatment before starting of CPB showed relatively higher plasma IL-10 level than in control group, however, no statistical significance was noted(p=0.19). Conclusion: plasma level of IL-10 was increased in association with cardiopulmonary bypass and revealed peak at 10 min after ACC release. IL-10 level was correlated positively with ACC time. Therefore, systemic inflammatory respeonse in association with cardiopulmonary bypass could be decreased by reducing ACC time during cardiac surgery.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.93-106
• /
• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study is to characterize the effect of Chungganhaeju-tang on $TGF-{\beta}l$-induced hepatic fibrosis. Materials and Methods : mRNA and protein expression levels of $TGF-{\beta}l$ in Chungganhaeju-tang treated HepG2 cells were compared to untreated cells using quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA assay, respectively. mRNA expression levels of the $TGF-{\beta}l$ signaling pathway genes $(T{\beta}R-I,\;T{\beta}R-II,\;Smad2,\;Smad3,\;Smad4,\;and\;PAI-1)$ and fibrosis-associated genes (CTGF, fibronectin, and collagen type $l{\alpha}$) were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. The effect of Chungganhaeju-tang on cell proliferation of T3891 human fibroblast was evaluated using $[^3H]Thymidine$ Incorporation Assay. Results : Inhibition of $TGF-{\beta}l$ mRNA expression and protein production was observed with treatment of Chungganhaeju-tang and seen to be dose and time dependent. Whereas $TGF-{\beta}l$-mediated induction of PAI-1 was suppressed with treatment of Chungganhaeju-tang, expression of the $TGF-{\beta}l$ signaling pathway genes such as $T{\beta}R-I$, $T{\beta}R-II$, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 was not affected. With treatment of Chungganhaeju-tang, inhibition of $TGF-{\beta}l$-induced cell proliferation of T3891 human fibroblast was observed, as well as abrogation of $TGF-{\beta}l$-mediated transcriptional up-regulation of CTGF, fibronectin, and collagen type $I{\alpha}$. Conclusion : This study strongly suggests that the liver cirrhosis-suppressive activity of Chungganhaeju-tang may be derived at least in part from its inhibitory effect on $TGF-{\beta}l$ functions, such as blockade of $TGF-{\beta}l$ stimulation of fibroblast cell proliferation and fibrosis-related gene expression as well as expression of $TGF-{\beta}l$ itself.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
• /
• 2002.11a
• /
• pp.141-144
• /
• 2002

Environmental estrogens are natural or synthetic substances present in the aquatic environment, especially in effluent from sewage treatment. However, the adverse effects of these estrogenic substances on fish reproduction are unknown. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is the most common phthalate, which Ps used as a plasticizer in polyvinylchloride (PVC), and it is widespread in the environment and has been found in aquatic organisms and sediments. Therefore, juvenile common carps (Cyprinus carpio) were exposed to nominal concentrations of 17$\beta$-estradiol (E2) (0.5, 5, 50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L) and DEHP (10, 100, 500 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L) for 21 days, to determine the adverse reproductive effects of these compounds on plasma vitellogenin (VTG) induction, sex steroid level, and gonad weight. Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed that much of VTG was induced in fish exposed to 5 and 50 E$_2$ $\mu\textrm{g}$/L, but none of DEHP exposure showed induction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that VTG was significantly induced in fish exposed to 5 and 50 E$_2$ $\mu\textrm{g}$/L, and combination of 50 E$_2$ $\mu\textrm{g}$/L with 10 and 500 DEHP $\mu\textrm{g}$/L, but none of DEHP exposure showed induction. Analysis of sex steroid levels in some fish revealed that testosterone (T) was detected in both male and female fish of the control and DEHP exposures, but none of fish exposed to 22 concentrations had detectable testosterone level. On the other hand, E$_2$ exposure induced 17$\beta$-estradiol in plasma of male fish, but there was no induction of 17$\beta$-estradiol in plasma of male fish exposed to DEHP. Comparison of gonadosomatic index (GSI) revealed that maximal E$_2$ exposure inhibited ovarian growth, but maximal DEHP exposure stimulated testicular growth. The results indicated that those comparisons can be a useful bio-indicator for determining adverse reproductive effect of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.155-163
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between blood lipids, fibrinogen, fasting blood sugar, lifestyle-related factors and lipoprotein(a). This study was performed with 140 healthy adults (male:80, female:60) among the teachers in primary, middle, and high school in Seoul in November 1996. Lipoprotein(a) concentration was measured with an enzyme-linked-immunosorbents assay(ELISA), and the results showed that the distribution was highly skewed and the average concentrations of male and female were $16.94{\pm}12.70\;mg/dL\;and\;17.92{\pm}7.58\;mg/dL$, respectively. The percentage of subject with lipoprotein(a) concentrations higher than 30 mg/dL was 26.4%. Univariate analysis showed significant association between lipoprotein(a) and age, alcohol, meat, and NaCl consumption (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, lipoprotein(a) correlated positively with age (p<0.05) and meat consumption (p<0.01). These data suggest that lifestyle-related factors may affect the lipoprotein(a) concentration regarded as a risk factor of atherosclerosis disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.178-183
• /
• 2014

The objective of this study is to find out the effect of yeast on hair loss treatment and the role of hair follicle stem cell activator, which is important in hair growth. The authors have recently produced a substance, which has no disgusting odor, does not precipitates and does not easily corrupt, to use instead of yeast acquired from raw rice wine(Makgeolli). The substance is named Yeast Constituent Extract(YCE). In this research, the Produced YCE was applied on the hair loss area of 10 Androgenic alopecia patients, twice every day for 6 months, in order to test the effect of hair loss treatment and the role of stem cell activator. As a result, all of the patients showed a significant growth of hair after 3 months of test, and showed much more growing, thickening and strengthening of hair after 6 months. As a result of measuring the number of hair strings in the same scalp region of the patients after 6 months, it is found that the density of hair has increased, indicating that the hair loss treatment was effective. Also the hair follicle stem cell was isolated from the patients and the contents of growth factors (IGF, VEGF, FGF, HGF) derived from hair follicle stem cell were measured with ELISA. As result, the amount is found to be about 10 times greater than before the test. The hair follicle stem cell contains many growth factors that affect growth of hair, so it takes a highly important role in hair loss treatment. The YCE that the authors have produced was found to be effective in increasing the contents of growth factors that are derived from hair follicle stem cell. Thus it can be inferred that the YCE plays a role as a stem cell activator that activates the hair follicle stem cells. In conclusion, the YCE is considered to be highly effective for hair loss treatment and to have a role as a stem cell activator.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.924-939
• /
• 2016

The great economic losses caused by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infection of peppers has led to the development of genetically modified (GM) CMV-resistant peppers. We developed virus-resistant pepper plants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation. The expressed recombinant protein was purified using nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid resin and immunoaffinity chromatography, and purity was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Immunoblot analysis revealed the purified CMV coat protein (CMV-CP) had a molecular mass of 25 kDa. After in-gel digestion and desalting, the internal peptide fragments of CMV-CP were sequenced by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight. Most GM pepper and Escherichia coli BL21 internal peptides had identical peptide sequences and contained 137 of 183 whole peptides in CMV-CP. A quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect CMV-resistant GM peppers. We also provide basic information about the expressed protein in GM peppers for further safety assessment. The contents of soluble protein and CMV-CP were measured in GM and control peppers cultivated in three different areas of Korea. Statistical significance in terms of cultivation areas, harvest times, generations, and plant tissue origin were determined based on a P value of 0.05. The highest amount of CMV-CP was detected at the seedling stage from plant grown in each region. T3 and T5 showed significantly different levels of CMV-CP from T4 in leaves in the whorl stage. No statistical differences were observed among GM peppers at different stages of maturity in any cultivation area. The results from this study contribute to the safety evaluation of newly designed CMV-resistant GM peppers and provide a standard against which to compare other virus-resistant GM peppers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.429-436
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes inflammation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) overexpression and extracellular matrix depletion, leading to skin photoaging such as wrinkle formation, dryness, and sagging. Activation of MMP is influenced by various molecules such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), proinflammatory cytokines, and transient receptor potential vanilloid type (TRPV)-1, which are increased in UV-irradiated skin cells. Aralia elata (AE) ethanolic extract was reported to inhibit ROS generation caused by UVB-irradiation in keratinocytes. In this study, we investigated the photoprotective effect of AE ethanolic extract on UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Methods: AE was freeze-dried, extracted in 70% ethanol, and concentrated. Skin cells were treated with AE extract for 24 h and then exposed to UVB ($55mJ/cm^2$). After 48 h of incubation, proinflammatory cytokines, MMP-1, type-1 procollagen, and TRPV-1 levels were measured by ELISA or Western blotting. Results: Treatment with AE extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited UVB-induced IL-6, IL-8, and $PGE_2$ production in HaCaT by 25.6%, 5.3%, and 70.2%, respectively, and also inhibited elevation of MMP-1 and TRPV-1 caused by UVB irradiation by 20.0% and 41.9%, respectively (p < 0.05). In HDF, AE extract treatment significantly inhibited both elevation of MMP-1 and reduction of type-1 procollagen caused by UVB irradiation (p < 0.05). In addition, type-1 procollagen was elevated by AE extract treatment in normal HDFs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: AE 70% ethanol extract has photoprotective ability via reduction of proinflammatory mediators, TRPV-1 and MMP-1 production, and elevation of collagen synthesis. Our findings suggest that AE extract might be a good natural material to protect against UVB-induced premature skin aging.