• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cord serum adiponectin (APN) and IGF-I concentrations and fetal growth. Methods : Umbilical cord serum APN and IGF-I concentrations were measured in healthy term singleton deliveries (n=72). The association of cord serum APN and IGF-I concentrations was evaluated in relation to birth weight, height, head circumference, gender, ponderal index, placental weight, feto-placental (F/P) weight ratio, maternal weight gain, and maternal body mass index (BMI). Results : The mean cord serum APN was 29.2${\pm}$10.46 $\mu$g/mL. The cord serum APN and birth weight demonstrated a bell-shape relationship. The cord serum APN concentration was higher in females than males (P=0.001). The cord serum APN was negatively correlated with maternal BMI (r=-0.301, P=0.027), but the mean cord serum APN concentration was not correlated with birth height, birth head circumference, ponderal index, placental weight, F/P ratio, or maternal weight gain. The mean cord serum concentrations of IGF-I was 51.26${\pm}$21.54 ng/mL. The cord serum IGF-I concentration was positively correlated with birth weight (r=0.312, P=0.009), but not birth height, ponderal index, placental weight, F/P weight ratio, or maternal BMI. Conclusion : APN demonstrated a bell-shaped relationship with birth weight in healthy term infants. IGF-I was highly correlated with fetal growth, especially birth weight.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.339-349
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate anti-inflammatory and antitussive expectoration effects of Friltillariae Thunbergii Bulbus (FTB) in a mouse model. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the FTB, we conducted in vitro experiments using RAW264.7 cells. An MTT assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were carried out to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of FTB. The expectorant effect on phenol red secretion, the antitussive effect on cough induced by ammonia solution, and leukocyte increased inhibition effects in acute airway inflammation in the animal model were confirmed. Results: FTB did not show cytotoxicity in the experimental group at 10, 30, 50, 100, 300, or 500 ㎍/ml and significantly inhibited the increase of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 in the experimental groups at 30, 50, 100, 300, and 500 ㎍/ml concentrations. In sputum, cough, and acute airway inflammation animal models, FTB significantly increased phenol red secretion in the 400 mg/kg administration group. FTB significantly reduced the number of coughs and significantly increased cough delay time in both 200 and 400 mg/kg dose groups. FTB decreased the white blood cell count in BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) in the 400 mg/kg administration group. Conclusion: Our study revealed that FTB elicits antitussive and expectorant effects by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines, increasing sputum secretion, suppressing cough, and reducing inflammatory cells. We concluded that FTB is a highly promising agent for respiratory tract infection with therapeutic opportunities.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.266-272
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• 1995

The analysis of membrane receptors for hormones and neurotransmitters has progressed considerably by pharmacological and biochemical means and more recently through the use of specific antibodies. To generate and characterize a moloclonal antibody against $\beta$-adrenergic receptor, a synthetic $\beta$2-adrenergic receptor peptide (Phe-Gly-Asn-Phe-Trp-Cys-Phe-Trp-Thr-Ser-lle-Asp-Val-Leu) which may comprise part of $\beta$-adrenergic receptor ligand binding pocket was coupled to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) and used as an immunogen. Male BALB/C mice were immunized with this antigen and the immunized spleen was fused with myeloma SP2/0-Ag14 cells to produce monoclonal antibodies. Two clones were obtained but one of monoclonal antibodies, mAb5G09, was used throughout in this study because the other clone, mAb5All showed weak immunoreactivity against KLH as well. The mouse monoclonal antibody mAb5G09 produced in this study showed immunoreactivity to peptide-KLH conjugates and also to human A43l cells and guinea pig lung $\beta$2-adrenergic receptor as revealed by ELISA and western blot. In the course of determination of the effects of mAb5G09 on $\beta$-receptor ligand binding, it was observed that mAb5G09 specifically bound $\beta$-adrenergic radioligand [$^3$H]dihydroalprenolol (DHA) with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 60 nM. The [$^3$H]DHA binding activity of mAb5G09 had characteristics of immunoglobulins and the binding activity was not observed in the control anti-KLH monoclonal antibody. The monoclonal antibody, mAb5G09 produced in this study may provide useful models for the study of the structure of receptor binding sites.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.413-419
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• 2020

Eosinophilia occurs commonly in many diseases including allergic diseases and helminthic infections. Toxocariasis has been suggested as one cause of eosinophilia. The present study was undertaken to examine the prevalence of toxocariasis in patients with eosinophilia and to identify the risk factors for toxocariasis. This prospective cohort study recruited a total of 81 patients with eosinophilia (34 males and 47 females) who visited the outpatient clinic at Seoul National University Hospital from January 2017 to February 2018 and agreed to participate in this study. The prevalence of toxocariasis was examined by T. canis-specific ELISA, and the various risk factors for toxocariasis were evaluated by a questionnaire survey. Among 81 patients with eosinophilia, 18 were positive for anti-T. canis antibodies (22.2%); 88.9% were male (16/18) and 11.1% were female (2/18). Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that males (OR 21.876, 95% CI: 1.667-287.144) with a history of consuming the raw meat or livers of animals (OR 5.899, 95% CI: 1.004-34.669) and a heavy alcohol-drinking habit (OR 8.767, 95% CI: 1.018-75.497) were at higher risk of toxocariasis in patients with eosinophilia. Toxocariasis should be considered a potential cause of eosinophilia when the patient has a history of eating the raw meat or livers of animals in Korea. A single course of albendazole is recommended to reduce the migration of Toxocara larvae in serologically positive cases with eosinophilia.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 1999

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in normal preschool children. Methods: Study population consisted of 220 preschool children aged 2 to 5 years in Seoul, Korea. We measured H. pylori specific IgG antibody using the GAP test IgG kit, and samples with concentrations greater than 20 U/ml were considered positive. Results: Of the 220 children, 5 (2.3%) were positive, and thirteen (5.9%) of 220 were equivocally probable positive. Conclusion: The positive rate of H. pylori infection detected by specific IgG antibody in normal preschool children aged 2 to 5 years was approximately 2.3% to 8.2%. This prevalence rate is still high, compared to that of the West. A better knowledge of the transmission of H. pylori is crucial to formulate recommendations for lowering the rate.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.529-534
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• 2003

This study was done to investigated the phytosterol compositions of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed. The phytoestrogen activity was also determined using CAT-ELISA Kit in ethanol extract of safflower seed. The phytosterol of safflower seeds was identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after saponification of the oils. The phytosterol content and composition of safflower seed oils were 4% and identified stigmast-5-en-3-ol (3$\beta$, 24S)-form, ${\gamma}$-sitosterol (clionasterol) with Wiley MS spectrum library. The synergistic effect of human estrogen receptor (hER) has been investigated using a minimal chimeric promoters composed of the TATA region of the adenovirus-2 major late promoter (A22MLP) and two consensus perfectly polindromic Xenopus vitellogenin A2 gene estrogen responsive elements (XVEREl19). Transient transfection experiments in tile human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7, which is known to express the estrogen receptor endogenously, revealed that phytoestrogen from Carthamus tinctorius L. acts as estrogen. We have observed the transcriptional activities stimulated methanol and ethanol extract of safflower seed in MCF-7, were 0.43 and 0.37 respectively, compared to that by $\beta$-estradiol as 1.0. Our data showed that safflower seeds have estrogenic activity methanol and ethanol extracts and ethanol lower than that of $\beta$-estradiol. This result provides the first evidence that the beneficial effect of safflower seeds may be mediated, at least in part, by the stimulating effect of phytoestrogen ell bone-protecting.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2003

Background and Objectives: The Herpes Simplex type 2 Defective Infectious Single Cycle virus (DISC virus) is attenuated virus originally produced as viral vaccines but are also efficient gene transfer vehicle. The main goals of this study were to examine the efficiencies of the gene transfer using DISC vectors for various head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and to evaluate the efficacy of vaccination with DISC virus carrying a immunomodulatory genes (GM-CSF) as cancer therapy in a organotopic oral cavity squamous cell cancer model. Materials and Methods : We determinated the gene transfer efficiency of DISC virus by x-gal stain method and proved gene and protein expression of DISC-GMCSF transfected SCCVII cells by RT-PCR and ELISA method. Also we evaluated the ex vivo vaccination effects of SCCVII/GMCSF (DISC-GMCSF transfected SCCVII vaccine) vaccine on preventing the recurrence of micro-residual tumor. After the vaccination of SCCVII/GMCSF, specific cytotoxic T-cell responses was evaluated by CTL assay. Results: At an MOI of 10 DISC virus showed 64-88% of transfection rates in various head and neck squamous cancer cell lines. SCCVII cells transduced by DISC virus vector (MOI=10) carrying the GM-CSF gene, produced 4.5 nanogram quantities of GM-CSF per $10^6$ cells. In vivo vaccination using tumor cells transduced ex vivo with DISC-GMCSF resulted in better protection rate against subsequent tumor recurrence in organotopic oral cavity cancer model. Although tumor free survival rate was not statistically significantly increased in vaccination group (p=0.078), tumor specific cytotocic T-cell responses were significantly increased in SCCVII/GMCSF vaccination group. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that; 1) The DISC virus vector is capable of efficient gene transfer to various head and neck squamous cancer cell lines, 2) GM-CSF secreting genetically modified tumor vaccine (SCCVII/GMCSF) efficiently protected against tumor recurrence in organotopic micro-residual oral cavity cancer model and produced tumor specific cytotoxic T-cell response. DISC virus-mediated, cytokine gene transfer may prove to be useful as a clinical therapy for head and neck cancers.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2017

We introduced disposable amperometric immunosensors for the detection of Sildenafil and Vardenafil (SDF/VDF) based on screen printed carbon electrodes. The developed immunosensors were used as a non-competitive sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay with a horseradish peroxidase label. The sensors were constructed on screen printed carbon electrodes by the simple electrochemical deposition of a reduced graphene oxide and chitosan (ErGO-CS) composite. To evaluate the sensing chemistry and optimize the sensor characteristics, a series of electrochemical experiments were carried out including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The sensors showed a linear response to SDF/VDF concentrations in a range from 100 pg/mL to 300 ng/mL. The lower detection limit was calculated to be 55 pg/mL, the sensitivity was calculated to be $1.02{\mu}Ang/mL/cm^2$, and the sensor performance exhibited good reproducibility with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 7.1%. The proposed sensing chemistry strategy and the sensor format can be used as a simple, cost-effective, and feasible method for the in-field analysis of SDF/VDF in functional or health supplement food samples.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2014

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been used as a traditional medicinal ingredient and the ginseng flower-buds also proved to have good medicinal properties. In this study, in order to enhance immune activities of ginseng flower-bud, the ginseng flower-bud extract was being fermented by Bacillus subtilis KCTC 1022 (BS), Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC3 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CHY1011 (SC). Mice were orally administered daily for two weeks at two different concentrations (100 and 200 mg/kg B.W.). Treatment samples were water extracts of ginseng flower-buds (FD), water extracts of fermented ginseng flower-buds (FM) and controls for saline solution. Cytokine production (IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$) either stimulated with LPS or not stimulated with LPS was detected by the ELISA assay when using the cytokine kit. Cytokine was statistically increased at supplemented groups with LPS in both the 100 and the 200 mg/kg B.W. and treatment with FM significantly decreased the LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production more than the treatment with FD. The results of this study may suggest that supplementation with FM increases the immune function by regulating cytokine production capacity for activated macrophages.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.253-257
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• 2015

Acanthopanax senticosus is an herb that has been used as a traditional remedy and medicine source. Its anti-inflammatory and, anti-oxidative effects have been reported in previous studies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Acanthopanax senticosus water extracts on mouse macrophage cell in vitro. Mouse splenocyte proliferation increased after application of Acanthopanax senticosus water extract supplement of 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ after 48 h pre-treatment with a mitogen (ConA or LPS). The production of cytokines secreted by LPS and non LPS stimulated macrophages was detected by ELISA assay using a cytokine kit. Cytokine production (IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$) increased after water extract supplementation. The result of this in vitro study, showed that splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production by activated peritoneal macrophages were increased after Acanthopanax senticosus water extract in the range of $500{\sim}1,000{\mu}L/mL$. Thus, it is suggested that supplementation with Acanthopanax senticosus water extracts may enhance immune function by regulating splenocyte proliferation and enhancing cytokine production by activated macrophage.